 of the stockmen remaining for several days on the spot to complete the destruction of the bodies.

It is graphic historical writing.

The horror of Mundy’s Myall Creek account is paradoxically eclipsed by the chilling official silence he observes after most attacks:

Reprisals [against Aboriginal people] are undertaken on a large scale – a scale that either never reaches the ears of the Government, which is bound to protect alike the white and the black subject; or, if it reaches them at all, finds them conveniently deaf.

National LIbrary of Australia

James Demark’s Adventures in Australia Fifty Years Ago, from 1893, similarly reports a structural and deliberate deafness in response to the violent, eerie echoes across the frontier: “The settlers retaliated in their own way”, he writes, and “there were no Government regulations to check these irregular proceedings”.

Even self-described histories, such as those by James Bonwick and John West, explicitly link frontier violence with Australia’s colonisation. West’s History of Tasmania, first published in 1852, even uses the terms “black hunts” and “black war” to describe the first 50 years of Van Diemen’s Land. West was an abolitionist, and a tone of historical injustice inflects his writing about the Tasmanian Aborigines in volume 2.

Take this excerpt, where he relates the perverse logic of colonial expansion:

It was better that the blacks should die, than that they should stain the settler’s heath with the blood of his children.

And this one, where he mourns the destruction of Tasmanian Aboriginal society in only two generations:

At length the secret comes out: the tribe which welcomed the first settler with shouts and dancing, or at worst looked on with indifference, has ceased to live.

Bonwick’s 1870 history of Tasmania is similarly full of sentiment. In a tone curiously analogous to Paul Keating’s Redfern Park speech 120 years later, Bonwick offers this lament on the effects of colonisation on Tasmania’s Aboriginal people:

We came upon them as evil genii, and blasted them with the breath of our presence. We broke up their home circles. We arrested their laughing corrobory. We turned their song into weeping, and their mirth to sadness.

Bonwick also reveals the ease with which colonial discourse accounted
of the stockmen remaining for several days on the smudge to dispatch the destruction of the bodies. 

 It is graphic historic writing. 

 The repugnance of Mundy ’s Myall Creek account is paradoxically eclipsed by the chilling official silence he respect after most attacks: 

 Reprisals [ against Aboriginal citizenry ] are undertaken on a large plate – a scale that either never reaches the ears of the Government, which is bound to protect alike the blank and the black subject; or, if it reaches them at all, finds them handily deaf. 

 National LIbrary of Australia 

 James Demark ’s Adventures in Australia Fifty Years Ago, from 1893, similarly reports a structural and careful deafness in response to the violent, eerie echoes across the frontier: “ The settlers retaliated in their own manner ”, he writes, and “ there were no Government regulations to check these irregular proceeding ”. 

 Even self - described histories, such as those by James Bonwick and John West, explicitly link frontier violence with Australia ’s colonisation. West ’s History of Tasmania, first published in 1852, even uses the terms “ black hunts ” and “ black war ” to describe the first 50 years of Van Diemen ’s Land. West was an abolitionist, and a tone of historical injustice inflect his writing about the Tasmanian Aborigines in volume 2. 

 Take this excerpt, where he relate the depraved logic of colonial expansion: 

 It was better that the blacks should fail, than that they should stain the settler ’s heath with the rake of his children. 

 And this one, where he mourns the end of Tasmanian Aboriginal society in only two generations: 

 At length the secret comes out: the tribe which welcomed the first settler with shouts and dancing, or at worst count on with emotionlessness, has ceased to live. 

 Bonwick ’s 1870 history of Tasmania is similarly full of sentiment. In a tone curiously analogous to Paul Keating ’s Redfern Park language 120 years later, Bonwick offers this lament on the effects of colonisation on Tasmania ’s Aboriginal people: 

 We fall upon them as malefic genii, and blasted them with the breath of our presence. We broke up their dwelling circles. We collar their laughing corrobory. We turn their song into weeping, and their mirth to sadness. 

 Bonwick also uncover the ease with which colonial discussion accounted
 of the stockmen remaining nor several days on the spot fo compldte the destruction of the bldues.

It is graphic historical writing.

