Natives of Prospect wished a Conference

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser

5 May 1805

It being intimated to the Reverend Mr. Marsden on Wednesday last that the Natives of Prospect wished a conference with him, with a view of opening the way to a reconciliation, that Gentleman readily undertook the mission, and repaired without hesitation or delay to the appointed place of rendezvous.

On his arrival the only persons   visible were three native women, by whom he was informed that the men desirous of conversing with him were then in the woods, whither they had betaken themselves with a design of summoning a more general consultation on the subject; but that immediately on their return, a deputation composed of three persons would be dispatched to Parramatta to report the result of their errand.

Three men in consequence waited on Mr. Marsden on Thursday, under the guidance and protection of Mr. John Kennedy, a settler.

Declaring a speedy reconciliation to be the desired object of their embassy, Mr. Marsden kindly assured them of the general anxiety for the acceleration of the event; and acquainted them with the only terms upon which it could be ventured on, namely, the surrender of those who were principally active in the recent horrible enormities; explaining at the same time that until this demand should be complied with, none of them could be admitted on the grounds of any settler.

Without starting objection to the demand, they appeared to be somewhat concerned at their inability to render information of more than one of the chief aggressors; but nevertheless pledged themselves that upon the following day he should receive every necessary information from a party at or in the neighbourhood of Prospect; and some of whom they doubted not would readily engage in pursuit of the murderers.

Mr. Marsden was exact to this appointment also, and on Friday met them again at Prospect, where, though they were scattered in prodigious numbers through the surrounding wood, yet not more than twenty approached near enough to be conversed with.

The information insisted on of the names of the principal murderers was extorted by degrees from the division inhabiting  the Cowpasture Plains; but all positively resisted the demand of aiding in their apprehension, until Mr. Marsden in a determined tone forbade their hope of reconciliation until the terms insisted on should be complied with; when one advancing, volunteered himself for the expedition, upon which 6 of the military were detached, accompanied by Warby, and a second native who afterwards offered his joint assistance as a guide.