NEW SOUTH WALES. 157 



The frequent depreciations to which the set- 

 tlers on the banks of the Hawkesbury, and other- 

 places, were exposed to from the natives, called 

 upon them, for the protection of their families, 

 and to afford each other their assistance upon 

 occasion of alarm, by assembling when anybody 

 of natives were found to be lurking about their 

 grounds ; but they seldom shewed the smallest 

 disposition to assist each other. Improvident 

 even for their own safety and interest, they ne- 

 glected the means by which all could be secured. 

 This disposition being soon manifest, the Go- 

 vernor thought it necessary to issue an order, 

 stating his expectations and directions, " that 

 all the people residing in the different districts 

 of the settlements, whether the alarm was on 

 their own farms, or on the farm of auv other 

 person, should upon such occasions immedi- 

 ately render to each other such assistance as 

 each man, if attacked, would himself wish 

 to receive; and he assured them, that if it 

 should hereafter be proved, that any settlers 

 or other persons withdrew or kept back their 

 assistance from those who might be threat- 

 ened, or who might be in danger of being at- 

 tacked, they would be proceeded against as 

 persons disobeying the rules and orders of the 

 settlement." Those who had fire-arms were en- 

 joined not wantonly to fire at, or take the lives 

 of any of the natives, as such an act would be 

 considered as murder, and subject the offender 

 jto such punishment as the law might direct. 

 The Governor had been informed, that two 



