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Assistant Protectors Quarters
Merri Merri Creek Sept 1st
1847

Sir,
I have the honor to forward Journal of my
Proceedings from the 1st of June to the 31st August
1847 inclusive.

-1847-
June

On the 1st there were about 300 Natives,
portions of five Tribes encamped in the Vicinity
of Melbourne. On the 2d I rode round the
Plenty and Darebin Roads to see if any were
encamped on private Lands but find none;
several Blacks leave for the Ranges to get Bulley
Bullen tails. On the 4th after dark 5 Girls left
the Mission Station; The following morning
I well Examined the Blacks and their Miams
to See if the Girls or their Blankets were there
The Blacks declared they knew nothing of the
Girls leaving; The Parents posted in different
directions under the greatest anxiety, some of
the party in search returning by Noon saying that
”Wild Blacks must have taken them” The principal
Men pledged that if they were found they should
that night be returned to the Station: At dark
they had not been found and awful anxiety

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prevailed: Very early the following morning I
was at the Encampment, the Blacks said they
were at the Mission house, I am not Satisfied
until I look well into every Miam. On going
to the Mission House I learned that late at night
their cries were heard on the opposite bank of the
Yarra; A boat was sent over and the 5 Girls
were found in a Miserable plight wrapped as one
almost perished with Cold and hunger: It was
satisfactorily ascertained that the Parents knew
nothing of their leaving it was their wish to have
a Night in the Bush by themselves, for which
(by their reported appearance) they were severely
punished. On the 9th I answer a complaint
made to His Honor the Superintendent touching
Blacks said to be on purchased Land: After Some
difficulty I ascertained the Boundary (there being
no fence to Mark the difference) and with the
assistance of the Blacks peg it Out, removing
those few Miams on it which I did with
some reluctance, One old man being very ill
who was forced to be removed on a piece of bark
four removing him as bearers would a corpse
on their shoulders. On the 10th I reported to
his Honor the removal of the Devils River

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Blacks from purchased ground. On the 12th
I get a Copy of Depositions against the two
Aboriginal boys from Portland Bay, which
enabled me to prepare them for their Trial.
On the 15th I attend the Supreme Court, the
Black boys are now put to the Bar, the
witnesses not arriving which I reported to you.
On the 17th you visit Mission House and
Encampment. On the 21st take a long Ride
Round the neighbouring Farms to See if any
Blacks were encamped about but find none
On the 22d I received through you His Honor
the Superintendants approval of my conduct
to the two Unfortunate Blacks executed on
the 30th of April which I immediately
acknowledged thro’ you, and the kindness felt
by His Honor Noticing my feeble exertions
Thro’ the whole of my Experience with the
Aboriginal Natives I must say that I never
appeared So successful in Religious Instruction
but they were in trouble, knew that their
time was short, Nought but Eternity before
them, and the Plain Gospel Truth, (reasonable
even to a Savage) when all other objects are
kept from the mind, I trust had its effect

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