The Rise of the Australian Wool Kings: a romance of Port Phillip

Chapter I. Failure

to sustain our poAver in the Western Avorld, but triumph ancl success in the Pacific waters in a united Australia, close the last hundred years of the efforts of our British statesmen. Like the Avriting on the wall, the figures in theh meaning were incomprehensible till success has shown how much the Avorld has gained, ancl human progress profited by the destiny Avhich shapes the aims of mankind toAvards a higher civilization. In years gone by there existed a sort of vague mystery about our Colonial Office ancl its Avorking machinery for the discharge of public duties, either at home or abroad, hidden as this Avas from the hydra headed gaze of the monster — public opinion. That same public readily believed that neither honour nor patriotism were living elements in the all-poAverful naval or military chiefs that usuallydirected affairs in their own peculiar drum-head style.

THE EISE OF THE AUSTRALIAN WOOL KINGS. The cloud Avhich hovered over Botany Bay, and for a time darkened the future political horizon of Australia's sunny shores, Avas happily dispelled when her true position and future power became apparent. The physical efforts in those early struggles, hoAvever, so far paved the Avay in opening the lands by the construction of roads ancl bridges, as well as by en abling the colonists to turn the first sod for further proof of the genuine character of her agricultural resources. In all this it may be said that good fortune and propitious circumstances rose superior to the wisdom of local authority. Praise, hoAvever, is due for the indomitable energy and perseverance Avhich marked theh efforts towards the settlement and occupation of the lands, until the development of Australia's great resources roused the attention of the British public to their vast extent, securing both favour ancl friendship.

Coming events revealed the secret of her wealth and prosperity as well as her vast extent of land. This Sydney, as the neAV settlement Avas named, grew with the surrounding district bordering the coast, and added another gem to the croAvn of British enterprise. The landholders, as they began to feel themselves secure of their supplies, gradually introduced sheep and cattle for home consumption, though this Avas done with very little expectation as to the magnitude of the result. Introduced as an adjunct to the farmstead, it Avas soon discovered they could have a plentiful supply of both beef and mutton, the avooI being but a secondary consideration. But in this the battle of colonial life Avas not to the strong nor the race to the swift, perseverance being the real touchstone to success. Most of the venturous croAvd Avho made the first efforts were principally civil servants and a feAV of the rank ancl file of those retiring from military service.

Certainly the prospects for an advance to higher honours was rather problematical, as their experience proved. Still they were land holders. That, in the ideas of most Britishers at the time, was an indifferent position in colonial life. Amongst the militaryat this date, 1803, then in garrison, Avas Colonel Macarthur, a gentleman of in dependent means, whose residence in the rising settle ment had led him to profit by the practical experience of those landholders. He watched the development of theh efforts in agricultural pursuits, as he had carefully clone since the introduction of stock in particular. The terrible course of convict discipline, in which the troops so often took part, was so different to expectation and hopeful aspirations ; it held out but little in the shape of honour or of glory-.

Care fully had he noted the efforts made in sheep breed ing, as Avell as the effects of both soil and climate on the production of avooI, while his grasp of the position enabled him to foresee its national importance to Australia. Boldly he made the venture in shipping a number of sheep from the Dutch settlement at the Cape of Good Hope. If these proved a failure, he nevertheless gained experience as to what Avas desirable in securing the proper breed, as well as the effect of climatic influences. The experiment determined him in favour of the Spanish merino sheep, Spain and Australia being equally suitable. Investigation had led him to recognize hoAV near the two countries were in this respect. Proceeding to England for the purpose of selecting merinos, to his disappointment, he found the Spanish ports closed against their export ation, and that it Avas a capital offence to export them.

Baffled in his efforts so far, he looked round for other means. Here good fortune came to the assistance of individual enterprize in the generous gift of the British sovereign, King George the Third ; and Avell may Australians speak of him as of blessed memory. Having learned of Colonel Macarthur's efforts, and of his failure, he was so taken Avith the spirit in which the project was undertaken, that he presented that gentleman with a ewe and ram from the Royal Stud. The few merinos in the possession of the British sovereign having been received as a special gift from the court of Spain, good fortune again favoured Mr. Macarthur's efforts. The sheep landing safely at Sydney, his Excellency Governor King, then acting in New South Wales, presented him with a special grant of 10,000 acres of open well-watered country.

