Penal transportation was repealed in 1857 OTL. Sentences already given meant the last ship did not leave until 1867 however
Under the Southern Cross we Stand, a sprig of Wattle in our hand
- Thread starter johnboy
- Start date
16 April 1857 - Independence gained
16 April 1857, The Exchange, Charleston, United States of America
The Treaty of Charleston, finally signed in April 1857, was to confirm the sovereignty of Australasia,the only change from the original proposal from London being the exclusion of compensation payments to The Duke of Buckingham and Chandos and a small list of his closest associates. It was to confirm British sovereignty over the New Hebrides chain, an unfortunate occurrence for the natives there, for, although transportation was repealed as a punishment in February 1857, some 5,000 still awaited transportation. Some 3,000 of those went to the New Hebrides, the remainder to Bermuda, all to work on military bases.
It was signed on behalf of Australasia by Richard Plantagenet, Adye Douglas, Henry Sewell, Duncan Gilles and, rather remarkably, Te Paea Tīaho. The Earl of Clarendon was to sign on behalf of Great Britain. The Australasian traveled to the signing using the repaired former SS Great Britain, now renamed SS Australasia. She would be busy until the end of 1858 repatriating people back to Britain, bringing that number and more back to Australasia as immigrants. On the voyage over, she carried 800,000 gold sovereigns and 400,000 half sovereigns. It was the first of two payments, the second being made in October 1858.
Australasia had gained it's independence. It now remained to see what would be done with it. Talks with President Buchanan confirmed America's interest in the Pacific. Richard Plantagenet confirmed Australasia had similar interests, yet, for the moment at least, she need to consolidate what had been gained, a task that was likely to take considerable time.
SS Australasia
The Treaty of Charleston, finally signed in April 1857, was to confirm the sovereignty of Australasia,the only change from the original proposal from London being the exclusion of compensation payments to The Duke of Buckingham and Chandos and a small list of his closest associates. It was to confirm British sovereignty over the New Hebrides chain, an unfortunate occurrence for the natives there, for, although transportation was repealed as a punishment in February 1857, some 5,000 still awaited transportation. Some 3,000 of those went to the New Hebrides, the remainder to Bermuda, all to work on military bases.
It was signed on behalf of Australasia by Richard Plantagenet, Adye Douglas, Henry Sewell, Duncan Gilles and, rather remarkably, Te Paea Tīaho. The Earl of Clarendon was to sign on behalf of Great Britain. The Australasian traveled to the signing using the repaired former SS Great Britain, now renamed SS Australasia. She would be busy until the end of 1858 repatriating people back to Britain, bringing that number and more back to Australasia as immigrants. On the voyage over, she carried 800,000 gold sovereigns and 400,000 half sovereigns. It was the first of two payments, the second being made in October 1858.
Australasia had gained it's independence. It now remained to see what would be done with it. Talks with President Buchanan confirmed America's interest in the Pacific. Richard Plantagenet confirmed Australasia had similar interests, yet, for the moment at least, she need to consolidate what had been gained, a task that was likely to take considerable time.
SS Australasia
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2 October 1859 - An election looms
2 October 1859, Federal Parliament Building, Melbourne, Australasia
Peter Lalor was in some ways happy that the first Federal Election in Australasia would soon take place, yet at the same time, there were advantages to ruling by committee. It gave one unfettered access to form one's own policies without a need to float such ideas past the floor of a parliament nor the ever critical gaze of the general public. The last two years had been a whirl, not least of which had been the long process of setting up State administrations until such time as elections were to occur, delineating what powers rested with State or the federal government, establishing relationships with foreign powers, coordinating the payment of reparations to Great Britain, repatriations and more. Even supervision the construction of a building for Federal Parliament here in Melbourne, which had been confirmed as the capital.
The last five years had seen many changes, not all of which Lalor personally agreed with, but one of the pitfalls of being a politician was bowing to the inevitable and allowing oneself to be carried by the tide of public opinion. On the 3rd December 1859, an election would take place to elect the first members of Parliament, an election delayed twice previous by himself. Now it could be delayed no longer. On 1st February 1860, parliament would undertake it's first sitting and hopefully he would fade into history. He had no personal desire to take part in the political process, preferring to return to business interests. The delay had not solely been about holding onto political power. Time had been needed for parties to form that were able to contest an election.
The Land Act, passed earlier in 1859, was the first attempt they had made to break the power of squatters in Australasia, allowing as it did the free selection of Protectorate land, including that occupied by pastoral leases. A small navy and army had been created, the later needed twice already. In 1858, anti-Chinese riots had broken out at Ballarat after the supposed murder of a white woman by a Chinese, later revealed to be by a white miner instead. The gold boom was still very much alive, especially in Victoria and at Brandy Creek, Tasmania. Now there was gold discovered at Lambing Flat in Riverina, as well.
The Poll Tax on single Chinese men coming to Australasia was still in place, yet there was no poll tax for families and women. This had been designed to funnel Chinese immigration away from mining, the most contentious area, yet it had only a limited affect. The lure of quick riches would always attrcat men to mining, no matter the colour of their skin. In 1859 in Victoria, more than 1 in seven men and one in 13 total people were Chinese, nearly all Cantonese speakers. In the finish, troops had to be sent in to restore the situation. Thankfully, the reason that started the riot was proven to be false and tensions, never far from the surface, were to subside. In Victoria, Chinese miners had become well organised and with elections under Universal Suffrage, they would have a voice of some power.
