HISTORY OF THE COLONYOF QUEENSLAND FR0KI11770 TO TILE CLOSE OF TILE YEAR 1881. IN TWO VOLUMES. BY WILLIAM COOTE. VOLUME I. FROM 1770 TO THE SEPARATION OF THE D ISTRICT OF MORETON BAY FROM NEW SOUTH WALES, AND ITS CONSTITUTION AS A SEPARATE COLONY IN DECEMBER, 1859. BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND : PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM THORNE, EDWARD AND ADELAIDE STREETS. MDCCCLXXXII. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ) Cotfje Memori OF HER THE Loss OF WHOSE THOUGHTFUL COUNSEL AND LOVING HELP IS A LIFE-LONG REGRET, I DEDICATE THIS BOOK. This is a blank page 155° • 5 x! T *:: GULF OF I 4' / ££ A.U,1859 , / k\ CARPENT RIA C 11 f I 6 yW9, e 1 -1 "" I 3,H.,vv I 4b 1 1 ti, v I Q `a I . k i Pstr' Ih ' 1 N/TCf/ELL ' fsOS t I 1 Bey e \ \ e \ \ .,4, OC8 Iv MP N _____ t h .. k M R OUGH• I`(N ante to de 9 1 cj, flu. '\ 17( /! 1 i . • , \ L , 1t PPPrp I s ools'NS \ `: f. w} , Ep \ i J s / 1f •.i f 1 , , SOUTH AUSTRA LI A 1 rcy 1 I w 1 • i ' '4 '' i ,u p rl.nd'er Oa R , •F ;" • I I Cud •/' 1 1 N W BOUT WALES \\ i ' a 0 1' O° ff'Cate. /rn' :e/ CONTENTSTOVOLUME I. CHAPTER I. 1770-1824. PAGE. Connection of past with present History-Original cause of Settlement-Cook's Voyage to EasternAush°alia-Flinders' first.Voyage in 1799-Hissecond Voyage and Exam- inationof Moreton Bay in 1801-King's Voyage in1820-Oxley's Search after a Site for a Penal Establishment-His alleged Discovery of the Brisbane River in Moreton Bay in 1823-Determination by the Government of New South Wales to form a Con- vict Settlement in the Bay .. .. .. .. .. I CHAPTER II. 1824-1839. General Character of Penal Establishments-First Settlement of Convicts in 1824-Logan's Government-Allan Cunningham's Discovery of the Darling Downs in 1827- Logan's settlement of Ipswich-Cunningham's Discovery of the Route from the Coast over the Dividing Range to the Interior-Murder of Logan-Visit of the "Friends" Backhouse and Walker in 1835-Dr. Lang's Establishment of the Mo- ravian Mission to the Aborigines- Withdrawal of the Prisoners and preparation for a Free Settlement .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 CHAPTER III. 1839-1843. Brisbane at the termination of the Penal Era-Surveying Operations and Murder of Stapylton-Formation of Squatting Stations on the Downs-Stokes' Voyage to the Gulf of Carpentaria in 1840-Proclamation of the whole District as a Free Settle- ment in May, 1842-Governor Gipps' Visit in 1842, and Plans for Brisbane and Ipswich by his direction-Discouragement by him of the Moravian-The Roman Catholic Mission to the Aborigines-Failure of both Missions-First Land Sale in 1842-First Representative Institutions granted to New South Wales-First Election -Progress of Settlement-Poisoning of the Aborigines .. .. .. .. .. 29 vi. CONTENTS. CHAPTER IV. 1843-1846. PAGS. Passage of the Preferable Liens Act-Invention of the Boiling Down Process-Agitation for Exploring Journey to Port Essington-Refusal by Governor Gipps-Leichhardt Volunteers-Starts on his Journey in 1844-Arrives at Port Essington, 7845- Return to Sydney and Presentation of Testimonial-Establishment of The Brisbane Cou ri er-Census of the Settlement-First Customs Officer Appointed-First Local CHAPTER V. 1846-1847. Proposed New Northern Colony for Reformed Convicts at Port Curtis-Failure in Disem- barkation-Abandonment of the Undertaking-Recall of Sir George Gipps, and Arrival of Sir Charles Fitzroy-Origin of the Australian Crown Lands System, and the " Orders in Council "-The Transportation System, and influence of Scarcity of Labour in Gaining Support for it in the District-Attempt to procure Coolie Labour -First Suggestion of "Separation "-Social Progress and Condition-Sir Thomas Mitchell's Discoveries-Kennedy's First-Leichhardt's Last Expedition-Courts of Petty Sessions Established-Character of the Settlers Vindicated .. .. .. 6e CHAPTER VI. 1848-1850. Earl Grey's Despatch on the Proposed Constitution for New South Wales-The New Elections-Progress of the District-Troubles with the Blacks-Californian Gold Discovery-Dr. Lang and his Emigration Plans-The "Fortitude," "Chasely," and "Lima "-Dr. Lang's Character as (Kffecting his Success-Paucity of other Immi- gration-Renewal of Modified Transportation and its Results-The Privy Council Scheme for Australian Constitutions-The Local Trade-Last Exploration and Deathof Kennedy .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 89 CHAPTER VII. 1850-1851. Arrival of more Convicts-Condemnation of the Transportation System by the New South Wales Legislature-The Second Australian Constitution - The Singapore Route-Establishment of Circuit Courts-Validity of "Calabashes "-Industrial and Social Progress-Ravages by the Blacks-Agitation on Transportation-Dis- covery of Gold in New South Wales-Effect on the District-Cotton Cultivation- Improvement of the Port of Brisbane-Further Ravages by the Blacks-Census of 1851-Export Trade .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 113 CONTENTS. Vii. CHAPTER VIII. 1852. Peas. aorta at Gold Discovery and Cotton Cultivation - The Separation and Transportation Questions-Unanimous Abandonment of the Transportation Cause- Opposition of the New South Wal es Government to Separation - Hely 's Expedition in Search of Leichhardt - Social P rogress- The Natives - Local Industries - Aforeton Bay Steam Navigation Company-Rainfall and Temperature .. .. .. .. .. 