Hobart Town Courier Saturday 25 September 1830
Black Line Dispossession of Indigenous Tribes
GOVERNMENT ORDER. No.
10.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Sept., 1830.
1. THE
Community being relied upon to act en masse on the xx Oct. next, for the
purpose of capturing those hostile Tribes of the Natives which are daily
com mitting renewed atrocities upon the Settlers; the following outline,
of the arrangements which the Lieutenant Governor has determined upon,
is published, in order that every person may know the principle on which
he is required to act, and the part which he is to be individually in
this important transaction.
2. Active operations will at first be
chiefly directed against the Tribes which occupy the country South of a
line drawn from Waterloo Point East to Lake Echo, West, including the
Hobart, Richmond, New Norfolk, Clyde, and Oatlands Police Districts, —
at least, within this country, the Military will be mainly employed, the
capture of the Oyster Bay and Big River Tribes, as the most sanguinary,
being of the greatest consequence.
3. In furtherance of this
measure, it is necessary that the Natives should be driven from the
extremities within the settled Districts of the county of Bucking ham,
and that they should subsequently be prevented from escaping out of
them, —and the following movements are, therefore, directed first to
surround the hostile Native Tribes, —secondly, to capture them in the
county of Buckingham, progressively driving them upon Tasman's
Peninsula,— and, thirdly, to prevent their escape into the re mote
unsettled Districts to the Westward and Eastward.
4.
Major
Douglas will, on the seventh of October cause the following chain of
posts to be occupied ; viz :—From the Coast near St. Patrick's Head, to
the source of the St. Paul's River, and by that River and the South Esk,
to Epping Forest, and Campbell Town. This line being taken up, the
Parties composing it, will advance in a Southerly direction towards the
eastern Marshes, and will thoroughly examine the country between their
first Stations and the head of the Macquarie, and on the afternoon of
the 12th Oct. they will halt with their left at a Mountain on the Oyster
Bay Tier, on which a large fire is to be kept burning, and their right
extending towards Malony's Sugar Loaf. To effect this movement, Major
Douglas will reinforce the post at Avoca, and this force, under the
orders of Capt. Wellman will be strengthened by such Parties as can be
dispatched by the Police Magistrate of Campbell Town, and by the Roving
Parties under Mr. Batman, and will receive the most effectual
cooperation from Major Gray, who will no doubt, be warmly seconded by
Messrs. Legge, Talbot, Grant, Smith, Gray, Hepburn, Kearney, Bates, and
all other Settlers in that neighbourhood.
5. Major Douglas will
also, on the seventh of Oct. form a chain of posts from Campbell Town
along the Southwest bank of the Macquarie to its junction with the Lake
River. These Parties will then advance in a Southerly direction,
carefully examining the Table Mountain range on both its sides, and the
banks of the Lake River, and they will halt on the afternoon of the
12th, with their left at Malony's Sugar Loaf, and their right at
Lackey's Mill, which position will already be occupied by Troops from
Oatlands. In this movement, Major Douglas will receive the cooperation
of the Police Magistrate of Campbell Town, who will bring forward upon
that portion of the line extending from the highroad near Kimberly's on
the Saltpan Plains to Malony's Sugar Loaf, the force contributed by
Messrs. Willis, W. Harrison, Pearson, Jellicoe, Davidson, McLeod, Leake,
Clarke, Murray, Horne, Scardon, Kermode, Parra more, Horton, Scott,
Dickenson, R. Davidson, Cassidy, Eagle, Gardener, Robertson, Hill,
Forster, with any other Settlers from that part of his District, while
that portion of the line extending from Lackey's Mill to Kimberly's will
be strengthened by Messrs. G. C. Clarke, G. C. Simpson, Sutherland,
Ruffey, Gatenby, G. Simpson, C. Thomson, H. Murray, Buist, Oliver,
Malcolm, Taylor, Mackersey, Bayles, Stewart, Alston, Bibra, Corney,
Fletcher, Young, O'Connor, Yorke, and any other Settlers, resident in
that part of the District, who will on their march have examined the
East side of Table Mountain.
