The Perth Gazette and Western Australian Journal/Volume 1/Number 4
His Honour the Lieutenant Governor has thought proper
in the Perth Gazette and Western Australian Journal, signed
communications made to those persons to whom they may
BY COMMAND OF HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
to direct, that all public communications, which may appear
with any Official Signature, are to be considered as Official
relate.
PETER BROWN, COLONIAL SECRETARY
NEW SERIES
PROCLAMATION.
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Whereas it has been reported to me that on the night of Saturday last the 19th. Instant, the house near the Cantonment, the property of Mr. Bamber, known by the name of "Richmond House" was maliciously set fire to, by some wicked and evil disposed person, or persons, and entirely consumed. Now therefore I for the better apprehending and bringing to, Justice the person, or persons, concerned in this atrocious crime, do hereby offer a full pardon to any of them, not being the (principal one) who shall discover his or their accomplices, so that he or they may be apprehended and convicted thereof. And as a further encouragement I do hereby offer a reward of Forty Pounds to any person or persons not the principal or one of the principals, who shall discover as aforesaid the person or persons guilty of the above crime.
God Save the King!!!
Given under my Hand and Seal this 23rd. day of January, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Three.
F. C. Irwin
Lieutenant Governor.
By His Honors's Command,
PETER BROWN,
Colonial Secretary.
GOVERNMENT NOTICE.
Notice is hereby given that John Alexander Dutton and Paul Lockyer have applied at this Office for permission to leave the Colony, Per Governor Bourke.
By Command of His Honor
PETER BROWN,
Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Perth January 22nd. 1833.
Western Austalia.
GOVERNMENT NOTICE.
Notice is hereby given that Mr. Lionel Samson has received permission from His Honor the Lieutenant Governor to act as "Government Auctioneer" during the absence of his brother Mr. William Samson.
By Command of His Honor
Peter Brown.
Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary's Office
Perth January 23rd 1833.
GOVERNMENT NOTICE.
His Honour the Lieutenant Governor having been pleased to grant Mr. Richard Dawson "Leave of absence" for eighteen months: Mr. George Fredrick Stone has been appointed to act as Sheriff in his stead during his absence.
By His Honour's Command
Peter Brown
Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary's Office
Perth, January 25th, 1833.
GOVERNMENT NOTICE.
His Honour the Lieutenant Governor directs it to be notified, for the Information of those Agriculturists who are indebted to Government, that the Colonial Storekeeper has been instructed to receive Wheat, (the growth of the Colony) in part, or whole payment, of each respective Debt, at the rate of 15s. per Bushel.
By His Honour's Command
Peter Brown
Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary's Office
Perth, January 24th, 1833.
GOVERNMENT NOTICE.
Surveyor Generals Office, Perth, January 23rd 1833
The Lieutenant Governor in Council has granted the following Town Allotment;
Perth, C 8 Charles Macfaull
Fremantle, No 21. Henry Vincent
22, Henry Vincent
E, P. H. Dod. (suburban)
Guildford, 118, Richard Barneden.
121, Stephen Hyde.
122, John Purkis.
Albany, B 13, George Cheyne.
B 18, George Cheyne.
B 19, George Cheyne.
J. S. Roe
Surveyor General
GOVERNMENT NOTICE.
NOTICE is hereby given that James Richard Lacey has applied at this Office for permission to leave the Colony: per "Brigantine Thistle."
By Command of His Honour
Peter Brown,
Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary's Office
Perth, January, 24th 1833.
ON SALE
AT THE
STORES, OF THE UNDERSIGNED.
Perth, and Fremantle, Jan. 24th, 1833.
| Cogniac Brandy | Men's Strong Shoes |
| Cape Wine, | Cart and Waggon |
| Ale in hogsheads, | Wheels, |
| Beef, | Corks, Cigar», |
| Irish Prime Mess | Crockery, Cloves, |
| Pork, | Nutmegs, Pepper,. |
| Candles, Arrack, | Shot, Iron and |
| Hops, Raisins, | Steel in Bars, |
| Dried Fruits, | London Mustard, |
| Apples, Pears, | Tin Mugs, Pickles, |
| Apricots, Peaches. | Pitch and Tar, |
| Prime Butter, | White, Black; and |
| Snuff in Canisters, | Green Paint, |
| Window Glass, | Mauritius Sugar,. |
| Brass Cocks, | Fine and Common |
| Spades, Pick Axes, | Black and Green |
| Sickles, Nails, | Teas, |
| Steel Mills, | London Soap, |
| Ladies* and Gentle- | Seeds, Stationery |
| men's Gloves, | and Account Books, |
| An assortment of | Slops, Jackets, |
| Cotton, and Worsted | Sadlery, Tobacco, |
| Stockings | G Leake |
KANGAROO HUNT.
