Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Greenway Family Papers 1817 – 1903 (Transcription of selected pages)
A1451

[Page 1]
Memorandums for Mr. Greenway, Govt. Acting Civil Architect.-

1st To draw out a Ground Plan and Elevation of a neat handsome Fort – intended to be erected, as soon as possible, on the lower part of Bennelong’s Point, with Ten Embrazures; viz, 4 in the North face, 4 in the East face, and two in the West face; the South face of

[Page 2]
the Fort being the Entrance, and not requiring Embrazures. The Fort is to be entirely built of the best stone than can be procured near the spot. –
2.d To draw a Ground Plan and Elevation of a Court of Offices and Stables (according to a sketch herewith delivered) for the use of the Governor’s Horses, Carriages, & Servants attached thereto; - which offices 7amp stables are to be built of Brick.
3.d To draw a Ground Plan and

[Page 3]
and Elevation of a Handsome and commodious Casttelled House, for the residence of the Governor in Chief of the Colony; agreeably to the Schedule of the number and description of the Apartments herewith delivered; which Casttelled House is to be built of Stone; - but the form of the House and disposition of the Apartments, are entirely left to Mr. Greenways own taste and judgment. –
Govt. House
Sydney 4. July
1817

L. Macquarie

[Page 4]
Not transcribed – blank

[Page 5]
To Mr. Greenway

Major Gen.l Macquarie
Requests to see Mr. Greenway at Government
House tomorrow
At 11, Oclock in the
Forenoon.-
[indecipherable] 2[indecipherable]
3.d Feb.y 1820

[Page 6]
blank

[Page 7]
Parramatta 24th March 1827

Dear Sir, I am not so much about to congratulate you as myself and the admirers of Architecture together with the Colony at large on that one of Fortune’s Freaks which ( as is reported has thrust upon you the Execution (and perchance improvement) of the Plan of our Governor’s and his Council’s Governess. For God’s sake – keep your Temper – for my sake – for your own sake, for the sake of all those born or un-born who are to inhabit the interior or to inherit the appearance of this anticipated ornament of the Country. Seriously, I hope that this may occupy sufficient of yr. attention to enable you to show that "Richard’s himself again". I should like to have some short Description of the intended Palace – the Order – or the Style of the Building – is it to be ordinarily defensible – in short give us two words on the subject – I beg to present my best compts to Mrs Greenway whom I do sincerely congratulate that you are likely to be employ’d and remain.
Dear Sir
Yours ever
Edward Mason

[Page 11]
At Sea Brig. Harlequin Capt [indecipherable]
From Sandwich Islands to China
April 2nd 1829

Dear William,

As I have said to Caroline "where are you" and where are you all, the last letter [indecipherable] from our dear sister is dated in 1835 and that from you 1832 You can therefore easily imagine that from the long silence of you all that I as a brother that I must feel anxious to hear and know how you are all doing, I am as you see on my way to China and perhaps to Singapore and Manila and from thence to Mexico at any rate I shall leave China in July or August for the islands, expecting to be hurried on my arrival in China I have sat down on the broad ocean to write you these few lines seriously hoping they may reach you all in health and prosperity, my principal object in going this voyage is to see a little of the world as this good opportunity affords, but at the same time I shall not be idle as I have to direct in the purchase of investments for Mr. French and some others at the Islands, I am happy t say that I am at present enjoying one or the greatest blessings of life health, but you can imagine that I have not made myself rich in keeping Pork, however I have done as well as I expected I am probably worth about Three thousand dollars at any rate not more than four the first four years of my residence at Oahu I rec’d but a small salary and my old Master Mr Pitman did not make me any allowance further than providing me with a good situation which is perhaps as much as I could expect under the circumstances as there was open on his Books at Sydney an a/c against our Father & our beloved and lamented Mother as well as

[Page 12]
myself, to be sure they did not altogether amount to more than I have forgot, at any rate not so much as I should in right have received, therefore should any of those accounts be presented by his Executors for payment of course do not pay them, but let me know and then I will as justly bring in my demand or my father can for me, I went to live with Mr. Pitman Nov 20/27 and left Sydney with him May 15/31, and arrived at the Islands July 25/31 from which latter date I have recd compensation for my services from the French in whose employment I have since been, at least at the common rate of salary at that time in Sydney and as Mr Pitman would have allowed me would have been at or about 70 to Eighty five pounds per annum (my washing was done at home there would be of course be a balance coming to me, perhaps some arrangement could be made with Mr. Foster (at Nortons) so that I could receive it through Mr Sturgis is in China, or perhaps he would settle it with you at Sydney, I wrote once about this business but never recd an answer, therefore if you think it worth while will you make the enquiry and let me know, at any rate I do not wish that any of those outstanding accounts as named should be paid in Sydney under their circumstances until I am settled with;(which of course I wish to pay out of my demand) but letters directed me at Oahu Sandwich Islands and South to China care of Russell & Co there, will sure to be forwarded to me, and let the [indecipherable] of you to write at least one letter a year and forward it by [indecipherable] conveyance, if it is only to let me know what you are all doing and what are your prospects, I have a great desire to return home but in which event I am afraid that I should now indeed find myself a stranger in Sydney, at least so far as it would make it difficult for me to commence business there, as I would have to depend in a great measure on the generosity of others, not having sufficiency of my own to commence the world myself , but I am determined to visit you for at least a short time ere long but perhaps not before 3 years, that is the mischief wherein a person once leaves their home they return not

