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 IHE KEPORT 
 
 OP THE 
 
 ABORIGINES' COMMITTEE 
 
 OF TlIK 
 
 MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS, 
 
 READ AT THE YEARLY MEETING 1840: 
 
 WITH THE 
 
 ADDRESS TO LORD JOHN RUSSELL, 
 
 OK HIS BECOMING SECRETARY FOR THE COLONIES; 
 
 THAT TO FRIENDS SETTIJNG IN NEW COLONIES ; 
 
 AND SOME PARTICULARS CALCULATED TO GIVE INrORMATION, 
 AND PROMOTE INTEREST RESPECTING THE 
 
 PRESENT STATE OF ABORIGINAL TRIBES. 
 
 ^ttlbUgi)cD Jg 19(tcct{on ot* W^t ifWwting for bufferings. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 HARVEY AND DARTON, GRACECHURCH STREET. 
 
 1840. 
 
 {Tract Eelative to the Abcrigines, No 5.J 
 
THE FOLLOWING TRACTS 
 ARE PUBLISHED BY THE MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS, 
 
 Price 3(1. each. 
 
 No. 1.— INFORMATION RESPECTING THE ABORIGINES 
 IN THE BRITISH COLONIES. 
 
 ]So. 2.— EFFECTS OF THE INTRODUCTION OF ARDENT 
 SPIRITS AND IMPLEMENTS OF WAR 
 AMONGST THE NATIVES OF THE SOUTH-SEA 
 ISLANDS AND NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 No. 3. -FURTHER INFORMATION RESPECTING THE 
 ABORIGINES; containing Extracts from the Pro- 
 ceedings of the Meeting for Sufferings in London, and 
 of the Committees on Indian Affairs; of the Yearly 
 Meetings of Philadelphia and Baltimore ; together with 
 some particulars relative to the Seminole War. 
 
 No. 4.— FACTS REI-ATIVE TO THE CANADIAN IN- 
 DIANS. 
 
 ,vi .<• 
 
R E P O R T 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ABOR IG 1 N ES' C OM M ITTE E 
 
 OF THE 
 
 MFJ71"I\(; FOR SI FFFR1\(;S. 
 
 The AnouiGi.vKs' Committke of the Meeting for Stfeerinos 
 lias continued to have its attention directed to the subjects referred 
 to its cure, and has received sufficient information respecting the state 
 of the Aborigines of various parts of the globe, to make it evident that 
 there is increasing rather than diminished occasion for the persevering 
 exertions both of the Members of our own religious Society and of 
 others. 
 
 The Committee has liowever experienced considerable difficulty in 
 obtaining such a continued suj)ply of authentic and recent particu- 
 lars as is essentially necessary to enable it materially to advance the 
 cause in which it has been engaged, by the diff"usion of interesting- 
 information. 
 
 With a hope of, in some degree, removing this difficulty. Friends 
 in Canada have been addressed officially from the Committee, and by 
 individual Members; but the replies, though long expected, have not 
 as yet come to hand. 
 
 A letter has been addressed to our friend James Backhouse, since 
 his arrival at the Cape, proposing to him various subjects of enquiry, 
 by which it is hoped that some valuable information will be obtained, 
 in addition to the interesting particulars respecting the native tribes 
 contained in his letters and journal, which either have been, or will 
 be, laid before the Society independently of this Committee. 
 
 Before proceeding to offer a brief statement of what the Committee 
 has endeavoured to do with such information as it has actually re- 
 ceived, it may not be amiss to state, that it appears by a recent and 
 very moderate estimate, that the Aborigines who may be termed Bri- 
 tish amount to one million in Australia — one million in the South 
 Seas, including New Zealand — half a million still surviving in the 
 British possessions in North America and British Guiana — and two 
 millions in Western and Southern Africa ; with several millions of 
 
 A 2 
 
the barbarous tribes in British India and its borders, and of the East- 
 ern Arcliipelago and Indian Ocean. It is supposed tliat there are 
 about sixteen millions of American Aborigines whose position and 
 relations connect them with other nations rather than with Britain. 
 The uncivilized Aborigines of Africa not included in those already 
 mentioned, are estimated at sixty millions, and a muclj larger number 
 are supposed to belong to the same class in Asia. With scarcely any 
 exception these Aborigines, as groups, have either already most seri- 
 ously suftored in property, life, and morals by their intercourse with 
 those who style themselves Christians, or are in imminent danger from 
 the hastened approach of this lamentaV)le influence. 
 
 Respecting our fellow-subjects, the Indians of Canada, there is 
 some reason t » hope that the reiterated remonstrancesof Friends, con- 
 Jointly with those of the Wesley i.n Methodists and of the Aborigines' 
 Protection Society, may have had some influence in obtaining quiet 
 possession of a portion of country for some Indians of the Chippeway 
 tribe, who have embraced Christianity and adopted agricultural habits 
 and other advantages of civilization. 
 
 There is however continued reason to fear that the force of the 
 treaty of the late Lieutenant-dlovernor, Sir Francis Bond Head, is 
 still in existence, which is the more to be regretted, as the Indian ter- 
 ritories to the west of the British settlements are sought as an asylum 
 by the United States Indians, with the sanction of those tribes which 
 recognize the British authority. 
 
 The reports of the Indian Committees of Friends in America will 
 be laid before the Yearly Meeting independently of this Committee ; 
 it will therefore here be sufficient to remark that Friends have lent 
 their assistance to the Indians of Buffalo in their endeavours to resist 
 the fraudulent efforts of the land speculators, who are anxious to effect 
 their removal ; and thatFriendsof the yearly meeting of Pennsylvania 
 were actively remonstrating against the use of bloodhounds engaged 
 by the American Government for the extirpation of the Seminole 
 Indians. 
 
 The attention of the Committee has been called to the condition of 
 tlie Indians of British Guiana, by the affecting information com- 
 municated by two recent and most respectable travellers, John Scoble 
 and R. H. Schomburgk. 
 
 It appears that under favour of the uncertainty which at present 
 exists as to the boundary on the Brazilian side, the Indians are liable 
 to be murdered or kidnapped as slaves, whenever they congregate for 
 the purpose of forming settlements. By this means some very grati- 
 fying advances towards civilization, in conjunction with conversion to 
 Cliristianity, have been completely foreclosed. 
 