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THE MEMBERS of this HUNT Propose to dine together at the Cleikam inn Guildford, on Saturday next the 2nd February, at two o'clock.
TO BE SOLD.
A GRANT of LAND on the Swan, containing 2,500 Acres.
Enquire at the Albion, Fremantle.
ADVERTISEMENT.
AT a meeting of the Western Australian union society held at Steel's Hotel Fremantle, on Monday last, Mr. W. N. Clark resigned his Office of Secretary,
and Mr. John Butler, was appointed to fill that Office.
Mr. W. Lamb, Chairman.
£300.
Wanted on Loan, the sum of £300 one half in Stores, and the other in Cash. The security offered, consisting of real and improved property in this Colony, is unexceptionable.
For particulars apply to W. N. Clark Solicitor, Fremantle.
January 16th. 1833.
FOR SYDNEY DIRECT.
THE fast sailing CUTTER JOLLY RAMBLER, J. BRIGNELL, Commander, has superior Accommodations for Passengers, and has room for thirty tons of goods; for Freight or Passage apply to
D. SCOTT.
Fremantle.
ADVERTISEMENT.
THE UNDERSIGNED having succeeded in tanning the native Kangaroo skin, has been recommended by several gentlemen, to agree with a shoemaker for making a few Boots, and Shoes for sale—for his benefit.
He therefore begs respectfully to offer them at the following prices, to those who may be pleased in this way to recompence him for having made the experiment.
Gentlemen's Shoes made to measure, 15s. Wellington Boots, £1, 10. 6d. Ladies' Shoes 10s. 6d.
GEORGE WATTS.
Perth, January 23rd, 1833.
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN
FRIENDLY SOCIETY
ANY Gentlemen wishing to become members of this Society, are requested to send in their names, as early as convenient.
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To the Editor A short time previous to the departure of His Excellency Governor Stirling for England, I address'd to him, a few communications on the manner of feeding and treating sheep in Spain. I did so, by way of calling the attention of the Settlers generally, to a question which above all others must be most interesting to us. At that time your paper was not available for the discussion of this, or any other question, but as it is now again resumed, I forward the papers for your perusal, and if you please, for insertion. In so doing, I beg to say, that I am well aware of the arduous nature of the task which you have undertaken to perform, and that I consider it my duty, without the least fear of reproach or of being charged with presumption, to join with others, in assisting you to go through it with credit to yourself, and advantage to the Colony. In a new Country, and in so small a community, every man ought to contribute in some way to the public good, and I know not how he can do so more effectually, than by assisting in keeping alive for public discussion all such subjects, tending to the public benefit, as may be ultimately, carried into effect. Let it be remembered, that your paper although, in its infancy, is the medium through which the general tone and character of the people of this colony, may be judged, in the elder colonies of the civilized world, and that therefore, the smallest object of interest to us, expressed in your paper, will be read with increased interest by those, who have a good feeling generally, toward us. I am Sir, To His Excellency Governor Stirling, Interested as every one ought to feel, in the success of the flock masters of this Colony,—we may I hope, with propriety look back to the country from whence the source of so many extensive fortunes have sprung, and, if we can find by the recollection of that country, one useful hint, connected with the management of sheep in Spain, which can be properly applied to sheep in Western Australia, I do not think, our occasionally considering the subject, will be time uselessly, or unprofitably employed. When Bonaparte made his first personal entrance into Spain, one of his first operations connected with the civil policy of the "Grand Nation," was the sending over the frontiers into France, two millions of the best description of sheep he could procure, under the care of proper persons, who were secured by the imperial mandate, the same power whilst so employed, that they had in Spain, in virtue of what are called, the Laws of the Mesta.—I scarcely need observe, that the flocks composing this wholesale exportation, were all Merinos, but the Laws of the Mesta, to which I have alluded, may not be so genenrally understood. At the time Bonaparte made this very neighbourly transfer, the numbers of the various Spanish flocks, was estimated at six millions, belonging generally to noblemen, also to Societies, of Monks. By the |
laws of the Mesta, the management of sheep in Spain, still continues to be conducted with the same care and precission as in 1791, when the first flock of Merinos was smuggled through Portugal, into England.