[Page 13]
the time when they may be able to return, should I now go back, I should I know have to commence as it where the world over again, this often causes me many unpleasant feeling to be so cut off from a fond family and the early friends of childhood, but the world will have its way in spite of which human endeavours can do, therefore the wisest plan is to do all we are able to do for the good of one another, I am yet unsettled what to do, but in my return from this voyage shall firstly conclude whether to enter into business at [indecipherable] or not Mr. French has offered to give up his business but I have declined it for the present that is until my return, he no doubt will assist me all he can, if he will let me have it on such conditions that I can make a livelihood of it I think I shall take it then after a year or so I will give myself the pleasure of visiting you if I can do it without forfeiting the wish of my old Employer Mr. French but perhaps after all I may come home unexpectedly, as long as I have the blessing of health I fear not the world but I shall keep it in mind if possible to at least visit you once more and perhaps for good. I suppose you are married and shall I say have got a family only think what such a long silence has led me to conjecture, if you are I wish you both much joy and happiness, I suppose too I may say the same in regard to our dear sister Caroline if she is, many blessings attend her and her partner, I hope Charles Henry & Agnes are all growing up and will prove themselves ornaments to the family, at all events I hope to God attention has been given to their education one of the next blessings to health in the world. I have written to Father & Caroline, I have been about ¾ of the way to the [indecipherable] After myself it was not my fault that the other quarter was not added but so it is (nothing wrong) I have made up my mind to work for about 3 or 4 years I think it is not wise to get married too young and most particularly not when you are not certain of a sufficiency to support a family which I am yet far from having, at any rate I hope 4 years will make a difference in that aspect and perhaps I may be

[Page 14]
worse off than I am now, however always hope for the best, the Islands I think are improving, foreign residents keep increasing, sugar plantations and Silk Worm Establishments growing also Coffee and Cocoa & Rice which with many other beginnings I think will soon make the Sandwich Islands of a little more importance than they have generally been considered, A new American Consul with 24 passengers from the United States of America were expected this year but [indecipherable]4 Consuls English French American and Peruvian it is expected or rumoured that there is a company in America going to fit out Whalers from the Sandwich Islands one of them to arrive this year, I hope so, the Islands would then at once become a great commercial place at any rate they would in a few years, for I believe whaling could be carried in to great advantage and many ships would fit out from Oahu as they have done from Sydney, if the Sandwich Islands would alter their system in regard to the poor class of natives they would improve much quicker I have regularly sent the Newspapers and Spectator to Mr. Henry [indecipherable] to be forwarded to Caroline after he had perused them, I now send a package for the same purpose, I expect you will have to use spectacles to read this letter but I think with a mild perseverance you will be able to get through it, I shall now conclude hoping for the future that a little more lively recollection of each other will be kept up, at any rate I shall now wait to be convinced that the intention of reciprocation is meant for my own part I hold myself blameless in that respect, can you blame me that William after writing so often as I have done, and then consider that a brother left Sydney ( his name of course must have been Greenway) on the 15th May 1831 and some time in 1832 (Nov) he received a letter and not one since, from dear Caroline to 1835 you cannot blame me for feeling annoyed (not once from Father) China is a sure conveyance, remember me most affectionately to all and Believe me Dear William
Yr most affectionate brother
F.H. Greenway

[Page 19]
Office Public Works
Sydney 13th Jany. 1832

No 32/16

Sir, The Honorable the Colonial Secretary having transmitted to me under date the 28th Ultimo 31/763 your letter of the 22nd. Decr. Addressed to His Excellency the Governor wherein you represent that you have been called upon by several builders to survey the repairs required to the General Hospital, and refer to a plan made by you while civil Architect, in 1816 for increasing the size of the building, I beg to acquaint you that a careful search has been made in this Office, and that no such plan can be found and therefore I shall be glad to receive from you a copy and any information you may think proper to afford me upon this subject at your earliest convenience

I am
Sir
Your Obedient Servant
Chas. [indecipherable]
To Mr. Greenaway

[Page 381]
Measure and Value of Work [indecipherable] Men According to the Plans of F.H. Greenway [indecipherable] Architect

Magazine Fort Philip would have cost Governor [indecipherable] if it had been done by Contract –1,240 . .
Macquarie Light House would have cost by contract 7,050 . .
Prisoners Barracks Hyde Park would have cost by Contract at least 30,500 . .
Mess House of Upper Wing of Barracks with the different Offices & if it had been done by contract would have cost - - 10,500 . .
Macquarie Fort done by Contract would have cost – 21,000 . .
Judge Fields House " " " " " " - 4,800 . .
Alterations of Judge Advocates House – 600 . .
Additions, Alterations & saving Building from falling in Lumber Yard 2,000 . .
Alteration of Dawes Battery etc - - 1,200
Church at Windsor - - 5,600 . .
Stables for the use of Government House & Off[indecipherable] – 9,000 . .
Alterations of Parsonage House at Liverpool & securing it – 520
Plan of survey of Portico Government House Parramatta – 220 . .

