The Eureka Stockade Part 14

Proposed by Black, seconded by Manning...That a deputation from the armed diggers, should be forthwith sent to the Camp--

1. To demand--that was our temper in those days--the immediate release of those diggers who had been dragged to the lock-up in the morning hunt, for want of the licence.

2. To demand from Commissioner Rede a pledge not to come out any more for licence-hunting.

Two of us were to form the deputation, and proceed at once.

Father Smyth proposed Mr. Black, Lalor proposed Signor Raffaello: agreed to unanimously. This news, being made public to the diggers, was well received by all; and the council kept sitting until our return.

The deputation was accompanied by Father Smyth. It was a starry night, and rather cold; the moon shone in all its southern splendour.

On approaching the main road, the noisy band of Row's Circus, and the colonial cursing and shouting from inveterate grog-bibbers, forced into my mind the meditation, 'Unde bella et pugna infer vos?' etc.--James, chap. iv.

We met here and there several groups, who were anxiously discussing the events of the day, and the probable consequences. Mr. Black kindly and plainly informed them of our mission. On reaching the bridge, we found it guarded by the police. Father Smyth had an easy pa.s.s, and went by himself to speak first at head-quarters, for the safety of our persons.

Chapter XLI.

The Eureka Stockade.

The Consequence Of Some Pirates Wanting On Quarter-Deck A Rebellion.

At last the deputation was before King Rede, whose shadow by moons.h.i.+ne, as he held his arm a la Napoleon, actually inspired me with reverence; but behold! only a marionette was before us. Each of his words, each of his movements, was the vibration of the telegraphic wires directed from Toorak. He had not a wicked heart; some knew him for his benevolence, and he helped many an honest digger out of trouble. Once I had seen him with my mate, Paul Brentani, about manufacturing bricks from the splendid clay of Gravel-pits. Mr. Rede received us as a gentleman, and, by way of encouragement, said to Paul, 'Je veux bien vous aider, car tout est encore a batir a Ballaarat, et il nous faut des briques--revenez me voir.'

And yet, on the gold-field, this man was feared by the few who could not help it, respected by the many--detested by all, because he was the Resident Commissioner--that is, all the iniquities of officialdom at the time were indiscriminately visited on his gold-lace cap, which fact so infatuated his otherwise not ordinary brains, that they protruded through his eyes, whenever he was sure he had to perform a dooty. I would willingly turn burglar to get hold of the whole of the correspondence between him and Toorak. I feel satisfied I would therein unravel the mystery of the Eureka ma.s.sacre.

Rede, after all, was neither the right man, nor in the right place, for Sir Charles Hotham.

Sub-inspector Taylor, with his silver-lace cap, blue frock, and jingling sword, so precise in his movement, so Frenchman-like in his manners, such a puss-in-boots, after introducing the deputation, placed himself at the right of the Commissioner, and never spoke; though, on accompanying us from the bridge, having recognised me, he said, "We have been always on good terms with the diggers, and I hope we may keep friends still;"-- and gave me a smile of sincerity. He, perhaps, was ignorant, as well as the deputation, that, on quarter-deck, some pirates wanted a rebellion.

At the left of Mr. Rede, there was a gentleman who inspired us with confidence.

His amiable countenance is of the cast that commands respect, not fear.

The ugliness of his eyes prejudices you against him at first; let him, however, turn them upon you in his own benevolent way, you are sure they mean no harm: within a pair of splendid whiskers, of the finest blond, there is such a genteel nose and mouth, such a fine semi-serious forehead, that the whole is the expression of his good sound heart, that loves truth, even from devils. It was Charles Henry Hackett, police magistrate.

The place of our palaver was exactly one yard down hill, near the old gum tree, in front of the present Local Court.

Mr. Rede asked our names, and cautioned us that our message would be reported at head-quarters. He who had a gang of the vilest spies at his bidding, perhaps, indeed, forced upon him, now suspected us as such, and told us pretty plainly, that he thought it not prudent to take us to his residence, the camp being prepared against a supposed attack from the diggers.

Chapter XLII.

Invanum Laboravimus.

Mr. Black began, in plain and straightforward language, to make a truthful statement of the exasperated feelings of the diggers, courageously censuring the conduct of the Commissioner in his licence-hunt of the morning, reminding him of the determination with which the diggers had pa.s.sed the resolutions at the monster meeting of yesterday. "To say the least, it was very imprudent of you, Mr. Rede, to challenge the diggers at the point of the bayonet. Englishmen will not put up with your shooting down any of our mates, because he has not got a licence."

