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The History of Tasmania

John West · 1852 · Scanned text

301,100 words · about 21 h 5 min to read

Period artwork: Interior of the Bodleian Library, 1845
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Licence: PDM · British Library Digitised Books dataset db14 (doi 10.21250/db14) marks the OCR texts CC Public Domain Mark 1.0 (c. 1510-c. 1900 publications); text+metadata JSONL release doi 10.23636/r7w6-zy15 is CC0 1.0. Public Domain Mark is a status label, not a new copyright licence. · Digitised by the British Library (with Microsoft). Text: British Library Digitised Books, CC Public Domain Mark 1.0.

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About this book

Author
John West
Language
English
Published
1852
Length
301,100 words · about 21 h 5 min
Sections
45 reader sections
Text
Scanned text, read from page scans by OCR; may contain errors
Rights
Public Domain Mark 1.0

 

Contents (45)
  1. Front matter about 1 min
  2. Section I about 42 min
  3. Section II about 46 min
  4. Section III about 8 min
  5. Section IV about 22 min
  6. Section V about 8 min
  7. Section VI about 5 min
  8. Section VII about 8 min
  9. Section VIII about 14 min
  10. Section IX about 11 min
  11. Section I about 20 min
  12. Section II about 7 min
  13. Section III about 8 min
  14. Section IV about 17 min
  15. Section VI about 11 min
  16. Section VIII about 1 h 39 min
  17. Section I about 7 min
  18. Section II about 34 min
  19. Section III about 7 min
  20. Section IV about 19 min
  21. Section I about 34 min
  22. Section II about 50 min
  23. Section III about 10 min
  24. Section IV about 55 min
  25. Section I. Mammalia about 13 min
  26. Section II about 6 min
  27. Section III. Fishes about 3 min
  28. Section IV. Reptiles about 2 min
  29. Section V. Insects about 1 min
  30. Section VI. Mollusca about 3 min
  31. Section VII. Crustacea, Echinodermata about 5 min
  32. Section I under 1 min
  33. Section III about 6 min
  34. Section I about 9 min
  35. Section II about 11 min
  36. Section III about 2 h 38 min
  37. Section I about 8 min
  38. Section II about 3 min
  39. Section III about 5 min
  40. Section IV about 37 min
  41. Section VI about 17 min
  42. Section VII about 8 min
  43. Section VIII about 4 min
  44. Prologue about 49 min
  45. Section IX about 6 h 17 min

Continue:

Front matter

HISTORY OF TASMANIA. THE HISTOEY OF TASMANIA: BY JOHN WEST, MINISTER OF ST. JOHN SQUARE CHAPEL, LAUNCESTON. VOLUME I. TASMANIA: HENRY DOWLING, LAUNCESTON, 1852. TASMANIA! PRINTED BY t, S. WADDELL, LAUNCISTON. TO HENRY HOPKINS, OF HOBART TOWN, ESQ., THE HISTORY OF TASMANIA, UNDERTAKEN AT HIS REQfUEST, IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED v.i THE ATJTHOK. Launceston, September, 1852.

ADVERTISEMENT.

. The author takes this opportunity to thank the gentlemen who have allowed him, for several years, the use of their works on the colonies, and valuable original papers ; especially the trustees of Lady Franklin's Museum, Messrs. R. Lewis, Hone, Gunn, Joseph Archer, Henty, P. Roberts, Wooley, and Pitcairn. The public are indebted to Ronald Gunn, Esq., for the section on Tasmanian Zoology ; and to Mr. F. Wales for a useful list of the chief places in this country. CONTENTS.-VOL. I. DISCOVERY.

Section I

p. 1. Anthony Van Diemen, governor of Batavia — Sir Joseph Banks obtains Tasman's charts and journal — brass hemispheres at Amsterdam — discovery of Van Diemen's Land — Maria Island — visit of Captains Marion, Furneaux, Cook, Clerke, Cox, Bligh, D'Entrecasteaux — discovery of Bass' Straits by Bass and Flinders — Flinders' misfortunes and death — Baudin — misfortunes of our eminent navifators — monument erected by Sir John Franklin to 'linders. SECTION ii p. 20. Colonel Purry's project — opinion of Dalrymple — Cook's account of New South Wales — fleet assemble at Motherbank — Phillip governor — various opinions of the prospects of the colony. FROM 1803 TO 1824.

