246 EXPEDITION TO PORT ESSINGTON. 



its destination became known in the colony, several 

 persons came forward as volunteer-settlers, and ex- 

 pressed the greatest anxiety to be allowed to accom- 

 pany the expedition. Their views extended to the 

 establishment of a trade with the islands in the 

 Arafura sea ; and certainly they would have been 

 far more likely to draw forth the resources of the 

 country, than a garrison, whose supplies are brought 

 to them from a distance, whose presence holds out 

 no inducement to traders, and who are not impelled 

 by any anxiety for their own support to discover the 

 riches of the soil. For these reasons the determina- 

 tion of Government not to throw open the lands, and 

 their refusal to hold out the promise of protection 

 to the individuals who expressed a desire to accom- 

 pany the expedition, are greatly to be regretted. In a 

 vast continent like Australia, so remarkably destitute 

 of fixed inhabitants, it would seem that every en- 

 couragement should be afforded to persons desirous 

 of locating themselves on unoccupied tracts. There 

 is a great difference besides, between giving rise to 

 delusive hopes — inducing people as it were under 

 false pretences to repair to new settlements — and 

 checking the spirit of colonization when it mani- 

 fests itself. Every young establishment must go 

 through a certain process. It is necessary that some 

 should pioneer the way for others ; and endure 

 hardships the beneficial results of which may be 

 enjoyed only by their successors. Had advantage 

 been taken of the enterprising spirit that prevailed 

 at the time of which I speak, the germs of a fresh 