Then earlier this year, riots in Aotearoa regarding land at Waitara, about, of course, everyone's favorite topic, land. Thankfully, this had been easier to adjudicate. As a state, Aotearoa did not have a Governor, executive power at a State level laying with the Maori King, Te Wherowhero. Steps had been taken in 1859 to arrest the sale of Maori land and purchasing large tracts of land became a much more difficult affair. Much of the legislation had been drawn up quite cleverly by Te Paea Tīaho, Richard Plantagenet assisting the Maori Princess. This, of course, had precipitated the usual resentment of many of the white settlers in the area. It was a problem that did not exist in New Zealand, by the simple expedient that aside from a large block of land spanning the Karamea Bight and Stewart Island, all native Maori land had already been sold. He had petitioned the Government of New Zealand to make these remaining area a reserve for Maoris. In addition, the Chatham Islands were now held as a reserve for the Moriori people. Across both islands, white setters now outnumbered Maori's, however, on the South Island this was overwhelmingly true.
In Tasmania, the granting of Bruni Island to aboriginal people was deemed a success by the Federal government, later shown to be an optimistic outlook since numbers of aboriginals was still in decline. Attempts to get other state governments to provide reserves met limited success. Only Riverina and South Australia provided such reserves, the land provided by South Australia of no use for farming.
After the 1860 election, it would all fall to someone else, only Plantagenet would go on as Lord Protector. Others would have to be elected. Parties had formed and would stand candidates, although more than half the candidates would likely be simple independents. The parties that had nominated were:
1) Australasian League, led by Henry Parkes, who favoured nationalism, free trade, land reforms and a continued encouragement of immigration
2) Liberal Protectionist Party, led by Charles Forster, who favoured developing the country, immigration restrictions and protecting the existing rights of squatters
3) Federation of Australasian Labour, led by James Duggan, who favoured land reform, wage reform, immigration restrictions and taxing those with large land holdings
4) Te Aka, a Maori party that favoured Maori people maintaining their land and powers of sovereignty and lessening immigration
Federal Parliament building in Melbourne pictured in 1908
Peter Lalor was in some ways happy that the first Federal Election in Australasia would soon take place, yet at the same time, there were advantages to ruling by committee. It gave one unfettered access to form one's own policies without a need to float such ideas past the floor of a parliament nor the ever critical gaze of the general public. The last two years had been a whirl, not least of which had been the long process of setting up State administrations until such time as elections were to occur, delineating what powers rested with State or the federal government, establishing relationships with foreign powers, coordinating the payment of reparations to Great Britain, repatriations and more. Even supervision the construction of a building for Federal Parliament here in Melbourne, which had been confirmed as the capital.
The last five years had seen many changes, not all of which Lalor personally agreed with, but one of the pitfalls of being a politician was bowing to the inevitable and allowing oneself to be carried by the tide of public opinion. On the 3rd December 1859, an election would take place to elect the first members of Parliament, an election delayed twice previous by himself. Now it could be delayed no longer. On 1st February 1860, parliament would undertake it's first sitting and hopefully he would fade into history. He had no personal desire to take part in the political process, preferring to return to business interests. The delay had not solely been about holding onto political power. Time had been needed for parties to form that were able to contest an election.
The Land Act, passed earlier in 1859, was the first attempt they had made to break the power of squatters in Australasia, allowing as it did the free selection of Protectorate land, including that occupied by pastoral leases. A small navy and army had been created, the later needed twice already. In 1858, anti-Chinese riots had broken out at Ballarat after the supposed murder of a white woman by a Chinese, later revealed to be by a white miner instead. The gold boom was still very much alive, especially in Victoria and at Brandy Creek, Tasmania. Now there was gold discovered at Lambing Flat in Riverina, as well.
The Poll Tax on single Chinese men coming to Australasia was still in place, yet there was no poll tax for families and women. This had been designed to funnel Chinese immigration away from mining, the most contentious area, yet it had only a limited affect. The lure of quick riches would always attrcat men to mining, no matter the colour of their skin. In 1859 in Victoria, more than 1 in seven men and one in 13 total people were Chinese, nearly all Cantonese speakers. In the finish, troops had to be sent in to restore the situation. Thankfully, the reason that started the riot was proven to be false and tensions, never far from the surface, were to subside. In Victoria, Chinese miners had become well organised and with elections under Universal Suffrage, they would have a voice of some power.
Then earlier this year, riots in Aotearoa regarding land at Waitara, about, of course, everyone's favorite topic, land. Thankfully, this had been easier to adjudicate. As a state, Aotearoa did not have a Governor, executive power at a State level laying with the Maori King, Te Wherowhero. Steps had been taken in 1859 to arrest the sale of Maori land and purchasing large tracts of land became a much more difficult affair. Much of the legislation had been drawn up quite cleverly by Te Paea Tīaho, Richard Plantagenet assisting the Maori Princess. This, of course, had precipitated the usual resentment of many of the white settlers in the area. It was a problem that did not exist in New Zealand, by the simple expedient that aside from a large block of land spanning the Karamea Bight and Stewart Island, all native Maori land had already been sold. He had petitioned the Government of New Zealand to make these remaining area a reserve for Maoris. In addition, the Chatham Islands were now held as a reserve for the Moriori people. Across both islands, white setters now outnumbered Maori's, however, on the South Island this was overwhelmingly true.