These insignificant gifts were the foundation of the famous Camden flocks, celebrated for the quality of their wool. They proved the turning-point to the suc cess of the Australian wool trade, in which Macarthur had many imitators but few equals. While, then, Macarthur settled doAvn at Camden, and his flocks, with those of his neighbours, slowly in creased, events were equally advancing the prospects of the rising colony ancl its staple produce. The Blue mountains, as the coast ranges were termed, had hitherto proved a barrier to the interior ; their rugged broken character having baffled all who ventured to penetrate theh scrubby, rock-bound pinnacles. Amongst those Avho first made the attempt was a Mr. Cayley, but he stopped on the edge of a gigantic precipice, Avhere he could see no Avay of descending, and, erecting a pile of stones to mark the spot, returned to Sydney.

The name of Caley's Repulse Avas given to the spot after the track had been opened. It was in 1813 that, following up the effort thus made, the Messrs. Bloxland, LaAvson, and Wentworth successfully accomplished the task of crossing the mountains, returning Avith gloAving accounts of the pastoral character of the country through Avhich the rivers passed toAvards the interior. For y^ars the settlers had vainly m-ged the authorities to solve the problem of road making in connection with these distant lands, but even in the face of such evidence the authorities were unwilling to proceed. The governors of those clays were very often changed, and their instructions Avere limited. Of course the English Cabinet kne\v but little of Avhat Avas fast tending to advance the future prospects of the colony.

The first governor Avho made the attempt to break through official limits Avas Governor Macquarie. Starting a surveyor on the Blue Mountains he folloAved it with a road gang, and in a very short time a Avell defined track led the way, as it found the stockholders ready for the venture. By the time Governor Mac quarie retired in the year 1820, the flocks of sheep along the foot of the coast ranges had reached the handsome number of 250,000, besides cattle and horses, aAvaiting the movement in the opening up of the neAV track. In crossing the Blue Mountains for the interior, settlers found as they Avent further from the centre of authority that they were Avithout police protection. Having drawn a large number of men from the penitentiary-, they began to fear the result, and so became clamorous on the subject.

But there Avas neither money nor men for the purpose. The authorities, hoAvever, devised the means in fixing the holdings at £10 per 25 square miles of Crown lands, the origin and monopoly of the future squatting holdings and pro viding men in the shape of " border troopers." Having now the means apart from the English treasury, it required no great stock of ingenuityto mount the red-coats (soldiers) in blue, ancl then to picket them throughout the scattered districts. Hence have Ave the distinction between border and mounted troopers for the toAvnships. In the meantime the settlers, with theh feAv hundred sheep, were fast drifting across the Blue Mountains. There they felt themselves far secure from Government interference, and as these flocks rapidly increased, they could not see why they should be limited to 25 square miles of country, if they Avere Avilling to pay.

The struggle betAveen the holders themselves became at times bitter enough in the choice of open well-watered country-. But ere long they managed to arrange theh boundaries, the authorities finding themselves helpless to interfere in circumscribing the limit. Drifting to the ne\v districts, they soon occupied the heads of the rivers flowing towards the unknown regions of the interior, w-hile they Avere still draAving assigned servants from the penitentiary. Not a few of the settlers, being quite alive to the necessity of so far sympathizing Avith theh convict workmen, willingly proA'ided them Avith quarters and provisions in com mon Avith free men. Many received Avages. The labour of shepherds ancl hut-keepers required no great physical demand upon their strength, as they had but to folloAV their flocks, and bring them back at night to the fold.

Once settled, cultivation was proceeded Avith, each man growing his OAvn supplies. The wheat, hoAvever, had to be reduced to flour, so they had to bang the mill, grinding it, as it Avas facetiously termed, Avith the "station organ," for theh Aveek's allowance ; rather an objectionable in strument to the idle toilers of the bush. Thus the prospects of the colony ancl of the colonists were most encouraging for Australian settlements, and the de- A-elopment of the country's resources. Still, strange to say, as this prosperous state of affairs continued, the authorities Avere slow to improA-e theh relations with the settlers and the free colonists. The prosperity of the country districts had equally stimulated the trade of Sydney-. The demands on the merchants within the City of Sydney had steadilyincreased.

