My family were devastated when I (Joseph Wheeler Feltham) was sent to prison and subsequently transported to Hobart Town, Van Dieman's Land, on the convict ship the 'Equestrian' in 1852. In retrospect I was blessed to be transported to this up-and-coming colony to start a new life. The following passage by the Reverend John West, from his book 'The History of Tasmania' (1852), summarises quite clearly to me why Australia, and my new home Tasmania, is so special.
"The liberality and generosity of the Australians has been remarked by every stranger. In prosperous times money is at command for every project which professes to do good, and suffering is instantly relieved by bounty which is sometimes extravagant. The loss of a vessel a few years ago afforded an instance of this. The utmost latitude of beneficence could not exhaust the immense sum (£1,200) contributed to make good the personal losses of a few passengers and seamen. The liberality of the hand is here unrestrained by religious antipathies. Bigotry assumes the character of ill temper and puffing. Two parrots in Philadelphia trained to polemics were set over against each other, one crying all day, "there can be no church without a prelate;" the other, "there can be a church without a prelate ;" the passengers were divided in opinion, but laughing walked on. Such is colonial life."References:
The History of Tasmania
By John West
Published by H. Dowling, 1852
Volume 2
