Because every now and then research on something else entirely leads to a hidden gem.
From the Colonial Secretary to the Superintendent of the Lunatic Asylum:
“Sir, In reply to your Letter of the 1st instant, I request to be made acquainted with the manner in which the straight waistcoats already provided for your establishment in the early part of last year, have so soon been expended.”
From the Superintendent of the Lunatic Asylum to the Colonial Secretary.
“Sir,
I received your Letter of the 7th instant and beg leave to observe that I received two strait waistcoats from His Majesty’s Stores Sydney, sent by Mr J Flin Storekeeper the 23rd February 1820, and six more through the same channel the 17th of May following – part of the said waistcoats have been in constant use from the above periods to the present. The first reduction in number was by Thomas Bradbury running away with one on his back, which was never recovered. The fragments of three are now in the store. These now are in use and one (much worn) I have in reserve, which will very likely be in requisition before tomorrow. I beg leave to state to you, sir, that these waistcoats might have lasted much longer had I had separate rooms to have confined the transgressors in but being promiscuously mixed with others for want of separate apartments they assist one another in getting them off, and when off they tear and destroy them before the keepers can get at them. I think it necessary to observe here that it is not those that are absolutely insane that tear the strait waistcoats and clothing, but such as I requested the canvas dresses for.
You may depend on it, Sir, that every possible care has, and shall be taken to prevent any abuse of the clothing or any other thing committed to my charge.
I am very respectfully,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
W Bennett
Supt Lun. Asylum.”
Series: NRS 897; Reel or Fiche Numbers: Reels 6041-6064, 6071-6072. New South Wales Government. Main series of letters received, 1788-1825. Series 897, Reels 6041-6064, 6071-6072. State Records Authority of New South Wales. Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia.
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