Transcription of the Diary of John Basson Humffray

J.B. Humffray Journal 1853-54

including the Diary of his Voyage on the “Star of the East” July –September 1853

Transcribed by Ted Maidment from the original held at the Gold Museum, Ballarat.

Foreword

On Saturday November 11th, 1854, just three weeks before the Eureka event, there was a meeting of about 10,000 miners at Bakery Hill in Ballarat. This meeting adopted a Charter of Democratic Rights as put forward by secretary/spokesman of the “Ballarat Reform League”, John Basson Humffray. This Charter was submitted to Governor of the Colony of Victoria, Sir Charles Hotham.

Over the next few weeks a series of events occurred, including the killing of James Scobie, the burning of the Eureka Hotel and the arrival of troop reinforcements. On November 29th there was another mass meeting of the miners, who were told that the Charter was effectively rejected, and so turned from the pathway of conciliation to the alternative of taking arms under Peter Lalor, leading in turn to the Eureka event on December 3rd. While not denying in any way the significance of Eureka, it by no means confined the Charter – and Humffray - to insignificance. To the contrary, it became the basis upon which the miners’ democratic rights were put into law, and is recognised by being added in 2004 to the UNESCO Memory of the World Register as one of Australia’s most fundamental National documents.

While Humffray, the Secretary of the League, separated himself from the Eureka conflict, he was, along with Lalor, elected as an MLC for Ballarat to the Parliament in 1855. With the franchise extended, he was elected as MLA at the end of 1856 for the electorate of North Grant, and was re-elected under changed boundaries for East Ballarat in 1859. He lost his place in 1864, was re-elected in 1868, but lost the next two attempts in 1871 and 1874. His life ended in comparative obscurity and poverty and he died in 1891. He was buried, as he wished, in the Ballarat Old Cemetery close to the Diggers Memorial.

Despite his fall from prominence, his part in shaping democracy in Victoria cannot be overlooked. That this young man was able to speak in public and put forward the Charter, written in his own fair hand, only a little more than a year after arriving in the Colony, is quite remarkable. It is known that he was born in Newton, Montgomeryshire, Wales; his father was a master weaver and the family was actively involved in the Chartist Movement. In 1853, at the age of 30, he left his home in Shrewsbury, his wife, and a career as an articled clerk to a solicitor, to journey, with his young brother Frederick, to seek his fortune on the other side of the world. He embarked on the Star of the East, under Captain Robertson, on July 7th 1853, and arrived in Melbourne on September 22nd, and after a short period in Melbourne made his way to Ballarat.

The Journal transcribed here, currently held as part of the Ballarat Historical Society collection, is a now-uncovered, unlined, quarto-sized book which J. B. Humffray has written under a number of headings. The majority of the material was written during the voyage on the Star of the East, with some few items being added during his first year in Victoria. The major segment is the Shipboard Diary, but there are also entries which include philosophical and religious reflections, drafts of shipboard ‘papers’, rules for shipboard conduct, rules for setting up a mining group on arrival, a vote of thanks to the Captain, complaints concerning the shipping agent and a very interesting funeral oration.

The calligraphy of what is written is varies from easy to read to almost impossible, and size from minute to very large. The physical conditions would have played a considerable part in this problem. Some of the non-Diary material appears as draft copies from which final copies were presumably made. This means that the vast majority of the content is private in nature, and therefore not intended for anyone else. A further complication is in the occasional use of shorthand, at least some of which I am told is a very early form of Pitman – this would be a probably be a skill Humffray employed in his career as an articled solicitors’ clerk. Blank spaces where he apparently intended to fill in the missing words or finish a sentence, or add a sketch, are again frustrating and may be the result of faded pencil work. Other ‘gaps’ are caused by indecipherable writing or by shorthand which the team has been unable to translate.

Concerning the shorthand, I would acknowledge the assistance given by Nancy Beecham, Annabelle Anderson and others from the North Coast of NSW. This very early version of shorthand, combined with the problems of shipboard motion, made this a very difficult task and the words painstakingly unravelled are a positive contribution to what Humffray was telling.

I would also acknowledge the help, encouragement, and forbearance of the Thursday morning Team of the Gold Museum Society and of Elizabeth Trudgeon of Ballarat Historical Society who first faced me with the document and has as Editor of their Journal kept a regular eye on progress.

This transcription is offered in the hope that it will provide a better insight into the character of John Basson Humffray and the conditions under which he came to play such a significant part in the formation of democracy of the Colony of Victoria, and ultimately the Commonwealth of Australia. Concerning the transcription.

I have endeavoured to maintain the integrity of Humffray’s spelling – not always correct, without resorting to sic - and punctuation, but have not preserved the use of ‘f’ instead of ‘s’ in some of the words Italics indicate that an ‘informed’ guess has been made; there are grey areas between guess and reasonable certainty and between guess and giving up – the decisions were mine. Words which I found Indecipherable are designated ...... Blank spaces are designated using X X X X X Shorthand transcription is designated using Harlow Solid Italic; where translation has not been made each symbol is indicated #

Journal Table of Contents

Front page - Four or five quotes, blurred and difficult to read; title. 3 Essay No 1 “Honesty is the Best Policy”* * Essay No 2 “Do as you would be done unto” * * 5 Essay No 3 “Bear one with another” * * 7 To the Tween Deck passengers 25 August 1853 and

		To all whom it may concern  Cleanliness is next to Godliness **

11 The Star of the East Digging Company – Rules and regulations ** 13 To the Between passengers on Board the Star of the East (12/9/53) ** 17 To all whom it may concern) (13/9/53) ** 19 Figures on composition of gold alloys
20 Some ‘thoughts’ 21 Reflections on the voyage and matters arising?
25

More questions, theological in nature (9/10/53 Emerald Hill, 14/6/54) 26 To the Editor of the Ballaarat Times (6/6/54) **
 30 Fathers blessing
 31 Funeral oration - on Board the Star of the East (10 Sept 1853) **

49 notes on meeting of Between Deck Passengers (22 Sept 1853) ** 
52 Notice of Meeting for Thursday 22nd Sept **


Reverse of Book

Back page Too blurred to read Ballarat Oct 16 1854 – some notes on the diggings **

The Shipboard Diary, (approx 100 pages), followed by 2 Letters to the Editor of the 'Shrewsbury Chronicle' **

• • Transcribed

Note: There are a few items that I have not transcribed because I am unable to decipher sufficient to ‘make sense’, or they have no significance in the matters of Humffray or his situation

I have slightly changed the order of the items to provide a grouping of topics – I have taken this liberty as Humffray has not kept a strict chronological order in what he has written.

Humffray Shipboard Diary 7th July 1853 to 26th September 1853

Introduction

This is the major part of the volume of Humffray’s writings is in this segment, about 100 pages, giving a day-by day account of his voyage on the Star of the East.

Thursday – 7th July 1853

The Star of the East was lugged out of the River at about ¼ to 12 – oClock today – and up to this time 5.m.to9 – we have proceeded oceanward very steadily – at this hour I am called upon Deck to witness the setting sun – and its Dazling Brilliancy far outstrips the Poet’s fancy and defies the painter’s pencil – How glorious are the works of God - is there a human in a Sane state of mind who can gaze upon this dazling scene and say there is no God – tonight it looks like a sea of molten gold and to the left the receeding mountains of fair Cambrian shores are clothed in the blue mantle of the expiring day – my nature easy advice for many years. Just previous to our starting from the River this morning a young sailor was accidentally drowned – this cast a Gloom for a short time upon the parties generally on board – it was the result I believe of neglect – as the law is good general and imperative that if you break a physical Law you are in proportion to your disobedience – Lord - incline our hearts to Keep thy law.

We had to form ourselves into parties of 7 – to mess together – I succeeded after some slight difficulty in forming one of self – Mr Morgan – 2 sons of Erin and 3 German sons of Abraham – I have already obtained a promise from one to give me lessons in the German Language – and I will learn it too – If I am preserved that long - I cannot myself believe care of him about holding the seas in the bottom of his hands and rules the seasons.

Friday – the 8th of July 1853

I rose this morning with a very unpleasant head from the effects of the ships motion – I soon however got better after having a good wash after breakfast – The Ship is ploughing the ocean in a steady but gallant style. She is clearing the Channel – the Commander seems in excellent spirits and gives his orders in a confident but kind manner. The Surgeon – Mr King – called all the passengers together and read the Rules of the Ship – and urged upon the passengers the importance of cleanliness care of fire &c &c – This our 3rd day and the rations are being delivered out in a much better manner today than before a Classification of passengers takes place tomorrow between the 1st & 2nd class passengers - I will dine one hour earlier – most of the passengers are in good health and spirits – some few females are sea sick so it is called - I have taken my first lesson in German today I have had the first nights discussion of Cumming & French – and have been much pleased with it.

Saturday - 9th July 1853 – The Glorious Sun has sunk into the molten ocean I experienced a very sickly & unpleasant head–ache on getting out of my berth in consequence I suppose from the much rolling of the ship during the night – after breakfast it got worse and about 10 oClock A M – became with many of the passengers “very sea sick – after dinner – ditto – I recovered slightly from the effects and I sat down quietly for about 3 hours reading of The Hammersmith Discussion- my interest increases as the discussion get to the marrow of the subject – They are my excellent conversationalists. In pursuance of the recommendations of the Surgeon yesterday – about 18 of the 2nd class passengers were formed into a Committee for the purpose of the Commander and officers of the ship in preserving order and carrying out the Sanitary regulations of the ship. I represented the Mess – I belonged – and we drew a Carde of the Bye laws – and we anticipate much less confusion amongst passengers in procuring their rations and alas… to the …ised from the reckless conduct of some thoughtless passengers in smoking between decks often after lights were out - My German Teacher has been too ill today to give me my lessons

Sunday 10th /7/53

We had Steady Breeze this morning – and it was very pleasant – a Scotch emigrant preached a sermon on the poop to the passengers he took his text from X X X X X X.

The sermon was good in its matter but the delivery was bad and the sermon very much too long for the style – a sermon was announced for the evening but a strong Gale arose and much rain fell so that it was postponed.

Monday 11/7/53 – Still squally and wet – we were tossed up and down on the Borders of the Bay of Biscay – we saw an immense number of fish consisting principally of porpoises and whales – snorting up the water like fury –

Tuesday 12/7/53 – rain and squals and a very stormy night so much so that I was awoke several times in the night by the violent rocking of the ship and I more than once thought that we were going to the Bottom. I rose very ill.

Wednesday 13/7/53 - still very ill nothing of note occurred

Thursday 14/7/53 I was much better after having drunk about a pint of sea water and we dined of some preserved meats which was very good. The swell and X X X X X X X

Friday 15/7/53 - I am much better this morning – and drank some sea water – I begin to take stock of my fellow passengers and am sorry to say that the more I see of them the worse I think of them there are certainly some respectable and intelligent individuals but the Bulk are quite the reverse – they are dirty – ignorant – brutish – and I regret to add churlish - I am quite surprised and disappointed at the character of the passengers generally – a very large proportion are Irish although I am told in the ships prospectus it is stated that there are 32! Irish only but it had been stated 232 – it would have been much nearer the truth – the rest are composed English Welsh Scotch and German. There is very little distinction made between the 2nd & 3rd class passengers and amongst the 3rd there are some of the lowest Blackguards - low base useless fellows who smoke & spit - gamble curse & swear below deck to the great annoyance of the more decent passengers – we cannot leave an article for a few minutes even on the tables lest it be stolen - …ing & dirtiness -

Saturday 16/7/53 This morning I was much interested in the discovery upon going on deck of some slight symptoms of resistance on the part of some of the principal 2nd class passengers to what appeared to me for some days to be a gross violation of the Contract entered into by Millers & Thompson of Liverpool the charterers of the “Star of the East” viz that stewards were appointed to wait upon the 2nd class passengers – but up to date the 2nd as well as the 3rd had to wait on themselves even to fetching their food from the Galley every meal – this was not all the Captain this morning ordered the Cook not to serve out any Coffee for Breakfast until the - Tween decks were swept out this was considered the culminating point and the pent up grievances of the 2nd class passengers found tongue and broke in loud murmurs at the insult most of them exclaiming they would not be made ……. of – and some little skirmishing between some of the passengers and the Stewards Mates and Surgeon of the Ship the Captain came down from the poop with the act of parliament in his hand and walked up to a group who had surrounded the Surgeon & stood beside him and commenced reading the rules – and as he did so – he explained and commented upon them – I took up the matter on behalf of the 2nd class passengers and explained the grievances and produced the advertised conditions as put forth by Millers & Thompson – and asked the Captain if he recognized those conditions – he answered no – I have to enforce the rules contained in the act of parliament - I then remarked that he need to consider the written pledges of Millers & Thompson re liability. He replied as far as he was concerned they were – I then remarked that Millers & Thompson were humbugs . C I am sorry Millers & Thompson have humbugged any party – he had plain instructions in the act of parliament which if he lived he would insist upon being carried out. That he would insist upon the Between decks being cleaned out daily before breakfast – I explained to him that it was the wish of every 2nd class passengers that the deck should be so cleaned the matter of dispute was as to whose duty it was to clean it – C – It is clearly laid down in the act that the passengers must clean their Berths every morning & carry the dirt out – I told him we were willing to clean out our Berths but we did not like to clean up the floor of the Between deck inasmuch we were lead to believe that parties would be appointed to do that. C – There are two persons appointed to wait on the 2nd class passengers. I replied they had not done so since a single instance – C – Well I pledge my word and honor that from this day forth two stewards shall bring the food from the Galley to the 2nd class passengers and if they neglect to do it any day I will take care they have no food untill they do – # # # I am pestered by squalling Brats both sides of the table on which I write and delay the pursuit of my observations )

Sunday 17/7/53 This was a most delightful morning - and I was much delighted with the Information that the Island of Madeira - the first question asked all passengers are they came on deck was you seen Madeira?

Monday 18/7/53 Nothing of Importance occurred today – we sailed along very fast through a portion of the day and but slowly other parts but even when slowest time we gained upon and passed two ships – The day was finished up by surging and hauling as usual when fine - the nights are delightful now - the day shortens as we approach the Line - I devoted the principal part of my time to reading the Hammersmith discussion and translating German into English - I congratulate myself upon the progress I am making

Tuesday 19/7/53 (may God protect us) The Vessel has rocked much during the night in consequence of being driven by the Trade winds and she has continued to do so through the night day and I anticipate a rough night – the Vessel goes from side to side so much so that the passengers are tumbling from one side of the ship to the other. Boxes – ports &c &c are rolling about and indeed all is a medly & confusion I am sorry to have to state a poor little Orphan Boy who was standing on the X X X X and owing to the fearful rolling of the ship he staggered and tried to sustain his footing and unfortunately fell through the Scuttle hole into the Copper (in the Cook’s Galley) of Boiling water and his legs very badly scalded – Soon after this the Captain came to the poop rail in consequence of some loud laughter & ….ing from the passengers below occasioned by the sea dashing through the Bulwarks of the Ship and wetting some of the passengers – He in a most peremptory manner ordered all passengers away from the front of the poop & particularly requested the Chief Mate to forbid any persons from sitting in front of his Cabin - when my friend Mr Morgan – asked the Captain where we were to go – as the passengers ordered from one part of the ship - that there was no accommodation to any one that if the passengers were to sit double there would not be room – the C- very pompously replies – That there was as much accommodation as on any other merchant ship. Mr M- lost in the hurry of his feelings to note this point – I did not reply as I had made up my mind in the morning to let matters take their fling for a time or they might have been told that we were then to suppose ourselves as so much line Cargo - M- I am told has been complaining since again been told of these things inasmuch as he had explained to me on Saturday M – that it was not his fault but that of Millers & Thompson The C- was to make a point of shelving all the fault upon Miller & Co – Mr Morgan told him that there were more than 100 more passengers on Board than the ship had been chartered for – the C – did not attempt to deny this but said that we must take our remedy against Miller & Co that he was prepared to answer for his own Conduct &c &c

Wednesday 19/7/53. This morning opened as usual with loud murmurs on the part of the 2nd C passengers as to their treatment and our mess were served after some fighting with piece of Salt Beef alone – and our Complaint being made to the Cooks by me for their stupid system in serving out the rations and non distinction in the treatment of the 2nd & 3rd - viz that the 2nd were no better off than the 3rd and indeed there seemed to be a studied permit on their part to serve the 3rd first - this is accounted for in two ways – 1st the assistant Cook is a 3rd C. passenger and he assists his Class – and some of the 3rd Class assist the Cooks in carrying rations for them and I may add alike principal Cook says that he will not recognize any instruction in the matters who come for rations to him as they are all going to the same place and they all want to live as well as they can that his handout what is given to him as long as it lasts and if it does not go round the lot he cannot help it – 4 P.M. the feeling of disharmony between the 2 & 3 is increasing and a fight took place today - I am afraid it might get worse