This general prosperity brought about a large increase in the residents, and there were other signs of improvement in the extension of streets and dwellings. The harbour shoAved equal signs of improv-ement in the number of ships at anchor there, ready to transfer the wool to the English market, which ruled in favour of increased prices. Then came, as a very natural consequence, a concentration of public opinion, as it animated the colonists to obtain those political rights and priA-ileges as free men, which had been indiffer ently acknoAvledged by those in authority. But with those in place and poAver, the old conservative notions of exclusiveness Avere still strongly obtained. In addition to these local troubles, communication with the mother-country Avas long ancl tedious. Twelve or eighteen months might often change the circum stances under which many grievances had arisen.

But there Avas the balm in Gilead which fired the zeal of the thinking men, and counterbalanced the ills that attended the progress of the colonial world. Wool was steadily improA-ing in price. The English manufacturers had given the Australian Golden Fleece the preference in cultivating the staple produce, as well as theh attention and sympathy with regard to Australia's resources. Round the continent itself trade Avas improving through the Antarctic Avhaling-fleet, which found in the rising toAvnship of Sydney ample means for refitting and fresh provisioning, which allowed them to remain much longer on the Avhaling-grounds. While enterprise was thus directing affairs on both land ancl sea, friends were multiplying throughout Great Britain. Communication, slow as it was, Avas giving heart of grace at least to the Sydneyites in opposition to the convict system.

The progress the country had made proved beyond a doubt that convict labour, law, and regulation were unworthy of the spirit which animated their forefathers in the grand old land of their nativity, and inconsistent Avith their wants in the occupation and settlement of the new countryof their adoption. Commercial enterprise had increased the shipping in Port Jackson. The wealthy produce of the Golden Fleece was finding its w-ay from the interior to Sydney, adding considerably to the young colony's exports. Nor was it an imaginary improvement, for it had gone on during every succeeding year strengthening the determination of the true friends of freedom's cause. For noAv, except for home consumption, agriculture Avas no longer the object of the bold invaders of the interior. Favourable impressions as to the soil and climate of the new land Avere fast becoming confirmed.

Its friends asserted it to be unequalled even by the sunny lands of France or Italy — an Arcadia, in fact, fitted for all classes, be Avho they may. True, indeed, there Avere no legendary traditions so attractive to established communities ; no recorded list of names ; no historical battle-fields, nor memorable wars. Peace and plenty alone held out the olive-branch to the Old World. The success attending the licensed holders of CroAvn lands, who had penetrated into the interior, became gradually greater and more sure ; but the increasing distance made it desirable to secure a seaport along the coast. The iron-horse was not as yet a dream even of the future. Ports Avere knoAvn to exist on the southern coast, and public attention had been directed to Port Phillip ever since Captain Phillips' memorable expedi tion to that part of the coast.

In soil and climate it was consideredsuperior to the older settlements, Avhile within the baythere was ample room and security for shipping. Time, place, and circumstances seemed as if they had conspired to assist the young colony. The English press, Avith unusual vigour, described its prospects and resources in the most gloAving colours, giving every encouragement to those inclined to seek neAV homes in these far-away lands. All this effectually promoted the object the leading colonists had in vieAv, and strengthened their opposition to the Australian continent being any longer overrun Avith English criminals. The true friends of the colonies noAv rapidly increased, who made strenuous efforts to remove the stigma that Avould have forever rested on the finest colonies under the British CroAvn.

Whatever may be advanced in favour of British enterprise in the Australian colonies, British official rule in directing discovery, and in promoting the inter est of its free settlement, certainly failed to keep pace with the requirements of their people. Unquestionably the noblest efforts for discovery, occupation, ancl settle ment have been achieved by private individuals. Australians OAve it principally to those Avho crossed the Blue Mountains, and revealed the wide expanse of pastoral ly7ing toAvards the interior. Again individual enterprise discovered the valuable tract of country in the district of Port Phillip, now Victoria, long before the red-tape which bound the chariot-wheels of official ism could be removed. It fell to the honour of Messrs. i Hume and Howell to stretch a bee-line across the con tinent from the settled district to Hobson's Bay, the future " Australia Felix," as Sir Thomas Mitchell after wards termed it in the glowing description he gave on his return after traversing its broad plains.

