Foster's Letter of Marque: A Tale of Old Sydney 1901

"Foster's Letter of Marque: A Tale of Old Sydney" by Louis Becke is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. Set in the early 1800s, the story unfolds in Sydney, Australia, against the backdrop of a burgeoning penal settlement. The book explores themes of love, rivalry, and maritime adventure, centering around the tumultuous relationship between Captain Charles Foster and Dorothy Scarsbrook amidst the complex dynamics of colonial life and war. The narrative follows Captain Foster, a whaling ship captain, as he becomes infatuated with Dorothy, the daughter of a high-ranking official. Despite a promising relationship, complications arise with the arrival of Portveldt, a wealthy Dutchman and Foster's rival for Dorothy's affections. After a dramatic confrontation between Foster and Portveldt during a whaling voyage, where Foster triumphs over the Dutch privateer, he returns to Sydney victorious. The climax sees Foster not only fighting for his honor but also for the love of Dorothy, culminating in a resolution that intertwines romance with themes of bravery and duty. The story ultimately highlights the transformative power of love and ambition in the context of early Australian society. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

George Lewis Becke was at the turn of the nineteenth century, the most prolific, significant, and internationally renowned Australian-born writer of the South Pacific region. Having lived and worked among Pacific Islands and Islanders as a trader, ship's supercargo, and villager for some two decades, learning languages and observing natural and cultural life, Becke was prompted by J F Archibald of The Bulletin to write down his experiences, eventually becoming a popular and respected author of short stories, novellas, novels, as well as historic and ethnographic works.