There could be little doubt that the convicts had been the aggressors, though the man who returned strongly denied having given any kind of provocation.
30 May 1788 On the thirtieth of May, two men who had been employed in collecting rushes for thatch at some distance from the camp, were found dead.

One of them had four spears in his body, one of which had pierced entirely through it: the other had not any marks of violence upon him.

In this case it was clearly proved that the first injury had been offered by the unfortunate men, who paid so dearly for their dishonesty and disobedience of orders; for they had been seen with a canoe, which they had taken from one of the fishing places.

These events were much regretted by Governor Phillip, as tending entirely to the frustration of the plan he had so much at heart, of conciliating the affections of the natives, and establishing a friendly intercourse with them.
As the rush-cutters tools had been carried away, the Governor thought it might be possible to discover the natives who had been concerned in this unfortunate affray; and to make them understand that the conduct of their assailants had been entirely unwarranted, and was very highly disapproved.

He judged the attempt to be at least worth making, as it seemed the only way to restore that confidence which must have been interrupted by this affair.