Two Voyages to New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land

"Two Voyages to New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land" by Thomas Reid is a captivating early 19th-century historical account of the author's time as a ship surgeon overseeing convicts transported to Australian colonies, and shines light on the convicts' harsh living conditions and the social impact of sending people far away as punishment. In this book, the reader gains insight into what it was like to manage and care for male and female convicts on these voyages, looking at bigger questions related to crime and whether rehabilitation can work. From the start, Reid explains why he chose to make these journeys, and takes note that most people look down on convicts, which keeps them from understanding what convicts need and if they can actually change for the better. He sets out to show what the transportation system is like, in particular the way the convicts were treated during their time traveling, noting the tough realities faced by male and female convicts. Fully aware that it's not easy to manage the convicts, Reid describes his attempts to be more kind, teach them right from wrong through moral lessons and religion, with hopes this makes them behave better and gives them hope for a better life when they rejoin society.