BATMAN'S SETTLEMENT AT PORT PHILLIP IN 1835.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2057, 27 April 1881, Page 3

BATMAN'S SETTLEMENT AT PORT PHILLIP IN 1835.

We (Melbourne Argus) have received from » correspondent m Launceston, Tasmania, a copy of an interacting document which supplies graphic historical detnila connected with Mr John Batman's settlement at Port Phillip m the year 1835. Tnis is contained mMr Batman's report to His Excellency Sir George Arthur, then Colonel George Arthur, and Governor of the island of Vaa Diomen's Land. The report is endorsed m the handwriting of tbe late Mr William Gardner Sams formerly sheriff of Van Diemen's Land, from whom our correspondent received it. We subjoin tho report : — Mr Batman's report to His Excellency Colonel George Arthur, the LieutenantGovernor of Tan Diemen's Land. Hobart Town, June 25, 1835. Sir, — I have tho honor of reporting to your Excellency, for the information of His Majesty's Government, the result of an expedition, undertaken at tbe expense, and m conjunction .with several gentlemen, inhabitants of Van Diemen's Land, to Port Phillip, on the south-western point of New Holland, for the purpoße of forming Bn extensive pastoral establishment, and combining therewith the civilisation of tho native tribes who are living m that part of the country. Before I entsr into the details, I deem it necessary to stnto for the information of Hit Majesty's Government that I am a native of New South Wales, and that for tho lnst six years I bavo been most oolively employed m endeavoring to civilise the aboriginal natives of Van Diemen's Land ; and m ordor to enable tho local government of this colony to esrry that important object into full effect, I procured from New South Wales eleven aboriginal natives of New Holland, who were, under my guidance, mainly instrumental m carrying into effect the humane object of this government toward» the aborigines of this island. I also deem it necessary to state that I have been for many years impressed with the opinion that a most advantageous settlement might be formed at Westorn Port, or Port Phillip ; and that m 1827, Mr J. T. Gsllibrand and myself addressed a joint letter to the Coloniul Government cf new South Wales, soliciting permission to occupy land at Port Phillip, with an undertaking to export to that place stock to tho value of £5000, and which- was to bo placed for a certain number of years under my personal direction and superintendence This application was not granted by the Sydney Government, because the land was beyond the limits of

