of fortune-hunters, G. A. Robinson, John Batman, Jorgen Jorgenson, &c. He denounced their complicity with unconstitutional measures, their truckling for favour, their immoral intercourse with female guides, and their persistent thwarting of his own operations. He sought a conference of leaders, that a better plan might be adopted than the desultory one pursued, urging: "I really think that all our efforts have been too much at random." He fell foul, especially, with the astute, Anstey-shadow Jorgenson; resenting the employment of a man in the position of leader who had not escaped the barrier of penal bondage, and who was addicted to drunkenness. The other, a ready writer, and not too scrupulous an opponent, felt himself backed in the antagonism by the moral support of authority. Mr. Anstey, meantime, amused himself with writing about "the rival chieftains."
When his term of twelve months had expired, during which his success had been neither according to his expectations, nor equal to his exertions, Mr. Robertson wrote to the Colonial Secretary. He frankly states the case: "Unfortunately I have been able to do so little good for the expense which I have cost the Government, that I do not expect His Excellency will consider it expedient to require an extension of my services beyond the present year, though I do not think my health could stand another year of the hardships which I have undergone." Again, he says: "I do not wish nor expect any remuneration for whatever extra duty I may have to perform in pursuit of the Natives at any time, or to any place, where His Excellency may be pleased to order me, if it is his pleasure that I shall return to my office of Chief District Constable of Richmond after the 1st of January."
But he had not been unsuccessful, if even the capture of the bold chief Eumarra had been his sole performance. This man and four others were taken in October 1829. It was said by some that the cudgel and musket were necessary to their submission. One thing is certain, that Eumarra became the friend and helpmate of Mr. Robertson. Upon his retirement from service, the leader secured a thousand acres of land.
Mr. Anthony Cottrell was a valuable leader. In December 1831, he laid hold of two men and a woman, and made such good use of them as to gain their assistance to secure the rest of