Thursday 20/7/53 The doings of today is nearly a repetition of yesterday – and the C – to revenge himself upon some of the passengers has restricted the Brandy Bottle at least so far as not to sell any – This has given great offence to some of the Middle Class passengers – but I for one do not regret it as I have a great horror of fire and I think Brandy-drinking smokers are the most likely persons to carelessly throw down their matches – my imagination paints a ship on fire as the most frightful & appalling scene I have not purchased but one Bottle of Porter since I have been on Board and those are nominally a Quart but really little more than a pint – I think total abstinence is the best guarantee for health and Certainly for the safety of the Ship. But the great monster grievance is the neglect of the 2nd class – they are compelled to go to the galley or cookhouse with their pans for their rations and fight their way through a hungry Crowd with as much anticipation as if he was outside a Soup Kitchen at the time of a …….. …. famine. I have had a Conversation with some parties today as to trying once more to submit or I may say demand that they establish some better regulation of the serving out of the rations About 7 o Clock this evening the passengers were much cheered with the sight of a Bird flying round our gallant ship and occasionally resting himself up on the rigging – an active passenger and old man of wars man climbed the rigging with the agility of a monkey and caught the Bird which turned out to be of the Hawk species The passengers were giving utterance to various speculations as to our contiguity of land – and I suppose we are not very far from the Cape di ……… Islands as we crossed the tropic of X X X X X X

Friday 21/7/53 I saw a number of flying fish this morning for the first time. I have just seen Hawk caught last Evening it is a gaming Bird of most beautiful plumage of the X X X X X species. I have had some conversation with several of the leading men serving the 2nd class passengers who were members of the Committee as to having a Meeting tomorrow to endeavour if possible to put an end to the nuisance of almost begging and fighting for our rations at the Galley – and to insist upon the statutory regulations of the ship being carried out as there are I am told an increase of X X X X X X as the tropics were very congenial to this species of X X X X X X I must make honourable mention of a scotch man named Mr Ritchie as one of the most …… men amongst the passengers for cleanliness on Board he sets the example by being up …ing between 4 & 5 oClock and sits into a tank of sea water Indeed my conclusion and ……. from my few days sail – that two most essential requisites for the comfort of the passengers are cleanliness and forbearance

Saturday /7/53 The chief matter of this days proceedings was a Committee meeting – one of the principal Topics of enquiry and discussion was a threat of investigation of the C and the Enq was as to who had informed him and when this was discovered it considered as satisfactory conseq’ce amongst the passengers generally – a Deputation was appointed to wait upon the C & ascertain the manner of his informant & the nature & purport of the information. The deputation consisted of Mr English - Mr Gillfoyle Mr Ritchie & self – went to the Captain

Sunday 7/53 Religious Service on the Poop this morning by Mr X X X X X Text X X X X X X This was a very fine Tropical day some portions of it very hot and the sun being quite vertical - and for once I saw men presenting move and passed their shadow

Monday 7/53 4 vessels seen today Another fine morning and about 10 oClock two vessels hove in sight and one seemed approaching so near that the heart of many a homesick passengers fondly anticipated the privilege of sending home some letters on Board - to once more communicate with dear friends left behind and some of the families. I was informed as they brought their hastily dictated notes covered with blots and blistered with lines - but in this they were doomed to be disappointed as the vessel veered off and was clear no service the feelings of these disappointed correspondents may able much more easily concerned than experienced

Tuesday 7/53 I aroused from a disturbed sleep this morning – by a fellow cabby - and told a ship was in sight ahead of our ships boards and would soon be overtaken. I got up at once to enjoy the treat for it really is a treat to see a vessel floating along up on this great watery desert is peaceably if we have the prospect of speaking to any homeward bound ship – but in this fond anticipation I was doomed to be disappointed and instead of meeting as homebound ship we were in the wake of one on the same … and after a long and interesting chase we came sufficiently near to speak …. Colonies and found that our spirited rival in the chase was a ship called the Vitorria bound for the Cape of Good Hope sailed from Southhampton had been 25 days out and we had been out 19 – 6 days better speed – 6 vessels seen today very ill all day about 9 oClock I had the exquisite pleasure of seeing the Blessed Milky way in all its glory and brilliancy – it could not give rise my thoughts in grateful consummation of that Beaut and glorious being when he created and

and sustained in harmonious ordaining this …thing world & make splendour

Reflections in my berth afterwards (Blank space)

Wednesday 27/7/53 9°12” - 12 oClock today (much better) I got up this morning about 5 oClock and was the Rising Sun at the “tropics” it must be seen to be understood

The Creator & the Child

X X X X X

madness that a manifestation be drawn up & underlying the despised and dishonest conduct of Millers & Thompson

Thursday 7/53 Nothing of importance occurrenced today – very rainy and squally today but approaching rapidly towards the Equator – I took a Bath this morning and felt great comfort from it – I strongly recommend frequent ablutions near the line Especially. I saw one of those Brilliant sun sets that must be seen ere we can form anything like a conception of its beauty its grandeur - its sublimity and splendour. Some 2 hours later I had also the high and enobling pleasure of seeing the Milky Way in all its tropical glory The Mates liberality – There was a ship floating in the distance on the weather side of us and the 1st mate was observed to look anxiously over the Bulwarks of our ship and Mr Morgan observed him doing or thought he was looking out for this ship and innocently pointed it right to him – at which the mate with characteristic grossness and vulgarity said –Ah- That ship may go to Hell if they like I was looking at that black cloud and guessing how soon we would have a squall

Friday 7/53 A Beautiful day – we were reported by the Captain to be about 412 miles north of the Equator at 12 noon today – all passengers seem in high spirits in -anticipating a speedy & safe Crossing of the line – late in the day we were driven too much East – and do not now expect to Cross the line till Monday The strong breeze is doing much good as it ventilates the ship well - and I am in great need of oxygen in the air of our Berths

Saturday 30/7/53 8 0clock Another delightful morning but we are 6 points out of our course 2-oClock the winds have turned into the right dir’on Dissolution of our mess – it has given me much pleasure for the following reasons

(Blank space)

German lesson

Sunday 31/7/53 A Beautiful morning with a refreshing breeze and not so hot as some previous when it was 83° - in the shade – Service was held by a Presbyterian Minister the Revd Mr Mc as usual on the poop – and I am told that an ordained Romish Priest confirmed the superstitious ignorance of the deluded Irish Emigrants at the aft end of the ship at the same time – in the afternoon we had a sermon preached to us below deck by a Mr Eastaway of Cornwall who it appears has been a Local Preacher of the Wesleyan Body there- his sermon excepting a few peculiarities of Language was good I devoted the rest of the day to reading that excellent work of the professor Edwd Misald his Basis of Belief he did indeed speak the deepest convictions of my own better than I could myself to myself

Monday 1/8/53 We are still on our wrong Tack and going very slowly and I was informed very near Sierra Leone on the Coast of Africa - the Captain anticipated Crossing the Line today unfulfilled I devoted nearly the whole day in reading the Hammershith Discussion

I had myself an interesting discussion with some of the passengers tonight – upon the unimaginable perfection of god – no future tense - no such thing as absolute evil the distinctiveness of God’s Laws moral organic and physical     

Miller & Thompson’s steward was reeling drunk on deck! – and I am sorry to add a great no of passengers & terrified the other passengers as to fire - we have established a night watch

Tuesday 2/8/53 We are progressing much more favourably today. This afternoon there was a quarrel amongst some of the passengers - Two low Blackguard Englishman – conspired to thrash some German’s and two or three more Irish men thrashed these Conspirators – the Captain shouting from the Poop-Deck fight at it Boys till you are tired- altho – it seemed at first shouting advice it turned out the best - and shows that folly of the worst description cannot hear the beat of the “Imperial sons of Imay” it was soon over and peace restored –

Wednesday 3/8/53 This is a glorious morning a delightful refreshing Breeze (in the right dir’on) and a Cloudless sky – we are I am told 140 miles from north of the line at 12 oClock today & the Captain expects to Cross it before tomorrow morning. We should have crossed it a week ago with favourable wind – but it is a pleasing fact that as not a case of fever has occurred and the passengers with few exceptions seem to be in good health & spirits although- we have had no fevers we have had the usual nuisance of lousy passengers- and one lousy Bed has been discovered – and no little amusement for some and causing disgust in others was occasioned by this. Bed linen ordered by the Captain to be brought up stairs several parties threatened to throw it over Board but it was jealously guarded learning that it belonged to an aged Irish couple and at night it was about being removed below deck some of the passengers had to stop it and again threatened to throw it over Board and with Characteristic ……….. an Irish-man shouldered a large slab and sounded the Tocsin of war by shouting – Irishmen to arms – and after some confusion and much laughing the Bed was allowed to go down stairs – But heard Irish has made a remark with regard to the Irish Character

Thursday 4/8/53

I had my ears saluted this morning upon my appearance on Deck that – We had crossed the line at 5 oClock this morning and we now anticipated a rapid run to the Cape if we call there - the Captain I am informed is disposed to go by way of Trinidad. We have today weather much resembling a fine April day in England. All is peaceable today and the passengers on good terms with each other. The 1st Cabin intend having a Ball tonight to celebrated the Crossing of the line – I find by Chronology that this is the Anniversary of the poet Shelley’s Birthday viz 4 August 1792 – I find upon reference to the report of the 1st voyage to Australia made by the Marco Polo – that she Crossed the line in 30 days whereas we have made it in about 27½ days viz We started from Liverpool about 12 oClock noon on the 7th July 1853 and we Crossed the line about 5 this morning of – viz 4 August 1853 - We are all in good spirits and the Captain has cheered us with the statement that in all human probability we shall reach Port Phillip – in 40 to 45 days from today – at the latest. I created or I should say I was the occasion of Considerable amusement to a great no of the passengers by a Conversation I had with the surgeon on Deck. We discussed different things connected with the passengers situation & health. He promised me that he would join in my attempts to bring about … against the Conduct of Millers & Thompson - the charterers – He complained of his unpopularity during the early part of the voyage and I then passed to him the most prolific sources of his unpopularity – and amongst other things of some severe & uncalled for language he had made use of to some of the passengers. His reply was that he was of a most irritable temper and he tendered his most unqualified apology to all parties who felt aggrieved – 2nd That he had not ordered a change of diet to the sick from the strong rations of the ship – and he expressed his deep regret if this had been so and promised it should occur again – and that he should feel much obliged to me if I would try to remove his unpopularity. I replied to him that that must depend in a great measure upon his own Conduct – But I would venture to suggest to him that it would lend much to remove his present unpopularity and enable him in all probability to become popular if he would give a ticket to the sick to go to the Best galley instead of giving them a disc from the Gallipot - loud applause in which the surgeon heartily joined shouting at the top of his voice the Galley before the Galley-pot at all times - during this conversation the surgeon stated that there about 200 more passengers on Board than Millers & Thompson represented to him he would have to attend – I also told him that I for one approved of his conduct in not giving much medicine to those who complained – as sickness was unnatural that it was a violation of the laws of nature and all that they would have to do in a general way would be to return to obedience of the organic Laws to have health – the Saintly principle must be in the body & not in the medicine – He replied that my remarks were very good – and the interview closed with surgeon declaring he was anxious to do the best for all who may need his Services – that he had been in practice for 12 years and had never failed to give general satisfaction and it was a source of much chagrin to him to give so little since he had been on Board but that he was sure it was not from any want of disposition on his part – and he was determined to do all he could to do his duty and win the good opinion of all – I said have now crossed the line we would propose 3 cheers to the surgeon for crossing the line of his fast recovery for making a new resolve loud cheers I dispose my time principally in reading

Friday 5/7/53 Fine run windward getting on well

Saturday 6/8/53 I was aroused this morning by one of my fellow Cabs – about 6 oClock and told that if I got up I should have the long wished for privilege of seeing sun rise at the tropics as it was a very fine morning – I at once got out of my Berth a place by the bye I have none of real affection for and went upon deck and fixed myself to windward on the Bulwarks of our gallant ship as she fairly floated along – or rather thro – the mighty deep – and I gazed with eager anxiety on the Eastern horizon for the God of Day. I had not to wait before his approach was Heralded by a Golden tinge tipping the Top of a dark cloud which visited his bright face lest we should be unable to look upon it with unschooled eyes – cloud after cloud were favoured with the beautifying beams of Aurora – till at length He came forth as the Psalmist says “like a Giant etc” and shone out in all its Brilliancy – Brightness Glory and Blazing splendour – such a scene must be seen to be understood there is indeed in such a scene ample materials for admiration – wonder – astonishment and ……. - admiration of its varied hues wonder at its magnificent splendour and astonishment at the undeviating regularity and harmony of the revolutions of the planetary system and so towards that omnipotent being who turns the machinery of the universe – that being in whom we live move and have our being. How soul elevating it is to philosphize upon these manifestations of Infinite power & wisdom How charming is divine philosophy! Not harsh and crabbed as some fools suppose, But musical as is Appollo’s lute, And a perpetual feast of nectar’d sweets Where no crude surfeit reigns. Milton I was so charmed with this morning that I loved to dwell upon it during the day – and in the evening I was treated with one of those gorgeous and enchanting scenes called the Sunset at the Tropics – and I wished for the poetic and descriptive powers of the immortal Goldsmith to be enabled to give something like a true account of what I saw and the impression this truly celestial splendour made upon my mind – “The infinite variety of colours in which the whole Creation is superbly arrayed are not in the things, but in the light which surrounds them; any beam or pencil of light being composed of particles of different colours – “The blushing beauties of the rose, the modest blue of the violet” says Goldsmith are not in the flowers themselves, but in the light that adorns them: odour, softness, and beauty of figure are their own; but it is light alone that dresses them up in those robes which adorned the monarch’s glory.”

Sunday 7/8/53 There has been a strong gale of wind blowing during the past night indeed it is put down as the strongest gale we have yet had but notwithstanding the severe lurching of the vessel and the rattling of tin pots smashing of crocks and tumbling passengers we are consoled by the rapidity of our progress towards our wished for destination – we are 12° south of the line this day. This is the first Sunday we have been without a Sermon on Board. I made up for this by reading to a friend a few chapters from that soul expanding work by Edward Miall M.P. entitled the Bases of faith – I believe we both derived much benefit in its perusal – it contains a well of the clear crystal waters of †tian philosophy. I hope to peruse and reperuse this superstition destroying work –

Monday 8/8/53 A very fine morning and a strong South East Trade wind driving us along – the Captain has a confident and satisfied smile upon his countenance and he tells me we are going along famously. I am sorry to have to report a fight between a very respectable 2nd Cabin passenger named Colgan and an impudent steward – the Contest was about equal I am told. I did not see it. I am below scribing this record of the doings of little but turbulent and heterogeneous floating community. I trust better feelings will prevail before we get to the end of our journey – and the Captain promises I am told in about 40 days from Friday last – I have a German Dictionary lent me this morning I expect to get on much more quickly now. We had a glorious sunset.

Tuesday 9/8/53 A strong Breeze this morning the sun rose in blazing splendour this morning the sky almost free from clouds. I think I shall never lose the lively, the lofty, and enobling impressions from my mind those celestial Senses have been daguerreotyped upon the plate of my memory and I think I should never to chance again and again to the last day of my existence I shall return to them as the wonders of my voyage as the Evidences that the great Creator had furnished provisions for the full gratifications of the love of Beauty and Splendour in the human Soul indeed there is no want of Body and attribute of mind that is not amply provided for in the ceremony of the Sunrise by the almighty-omniscient and Benevolent God

We expect to sight Trinidade in the morning

Wednesday 10/8/53 About 5 oClock this morning I was aroused by a fellow Cabin-Mate who said there was a ship-ahead bearing down rapidly upon us – in a few minutes he returned and said he had been informed that it was (not) a ship but Martin-vase rocks. I immediately got up as I knew that Trinidade was also near and I anticipated a treate – and I had one for as soon as I reached the deck my eyes were addressed by the sight of the Martin-vase rocks on the larboard side and Trinidade rising in the distant horizon of the Starboard side – I was favoured with a peep thro’ a Telescope we had a good view of the bold rocks called Martin-vase rise their rugged and jutting heads above sea the strong waves of which were lashing with fury its sides creating a mass of white foam – I took a rude sketch of them they were Three in number have several conical projections - Sketch (Substantial Blank space)

The next and most important scene that attracted my attention was the Island of Trinidade which lies in Lat 20½ South and Long about 29 West - I at once commenced a rude sketch of this, alas of course inasmuch as I was a mere novice at this kind of work my performance has not much artistic excellence about it but will serve as a memento of my trip in the Star of the East to Australia - this Island is nothing but barren and rugged rocks it is I was told about 6 miles in circumference it has no vegetation and seems the sole residence of the seal fowl and had shoals of fish playing around its iron Barren shores – and I was informed that it is a frequent habit of the Captains of passing vessels to send in a Boat for fish and eggs - The appearance rocks tho’ bleak and Barren was very cheering to eyes of the passengers after having been so long without having seen anything but the wild sea – and as we steered between the two viz Martin vas & Trinidade it gave us a good opportunity of viewing both – and as we were passing and as we veered to different parts of the position it presented a most interesting even varied and charming appearance sometimes like the ruins of an old Castle and while you were in the act of seeing it it would present a new Transformation – it would find the … hue of the Great Orme’s Head between Liverpool & Bangor and like what I have read of the Dover Cliffs Sketch (blank space)

I amused myself when I got up in rousing the passengers fore and aft and informing the interesting fact of land being in sight but when he examined it turned out to be Barren rocks still was cheering. I am told that there are remains of human dwellings on this bleak lonely rock that it was used for a short time as a penal colony by the Caribbean Government.

