12
document in question for correction, and, in extreme cases, to decline altogether to submit it, recording his reason for so doing.
4. That every document submitted to His Excellency the Governor may be observed on by the Secretary, for the information of His Excellency; and that the former is expected to point out anything in such document he deems worthy of observation.
5. That the Secretary is bound to report to His Excellency the Governor every matter of importance which may come to his know ledge; but that, with regard to questions of detail which may be submitted to him, he must take the responsibility of the settling of the same, without troubling His Excellency on trifling matters.
6. That the several departments of the Government are, in all cases, to consider instructions given by the Colonial Secretary as emanating from the Governor himself; and the Secretary will be responsible to His Excellency for any abuse of his authority.I do not know that any Government officer, except the governor of the gaol, obeyed the mandate. I know that at least four heads of departments, including myself, protested against it, and withheld or refused our obedience. Of these, the chief magistrate of police, Mr. Davies, complained in his place in Legislative Council, demanded explanations, which were not granted, and menaced the governor with resignation of his office, if the measure were confirmed in Downing Street. But Downing Street has not yet been consulted.
Our jealousy, well founded in law, was equally founded in policy. We knew the antecedents of the man, into whose hands the governor, whether moved by love of ease, or by a worse motive, had thus surrendered his power.
His professional malpractices were notorious in the Colony. One of them was recorded in the Parliamentary blue books of 1857; and it was one
