iv. 30 November 1839

Letter 4: Günther to Coates, 30 November 1838, p.1.
Class Mark: C N/O 47/4
MS page no: 3-017
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[Note] Rec. May 6/39

Sydney, Novbr.30th 1838 [3]

My dear Sir,
I have forwarded to you through the lay Committee such a deal of writing respecting our Mission at Wellington Valley that I am almost afraid of troubling you with an addition. But as our difficulties appear to increase daily and the Mission is more and more threatened to be destroyed I cannot avoid communicating to you my apprehension and would now more particularly direct your attention to the news paper called the Australian a copy of which (November 13th instant.) I forward to you. You will observe in it a Memorial petitioning for a township to be laid out at Wellington Valley, prefaced by a comment on our last Annual Report, which comment especially breathes that spirit of enmity so prevalent in this Colony to missions among the poor Aborigines. That the statements contained in our last report afford some encouragement, at least, for missionary exertions among these wretched savages, is evident to every candid observer, and some public writers in the Colony have not failed to express their satisfaction etc. But the "Australian" having no other weapon to use against us, accuses us of exaggeration and calls, with the Politicians, the Mission a "failure". I would just ask on what grounds his arguments rest. He lays great stress on the fact that 12 magistrates have signed the Memorial and will make the Public believe that they from their own knowledge consider the Mission to have, as it regards the Adult Natives, have entirely failed. Their own knowledge! Why, some of them I have reason to suspect have never been at Wellington at least not for years, others have just past through, once or twice, and, a the utmost, made some inquiry of those who are opposed to the Mission, and not one of them since I have been at Wellington Valley have the candour and justice to examine the state of the Mission at the only proper place. The same remarks hold true with the rest of the petitioners. I know only of one Magistrate and one respectable gentleman in the neighbourhood that have of late endeavoured to obtain some

People in WellPro Directory: Coates, Dandeson

Letter 4: Günther to Coates, 30 November 1838, p.2.
Class Mark: C N/O 47/4
MS page no: 3-018
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correct knowledge of the true state of the Mission, in the right quarter. These two gentlemen, though they were requested, have not signed. Where the Editor of the Australian gleaned his information upon the subject, I also can easily guess, of course, from the same source where the petition originated. Excuse me if I enter farther upon the particular observations. They would deem it a case of extreme hardship if the interests of the European population should be compromised etc etc etc. They had rather straitforwardly and candidly said 'compromised by the interests of the Blacks' and partly acknowledge the principle entertained and acted upon by so many settlers, that Europeans have the first claim to the land and the Blacks must be thankful if they are allowed to exist and get occasionally a feed with Europeans, a feed which is not, as is pretended, given by European servants, only out of kindness, for toward the poor Natives, but often as the wages of sin, to prevail on the Native men to lend their wives, as the victims of vice, a crime, which has increased to an alarming degree. In conclusion the Petitioners endeavour to confound our objections to a township by showing that they would equally apply to what already exists and taking strange and deceitful advantage of the existence of a Police Force, as if ignorant, how much we are objected to that Establishment, or, as if now admitted by us to be no obstacle to the Mission. Indeed, that Establishment was devised and promoted by the same individuals, who now, so soon after the same selfish and ungenerous proceedings,[4] petitioned for a township. That such would be the consequences, we justly apprehended, after giving way to the first step of intruding on the Land appropriated by the Home Government for the use of the Aboriginal Mission. It is not my provenance to enter on the necessity of a township to be formed somewhere in the neighbourhood, I do not deny it, nor do I deny that Wellington Valley is a suitable place, but whether the only suitable place, remains to be proved. I have in my other writings adverted to the formation of a township and Wellington Valley as being utterly at variance with the interest of the Mission, and if brought to pass would at once have the necessity of the Mission being

People in WellPro Directory: Coates, Dandeson

Letter 4: Günther to Coates, 30 November 1838, p.3.
Class Mark: C N/O 47/4
MS page no: 3-019
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removed. The lay Committee could not fail to concur with our stance. But as the subject began to be urgently pursued so distressingly, I take the liberty of pointing out the particulars of their objections to a township close to the Mission.
I, If a few European neighbours and some immoral servants as the Mission have hitherto proved, as they most certainly have, a general obstacle to the Mission it is evident that a denser population, and that in a town close the Mission, would have proportionately a more destructive influence on the Natives, for we cannot but apprehend that the town would be composed of such individuals as would most seriously interrupt missionary proceedings.
II, The conflux of people of the worst stamp would certainly be great and thus the objective raised under the preceding head would become changed.
III, It would according to our experience hitherto be impossible for the missionary to have that control over the natives which is utterly requisite. There would be too many camp natives for them to run away from their books and work and they would less depend on our support as they could find more means to be supported otherwise etc etc
IV, The scenes of curiosity would become so multifarious that their attention would be considerably distracted. This would first reduce their wandering habits, then would only take a little different turn.
V, That a township would soon contain some Public House is very natural in this Colony. Into what beastly habits all those Blacks have got who have lived in or frequented the Colonial town, is well known to every one who has only a short time resided here.
VI, The Natives would besides be tempted to all manner of luxurious habits, which the Mission would be unable to afford and want to buy many things and thus need money, And as the Missionaries would refuse to give that, they would endeavour by some means of other to procure it. Even now, as the Natives have latterly had some opportunity in the neighbourhood of buying and consequently know some of the value of money, we are often plagued by them for money etc etc.
VII, That the Wild Natives as they commonly are called who have known less of civilized life and prefer to live in the bush would not frequent such a populous place or at least never continue for a length of time is also most probable, [n]or would their frequenting a town prove at all favourable.
VIII, If part of the land is sold for town allotments and otherwise intruded upon, as it naturally would be. the Mission will not have sufficient land for their cattle and sheep requisite for cultivation etc. The intrusion we should be subject to would lead to many an unpleasant dispute.
IX, Without earmarking any one evil arising from the proximity of a town, I might justly add that the members of the mission themselves could [not] easily continue to live in that plain humble style as now is practicable in what is called a bush life. The expenses of the Mission would consequently increase in every respect .

People in WellPro Directory: Coates, Dandeson

Letter 4: Günther to Coates, 30 November 1838, p.4.
Class Mark: C N/O 47/4
MS page no: 3-020
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I hope and trust that the Home Society and Home Government will take a decisive step on behalf of the much neglected and injured Aboriginal inhabitants of this country and prevent the Colonists from using all to exterminate and little or nothing to improve the Blacks. Should our Mission be dissolved, it will just afford another handle to the enemy to say that such is just and such attempts to civilize the Natives have failed. Whilst it is evident, so far as were are able to judge, there is now some prospect of doing good among them. But it requires not only on the part of the Missions, it also requires also on the part of the Government something like faith and patience and as those things are not exercised the missions will not prosper. If Governments take up missions only as a reasonable speculation and will fix the time when they ought to see the compensation for a fruits of their exertions not much can be expected. All will then be attempts and attempts, rather than waiting for them to come to maturity.
I am happy to inform you that my health has been in a good condition since I have been in this country also Mrs Günther and the baby are well, especially the latter.
I remain,
Your obedient servant, J. Günther

[Postscript] Excuse haste in the arrangement and style of these objections though a little confused and hastily written the contents themselves are the production of mature consideration

[Note] Sydney. Nov.30/38 Rev.J. Günther

[Addressed to] Dandeson Coates Esq.
Secretary of the C.M. Society
Church Mission House, Salisbury Square
London

People in WellPro Directory: Coates, Dandeson