SECTION I

p. 27. Van Diemen's Land occupied — state of Port Jackson at the time — Port Phillip occupied — abandoned — account of Buckley — debarkation at Sullivan's Cove — names of officers — Paterson occupies at Port Dalrymple — account of Collins — Burke's remarks — Collins' history — Lord Hobart. SECTION ii p. 34. Hobart Town named — York Town — Tamar river — Laun- CONTENTS. ceston — the first house — Norfolk Island vacated — settlers conveyed to Van Diemen's Land — overflow of the Hawkesbury — destitution — deposition of Bligh — he visits the Derwent — conduct of Collins — establishes a newspaper — his death — monument erected by Franklin to his memory. SECTION in p. 48. Lieutenant E. Lord acting lieutenant-governor — ditto Captain Murray — visit of Governor Macquarie — Davey lieutenant-governor — improvements effected — St. David's church built — Bent's newspaper — death of Colonel Davey.

SECTION iv p. 53. Form of colonial government — courts — legislative orders — administration of justice — Abbot judge-advocate of Van Diemen's Land — opinions of Mackintosh — Bentham — torture — arbitrary conduct of Macquarie — governor's court — Abbot's death. section v p. 66. Lieutenant-Governor Sorell — checks bushranging — immigration of settlers — their privileges — Macquarie's account of Van Diemen's Land. section vi p. 70. Sheen introduced — Merino lambs imported into Van Diemen's Land — wool purchased by Mr. Hopkins. section vii p. 73. Whaling — duties on colonial oil — fetters of trade — Captain Howard's misfortunes — currency of Van Diemen's Land — trading habits. section viii p. 78. Religious efforts — notices of Reverends Johnson, Marsden, Knopwood — Wesleyan first Sunday school — Reverends Horton, Mansfield, Macarthur — bible society — Reverend J. Youl — Reverend P. Connolly. section ix p. 86.

Bill for better administration of justice — supreme court established — colonial agent — departure of Sorell — Leith company — Sorell's character — agricultural societies — advantages of immigrants at the present time. contents. III FROM 1824 TO 1836. section i p. 95. Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur, superintendent at Honduras — dispute with Colonel Bradley — with the slaveholders — state of Van Diemen's Land — court proclaimed — trial by jury — charges against Mr. T. T. Gellibrand, jun. — Talfourd's opinions — Van Diemen's Land declared independent of New South Wales — police magistrates appointed. section ii p. 106. Rise of the Australian press — restraint of the press by Arthur — Dr. Ross government printer — colonists maintain the freedom of the press. section hi p. 110. Van Diemen's Land Company formed — its investments — Jorgen Jorgenson. section iv p. 1 15.

State of society at Hobart — Judge Forbes — Governor Darling — punishment of Thomson and Sudds — trial of Dr. Wardell — Major Honor's case — Mr. Humphrey police magistrate — petitions for an elective assembly — disagreements with Arthur — Gellibrand, sen., dismissed from the magistracy — act of parliament for the colony — Marshall's proposal for a colonial association. section v p. 120. Dispute between Jennings and Montagu — rate on returned bills of exchange fixed — trial of Dillon — treasury robbed — Ikey Solomon's arrest — conduct of a jury — races at Ross — pirates take the Cumberland. section vi p. 124. Grammar school — orphan school — mechanic institution — Dr. Ross — Dr. Henderson. section vii p. 127. Bank of Van Diemen's Land — state of trade — Gatenby farmers — treasury robbed — Cox's conveyance established — dearth in New South Wales. CONTENTS.

