The character of the late Governor, Capt. Hindmarsh, pleased me
exceedingly, not only for the frankness of his manner towards strangers,
and the easy terms on which he admitted every respectable resident to
his table, but by his constant, steady, and unremitting attention to
business. Many difficulties of a new and serious nature would sometimes
suddenly involve him, during my residence in the colony, especially in
reference to the native blacks, who had been committing some violences
in the camp. The settlers were very violent and rash, calling loudly for
immediate and strong measures of retaliation, and going up in mobs to
Government House, thirsting for revenge against the natives. But the
Governor on all occasions acted with a praiseworthy and becoming
firmness, and would listen to nothing like reprisals on an unarmed and
naked population; and while he took the most upright, they turned out to
be the wisest and most successful measures he could have adopted for the
pacification of the place, which in a day or two became as quiet as
ever, and the danger so much talked of was disregarded and forgotten,
entirely owing to His Excellency's pacific treatment. Notwithstanding
his severe and inflexible adherence to these measures, in accordance to
his instructions, and in opposition to the murderous wishes of some of
the settlers, Captain Hindmarsh, after the hours of business, surrounded
by his amiable and accomplished family, was just the same as ever,
zealous, enthusiastic and humane, when speaking of the colony and its
black population; and gentle and sincere in his intercourse with his
friends; never exhibiting the slightest degree of reserve, parade or
affectation, but winning all hearts by his attention to his guests. It
is hard to say why such a suitable person was recalled. He seems to have
been sacrificed to clamour; but to accuse, and prove, are very
different, and in any enquiry that may be hereafter instituted, Captain
Hindmarsh will, I am sure, come off without reproach.
FOUNDATION OF VICTORIA
+Source.+--Batman's Journal, Victorian Pamphlets, Vol. cxxvii, pp.
10-13, 16-22
Convictism in Tasmania caused great dissatisfaction among the free
settlers; in 1835 John Batman crossed the Strait in search of fresh
pastures. Melbourne stands on the site he selected for "the future
village."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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