Page:The founding of South Australia.djvu/137

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A CROWN COLONY.
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Governor. This is a bad omen, for if Stanley is inclined to give away the appointments according to the interest made by individuals, and not according to the fitness of the persons, there is much fear of the colony failing from that cause. This excited much discussion between Edward and D. Wakefield and myself, and it was determined to go to the House, to try to get Whitmore to interfere privately. As to my own place, it was determined that I should take the following letter to Lefevre, in the morning of to-morrow, but this was not done from Whitmore asking me for it in the House after a conversation with Edward Wakefield.


"7, John Street, Adelphi,
"April 19th.

"Sir,

"Knowing that if you should assent to the formation of a colony in South Australia, numerous applications will immediately be made to you for the appointment of Colonial Secretary, I trust that you will not think me indiscreet in thus early expressing a hope that you will be pleased to confer the appointment upon me.

"The grounds upon which I venture to make this request are, the years which I have devoted to this undertaking, and I hope I may add, my knowledge of the principles and details of the mode of colonisation about to be pursued. I can have no other claim upon your good opinion; and as I am totally unknown to you, I beg leave to refer you for evidence on this point to the committee of the South Australian Association, and in particular to Mr. Mills, Mr. Hutt, Mr. G. W. Norman, Mr, R. Currie, Colonel Torrens, Mr. Grote, and Mr. Whitmore.

"I have the honour to be, sir,
"R. Gouger."


"Whitmore took this letter into the House, and, in