Transcription Page 75

by the Natives of Gipps Land assumed a
distinct character, the promptest measures
had been taken by His Honor the Superin-
=tendent of Port Phillip and the officers
acting under him, to test the truth of
the report, and if found true, to follow
up measures for her rescue.

I am further to express the Governor’s
conviction that every measure which pru-
=dence and a proper regard to the personal
safety of the unfortunate female in question
(of whose existence in the position described
His Excellency regrets to say, there are
pretty certain proofs) have been and
are at this time being carried out by the
Government Officers entrusted with the
duty, with full discretionary power to
incur any expense that may be found
necessary.

Under the conviction that the
Course adopted by the officers mentioned
is the only one which can be pursued with
due regard to the full attainment of this
end, and security to the life of the female
herself, His Excellency must decline acced-
=ing to the requests made to Him, or giving
his sanction to measures which he considers
calculated to defeat the object of the
persons on behalf of whom your application
is made

At the same time that the Governor
fully appreciates the zeal and proper
feeling on the subject which has incited
the

Transcription Page 76

the Inhabitants of Melbourne to move in
the matter, His Excellency cannot withhold
the expression of his surprise that neither
the Mayor of Melbourne who presided
nor any other person present really inter-
=ested in the recovery of the unfortunate
female, had considered it just and proper
to apply to the Superintendent for that in=
=formation on the subject which the
Government of whose presumed conduct
in the affair, the resolutions passed are
condemnatory, was both in a position
and most willing to give

I have &c..
(Signed) E. Deas Thomson.

(True Copy)
J, Macdonald
Hony Secy to the Committee

Transcription Page 77

46/369

Colonial Secretary’s Office,
Sydney, 19th.September, 1846.

Sir,
I do myself the honor to
enclose a letter addressed to Mr.
J. McDonald of Melbourne, in
answer to his communication
of the 4th. Instant, in which he
forwarded a copy of the
Resolutions of a meeting of
certain persons held at Melbourne
for the purpose of adopting
measures for the rescue of a white
female supposed to be detained
by the Blacks of the Gipp’s Land
District.

I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your Honor’s
most obedient Servant,
E. Deas Thomson.

His Honor
The Superintendent
of Port Phillip.

[Annotation: top left]

No 46/1409
29th Sept 1846

[Annotation: top right]

29th Sept 1846
The Col Sec

Enclosed a
letter addrd to Mr J. McDonald in
ansr to one with refce to ye white female detained
by ye Gipps Land Blacks

[Annotations: left margin]

19 September 1846

Col Sect
ye 29 Sept

A copy of this
Enclosure
sent to C C Tyers
ye 13 Oct

Ensd
[illegible]