Colonial Secretary's Inwards Correspondence (S5253)

This is the main series of letters received by the Colonial Secretary's Office, and was started following separation from New South Wales in December 1859. The Colonial Secretary’s correspondence contains fascinating stories from the people living and working in the new state of Queensland, in their own words, about all sorts of topics they thought were important to bring to the attention of the government. Along with the official reports and correspondence from government workers around the state, everyday people also wrote about all sorts of things including immigration, land orders, police including native police, Courts of Petty Sessions, local governments, prisons, hospitals, education, legislative matters, etc. The Colonial Secretary in 1859 was responsible for all functions excluding those of the Attorney General and Treasurer. The correspondence of the Colonial Secretary covers the full range of functions and responsibilities until other departments, such as lands, police, works, mines and education, were established in the 1860s and 1870s. From approximately 1 April 1886 to 1898 this series also contains correspondence of the Chief Secretary who became responsible for legislative and external matters, and whose Department subsequently became the Premier's Department. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that these documents may contain the names of people who have died. This collection also contains copies of historical documents, records and newspaper articles that can often include offensive and derogatory terms which are unacceptable today.