Colonial Times and Tasmanian Advertiser (Hobart, Tas. : 1825 - 1827), Friday 1 December 1826, page 2


Colonial Times

HOBART TOWN:

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1826.

In conducting a Journal, which is under-

stood to express the general sentiments and wishes of the people, and in some instances, to regulate and lead them, we are occasion-ally obliged to present those subjects to the attention of our Readers, which the pressing necessity of the case requires, although they may be attended with painful results. It was this feeling which induced us to devote our space in the last two numbers, to the con-struction and operation of the Council, to the exclusion of our leading article, in continua-tion upon the political economy of this Go-vernment; and it is with the same feeling, that we now beg most earnestly, to draw the attention of all, to the present situation of those poor, wretched, but infatuated savages, the Aborigines of this Island. In devoting a few observations to the cause of humanity — in tracing the dangers to which the Settler must be exposed, and in pointing out a remedy, if possible, we are not only doing our duty, as Christians, but as Men; and if we offer any observations which are entitled to weight, it is also the duty, as we are sure it will be

the inclination, of Government, to act upon

them.

It would be worse than useless, to shew how different things might have been - it is enough to state things as they are; and we find by every day's experience, that the na-tives are no longer afraid of a white man -that they know, how a gun is fired off, it is useless. From attacking stock-keepers, they now attack huts, and in many instances, the fight has lasted for hours, until by dint of numbers, they have compelled the whites to retreat. They have tasted the sweets of ci-vilized life, but they have no inclination for the labour of it. They have ceased to fear,

and learn to abhor. They look upon the white men, as robbing them of their land, depriving them of their subsistence, and in too many instances, violating their persons.

To discuss a question of this nature, it is necessary to look at naked truths. It is too late to discuss the question, whether they might not have been civilized - they have un-fortunately seen nothing but pernicious ex-amples. What intercourse has taken place,

has produced only hatred, and revenge, and nothing, but a removal, can protect us from incursions, similar to the Caffrees in Africa,

or the back-woodmen, in North America. We deeply deplore the situation of the Set-tlers. With no remunerating price for their produce, they have just immerged from the

perils of the bush-rangers, which affected their property, and they are now exposed to the attack of these natives, who aim at their lives. We make no pompous display of Phi-lanthropy - we say unequivocally, SELF DE-FENCE IS THE FIRST LAW OF NATURE. THE

GOVERNMENT MUST REMOVE THE NATIVES - IF NOT, THEY WILL BE HUNTED DOWN LIKE WILD BEASTS, AND DESTROYED!

Having heard the distinctions in law, laid down by the Chief Justice in the Supreme Court, in the case of Jack and Dick, for mur-

der, we tremble for the consequences to our brother Colonists, on the one hand, whilst we are chilled with horror, with the probable results, on the other. It is impossi-ble to suggest a perfect plan, but having col-lected the opinions of many intelligent per-sons, we are satisfied, that the first thing, is our own security; the second, the due and proper protection to the natives, and last,

and least, the expence of the measure to Go-vernment. In the first place, they must be removed,

either to the coast of New Holland, or King's Island. The latter is one of our Dependencies, fertile, well supplied with water and no pos-sibility of escape. There are two parties

who have committed outrages — the Oyster Bay and the Shannon parties. We would

recommend their being taken, which could easily be effected - placed at King's Island,

with a small guard of soldiers to protect them, and let them be compelled to grow potatoes, wheat, &c. catch seals and fish, and by de-

grees, they will lose their roving disposition, and acquire some slight habits of industry, which is the first step of civilization.

If they are put upon the coast of New Hol-

land, they may be destroyed. If they remain here, they are SURE TO BE DESTROYED. If they are sent to King's Island, they will be under restraint, but they will be free from

committing, or receiving violence, and we are certainly bound by every principle of huma-nity, to protect them as far as we can.

We shall hail with joy any measure the Council may devise, to effectually relieve us from this calamity, but they may be assured no half-measures will suffice, and as no one Member of the Council can speak upon this subject, experimentally, we hope they will consult those who can, for it is one common interest binds us all.

