224 HlsfoRY OP 



discovered a smoke that they had made to draw 

 his attention ; which he, being near, took for a 

 smoke made by some natives. 



On the 26th of this month there was an 

 unusually heavy fall of rain during the night. 



A curious notion was found to prevail among 

 the natives respecting Pe-mul-wy, which must 

 prove fatal to him. Both he and the other 

 natives entertained an opinion, that, from his 

 having been frequently wounded, he could wot 

 be killed by our fire-arms. This fancied secu- 

 rity tempted the rascal to be at the head of 

 every party that attacked the maize-grounds. 



On the 5th of March, a court was held at 

 Paramatta. Writs were issued, and prosecu- 

 tions for debt commenced, and on the 7th ad- 

 journed till the 19th, when it continued sitting 

 until the 24th. The business consisted chiefly 

 respecting debts contracted between the retail 

 dealers and the settler* ; and as a proof to what 

 height this business had arrived, it is only to 

 state, that an appeal was made to the Governor 

 in one cause for a debt of the very serious sum of 

 8681. 16s. lOd. which was withdrawn on the 

 defendant consenting to pay the debt. , 



The Governor having received from the set- 

 tlers, by means of the two gentlemen he sent to 

 them (the Rev. Mr. Marsden and Mr. Arndell). 

 a statement of their grievances and distresses, 

 informed them, that he was sorry to see the effects 

 of them at each civil court held. The debts 

 with which they were so frequently burdened, 

 through imposition and extortion, committed 