Thursday 11/8/53 at 12 noon we were in 23½ South & Long (this page is very difficult to read and smeared in patches with ink – a bad storm?)

Roused at about 3 oClock this morning by the water washing into every Berth which was on the lee side it had been shipped over the Bows and it tumbled down the fore Hatchway very heavy against the vessel. The ship floundering fearfully making cowards of us all - its sprit- sail yard was snapped in two – and some other damages sustained by the ship – Shouting Captain - Parroting Mates Sailors jumping about the decks scrambling up the rigging lashing the sails Others throwing a great number of empty water casks over Board

The song of the sailor The cheering of the Captain vying with the whistling lines…… 3 P.M. Thanks be to God of the seas ………………………….. The vessel is rocking furiously whilst I have been trying to write the above and I may add that my Brain has also partaken of the rocking motion many of the sails of my mind are necessarily taken off and reefed.

Friday 12/8/53 South Lat 26 33 West long 29 12 noon After another rough night there is a fine morning and a much smoother sea – and the Captain is adding much more sail and it promises fair for a good days sailing – numbers off the Cape - Pigeons have been flying about our ship for the last two days and reminds me of Noah’s Dove. We are about the parallel of the Rio de Janeiro – The Captain is pretty confident of reaching Melbourne in 4 weeks. I trust he may as I am much troubled with the many annoyances I am compelled to put up with on Board this Star of the East (or I think she ought to be called the Australian Diver- as with a rough sea she pitches very much at the Bows). I am compelled to leave my dinner table and cribbed myself in a part of the contracted limits of my Berth for an opportunity of scratching these few dull notes by reason of a lot of low-gambling fellows placing themselves at the same - at best shaking the ship table at worst it is almost – impossible to write – and almost as difficult to read with any probability of understanding what you read or remembering if you go up on deck you are pestered with prattling women and squalling children. Well I suppose I must patiently endure it for a time - There are great muscular often uneducated men on Board this ship – I suppose it has been to a great extent in consequence of having had ignorant parents and having worked hard themselves – for it is a well known fact that nothing tends more to the stultification of the intellect as long and laborious toil and it provides a coarseness of mind that makes one almost blush for our species – and amongst so heterogeneous and uncouth lot there are many expressions – characterised by profaneness, coarseness, indelicacy, low wit- such as no woman worthy of the name can bear without a blush, and no man can take pleasure in without self- degradation – more on this –here describe some of the characters on Board male & female

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Saturday 13/8/53 A fine morning – the change in the appearance of the ocean and the Heavens is very great since we crossed the line they present the appearance of the old country as the Irishman would say – it is much colder and the Captain says it is nothing to what it will be in a fortnight – I do not regret that the weather is getting colder as I desire several advantages from it – viz I am enabled to sit down in my Cabin to make my notes without being almost stifled – and it relieves one from the fear of fever arising from filthy passengers and there are many if it was left to their own choice not think of cleaning their Berths from beginning to the end of the Voyage in fact the multifarious annoyances arising from the physical and immoral filth of about 500 - rough specimens of the human animal or genus homo - may readily be conceived – I heartily wish we had arrived at the end of our Journey – to be pent up for 2 or 3 months in an emigrants ships among a lot such as has been described is a severe punishment to any man troubled with anything like a delicacy of feeling or refinement of intellect the great majority of passengers do indeed # # # # # # # # they seen only to think of the animal wants I am really much puzzled to understand how man can so far stultify their intellect and bring themselves into such a state of abrogation of all that is great glorious & enobling intellectual advancement and moral reform seems to move by very slow and lazy steps the problem of human life will one day be solved the veil of Isis will be uplifted and the secrets of nature will be revealed & exposed to our view – the seven Seals will be opened and Gods moral Government will be made known to mans admiring Intellect – till it is the duty of the philosophers to believe that however inexplicable - the moral Government of the world may be at present & he may rest assured that whatever is – is right – omnipotence – justice – wisdom – mercy - are unchangeable attributes of # # and # # # # # # accordance with those glorious attributes and therefore it is presumptuous to say the least # # # any man to call in question the moral Government of God – man is called upon to do his duty which was to sum up in the Laeonic and need language of the great teacher viz Love # # # # # # there is possible circumstances in life in which a man cannot do his duty – man is called upon to give according to # he has and not according to # he has #.

This day the sea became very calm and presented the appearance of an immense lake of oil there was scarcely a ripple to be seen upon its broad surface there is an interesting incident connected with this a Lady of the name of X X X a passenger in the 1st Cabin on her way to her husband who is in Australia gave birth to a fine boy about X X oClock and an old Neptune as if pleased with the honor of a birth taking place upon his hard waves and flattered with the confidence this reposed in him vouchsafed a very gentle movement hid his turbulent foaming- dashing - roaring and restless was be still –

Sunday 14/8/53 – This morning there was a very strong Breeze blowing from the Sth and made it difficult to walk upon deck – indeed there were a great many paths we made but very little progress today – I opened my favourite work Miall on the Bases of belief and read a portion of it to a friend of mine named Mr Stephen Nightingale – a passenger who first attracted my attention in the first instance by a wonderful personal likeness to an old companion of my youth - an early student named Edward Stephens of Newtown Montgomeryshire - & was not a little surprised one day as I knew his name. I said I shall call you Stephens till I know your real name he replied well really it is one of my names and I was further pleased at the resemblance morally and intellectually – I find him a kindred feeling and indeed sentiment – and we often made an attempt to read together which is a difficult task some talking some singing some whistling – some playing at cards – and adding a dozen children screaming out as briskly as their lungs will allow them and ill disposed mothers shouting at them and using a number of maledictions upon them giving some much unsuspecting hands.

Monday 15/8/53 We have had a very rough time – I did not sleep at all through the violent rocking of the ship – and I must confess though great fear of personal danger on the sea was very boisterous and foamed and dashed furiously against the ship right in to her so much so that we made but little progress Lat X X X Long X X X during the night I was much alarmed by their heavy thumps the sea gave to the ship’s side against which I lay on the weather side followed by a low dull moan - any has a difficulty in maintaining his footing on deck and the usual share of falls – more or less serious to the parties concerned – most of the sails remain furled even the main sail

“give me plenty of sea room & good canvass then there is no need or reason for forests at all – for my part I was Born & Bred a tobacco-man – I never could see the use of man ….. than Man & then a sneak I have to raise a few vegetables & to dry your fork”

Tuesday 16/8/53 - Sir W. Scott Born 1771 We have had a somewhat smoother sea during the night – and this afternoon has spread more canvass to catch a more favourable wind.

Wednesday 17/8/53 After a very rough night – there is a favourable Breeze – I have just learned that we have been drifted since Sunday last about 120 miles out from our course - we are however getting into it again and our sails all again unfurled and indeed does the heart good to see the main Royal again unfurled after being lashed up for several days – I could not read much today on a/c of the rain – but I sat down moodily enough this time – and got into a train of thinking - and came to the conclusion below viz That man is unquestionably a free agent and always reaps the produce of what he sows and gathers the fruits of his own activities That labour is respectable and the man who despises it is a fool That labour is the authoritative voice – which has only to say open Sesame and the nuggets of Gold - of Science – and of philosophy turn up in abundance.

Thursday 18/8/53 There is almost a dead calm today – I eat upon deck this morning and set to work in earnest to learn German under the excellent instructions of Mr Edwd Moveller – and he put into my hands a work written by X X X X X X for the purpose of teaching Italian and German and to my astonishment I was enabled to render the Italian Language into German with ease although- I never read a page of Italian before this indeed a triumph I am more than ever convinced that of the conquering power of perseverance – in # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

Friday 19/8/53 Calm still continuing – wind aft – we have scarcely made any progress for a week – but have gone back several degrees – we have had some heavy seas and lost the Martingale and broken the Sprit sail yard and these had to be repaired Among the important events of the day may be mentioned that a drunken swaggering Irishman struck an Englishman and the Englishman gave him a sound thrashing for it – I trust it may do him good

a Little girl pulling her sister ?

(blank space)

Saturday 20/8/53 12/oclock Lat 34-41 10 miles beyond the Cape A strong Breeze sprung up at 8 oClock this morning & the command to the sailors was take in sail & they continued to do at intervals till 4 – when we were going at 15 to 16 knots per hour under the double reefed topsails and taking in heavy season each side alternately – and continued so during the night – and about 1- oClock so vehement was the rocking and rolling of the ship that many pots &c were overturned in our Berths & I had to get up and rectify them there were about this time a succession of heavy seas that it swept the deck and poured down the hatchways in torrents – intermingled with the noise of falling pots and jolting pannikins and creaking timber aft and the rattling doors with the squalling of awakened children and the screaming of terrified mothers the scene and its noise would baffled the powers of a Dickens to describe in its true character. In addition to the shaking I got the wet was dripping into my face and upon my bed and I was glad to see the morning’s rays to enable one get up as I had had a most useless night and being very much rocked and trying in vain to get a sleep I my usual head after sleepless night but I was somewhat consoled then I got to learn we were going at a very rapid speed The average about 11 Knots during the day

Sunday 21/8/53 A beautiful night & the strong still continuing. The gallant ship is almost flying through the sea The sea in these parts presents an awfully grand appearance – it rises mountains high and then sinks into a low valley – we are compelled to hold our pannikins on the table whilst we take our meals and those who do not take the precaution to do this are frequently punished by their pots cups pannikins &c being suddenly jerked upon the floor – It is almost impossible to walk upon the deck today there have been many a heavy fall by passengers some of whom are badly hurt. The Captain ordered some ropes to put across the decks I read a portion of the Bases of Belief today – and had a rich moral feast

Monday 22/8/53 – The wind has gone – and changed its point – there is almost a Calm but the great swell in the ocean continues and the Breakfast things of many a table were swept off this morning – Sweeps we often give way to them not because they have the first or a greater right to the way the seat or the room we give up to them but we give way to them simply because we wished to avoid the soot being rubbed on our Garments – and so it is socially morally and politically we give way to rough characters and frequently sacrifice much of our comfort and often our rights too – avoid the immoral soot of the low vulgar and depraved contaminating our minds – Indeed a person is so situated on Board this ship that he is unable to find intellectual & moral companionship – He must either isolate himself by avoiding as far as the limits of the vessel will allow him or vulgarise his mind by associating with them and revelling in their immoral habits and in short become one of them – but # # # # # # # self respect # # # # # there # # # memories # # # future # # - It really appears # # # # # # # # # # abandon themselves to any species of vice # # # # # # # I am making # # charitable # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

Advice to Intending Emigrants

Go in the Temperance line of packets See the ship’s Berths and general accommodation – Cooking Galleys – Water Closets - pumps – tables – seats &c Be careful in forming your messes – for much of your comfort depends upon this – do not be in a hurry to form a mess at the bidding of the Cooks and Purser for their accommodation Bring with you some hams & Bacon as you will find it very useful in crossing the Tropics & indeed I may say during the voyage – Bring some Baking powder – pickles and some preserves of preserves. I tasted the Black currant to my taste was the most desirable thing preserved mint & sage - dried or put into vinegar – perhaps dry it to heat it gives much less trouble the Berths are very narrow & it is unpleasant to have too many things in them – a few good books essential you can steal an hour occasionally for an intellectual repast out of the noise of # I would advise serious young men to get their Berths if as far from the qr of the ship occupied by the married # # # # # avoid # unpleasantness both night and day

Bring as few clothing as you can do with It is of little use putting on costly clothing on Board ship unless you are disposed to be arrogant – as they soon get spoiled - # # in wet weather & the Tar of the ropes in # # # # # 3 Blue flannel shirts & 2 Gurnsey shirts are very comfortable and useful 3 pair of Ducks 2 pr of Cords – 2 pr of Deck slippers – a pair of water tights – as the Decks are frequently flooded – and wet feet are unpleasant indeed while I write the vessel is lurching violently & shipping heavy seas get a Nor-Wester cap – Water proof coat & leggings = A good stock of common coloured sheets = add to the above – a good stock of courage – firmness – patience - forbearance – cleanly habits forbearance and confidence in the great I am - who holds the waters in the hollow of his hand & you may thus hope for as much comfort as is to be found on Board an Immigrant ship

Tuesday 23/8/53 The Hen of Scotland Liberated 23 August 1305 A Beautiful morning – it is delightful to gaze from the ships Bulwarks upon the mighty ocean- the ship is along at a rapid rate about 12 Knots – we are now rounding the Cape = there are hundreds of the Cape Birds flying about the ship – The ship lurches very much # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # passengers have been much amused with a half idiotic young fellow amongst # # passengers # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # or non-descript whose family # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

I am much annoyed at my want of accommodation for writing if I had writing opportunities I feel satisfied that I should be able to acquire a considerable knowledge of the German and Italian languages. I want to write a copy of a Book which is lent to me but the gentleman will not sell. I fear that I must give up my attempt until on shore. I have often # # Cobbetts learning French in a Basmacks our progress since noon on Saturday has been as follows according to the log –

South Lat Long West 21 35.22 12.11 22 36.41 8.16 23 39.39 4.20 We are 934 … miles South west of the Cape # # # and expect to be in the East longitude -

Wednesday 24/8/53 A fine morning to have had a very # run # # # # # # # # # # # # 15 to 16 # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # longitude since about oClock There is nothing of interest to record amongst the passengers generally except an attempt # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

I should not forget to # # # # # # # # # # # # this is # # since started the second was still another human being is # # # family # # # life of one human being # # # # # # human is a great problem and one which the profoundest philosopher has hitherto been unable to solve - man indeed taking him as we find him too frequently justifies the lines of Burns Good Lord what is man? Tho simple he looks Just try to develop him with his looks and his Crooks With his depths and his shallows

	With his good and his evil

With his all and his all he is a problem That would puzzle the Devil

Thursday 25/8/53 7 long weeks today since we lost sight of the home of our fathers the endeared shores of Albion A very fine day – but cold the deck being dry and the weather calm I with a number of the passengers took advantage of the same # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # I have given my German study for the present finding that close study under such circs produces an irritability & that ill health – I have however succeeded in mastering many of the difficulties of pronunciation – this will # # # # # # # # # # I intended writing down many things today as I had a short respite from squalling children – but to my horror I had just sat down to do in my corner of my cabin when my ears are blistered by the Barbarous scraping of an Irish fiddle – and then they are standing on my light - oh the troubles of a student on Board an Emigrant ship –