We have heretofore frequently taken up the subject of classification in our Gaols and Penal Settlements, and notwithstanding a great deal has been said upon it — about it, and in favour of it, nothing has as yet been done in furtherance of it. There appears to be a total indifference of this desirable object shewn ; and we, therefore, would again en-force the advantages which would inevitably be the result of solitary confinement being resorted to in most cases, where now, indis-criminate confinement in the Penitentiary, and the abominable triangular punishments are made use of. Nothing can be more cer-tain, than the imperative necessity of abo-lishing both these methods of punishment (if it is intended to reform, and not render more hardened those on whom it is inflicted) unless it is the benefit which would ensue by their being abolished. When we assert this, the questions may very naturally be asked, why is it an imperative necessity ? what benefit is

certain io be obtained ? and what course, ought to be pursued ? We would say, it is an imperative necessity ; because, the pre-sent system tends more to demoralize, than to reform. In the first place, by the indis-criminate heaping together of all sorts of of-fenders, without regard to crime—former character—habits—or present course of life. A man, for instance, who has kept himself far removed from bad company—has been indus-trious—has been sober—has been honest in this country—has been well educated, and used to good society in England, perhaps, sent here more for an act of indiscretion, than of villainy—is for a trivial offence (per haps being out after eight o'clock, or missing his muster, thrust into the Barracks, among men who have committed the most abominable crimes—who have from their infancy been thieves—whose minds have been vitiated in early youth, and who have been taught to look upon every thing moral, as derogatory, to their character. These men taunt, ridicule, and in many instances offer personal vio-lence to the man who shall endeavour to keep aloof from them, and who is averse to join in their evil practices. By degrees, the disgust he felt at them at first, will wear off ; to avoid the ill-usage before alluded to, he will mix in their society—he will become their companion—habit will teach him to look with indifference on those things which before had excited his horror and detestation ; and at last, he will become as bad as any of his as-sociates. Further, his having been treated with the same rigour as the vilest of charac-ters, will engender a hatred in his bosom against those very ordinances, which he ought rather to be brought to revere. He is hurled from his respectability, to the lowest of disgrace—unnoticed and undistinguished, he despairs of ever attaining to the character which has been taken from him; he there-fore gives way to all kind of vice, and comes out a blackguard, and a pest to society.— During his confinement, he has imbibed prin-ciples, which will, perhaps, cause him to ter-minate his life in ignominy. Secondly, the use of torture is inhuman, and tends to de-moralize the man on whom it is indicted, in-asmuch, as it renders him more hardened and callous to infamy. We detest to see one man torture another, and corporal punishment is torture. What can be more repugnant to hu-manity, nay, to even decency, than to see a poor wretch stripped, tied to a cart or trian-gle, his back lacerated and bleeding with stripes? What can be more piercing to the bosom than his cries—his groans ? see him writhing with agony under - every lash? Mark his countenance—his pallid cheek. See, unable to sustain the accumulated torture—he faints ! Can this be humane ? can this be ENGLISH ? Fie ! fie ! upon it, out upon it ! it is abominable! Further, the lash is not only an inhuman punishment, but it is an impoli-tic measure. The lash is a degradation, which no Briton can look up after ; when he receives it, he loses all his national freedom—he is despised by all—he is shunned by all, and rather than meet the contumely, frown and scorn of the more respectable, who will not admit him into their society, he seeks the company of those who are worse than him-self. He is by his own disgrace taught to hate that which is good. His smarting and scarred back, reminds him of the ignominy he has endured. We might say much more, but what we have already said, will be sufficient to prove it is an imperative necessity, that as both the present systems of punishing pri-soners are radically bad, they should be abo-lished so soon as practicable.

With regard to the second question, "what benefit would be certain to ensue ?" the an-swer is short and easy. lt is the decrease of crime—the reformation of prisoners—the quie-tude of the Colony, and the abolition of tor-ture. These would be the certain results of putting down the present system, if a proper course was pursued afterwards, and this brings on the last, though by no means least

important questions our theme. - "What course ought to be pursued ?" In our opinion, the following: — First, let solitary cells be built, and constructed on the same principle as they are doing at Sydney. The advantage of this is evident, for, by being alone, cut off for a time from every thing which would ab-stract his attention from his own situation, the culprit would be led to reflect on those deeds which had brought him there, and pro-bably resolve amendment ; at least, the chance is equal with that of his doing so either by flogging, or the present system of Peniten-

tiary discipline, both of which we have already shewn, will only tend to make him much worse than he already is. Secondly, let only the bare necessaries of life, bread and

