33054-006629

50/610 - 15th Jan'y 1850 The Police Magistrate at Moreton Bay, to the Hon'ble the Colonial Secretary respecting certain Publications in the "People's Advocate" and Sydney Morning Herald - relative to the late affray with the aborigines

No.50/2 Police office, Brisbane January 9th. 1850 Sir I do myself the honor to call your attention to the enclosed letters which have appeared in the "People's Advocate" of the 22nd of Dec'r last; and in the "Sydney Morning Herald" of the 4th of January instant[?] and having reference to the late affray with the Blacks in this district. - (2) The letter signed "Minga Minga" published in the "Peoples Advocate" is a gross libel, and as such, renders the author liable to criminal prosecution.

The Hon'ble The Colonial Secretary

[Margin notes] Both the letters found it appears must be so [...] undermining[?] of police that I should strongly recommend Captain Wickham to treat these with the contempt they merit. 18th/19 ChFR

Capt'n Wickham Jann'y 1850

and the documents which were forwarded to you with my letter of the 3rd of last December are sufficient to shew that it is false (3) The reflections against me, in my public capacity, which are contained in these publications, would, if true render me quite unworthy to hold the responsible situation, I have now the honor to fill. My object therefore in referring the matter to you, is with a view to ascertain whether His Exellency the Governor considers that any notice should be taken, by me, of the slander contained in the letters alluded to; and if so,

whether I may be afforded the assistance of the Law officers of the Crown, in taken such steps as may be considered necessary by the Hon'ble the Attorney General. (4) I venture to make this request because the subject has arisen purely from the result of an investigation which I felt it was my duty to make, and I can ill afford the expense of [words illeg] Law arising [words illeg] instances[?] which [words illeg] lled[?] to notice [words illeg] of the Government [words illeg] district.[?] -

[I have] the honor to be, Sir, your most obed't Servant Jono C. Wickham Police Magistrate

Her Majesty's Service The Hon'ble The Colonial Secretary Sydney

Police office Moreton Bay

[...] the with a whether the Governor which should of the slander [...]