The first of two letters published in 'The Australian' in 1827, in response to the impressions given by a previous writer of five letters, published in the same newspaper, entitled "A Trip to the Hunter's River".
To the Editor of "The Australian."
SIR,
Your Hunter's River tourist is evidently a stranger to the merit of the emancipated settlers in that district, and as I have been sometime acquainted with them, feel myself called upon to explain the cause of the unfavourable impressions made upon his mind — there may be a few slovenly ones—a few may comfort themselves with the five gallon keg when they can get it; but there are many in affluence and comfort. Witness, Mrs Hunt, formerly Molly Morgan, making a donation to the Church Corporation of £100 towards building a school for the benefit of the rising generation. Witness the neatness of Swan's cottage, garden, and farm; and the ruins of others, that would have been equally, engaging. I wish his most able pen could paint to you the cause, the effects of which he complains, effects arising naturally from a cause considered by many unjust and oppressive.
I will tell you in as few words as possible. Governor Macquarie promised these men (who were the most meritorious of the prisoners) as much land as they could clear, in consideration of their producing, in a given period, a certain quantity of cedar logs; they were produced at the hazard of their lives, when he redeemed his promise, and put them in possession of it. Hunter's River could not at that time have been perambulated with that peace of mind X. Y. Z. evidently enjoyed. When they were getting this cedar, when they were clearing these farms, wherever they turned, an enemy was in ambush to rob or kill — an axe, a hoe, a damper, or more generally their pot of ommany — the moment it was out of their hands, was transferred by the subtle blacks to their camp; and whilst breaking up the soil, or burning off the trees, they were obliged to carry muskets on their backs, to be allowed even to labour. By conciliation, and a proper severity when required, they have become civilized; and it is to these emancipated settlers we are indebted for the obliging disposition of the aborigines in that part of the country. I appeal to any who has known them, that they are particularly so. These farms, cleared as I have described, became in a few years ornamented with neat cottages, barns, paddocks, stock-yards, orchards, lawns, and water. You might have seen the harvest-home a perfect scene of English mirth — the master and mistress closing the merry procession of the last sheaf, he upon a sturdy charger, and she upon a good brood mare, that brought them a foal once a year, and at eve —
"The lowing herd came slowly o'er the Lea."
Such they were four years ago, and such as I am sure your correspondent (who I am convinced is a man of taste) could have wished to behold; indeed, so desirable did they seem, that they were thought worthy the notice of the Commandant, who thought them too good, too handsome for those who made them so, and good enough for the government or church, and the "green eyed monster" has marked it for its own, as by reference to the well daubed green sections (in that part of the map) will appear.
GOOYORAH.
(To be continued.)
Account of a Trip to Hunter's River
Source: No. 1. (1827, February 14). The Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 - 1848), p. 2.
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