183 CHAPTER IX. 1853-1854. Contemptuous Treatment of the District in the New South Wales Legislative Council- Curious Election - Progress of the New Constitution Bill - Trade and Industry-- Swindling Auriferous Speculation - Disput es as to the Capital-Export Trade- Immigration - The Rev . W. B. Clarke' s Geological Tour-Public Land Saks and Estimates - Earl Grey on the Land Laws - Administration and Crime - Progress of Industry in 1854 -Murder of Mr. Strange .. .. .. .. .. 147 CHAPTER X. 1855. Local Animosities-Sir C. Fitzroy's Recall and Appointment of Sir William Denison- Opening of the Legislative Council-Opposition to Separation in New South Wales -Exertions of Mr. Wilkes in its behalf Immigration- Ecclesiastical Progress- Crimean Patriotic Fund-The Blacks and the Native Police-Port Curtis-Bridge over the Brisbane-Survey of the Port-Legal Delays-First Direct Shipment to London-Brisbane Botanic Gardens-Public Land Sales and Oz vial Commissions- Local Movements-Wool Sales Charges-Exports-Starting of A. C. Gregory's First Expedition .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 169 CHAPTER XI. 1856. Initiation of Parliamentary Government in New South Wales-First Responsible Min- istry in Australia-Ministerial Changes-The Separation Movement-Sir William Denison's Adverse Report-Mr. Labouchere and Mr. Hodgson-Mr. Darvall's In- temperate Language-Imperial Determination in favour of Separation-Attempt in New South Wales to retain the Clarence and Richmond River Districts-Mr. E. Deas Thompson's Recantation-Industrial Progress - Harbour Improvement-Captain Towns and Decency of Burial-A. C. Gregory's First Expedition .. .. .. 189 viii . CONTENTS. CHAPTER XII. 1857-1859. PAGE. Delays in tie Final Adjustment of Separation-Constitution of a Branch of the Supreme Court at Moreton Bay-Transfer of Judge Milford and Appointment of Judge Lutwyche-Elections under the new Electoral Act-Assessment Act and Opposition thereto-Formation of Municipalities-Mr. Robertson's Introduction of Free Selec- tion into his Land Policy-The Canoona Goldfield - Its Failure-Rockhampton Proclaimed a Township - Industrial Progress - Social Movement - Journalistic Changes-A. C. Gregory's Search for Tracks of Leichhardt-Overland Journey to Adelaide-Dalrymple's Examination of the Burdekin Country-Rumoured Act of Parliament to Legalize Separation-Order in Council Creating the New Colony of Queensland - The Boundaries Unsatisfactory - Settlement of Debt and Form of Government-Initiatory Measures for Formation of the Legislature-Inequitable Apportionment of the Electorates-Preparation for the Reception of the New Gov- ernor .. 209 CHAPTER XIII. RECAPITULATION AND REVIEW. Area and Population-Increase in Numbers from 1846 to 1860-Wealth-Pastoral, Mu- nicipal , Agricultural, and Landed Property -State of Agriculture-Growth of Trade from 1849 to 1859, inclusive -State of Manufactures-Banking Establish- ments and Transactions-Civil Government: Its Form, Departments, and Numbers Employed-Public Expenditure-Social Condition: Public Institutions , Difficulty of Intercourse, the Press, Amusements, Crime-Educational System-General Eccle- siastical Statistics and Systems-Laws in Force as to State Aid to Religion-The Respective Churches and Denominations: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Wesleyan, Independent, Baptist, and others - General Observations and Con- 229 PREFACE. FiFN years form a long space in a man's lifetime ; and during so many I have been from time to time collecting and collating materials, and en- deavouring to accomplish the publication of the history which is now sub- mitted to the public. Four years since a portion was published in one of our local journals ; but failing health, and inability to use my right hand, prevented its completion at the time ;-a circumstance which, however I may have suffered from its causes, I cannot say that I regret. Time has been afforded for revision, for additional information, and for the correction of conclusions which, although not hastily formed, prove to have been arrived at upon insufficient basis. Nevertheless, the diligence with which facts had been sought out, and the care with which their alleged authenti- city was sifted, were, at the time I allude to, admitted by those most e»- titled to express an opinion on such matters ;-the few who, having taken an active part in the foundation of the colony, survived to witness the changes which more than a quarter of a century has effected in its position, and a growth flattering enough to the people, but owing more to the benefi- cence of Providence than the foresight or wisdom of man. The division of the history into two parts was not decided upon with- out careful consideration. Necessarily the growth of the colony before and since its separation from New South Wales differs in essential points ,•-a difference not so much due to mere alteration in the administration of gov- ernment as is sometimes supposed.