Friday 26/8/53 A very fine morning the sea is very calm and the ship seems scarcely in motion – the passengers embraced the opportunity of pacing the Deck and exercising their cramped limbs, and so the day was passing along quietly up to about three oclock in the afternoon when the Calm of the passengers but fortunately not the sea was disturbed in a most violent manner by one of those wild exciting cries only heard at sea viz a man over Board. A man over-Board was shout and re-echoed by a hundred voices – followed by the lusty shout – Throw over ropes to him throw over the life Bouy throw out the life Bouy – during this time the unfortunate man was lustily battling with the waves with one hand and clutching eagerly at the rope ends thrown over the Bulwarks of the Lee side to him but he was bourne along and they eluded his grasp – some one shouted he has sank their an awful moment of suspense to the passengers on deck who could not get to the ships side to get a glimpse at the drowning but happily it was for a moment for many voices shouted all right he is safe he is in the life Bouy – this was followed by one of those low murmuring responses from the depths of the human soul when it has feelings too intense for utterance - and when it became vocal it was in the appropriate words Thank god – The next was Lower the Life Boat this was soon done under the dir’n of Captain Robertson who was dining when it occurred but soon on the poop and shouted out lustily the necessary instructions – first as to the Boat & then to let go the X X X in order to stop the ship – this was done after a little confusion arising from the absence of a sailor at this moment & the passengers being ignorant of which rope to let go but it was done and the ship hove to the Boat lowered and manned by stout fellows of the ships crew – a poop passenger named Mr Meyer of X X X surgeon Scotland – and a 2nd Cabin passenger named X X X a seaman who in a most praiseworthy manner volunteered his services – they started – now came a moment of intense interest & exciting Interest every available point on the ships side and the shrouds and other parts of the rigging were occupied by the excited passengers looking with terrified countenances and hopeful eagerness upon the Boats progress – and wild and despairing intensity upon the unfortunate man – who was occasionally to be seen lifted by the swelling Billows of the ocean when he was seen you would hear from the mouths of many of the spectators there he is I see him now he will be saved yet! - Good the Boats see him – they are going wrong - the Captain who had made himself hoarse with shouting thundered out his instr’ons through the trumpet to Lee ward – then the cry again there – now – now they have him – he is saved – thank God – and by one simultaneous impulse a loud huzza broke forth from every mouth mingled with the hysterical sobs of the wife - he was rowed to the ships side and a rope placed about and drawn up through the shrouds on the Star-Board side – and the moment his head was lifted above the Bulwarks of the ship he was greeted by the joyous & congratulatory shouts of his fellow passengers – when the poor fellow with difficulty lifted his one hand by way of response to their greeting – handed a quantity of Brandy and after he had with difficulty drank it he was assisted aboard – and he was assisted through the Crowd on deck to his wife X X X X X – he was then taken down to his Berth and put to bed the poor fellow trembled much as we assisted him down below deck – It would baffle an abler pen than mine to describe the scene of excitement and wild confusion which arose upon the announcement of the ominous words – Man over Board – the wild rush – the Convulsed countenances of some and the paralized limbs of others and the eager enquiry of all who is who is it – friend look out for friend and relative for relative with Burning suspense until they were assured of their safety – It is Knight – was shouted and of his little daughters rushed frantically down between decks to tell her mother – who came breathless up on deck with her eyes glasing in wild distortion ready to shoot from their sockets and she at length gasped out where is he oh where is my husband - and she fainted away in the arms of a female friend the feelings of a woman when she thought herself suddenly made a widow & mother of orphans. It was a scene throughout pregnant with materials for deep reflection – there was a prayer uttered for his safety by the lips of many who from their previous conduct on board you might have concluded had been hitherto unused to it – and you might have seen the tear of sympathy bedimming the eye of many whom you might have thought incapable of it - It shows this truth that there is an inexhaustible well of sympathy and feeling in the substratum of the human soul – there is an angel side to the most abandoned character

Saturday 27/8/53 A fresh Breeze blowing strongly – this increased much during the day – and it became a Gale – the sails were soon reefed most of them furled the ship rolled about the sea roared and dashed against the ship in a most furious manner till you really fancy her beams would split into atoms – the Deck was frequently covered with water a foot deep sweeping everything that was loose from side to side – the seamen were at one time all up reefing the main topsail and I and a few passengers under the direction of the Captain were pulling at one of the ropes & we were joined by two seamen a heavy sea dashed on Board & swept our legs from under & we were rolled over each other from the Hatchway to the Bulwarks & back again I was somewhat for my safety – as both life & limb were in danger – this wind continues with increasing fury till midnight and heavy seas shipping all the time and pouring down the hatchways and the aft portions of the lower deck was flooded – our cabin was visited by it – and through some bad caulking the wet came in upon our Bed so that I had no sleep.

Sunday 28/8/53 The storm has somewhat abated – and we are going along with good speed – The Revd McIntosh preached a sermon by the main hatchway being aft & in my berth trying to get a sleep I did not hear.

Monday 29/8/53 53-54 days It is a fine day # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

Tuesday 30/8/53 54 days A very wet & foggy and bitterly cold we are about 50 degrees south latitude- The Captain says – “we are going on all right – I expect to get into a strong westerly very shortly and I think I may positively way we shall be at Melbourne in 21 days from now” – I expected to have had those words 10 days ago – Mess directs that I draw another paper to the passengers 4 oClock - the Captain has just informed me that we are going to a very strong gale tonight

Wednesday 31/8/53 55 long long days since I took my last fond look of Cambria fair mountains – We have had a most stormy night the sea has been very wild and dashed with great fury against the ship’s sidle that I thought more than once that it would burst in – the winds blew fearfully and whistled many unpleasant and forboding note through the rigging & the pullies – I have never spent a night in which alternate hope & fear operated so fearfully upon my mind The great has Wells ‘That a coward dies a thousand deaths by thinking of one. I indeed last night experienced the feeling that must be felt to be understood – viz of preparing your mind to meet death. It brings a man to some solemn reckoning with himself and tell him in plain terms that he should have his lamp of faith well trimmed and a good supply of the oil of truth - & be prepared for the Bride-groom - my heart was in the midst of the midnight dangers warmed with a stronger faith than I thought I possessed – the ocean swell of these Southern latitudes will try the metal of your faith. I trust I shall leave sufficient faith in the midst of the # # # # # # # # # # # # #

Thursday 1st/9/53 A strong Gale blowing during the night – the ship rocking very much and shipping heavy seas – so much so that it was dangerous to walk on Deck – it was bitterly cold – the rocking of the vessel occasioned much inconvenience. Between deck as we had no sooner put our pots and pannikins on the tables than they were violently jerked off and their contents scattered on the floor – many of the passengers and ourselves amongst the number retreated in our Cabins and partook of our rations as well as we could –

Friday 2/9/53 – This morning upon going on deck a novel scene presented itself the rigging was covered with snow – It had been snowing during a great portion of the night - and it was to be found 6 inches deep I am told on some parts of the deck – a number of the more hardy passengers were indulging in the sport of Snowballing each other rather a dangerous pastime by the bye on Board a rolling ship with slippery decks. I must confess to indulging in one Ball- It has been cold for some days past – we are now in S. Lat X X X and E Long X X X and I really should be glad to get out of this Latitude soon as it is much colder than I expected. I am told the reason of the Captain going so far South is to get advantage of the Circle sailing as it is colder – as by taking much latitude we save a considerable distance in the shortening of the Longitudinal degree – it is about 38 miles to the degree only. About 10 oClock this morning Mr James Edward Nield surgeon was sent down # # # # # # # # # # # # # went to # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

Saturday 3/9/53 52 –38 44- 2 59th day- Very cold and wet the decks sometimes knee deep – the ship rolls much and the sea dashes furiously on deck – the new Rules were posted up and begin to work well

Sunday 4/9/53 60 days Still very cold and winterly – we are going at a good speed – the passengers have hard work to keep themselves warm - new Rules are beginning to work admirably but the grumblers are now finding fault that they were not adopted earlier

Monday 5/9/53 54 23 8 A very rough morning – we have a very strong gale in the night the heaviest since we started – it took the sailors 3 hours to reef the fore topsail – from 12 to 3 the ship was hove to – The sea has been dashing furiously against the ship making every beam tremble – The sea rises monstrous high and comes 2 yds over the Bulwarks in that it was not only very uncomfortable & on deck very dangerous – and the water came down the hatchways in torrents and my Berth being a little aft the first Hatch way it was flooded during the day making it very unpleasant – the vessel rolling very much I was trying in vain to write some fresh copies of the Rules to put up in different parts of the ship – I had to hold myself up with one hand as I tried to write with the other. I had to give up - and Bailed water out of my cabin. It was about 8 oClock invited by a gentleman named Mr Richie to a friends Cabin and asked to assist in drinking a bottle of Champagne. We had several bottles and spent a very pleasant and agreeable night had an interchange of thought & sentiment it will be the prelude I see to other meetings This was in Bachelors Hall - Mr Davison was the principal occupant a very worthy man -

Tuesday 6/9/53 The weather much calmer a little snow about but the sun broke out and it was a very fine – but very fine – but kept very cold during the day I sat down and completed the Copies of the rules got the Captains signature to them and posted them up – and got the water closets partially covered over & they are cleaned regularly – has made matters much more pleasant than they have been since we started -

Wednesday 7/9/53 53 6 27 We have not gone on very fast during the night the deck is covered with wet and slushy snow – but the morning looks calm and serene only we are going in the right direction the Captain says with a fair wind we should reach Melbourne a fortnight today The passengers look in good spirits and cheerful – all parties congratulating themselves upon the comfortable change produced by the Rules and yet how stupid they appear to themselves for not having put such into practice before and have prevented so much unpleasantness & heartburning at the Galley

Thursday 8/9/53 ½ p.2 A.M. I am on my watch – there are numbers of drunken fellows on Board they are making a great noise fighting. One fellow has made himself particularly obnoxious of the name of Hern who has been drunk nearly every day since he has been on Board and tonight as usual he has been making a noise disturbing the whole ships passengers and he even struck a Gentleman named Mr Andrews in the same Berth and I am told threatened the Knife because he wished him to be quiet. Mr Andrews got up and gave him a few sharp blows on the face – this unfortunately increased the row – This shows the evil of Grog being sold on Board. I again repeat that I would recommend a person to go by teetotal ship it will save him from many annoyances and fears –

Friday 9/9/53 72 6 - I finished my week at the Galley in calling over the names and I am glad of it as it is a most thankless business and I and my colleague were told by a rough faced Irishman to go to Hell because we would not break the rules to accommodate him in serving him with Tea out of his Turn – such is the case in society a law is theoretically approved of but practically condemned a rule is very good for others but very inconvenient for me – it matters not how many personal sacrifices one makes you must not expect me to make any. Oh dear No! such is life. Well it is no use to despond – We were nevertheless cheered by the approbations of others and what was more we are thanked by our Consciences in having done our duty – all thanks are false and unsatisfactory unless we can obtain our own I was called on the Poop deck by the Captain this morning and told by him “it has been decided that not another drop of grog shall be sold on Board this side Melbourne.” I replied I was very glad and I was sure it would meet with the approbation of every right thinking man on Board. He replied I do not care a d ----- for their opinion I am determined upon the point I find there is neither safety or peace as long as they get so much drink and there are some in the poop indulging as freely as those down below Deck – It had been well I told him if it had been done before as many were afraid to go to bed for fear of the ship being set on fire – drunken men lighting their pipes and often disturbed by their drunken brawls after they had gone to bed. I repeat my former opinion a teetotal ship for

Saturday 10/9/53 We are going on at a good speed this morning a strong breeze is blowing but it is snowing heavily and all looks very winterly indeed. We are all in hopes of not only of getting into a warmer latitude but to the end of our Journey in a few days. The passengers are busy in making up their Gold Digging Companys and no doubt are indulging extravagantly enough in golden dreams of future fortunes may they be realized and a good use made of them but I am under strong apprehension that a fortune to many would be a great misfortune –

Sunday 11/9/53 The ship presents a most winterly appearance the sails and rigging covered with snow it is very cold too – I trust we shall soon get out of this latitude the Captain told me this afternoon that he hopes to be at Melbourne by a fortnight today he said this answered to my question as to whether we should be eating our puddings there on that day as I thought we could eat them with zest without sauce – he said I should be glad to give you some if you are without. I thanked him – The young Presbyterian minister preached a sermon this morning between Deck by the Main Hatchway after the dull and severe fashion of his creed – I sat down on one side and resumed my reading of a chapter or two in Mialls immortal work entitled Bases of Belief the Chapters I read were X X X X X X and I again repeat that I never peruse that book without intellectual & moral food Memorandum – That I compose (if life permits) work entitled The Intellectual, Moral, social domestic and anecdotal photograph and may the Blessing of God sanctify the attempt & make it fruitful in Good to myself and others – I seek to promote the true elevation of my own being & that of as many of the family of man as may come within the circle of my limited influence I just hear Mr Hy Eastway praying preparatory to preaching “ let have a copious outpouring of thy divine grace”

Five blank pages

Thursday 15/9/53 S. Lat 49. 12 1600 miles distant from Australia

        			E. Long 107. 16

I have just been informed that one of the passengers has close his eyes on time and opened them on eternity poor fellow he was an unfortunate drunkard he has strived hard to violate the organic laws of his Being – and about a fortnight ago he became very angry with me for some remarks I made upon the evil effects of the pernicious habit of intemperance or habitual drinking especially on Board ship – and he asked me “suppose you like it?” I replied that was the argument for its use – as the pick pocket may say I like another man’s money and therefore I should take it! I am told he had a brother out at Sydney and that the Captain held a check of £90 to be given him at Sydney he was a drunkard at home, and this fact is supported by the fact of the money put in the Captain’s hand instead of his own hands – this should be cautioned in sending parties abroad who are incapable of taking care of themselves at home – merely to get rid of them About 4 ½ to 5 in the afternoon of Thursday

16/9/53

(7 blank pages)

Thursday 22/9/53 The cheering news sent to me at 5 oClock this morning that the X X X X Lighthouse in sight . I went on Deck and from the larboard side of the Poop the 2nd Mate Jn White pronounced it and the shores of the wished for land there was some loud cheering after been on sea for 77 days - it was reassuring to see the passengers coming wondrous to the deck & rubbing their eyes get a glimpse as we approached the long hoped for shores their beautiful outlines became more distinct and by the aid of a good Telescope I could easily perceive the mountains were clothed in such green verdure and a kind of Shrubbery indeed look in at any direction I may it was wooded down to the sea shore about 9 oClock this morning climbed up and up and became …. - all the passengers hasten on deck and many put on their best attire and all them showed most smiling faces – indeed many who would not look pleasant are good spirits under such circs. much to improve indeed – The port Pilot came on board about ½ p – 11 – A.M. and at 12 a gladsome sound was heard “Drop the Anchor” came the song the cable chain produced as they rattled over the X X X produced the ship because he had an excellent opportunity of gazing upon the grass and expecting the that Tents appeared here and there between the beautiful trees and many wooden Cottages on the elevated portions magnificently surveying the Beach having gentle green …….. down to the green water of the beautiful bay of – The news brought by the sailors of the Pilot Boat was most cheering saying that the diggings were improving that some man found a nugget upward of 200 lbs weight! – at Ballarat – that the price of labour at Melbourne was high mechanics 30/- to 35/- per day common labourers 12/- to 15/- - - - This information as you may see surprised people and in high spirits – what a wonderful influence has this gold – we have been visited by the Surgeon – who has given us a clean Bill of Health – this good as it permits us passing quarantine – we must keep the Pilot on Board tomorrow – we have beaten the Marco Polo - and her swift … from anchor to anchor – we weighed anchor about 12 noon on Thursday 7th of July last & cast anchor at 12 Thursday 22nd of Sept

Thursdays has been rather a memorable day with us –viz –we embarked on a Thursday and crossed the line on a Thursday – had a funeral on a Thursday and cast anchor on a Thursday! I hope Thursdays in future may be of good fortune to us all. I felt the blessing influence of the Australian Breeze as I have experienced a loneliness for several days past and this morning when I had a full draught of the sweet Breezes that swept from the land I soon felt a great Buoyancy of spirits such I have rarely experienced before have found endings are not to be had for money - # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ## # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # 27 # # # # # # # # yesterday # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ## # # # #

Man must of necessity be a free agent else he would not have been made in the image of God.

End of shipboard diary

Other Journal Entries

Transcribed in the collection are, in order of presentation, four thematic ‘addresses’, and a number of open letters or notices to Humffray’s fellow passengers, (to Tween Deck Passengers or To whom it may concern) culminating with a meeting on the final day on board to vote on a Notice of censure to agents and a vote of Congratulations to the Captain. Other items in the collection written during the voyage are the lengthy Funeral Oration (15/9), and Rules for the Mining Company set up to dig for gold in Ballarat. Following disembarkation, there are drafts of two letters to the Editor, one to the Shrewsbury Chronicle which gives some interesting impressions of Melbourne late in 1853 and the other to the Ballarat Times mid-1854. The final item is in the form of some notes to an unknown destination concerning the Ballaarat diggings only weeks before Eureka. I have taken the liberty to slightly rearrange the order in which they are presented, as Humffray does not adhere to a strict chronological order in the Journal.

The Thematic Addresses

No 1 A word to the well disposed is sufficient (Undated)

Honesty is the Best Policy said a great man and it is a sentiment that any man of right principle will readily assent to – since the 7th day of July the day we were lugged out of the River Mersey I am sorry to say the 10th commandment has been frequently violated to the disgrace of the robber and the injury of the robbed. I would say to those parties troubled with avaricious propensities that if they had remained at home a short time longer and had exercised their skill upon some of Her Britannic Majesty’s subjects she would have conveyed them only to Australia where they would find some congenial spirits in Tasmania who had left their country for their country’s good free of experience at all events all that they would have to give in exchange for their country’s liberality would be their character and what to them is a thing of insignificant value – to steal is a base and wicked act it is a violation of any principle of social order and social rights & more it is a violation of God’s Moral Law – and the man who is guilty of it ought to be counted out of civilized society – and may rest assured that he will reap his reward. I trust not to neither hear of or experience any more of the thieving work whilst we are on our voyage – so that the luster of the Star of the East may not be any more dimmed with such immoral mischiefs. Heaven knows there are too many claims already in Australia already without adding to their numbers – what a disgrace it is that there should be any need for a watch at all Pro Bono Publico first the passengers in distinguishing their own property from their neighbours and to prevent this drunken conduct setting the ship on fire thereby endangering their own lives and the lives of others 500 beings Shame! Shame!!

