AustLit

'Andrew Tink has written a very interesting book that is of great value to the historiography of early Australia. It is a very readable account of an English aristocrat who walked the corridors of power with the great and powerful royal and political personages not just of Britain but also of the international scene during many of the momentous events of the second half of the eighteenth century. For example, as Home Secretary he was responsible for the negotiations for the Peace Treaty to end the American War of Independence in 1782-3 and was also the responsible minister for dealing with the illness and temporary insanity of His Majesty King George III in 1788-89.' (Introduction)