The Proclamation

On 28 December, Governor John Hindmarsh, accompanied by other officials from the Buffalo, came ashore at Holdfast Bay. In the heat of the summer afternoon, under an old gum tree, Stevenson read the words of the Proclamation of the Province of South Australia:

PROCLAMATION
By His EXCELLENCY JOHN HINDMARSH,
Knight of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic
Order, Governor and Commander-in-Chief
of
HIS MAJESTY’S PROVINCE
of
South Australia.

In announcing to the colonists of His Majesty’s Province of South Australia, the establishment of the Government, I hereby call upon them to conduct themselves on all occasions with order and quietness, duly to respect the laws, and by a course of industry and sobriety, by the practice of sound morality, and a strict observance of the Ordinances of Religion, to prove themselves worthy to be the Founders of a great and free Colony.

It is also, at this time especially, my duty to apprize the Colonists of my resolution, to take every lawful means of extending the same protection to the NATIVE POPULATION as to the rest of His Majesty’s Subjects, and of my firm determination to punish with exemplary severity, all acts of violence or injustice which may in any manner be practiced or attempted against the NATIVES, who are to be considered as much under the Safeguard of the law as the Colonists themselves, and equally entitled to the privileges of British Subjects. I trust therefore, with confidence to the exercise of moderation and forbearance by all Classes, in their intercourse with the NATIVE INHABITANTS, and that they will omit no opportunity of assisting me to fulfil His Majesty’s most gracious and benevolent intentions towards them, by promoting their advancement in civilisation, and ultimately, under the blessing of Divine Providence, the conversion to the Christian Faith.

By his Excellency’s command,
ROBERT GOUGER,
Colonial Secretary.
Glenelg, 28th December, 1836.

GOD SAVE THE KING.

Glenelg: Printed by authority, by ROBERT THOMAS and CO., Government Printers.