"January 27th.—Received letters from Grote, Clay, and G. W. Norman, saying that they positively declined acting as commissioners for founding the colony of South Australia. The two first of these gentlemen retire merely in consequence of the change in Government—they will not act with persons whom they go into Parliament to oppose. At the same time they declare their full adherence to the principles of the measure. Mr. Norman, on the contrary, does not enter into the question of change in Ministry, but says his opinion has altered upon the plan itself—he thinks it can only be carried into effect by the Government as a ministerial measure. Thus our friends desert us, and, as usual, in our greatest hour of need.
"January 28th.—Had a long conversation with Jacob Montefiore—he is anxious to be a commissioner, and savs he approves fully of the measure, and thinks there is ample security afforded in the Act whereby to raise the required loan. How the money market will receive it is a different question; but he will give it at all times as his opinion that the money ought to be raised on the security offered. I told him that I should be very glad to name him as commissioner if he would exert himself to carry the measure. He declared he would, and I therefore told him his name should be on the list.
"Wrote a letter to Angas asking him to join the commission.
"January 29th, 1835.
"My Dear Sir,
"I was this morning favoured with your letter, of the 28th inst., requesting permission to send in my name to Lord Aberdeen as one of the individuals willing to act as a commissioner under the South Australian Colony Act. As the present Government is disposed to appoint the commissioners, irrespective of their political sentiments, and declare that their acceptance
