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York, who, in fact, have arrived at such a pitch of daring that that part of the colony is in great danger if prompt and decisive measures be not taken. Such steps have been taken to the extent of our power, and I trust they will prove effectual. Four prisoners (natives) have been taken upon warrants, according to the due course of the English law, and this is one of the consequences of that legal absurdity which is enjoined us by the mistaken humanity of those at home. I wish they would give us credit for knowing as much of our own affairs, and the necessities of our position, as they do.
July 18th.—The Governor has requested me to come up here and examine the state of preparations at the house of every settler hereabouts, for it is feared that if the York natives receive any check or take the alarm, they may possibly come over here, and it is well to be ready for them. I am also about to use my influence with some natives in this quarter to act as spies upon them. I rewarded three aborigines on Sunday last with 36lbs. of flour for being instrumental in capturing Coordap, who had escaped from prison. A native in Perth to-day made a disclosure to me of a very extraordinary nature namely, that the native who disappeared so mysteriously from Garden Island was murdered by the other two, with circumstances of great cruelty and disgusting barbarity. One of them throttled the poor fellow, whilst the other mutilated his members, hacked his throat open with a quartz knife, and broke his arms—horrible, horrible! They have made their escape. Nine spears have been found stuck in the body of one of the white men near York, and seven spears in the other. As large a force as can be mustered has been set in motion against them. I only hope they may fall in with them. On my way here to-night I overtook a gentleman within three miles of this place. He had got upon the wrong road, and consequently nearly arrived here, thinking he was on his way to Guildford, which he had overshot by seven miles.
