Guide to the Pamphlets of Patrick Morris (as filmed by the AJCP), 1823, 1828

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Summary

Collection number:

M598

Creator:

Morris, Patrick

Extent:

3 items

Language:

English

Preferred citation:

Acknowledgement of use of this material should refer to the location of the original material and to the Australian Joint Copying Project.

Items from this collection should include references to the location of the original material and to the AJCP nla.obj number, which serves as the online identifier for the digital copy.

Example: M Series: Journal of Capt. James Cook, 18 February 1770, British Library Add. MS 27885 (AJCP ref: http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1234)

Availability:

Available

Access conditions:

Available for reference.

Background

Content Summary:

Printed pamphlets by Patrick Morris: Observations on the present state of Newfoundland in reference to its courts of justice, local government and trade in a letter addressed to the Right Honourable Henry Earl Bathurst by an inhabitant of the colony(1823). Arguments to prove the policy and necessity of granting to Newfoundland a constitutional government in a letter 1828 to the Right Honourable W. Huskisson, Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies by P. Morris, an inhabitant of the colony at Newfoundland. Morris considered the new form of government for New South Wales, of Governor and Council nominated by the Governor, as 'more objectionable than any other for the colonies'. Report of the Select Committee Appointed to Inquire into the Present State of Agriculture in this Colony (Chairman: Patrick Morris), Parliamentary Paper.

Biographical / Historical:

Patrick Morris (c. 1789-1849) was born in Waterford, Ireland. In about 1804 he emigrated to St John's, Newfoundland, where he worked as a clerk for a Waterford merchant. By about 1810 he had become an independent merchant, trading in foodstuffs, fish, oil and timber. He gradually purchased a number of ships and became an important figure in the transatlantic trade. His ships also brought Irish migrants to Newfoundland and later to Quebec.

In the 1820s Morris became involved in the reform movement in Newfoundland that called for institutions more suitable to a permanent community rather than a transient fishing society. His pamphlet Observations on the present state of Newfoundland (1823), was published in London and in the following year Morris visited London and met Colonial Office officials. The reformers achieved a degree of success when the British Parliament passed the 1824 Judicature Act. In 1826 Morris moved to Waterford and he did not return permanently to St John's until 1833. In his pamphlet 'Arguments to prove the policy and necessity of granting to Newfoundland a constitutional government' (1828) he argued the case for a local assembly. He referred to discussions about constitutional changes in New South Wales and the idea of a legislative council appointed or recommended by the governor. He claimed that such a body would make the people of any colony discontented. Newfoundland achieved representative government in 1832.

On his return to Newfoundland, Morris was one of the leaders of the Catholic party. In 1837 he was elected to the Assembly where he chaired committees on the state of fishing, farming and the administration of justice. He reluctantly withdrew from the Assembly when he was appointed Colonial Treasurer and a member of the Council in 1840. He held this position until his death. Members of his family continued to be conspicuous in Newfoundland politics and commerce for the rest of the century.

Access and use

Conditions Governing Access:: Available for Access.
Conditions Governing Use:: Many of the records digitised as part of the AJCP are still in copyright. Readers wishing to publish or reproduce documents should seek permission, in the first instance, from the owner of the original material.