Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/579

 NATIVES IN VAN DIEMEN*S LAND, AND MUSQUITO. 551 was for the time paramount. But Brisbane was weak, and liaviriju; failed to secure such active sympathy as he had hoped for from the free settlers, cast out his net for a draught of popularity among the convicts. He allowed it to he understood that he would honour the eraancipists and their friends by dining with them. He did ho. He went further. He was invited to diiie with the leading inhahi* , tants before liis departure. He informed the deputation that he was willing to do so if certain emancipists also were invited. The deputation waR not authorized to make terms about emancipists, and after consideration, the Governor was inforine<i that on such terms the inviters could not have the honour of dining with his Excellency. They were branded as '* exclusionists," or '^exclusives ;" and the " emancipist '' party, proud of having the Governor to themselves, entertained him sumptuously at an hotel in Parramatta. The sentiments of a people cannot be coerced even by a strong man. A weak man attempting to control, intensifies them. The revival by Brisbane of the errors of Mac(piarie gave satisfaction neither to the respectable colonists nor to the English Government, and embittered the relations between the two classes in the colony. The history of Van Diemen*s Land during Brisbane's lgo%^ernment may be briefly summarized. Colonel Sorell was so popular, that at a public meeting of ** landholders, merchants, and free inhabitants," a petition in favour of his retention was adopted with but one dissentient. From April 1817 to the end of 1828 he had ruled with kindness amidst general goodwill. In suppression of bnshranging his firmness had been exemplary. His easy nature deterred him from severity in punishing cruelties practised against the natives. The sternness which might have effectually repressed outrage would have made enemies of many of his I friends. A new phase of relation between the two races appeared. Musquito, the Australian black whose capture has been recorded, was eventually transported to Van Dienien's Land, There he was employed in hunting bushrangers. His I dexterity and daring were to be acknowledged by liberty to return to Sydney, Faith was broken with him, A convict taunted him, and Musquito struck him to the ^y^vcl^.