SECTION VIII

p. 131. Liabilities of publicans — impounding cattle — dog actusury law. SECTION ix p. 134. Endowment of emigrants with land — early regulations — quantities of land given — early price of land. section x p. 136. Van Diemen's Land divided into counties — land commissioners appointed — conditions of grants — land obtained by fictitious capital. section xi p. 139. Brisbane grants — proof of ownership — resumption resisted by juries — defect in titles discovered — defect in description — caveat board established — Major Abbot's claim — quit rents — free grants terminated — Lord Ripon's regulations. SECTION xii p. 148. Wakefield's colonization scheme — Wilmot Horton's views — Swan River settlement — sufferings of first settlers — colony of South Australia — mineral wealth — Port Phillip occupied — emigration of females and mechanics — important consequences — table of land regulations. section xm p. 160.

Bank of Australasia— state of the currency — Tamar bank — Union bank. section xiv p. 161. Glorious 23rd of May! — Baxter appointed judge — set aside — police and gaols — land revenue. section xv p. 165. Mr. W. Bryan's disagreement with Arthur — Arnold condemned for cattle stealing — case of Lewis — of Bryan, jun. — murder of Captain Sergeantson — perjury — trial by Jutsection xvi p. 174. " True Colonist" — state of the press — charges against Arthur — increase of newspapers — political association. contents. V section xvii p. 177. Recall of Arthur — advancement during his administration — his great ability — his views of public works — his departure—death of Mr. J. T. Gellibrand. FROM 1836 TO 1843. section i p. 191. Snodgrass acting-governor — arrival of Sir John Franklin — views of the colony — his reception — efforts to reconcile parties — magistrates increased — council chamber opened. section ii. p 195.

Difficulties respecting the churches — Dr. Lang — church and school corporation erected — dissolved by the crown — Sir G. Murray's views — Bourke's plan — Arthur's views — bishopric established in New South Wales — claims of the Presbyterians — declare for the established church of Scotland — Sir G. Grey's decision — act of general assembly — appellate jurisdiction refused — synod proclaimed — assembled and dissolved — controversy between the churches — church act passed — rivalry of the churches — act amended — demands on the treasury — bishopric of Tasmania established — Bishop Nixon enthroned — differences with clergy — ecclesiastical courts — refused by Wilmot — conference at Sydney — ecclesiastical titles arranged — free church of Scotland — tolerance of laity — respect for religion. section iii p. 215.

Education — Franklin proposes a college — Dr. Arnold's views — Mr. Gell appointed — foundation of college laid — abandoned — schools in New South Wales — British system established in Van Diemen's Land — British system abandoned. section iv p. 219. Distillation forbidden — emigration promoted — interference of commissioners — libel on Mr. Dowling — emigrants VI CONTENTS. prosper — effects of probation — distress in the colonies — causes of distress — revival. section v p. 225. Franklin arranges probation system — dispute with Captain Montagu — dismisses him — Lord Stanley justifies Captain Montagu — Franklin recalled — his amiable character — last expedition. FROM 1843 TO 1847.

SECTION I

p. 233. Sir E. Wilmot arrives — his connexions — opinion of the Times — his popular manners — the agricultural association — bushranging — Wilmot's promises to the legislature — remodels the Tasmanian Society — his difficulties — central committee — usury law — fetters of trade — Hutt's motion — road bill — irrigation — expense of police — public debt — Wilmot adheres to his instructions — duties raised from five to fifteen per cent. — taxation defeated — quarrel with the Courier — Mr. Bicheno's political opinions — discussion in the council — Mr. Dry's motion — council adjourned — despatches respecting police and public works — injustice of Lord Stanley — anti-colonial character of probation system — Lord Stanley's restrictions — proposes to raise produce for commissariat — inadequate surveillance — Wilmot's representations — Stanley's reply — council meet — estimates unintelligible — motions rejected by the governor's deliberative and casting votes — Mr. Smith's opinion — six members resign — obligation of official members — defence of the six — remarks — popular sympathy.

SECTION ii p. 252. Development of probation system — location of gangs. — Mr. Pitcairn's petition — Wilmot's counter representation — Wilmot rejected as patron of the Van Diemen's Land agricultural association — vacancies filled up in the council — members resign — £24,000 allowed by home government — differential duties bill — Hobart Town commissioners — dog act — recall of Wilmot — defended the probation system — blame cast on him — Wilmot's last address — Mr. Glad- CONTENTS. VII stone's despatch — his decision respecting the six — Wilmot slandered — Gladstone's letter — debates in parliament — remarks — Wilmot's death — Mr. LaTrobe's administration. FROM 1847 TO 1852.