In margin
120.380
2
£ 240.760

Alterations & additions, Parsonage House Sydney - - 1,120 . .
Alterations & additions, Orphan School Sydney - - 640. .
St. James Church Hyde Park - - 6240 . .
Court House now carrying into effect - - 6,450 . .
St. Andrews Church Foundation laid as a Metropolitan Church 2,500. .
Market House foundation laid - - 300 . .
Alterations of Government House - - 600 . .
Dock yard & Offices partly done by contract & partly by Government 3,300 . .
School House in Hyde Park - - 4,600 . .
£ 120,380

In carrying into effect these public Buildings by Government hands it has not cost Government one half the Sum which it would have cost by the lowest Contract that could have been obtained and the same Building Five years ago would have cost Government nearly double what is now calculated by Contract
The Contract carried into effect by me for Government but for the Line of Conduct pursued by me would have cost Government double the Sum of money . The Buildings lately carried into effect by my perseverance in getting better Workmanship and Materials is of double value to Government than what they would have otherwise been

[indecipherable] Amount of my Labor as a professional man would have been on Contracts, measuring, valuing etc – 1994.10. –
On Works carried into effect by Government[indecipherable] 9633.5.-
For different drawings sent home and made [indecipherable] not, carried into effect – 250. -. -
11,877.5.-
[indecipherable]
By what I have recovered of Government, including Provisions, Salary & House Rent going in 6 years [indecipherable] 645. - . -
Balance due to F.H.G. £ 11.232.15. - .
It has cost me Twenty pounds P’annum [indecipherable] for Travelling Expences than what I have received from Government

[Page 382]
Measure [indecipherable] done by Contract & under the [indecipherable] and according [indecipherable] F.H. Greenway. Civil Architect

Plan & estimate of Mr. Marsdens House at Parramatta £ 2500, & P Cost Travelling Expenses - ) 250
Survey of new General Hospital & Expenses making Drawings of Alterations at different periods with the Governor & the Hon.bl Commissioner of Sydney 160
Plan & estimate of Windsor Church, attendance & Travelling Expences at different periods and 3 & P Cost on £ 2,200 – 129
Plan & Estimate of & carrying into effect, Liverpool Church & P Cost on £ 1700 travelling expences – 166
Plan & Estimate of Judge Fields House & offices & necessary Instructions for contractors & P cost on my Estimate £ 4,000 - - 120
Plan & Estimate, Parramatta Factory & P cost £ 7000 & Travelling Expenses - 570
Survey of [indecipherable] at Parramatta & Goal & [indecipherable] £ 300 & Expenses – 50
Survey of Sydney Goal and carrying into effect certain Alterations & P cost on both £ 1200 – 96
Measuring and valuing work done by the different Tradesmen Sydney Goal previous to Burne, Gilnore & others – 60
Measuring & valuing Mr. Clarksons house for intended purchase [indecipherable] 3 pcent on £ 2000 – 60
Measure & Value of Mrs. McDonalds House & Premises – 32
Plan & Estimate of Mr. [indecipherable] House partly done by Contract whole value £2,500 supposed finished - 200
Plan & Estimate for a Court House at Windsor 3 PCost on £ 1800 – 34
Toll Gate done by Contract & Government £ 300 – 24
Plan & Estimate of Obelisk on Macquarie Place Work done by Government & Contractor & PCost on £120 – 10
Plan & Estimate Fountain Value done by Government & Contractor & PCost on £160 – 13.10
£ 1994.10

[Note in Margin]
£
2.500
1.700
7.000
1.200
2.500
300
120
160

15.980
2
£ 31.960

In making a Survey of Mr. Sec.y Campbells House I found with what Government had done with the amount of the Contracts and Expenditure was upwards of £ 3.000 which I knew could be done for one third the money according to the highest prices ever paid in this Colony. About this time Designs were laid before the Governor for building a New Parsonage house at Parramatta Estimates were given in for £ 5.000. I then made out a Bill of Quantities and found that a much better House could be built for £ 2.600 it accordingly met Mr. Smiths Estimate which was about £ 5000 if every trick was resorted to, to make it appear that my Bill of Quantities was wrong & in consequence strict Investigation was entered into upon the subject and every effort made to alarm or make me swerve from my duty without effect and at last the Contract was entered into for £ 2.500 by Mr. Smith. Some time after a Factory was to be built at Parramatta and I was informed by Mr. Smith he was going to do it under Mr. Marsdens & the Contract was £ 14.000 for the same Principal [indecipherable] Orphan School was done under Mr. Marsdens. I felt myself surprised at this Information as I was then preparing a plan for the same y the Governors Order. A Day or two after this I received information from the Governor that Plans were sent to him by Mr. Marsden with a Request that I may make the record about the Dimensions stated by the Plan I formed my Plan accordingly and advertised for Tenders making a Bill of Quantities which proved according to the fair [indecipherable] of the [indecipherable] it could be done for £ 4800 or thereabouts. A few days before the Tenders were required to be delivered Mr. Smith came to me and said that it was impossible but that my Bill of Quantities were wrong as his [indecipherable] what mine was. I told him I was convinced mine were correct which I would prove the same as I did the Bill of Quantities of the Parsonage House. He then offered me £ 500 if I would let him have the Contract of Twelve Thousand Pounds. Mr. Watkins however undertook to carry the Contract into effect according to my Bill of Quantities which he has done with the support of the Governor in spite of every effort of Mr. Smith & his party to prevent it. [indecipherable] this party been left to themselves this Building in Extras & with Mr. [indecipherable] enclosing it. [indecipherable] cost Government £ 20.000 which now amounts to £ 7,000 only

