Renewal of hostilities

Renewal of hostilities between Aborigines and settlers on the Hawkesbury.

Governor Macquarie gives a government General Order that

The natives in different parts of the out-settlements have in an unprovoked … manner lately committed the most brutal murder on some defenseless settlers … the government has judged it necessary for the preservation of the lives and properties … to distribute detachments from the NSW Corps. (ie soldiers) (Karskens 2009, ch 13)

Aboriginal people try to defend their land and kill colonists. On 20 July, Judge Advocate Richard Atkins rules that Aboriginal people “are at present incapable of being brought before a criminal court, and that the only mode at present when they deserve it, is to pursue them and inflict such punishment as they merit”. (Foley 2001)

Musquito, an Aboriginal Guringai warrior is arrested for attacks on farms on the Hawkesbury River. He is imprisoned and sent to Norfolk Island and later to Tasmania in 1813. Musquito’s first hand knowledge of bushranging tactics is used by authorities to help round up outlaws in Tasmania. He becomes a leader of resistance and organises large scale guerilla attacks against colonists. He is sentenced to death for murder in 1825 in Hobart gaol. His final words are said to have been I“This not good for black fulla. Only good for white fulla [speaking about being hanged]. Him buddy (bloody) used to it by now.”