essed an anxious wish to join them, and
met them with exclamations of joy.

The numerous islands that surround the coast, greatly facilitated the
detention of captives: few of the male natives could swim; few
understood the structure of a catamaran. The means of escape were not
easily obtained, and for a time the novelty and repose of their bondage
mitigated their dislike to its restrictions: these natural fortresses
kept them in safety, without the aspect of a prison; and one or other
island was accessible from most points of the Tasmanian shore.

Colonel Arthur implied, by his closing proclamation, when he dismissed
the forces, that their labors formed the first series of a connected
plan, only partially developed. The war was, in the estimation of the
Governor and his friends, a preparation for a mission of peace. It was
fortunate that Robinson's early progress imparted to the warlike
expedition the _eclat_ of reflected success. It is not necessary to
scrutinise the notion, or to teach what this history will not
warrant--that measures of conciliation are more successful, when pursued
under the forms of hostility. Had the milder method been tested at an
earlier period, the expenses of the campaign might have been spared.
Colonel Arthur, however, warmly approved, and strenuously supported the
pacific mission: not only was he convinced that nothing further could be
expected from arms, but he felt a real compassion for the unfortunate
race. In this course, he found considerable opposition. "_We strongly
raise_ our voice," one editor remarks, "against _their civilisation_.
The natives are not to be trusted; and the lives of all engaged in the
mistaken policy of conciliation, are never safe for one moment."

The conduct of this mission, the Governor entrusted to the Aborigines'
Committee, originally consisting of Archdeacon Broughton, Rev. Messrs.
Bedford and Norman; P. A. Mulgrave, J. Thomas, S. Hill, and Charles
Arthur, Esquires. Their authenticated statements are embodied in these
pages: their sentiments accorded with their character, but were slightly
tinged by the feelings of the day.

To devise the means of capture, and superintend their application, was
their most important function. It was proposed by one gentleman,
exasperated by injuries, or perhaps unconscious of the details of his
plan, to pursue the natives with bloodhounds. Another suggested the
employment of a man, "who would soon put an end to the easter