Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/352

King replied: "I am much concerned at the unfortunate event of the party at Risdon Cove being compelled to fire on the natives, but I hope the measures you had in contemplation to gain their confidence have succeeded." It was idle for the Governor to express such hope, and wrong not to insist upon a searching inquiry. The fact that any young child was with the natives when they were shot sufficiently proved their peaceful intentions. When prepared for an attack it was ever their custom to place their women and children in remote safety. After such wanton treatment it would have been hard to create friendly relations. Collins, a few days after the massacre, sent some men to collect oysters. A band of natives attacked them with "stones and clubs," and drove them back to Hobart Town. Confidence was never restored. The natives were not again seen in large numbers, but when found in the forest were maltreated, or killed, in spite of the protests of the incapable Governor.

Collins praised, rather than blamed the manner in which at Sydney, Grose and officers transgressed instructions by granting favours to military officers. He asked King to sanction similar disobedience at Hobart Town. He wished to grant lands. King told him (8th Jan. 1805)—

"You are sufficiently acquainted with every circumstance on that head from this colony being settled until my taking the government. . . . Previous to Colonel Paterson's leaving England he had directions that the officers of the corps were not to enter into any agricultural or other pursuit that might interfere with their military duty. On a representation of the military officers to H.R.H., the Commander-in-Chief, stating the necessity of their having some means to supply the wants of their families, and requesting to be permitted to continue the cultivation of their farms, Colonel Paterson informed me that the Duke of York had no objection to their continuing their object, but on express injunction not to enter into any traffic."

Officers in New South Wales having always been permitted to cultivate for their "domestic use and comfort, King saw "no just reason" why those under Collins should be "excluded from the accommodation," and for such portions of land as Collins might recommend, not exceeding 100 acres to each officer, King would transmit grants early as possible after the descriptions are received."

While the garrulous and pliant Collins was at Port Phillip, one of the Irish convicts had written thence a