The National tribune., 1901-05-16
The Future Republic and Its De-
veIopment from the Old Penal
Colony.
THE DUKE OF YORK'S VISIT.
Opening of the First Australian Parlia-
ment.
specIal correspondenee 70 TnE NAELoNAL TRIRUNE.


the Colonies" May 8, brings this island
prominently before the nations, and
awakens fresh interest in the march to-
ward civilization in this the world S hlth
continent
Australia, the largest island in the
world. contains an area of nearly o,Uuu,-
600 square miles, 100000 less than
Europe. Upon its shores are found more
yalueleSs land than in any part OF the
earth's surface: AMI yet its riches, fine pas,
turage and superb climate have caused
rand colonization, and have given 1t the
Drominent position among the nations that
it holds today.
When discovered and by whom is un-
certain, owing to the meager records OF
early days. Four centuries before the
birth of Christ, we read of land III
southern seas. Still, it is not until !94Z
that authentic record is made OF the fact
In mediaeval Europe the idea prevailed
that the portion of the globe where Aus
tralia now stands was nothing save water,
and when discovered the reports were SO
discouraging that 1t was not thougnt ad-
yisabIe to further investigate the land.
To the Dutch is accredited the honor of
discovering the northern, southern and
western portions, and as Dutch names
were given to the cities, the priority Oh
their rights is proved. and Justihes the
name, New Holland" by which it was
formerly known.
The English were the first nation to
make further use of their discoveries aud
take formal possession Of this island. They
were closely followed by the French.
Capt. Dampier, a buccaneer, who had
returned to England, was sent to these
shores in 1893 for the purpose of eXplOra-
ton; but the report brought back of the
barrenness of the land and the wretched-
ness of the natives, deferred the English
Government from further proceedings.
1t was not until Cook took charge of
an expedition to 0teheite, to witness the
transit of Venus across the disk of the
sun, and afterwards explored the South
ern Sea, that he discovering Australia,
and landing on her shores, took posses
sion of the country in the name of the
King of England. On account of a fan
cied similarity to Wales, he named the
new found land New South Wales"
Upon his return he gave such glowing
account of the fertility of the soil and the
beauty of the land, that the Government
decided to solve a difficult problem that
had reached a troublesome crisis through
the Declaration of independence" IN the
United States, which forced them to re-
move their penal colony from Virginia to
their own gaols, filling them to overflow,
Ing. This threatened to make trouble to
the country, and to relieve 1t they must
be exported.
This was deemed a suitable spot to
found penal colony, both on account OF
Its great distance from home and agricul-
tural prospects. So the plea of a Loyallst
who had accompanied Cook upon his voy-
age that colony of Loyalists might set
tie there was set aside; and in May, 1881,
eleven vessels sailed from Portsmouth,
having on board $50 male and ID female
convicts, together with 220, under charge
of Capt. Philips, the first Governor OF
the Colony.
Eight weeks they were at the mercy
of the waves, and when at last Botany
Bay was reached it was found to be I'M
suited for their purpose. An expedition
was sent to explore the coast, and little
farther on desirable spot was found.
This was given the name of Sydney, IN
honor of Lord Sydney, the instigator of
this scheme.
Many of the convicts had died during
the passage. As scurvy and other dis
eases were prevalent among those who
remained, it was desirable to provide ac-
coInmodatiOn for the settlers as soon as
possible.
In July everything was in readiness;
the troops and convicts landed, and the
penal settlement at Sydney, New South
Wales, was established.
But the men who were sent were not
class fitted for farmers, SO word was re-
turned to England asking the Govern
ment to send out farmers to till the land.
The vessels sent with provisions for the
settlement were delayed by storms; the
seed planted for want of proper care
rotted in the ground, and starvation
seemed imminent.
The conyicts took advantage of this un-
settled state of the colony TO rise, but
were unsuccessful in their attempt Many,
however, succeeded in effecting their es-
cape; some died from starvation, others
were captured, while a few made their
way to the Blue Mountains, where, un-
der the leadership of Crawford and Brady,
they became buShrangers, a source of ter
ror to settlers who lived in sparsely-set-
tied districts
Crawford was killed, and through an
edict that all who would surrender should
be accorded pardon and free passage
home, 50 many relinquished their wild
life that Brady was left alone. Eventu-
ally he was surprised and killed; thus was
the terrible evil arrested
Reports reached England of the rich
ness OF the land, and tempted many to
emigrate TO Australia. This was encour-
aged by the English Government, who
aided them in means and promised q
grant of land to all who took advantage
of their generosity. The country was
soon overcrowded with spectators. Money
was easily obtained at eXOrbitant rates,
and notes We're both given and taken with
little security.
The settlers were allowed to use the
conYictS as labOrerS on their farms, and
the demand far exceeded the supply. But
a day of reckoning came when the notes
came due, and the inflated bubble burst
and terrible reaction ensued. Land Of
fered for sale could find no purchasers,
and the condition financially of the colo
nists was at its lowest ebb.
The Governors were in many cases I'M
equal to the situation; the militia and civ
ilians at loggerheads. Officers sent to take
charge Of the soldiers, actuated by a de.
sire TO anass fortunes, sent in their res
ignations and became settlers in this col
Ony.
These were indeed dark days in the
new settlement, far from friends and
home; but for lack of money many would
have returned to England. Still out OF
the chaos was TO arise, slowly, to be sure
at first, but surely, a new order of af.
fairs based upon firm foundation and q
lasting standard.
Explorations were made into the ad.
joining country, and the severest hard
ships endured, both on account of the heal
and scarcity of water. OF the early ex
plorers, Flinders was the most successful
he made valuable charts of his discover
les, which were taken from him by thu
French when, on his voyage home, he wa.
wrecked upon their shores and cast int
prison. His charts were published undel
a fictitious name. After his release ht
was unable to rectify the theft.
Hume and Foster, also. are prominen
among the early discoverers. To the for
mer is given the honor of discovering ;
pass over the hitherto inaccessible Blu
Mountains, and thus opening TO the set