Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/370

the natives," but the latter had been "ungrateful and treacherous" at the South Creek and Lower Hawkesbury. On the same day outrages occurred at two places three miles apart. A settler was murdered at one. At the other a settler and his man were burnt in a hut.

"These barbarities calling forth assistance, I directed a party of military to take post at the Branch, and to drive the natives from thence, first assuring them that if the murderers were given up all further resentment should cease; however, the velocity with which these people remove from one place to another put it out of the guard's power to follow them, and since then they have begun their depredations at the South Creek, where they have unfortunately murdered two stock-keepers. A detachment has been sent to that quarter, but I am sorry to say that until some of them are killed there is no hope of their being quiet."

By a general order (30th April) detachments of military were distributed for protection against the "uncivilized insurgents." No settler was to allow a native to approach his premises "until the murderers are given up." Any settler harbouring "any native" was to be prosecuted, and all settlers were "required to assist each other in repelling those visits." The old truth that the stronger animal overcomes or outlives the weaker has lately been puffed into importance as a new theory under the name of "survival of the fittest.^[1] The annihilation of a race was in New South Wales secured by an inversion of the doctrine. No peace was hoped for until the most active and daring could be killed, and, the fittest being swept away, the decay of the miserable remnant would leave the land to the destroyer. The detachments entered upon their work. The Gazette tells that Yarragowby and others were assaulted in the mountains. Four or five are said to have fallen. In May 1805 Major Johnston was sent to the scene. A native was caught. A noted chief, Musquito, was seen. He boldly declared to his enemies that the natives would continue their warfare, and "made off" through the forest.

Of Mr. Marsden's persuasive powers a questionable use was made. Several natives were committed to the gaol at Parramatta. Marsden prevailed upon the prisoners to deal insidiously with Musquito. They did so, and the dreaded