SECTION I

p. 265. Sir William Denison meets the twelve — re-appoints the six — errors in commission discovered — refers home — the six appointed — dog tax declared illegal — actions of merchants — dismissal of Judge Montagu — Judge Pedder refuses leave of absence — Mr. Home appointed — doubts' bill passed — decision of home government — charge against the merchants — their defence — appeals to Downing-street — public petitions for an assembly — plans proposed — council of New South Wales — discontent at Port Phillip — report of Sir William Denison — plan of Earl Grey rejected — privy council report — opinions of their report — bill passed — rejoicings at Port Phillip — at Van Diemen's Land — college at Bishopsbourne — Hutchins' school — high school. section ii p. 276. Struggle against transportation — Mr. McLachlan — English press — stateof colony — pardons extended — North Australia — squatters hire expirees — exiles received at Port Phillip — abolition proposed — Mr. McLachlan's letter to Mr. Gladstone — petition presented to the Lords — Mr. Ewart's motion — Earl Grey and Mr. Hawes receive the seals of the colonial office — avow the principles of Whateley — Sir W. Denison's circular — discussion — committees appointed — public meetings. section hi p. 283.

London agency — meeting — Lord Grey's despatch announcing the views of government — address of Sir W. Denison — his despatch in favor of transportation — Norfolk Island prisoners — proposal to New South Wales accepted on both sides — repudiation by Earl Grey, and a new proposal to New South Wales rejected — circular letter to the colonies — convicts sent to the Cape rejected — rejected at CONTENTS. Port Phillip — effect of the treatment of Van Diemen's Land on other colonies — prospects of 1848. section iv p. 289. Lord J. Russell's speech — conduct of ministers — great number of petitions — Sir W. Denison's views — resolution of colonists — rapid changes of systems — the intentions of Earl Grey — evils of ticket system — resolution of the Legislative Councils — views of different parties — state of the colony — Earl Grey accused of breach of faith — Earl Grey's speech — declares his determination to proceed — the effect of his speech on Van Diemen's Land — Leagues formed — Neptune arrived — protest — petitions of all classes — convict party form an association — it is dissolved — weakness of the colony — feelings of other colonies towards Van Diemen's Land. section v p. 298.

The " Australias are One" — address to the colonies — Earl Grey renews his application to New South Wales — decision of the people — response of the colonies — meeting of abolitionists at Hobart — declare against transportation to any of the colonies — a conference appointed — delegates meet in Victoria — the Australian League formed — large subscriptions — fire in Port Phillip — meeting of delegates in New South Wales — proceedings of conference — the elections — the discovery of gold — effects on employers — League assailed by the convict party — delegates visit Adelaide — League adopted at New Zealand — people return opponents of transportation — conduct of emancipists — not one supporter of transportation returned — resolutions of the Legislative Councils of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Van Diemen's Land.

ZOOLOGY. Section i. .p. 321. Mammalia. — Section h. .p. 328. Birds. — Section iii. ..p. 332. Fishes. — Section iv...p. 333. Reptiles. — Section v..p. 335. Insects. — Section iv.. p. 335. — Mollusca. HISTORY OF TASMANIA. DISCOVERY, &c B VOL, I. DISCOVERY, &c.

SECTION I.

Nearly fifty years have elapsed, since Van Diemen's Land was numbered with the colonies of the British empire. A generation has risen up and is passing away. Thousands, while they venerate the land of their European ancestors, with an amiable fondness love Tasmania as their native country. They will, hereafter, guide its affairs, extend its commerce, and defend its soil ; and, not inferior in virtue and intelligence, they will fill an important position in the vast system of Australasia. To gratify their curiosity, and offer to their view the instructive and inspiriting events of the past, is the purpose of this history. The difficulty of the task can be appreciated only by experience. To collect from scattered records, facts worthv of remembrance ; to separate reality from romance ; to remove partial coloring from statements made long ago; and to exhibit useful truth without disguise and without offence, required much research and deliberation.

