be charged with the command of the private expedition, though he effected just as much as might reasonably be expected under the anomalous conditions in which he started. The simple fact of his holding no Government authority, not being even sworn in as a special constable, and on a service which could not be carried out without a resort to physical force, certain bloodshed, and possible loss of human life, was in itself sufficient to assure futility as a result that could not be otherwise than inevitable.
Another Government Expedition.
Official correspondence, printed by order of the Legislative Council, supplied some additional particulars. There was a communication from Sergeant Windridge, which revealed the horrible fact of the Gippsland tribes indulging in cannibalism, so far as to devour the bodies of the "gins" or married women when they died, the corpses being either baked or roasted and so served up. In a communication from Superintendent Latrobe to Commissioner Tyers, the former remarked:—
"Presuming the existence of the female in the circumstances stated, the fact that five or six years have elapsed without the white inhabitants of Gippsland having received any hint or token direct or indirect, on her part of her existence, can only, in my opinion, be accounted for by one or two suppositions, either the peculiar circumstances of her case, and the degradation to which she has been subjected for years, and through the strength of the ties that she has apparently formed amongst the natives, she may be herself at present indifferent or averse to reclamation by those of her own race; or that, having shown a disposition to communicate with the whites, she had been watched with such unremitting and jealous attention that such communication has been impossible."
In a letter to the Colonial Secretary of New South Wales, Captain Lonsdale, Sub-Treasurer of Port Phillip, acting for Mr. Latrobe, absent in Van Diemen's Land, thus wrote (13th October, 1846):— "I have not the slightest doubt of such a person being there, and consider time ought not to be lost in prosecuting the attempt for her recovery. In addition to the information already communicated to you on this subject, I now learn that the female appears to be about 24 or 25 years of age: that her hair is light brown, and now cut short; that when wrecked she seems to have been well dressed, her shoes being described as of thin material; that she had on a boa, and that part of a silk dress, which was found some time after, belonged to her. When first discovered by the blacks, it is stated that a tall young man was sitting by her. It is said that from the period of her being taken she has always been under the immediate protection of the black man Bunjaleena, who is kind to her, and with whom she appears to live contentedly. It is stated she sometimes cries, yet joins in the amusements and pursuits of the people she is with, and that she has good health. She had two children, but it is doubtful whether more than one is now alive." The Government at length felt constrained to make another effort to recover the captive woman, for that there was one in reality, no longer permitted of any reasonable doubt. The Commissioner of Crown Lands (Tyers) was consequently instructed to do everything in his power in the matter. It was even suggested for his consideration whether the Aborigines amongst whom she was supposed to be, might not be disposed to exchange her for a ransom of blankets, tomahawks, and other articles. Mr. Walsh and the little black tracker, Johnny Warrington, were requested to accompany any police expedition deemed advisable. Commissioner Tyers lost no time in organizing a party, which was joined by half a dozen volunteers, and the old Expedition Committee despatched from Melbourne an assortment of gratuities for the natives, in the forms of tomahawks, sailors' knives, Jews' harps, fishing hooks and lines, with several looking-glasses, each thus labelled on the back: "White woman — A strong armed party, headed by the Government, is now in search of you, determined to rescue you, Two Warrigals named Boondowal and Karrowutbeet, are with the white party. Be careful as far as your own safety is concerned, and do everything to throw yourself into the hands of this party. Inform the person who detains you, as well as his tribe, that he and they will be handsomely rewarded if they will give you up peaceably; but if they persist in detaining you that they will be severely punished. Melbourne, 4th March, 1847."
To recount the excursions of this third expedition would be virtually a repetition of many of the incidents similar to those that have preceded.