In Tasmania, the granting of Bruni Island to aboriginal people was deemed a success by the Federal government, later shown to be an optimistic outlook since numbers of aboriginals was still in decline. Attempts to get other state governments to provide reserves met limited success. Only Riverina and South Australia provided such reserves, the land provided by South Australia of no use for farming.
After the 1860 election, it would all fall to someone else, only Plantagenet would go on as Lord Protector. Others would have to be elected. Parties had formed and would stand candidates, although more than half the candidates would likely be simple independents. The parties that had nominated were:
1) Australasian League, led by Henry Parkes, who favoured nationalism, free trade, land reforms and a continued encouragement of immigration
2) Liberal Protectionist Party, led by Charles Forster, who favoured developing the country, immigration restrictions and protecting the existing rights of squatters
3) Federation of Australasian Labour, led by James Duggan, who favoured land reform, wage reform, immigration restrictions and taxing those with large land holdings
4) Te Aka, a Maori party that favoured Maori people maintaining their land and powers of sovereignty and lessening immigration
Federal Parliament building in Melbourne pictured in 1908
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Good update and nice to see the peace is holding and both sides went along with it.
That said, the above sentence seems confusing since it seems to say the state of New Zealand does not have a governor but it then says it does.
That said, the above sentence seems confusing since it seems to say the state of New Zealand does not have a governor but it then says it does.
Love this story can’t wait to see how the country will react to the American civil war. Keep up the good work!
Likely by supporting the North. Southern cotton is not worth all that much to Australasia while North's industrial consumer goods and diplomatic support will be invaluable. I wouldn't be surprised to see a alliance similar to OTL's one between Australia and America. And if Australasia provides active support to the North, I can see that alliance being even more equal then in OTL.
Maybe the two nations with agree to split the Pacific between each other. One thing is for certain. By WW2 Australia will have it's own Aircraft Carrier. In OTL Australia had one of the earliest dedicated Air Forces and the sheer amount of clear open ground provides great areas for flight training and development.
14 December 1860 - Networking in America
14 December 1860, Washington, D.C, USA
The two men had formed an acquaintance that had gradually advanced to a proto-friendship. Both were Scots, both abolitionists, both had backgrounds in a practical trade, both were essentially self educated. Duncan Gillies had accepted a position as Australasian ambassador to the United States. As a revolutionary war leader and a hero of sorts, he supposed, he had not wanted to continue in Government, yet was not really desirous of moving back into engineering work. Because of his status, as well his close friendship with Richard Plantagenet, he had been offered a position as ambassador to the United States of America and had taken the post, both himself and Plantagenet selling their interests in their business partnership to Peter Lalor.
Australasia had used the 1776 American war of Independence as inspiration for their own journey, yet now it seemed the bonds of Union formed in 1776 were falling apart. He sat back and sipped his tea, addressing his companion Allan Pinkerton.
"Yes, there are a lot of Chinese miners and indeed Chinese in general, however, whilst conflict will always arise, at home there are labour shortages and we need to populate our open spaces, so as to take our own place in the world. We can be proud of our British heritage, but we cannot now, in the wake of events, rely on Britain for protection. They have put down their own Indian rebellion, but will not be likely to assist us, considering events. We need to build our own profile, loom large in our own neck of the woods, as it were. The lesson of the Federation should be that the lesson is over. We must make a new idea of ourselves. We have to strike out in a new direction, appreciating our own uniqueness. All other roads will lead us into the shadow of great powers.
I've always held the view that great states need strategic room. George Washington took his from George III. Britain took it from just about everybody. Russia took half of Europe. With their untold numbers, one day China will want its space too. That is why I have been trying to negotiate a sphere of influence for both ourselves and America in the Pacific region. One would think that that as a concept, it is simple enough to understand, fair and beneficial to both sides. All above the equator falls in your sphere of influence, all below in ours. Of course, we have the British and French to deal with, as well, but still."
Allan Pinkerton leaned forward. "I am guessing that you have had little success with this administration. The fact is that it is barely holding itself together now that Lincoln has been elected. I foresee a disintegration of the Union. That, or civil war. Frankly I cannot decide which of the two will be worse. The new President is morally opposed to slavery, the present President happy to serve out time. The Southern states are clamoring for an excuse to go their own way.
That is why I must ask. In the event of a conflict, if a split does occur between the North and the South, what will be Australasia's position be?"
"How implacable is Lincoln do you think?"
"Very", answered Pinkerton.
"A vastly different man than the current incumbent then, who strikes me as simply a shiver, looking for a spine to run up."
"A fair analogy."
