THE FIRST ATTEMPT AT GOVERNMENT 155 



not fettered by the narrow fanatical dogmatism of that colonising 

 band. Moreover, they had not to endure the same cruel contest 

 with a rigorous climate, a hungry and unresponsive soil, or to fight 

 their way against crafty and tireless aboriginal enemies. On the 

 whole, they possessed far more actual wealth in this world's goods, 

 and they brought it to a land where it would fructify with little 

 labour beyond active superintendence. Hence, in two decades they 

 had accomplished almost as much as their famous Puritan proto- 

 types had done in two centuries. Everything was in their favour, 

 and despite the resistance of the Government, the tide bore them on 

 to fortune. 



The instructions which Captain Lonsdale received from his 

 chief were very full and explicit. He was to have the general 

 superintendence of the new settlement in all such matters as 

 required the immediate exercise of the authority of the Government. 

 He was to be supported by a small detachment of troops, the 

 officer in command of which was also to be appointed to the com- 

 mission of the peace, in order to assist him in judicial matters when 

 the law required two magistrates to act. In addition to the usual 

 official returns and reports, he was required to furnish on the last 

 day of each month a special and confidential report, direct to the 

 Governor, of every important transaction occurring during the 

 month of which the Governor ought to have cognisance. Im- 

 mediately after the arrival he was to cause an accurate census of 

 the inhabitants to be taken, specially noting those who have oc- 

 cupied the land by erecting premises or grazing stock. Especially 

 was it impressed upon him that one of his most important duties 

 was to protect the aborigines from any manner of wrong, and to 

 endeavour to conciliate them, by kind treatment and presents, to a 

 recognition of the sincere desire of the Government to maintain 

 friendly intercourse, and to improve by all practical means their 

 moral and social condition. To bring about this result he was 

 authorised to retain Buckley in the service of the Crown, and 

 through his influence to try and induce the wandering savage to 

 adopt the restraints of village life. 



The civil staff representing the new Government consisted of 

 Captain Lonsdale's clerk at 2s. 6d. per day ; a chief constable at 