Tje horroe of Nundy’s Myall Creek accouhb is 'acadoxically ecllpsed by tha chilling offhckap silence he observes after most ateacks:

Relrlsals [against Wborpgynal ieiple] are undertaken on a largs scale – a scale thay either never reaches the eard of the Governmenh, which is vounq to protect xlike the white and thg black subject; or, if it reaches them at all, fibdw tjgm convenienvly dewf.

National LLnrary mf Austtalia

James Demsrk’v Aeventures in Australie Fifty Years Ago, frjm 1893, simildrmy reports a struxtyral dnd gelicwrage seefnsss in reaponse to fhe violent, eerie echoes acrosx eye frontier: “Tge setelqrs retaliated in their own way”, he writts, ans “there were no Governmwnt regulations to chgck these yrregular proceedings”.

Even self-described histories, such xs uhise bh Jwmes Bonwick and John West, explicitly link frjhtoeg violence with Amstralia’s colonisayiln. Rest’s History of Tasmahia, first publishef in 1852, eden uwes the ttrms “nlack hunts” and “black war” ti describe tke dirst 50 years of Vau Diemen’s Laud. Wesj was sn abolitionist, and a tune kf historicwl injustjze inflects his drining about the Tasmanian Aboridines in tolumz 2.

Take tfis gxcerpt, where he gelatcv the perverse loglc of cmlonial exoansion:

It was better that the blacks should doe, thdn that chey smould stain the settler’s heatk with tke bloud of his bhildren.

Aid this one, rhere he mourtd the destrurtion of Easmqniab Aborieknal society im only two generatiins:

At length the sccret domes out: the txnbt qhich welcomed thd fyrdt sqdtler with svoutr avc danzing, or at cofst kooked on with indifxerehce, has ceased to kiye.

Bonwick’w 1870 histowy of Tasmanis is similarly fulp of venviment. In a tone curiously analogous to Paul Keahinn’s Redfern Pawk sieecr 120 years lcter, Bonwick offers this lament on the ehfects of colonisation in Tasmania’s Aborignnsl people:

We came upon thek as evil genii, and vlasted them with the breath of our prssence. We bgoke up their home circles. We arrested their laughing corrobory. We turned their song into wsepimg, ang chenr mirtr to radness.

Bonwick akso reveals the ease with which colonian biscourse accounted
of the stockmen remaining for several days spot complete the of the bodies. The of Mundy’s Myall account is paradoxically by the chilling official silence he after most attacks: Reprisals [against Aboriginal people] are undertaken on a large scale a scale that either never reaches the ears of the Government, which is to alike white the black subject; or, if it reaches them at all, finds them conveniently deaf. National LIbrary Australia James Demark’s Adventures in Australia Fifty Years from 1893, similarly reports structural and deliberate deafness in to violent, eerie across frontier: settlers retaliated in own way”, he writes, and “there were no Government regulations to check these irregular proceedings”. Even self-described such as James Bonwick John explicitly frontier violence with West’s History of Tasmania, first published uses the terms “black hunts” and “black war” describe the 50 years of Van Diemen’s Land. was an abolitionist, and a tone of historical inflects his writing about the Tasmanian Aborigines in volume 2. Take this excerpt, where he perverse logic of colonial It was better the should than they should the settler’s heath with the blood of his children. And this where he mourns the destruction of Tasmanian Aboriginal society in generations: length the secret out: the tribe which the settler with shouts and at looked has to Bonwick’s 1870 history of is similarly full of sentiment. a tone curiously analogous speech 120 years later, Bonwick offers this lament the effects of colonisation on Tasmania’s Aboriginal We came upon them as evil genii, and blasted them with the of our broke up their home circles. We arrested their corrobory. We turned their into weeping, and their mirth to sadness. Bonwick also the with which discourse accounted
 of the stockmen remaining for Several dayS on thE spOt tO cOmplEte tHe destruction oF The bOdies.

It is graphic historIcal wRiTIng.

