About this book
Address to the Inhabitants of the Colonies, established in New South Wales And Norfolk Island by Richard Johnson delivers a heartfelt, philosophical plea from the first chaplain to Britain’s early penal settlements. Written in 1792, Johnson’s address combines pastoral care, moral philosophy, and practical counsel as he speaks directly to convicts, settlers, and the scattered communities of Port Jackson and Norfolk Island.
Part sermon, part social commentary, the work reflects on duty, charity, resilience, and the challenges of building society in a remote and often harsh environment. Johnson documents the strains of isolation, high mortality, and the parish’s gradual spread, arguing for compassion, order, and Christian virtue as foundations for civic life. His voice offers insight into early colonial governance, the lived experience of transported prisoners, and the ethical imperatives that shaped community formation.
Ideal for listeners fascinated by philosophy, religious history, and early Australian colonial studies, this audiobook is a primary-source window into the moral imagination of the late 18th century. Scholars, history buffs, and anyone drawn to thoughtful reflections on human dignity and social responsibility will find Johnson’s earnest, accessible address both illuminating and quietly persuasive.