 Letters from highly respectable residents in the Cape Colony have 
 announced the peaceable and improving condition of the Caffre 
 tribes under the influence of the new system laid down by the late 
 Colonial Secretary, Lord Glenelg, and carried out by the late Lieu- 
 tenant-Governor, Captain Stockenstroni. But these encouraging 
 prospects have been clouded by the removal of Sir A. Stockenstrom 
 
from oflice, an event which is deeply to be legretled as a serious lotss 
 to the cause of the Ahori{2^ines of South Africa. 
 
 Tlie interests and even the existence of lai}je bodies of African 
 Aborigines continue to be threatened by the incursions of increasin;if 
 bands of Boors, who disclaiming the authority of Britain, and disre- 
 };ardingj the attempts of the Government to reduce them to order, do 
 not cease to carry aggression and death amongst the Zoohdi triles in 
 tlie neighbourhood of Port Natal. An interesting but affecting ac- 
 count of some of these transactions has been communicated by our 
 friend Richard Dykes Alexander, of Ipswich, in a letter received by 
 himself from a serious character who had resided amongst the natives 
 as a teacher. 
 
 Some members of our Society residing in Adelaide have commu- 
 nicated to members of the Committee particulars respecting the natives 
 in that part of Australia, from which it appears thai kind and bene- 
 volent dispositions are entertained towards them on tlie part of the 
 Governor and of many of the colonists ; but the printed documents 
 which have likewise been received from that quarter lamentably ex- 
 hibit the inadequacy of the institution of Protectorships, and tiie futal 
 want of a regular system, by which the rights of the natives may be 
 secured, their lives preserved, and their condition improved. 
 
 The Committee has not lost sight of the important operations now 
 in progress in New Zealand, in which the interests of the Aborigines 
 of those islands are seriously involved; but it has not seen its way to 
 take any particular steps with reference to thern. 
 
 On the occasion of Lord John Russell taking the office of Colonial 
 Secretary, the Committee was induced to believe that a favourable 
 opportunity was offered for calling his attention to the present in- 
 terests and exigencies of the Aborigines of our colonies, and suggested 
 to the Meeting for Suff"erings the propriety of presenting him with 
 an address prepared for the occasion. This, with some modification, 
 was adopted; and the Friends who comj)osed the Deputation to de- 
 liver it, availed themselves of the opportunitv to press uj)on that 
 Minister's attention the urgent claims of som«. «"asses of Aborigines, 
 and more particularly of those of South Africa i^nd Canada. 
 
 It appeared to the Committee that the address to Friends who may 
 be about to emigrate from this country, which was issued at the last 
 yearly meeting, did not include advice expressly relating to the treat- 
 ment of the Aborigines, and it thought it right to suggest to the 
 Meeting for Sufferings the issuing of an additional document ex- 
 pressly relating to this subject, which was accordingly done. 
 
 Since this minute was issued. Government has, in the formation 
 of a Colonial Land Board, adopted an important measure, which pro- 
 mises to encourage and systematize the emigration of our countrymen 
 and to give rise to enterprises, in which it is probable that members 
 of our Society may be induced to take a part. Those who look with 
 interest at the prospects of the Aborigines, cannot but see in the mea- 
 sure alluded to an event which must very materially affect them for 
 good or for evil. It may expedite the already advancing work of 
 

 
 tlieir exlerininatioii, or il niiiy be niiule the nu'iiiis id' clieckin}^" exist- 
 ing;' abuses, and coiilribule in some def^ree to redress ])ust wrongs and 
 bestow some compensutinj^ blessings. 
 
 Signed on beliulf ol" the (Committee, 
 
 THOIMAS llOlKiKIN. 
 
 Dcvoiishirr House ^Meetini/ House, 
 11,5 mo. 1840.' 
 
 ' 
 
 I'i Memot'inl from a Meclimj represendiuj the Ralif/ioiis Socictij of 
 
 Frieinls in Great Britain. 
 
 To Lord John Russell, Principal Secretary of State for the Colonial 
 
 Department. 
 
 We feel it to be our duty on the occasion of thy enterinf? nj)on the 
 office of Secretary of State for the Colonies, to address thee on behalf 
 of the Aborigines who are still residing within the limits of theBritish 
 Settlements, or who, by inhabiting the adjoining districts, are brought 
 into contact with the Colonial subjects of Great Britain. These 
 Aborigines, who at the lowest computation still amount to several 
 nnllions of human beings, have everywhere been fearfully reduced in 
 number, as well as injured in their i)ersons and property by their 
 intercourse with our I'ellow-subjects. Though these evils liave been 
 advancing through a long course of years, they have recently acquired 
 a prodigious increase in extent, as well as in destructive influence, 
 in consequence of the extraordinary im})ulse which has been given to 
 emigration and distant commercial enterprise. 
 
 Almost from the very commencement of British colonization to 
 the present time, official documents have occasionally been put forth 
 which have evinced a good feeling towards the Aborigines, and tiiat 
 a desire to protect them existed in the minds of our rulers ; yet if 
 these edicts have been abortive (which it is to l)e feared in almost 
 every instance has been the case), the result is not to be ascribed to 
 the impossibility of protecting and elevating weak and uncivilisetl 
 nations, hut it appears to have been a necessary consequence of the 
 defect of measures to ensure their rights, and of the inefficient means 
 employed to guide and regulate the enterprises of civilised men. 
 
 We feel assured that the suf!erings and claims of the Aborigines, 
 to whom British intercourse has been a fearful calamity, when it might 
 have been a blessing, will not be lost sight of by liord John Russell ; 
 — yet we cannot refrain from expressing our anxious wish, that amidst 
 the very numerous and important demands which are made upon 
 thy time and attention, the redress of the wrongs of this suflering 
 class may not be deferred; and more especially that certain measures, 
 essential to the success of exertions in their favour, whether made by 
 individuals, or by societies, or by the Aborigines themselves, may be 
 promptly passed and brought into effectual operation. 
 
Wtj here alliulo lo the recognition and security of tiieir title to 
 some portion of the territories once wholly theirs ; — to the hom't fide 
 admission of their evidence in courts of hiw ; — to the rcicoj^nilion of 
 tlu:ir \'\]r\\i ns men and citizens to a full |)artici|)ation in all the pri- 
 vilef^es of Uritish suhjects, so that the tlistinctions of colour and race 
 may no lon<;er operate a<,Minst then), and that eft'ectual steps may lie 
 taken hoth at home and in the colonies to efiect their elevation in a 
 moral, intellectual, and political point of view. 
 
