The Gazette’s report of Bennelong’s death served as a platform to condemn Aboriginal reactions to the benefits of civilisation. The final sentence widened the abyss of misunderstanding by separating Bennelong from mankind and portraying him as a “thorough savage, whose form and character” were given to him by “nature”. That Bennelong’s “propensity for drunkenness” was a response to “civilized life” does not appear to have occurred to Howe.
‘Bennelong died on Sunday morning last at Kissing Point. Of this veteran champion of the native tribe little favourable can be said. His voyage to, and benevolent treatment in Great Britain produced no change whatever in his manners and inclinations, which were naturally barbarous and ferocious. The principal Officers of Government had for many years endeavoured, by the kindest of usage to wean him from his original habits, and draw him into a relish for civilized life; but every effort was in vain exerted, and for the last few has been little noticed. His propensity to drunkedness was inordinate; and when in that state he was insolent, menacing and overbearing. In fact, he was a thorough savage, not to be warped from the form and character that nature gave him, by all the efforts that mankind could use.’36
23rd of January, 1813: royal birthday celebrations
Royal birthday celebrations brought together at Government House one hundred and twenty government officials and landed property owners with many agendas. The combination of native flora and scenes of Aboriginal people in the decorations showed that the settlers bundled flora, fauna and Aboriginal people together in response to the unwillingness of Aboriginal people to embrace the wonders of civilisation. This legacy continues in many of our museums.
Michael Robinson,37 whose skill with his pen led to his transportation, was responsible for a number of Odes. His Odes of 1811 and 1813 shared a common theme of race. In 1811 he urged the benefits of civilisation on the “sable race”; however, in 1813 after Wellington’s Peninsula victories his focus was on Albion’s “illustrious race”, ignoring George’s Germanic origins and Queen Charlotte’s African ancestry.
While Governor Macquarie described Robinson as “the Poet Laureat”, it may be that Robinson’s position was more that of a bard to the fancy of a Highland chieftain.
‘Monday last the 18th, being the BIRTH-DAY of HER MAJESTY, was celebrated with the fullest demonstrations of duteous loyalty and respect. As Usual, the Royal Standard was displayed from Fort Phillip, whence it was an object of interesting admiration. The Union was hoisted at Dawes's Battery: At twelve o'clock a Royal Salute was fired from the latter; and shortly afterwards three vollies proceeded from the 73d Regiment, who were paraded in Hyde Park, in honor of the Day. At one o'clock the GOVERNOR, having returned from the Park, received the congratulations of the Civil, Naval, and Military Officers, and of the Gentlemen, Residents of the Colony; as a proof of the general feelings of respect for Her Majesty we have to observe, that the Levee Was most numerous. All seemed alike disposed to mark their loyalty, and we did not miss a single person who could express his zeal by his attendance at the Levee.-During the Levee, an Ode (the production of a Gentleman whose poetic talents we have had repeatedly the pleasure to bear our small tribute, of praise to) was recited by the Author, Mr. M. Robinson. We refer our Readers to our present columns for the satisfaction which we anticipate their deriving from the perusal of the Poem itself. The Ball and Supper Room in the evening at Government House surpassed by far any thing of the kind yet attempted in this Colony, and excited general admiration. The decorations of the Ball Room were composed of native shrubs and flowers, joined into festoons, and suspended from pillars ejected for the purpose, which were lighted by transparent, lamps, representing the native inhabitants of the Colony in their different occupations and scenes of life, and the whole produced a novel and pleasing effect.-The Company consisted of 120 persons. At ten o'clock the Supper Room was opened; to which succeeded a renewal of the sprightly Dance that continued till three o'clock in the morning when the Company retired highly gratified with the Entertainment of the Evening.’38 ‘ODE
FOR, THE QUEENS BIRTH-DAY,
1813.
By MR. MICHAEL ROBINSON. RETIR'D within the silent Glen