Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/623

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WESTERN AUSTRALIA. MR. MOORE. MIDGEGORO. 596 To vindicate the majesty of the law, a black man was put upon his trial at the same session. As none of liis friends were present, and none could have given evidence if present, "Black Tommy" was hanged without delay. The hearts of the white men might accuse them, but legal proof was not available. Amongst those who held the diabolic doctrine that the shooting of a black fellow-creature was not an offence, no witnesses against a white murderer could be found. Perjury was deemed venial in such a case. It is sad to reflect that early mismanagement at Western Australia caused for a time disgraceful relations between the two races. An accidental publication casts light upon the time. Mr. Moore held a civil appointment at Perth, and was also engaged in pastoral pursuits. He wrote letters to England, which were published, without his revision, as "Letters and Journals'* from Swan Eiver.^ He thus described the state of affairs in May 1833 : — "A murder was committed by the natives in consequence of the foUowing provocation. Some time ago a man who had come from Van Diemen's Land, when escorting a cart, saw some unoffending natives in the way. *D — n the rascals,' he said, *I'll show you how we treat them in Van Diemen's Land,' and immediately fired on them. That very cart, with two men who had been present at the transaction, was passing near the same spot the day before yesterday, when they were met by about fifty natives who had lain in ambush, and the two men were deprived of life so suddenly, that Mr. Phillips (who had been about two hundred yards behind) was hardly in time to see Yagan thrust a spear into one of them. . . . A reward has been offered for the head of Yagan whether dead or alive." One Midgegoro was taken, and there was "great per- plexity as to what should be done with him. The populace cry loudly for his blood, but the idea of shooting him with the cool formalities of execution is revolting." Thus Mr. Moore wrote on the 20th May. On the 22nd, he added, Midgegoro was "shot at the gaol-door by a party of the military. We are all anxious to see how the others will conduct themselves after this execution, if they discover it? . . . there were none of them present at it.'* On the 27th Mr. Moore, with two others, saw Yagan with several « London: 1834. ' The italics are Mr. Moore's. This publication excited attention in England; and Captain F. C. Irwin, who commanded the military in Western Australia, published an9ther work iw %^o. MM 2