"Well", said Duncan Gillies, "we have our own race based problems, as I have intimated. The Lord Protector marrying a Maori princess is not like to make them magically go away, either. We need to carefully steer a middle ground. That middle ground cannot be seen to condone slavery, with our own race issues and our large percentage of Irish Catholics. We are offering immigration schemes for assisted immigration to Australasia to people from not only England, but also Germany, France, Scandinavia, Italy and Austro-Hungary. Chinese still come at a rapid rate. I will give the British their due on one point, they are implacably opposed to slavery. We cannot be seen to support such a position either.
Then, there is the matter of trade. With our ties to Britain weakened, we need to source other trade partners, as well. The South have little that we need. Therefore, we would support the North, whether openly or tacitly would be a matter for the Prime Minister of the day."
Pinkerton pinched his nose. "You mentioned your Lord Protector. Does he not decide the direction of your Government? Plus, why not a King, or is he a King with a name like Plantagenet?"
Duncan Gillies smiled. "It's not like your system here. The Lord Protector has very little power. Yes, he is able to appoint ambassadors, or grant mercy. However, the position is more ceremonial, as a head of state. Richard Plantagenet is descended from Kings of England, yes, but that is more of an in joke, more than anything. Legislation can pass without needing to be approved by the Lord Protector. The Lord Protector cannot dissolve Parliament without a recommendation for the sitting Prime Minister. He can break a parliamentary deadlock, but no more than that. We decided in 1855 that there would be no Kings, that we would chart a different course."
"An in joke, you say" said Pinkerton. "Not sure I get it. Still, thank you for your assessment."
"How close are you to the incoming President?" asked Gillies.
"Close enough", replied Pinkerton.
"Well, in that case..."
The two men had formed an acquaintance that had gradually advanced to a proto-friendship. Both were Scots, both abolitionists, both had backgrounds in a practical trade, both were essentially self educated. Duncan Gillies had accepted a position as Australasian ambassador to the United States. As a revolutionary war leader and a hero of sorts, he supposed, he had not wanted to continue in Government, yet was not really desirous of moving back into engineering work. Because of his status, as well his close friendship with Richard Plantagenet, he had been offered a position as ambassador to the United States of America and had taken the post, both himself and Plantagenet selling their interests in their business partnership to Peter Lalor.
Australasia had used the 1776 American war of Independence as inspiration for their own journey, yet now it seemed the bonds of Union formed in 1776 were falling apart. He sat back and sipped his tea, addressing his companion Allan Pinkerton.
"Yes, there are a lot of Chinese miners and indeed Chinese in general, however, whilst conflict will always arise, at home there are labour shortages and we need to populate our open spaces, so as to take our own place in the world. We can be proud of our British heritage, but we cannot now, in the wake of events, rely on Britain for protection. They have put down their own Indian rebellion, but will not be likely to assist us, considering events. We need to build our own profile, loom large in our own neck of the woods, as it were. The lesson of the Federation should be that the lesson is over. We must make a new idea of ourselves. We have to strike out in a new direction, appreciating our own uniqueness. All other roads will lead us into the shadow of great powers.
I've always held the view that great states need strategic room. George Washington took his from George III. Britain took it from just about everybody. Russia took half of Europe. With their untold numbers, one day China will want its space too. That is why I have been trying to negotiate a sphere of influence for both ourselves and America in the Pacific region. One would think that that as a concept, it is simple enough to understand, fair and beneficial to both sides. All above the equator falls in your sphere of influence, all below in ours. Of course, we have the British and French to deal with, as well, but still."
Allan Pinkerton leaned forward. "I am guessing that you have had little success with this administration. The fact is that it is barely holding itself together now that Lincoln has been elected. I foresee a disintegration of the Union. That, or civil war. Frankly I cannot decide which of the two will be worse. The new President is morally opposed to slavery, the present President happy to serve out time. The Southern states are clamoring for an excuse to go their own way.
That is why I must ask. In the event of a conflict, if a split does occur between the North and the South, what will be Australasia's position be?"
"How implacable is Lincoln do you think?"
"Very", answered Pinkerton.
"A vastly different man than the current incumbent then, who strikes me as simply a shiver, looking for a spine to run up."
"A fair analogy."
"Well", said Duncan Gillies, "we have our own race based problems, as I have intimated. The Lord Protector marrying a Maori princess is not like to make them magically go away, either. We need to carefully steer a middle ground. That middle ground cannot be seen to condone slavery, with our own race issues and our large percentage of Irish Catholics. We are offering immigration schemes for assisted immigration to Australasia to people from not only England, but also Germany, France, Scandinavia, Italy and Austro-Hungary. Chinese still come at a rapid rate. I will give the British their due on one point, they are implacably opposed to slavery. We cannot be seen to support such a position either.
Then, there is the matter of trade. With our ties to Britain weakened, we need to source other trade partners, as well. The South have little that we need. Therefore, we would support the North, whether openly or tacitly would be a matter for the Prime Minister of the day."
Pinkerton pinched his nose. "You mentioned your Lord Protector. Does he not decide the direction of your Government? Plus, why not a King, or is he a King with a name like Plantagenet?"