 We not only regard these points as essential to the success ol' 
 all other plans, general or particular, which may be devised for the 
 welfare of such Aborigines as may be connected with the Jirilish 
 Empire, but we believe that the concession of them would in some 
 sort become the J\fa(/iin C/tarfa of the coloured races generally, in the 
 benefits of which the slaves of other countries, and the Aborigines in 
 j)arts of (he globe not immediately connected with Great Britain, 
 would eventually participate. 
 
 We would here also take the liberty to advert to the pernicious 
 consequences of the introduction amongst tlie Aborigines of firearms 
 and ardent spirits, which are often used as articles of barter ; and 
 although sensible that it may be diiVicult effectually to exclude them, 
 yet we earnestly entreat the Government to use their influence in 
 every suitable way in protecting the poor uncivilized Aborigines 
 from the operation of these most destructive and demoralizing agents. 
 
 Whilst we desire earnestly yet respectfully to press these points 
 of general application on thy attention, we cannot neglect the present 
 opportunity of more particularly pleading with thee in favour of some 
 Aborigines who, by their sp(!cial claims on this country, or by the 
 emergency of the circumstances in which they are actually placed, 
 seem entitled to the earliest interposition of the Government; — such 
 are the Indians of Canada, whom the policy and treaty of the late 
 Lieutenant-Governor, Sir F. B. Head, are still depriving of their 
 land and sending into the VW'stern Forests, and even into the terri- 
 tories of the United States ; such are the Caffres and Zoolahs, who 
 have been deprived of their country and cattle, and slain by thou- 
 sands, in consequence of the unchecked aggressions of the emigrant 
 Boors ; and such are the natives of New Holland, who notwithstanding 
 the expressions of just and humane views which mark the first report 
 of the South Australian Commissioners, are deprived of their lands 
 and means of subsistence without treaty, payment, or compensation. 
 Nor can we omit to mention the numerous groups of interesting 
 islanders, from New Zealand to Hawai, who are suffering in various 
 ways from the cupidity and oppression of our countrymen. 
 
 Above all would we express our conviction, that were the conduct 
 of individuals and of Governments towards those over whom, in the 
 ordering of Divine Providence, their influence may extend, guided by 
 the Gospel rule of doing unto others as we would that they should 
 do unto us, the evils which we now deplore would cease, and mutual 
 confidence, prosperity, and happiness take tlie place of mistrust, 
 cruelty, bloodshed, and extermination. 
 
8 
 
 Whilst it in our conliiil uinl feivent tlohiiulliut llioii luuyt'st, tliioii^h 
 the lit;l|»o(' llouvt'iily wisdom, l»e t'niil)l('(l to exert tliy talents uiul em- 
 ploy the powers which thy lii^jh stiition places uruler thy control to 
 the eft'ectuiil redress of the wron^^s w liicli have eno^aned our sympathy, 
 we desire that thy labours may, throuj;h the lilessin;^ of the Most 
 Hitfh, be rewarded by that satisfaction and peace which cannot fail 
 to attend siiK-j.-re and Christiaji ettbrts to promote the present and 
 lasting' happiness of our fellow-men. 
 
 Sitjned in and on behalf of the Meeting by 
 
 GEO. STACHV. 
 
 Tlie following' Minute referred to in the Report of the Committee 
 was produced and read at the Yearly Meeting, and received its 
 sanction and adoption : — 
 
 'riie case of Members of our Society who may be contemplating 
 emigration to distant colonies has been brought under the notice of 
 this Meeting ; and we think it right to remind our dear friends who 
 may be so circumstanced, how much the steps they take may afiect, 
 notmerelytheinteresls of humanity, but moral and Christian principle. 
 
 We would entreat those who may establish themselves in newly- 
 settled countries to reflect upon the responsibility which attaches to 
 them when they are the neighbours of uncivilized and heathen tribes. 
 It is an awful but indisputable fact, that most settlements of this 
 description, besides dispossessing the natives of tlieir land without 
 equivalent, have hitherto been productive of incalculable injury to 
 the moral and physical condition of the native races, which have been 
 thereby more or less reduced in numbers, and in some instances 
 completely exterminated. Earnestly, therefore, do we desire that all 
 those under our name who may emigrate to such settlements, may be 
 careful neither directly nor indirectly to inflict injury upon the 
 natives, but that they may, on the contrary, in their whole conduct, 
 exhibit the practical character of that religion which breathes " (rlory 
 to God in the highest, on earth peace, good-will toward men." As 
 this is their aim, they will not only exert themselves to check the 
 evils which are but too generally inflicted by the Whites upon their 
 feebler neighbours, but will be solicitous to do their part in endea- 
 vouring to diffuse amongst them the blessings of civilization and 
 Christianity, which will prove the best means of preventing their 
 extermination, and of raising them to the full enjoyment of their 
 rights. 
 
 As the non-existence of any title to the land which the natives in- 
 habit is strongly insisted upon by really conscientious persons, some 
 i'acts and observations connected with the subject may not be impro- 
 perly subjoined to the preceding address. 
 
 \ 
 
 V 
 
f 
 
 'I'lio occiipiincy ol lliu land by ultori^inul tribes iippeais to inj|»ly u 
 possession on their part, the proofs of the invalicJity of which seem 
 to lu' reqtiirecl of tiiose who directly or indirectly take it from them. 
 
