462 
RELATIONS WITH THE MURRAY 
thirty individuals, exclusive of many who were per- 
haps mortally wounded. Four different parties 
had been sent up the river during this short period, 
to punish aggressions, or protect property. In one 
of these the Europeans were worsted and driven 
back by the natives, in another a number amount- 
ing to sixty-eight Europeans, were absent for up- 
wards of six weeks, at an immense expense, and 
were then obliged to return without bringing in a 
single culprit from the offending tribes.* 
The line of route had become unsafe and danger- 
ous for any party coming from New South Wales; 
a feeling of bitter hostility, arising from a sense of 
injury and aggression, had taken possession both of 
the natives and the Europeans, and it was evident 
for the future, that if the European party was weak, 
* In this latter case, the Commissioner of Police, and the 
greater number of his men, accompanied the expedition, leaving 
of course the colony unprotected, and ordinary civil arrangements 
at a stand still until their return. I have already remarked, the 
little chance there is, of either the police or military ever suc- 
ceeding in capturing native offenders, and how very frequently it 
has occurred, that in their attempts to do so, either through mis- 
take, or from mismanagement, they have very often been guilty 
of most serious and lamentable acts of injury and aggression upon 
the innocent and the unoffending. As a mere matter of policy, 
or financial arrangement, I believe it would in the long run, be 
prudent and economical, to adopt a liberal and just line of treat- 
ment towards the Aborigines. I believe by this means, we should 
gain a sufficient degree of influence, to induce them always to 
give up offenders themselves ; and I believe that this is the only 
means by which we can ever hope to ensure their capture. 
