After the return of Major O'Halloran on the 8th of May, 1841, with his strong party from his second almost fruitless expedition — utterly so as to the recovery of any of the 7,000 sheep taken from Messrs. Inman and Field — Governor Grey being well informed that other parties were on their way down, and made alive to the increased danger they would be likely to encounter from the same murderous blacks who had hitherto had it so nearly all their own way, at length felt it incumbent on him to send a third party under Sub -Inspector Shaw, and with him Mr. M. Moorhouse as Protector (Qy. — Of the whites?)

In the Register of September 11, 1841, was published a report of that expedition from the Protector of the Aborigines ; also a letter from Mr. Robinson, who was met by the Government force at the Rufus Junction, where a conflict took place, when the little army of blacks placed themselves between the two parties, and advancing to attack at length met with their deserts. I now give an account of this affair from the public records of the time : —

Register, September 11th, 1841. — " Yesterday morning Mr. Robinson arrived in Adelaide overland in advance of his party with stock from New South Wales under their charge, and has furnished accounts of two desperate affrays before reaching and on the Rufus, from which they safely escaped. We are enabled to present our readers with full extracts from the official report of Mr. Moorhouse, the Protector of Aborigines, to His Excellency the Governor. The painfully interesting details which these documents furnish render comment for this week at least unnecessary, as an investigation has been ordered by the Governor to be made by the Bench of Magistrates. It is clear, however, on the surface that no party can for the present pass safely from New South Wales territory into South Australia unless sufficiently numerous and well armed.

[Moorhouse:] " Lake Bonney, September 4, 1841. Sir — I have the honor to inform His Excellency the Governor that the expedition, consisting of 29 Europeans with three aborigines, which left Adelaide on the 31st July to meet Mr. Robinson and others on their route from Sydney is now on its return, having been effectual in rendering all the assistance that was necessary to the parties. I joined the detachment 50 miles from Adelaide on the 4th of August, and with it reached the Pound on the 7th. I had all the party mustered, and read and explained my instructions to them. Several natives were within a mile of the camp, but did not visit us. Our blacks went to them, and returned with some curious reports, that in consequence of a black scout coming down the river the bulk of the active natives had gone upwards on being called on to congregate and attack a party coming down the river with bullocks, sheep, and clothing. I received the report with doubts, but as we travelled along the Murray I noticed an unusual absence of native camps, which soon led me to believe the story. In passing over a distance of over 90 miles we only saw natives on one place, the number being 24, emaciated old men and women unable to travel.

'' On the 18th of August we halted for the night three miles to the south of Lake Bonney. Our Adelaide natives took three of our party — myself, Sub-Inspector Shaw, and a volunteer gentleman — to a creek two miles distant from our camp, where we saw 105 blacks, who seemed frightened at our approach, and several women took their children on their backs and ran into the water. Some of the men seized their spears and stood firmly by their wurlies. Two of them came to me, whom I had seen on my previous visit, and asked if I did not know them. They showed great anxiety to be on friendly terms with us, and said they could prove that they had not speared white man's property. They said there are three horses near our camp, and we could spear them at any time, but we have not done so, as we wish to be friends with white man. They then took us through a belt of scrub and showed us the horses within 400 yards of a wurlie.

''19th. — When about to march, 40 of the natives we had seen last night came up to us, and urged us strongly not to go on, as there was a great number of blacks congregated two days' march ahead, at work preparing spears and other weapons, and they would be sure to attack us. They were 'turla butts' (full of wrath), and would take our clothing and provisions. I desired one of them to go with us, but he declined. This interview produced a bad effect on the blacks we brought from town. Two of them on the following day turned aside from the track, pretending to hunt, but did not return. Fortunately we had the other fellow on the dray, whom we did not suffer to escape. In the evening camped on Tolmer's Flat, 12 miles to the north-east of Lake Bonney.

'' 20th. — Halted to rest the cattle, now in the country of the hostile natives, and here had the first instance of aggression I witnessed on the river. The party were all at drill ; the sheep we had with us for food were allowed to graze without a shepherd. When drill was over, and the shepherd went after his sheep, he found one with a spear in its side, and saw the aggressor, but he escaped. We now had some difficulty in keeping our interpreter. As we passed along the river he made many enquiries from natives on the opposite side, and frequently asked me how many sleeps we were from Lake Victoria, because he was told we would be attacked there. He induced three of these blacks to join us, whom we supplied abundantly with kangaroo, and allowed them to sleep at our camp, but charging them not to move about during the night lest one of the four guards might shoot them. Pangi Pangi, our Adelaide black, urged us to keep up drill that the strangers might see the superiority of white men's arms.''

" On the 25th Sub-Inspector Shaw had a tree marked at a distance of 50 yards, and ordered the men to fire at the mark, allowing three seconds between each shot. Pangi Pangi said, I am glad, and no more frightened. The three blacks who had been with us several days were terrified and wished to go before us to the Lake 'to tell tribe what white man can do with mucketty.' I was glad to let them go.