 'I'he niitivesconsitler themselves the real owners of the soil ; and even 
 in South Australia, where their condition is the most abject, and the 
 want of civilization the most complete, the more intelli«;ent often assert 
 that the land belongs to the black men. It is stated in a letter froma 
 settler in that colony that " the natives are timid, and peaceable towartis 
 us (the colonists), fearful of our firearms, and quiet from fear of us, for 
 they want not courage in defendin<f their own district from the in- 
 cursions of the other aborijifinal tribes with invincible courage." The 
 numerous treaties which have been made by individuals, by compa- 
 nies, and even by trovernment for the purchase of the lands of native 
 tribes, even when they have been of a nomadic character, seems to 
 concede the fact of proprietorship, although the mode of obtaining the 
 transfer and the amount of the value given in exchange may not bear 
 investigation. With the North American Indians treaties of this de- 
 scription have been toolong and toooften practised torecpiire more than 
 bare allusion in this place. The following extract from the Journal 
 «)f .lames Backhouse may be adduced as one, amongst many facts, to show 
 that the same reasoning may be applied to the moreabject iidiabitantsof 
 New Holland, whose land has, for the most part, been unconditionally 
 taken from them. The incident took place on the occasion of the pur- 
 chase of 500,000 acres in the neighbourhood of PortPhilip. " A Hne 
 athletic fellow, the chief of the tribe, after being made acquainted with 
 bis (the agent's) v\ ish to purchase land, and his means to pay for it, 
 proceeded with him and his parly, accompanied with his tribe, to 
 measure it oft". At each corner boundary the chief marked a tree and 
 tatooed it, and at the same time explained to his tribe the nature of 
 his treaty, and the positive necessity on their part to observe it in- 
 violable." The South Australian Commissioners in their first Report 
 appear most fully to recognize the rights of the natives, and are most 
 decided in the terms in which they avow the intention of respecting 
 those rights — of protecting the natives from cruelty and injustice in 
 their intercourse with Europeans, — of delivering tliem from tlie evils of 
 squatters, runaway convicts,and deserters from vessels, — andtheirdesire 
 to promote amongst them the spread of civilisation, and the peaceful 
 and voluntary reception of the Christian religion. With the exception 
 of recommending the natives to the attention of the humane Governors 
 who have been sent to that colony, and the appointment of a Protector, 
 who, had he possessed the rare talents requisite to render his office 
 availing, \. as not supplied with the scarcely less needful means, little 
 or nothing has been done. Notwithstanding the good intention of 
 many of the settlers, who have been of a remarkably respectable class, 
 and have paid considerable attention both collectively and individually 
 to the state of the natives, it is much to be feared that their condition 
 has more rapidly deteriorated under regulated emigration than it could 
 have done even under the old evils of squatters, runaway convicts, and 
 deserters. It is certain that many colonists are sensible of the injus- 
 
Id 
 
 lice wliicli is done to the natives. One of their complaints is that the 
 resident Commissioner is not instructed to make any reserve for them 
 when the public lands are disposed of. A settler has even paid to the 
 Protector a sum, whicli he was uneasy to retain, feeling it due to the 
 natives. Yet another colonist confesses, " We have been following onr 
 different avocations, in a great measure regardless of the state of the 
 black population, until a short time since we weit- thrown into a state 
 of alarm, in consequence of our position in regard to those neglected 
 beings l)econung each day more critical." It must be borne in mind, 
 that besides the tracts of land actually sold, a much more considerable 
 extent is conceded for pasture; and the flocks and herds introduced by 
 the settlers and fed at large, under tlie direction of armed stock- 
 keepers, become a further means of removing the game on which the 
 natives have depended. These exotic animals, roaming at large, in a 
 manner noteasily to bedistinguisliedbythenativesfrom thatof the wild 
 animals which tliey have supplanted, must offer to the starving and 
 untutored Aborigines a strong temptation to kill and eat. These con- 
 siderations not merely account for, but affo-'d some palliation of the 
 instances of aggression by which the settlers have been annoyed. 
 
 The question concerning the rights of the Aborigines is one of vital 
 importance to them, in disregard of which all recommendations on 
 the part of the Government, and individual acts of kindness on 
 tiie part of colonists, must be of comparatively little avail. In rela- 
 tion to this subject, the following letter from a Gentleman intimately 
 acquainted v\itli New Holland is deserving of special attention. 
 
 "Liverpool, ]5fh JVovcmber, 1H39. 
 " JNIy DK.Mi FiUKXD, — In reply to thecpiestion which you proposed 
 to me some time ago, in the course of conversation in London, and 
 of which you have reminded me in the letter I had the pleasure of 
 receiving from you yesterday, with the pamphlets and letters for 
 America, viz. ' Whether the Aborigines of the Australian continent 
 have any idea of property in land,' I beg to answer most decidedly 
 in the affirmative. It is well known that these Aborigines in no in- 
 stance cultivate the soil, but subsist entirely by hunting and fishing, 
 and on the wild roots they find in certain localities (especially the 
 common fern), with occasionally a little wild honey, indigenous 
 fruits being exceedingly rare. The whole race is divided into tribes, 
 more or less numerous according to circumstances, and designated 
 from the localities they inhabit; for although universally a wander- 
 ing race, with respect to places of habitation, their wanderings are 
 circumscribed by certain well-defined limits, beyond which they 
 seldom pass, except for jmrposes of \^ ar or of festivity. In short, 
 every tribe has its own district, the boundaries of which are well 
 known to the natives generally ; and witliin that district all the wild 
 animals are considered as much the {)roperty of the tribe inhabiting, 
 or rather ranging on, its whole extent, as the flocks of sheep and 
 herds of cattle that have been introduced into the country by 
 adventurous Europeans, are held by European law and usage the 
 
. 
 
 II 
 
 property of their respective owners. In fact, as the ccnuitry is oc- 
 cupied chiefly for pastoral j)urposes, the difference between the 
 Aboriginal and the European ideas of property in tlie soil is more 
 imaginary than real, the native grass affording subsistence to the kan- 
 garoos of the natives as well as to the wild cattle of the Europeans ; 
 and the only difference indeed being, that the former are notbrandecl 
 with a particular mark like the latter, and are somewhat wilder and 
 more difficult to catch. Nay, as the European regards the intrusion 
 of any other white man upon the cattle-run, of which European law 
 and usage have made him the possessor, and gets it punished as a 
 trespass, the Aborigines of the particular tribe inhabiting a particular 
 district, regard the intrusion of any other tribe of Aborigines upon 
 that district, for the purposes of kangaroo hunting, &c., as an intru- 
 sion, to be resisted and punished by force of arms. Jn short, this is 
 the frequent cause of Aboriginal, as it is of European wars; man, in 
 his natural state, being very much alike in all conditions — jealous of 
 his rights and exceedingly pugnacious. It is true, the European in- 
 truders pay no respect to thes*? Aboriginal divisions of the territory, 
 the black native being often hunted off' his own ground, or destroyed 
 by European violence, dissipation, or disease, just as his kangaroos are 
 driven off" that ground by the I'^uropean's black cattle; but this 
 surely does not alter the case as to the right of the Aborigines. 
 
