A settler from Portland Head presents a petition

A settler from Portland Head on the Hawkesbury River presents a petition signed by many settlers to Governor King requesting permission to shoot any natives on their farms. The petition proves to be a forgery and the man responsible is gaoled for several days. King sends for several Aborigines from that district and interviews them. Aboriginal people make it clear “they did not like to be driven from the few places that were left on the banks of the river, where they could procure food”. King agrees that their claim is fair and guarantees not to settle any more grants lower down the river. The natives in return promise to be amicable. (Nichols p 5).