Mr. Rede: "Now Mr. Black, how can you say that I ever gave such an order as to shoot down any digger for his not having a licence?" and he proceeded to give his version of the occurrence. Master Johnson wanted a little play, and rode licence-hunting; was met with impertinent shouts of "Joe, Joe,"

and reported a riot. Daddy Rede must share in the favourite game, and rode to crack the riot act. The red-coats turned out. The diggers mobbed together among the holes, and several shots were fired at the traps.

The conclusion: Three of the ring-leaders of the mob had been pounced upon, and were safe in chokey.

Mr. Black manfully vindicated the diggers, by observing how they had been insulted; that Britons hated to be bullied by the soldiery, and concluded by stating our first 'demand.'

Mr. Rede, startled at our presumption, breathed out "Demand!--First of all, I object to the word, because, myself, I am only responsible to government, and must obey them only: and secondly, were those men taken prisoners because they had not licences? Not at all. This is the way in which the honest among the diggers are misled. Any bad character gets up a false report: t soon finds it way in certain newspapers, and the Camp officials are held up as the cause of all the mischief."

Mr. Black would not swallow such a perfidious insinuation.

Mr. Rede continued: "Now, Mr. Black, look at the case how it really stands.

Those men are charged with rioting; they will be brought before the magistrate, and it is out of my power to interfere with the course of justice."

Mr. Hackett spoke his approbation to the Commissioner.

Mr. Black: "Will you accept bail for them to any amount you please to mention?"

A consultation ensued between Rede and Hackett. Bail would be accepted for two of the prisoners. Father Smyth would bring the required sureties tomorrow morning.

Mr. Black proceeded to our second demand.

Mr. Rede took that for a full stop; and launched into declamation: "What do you think, gentlemen, Sir Charles Hotham would say to me, if I were to give such a pledge? Why Sir Charles Hotham would have at once to appoint another Resident Commissioner in my place!" and concluded with the eternal cant of all silver and gold lace, "I have a dooty to perform, I know my duty, I must 'nolens volens' adhere to it."

In vain Mr. Black entered the pathetic; and expostulated with the Commissioner, who had it in his power to prevent bloodshed.

Mr. Rede: "It is all nonsense to make me believe that the present agitation is intended solely to abolish the licence. Do you really wish to make me believe that the diggers of Ballaarat won't pay any longer two pounds for three months? The licence is a mere cloak to cover a democratic revolution."

Mr. Black acknowledged that the licence fee, and especially the disreputable mode of collecting it at the point of the bayonet, were not the only grievances the diggers complained of. They wanted to be represented in the Legislative Council; they wanted to 'unlock the lands.'

Carboni Raffaello, who had yet not opened his mouth, said: "Mr. Rede, I beg you would allow me to state, that the immediate object of the diggers taking up arms, was to resist any further licence-hunting. I speak for the foreign diggers whom I here represent. We object to the Austrian rule under the British flag. If you would pledge yourself not to come out any more for the licence, until you have communicated with Son Excellence, I would give you my pledge...--(I meant to say, that I was willing to pledge myself, and try if possible to a.s.suage the excitement, and wait till 'our Charley' had sent up a decided answer...")--but I was instantly interrupted by Father Smyth who addressed me imperatively: "Give no pledge: sir, you have no power to do so."

This interruption, which I perfectly recollect, and the circ.u.mstance that on our going and returning, the said Father Smyth continually kept on a 'sotto voce' conversation with Mr. Black only, were, and are still, mysteries to me.

Mr. Rede, who had not failed to remark the abruptness with which Father Smyth had cut me short; joined both his hands, and with the stretched forefinger tapping me on both hands, which were clenched as in prayer, addressed to me these identical remarkable words, "My dear fellow, the licence is a mere watchword of the day, and they make a cat's-paw of you."

Mr. Black undertook my defence: the words above stuck in my throat, though.

Mr. Hackett, on being consulted, a.s.sented that Mr. Rede could promise us to take into consideration the present excited feelings of the diggers, and use his best judgment as to a further search for licences on the morrow.

Mr. Rede: "Yes, yes; but, understand me, gentlemen. I give no pledge."

The usual ceremonies being over, Sub-inspector Taylor kindly escorted us to the bridge, gave the pa.s.s-word, and to go--just as any one else will go in this land, who puts his confidence in red-tape--disappointed.