3 November 1830 - Journies of G.A.Robinson

Extract From: N. J. B. Plomley ed. 'Friendly Mission, the Tasmanian journals and papers of George Augustus Robinson', Halstead Press for Tasmanian Historical Research Association, Hobart, 1966.

Important note: The material below is 'read only'. The text has been transcribed for reasons of personal interest only. It appears here without footnotes and may contain textual errors. Any reference and or citation must be to/from the 'journals and papers' in its hardcopy form. Friendly Mission (1966) is in the collections of most large public libraries. In addition, its first reprint (2008) has also recently become available.

Robinson's Journal 3 November 1830

Heavy rain during the night and this morning raining hard. I issued slops to all the fresh natives, gave them baubles and played the flute, and rendered them as satisfied as I could. It was rather unfavourable the weather being so extremely bad: I could not get off to the island and whilst they remained on the main there was every probability of their going away. I prayed earnestly for favourable weather. The people all seemed pleased at their clothes. Trousers is excellent things and confines their legs so that they cannot run. Gave them blankets. Conversed with the natives. Pm, the weather clearing up, sent the two women after the natives in the bush and in the course of two hours I had the pleasure and satisfaction to see them at my tent. Gave them clothes &c. At night the people danced, sung &c. In conversation with the natives, and from them (with other considerable information) I obtained the names of seventy-two men now in the bush,51 and also that they had gone towards Oyster Bay, but was to return, and that they were principally young men.

Strong easterly gales with rain throughout the whole of this day. Tom went out to hunt and caught a kangaroo. Gave them all bread and tea, of which they were all very fond. Tonight they all danced. Kept watch as usual. Greatly apprehensive the people would go away. Earnestly hoping the morning would be fine.

Notes: LUCERENMICTIC WOCKENER had possessed herself of an amulet or charm: this relic contained part of the bones of the three natives shot by the soldiers. The fresh natives was angry with TRUGERNANNA for making the baskets or pulling the grass for this purpose; said it would make the rain come. Would not let them roast goanna as it would make the rain come. The wind happening to shift, one man got a fire stick and stood up and thrust the burnt end towards the wind the way in which they would have the wind to go. Europeans are equally superstitious: seamen whistle to make the wind come.

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