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17 “ The Humble Petition of William Buckley, to His Excellency Colonel George Arthur, Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen’s Land, sheweth— “ That your Petitioner was a private in the Cheshire Supple mentary Militia about two years, when he volunteered into the 4th Eegiment of Foot, or King’s Own, of which regiment he was attached to the third Batallion, and continued therein between two and three years, during which time he accompanied that regiment in the expedition to Holland. “ That your Petitioner was afterwards convicted of receiving stolen property, and was transported for life. “ That your Petitioner arrived at Port Phillip, New Holland, about thirty years ago, and on the breaking up of the establishment your petitioner with two others, (the name of one of whom was William Marmon) absconded and subsisted on the sea coast for about twelve months, when he fell in with a family of natives, with whom he has continued up to the present time. That your Petitioner has at various times, suffered great privations from the want of food. “ That your Petitioner, previously to his joining the natives, returned to Port Phillip, with the intention of surrendering himself to the authorities, but was prevented from doing so by the departure of the establishment. “ That your Petitioner has never seen a white man since that period, until he came to the establishment formed by Mr. Batman, Mr. Wedge, and other gentlemen, on the — July, 1835. “ That your Petitioner, two days previously to joining the establishment, learnt from two natives that white men were in the neighbourhood, and that they with others intended to spear them, for the sake of the plunder they would get. ‘ That your Petitioner remonstrated with them, and dissuaded them from their intentions ; that your Petitioner has ever since exerted himself and has succeeded in convincing them of the friendly disposition of the white men towards the natives. “ That your Petitioner will continue to do all in his power to render permanent the good understanding that has been established, for which services your Petitioner humbly prays for the indulgence of a Free Pardon, and your Petitioner will ever pray.”
