themselves to "put men to death in cold blood, and that
the magistrates do not at all interfere." He was convinced that Darling could not be aware of these things.
He appealed to him to stop them. Darling did little. The
crime had occurred at the Hunter River, and it was to a
resident in that district that Brisbane had intimated that if
the blacks were shot there was no occasion to report the
fact. The natives there were numerous and warlike,
however, and to the disgust of some residents seemed
disinclined to be shot. Settlers sent to the Governor a
petition praying for protection "from the incursions of
numerous tribes of black natives, armed and threatening death to our servants" . . . "until the threats and
murderous designs of the natives shall have subsided, the
lives of our labourers and our property will be exposed to
the revenge and depredation of these infuriated and savage people."
Darling replied (5th Sept.) that nothing was to be feared, and the settlers should show no apprehension. "Vigorous measures among yourselves would more effectually establish your ascendancy than the utmost power of the military. . . . I strongly recommend you to unite and take measures for your own defence, and you may be satisfied that in any exertion you may make, you shall receive every necessary support. He observed that some of the memorialists resided in Sydney, and recommended them to live on their properties. It would have the effect of preventing irregularities on the part of your own people, which, I apprehend, is in many instances the cause of the disorders committed by the natives."
Thus stirred, the settlers obeyed. The natives retaliated. Bannister reported (7th Sept. 1826) that "extremely violent proceedings were going on, on both sides." Darling ordered a detachment of the military to the district, to "punish the natives agreeably to my instructions on this head, which, under present circumstances, will, I have no doubt, prove the most effectual course."
Bannister, "placed in a situation of great difficulty," asked for a copy of the Instructions. He thought "that the indiscriminate slaughter of offenders, except in the heat of immediate pursuit, or other similar circumstances,
