"Colonial Office,
"January 28th, 1834.
"Sir,
"I am directed by Mr. Secretary Stanley to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd instant, transmitting a printed sketch of the objects for which the South Australian Association has been formed; and I have to acquaint you that he will be able to receive a deputation of the Company on Friday next, at two o'clock. Having paid the utmost attention to the prospects now submitted to him, varying, as they do, most materially from those before offered to his notice, Mr. Stanley feels it expedient thus early to apprise the Company that there are many of them to which he thinks it impossible that he can give his sanction.
"I have the honour, &c.
"Richard Earle,
"Private Secretary."
"Immediately on receipt of this letter, I sent a copy to each of the Sub-Committee, and announced a meeting on Thursday to consider of the form of communicating with Stanley.
"Jan. 31.—The deputation appointed to be received to-day consisted of Grote, M. D. Hill, Rowland Hill, Parkes, Pottinger and Gouger. They were received by Stanley in the presence of Hay, Lefevre and Earle, his three secretaries. Mr. Grote commenced the conversation by 'apologising for the absence of Mr. Whitmore, who, although not present, took a very warm interest in the scheme. Advertisements had been issued with a view to ascertain whether or not the public would sanction the measure; this was the sole object of those announcements having been issued. The effects of these advertisements were that numerous offers had been made of money, and that a considerable number of respectable persons were desirous of going to the colony. The
