TRANSCRIPT OF SPEECH BY ARCHIBALD PAULL BURT TO THE LABOURING CLASSES OF CHRISTOPHER [ST KITTS]

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1860

Overview

Transcript of a reply made by Archibald Paull Burt in June 1860 on the occasion of his departure from St Christopher [St Kitts] to take up an appointment in Western Australia.
Sheet of blue paper folded in half, front page with writing in black ink. The heading on page one is 'Reply' and the first sentence is, 'His Honor rose and in acknowledgement said:-'.
The speech is believed to have been made by Burt as a verbal response to the sentiments expressed in the testimonial letters from the heads of labouring families of St Kitts (2022.30a,b) or at a gathering of workers on his Estate prior to his departure. Burt expressed his appreciation for their good wishes and spoke about continual harmonious relations between the Employer and the Employed and the value of the Industrial Classes of St Christopher.
Previously folded into quarters, three crease marks visible down length. Paper has watermark 'Sawston1859'.

Historical information

Sir Archibald Paull Burt (1810-1879) was born into a plantation-owning family on St Kitts Island (formerly St Christopher in the West Indies). Burt accepted the position of Civil Commissioner and Chairman of Quarter Sessions in Western Australia in 1860. In January 1861 he arrived in Western Australia with his family. Burt was instrumental in establishing the Supreme Court Australia in 1861 and became the first Chief Justice of Western Australia. Knighted for his contributions in 1873, he maintained a secluded life to ensure impartiality and professional detachment as sole judge in the colony until his death in 1879. Archibald Paull Burt’s impact and lasting legacy in Western Australia continues through his family members who have held governmental and legislative roles in the state for multiple generations.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-46-2022.31

Item type

Documents

Material

Ink

Paper

Contextual information

AP Burt's speech recorded in this contemporary transcription indicates his fondness of the workers on his estates and a wish to revisit them towards the end of his life. The occasion that prompted this speech implies the warm regard held for Burt by some of the less privileged people he was involved with at his birthplace within the British West Indies prior to his arrival in Western Australia.
Burt went on to become a key figure in the development of law in the English tradition in Western Australia and so documents associated with his earlier public life in the West Indies are of great interest in understanding his actions and motivations in this area in later years.

Keywords

Burt, Archibald Paull

Place made

St. Kitts & Nevis

Year

1860

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Scientific or research significance

Comparative significance criteria

Object’s condition or completeness

Rare or representative