255 
1861 .J Papers relating to Aborigines of Andaman Islands. 
20. The course to adopt with regard to these people has been a 
subject of much anxiety to me. If too much encouraged, our people 
were liable to be plundered, killed, or wounded — on the other hand 
without some encouragement we must for ever remain strangers, and, 
it would seem, at war with them. My endeavour has been to main- 
tain the golden mean, — at all times to avoid aggressive attacks and 
bloodshed, — to treat them kindly, and at the same time not to mis- 
lead them into plundering and killing our people. 
21. Considering the circumstances under which they came into 
our hands, viz., that three were taken in an aggressive attack, that 
the other three, though not actually at the time fighting against us, 
formed a portion of an armed plundering party, and that one of 
them had, as far as I have the means of knowing, without the least 
provocation, inflicted a wound on one of our party, from the effect of 
which he died, — -I have thought myself warranted in detaining them 
with a view to their being made, if possible, the means of inter- 
course with their countrymen hereafter. 
22. But I find it impossible to retain them here without an 
amount of restraint which would defeat entirely our object in keep- 
ing them. The temptation to escape is too great, and they are as 
slippery as eels. 
23. One of them is old and grey headed, another of them is de- 
formed (hump-backed), and stupid. These two I propose to keep 
for a time and release. The other three I purpose shipping to the 
Commissioner of Pegu, to be retained for a few months, taught a 
little English, and sent back. 
24. I consider the climate and circumstances of the Tenasserim 
Coast the most favorable for them, and with reference to this fact, 
and the fate of the man captured by the Andaman Committee, ab- 
stain from sending them to Calcutta. 
25. They will be embarked on the Tubal Cain bound to Ran- 
goon, and I have requested the Officer commanding the Naval 
Brigade to send with them one of the men who has been specially in 
charge of them, to remain till his services are dispensed with by 
Colonel Phayre. 
26. Apart from the natural effort to regain liberty, they have 
shown themselves quiet, and tractable. They appear fond of their 
keepers. They caress children and young animals, and seem kind to 
