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Northern Star (1837-1852), 4th September 1852, Edition 2 of 2, Page 4, Ifekiiid

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      United Statks. • Our American Correspond...

      tctucture , " if ornaments of " precious glittering gold" should indnd a place in our drawing-rooms , instead of alabaster vases , nd nd orniulu clocks and candelabra . There is , however , little irohrobability of this wholesale employment of gold ; but should fcs sts supply greatly increase , we think it would scarcely be unikeikely that silver might take its place as the most valuable . ^ VWhile gold has been discovered m so many new region s , the ; upiupply of silver has scarcely increased beyond the regular demamand and we can imagine many stranger things than that the

      jecsecond precious metal might eventually become the first . Among ; Lhethe nations of antiquity a species of fine brass was , we know , mcmore highly prized for ornaments than gold itself ; and the In lmost priceless value of the Corinthian metal is familiar to evevery reader . ~ Now , let silver become scarce in proportion as gogold becomes plentiful , and the personal ornaments and the mcmore costly plate will be made of the paler metal . When last yeyear we contemplated that gorgeous and beautiful display of I . /; vessels of gold and silver " in the Great Exhibition , we were

      foiforcibly struck with the actual superiority in uchcate beauty of of the silver plate . The chaste richness of the polished surface cocontrastiug with , and throwing out the delicate pearly whifceneness of the frosted portions ; and the pure " no colour , " of the dedead silver , so admirably adapted to give eflbcfc to the minutest totouches , impressed us most forcibly , as wo believe it did more cccompetent judges , with the great superiority of silver . These remarks , however , are but in parenthesis—for the probability of this excessive supply of gold is , indeed , a very n remote contingency . Neither the produce of the California !! n mines , nor of the Australian have , up to the present time , much L lowered the price of gold ; and even should they continue to

      -y yield their precious stores in an abundance sufheient to meet t the expectations of the most sanguine , we must bear in mind t that gold has attractions for every nation , and that from the c east , and west , and farthest north , thousands will press to the j gold ' fields . The latest news from California has told us , that a < continual stream of population was setting in from China to-- wards that region of gold ; and advices from Sydney inform us ' how the American diggers from California are entering her port by hundreds , doubtless soon to be followed by the Chinese , who , timid and plodding as they appear , possess great perseverance and industry ; and , as wo are informed both by Dr . liowring and Mr . White—who , as the agent for free labour in the West

      Indies , had ample opportunities for forming Ins opinion—possess also a spirit of combination , which , under certain conditions , render them even formidable . « CJ ^ .

      52 ;The Stae Of Freedom. September 4,185...

      52 ; THE STAE OF FREEDOM . September 4 , 1852 .

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      Ix The Course Of The Present Year, Mr. T...

      Ix the course of the present year , Mr . Tohncr , commissioner of police , at Adelaide , started from that town in compliance with instructions received by him from the colonial government , for the purpose of endeavouring to discover a shorter and better route between Adelaide and the Victoria diggings than that which had been adopted previously . Some extracts from his journal have appeared in the Australian papers . He overtook

      numerous parties travelling overland in almost every description of vehicle ; many were on foot , advancing with a firm step and head erect , as if determined to face and surmount whatever hardships might cross their path . At a ferry across the Murray river no less than 1 , 234 passengers , 1 , 266 horses and bullocks , and 164 carriages of all descriptions passed during the month of February ; the fees collected were 64 / . 14 s . 2 d | . ^ In the ' course of his journal lie remarks : —n .

      " The country through which I rode tliis day surpasses everything I have met with in South Australia ; vast extensive plains , with luxurious herbage , every where meets the eye : these are intersected by belts of fine timber of all kinds . In crossing one of the plains saw a mob of wild cattle ; no sooner did they perceive us than they started off , tearing over the ground and raising such clouds of dust , one might have imagined a herd of buffaloes . Came across old sheep tracks , but could not spare time to look for the station . * * * * * a

      Saddled the horses and started , keeping my old course ; heard the bark of a dog , and on going towards it found that we had encamped within a mile of one of Major Firebrace's out stations ( sheep ) , here there is a permanent spring of splendid water . Heat of the sun dreadful . Reached a deserted sheep station , found water near the hut ; distance from our camp 15 miles . Our course then took an E . S . E . direction , across a heath , sandy , and bad travelling . Mount Aarapiles bearing S . E , followed the beaten track , and entered some scrub ; slow travelling , heavy sand . This , I regret to say , continued for fifteen miles . I have since been informed that ten miles of this heavy part of

