The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1851-12-20
From the s.. Louis Republican.
Gold discoveries Of Australia British Colonial

From the S.. Louis Republican.
Gold discoveries of Australia-B British Colonial
Policy.
The tidings from the auriferous region
OF Australia continue 10 present wonders
as great as those which startled mems
minds at the outset Of the California dis
coveries and the result upon the social
organization Of the colony are the same.
Credible accounts concur in describing the
earnings of the miners as averaging from
three to five dollars day, clear Of all en-
penscs for living. These are not insig-
milcant, we can form an opinion from the
fact, that in the gold district -four is quo
ted at 5000 per ton, and that other neces-
sarles are IN proportion. The rush of ea-
ger hunters after wealth continues from
all the towns, and the intelligence hav-
ing penetrated into the deep solitude Of
the bush, is producing the desertion of the
latorers engaged in pastoral pursuits, and
the neglect Of all the ordinary avocations
Of the farmer. This circumstance is ru-
inous to the whole race Of flock k-o~ners,
who have hitherto been the millionaires Of
the country. Their immense focks, left BY
the shepherds to be devoured by wild
dogs, are being killed by thousands, and
boiled down for tallow. Many proprie-
tors, it is stated, have been compelled to
dispose Of twenty thousand sheep in this
way. AS wool has hitherto been the great
staple of the colony-the main reliance Of
the majority of settlers, and an article OH
which merchants have been accustomed
TO make large advances-thcre are not
wanting writers who draw gloomy pic.
lures of the ruin which will in their iudg-
ment follow this infraction of the ordinary
course Of affairs.
The authorities of the parent country
are beginning to be uneasy at the possible
result Of all these things. They hear of
the departure of experienced miners from
California-they witness the freighting of
fleets of emigrant ships from their OWL
ports, bound for the new Ell Dorado-and
they cannot forget the fact that Sydney,
and other places on the Australian conti-
nent are replete with roguery and ruifian-
ism of every degree, ready at few days
notice to be tranr!erred to the ''diggings."
The London journals speculate on these
points, and on the probability they present
of social arrangement, and they are urging
upon the Secretary for the Colonies the
duty Of Immediately sending out large res
Inducements OF troops to enforce the gov
ernor's proclamations, and to strengthen
the various garrisons, which are in danger
of being deserted. 1t is thought that Earl
Grey will comply with the appeal, al
though at direct variance with the present
colonial policy of Britain, which has in
sisted upon the necessity of a reduction in
the military expenditure of the co!onists
the alternative of dispensing with troops
of or paying for them.
1t may be assumed that the latter alter
native will be accepted, SO far as it NAV
be necessary to maintain social order.
But the question most worthy of consider
alton is, whether the colonists will paw for
troops to enforce the governors orders as
against themselves, and whether they will
submit to these orders, though backed by
| imperial bayonets? 1t may be remem-
bered that, by law acknowledged by
Britain and other old nations, royalties"
or per centage on all minerals found in the
earth, have been ri rigorously exacted. The
system originated in feudal times, and
might then be very good as an acknowl-
edgement Of suzerainty in the king, ba-
ron, or lord Of the manor; it is in opera
tion at this day in England. where all
minerals pay this feudal impost it is
there regarded as time-honored custom,
and is held to be essential TO the MAIN
tenance Of the constitution as the national
debt. In this country, however, and in all
new countries, such claim is deemed
ridiculous, and could not be enforced.
Will the people of New South Wales SUBJ
nit 10 its introduction there? The COVER
nor, we know, has proclaimed his inten-
tion to enforce the right, but what is he
to do if his troops desert their post, and
if-as is most likely-the people at the
diggings refuse TO pay the required per
centage? The Sydney gentry will hard
ly hesitate 10 break law which cannot be
enforced and the immigrants from Cali
fornia can scarcely he expected to rever-
ence tax unjust in itself, and quite con-
trary to all their notions of working peo-
pies rights.
Apart from all the causes of trouble and
arrangement flowing out of the sudden
change in current OF labor, this question
OF royalties; may be expected 10 furnish
no little difficulty. If the imperial gov
ernment abandon the claim, they give up
what in England has been, and still is re-
garded as necessary part Of the monor-
chical system. If they attempt to enforce
it, the squabble already going on between
the colony and the mother country will be
greatly aggravated, and will assuredly lead
to their final separation.
i CiSc1NSATf TO PITTsBURG IN Day.
BY the 18th of December o railway COM
munication is expected to be opened from
this CITY hy way of Cleveland To Pit1.