Victoria; late Australia Felix, or Port Philip District of New South Wales; being an historical and descriptive account of the colony and its gold mines; with an appendix containing the reports of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce for the last two years upon the condition and progress of the colony

Front matter

V I C T 0 E I A ; LATE AUSTRALIA FELIX. on TORT PHILLIP DISTRICT OF NEW SOUTH WALES ; BEING AN HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OP THE COLONY AND ITS GOLD MINES. WITH £n aflappenbir, CONTAINING THE REPORTS OF THE MELBOURNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS UPON THE CONDITION AND PROGRESS OF THE COLONY. By WILLIAM WESTGAETH, LATE MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF VICTORIA. EDINBURGH : OLIVER & BOYD, TWEEDDALE COURT. LONDON: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, & CO. MDCCCLIII. PRINTED BY OLIVER AND BOYD, TWEEDDALE COURT, HIGH STREET, EDINBURGH- EXPLANATIONS FOR THE MAP. The " Settled Districts" include, besides the different circles in the Map, a reservation of the entire coast line for three miles inland, and of two miles on either side of the river Glenelg, as high up as the river Wannon. Prior to the present divisions, made in 1848, the pro vince contained only the three original counties of Bourke, Grant, and Normanby, the remainder of the country con sisting of the five great pastoral districts of Portland Bay, Wimmera, Western Port, Murray, and Gipps' Land.

The Wimmera and Murray districts, and the northern part of the Western Port district, under the more appropriate name of the Loddon district, now form the "Unsettled" district of the colony, and also three electoral districts of the same name. The other pastoral districts have merged into counties. (See the Map in explanation of the colouring; also Chapter IV. for particulars of the " Orders in Council," upon which the divisions of the Map are founded.)

Preface

. The leisure hours of the long homeward voyage from Australia have furnished me, at two different times, with the opportunity of drawing up some account of one of the rising colonies of this remote territory of the British crown. The first publication, in 1848, gave the history of a young but promising settlement, forming at that time the southern division of the colony of New South Wales, under the official title of the Port Phillip District — an inconvenient designation, however, for which the colonists themselves were prone to substitute that of Australia Felix, a distinctive appellation bestowed upon a large part of their country during the early explorations of the colonial surveyor-general, Sir Thomas Mitchell, on account of the surpassing beauty of its scenery.

PREFACE.

. IV On this second occasion my subject has under gone a change alike wonderful and complete. The Port Phillip District is now a distinct colony, rejoic ing in the royal name of Victoria, a colony of a large British population, abounding in all the elements of wealth and progress, furnishing to Britain the envied possession of a second California, perhaps even more productive than the first, and already assuming the position, amidst formidable Indian and American rivals, of the first of British colonies. The interval I have alluded to, during which so striking a change has been accomplished, is scarcely yet six years. How interesting therefore to reflect what a few more years of the future may accom plish, in a progress which the latest accounts from Victoria represent as still unabated ! And no less important than interesting is this prospect.

The reader will therefore excuse a par ticular prominence that I have given in several of the following chapters to some political consider ations that are probably destined to a conspicuous position in this pregnant future. Where there is much to tell, and little either of time or space at disposal, one is apt to do injustice

PREFACE.

. V to a subject. Accordingly, I find, when too late, that I have overlooked a manuscript of the adven tures of the early colonists of Port Phillip, given me by Mr Fawkner — a subject interesting generally, as well as locally, from the striking contrasts which the brief space of less than eighteen years has pro duced since the first colonizing party rowed their solitary boat upon the waters of the Yarra, and fastened their anchor-chain to one of the gum trees of the forest then covering the site of Mel bourne. I have also inadvertently represented Collins as arriving with his convict party at Port Phillip in 1804, whereas this event took place in October 1803, his residence there having extended over three months. There remains but one more subject, and not the least important. I find that in no part of my al lusions to the subject of the Australian gold-fields, have I gone into the question of their permanence.

This may have arisen from the habit already ac quired in Australia of taking that point for granted. A few words here, however, will not be out of place on the subject. The observations alike of practical and scientific men tend daily to confirm every previous rumour VI

PREFACE.