A great proportion of Leon, Estremadura, and the neighbouring Provinces is appropriated to pasturing sheep, and large green roads, more than fifty yards wide, are kept for their communication, with each province, extensive resting places being provided, for baiting them on the way. So careful and so arbitrary are the laws for their protection, that at the driving season, not even foot passengers are allowed to pass these roads, in case their movements should disturb them. An army of flocks, or as I should rather say, a flock in the aggregate, is called a Cavana, and each flock has its own peculiar name, derived generally from the name of the proprietor, or his place of abode. The Monks of Paolar give their name to the Cavana of Paola, the Monks of Escurial to the pile of that name, and so on; each of these flocks differing from the other in some respect, although all belong to the same race. Each Cavana is divided into tribes of one thousand each, and the shepherd commander or Mayoral, is generally the proprietor of a portion of them. It is his peculiar duty to look to their general management, and he is supposed to be well acquainted with the diseases to which they are, or may be subject. Five shepherds, and four dogs, attend each tribe, and in the lambing time, extra attendants are allowed. At the commencement of the Peninsular War, it was estimated that there were thirty thousand shepherds, and twenty-four thousand dogs, besides between five, and ten thousand extra persons employed at particular seasons, attending the Spanish flocks. These shepherds command the sheep, under the laws of the Mesta, in the fullest sense of the word, and excepting the wool, the proprietor derives no profit from them whatever. In my next communication, I will allude to the Spanish system of driving their flocks, from province, to province, over a great extent of country, in order to procure sufficient pasture for their support, and to improve the fineness of the fleece. This may be useful, because in the inland districts of this Colony, as in Spain, where pasture may be scarce, we may also in time have our traveling flocks, or Trashumantes as the Spaniards call them and if these flocks can be kept to profit, under the superintendance of persevering careful men, then there will be an end of all question, as to the suitability of the land generally, over the Mountains of Western Australia, for sheep pastural purposes. To the Editor of the Perth Gazette, The difficulty of communicating with the settlers on the Canning, except by water, is seriously felt. It is to be regretted therefore that some steps are not taken to establish a Ferry under Mount Eliza. The road to the point, now in progress by Subscription, under the direction of J. Morgan Esquire, is a great step towards the accomplishment of this desirable object, and we have every reason to believe if a small portion of land, was allotted on both sides of the River, for the purposes of the Ferry, many individuals would be found, who would undertake to supply the necessary accommodation for the public. By way of Guildford the distance to Mr. Phillips's Farm which is nearly at the head of the Canning we are told is 18 miles, more than half that distance would be saved by means of a Ferry. As we were coming up the River a few evenings ago, the shoals of Fish, some of a considerable size, which passed us were incredible. At times they appeared to impede the progress of the Boat, and some fairly jumped into it. We understand this is not an unusual occurrence. The publication of the proceedings in Council at Sydney, has created great jealousey in the neighbouring Colony, they proclaim their independence of New South Wales, but honestly avow, they are not above profiting by a good example. The Cape Advertiser we perceive is highly sensitive upon this point, and commends most warmly the liberal measures in this and other (illegible text) adopted by Governor Bourke whose Administration it would seem is deservedly popular. |
SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. Sailed on the 24th Inst The Governor Bourke Captain Akers, For Sydney. Passengers, Mr. Marrs, Supercargo—B. Dyer,—J. Mapleton,—W. Cass Bowles,—Mr. and Mrs. Brown and 3 children,—Hy Hook,—W. C. Hood,—Mr. and Mrs. Dutton and 3 Children. T. Warrall,—C. Lewis,—W. Booker, Prisoners. THE We perceive by the English Journals, that Emigration, encouraged by the advice and guidance of Commissioners appointed by His Majesty, has been forwarded to a considerable extent, to various British possessions; it has however been a matter of surprise to us to find the Swan River or Western Australian Settlements excluded from the consideration bestowed upon other Colonies. The Commissioners state, they are not prepared to undertake the conveyance of Emigrants to the Settlement on the Swan River; as no reason is assigned, we are left to conjecture, that it may arise from the unaccountable ignorance, which is daily displayed of our position