[49] In 1835, the English of Van Diemen’s Land undertook to get rid altogether of the natives. A regular battue was organised in the whole island, and in a short time all Tasmanians, without distinction of age or sex, were exterminated, with the exception of two hundred and ten individuals, who were transported to the little isle, Flinders (or, Fourneaux), in Bass’s Straits. This was all the remnant of a race which, before the arrival of the English, had occupied a territory nearly as large as Ireland. This dreadful massacre produced a profound horror in the English Parliament, but it was not thought of to send these unfortunates back again to their native soil. Measures were, however, taken to treat them humanely in the isle of Flinders, and to provide them abundantly with victuals; they were also instructed in religion. The island is about thirteen leagues in length by seven in breadth; the refugees had thus no want of space. Nevertheless, of these two hundred and ten individuals, most of them adults, perished rapidly, and Count Strzelecki, who visited them in 1842, found only fifty-four. Within seven years and a few months, only fourteen children wore born. (Strzelecki, Physical Description of New South Wales and Van Diemen’s Land, pp. 353-357, London, 1845.)
[50] A few months before the extermination of the Tasmanians, an inhabitant of Hobart Town wrote a letter to Rienzi, copied by him in Océanie, p. 558. The author foresaw that a conflict was inevitable. He observes, “Several of the children have been sent to the schools of Hobart Town. When once arrived at the age of puberty, an irresistible instinct compels them to return to their solitudes.” We know of no other particulars regarding the attempts made by the English to civilise the natives. This fact, similar to those of Australia, comes from a source which cannot be suspected, since the writer of the letter, as well as M. Rienzi, are well disposed towards the natives.
[51] D’Omalius d’Halloy, Des Races Humaines ou Éléments d’Ethnographie, p. 108, Paris, 1859.
[52] Quoy et Gaimard, Voy. de l’Astrolabe en 1826-29, t. i, p. 46, Paris, 1836.
[53] Gliddon, The Monogenists and the Polygenists, 443.
[54] Voyage au Pole et dans l’Océanie, t. ii, p. 109, Paris, 1846.
[55] Loc. cit., p. 109.
[56] Cunningham, Two Years in New South Wales, 3rd edit., v. ii, p. 17, Lond., 1828.
[57] Lessen, Voyage autour du Monde sur la Corvette la Coquille, executed by order of the French Government, t. ii, p. 278, Paris, 1830. The description of New Holland and its inhabitants fully occupying nearly eighty pages.
[58] It would be superfluous to indicate the origin of these various nicknames. We may however mention, that sterlings are the free settlers born in Europe, and the currencies such as are born in the colony. The pound sterling was formerly of more value than the pound currency. V. Cunningham, p. 46.