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39 A new theatre of action was how presented. The aborigines of Van Diemen’s Land had become the fierce foes of the colonists. We cannot enter into this deeply interesting question, excepting so far as it relates to the hero of our story. The Black war began. About one hundred white people, and we know not how many hundreds of the others, lost their lives. It was then determined to drive the remnant, by a cordon across the country, into the Forrestier’s penin sula, and shut them up there. Two thousand persons were out in 1830 upon this expedition. So vast an effort and an expenditure of £30,000 resulted in the capture of one of these poor creatures ; the Others escaped the net. Mr. Batman figures along with Mr. George A. Robinson in this eventful warfare. But their mission was not the bloody one of destruction. They sought by fair entreaty and expos tulations to induce the wild tribes to submit. In 1829 Batman was nominated the captain of a party of twelve at Oatlands. He succeeded in capturing, without fighting, a small mob of 16. At that time five pounds was offered by Government for every black brought in alive. In his next excursion he was not so success ful. The natives, infuriated by repeated acts of cruelty, threw their spears before the parleying could begin. Shots in self defence were given in exchange. Mr. Melville observes, “ Messrs. G. A. Robinson, Batman and Cotterell commenced their praiseworthy and christian-like endeavours to bring in the whole of the aborigines ; these persons were employed by Government.—They proceeded not with the sword, but with the olive branch.” It is not a little singular that these three men afterwards became identified with the early history of Port Phillip. The observations of the Rev. John West in his invaluable History of Tasmania, are entitled to especial attention : “ Among those distin guished for the knowledge of the bush, compassion for the natives, and skill for pursuing them, Mr. Batman is the subject of frequent and approving mention.”—“ To Mr. Batman belongs the praise of mingling humanity with severity, of perceiving human affections in the creatures he was commissioned to resist.”—He certanly began in the midst of conflict and bloodshed to try the softer influence of con ciliation and charity. He received a party into his house, and en deavoured to win their regard ; fed, clothed and soothed them : and when some of them disappointed his hopes, by throwing off their garments and retiring into the hush, he still perservered in attempting