that territory, and the occupation of Western Port had b«n altogetheraban oned. It occurred to myself and some of the gentlemen who uro associated with me that inasmuch as the Sydney nal ivc 8 who were living with n.e hud become well acquainted with the English language and manners, and had acquired habits of industry and agricultural pursuits, they might, therefore, bo considered partially civilised ; and as the nvuilable Innds m this colony were occupied by flocks of cheep and fully stocked, it would be a favorable opportunity of opening a direct friendly intercourse with the tribes m the neighborhood of Port Phillip j and by obtaining from them a grant of a portion of that territory upon equitable principles, not only might the resources of this colony be considerably extended, but the object of civilisation be established, and which .m process of time would lead to tho civilisation of a large portion of the aborigines of that extensive country. In pursuance of arrangements based upon these principles I proceeded on the 12th day of May, 1835, m a vessel from Launceston, accompinied by seven Sydney natives, and procoeded to Port Phillip, on Ihe southwestern extremity of New Holland, whero I Unded an the 26th day of Muy. On the evening of our arrival at Port Phillip we saw tho native fires at the distance of about fivo miles. I then made my arrangements for the purposa of opening an interview with the natives by means of those under my charge. I equipped them m their native dresses, and oarly m tho morning we landed. I desirei tho natives to proceed unarmed, and they preceded me a few hundred yards. When we had advanoed within half a mile wu saw the native huts and smoke. My natives then proceeded quietly up to the huts, expecting that we should find the tribo asleep, but when thry had got to tho huts it appeared that the natives hid fled a few hours previously, having behind them some of tho buckets and other articles. I concluded from this that the natives had discerned tho veisel, and had quitted their huts through fear; and, as I thought it probable thoy might m consequence quit the canst for a senson, 1 determined immediately to put my natives upon the track, and if possible overtake tbom aud at once .obtain their confidence. My natives followed tho track, which appeared to huve bsen very circuitous, and nftcr we had proceeded about 10 miles we at length saw a tribe consisting of 20 women and 24 children. My natives then made to them some of their frionnly signals, which, it appeared, were understood, »nd m the course of a few minutes my natives joined the tribe, and after remaining with them as 1 judged sufficient length of time to conciliate thorn and exjlaiu my friendly disposition, I advanced alone ami joined them, and was introduced to them by my natives, two of whom spoke nearly the same and bo as to bo porfoctly intelligible to them. The two interpreters explained to thesi by my directions that I had come m a vessel from the other shores to settle amongst them and to be upon friendly terms ; that I was, although white, a countryman of theirs, and would protest them, nnd I wished them to re turn wiLh me to their huts, where I had left some presents for them. After Borne conversation the whole party, women and chi'dron, returned with mo and my unlives towards the huts, until they came within sight cf the chore ; they then stopped and hesitated m proceeding, and as I understood from the interpreters, were afraid I should take them by force and illuao them, as some of their tribe bad been already illtrented. After the strongest assurances on my part, of my sincerity and friendly disposition, and that no harm should be dono to them, they proceeded to the huts, where I gave them a pur of blnskets each, tomakawks, knives, scissors, looking glasses, and I nffixed around the neck of each woman and child a necklace. As soon as I hud distributed the presents, they were informed by the interpreters that they might depart and join their friends, and I lift them and proceeded on board the vessel. They appeared, by my conduct towards them, highly gratified and oxcittd, and showed by their manner that the fullest confidence exUted. On the next and five following days I employed myself m surveying the country, and although I saw soveral native firoß, I abstained from intruding upon them, leaving the interview I had had with the women to have its full effect upon the tribeß before I visitfd them again. On the. seventh day I proceode.l towards the place where I had seen the fires, and where I had reason to believe the tribes were, and I sent my natives forward with the same instructions as upon the first occasion. We remained up the country all night, and proceeded early the next morning, under the expectation of meeting tbe tribes. After we had proceeded about seven miles we fell m with a native man, his wife, and three children, who received my natives with apparent cordiality, and informed them that the women to whom I had given tho prosente, although belonging to another tribe, had communicated to them tho reception they had met with from me. I learned from this native where tho chiefs ef the tribe. were stationed, and also their names, and thin man. most readily offered to act as our guide, and take us at once to the spot. Y?e then proceeded with tho man, his wife, and children towards the huts of the chiefs, but it appeared that the guide took us past the spot where the chiefs were, and •otne of the children having observed a white man gave the alarm, and almost immediately wo found the tribo m our rear, advancing towards us with epe'irs and m a menacing position. My natives, with (ho man, woman, and children, then called out to the tribo, and thry immediately dropped their spears .and other implements m the grasp, and tho two sable parties advanced towards each other, and I shortly followed them. Some conversation then took place between my natives and tbe tribe. Tb» object of my visit and intention* wore then explained to them, and the chiefs then pressed mo to proceed with them. to ceo their wives and children, which is one of the strongest demonstrntiona of peace and confidence. Upon my assenting to this request tho chiefs then inquired of my interpreters whether 1 would allow them to tuko up their implements of war, which I immediately assented to, and tho principal chief then gave me his best spear to carry, and I m return gare him raj gun. We then proceeded towards tho huts, and when a short distance from them, tho chief railed out to the women not to bo alarmed, and I was then introduced to the whole tribe, consisting of upwards of 20 men, contuining altogether 55 men, women, Bnd ohildron. I joined this tribe about. 12 o'clock, and stayed with them until about 12 o'clock the next day, during which timo I. fully explained to them that the object of my visit was to purchase from them a tract of their country ;* that I intended'to settle amongst them with my wife and soven daughters, and that I intended to bring to the country sheep and oattlo. I also explained my wish to protect them m every way j to employ them the same as my own natives, and also to clotho and feed them ; and I 9lso proposed to pay them an annnal tribute as a compensation for tho enj >yraent of the land. Tho chiefs appeared most fully to comprohend my proposals, and much dolighted with the prospect of having mo to live amongst them. I then explained to them tho boundaries of tho hind which I withod to purchase, and which are defined by hills to which they have affixed nativo names, [and tho limits of tho land purchased by mo are defined m tho chart which I bave the honor of transmitting, taken fram personal survey. On the next dny the chiefs proceeded with me to the boundaries, and they marked with their own native marks the troes at tho corners of the boundaries, and thay also gave me their own private murk, which is kept sacred by them, even bo much that the women are not allowed to are it. After the boundaries had been thus marked .ami describod, I filled up m a deed as accurately iw I could define it, the land agreed to be purchased by ms from tho chiefs, and tho deod when thus filled up was most carefully read over and explninod to them by tho two interpreters, so llmt they most fully comprcbonded ilB purport and ofl'oct. I then filled up two other path) of tlie de«rl so as to muko it m triplicate,, aud tho llirco prinoip;»l chief* and five of the subordinate chiefs, then executed each of the deeds, each part being eepa-