These gentlemen occupied a run on the banks of Lake George, in the Goulburn district. In the quiet possession and management of their station, they became familiar Avith bush ways and habits, penetrated inland, miles beyond their own boundaries, and so gained acquaintance Avith the character of the country. In vain the people of Sydney and the distant settled districts urged on the local authorities the necessity of establishing a seaport on the coast, as the long and heavy journey through the rugged mountains added greatly to the cost of transport. In this neglect the free men of the rising young colony very soon began to realize that the convict authorities had neither feel ing nor favour towards extending the occupation of the lands. Their whole and sole idea was obedience to orders regarding convict control.

The history of these early individual adventures may be brieflygiven, and the manner in Avhich they were received by the Sydney authorities. In the year 1824, about the middle of October, Messrs. Hume and Ho\vell made the start to cross the continent to Port Phillip, being determined, if possible, to reach Hobson's Bay. The knowledge they had acquired fitted them for the undertaking, Avhich they safely accomplished. But though years passed, the authorities still lagged behind. About the beginning of 1835, Avhen the gallantry of the achievement Avas almost forgotten, Major Mitchell, Surveyor-General of NeAV South Wales, succeeded in the same task, and nearly reached the same spot. Fitted out for the occasion with all the appliances at the command of the authorities, he at length reached the desired country, crossed the extensive plains, forded the rivers at great risk and clanger, and, in his after records, the heroic action of Hume ancl HoAvell was fully confirmed.

To all intents these tvvo gentlemen, Hume and Howell, Avere the first overlanders Avho entered the neAV district, reaching the place Avhere noAV stands the famous town of Geelong. Their recorded testimony of the extent, fertility, and beautyof the sur rounding country, Avas clear Avithout a shadow of a doubt, ancl they successfully accomplished the journey, although no tablet as yet records their intrepidity. To them fell the distinction of shoAving hoAV feAV difficulties then existed. Major (Sir) Thomas Mitchell confirmed the fact, gained the title, ancl Avore the honours. Read in this light, the intrepidity of the major lost that interest Avhich it otherwise would have commanded amongst the colonists at the time. If the Sydney authorities had been indifferent to the urgent wants of the settlers, the most urgent at the time Avas to secure a neAV port and settlement on Hobson's Bay.

To this they seemed equally callous now, for despite all the gloAving accounts presented by the Surveyor-General's report, not a single effort was made to utilize the discovery. This greatly disap pointed the Sy-dney people, who were very sensible how much a port was required, but were helpless to move. The distance to the interior heavily handi capped them in the cost of transit. The season in Avhich Major Mitchell had crossed to Port Phillip was a remarkably Avet one in comparison Avith his experience of the older district. Rain had fallen incessantly for weeks, Avhich delayed his return, Avhen he left a furroAved trace of the wheels along his route from Mount Macedon to the settled districts. Regarding the peculiarity of the season, Governor Bourke had hazarded the prediction that throughout Australia Avet or dry ones would occur at intervals of from nine to eleven years.

The major's line after- Avards proved to be a sort of means of retributive justice for the neglect on the part of the Sydney authorities, for along the major's line, Avhen the Sydneyites made a start, they Avent overland, as they deserted the old, and made for the neAV, district. In truth it Avas said nearly the entire population of the Sydney side rolled away, till the Pharaoh of NeAV South Wales realized the spoiling of the Egyptians, Avhich, in his ill-concealed disappointment, caused him to act so pettishlyagainst his Vanclemonian neighbours Avho had, he supposed, stolen a march in opening a new settlement — Melbourne — round Hobson's Bay. True enough, the people of Van Diemen's Land made a claim to the territory. But the Governor of NeAV South Wales was equal to the occasion, taking possession Avith his soldiers and his gangs, in irons and shackles, after the Sydney overlanders had vented their spleen.

