Transcription Page 93

Melbourne 8th March 1846

Sir,
In adverting to a rumour that
was prevalent about 18 months ago respecting
a white Woman supposed to be a captive
among Natives and for whom according
to Your Honor’s orders I made enquiries
in Gipps-Land and searched for, on the
Wimera, Portland Bay District. I consider
it my duty to inform your Honor that
during my expedition in Gipps Land lately
[crossed out: I] it was reported to me by one of the Native -
Troopers that he saw or thought he saw
while in the Ranges in pursuit of [crossed out: a the] Natives,
a white Woman; but that he was not near
enough to be positively certain: he described
to

His Honor
C. J. La Trobe Esqre.
&c &c &c

[Annotations: top left]

Copd. CH=
14/3/46

No 46/424

[Annotation: top right]

10th March 1846
The Sdt of Nat Police
Brings to my
notice ye rumour resptg a White
Woman being seen in Hunting
of Natives of GippsLand.

Transcription Page 94

to me that the woman appeared to
hang back from the rest of the Tribe
but was forced on by an old Native
armed with spears: - he called on her to
stop but she was pushed on by the
Native and if he had fired he was
fearful of killing both.

Some time ago an Aboriginal boy
was captured upon Lake-King and taken
to Mr. MacAlisters Station he has since
been taught English and has said
constantly that a white woman and
two half-caste children are among the
Natives of the Lakes, from his account it
appears that some years ago a Vessel
was wrecked upon the Coast, and some
Men and one Woman escaped - the Men
were

Transcription Page 95

were murdered and the Woman kept
and she is still he says among the
Natives; how far this rumour may be
true I cannot tell as there is no other
evidence to confirm it, and the Settlers
in the District seem to think very little
of it. I therefore thought it my duty to
order Mr Walsh and his party of Native Police
to search the district where she was supposed
to be seen by the Trooper and the place
described by the boy, and to use every
possible endeavour to find out the truth,
feeling quite certain that Your Honor
would sanction the orders I had given.

I have the honor to be
Sir
Your Honors
Most obedient Servant
H E Pultney Dana