 " IJut particular districts are not merely the property of particular 
 tribes ; particular sections or portions of these districts are universally 
 recognised by the natives as the property of individual menil»ers of 
 these tribes: and when tiie owner of such a section or j)ortion of 
 territory (as I ascertained was the case at King George's Island) has 
 determined on burning off" the grass on his land, w hich is done for 
 the double purpose of enabling the natives to take the older animals 
 more easily, and to provide a new crop of sweeter grass for the rising- 
 generation of the forest, not only all the other individuals of his own 
 tribe, but whole tribes from other districts, are invited to the hunting 
 party and the feast and dance, or corrobory, that ensue; the wild 
 animals on the ground being all considered the property of the 
 owner of the land. I have often heard natives myself tell me, in an- 
 swer to my own (juestions on the subject, who were the Aboriginal 
 owners of particular tracts of land now held l)y Europeans; and in- 
 deed this idea of property in the soil, /u/' hnntbni jyurposes, is univer- 
 sal among the Aborigines. They seldom complain of the intrusion 
 of Europeans; on the contrary, they are pleased at their sittimj down, 
 as they call it, on tiieir land : they do not perceive that their own 
 circumstances are thereby sadly altered for the worse in most cases ; 
 that their means of subsistence are gradually more and more limited, 
 and their numbers rapidly diminished ; in short, in the simj)licity of 
 their hearts, they take the frozen .adder into their bosom, and it stings 
 them to death. They look for a benefit or blessing from European 
 intercourse, and it becomes their ruin. 
 
 "If I had had a little more leisure I would have written more at 
 length, and in a style more worthy of your perusal; but you n)ay 
 
12 
 
 take it as certain, at all events, that the Aborigines of Australia 
 have an idea of property in the soil in their native and original state, 
 and that tiiat idea is, in reality, not very different from that of the 
 European proprietors of sheep and cattle, by whom they have, in so 
 many instances, been dispossessed without the slightest consideration 
 of their rights or feelings. 
 
 " Indeed, the infinity of the native names of places, all of which are 
 descriptive and appropriate, is of itself a prima facie evidence of their 
 having strong ideas of property in the soil ; for it is only where such 
 ideas are entertained and acted on, that we find, as is certainly the 
 case in Australia, Nullum sine nomine saxum. 
 
 " I am, my dear Friend, 
 
 " Yours very sincerely, 
 
 " To Dr. Hodgkin." " John Dunmore Lang." 
 
 If tlie statements contained in the foregoing letter, and facts of a 
 similar character which might be adduced from Ceylon and elsewhere, 
 be admitted as proofs of real ownership on the nart of Aboriginal 
 tribes, very serious considerations ought to sugijest themselves to ail 
 conscientious individuals, who eitlieras colonists, or shareholders in 
 colonizing Companies, may become either directly or indirectly con- 
 cerned in forcible or unfair invasion those rights. 
 
 Canadian Indians. 
 
 From the latest information which the Committee has received 
 respecting the Indians of Canada, it appears that the removal of the 
 tribes contemplated by the treaty of Sir Francis Bund Head, is for 
 the present at least suspended, and it is to be hoped that the policy 
 of the present Lieutenant-Governor will provide for their secure and 
 permanent residence for the future. It is stated that some thousand 
 Indians emigrating from the United States are seeking anew home 
 within our frontiers, where it is to be hoped that they will find that 
 justice and kindness which Christianity dictates, and which alone 
 can make their arrival a beneficial change to themselves, or an addi- 
 tion of useful and peaceable subjects to the British Colonies. 
 
 United Slates Indians. 
 
 In a former pamphlet published by the Meeting for Suflferings, 
 some account was given of the means employed by a land company 
 in the United States to effect the removal of the Seneca Indians 
 residing in the neighbourhood of BufFaloe, in opposition to the 
 strongly expressed desire of a large majority of the tribe. Through 
 the exertions of Friends and others, a Committee of the Senate was 
 appointed to investigate the subject. In a long and able speech, in 
 which a member of that Committee makes report to the Senate, he sets 
 forth an authentic history of the whole transaction, and distinctly 
 states that he founds it upon official and published documents. He 
 
l:l 
 
 ^ 
 
 expressly says : " I have not relied upon Indian statements and 
 affidavits, because such testimony, however unjustly, in some in- 
 stances might be cavilled at, nor have I relied for anything I have 
 said, upon the written statements of the Quakers, who are viewed by 
 some gentlemen as officious intruders and intermeddlers in this affair*; 
 not because T do not consider their statements as entitled to the fullest 
 belief, but because I have not found such reliance necessary." The 
 speaker exposes much of the transaction, which shows that not the 
 Indians only, but the American government has been imposed on by 
 the land speculators and their party. He shows that sixty out of 
 eighty-one of the chiefs protested against the pretended treaty, and 
 that fourteen-fifteenths of the whole tribe were decidedly opposed to 
 the removals. With this report of the Committee before them, the 
 Senate were equally divided as to the ratification of the treaty, and 
 it consequently rested with the President to decide the question, 
 and he has done so in favour of the land speculators. A letter has 
 been received by a Member of this Meeting from Charles Meatyard, 
 of East Hamburgh, dated 17th of 5th month, which contains the 
 following paragraph : 
 
 " Perhaps before this reaches you the fate of the Indians is known 
 to you. The sham treaty for the removal of them to the West has 
 been ratified by the Senate of the United States, v/hich was equally 
 divided on the question, but decided against the Indians by the cast- 
 ing vote of the President. They are to remove in five years." 
 
 Another Member of the Meeting has received a letter from Toronto, 
 which contains the information that the Chippewa chief Hesh-ton-a- 
 quet, some of whose letters have been presented to Friends, and 
 whose reservations were partly in the United States and partly in 
 the British possessions, is amongst the removed Indians, although his 
 report of the Western lands, which he had visited, was decidedly 
 unfavourable. 
 
 It is reported that a body of 5000 Indians has crossed from the 
 United States, and sought refuge in Upper Canada. Many of them 
 are said to have sufficient means for settling down comfortably. 
 
 P'acts like this render it very important that the Friends of these 
 abused and greatly injured people should, with promptitude and 
 perseverance, employ every allowable and temperate means of in- 
 fluence in their favour with the British and Colonial Governments, 
 and also with our Canadian fellow -subjects. 
 
