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soldier was sent to be executed at Port Dalrymple as an example; the convict was sent to the Derwent to undergo the same fate. There were extenuating circumstances with regard to the other soldiers, and King commuted their sentences to transportation.

Collins made the most of his difficulties. He was in doubt about the names of places. King told him to adopt those given by Cook, Furneaux, Hayes, and Flinders, "without entering into any disquisition how far a prior discovery gives claim to occupancy. . . . Van Diemen's Land is wholly included within the British limits."

An unprovoked attack upon the natives at Risdon Cove laid the foundation of troubles, which were to end only with the absolute destruction of the whole race during the lifetime of some Europeans then living. Lord Hobart had instructed Collins to compel all persons under his government to treat the natives kindly. Collins was to punish any act of violence against them. If Lord Hobart had not condoned the killing of peaceful boys at the Hawkesbury, Collins might perhaps have so impressed his instructions upon his settlement that the Tasmanian aborigines, found so friendly by former visitors, would not have been made hostile. It is fair to Collins to state that the affray took place at the settlement formed by Bowen, and before Collins assumed control there. At the same time if he had obeyed the order to assume the command Risdon would have been under his charge at the time.

There was no ground for suspecting the natives of Van Diemen's Land of unfriendliness. Cook's coadjutor, Furneaux, had visited the island in 1773 without collision, although the Frenchman, Marion du Fresne, had stricken them without provocation. In 1777 Cook had found them friendly.

In 1792 the French expedition, which included Labillardière, spent much time in Van Diemen's Land, and under his guidance the natives were kindly treated and behaved hospitably in return. Good faith was not broken, and the savages on all occasions assisted Labillardière in his excursions. They guided, they supported the weary Frenchmen, and the description of them is a picture of Arcadian simplicity and peace.