. as to the extent of the auriferous soil, and this not onlv in Victoria, but throughout New South Wales. Recent observations would also prove that the au riferous indications extend into South Australia, Van Diemen's Land, and even New Zealand, in all which countries gold has actually been found in places which science or the mere practical eye had pointed out. In some of these countries mechanical appliances are perhaps more necessary to success than they have been hitherto found with the gravelly quartz beds of Victoria, where simple washing is still so largely productive ; or there is as yet in the neighbouring colonies a want of that over powering popular faith which brings together ten thousand active hands, whose incessant differing- ' Oo o' anywhere and everywhere, however much at ran dom, soon reaches any available treasure that the earth may happen to contain within the usual range and capabilities of the pick and shovel, the cradle and the washing-dish.

The question therefore as to permanence of the gold-fields is one rather of the modes of producing than of the existence of the gold in immense collec tive quantities in the earth. That the present rude method is one not likely to grow in public favour

PREFACE.

. VII I feel quite convinced. This vocation is too irre gular in its results, and too laborious and unhealthy for continuous pursuit ; and it is well known that the great mass of diggers ever consists of the more newly arrived colonists, who, from love of adven ture, insatiate curiosity, or the want of other em ployment, proceed in many instances straight from the ship to the gold-fields. These parties, under a variety of impulses, are sustained for a time at their laborious calling. But gradually they realize the adversities of their position. The average re sults are scarcely if at all beyond good current wages ; and when the want of comforts at the gold fields, and the high prices of the necessaries of life, are duly considered, this reward proves rapidly unsatisfactory. Large proportions of those who so eagerly rushed to these scenes, are, after a month or two, or possibly six months, found as eagerly marching back, on the outlook for some other em ployment.

Notwithstanding all these uncertainties, however, the numbers at the various diggings have on the whole been increasing ; and with reference to present modes of gold-seeking, this increase may still continue, or it may not. But undoubtedly some

PREFACE.

. higher order of mechanical appliances must erelong come into use at the gold-fields, and thus at once place this great question of the future supply be yond that domain of accidents, within which it seems now so entirely to rest. Still more important in this question of the gold produce appears to be the carrying out of the rail way projects at present before the colonial public of Victoria. The different gold-fields of Ballarat, Mount Alexander, Bendigo, and the river Ovens, are situated at distances from Melbourne varying between 80 and 150 miles. If we allow for the difficulties and expenses of present interior communi cation, these distances, small as they may appear in Europe, will rival not unfairly, on an average of concurrent bearings, those of Alexandria or the West Indies to the people of this country.

What then must be the difference as regards the attraction of the mines and the production of gold, when at comparatively nominal cost, and within a scarcely appreciable space of time, passengers and necessaries, the comforts and even the elegancies of life, are poured with a tumultuous plenty into these gold-fields, and when life, which at present in such scenes is barely tolerable, may possibly be rendered

PREFACE.

. IX quite as healthful and agreeable as elsewhere in the colony ? While referring to the Australian gold-fields, one is reminded, by some recent official publications on the subject, of the claims of science regarding these grand discoveries. I have had occasion to allude in sufficiently explicit terms to the immediate discoverer, Mr Hargreaves. Prior to this discovery, the observations of Count Strzelecki, and of the Rev. Mr Clarke of New South Wales, with the deductions of Sir R. I. Murchison, had demonstrated the exist ence of gold in Australia. Mr Hargreaves' merit consisted in demonstrating not merely the existence of gold, but of an available gold-field. But when we ascertain the repeated prior intimations of science on this subject — when we perceive that Sir R. Mur chison, so far back as the year 1844, directed the attention of government to the probable Australian gold-fields, that he repeated this intimation subse quently, and that, amidst the general impulse given to the subject by the Californian discoveries in 1848, he attempted once more to arouse the in credulous authorities — we are gratified in the reflec tion, that even gold digging, that proverbial game of a mere rude empiricism, is still beholden to X

PREFACE.

. science for its triumphs, and that its not having been so in the momentous case now before us is due neither to the error nor yet the indifference of science, but simply to a disregard of her clearest intimations. William Westgarth. Edinburgh, 25th October 18.53. CONTENTS.

