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| ‘Lalor rose, and said - "Gentlemen, I find myself in the responsible position I now occupy, for this reason. The diggers, outraged at the unaccountable conduct of the Camp officials in such a wicked licence-hunt at the point of a bayonet... took it as an insult to their manhood... The diggers rushed to their tents for arms, and crowded on Bakery-hill. They wanted a leader. No one came forward... I mounted the stump, where you saw me, and called on the people to ‘fall in’ into divisions, according to the fire-arms they had got, and to chose their own captains... My call was answered with unanimous acclamation... I make no pretensions to military knowledge. I have not the presumption to assume the chief command... However, if you appoint me your commander-in-chief, I shall not shrink.’’’ Raffaello Carboni, The Eureka stockade. Melbourne, J.P. Atkinson, 1855, p. 48. |
ImageTitle Peter LalorArtist Ludwig Becker Description Lithograph, 1856. H5601 La Trobe Picture Collection. |
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