On reaching the promised land they found the strangers hatl gained the favoured nine points of the law, ancl were in possession both around Melbourne and Geelong. So much for individual enterprise. Throughout Great Britain, at the time of these incidents, Melbourne ancl Adelaide were synonymous terms for Port Phillip ancl South Australia. In fact, few understood that they represented separate colonies, distance confusing them all in the mind of the general public. But feAV amongst those acquainted Avith the difference even possessed a knoAvledge of the principles Avhich attended or ruled the conditions of the settlement or the occupation of the tAvo colonies. It may be said of the South Australians that they were amongst the Avealthy speculators of the day. Most trulythey believed themselves to be the lilies of the field within the great south land, ancl certainly expected it to flourish under the guineas that its broad acres represented.

Others might toil or spin, but they should of all men gather the fruits of their ventures. Port Phillip, on the other hand, depended for success r_ on the Avilling hands ancl heads, the pluck and energy of the old colonists Avho had bared their good right arms, ancl, casting in their lot, had dared success in the true spirit excited by the faith in the country's resources. Besides this competition Avith South Australia, there was intermixed a certain amount of prejudice against the older colony in the tales connected with our convict management, which had startled the British public. One thing was certain : at a very early stage of the opposition to the convict system — the character displayed by those who took the lead possessed the true ring of patriotism. Amongst the number were the Wentworths, Dr. Lang, and others Avho had come to realize what was most suitable for their adopted country, ancl that its future destiny had a nobler aim than to be the refuge of the British felon — confident that soil and climate throughout the range of its entire territory would provide a field for an industrial population, and offer homes for honest hearts and hands to Avin.

In this state of public affairs, a few years quickly passed, amidst the strong, continued agitation of these patriotic men. Boldly the leaders held on their way, firmly believing in the personal right of every British subject. They sought no more than to establish this for their lineage, in the good old race which was to start aneAv in this distant Arcadia. All their aspir ations were to tread the wooded hills and valleys of the Blue Mountains, unattended by sabred guards, that would rank them at times as prisoners of the CroAvn. Their desire was to be free, to form new homes, which honest perseverance could establish, ancl make their glorious reAvard. To exalt the Greater Britain of the Pacific, but not by buckler, bayonet, nor SAvord, nor yet by the thunder of a Waterloo. Peace Avas the invitation given from the valley to the mountain tops, over which rolled the fleecy clouds of freedom.

Little did the patriots of New South Wales under stand the circumstance which Avas to lend its power to force the conditions at Avhich they aimed, and should determine them to burst the fetters that hampered Australian progress. To their honour be it said, that a higher sense of duty dictated their course of action to free the Australian continent from the blighting policy of transportation. They fought as bravely as the noblest of their race to establish a free people on the future Greater Britain of the peaceful Pacific, draped — Candida pax — in white-robed peace.

Chapter II. While

Australia was rapidly establishing the genuine character of her resources, Australian peculiarities Avere passing into proverbs. Long before her occupation geologists asserted that Nature must have conceived neAV projects of construction when making the effort to call her into existence. But Nature had evidently got someAvhat mixed in the construction of this portion of a fifth continent. Coastwards the rivers and streams flowed, as they did in other lands, to the sea. Across the Blue Mountains they fell toAvards the interior, the Avinter floods marking theh banks at high water. Between the summer heat and the droughty soil they vanished, lost in the desert of rugged ridges ancl stony plains. The landmarks throughout were equally peculiar for speculatiA-e theory, indicating a volcanic origin and design.

Exhausted craters marked both range and course, Avhere lay those burnt-out crucibles, once in ternal fires, from whence were poured out the debris Avhence golden ores should be gathered at a future day. About the time Australia began to attract attention throughout Great Britain, our American cousins were bidding high for British labour, and the tide of immi gration floAved uninterruptedly on. Others again, forming the Avealth ancl aristocratic portion of our native land, Avere sadly chagrined by the democratic spirit evinced both at home and abroad. The Britisher, whose wealth and influence as a rule made him conservative in heart and feelings, ignored the new world across the Atlantic, though he sighed for neAV lands for occupation and settlement. A new Avorld was acceptable to the capitalist on the alert for profitable investments.

