Aborigines of Van Diemen's Land, 1830-1840 - Page 179
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[Page 179]
We have said that only Mosquito, and one other was hanged. It should have been that only Musquito and Black Jack were hanged at the time, and for shortly after two other Aborigines were executed for the murder of two of Mr Buxton's men at "Little Swan port", and these were the only four who were ever suffered in this colony for murdering any of the White Colonists. A Court of Supreme Justice Judicature had at that period been established in Van Diemen's Land and it was held that any wanton act of murder by the Blacks on the Whites, if clearly proved would subject the Aborigines to the law of England. As the judge could not conscientiously recommend the culprits to mercy, the Lieutenant Governor had no alternative than but letting the sentences take effect. Doubts arose afterwards, and these had their due weight.