and local advantages. Even in the House of Commons, strange as it may appear, the knowledge of this Colony, is singularly defective; and the arguments which are held forth by some Honourable Gentlemen, founded on this defective information are irreconcileable with any other sentiments, than a desire to thwart the measures of those, who it will be proved, have adopted a wise policy in founding this Colony. Colonel Torrens is reported to have said, "that if the proper principle of colonization, had been attended to with respect to Swan River, as it has been, in regard to the American Colonies, the country would not have been put to any expense"!! We know as little of the principles the Colonel alludes to, as he appears to know about us, but if the following official reply, of the Colonial Office to certain queries, are faithfully printed, which we have not the slightest reason to doubt, the Colonel's principles adopted in the American Colonies meet with our full concurrence, and are indeed the only principles upon which an extensive Colony can be formed, or advanced, to any degree of importance. The reply states that—"The Governors of the several North American Colonies have been instructed to find employment on some public works, for persons who may not be able to obtain private engagements. In new Brunswick the construction of the great Road is about to be undertaken by Government, on which Emigrants will be offered employment on very advantageous terms." This we presume cannot be effected without expense; and we may venture to assert the gallant Colonel has given his vote for the sums required for this purpose; it is strange therefore he should grumble at the principle which denies us these advantages and laud that in a another Colony, which applied to us he would condemn. Mr. Hume of captious memory, designates this a paltry Colony to draw £25,000 |
The Rules and regulations of a "Benefit Society" recently established at Perth have been placed in our hands. It is gratifying to see Institutions of this nature, rising up amongst us. This society from the judgment exercised in framing the resolutions, is founded on a basis which will secure to it every encouragement. It has our hearty wishes for its success. The subscribers we believe are already very numerous. We could wish to see a "Saving Bank" set on foot in this Colony. We observe an Act was passed at Sydney in March last "to establish a Saving Bank in New South Wales, to provide for the management thereof, and for the security of deposits therein." As it is desirable to afford an opportunity for the exercise of frugality to those who are possessed of small sums of money beyond what they immediately require, we feel anxious that a Society of this description should be formed. We regret however our present space will not admit of our giving a Copy of the Act alluded to; but we shall be most happy to lend every assistance in the promotion of so important an object.
Fire—On Saturday night last, the house known by the name of "Richmond House" in the neighbourhood of Fremantle, the property of Captain Bamber, was burnt to the ground; it is supposed by some incendiary. From what we can learn, not a vestige of the building is left, but the fence, outhouses, and brushwood, within a few yards of the house have not received any injury, consequently there could have been little or no wind. Many conjectures are hazarded as to the origin of this fire, but we refrain from giving publicity to them, trusting the reward liberally offered by the Government, will lead to the conviction of the offender, and the disclosure of the real facts.
The highly blameable practice of setting fire to the bush, has this week been productive of loss to two individuals, on Mr. Shentons Farm near Guildford, the hedge round six Acres of land, and about 3 tons of hay were consumed; the cottage was saved by the neighbours, with great difficulty.
SATURDAY EVENING—We have just received from our Fremantle Correspondent too late for insertion, a Report of the examination of Paul Lockyer on suspicion of having set fire to Richmond House; there not being any Evidence against him, he was discharged.
Investigation relative to the Discovery of the body of Halliday at Mongers Lake.
Mr. Walters having given information that he had accidentally discovered the body of a man, on the North East side of the large Lake, near Monger's Lake, W. H. Mackie, and J. Morgan Esquires J. P. proceeded to the spot, accompanied by the Colonial Surgeon, and after a minute investigation were jointly of opinion that the deceased met his death by violence, but by whose hands, or in what manner, they had no grounds for hazarding an opinion.
In consequence of a report having been circulated, that the deceased met his death, by some violence from a white man (suspicion having previously rested on the Natives) the following investigation took place on Saturday last before the Rev. J. B. Wittenoom, and J. Morgan Esq. Justices of the Peace.
