Massacre at Swan River Colony

Date: 1 Jan 1830 – 31 Dec 1830
Place: Swan River Colony
Event type: massacre
Direct violence: Yes
This account was recorded in the London Literary Gazette 1830 (p 805) 'Affray at the Swan River: By accounts in the Indian papers, we learn that there has been a battle royal between the settlers and the natives at the new establishment of Swan River [Colony, Perth]. The quarrel commenced at an attempt at theft by the natives at Perth. The aborigines made a great shew of courage: they dared the settlers to fight: and one of them advanced and quietly knocked down a corporal with his waddie, a stick about two and half feet long, and an inch in diameter. The chiefs ascended the trees like monkeys, and chattered to (the newspapers say harangued) their tribes from the top of the branches. In such situations they were shot at with facility; but they feared not the thunder and lightning of the Europeans: and seven of their number were killed. The whole certainly must have been as unique as everything is connected with this wonderful settlement.'
Notes:
CorroborationRating: *
LanguageGroup: Whadjuk
Victims: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
VictimsDead: 7

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Sources

Event mentions

  • Massacre at Swan River Colony
    1 Jan 1830 – 31 Dec 1830 — Swan River Colony — massacre
    This account was recorded in the London Literary Gazette 1830 (p 805) 'Affray at the Swan River: By accounts in the Indian papers, we learn that there has been a battle royal between the settlers and the natives at the new establishment of Swan River [Colony, Perth]. The quarrel commenced at an attempt at theft by the natives at Perth. The aborigines made a great shew of courage: they dared the settlers to fight: and one of them advanced and quietly knocked down a corporal with his waddie, a stick about two and half feet long, and an inch in diameter. The chiefs ascended the trees like monkeys, and chattered to (the newspapers say harangued) their tribes from the top of the branches. In such situations they were shot at with facility; but they feared not the thunder and lightning of the Europeans: and seven of their number were killed. The whole certainly must have been as unique as everything is connected with this wonderful settlement.'
    Source: 'Affray at the Swan River', The London Literary Gazette and Journal of Belles Lettres, Arts, Sciences, Etc, London, 1830, p 805 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.32044092531243&seq=811