Duncan Gillies smiled. "It's not like your system here. The Lord Protector has very little power. Yes, he is able to appoint ambassadors, or grant mercy. However, the position is more ceremonial, as a head of state. Richard Plantagenet is descended from Kings of England, yes, but that is more of an in joke, more than anything. Legislation can pass without needing to be approved by the Lord Protector. The Lord Protector cannot dissolve Parliament without a recommendation for the sitting Prime Minister. He can break a parliamentary deadlock, but no more than that. We decided in 1855 that there would be no Kings, that we would chart a different course."
"An in joke, you say" said Pinkerton. "Not sure I get it. Still, thank you for your assessment."
"How close are you to the incoming President?" asked Gillies.
"Close enough", replied Pinkerton.
"Well, in that case..."
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So the Head of State, the Lord Protector, basically has no power other then to stop Parliament from constantly stalemating. Sounds good.
27 January 1861, - Railways and disputes
27 January 1861, Federal Parliament, Melbourne, Australasia
The only problem with a Federation that had strong State government powers, was that dealing with said State governments became a tiresome business. It required only minimal intelligence and and basic grasp of geography to see that the new country could not rely on mining revenues alone and for real growth must have industrial development. This would require both the growth of heavy industry and works programs to support such growth. Communications would be the one vital link that would ensure that a nation, spread out over thousands of miles, would feel like more than a loose confederation of nodding neighbors.
Land was the most vital of resources, both for the government and potential immigrants. That land needed to be opened up and there was only one way that such an opening would be possible. Railways and the new beast, the telegraph. Both could be run in conjunction with one another. So, in August 1860, the Railway Act(Australasia) had been passed. That had been the easy part, to mandate the establishment of government railways that would build using standard gauges and by main routes at the direction of Federal Parliament.
Of course, then every state had their own ideas where such railways should be constructed and so on. The obvious choice, in his own mind, was between Melbourne and Sydney, via Albury in Riverina. That, at least, had been decided. Yet, a second line was another matter.
Melbourne to Adelaide, via Hotham. Sydney to Brisbane via Armidale. Adelaide to Palmerston through the middle of Australia. Christchurch to Dunedin. Hobart to Launceston. A spur line to Ballarat and Bendigo made sense, in his own mind. The proposals, like the arguments, were endless.
The only problem with a Federation that had strong State government powers, was that dealing with said State governments became a tiresome business. It required only minimal intelligence and and basic grasp of geography to see that the new country could not rely on mining revenues alone and for real growth must have industrial development. This would require both the growth of heavy industry and works programs to support such growth. Communications would be the one vital link that would ensure that a nation, spread out over thousands of miles, would feel like more than a loose confederation of nodding neighbors.
Land was the most vital of resources, both for the government and potential immigrants. That land needed to be opened up and there was only one way that such an opening would be possible. Railways and the new beast, the telegraph. Both could be run in conjunction with one another. So, in August 1860, the Railway Act(Australasia) had been passed. That had been the easy part, to mandate the establishment of government railways that would build using standard gauges and by main routes at the direction of Federal Parliament.
Of course, then every state had their own ideas where such railways should be constructed and so on. The obvious choice, in his own mind, was between Melbourne and Sydney, via Albury in Riverina. That, at least, had been decided. Yet, a second line was another matter.
Melbourne to Adelaide, via Hotham. Sydney to Brisbane via Armidale. Adelaide to Palmerston through the middle of Australia. Christchurch to Dunedin. Hobart to Launceston. A spur line to Ballarat and Bendigo made sense, in his own mind. The proposals, like the arguments, were endless.
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Essentially, yes. He can break a deadlock, but, other than that, all power rests with Parliament. Of course, advice can be given. It can also be ignored by the government of the day.
16 May 1862 - I think I might go to Australasia
16 May 1862, Pest, Kingdom of Hungary
Why not, thought Joseph Pulitzer. He was now 15 years old. After his father had died, their business had gone bankrupt, his family becoming impoverished. He needed to provide for them and had been unable to join the Honved. His initial thought had been America, but America was involved in a civil war. Australasia was actually paying passage for immigrants, as well as providing a bonus on arrival of either one pound or five acres of land.
It was further away, more isolated, but there were large German communities in South Australia. If he could get himself established, he could then bring out others from his family. It was also a liberal country, having broken from the British. A man's religion did not seem to matter.
Why not, thought Joseph Pulitzer. He was now 15 years old. After his father had died, their business had gone bankrupt, his family becoming impoverished. He needed to provide for them and had been unable to join the Honved. His initial thought had been America, but America was involved in a civil war. Australasia was actually paying passage for immigrants, as well as providing a bonus on arrival of either one pound or five acres of land.
It was further away, more isolated, but there were large German communities in South Australia. If he could get himself established, he could then bring out others from his family. It was also a liberal country, having broken from the British. A man's religion did not seem to matter.
12 March 1866 - North Australia developments
12 March 1866, Port Darwin, Protectorate of Australasia
Port Darwin, or Palmerston, as it had formerly been known, had been established in 1849 by the then Governor-General. It was hard not to come to the conclusion that the main purpose of such a settlement at the time was to serve the self importance and ego of the man concerned. In 1862, North Australia, despite it's vast size, consisted of only two real settlements, namely Broome, a collection of shabby huts with a Government store and a well serviced wharf, the town rapidly springing into existence after the discovery of pearls in quantity in 1860 and Palmerston, the settlement built mainly as a military outpost and trading center. In 1862, it's size was limited to some 500 residents. In fact, Northern Australia, optimistically named a state, had no more than 1,000 residents at the time.