J. H. Monger, stated that about the time Halliday was missing, he (Monger) came into Perth, and happened to meet Gordon, who asked him if the Natives had molested him in any way; he replied they had not. Gordon said it was of serious importance to know if the Natives had been about there, because Ellis the sawyer had told him the day before, that he was out near the Lake, and had shot at them, and had instantly ran home under Mount Eliza as he was much afraid of them. On Thursday last (Monger continued) he saw the Natives near his house, and as it was his custom to converse with them, (he understood a few of their words, and the rest were made intelligible to him by signs,) they distinctly communicated to him that "white man, kill white man."—The impression on his own mind was, that they had not thrown the blame upon a white man in order to secure themselves.
The Magistrates both concurred in the opinion that it would be dangerous to rely too implicitly upon the mere signs of a Native, they therefore proceeded to the examination of,
Gordon,—A day or two after Christmas day, he was at Mrs. Hokins's public house, conversing with others, about a man who was missing when Ellis said he had been out towards Mr. Monger's Lake, where he met a party of Natives, and two or three approached him within about 30 yards, he then fired towards them, and ran away.
Mr. Monger here stated that he remembered the Natives being in his neighbourhood about the time mentioned.
Although the Magistrates admitted there was no evidence against Ellis, still they considered it of importance to have him brought before them in order to instruct him that fireing at the Natives without any apparent provocation was an act not to be tolerated; a summons was consequently made out for his appearance on Monday, which was subsequently postponed until this day.
Ellis we are informed acknowledges having been near the spot at the time, and that he fired off his gun, and ran away to Butlers, the bush Inn on the Fremantle road. The whole affair is still involved in the greatest mistery. Ellis is represented to be a timid man, and unlikely to have wandered so great a distance, and to such a desolate spot, as the place where the Body was found, is represented to be. It is also singular that the Decease had such a dread of the Natives, that he refused a few days previously to his death, to take charge of Serjeant Barrons Cattle, even if he would give him two guineas a day. Halliday was employed by Serjeant Barron, cutting rushes at the back of his house, and as he represents had no necessity to have gone out of sight. We think it but Justice to the character of Ellis, to correct any erroneous reports, to state, that nothing has transpired further than his own acknowledgements to implicate him in this melancholly affair.
The Auctions held at Perth of late, have been very indifferently attended, arising in some measure, we conceive, from the short notice which has been given, and from a practice which destroys the object of a public sale, namely an acknowledgment from the Auctioneer that, to save time, it may be as well to state he has a limited price fixed upon the Articles. We presume when a party incurs the expense of submitting Wares or Merchandize to public Auction, he has some desire to dispose of his articles. What however will be said when we state that at this moment with 10 or 12 months consumption of flour in the market, the reserve price publicly avowed is 6d. We do not question the justice of any fair Trader making the most of his commodity, but the speculator in flour, or Corn, must not expect much indulgence; as the public will look with a jealous eye, upon capitilists who exercise their power of raising the price of provisions at their own discretion. The following hint may not be ill-timed, "even spreading rumours of the scarcity of an article, with the view of enhancing the price is an indictable offence, Rex v Waddington, I E. R. 143. So is the total engrossing of a commodity, with intent to sell it at an unreasonable price." The punishment is, fine and imprisonment.
THE KING GEORGES SOUND NATIVES
On Thursday last Mr. Dale proceeded to Monger's Lake, in company with Mr. Smythe and the two Natives of King George s Sound, Manyat and Gyallepert, in consequence of a wish to see the latter understood to have been expressed by Yegan and others of his tribe. Shortly after arriving at the Lake, Yegan and about ten of his tribe, made their appearance well armed, and welcomed their visitors in an apparently cordial manner. A Corobbary was danced; followed by an interchange of names and spears—the Dialects of either party was perfectly unintelligible to the others, and they seemed to apprehend each others meaning in some few instances rather from gestures than language: however their mutual attempts at conversation were persevered in throught the interview. Something like a trial of skill in throwing the spear took place between Galleypert and Yegan; the latter struck down a walking stick, vertically placed at a distance of about 25 yards. No mistrust or sheyness (except what might be inferred from the state of armed preparation in which Yegan arrived) was shewn by either side. No woman was visible on this occasion. The interview continued for about four hours, and on departing, Manyat and Gyallepert received an invitation from Yegan to meet him again in the same spot on the following morning; which however circumstances prevented. The purport of their conversation, if so it may be termed, is understood to have been (chiefly on the side of Manyat and his companion,) a description of their native District, & detail of the kind treatment and benefit they had received from the "White people," and an exhortation to Yegan and his followers to conduct themselves in a peaceable and friendly manner towards their white neighbours. (On the side of Yegan) a seeming adoption of his visitors into his own tribe, by exchange of names, &c. &c. A description of his late imprisonment and escape, and the nature of their connection with their white associates.
