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[written in top left corner] 63 / 934 [written at top] Mr W Coxen 7 May
To His Excellency Sir George Ferguson Bowen Knight Grant Cross of St Michael and St George Governor General of the Colony of Queensland
The petition of Georgey an Aboriginal Native of the District of Darling Downs in the Colony of Queensland
Humbly sheweth That I entered the Native Police about two years and a half ago and continued a trooper until about December last when the camp Sergeant a white man having taken from me my Gin and on my speaking to him about it having cruelly illtreated me I left the Force without leave of my officer That on or about the first moon of this year for having left the Force at the place of my old Master WH Coxen Esq Bendemere by Lieutenant Carr without shewing to me any warrant or authority and who at the time of such arrest said before the servants of my Master WH Coxen Esq after reading a paper given me by Mr Coxen to shew to the Native Police of whom I was afraid " I don't care for this, but if I did my duty I should shoot you on the spot as I have done two others and you know them" That after such arrest I was fastened to the stirrup of one of the troopers of Lieutenant Carr and dragged to the police barracks at Elutha about firty miles distant from Bendemere and there I was placed in irons in the guard room That having had my irons taken off I ran away from the Barracks and got to the station of my Master WH Coxen Esq where I have been ever since That I ran away because I knew that the Native Police had shot boys who left the force without leave as I knew a boy had been shot in camp under arrest for desertion and that I was therefore to be shot too. That I will give myself up to be punished if I have done wrong if I am protected from the Native Troopers That I do not wish to remain in the Native Police any longer
[written in upper left corner] The case not being at present properly constituted by law this petitioner had perhaps better be let go. Mr Carr does not appear to have acted otherwise therein in accordance with the general instructions. Council [unreadable signature] DLM
[written in left margin] Commandant Native Police and HW Coxen informed accordingly 1 June 62
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and I would have left the Force when my officer asked me if I wanted to leave whilst in the Rockhampton District but I was afraid of being turned into the bush naked amongst Blacks who hated my people and so far from my own tribe. And I humbly pray that your Excellency will take my case into your favorable consideration and grant to me that protection which I am told as a Boy and an Aboriginal Native I am entitled to from the Queen and the Governor And I will always thank your Excellency
Dated 6th May 1863 The mark of Georgey [signed] X
Witness (having first read over and explained the petition to Georgey] [signed] James F Cross[?] Solicitor Brisbane _________ [written at the bottom] Sir I am directed by the Governor to acknowledge the receipt of this memorial presented by them to His Excellency on behalf of Georgey an Aboriginal native. His Excellency will bring this petition before his responsible advisors in the Executive Council [unreadable signature] HDO
HW Coxen Esq
