The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-02-06
BY S. CLARK
VOL. l..
Discovery of Van Dieman's Land.


SENTIMENTAL GEoGRAPHY.-Anthony Van
Dieman. Governor of Batavia, had daugh-
ter, whose name was Maria Since she was
not only charming and accomplished, but
also the child Of rich papa, who as Gov
vrnor OF the Dutch East Indies, Maria's i'm
age was impressed on many a heart, and she
had no lack Of sutors. There were great
men among them; but with maiden like
preverSity. Maria most favored d poor young
salor-a handsome, dashing fellow, who
was very skil(ul in his business. but had no
pockets, nor use for any. The young sailors
name was Abel Jansen Tasman. He was
devoted to Maria heart and soul, had ex-
changed pledges with her. and had brought
matters 10 50 serious IA pass that the proud
father determined to put the young adven-
turcr quietly and Courteously out of sight
the doing So he took TO be a better and
more fatherly course than the institution OF
great family quarrel. That his Maria
should become Mrs. Tasman, he knew very
we'll vas thing not for moment to be
thought of. Whoever won his daughter
must have wealth and patent Of nobility.
She was no fit mate for poor sailor. las
man, however. could be easily dismissed
from dangling after her.
The Batavian traders had at that time a
vague notion that there was vast continent
AN unknown AusIral land somewhere near
the south pole and Van Dieman determin-
I'd TO send Tasman out to see about it. II
lie never came back it would not matter
but at any rate. he would be certainly long
time gone. Van Dienan therefore fitted
out an expedition, and gave TO young Tasman
the command OF 1t. .... d
of the Young fellow set in the year 1912 !:
and like an cnamored swain as he was, the
first new ground he discovered-a consider
able stretch of land, now forming a well
known English colonv--he named after his
dear love, Van Dicmans land and put Miss
Van Diemun's Christian name beside her
patrunymic. bv giving the name of Maria to
II small adjoining Island close to the south
eastern extremity of the new land. That
iatld--Nan Diemans land-we have of late
begun very generally to call after its discov-
crrr, Tasmania.
Continuing his journey southwark, the
Young sailor anchored his ships on the 18th
of Decemhcr i'll sheltered bay, which he
called Moodenar's (Murderers) bay, be-
cause the natives there attacked his ships
and killed three of his men. Travelling on
he reached, after some days the islands
which he called after the three kings because
hc saw them on the feast Of the epiphany
and then, coming upon New Zealand from
The north, Ike called it in Il patriotic way
after the states of Holland Staten Land :;
hut the extreme northern point of It, fine
bold hcadland jutting out into the sea. strong
rs his love, he entitled again Cape Maria
for he had gone out resolved, not indeed to
= carve her name on the trunks of trees, but
to do his mistrcsS the same sort of honor in
~ way that would be noblcr, manicr, and
more enduring. .. ..
After long and prosperous voyage grac
I'd by one or two more discoveries, Tasman
came back to Batavia. lie had more than
earned his wife for he had won for himself
sudden and high renown. court favor, rank
and fortune Governor Van Dieman got n
famous son-in-law, and there was no cross
to the rest of the career of the most comfort
able married couple, Abel and Maria. Tas-
man did not like another journey to New
Zealand it remained unvisitcd until 1869,
when it was rediscovered by Capt. Cook,
who very quickly recognized it as portion
Of the land that had been first seen by the
love-lorn sailor. '