Sir Edward Codrington, in the absence of the Duke of Sussex, took the chair at the distribution of rewards by the Society of Arts. The gold Ceres medal was presented to Dr. Walkin, of Calcutta, for a collection of woods; and the gold Lis medal to A. Riley Esq., for importing to New South Wales a flock of Angola Cashmere goats.
COLONEL HANSON'S PAMPHLET.
——OOOO——
(Continued)
The projected road of communication with the Swan River, which I mentioned in a former part of this letter, has already made very considerable progress—part of the detatchment of Soldiers have been employed upon it, since the arrival of Dr. Collie, and they have already penetrated upwards of twenty miles. I had some conversation with one of the men, and he described many portions of the country, through which he had passed, as being exceedingly beautiful. He moreover told me, that water on the track was abundant, and that the greatest distance they had yet passed, without a stream, was little more than three miles.
The Native Chief Nakainah, was dressed up in a most splendid uniform, to be given to him as a present, after he had accompanied the Governor into the interior, upon a journey he was then contemplating. It was a mottley dress no doubt. Maude, the first Lieutenant, of the Sulphur, furnished a Black Coat, I furnished a Red one, with which the Black Coat was trimmed—Collar, Cuffs, Pockets, &c, &c. The shoulders were then surmounted, by a pair of my largest embroidered epaulettes, and every variety of Button was used, that could be collected in the Ship—"thereby (Maude said)" to represent every department of the State. The man was so delighted, when he found it was to be given to him on his return, that his gestures were quite ridiculous.
I should mention that on Break sea Island, there are a vast number of European Dogs, evidently the produce of animals left there, by Ships passing. How they manage to subsist themselves, it is difficult to conceive; but there, they certainly are, and if a Ship in coasting along the shore, fires a shotted Gun at the rocks, she will be speedily answered by the loudest barking.
Every material for building is most abundant, at King George's Sound—the lime Stone is excellent, but the sea shells are piled up, in such enormous heaps upon the Beach, between the two harbours, that I should infinitely prefer them to any other lime. The shell are precisely the same, as those with which we make our far famed Chunam at Madras.
There cannot be the slightest doubt in my opinion, but that King George's Sound possesses local advantages far, far superior, either to New Holland or Van Diemen's land. After it attains any thing like comparative respectability as a settlement, it will, I am confident, supercede the whole of the Australian countries East of it.
Let any Man of common sense, examine a Map of Australia, he will see at once the Geographical superiority of its position, either as respects India or Europe. It is so completely within reach of Cape Lewin, that a breeze of a few hours will secure a passage round this only difficulty, and a ship may then go away with a flowing sheet, to any part of our possessions in the East Indies. It is worthy of remark also, that King George's Sound, is the most Southern land on that part of the Continent—nearly a degree more South than Cape Lewin, and consequently that distance to windward of it, if a ship should start in the first instance, with a fair wind and it should afterwards become scant from the southward—compare this I say with the struggle we are now making, in as fine a Merchant ship as ever swam, to beat in the very height of summer, 1500 miles to the westward! We left Hobart Town fifteen days ago, and we have not yet advanced one third of our voyage. I may further say, that during the whole of that period, we have been plunging about in Westerly Gales, and some days have made a distance of only five miles.
On the contrary, at King Georges Sound, during the whole of the last winter, the communication was never interrupted with Swan River—a ship has only to watch her opportunity for putting to sea, and in twenty-four hours she may be sailing North, with a fair wind to any part of the Eastern or Western world. The S. E. trade will secure her passage to the latter.