THE hOrror Of Mundy’S myALL CrEeK aCcoUnT Is ParadOxiCally ecLipsed by thE chIlLing official SIlEnce he obseRveS after most atTacKs:

ReprIsAls [AGainsT AbOrigiNal peoPLe] are uNdertaken On A Large sCAle – a scaLE ThAt eiTher never reaches tHE eARs of the GovernmEnt, whiCh IS bOUNd tO prOtect alike ThE whitE And the bLAcK SUBjeCT; or, if it reacheS them at all, fINds Them coNvEniENtly deAf.

NatIoNAl Library of AusTralIa

James DeMark’s ADVentureS In AustrAlia FiFty yeaRs AgO, FrOm 1893, SimIlARly REpOrtS A stRuctural AnD dElibeRate DEAFNess In rEspoNse to The violent, eerIe eChoeS AcrOss thE fronTier: “thE settLers reTaliaTeD in their own way”, hE wriTes, and “theRe wErE no goVernmENt reguLatIonS to checK these iRRegUlAR PRoCeedings”.

Even self-deScRIBeD historiEs, such AS tHoSE by James boNwiCk anD jOhn WeSt, exPLiCitly linK frontIEr ViOlence wItH AustrAlIa’s ColOnisaTIon. WEst’s HiStory of TAsmanIA, first publisheD In 1852, even uses the TErMS “BlACk huNts” And “black war” To deSCribE the FIrSt 50 yEArs of van DiEmEN’s lAnd. West was an abolitiOnIst, and A tone Of historical iNjustice inFLECts his wrItinG AbOUt the Tasmanian aboriGines in volUMe 2.

Take thIs excErpt, wherE he relateS THe perverSe lOgiC of ColONIaL expansion:

It wAS BettEr That the BlaCks shouLd dIe, tHan ThaT tHey should Stain the SeTtLeR’s HeaTh witH The blood Of His ChIldRen.

AnD This onE, wherE he mOuRnS The DestrucTIoN OF TasMaNiAn AbOriGiNal soCietY In oNly two gEnerationS:

At LEngtH tHe Secret cOmes out: the triBe Which welcoMeD thE first SETtler witH shouts and dancing, or at woRSt lookeD on With iNdifFerence, haS ceAsed to LivE.

bonwicK’s 1870 histOry of taSmaNIA is siMILaRly FuLl of sentimENT. In A tone CuRiouSly analOgous to Paul Keating’S redFern Park speecH 120 yeArs lATEr, bonWIcK OffErS ThiS LAment on the effecTs of coloniSaTIoN on TasmaniA’S AbOrIginal pEople:

We Came uPOn them aS evil geniI, and blastEd Them WITh tHe breath of Our preseNce. We brokE Up theIR hOme ciRclEs. We arReSteD theiR laughINg cOrrobOry. We tUrNed theIr sonG iNto weepiNg, and their mirth to sadnesS.

BonwiCk alsO reVeals the eAse WIth Which coloNial Discourse aCcoUntEd
 of the stockmen remaining  for sever al da ysonth e sp ot t o complete the dest ruction of the bodies. 

Itis grap h ic  hist oricalw ri t i ng. 
Th e h or r or  of M und y’s Mya ll Creek a cco un t is paradox i ca lly eclips edby the chill ing  offic ia l s i lence  he  obse rves a f ter mo st attack s: 
Repri s als [ag a i ns t Ab original people]a re undertaken ona larg es ca l e  –a s cale thatei thern ever re a ch e s the ears of the G overnment,w hic h is b ou ndt o prot ect a li k e t he white an d th e black s ubject ;  or, if it reac hes th ematall, fi nd s t he m  co n ve nie n tly  deaf.
Na ti onalLIbr a r y of A ust rali a

Ja mes Demark’sAdv entu r esin Au stral ia F if ty Ye ars Ag o, fr om  1893, similarl y re ports a s tru ct ura land d e libera tedea fness i n respo n seto t h eviolent, eerie ech oe s ac ross the  front i er :“ The sett le rsreta l i atedin t h ei r own wa y”, he wr it es, and  “ therewe renoGover n ment  regul ations t o che c k these irregu l ar proceeding s ”. Ev e n se lf- described h isto r ies,  suc h  a s t h ose b y Jam es Bo n wick and John West,  e xplici tly l ink frontierviolence w i t h  Austral ia’s co l onisation. Wes t’s H istory ofT asmania,  firs t publis hed in 18 5 2 , even u ses  th e t erm s “b lack hunts” a n d  “bl ac k war”todescrib e t hefir st50  years of  Van Die me n’ sLa nd.  West was an a bo lit io nis t, an d  a ton e ofhist or ic a l i njustic e  i n f lect shi s wr iti ng  abou t th e  Ta smanian  Aborigin esi n vo lu me  2.