[Page 383]
On my first coming into Office the Survey of the [indecipherable] Hospital was made when the Report of the Contractors had been laid before the Gove[indecipherable] that it was completed according to the Contract and that they had about £ 10 [indecipherable] for Extra Works. The Contract having been laid before me upon Enquiry I found that a quantity of Spirits had been received by the Contractors more than the Contract [indecipherable] out of which the Contractors must have gained enough to build the Hospital in a most superior Style [indecipherable] notwithstanding [indecipherable] would have supported their further claims. Though situated as I was and having two powerful Magistrates to deal with and the current [indecipherable]. I [indecipherable] made an independent report which made it appear to every man of common understanding that they had no Ground of Claims for Extras but that on the contrary they had so [indecipherable] the Contract and willfully deviated from it in so gross a manner for the evident [indecipherable] of claiming Extras overlooking a particular clause in that Contract which stated that if they deviated in any respect from the express terms of that Contract they should forfeit £ 10.000 without pleading any excuse which Sum they have forfeited in [indecipherable] as had deviated in the reports. By such Conduct the Government and the Public has been saved £10,000 and the Governor from being placed in an awkward situation, on claiming the further Sum of £ 10.000 of the public & signing his approval of the Contract

My dear Sister

I have above sent you a list of the Public Buildings carried into effect by me I will take the earliest opportunity of sending you Drawings of them you must be aware however how much I must be engaged I [indecipherable] by the above explanations which was given the Commissioner in the course of my examination with very little variations I now send this to show my friends I have not been idle in New South Wales & to urge them to exert themselves to do me justice at least my young family as you know my indifference on my own account as to [indecipherable] motives [indecipherable] that I despise it on any other principle than that of having the power of doing good & to [indecipherable] between the oppressor & the oppressed if therefore my friends will make use of their power to do my family justice & to place me [indecipherable] the Establishment from Government I will take good care they shall have no reason to regret it. The Governor is a most steady & faithful friend so far & no doubt will keep his word most faithfully to see me remunerated in some way & is now no doubt exerting himself to do so according to his promise.

Remember me to all friends
[indecipherable] dear sister
Yours most truly
[indecipherable]
Greenway
March 20th 1820
I shall write [indecipherable]

[Page 385]
On my first coming into Office the survey of the General Hospital was made when the report of the Contractors had been laid before Government that was completed according to Contract, having been laid before me, on enquiry I found that enough of spirits had been received by the Contractors more than the Contract expressed and out of which the Contractors must have gained enough to build a Hospital in a most superior style notwithstanding Mess.rs John Ottern & Boon would have supported their future claim. Though situated as I was and having two powerful Magistrates to deal with and the current reports, I acted and made an Independent report which made it appear to every man of common understanding that they had no ground of claim for Extras but that on the contrary they had so violated the Contract and willfully deviated from it in so gross a manner for the evident purpose of claiming extras, overlooking a particular clause in the Contract which stated that if they deviated in any respect from the express terms of that Contract they should forfeit & 10.000 without pleading any excuse which sum they have forfeited in two of the most essential points as clearly demonstrated in the Reports –
By such Conduct the Government and the Public has been saved $20.000 and the Governor from being placed in an awkward situation in claiming the further sum of £ 10.000 of the Public and signing his approval of the Contract – in making a Survey of Mr Secretary Campbells house, I found with what Government had done with the amount of the Contract and expenditure was upwards of £ 3.000 which I knew could be done for one third the money according to the highest prices ever paid in this Colony, About this
time

[indecipherable] Governor Macquarie

[Page 386]
time. Designs were laid before the Governor for building a New Parsonage house at Parramatta, Estimates were given in for £ 5000 I then made out a bill of quantities and found that a much better [indecipherable] could be built for £ 2000, it accordingly met Mr. Smiths Estimate which was about £ 5000 and every trick was resorted to, to make it appear that my bill quantities was wrong and in consequence an investigation was entered into upon the [indecipherable] and every effort made to alarm or make me swerve from my duty, without effect, and at last the Contract was entered into for £ 2500 by Mr. Smith. Some time after a Factory was to be built at Parramatta and I was informed by Mr. Smith he was going to do it under Mr. Marsden, I felt myself surprised at this information as I was then preparing a plan for the same by the Governors Order a day or two after this I received information from the Governor that Plans were sent to him by Mr. Marsden with a request that they make the rooms about the dimensions stated by the Tender, I formed my Plan, accordingly and advertised for Tenders making a bill of quantities which proved according to the fair prices of the Colony it could be done for £ 4800 or thereabouts –

