Relationships between the two races
When the Europeans first entered the territory of a particular tribe (clan, band, sub-tribe, family group), the Aborigines often thought that white men were ghosts - because of their pale skin. This was based on the knowledge of the Aborigines, that the epidermis (skin coloring) of their deceased (умерший) relatives turned white during cremation. This usually resulted in feelings of apprehension (страх) as the people were very superstitious and afraid of many spirits. However it also resulted in the people thinking that a deceased person had returned to them and they often welcomed them. This happened in the early days of the colony, when escaped convicts were welcomed into social units and lived among the people for many years.
Protectionism
The British Government and King planned to protect the Australian 'natives' during the establishment of the English Colony of New South Wales, gradually assimilating them into British society.
Arthur Phillip arrived with a plan of his own: 'I shall think it a great point gained (достижение) if I can proceed in this business without having any dispute with the natives, a few of which I shall endeavor (пытаться) to persuade to settle near us, and who I mean to furnish (снабдить) with everything they can tend (использовать) to civilize them and to give them a high opinion of the new guests, for which purpose it will be necessary to prevent the transports crew from having any intercourse (communication) with the natives if possible. The convicts must have none, for if they have, the arms of the natives will be very formidable (грозный) in their hands.'
His plan was soon frustrated (расстроен) by the convicts who were soon up to 'their old tricks' (взялись за старое).
Relationships between the two races began to deteriorate (портиться) as the Europeans began taking fish from the harbor, shooting animals and birds for food and felling (рубить) trees.
Sailors and convicts began stealing Aborigines' weapons and artifacts. Soon there were a number of instances of convicts being speared (заколоть копьем). The Aborigines began stealing hatchets (топор) and other weapons. On the 27th March, 1788, a shot was fired at Aborigines who had thrown a spear at a Captain of the Marines. On the 21st May a convict belonging to the farm on the east-side staggered (идти шатаясь) into the settlement with a spear wound. Confrontations continued and in October Philip decided to keep the 'natives' at a greater distance from the settlement. He authorized the soldiers to fire their guns at them.
Only a few major confrontations took place between the colonists and the indigenous population in the first decade. With the settling of Tasmania, however, Aboriginal communities began to be destroyed on a large scale. Despite the official British policy of protection, the 5000 Aborigines of the island were then reduced to a mere handful (горстка). On the mainland the Aboriginal communities of hunters were forced to retreat into the drier interior.
Breastplates (нагрудные металлические жетоны)
Governor Macquarie (1815 to 1820) introduced the practice of awarding breastplates to "natives who had showed some desire to become civilized British citizens".
