es still continuing to throw spears at any
man they meet unarmed, by which several have been killed, or dangerously
wounded, the governor, in order to deter the natives from such practices
in future, has ordered out a party to search for the man who wounded
the convict McEntire, in so dangerous a manner on Friday last, though no
offence was offered on his part, in order to make a signal example of that
tribe. At the same time, the governor strictly forbids, under penalty of
the severest punishment, any soldier or other person, not expressly ordered
out for that purpose, ever to fire on any native except in his own defence;
or to molest him in any shape, or to bring away any spears, or other
articles which they may find belonging to those people. The natives will be
made severe examples of whenever any man is wounded by them; but this
will be done in a manner which may satisfy them that it is a punishment
inflicted on them for their own bad conduct, and of which they cannot be
made sensible if they are not treated with kindness while they continue
peaceable and quiet.

A party, consisting of two captains, two subalterns, and forty privates,
with a proper number of non-commissioned officers from the garrison, with
three days provisions, etc. are to be ready to march to-morrow morning at
day-light, in order to bring in six of those natives who reside near the
head of Botany Bay; or, if that should be found impracticable, to put that
number to death.

Just previous to this order being issued, the author of this publication
received a direction to attend the governor at head quarters immediately. I
went, and his excellency informed me that he had pitched upon me to execute
the foregoing command. He added that the two subalterns who were to be
drawn from the marine corps, should be chosen by myself; that the sergeant
and the two convicts who were with McEntire, should attend as guides; that
we were to proceed to the peninsula at the head of Botany Bay; and thence,
or from any part of the north arm of the bay, we were, if practicable, to
bring away two natives as prisoners; and to put to death ten; that we
were to destroy all weapons of war but nothing else; that no hut was to
be burned; that all women and children were to remain uninjured, not being
comprehended within the scope of the order; that our operations were to
be directed either by surprise or open force; that after we had made any
prisoners, all communication, ev