Page:History of New South Wales from the records, Volume 2.djvu/235

 197 THE NATIVES. The admirable spirit displayed by Phillip in his dealings I79l-a with the natives during the three years following his land- phiuip and ing has been alluded to in a previous vol.* During the ® °* ^^ latter part of 1791 and the beginning of 1792 the relations between the natives and the new-comers did not improve. Phillip steadily adhered to the amicable policy outlined in his Instructions, but his efEorts to bring about a good Amicable understanding between the two races were constantly frus- trated. It may be said, however, that, with very few ex- ceptions, the white man, if not immediately to blame, was the original aggressor. The natives could appreciate kind treatment, and were very friendly with those who won their confidence, but they resented any injury, no matter how slight it might be ; and as the aboriginals' code of honour KativMr taught them to avenge any wrong, grave or otherwise, with of honour, blood, tragic consequences sometimes followed from small causes, and the injured natives had to be punished for taking the law into their own hands. But, as a rule, Phillip refrained from making any reprisals whenever he found that the natives had acted from a misconception of the motives of the settlers, or had been provoked by them. One case is particularly worthy of mention. In September, 1790, he was seriously wounded at Manly by a native whom he had ^2ned approached in a friendly manner; but, knowing that the ^y*i»a**ve. savage had misconstrued the overture, he took no steps to punish the offender, but rather endeavoured to have his • VoLi, pp. 119-188.