"The early history (1788 to 1842) of New South Wales was dominated by its designation as a place for 'transported felons'--forgers, embezzlers, burglars, revolutionaries, and prostitutes--who mercifully escaped the hangman's noose in England. Here is an extremely interesting account of its growth from the legal perspective and of the development of a system of magistracy, courts, and police....An excellent study, well written, well documented...." Choice

• List of illustrations; Abbreviations; Preface; 1. Great changes; 2. Free society, penal colony, slave society, prison?; 3. The rule of law; 4. The courts; 5. The magistracy; 6. Policing a penal colony; 7. The campaign for trial by jury; 8. Conclusion; Appendices; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

"The early history (1788 to 1842) of New South Wales was dominated by its designation as a place for 'transported felons'--forgers, embezzlers, burglars, revolutionaries, and prostitutes--who mercifully escaped the hangman's noose in England. Here is an extremely interesting account of its growth from the legal perspective and of the development of a system of magistracy, courts, and police....An excellent study, well written, well documented...." Choice

• List of illustrations; Abbreviations; Preface; 1. Great changes; 2. Free society, penal colony, slave society, prison?; 3. The rule of law; 4. The courts; 5. The magistracy; 6. Policing a penal colony; 7. The campaign for trial by jury; 8. Conclusion; Appendices; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

"The early history (1788 to 1842) of New South Wales was dominated by its designation as a place for 'transported felons'--forgers, embezzlers, burglars, revolutionaries, and prostitutes--who mercifully escaped the hangman's noose in England. Here is an extremely interesting account of its growth from the legal perspective and of the development of a system of magistracy, courts, and police....An excellent study, well written, well documented...." Choice

• List of illustrations; Abbreviations; Preface; 1. Great changes; 2. Free society, penal colony, slave society, prison?; 3. The rule of law; 4. The courts; 5. The magistracy; 6. Policing a penal colony; 7. The campaign for trial by jury; 8. Conclusion; Appendices; Notes; Bibliography; Index.