Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/301

rebels. By mid-day on the 5th most of the weapons scattered between Sydney and Parramatta had been taken to Sydney. At Parramatta King proclaimed the districts of Parramatta, Castle Hill, Toongabbe, Prospect, Seven and Baulkham Hills,^[1] Hawkesbury, and Nepean, to be in a state of rebellion, and established "martial law throughout those districts." All who might not assist in apprehending and giving up to a magistrate any one unprovided with a pass were "under pain of being tried by martial law." Every person in rebellious opposition not giving himself up within twenty-four hours "will be tried by court-martial, and suffer the sentence." "And if they or any of them give up the ringleaders to justice, it may be an effectual means of procuring them that amnesty which it is so much my wish to grant." Major Johnston's official report to his commanding officer was:—

". . . By his Excy. Governor King's orders I proceeded immediately to Parramatta, where we arrived at the dawn of day. I halted at the barracks about twenty minutes to refresh my party (two officers, two sergeants, and fifty-two rank and file), and then marched to Government House; and agreeable to his Excellency's orders, divided my detachment, giving Lieut. Davies command of half, and taking Quartermaster Laycock and the other half with one trooper (Handlesack) and myself. Having the Governor's instructions to march in pursuit of the rebels—the Toongabbe Road—I proceeded that way, and directed Lieut. Davies to take the road towards Castle Hill. On my arrival at Toongabbe I was informed the rebels, in number about 400, were on the summit of the hill. I immediately detached a corporal with four privates and about six inhabitants armed with muskets to take them in flank, whilst I proceeded with the rest up the hill, when I found the rebels had marched on for the Hawkesbury, and after a pursuit of about ten miles I got a sight of them. I immediately rode forward, attended by the trooper and Mr. Dixon, the Roman Catholic priest, calling to them to halt; that I wished to speak to them. They desired that I would come into the middle of them, as their captains were there, which I refused, observing to them that I was within pistol shot, and that it was in their power to kill me, and that their captains must have very little spirit if they would not come forward to speak to me; upon which two persons (Cunningham and Johnston) advanced towards me as their leaders, to whom I represented the impropriety of their conduct, and advised them to surrender, and that I would mention them in as favourable terms as possible to the Governor. Cunningham replied that they would have death or liberty. Quartermaster Laycock with the detachment just then appearing in sight, I clapped