Do as you would be done unto (undated)

A word to the well disposed is sufficient It is the duty of # # # # # Caesar # # # # Caesar’s – in other words it is incumbent of every passenger on Board this ship if he finds an article belonging to someone else to make the same known in a manner that is to assist the rightful owner and not as now allow the owner to be inconvenienced for days and even after putting up a ‘paper’ stating his loss not get it down or not without much difficulty – I contend it is not saying too much to say -That any person retaining any property that he knows is not his own and taking no trouble to ascertain the owner is little better than a thief - and ought to branded as such - There is not a passenger on Board the Star of the East who if he lost any property would not like to have it returned – now it is a sacred duty that man owes to his fellow man to do as he would be done unto – I venture to express hope that we should in future see papers put up by the finder of property informing the fact and not as now by the loser advertising his loss. There can be no happiness in any community unless man has confidence in one another and are honest to each other there cannot be any confidence – and it is a fact unless men are honest to their neighbours they cannot be honest to themselves –

Bear one with another (undated) Every Second and Intermediate passenger on board the “Star of the East” must have been more or less annoyed and inconvenienced by the irregular and confused not to say stupid manner in which the cooked rations are served at the Galley – It is important to the comfort of all to know upon whom rests the fault – some say it is Govt Inspector, some Capt Robertson or Millers & Thompson – some say one and some another but without expressing an opinion as to whom to blame relative to the non-fulfillment of the Contract with the 2nd Cabin passengers – I do not hesitate to say that the daily nuisance and unpleasantness at the galley arises chiefly from the misconduct of the passengers themselves – all persons of proper feelings who have had to fetch the rations from the Galley must have been disgusted and must have blushed for his species to see the hungry savagism manifested by too many of the passengers – It is certainly not Capt Robertson who jambs the pots and pannikins in our faces – neither is it Millers & Thompson who fight & scramble – push and jolt us at the Galley doors – but the passengers one another and if such a scene was witnessed at any door on Land a stranger passing would conclude he saw a lot of half starved paupers around a soup kitchen in a famine – you are justly a laughing stock to the poop passengers – I wish to see men who have sufficient self respect to congregate from others and make senseless the finger of scorn – and this you may # # # # forbearance kindness civility and regularity to each other at the Galley – instead of impersonating much of the canine feline and primitive –selfish and obstinate conduct as at present if the well disposed and I hope the number that are not are very few will only be determined to have better regulations they will have the support and assistance of Captain Robertson in carrying them out – comfort and peace depend upon our individual conduct – it is idle nonsense to talk just at present about what assignments Millers & Thompson # # # # The simple question is what we can do for ourselves under the circs – I wish any passenger to ask himself – how he has individually contributed to produce this state of things and how much it is in his own power to alter it for the better - Every individual cane reform one Individual and that individual is himself – If we have such a sis… llish for humbug – how foolish it is to humbug ourselves. Let us be men and do our duty and our comfort health and happiness depend manly upon our conduct – Let our conduct to each other be such that we should not regret that we had ever met. Let us give evidence that we are formed by correct moral principles – Let us in short do as we would be done unto. Let us form a new and working Committee for the last one was a Burlesque and a farce.

Cosmopolite

and one of Millers & Thompsons

Dupes

“Cleanliness is next to Godliness” (25/8/53) Has been said by the lips of truth – and authority – but setting the matter aside for the moment as being a high moral duty incumbent upon all men and confine our view to the more animal benefits that invariably arise as the reward of cleanliness – and I am sure that there is not a passenger on board this ship but will agree with me in saying that of all the circumstances of life in which a number of human beings could be placed there is none in which it is more essential to the health and comfort of all that cleanliness should be rigidly attended to and they will also agree with me that there is nothing that betrays the low breeding and base feeling as dirty habits – they will also agree that there is much filth allowed to accumulate on board a ship that might and ought to be avoided – The first and one of the most abominable of these nuisances is the filthy state that the water closets are in continually and this arising from the beastly habits of some that visit them and it has been the complaint of many that they have suffered much personally especially at night. (In margin) I would suggest that any one found to be damaging the seats should have the have the position of his nose reversed to his stern. The second is the accumulation of similar filth in a great number of the berths and which communicates a most intolerable stench to their close and unfortunate neighbours – in case of illness this cannot entirely be avoided but what is complained of is that it is done by parties who have no illness to complain of but lascivious and filthy habits – a moral illnesss that I am afraid doctor’s pills will not cure. The third is a neglect of personal cleanliness – which is not only offensive to the eye but productive of a far greater nuisance in the breeding of some very unpleasant companions of the species Aptera and I am sorry to say a portion of this ship swarms with them you may see not infrequently a number of the passengers of this miserable locality gathered on the fore castle on the hunt – and all they catch they kill and all they do not they take to their berths alive. The fourth and last I need mention in this paper is the practice of parties when they are bringing their dinner pannikins and platters on deck to wash them carelessly throw the contents on the deck (instead of over the ship’s side) which through the continual motion of the ship is soon spread over a considerable space and many a severe fall amongst the passengers has been the consequence and not infrequently by parties in fetching their rations from the galley this makes it doubly annoying and dangerous. The foregoing category of nuisances may all be avoided or at least very much mitigated – If so any sane man will agree that it would add much to of all parties concerned not to mention that it is a personal and social duty not to produce any of them but to do his best in preventing others doing so – I disclaim all manner of personal allusions in these remarks – but have him impelled to promote the general comforts of our floating community trusting they may X X X X Yours Philanthropos

• (In margin) The person who tore down the other paper is evidently one who does not like the truth & puts me in mind of an old ill-tempered maid who smashed the mirror because it truthfully pictured to her eye the ugliness of her face – this paper may meet with a similar fate so be it - it will confirm it is right

�12/9/53 To the Between passengers on Board Star of the East

I wish to call your attention to a few of the odds and ends and men, things sayings and doings in connection with our voyage - I dare venture to say there is not one on board that does not now see that he or she may have made better use of their time may not have avoided some unpleasantnesses inconveniences and troubles such is the History of mankind they only learn to act rightly until they have to pay the fine in the Court of Experience – and such has been the case with us and we have verified the times in that men only learn the value of Good by the punishment attendant upon evil but through many complainings and bickerings and enjoyments and pleasures – we have through a skilful observance of the physical laws if the universe established by the Almighty we have thank God neared the end of our tedious voyage with perhaps fewer casualties than falls to the lot of so large a number of passengers on an Australian voyage and in the language of the immortal Bard of Avon all is well that ends well, and I trust that it will end as well as it promises to do – I think every thinking man will now have seen that most of the annoyances and unpleasantnesses that we have all experienced might have been much mitigated if not entirely avoided – It has been truly said that a knowledge of the disease is half the cure – and if we had calmly looked at our position and duties & not have confined our view so much exclusively upon our rights we lost sight of the fact that we had duties as well as rights – We early commenced complaining of the conduct of Captain Robertson and I as one of the 2nd Cabin passengers joined in those complaints and considered that Captain Robertson was the legal and responsible representative of the charterers and that it was his special duty to carry out to the letter the contracts entered into between the charterers Millers & Thompson and was to supply stewards &c at the expense of Millers & Thompson – and this was my impression and I never hesitated to say so until Captain Robertson sent for me and showed me the Contract between him as Master and Mr James Beezley the owner of this vessel by which it appears that Captain Robertson is the representative of Beezley the owner only and not as I with others believed of Millers and Thompson – to use Captain Robertson’s own words “he had no more to do with the private contracts of Millers & Thompson than the main mast”. That his duties consist in taking charge of the passengers – luggage and freightage, and ships stores to see that the sanitary condition of the ship were attended to according to the act of parliament also that rations were delivered out to the passengers &c &c as George Spinston-Miller by misrepresentation & deceit led us to believe – taking Captain Robertson’s statement supported as it is by documentary evidence to be the true one – we should direct our censure & condemnation to the guilty party, and that party appears to me to be none other than Geo Spinston Miller whom I do not hesitate to call a deceiver if not a swindler for extracting the extra money from the pockets of the 2nd Cabin passengers when they never intended making any distinction in point of accommodation amongst the Between deck passengers – There is fact only two classes of passengers on Board viz. the poop and between deck and I trust the passengers generally will unite having an unvarnished statement of facts – and expose nefarious & dishonourable conduct of the firm of Miller & Thompson and prevent any of your friends who may intend to follow may not be swindled and humbugged after the same fashion. I think the backward public should be agitated so some better laws are framed for the protection of immigrants because at present he is at the mercy of designing lying agents and he is promised a great many Comforts and Conveniences which he fondly believes will be realized but low and behold he has only to be out of the Channel to find it was all a hoax to obtain his money and is cooly told by the Captain that he has nothing to do with the Immigration agent that he only represents the owner and is very sorry that we have been deceived and humbugged – that he cannot help it and that he cannot be expected to find stewards at his own expense such as has been our case & taking for granted the Captain’s explanation of the matter – this conduct has been consistent with his engagement & he has done himself an injustice in not having it known the real facts sooner – and Captain Robertson admitted to me that we had a perfect right to complain of the non fulfilment of our Contract – that he would have done so himself but he said we did him wrong in saddling the blame upon his shoulders. That he has endeavoured to do his duty as far as a Master of a vessel could be called upon to do – and that he has taken every care of the lives and property of the passengers and used his uttermost skill in securing to have a safe and short voyage – That he has always been ready and willing to assist the passengers in carrying out any rule proposed to him that they thought would be to their advantage, and if they have not been more comfortable it has been their own fault – and better negotiations in their own hands and I think this has been exemplified in the improved regulation at the galley and all this might have been done from the first week as Captain Robertson then offered to sign & enforce rules we may agree upon – the so-called committee undertook to draw up Rules for the purpose but never did so – and the Captain is blamed for not signing rules which never had existence until I drew them up myself – the end of …. Days after the Committee had intention to have drawn such up – for any man having as much brains as a goose must have seen the necessity of such rules – the Captain signed the rules immediately upon my presenting same for signature and expressed his regret that they had not been drawn up before. I plead guilty to having been a member of the do nothing Committee neither do I claim any merit for having drawn up those few simple rules. I have only done an act of duty and have been amply rewarded by the thought that I had tho’ late done so for there is a pleasure known to those who experience it namely that pleasure which is felt in the conviction that I have contributed in a humble degree to the comforts of my fellow passengers – I have been accused of inconsistency and that I am canvassing for the favour of the Captain - this charge is hardly worth notice but I will say in reply that I never did nor do court the Captain’s smile nor fear his frown neither will I be deterred by the sneering insinuations of any party from expressing the honest convictions of my mind – and I am compelled as an honest man to say after having seen the document before mentioned to exonerate Captain Robertson from much that I find others accused him and I am bold enough to say that most of our discomforts are fairly chargeable upon ourselves and I trust that we shall all take a lesson from the experiences of this voyage viz. that our happiness and comfort depend upon our own individual development self-reliance is the great watchword of success no one can make us happy unless we personally join in the work – it is also the duty of each to take the Beams out of his own eye before he points at the moat in the eye of another man is to a certain extent the architect of his own fortune and if his golden dreams are to be realized in this golden land we hope so soon to see depend upon it will mainly depend our individual perseverance may we not only have good fortune but deserve it – Let all part friends with the Captain and friends with each other and be prepared when the Captain lands no one the Melbourne shore denied him a hearty good Bye Your sincere well wisher J.B.Humffray (Signature) On Board the Star of the East 12/9/53

�

To all whom it may Concern (13/9)

I wish to say a few words as to the characteristics of our voyage – the official function of Captain Robertson and our own position and duties – for want of space I must leave much unsaid till another opportunity – with regard to our voyage we have through a skilful obedience to the physical laws established by the almighty creator for the government of the universe eased the end of our tedious voyage with perhaps fewer casualties and misfortunes than usually falls to the lot of so great a number of passengers on our Australian voyage and whatever might have been our hard business and disappointments we should balance the good against the Bad for in the language of the immortal Bard of Avon “That is well that ends well” and I trust through the same kind Providence the voyage will end as well as it now promises and that all the passengers will forget their past troubles and rejoice at their safe arrival. With regard to Capn Robertson we early began to complain of his conduct and I as one of the 2nd Cabin (?) passengers joined in the complaints – because I soon saw that we did not get the accommodation and privileges promised us by Millers & Thompson – we considered that Captain Robertson was the legal and responsible representative of the charterers& that it was his special duty to carry out to the letter the contract between Millers & Thompson & the passengers and this was my impression and I never hesitated to say so until Capn Robertson politely sent word to me by the surgeon that he wished to speak to me. I went to him and he thus explained to me his official position as Master of the ship and showed me a contract dated the 17 March 1853 between him and Mr James Beazley by which it certainly appears that he is engaged by and represents the owner only – who had chartered the ship for the purpose of conveying passengers to Australia. The Captain on that occasion stated to me that the passengers did him a wrong in saying he was deaf to their complaints and careless of their comforts – that he had endeavoured to do his duty as a captain and had with much anxiety brought the passengers through the tropical climate unscathed by pestilential feaver and or afflictions incidental to immigrants crossing the line and that he wished to land them all safe at their destination and give them his best wishes for their future prosperity – I told him that there was only one opinion as to his ability as a nautical man – but that it was the opinion of the great majority that he might not allow respectable parties to be subject to the great annoyance of going to the Galley for his rations after the manner of paupers at a charitable soup kitchen with his pannikin soliciting food – He said that it is a matter that rests with the passengers themselves – he had never been deaf to their complaints or careless of their comforts – That he had always expressed himself willing to assist the passengers in carrying out any rules which they chose to submit to him and thought to their advantage and that if I would go & consult with the passengers and draw up rules for the better regulation of the galley & he should be happy to sign & enforce them. Since the origin of the new Rules which have worked out well and my connection therewith – I have been accused of inconsistency and charged with seeking to win the favour of the Captain. The charge is almost too absurd for notice. I will say en passen, That I never did wish to court the Captains smiles and I have given ample proof I do not fear his passions – neither will I be deterred by the sneering insinuations of any party from expressing the sincere convictions of my own mind and as an honest man after having recd the explanation. I have supported by documentary evidence before mentioned I am compelled to exonerate Captain Robertson from the blame that at one time I believed him to deserve ……………………… all that has been done with regard to establishing better regulations might have been established from the first week as Captain Robertson undertook to sign and enforce any Rules the so-called committee want to draw up – but they never did draw any up and yet the Captain is accused of not signing and enforcing Rules which never had existed! Until I drew them up at the end of days after the (I could explain why I did not do it before if needful) and it is with humiliation I confess that I was a member of the nothing Committee – I do not X X X my mind in the matter for my man having as much brains as a goose must have seen the X X X of similar as those now in practice simply done an act of duty and have been amply rewarded by the thought that I tho’ late dined on for there is a pleasure only understood by those who experienced it as that pleasure one feels in the in having contributed in a humble degree to the comfort of ones fellow passengers – and with regard to our position and duties looking fairly at the foregoing facts I am bold enough to say that most of the discomforts we have experienced is fairly chargeable upon ourselves because as soon as we discovered that one has been humbugged I deceived by the non-appointment of proper stewards we should at once have made such regulations as would have met the difficulty to the advice of waggoner whose wheel was fast in the mud who prayed to the gods for help – viz. “put your shoulder to the wheel” - and I trust we shall all take a lesson from the experience of this voyage that we must a desire for the public good & that our own comfort happiness and I will add prosperity mainly depend upon our own conduct our own individual development and self reliance is the great watchword of progress no one can make us happy unless we personally join in the work – man is to a certain extent the architect of his own fortune and if our golden dreams will be realised in the Golden land we hope so soon to see – we may be assured that it will mainly depend upon our own individual perseverance – may we not only all earn good fortune but deserve it and properly use it – may we all part good friends with the Captain and good friends with each other and when the Captain lands us safely upon a portion of the Australian shore be prepared to thank him for landing us safely and bid him a hearty good bye. We shall not be any the worse for our having to wait upon ourselves because it is very useful ….. and especially so in Australia and earns independence – and true respectability.

and where we leave this vessel Star of the East may we be guided by a bright ray from the real star of the east safely across the ocean of life and arrive at last in the glorious heaven of endless bliss.  

