Mr. Palmer, stating his willingness to act, should your Lordship be pleased to appoint him one of the commissioners, but at the same time expressing a wish to have the name of his son inserted in the commission instead of his own.
"Since the retirement of Mr. Wolryche Whitmore the executive functions which he performed as chairman have fallen upon me. Having- much more leisure, and, perhaps, I may venture to add, more knowledge of the object and principles of the proposed colony than the other gentlemen who are now willing to act as commissioners, I am desirous, should the arrangement be approved and sanctioned by your Lordship, to continue, after the commission shall be formed, to serve under the Colonial Office as chairman in the place of Mr. W. Whitmore.
"I have the honour to be, &c., &c.,
"Robert Torrens."
"As it was considered desirable that the wishes of the colonists should be expressed in regard to the immediate appointment of the commissioners, it was agreed that I should write the following letter to Torrens for him to send to Lord Aberdeen:—
"My dear Sir,
"In sending you the names of the gentlemen who are willing to become commissioners under the South Australian Colony Act, I am requested by the body of persons intending to go to the colony, to beg you will represent to Lord Aberdeen their ardent hope that his Lordship will, by the early appointment of the commissioners, relieve them from the embarrassment and anxiety which the lengthened delay has occasioned. This point the colonists hope you will do all you can to impress upon his Lordship, and I am convinced you will not fail to do so, as you are aware of the injuries