      the road can be avoided by continuing same course at the sheep station , and not turning to the E . S . E ., as I was directed to do hy the hut-keeper at Major Firebrace ' s station . By following the line which I now indicate , Mr . Patterson ' s station on the Wimmera will be made , and from thence a track will be found leading to the village of Horsham , which is on the direct route to Mount Alexander ( see map ) . After leaving the scrub we came out into some open country , near two salt hikes , Mount Arapiles distant ten miles . Entered some thickly-timbered country , well grassed , halted for two hours to refresh the horses at some water which we found in a swamp on the left of the road : ten

      minutes after , resuming our journey , crossed the Wimmera river . This is a fine stream , not unlike the Onkaparinga , near Hahudorf ; the holes are , however , considerably larger and deeper . Some I daresay measure 30 yards in breadth and from 200 to BOO in length ; the soil on either bank , for miles , cannot , I am satisfied , be anywhere surpassed for its fertility and richness . * * * * Up by the break of day ; felt much refreshed , having slept soundly all night ; effected a good start at half-past six o ' clock ; readied through a beautiful valley , with a creek meandering through it ; the country then became undulating , exceedingly beautiful and romantic ; the rising slopes

      and valleys studded here and there with shrubs of every description amongst which I noticed the silver wattle , or Van Dieman ' s Land acacia , predominating . Passed Mr . M'Kinnon ' s sheep-station , nine miles ; country more hilly , densely timbered ; the stringy bark , blue and white gum , box , and many other trees familiar to a South Australian , are found in the hills . Crossed a creek near the station of . I could not help remarking that the water in all the creeks , as I get nearer and

      nearer to Mount Alexander , is of a singularly dark colour , perfectly clear , however , when taken out , and sweet tasted . Query—can this be an indication of gold ? During the day passed through open forest land , plains , and now and then densely-timbered flats of from three to four miles in extent . Made Mr . Bucknall's station ; crossed a large creek a few hundred yards below the house . The country here , as we emerged from the thick timber , changed like magic . Hills appeared in our front , extending to the right and left for miles—grassy , but perfectly bare of a single tree ; these again were hounded to the

      Ix The Course Of The Present Year, Mr. T...

      east and south-east by a more distant remarkable high-peacked range , to all appearance of the same character . Turning the head to the north-east , a ridge thickly wooded , similar to that already described , is seen , behind which rises the already farfamed Mount Alexander ; entered the thick wood seen some time back ; again emerged into a large plain , crossing which we came to the river Loddon , where the diggings commence—thus accomplishing the journey between the Murray and it in eight days . * * * * Visited Forest Creek and Adelaide Gully ; conversed with many of the South Australian gold

      seekers , and informed them of the purport of my visit ; shortly after it was made known throughout the diggings that I had arrived . I was met hy crowds , who expressed their delight at the success which I had had in making so quick a journey , at the news I was the bearer of , and at the establishment of a mounted escort to convey the gold to Adelaide . I have since been assurred that hundreds will remit their hard-earned earnings by the present escort , and will so continue if it be regularly established , instead of having to send it to Melbourne or otherwise dispose of it at a shameful loss to agents who reside at the mines . "

      VICTORIA . _ Messrs . Dickson , Gilchrist , and Co ., of Melbourne , in their circular issued on the 31 st March , say : In August last year , when the first actual discovery of gold fields was made in Victoria , the market was over-supplied with almost every article of import . That discovery had at first a very depressing influence on trade ; the labour market was com pletely deranged , great numbers of working men abandoned their usual occupations , both in town and country ; there was

      a very general fear that the old interests , those of the wool growers , on which the prosperity of the colony had depended , would bo ruined . The retailers in the towns were afraid to buy anything , and during August , September , October , and November , very little business could be done . In December , however , we began to receive large accessions of our population from the neighbouring colonies ;' many of the successful gold diggers returned to town and spent their winnings freely . It was discovered that the old interests would not suffer so much as was

      dreaded at first , and trade rapidly revived , so that in the beginning of January it was in a more satisfactory state than it had been in for many years . This state of things still continues , numbers , of people arrive here every week , the production of gold is very great , and money is , consequently , very abundant . The gold diggers , as a class , spend their money very extravagantly , and the consumption of malt liquors and spirits is enormous . The demand for the finer articles of male and female

      apparel , especially the latter , has very much increased . The only articles of imports which have fallen in value are timber , iron , nails , and other building materials ; these have been affected by the total cessation of building ; but as , from the crowded state of the town , new buildings must soon be erected at whatever cost , we think these articles will soon rise in value . Wc may observe that this improvement in trade , and greatly increased consumption of goods , have not been attended by such excessive prices as might have been anticipated , as immense quantities of goods of all descriptions have been , and continue to be , poured in from all the neighbouring colonies .

      lhe interests of ship owners have suffered very seriously by the state of the labour market . Ships have been detained much longer than usual by the delay and difficulty both in discharging and loading ; expenses of all kinds have been increased in nearly every case , and entirely new crews have to be shipped , as it is impossible to prevent sailors from deserting to the diggings , and impossible to apprehend them when they have got off . New crews generally get from 401 . to 601 . per man for the run

      home , and many of them demand and obtain the whole in cash before they will raise the anchor ; these increased expenses have been , to some extent , met by an advance of ' 33 £ per cent . on last season ' s rates of freight , and by the gold freight . We think ship owners ought not to calculate on a continuation of the gold freight , as no gold will be shipped by ordinary merchant vessels , if steamers or government ships can be got .