water, be admitted within these cells, on any pretence (excepting illness, to be determined by the Surgeon) ; let tobacco, tea, or any other luxury, be strictly prohibited. Here

the advantage is equally obvious, as in the foregoing. "Nothing tends more to bring a man to a sense of his own guilt, than priva-tion ; and nothing tends so much to refor-mation the sense of his own guilt. Thirdly, let the offenders be allowed to, take the air every day, but to be strictly prohibited from speaking to each other. The advantage of this, is in order in some degree to make the confinement irksome—to be prevented from communicating with others at the same time that they are present is certainly a severe punishment, but not a torture. Fourthly, let the punishment for minor offences, be impri-sonment in the cells for any period not less than twenty-four hours, or more than twenty-eight days, according to the nature, of the offence, of course the second offence to meet a more lengthened period than the first.— Fifthly, let those who are labourers in the employ of Government be classified, not ac-cording to crime—so much as conduct.—

Sixthly, let those in the Barrack Iron Gang,

be subject to similar classification, and al-lowed for good conduct to be reieased from their irons, and placed in another class.— Seventhly let only those who are incorrigi-ble be put in the Gaol Gang, at the old Bar-racks.—Eighthly, let these men also be pro-hibited from tea, &c. This would serve to render this gang so much dreaded, that it would go far to do away with flogging for there are many men who would think more of being deprived of tobacco, &c. for one month in this gang, than of receiving fifty lashes monthly. Let those gangs who are sent upon the roads, be sent in classes ; for in-stance, let Lemon Springs gang, be No. 1 ; Bagdad, No. 2 ; Brighton, No. 3, &c. By this means, the same classification would be ob-

served with regard to the Road parties, as in the Barracks ; and it would be also advise-able, that, on the report of the Superinten-dent, of the good behoviour of any man he should allowed to be put in some lighter gang—Tenthly, none of the prisoners in the gaol gang, hold any communication with any one.—Eleventhly, let those prisoners who behave well in any class, for a certain time, be stimulated to continue in their good con-duct by some reward or indulgence ; and let it be required of the Superintendent of every gang, that he carefully notice, accurately note, and faithfully report the conduct of each man in his gang, in order that he may receive such indulgence; in the event of his proving deserving of it. And twelfthly, let the prac-tice of flogging be entirely put down, and privation, hard labour, and solitary con-finement, substituted. We have thus gone through a few of the most striking features of the plan we would wish to see adopted. Our limits prevent our entering more into detail at present. Therefore, we content ourselves with giving the hint, hoping, to see it im-proved, and acted upon by those who have such affairs at their control. In giving our opinion, we do so respectfully—we do so tem-perately, and we hope we may prove instru-mental in putting down the triangular tor-ture— in ameliorating the case of the deserv-ing—in punishing the guilty, and in effec-tually benefitting the Colony in general. If, we have strayed beyond the space which we generally allow such matters, we must apo-logise, and plead the importance, if not the general interest of our subject. We would however observe, that all this cannot be ef-fected without time. We admit that much is

first to be done to accomplish so politic an un-dertaking ; and the most material thing is the erection of solitary cells, after a similar plan as those at Sydney. This operation, we think, would be more beneficial to the Co-lony, than a new Government-house, unless indeed, that both can be carried on at the same time.

We noticed in the Government Gazette of last week, a very elaborate and sounding ar-ticle, on the subject of population. Some of its assertions may be true, and whether they are or not, we will not give ourselves the trou-ble to enquire ; but, at the same time, others are so palpably false and inconsistent, that we cannot refrain from noticing them. We would ask the Editor of that Journal, upon what grounds he has reason to believe that the Mother Country will not afford any in-ducement to labourers but of employment to emigrate to these Colonies ? and when he sa-tisfies us on this head, we would again en-

quire, how it is that he can see no cause to re-gret this ? We believe the Doctor to be a Colonist, and as such, we cannot imagine how he can be blind to the advantages which must result from poor emigration, to this Colony. " There is, (he acknowledges) a general out-cry against the high prices of labour," and yet he "does not see so serious a cause, for apprehension on this score as many would insist upon." We have insisted upon its being a cause of complaint but we never said it was of apprehension ; the evil is not likely to be apprehended, but it is to be remedied;

and we still maintain, that the encourage-ment of poor emigration, would be attended with the most beneficial effects. We do not