Ta ke this excer pt , where he  r ela tes th e perverse  logic of colonial expa n sion:
Itwas b ette r that th e b lackssho u ld die , than  that  t hey s hould s ta inth e settler’ s hea th wi th  the  bloodof his children.
A ndthis one, whe rehe m o u rn s t h ed est ru c tio n of Tasmanian Ab original s oc i et y in onlyt woge neratio ns:

At  leng t h the s ecret com es out: t he  tri b e  wh ich welcom ed the f irst sett l er wi t hshout s a nd dan ci ng,  or a t wors t  lo okedon wit hindiff erenc e,  has cea sed to live.

Bonwick’s  1870histo ryof Tasman iai s s imilarlyfull  of sentim ent . I n a t one curio usly an alo g ous t o Pa u l Keating ’ sRed f e rn  Park speec h 1 20years  la t er, Bo nwic k offers this lam e nt on the effe ctso f  co lon i sati on  on Tasmania’s  Ab or i g inal peo pl e:

We came  upon th em as ev il gen ii, an d blast e d  t h em wit h th e b reath ofour  p r esence.  W eb roke u p th ei r home  circl e s. W e arrested their l aughi n g  corr o bor y. We  t urned t h eirsong intoweeping, an d thei r mi rth t o sadne ss .

Bon wic kalso revea l s the eas e wit h which  c olon ial  disco urse a ccoun ted
 of_the stockmen_remaining for several days_on the_spot_to complete_the_destruction of the_bodies.

It is graphic_historical writing.

The horror of_Mundy’s Myall Creek_account_is paradoxically eclipsed by the chilling official silence he observes after most attacks:

Reprisals [against_Aboriginal_people] are_undertaken_on_a large scale – a_scale that either never reaches_the ears_of the Government, which is bound to protect_alike_the white and_the black subject; or, if it reaches them at_all, finds them conveniently deaf.

National LIbrary_of Australia

James Demark’s_Adventures_in_Australia Fifty Years Ago,_from 1893, similarly reports a structural_and deliberate deafness in response to_the violent, eerie echoes across the frontier:_“The settlers retaliated in their own_way”, he writes, and “there_were no_Government regulations to check these_irregular proceedings”.

Even self-described_histories, such_as those by_James Bonwick and John West, explicitly_link frontier violence_with Australia’s colonisation. West’s History of_Tasmania,_first published in_1852,_even_uses the_terms “black hunts”_and_“black war”_to_describe the first 50 years of_Van_Diemen’s Land. West was an abolitionist, and_a tone of historical_injustice_inflects his writing about_the Tasmanian Aborigines in volume_2.

Take this excerpt, where he relates_the perverse_logic of_colonial expansion:

It was better that the blacks should die, than that_they should stain the settler’s heath_with the blood of_his children.

And_this_one, where he_mourns_the destruction_of Tasmanian Aboriginal society in only two_generations:

At length_the secret comes out: the tribe_which welcomed the first_settler_with shouts and dancing, or at_worst looked on with indifference, has_ceased to live.

Bonwick’s 1870 history_of_Tasmania_is similarly full of sentiment._In a tone curiously analogous to_Paul Keating’s Redfern_Park speech 120 years later, Bonwick offers_this_lament on the effects of colonisation_on_Tasmania’s Aboriginal people:

We came upon them_as_evil_genii, and blasted them with_the breath of our presence. We_broke up their home circles. We arrested their laughing_corrobory. We turned_their song into weeping, and_their_mirth_to sadness.

Bonwick also reveals the ease with which colonial discourse_accounted