Aborigines of Van Diemen's Land, 1830-1840 - Page 167
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[Page 167]
inexperienced military officer seeing such a display of force, rashly opened on the tribe, what is here termed a "platoon fire". But the Aborigines were since given to understand that coming as they came down in such numbers armed, it was naturally concluded to have been for some hostile purpose, and the whole was a mistake. They seemed so far satisfied, and little mischief was done for some years afterwards.
It was not until a Sydney native came down of the name of Mosquito, a cunning and crafty Knave, who stirred up the Aborigines of Van Diemen's Land to all manner of Mischief. With him joined Black Tom, commonly called Tom Birch, from the circumstances of his being brought up in that gentleman's family. He was well acquainted with the country and the towns.
Both Mosquito and him he could speak English. They committed several outrageous murders which were clearly proved against them, and as Mosquito was not a native of the island, and as Tom was considered a British subject