Chapter 1

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THE

HISTORY OF TASMANIA:

by

JOHN WEST,

Minister of St. John Square Chapel, Launceston.

VOLUME I.

Tasmania: Henry Dowling, Launceston. 1852.

Tasmania: Printed By J. S. Waddell, Launceston

Facsimile edition 1966

TO HENRY HOPKINS, OF HOBART TOWN, ESQ.,

THE

HISTORY OF TASMANIA,

UNDERTAKEN AT HIS REQUEST, IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED

BY

THE AUTHOR.

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 navigators--monument erected by Sir John Franklin to Flinders.

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--Launceston--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 III. 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.

Sheep 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.

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. J. 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 III. p. 110.

Van Diemen's Land Company formed--its investments--Jorgen Jorgenson.

SECTION IV. p. 115.

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.

SECTION VIII. p. 131.

Liabilities of publicans--impounding cattle--dog act--usury 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 Morton'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 XIII. 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 jury.

SECTION XVI. p. 174.

"True Colonist"--state of the press--charges against Arthur--increase of newspapers--political association.

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 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. Gladstone's despatch--his decision respecting the six--Wilmot slandered--Gladstone's letter--debates in parliament-- remarks--Wilmot's death--Mr. La Trobe'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. Horne 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--state of 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 Whately--Sir W. Denison's circular--discussion--committees appointed--public meetings.

SECTION III. 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 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 II. p. 328. Birds.--SECTION III. p. 332. Fishes.--SECTION IV. p. 333. Reptiles.--SECTION V. p. 335. Insects.--SECTION VI. p. 335.--Mollusca.

HISTORY OF TASMANIA.

* * * * *

DISCOVERY, &c.

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 worthy 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 I. (Frederick Henry, grandfather of William III. being Stadtholder of Holland) the Dutch discovered 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 commercial 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 Rembrant, 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 were executed by a celebrated artist. The southern hemisphere 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.[1] 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 importance.[2] 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 constantly 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, 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 Furneaux). 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 Frederick Hendrik Bay in the chart), with twenty-two fathoms water, and bottom of fine light grey sand.