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VEXATIOUS DELAYS.
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where I had been spending nearly three weeks. On arriving at the Office on the following day, I met Colonel Torrens, Dr. Wright, Kingston, Gilbert and Taylor. They had written to me to come to town, as they had determined to wait no longer, but to proceed at once to address the Colonial Office.

"It was finally determined that Torrens should obtain an interview with Lord Aberdeen, and learn from him whether or not he would allow us to choose our own commissioners, and whether he would reverse or retain the nominations for colonial appointments. In the meantime I agreed to furnish Torrens with letters from Grote, Clay, and Norman,' stating that they did not withdraw from the commission in consequence of any alteration of opinion as to the excellence of the measure. Torrens was also to present Lord Aberdeen with the following list of names from which the commissioners are to be selected.

Mr. Childers.
Mr. Montefiore.
Sir J. R. Reid.
Mr. H. G. Ward.
Mr. Borradaile.
Mr. Angas.
Mr. Buckle.
Mr. R. Norman.
Mr. Ward.
Mr. Mills.
Mr. Hutt.
Mr. Lyall.
Mr. G. W. Norman.
Colonel Torrens.

"January 16th.—I have at, length decided on addressing the Duke of Wellington, and this morning sent him the following letter:—

"4, Wimple Street.

"My Lord Duke,

"The passage of the South Australian Colony Bill through the House of Lords being entirely due to your Grace's expressed approval of its object and plan, and having, during the discussion on the Bill, had the honour of repeated interviews with your Grace, I venture to