In the first place we claim them as our subjects, and bring them under the administration of our laws; therefore, as our subjects, they ought to have protection. While, secondly, as we deprive them of their lands and means of subsistence, in justice we ought to remunerate them. While, thirdly, as a question of humanity, nothing can be more dreadful to contemplate, or more disgraceful to a Christian and civilized nation, than the wholesale destruction which has been going on for the last fifty years, and must continue, unless some plan be devised to prevent it, for the next hundred years. While, fourthly, as a matter of self-interest, it is a strange contradiction of things to be destroying, on the one hand, thousands of our fellow-creatures, who may be made useful members of society; and, on the other hand, in such great want of population as to be pressed to introduce, at considerable expense, races of Pagans but little superior to them, in either their moral or physical powers. Besides which, policy should lead us to adopt measures calculated to encourage the peaceable extension of our territory.
On the score of religion it is not necessary to enlarge, for the command is, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.”
A knowledge of their language is essential to preaching the Gospel, and we know that our Divine Master bestowed the gift of tongues on his Apostles. This, therefore, is one of the first things which should occupy the teacher’s attention.
In following these views of the question, two things present themselves to our notice:—
1. The measures to be pursued to those aborigines within the pale of white population.
2. The measures to be pursued to those without the pale of white population.
Those within the pale of white population must, within a very few years, be utterly destroyed, if the most prompt measures be not taken, so much so that I conceive that there is scarce an alternative between coercion and destruction. I would therefore beg to recommend a clause to be introduced into the Vagrant Act, empowering their transportation, under peculiar circumstances, to distant parts of the Colony—say Moreton Bay, Port Phillip, &c.; it being a well-known fact that, when sent to a distance, they can be made to work, and, from their great apprehension of strange tribes, their erratic habits can be restrained.
I have no hesitation in saying, that they would thus be made useful servants; their children would be brought under the full and favourable influence of education; that they may be taught trades, to tend cattle, sheep, &c. The measure should be entered upon cautiously at first, removing the tribes in the vicinity of towns, and then extending its operation in a manner so as not to provoke open hostility on their parts. The numbers of each tribe should be ascertained, and, if possible, the whole tribe should be removed at once.
The children unprovided for, may be placed in the orphan schools, where there have been already several brought up, some of the boys having made good sailors, and some bullock-drivers, &c.
Much may likewise probably be done in removing them by conciliation, insomuch that I am inclined to think the enforcement of the Vagrant Act may be limited to the most vicious characters and those in the neighbourhood of towns; but I look upon it that the removal of those living within the precincts of white population can alone rescue them from destruction, as vice, disease, and want of food are making fearful inroads upon them.
Of those without the pale of white population, measures should be taken to prepare and preserve them from the encroachments of the whites, and I know of none so well calculated to effect this as missionary colonization, alluded to by Mr. Roberts.