6. In order to obviate confusion in
the movements of this body, the Police Magistrate will, without delay,
ascertain the strength which will be brought into the field, and having
divided it into Parties of Ten, he will nominate a Leader to each, and
will attach to them experienced Guides for directing their marches,—and
he will report these arrangements to Major Douglas, when completed. The
remainder of the forces under Major Douglas, will, on the afternoon of
the 12th, take up their position on the same line, extending from the
Oyster Bay range to the Clyde, South of Lake Crescent, over Table
Mountain. Its right, under the command of Capt. Mahon, 63d Regiment,
resting on the Table Mountain, passing to the rear of Michael Howe's
Marsh. Its left, under Capt. Wellman, 57th Regiment, at a Mountain in
the Oyster Bay tier, where a large fire will be seen. Its right centre,
under Captain Macpherson 17th Regiment, extending from Malony's Sugar
Loaf to Capt Mahon's left —and its left centre under Capt. Baylie, 63rd
Regiment, extending from Malony's Sugar Loaf to Capt. Wellman's right.
7. Major Douglas's extreme right will be supported by the Roving
Parties, and by the Police of the Oatlands District, which, together
with the Volunteer Parties formed from the District of Oatlands, will be
mustered by the Police Magistrate in Divisions of Ten Men, and he will
nominate a Leader to each Division, and will attach experienced Guides
for con ducting the march and he will report his arrangement when
completed, to Major Douglas, in order that this force may be placed the
right of the line, to which position will file from Oatlands by the path
over Table Mountain.
8. Between the 7th and the 12th of Oct.,
Lieut Aubin will thoroughly examine the tier extending from the head of
the Sxxx River, North, down to Spring Bay the Southern extremity of his
District, in which duty he will be aided in addition to the Military
Police stationed at Spring Bay and Little Swan Port, by Capts. Maclaine
and Leard, Messrs. Meredith, Hawkins, Gatehouse, Buxton, Harte,
AxxxAllen, King, Lyne, and all Settlers in that District, and by Capt.
Gxxxver and Lieut. Steele, with whatever force can be collected at the
Carlton, and at Sorell by the Po lice Magistrate of that District.
In occupying this position, the utmost care must be taken that
xxxxportion of this or any other xxxxshews itself above the tiers South
of Spring Bay before the general line reaches that point, and the
Constables at East Bay Neck, and the Settlers on the Peninsula must
withdraw before the 7th Oct. in order that nothing may tend to deter the
Native Tribes from passing the Isthmus. On the 12th, Lieut Aubin will
occupy the passes in the tier which the Natives are known most to
frequent, and will communicate with the extreme left of Major Douglas's
line—taking up the best points in observation, and causing at the same
time a most minute reconnaissance to be kept upon the xxoutens, in case
the Natives could pass into that Peninsula, as they are in the habit of
doing either Shellfish or eggs, in which case they will promptly carry
into effect the instructions with which he has already been furnished.
9. Capt. Wentworth will, on the 4th of Oct., push a strong
Detachment under the orders of Lieut. xxxly from Bothwell towards the
Gt. xxxe, for the purpose of thoroughly examining St. Patrick's Plains
and the banks of the Shannon, extending its left on retiring to the
Clyde, towards the Lagoon of Islands, and right towards Lake Echo.
This Detachment will be assisted by the Roving Parties under xxxwin
and Doran, and by the Settlers resident on the Shannon.
10. Capt.
Wentworth will also march the Troops at Hamilton township, under Capt.
Vicary, across the Clyde to occupy the eastern bank of the Ouse. For
this service every possible assistance will be afforded by the Party
formed from the Establishments of Messrs. Triffith, Sharland, xxxzetti,
Young, Dixon, Austin, xxxn, Jamieson, Shone, Risely, and any other
settlers in that District, together with any men of the Field Police who
may be well acquainted in that part of the country.
11. A small
Party of Troops under the command of Lieut. Mur xxxx will also be sent
up the North bank of the Derwent, to scour the country on the West bank
of the Ouse. This Detachment will be strengthened by any Parties of the
Police or Volunteers that can be supplied by the Police Magistrate in
New Norfolk, and from Hobart Town.
12. These three Detachments,
under the orders of Capt. Vicary, Lieut. Croly, and Lieut. Murray, after
thoroughly scouring the country, especially the Blue Hill, and after
endeavouring to drive towards the Clyde whatever Tribes of Natives may
be in those quarters, will severally take up their positions on the 12th
Oct., as follows; viz,— Lieut. Croly's force will rest its left of the
Clyde where Major Douglas's extreme right will be posted, and its right
at Sherwin's.— Capt. Vicary's left will rest at Sherwin's, and his right
at Hamilton; Lieut. Murray's left at Hamilton, and his right on the high
road at Allanvale, his whole line occupying that road.
