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CHAPTER XVII - EXPLORATION AND ABORIGINES

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 August 2011

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Summary

The history of the Australian Colonies may after the year 1856 be much condensed. Results rather than details of events will suffice. The pilgrim fathers only can command the interest which justifies a large mingling of biography with the general narrative. A few familiar names will still recur, some few incidents (such as that in which an imprudent Governor strove to do violence to the Constitution of New South Wales in 1861) will deserve dramatic treatment; but, in the main, personal details will be unnecessary.

The course of exploration of the continent may first be dealt with. The successful journey of Leichhardt, in 1844, to Port Essington, through wide tracts previously unseen by Europeans; his fatal expedition in 1848; the hardships encountered by Sturt in 1844-5-6 in the interior; the several journeys of Mr. Roe the Surveyor-General and of Mr. A. C. Gregory in Western Australia up to the year 1848; the expedition in which Sir Thomas Mitchell, in 1846, named as the Victoria river what is now known as the Barcoo or Cooper's Creek; the disastrous death of Kennedy near Cape York in 1848, may be remembered. Discovery for a time received a check throughout the continent. Commercial calamities, the distraction of labour to California, the all-absorbing pursuit of gold, in turn diverted public attention.

In 1854, Mr. Austin, an assistant-surveyor, led an expedition which only added proof of the sterility of Western Australia and of the endurance of her explorers.

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History of Australia , pp. 188 - 253
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2011
First published in: 1883

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