I 



NEW SOUTH WALES. v % 497 



occasion. True, it most certainly is, that some 

 of the convicts continually committed those 

 depredations, which must have cried loudly, 

 and have obtained redress, had they been exe- 

 cuted on other persons. The consequence of 

 course followed, for the natives knowing no 

 superior power, sought redress in their own way ; 

 but doubtless, had they never had just cause to 

 be offended, the greatest benefit might have 

 been gained by their labours, Indeed, now 

 they begin to understand the English language 

 a little, many are found particularly useful, 

 and live regularly at the settlement, on the earn- 

 ings of their own industry, and possess disposi- 

 tions of the most amiable kind. Though there 

 are undoubtedly, continually others, who, after 

 living some time amongst our people, quit all 

 the comforts of the Colony, for the savage asso- 

 ciation of the wild natives; but this may cer- 

 tainly be accounted for on two grounds ; a na- 

 tural savage ignorance, or a total abhorrence of 

 labour, to which cause must be attributed, the 

 primary motive which occasioned many of the 

 convicts visiting the country. It is therefore, 

 by no means wonderful, that these savages to- 

 tally unacquainted with any employment, should 

 quit absolute labour, till they obtained a pro- 

 per knowledge of all the various enjoyments 

 they might obtain, by the exertion of that 

 labour. 



As the natives associate with the inhabitants 

 of the settlements, they very rapidly become en- 



3 s 



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