Page:The founding of South Australia.djvu/104

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THE FOUNDING OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

that no colony should be formed there until his report were made, or within two years. This shows Pottinger to be at least in earnest.

"March 12th.—Saw Lefevre. Wakefield has urged me to say little to Lefevre about the plan of the charter, and simply to ask for an answer. Immediately on entering the room, however, he began to talk about the objection which Stanley entertained to the plan, viz., the appointment of commissioners with the delegation of extensive powers. I answered this by saying, that the commissioners were as much dependent for their power upon the will of the Secretary of State as were the commissioners for the issue of Exchequer Bills, or any other commissioners, and that their functions were not more important to the State. This led to a conversation which lasted nearly an hour, in which he confessed that he had mistaken, or rather had not perceived, the bearing of that part of the measure, and that he was sure Stanley had not seen it. He would, therefore, speak to Stanley upon the subject, and wished me and G. W. Norman to see Stanley. I said I had no objection at any time to do so, but that it must be considered a private interview. Lefevre called the measure a most seductive one, and remarked that if the Colony were successful, as he fully believed it would he, that other Colonies would wish to be under our orders. This showed the feeling which Wakefield has always said was the guiding principle at the Colonial Office. I answered that it would be the plan, not the men who carried the plan out, that would be the matter of envy, and if this were found so good, I presumed Mr. Stanley would be glad to adopt it in other cases. I am quite certain Lefevre is sincere, and wishes to do all we require.

"March 14th.—In consequence of a message being left for me by G. W. Norman, I went down to the Colonial Office to see Lefevre. Lefevre has seen Stanley since I saw him, and has got the final instruc-