 Notwithstanding the gloomy aspect which the state of the Abori- 
 gines almost everywhere presents, and the comparative indifference 
 with regard to it which is manifested iu ♦his and other countries, it is 
 gratifying to perceive the striking exceptions which are occasionally- 
 met with. The report of the Committee of the Senate of the United 
 Slates is a remarkable instance of this kind. The following extract of 
 a letter from H. Baldwin, jun., of the Rice Lake mission, may be 
 adduced as furnishing another example, and the facts and sentiments 
 which it contains will doubtless be read with interest: 
 
 " In No. 833 of the New York OLserver (a weekly paper), dated 
 
14 
 
 April <J7, 18;}}), tli.Mti is puhlisliecl ii letter (iDni Dr. Mtlwin .lames, 
 ;i well-known a<jerit lo different tribes of fncliiuis, interpreter and 
 translator of the New Testament, to Dr. J/eonard Dod<>e, tlie Corre- 
 spondintj^ Secretary of the recently formed American A l>origines' Pro- 
 tection Society. Dr. James was the interpreter who took down and 
 published Tanner's Narrative of his Captivity, &c., probably the best 
 description of Indian life that has yet appeared. In every respect his 
 experience and observations are highly valuable. The following is 
 an extract from the letter : 
 
 " 'It is with no ordinary degree of thankfulness that I hail this new 
 omen of hope for the wastinganti fading remnant of the native tribes of 
 this continent. That the naiions of Christendom have incurred a fearful 
 amount of res})onsibility in their past and present intercourse with 
 tliese tribes, none can dou1)t. It is equall}' certain that if any essential 
 benefits are to be conferred upon them, the work must be done speedily. 
 Too many of the good and benevolent among us are ready to say, 
 "Thelndiansareadoomed race, andnothingcan be done forthem;" and 
 with this chilling discouragement they permit the efforts of missionary 
 and f)ther kindred asrociations to be directed mainly to remote lands 
 and foreign races ; while the children ofthe true lords and proprietors 
 of our own soil are vanishing before a combination of depressing and 
 most fatal influences, which no race of unenlightened men could with- 
 stand. What these influences are, — how they operate, — how they 
 may be counteracted, — how a falling people may be rescued from im- 
 ])ending destruction, it is incumbent on us and our fellow-citizens to 
 know. How shall this knowledge be obtained ? How shall the ap- 
 })ropriate remedy be applied ? How shall the mighty energies of 
 Christian benevolence be awakened in favour of tliis helpless and al- 
 most hopeless people? How, but by combined and systematic, per- 
 severing and prayerful efforts on the part of those who have oppor- 
 tunity to know and hearts to deplore the wrongs and injuries and 
 oppressions of these feeble and unprotected tribes.' — I must here 
 interpose a remark, that this oppression complained of, real indeed 
 and heart-rending, has taken place in the United States — not to any 
 great extent in Canada — until Sir Francis Head contrived to cheat 
 them, or half cheat half bully them out of their lands at Savgecn, to 
 remove them to settle on barren rocks, between whose interstices grew 
 berries — good enough feed for those Indians ! But to benefit the 
 Indians of the United States territory, might exert an important in- 
 fluence on ours, I therefore consider every word of this letter to be 
 entitled to our attention. — ' How shall the tax-payin<j citizens of the 
 United States be made acquainted with the fact, that the annual three 
 or four millions of Indian expenditure which they pay, and pay cheer- 
 fully, because they believe it is to do good to the poor Indians, is, in 
 the present state of things, much worse than thrown away ? How 
 shall the Missionary Societies, which still continue some efforts for 
 the Indians, be made to see how their bounty is misapplied, and their 
 kind intentions thwarted through sinister influences which may and 
 should be removed ? How shall these things be done, and the Anglo- 
 
Id 
 
 y\menc(ins be induced, or rather enabled, to act justly and mercifully 
 towards the Aborigines but through the instrumentality of such an 
 association as that of which you are the organ ? Among the names 
 alhxed to the Constitution I perceive those of some who have been long 
 and faithfully living as Missionaries, of others who have been for 
 many years residents in the immediate vicinity of the Indians, and 
 conversant in all their affairs, and who have had ample upporitini/ies 
 to know ivhy it is that the Indians as a people cannot be benefited. 
 Its formers have, I think, wisehj made the American an Auxiliary to 
 the British and F'oreign Aborigines' Protection Society, and have thus 
 brought themselves into alliance with many of the excellent of the earth, 
 securing for their efforts the sympathies and prayers of many in 
 Europe as well as in America who are truly the " salt of the earth" 
 and tlie " lights of the world. " Permit me, my dear Sir, to urge you, 
 and through you the officers and members of your infant association, 
 to strenuous and unremitting exertion and strong faith. If our 
 Heavenly Father be not williny that any should perish, and if our mer- 
 ciful Redeemer has commissioned all his followers to act for him in fur- 
 therance of those benevolent designs in which his soul travailed, 
 promising to be with them always even to the end of the world, — how 
 shall we doubt ivhat our duty is, or fear our labours ivill not be blessed !' 
 Let our object be single. To j)rolect the Indians from the frauds, op- 
 pressions, injuries, and insults of more enlightened ])ut unprincipled 
 men, let us gather around and associate with us all who by knowledge 
 of facts and honest intention are qualified to unite in our design ; and 
 strong in our reliance upon Ilim who wills the ha})inness of all his 
 intelligent creatures, let us send forth the light, till every Christian in 
 the United States oliall know what obstacles hinder the fulfilment of 
 his prayers for the conversion of the American Indians, — till all shall 
 know why the profuse and noble generosity of the people of the States, 
 exercised througii their government, is a curse rat!ier than a blessing 
 to the Aborigines; in a word, till «// shall understand why the '^ doomed 
 race" is hunted out like the game of their forests, while every mouth is 
 filled with pr<fess(onsof good-ivill to them. Be confident, dear Sir, that 
 existing evils and abuses, w hich you and your associates so well under- 
 stand and so deeply deplore, can and will be removed. The men are 
 now living and the means are in existence through which the change 
 should be wrought. In a spirit of candour and kindness enlighten 
 and instruct that portion of the public who have not the means to 
 know the state of things in the Indian country. Make known the 
 necessity and practicability of a reform, and we may surely hope the 
 people of the United States will provide the needed remedy.' " 
 
 The war with the Seminole Indians is still continued. The Ameri- 
 cans have sent for bloodhounds from Cuba to hunt them like wild 
 lieasts. The Indians, on the other hand, are said to have attacked 
 an island by night and killed the inhabitants, without regard to age 
 or sex. It is to be hoped tiiat our brethren on the other side of the 
 Atlantic will exert all llie influence which they may possess in favour 
 of a peace which mighi y<'t rescue those Indians from extermination, 
 
1<> 
 
 and prepare the way for their participation in the blessings of civi- 
 lization and Christianity, whilst it would in all probability be the 
 means of saving the lives of many helpless and innocent persons 
 whom it will assuredly be better to protect than to avenge. 
 
