Tasmania’s Unfinished Business Trick or Treaty? Tasmania’s Unfinished Business

Mannalargenna’s country at Ringarooma Bay

Mannalargenna

Little Musselroe Bay, 6 August 1831 This morning I developed my plans to the chief Mannalargenna and explained to him the benevolent views of the government towards himself and people. He cordially acquiesced and expressed his entire approbation of the salutary measure, and promised his utmost aid and assistance. I informed him in the presence of Kickerterpoller that I was commissioned by the Governor to inform them that, if the natives would desist from their wonted outrages upon the whites, they would be allowed to remain in their respective districts and would have flour, tea and sugar, clothes, etc. given them; that a good white man would dwell with them who would take care of them and would not allow any bad white man to shoot them, and he would go with them about the bush like myself and they could hunt. He was much delighted.’

27 August 1831 I omit no opportunity of impressing upon the mind of the chief and others that they are to remain in their own country; and that I am anxious to get to them for the purpose of going to others, and that I will leave a man to take care of them and that some of the Tyereelore women shall stay with them. At this arrangement they are much pleased and say it is very good indeed’.

Maulterheerlargenna Little Pipers River, 29 August 1831 ‘I made known to them the wish of the government: that if they would not spear white men they might remain and hunt, and they seemed glad and lifted up their hands and said no, no, no’

Tongerlongter & Montpelliater Lake Echo, December 1831 ‘They were willing however to accept the offers of the government and placed themselves under my protection accordingly. He added in a note to the Colonial Secretary … ‘these people cannot and ought not to be looked upon as captives. They have placed themselves under my protection and are desirous for peace.

Oyster Bay and Big River people sketch by John Glover

Commandant Henry Nichols Wybalenna, 1834 ‘The basic problem is quite clear. The Aborigines had been induced to leave their native land by a promise that all their wants would be supplied and they expected this undertaking to be honoured. They were eager to learn to write, not to become scholars like white men, but to be able to write to their Governor father in Hobart Town as they are anxious to induce him to remove them to their native land. They would be perfectly wretched were they certain they should die here’

Petition to queen victoria (in part) 1846 ‘The humble petition of the free Aborigines inhabitants of Van Diemens Land who live upon Flinders Island in Basses Strait most humbly sheweth that we, your Majesty’s petitioners, are your free children, that we were not taken prisoners but freely gave up our Country to Colonel Arthur, then the Governor, after defending ourselves. Your petitioners humbly state to your Majesty that Mr. Robinson made for us and with Colonel Arthur an agreement which we have not lost from our minds since, and we have made our part of it good….when we left our own place we were plenty of people, we are now but a little one’….

Signatures on petition Walter George Arthur David Bruney (Maiki) John (Jack) Allen (Lurnurminner) King Alexander (Druemerterpunner) Washington (Maccamee) King Tippoo (Calerwarrermeer) Augustus (Thermanope) Frederick (Pallooruc)

Robinson’s lamentation - too late ? ‘Look back, my friends, you who have known them for a short time. Look back, you who have known them for a longer period and I will look back to the time when I knew them in their own native wilderness when we were first known to each other. Let us give full scope to our recollections and call to mind all the incidents and associations connected therewith, and then turn to those memories of our departed friends and weep in silence’. George Augustus Robinson, Wybalenna, 25 December, 1835

What might A 21st century treaty look like? Where to from here?