Cheer boys cheer the steady breeze is blowing To waft us freely o’er the ocean’s breast The world shall follow in the trail we’re going The Star of Empire glitters in the heart (south)

J B Humffray 13/9/53 �Meeting notice, motion of censure, congratulations to Captain – (last day on board- Sept 22)

Notice That a meeting of the Between deck passengers will be held at 10 oClock on Thursday morning Sep 22nd Instant on deck, weather permitting aft between decks for the purpose of passing a Vote of Censure on Miller & Thompson and the Government Commissioner also a Vote of Congratulations to Captain Robertson on our safe voyage

Star of the East

Notes on meeting of Between Deck Passengers (22 Sept 1853)

That this meeting composed of Between deck passengers on board the Star of the East who have paid 2nd Cabin fare but have only had Intermediate accommodation feel it its duty on public grounds and as a warning to others – In Condemning the conduct of Miller & Thompson the Charterers of this ship – as being false dishonourable and dishonest in the extreme – Inasmuch as they stated that “Stewards were appointed to wait on the Second Cabin passengers” which is false – They also neglected to Bulk-head the Between decks so as to make a proper distinct classification of passengers according to contract – That they have crowded about a 100 more passengers on board than they represented to the public by advertisement and they even crowded up the Hospital itself to the great inconvenience discomfort and Sanitary dangers of all parties on board – that they stowed the ship in a most slovenly and careless ………with respect to passengers luggage – Ship stores and freightage to great inconvenience to the passengers and an obstruction to the proper working of the ship & so delaying our passage. We readily admit that the ship rations have been reasonable in quantity and of average Ships quality but they were given out in unsatisfactory Class regularity – the galley ….

2nd That the said passengers do feel it their duty record their unqualified censure on the manifest dereliction of duty on the part of the govt Commissioner whose duty it was to Survey and Inspect this ship as he must have been aware that the great majority of the Berths have had less measurement than is by law required & that any sanitary principle was violated by allowing so many passengers to be crowded with this ship – and that there is no thanks to him that we have escaped the tropical fevers, for example Berth No X X 2 Cabin occupied by a man and his wife in X X X X the Berth has to be hinged up to allow the parties egress & ingress

A vote of Congratulation to Captain J. B. Robertson of the Ship Star of the East

That the Between-Deck passengers on Board the ship Star of the East in public meeting assembled feel it their incumbent duty to acknowledge and feel a pleasure in having observed his great nautical ability – the ever watchful vigilance of the ship’s safety and the lives & property of the passengers – the open hearted good feelings which he has always been disposed to manifest to the passengers & the many Seamen-like qualities possessed by Captain Robertson That they congratulate him upon as the excellent & safe voyage he has made on the first trip of this noble ship to the antipodes – and tender him their best wishes for his future prosperity and may he & his good Lady enjoy all the pleasure this world can afford and when he has reached the end of life’s voyage may the needle of the compass of faith guide him safely into the haven of endless peace.

Star of the East 22 Sepr 1853 Regulations of the meeting pro-tem Chairman J. B. H Proposed by Mr R Mr E$ First Resolution by Mr G.M.

�This is a funeral oration on the death of a man named Beatie, who died of “excessive potations”; the death is referred to in the Shipboard Diary. As the material was presumably prepared to be read aloud, and therefore needing to be clearly written, it provides a welcome example of something relatively easy to transcribe accurately. More significantly it contrasts markedly with the personal and draft material which makes up the majority of the Journal, showing what Humffray really could rise to as a writer and as an orator.

15th Sep 1853 on Board Star of the East

On the by us ever to be remembered 7th of July last the feelings of the passengers as our gallant ship was tugged out by the steamer and when the Albion shores of Merry England were fading in the Grey Horizon must have been & if any of my Welch fellow passengers are listening they will sympathise with me in saying it cost a pang that language is too poor to express in taking the last fond look of Cambria’s sweet mountains and no doubt my Irish friends felt a similar pang in bidding adieu to Erin’s green Isle. My English friends would sit down moodily reflecting on the fancied sacrifice they were making in leaving the land of their Birth – the boasted home of comfort and of freedom the shelter of the Exile the home of the world – the Anglo Saxon have a high destiny to work out in the Providence of God – he would no doubt to exclaim with Cowper ‘England with all thy faults I love thee still’ going back a few days earlier my scotch friends whose social feelings are as strong and warm as any of us no doubt experienced a similar grief when taking a farewell glance at his native Cot situated amidst the Glens and Braes of his wild Highland home and when perhaps pressing the hand of some weeping maiden he may be ready to use the words of his favourite Burns to Eliza From thee, Eliza I must go And from my native shore; The cruel fates between us throw A boundless oceans roar; But boundless oceans roaming wide Between my love and me, They never, never can divide My heart and soul from thee and to his friends he would exclaim Though I to a foreign land must hie Pursuing fortune’s slidd’ry ba’ With melting heart and brimful eye I’ll mind you still, tho’ far awa’ and the German friends would find vent in the words of the immortal Schiller

An Australian voyage is a great undertaking to most – it is the disbanding of many a happy social circle – the severance of many a sweet friendship – a parting form the loved scenes of childhood and the companions of our past lives – some of you have left aged parents whom in all probability you may never see again – I was much affected the other day by listening to a warm hearted son of Erin who in answer to my question as to what were his feelings as he left home for this b\voyage he was silent for some time and made several attempts to speak and then spoke as follows – “The cottage in which I lived was situated in front of one of the noblest Harbours that graces the shores of any Country – at 8 o’Clock on Saturday morning the 2nd July I sat down to Breakfast with a father, mother, two sisters and two brothers that was the last sad and silent meal we partook of together and were scarcely seated five minutes when noiselessly and silently the tears stole down the cheeks of all that was a sad and sorrowful breakfast to us all for in 2 hours more I was to proceed on my long and perilous journey to Australia as the hand of the clock pointed to the hour of my parting I threw myself on my knees to receive an aged and honest fathers blessing” I have no doubt that many of you can sympathise with the filial & fraternal manifestation of the weeping Milesian – as I may venture to say that there is not a passenger on board the Star of the East that has not left some Kind friend behind – some object on whom his affection might be feasted All have left either a father mother – wife – child – Brother sister sweetheart or friend to mourn his absence if not his loss. May none of us have reason to regret leaving for awhile our native land & may those who intend to return have all their reasonable desires accomplished & have a speedy and safe return and be able to gladden the hearts of the mourners and enjoy the pleasure of as reunion with the objects of their affection – among those who intend to return there may be some fond father who allows hope to paint futurity in smiles and anticipates with great gusto the joy of again listening to the sweet prattling music of his first born child and seeing the welcome smile of his wife – may his hearts desire be realized in due season. When the order was given for weighing anchor what a bustle on deck what shaking of hands what fond adieus were there an\mongs parting friends No doubt many of you can hear In memory’s sweet ear The parting shout of your friends as they left in the steamer – Ah the shout and responsive shouts & sobs So full of hopes and fears hopes of again hearing the same well known voices and fears that some of the voices so full toned that day would be dumb with death’s toll ere you could return and some ears that eagerly listened to catch the responsive shouts would be deaf until the great Archangel’s trump shall strike the tympanum and call the dead to life to listen to the final call of the great Judge of the Universe- may it be a welcome sound to us all

We will suppose ourselves floating away swiftly on the Briny deep and taking our last fond look of land and I know I looked eagerly for the last shadow of my native Welsh mountains – but I was soon reluctantly compelled to examine minutely the conditions to surrounding circumstances of my new home in this floating piece of architecture on the wide wide ocean – I have no doubt you all found yourselves more or less strangely situated among strangers in a new and strange position – But I confess I thought it very strange that the passengers though strange should have looked so strangely upon one another – one might have thought that people met together for a similar purpose whose happiness would depend on their agreement with each other would have sought much more readily an acquaintance with each other and would have consented forgo sacrifice some of their private conveniences for the general comfort – but so it is we are all so slow in placing confidence in each other – I however hope by this time that distrust has been to a great extent expunged from our minds and new and honourable friendships formed that will be productive of much good to the parties concerned and be as lasting as life – man is a social animal and stands in need of society – and as we have separated from the social circles of former days( at all events necessarily for a time and our native home I sincerely trust that our new acquaintances win our new and antipodean home will agreeably supply the place of former ones and that we shall have no need to regret the change - I think we will have no ill for boding on this head – man is man wherever you find him – The primitive feelings of all men are alike – we should therefore cultivate the Sentiment of Universal Brotherhood considering the world our home and mankind our Bretheren – let us not be influenced by anything in the shape of national prejudices perish all conventionalisms, let us do an act of kindness not because it is for a Welchman, an Englishman, an Irishman – a Scotchman, a German, a Swede or a Dane or Italian – but because he is a man irrespective of country & Kin – colour – clan – party or creed – but because he is a man a friend a Brother having been fashioned and endowed by the same almighty hand, morally responsible to the same great God and destined to the same important end. “God has made of one blood all nations of men” was the deathless truth uttered by St Paul on Mar’s Hill 18 centuries ago – God hath made of one blood all nations of men, Christians hear it! Says the eloquent Elibin Burrit “hear it in the harmonies of the Universe and the voices of visionless things, that commune little whispering Angels with the human soul. Hear it in the music of the Birds that never lose a note to settle any disputed territory in mid air. Hear it! , the night winds sigh that have fainted beneath the burdens they leave borne from the battlefields and scenes of human butchery. Hear it! Whisper the summer breezes, that go out by moonlight a wooing the blushing flowers of every zone, and sing the same song of love over boundaries that alone make emissaries of nations. Bend your ear to the lily and the rose, and hear it there: for the gentle spirit of the summer flowers is the breath of the Angels, and it comes up from every daisy that lifts its yellow petals to the stars and pleads the divinity of this lesson. Read it! For it is the Autograph of every sunbeam, written at dawn and dewy eve on every inch of the firmament above. Every rain-drop – distilled from the ocean that patters against your window or glitters on the rose beneath is sent to you with this special message of love. The effect of its neglect is described And then there are other voices, that come up in whispered wailings as from a world of moaning spirits sighing. Hear it! Every foot of ground in Europe is blushing with the blood of some murdered Abel, which “smells rank to heaven” & cries to God against the Cainlike profanity of the man that slays his brother, from the field of Waterloo, and burned and ground to lime, and sold to the farmer by the cask to manure his fields – these have voices that “cry like angels trumpet angered against the deep damnation of their taking off”. Mountains interposed & made them enemies; & they rushed into the deadly combat, and plucked out each other’s hearts to gain the immortality of human glory, which was promised them for aping fiends “Like Kindred drops they had mingled into one” had it not been for this bloody phantom that summoned them to the fields.

But they mingled at last: the Britain, the Gaul and the Austrian mingled their blood in one huge draught for the thirsty earth, which blushed as she drank it in because she knew it was human. The ponderous millstones mingled their human bones in one common dust, & the farmer merged their obstinate nationalities at every handful of the pulverised humanity, which he scattered upon his field. Costly dust! God’s image, ground to powder! Lie peaceful by the tender blade of growing corn! For ye have attained the honour of resurrection, to be raised from the battle field even to this base use. Lie still, and let the dews of heaven weep sweetly over you; and the zephyrs whisper as they pass by, that God, Angles, and men, had rather ye should bear spears of grass & blades of corn than murderous spears of steel and blades and bayonets to butcher men. Sleep on! Let no malignant spirit breathe on you; but let the Archangel whose it shall be to wake you to another life and form, let him keep watch over your desecrated dust and point mankind to your lowly bed, and then to the eternal truth, written in characters of living light across the heavens – “God hath made of one blood all nations of men” Christians, look upward! Do you not see that handwriting upon the wall of heaven? Can ye not read it? Is it not fairly writ? Come, all ye Belshazzars of the earth – come look there! For ye can read it without a Daniel: the Everlasting Son of God Himself has translated it into the language of the human heart, and everything that can sing of love, or love to sing, has set that truth to the soul – melodies of its existence. Aye, read and tremble; for it is the Mene, Tekel, Upharsen,of your wanton empire over the destinies of man. Has it made you tremble on your thrones to recognize the political existence of one small nation; what will you do when all the nations of man shall rise up in the majesty of their desire and summon you to recognise their lofty lineage! Aye God’s recognition is a far more glorious charter – than that which public opinion has awarded to the name of an English man. Let all the foolish notions of national superiority perish. Be we Welch, English, Irish – Scotch – German – Swede – Dane or Italian we have all our Heirs – poets Philosophers and Orators – and we have all in our turn had the benefits of their

Heroism, their Song – their Philosophy and their Eloquence – the simple question ought to be when you meet a stranger not who is he is but what is he – it is the moral & intellectual development should be the standard. The magnificent scenery if the universe – and the wisdom and benevolence of God displayed in his works when we had got out into the trackless ocean – got through our sea sickness and accustomed ourselves to the ways of this floating community – our minds were awakened to the magnificent scenery of the universe which was so well calculated to strike with Awe wonder and admiration the mind of every thinking beholder – who indeed that has gazed from the Bulwarks of this noble ship upon the mighty waters of the deep foaming and dashing in wild fury without being struck with admiration and amazement and yet owing to the benevolent designs of the creator these apparently uncontrolled waters are governed by fixed and undeviating laws – and all we have to do is to obey these laws and our noble ship will sail gallantly over its billows – it is therefore a mistake to suppose we are at the mercy of the waters for they are governed upon wise and benevolent principles. The almighty creator has not only established these laws but has endowed man with reasoning facilities to discover and power to obey the same. The same wisdom and benevolence characterize the whole of his works. Again what thinking man could gaze at the quiet hour of night upon those Brilliant Orbs that roll in blazing splendour and bedeck in sublime grandeur heaven’s blue vaulted roof without feelings of the highest emotions - what an opportunity we enjoyed in the tropics in gazing upon the glorious Constellations of the southern hemisphere a passage across the line has been well described in Eloquent terms by the Rev Wm Arthur Wesleyan Minister in his work entitled a Mission to Meysore – it is one I have no doubt will express your own recollections of the beauty of the climate and brilliancy of scenery. The marine scenery of the tropics exceeded in splendour & variety all my anticipations. During the day the sky formed a superb dome of stainless & polished azure: while lighted above by its one magnificent lamp it constituted and object passing beyond the beautiful to the highest order of the sublime. At evening those two features of scenery were displayed in a combination scarcely attainable in any field of nature. As the sun sank to the ocean heavy clouds gathered about him like sorrows round a death bed. But as the soul that is departing in faith makes pain feebleness and poverty but the means of more fully displaying its graces; so the setting sun made each colour a prism whereby to analyse his golden light & exhibit its variety of hue. The whole hemisphere glowed with indescribable beauty. All round the horizon islets of gold were floating on the bright blue surface of the “ocean hung on high”, while in the west, the assemblage of gorgeous forms and dazzling tints was such as to produce a bewildering ecstasy. The prevailing hues were burnished gold and the prismatic red; but all the primitive colors were present and formed themselves into combinations so lovely and so various as equally to outstrip the vocabulary and delight the eye: the “pale translucent green” of Bishop Heber was one of the most pleasant; while the blue now combining with the red, now displaying its own brightest tints, exhibited every variety of the purple pansey to the lightsome blue of an infant’s eye, on the craggy side of many a mountainous cloud were pencilled, with inconceivable effects, every hue that is delicate or brilliant till the impoverished description is glad to escape the difficulty of specifying by the aid of Wm Herman’s adroit summary, “the rich hues of all glorious things”. Indeed I have often in speechless admiration gazed upon the sublime spendour of the Gorgeous sunrise and sunset while in the tropics – and now wonder less than formerly that men should have the sun as a God for in the absence of a moral revelation the sun is I think the most glorious object in the physical creation – frequently have I heard parties involuntarily exclaim - how grand - Oh how beautiful - well is this a scene worth coming to see and so every intelligent mind must have thought – gross indeed must be the mind & stultified the intellect that could not feast itself upon the enchanting marine and sidereal scenery prescribed to us during our voyage. The different impression upon the mind of the intelligent and ignorant has been well described by the profound Geo Comb man ignorant & uncivilized is a ferocious animal and a superstitious savage. The world affords some enjoyment to his animal feelings but it confounds his moral and intellectual faculties.

External nature exhibits to his mind a mighty chaos of Events and a dread display of power – The chain of causation appears too intricate to be unravelled – and the power too stupendous to be controlled – order & beauty – indeed occasionally gleam forth to his eye from detached portions of creation and seem to promise happiness and joys – but more frequently clouds and distress brood over the scene and disappoint his proudest expectations – Evil seems so mixed up with good that he regards it either as its direct product ort its indispensable accompaniment.  Nature is never contemplated with a clear perception of its adaptation to promote the enjoyment of the human Race or with a well founded confidence in the wisdom and Benevolence of its author.  
  But man when civilized, illuminated by knowledge on the other hand discovers in the objects and occurrences around him a scheme beautifully arranged for the gratification of his whole powers  animal, moral and intellectual he recognizes in himself the intelligent and accountable subject of a bountiful Creator – and in joy & gladness tries to study the creator’s works to ascertain his laws and to yield to them a steady and a willing obedience without undervaluing the pleasures of his animal nature he tastes the higher, more refined & more enduring delight of his moral and intellectual capacities   and he then calls alloued for Education as indispensable to the full enjoyment of his powers man.  Thinking is the proper state of man – the very fact of man being endowed with high intellectual faculties is a proof that he sins against his nature and is ungrateful to his creature if he sits down in mental inactivity for God has created nothing in vain – man indeed is wonderfully and fearfully made and judging from his mental endowments he is destined for a high purpose in the plans of the almighty.  I said there was an adaptation in the laws of nature to promote the enjoyment of the human race for in the language of Dr Dick “it is only when the exquisite operations of the Divine being are frustrated by external violence that we suffer either inconvenience or pain” that is we must violate some organic law before we feel unwell – health is natural sickness is unnatural it would be ascribing imperfection to the creative powers of God to say otherwise – as long as we obey organic laws we enjoy health break them and we are ill – let the physical laws be observed and this vessel floats safely to harbour violate them & she sinks these are great & important truths but little understood and less attended to and obeyed hence many of the disastrous calamities that overtake mankind.

