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41 declaration of Arthur’s, that the free people were only viewed by the Government as “ materials for prison discipline.” The new Impound ing Law was most obnoxious, as by it all cattle were seized found upon unsold lands. This would soon reduce the amount of stock, and star vation was talked of. Added to this there was great commercial distress. Melville, though a warm partizan, goes so far as to write. “ The lamentable sight is to he witnessed of every other shop in the town being closed, and almost every man that is met in the street (except Government officers) being in an almost destitute state.” Those, therefore, who found a consolation as well as satisfaction in the belief of Providence, regarded the establishment'of the colony of Port Phillip as a boon from Heaven to Van Diemen’s Land in her hour of need. It is interesting again to indicate the connection between the two countries. Dr. Lang, in his “ Sydney Colonist” of that period thus refers to the event.—“ The very people (for the existing race of Tas manians are their representatives) who first took up their abode at Port Phillip for the purpose of founding a British Colony, were, after the lapse of this long interval, the first to discover and to correct their own error.” How was the new country to be settled ? It was of no use applying to the Governor of New South Wales. Some authorities said his ju risdiction did not extend thus far : and others, that he had no authority to help or hinder. To organize an establishment, force and capital were requisite. An Association was formed to carry out the views of Batman. Dr. Thomson, the present Mayor of Geelong, informed the writer that Governor Arthur was a prime mover in the affair, and actually selected the men most capable worthily to conduct this mis sion. Yet it is rather remarkable that afterwards we find him in correspondence opposed somewhat to the immediate object of the Asso ciation. But we know that Colonel Arthur was governed by state Policy, and like the crafty Queen Elizabeth of old, was often led by those principles into inconsistences of action. The names of the mem bers of the Association were, John Batman, Charles Swanston, J. T. Gellibrand, James Simpson, W. Arthur, George Mercer, John and William Robertson, John Helder Wedge, J. T. Collicott, J. Sinclair. A. Cotterell, W. G. Sams, M. Connolly, and T. Bannister. Capt, Swanston was then the leading partner of the Derwent Bank ; Hr. Simpson was Police Magistrate of Campbell Town; Mr. Sams the son.
