Murder of Mr. Hume

The Sydney Herald

27 January 1840

Monday, January 27, 1840. Murder.

Intelligence has reached town, that Mr. Hume, brother of Mr. Hamilton Hume, an old and respectable Colonist, has been murdered by bushrangers.

This fell deed was perpetrated in one of the southern districts.

The assassins, when they stopped him, said they understood he had been active in procuring, and aiding in, the apprehension of a daring robber called the "Gypsey;" and immediately shot him dead.

The murdering ruffians named two other persons whom they had also marked for destruction.

What a dreadful state of things!

The Goulburn district is said to be in a most alarming state, owing to bushranging and the insubordination of convicts; and what is worse, rumour has it, that some of the Police are themselves in league with the bandits.

Mr. Hume has been shot by bushrangers!

How long are such acts of atrocity to be passed over?

We commence a war of extermination against such murderous villains.

Let energy be manifested on the part of the Government, and, our life upon it! bushranging would soon be put down. What are the Mounted Police about?

An inquiry ought forthwith to be instituted as to the manner in which the Commander of that body in the neighbourhood where Mr. Hume met his death, performs his duties. Indignation cannot be controlled.

Rapine and murder stalk through the land; although the cost of maintaining our Police Force exceeds that of any other country in the world, of the same extent.

We shall conclude by expressing an earnest wish that the vile murderers of Mr. Hume may be brought to speedy and condign punishment.

Little indeed, will be the satisfaction which any punishment that can be inflicted, afford to the bereaved relations of the unfortunate gentleman; but let the laws of society be vindicated- let the murderers suffer death.