PREFACE. 
XI 
In his attempt to delineate the actual circum- 
stances and position of the natives, and the just 
claims they have upon public sympathy and bene- 
volence, he has been necessitated to refer largely to 
the testimony of others, but in doing this he has 
endeavoured as far as practicable, to support the 
views he has taken by the writings or opinions of 
those who are, or who have been resident in the 
Colonies, and who might therefore be supposed from 
a practical acquaintance with the subject, to be most 
competent to arrive at just conclusions. 
In suggesting the only remedy which appears at 
all calculated to mitigate the evil complained of, it 
has studiously been kept in view that there are the 
interests of two classes to be provided for, those of 
the Settlers, and those of the Aborigines, it is thought 
that these interests cannot with advantage be sepa- 
rated, and it is hoped that it may be found practi- 
cable to blend them together. 
The Aborigines of New Holland are not on the 
whole a numerous people ; they are generally of a 
very inoffensive and tractable character, and it is 
believed that they may, under ordinary circum- 
stances, almost always be rendered peaceable and 
well-disposed by kind and consistent treatment. 
Should this, in reality, prove to be the case, it may 
be found perhaps, that they could be more easily 
managed, and in the long run at a less expense, by 
some such system as is recommended, than by any 
other requiring means of a more retaliatory or 