      More Gold Fields . —When the long line of the descendants of Banquo passed in visionary show before Macbeth , he came at last to the conclusion that he had seen quite enough , and in a style more vehement than polite , insisted that the witches should change the exhibition . All attractive as gold is , one would suppose that readers of newspapers would get tired of it , and long for a change of topics . But still gold is gold— a positive fact ; and everybody would like to have gold—which is another positive fact ; therefore , we treat our readers to all the news obtainable . With respect to the discovery of additional gold fields , we are told by Mr . Edward Khull , bullion broker , of

      Melbourne , in his gold circular , that a sample of the most beautiful gold that has ever appeared in this colony reached Melbourne this week by post , from a new gold field , near the Ovens River . It is on Reid's Creek , 16 miles in length , the bed of which is filled with the auriferous deposit . There is no digging , it is all surface washing , and the gold produced is as fine as the finest gunpowder . A large sample with more particular information is promised next post , which , if it arrive , will be

      duly noticed . The quantity of gold by the escort this week has increased over that of last week by 1000 ounces . Were a branch escort put on from Bendigo Creek to the head com missioner ' s tent , the weekly amount sent would be 20 , 000 ozs . This statement is made on the authority of one of the most experienced of the gold commissioners . There is a report that such a branch escort is to be put on , and the sooner the better , as the Government are losing a large income from the want of

      it , by the diggers bringing their gold from Bendigo Creek direct to Melbourne . Again , while convicts from Van Diemen ' s Land are pouring into Victoria , efforts are making to retain them by the continued alleged existence of gold fields in Van Diemen ' s Land . We are informed that in the neighbouring colony , the Government has issued , a proclamation , warning all people against digging for gold in the neighbourhood of Pinealwithout

      , being duly authorised by her Majesty ' s colonial government ; but notifies that such regulations as may be found expedient will be published from time to time as circumstances may require . The II . T . Advertiser observes it is merely precautionary , and intended to assert the Royal authority , being in no degree required by any success on the part of the prospectors . —Geelong Advertiser .

      Gold in Van Dieman ' s Land . —Dr . Ward writes from Filial : — " Many excavations have been made and carried down nine or ten feet , but the parties finding that they had got below the tract of the superficial deposit have not the patience to dig down to the deeper and richer deposits which in all probability lay beneath the slate . It is absolutely necessary to do this in order to test the richness of the treasure which nature laid in store myriads of ages since , for the use of that future being for whom was designed the sovereignty of a more perfect world " Mr Mac Naughtan , the merchant , has received from a party at Fmgal , a small quantity of gold in nuggets , worth about the sum of U . —the result ol the work of eight hours .

      Ix The Course Of The Present Year, Mr. T...

      Chinese Slaves in Australia !—We are informed upon ff 0 oi authortitie , and we do not for a moment doubt the fact tli-S very recently , from six to eight China men were sold by miLHo auction to the highest bidder . These were purchased— . purchased by some whiskerandoes , who immediatel y afte / th ' eale , hurried them off into the distant bush . If this he trne ° and we have every reason for believing it , this is open undisguised slavery . The Government , in our opinion , is bound to inquire into the matter . —Sidney Peoples ' Advocate .

      A Suggestion for tub Australian League . —Since one very obvious coarse to get rid of Transportation is to send back some of England , s felons to her own bosom , we beg to suggest to the League the propriety of placarding the streets of every town in the Colonies with some such advertisement as the following ;—" A capital chance for Convicts ! Fees for Felons !! Bonuses for Burglars !!! Any money for Murderers under extemiatinocircumstances !!!! Wanted by the Anti-Transportation Lean-ue about Twenty First-rate Felons , to whom handsome premiums

      will be given , in addition to a free passage and everything that can add to the comfort of a Thorough Scoundrel during a voyage to England . Perfect liberty guaranteed upon arrival in Loudon . None need apply but those who can show testimonials of thoroughly had character , who have mastered all the different degrees of crime , and established a reputation for desperate criminality . Atrocity , brutality , ferocity , and complete depravity , are indispensable qualifications . The candidates must have an intimate knowledge of goal life , and a decided predilection for handcuffs and branding-irons . If with marks on tho

      wrist and ancles , and blue stripes on the back so much the better . Each candidate must have served at least fourteen years at compulsory Government employment ; and it will he an especial recommendation if he has had experience in hanging . Gentlemen of the above description will hear of a first-rate chance by applying in person to the Secretary . " —Argus .