rately read over, and they each delivered to me a piece of tbn soil for the purpose of putting mo m possession thereof and understanding that it was a form by which they delivered to mo tbe tract of land. I havo Ihe honor of enclosing herewith a copy of each of the deeds executed by tbo natives to me, which I confidently trust will mo.-t clearly manifest that I bave proceeded upon an equitable principle, tbnt my object has nof been possession and expulsion — or, what is worse, extermination —but possession and civilisation, and the reservation of the annual tribute to those who are the real owners of the soil will afford evidence of the sincerity of my professions m wishing to protect and civilise theso tribes of benighted but intelligent people, and I confidently trußt that the British Government will duly appreciate the treaty which I have made with these tribes, and will not m any manner molest the arrangements which I havo made, but that I shall receive tbe support and encouragement of not only the local government, but that of the British Government m carrying tho objects into effect. I quitted Port Phillip on the lith day of June, having parted with the triboa m the most friendly and conciliating manner, leaving five of my natives and three white men to commence a garden near the hurbor, and to erect a houso for my temporary occupation on my return with my wife nnd family. I arrived at Launcoston after a passage of 36 hours, which will at once show tho f»'jograpliiC'il advantages of this territory to Van Diemon's Land, and m a few years I have no hesitation m affirming, from tho nature of tho s iil, that the exports of wool and meat to Van Diemen's Land will form v considerable feature m its commercial relations. I traversed tho country m opposito directions Bbout 50 miles, and having had much experience m lands and gruzing m New 3outh Wales and m this colony, I have no hesitation m asserting that tho general character of the country is decidedly superior to any which I havo ever seen. It is interspersed with fine rivers and creeks, and the downs were extended on every side as far as tho eye could reach, thickly coverod with grass of the finest description, and containing an almost indescribable cxtont of fine land fit for any pnrposcs. I have now finally to report that tho following are the gentlemen who aro associated with mo m the colonisation of Port Phillip, many of whom will reside with their establishment at Port Phillip, and all of whom aro propured, and intend immediately, to export stock, which will be under my goneral guidanoe and immediate superintendence : — C. Swaneon, Thomas Bannister, Jas. Simpson, F. T. Gellibrand, J. and W. Robertson, Hy. Arthur, H. Wedge, J. Sinclair, J. T. Collicott, A. Cotteroll, W. Q. Laws, M, Conolly, Geo. Mercer. The quantity of stock exportod this year will bn at least 20,000 breeding oweß, and one of tho leading stipulations will bo that none but married men of good character, with their families, will be cent either bb overseers or servants, so that by no possibility any personal injury ahall be offered to the natives or their families; and it_is also intended, for the purpooo of preserving due order and morals, that a minister or catechiet shall be attached to the establishment at the expense of the association. Tho chiefs, to manifest their friendly feeling towards me, insisted upon my receiving from them two nutivo cloaks and several baskets made by tbe women, and also some of their implements of defence, which I beg to transmit. The women generallyaro clothed with cloaks of a description somewhat similar, and they certainly appear to me to be of a Buporior race to any natives whom I havo over seep. — I have tbe honor, &c, John Batman.

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