Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1855-03-07
ssutimsntal Geography.

Anthony Van Dieman, governor Of Bata-
via, had daughter whose name was Maria.
Since che was not only charming and ac-
complished, but also the only child Of rich
| pans. who vas governor Of the Dutch East
lndiea. Naria's image was engraved on ma
nv heart, AID che had no lack ofsuitors.--
There were great men among them; but
with maiden.iiks psrve sitv, Maria most ia
, yored a poor young sailor--a handsome,
dashinc fellow, who was very skillful in his
business; who had no pocket or no use To-.
any. The young sailors name was Alb,
Tansen Tasman, He was devoted to
Maria, heart and soul: had exchanged
pledges with her, and had brought matters
to serious pass; that the proud father de-
termined to put the young adventurer quiet
" and co0rtcously out OF sight; the dong
so be took to bessa better and more fatherly
course than the Institution of great fami-
y quarrel. That his Maria should become
Mrs. Tasman, he knew we'll was thing
not to be thought Of. Whoever won his
daughter must have wealth and patent of
nobility. She was not fit mate for poor
sailor. Tasman, however, could not be dis
missed from dangling after her.
The Batavia traders had at that time a
vague notion that there was vast continent
An unknown Austral land somewhere
near the South Pole; and Van Dieman de-
term;ned to send Tasman out to see about
il. 1.-The never came back it would not mat
ter, but at any rate be would certainly be
long time gone. Van Dieman therefore tit
ted out an expedition and gave to young
Tasman the command OF it
OF the young fellow set in the year 1912;
and like an enamored swain as he was. the
frst new ground he discovered was con-
siderable stretch Of land, now forming ave.
nv well known English colony, he called at
ter his dear love,-Van Dieman's Land, and
put Miss Van Dieman's christian name be-
side her patronymic, by giving the name of
Maria to small adjoining Island close to
the sou,herne Extremity Of the new land VIn
Diemans Land, we have of late began very
generally to call after its discoverer, Tas
mania.
Continuing his journey southwark, the
young sailor anchored his ships, on the 10Th
Of December, in a sheltered bay. which he
called Moodenar's (Murderer's) bay, be-
cause there the natives attacked his ships,
and killed three OF his men. Travelling on
he reached after some days the Island which
he called after the three kings, because be
saw them on the feast of the Epiphany; and
then coming upon New Zealand from the
north, he called it in patriotic way, after
thu States of Holland, Staten land: but the
extreme northern point OF il, fine bold
head land, jutting out into the sea, strong as
his love, he entitled Cape Maria. For he
had gone out resolved not indeed to 'carve
her rame on trunks of trees, but TO do his
mistress ,he same sort of honor in way
that would be nobler, manlier, and more en-
during"
After long and prosperous voyage. grac-
ed by one or two more discoveries, Tasnan
came back to Batavia. He 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 a
famous son.in.law, and there was no cross
| to the rest OF the career Of the most COM
Portable couple, Abel and Maria. Tasman
did not make another journey TO New Zeal
and; it remained unvisited until 1873, when
it was re-dscovered by Captain Cook, whc
very quickly recognized it as portion Of
the land that had been first discovered by
| the love-born sailor.