 The citizens of the new republic of Texas are not less remarkable 
 for their determined and revolting attachment to slavery than for 
 their persevering destruction of the Aboriginal tribes whose territories 
 they are appropriating; and accounts are received that they are 
 rapidly organizing a militia throughout the republic for this purpose. 
 A considerable number of Indians, invited with the semblance of 
 l)eace, have been attacked and killed or made prisoners. 
 
 Froin Ihe " Times," 27, 8 mo. 1840. 
 
 " The latest Texan papers detail an act of brutal treachery towards 
 a party of Cumanchee Indians, by a detachment of Texan troops, 
 under the Secretary of War, W. G. Cooke. A body of the Cuman- 
 chees, about sixty-five in number, arrived at San Antonio on the 16th 
 of March with a Miss Lockhart, a little girl, captured from another 
 tribe about eighteen months ago. Tlie object of the visit, it appears, 
 was to hold a council with the agents of the Texan Government for 
 the ransom of their prisoner, and to ascertain if they would be 
 paid for others in their possession. The Indians were invited to a 
 council, but while assembled in the room, two companies of troops 
 were marched in, and they were all destined to be prisoners. The 
 Indians finding they were betrayed, made a rush to escape, and a 
 fight commenced, which resulted in the death of fifty-five warriors, 
 principally chiefs, two women, and three children. A small number 
 who escaped across the river were pursued by mounted men, and 
 every one killed but a renegade Mexican. The Texan loss was seven 
 killed and three wounded. The next day a squaw was despatched to 
 request an exchange of prisoners, and it was expected that she 
 would return in four days with the captives. An expedition was to 
 march against the Cumanchees forthwith. — St. Lucia Independent 
 Press. 
 
 Southern Africa. 
 
 Various accounts from the Cape excite serious apprehensions that 
 the removal of Sir Andrew Stockenstrom from his office of Lieu- 
 tenant-Governor, and the powerful influence of his opponents, to 
 whom the restored lands of the Caflfres are very attractive, may defeat 
 the just and pacific measures introduced by Lord Glenelg, and cause 
 a return to the commando system which preceded it. The following 
 letter from the Caffre chief Maquomo, is an interesting evidence both 
 of the apprehensions and good intentions of the chiefs of the Caffre 
 nation. There is reason to fear that some of their people are guilty 
 
17 
 
 of committing depredations upon the colonists, but it is reported 
 that even these depredations have been committed at the instigation 
 of colonists, who have participated in the plunder. 
 
 " Caffraria, 23rd December, 1830. 
 " Ohr Friend, 
 " The hearts of the i^macosa are sunk in sorrow. Stockenstrom lias 
 been picked out: he possesses our confidence: he has followed the 
 words of the Queen. We see him no more with our eyes: we look 
 for him : he delays to come. The words of the white men smell of war ; 
 they are changing again, and my people cannot comprehend the 
 cause. We are not children to view these things with indifference, 
 for as soon as Stockenstrom left the land, most of the depredations 
 committed in the colony were placed against the Caffres. The 
 Governor's words to his Council about me are not good words. We 
 love peace; but some of your people, who say they love God, love 
 war also. They want our grass, they want our streams; but ihey 
 must walk over the dead bodies of the Amacosa before they take 
 more of our country. The words of the chiefs are : ' They pray 
 your Queen to send Stockenstrom back ; and do not let the settlers 
 cause the treaties to be altered. We touched the pen, and called upon 
 the Divine Spirit to witness we had done so. They contain a good 
 word for Caffre and Colonist, if they are broken, the land will lie 
 broken, and war will be heard from the forests of the Aniatola, and 
 the children of Gaica will weep and die on his grave. The chiefs 
 love Colonel Bunney ; he listens to truth, he does not love war; and 
 they wish he could be placed at Beaufort to remain near the Caffres." 
 
 "(Signed) Maquomo, 
 
 Prince of the Amacosa. 
 
 " To the Right Honourable Lord Glenelg. 
 
 " Lutu. 
 
 " Pyalie. 
 
 " Botman. f ** "'"''**"• Thomas Brown, "I ^ f .. . 
 
 -Enor ^ ' WM, Pln.t,. interpreters. 
 
 ie. ? 
 
 lan. r 
 
 Witnesses. 
 
 Jacob Plaatze, J 
 
 " A true copy for the Aboriginal Society, and Gentlemen who sent 
 the ploughs by desire of the chief Maquomo." 
 
 Natal. 
 
 DESTRUCTION OF THE ZOOLAS B\ THE EMIGRANT BOORS. 
 
 From the " Colonial Times," Graham's Town. 
 
 An English trader has just arrived from Colesberg, and informs 
 
 us, that just as he was departing from that village, a Boor arrived 
 
 from the Commando which had gone against Dingaan, stating that 
 
 the Boors had destroyed that chief. The Commando surrounded a 
 
 . great body of the Zoolas, who had retired into a krantz, and destroyed 
 
 6 
 
18 
 
 vast numbers. Findinj^ themselves failing in strenj^tli, from the well- 
 directed balls of the Boors, the remainder sued for mercy, and it was 
 jjfranted on the condition that they would direct them to the sjxit 
 where Din<jaan was concealed. A party of Zoolas acc()n)i)anied 
 the Commando to the spot, and an attack was made aj^ainst them, 
 which terminated in the total discomfiture of the Zoolas, and the 
 death of Dingaan, who fell in the midst of his warriors. It is further 
 reported thatthe loss on the part of the Boors was trifling, amounting; 
 only to fifteen killed. We give the above as detailed to us, without 
 ofTering any comments upon the rejiort, but that it is generally be- 
 lieved to be true from the respectability of the trader who brought 
 down the news. 
 
