Mr. Batman was called from his home, and a fine family of daughters, to take the field after the marauding Natives. He had previously been, from love of adventure, not less than the patriotic impulse of a citizen, a chaser of flying Bushrangers, and the means of the capture of notable ruffians. Delighting in danger, and courting conflict, he was among the foremost to proffer his services to the Government in that perilous time. In his official letter, dated from his estate, Kingston, Ben Lomond, June 15th, 1829, he writes: "I have formed the determination, provided it meets with His Excellency's approbation, under certain conditions, of devoting some time, and all the exertion of which I am capable, toward bringing in alive some of that much injured and unfortunate race of beings."
This gives the key to his conduct. He regarded the Natives as injured—"much injured"—and his sympathies were called forth on behalf of the unfortunate people. They were being shot down by soldiers, constables, and settlers. They were hunted down as implacable and hungry beasts. They were unpitied and undefended. He was resolved to stand in the breach. Without assuming so much as Mr. G. A. Robinson, he was actuated by a similar spirit. Not making the Christian profession that the latter did, Batman's real desire to save the Blacks from destruction was as pure as his. The difference, and a striking difference between them was this—that while one took no weapons, the other did; though that was from the old feeling of insecurity, former habits of bandit-hunting, and the resolution to fight rather than run, when he failed to conciliate. Mr. Robinson fled from his native pursuers; but Mr. Batman would stand and face those to the death who rejected his proposed kindness, and sought his own destruction.
The Launceston Advertiser of August 24th, greeted his appointment with satisfaction, saying, "We learn from good authority that Mr. John Batman is to be employed for some time as Conductor of a party of ten Crown Prisoners, part of whom are to receive emancipation, and part tickets of leave, if they behave well. Their task is to capture all the Aborigines, or as many as they possibly can." Again, "Mr. John Batman is very well fitted for this office, from his knowledge of the Bush, from his early habits, and from his great capability of enduring fatigue and privation." Major Grey, his neighbour, a most energetic