''27th. — Now only five miles from the Lake, I mustered the party and repeated my instructions. Each man was told that no firing could be allowed until the Inspector gave the command. I advised them in case of attack from the natives, to use every exertion to protect the drays. At 9 a.m. we marched, and in an hour we saw two mounted men on the opposite side of the Rufus, whom we found to be Mr. Robinson and Mr. Levi at one mile from Langhorne's ferry towards the Lake. We saluted them heartily, and asked if their party were all safe. They answered yes, both persons and property, although they had been attacked on the preceding day by a body of 300 blacks, who were repulsed after receiving eight wounds from the Overlanders. At the time of the attack they were about two miles from the Rufus, and marched on and encamped at Langhorne's Ferry. They asked of us where the herds and drays could cross, as they were then looking out for an easy place to cross, and wished to do so immediately. They had found the junction of the Rufus with the lake too wide and deep, and now would take the ferry. We now left them and rode along the Rufus towards Lake Victoria, and greatly to our surprise discovered a large mob of natives running towards us, each carrying his implements of war. We hastily returned to our party. The drays were drawn up on the banks of the river ; the men were formed in a line of two deep to protect the drays. In half an hour the natives were seen in the scrub at about half a mile distant, evidently prepared to commence an attack. I, seeing this, gave the command of the party to Sub-Inspector Shaw, and said he was at liberty to issue such orders as he thought necessary for our safety and of the overland party whom we had been sent out to protect, desiring him not to commence firing until I had spoken to the hostile natives. I ordered Panghi to accompany me in advance.

" After we had proceeded about 300 yards the three blacks who had gone forward at their own request to confer with the advancing tribe, left the mob and came to us. I asked them what message they brought. They said the Lake people would not listen to them ; they knew the whites had tomahawks, blankets, and food, and they would have them at all risks. I took these fellows back and told them to sit down out of the way of the strife. The police party were on the western bank of the Rufus, and Mr. Robinson and his men on the eastern bank, who advanced towards the closing natives and commenced to fire on them ; Mr. Shaw also ordered the firing to commence.

" The natives were almost immediately thrown into confusion, the greater part running into the scrub, and about 50 running into the water to conceal themselves in the thick reeds. Both parties closed on to those in the water ; the firing lasted about 15 minutes, and the result to the natives was, according to my estimate, about 30 killed, ten wounded, and four prisoners taken (one adult male, one boy, and two lubras.) Mr. Robinson was speared in the left arm. As soon as there was the least probability of taking prisoners firing ceased. More prisoners might have been taken if an alarm at the drays had not been given which called the party off from searching the reeds, and in the meantime the natives escaped.

''At 11 a.m. the following day the whole of Mr. Robinson's party were safely crossed. The police fully armed, being drawn up, the prisoners were placed in the centre, whom I addressed through the interpreters. I told them they had been advised by their allies not to attack the whites, whose arms were so superior to their own ; that we had not any desire to kill black men or their lives would have been taken ; that I was empowered to allow the two who were wounded to go to their friends (that was a boy and a woman) ; that the other woman whose husband had been killed, and who was rescued by the Adelaide black, having consented to become his wife might go with him to Adelaide ; that I should take the black man, the other prisoner, to Adelaide, and he would be there kept as a hostage, and if the tribe attacked any other party coming down the river he might be put to death. I then gave the woman and the boy their liberty, and one day's supply of provisions, telling them we wished to be friends with their tribe, and that the prisoner was taken as a pledge of their future good conduct, &c., &c.''

Mr. Robinson's statement : — ''On July 1st, in company with Mr. Warriner and Mr. Barker, I left Gunda-guy, on the Murrumbidgee, with 6,000 ewes, 14 horses, 500 mixed head of cattle, 3 drays, and 26 in party. We were well armed, and had heard of the attacks on the previous parties. We saw blacks all the way down, but did not allow them to come near us. The Darling was in full flood, and we lost three head of cattle in crossing. On approaching the Rufus I had remained a days march behind looking for strayed cattle, and saw 30 or 40 natives fully armed on the track towards the Lake. The blacks on seeing me crossed the Murray. The day following I had gone on ahead to look for a crossing-place. On my return towards the party I saw about 300 blacks, who, perceiving me, formed themselves into a half-circle to oppose the advance of the party. I immediately got all the sheep and cattle together, left nine men with the drays, and with the remainder of the party went to the blacks, who by this time had approached near to the sheep, yelling most hideously, and by their gestures evidently intent on an attack on us. They met our approach, on which we commenced firing. After receiving eight rounds the blacks gave way, and we drove them to the bush. During this affair affair about 15 were killed or seriously wounded.

" We then proceeded on and camped. The following morning we were met by the party from Adelaide sent to protect us. We were told by them that they expected an attack that day. I said I thought not, as we had the previous day encountered a large number of blacks, and had beaten them. As we were preparing to cross at Langhorne's Ferry one of the Adelaide party came and informed us us that the natives in force were approaching through the scrub. The three blacks who had preceded Mr. Moorhouse also told us that the hostile blacks were close at hand, determined to fight and plunder us. We met their advance and fired on them, &c. (as stated by Mr. Moorhouse). The prisoner on a subsequent day attempted to escape, and was not retaken until he had received three gunshot wounds.''

