Correspondence with the Colonial Secretary's Office

1 To the Court

James Sullivan States. I have heard you read the statement of Hugh Finnie it is quite true up to the time when the blacks attacked us. I did not see Finnie knocked down. I saw him bleeding about the head He appeared stupid and staggering about the beach. I never expected to see him alive again. Five of us then stuck together. I did not see Wallen about. Davis then started running Southward and we all followed him. After running some few yards I turned round to look to see if the blacks were on us. I saw the Captain who had received several cuts about the head before that, with a spear through his right thigh. I heard the Captain call to Solomon. I dont know what he said to him but Solomon took hold of the spear with both hands and pulled it out dropped it and then ran again. At this time we ran in the Bush as we made for the open beach. When we saw another mob of blacks coming from the Southward towards us we then determined to take to the water. I was beside Solomon running when about five yards from the waters edge the blacks struck him. and he fell on his hands and face. I got into the water and

2 [centred] found Wilson and Davis there I swam out ten or fifteen yards and saw the blacks beating Solomons [sic] about the body with their wooden swords he appeared to me to be dead. They then left the body for two or three minutes and moved away a few yards along the beach at the expiration of that time they returned and beat the body again I then saw one black lift up his leg and pull his trousers off. I think he was dead as the legs dropped heavily. I then turned round seaward and saw Davis about fifteen yards to the seaward of Wilson. He appeared very strong in the water and was swimming out seaward looking round again to the beach I found that Solomon's body had been taken away and that a great number of the blacks had left. I then went towards Wilson and missing Davis I asked where he was he said he did not know he believed D whether Davis had gone on shore and got killed or whether he was drowned. I had been watching the shore I did not see him land. I think he swam to sea and was drowned. The blacks kept us in the water until dark throwing

4 [centred]

the beach swimming all the rivers and as we never ceased walking we arrived at Cardwell at about three o'clock the next day. We had no clothes as we had to throw everything off when the blacks kept us in the water.

[signed] James Sullivan

Taken and declared before me at the Court house Cardwell this 12^th day of March 1872

[signed] Brinsley G Sheridan P.M.

1 [centred]

William Wilson states I was one of the boat's crew that left with the Captain of the Brig Maria when she was wrecked on Bramble Reef I have heard you read the Statement of James Sullivan it is quite true. I think Davis was drowned he was a very determined man, he said to me when we found we could not defend ourselves against the blacks "For Gods sake let us take to sea and get around. I would rather be drowned than be eaten by the blacks". So I shouted to the others to come on and we ran to the water. At the edge of the water Solomon fell on his