If you want a harbour, where can you obtain one more complete as to safety than that in King Georges Sound—it is in many respects superior to the Derwent at Hobart Town, for the entrance being narrow, the shores might be fortified to resist any invading Maritime force, and these fortifications, would be again commanded, by heights in their immediate vicinity. If you want climate, I maintain that the climate of King George's Sound, is equal to any climate in the world. As a Sanatarium for India, it would be invaluable—the weather is neither so bleak, so boisterous, or so trying to the constitution as that of Van Diemen's land, and yet it is far cooler than the climate of Sydney, particularly during the summer months, the hottest period of which never raises the Thermometer above 74°. The range whilst I was there during the month of November was from 70° to 73°.
Further I may ask, does not every ship on her outward bound voyage to Australia, pass the very threshhold of the harbour? and who will deny that a Merchant must find it much more profitable to dispose of a Cargo at the nearest Port than to proceed 1500 miles farther to the Eastward in search of a market, and remaining there probably six months longer before he can attempt to return.
It is surely quite impossible to deny these stubborn facts—in short I cannot help suspecting, that our friends to the Eastward, are fully aware of the truth and the prejudice at Van Diemen's land, which I must say, obtained against Swan River, was only proof to me of what I now assert.
I shall most probably again discuss with you the merits of this S. W. harbour. Mean time I may state, that we sailed from thence early in December, and reached Tasmania as it is now called, in about ten days, having enjoyed the delightful treat of a gale of wind, nearly the whole of the passage.
(The writer here describes his reception at Hobart Town, and the nature of the Society, but as we have already occupied so much of our space with this pamphlet, we must draw to a close; speaking of the climate, he states you may assure yourself of one of the finest in the world—perpetual spring, and perpetual verdure.) But if ever Swan River, or King Georges Sound, shall arrive at one fourth of the internal prosperity now enjoyed at Van Diemen's land, I think any Man would be mad to go further to the Eastward, in search either of health or property. The climate particularly at King George's Sound, is even superior I think, to that of Van Diemen's land; and it is absurd to say, that in a vast continent like that of Australia, the soil shall not be found as fine, and the advantages as great, as in any other part of the Eastern world.
One of the objections to Swan River, and King George's Sound is, the poorness of the earth, in the immediate vicinity of those places. This fact I grant to a certain extent at Swan River, though I have proved that it is capable of producing every sort of esculent vegetable for a Family, as fine in any part of the world; but this I altogether deny at King George's Sound, as in the immediate neighbourhood of the Town, there is the richest soil imaginable,—soil that has given the most abundant crops, wherever its richness has been tried.
In short they may say what they please, of the relative value of these different Australian settlements, but there is one fact, which I wish from my heart it was in my power to deny, rather than assert, and that was, the illiberal prejudice, that obtained against my friends at the Swan River, whenever I heard them spoken of at Van Diemen's land. One man told me that the whole country was a desert of sand,—another man with affected commiseration, lamented the fate of the unfortunate wretches, who were doomed to starvation there, and a third, assured me, that he spoke of the poorness of the soil, from personal observation, though I found upon enquiry that he had never quitted the shore about Fremantle. You might just as well judge the richness of an inland country in England, by the bleak downs on the Sea Coast near Brighton.
I have now endeavoured to give you as briefly and as fairly as I possibly can, the impressions I received during my late visit to the Southern Hemisphere. You will say they are far different from what I had expected after the gilded anticipations we received from—like all pleasurable anticipations I suppose they fall short of the reality, I therefore conclude this letter, by summing up the substance of my advice in a few words, as regards settling in either of these colonies.
A Man with a large family, and small means, should go to Swan River or King Georges Sound—to King George's Sound preferably if the place improves, as I hope it will do, when its capabilities are known—if a man has a large family and competent means, though not sufficiently affluent to permit him to reside in England, he should in my opinion proceed in the first instance to Van Diemen's land and there judge for himself. But if a man be affluent, compelled to leave India, on account of health, and anxious for employment to protect him from ennui, he cannot possibly have a finer field for his abilities, than by freighting a Vessel of 200 Tons and proceeding direct to King George's Sound—he should take with him a good establishment of Artificers, to commence Building a house immediately, and he should be supplied with a store of every thing he may require, for his family and servants during the space of one year; as I have no doubt that stock of every kind is at the present moment increasing to abundance at the Swan River, and that between this settlement and King George's Sound, there will be speedily a constant and uninterrupted communication.
