Alexander Mcleay's Autographed Letter Confirming Land Allotment Offer

Autographed Letter From Alexander Mcleay, Colonial Secretary, June 1829, A letter signed by 'Alex Mcleay' headed Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney 26th June, 1829 addressed to Private James Pickles, late of the Royal Staff Corps. The letter confirms the offer of 'an Allotment of Ground in the Town of Windsor....but you will understand that this order will be null and void if you are not actually residing on the Land alluded to, at the end of Six Months from the present date.' A transfer to Thomas Dargin, dated Sept.1830 has been written, in a different hand, on the reverse. Unlike the previous item, remarkably, this letter is accompanied by the original map identifying several pieces of land on George Street, between Bridge St and Catherine St and showing the location of the Hawkesbury River and other landmarks. As explained previously, the scheme to settle these discharged soldiers in the Australian colonies was a failure. Particular blame can be laid at the feet of Governor Darling, especially as his brothers-in-law were the officers in charge of both the Royal Veteran Companies and the Royal Staff Corps, and he kept them busy with civil duties. Other officers were likewise tempted by the large salaries of civil positions, and virtually ignored their military responsibilities. Thus, the scheme was unsuccessful on various levels, most importantly because the officers did not fulfil their duties, and failed to provide leadership to the rank and file who, in turn, performed disastrously in their various roles. After discharge, most soldiers failed to take up their land grants, or forfeited them through non-residence.