April 1828, Arthur issued a proclamation, declaring that
all previous measures had failed to repress the wanton
outrages of whites and blacks, that the latter were gradually
increasing in art and systems of attack, that the intercourse
between the races must be regulated, and special districts
be assigned for the exclusive benefit and occupation
of the blacks. Military posts were to be established "along
the confines of the settled districts," and all aborigines
were commanded "to retire and depart from" such districts.
Magistrates were authorised to expel them. All practicable
methods were to be employed to communicate the proclamation to the blacks, and to persuade them to retire. If they
would not retire, "capture of their persons without force is
to be attempted," and "whenever force cannot be avoided
it is to be resorted to with the greatest caution and forbearance." In explaining the condition of affairs to the
Secretary of State, Colonel Arthur said (Jan. 1828) that
"the quarrel of the natives with the Europeans occasioned
by an unfortunate step of the officer in command of the
garrison on the first forming of the settlement, was daily
aggravated by every kind of injury committed against the
defenceless natives by the stock-keepers and sealers, with
whom it was a constant practice to fire upon them whenever
they approached, and to deprive them of their women
whenever the opportunity offered." He had proclaimed
that acts of aggression by Europeans would be prosecuted.
In April he reported that the provoked animosity of the
"wretched people" had overcome his "reluctance to proceed to any coercive measures." Therefore he had proclaimed
the exile of the blacks from their native haunts, and asked
to be allowed to give to them food and clothing necessary
for their support. Sir George Murray said that the King
deplored the state of affairs. Arthur was authorized to
natives in 1826 for the murder of a stock-keeper, reiterated his warning that on those who might injure or annoy the natives the severest penalties of the law would be inflicted "without the slightest interposition of mercy" (Sept. 1826). How idle such proclamations were may be inferred from the fact that in Melville's "History of Van Diemen's Land" (Loudon, 1835) it is affirmed that "not one single individual was ever brought to a Court of Justice for offences committed against these harmless creatures" (p. 60). The italics are Mr. Melville's. He had spent many years in Van Diemen's Land.