What a long list of Calamities has not drunkenness – entailed upon human society – how many a ship has been wrecked by neglect of the physical laws by drunken seamen – and that most frightful of all catastrophes so vividly described by Russel a ship on fire and I must confess it has frequently been a source of much uneasiness to me and no doubt most of you the fear of a similar calamity arising from men in a state of intoxication carelessly lighting their pipes but thanks to the captain & thanks to his officers & men & thanks to the night watch under divine providence we have as yet escaped that fearful doom and other all other great dangers as yet - violation of the organic laws shortens life and by what other means have men so wrecklessly violated every law in their being as drunkenness it is the great bane of society the great drawback of civilization the great mill stone around the neck of human progress – it has brought untold misery on the country we have left and I am sorry to learn it is likely to be a great obstruction to human advancement, good society and Religion in the country we are going to – Drunkenness I regret to say has been productive of much unpleasantness on Board this ship cannot be indulged in without evil consequences – socially morally or organically – socially in loss of position, morally in loss of self respect – organically in loss of health if not of life and alas too frequently the latter – Indeed it is with deep sorrow I say that we have now to lament the untimely and sudden end of a fellow passenger through excessive potations. I fondly hoped that death would have not entered himself as a passenger on Board our ship a funeral at sea is a very solemn affair under any circumstances and doubly so under the present – a young man going out very probably with many cheering hopes if future joy in England – to be snatched away in a moment having no kind hand to do the last said offices of life by closing his eyes in peace and whispering in his ear the sweet music of salvation - it is sad for a man to destroy by maddening intemperance his prospects in this life and ten thousand times ten thousand more sad to endanger his happiness in the imenating Life which is to come. We are cautioned to Judge not lest we be judged – I therefore cast the mantle of sorrow over his memory and allow the solemn truths it teaches to reach your minds in the Eloquence of thoughtful silence. There is indeed something surpassing solemn in a funeral at sea even to those who have been accustomed to such scenes even the weather beaten and stern visage of the aged seaman relaxes at the scene and the stoutest heart seemed as if it felt a strong emotion in listening to the strange Regnium sung by the loud roaring storm at the funeral of poor unfortunate Beatie. Alas no green sod will grow upon his last resting place no flowers planted by a weeping sister bloom on his grave. Pardon my digression. I was endeavouring to call your attention to the great fundamental principles of our being – physically or organically, morally and mentally – That these laws were established by the almighty to govern his creation – There is an infinite wisdom manifested in their design – Omnipotence in their production and boundless benevolence for their ultimate end – therefore I consider man is as happy as he tries to be. There is not a single law of our being if obeyed will not give corresponding happiness – and there is not a sense of your organism not a longing of the Intellect and not an emotion of our moral nature that the wisdom the power and the Benevolence of God has not amply provided for its full satisfaction – “He who endows us with the power of recognising and appreciating beauty has also given abundantly the requisite materials for its exercise and gratification. If with the great majority of mankind the gift is suffered to lie dormant for want of culture, or is a source of far less pleasure than it is capable of being made. This fact is to be attributed solely to their negligence in this respect not to any niggardliness in the Divine economy regarding it. They may overlook, or throw away their opportunities of aesthetic cultivation – but there the opportunities are, notwithstanding in sufficiency, in profusion, in superfluity. The man who stupidly shuts his eyes at noon and would say there is no sunlight for I cannot see it would be as reasonable as the man who locks up his reasoning faculties and says he cannot see any beauty, or happiness in this world of ours – when it teems with it in luxuriant profusion – man thinking I repeat is the proper state of man – “Human life in its highest and noblest form, is thought. We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts not breaths; In feelings, not in figures on a dial, We should count time by heart throbs. He most lives Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best.” To live is not merely to touch, to taste, to smell, to see, to hear; it is to use our faculties in the highest condition of development our opportunities permit. This and not the other is the natural life of man.” Who are they who have lived who do live? Are they not the thoughts men of the world? “O’er the dark rereward and abyss of time” let the mind’s eye be cast and who are they that shed the night gloom of the past and are recognized as the Lights of the world and demi-gods of fame”? The great thinkers of the Race.

   The teachers of the Gospel have the highest and most glorious functions among the occupations of humanity – when he endeavours to strengthen man’s moral nature, heal his mental diseases, pour “the Balm of Gilead” into the wounded spirit “convince him of sin righteousness, and a Judgement to come and act like Goldsmith’s good clergyman who

“Allured to higher worlds, and led the way”? Man would avoid most of the follies and inconveniences of life if he thought – If there was a proper individual development conviction that happiness depended chiefly upon self conduct if men thought – They would soon cease to be slaves – morally – socially domestically and politically – the value of a thought cannot be told He who made us wish such a large discourse, Looking before and after, gave us not That capability and god-like Reason To rest in us unused

No no the creators design in endowing man with such noble faculties that he should enjoy his existence and expand in being through the unending circles of Eternity The value of thought indeed cannot be told – I appeal to each of you – if you die leave not many things undone on shore for want of thought – how many things you would leave brought if you had thought of it – How many a friend you would have called upon if only you had thought of it – Ah with what eagerness have I seen some of you watching the near approach of some homeward bound ship – that you may send a letter to your friends containing some of the neglected thoughts – This circumstance should bring forcibly to mind the great truth that we should think in time for time past is time lost we should think in time of Eternity and not have to think in Eternity how thoughtless we were in time – “ We should work while it is day for the night cometh when no man can work” in our anxiety to be rich in this perishable world let us not forget to secure the riches that fadeth not away in the Everlasting – Ideas are the circulating Coin of Eternity and truth is the legal tender – may you all acquire the worldly wealth you are in search of but may you also have abundance of the wealth of divine grace – there are richer gems in the human soul that all the goldfields of the world can produce – and we should be very careful of them and let us not in picking up the Australian nuggets of the mind which are of heavenly value the one the gold of time the other the gold of Eternity may we never lose sight of that great truth “what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul – That deathless spark of the Infinite– There is nothing in the might & matter exhibited in the material universe; there is nothing in the magnitudes and mysteries of creation; there is nothing in the distance and dimensions – in the amplitude and infinity of Jehovah’s works, so worthy of study and admiration as the intellectual soul. This, among all the traces of omnipotence, is the most legible footprint of the God-head. The reasoning immortal mind, whether in the incipient stages of its existence, it is confined within these perishable tenements of flesh and blood, or whether exalted to the most intimate proximity to its great, incomprehensible Source, it be the all-acting principle in the very next being less than Infinite perfection; whether it shine in the sunlight luster hard by the throne of the Eternal or be appointed to Scintillate in Solitude far out upon the extremest promontory of the universe; yet wherever and with whatever it may be formed, it is the living evidence of Omniscience the crowning characteristic of Divinity. We should prize this Jewel – and guard it from the moral stain of much that we shall meet in our new country, and endeavour to educate it for its Eternal home – to each I say - & mark the important truth thou hast a deathless and accountable soul - aye The Sun shall grow dim with age The stars shall fade away

The stars shall fade away – the sun Grow dim with age and nature sink In years – But thy soul shall flourish In immortal youth – amidst the War of Elements the wreck of Matter and the crush of worlds �These rules and regulations were formulated on board, probably in the September of 1853. (page 11); they are preceded by observations from Latrobe. The careful manner of regulating the operation and the provision for any ill member are particularly interesting. It is a pity that such planning failed to realise the hoped-for results.

Mr Latrobe, Governor of Victoria, describes the Ballarat diggings as carried through

Red ferruginous earth & gravel Streaked yellowish and red clay Quartz gravel of moderate size Large quartz pebbles & boulders; masses of ironstone set in very compact clay, hard to work Blue & white clay Pipe-clay

In some workings the pipe clay may be reached at the depth of ten or twelve feet, in others not at thirty feet & upwards Parliamentary Report 14.10.52 Mr A. R. C. Selwyn Victoria Geologist

The Star of the East Digging Company

Rules and Regulations

Rules & Regulations to be observed by the undersigned parties who have agreed to work together as a Company at the Gold diggings in Australia for the space of 3 months hereafter from commencement

That each member of the Company have equal duties – equal expenditure – equal rights and privileges and equal profits That they agree according to the decision of the majority as to the …ality of working and whether it be after the manner of what is technically called surface washing or sinking in search of gold or diamonds or other precious stones. That each member of the Company make a full report of the result of his labours during the day and deliver up to the Treasurer for the time being the gold or any precious stones he may have found during the day. That the produce of each member during the day if any be weighed by other and placed in the cask by the Treasurer and be carefully entered in the Company’s Book Kept for that purpose and each member of the Co may take a copy of the same if he thinks proper. That the produce of each week be deposited for general safety in the hands of the Government Commissioner and in such a manner that it cannot be taken out except by the whole Company That should any member of the Company be detected in concealing or purloining any Gold or diamonds or other precious stones found by him in the Course of Working or otherwise being the general property of the Company shall be forthwith expelled the company and forfeit all claims to any property that may be theirs in the hand of the Coy or that of the government Commissioner on their a/c That shd any member in any way want any money for his own private use that he be allowed to sell a portion of his own share for the best price that he may obtain for the same That shd dispute arise between any two or more members of the Co – the cause of the dispute should be referred to the Judge or Umpire for the time being whose decision shall be final That shd any member of the Company become ill he shall not be entitled to his share of the working profits for the space of more than one week from the date of his illness – but that he should be provided with proper food lodging and washing such as the Company have for one month at the Cos expense That the forgoing Rules may be succeeded & abandoned as the Co may find convenient With regard to the undersigned Frederick Humffray one of the said partners he not being of age it is hereby agreed that he only receive half the proportionate share of the gross profits realized by the Co. in case of which the other members of the Co agree to pay all contingent expenses of possessions, Licenses, Fees extant upon working at the diggings & that F H will be entitled to receive one half proportionate share without any reduction or adjustment whatever. � ` These few pages follow the close of the Shipboard Diary. The first two written pages transcribed below appear to be a draft of a second much longer effort and I presume that this longer letter was then transcribed to fair copy and sent to the Shrewsbury Chronicle. It is not dated but portrays Melbourne before Humffray left for Ballaarat, so is therefore dated towards the end of 1853

FIRST DRAFT

To the editor of the Shrewsbury Chronicle

Sir With your permission I seek to redress a promise to many of my Shropshire and Montgomeryshire friends viz. of informing them of my safe arrival at the antipodes and a time sketch of things have together with a general assessment of an Australian voyage by way of guide to those who may wish to follow. I pen this in my tent on Emerald Hill about a mile or so S.W. of the City of Melbourne Safe arrival We all landed here on Monday the 26th of Sep last safe and sound in good health & spirits having made the passage with Star of the East ( from X X X to X X X ships time ) in 75 days 6 hours – this is much below the average most of the ships coming out here from England. I find make the passage in less than a hundred days many of them one hundred and thirty. We escaped fevers &c and had only one death and that was accelerated by Intemperance and a sickly frame. First impressions on landing

	Were wonder and delight – wonder at seeing so large a city so full of business and

delight at finding matters look so much better than I was led to expect – Melbourne has more than doubled itself in about Eighteen months there are miles of new streets laid out and Hundreds of Houses and shops being erected on any available frontage the price of a good Site is enormous and land that was of little account a short time since is now realizing fortunes to those who sell it for example there was an acre of land sold in four lots on Wednesday last for £70!!! Only this is only one of many instances – rents are very high. Seven eight and ten pounds per week for small front shops only £800 to £1000 for four Price of Labour This is cheering to the working man - ye half paid sons of toil in my land listen to this a Common day labourer gets his twelve shillings per day! And frequently fourteen shillings per day – Stone Masons – Bricklayers – Carpenters and plasterers are receiving 35/- per day any one is sure of employment at very high wages. There are many splendid buildings in Course of Erection so that Melbourne will be a very handsome city in a year or two. The foregoing facts will speak for themselves as to the present flourishing state of Melbourne and the good news from the diggings warrants me in saying its future prospects are Brilliant and great indeed There is a sure road to wealth to a man of Industrious sober habits – idlers and drunkards are not wanted here.

SECOND DRAFT

To the Editor of the Shrewsbury Chronicle

Sir/ With your permission I seek to redress a promise to many of my friends both in Shropshire & Montgomeryshire viz. of informing them through your columns of my safe arrival (if so) and give a line sketch of men and things as I should find them here – together with some practical account of a voyage from England to Australia with such hints as I may suggest for the guidance of any one who may intend to come out here. I have endeavoured to do in a separate letter so I send herewith – We cast anchor in Port Phillip Bay on Thursday 22nd Sept last per ship “Star of the East” she made she made the passage in 75-6- hours from anchor to anchor and the passengers being all well and in good spirits. The port doctor gave our Captain a “clean Bill of health” so that any passenger may land on the next day (Friday) – many did so and brought such cheering accounts back from Melbourne so that many who were originally booked for Sydney decided upon landing at Melbourne.

My First Impressions on landing at Melbourne are wonder and delight - wonder at seeing so large and flourishing a city full of bustle business and activity and delight at finding matters so much better than report especially with regard to personal safety the Civility of all parties and the general accommodation of the place – Melbourne I am told has more than doubled itself in Buildings in about Eighteen months. Miles of new streets are laid out and hundreds of Homes and shops being built on any available frontage – the price of a good Site is enormous and land that was of little a/c a short time since is now realizing fortunes to the possessors especially if they divide it into small allotments and sell it for example there was an acre of land sold only a few days ago in four lots for £9600 – and this same acre of land was purchased eighteen months ago for £ 70 !!! only this is one of many instances – rents are very high small two roomed cottages three four or even seven pounds per week and small shop fronts ten fifteen and Twenty pounds per week. This artificial state of things must of necessity have a charge and any fresh Brick or stone or Boards forming part of a new dwelling must be secured in the present extravagant situation. There are many splendid buildings in the course of erection and there is little doubt that Melbourne will become a great and beautiful city surrounded by the most lovely waterfront and the suburbs are indeed most delightful. Builders of all descriptions such as Carpenters - Bricklayers – Carpenters stone masons and plasterers receive from 30 to 35/- per day. Common labourers from 12 to 15/- per diem. I am told it is a very common sight to see painters and labourers wearing massive gold rings on their fingers and many on their ears also some will require them in their noses too. “Jack” is indeed as good as his master at present in Melbourne and frequently more independent of the two. One pays upwards of £3 for Board and lodgings per week. Painters and glaziers from £3 a day paper hangers by piece with 5d per yd indeed any kind of labour connected with building purposes is highly paid for - Journey painters recd from 15/- to 21/- per day

My young Brother who was apprenticed at Wallington kindly released by Mr Black Printer got employment at house as a painter at £4-10-0 per week when as he only allowed 4/- per week at Wallington. The foregoing facts speak for themselves as to the present flourishing conditions but it should also be stated that a young man cannot get board and lodging for under 35/- per week so that prices and expenses reflect the value of wages.

On side margin A sufficient number of Surveying instruments arrive from England the Colony would be fully surveyed and any digger may have his cottage garden – and much more as he choose- there is 3/6 a piece for cabbages as heretofore and 8d other gardens produce in proportion - there is plenty of good gardens around and I perceive luxurious crops of peas are now in full bloom in gardens above the city many of them will prosper it looks strange and accustomed other seasons.