Mr. Robinson further remarks : —

" On entering the South Australian country the difference is most striking ; nothing can be finer than the tracks from the Springs to Adelaide.''

Register, September 18th — Remarks of the Editor :— ''The Bench of Magistrates are to assemble on Monday to enquire into the late deplorable rencontre with the natives. The investigation is to be public. As the matter stands at present it is very plain Mr. Moorhouse cannot act as Protector, for it was under his protection they were shot down by dozens, and by his own showing, before they had thrown a spear or committed a single offensive act in his presence.''

I have quoted the above, as the remarks will be so completely answered by the unanimous resolution of the Bench in justification of Mr. Moorhouse, after an examination of himself and others during three days ; extracts from the published reports of which will follow : —

On Monday, at midday, the Bench of Magistrates sat at the Court-House to investigate the circumstances under which about 50 natives were shot on the Murray by Mr. Robinson's overland party and by that under Mr. Sub-Inspector Shaw, despatched by His Excellency Governor Grey. The Chairman of the Bench addressed Mr. Moorhouse, and informed him that in order to satisfy the public mind in the colony and at home, the Governor had thought it necessary to have an official investigation into the circumstances of the late engagement on the Murray, and requested Mr. Moorhouse to state to the Bench the facts of the case. Mr. Moorhouse's published report was read by Mr. Richman. Mr. Smillie asked Mr. Moorhouse if he adhered to that statement and confirmed it, and that gentleman replied that he did. In answer to other questions Mr. Moorhouse stated — No spears were thrown before the firing commenced. The blacks were approaching in line, with spears quivering in their hands, poised ready for throwing. A message of defiance had been previously brought by three blacks (allies of the hostile assailants) that they were determined to have our property.

Captain Sturt — What was the conviction in your mind when you gave over the command of the party ? — My conviction was that we were to be attacked ; that if we had allowed them to approach within spear's throw we should all have been cut off. Firing was the only advantage we had to compensate for our small numbers, the muskets being able to kill at greater distance than their spears. I calculated that 150 fighting men who were in front had at least 400 spears with them, each spear being equal to one gun if within their range.

Major O'Halloran — You think their object was to make a rush ? — I think so, and so we all thought. I made signals to them not to approach, but they paid no attention.

Dr. Kent — What were your instructions ? — They were, in case the natives manifested any hostile intention, to give over the command to Mr. Shaw, that he might issue such orders as he deemed necessary for our safety.

Captain Sturt — You did not give up the command to Sub-Inspector Shaw till you saw all hopes of an amicable understanding were at an end ? — I did not.

Captain Sturt — Can you venture an opinion as to whether Mr. Robinson's party would have driven them off without the assistance of the police ? — I think they would have taken his drays and sheep from him. Mr. Moorhouse further stated that about two days afterwards he saw about one hundred blacks with their arms going down the river, but they offered us no further annoyance. Mr. Robinson also underwent a long examination, as also the native interpreter, and confirmed Mr. Moorhouse. The prisoner, Pul Kanta, was examined, and admitted it was their intention to take the sheep, &c. To other questions he would not answer, and was silent when asked if he had fought the whites on the same spot before. Mr. Moorhouse said he did not fire on natives ; he never carried arms when among the natives.

It was moved by Major O'Halloran, and seconded by Mr. Eyre, ''That the Bench of Magistrates after full and careful examination of all the evidence brought before them relating to the late affray with the natives on the Rufus, and the police and Mr. Robinson's party, are unanimously of opinion that the conduct of Mr. Moorhouse and his party was justifiable, and indeed unavoidable, and that much praise is due to him and the combined party for the great forbearance the force evinced when placed under circumstances of the most trying nature.''

A resolution was also passed that His Excellency be respectfully solicited, under the circumstances now elicited, that an armed party should be stationed in the vicinity of Langhorne's Ferry, and also that the native prisoner, Pul Kanta, be placed forthwith, under the charge, of the Protector of Aborigines, and after receiving from him such instructions as at his command, be set at liberty to return to his tribe.

''Register, October 2nd, 1841. ''Yesterday Mr. Eyre left town on his road to the Murray, where he is to be stationed as Police Magistrate of the district. Mr. Eyre takes with him the native captured in the late affray on the Rufus, and he trusts through his means to be enabled to open up a friendly communication with the hostile blacks.''

The following passage is from Dutton's South Australian, published 1846 : — ''Mr. Eyre held this appointment at Moorundee, 85 miles from Adelaide. Governor Grey made this appointment, after many Europeans had been from time to time killed and their property destroyed or plundered ; whilst on the other hand, whenever the parties of whites had been in sufficient force, great slaughter of the blacks had been committed. The Governor therefore, had apparently sufficient grounds for going to the expense of the above establishment, even at a time when the colonial finances were at the lowest possible ebb.'' (To be continued.)

See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufus_River_massacre