A few days before the Tenders were required to be delivered Mr. Smith came to me and said that it was impossible but that my bill of quantities were wrong as his was double at least what mine was, I told him I was convinced mine was correct [indecipherable] would prove the same as I did the bill of quantities of the parsonage house he then offered me £500 if I would let him have the Contract for Twelve thousand pounds, Mr. Watkins however undertook to carry the Contract into effect according to my bill of quantities which he has done, with the support of the Governor in spite of every effort of Mr. Smith and his Party to prevent it, had this party been left to themselves

[Page 389]
Measure and Value of Work done by Contract & under the directions and according to the Plan of FH Greenway Civil Architect

Plan and Estimate of W. Marsden House at
Parramatta 2,500 Per Cent on [indecipherable] & travelling expences - 250 - - -

Survey of the New General Hospital & expences making
Drawings & Alterations at different Periods with the
Governor & The Hon bl Commissioner of Enquiry - 160 - - -

Plan and Estimate of Windsor Church Attendance & traveling
expences at different periods at 3 Per Cent on £2.200 – -129 - - -

Plan and Estimate and carrying into Effect Liverpool
Church @ Per Cent on £1.700 & traveling expences -166 - - -

Plan and Estimate of Judge Fields house & Offices & necessary
Instructions for Contractors 3 Per Cent on my estimates £4000 -120 - - -

Plan & Estimate of Parramatta Factory @ [indecipherable] Per Cent £7000 -
& traveling expences 3 Years £40 -- 570 - - -

Survey of Bridge, Gaol &c at Parramatta, @ [indecipherable] Per Cent on £500 – 50 - - -

Survey of Sydney Gaol & carrying into effect certain alterations
@ [indecipherable] Per Cent on about £4.200 - - 96 - - -

Measuring & Valuing work by different tradesmen at Sydney
Gaol previous to Byrne Gilmote & others – 60

Measuring & Valuing Mr. Clarkson’s for intended
Purchase of Government 3 Per Cent on £2.000 – 60 - - -

Measuring & valuing Mrs McDonalds house – 32 - - -

Plan & Estimate of Mr. Minchin’s house partly done
by Contract, whole value £2,500 supposed [indecipherable] – 200 - - -

Plan & Estimate for a Court house at Windsor @ 3 Per
Cent on £1.800 – 34 - - -

Toll gate done by Contract & Government £300 – 24 - - -

Plan & Estimate of Obelisk in Macquarie place
done by Government & Cureton @ [indecipherable] Per Cent on £120 – 10 - - -

Plan & Estimate Fountain, Value done by
Government & Cureton @ Per Cent on £160 – 13-10- -

£1994-10-0

Page 390

Measure and Value of Work done by Govern
-ment men according to the Plans & direction
of F.H. Greenway – Civil Architect

Magazine Fort Philip would have cost
Government if it had been done by Contract – 1.240 - - -
Macquarie light house –Do -- Do -- 7.050 - - -
Prisoners Barr ks Hyde Park – Do – Do – 7.050 - - -
Mess-house & upper wing of Barracks with the different
Office etc. if it had been done by Contract, it would have cost – 10.000
Macquarie Fort – Do – Do – 21.000 - - -
Judge Fields house - - Do – Do 4,800 - - -
Alteration of Judge Advocates Do – Do 800 - -
Additions, Alterations and saving Building from
Falling in the Lumber Yard – 1,200 - - -
Alterations at Dawes Battery &c.1,2000 - - -
Church at Windsor - -5,600 - - -
Stables for the Use of Government house & offices – 9.000 - - -
Alteration of Parsonage house at Liverpool, securing
it and [indecipherable] - - 520 - - -
Plan and Survey of Portico of Government house Parramatta – 220 - - -
Alterations & Additions of Parsonage house Sydney 1,120 - - -
" " Orphan School – 640 - - -
Saint James Church Hyde Park – 6.240
Court House now carrying into effect - - 6,450 - - -
Saint Andrews Church foundation laid as [indecipherable]
Metropolitan Church – 2,500 - - -
Market-house, foundation laid – 3000 - - -
Alterations of Government house – 600 - - -
Dockyard & Offices partly done by Contract & partly
By Government – 3.5 –
School – house Hyde Park
£120.380 - -

In carrying into effect these Public Buildings by Govt
Hands it has not cost Government one half of the sum it would have cost by the lowest Contracts that could have been and the same Buildings Five years ago would have Cost

[Page 391]
Government nearly double what is now Calculated
By Contract –

The Contracts carried into effect by me for Govt
but for the line of Conduct pursued by me, would have
cost Government double the sum of Money, The buildings
lately carried into effect by my perseverance in getting better
workmanship and Materials is of double value to Government
to what they otherwise would have been –

Dr. To amount of my labour as a Professional man would have been on Contracts Measuring [indecipherable] &c.- £ 1994.10.0
On works carried into effect by Govern. Hands 9633.5.0
For different drawings sent home & made here
not carried into effect – 250-0-0
11.877.15.0

Cr. By what I have received from Government
Including provisions, Salary & house rent 645- 0- 0
£11,232 – 15 – 0

It has cost me Twenty pounds Per
Annum more for traveling expences than what I have received from Government

[Page 393]
October 10th 1821

Sir

When you were pleased to make me Acting Civil Architect and Assistant Engineer you said you were not Authorized to allow my per Cent according to the Custom of the Profession but that it was in your power to make it good in various ways which as then stated I was well aware of and trusted entirely to your Justice and liberality as the Representative of a Great Nation and I would exert myself in every way for the real benefit of the Government, the enclosed documents will prove how far I have with your knowledge and protection succeeded in so desirable an object, I now Humbly suggest for the sake of a numerous family the mode of your promise can be made good by granting me Land – Building Ground with what assistance is in your power to forward my object without any [indecipherable] and to establish me in my Office upon that respectable footing which will enable me more effectively to serve Government –
And remain
Sir
Your Obed.t Hble Servt
"Signed"
F.H. Greenway,
Civil Architect

To His Excellency
Governor Macquarie
&c.&c.&c.