It is not the intention of this history to relate every event which, when passing, may have been deemed momentous ; much less to recal from obscurity the errors, absurdity, and wickedness which exercised no distinct influence on the common welfare. The author has endeavoured to realize the feelings and sympathies of the benevolent and just of another age, and to confine his pen to details which may maintain their interest, when the passions with which they were associated shall subside for ever. In calling this work The History of Tasmania, a designation is chosen generally preferred by the colonists, and which their successors will certainly adopt. " Van Diemen" is a name affixed to the north coast of New Holland; and this country is the first known discovery of Tasman. The name of Tasman is recognised by the royal patent constituting the diocese ; by several literary societies and periodical works : it forms the term by which we distinguish our Tasmanian from our European youth.

Tasmania is preferred, because " Van Diemen's Land" is associated among all nations with the idea of bondage and guilt ; and, finally, because while Tasmania is a melodious and simple sound, " Van Diemen" is harsh, complex, and infernal. During the reign of Charles II. (Frederick Henry, grand father of William III. being Stallholder of Holland) the Dutch discoveied this island. The enterprise of that people had raised them to the zenith of their power: unless by England, they were unrivalled in nautical science and com mercial opulence. More for the purposes of trade than the acquisition of knowledge, they were anxious to discover unknown countries, and to conceal the information they possessed from the rest of the world. At this time, Anthony Van Diemen was governor-general of Batavia : by him, Abel Jans Tasman was commissioned to explore the " Great South Land," the name by which New Holland was known until 1665, when, by the authority of the Netherland government, it received its present designation.

A fragment of the journal of Tasman, containing an account of his discovery, was first published by Dirk Rem brant, and afterwards translated into most European tongues. In this abstract nautical details respecting Van Diemen's Land were omitted, but were described in the journal itself, and by thirty-eight charts, views, and figures. These were purchased by Sir Joseph Banks, on his return from his voyage to these seas. Tasman's journal was translated by a Netherland clergyman : he considered the age of the manuscript confirmed by the spelling : that it was genuine he had no doubt, although he questioned whether written by Tasman, or transcribed at his command. Sir Joseph Banks acquired at the same time a copy of instructions to Tasman, given by the Governor of Batavia in 1644, for a second expedition, and which recapitulated the various voyages of his predecessors.

These, however, have no connection with Van Diemen's Land. To adorn the new stadthouse of Amsterdam, erected in 1665, three hemispheres were wrought in stone, of twenty two feet in diameter : the circles were inlaid with brass, and DISCOVERY. were executed by a celebrated artist. The southern hemis phere exhibited the discoveries of Tasman and his predecessors : they formed the pavement of the hall, until obliterated by the tread of several generations. They were quite forgotten when Sir Joseph Banks sought information from the inhabitants. A copy of these works of art was preserved, and displayed the extent to which New Holland and Van Diemen's Land were known. The journal of Tasman has been greatly admired : it is clear, laconic, and devout.* It opens with an invocation : " May God Almighty be pleased to give his blessing to this voyage.

Amen." The document is, indeed, full of pious sentiments : when a long desired breeze liberated the vessel from port, or refreshment was obtained, or safe anchorage found, he dots down a thanksgiving. He reckoned his longitude from the Peak of Teneriffe : the hours he called glasses ; his miles were German, fifteen to a degree. On the 14th of August, 1642, Tasman embarked at Batavia, on board the Heemskirk, the fly-boat Zeehaan, Jerit Zanzoon, master, in company. They set sail for the Mauritius, and arrived on the 5th of September. That island, then commanded by Van Steelan, was but little cultivated, and gave slight promise of its present importances On the 4th October, they were ready to depart, but were delayed by contrary winds until the 8th, when on a change in their favor they stood eastward to sea.

