PREFACE. In presenting the first volume of a series on Australian Colonial History, the Author would claim the kind indulgence of the reader. The compilation of such a work was one of considerable difficulty. In the dearth of written authorities the materials had to be principally procured from oral testimony. Conscious of the liability to error in dependence upon such evidence, intelligent, conscientious and disinterested as it may be—collected from persons of both sexes, and of various stations and employments—he would claim forbearance for inadvertencies, and solicit corrections of mis-statements. A residence of only fifteen years in these Colonies prevented the Author speaking from personal experience of the events of this present history s but an esteemed friendship with some of the Fathers of the Settlement, many years reading and study of facts connected with Port Phillip progress, together with a close and lengthened investigation of Early Times amidst the scenes about which he writes, have given him considerable advantages in the preparation of this book. The historian who does not personally figure in the story he describes may be supposed to be the more free from prejudice and bias. The writer sincerely avows his honest desire to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, in the spirit of Christian candour and charity. In the discharge of such a duty he may occasionally appear to pass over the threshold of private life ; but it must be remembered that the early history of an infant Colony embraces no narrative of bloody battles, or political contests, but is little more than a family record—men of humble name being the heroes of the drama. The present work brings us down to the appointment of Mr. Latrobe as Superintendent, October 1st, 1839. At some early opportunity the second volume will be published, detailing the great prosperity and sudden decline of the youthful settlement,—the Good and Bad Times of Port Phillip. It was intended to have included a notice of the Aborigines in this volume ; but so interesting a subject was found too extensive for so limited a space. Within a month, a Sketch of the Natives will appear, under the title of “ The Wild White Man, and his Port Phillip Black Friends.” Most gratefully would the Author acknowledge the assistance of Old Colonists, the courtesy of Mr. Ridgeway of the Council Library, and the kindness of Mr. Westgarth in revising the work. Boroondara Boarding School, near Melbourne, May 12th, 1856.
