Major Lettsome left Sydney for the purpose of proceeding to Dr, Mackay’s station on the Ovens River, to inquire into the circumstances alleged to have been committed by the Blacks. Lettsome was supposed to interview Benjamin Reed but the height of the Ovens River prevented him from travelling to William Bowman’s Tarrawingee station where Reed was working as a stockman.
Lettsome took a statement from John MacKay about the siege and enquired as to the whereabouts of the ringleaders of the attack. He learned they were believed to have gone to Melbourne.
Lettsome travelled to Melbourne and took out 3 warrants to arrest the main offenders of the attack on Dr George MacKay’s.
On the 30th of September Major Lettsome, accompanied by Lieutenant Russell and a party of mounted police proceeded to an encampment of the Blacks on the left bank of the Yarra Yarra River, which they found deserted.
Mr Thomas (this would be William Thomas aboriginal protector for south-east Melbourne area)
William Thomas informed Lettsome that the Blacks had crossed the river to another camp and enquired, ‘If all these
mounted policemen were there for the purpose of interfering with the poor blacks?’ adding, ‘that it was a sorry affair.’
Lettsome replied he was acting according to instructions received from his Excellency the Governor George Gipps. However, Mr Thomas insisted that Lettsome’s orders were in opposition to the instructions which he had received from the Home Government. Mr Thomas’ argument was ignored.
Major Lettsome then re-crossed the Yarra Yarra River at a ford and reached a second encampment however, the Blacks he had come to arrest effected their escape by swimming across the river.
Major Lettsome searched the camp and took three muskets, one pistol, and a quantity of ammunition.
Major Lettsome wrote the Blacks whom he was in search of were amongst those who effected
their escape.
One of the escapees had on a former occasion fired at Mr Gisborne, and Lieutenant Russell and his party, in the month of May last, on the banks of the same river.
Major Lettsome wrote he intended to return to Sydney as the challenge of apprehending the natives he was after was too difficult.
REFERENCE: The above account is from Major Lettsome’s letter to Governor George Gipps, dated Sydney, 23 October 1840
Rather than return to Sydney Major Lettsome headed to Western Port to investigate a report by Mr Jamieson that an attack had been made on his station by unknown Blacks. He was unsuccessful in apprehending the culprits and returned to Melbourne where he learned that the Blacks (Merriman and Harlequin) whom he was in pursuit were encamped within a few miles of Melbourne.