On the 27th, a council being called, it was resolved that a man should con stantly look out at the topmast head ; and to encourage vigilance it was determined, that the first discoverer of land should receive three reals and a pot of arrack. On the 4th November they saw patches of duckweed and a seal, and inferred their vicinity to land. The first pilot, Francis Jacobzs, on the 7th, supported by the advice of the steersman, * The following is its title -.—Journal of Discovery, by me, Abel Jans Tasman, of a Voyage from Batavia for making discoveries of the unknown South Land, 1642. — Burney's Chronological History, 1813. t Discovered in the year 1505, by Don Pedro Mascarequas, a Spanish navigator : he gave it the name of " CcrneV' It was uninhabited, and destitute of every species of quadruped.

In 1598 it was visited by the Dutch Admiral Van Neck, who finding it unoccupied gave it its present name, in honor of Maurice, Prince of Holland. In 160 1 a Frenchman was found on the island by a Dutch captain. He had been left by an English vessel, and had remained two years subsisting on turtle and dates: his understanding was impaired by his long solitude. The Dutch had a small fort, when it was visited by Tasman, which is represented in the drawings that illustrated his journal. The Dutch afterwards abandoned the island, and it has passed through many changes, until it was conquered by Great Britain. — Grant's History of the Mauritius. thus delivered his opinion : — " We should keep to the 44° south latitude, until we have passed 150° longitude; then make for latitude 40" south, and keeping in that parallel to run eastward to 220° longitude, and then steering northward search with the trade wind from east to west for the Solomon Islands.

We imagine, if we meet with no main land till we come to 150° longitude, we must then meet with islands." On the 17th, they were in latitude 44° 15' and longitude 147° 3' : they concluded that they had already passed the south land then known. On the 22nd they found their compass was not still within eight points, which they attributed to the influence of loadstone, and which kept the needle in continual motion. On the 24th, at noon, they found their latitude 42" 25' south, longitude 163° 31' : in the afternoon, at 4 o'clock, they observed land, Point Hibbs, bearing east by north. The land was high, and towards evening they saw lofty mountains to the east south-east, and to the north-east two smaller mountains : here their compass stood right. They resolved to run off five hours to sea, and then to run back towards the land.

On the 25th, the morning was calm, and at 5 o'clock they were within three miles of the shore, and had soundings at sixty fathoms. They approached a level coast, and reckoned their latitude 42° 30 , and middle longitude 163" 50' On this day they named their discovery : " we called it Anthony Van Diemen's Land, in honor of our high magistrate and governor-general, and the islands near (Boreels) we named in honor of the council of India, as you may see by the little map we made." Next day they lost sight of land. They fixed the longitude 163° 50 , and gave orders to the master of the Zeehaan to adopt that reckoning. On the 28th land reappeared, and in the evening they came near three small islands, one of which they thought like the head of a lion (Mewstone, of Fur neaux). On the following morning they passed two cliffs, one (the Swilly, of Furneaux) like the Pedra Branca, near the coast of China ; the other, the eastern cliff, resembling a high misshapen tower (the Eddystone, of Cook).

Between the cliff and the main land they passed, until they came almost to Storm Bay, where they found it impossible to anchor, and were driven by the wind to sea — so far, that land could scarcely be sighted in the morning. In the afternoon of the 1st December, they anchored in a good port (marked Fre derick Hendrik Bay in the chart), with twenty-two fathoms water, and bottom of fine light grey sand. On the following morning the boats were despatched to DISCOVERY. 7 the shore : on their return, the steersman informed them that they had heard the sound of voices, and of a little gong ; but saw no one They remarked two trees, sixty feet from the ground to the branches, and two and a-half in circumference : the bark taken off with flint stones, and steps cut. to climb for birds' nests, full five feet from each other, and indicative of a very tall people.

They saw marks, such as are left by the claws of a tiger, and brought on board the excrements of some quadruped; gum lac, which dropped from trees, and greens " which might be used in place of wormwood." They saw people at the east corner of the bay :* they found no fish, except mussels : many trees were burned hollow near the ground ; they were widely separated, and admitted an extensive view. On the 3rd, they went to a little bay, south-west from their ships, in search of water : the surf prevented their landing, but the carpenter swam on shore ; and near four remarkable trees, standing in the form of a crescent, he erected a post, on which a compass was carved, and left the Prince's flag flying upon it.f " When the said carpenter had done this in the sight of me, Abel Jans Tasman, of the master Jerit Zanzoon, and under merchant Abraham Coomans, we went in the shallop as near as possible, and the said carpenter swam back through the surf.