13. The
parties of Volunteers and Ticket of Leave men, from Hobart town and its
neighbourhood, will march by New Norfolk, for the purpose of assisting
Captain Went worth's' force, in occupying the Clyde; and they will be
rendering a great service by joining that force in time to invest the
Blue Hill, which will be about the 10th of October.
14. The
Police Magistrate of New Norfolk will reserve, from amongst the
Volunteers and Ticket of Leave men, a sufficient force to occupy the
Pass, which runs from the high road, near Downie's, by Parson's Valley,
to Mr. Murdoch's, on the Jordan, and on the 9th of October, he will move
these bodies by the Dromedary Mountain, which he will cause to be
carefully examined towards that Pass, which on the afternoon of the 20th
he will occupy, taking care so to post his parties as to prevent the
Natives from passing the Chain, on being pressed from the northward.
15. Captain Donaldson will, with as little delay as possible, make
arrangements for advancing from Norfolk Plains towards the country on
the West Bank of the Lake River, up to Regent's Plains and Lake Arthur,
driving in a southerly direction any of the tribes in that quarter. He
will also push some parties over the tier to the Great Lake, so as to
make an appearance at the head of the Shannon and of the Ouse; and on
the 12th of October, his position will extend from Sorell Lake to Lake
Echo, by St. Patrick's Plains. In this important position he will
remain, with the view of arresting the flight of any tribes towards the
West, which might possibly pass through the first line. And as the
success of the general operations will so much depend upon the vigilant
guard to be observed over this tract of country, the Lieutenant Governor
places the utmost confidence in Captain Donaldson's exertions in
effectually debarring the escape of the Tribes in this direction; for
which purpose he will withdraw, if he thinks proper, the detachment at
West bury, and will concentrate his forces on the position described. In
this service Capt. Donaldson will be supported by all the force that can
be brought forward by the Police Magistrates of Launceston and Norfolk
Plains in addition to that which can be contributed by the settlers in
those districts.
16. It may be presumed, that by the movements
already described, the Natives will have been enclosed within the
settled districts of the county of Buckingham.
17. On the morning
of the 14th of October, Major Douglas will advance the whole of the
Northern Division in a South easterly direction, extending from the
Clyde to the Oyster Bay Range; Captain Mahon being on his right,
Captains Macpherson and Bailie in his centre, and Captain Wellman on his
left, while Lieut. Aubin will occupy the crests of the tier. The left
wing of Major Douglas's division will move along the tier nearly due
South to Little Swan Port River, the left centre upon Mr Hobbs's stock
run, the right centre upon the Blue Hill Bluff, and the right wing to
the Great Jordan Lagoon. Having thoroughly examined all the tiers and
the ravines on its line of march, the division will reach these stations
on the 16th and will halt on Sunday, the 17th of October.
l8. A
large fire will be kept burning on the Blue Hill Bluff, from the morning
of the 14th until the morning of the 18th, as a point of direction for
the centre, by which the whole line will be regulated.
19. On
Monday, the 18th, Major Douglas's division will again advance, in a
Southeasterly direction, its left moving upon Prosser's River, keeping
close to the tier, its centre upon Prosser's Plains to Olding's Hut, its
right upon Musquito Plain and the north side of the Brown Mountain,
which stations they will reach respectively on the evening of the 20th,
and where they will halt for further orders, taking the utmost care to
extend the line from Prosser's Bay, so as to connect the Parties with
the Brown Mountain, enclosing the Brushy Plains, with the hills called
the three Thumbs, in so cautious a manner, that the Natives may not be
able to pass them.
20. From the morning of the 18th to the 22d a
large fire will be kept burning on the summit of the Brown Mountain, to
serve as a point of direction for Major Douglas's right and Captain
Wentworth's left.
21. On the morning of the 14th October, the
Western Division, under the orders of Captain Wentworth, formed on the
Bank of the Clyde, will enter the Abyssinia Tier and after thoroughly
examining every part of that range, will move due east to the Banks of
the Jordan, with its left at Bisdee's Broadribb's, and Jones's Farms,
its centre at the Green Ponds, and its right at Murdoch's Farm, at the
Broad Marsh, which stations they will severally gain on Saturday
evening, the 16th of October, and where they will halt on Sunday the
17th.
22. Whenever Captain Went worth's force moves from the
Clyde to the Eastward, those Settlers who do not join him, will invest
the road of the Upper, and Lower Clyde, and will keep guard on it during
the remainder of the operations, extending their left through "Miles
Opening," to Mrs. Jones's Farm.