Chapter I. Origin And Early History

Name and Origin of Victoria — Boundaries — Recentness of Discovery — Early History — Colonized from Van Diemen's Land — View of that Colony — Batman and Fawkner's Expeditions to Port Phillip Page 1

Chapter II. Climate

— SCENERY — ABORIGINES. Vicissitudes of Temperature — Hot Winds and their Cause — Effects of Climate on the Population — Mortality caused by present Circumstances — General Resemblance in Australian Scenery — Contrast of the Summer and Winter's Aspect — Mountains, Rivers, and Waterfalls — The " Water-holes" and their Utility — Extent of available Lands — Characteristic Rocks — The Stony-rises and extinct Volcanoes — The Aborigines — Their gradual Disappearance — Manners and Customs — Abortive Attempts to civilize them 19

Chapter III. General Progress

Progress of the Port Phillip Settlement — The Sydney Government assumes Charge — Selection of Townships — Remarks on Colonial Seaports — Disadvantages of Melbourne, and unfavourable Comparison with Geelong — Plan and Appearance of Melbourne — Descrip- CONTENTS. XII tion of the Harbour of Port Phillip — First Sales of Land — Town Allotments — Speculation — Extraordinary Advance in Prices — Inad equate Supplies of Land on such Occasions — Extreme Fluctuations in Value of Property — Local Administration under a Superinten dent — Increase of Population and Commerce — Export of Wool — Live Stock and their Fluctuations in Value — The boilingdown System- — -Tallow and Beef — Manufacturing Productions checked by the Gold Discoveries Page 56

Chapter IV. The Squatting System

Squatting System in Australia — Origin in New South Wales and Victoria — Status of the Squatter — Progress of pastoral Occupation — Contentions for Runs — Encounters with Aborigines — New Regulations and Discontent of the Squatters — Opposition — Efforts of the Pastoral Association — The Orders in Council — Description of Squatting Life and Pursuits — Changes with the new Regulations — Opposition to the Squatting Privileges — Position of Victoria as to this Question — Increased Difficulties since the Gold Discoveries — Advisable to change or abolish the Orders — Question of Compensation — Progress of the Colony, and prospective Decline of Squatting 87

Chapter V. The Gold Discoveries

First Discovery in New South Wales by Hargreaves — A Hundredweight of Gold found — Excitement and Speculation in Sydney Difficulties and Reaction— Prospecting in Victoria — Ballarat Diggings — The Blue Clay — Great Sensation— Increased by Discoveries at Mount Alexander— Gold arrives by the Ton Weight Immigration from all Parts into Victoria— Bendigo Diggings— Difficult Communications in Winter— Incredible Rates of Carriage Railway Projects— Extraordinary Progress of the Colony— Commercial Supremacy of Melbourne — Social Drawbacks and Discomfort- Convict Importations from Van Diemen's Land Prevalence of Crime— Expense of Living— Increase to Public Salaries— Difficulties to Shipping— Reactionary Ameliorations CONTENTS. XIII

Chapter VI. Effects Of The Gold Discoveries

Difficulties of Van Diemen's Land — Convict Labour — The Transportation Question — Convict Outpourings into Victoria — Consequences — Two Illustrations — Convicts' Prevention Bill — Van Diemen's Land and New Zealand benefited by the Gold — Case of South Australia — Desertion of Population for Mount Alexander — Panic and Commercial Crisis — Legislative Interference with the Currency — The Gold Act discussed — Reasons for Disapproval — Sanctioned by Home Government — Effects of the Gold on Commerce generally — Supply and relative Value of Gold — Gold as Money — A Pound sterling — Comparison of past and present Supplies — Effects of the recent Supplies — Illustration drawn from other Metals — Slow advance in Price of Silver — Supply and Value compared with Gold — The Silver Currency replaced by Gold as latter falls in Value — Illustration by recent Increase of Gold Coinage — Effects of the Gold are thus graduated — Large Supplies of Silver from the Currencies — Gold and Silver both in course of Depreciation — Importance of the Question of the future Depreciation of Gold — Question of a Change of Standard — Crisis this would involve — What are actually the pecuniary Contracts of Society — Case of the National Creditor — Good and Evil from the Gold — Preponderance of the former — Some Illustration of both Page 160

Chapter VII

A VISIT TO THE VICTORIA DIGGINGS. MOUNT ALEXANDER GOLD-FIELDS. Beauties of Australian Spring — Month of October — Start from Melbourne — Bad Roads — By-route over the Plains — Greenhills — The Bush Inn — Gold Escort — Reports of Discovery of a great Nugget — Enter the Black Forest — Its Difficulties and Dangers — View of Mount Alexander — Case of Murder — Kyneton Streets and Hotels — Road-making — Sawpit Gully — Forest Creek Diggings — Official Quarters — Castlemaine — Squatters v. Diggers — Large Assemblage — Improved Washing Contrivances — Odd Names — Criminal Circuit Courts for the Diggings — Public Schools — Religious Ministrations at the Gold-fields — Cases at Police Court — Post-office — Gold-digging Licenses CONTENTS.

