Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/351

 COLLINS ON SLAUGHTER OF TASMANIAN NATIVES. 323 In 1798 Flinders and Bass saw them and were friendly with them. A paragraph in the Sydney Gazette (March 1804) narrated that at that date the natives at the Derwent were "very friendly to small parties they meet accidentally, though they cannot be prevailed on to visit the encamp- ment." At Eisdon Cove, May 1804, peace was rudely broken. Bowen was absent for a few days at the Huon river. A large number of natives, roughly estimated at from three to five hundred, were seen near the camp. Their demeanour, judged with knowledge of their habits, was not hostile. In after days a man who was present deposed that they did not threaten or molest any one. They were kangaroo hunting. But the officer in charge, Lieut. Moore, was foolishly alarmed. Soldiers and convicts were mustered. Fire-arms were discharged without intimidating the startled crowd. Fresh volleys brought many to the ground and they fled, leaving it was said no less than fifty slain.^ They were supposed to belong to the tribes at Oyster Bay. Collins transmitted Lieut. Moore's report to Governor King. It only acknowledged that three natives "were killed on the spot." Collins added : " Not having been present myself, I must take it for granted that the measures which were pursued were unavoidable; but I have reason to fear that, from the vindictive spirit of these people, I may hereafter feel the unfortunate effects of them." In the pursuit a child about three years old had been captured. Collins had directed that it should " be returned to any parties that might be seen in the neighbourhood." An officer wished to retain the boy and take him to England. Collins forbade the abduction on the ground that King George, having seen Bennilong, wanted no more Australian blacks in England. The apprehensions which prevented Collins from settling at the Yarra river weighed upon him at Hobart Town. He wrote : "If the natives never saw the child again, they might imagine we had destroyed it. We have every reason to believe them to be cannibals, and they may entertain the same opinion of us." He would do all he could to bring about friendly feelings. « West, " History of Tasmania," vol. ii., p. 6. 1852. Mr. West says : ^* The accounts of this affair differ greatly."