Thomas Barrett's Accomplices In New England

News of the first execution to occur in New Holland has come back, apparently having taken place on the 27th of February last year. The convict Thomas Barrett of the ship Charlotte was hung for his crimes having stolen butter, peas and pork from the government stores. While it seems to be a severe punishment, reports from the colonies say that many convicts are malnourished, as they are having difficulties planting crops, meaning the food supplies are some of their most valuable possessions. As well as Barrett, three other men were charged for the crime. According to Lieutenant Ralph Clark “the Provos Martial put the halter about the neck… he (Barrett) mounted the Ladder… when soon after the ladder was pulled from under him and he launched into another world”. There has been no confirmation from other officials that this is an accurate retelling of the events, though it is unlikely it is completely untrue.

New Holland, or New South Wales, being one the newest colonies of the British empire, had no real British presence until the arrival of the first fleet of convict ships in January of last year. The decision to use it as a penal colony occurred because of the extreme levels of overcrowding in prisons over
Some members of the public believe Barrett’s co-conspirators should have been hung as well, and that Governor Phillip should not have pardoned them even after the petition asking for a softer punishment for the three was sent. Complaints have been heard from soldiers at the colony, with some saying the settlement will not thrive if law and order is not kept among the convicts. Both in England and in the Colony amongst it is seen that any transgressions are publically punished as a lesson to others, and that it is a simple way to deter future