Chapter VIII. Bendigo Gold-fields

Beauty of Scenery — Solitary Digging Parties — Approach to Bendigo — Commissioner's Hospitalities — Quarrels of Diggers — Digging Processes — Undermining and Tunnelling — Great Production from a Quartz Grit — Foreign Digging Parties — Dangers and Accidents of Digging Life — Graves at the Diggings — The Unrecorded Dead — Mode of Life — Official Quarters — Enormous Prices of Provisions — Females at the Diggings — Robberies — Political Discontents and Antagonisms — Return towards Melbourne — Pastoral Beauties — Squatting Hospitalities — Squatters' Troubles — The bright Side — Wool and Gold absorbing Topics — Fine Scenery and Mount Macedon Ranges — Fossil Bones of ancient Animals — Geological Speculations on the Past — Constancy of Marsupial Features in Ancient Australia — Difference now from colonizing Operations — Reach Kilmore — Adventures in the Dark — Bad Weather — Shocking Roads — A Newspaper and a comfortable Fireside .... Page 239

Chapter IX. Colonial Folitics

Subject indistinct to Home Readers — Two leading Principles in Colonial Administration — The Nominee and Guarantee Systems Illustrations — Colonists ever dissatisfied with these Political Relations — Of Colonies essentially British, as distinguished from others — Australia of this Class — Home Concessions to the increasing Importance of Colonies — Want of political Unanimity in Colonies, and bad Effects of previous Systems — Efforts at Port Phillip for a separate Government— Review of the Separation Contest Opposition of Sydney — Mode of Accomplishment — Australian Colonies Bill of 1849 — Impatience for Separation at Port-Phillip Proceedings of the Colonists— Earl Grey elected Member for Melbourne £10 Franchise— Franchise to Squatters— Political Parties at Sydney —Discussion on Electoral Distribution— Electoral Inequalities of the New South Wales and Victoria Legislature CONTENTS. XV

Chapter X. Legislation

Port Phillip District erected into Colony of Victoria — Public Rejoicings — First Legislature of the Colony — Preliminary Arrangements to First Session — Principal Proceedings — Public Prayers — The Estimates — The Gold Question — Comparison with Sydney Legislature — Second Session — General and Constitutional Progress — Gold and Territorial Revenues — The Schedule System — State Aid to Religion — Debate on an Abolition or Increase — The Aid increased — Education — Rival Systems and Difficulties — Transportation Question — Colonial Tariffs — Squatting Question — Orders in Council versus Sales of the Public Lands — New Constitution — Two Legislative Chambers — Constitution of Upper House — The Governor's Appointment — Question of Colonial Nomination — Home Attachments of Colonists Page 302

CHAPTER XL SOCIETY.

Impressions of Colonial Society — Physical Toils of New Settlements — Some Exemptions in Australia — The Pastoral Vocation — Great Social Change wrought by the Gold Discoveries — Desertion of Servants — Eccentricities and Extravagance — The blight Side — Diggers looking for Wives, and Emigrant Girls for Husbands — Diggers' Wives versus Ladies — The Ups iind Downs of Fortune — Unsettled Aspect from constant Immigration — Troubles of the newly arrived Colonists — Colonial Society, its practical and utilitarian Character — Rudeness of Social Aspect — Comparative Advantages — The Colonial Press — The Newspaper — Its great Development in Colonies — Literary Features — Sketch of the Press in Victoria — Rise and Position of the Melbourne Argus — EduCaition — Rival Systems of Public Schools — Private Schools — Religion — Voluntaryism of Colonies — Postal Communications — Concluding Reflections . .

CONTENTS. APPENDIX, CONTAINING THE REPORTS OF THE MELBOURNE CHAMBER OF COM.MERCE FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS UPON THE CONDITION AND PROGRESS OF THE COLONY. ERRATA. Page 71, line 14, for latter read former. — 182, note, line 10, for 133,665 read 170,427. COLONY OF VICTORIA.