1863 was to be the year of great change. It marked the commencement of the overland railway and telegraph commencement. It was the second railway and telegraph development after the Melbourne-Albury-Newcastle-Brisbane line. Conceived to stretch from Adelaide to Port Augusta and on to Alice Springs and eventually Port Darwin, the line was started in two places, firstly at Adelaide, working North, but also at Port Darwin, working South.
Construction crews swelled the size of Darwin, bringing in ships, men and equipment. It was crews working South that, in 1864, discovered gold in good quantity at Pine Creek, starting yet another gold rush. It made the finding of alluvial tin at Mataranka later that same year almost incidental. Unlike other gold bearing areas, the Northern Australia fields were very isolated from the remainder of Australasia. With gold fever gripping Victoria and Tasmania and with new discoveries in the Otago region of New Zealand, these fields were not to see large numbers of European miners at all. Consequently, 82% of the miners that arrived to work the rush were either Hokkien Chinese from Singapore or Cantonese from China, with 5% Malay and only 8% of European descent. They came in large numbers, March 1865 Pine Creek's population had swelled to over 4,000, eclipsing Port Darwin's which had swelled to 2,900.
The areas around Port Darwin became and wild and lawless place, the maverick Governor, Ebenezer Ward, more concerned about the continuing revenues to government than the implementation of orderly behavior. He instructed his own officials to turn a blind eye to the Federally mandated poll tax for single Chinese men and by mid 1865 the population of the North Australia had swelled to over 10,000, over 7,000 of those being Chinese. The 1866 Senate election saw George Chung-Gon elected as the first Chinese member of the Australasian Parliament.
Unlike every other State in Australasia aside from Combined islands and Swan River, North Australia did not have a State Parliament, so the Governor was essentially a law unto himself. Ward kept his superiors in Melbourne happy with the flow of revenues from mining licenses and gold royalties. In exchange, enough troops were provided to maintain his administration and a semblance of order on the goldfields. Ward kept himself in comfort, granting large tracts of land in exchange for favours. The settlement kept as many as four government sloops to guard shipping imports and exports, the later of which contained much gold. The arrival of missionaries, which later became troublesome, was solved by Ward by encouraging the settlement of missions on both the Fly River and Digul River in late 1866, transported by government sloops. Ward promptly claimed all territory lying between both outposts on behalf of the Protectorate, thinking this would please Melbourne. In fact, it was to provide only another burden on an overstretched government.
Port Darwin, or Palmerston, as it had formerly been known, had been established in 1849 by the then Governor-General. It was hard not to come to the conclusion that the main purpose of such a settlement at the time was to serve the self importance and ego of the man concerned. In 1862, North Australia, despite it's vast size, consisted of only two real settlements, namely Broome, a collection of shabby huts with a Government store and a well serviced wharf, the town rapidly springing into existence after the discovery of pearls in quantity in 1860 and Palmerston, the settlement built mainly as a military outpost and trading center. In 1862, it's size was limited to some 500 residents. In fact, Northern Australia, optimistically named a state, had no more than 1,000 residents at the time.
1863 was to be the year of great change. It marked the commencement of the overland railway and telegraph commencement. It was the second railway and telegraph development after the Melbourne-Albury-Newcastle-Brisbane line. Conceived to stretch from Adelaide to Port Augusta and on to Alice Springs and eventually Port Darwin, the line was started in two places, firstly at Adelaide, working North, but also at Port Darwin, working South.
Construction crews swelled the size of Darwin, bringing in ships, men and equipment. It was crews working South that, in 1864, discovered gold in good quantity at Pine Creek, starting yet another gold rush. It made the finding of alluvial tin at Mataranka later that same year almost incidental. Unlike other gold bearing areas, the Northern Australia fields were very isolated from the remainder of Australasia. With gold fever gripping Victoria and Tasmania and with new discoveries in the Otago region of New Zealand, these fields were not to see large numbers of European miners at all. Consequently, 82% of the miners that arrived to work the rush were either Hokkien Chinese from Singapore or Cantonese from China, with 5% Malay and only 8% of European descent. They came in large numbers, March 1865 Pine Creek's population had swelled to over 4,000, eclipsing Port Darwin's which had swelled to 2,900.
The areas around Port Darwin became and wild and lawless place, the maverick Governor, Ebenezer Ward, more concerned about the continuing revenues to government than the implementation of orderly behavior. He instructed his own officials to turn a blind eye to the Federally mandated poll tax for single Chinese men and by mid 1865 the population of the North Australia had swelled to over 10,000, over 7,000 of those being Chinese. The 1866 Senate election saw George Chung-Gon elected as the first Chinese member of the Australasian Parliament.
