The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1852-12-29
AUSTRALIA.

The discovery of gold there, and the conse
quent emigration of multitudes from England
and some even from our own country to that far
off region have given this country an importance
altogether unihought of short time ago, and
we design to give our readers some information
in regard TO this country, which, since the dis
covery of the gold regions, has attracted so
much interest. Australia is henceforth to he
one of the civilized countries of the earth, and
its traffic will be an important item in the COM
merce of the world.
Australia is the largest island in the world
and is but one third less than the continent of
Europe 1t is situated south east of Asia, and
extends from about ten degrees to thirty eight
degrees south latitude, and from one hundred
and fifteen to one hundred and fifty five degrees
east longitude from Greenwich. 1t is about I
900 miles south west from San Francisco
Sidney. its chief city, is nearly in the same de-
gree Of south latitude that San Francisco is in
north, l.. e., 80 deg Australia has 5000 miles of
coast, and several large bays, but it has few rv-
ers, and these are scarcely navigable.
In its plants, its animals, its geological struc-
ture, and its appearance, it is singularly differ
ent from all the rest of the world. Most of its
flowers belong to species rarely found elsewhere,
while there are forests Of trees that grow s,
lmbless and branches, with leaves so small,
that they hardly cast shadow more than TIL
bare trunks would do, and present an appears
ance singularly sombre and unique. Among its
animals are several which have no relatives
in other parts of the world, as the Kangaroo
The soil is generally of sandy or gravelly
character, and there is very general want of
moisture. Several times, since its settlement
by the English, severe draughts have entirely
cut off the crops. Its climate is mild and de-
lightful, and is said to be singularly health
ful.
Australia was discovered in the year 1905,
but attracted very little notice until the year 1906
when Capt. Cook visited it.
In the year 1857 the English began convict
colony, on the southeast side of the Island, at
Botany Bay, which has now risen to large and
promising country, while several other impor.
tant colonies have risen up around it. There
are now four principal colonies, besides the one
on Van Dieman's Land, separate Island Ii,
tie south of Australia. There colonies contain
ed before the discovery of the gold, between
10000 and 900 people. majority of whom
were not convicts. The colony began to re-
ceive free cololnists as early as 1894, aid the
Swan River colony has never been convict col
ony'
These colonies have been making rapid pro.
gress in substantial prosperity, notwithstanding
many obstacles, for some years past. Sidney
VIC SdP'tdi, 10 d Idpluiy growing city, ialu OUT
with great regularity and kept in excellent or.
der-and contained, before the gold discovery
about 80 900 people, one fifth of whom were
convicts The state of morals is, as mi ht be
expected, bad. There is bitterness and hatred
between those who have once been convicts and
the few settlers, that prevents all harmony, and
often engenders serioEs strife. This will now
be better, as the principal colonies will receive
no more convicts and the rapid introduction Of
free settlers will give them power they have
heretofore been deprived OF
The convicts have been divided into genera
classes, and treated very differently according
to their grades. The least criminal have beer
engaged as laborers and servants, to the land
owners and others, and thus constituted class
OF slaves dIffused through the whole colony
Other classes are worked in chain gangs, under
the constant supervision of military men, and
others still are kept in closer confinement.
There are among the coavictsa portion of the
better class, who are called "ticket of leave
men, who follow what they wish, as free men
subject only to the necessity of appearing a
certain times and places, to exhibit their tickets
before the proper officers.
We can see in this country the ground work
for great nation. Their British ancestry, ant
SO great and almost unoccupied country, give
the fairest opportunities for successful enterprise
Steam will soon link it with California, and thus
the Saxon race and English language will g,
round the world.