Description:

1840 partly cross-written entire letter headed "Adelaide/Oct 20th 1840" and signed by "William Giles", to Northumberland, no outgoing markings, boxed 'INDIA LETTER/PENZANCE' b/s & rated '8" as an incoming shipletter, very fine unframed 'NORTH SHIELDS/JU21/1841' arrival b/s, soiling & internal reinforcing. Eight months in transit. [Kingscote, on Kangaroo Island, was the first official settlement in South Australia. Settlers sent by the South Australian Company arrived in July 1836. The next year, William Giles arrived at Kangaroo Island to manage the company's affairs, transferring to Adelaide in 1841. A strong believer in the Colony's agricultural future, he was also an advocate of political & religious equality]



The writer speaks at length of Port Adelaide: "The new Port was opened last week, and there is now every facility for landing goods without the use of boats...when the creek below the port is required as a Harbour there will be more wharfs made...the present new Port is about one & a half miles below the old Port. The SA Coy have been selling their land at the Port at £1800 p acre, & parts have been sold at nearly double that..."