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82 prefer their modest claims to Compensation: and the fair and fertile territories heyond the Morumbidgee would he overwhelmed by a locust like swarm, without the shadow of a right to so enviable a preference.” No wonder that amidst such jealousy and prejudice, justice was denied to our Founders. At last, when the patience of our friends was ex hausted, and they had sold for a trifle their shares in the association, after paying all expenses, to Messrs. Swanston and Learmonth, it was adjudicated that the following compensation shall be made ;—the upset price, at five shillings an acre, was to be remitted upon the sale of Port Phillip land, up to the sum of £7000. At the sale of February 13th, 1838, held at Sydney, an agent bid on behalf of the association and purchased country lots from 47-54, 56-57, 59-60, situated to the westward of Geelong, for the sum of £7919 7s. “ ofwhich there were,” says the Sydney Gazette, “ 7000 allowed them in the first formation of the settlement.” The writer has the assurance of James Simpson, Esq., and Dr. Thomson, that the expenses altogether considerably exceeded the amount thus allowed off their purchase. But what has been done for Batman, the originator and leader of the movement ? It is true that he made money in the early days, and that before his death, in May 6th, 1839, he had secured much valu able property in Melbourne ; yet an imperfect will gave the wealth to lawyers, and his family were wholly neglected. As it is undeniable that to John Batman’s enterprize we owe the settlement of this won derful Colony, is it grateful, is it just, to disregard the memory of his services, and leave his very grave unnoticed ? While we bestow £5000 upon a person who discovered gold in another province, and thousands upon a lady who promoted emigration to the continent, can we not spare something for the memory of the Founder of the Colony? We would venture to hope, that in the good time coming, under our New Constitution, when all social evils are to be rectified, and all imaginable good is to be performed for Victoria, that one thing at least will be remembered,—Justice to Batman. n -
