Eureka Stockade broadside. £400 Reward for a Person of the Name of Cecil Smith, Late of Ballarat. Wanted in Regard to Robbery and Murder. Signed by Robert Rede, Resident Commissioner

EUREKA STOCKADE BROADSIDE

Published by Ballarat Times Office, Sovereign Hill, Ballarat, 1854

Broadside, printed on buff-coloured paper, 288 by 226 mm (nearly 11.5 inches by 9 inches). Printed [by Henry Seekamp] at the 'Ballarat Times' Office, Sovereign Hill. It probably dates from 1854 as it is signed by Robert Rede, who was commissioner in the goldfields between 1852 and 1854. A few light stains, minor chipping at bottom edge.***The Eureka Stockade is the most celebrated rebellion in Australian history. It was the culmination of the grievances of the gold diggers in Ballarat, Victoria, over exorbitant prospecting license fees, brutal police procedures for the collection of those fees, lack of the vote, and lack of representation in the Legislative Council. The murder of a digger named James Scobie and the subsequent acquittal by a corrupt magistrate of James Bentley, the man widely believed to have been responsible, brought matters to a head. The Eureka Hotel, owned by Bentley, was then burnt down by the prospectors. On 3rd December 1854 150 diggers made a rough stockade to defend themselves against troops and police. The ensuing battle lasted only 15 minutes and ended with the diggers being completely routed. About 25 diggers and 5 police were killed. There was a wave of public sympathy for the diggers, and the Eureka Stockade rising greatly accelerated reforms. Seller Inventory # 000964

Bibliographic Details

Title: Eureka Stockade broadside. £400 Reward for a...
Publisher: Ballarat Times Office, Sovereign Hill, Ballarat
Publication Date: 1854
Binding: No Binding
Condition: Very Good