[Page 395]
When you were Governor you were pleased to promise me a Remuneration equal to my Per Centage according to the practice of my profession on my entering into office immediately exerted myself to do away the most glaring abuses in the Government Works wherein the Society was plundered in every shape by the most undeserving and worthless of the society which the said Governor or Government would not possibly prevent in any great degree without a person of integrity as well as a practical knowledge in my Profession and an acquaintance with the manners and the views of the society he had to contend or Act with.

The contract for the General Hospital was at this time a subject of general conversation with various reports singular and strange to those unacquainted with subjects of the kind that they had received double the amount of Rum named in their contract and had claimed the further sum of £10.000 more for extra work done which was passed by Mr. K on the public without feeling for the Governor or the Society which he had by the meanest and most unmanly practices received considering no doubt like many others [indecipherable] in a little brief authority that they had a right to plunder a society so circumstanced that they dared not resist such Mercenary impostors who winked at every species of vice for their own selfish purposes thus you perceive men at the head of affairs interested in encouraging vice the immoderate use of spirits passing away by Agency Property of every

Major General Macquarie
&c &c &c

dis

[Page 396]
description to the real injury of the [indecipherable] and pocketing the Public and Government Cash. At this time the society was in such a state the greater part prisoners and those that were free little better so that they were obligated to submit to every sort of imposition or some method was pursued to punish any one who would dare oppose their avaricious views consequently one Impostor and evil begat another so that all nearly became interested in Plundering the Public and Government with impunity as my reports and different surveys will sufficiently exemplify –

These men who considered they had a right to do wrong that the Public Purse was exclusively their property to filch as they pleased holding the lash in terror over the poor Criminals [indecipherable] insulting him in the most opprobrious and unfeeling language without consideration of the nature of their different situation in life or their [indecipherable] with Rages and wretchedness bespattered o’er alike with marks painfully disgusting to a decent mind many of them not being lost to every sense of shame or principal of Justice and might easily be brought back into a Society more proper [indecipherable] examples set them in the higher walks of life, but how painful it must be to such beings to be insulted flogged and treated in the most indecent way by those who were plundering them instead of showing them examples of morality and justice.

It was a painful recollection to me to see men doomed thus to suffer under the lash of the law forgotten by their friends at home despised and insulted here by persons every way their inferiors in principal as in knowledge whom they insulted and Plundered.

To see a nation so renowned for Humanity and feeling as England any longer suffer their brethren to be thus treated banished and afflicted let them

[Page 397]
all place their hands upon their bosoms and ask there a few questions if they know themselves and the world whether but for the protecting hand of Providence they might not have been snatched alike away from their friends to plead innocence when [indecipherable] perjury you had to contend with would prove itself your life or banishment must be the result and that whether guilty or innocent the Oath of an Individual by whatever motive activated can destroy life, sweep from the face of the earth a wretched yet virtuous family or disgrace them Kings and [indecipherable] are alike subject to these vicissitudes if any one doubt let him contemplate the scenes on the Continent for these last thirty years the Book of Nature in its most hideous form laid open by the Almighty hand that all nations may read and learn their own weakness and folly where then is the proud fool who can for a moment think himself secure even in conscious virtue –

I do consider that if such men are suffered to make such immense fortunes at the expence of these unfortunate men and the public they will become an overwhelming power which will easily destroy the Government and bring on a more distressing scene of oppression –

With such feelings I determined to drag if possible this Hydra headed monster into light [indecipherable] and shew his hideous form to the duped world. If [indecipherable] could not like the renowned Hercules destroy the Monster for the benefit of this Society as well as my - native land for there it [indecipherable] would alike have swallowed up all the noble passions of the soul and man forgets that he is mortal that Riches and Power were granted him alone to do good to step between the oppressor and the oppressed to support virtue
And

[Page 397]
merit instead of encouraging vice in every shape for the gratification of our beastly passions and avarice in particular the most contemptible of these propensities the meanest and most wretched –

I have generally found among all classes of society this sentiment prevail that government and the public may be duped and plundered without considering it a crime, that every man had a right to do so who could do it well and generally laughed at the idea without considering that owing to the prevalence of such sentiments all nations are ultimately brought into Poverty and ruin with all the natural train of evils for the aggrandizement of a few individuals the least worthy –

The documents which you had sent you by me proves that Government could not have carried into effect the same buildings for less than £ 2216.000 more than what it has actually cost Government and the buildings would only have been an Incumbrance to the Estate from their bad construction in following the old system –

That Government and the Public has suffered to an immense amount to feed the avariciousness of a few individuals is evident which may be proved in following the old system –