Unlike every other State in Australasia aside from Combined islands and Swan River, North Australia did not have a State Parliament, so the Governor was essentially a law unto himself. Ward kept his superiors in Melbourne happy with the flow of revenues from mining licenses and gold royalties. In exchange, enough troops were provided to maintain his administration and a semblance of order on the goldfields. Ward kept himself in comfort, granting large tracts of land in exchange for favours. The settlement kept as many as four government sloops to guard shipping imports and exports, the later of which contained much gold. The arrival of missionaries, which later became troublesome, was solved by Ward by encouraging the settlement of missions on both the Fly River and Digul River in late 1866, transported by government sloops. Ward promptly claimed all territory lying between both outposts on behalf of the Protectorate, thinking this would please Melbourne. In fact, it was to provide only another burden on an overstretched government.
1 february 1869, - Fall of Parkes, further development
1 February 1869, Lord Protector's Palace, Australasia
He could only blame himself for his defeat, thought Henry Parkes. The state of his own finances and the debt incurred had driven him into receivership and that had been an overriding factor in bringing down his government of some eight years, being two seats short of a majority. It was a regrettable circumstance, especially when one considered the incoming government. William Forster would head the incoming government, a curious alliance of the Liberal Protectionists, Independents and the Federation of Australasian Labour (or the "Red Feds" as they were commonly known).
Personally, Parkes could not see such an alliance lasting. Which may be a good thing. Forster favoured wealthy landowners, whilst the Red Feds were very much a working class party. Their main common ground was a dislike of immigration, but particularly Chinese immigration. Forster had stated last year about aboriginal murders in Carpentaria "I should say murders of that kind must always be expected on the frontier, more or less. The great number of murders committed recently may be owing to peculiar causes; but that murders must occur in taking up new country, by collisions between the whites and the aborigines, is a necessity almost of that sort of colonization, really." Parkes had himself been originally against Chinese immigration and, whilst still uncomfortable, recognised the necessity of such. He had always rejected the claim that the Chinese should be excluded because they were an "inferior" race. He had said of them: "They are a superior set of people . . . a nation of an old and deep-rooted civilisation. . . . It is because I believe the Chinese to be a powerful race capable of taking a great hold upon the country and because I want to preserve the type of my own nation that I have misgivings. Yet, many Chinese had made good on their wealth and had thriving businesses, their political influence growing. Especially here in Melbourne, indeed Aurelia(renamed from Victoria 1866) as a state.
Still, he had reason to be proud. He had laid the foundations of a new country, with the establishment of functioning State and Federal Governments and parliaments. Then had come the Railway Act 1860, 1860 Customs Act, Assisted Immigration Acts 1861, Poor Law 1862, Army Act 1862, 1863 Telegraph Act, 1865 Working Hours Act, 1865 Navy Act, 1866 Currency Act,1867 Native Act and 1868 New Guinea Protectorate Act. Australasia had gone to issuing it's own currency in 1866, which was decimalised, 100 Pence to Pound. These were often called Bucks, a play on the Lord Protector's name.
The population of the country had surged. It now stood at 2.7 million people, possibly more if Aboriginals were to be counted fully. By State, this amounted to Aurelia - 891,000, New South Wales - 652,000, South Australia - 261,000, New Zealand - 190,000, Aotearoa 160,000(85,000 native), Capricornia 176,000, Tasmania 132,000, Combined Islands 78,000(60,000 native), New England 59,000, Riverina 46,000, Murray 29,000, North Australia 34,000(20,000+ native). Immigration continued to flow, although he had concerns that this may fall away now, with the new government.
Finally the Lord Protector arrived. Richard Plantagenet was not a man to stand on ceremony, bidding him to sit, carrying his 8 year old daughter Caroline, his eldest child, a pleasing mix of tanned skin, curly black hair and light brown eyes. The Lord Protector had two girls. Parkes hoped they would have a boy, but that seemed unlikely now both himself and his wife were over 40. Parkes started to speak "As you know, Your Excellency, this will be our last meeting with myself as Prime Minister. I just wished to thank you for both your advice and your support."
"No, thank you Henry, your have been an ideal Prime Minister, having presided over an unparalleled period of growth, both economically, socially, politically and in regards to population. When all this started back on the goldfields, we had no plan, no real vision of what we wished for. We only knew what we did not want. Our objectives were immediate. When they were obtained, we struggled to see where we would go from there, to formulate long term goals. You have made those goals a reality, have delivered a long term plan. So no, thank you."
"I shall miss it, I think."
"Political alliances are like shifting sands, Henry, things may well change."'
That was true, though Parkes. It was only last year Thomas Winton, leader of the Federation of Australian Labour, described Foster as "disagreeable in opposition, insufferable as a supporter, and fatal as a colleague". Yes, things may well not last. Thankfully, their last act in government had been to confirm via the Treaty of San Francisco dividing the lands of the Pacific between the USA and Australasia, the later gaining all territories below the medidian 5 degrees South of the Equator. Excluding, of course, that already occupied by another colonial power, such as the Dutch in the East Indies, Portuguese in Timor, British in New Hebrides and French in Tahati. This had been much favoured by the expansionist Secretary of State, William Henry Seward. Article 16 of that treaty provided that "The present arrangement shall be held secret."
In any event, Parkes' suspicions of an uneasy marriage quickly bore fruit. After less than 6 months in office, Forster's repealing of previously enacted land Laws causing the FAL's two members to cross the floor and vote in no confidence motion, bringing down the Forster government. On 20th July 1869, Parkes was to see himself as interim Prime Minister, until another election could be called.