write, we do not argue about the benefit which England would receive. We have the welfare of our adopted land at heart, and we do not think ourselves disloyal, when we endeavour to forward her interests, particu-

larly, when what we advance cannot be pre-judicial to the Mother Country, if it is of no benefit to her. But to the point. It would appear, that the Doctor wishes us to believe, that labour is more expensive in America than here. This is preposterous, as it is well known, that the new world, is one of the cheapest places in the universe for labour, as well as other things. And with regard to what he advances, respecting the number of prisoners who obtain certificates of freedom, ticket of leave men, &c. we beg to observe that these men, for themes part, have been

brought up to a life of idleness, or in the ma-nufactukingtowns, and are consequently

very little service to the agriculturalist. They

cannot perform the work required by a far-

mer—their pursuits have been wholly differ-ent, and they.know almost as much about a plough, or any other agricultural implement, as a cow does about a musket. The same rule will hold good respecting the assertion in the Government Gazette, that no sooner are new hands distributed, than a proportion-

nate number are returned upon the hands of Government ; and on this subject we may state, that an additional and a very cogent reason may be given, why the Settler should do so, which is, that the present price of wheat, which we are aware to be as low as 5s. per bushel, will not enable him to sup-port five or six men, to do one man's work. A man who knows nothing about farming, will eat as much, drink as much, wear as much—in fact, cost as much as him who does. When he takes off new hands, he does so under the hope of getting better, or more useful men; and, if he finds what he gets are no better than those he had before, we ask, is it unreasonable in him to turn them in ? We maintain, that if the free emigra-tion of poor people—we mean farming men, was encouraged, it would not only bring the price of labour to its proper level, but it would ensure the Settler from having his work neglected, which at present is the case

in consequence of not one in thirty of the hands he has assigned to him, or is able to procure by hire or otherwise, understanding the system of work proper for a farm. It is not in any way material to the farmer, whether he gets his work done by prisoners, or free men, provided he gets it done. It is not ma-terial which he employs, when both are equally useless to him. It is not a free man he wants, if that free man knows no more about agriculture than a prisoner? He wants a use-ful man, and it matters not whether he be free or bond, so that he is useful. But it may be observed, that the distress which is felt in England, is not so much among the agriculturists, as the manufacturers; and it may be asked, as they are useless to the Tas-manian Settler, what benefit would ensue from their' coming hither. We reply, we do not talk about the means of relieving the dis-tress in England, we leave that to those who have wiser heads; but we think, speak, write, print, and publish, for the good of Tas-mania. We would wish agriculturists, (and not mechanics, artizans, or manufacturers) to be encouraged to emigrate hither—we have enough of the latter transported. We would be clearly understood, when we so strenuously advocate the cause of poor emigration, to mean that of labouring and farming men.

It appears by the accounts lately received, that the affairs of these Colonies have been brought under the consideration of the British

Parliament, through the medium of General Sir Thomas Brisbane, and Major Goul-

burn. Both those Officers always expressed

themselves as well pleased with those senti-ments of the Colonists, which actuated a demand for the alteration of Colonial Laws, but more especially for the privilege of Trial by Jury, that boast of every true-hearted Briton. And it is with pleasure we stated that they appear to have fulfilled the promise made by them, that they, would lay the wishes of this distant people before His Majesty's Ministers, and not only this, but also they have endeavour-ed by their exertions and interest, to press

the subject so far as possible on the attention of the Home Government. A new Act is in active preparation for the better Administra-tion of Justice within thesevColonies ;vby which we hear we are to have what we have so long and earnestly desired?—"Trial by Jury;" and also that our Councils are to be

very considerably augmented. A number of mercantile and agricultural Gentlemen are to compose these bodies, who by represent-ing the people, will form a "House of As-sembly." This is the grand desideratum; this is the first step to content, prosperity, and happiness. This is the measure to secure the welfare of the Colonists. When this, is the case, we shall hear of no more unnecessary expenditure—-no more Acts which nobody can understand; but we shall have a plain, open matter of fact Government, which will hear all sides and despise none. Anxiously we await the arrival of the wished-for intel-ligence, that Britain has thought us not un-worthy those great privileges which have distinguished all her other Colonies, by which

we maintain our natural boast of "FREEDOM."