The Government buildings are now in general of three times the value they would have been otherwise therefore great benefit to the Government has been brought about by the exertions I have mode at the risk of my life and the loss of a Fortune which I could have easily made had I been mean and base enough to encourage the sentiment, that it was no crime to rob and dupe the Government and the public I could not however have dared pursue the line of conduct I did but for the able and decided

[Page 399]
Protection I experienced from yourself when in most instances except where I believe you were most grossly imposed upon by consummate impudence, I met with every support –

It is evident that the evils resulting from such sentiments cannot be prevented by Kings Princes Governors or Ministers however able they may be without honest an able men under them to fill the different situations and every encouragement given them according to their merit to whatever class they may belong –

Seeing this colony generally in this state that these unhappy mortals were stigmatized for evident interested purposes that they were not considered worthy or responsible enough by these Honorable men to be trusted with the public purse to carry anything into effect, although they would join with and support the most abandoned of them who would meanly stoop to be their Tools determined to let in the [indecipherable] I have done and prove that they are to be trusted and that they have served Government in their work by Estimate under my directions the enormous sum of £216.000 and the buildings of three times the value from the Materials and workmanship being better double the quantity of the work would have been accomplished in the Government works by the same number of houses had it not been for the opposition of Individuals who made a stalking horse of Government by duplicity of every description who threw every obstacle and difficiency in my way and prevented my doing you that credit I should otherwise have done in the Public Works –
At

[Page 400]
At the conclusion of the document given you some time ago I promised to give my reasons for so long a forbearance under the most illiberal and trying circumstances during six years –

I am not activated by any party feeling as I despise it considering that all party feeling operates generally to blind the truth for the advantage of either party at the expense of the Public my object therefore is to seek the truth and shew the Government and the public that the Riches and Poverty of Nations depends on the manner in which the Mechanic and labourer is used and paid

I attempted in my native land to bring about so desirable an object and to shew here in various ways the Government and private individuals were duped, a powerful body however opposed me and I fell a sacrifice to them which in a great measure prevented my getting cases in point to prove the truth of those assertions I have been enabled in consequence of your protection to get the strongest cases in point in this Country upon the subject and but for that protection I should have again fallen a sacrifice to the most desperate set of men who considered [indecipherable] a person inimical to them and one who – scorned to countenance in any shape these views –

Another and I hope a laudable object encouraged me to Act as a I have done and to bear up with patience against so many evils was that I should prove to my family and friends at home by unequivocal documents
the

[Page 401]
the [indecipherable] of my aspirations in this distant land although I fell a sacrifice there to Ignorance Interest and Prejudice I conclude in the fond hope that you will do me ample justice there as well as here under these impressions

Sir
I subscribe myself
Your obed servant
Signed F H Greenway

Sydney 1st February 1822

[Page 403]
Sydney 1st Feb y 1822

Sir

Your declaration that you would encourage Virtue and Merit without respect to Persons was - certainly a stimulus to exertion, with such Declaration I placed implicit confidence in you when you promised on my entering into office a remuneration which was in your power equal to my Per Centage as a professional man, and considering you as a man in your exalted situation whose word – should be his Bond and that you were above the meanness of holding out any encouragement you did not mean to fulfil – that then was my mortification after having delivered these claims reduced to the lowest possible terms and required Land and Building Ground only equal to that just claim without money or any particular expence to Government after such services which no man in the Colony can deny as it bears evidence in itself – I am offered 800 Acres of land the value of which would not pay more than the Extra sum I have paid during six years for my boarding expences only, I have not received any traveling expences for upwards of Three years during which time they amount to upwards of £ 150, and I am now on that account nearly £ 100 in debt – having up to this day been 150 days out during that period, I now Sir call upon you to do Justice to my family as in Justice to them, I cannot relinquish my claim and particularly when I see the greatest benefits visited on those who have no claim but the merit of having duped and Plundered the Government in various ways I have laid these claims before His Excellency Sir Thomas Brisbane the Justice of which is evident and I have no doubt that every thing will be done consistent with reason and justice between you on which I rely with the greatest confidence
I remain Sir Obed. & Hon bl Servt
Signed F.H. Greenway

To
His Excellency
Governor Macquarie
&c &c &c

[Page 405]
New South Wales
[indecipherable]
Francis Howard Greenway of Sydney Gentleman Maketh Oath and [indecipherable] the paper writing hereunto [indecipherable] is of his own hand writing and that the charges therein mentioned have been paid by him this Deponent when in the Execution of his public duty as an architect appointed by the Governor of this colony and this Deponent further seth that he should not have incurred the expence of Seventeen shillings Per Day for One hundred and forty days if he had not been employed on Public Service and that these expences did from [indecipherable] alone incur in consequence –

And this deponent further saith he has expended the further sum of Fifteen pounds for Horse hire when on Duty when engaged on the Public service and that he has not received any payment for such advance made by him –

And this Deponent further saith that the several things mentioned and contained in the paper writing annexed are true in matter and fact –

"signed"

F H Greenway

Sworn before me
This 12th day Feby 1822
"signed"
John [indecipherable]
Judge Advocate

