Confrontation with Aboriginal men: diary 26 May 1861 |
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| Title : | Confrontation with Aboriginal men: diary 26 May 1861 |
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| Creator : | Stuart, John McDouall | ||
| Source : | Diary 29 November 1860 to 3 July 1861 | ||
| Format : | Diary | ||
| Contributor : | Royal Geographical Society of South Australia Inc | ||
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| Description : |
On 26 May 1861 John McDouall Stuart recorded in his diary a confrontation with seven Aboriginal men while encamped at Newcastle Waters (Stuart's Glandfield Lagoon). The men were tall and well-built, armed with boomerangs and waddies (clubs) and at first appeared threatening. Stuart managed to coax them closer and they then seemed friendly. He was however concerned for one of his men, John Woodforde who was down at the water hunting ducks. Francis Thring and Masters were also away from the camp rounding up missing horses. When these two returned Stuart told them to stay in the camp, and hoped that this would give Woodforde a chance to get back. The Aboriginal men began to light fires around the camp, no doubt attempting to frighten the white men into leaving. Stuart was now convinced they meant to make trouble, but still refrained from shooting at them. He was able to persuade them to leave, which they did, still firing the grass. Thring and Wall were sent down to protect Woodforde, who shortly afterwards returned to camp saying he had been attacked. Stuart always endeavoured to maintain good relations with the Aboriginal people, inspired by the example of his former leader Charles Sturt. All of Stuart's men were issued with written instructions about not firing at Aboriginal people except in self defence. There had been some occasions when this had been necessary, but no Aboriginals had ever been killed by Stuart or his men. The Aboriginal people were of course only protecting their lands from the white explorers who with their large numbers of horses were drinking precious water supplies and otherwise encroaching on Aboriginal lands. |
| Subjects | |
| Related names : | Stuart, John McDouall, 1815-1866 Thring, Francis William, 1837-1908 Kekwick, William Darton William John Woodforde (1841-1910) |
| Coverage year : | 1861 |
| Place : | Newcastle Waters (NT) |
| Further reading : | Webster, M. S. John McDouall Stuart: his character and personal qualities Adelaide [S. Aust.]: Libraries Board of South Australia, 1964 Stokes, Edward, Across the Centre: John McDouall Stuart's expeditions, 1860-62 St. Leonards, N.S.W. : Allen & Unwin, 1996 John McDouall Stuart's explorations, 1858-1862: South Australian parliamentary papers 1858-1863 Adelaide: Friends of the State Library of South Australia, 2001 Stuart, John McDouall, Explorations in Australia: the journals of John McDouall Stuart during the years 1858, 1859, 1860, 1861, & 1862 ... Carlisle, W.A.: Hesperian Press, 1984 Webster, M. S. John McDouall Stuart [Carlton]: Melbourne University Press, 1958 |
| Internet links : | Dictionary of Australian biography: see Stuart, John McDouall |
| Exhibitions and events : | State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing. Taking it to the edge August 2004- |
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