Memoirs of James Hardy Vaux a Swindler and Thief. Now Transported to New South Wales for the Second Time and for life. Written by himself. 2nd ed.

This is a rare or used book from the Berkelouw Rare Books Department.

London: Whittaker Treacher and Arnot 1830. 12mo. Orig. cloth-backed worn paper boards. (xxiv 288pp.). With half-title page. Uncut. Ferguson: 1158. Rare. NOTE: The introduction signed B.F. is by Barron Field. Vaux was transported to New South Wales in 1801 for stealing a handkerchief worth elevenpence. When King and Marsden went to England in 1807 Vaux was taken to act as King's unofficial private secretary but during the voyage was dismissed. On reaching England he deserted from the ship on whose books he had been entered as a common sailor. He reverted to pickpocketing and similar crimes and as a result of robbing a jeweller was condemned to be hanged respited confined for a year in the hulks and on December 16 1810 reached Port Jackson with a life sentence. After a career of varying fortune in the colony he obtained a conditional pardon but in June 1829 he absconded from the colony.