Before I conclude this long letter, I should mention a circumstance, which certainly appears to me most extraordinary. The Island of Java, from whence the most abundant supplies could be drawn for Swan River, is within three weeks sail of that settlement, and there are numerous merchants who would gladly send vessels with provisions and stock of all kinds, if they dare do so without the certainty of being captured—but as it appears that any foreign flag would immediately become a Prize to the Sulphur Sloop of War, they are of course unable to render that succour to the Inhabitants, which would be a source of comfit to the one, and great profit to the other. Such however are the navigation laws, and to this hour a Dutch flag has never been seen there. I could write a great deal more upon this very interesting subject, but as I intend to write a letter, and not a volume, I shall now subscribe myself.
Your sincere and attached friend,
J. Hanson.
Perth January 6th 1833.
Sir,
The reappearance of a Colonial Paper is a circumstance to be hailed with feelings of satisfaction, by all who are interested in the well being of this (at present) small community. Nothing I am certain is more calculated to work out an effectual benefit to us, than a well regulated press, since it has ever been considered one of the most wholesome and powerful checks on immorality and vice; for when the press joins with the public in condemning and exposing vice, it not only gives weight to opinion, for the present; but perpetuates it to the punishment of the delinquent, and to the warning of the Public generally. Much benefit however as we have reason to expect in the points above mentioned, the advantages are trifling when compared with those to be derived from sending forth to the world a plain unvarnished tale, and correcting that opinion of our country which has been formed from the misrepresentation of interested parties who with unblushing effrontery, have neglected no opportunity of doing injury to this place; so far indeed have these false and shameless Heralds prevailed in poisoning the public mind, that Swan River is become another name for misery, and we who are now here are esteemed the most unhappy of the sons of men; but thank God, evil wishes affect not the course of nature, and although we may at present feel the injuries of slander, we can contemplate with a feeling of certainty that the future will give the lie to those who have done their worst to effect what they so much desired, namely, our ruin. It would be no slight punishment to those detractors, if they were compelled to witness the present state of the Colony, and the happy feelings which generally I may say universally prevail at the result of the late harvests home which realized all that the most sanguine could expect, and placed the Colony in a state of almost independence.
The absence of Governor Stirling from the Colony, has no doubt been made the occasion of renewing those representations of its condition which have hitherto prevailed, but it will be a part of your exertion to place the matter in its proper light by publishing to the world what is certainly felt here: that the Governors mission to England is undertaken for the purpose of correcting by a personal representation the erroneous views entertained of the settlement, and to obtain if possible a more liberal system from the mother Country towards us, it being unparalleled in the History of Colonization that any Settlement should be expected to maintain by Taxation, its Civil Establishment during its years of Infancy. This period of its existence must necessarily be a season of struggle and exertion, and calls forth all the means and strength of the Settler in establishing himself; all his outlay and expenditure, without chance of any immediate return, capital becomes transferred from the pocket to investments in buildings, stock, and labour, and every support and indulgence is necessary to enable the most skilful and industrious to stand against the heavy demands, until the time comes when he ought reasonably to expect a reaction from the fruits of his labour; should his strength fail before this time arrives, all his past exertions are negatived from the circumstance that his property is not convertible on account of the lack of funds among neighbours whose property like his own is confined to prospective returns from labour. In reviewing the state of the Colony it is pleasing to contemplate how much has been effected in the limited time since its formation, and how few failures have occurred. The knowledge of the capabilities of the Colony, and a feeling of dissatisfaction at the system adopted towards it has been I have little doubt, the occasion of the Governor's visit to England, and I think I may venture to say he has the strongest wishes of all here for his success, and also that, no evil may result to himself from the bold step he has taken.
I commenced this letter to you merely intending to add my meed of thanks for the recommencement of an undertaking so likely to be of benefit to the Colony, but I have wandered insensibly; trusting to your kindness for excuse.
I remain with respect
Yours truly
Amicus.
Edited, Printed, and Published by CHARLES MACFAULL, at the Gazette Office, Perth
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