The court case of Bennelong.
Why were Bennelong and Colby captured?
Bennelong and Colby were captured because the European Australians wanted to see how the Indigenous Australians lived. They also wanted to capture Bennelong & Colby, so that they could have them with them and they were hoping that by the presence of Bennelong & Colby living with them the rest of the native population warm up towards them, and not be so aggressive or hostile. They were not intending to kill them as the natives thought; they just wanted to bring peace between the native people and the European settlers. The reason that Bennelong and Colby were ‘taken by force’ ( pg-11.) was because previous efforts to communicate with them freely had failed. Governor Phillip wanted to take Bennelong & Colby so that they could teach them English without losing their native tongue, the reason for teaching them English is to help their own countrymen converse with the colony. (PG-13)
How did Bennelong feel throughout the ordeal?
Bennelong was being taken away from his friends, so he was feeling anxious and very upset. While they were lashed to the boat they were extremely terrified (pg-13). Once they had moved far enough away from their countrymen on the shore, the captive’s hands were untied which made them more relaxed. Bennelong and Colby would have been more relaxed after they had settled in and got used to their new surroundings. Even the family was feeling distressed as one of their own was taken away. It would be worrying knowing that a person whom you don’t know would be taking you away from family, friends etc, as he probably was thinking he wouldn’t be able to see his family or friends ever again; so that European settlers could take him, and pretty much use him as a guinea pig. But they did assure him they would be able to return home soon.
What arguments can be made in defence of Williams Bradley’s actions?
The arguments that can be made in support of William Bradley’s actions is that, he was doing as he was commanded, to capture the native aboriginals. If he had done otherwise, there would probably of been some punishment for not obeying the governors orders, it was not up to him in anyway whatsoever, it was so they could be able to use the Bennelong as one of theirs, be able to bring peace between the native aboriginals and the European settles. What he had done was not right, but it was not wrong, because it was not up to him. Bradley thought they were doing something that would help relationships between the Europeans and the Aboriginals. Bradley’s own admission was this had been ‘the most unpleasant service’ he had ever done (p. 11). Bennelong did enjoy the food & drinks they gave him, that was obviously a bribe.
Examine and comment on the picture of Bennelong.
I think they changed his look; they have made him look like a European by the way they have dressed him and made him look proper. I think it is wrong to change his look, his look was who he was but they took that away from him, just like that took his family and friends away I think this whole thing was absolutely terrible. He may look proper, but I really don’t think that it is going to make the other aboriginals follow on because of his fancy clothing. The way they have taken the photo and captured him makes him look very posh, they have changed his image and what he eats and who he is, but this might be because they want the other aboriginals to follow the European way.
Overall verdict:
Today I am here to tell you about the case that involves Lieutenant Bradley. I will prove that lieutenant Bradley is innocent. This case involves the incident that happened many years ago, involving the ‘kidnapping’ of Bennelong. I will prove to you today that it was not Lieutenant Bradley that ordered this; it was in fact Governor Phillip.
This following paragraph will state my reasons of why in fact Lieutenant Bradley was innocent it will state the reasons and conclude stating how he is not guilty, he is completely innocent for various reasons.
My reasons to why Lieutenant Bradley is innocent: * He was ordered to go on a boat and capture Bennelong; he had no say and if he had refused there would have been some terrible punishment, e.g. torture, death or imprisonment. * They also wanted Bennelong there to teach him the English language but to keep his other one so that they could lure in the other native Aboriginals. * Lieutenant Bradley had no intention of harming Bennelong. * It may be argued that lieutenant Bradley did in fact kidnap Bennelong & Colby. In defence it is more correct to say that the crime he committed was carrying out the order of a senior officer, that is not a crime at all. * It could also be argued that Bradley carried the order against his own feelings, that this was not a good thing to do. His own words support this finding, I quote (page-10) ‘The noise of the men crying and screaming of the women & children together with the situation of the two miserable wretches in our possession was really a most distressing scene: they were much terrified, one of them particularly so, the other frequently called out to those on shore apparently very much enraged with them’. * Adding further proof of Lieutenant Bradley’s unwillingness to carry out this order I submit the following quote. ‘it was by far the most unpleasant service I was ever order’d to execute.’ I therefore submit that Lieutenant Bradley is guilty of no crime other then the following orders. I also submit that lieutenant Bradley showed compassion and sensitivity in carrying out this most unpleasant task.
I therefore suggest to this court that no criminal action should be taken against Lieutenant Bradley and the court should consider whether any action should be taken against Governor Phillip.
By Jessikah Kettlewell.