The equity of justice suggested by this 1830s pictogram was rarely achieved
Martial law was declared in 1828 by Lieutenant Governor Arthur. The declaration meant that military personnel were able to arrest Aboriginals without a warrant or shoot them on sight. Martial law applied to the settled areas, which was the area between Hobart and Launceston.
There were six roving parties established to hunt the Aboriginals from the settled districts. Each party was assigned to a different location to provide the best overall coverage for the settlement. Between 1828 and 1830 the roving parties had captured 20 Aboriginals and killed a further 60 - possibly more.
Martial law was revoked in 1832. During its four years of operation over 89 deaths of British/Europeans are attributed to Aboriginals, with many more injured. Of the 200+ Aboriginals who had been recorded in and around the settled district in 1828, only 50 remained.