Historical Records of Australia

Series 1

Governors' Despatches to and from England

Volume 1 1788 - 1796 p 555

Governor Hunter to The Duke of Portland {Extract}

We have now, my Lord, a band or two of banditti, who have armed themselves and infest the country all round, committing robberies upon defenceless people, and frequently joining the natives for that purpose; but as I have lately issued an Order in which a reward has been held out for the detection of those villains, as well as the discovery of another set of plagues, who, having been allowed a small quantity of ammunition for their own defence, there is reason to suspect they are in league with and supply these depredators, I have no doubt we shall soon be in possession of some of them. One of this gang ( a black man convict has, since the publication of this Order, been discovered, and in the endeavour to secure him he attempted to shoot the man who spoke to him, but there being two of them together, the other, in self defence, fired and shot him. The fate of this fellow, who has long been a notorious offender, will have it effect. A coroner's inquest was ordered on the body, and every step taken which on such occasions is required by law.