conviction that any renewal of the proposal to send convicts here would be eminently calculated to weaken their allegiance to Her Majesty's Government, and that it is their firm determination to resist any measure tending to a consequence so much to be deplored.
The meeting also expressed its deep sympathy with the colonists of Van Diemen's Land for their suffering under the present state of that island, occasioned by the continuous influx of British criminals. It tendered a hearty concurrence and co-operation in their endeavours to procure a total cessation of transportation to any of the Australian colonies, and appointed the following permanent Committee to act as m a y be found necessary, viz., Messrs. Henry Langlands, Germain Nicholson, William Nicholson, William Stawell, Colin Campbell, William Kerr, W . U. Tripp, W . M . Bell, Richard Heales, A. F. Mollison, J. S. Johnston, Octavius Browne, William Westgarth, Henry Moor, C. H . Ebden, Lauchlan M'Kinnon, W . K. Bull, John O'Shanassy, William Hull, Dr. John Dickson, and Major Mercer. Furthermore it was declared to be a betrayal of trust for any of the Port Phillip members of the Legislative Council to vote for the renewal of transportation to the colony of N e w South Wales. T h e Chairman was instructed to transmit copies of the several resolutions to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and to the Provincial representatives in the Sydney Legislature.
ANTI-TRANSPORTATION LEAGUE.
Great efforts were being made in Van Diemen's Land to banish the evils of transportation from that island. It was proposed to organize a league to which the co-operation of the various Australian colonies would be invited, the Rev. John West, and Mr. P. W . Weston were appointed Delegates to prosecute an Anti-transportation Crusade, and their early appearance in Melbourne was announced. T h e Port Phillipian Anti-transportationists, sensible of the advantage of powerful combined action, were only too willing to help in every way in their power, so preliminary meetings were held, a Committee appointed, and the Mayor (Mr. W . Nicholson), with Messrs. William Westgarth, and W . M . Bell, nominated as the Melbourne Delegates. A Conference was held on the ist February 1851, at the Queen's Theatre, where the V a n Diemonian Delegates attended, who brought over with them a League Banner to be unfurled on the occasion. T h e Mayor of Melbourne presided, and introduced the Rev. Mr. West, and Mr. Weston, and announced Messrs. William Westgarth, M.L.C., and W . M . Bell, with himself, as Mayor of Melbourne, as the individuals chosen by the inhabitants of Victoria to represent her interests in the cause. T h e Rev. Mr. West read the following CONSTITUTION OF THE LEAGUE. The object of the League is to secure by moral means only, the Abolition of Transportation to the Australasian Colonies. All w h o sign the League and Solemn Engagement to be members.
ORGANIZATION. The governing body of the League to be constituted by Delegates, assembled in Conference, and appointed by the several colonies as hereinafter provided. T h e Conference to appoint and approve of the various measures to be adopted during the year following their meeting. T h e Conference to appoint annually an Executive Board ; also, a permanent paid agent to travel through the colonies, and, under the directions of the Local Councils, to hold meetings and otherwise to promote the business of the League. O n the nomination of the Council, the Conference to appoint representatives of the League in London, w h o shall be authorized to employ agents who, by means of the Press, public meetings, and all other lawful methods shall concentrate public opinion in the United Kingdom, on the object of the League. T h e Conference before separating to determine the next place of meeting, at which the Executive Roard shall report. T h e Board for the year to be composed of residents in the colony where the last meeting of the Conference was held. In the several colonies Councils shall be chosen by the members, to consist of nine persons. T h e Councils shall appoint the Delegates to the Conference. Non-residents m a y be chosen as Delegates. T h e money contributed in a colony shall be under the exclusive control of the Local Councils. T h e Local Councils m a y appropriate money for the disposal of the Conference, to be expended in general and special purposes. Money so appropriated