[Page 407]
I have been obliged several times to hire a chaise from sometimes having no Horse sent me, at other times such Horses as could not take me beyond Parramatta, it has cost me at least at different Periods during three years not less than Fifteen Pounds. I have during the time been about six or seven days from Liverpool to the Judge Advocates Farm and I can safely declare upon my Oath I have been One hundred and forty days on Account of Government during [indecipherable] previous I incurred the further expence of Eighty pounds more than I have received from Government the charges for myself alone Per Day has been as follows –

Bed and Horse - £ . S . P
Breakfast – ‘ – 2 - ‘
Dinner – ‘2.6
Wine Pint Average ‘ - 4 – ‘
Tea – ‘ 2 ‘
£ ‘ – 17 – 0

signed F.H. Greenway

Days 140
17
[indecipherable]
140

140 Days at – 17 - £ 119 – 0 – 0
Horse Hire &c 15 – 0 – 0
Extra paid during 3 years before 80 – 0 – 0
£ 214 – 0 – 0

Land is reckoned to be worth from Five to Seven Shillings at the highest price consequently too Acres would not more than pay my traveling expences owed me by Government –

[Page 409]
Sir

I have received from your Office the specific Terms on which my services will be accepted, and I feel quite satisfied with those Terms which are Just and Honorable on the part of the present Government and I will continue to do every thing in my power for the real advantage of it, but on the part of the Government of Major General Macquarie the treatment I have received is at present inexplicable, left with large family £ 100 in debt for traveling expences not an acre of land or any remuneration for my services is really cruel unfeeling conduct on the part of Major General Macquarie my claims had been delivered to him along time before the present Governor arrived in this Colony with a letter stating how he could fulfil his promise for the benefit of my family without any expence to Government and in consequence some time after of his unaccountable treatment of me as well as Major Druitts I demanded of him before he quitted the Colony to do me Justice as to the truth of those documents which I intended to lay before His Excellency Sir Thomas Brisbane and did so at Parramatta hoping that he would do me the favour to peruse them and forward them to the British Government with my Reports during six years which I would furnish him with and my remarks on the same proving what I there stated which would be worth attention there as well as here, A few days after this I was sent for in the name of His Excellency Sir T Brisbane & Major General Macquarie to Government House, I attended and found General Macquarie only who caught me by the hand with apparent emotion saying her was extremely sorry he h ad so hurt my feelings in consequence of the falsehood of Major Druitt th
Last

Major Goulburn
Colonial Secretary
&c &c &cousH

[Page 410]
last time I saw him but that he had done me ample justice with Sir T Brisbane in declaring the truth of my Documents and that I need not give myself any trouble about Major Druitt that His Excellency as well as himself was acquainted with all his conduct toward me and the Government that he was a very bad man and had grossly deceived him – Some circumstance took place soon after this interview which convinced me I was amused and trifled with on the part of General Macquarie when I sent him my promised explanation accompanied by a letter urging the necessity of some attention being paid my claims on account of my family which appeals to have given & offence to him, copies of which was sent to His Excellency. A few days before Major General Macquarie sailed for England he sent for me to Government House, I attended with the hope of having everything arranged for the benefit of my family, instead of which he reflected upon me in the most unfeeling manner denying that he ever promised me any Per Cent in Money and that he could swear it, his word would be taken before mine & desiring me to withdraw my Letter, I appealed to him solemnly to consider the Omnipresence of the Deity before he made any further declarations and challenged him to deny in the presence of that Deity one single word that I had either written or spoken upon the subject and referred him to a Letter written 3 Months before a copy of which was sent to His Excellency wherein it stated that he was not authorized to allow me any [indecipherable] according to the practice of my profession but that it was in his power to make it good to me in various ways and that he would do so which [indecipherable]of and relied entirely upon his Justice and liberality as a representative of a great nation and should still rely on that Government for Justice if he desired it that he had promised to do me every Justice – When the [indecipherable] was hire and
pre

[Page 411]
prevented my appeal to him by his declaration that he would do it without and had repeatedly declared so since and that I now made my appeal to him not on my own account but for the sake of my family for whom I had struggled during six years in Government employ in the fond hope of making them comfortable relying on the integrity of the British Government I declined withdrawing my letter or claim and [indecipherable] with this declaration that a brave and good man would scorn to take advantage or wound the feeling of a man so circumstanced as I was who claimed only justice on account of a family he professed to befriend – The next day I called upon His Honor the Judge Advocate and declined either altering my Letter or withdrawing my Claims being fully convinced of the Justice of my Claims and the truth of my Letter, copies of which were delivered to His Excellency, I made before him an Affidavit upon the subject of my traveling expences which was delivered by me to you Major Goulburn on the morning General Macquarie went on board to lay before him and His Excellency Sir T Brisbane.

I shall make no comment upon the subject but leave the transaction to answer for itself but hope His Excellency will take into Consideration my traveling expences during 3 years, that I am in debt on that account and liable to be arrested without the present means of answering it, and to forward the Nature of my Claims, As I wished of him when I delivered the first document to him [indecipherable] Parramatta to prevent a threatened injury being done there instead of a merited service –

"Signed"
F.H. Greenway
Civil Architect

Sydney May 4th
1822

[Transcribed by Robin Matthews for the State Library of New South Wales]