Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1856 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER V. THE SUCCESSFUL SETTLEMENT OF PORT PHILLIP, BATMAN AND Gellibrand's APPLICATION. The proximity of Western Port to Launceston, its readiness of access at all times, and its perfect safety, caused it to be well known tc the Strait traders; and, as sailors' descriptions are much influenced by their own impulsive character, and as their knowledge of the qualities of soils is not equal to their experience at the rudder, we easily comprehend why that district was long the fabled land of brilliant visions, --the hope and object of colonial enterprise, and why, like the apple of Sodom, in the moment of possession, its beauty and richnesschanged to worthlessness and disgust. Even before the settlement under captain Wright, in 1826, parties had contemplated a location in this Elysium. In about 1824, according to the information afforded the writer by Mr. Mclntyre, on the Yarra, three persons resident at the South Esk, Van Diemen's Land, formed an association to run sheep at Western Port. They were Messrs. Wm. Gray, of Avoca, Fielding and Forbes. The removal of the first named gentleman to India frustrated the design. Mr. John Gardiner, also one of our early colonists, mentions that the American Robinson, as he was called, gave much valuable information relative to various parts on our southern coast about the year 1827, and urgently recommended the occupation of so fine a country. The first private individuals who sought, in a proper and legitimate manner, to establish themselves on our shores were Joseph Tice Gellibrand and John Batman. The former was Ex-Attorney-General of Van Diemen's Land; a man greatly interested in the subject, and to whom, in fact, much of the merit of ultimate success in the colonization of Port Phillip maybe..
