68 A VOYAGE TO 
CH^AP. reqiiilite to enfure the fuccefs of the undertaking in-^ 
' — truited to him, as far as the qualities of one man can 
enfure it, InteUigent, adive, perfevering with firm- 
nefs to make his authority refpe6ted, and mildnefs to 
render it pleafing, he was determined, if poffible, to 
bring even the native inhabitants of New South Wales 
into a voluntary fubje6lion ; or at leaft to eftablifli with 
them a ftridt amity and alliance, hiduced alfo by 
motives of humanity, it was his determination from his 
firft landing, to treat them with the utmoft kindnefs : 
and he was firmly refoived, that, whatever differences 
might arife, nothing lefs than the moit abfolute necef- 
fity Ihould ever compel him to fire upon them. In 
this refolution, by good fortune, and by his own great 
addrefs, he has happily been enabled to perfevere. But 
notwithilanding this, his intentions of eftablifliing a 
friendly intercourfe have hitherto been fruftrated. M. 
De la Peyroufe,--'-' while he remained in Botany Bay, had 
fome quarrel with the inhabitants, which unfortunately 
obliged him to ufe his fire-arms againft them : this 
affair, joined to the ill behaviour of fome of the con- 
vi6ts, who in fpite of all prohibitions, and at the rifque 
of all confequences, have wandered out among them, 
has produced a fliynefs on their parts which it has not 
yet been poflible to remove, though the propereft means 
have been taken to regain their confidence. Their 
* This is the right form of that officer's name j it was printed otherwife in a 
former paflage by mlRake. 
diilike 
