The Anonymous Letter of 1828 and Its Sequel

The debate on the route for the Great North Road took an unexpected impetus from an anonymous letter published in the Sydney Gazette of 21 January 1828:-

To the Editor of the Sydney Gazette Sir John McDonald, a native of Scotland, an assigned servant to Mr Crawford, of Prospect, has discovered (and marked most of the way) a new line of Road from hence to Wiseman's, on the Hawkesbury, by way of Singleton's Ferry, on Mangrove Creek: by which road the journey may be easily performed on horseback in two days, without the necessity of even once dismounting while travelling. By the present intended line of road, the journey, I believe is four or five days, without grass or water, which McDonald's line affords in abundance the whole way; between the two places the distance does not exceed sixty-four miles. On this route and within 25 miles of Wallis' Plains, an equally good ridge leads in 26 miles to Newcastle, by inclining a little towards the coast. McDonald's line was hastily rode over some time since by a gentlemen of much experience, who every way highly approved of it, except in one part, where it crossed a deep ravine, which objection McDonald has obviated by diverging about one mile round. The superiority of this line, compared to that on which it is contemplated to make the New Road, or any other line now known, claims the attention of His Excellency, General Darling, who, it must be admitted, ever studies the real interests of the Colony, and readily embraces any measure for its advantage, when really practicable, which McDonald's road would be, in preference to the one now contemplated, to the whole of the inhabitants in the populous districts on the Banks of Hunter's River and Newcastle. Should these remarks reach His Excellency the Governor, it is respectfully hoped he may be pleased to cause competent judges, who have no personal interest whichsoever way the line may ultimately be adopted, to explore both McDonald's route and the circuitous alpine one on which the Road Gang at Wiseman's is shortly to commence its herculean labour; reporting ON OATH (as Surveyors do in England), their observations and opinions thereon for His Excellency's information; who will no doubt cause that line to be completed that is most advisable for public economy - advantageous to the traveller - and expeditious in constructing; which it will be found McDonald's line presents over any other.

No time, however, should be lost in making the survey, as the Road Gang at Wiseman's will shortly proceed on the barren and waterless line laid down at present. The foregoing information is sent to you, Sir, for insertion as an Editor who has been pre-eminently conspicuous in inserting any remarks in your Paper that has tended to 'advance Australia' and which is the desire also of
Your most obedient servant
ZZZ
Wallis Plains, January 5th, 1828."

In April of 1828, Simpson wrote to the Governor, explaining how he had caught some bushrangers near his property near Lake Macquarie and admitting that he was the ZZZ who had written the anonymous letter to the Editor of the Sydney Gazette:-

Lake Macquarie
April 6th 1828
Sir I beg leave to acquaint you for the information of His Excellency The Governor that I, acting on a statement made to me by some Black natives, proceeded (they refusing to accompany me) in search of Bushrangers whom they had seen at Manaring Creek, distant from hence seven miles-on riding east, I succeeded in capturing three of them - one of whom admitted to have been in the Bush six months-from Parramatta-the other two from the Australia Company. I reached Newcastle on the second day, and lodged them in Custody - During my absence an armed man without a pass or certificate visited my farm and my men on being ordered by Mrs Simpson to take him into custody refused. There is reason to suppose he was a companion to the Parramatta Bushranger whom I had taken - the Bushranger having admitted to me he had only parted from a companion of his the day before. Manaring Creek is about 45 miles North East of Wiseman's in a pass between the mountains and southend of Lake Macquarie, through which a new line of Road has lately been discovered from Wiseman's Ferry to Wallis Plains, which line I had the honor of pointing out for the favourable notice of Government through the Gazette under the signature of ZZZ. Considerably to the eastward of the foregoing line, towards the borders of Broadwater and Lake Macquarie, small Herds of stray and wild cattle exist, where (the Natives state to me), there are several Bushrangers who subsist on Cabbage tree, roots, game, tea and probably cattle - It is an unlocated part and central to Newcastle, Wallis Plains, the Hawkesbury - Mangrove Creek, Brisbane water and Brokenbay - and from the face of the Country well calculated to conceal Bushrangers in great security - there being neither police, constables or military within twenty miles around. I have the honour to be
Sir
Your most obedient servant
Percy Simpson."
(NSW Archives Office)

Note:- The Australia Company was an agricultural company at Port Stephens, employing many convicts. In its day, it was the largest private business ever run in the colony.

Percy Simpson's name has appeared several times to date in this story. There is more background on him in the special sections entitled Percy Simpson and Percy Simpson in NSW in the menu list under The Grand Vision - Personalities involved.