Expeditions into Central Australia | Page 3

the
birds belonging to the same portion of the continent.
To Mr. Adam White, of the British Museum, he is also indebted for an
account of some new insects, and to Dr. Richardson, for a scientific and
classified arrangement of fish caught on the Southern coast, near King
George's Sound. The plates to which the numbers refer in the
last-mentioned paper, are the admirable drawings made from life, by J.
Neill, Esq. of King George's Sound, and now lodged at the British
Museum. They are, however, both too numerous and too large to give
in a work of this description, and will probably be published at some
future time by their talented author.
For the account given of the Aborigines the author deems it
unnecessary to offer any apology; a long experience among them, and
an intimate knowledge of their character, habits, and position with
regard to Europeans, have induced in him a deep interest on behalf of a

people, who are fast fading away before the progress of a civilization,
which ought only to have added to their improvement and prosperity.
Gladly would the author wish to see attention awakened on their behalf,
and an effort at least made to stay the torrent which is overwhelming
them.
It is most lamentable to think that the progress and prosperity of one
race should conduce to the downfal and decay of another; it is still
more so to observe the apathy and indifference with which this result is
contemplated by mankind in general, and which either leads to no
investigation being made as to the cause of this desolating influence, or
if it is, terminates, to use the language of the Count Strzelecki, "in the
inquiry, like an inquest of the one race upon the corpse of the other,
ending for the most part with the verdict of 'died by the visitation of
God.'"
In his attempt to delineate the actual circumstances and position of the
natives, and the just claims they have upon public sympathy and
benevolence, he has been necessitated to refer largely to the testimony
of others, but in doing this he has endeavoured as far as practicable, to
support the views he has taken by the writings or opinions of those who
are, or who have been resident in the Colonies, and who might
therefore be supposed from a practical acquaintance with the subject, to
be most competent to arrive at just conclusions.
In suggesting the only remedy which appears at all calculated to
mitigate the evil complained of, it has studiously been kept in view that
there are the interests of two classes to be provided for, those of the
Settlers, and those of the Aborigines, it is thought that these interests
cannot with advantage be separated, and it is hoped that it may be
found practicable to blend them together.
The Aborigines of New Holland are not on the whole a numerous
people; they are generally of a very inoffensive and tractable character,
and it is believed that they may, under ordinary circumstances, almost
always be rendered peaceable and well-disposed by kind and consistent
treatment. Should this, in reality, prove to be the case, it may be found
perhaps, that they could be more easily managed, and in the long run at

a less expense, by some such system as is recommended, than by any
other requiring means of a more retaliatory or coercive character. The
system proposed is at least one which by removing in a great measure
temptation from the native, and thereby affording comparative security
to the settlers, will have a powerful effect in inducing the latter to unite
with the Government in any efforts made to ameliorate the condition of
the Aborigines; a union which under present or past systems has not
ever taken place, but one which it is very essential should be effected, if
any permanent good is hoped for.
To Mr. Moorhouse the author returns his best thanks for his valuable
notes on the Aborigines, to which he is indebted for the opportunity of
giving an account of many of the customs and habits of the Adelaide
tribes.
To Anthony Forster, Esq. he offers his warmest acknowledgments for
his assistance in overlooking the manuscripts during the voyage from
Australia, and correcting many errors which necessarily resulted from
the hurried manner in which they were prepared; it is to this kind
supervision must be ascribed the merit--negative though it may be--of
there not being more errors than there are.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.
CHAPTER I.
ORIGIN OF THE EXPEDITION--CONTEMPLATED
EXPLORATION TO THE WESTWARD--MEETING OF THE
COLONISTS, AND SUBSCRIPTIONS ENTERED INTO FOR THAT
PURPOSE--NOTES ON THE UNFAVOURABLE NATURE OF THE
COUNTRY TO THE WESTWARD, AND PROPOSAL THAT THE
NORTHERN INTERIOR SHOULD BE EXAMINED
INSTEAD--MAKE AN OFFER TO THE GOVERNOR TO
CONDUCT