In our, last number we mentioned that Mr. BEAMONT had been appointed by the Home Government, as Clerk of the Council; and, although his appointment has not been offi-cially published, we believe it has been so notified to him by the Local Government, that he is to fill the situation of Clerk to one

of the Councils but which of the two, we have not been able correctly to learn. From what we have been able to gather, there ap-pears sufficient grounds for the supposition, that it is of the Legislative; and Captain Mon-tags will retain the office of Clerk to the Executive. By this it would appear, that the people of this Colony are in future to be saddled with the expence of two Clerks of the Councils, when one would be fully suffi cient to perform both duties. It is therefore much to be wished (without any personal feeling we say it), that Mr. Beamont may not fall into quite so good a thing as Captain Montagu has done; who (if we are rightly

informed, and our authority is among the most respectable) has for the short time he has officiated as Clerk to the two Councils, received, by way of salary, in addition to his full pay as Captain in the army, an immense

sum of money, pretty nearly approaching "ONE THOUSAND POUNDS!!! Notwithstand-the great dependence we place in the ve-rarity of our informant, we were almost in-coined to refuse credence to this statement,

and should never have given publicity to it,

had we not been again assured most, so-lemly of its truth. If it really is correct, a more prodigious and lavish expenditure of public money could not possibly have been made. If the state of the Colonial Revenue, was here, as it is every where else, publish-

ed quarterly, instead of annually, we might readily be convinced if this has really been the case or not; but as it is, we must rest contented, and on bare surmise, until the close

of the year, or what future time the Local Government may deem fit to order the publi-cation of the accounts of the Colonial Reve-nue and Expenditure.

The public expression of feeling, respect-ing the appointment from home, of Mr SCOTT, to the office of Surveyor-General and of Mr. Beamont, to that of the Clerk of the Coun-cil, has been manifested in the warmest man-ner. We are glad to see things go on in the old path, and that all the movements here, do not meet with approbation at home. We have heard of certain expressions having been

used at the time of Mr. B. receiving the official

instructions from Mr W. HORTON of his ap-pointment, which reminds us of the threat of the Ministers, that if Parliament would not

give them all the money they wanted, they would resign ; but the Parliament nothing inti-midated, reduced the estimates very consi-derably, and the Ministers, after chewing the cud, at length bent to the feeling of the times, and offered to do with less. We hope, Mr. Beamont's appointment, will not drive any person to carry a threat of this descrip-

tion into effect, but that it will be deemed ex-pedient to submit to necessity.

These appointments shew very clearly how matters are going on in Downing-street; We have seen many private Letters from Gentle-men, materially interested in the Colony, and the Public may rest satisfied, that in a short time, greater changes will take place.

Some interesting papers have been this week put into our possession, which appear to throw very considerable light on the fate of the unfortunate French Navigator, Admiral Count de la Perouse, which has so long been, and to this day continues to be, involved in mystery. Further particulars have been pro-mised us, and if they are received our Rea-ders may depend on our giving a detail of these interesting circumstances the earliest opportunity.

Orders have been received from home, that

all the proceedings of the Supreme Court since its establishment shall be made out and trans-

mitted to His Majesty's Ministers forthwith. There will be a famous budget; and by the ex officio informations, it will be seen in Eng-land what is termed libel in the Antipodal regions. We suppose this information is re-quired to correspond with the black and green bags, which went home to His Majesty's Go-vernment about twelve months ago, and which were so much alluded to, not only in our Paper, but in many of the English News-

papers.

—o—

On perusing the Government Gazette of last week, which we did with rather unusual attention, we were struck with the injurious tendency of the average prices of commodi-ties, as given every week in that Journal. It is surprising that neither us, nor any of our Correspondents should have seen this before, but, as the old woman said, " better late than never." All the statement, or nearly so, is wrong, but we will only notice one or two of the items. First, wheat, 4s. 6d. a bushel. Is this an average price of wheat (although attempting to give an average price, when there is no market, is ridiculous), or is it not the lowest price ? We are ready to admit, that it has been sold so low, but at the same time know that a much higher price has been obtained, consequently it cannot be called a fair average price; Second, barley, 3s. a bushel. Where is it to be got ? If the wor-thy Doctor has it laying on his hands, at that price we will be glad to take all, he can bring us. And we would beg to correct him, and say that the current price of barley is as great, if not greater than that of wheat, and also to point out to him that, in the event of this statement finding its way to England, and there falling into the hands of persons who have thoughts of emigrating to these Colo-nies, it will go far to make them abandon their project, for they will reason thus.— It is not worth my while to go to the expence and inconvenience of a long sea voyage, se-parating myself from my friends; and going to clear forest land in the Antipodes, at a great additional expence, if can get no more for my produce than this." We feel assured he will see the truth of this, and in future give a more fair report, or no report at all.

