ON THE ABORIGINES. 
507 
“ I cannot conclude this despatch without expressing my 
sense of the importance of the subject of it, and my hope that 
your experience may enable you to suggest some general plan 
by which we may acquit ourselves of the obligations which we 
owe towards this helpless race of beings, I should not, without the 
most extreme reluctance, admit that nothing can be done ; that 
with respect to them alone the doctrines of Christianity must be 
inoperative, and the advantages of civilization incommunicable. 
I cannot acquiesce in the theory that they are incapable of im- 
provement, and that their extinction before the advance of the 
white settler is a necessity which it is impossible to control. I 
recommend them to your protection and favourable considera- 
tion with the greatest earnestness, but at the same time with 
perfect confidence : and I assure you that I shall be willing and 
anxious to co-operate with you in any arrangement for their 
civilization which may hold out a fair prospect of success. 
<s I have, &c. 
(signed) 
“ STANLEY.’ 
