Original Documents on Aborigines and Law
1797-1840
Published by the Centre for Comparative Law History and Governance of Macquarie University, and State Records NSW
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Document 55
[306] Sydney 28th Novr 1837[1]
Sir
I have the honor to lay before you for the information of the Govenor that I have received information of the aboriginal natives having become extremely hostile on the Gwydir River and its neighbourhood being about 200 miles NW from Invermain[?].
For some time past the blacks have been killing Cattle – & in my own case they are reported to have destroyed 22 – beside most serously [sic] injuring a valuable bull – other herds have suffered as well as mine.
Some time ago two men in the service of Mr George Bowman of Richmond were killed & now two men belonging to Mr Cobb have been very recently murdered by the natives.
These hostilities are being committed by the same people who were so troublesome a[2] few months since. The leading men are well known.
The inhabitants are much alarmed,[3] [307] & I have thought it my duty to bring in [4] the disturbed state of that country under H.E.s consideration that he may adopt such measures as in his wisdom he may deem necessary for the protection of the lives & properties of the persons interested.
I have the honor
&c. &
signed Robt Scott
Note
[1] Thanks to volunteer Ron Hulme for his transcription of this difficult document.
[2] Crossed out: short.
[3] Lines of text crossed out: & I would respectfully urge upon His Excellency the necessity of affording them protection, lest by being driven to desparation they take up arms in their own defence, & under [307] excited feelings, these undisciplined men proceed to lengths, that would probably be found unnecessary, & avoided by responsible and unprejudiced persons.
[4] Crossed out: excesses committed by the black population