We then returned on board, and left this memorial to the posterity of the inhabitants. They did not show themselves, and we suspected some to be not far from thence, and watching carefully our doings." The last object they noticed was a large round mountain (St. Patrick's Head), on the eastern coast, of which they lost sight on the 5th December. From Van Diemen's Land they proceeded to New Zealand, where by an encounter with the natives several lives were lost : thence they passed Tongataboo, Amsterdam, and Rot terdam, and arrived at Batavia on the 15th June, 1643. Tasman closes his journal with his usual devotion : " God be praised for this happy voyage. Amen." • Probably their fires: had they seen them, they could not have fallen into error respecting their height. t " The same romantic little rock, with its fringe of grey ironstone shingle, still shelters itself under the castellated cliffs of trap rock, on its northern and southern horns ; embosomed in its innermost recesses by a noble forest, whose green shades encroach upon the verge of the ocean.

It is less than half-a-mile across, and nearer its northern than its southern extremity, the sea has cast up a key of large grey rounded ironstone, which interrupts the equal curve of the beach, and doubtless marks the spot where the ship's carpenter swam ashore."— Gell's Remarks on the First Discovery .- Tasmanian Journal, vol. ii. p. 327. That Maria Island was named after the daughter of Van Diemen, and that Tasman went over the ocean writing down her name in the imperishable records of his discoveries, is a pleasing tale ; but the evidence on which it rests is far from conclusive. Thus at Amsterdam he called the anchorage Van Diemen's Road, and where the boats went for water Maria's Bay, " in honor of our governor-general and his ~ady." That a daughter of the same name existed is not improbable, but who can tell whether the Maria Island of Tasmania's coast was named in complaisance to the daughter, or to conciliate the mother !

In hope to confirm the agreeable fiction the journal of Tasman has been examined, but in vain. The spirit of discovery revived in Europe after a long slumber ; and a succession of illustrious navigators, in their passage to regions deemed more important, touched at Van Diemen's Land, and thus rapidly developed its geography. After Tasman, the next visitor was Captain Marion, of the Mascarin and Castries, who in 1772 arrived from the Mau ritius, in search of the " southern continent." then the grand object of nautical inquiry, and anchored in Frederick Hen drik Bay, the 4th March. The visit is chiefly memorable for a fatal collision with the natives, who, according to the French, exhibited uncommon ferocity. On his stepping on shore they offered Captain Marion a fire stick, which he supposed a ceremony of friendship ; but when he lighted a heap of wood, as he imagined in compliance with their custom, they retired to a hill, and threw a shower of stones.

The French fired their muskets, and the natives fled : their pursuers found in the wood a dying savage^r— the first victim of European intrusion. Marion and some others were injured slightly by the missiles of the natives, and a black servant was wounded by a spear. The remarks they made are of no great value : they entered the country, and saw everywhere the effects of fire, which they supposed was intended to drive wild animals from the coast. They could not discover a tree suitable for a mast, and were unsuccessful in obtaining water. A small map, which sketched the form of the coast with considerable exactness, accompanied the account of this voyage, and tended to awaken the French to the importance of these seas. The next visit was accidental, but most important : Captain Cook, in 1772, left Great Britain to explore the icy region near the Pole.

There the vessels separated in a DISCOVERY. 9 fog : they were unble to rejoin, aud while Cook proceeded to New Zealand in the Resolution, Captain Tobias Furneaux, his second in command, touched at Van Diemen's Land in the Adventure. He made the south-west cape on the 9th of March, 1773, exactly one year after Marion left the island. After passing the Mewstone, a boat's crew sent on shore reported favorably of the country, and that they had seen beautiful cascades pouring from roGks two hundred feet high. Finding no anchorage, Furneaux passed the black rocks (the Boreels of Tasman), which he called the Friars, and discovered Adventure Bay, which is separated from Storm Bay by Cape Frederick Henry. There they found anchorage in seven fathoms, within half a mile of either shore, and obtained wood and water in abundance.

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