Page:History of West Australia.djvu/45

 Rh thought little of preparing a landed estate for unborn generations, and not yet were the old world populations so seriously congested that new countries were required in which the overplus could apply their ingenuity and bodily vigor. The parts of Australia hitherto viewed by navigators were hungry and sterile. Other newly discovered countries supplied them with rich spices, much appreciated products of the soil, gold and numerous precious symbols of fertility and wealth. Not so Australia; even the natives had no foods wherewith to carry on a barter trade. Hence, for all these long years, land which we now know to be highly fertile went begging. Magnificent opportunities to obtain opulence occurred, but no nation seemed eager to plant its flag upon Australian shores and assume ownership. The great island-continent languished and waited.

Thus, until 1788, Australia continued an unused country. In that year the British flag was planted on the eastern coast, and the colony of New South Wales was established. The pioneers were neither noble nor elevated. England, perhaps for excellent reasons, shipped her criminal population from her own shores, and sent them over the oceans to found a new colony in the Southern Hemisphere. The first few years of Australian history present little but the stories of the government of these; their landing at Botany Bay to the monotonous hum of the cicadæ, their cutting of roads through the forests; their building of houses for the administrative officials, their efforts in agriculture, their quarrels among themselves, the tragical conflicts caused by their vices and debased passions. All the portion of Australia east of the 129th degree of east longitude was included in the colony of New South Wales. The remaining remaining portion continued to be known as New Holland. The 129th degree is now the boundary line of South Australia and Western Australia.

The West was undisturbed until the third decade of the nineteenth century. The expeditions of Vancouver, Baudin, Flinders, and King had proved the extent of this unclaimed area, but no explorer had gone up into the country. After Lieutenant King no English navigator specially visited these regions for some years, but French vessels were known to be coasting among them. In 1825 two vessels, the Thetis and the Esperance, cruised about the coast and the corvette L'Astrolabe sailed into Australian waters in the following year. These coming so soon after the extensive voyages of Captain De Freycinet excited the curiosity of the English authorities in New South Wales, and caused them to fear French annexation. Indeed they not only feared for the western part of New Holland, but suspected that the French would make efforts to establish settlements on the northern and southern portions of it within the New South Wales line of demarcation. Governor Darling, who administered New South Wales' affairs, appears to have been put to much debate as to how to act, and as early as possible he communicated his fears to the English Government. He wrote, "it will not be easy to satisfy the French, if they are desirous of establishing themselves here, that there is any valid objection to their doing so on the west coast, and I therefore beg to suggest that the difficulty would be removed by a commission," which should describe "the whole territory as within the Government." English statesmen considered the danger of some importance, and Lord Bathurst instructed Darling to carefully watch the movements of the French, and, if advisable, establish settlements, especially at Sharks Bay or King George's Sound, and Western Port. Without loss of time the latter took steps to form three settlements—at Raffles Bay, Western Port, and King George's Sound. By so doing he believed that the French would be placed at a great disadvantage from the mere fact of the first landed having the first right. Expeditions were rapidly fitted out and placed in charge of naval officers. Similar instructions were given to all, mainly for their guidance if the French were met with. Thus, they were "to avoid any expression of doubt as to the whole of New Holland being within this Government, any division of it which may be supposed to exist under the designation of New South Wales being merely ideal, and intended only with a view of distinguishing the more settled part of the country. Should this explanation not prove satisfactory, it will be proper in that case to refer them to this Government for any further information they may require." And if the French be found on land, "you will, notwithstanding, land the troops (two officers with eighteen rank and file) agreeably to your instructions, and signify that their continuance with any view to establishing themselves, or colonisation, would be considered an unjustifiable intrusion on His Britannic Majesty's possessions."

Major Lockyer was placed in charge of a detachment of the 39th Regiment and a party of convicts, about seventy persons in all, designed for the King George's Sound Settlement. They sailed from Sydney on the 9th November, 1826. His Majesty’s ship Fly, with the colonial brigs Amity and Dragon, conveyed this and the Western Port expeditions. On the 25th December, Major Lockyer reached his destination, and planted the British flag on the mainland overlooking Princess Royal Harbour. The town of Albany is now built on the site. It is impossible to state the precise spot where the flag was hoisted, as some aver that it was at the foot of Mount Clarence, while others agree that it was under Mount Melville, a few hundred yards distant. Such divergence of opinion is unfortunate, for from this location the western part of New Holland was claimed as British Territory, and there, so far as settlement is concerned, is the most historical point of Western Australia. Happily, no foreign enemy was present to deny their right to land.

Like many officers of the beginning of the nineteenth century, Major Lockyer, of the 57th Regiment, was an explorer. He made country excursions from Sydney, and in 1825 landed from the Mermaid in Moreton Bay, and was therefore one of the first to explore parts of Queensland. After disembarking at what was officially termed the King George's Sound Settlement, he set to work to house his little community. Quarters were built for himself, the soldiers, and convicts, all close together, and in a spot commanding an excellent view of Princess Royal Harbour. A rounded hill lay directly opposite which hid the entrance, and to the right ran a dark wooded range of hills forming the western boundary of the harbour. The hills or mountains to the rear, upon the slopes of which Albany is built, afforded a splendid sight. Rising steep in places, the sides were covered with charming wild flowers, bracken, and other small growth. In the declivity between Mount Clarence and Mount Melville large eucalyptus trees grew, and among these stood huge granite outcrops and boulders of strange shapes making distinct land-marks. The soil around appeared fairly rich. The boats were moored just below their quarters, and in the remote settlement they had many strange experiences and passed a delightfully mild and genial summer.

Meanwhile some excitement was caused in Sydney shortly after these expeditions left by the arrival there of the L'Astrolabe in charge of Captain D'Urville. This vessel left France early in 1826, and later in the year reached the southern coast of Australia. After spending nearly the whole of the month of October in King George's Sound, she sailed on to Sydney. When she reached that locality Governor Darling considered it a fortunate circumstance that His Majesty's ships Warspite, Success and Volage were lying in the harbour, for they might make the captain of the corvette more