GOVERNMENT ORDER, (No. 9).
Colonial Secretary's Office,
September 9, 1830
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THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR has considered with anxious interest the numerous representations of the Settlers, expressive of their alarm at the increasing boldness of the Natives, and of the danger in which their lives and property will be placed, unless additional protection be speedily afforded by the Government.
2. But it is vain to expect that the country can be freed from the incursions of the savage tribes, which now infest it, unless the Settlers themselves come forward, and zealously unite their best energies with those of the Government in making such a general, and simultaneous effort as the occasion demands. The Lieutenant Governor, therefore, calls upon every Settler, whether residing on his farm, or in a town, who is not prevented by some over-ruling necessity, cheerfully to render his assistance, and to place himself under the direction of the Police Magistrate of the District in which his farm is situated, or any other Magistrate whom he may prefer; and His Excellency is convinced that, on an occasion so important, a sufficiently numerous volunteer force will thus be raised, that, in combination with the whole disposable strength of the Military and Police, and by one cordial and determined effort, will afford a good prospect of either capturing the whole of the hostile tribes, or of permanently expelling them from the settled Districts.
3. In making this call upon the inhabitants of the Colony at large, the Lieutenant Governor trusts that, whoever embarks in the service, will do so zealously and firmly, and that he will devote his whole mind and energies exclusively to insure its success. For as services of this kind have on some former occasions been greatly perverted, His Excellency is desirous of cautioning all those who feel the necessity of coming forward on the present occasion, that it is not a matter of amusement or recreation, but a cause of the most important and serious kind, in which the lives and property of the whole community are more or less at stake.
4. The utmost disposable Military force will be stationed in a few days at those points in the Interior which are most exposed to attack, or in which the Natives are most likely to be encountered. The whole force on the North side of the Island is confided to the immediate charge of Captain Donaldson, who has already given the inhabitants of that part of the Colony good reason to trust in the zeal and activity of the 57th regiment. The force in the centre of the Island, extending from Ross North-east of St. Patrick's Head, and North-west to Auburn and the Lake River, is under the immediate direction of Captain Wellman, 57th. Regiment. The force in the Bothwell District, extending North-west to the Lakes, and South to Hamilton Township, is under the immediate orders of Captain Wentworth, 63rd Regiment. The force in the Lower Clyde, extending from Hamilton Township, South-east to New Norfolk, is under the charge of Capt. Vicary, 63rd Regiment. The force stationed at the Cross Marsh, and the confines of the Oatlands, Richmond, and Bothwell Districts, is unde the immediate orders of Captain Mahon, 63rd Regiment. The force in the District of Richmond, extending North to Jerusalem, North-east to Prosser's Plains, and East to the Coast, is under the orders of Lieutenant Barrow, 63rd Regiment. The force in the District of Oyster Bay, extending South to Little Swan Port, North to the Head of Swan River, and West to the Eastern Marshes, is under the orders of Lieutenant Aubin, 63rd Regiment; and in order to give unity and vigour to the measures of the Government, the direction of the whole of the combined force thus employed, is confided to the general charge of Major Douglas, 63rd Regiment, who is stationed at Oatlands, as the most central point of communication.
5. The Stations and Residences of the several Police Magistrates are already well known, and with this general information, no individual can be at a loss to decide to what party he will attach himself, so as to give the most effectual aid to the common cause.
6. Any Volunteer Parties from Hobart Town, will render the most essential service by joining the force in the District of New Norfolk, or the Clyde, or Richmond, -- those from Launceston by strengthening the Police to the Westward of Norfolk Plains, or on the West Bank of the Tamar, or in the Country extending from Benlomond to George Town. While still more desirable service will be given by any Parties who will ascend to the parts round the Lakes and Western Bloff, so as to intercept the Natives if driven into that part of the Country, and any enterprising young men who may have been accustomed to make excursions in the Interior, and to endure the fatigues of the Bush, will most beneficially promote the common cause by joining the small Military Parties at the Outstations, and in making patrole expeditions with them, and the services of all such will be readily accepted by the Military Officers in command of the several Stations.
7. To give time for the necessary arrangements, and to meet to the utmost, the convenience of the community, His Excellency directs, that the general movement shall commence on Thursday the 7th of October next, and in the man time, every Settler is enjoined to state to the Police Magistrate of his District, the number of men he can furnish properly equipped for the service, who will cheerfully conform to whatever instructions they may receive.
8. The present roving Parties will be augmented to the greatest possible extent, for which purpose all the Prisoners holding Tickets of Leave, who are capable of bearing arms, are required to report themselves to the Police Magistrate of the District in which they reside, in order that they may be enrolled, either in the regular roving Parties, or otherwise employed in the Public Service, under the instructions of their respective employers.
9. The Surveyor General will immediately issue orders to all the Officers of his Department, directing them to confer with the Police Magistrates and Military Officers of the Districts in which they are employed, to impart generally every species of local and useful information, and to co-operate with their utmost zeal to give the best effect in their power to the measures of the Government.
10. Though the Native Tribes of this Island are well known to be with few exceptions extremely timid, flying with precipitation at the appearance of two or three armed persons, yet the numerous attacks they have made on defenceless habitations, and the cruel murders they have committed with impunity on the White Population, have had the effect of rendering them daily more bold and crafty, until at last they have become so formidable, that the strongest possible united effort of the Community is necessary to subdue them. All minor objects must for a time give way to this one great and engrossing pursuit, and as the combined forces of the Volunteers, the Military, and the Police will be sufficiently numerous almost immediately to ensure the perfect safety of a large portion of the Interior, though every Master of a Family will be careful that the Females and other defenceless inmates are, nevertheless, sufficiently protected in case of alarm, yet, at this season, between seed time and harvest, every one will be able to contribute a certain number from his Establishment, in order to increase the strength of the effective Parties.
11. Should success crown the contemplated measures, the Lieutenant Governor earnestly enjoins, that the utmost tenderness and humanity may be manifested towards whatever Natives may be captured, and when in custody, that they may be dealt with as Beings who have been deprived of the blessings of Civilization, and have been actuated in their hostile attacks by a distressing misconception of the amicable disposition entertained towards them by the White Population.
12. On an occasion of this general nature, no individual is to expect any specific reward, but His Excellency hopes it is now well understood in the Colony, that a service rendered to the Public is never overlooked or forgotton by the Colonial Government.
By His Excellency's Command,
J. BURNETT.