The highly unusual Lord Protectors Place, Melbourne
He could only blame himself for his defeat, thought Henry Parkes. The state of his own finances and the debt incurred had driven him into receivership and that had been an overriding factor in bringing down his government of some eight years, being two seats short of a majority. It was a regrettable circumstance, especially when one considered the incoming government. William Forster would head the incoming government, a curious alliance of the Liberal Protectionists, Independents and the Federation of Australasian Labour (or the "Red Feds" as they were commonly known).
Personally, Parkes could not see such an alliance lasting. Which may be a good thing. Forster favoured wealthy landowners, whilst the Red Feds were very much a working class party. Their main common ground was a dislike of immigration, but particularly Chinese immigration. Forster had stated last year about aboriginal murders in Carpentaria "I should say murders of that kind must always be expected on the frontier, more or less. The great number of murders committed recently may be owing to peculiar causes; but that murders must occur in taking up new country, by collisions between the whites and the aborigines, is a necessity almost of that sort of colonization, really." Parkes had himself been originally against Chinese immigration and, whilst still uncomfortable, recognised the necessity of such. He had always rejected the claim that the Chinese should be excluded because they were an "inferior" race. He had said of them: "They are a superior set of people . . . a nation of an old and deep-rooted civilisation. . . . It is because I believe the Chinese to be a powerful race capable of taking a great hold upon the country and because I want to preserve the type of my own nation that I have misgivings. Yet, many Chinese had made good on their wealth and had thriving businesses, their political influence growing. Especially here in Melbourne, indeed Aurelia(renamed from Victoria 1866) as a state.
Still, he had reason to be proud. He had laid the foundations of a new country, with the establishment of functioning State and Federal Governments and parliaments. Then had come the Railway Act 1860, 1860 Customs Act, Assisted Immigration Acts 1861, Poor Law 1862, Army Act 1862, 1863 Telegraph Act, 1865 Working Hours Act, 1865 Navy Act, 1866 Currency Act,1867 Native Act and 1868 New Guinea Protectorate Act. Australasia had gone to issuing it's own currency in 1866, which was decimalised, 100 Pence to Pound. These were often called Bucks, a play on the Lord Protector's name.
The population of the country had surged. It now stood at 2.7 million people, possibly more if Aboriginals were to be counted fully. By State, this amounted to Aurelia - 891,000, New South Wales - 652,000, South Australia - 261,000, New Zealand - 190,000, Aotearoa 160,000(85,000 native), Capricornia 176,000, Tasmania 132,000, Combined Islands 78,000(60,000 native), New England 59,000, Riverina 46,000, Murray 29,000, North Australia 34,000(20,000+ native). Immigration continued to flow, although he had concerns that this may fall away now, with the new government.
Finally the Lord Protector arrived. Richard Plantagenet was not a man to stand on ceremony, bidding him to sit, carrying his 8 year old daughter Caroline, his eldest child, a pleasing mix of tanned skin, curly black hair and light brown eyes. The Lord Protector had two girls. Parkes hoped they would have a boy, but that seemed unlikely now both himself and his wife were over 40. Parkes started to speak "As you know, Your Excellency, this will be our last meeting with myself as Prime Minister. I just wished to thank you for both your advice and your support."
"No, thank you Henry, your have been an ideal Prime Minister, having presided over an unparalleled period of growth, both economically, socially, politically and in regards to population. When all this started back on the goldfields, we had no plan, no real vision of what we wished for. We only knew what we did not want. Our objectives were immediate. When they were obtained, we struggled to see where we would go from there, to formulate long term goals. You have made those goals a reality, have delivered a long term plan. So no, thank you."
"I shall miss it, I think."
"Political alliances are like shifting sands, Henry, things may well change."'
That was true, though Parkes. It was only last year Thomas Winton, leader of the Federation of Australian Labour, described Foster as "disagreeable in opposition, insufferable as a supporter, and fatal as a colleague". Yes, things may well not last. Thankfully, their last act in government had been to confirm via the Treaty of San Francisco dividing the lands of the Pacific between the USA and Australasia, the later gaining all territories below the medidian 5 degrees South of the Equator. Excluding, of course, that already occupied by another colonial power, such as the Dutch in the East Indies, Portuguese in Timor, British in New Hebrides and French in Tahati. This had been much favoured by the expansionist Secretary of State, William Henry Seward. Article 16 of that treaty provided that "The present arrangement shall be held secret."
In any event, Parkes' suspicions of an uneasy marriage quickly bore fruit. After less than 6 months in office, Forster's repealing of previously enacted land Laws causing the FAL's two members to cross the floor and vote in no confidence motion, bringing down the Forster government. On 20th July 1869, Parkes was to see himself as interim Prime Minister, until another election could be called.
The highly unusual Lord Protectors Place, Melbourne
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Very interesting update, especially the treaty with its secret article. IIRC the US didn't even have a law against spying until the Espionage Act of 1917. I think this is more ambitious than Seward was in OTL. I assume the US Civil War went the same way ITTL complete with Lincoln's assassination?