The Ticket of Leave was one of the key incentives to good behaviour within the convict system. It provided a measure of freedom after several years of acceptable conduct; most importantly permission for convicts to work for their own benefit.
State Records has many registers and official copies of Tickets of Leave issued, but examples of the actual tickets held by the convicts themselves are not often found. These items are clearly identified by their size and format, and the requirement that a convict had to carry the ticket at all times is evident in the obvious fold marks across the document.
Convict Robert Leach
This is in stark contrast to William Parr, a well-educated ‘gentleman convict’ who arrived on the same ship as Leach in 1813, was granted a ticket of leave soon after, and was subsequently pardoned and returned to England.
It is interesting to note that the initials ‘L M’ (Lachlan Macquarie) appear several times on Leach’s ticket. This is a good example of the ‘hands-on’ involvement of the Governor in the administration of the convict system.
Source: NRS 905: Colonial Secretary: Main series of letters received, 1826-1982 Letter No. 27/7218 [4/1941]
Transcript of the letter
27/7218 1 Augt 1827
Court House Liverpool
21 July 1827
Sir
Herewith we have the honor
to transmit to you the Ticket of Leave
of Robert Leach per ship Fortune (2)
which we have cancelled for repeated
Drunkeness and other Acts of Improper
Conduct.
We have the honor to be
Sir,
Your Most Obedt Servants
Thos Moore JP
Pat Hill JP
The Hon Alex McLeay Esq
Colonial Secretary
Convict John Chave
Source: NRS 905: Colonial Secretary: Main series of letters received, 1826-1982 Letter No. 27/3579/2 [4/1928]
