Transcription Page 7

Ben Benger the friend of Melbourne *[see note on page 8]
had not been killed; the Report was on
close sifting brought to Town by a White Man
who had heard their cries for a Black Lubra
that had died there and Missing Ben Benger
suspected he had been killed. On the 7th
a great body of Barrabool, Bonnyong
and other Blacks arrive, and the Encampt.
were increased on a Sudden to 343 I found
but few females among them, and after
the ceremonies of the few strangers had
ceased I addressed them touching the School
and their Conduct, stated that no Law
Fights would be permitted any More So
near Melbourne. On the following day
I find many of those who had arrived were
labouring under the usual Aboriginal
diseases and rendered them relief. On
Sunday the 11th I spent nearly two hours
at the Gaol where I did my utmost to
Explain to them the Ten Commandments
which three out of the four in Custody did
Understand, and the Creation of all things by
God: before I left I questioned them in this

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Transcription Page 8

Manner. Who made you? What did God make
beside you, What Else? &c &c to which the
three young Blacks answered satisfactorily.
I do think under restraint much might be
done with the Aborigines. On the 12th the
Western Port Blacks arrive in the Encampt.
from Gipp’s Land, who had been in quest
of the White Woman. On the 13th I receive
from you His Excellency the Governors
approval of my Conduct to the two Unfortunate
Aborigines recently referred to. Such communications
shew the Anxiety of His Excellency and His
Honor the Superintendant for our sable
fellow Subjects. The Blacks who arrived
from the Gipp’s Land Expedition in an
authoritative manner almost demand
of me a letter to His Honor the Superintendant,
for wages due to them for attending the
party; I had reason to believe from many
in the Encampments sudden change from
Mourning to joy that the White Woman
had not been their ostensible object

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[Annotation: bottom]

Vide Page. 7.
*Ben Benger the Black said to have been murdered
was one of the 5 Blacks who watched under Arms the
White Mens tents when the first Settlers came and the
plan laid by the Blacks to massacre the Whites.

Transcription Page 9

but only cowardly coverting under their protection
which I unhesitatingly told them, and had I
authority and Officers under me I should have
immediately searched every mans Sack and I
doubt not in Many I should have found small portions
of our fellow race: They denied Such to be the
Case: all I could do was to assure them that God
knew and Saw what they had done: I however
wrote to you their demand for Services rendered
to be laid before His Honor, read it to them, which
did not seem to give them Satisfaction, others
arrived this day: There was on the 14th no less
than 450 Blacks in the Encampments mourning
Seemed to be generally discarded Corrobberies Night
after Night told too plain that the Marmbulla
had been torn from the reins of more than One
of our fellow creatures. On Sunday the 18th
finding I would get no Signs of attention to good
things I go to the Gaol where I have more comfortable
time with the four in trouble: on the 19th the
Western Port Blacks remove to the South of the
Yarra: On the 22d there is a general Move
Some leave and Encamp by the Plenty, others
between Moonee Ponds and Salt Water River and
others on South of the Yarra, that it occupied
the day in going from one to the other

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