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      Scarcity Of Labour. Complaints Are Becom...

      SCARCITY OF LABOUR . Complaints are becoming very general of a deficiency of agricultural labour , and , as a pleasant consequence to such as have not yet made up their minds to abandon the old country , a scale of wages has been adopted in many districts , far exceeding the ordinary rates of payment . In the midland counties the demand for men can hardly bo supplied ; and in more than one case the wages have been as high as half-a-crown a-day— " a rate which has been reached within the memory of few . " In the north , too , " labourers are very scarce , and , high as wages are , fanners find it no easy matter to obtain the number of hands required to cut down the ripe grain . "

      EMIGRATION FROM THE NORTH . The Banner of Ulster says , — " About 30 of the passengers by the Great Britain steamer , which sailed for Australia last week , were from Belfast and its neighbourhood , chiefly young men of respectable connections . " THE SIX-MILE BRIDGE AFFAIR . The Daily Express , which is regarded as the organ of the Irish government , announces that on Saturday last the Attorney-General directed proceedings to be taken against the Rev . John

      Burke and the Rev . Michael dune , preparatory to a prosecution for seditious riot and inciting to an assault on the Queen ' s troops when in execution of their duty at Six-Mile Bridge . Other parties are also , it is said , to be prosecuted , and indictments for perjury will be preferred against several witnesses at the inquest . It is further announced that a prosecution is to he instituted against the proprietor and publisher of the Anglo-Celt newspaper , for libellous publications on the 31 st regiment , in reference to the affray at Six-Mile Bridge .

      The adjourned inquest on the body of Michael Molony , who died in the hospital of Limerick from the effect of wounds received during the riot at Six-Mile Bridge , was brought to a conclusion on Saturday , after an investigation which lasted four days , The jury found a verdict of " manslaughter" against eight soldiers of the 31 st regiment . The soldiers have been admitted to bail .

      THE POTATOE . The Traiee Chronicle gives a most alarming account of the failure of the potatoe throughout the whole of the countv of Kerry . It is calculated that the loss will fall very little , if anything short of the disastrous year of 1847 .

      PROGRESS OF THE HARVEST . The Belfast Newsletter reports as follows : — ^ " Reaping of wheat , barley , and oats goes on in all the earlier districts without intermission , as the days arc unusually fine and the weather warm , and well adapted for ripening the grain . Wheat is stated to turn out , in yield and quantity , superior to i what had generally been anticipated , while oats and barley are ! in all cases superior crops . There have been some heavy ' showers of rain over night during the last week , particularly hi \ the former part of it . The succeeding dayshowever , being »

      , dry , no unfavourable result was experienced , and reaping went t on without any interruption , further than would have been occa- lsioned by a heavy fall of dew . The potatoe crop continues to o excite some anxiety in various districts , and the reports with h respect to the progress of the disease are still in some degree 26 conflicting . Much of what is stated may , however , be taken as m the effusions of interested speculators ; and , in not a few cases , : s , the sensitiveness of the tanners lead them to exaggerate con- u-

      siderably in the representations they put forward . The fact is is there is at the present moment pleasing indications that the he disease is generally arrested in its progress , and , the crop being ng in most cases far advanced in ripeness , there is not the lcastist doubt , should no further sudden attack be experienced , and the he state of the weather continues favourable , that a large p ropor-ortion of the produce will remain sound , and of a very superiors quality . "

      The Banquet to Sharman Crawford . —The banquet giveiven . by the friends and admirers of Mr . W . Sharman Crawford t < H to > that gentleman , at Nowtownards , took place on Monday , tuuhiuii according to the descriptions given of it , was a very efthctivitivc : manifestation of opinion on the subject of tenant-rig ht . The Government Prosecutions . —The Limerick Reporter lias iia « the following :- " The Rev . J . Bourkc , P . P ., Cratlee , proceeMen to Six-mile-bridgc this day , where it was intimated that ! W would be taken for his appearance at Ennisasmcs toa ^ wn the indictment of having headed a seditious riot . ti , c -Vp > p Mr . Bourkc was accompanied by the Ecv . Mr . N ^ mui , J >• • < - Cappaghwhite ; Mr . Michael Quinn ; Mr . J . T- Devitt , J . J-. Jand Mr . M . Lenihan . The Kev . Mr . Clu « e , P . P ., ^ f ^ bridge ; Mr . D . J . Wilson ; the Rev . Mn O'Shaug buessy , < . m . ^ j Callaghan ' s-mills , & c , were in the village . Mr . \ Y . I j . J ° JW solicitor , in the absence of Mr . O ' Donnell , p rofessional advibCyibC ,

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 4, 1852, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_04091852/page/4/