A Gallant Son of Mars has been for some

time peculiarly attentive to a Lady, on the

otherside of theIsland, which the Launces-tonian, not understanding anything of Pla-tonic love, or French manners, were illiberal enough to construe unfavourably. We un-derstand, that a short time since, this hero was caught in the net of Cupid, and that he departed the house rather more abruptly than he entered it. We hope that he made an ho-nourable retreat, and that, as he is in the ha-bit of being very regular in his attendance at Church, he feels no compunction at any part of the Decalogue. We dp not wish to make further allusions, but we could, if necessary, fire another shot.

We learn that the late Attorney-General, J. T. GELLIBRAND, Esq. has been offered by His Majesty's Government, the choice of two several appointments, as Attorney-General, one at the Cape of Good Hope, the other at the Isle of France. But, we should hardly think Mr. Gellibrand would give up his ex-tensive private practice in this Colony, for either of the above appointments, although both no doubt, are far more lucrative than his late one here.

We also hear, that Mr. Gellibrand intends to accompany His Honor Chief Justice PED-DER, on the Northern Circuit: - We understand His Honor will leave town tomorrow week.

We were surprised at not seeing any of the new appointments officially notified in last Saturday's Gazette. We need not add that the public are anxiously looking for the issue of tomorrow.

We some time since, published an account of the proceedings of the Game Society, re-cently established here, for the express pur-pose of importing Game from England. We were not aware that there was any species of game in this Colony, except quails and snipes; but it appears from the following colloquy, which took place at a house in Macquarie-street, a short time prior to one of the ships recently, sailing for Sydney, that there are Woodcocks, also! We dare not

give names.

A. I am astonished how you managed it ?

B. Oh! I had been laying a trap for the last three months, and now 1 shall go away for a short time, and let things get quiet. In the meantime, I have set a few springs to catch Woodcocks, and by the time I return, I have no doubt some will be taken! There is a mys-tery in this, which we do not pretend to un-derstand, nor what is meant by the term, 'Woodcock," but if we had the last edition of the Law Dictionary, we might perhaps explain it. We lay it before our Readers, pledging ourselves to the truth of the state-ment, and though we do not pretend to ex-plain its application, there are some who can, and the association of ideas arising from it!

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We some time ago noticed, that Govern-ment had purchased two small farms, near New-town, formerly belonging to Dr. Brom-ley. —It has been long understood, that these farms were bought for the purpose of trying experiments; and for which, a Mr. Robert-

son was engaged, with a competent salary, as a Superintendent. These experiments have as yet produced no beneficial result. As the expense of these establishments are great, we may say immense, (there, being, we un-derstand, no less than sixty men constantly kept, which at the lowest calculation will cost £40 per annum each, and six or seven carts, with teams of horses, regularly em-ployed from the Public Works every day in conveying from town horse manure) the Pub-lic will certainly look for some coming advan-tages; and if no public advantage is likely to be gained by these experimental farms, why are they not thrown up as at Syd-ney, in order that the numerous men em-ployed on them may be distributed among the Settlers, who are much in want of labour-ing hands. Establishments like these should certainly not be kept up for supposed pri-vate ends, while'they are supported at the public expense.

In our last number we mentioned that Cap-tain Ostler, of the ship Marquis of Hastings, had drowned himself, after being detected in an attempt to burn that fine vessel, to pre-vent some contraband goods, which had been taken on board, being discovered. It appears that on the same morning, the 9th of Sept. when this circumstance took place, a note was found on the desk in his cabin to this effect: —"A bad crew, and bad first officer have been the destruction of W. Ostler." At two o'clock on the previous day, a fire was dis-covered, but soon extinguished, in the store-room of the ship. It must have been put into the scuttle by some person maliciously inclined. Captain Ostler struck his forehead, replying to Mr. Marlin, that it was a very strange thing, and then retired to his cabin. The vessel put into the Cape of Good Hope by desire of the crew, for refreshment. The fore and spring stays were found burned by vitriol. She had put into Mossel Bay in dis-tress on the 1st of the same month. Row, the Chief Officer," had been suspended from duty by Captain Ostler on the 9th of August., One thousand chests of tea were sold at Ba-tavia to defray the expenses of repairing the damage sustained in the Java sea, and coffee taken in to supply the deficiency.