Chapter I. Origin

and early history. Name and Origin of Victoria — Boundaries — Recentness of Discovery — Early History — Colonized from Van Diemen's Land — View of that Colony — Batman and Fawkner's Expeditions to Port Phillip. Victoria dates her existence as a separate and in dependent colony from the 1st of July 1851. The colony had previously formed the southern division of New South Wales, and was familiarly known by the name of the Port Phillip District, or, more shortly, Port Phillip, in compliment to the noble harbour of that name, which forms so conspicuous a feature in the geography of the country. The name of Australia Felix, given by Major (now Sir Thomas) Mitchell to some of the finer parts of this territory during his early explorations, had also come into common use as a name for the whole district, and, from the obvious and flattering dis- A tinction it conferred, was evidently destined to acquire the supremacy with the colonists.

On the occasion, however, of conceding the separation of this settlement from New South Wales, the Home Government intimated that Her Majesty had been pleased to award her own name to this new and flourishing portion of her empire, — a change to which there was of course no demur. This separation from New South Wales had been long and strenuously demanded by the Port Phil lip colonists. They had found that the relations of revenue and expenditure were not very scrupulously adjusted in a remote treasury, where the pressure of local wants was apt to be most re sponded to. They were quite willing, therefore, along with the accompanying benefits, to meet all the necessary expenditure entailed by a local and independent government. The boundaries of the new colony continued to be identical with those of the previous Port Phillip District.

To the south was Bass Strait ; to the west the 141st meridian east from Greenwich, traced from the sea to the river Murray ; to the north the course of the Murray upwards to the Australian Alps, and thence in a line south-east to Cape Howe, the eastern entrance to Bass Strait. These boundaries do not very accurately agree with the natural demarcations indicated by intercourse and commerce on the side of New South Wales. The northern bank of the Murray for some distance inland, and the pastoral outposts for two hundred miles up the Darling, hold their communications with the seaports of Victoria ; and the same may be said of a small portion of pastoral country situated within the South Australian boundary to the westward of the 141st meridian, whose live stock has been chiefly contributed from Victoria, and whose commercial dealings are still with that colony.

The disadvantage of a de jure relationship to one colony and a de facto to another, may be more apparent when, in the progress of the country, votes of money for improvements and other ex penses are required for these disputed territories. It will be scarcely credible to one who observes now the full tide of busy life exhibited in Victoria, to be told that nearly the whole of the coasts and harbours of this country were unknown, even to geographical science, only fifty years ago. That the noble harbour of Port Phillip, for example, on whose shores there are now two wealthy cities, having a population between them of 100,000 souls, was first entered by civilized man only within the present century. Lieutenant Murray, in the Lady Nelson, made this discovery early in 1802, followed shortly afterwards, and within the same year, by the distinguished Australian explorer, Flinders.

Four years previously Mr Bass had reached Western Port, in an adventurous excursion in an open whale boat from Sydney, and demonstrated, for the first time, that there existed a strait, and not continuous land, between the mainland of Australia and Van Diemen's Land. The next remarkable incident is the arrival of Collins, in the year 1804, with a party of convicts at Port Phillip, — for so this fine harbour had been called, in honour of Governor Phillip of New South Wales. The Home Government, attracted by the favourable accounts of the port, had resolved on colonizing this locality by a mode in great favour at that time — namely, by the formation of a penal settlement. After a trial of a few months, how ever, the attempt was abandoned as regarded Port Phillip, and the convict party was transferred to the south-eastern part of Van Diemen's Land, where an expedition from Sydney, under Lieutenant-col onel Patterson, had just previously founded, upon the western bank of a picturesque and navigable river, the present considerable city of Hobarton.

Fresh water had been the chief want experienced at Port Phillip. In this respect, as in most others, the site was erroneously selected. The spot on which the settlement was made is still pointed out by the present pastoral occupants of that part of the country, and is situated about midway between the hill called Arthur Seat, where it projects into the waters of the bay, and the headland of Point Nepean, at the entrance of the harbour. An extraordinary circumstance occurred in con nexion with this early convict settlement. Several of the convicts had effected their escape into the Bush during Collins' stay, and amongst them one of the name of Buckley, — a soldier who had been transported for assaulting his superior officer. Buckley was the sole survivor of these runaways. After wandering about for some time in great misery and destitution, he at length ventured to take up with the natives, and being a man of great strength and stature, he no doubt commanded some respect.

