"Since writing the above I have seen Hill, who gives a very different report of Napier's visit to the commissioners. They think him mad. and his conduct was so annoying to them that they agreed to try and prevent his being governor. He said he would not trust to New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land taking off the labourers should they be distressed. He would have a King's ship there for the purpose, with other trash of the same kind. Torrens was so perturbed as to get to something like high words with Napier. However, he left, and on his leaving it was agreed that Barnard should go to the Colonial Office, to try to prevent the continuance of their negotiation with him, and to appoint somebody else in his stead. Napier has certainly put on a new style of action.
"The interruption of Napier, prevented the commissioners finishing the terms of selling land; a new idea was started by Barnes, which, indeed, would have prevented this at any rate. He suggests that all land shall be sold for 12s. an acre, subject to a land-tax, which shall be the matter of competition. Thus, when an eligible situation is offered for sale, the competitors will bid up the land-tax, and so provide a fund for the maintenance of Government. Mr. Freshfield's opinion is to be taken as to its legality.
"May 26th.—Received letter from Brown. The intelligence of my appointment being confirmed is the source of no small woe at Barkway, though, of course, expected.
"On my arrival in town I found the annexed letter awaiting me from Edward Wakefield. He has written, it seems, to Torrens, Hill, and Hutt. The last of these read his letter in part to the commissioners at their meeting yesterday, but its arguments did not change the course of action adopted by the commissioners:—
