Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/639

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ROBBERY AND HOUSEBREAKIXG A(^T, 1830. 611 The Eobbery and Housebreaking Act (21st April 1830) gave unexampled powers to the authorities. Donohue and his companions after severe encounters died red-handed or on the scaffold. Two of them, Walmsley and Webber, stopped the venerable Marsden. While his daughter emptied his pockets to satisfy the thieves, the old man seriously warned them against their occupation. If they pursued it he should "next see them on the scaffold." His words were prophetic. In a few days he attended Webber at his death ; Walmsley gave evidence and was pardoned. The soldier-corps of mounted police, though few in number, did yeomen's service throughout the country during this terrible time. Every settler kept himself in readiness to resist attack. Norfolk Island had recently been re-occupied as a penal settlement, and a daring outbreak occurred amongst the prisoners in 1827. They had intended by a simultaneous dash to surprise the garrison, seize the arms, and possess the island. Fifty of them secured their guards and over- seers as a first step. Four soldiers passing casually towards the hospital were chased, and only one escaped to warn the officers. The insurgents then fled to the small Phillip Island, some miles distant, taking arms with them in three boats, and leaving only one disabled boat at the settlement. On the following day the boat was repaired, and the commandant with a few soldiers pursued the run- aways. After some firing, he killed three, captured eleven men, and returned to Norfolk Island with the boats in which the insurgents had fled. There were pigs and goats on the small island to support life, but by degrees in sub- sequent visits, the commandant recaptured all the prisoners without any loss to the attacking force. A vessel carrying been magical, and I think I shall be enabled to write you in about ten days that peace and security are once more enjoyed here. I am preparing two other important bills to regulate free and ticket-of-leave men, which will put these men under so wholesome a state of restraint that we shall soon become an altered community." Donohue was shot by a soldier in 1830. Webber was hanged in Jan. 1831. Dr. Wardell met his death at the hand of a bushranger in 1834. He found three men on his grounds; and, though unarmed, tried to drive them before him. One of tiiem was reck- less and shot Wardell. At his trial the murderer terrified the spectators by vile language, struck his fellow-prisoner in the dock, and was with difficulty secured by six constables. ^15 2