Conditional of Melbourne and if the gold monies continue and there is every probability they will for a few years longer it will become the …….. of ……. Commented many have realized large fortunes in buying & selling land this class are properly called “Land Sharks” as they “Job” a great deal and if they see a stranger bid for a lot they have a desire they move it up to a high price this class are assisted and supported by the rich “Squatters” a very powerful wealthy and greedy class those of them who had large flocks of sheep have realized immense fortunes by them as the sheep have risen in price during the last 2 years from 2/6 to 15/- a piece and the general price of agricultural produce is highly remunerative and it will have the effect of forcing the land into cultivation 4 lb loaf is 1/8 potatoes from 25/- to 30/- per cwt Horse corn from 8/6 to 15/- per Bushel according to the district in which it is sold – Horse provender of any description very high – and dray horses fetch from £70 to £100 sometimes much more – Eggs are selling at 4/- per dozen – butter fresh 2/6 and salt 2/6 per lb – these prices in a short time will increase …………………………………………. this will be an inviting home to the so called (according to) the Malthusian school Surplus population of the United kingdom and a fresh and profitable market for the productions of her Industrious arm and can send home in return corn, wine, and wool. There is abundance of wealth on the surface here as well as beneath there may be golden harvests as well as golden nuggets responding to the magic touch of labour. It will in time be one of the finest countries in the world and the great future Republic of the south in happy union with the mother country. The great draw back at present is the want of good roads into the interior and the number of reptile vandemonians who have overrun the country in thousands joined by the cut throat villains from that “… Hell” Norfolk Island - These two things are firstly chargeable upon the inefficient and negligent system of government of this colony – there has been from time to time a set of hair-brained inexperienced aristocratic fledge-wings from the hot-beds of aristocratic indolence at home saddled upon the colony – to the great obstruction of all good government - they do not aid to nourish a new and healthy community but in fact recall as much as possible from the toil enterprise and industry of others by monopolizing the best tracts of land the best official appointments and any other privileges and advantages a new colony presented to their cupidity - fortunately for present credit of the country and fortunately for its future prosperity there are a few determined honest men in the Legislative Council Dr Greaves Mr Faulkner Captain Dane & Mr O. Hennasy may be mentioned as the leaders they incessantly exposed any official abuse and bringing forward good measures they succeeded a few days ago in re-enacting the Convict Precaution Bill the provisions of which are very stringent – This Bill had been passed 12 months ago and forwarded to the home government for the signature of Her Majesty but it appears by the last message of the Duke of Newcastle that the Bill in its present form was an infringement of Her Majesty’s prerogative forsooth! Well upon the attorney general here brought in a fresh Bill beautifully shaped to meet the fastidious notions of the Duke of Newcastle formulated upon the must parchments containing the exploded notions of Royal prerogative – Dr Greaves and his staunch party will not however be mesmerised into acquiescence by the sophistry of the attorney general about Royal Prerogatives – they justly considered that the Royal prerogative was exercised in signing and enforcing laws for the general good and not by giving a franchise in the shape of a ticket of leave to a lot of vile scoundrels who had been sent from their “country for their country’s good” to roam abroad here in lawless & dangerous bands as “Bushrangers” – and the statistics of crime in the Colony I am informed show that ¾ of the crimes committed in the colony are by vandemonians and Norfolk Island Convicts – notwithstanding the statement of Earl Grey that in “99 cases out of 100 the ticket of leave men had become sober industrious and honest members of society” the reverse is the truth – no doubt there are I am told thousands of good citizens amongst the freed and Ticket of leave convicts some of them very wealthy men possessed of as much as £200-000 – but let convicts loose upon this colony at present is not only patronizing crime but increasing it to a frightful extent. The original Bill has been passed again in its entirety – and it is hoped that Her Majesty will be advised to sign – the Lieutenant Governor has however refused to sign it until he hears from the home government it is a lamentable thing that the happiness of so large a portion of the human race should be dependent upon the whim of the inefficient few I hope the time is approaching the efficient few will be the executive of the wishes of the many and not the many the blind and the slavish obeyers of the dictum of the few. There are above 5000 government officials in this Colony and the Estimates for the current year will be above £3,500,000 seeming a large sum for the government of 250,000 people but much of this is expended in reconnecting English convicts moved to this hereafter. I like the climate very much and everyone seems in good health and spirits. I do not know how it may do about Christmas when the very hot season comes the dust I believe is very unpleasant but people in good health and prosperity do not ..... Good water and firing is expensive Coals to Newcastle Coals are X X X Ton and firewood £2.10 – a Cord I have not seen a coal fire since I have been here – the fire places here put me in mind of the farm house fire place at home – aye person must leave home to learn how musical that name is and I have frequently in listening to the people talking here they invariably speak of “England as “Home”. They have no idea of calling the Colony home but merely a place in which to make their fortunes and then return “Home” and no doubt every man with a little capital judgement sobriety & industry may realize a fortune in a very few years and any working who is willing to work may in a few years establish a comfortable home for himself and his family. Clean water is supplied by a stream passing the city and retailed at 1d per gallon but forms of Canvas in which on the banks of the Yarra Yarra several thousands still live in tents they fetch it from the river and it is very good colonial water no one need be afraid as the passage out prepares us for roughing it in a tent and drinking without being nervous. I have seen several Shropshire people – viz. Chas and Geo Evans formerly of New Street Wellington and are here doing very well keeping a shop and Ifor Morgan who went out well and tried the diggings and failed tried business and succeeded. Mr Davies the Cooper uBlakemore of the old Park he looks well and is doing well in erecting “corrugated galvanised iron houses” ………. I am informed is at the Goulbourne diggings and Chas. Jones of snedshill has gone up to him the other brother somewhere in the city hiring a horse and dray a good business here and thousands of respectable men at this work even German Barons – all kinds of labour here is honourable and idleness disgraceful – there are two classes that are not indeed wanted here viz idlers and drunkards the one is useless and the other a pest and any man canvassing his work who can work and will work not fear of getting a good living in the city or be away to try the diggings and do as many thousands are doing well – it is no use a man coming here unless he is willing to work or has capital to employ others. I have heard that Mr Hall and family formerly of Shrewsbury are residing near the city but I have not seen him yet. Thos Sunier formerly at Wellington I am sorry to say has been if he is not now an inmate of the asylum – I think it reflects no credit to say the cause of it on his friends (?) in sending an individual incapable of taking care of himself merely to get rid of him there was very little paternal or maternal affection displayed in his case. They ought to send for him home and take charge of him.

              Business has been very flourishing here and I have frequently seen at the end of Land Sale Bills “Champagne Luncheon at 12 precisely”. !!  there are a great number of auction marts in the city at which every species of merchandise and produce are sold.  

But the great majority appear to me to be mere need, improvident & dishonest adventurers a disgrace to the professions See them sell without a “tout” or two conveniently by … There are a great no. large wholesale warehouse buildings

There seems to be a lost page or pages to conclude the letter, or perhaps the ‘fair copy’ was made without the aid of a draft conclusion.

This draft document seems to be the earliest example of Humffray’s letters to editors in Ballaarat. I have not been able to find copies of the Ballaarat Times before September of 1854 to check what actually appeared in the newspaper. It is preceded by the following short note dated 4/6/54

Instalment of Justice The future greatness of Victoria will depend on the cultivation of her soil not the riches of her gold mined – upon her corn fields rather than upon her goldfields But the true Development of her resources as the Argus has ably called attention to in eloquent Leaders will never be accomplished so long as the present obstructive policy is carried out. The people want farms and not Townships – Towns are artificial residences the land is man’s natural home. The present system is onesided in its tendency for it is contrary to Common sense to suppose that men will be tempted from the acres of the United Kingdom to the long sea voyage to buy land here at an extravagant price when he can by just crossing the village he occupies rich and luxuriant soil for less than the one fourth the enormous price of land in this place. . .

--To the Editor of the Ballaarat Times Land sharking at Ballaarat at p.. fortune Squatters have located themselves Where - fattened by their fellows fat they thrive

In the two last numbers of the Ballarat Times you have nobly done your duty in pressing on the Gold Diggers of Ballaarat the importance of possessing themselves of Land and to leave no doubt that every prudent Gold Digger who read your leaders upon this question of questions fully appreciated your sentiments and thanks you for the liberality you displayed and the efforts you made to give thorough publicity to the so-called “Sale of Crown Lands at Ballaarat”. That sale has now taken place and what a farce to call any such system of disposing of the Public Lands of the Colony “Unlocking the Lands”. Unlocking the lands indeed nothing of the kind it is changing the “Turn Key”. Lands are virtually locked under this mock system of disposing of the peoples rights as far as the Diggers are Concerned as before - Indeed to some extent it is worse as it gives the Land sharking squatters actual possession of the land it Converts a questionable Lease into a Fee Simple – and no one can obtain a good piece of land upon which to build his Homestead and rear up his family upon if he felt so inclined (and many do) unless he pays an enormous price for it to some grasping monopolist or other – why is there not a Government Surveyor’s office opened upon any Township in the Colony at which any immigrant Landing upon these shores may if he choose have say 100 acres of arable land at the upset price ( although to the shame of Earl Grey that is a monopoly price) then there would be some tangible encouragement of the gold digger to make The Colony of Victoria his adopted Country and not as now looking anxiously for the day he should be able to leave it forever and go to a country governed by wiser and better laws a country in which he is invited to cultivate its … ssent soil a country in which the Lands are unlocked indeed – a country in which that Biped called a Squatter has not been allowed exist – to obstruct the Development of the Resources of the Colony by monopolizing the land – Homes/and the Case relative the Ballaarat Land Sale - There happens to be a “Big” Squatter who has grown into a modern Croesus under the feeding Squatting system so that in the phraseology of the neighbourhood he is become a “Big” man indeed and he is a “Big” land owner a “Big” monopolist a big “pre-empting right” man with this gentleman having extensive tracts of Land within a short distance of Ballaarat and he naturally enough concludes that if land is sold to any considerable extent contiguous to his broad acres it would keep down its market value and he with squatting cupidity says to himself Oh I will attend the Ballaarat Land Sale and present any Lot being sold very cheap as it is will have a tendency to glut the market and lessen my chances of realizing large profits by my lands he accordingly attends the Sale and outbids the digger – what a farce a cheat for the government to pretend to unlock the land to the Diggers – where if he/they wish to purchase 80 or 100 acres of land for cultivation so that he may have cabbages at less than 2/6 a piece - potatoes at less than 1/6 per lb and the 4 lbs loaf less than 5/- he is made by the opposition of land sharks he is made to pay £5 per acre instead of £1- why should such a state of things be tolerated by a free people? If the Squatter is entitled to what is erroneously called his preemptive right if a square mile of the richest land on his run surely the Digger is entitled in Common Justice if not in Law to the preemptive right of at least 100 acres at the upset price of £1 per acre without being compelled through the present system to pay five times the amount – and I should not forget to mention one fact viz. upon looking at the litho-plans I perceived that the surveyor has not forgotten to lay out the allotment as in such a way as the lands X X X X X X # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # of the pre-emptive right is a reason for the good done but deny the digger has been put down ………..

6/6/54 Eureka

The land shark will say in excuse for his nefarious conduct – oh - I am acting legally. I am acting in accordance with the Law strokes his hair and puts his hand upon his heart a la Pharisee and turns up his hypocritical eyes saying I thank I am not as other men and I keep the law and perhaps that very law is as Bad in its very nature as it had been concocted by demons and this pious scoundrel looks with scorn upon a poor wretch who has stolen a piece of Bread to satisfy the cravings of hunger although he may have been driven to that through the very operations of the very laws which amiable patriot assisted in creating.

`

This item is written on the sides that precede the shipboard diary, not at the back of the book. There is no indication as to the intended audience except the enigmatic “in my next I should be able to give you …….” It is the last entry in terms of time, about a year after Humffray had disembarked in Melbourne. More significantly, this document precedes the November 11 meeting at Bakery Hill at which some 10 000 miners voted for the adoption of the Charter of Rights proposed by the “League”. The rejection of the Charter led to the miners increasing militancy under Peter Lalor and eventually to the armed conflict of the Stockade, and to Humffray’s withdrawal as leader/spokesman of the miners.

    Ballarat  Oct 16 -1854  

The Mines - The Gravel Pit continues the Great Centre of attraction and high hopes are entertained of such finds during the next few months – the ground is being rapidly marked and much activity in consequence of several holes which have been recently bottomed on the “Reef” or “Navvi Jack’s Lead” proving very rich this lead is in close proximity to the Gravel Pits

              The diggers and the Commissioners - about a week ago Mr. Commissioner Rede intimated to some of the Gravel Pit diggers that he should like to meet a number of them and discuss the practicability of a code of bye Laws he proposed to carry out – accordingly a large out-door meeting took on The Flat – on Saturday the 7th Instant where the Commissioner read the bye laws he proposed for their adoption and adjourned the meeting till 4 o’clock on the Monday following that the diggers may have a chance of discussing the matters amongst themselves and he then prepared to amend or adopt the laws he suggested – shortly after the Commissioner left the ground a digger whose name I did not ascertain addressed a few words to the “diggers urging them to draw up their own Laws pass their own Laws and carry out their own Laws without troubling the Commissioner”.  Mr. J.B. Humffray (better known on Ballaarat as “the new chum”) being identified in the crowd was requested to say a few words which he did.  He said it was the first time that official tongues had said that official ears would condescend to listening to suggestions from the diggers in the framing of laws for the Better government of the miners of Ballaarat – it was a noble boon a concession an unjustly wished privilege – that now the diggers had the privilege of making their own laws it would be their own fault if they did not make good Laws that they had better formed a committee on Monday morning and draw up a code of Regulations that their experience as practical mines dictated & as he considered them far more competent to do so than the Commissioners who were indebted for their title of miners as they were as they were for their gold taxes to the diggers”.  The diggers manifested their concurrence in these sentiments by loudly cheering the speaker – on Monday morning a Committee was formed and Mr. J. B. Humffray voted to be chair – the code of bye Laws proposed by the Comr  was read and discussed in the order they stood and modified amended or approved according to the views of the Committee.

  Chairman was deputed to propose the amendments to the Commissioner’s propositions at 4 o’clock The Chief Comm. Rede and Assistant Commr. Johnson attended at the Theatre Royal and took their seats on the stage the theatre was much crowded.  The New Rules were then read to the meeting by Mr Com. Rede followed the amendments read by Mr Humffray and after comments of the Commissioners to propositions and the amendments were freely discussed the amendments being carried in each case by an overwhelming majority with some trifling exceptions the best of feelings prevailed.   At the close Mr. Comr. Rede expressed himself as follows:

Gentlemen: I am very glad to have had this opportunity of meeting you and as you have passed these by laws unanimously I trust you will be as unanimous in carrying them. The Commissioners have my desire of promoting your interests and if you will only have confidence in them you will soon find that they are amongst the diggers best friends and not the enemies they have been too frequently represented - cheers – Mr. J. B. Humffray replied on behalf of the diggers as follows: That as long as the Commissioners consulted the diggers in making the laws they were called upon to obey they could not be found to be such disloyal and “dirty vagabonds” as they have been too often represented let the laws be just and it would not require the Policeman’s staff or the Soldiers Bayonet to enforce them that he wished this meeting between the governors and the governed would found the inauguration of better days the laws of Better government - applause - the speaker concluded by asking the diggers to give the commissioners 3 hearty cheers which was which was done and the meeting closed - I enclose a copy of the New By Laws in order

Murder - the murder of a digger named James Scobie by some unknown hand by Bentley’s Eureka Hotel has caused much excitement which is increasing daily and I fear that some of our Judicial functionaries will be much compromised in the matter arising from their misguided effort to prevent a committal of Mr Bentley who was charged with murder of Scobie the final event took place at the Court House of the Camp before J. Dewes R. Rede & Johnson Esquires when after a long pause Mr Dewes dismissed the case saying that Mr Bentley left the Court without a shadow of stain on his character this decision however pleasing to the accused gave much disapprobation to the crowd of listeners a murmur commenced in that court which is becoming louder and louder and it is likely to increase until the voice of indignation will peal forth in a voice of thunder, and devise a remonstration of a case which the Inhabitants of Ballaarat consider has been hurried over in a disgraceful manner – a placard has been posted calling a meeting for Tuesday the 17th instant “at 12 o’clock, near Bentley’s Eureka Hotel, on the spot where the late James Scobie was murdered, for the purpose of considering the best means to be taken for the Condemnation of the Murderer!! and also to have a Demonstration of Public feeling with regard to the manner in which the case in which the case has hitherto been considered” in addition to this evidence of disapprobation a letter appears in the “Ballarat Times” signed by ..... of the Jurors one extract will suffice to their feeling and opinion - Copy

In my next I should be able to give you fresh particulars on this important matter - it is an encouraging sign of the Age when the people are stirring themselves and demanding the impartial administration of the Laws - the late records of our courts are anything but popular. The unlicensed digger is hunted up like a Kangaroo, and put in a filthy hut in company of the filthiest criminal if he is too poor to pay the abominable Tax.

The Govt. Auctioneer Mr Sweeney stood charged at the last sessions with obtaining a Promissory note for £100 under false pretences – it appears a man named Coulson Johnson was about applying a publican’s license and when in company with Mr Sweeney one evening he stated so Mr S. at once offered for the consideration of £100 undertook to obtain such License saying he would have no difficulty as he had considerable influence with the Magistracy - The Chairman of the session ………. Esq stopped the trial saying there was no case to go to the Jury but he was compelled to say he thought it very wrong that Licenses were to be obtained by the application of favourites instead of from the merits of the applicants, so much for …… Jurisprudence

Theatre Royal Mr T.A.H. has spared no effort in fitting and decorating this place of public amusement and also in engaging the best Company he could procure. We think the digging community should patronize this effort to amuse and instruct them after their hours of toil.