23. On Monday the 18th, the
Western Division will advance, its left, which will connect, with the
right of the Northern Division, by Spring Hill, the Lovely Banks, and
the Hollowtree Bottom, to Mr. Reis's Farm, on the West of the Brown
Mountain,—its centre, over Constitution hill and the Bagdad Tier, and by
the Coal River, Sugar Loaf to Mr. Smith's Farm, at the Junction of the
Kangaroo and Coal Rivers,—its right over the Mangalore Tier, through
Bagdad and the Teatree Brush, to Styne and Troy's Farm on the Coal
River, which stations they will respectively reach on the afternoon of
the 20th, and where they will have further orders.
24. Whenever
the right with Capt. Wentworth's Division have reached Mr. Murdoch's at
the Jordan, Mr. Dumaresq's force will abandon the Pass of Parxxx Valley,
and will extend itself to Capt. Wentworth's extreme in advancing with
that force, until it occupies the Coal River, and Capt Wentworth's right
to the Mouth of the River. A Police Observation will be stationed at the
Mountain called " Gxxx Quoin," near the Tea tree Brush.
25. The
Assistant Commissary General will provide rations for the undermentioned
stations, at:
Waterloo Point
Malony's Sugar Loaf
Lackey's Mill
Under the Bluff of Xxxx Mountain
Bothwell
Hamilton
New Norfolk
Murdoch's (Jordan)
Brighton
Cross Marsh
Hobbs, (Little Swan
River)
Mr. Torlesse's Nicholas's on the Ouse
Green Ponds
Bisdee's Farm Richmond
Mr Reid's Kangaroo Point
Olding's Prosser's
Plains
Captain McLaine's, Spring Bay
Lt. Hawkins's, Little Swan
Port
Oatlands
Tier West of Waterloo Plains
Jone's Hut, St.
Patricks Plains
Capt. Wood's Hut, Regent Plains
Mr. Geo. Kemp's
Hut, Lake Sorell
Michael Howe's Marsh
The arrangement, at the
different depots, for the conveyance of rations and stores to the
Parties employed, will be undertaken by Mr Scott, Mr. Wedge, and Mr.
Sharland; and as the leader of each party will be a respectable
individual, he will keep a Ration-Book in which he will insert his own
name, and the names of all his party, which on his presenting at any of
the Depots, stating the quantity required, the respective storekeepers
will issue the same, taking care that no greater quantity than 7 days'
supply, consisting of the following articles per diem, viz. 8 oz. of
Sugar, ˝ oz. tea, 2 lbs. flour, and 1˝b of meat, for each person, shall
be issued at one time to any party.
25. The inhabitants of the
Country, generally, are requested not to make any movements against the
Natives, within the circuit occupied by the troops, until the general
line reaches them, and the residents of the Jordan and Bagdad line of
road will render the most effectual assistance, by joining Capt.
Wentworth’s force, while yet on the Clyde.
26 The assigned
servants of settlers will be expected to muster, provided each with a
good pair of spare shoes, and a blanket, and 7 day’s provisions,
consisting of flour or biscuit, salt, meat, tea, and sugar; so, also,
prisoners holding Tickets of Leave; but these latter, where they cannot
afford it, will be furnished with a supply of provisions from the
Government Magazines.
27. It will not be necessary, that more
than two men of every five should carry fire arms, as the remaining
three can very advantageously assist their comrades in carrying
provisions, etc. and the Lieutenant Governor takes this opportunity of
again enjoining the whole community to bear in mind, that the object in
view is not to injure or destroy the unhappy Savages, against whom
these movements will be directed, but to capture and raise them in the
scale of civilization, by placing them under the immediate control of a
competent establishment, from whence they will not have it in their
power to escape and molest the White Inhabitants of the Colony, and
where they themselves will no longer be subject to the miseries of
perpetual warfare, or to the privations which the extension of the
Settlements would progressively entail upon them, were they to remain in
their present unhappy site.
28 The Police Magistrates and the
Masters of Assigned Servants will be careful to entrust with arm only
such prisoners as they can place confidence in ; and, to ensure
regularity, each prisoner employed will be furnished by the Police
Magistrate with a Pass, describing the Division to which he is attached,
and the name of its leader, and containing the personal description of
the prisoner himself.
By His Excellency’s Command
J. BURNETT
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