THE NATIVES. 
175 
Were other evidence necessary to substantiate 
this point, it would be only requisite to refer to the 
tone in which the natives are so often spoken of by 
the Colonial newspapers, to the fact that a large 
number of colonists in New South Wales, including 
many wealthy landed proprietors and magistrates, 
petitioned the Local Government on behalf of a party 
of convicts, found guilty on the clearest testimony 
of having committed one of the most wholesale, cold- 
blooded, and atrocious butcheries of the Aborigines 
ever recorded,* and to the acts of the Colonial 
might be readily proved from many despatches of subsequent 
Secretaries of State to the different Governors, that such have been 
their feelings since, and yet how little has been done in ten years 
to give a practical effect to their good intentions towards the 
natives. 
* Seven men were hanged for this offence, on the 18th of 
December, 1838. In the Sydney Monitor, published on the 24th, 
or next issue after the occurrence, is the following para- 
graph : — 
“ The following conversation between two gentlemen took place 
in the military barrack square, on Tuesday, just after the execu- 
tion of the seven murderers of the native blacks, and while Gene- 
ral O’Connell was reviewing the troops of the garrison. 
Country Gentleman.— “ So I find they have hanged these 
men.” 
Town Gentleman. — “ They have.” 
Country Gentleman. — “ Ah ! hem, we are going on a 
safer game now.” 
Town Gentleman. — “ Safer game ! how do you mean?” 
Country Gentleman.—" Why, we are poisoning the 
blacks ; which is much better, and serve them right too !” 
“ We vouch for the truth Of this conversation, and for the very 
