brought about, after so much labour and difficulties so very
discouraging, your merit has been very great, and your
conduct such as in my opinion deserves great reward."
Thus gladdened at the close of his career by testimony
from England the successful Governor received hearty
expressions of goodwill from all in the colony. Deputations
waited upon him. Major Johnston represented the
military. The Judge-Advocate headed the civil officers.
John Macarthur represented the free inhabitants. Mutual
compliments and friendly feelings were expressed.
King reciprocated their "kind good wishes, and what is equally dear to me, your sentiments of my conduct in the situation I have had the honour to hold in these settlements." For the support and assistance he had received from the different classes of His Majesty's subjects he was truly grateful, and "although he had obtained leave to resign his office, at no period of his future existence would an earnest desire and solicitude be wanting to do his utmost in forwarding the interests of this remote part of His Majesty's dominions, and the prosperity of the inhabitants." He promulgated his "approbation of the general good conduct" of the New South Wales Corps, and of the Sydney and Parramatta Loyal Associations. He published as a final Order "the entire approbation by His Majesty of his government of the colony," and announced that "all existing General Orders, proclamations, and local regulations were to remain in full force and effect," unless formally altered. As he passed to the wharf military honours were paid to him by the New South Wales Corps and the Sydney Loyal Association, "which were repeated on Governor Bligh's repassing the line after taking leave of Governor King at the wharf."
A few words may be devoted to the remnant of King's life. Like other governors, he was in after years accused of having prostituted his position by conferring grants of land too largely on himself. In the record he left of the state of the colony at the time of Hunter's supersession he declared his intention to abstain from commercial, or farming, or other pursuits for gain. He adhered to his resolve, but he allotted grants to each of four children. The largest grant was of 660 acres to his eldest son,