Australia, despite her short-lived antecedents, bad as they were, seemed Avell Avorthy of a choice ; moreover, she had a claim upon British heartfelt sympathies. This feeling as it existed throughout England Avas further shown by the reception given to the plausible but delusive Wakefield theory, Avhich Avas hailed with open arms as a blessing. To Englishmen the convict element ancl its evil influences in the Australian world had its redeeming points in the supply^ of labour. Perhaps they never seriously comprehended its use as a means to secure colonial progress, but there is no doubt as to its being the means toAvards their own aggrandizement. It was during these intervals of doubt and perplexity as to the means best suited to secure the much-needed labour for the new country, that Mr. Edward Gibbon Wakefield appeared on the scene.

An active energetic reformer, he at once sought to grapple Avith the situ ation by devising a ne\v scheme for the occupation and settlement of those distant lands. Having visited the colonies a few years before, he had taken in the position and the extreme wants of the neAV country-, and the most suitable means to supplythese Avants had occupied his projective ingenuity^. On returning to England he found ready admission to charmed circles, Avhere his information very soon placed his star in the ascendancy. Many Avealthy gentlemen looked upon the neAV scheme he propounded as worthy of support. It must have been a surprise even to Mr. Wakefield to find himself attentively listened to by learned bishops, distinguished soldiers, and members of the nobility, dukes and earls, lords and commoners, members of Parliament, bankers, and others, Avho all showed theh earnest desire to participate in the scheme and test its practical operation.

The idea, strange as it was to the colonists, had a modicum of truth about it, and seemed to promise some chance of success. With the means once in hand, there were the large areas of land to be secured in reclaiming the wilderness, over which the lady and gentleman could ride to control theh hired servants. Such Avas the scheme easily entertained by Old England, with her teeming millions. It became the popular project for the time being. The English Government lent a willing ear, and were ready enough to countenance it in the grants of land they made at a nominal price of a few shillings per acre — choice lands, both in quality and position, such as the Circular Head Company's occupation in Tas mania, and the Morton Bay Company's selection in in that portion which is noAv Queensland. Amongst the most noticeable Avas the Swan River settlement in Western Australia.

There the result proved disastrous to the projectors — all masters and no man to labour. The bone and muscle of the builder and the plough man Avere absent. The lady and gentleman looked round them on the silent seashore, across the bush and the plain, but there was no help. The penitentiary was beyond their reach. In vain they tried ineffectually to gather a modicum of comfort in their efforts to re build their new homes, which lay scattered on the beach. The pelting storm and the burning sun bleached them to ruin ancl decay, for neither love nor money could buythe much-needed labour. The suffering which their ill-advised course of action brought with it baffled description. To the colonists there Avas no great mystery as to the source of Mr. Wakefield's inspiration. In directing labour and capital into the new fields of Australia, he simply proved himself practical and observant.

He came, saAv, and quickly comprehended the position, ancl well-nigh escaped success by perpetrating a national fraud upon the colonies in the disposal of the lands. He found an unlimited extent of land of Avhich the pastoral capabilities Avere just developing. The fields on Avhich he devised his project (the penitentiary7 providing the colonies with an unlimited supply of labour free of cost to their hand) Avere readily utilized to the best advantage, and the English Government paid the expenses attending their landing and management till Avanted. The colonials, so Mr. Wakefield discovered, Avere adverse to the convict system ; the agitation against it had commenced in earnest at the time of his arrival. A leading feature in his neAV scheme was that the money Avould provide Avorkmen in the shape of bounty emigrants, that Avould thus equalize the loss of labour incurred through the penitentiary.

The local and the home authorities being equally taken up with the project, set apart " special surveys," so termed, to enable the Avealthy speculators to invest their surplus funds. The outcome attending this course of agitation dreAv marked attention in favour of the colony, whose resources were as y-et unknown to the British people, while it was supposed the buyers of land Avere thus provided Avith a pro quo, the system being more faA-ourable to free workmen than to the convicted felon. Just one year before the Wakefield colonists reached Adelaide — their destination — Mr. John Batman, in May 1835, led his enterprising countrymen to the banks of the Yarra Yarra. The Van Diemonians were prompt and energetic in folloAving his lead. With more brains than money, but ready to use their good right arms, their action and presence should prove the distinctive elements for achieving success.