Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/596

 568 EUMARRAH. EFTOKT TO EXXXOSE THE NATIVES, 1830. In traosmittijig the report to England, Artlinr wrote (15 til April 1830) that Eobiiison in the south-west, and Batman on the north-east coast, had recently had friendly meetings with the " miserable beings" who were the victims of '' barbarity of raiiaway convicts or detached stock - keepers." Sir George Murray approved the conduct of the Governor, and urged him **in the strongest manner to continue to use the utmost endeavours to give to the inter- course between (settlers and aborigines) a less liostile character, and to employ every means which kuidnesSj humanityj and justice can suggest to reclaim the natives from their original savage life." But the past was inexorable. Blood would have blood. Few though they were, the activity of the hunted savages made up for want of numbers. While Robmson in the winter of 1830 succeeded hi communicating amicably with tribes on the north-west, fresh atrocities were perpetrated in the heart of the island, Eumarrah, a chief captured by Eobinson, filled the cup of bitterness for the Governor. More than a year he was in durance. His coiitidtid in more and more, until at length I felt a fonfidence that he would be greatly instrumental in carry iug into effect the uieaaures »o ardently deaired for conciliation. 1 have continually luul liirn at (Govern- ment House, . . » but, to uiy disappointment and sincere rcgret» lie availed himself of the fiist iiionieut to aliscondj and lias, I fear^ rejoinenl his tribe with the moat hostile intentions. . . . Failiuj^ in every eoileavour to conciliate, and the ootragea of the savages being more daring, . . . the next measure we are Iround to attempt is, 1 conceive, that which is now in progress, the earnest and hearty co- operation of the whole European poj>ulation to capture iheui with tne least possible destruction of life, or to drive them into Tasman s Peninsula." Arthur was " not sangume " about capturing, but he thought it feasible to ** drive the savages" into the peninsula ami guard its narrow neck. On the 9th Sept. 1830, '^ the inhabitaiits of the colony at large" were called upon to aid the military. **A11 minor objects must for a time give way to this one great and engrossing pursuit*" For months the selieme for the cordon across the island was in preparation. Twenty-six depots were made for provisions. Twenty-eight paragraphs of a Government Order imposed duties on the inhabitantB 4 4 ■
 * apparently artlesa nianiitir and strong protestationa of altaeliinent were