 Other accounts from the same quarter announce that the Boors 
 have confiscated the territories of Dingaan, to indemnify themselves 
 for the expenses of the war which they have carried on against him ; 
 that they had fixed upon the site of a town, and were making allot- 
 ments of land, which was rapidly advancing in value, and selling at 
 a considerable ]>rice. It is asserted in a letter received from a most 
 respectable authority at the Cape, that a principal cause of the emi- 
 gration which has led to so much destruction of life, has been the 
 desire to continue the system of slavery after it had censed to be 
 tolerated within the British colony, and that since llieir emigration 
 they have made slaves of the young Zoolas after having slain their 
 parents. 
 
 
 Australia. 
 
 The difficulties existing between the colonists at Port Philip and 
 the neighbouring natives, of which some account was given in a ]3re- 
 ceding number, appear to be by no means abated. The followinir 
 Memorial presented to the Governor by some of the colonists will 
 give some idea of the state of things in that settlement, and show 
 both the inefficiency of the system of protectorship as at present 
 established, and the desire, on the part of some of the colonists, to 
 see their own sitfety provided for without compromising the lives and 
 interests of the natives. There would, however, be much danger to 
 them in sanctioning the summary punishments for which the Memo- 
 rialists have petitioned. In conjunction with this subject, it must 
 be observed, that there are other colonists who are far from partici- 
 pating in the humane feelings adopted by the Memorialists. A. letter, 
 written by a most respectable person who has recently visited Port 
 Philip, mentions the appalling fact that he heard a settler there 
 avow his determination to shoot as many of the blacks as he could. 
 
 * 
 ^ 
 
19 
 
 lYe 
 
 From the " Port Philip Gazette" 25, 3 mo. 1S40. 
 
 (memouial.) 
 
 " To His Excellency Sir GEORGE GIPPS. Captain General ami 
 Governor in Chief of jVew South Wales, ^c. &^c. ^'c. 
 
 " SHOWETH, — 
 
 "That the attention of Memorialists has been painfully directed 
 to tile condition of the Aboriginal Inhabitants of tliis district, by the 
 many outrages comniitled by them, on the persons and properties of 
 the colonists; and by the rapidly proceeding diminution of the 
 numbers of the native population, tending in all appearance to their 
 Jinal and utter extinction. Sheep are being daily stolen, driven 
 away, and destroyed; servants so frightened as to be unfit to 
 discharge their duties, and in many instances murder has been com- 
 mitted. 
 
 *' That jNIemorialists have no protection or safeguard against the 
 ropL'tilion of such outrages, for although an Assistant Protector of 
 Al)origines has been for a considerable period stationed in tlie dis- 
 trict, his presence has rather encouraged tlie native tribes in their 
 aggressions, while he has not, so far as Memorialists are able to dis- 
 cover, rendered them any service, in defending their rights, or pro- 
 tecting them from the lower classes of the white population ; nor do 
 JNIemorialists conceive Ids procedure in any degree fitted to improve 
 the condition of those for whose benefit he is understood to be sta- 
 tioned here. 
 
 "That Memorialists beg further respectfully to state that the 
 Border Police has been equally ineffective in protecting them, being 
 never on the spot to prevent the occurrence of Aboriginal outrage; 
 and in every instance where the attempt has been made, having 
 failed in expiscating truth respecting reported collisions between the 
 white and the black population. 
 
 " That it appears to Memorialists that some alteration in the law, 
 as afl'ecting the Aborigines, is necessary ; many of the offences which 
 they are in the habit of committing being cognizable only in the 
 Supreme Court; and they would respectfully submit to Your Ex- 
 cellency, the propriety of making legislative provision for the sum- 
 mary treatment of Aboriginal outrages by the local magistracy, and 
 lor affixing such punishments to their offences (to be inflicted on the 
 spot) as will tend to deter others from similar crimes. 
 
 " That wl ile Memorialists complain of the aggression of the Abo- 
 rigines, they beg respectfully to assure Your Excellency, that they 
 are not insensible to the claims of that unfortunate race to humane 
 and kindly treatment, and are most anxious to see proper methods 
 adopted for the amelioration of their condition. 
 
 " That it appears to Memorialists that the original occupants of 
 the soil have an irresistible claim on the Government of this country 
 for support, inasmuch as the presence of the colonists abridges their 
 
20 
 
 means of subsLstence, whilst it furnishes to the puhlic treasury a 
 large revenue in the shape of fees for licenses, and assessments on 
 stock, together uilh very large sums paid for land siezed by the 
 Crown, and alienated to private individuals. 
 
 "That it appears to Memorialists that the interests at once of the 
 natives and the colonists would l>e most eflectually promoted by the 
 (tovernment reserving suitable portions of land within the territorial 
 limits of the respective tribes, with the view of weaning them from 
 their erratic habits; forming thereon depots for su})plying them 
 with provisions and clothing, under the charge of individuals of 
 exemplary moral character, taking at the same time an interest in 
 their welfare, and who would endeavour to instruct them in agri- 
 culture and other uselul arts. 
 
 " That Memorialists would respectfully express their firm con- 
 viction, founded on j)ast experience and from what is now passing 
 in the district, that religious instruction by Missionaries taking a 
 deep interest in the temporal and eternal welfare of the Aborigines, 
 forms the only means of civilizing them, and they would suggest 
 that this be kept in view in any arrangements attempted for bettering 
 their condition. 
 
 "That while Memorialists humbly conceive that the duty of sup- 
 porting the Aborigines, as well as that of protecting from aggressions 
 those who pay so largely for the privilege of occupying the territories 
 once possessed by them, devolves upon the Government, they have 
 no doubt that any judicious plan for the civilization of the natives 
 would be liberally supported by many philanthropic individuals 
 who desire to preserve them from extinction, and to see them raised 
 to the rank of Christian and civilized men. 
 
 " In conclusion, Memorialists would humbly but earnestly implore 
 Your Excellency, with the least possible delay, to adopt some effec- 
 tual measures, commensurate with the great object in view, to protect 
 the colonists from native outrage ; to prevent the utter extermination 
 of the Aboriginal race ; and to impart to their condition every im- 
 provement of which it is susceptible." 
 
 f 
 
 The Aborigines' Committee is desirous to impress on the minds of 
 Friends generally the importance of an increased acquaintance with 
 this subject, and earnestly recommends the perusal and circulation of 
 the pamphlets relating to it, published by the Meeting for Sufferings. 
 The small number which has been called for by the Society shows 
 how much this recommendation is needed. 
 
 Harvey and Darton, Printers, Gracechurch Street.