It must be in the recollection of all our Readers, that the removal of the Seat of Go-vernment, first to Brighton, and then to New Norfolk, was begun with the erection of small buildings. Loreto, the new monument of official wisdom, has been commenced like its abortive brothers of Brighton and New Norfolk, by building several small houses in its vicinity, as a pledge, we presume, that a great house shall be built. The foundation stone of Loreto itself is not yet laid; and we would recommend the individual of " deed

be-done" celebrity, as a fit person to perform this ceremony, at which we mean to be pre. sent, and watch the hand that lays the first stone : it would require some nerve we think. But, probably this ceremony will be a petto concern, like the edifice, itself. Some of our friends have suggested, that a portable Go-vernment-house, might, be made of wood, to move on wheels, and to be dragged into town on birth-day festivals. We have great re-spect for our friends, but we cannot concur with them in this scheme. We would much rather see our young Tasmanian beauties lose their shoes in the mud, and arrive nudis pe-dibus, at Loreto.

THE NATIVES. — On Monday last, the na-tives again attacked the sawyer's hut, about three miles from Mr. Kemp's, at the back of the Cross Marsh. They robbed the hut of every article it contained; but the men, we are glad to state, escaped unhurt. A Gentle-man in the interior writes to his friend in town, that the natives are much worse than the late banditti of bush-rangers; and that Black Tom, and those with him, declare that they will murder every white man that they fall in with. There are various opinions as to the cause of these attacks by the aborigines. —That the Van Diemen's Land Company, by settling on their very extensive grant on the north-western part of the Island, which has long been a haunt for the Black Tribes, have drove them upon the settled districts; and that the recent execution of black Tom and Dick has kindled their animosity against the whites, are amongst the; most prevalent.

^AccibENT.^^A? fiW^youthi;inanted:fJpnri; StbkesV^was-lately-^rid drowned iri>^the; North Esju'f It^Yawears^that' his Shod jfeliad; been.lying in the river for three weeks, having been missing during the whole of that period.

By the latest accounts received in the Co-lony, we learn that the British are still in the peaceable possession of the whole Indies. W hen once the formidable Bhurtpoor, which

had so long held out, was overthrown, little more remained to be done to establish the British power in' India; and we are happy to find that Peace has taken the place of the dreadful bloodshed whlch has so long devast-ed that valuable portion of the British do-minions.

We rejoice to observe the great benefit which the soil has received by the late rains, particularly those of Saturday last, which were heavy and continued. The show for apples this season is very great, and we may safely how calculate on an abundant crop, as the fruit is getting pretty strong. But the late winds have done much mischief among the newly formed green-gages and plums, which have been scattered in all directions, and lay like gravel in those gardens which were exposed to the hurricanes. Upon the whole, fruit promises to be very plentiful.

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The Legislative Council have been sitting during the whole of the week, we under-stand, respecting the violence of the Natives. It is rumoured, that another "snug little Board of Enquiry" is on foot, connected with one of the Public Departments. Some of the new appointments have given rise to this " we

guess.

We have seen a copy of the official Paper of the Cape of Good Hope, formerly known by the name of the "Cape Town Gazette." It is now called "The Cape of Good Hope Go-vernment Gazette;" and contains nothing but official matter.

Yesterday a draft of one hundred prisoners, from the Gaol and Penitentiary,, were ship-ped on board a Government vessel, for Mac-quarie Harbour.

We very lately alluded to a negociation on the part of Government, for the purchase of Mrs. Gilletts house, situated in Campbell street, and which has so long been erecting. We now learn, that Mrs. Gillett has refused the £600 offered by the Government ; and, in consequence, orders have been given that

the house be finished forthwith.

On Sunday last the first marriage which, has been solemnized in any other place on this side of the Island, than St. David's Church, took place at Clarence Plains, be-tween Thomas Free and Mary Ann Waterson, both natives of the Colony. The Rev. R. Knopwood, M. A. who is Chaplain for the district, and who regularly performs Divine Service every Sunday at that Settlement and Kangaroo Point, performed the ceremony. We suppose that all the Colonial Chaplains

will now be invested with similar powers.