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The Mayor repelled the insinuation as to the incapacity of the Province for self-government; and repudiated the suspicion that there exists a natural incongruity, an inherent repugnancy, and an indefinable antagonism between Municipal Institutions and the Crown, and burst forth into the following glowing eulogium ofthe British Constitution : — " W h e n w e reflect on the height of glory to yvhich our native land has attained, or under yvhat Constitution this has occurred, w e shall not I a m certain fail in veneration for her Institutions, or in loyalty for our gracious Sovereign. In riches unsurpassed—her dominions stretching from sea to sea—her commerce co-extensive yvith the world, her navy has been the mistress of the ocean, and her military glory has not been eclipsed by the brightest periods of history. B y her, Liberty has been nursed to be the example and model of all countries. B y her, Civilization and the Arts have subjugated the refractoriness of Nature. B y her, the torch of Science has been kindled and borne into the most distant corners of the earth. B y her, from all appearances, is likely to be accomplished the prediction of the prophet, the consummation of our most devout wishes, that ' the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.' Our Constitution under which these blessings have arisen, is no m e a n or inartificial contrivance adapted only for vulgar uses, or the c o m m o n necessities of mankind. It is a contrivance of consummate wisdom, receiving fresh increments from every fresh necessity, yvhich has been consolidated by time, and cemented by our best feelings ; and while it is admirably adapted to our c o m m o n wants) it is no less perfectly suited to develop those higher efforts of genius which elevate and dignify our nature. Like some fair and stately edifice, it unites durability and convenience with symmetry of proportions, and the exterior enrichments of style. If such then be the parent, such also should be the offspring. O u r ancestry should stimulate us to noble deeds. W e should love and venerate the parent institution. A sapling of the tree of Liberty which has been planted a m o n g us, comes of so noble a stock that there is no other colony in the world which can boast so unblemished a lineage. M a y its fair and goodly branches overshadow the length and breadth of the land, and may we, yvhile reposing under its shade, and conscious of the blessings which w e enjoy, remit no effort, spare no exertions, think no labour misemployed, to perpetuate the inheritance undiminished to our children." T h e political neglect and contumely with which Port Phillip had been systematically treated, was thus poyverfully pourtrayed by His Worship :— " Our representation is a gross and palpable mockery ; our revenues are seized and transported as tribute-money to Sydney, and our expostulations are not merely disregarded, but treated yvith undisguised derision. W e r e beacons to mark the selfishness of mankind necessary, the Sydney Legislature would afford them. Its conduct, in relation to Port Phillip, has presented an instance of undissembled injustice, and of un-ambiguous selfishness. Set as the guardian of popular rights, it has itself become the perpetrator of the grossest spoliation. Like wreckers, gathering membra disjecta of the battered vessel, this cormorant body —this loquacious blustering assembly—has permitted itself to profit by our misfortunes, and has put forth its rapacious hand on our Poor Box. It is scarcely credible, but the small sum yvhich had accumulated from the sale of unclaimed pounded cattle (which I, yvith others, had looked forward to as the means of furnishing an outfit for the Hospital, and which was applied for by His Honor the Superintendent for that purpose), has been withdrawn with the rest of the spoils, by order of the Legislative body. And, yet w h o can withhold regret, or yvitness without grief, the apathy, inexertion, and want of union visible a m o n g all classes, a m o n g the settlers more especially, which paralyse every effort for redress, and render a combined demonstration of our grievances almost impracticable ? If m e n are sometimes roused to an exercise of their political rights, the effort is only partial, it is an incohate and feeble struggle, or it is disgraced by some ignominious act of trickery. Under these circumstances (and this is the point of m y observations) a duty, as it appears to m e has devolved on the Corporation, yvhich does not naturally pertain to it—a duty, under considerable limitations, of expressing political opinions, and of striving for political objects. Under a more auspicious order of things this duty yvould devolve on the Supreme Legislature of the Colony ; but, betraying its trust as it has lately done, and converting what yvas intended for our benefit into our harm, there appears no other recognized public body, besides the Corporation, by yvhich these objects can be attempted." But this brilliant oration was little more than a rhetorical rocket, for there never was a Mayor more remarkable as a failure, than Dr. Palmer. Low, personal, contentions at the Council meetings, fell away considerably; but this yvas due rather to the improved class of m e n returned, than to the example of the