He contrived on fitting occasions to secure his own share of wives and other current spoil, and for the surprising period of upwards of thirty years he conformed to aboriginal habits and customs. A curious interview took place between this man and the Van Diemen's Land colonists, who, as we shall presently learn, came over to Port Phillip after this long interval. The reported arrival of white men had brought Buckley down to see them. He was found sitting naked under a tree, near Point Gellibrand at the mouth of the Yarra, and gazing, though without much curiosity, at the colonists. These in their turn were somewhat per plexed what to make of this nondescript, who was evidently not one of the aborigines. On addressing some words to him he seemed to have a difficulty in understanding what was said, and repeated the sentences, or parts of them, several times slowly over.

By degrees, however, the recollection of his language returned, and he proved useful as an in terpreter with the aborigines. He was afterwards employed as a constable in Melbourne and Ho barton, and in his old age still resides in the latter town, where the authorities give him a small pen sion. £40 a^ear, a considerable addition to his finances, has been recently awarded to him by the Victoria government.* For an interval of twenty years, Port Phillip attracts no further attention. During this interval, however, the colonists of New South Wales had ex tended themselves to considerable distances into the interior around the fine harbour of Port Jack son, where their colony had been founded as a penal settlement in 1789. Their flocks and herds had now multiplied considerably, and, alarmed by the repeated experience of severe drought, they sought with some anxiety a greater scope of pasturage. * The most of these particulars of Buckley were given to me by some of the earlier colonists.

An account of Buckley's life was lately published at Hobarton, and had I not unfortunately mislaid a copy which I brought with me to this country, I might have added some interesting particulars to the above, or have found occasion to correct my brief account. From the vicinity of Lake George, already occu pied by the New South Wales colonists, in a south-westerly direction, lay a vast and unexplored territory, and report had already whispered that it contained fine rivers and extensive pasturage. Messrs Hovell and Hume, two colonists who were situated on these southern outskirts of the colony, resolved upon an exploring expedition into this unknown territory. A journey that is now methodically accomplished by a semi-weekly mail may be regarded as a matter of vulgar facility. But the case was Avidely different in the year 1824, when it was performed for the first time.

Without roads, without settlements or human habitation, our travellers, after a long and toilsome journey, at length emerged from the wil derness upon an inland seacoast that appears to have been that of Port Phillip, in the vicinity of Geelong. Their return was equally difficult and laborious ; but they reached home in safety, to ap prize the colonists of the valuable resources that awaited them in the south. Several considerable rivers had been encountered by the travellers, to one of which they gave the name of the Ovens, since distinguished for the auriferous character of its banks ; another, which received the name of the Hume, is now more generally known as the Mur ray, the largest of the Australian rivers. The only immediate results of this expedition appear to have emanated from the New South Wales government, who despatched from Sydney, several years after wards, a small military party with a detachment of convicts, to form on this accustomed principle a settlement at Western Port, in the hope that this proceeding might prove the nucleus of a second colony on the Australian main.

The experiment, however, appears not to have answered, and was soon afterwards abandoned. We come now to the colonizing enterprises that were destined to be more permanent and successful. These failures of Collins at Port Phillip, and of the last mentioned effort at Western Port, appear to have terminated all interest for southern expeditions in the minds of the colonists of New South Wales, and the accounts brought by Ho veil and Hume seem to have been at length forgotten. The successful founders of the Port Phillip settlement arrived from the opposite direction — namely, from the southern shores of Bass Strait — a locality already alluded to as having been only a short while previously made known to geographical science, but now transformed into a busy scene of colonizing industry. This colonization of the Port Phillip territory on the part of the people of Van Diemen's Land, commenced in the year 1835.

This island, termed also Tasmania, in honour of its discoverer Tasman, had been established, as we have already seen, as a British penal colony by Collins, in 1804, who settled in that year at Ho barton, the capital of the country, with the party of convicts transferred from Port Phillip. A second seaport, which, from home associations, received the name of Launceston, was some years afterwards formed upon the northern coast, situated about forty miles from the sea, at the bead of the navi gation of a fine river, which from similar associa tions derived the name of the Tamar. During an interval of thirty years, Tasmania had made considerable advances as a colony. The Transportation system of the Home Government, at this time in the plenitude of its operation in this island and in New South Wales, had certain em barrassments attached to its progress that were per haps not foreseen, or at least not duly considered, in the first institution of these penal settlements.