that no part of the land-revenue should be applied to any other purpose than the importation of virtuous and industrious emigrants from the mother country, was the gratifying result.
It is unfortunately, however, no part of the duty of a colonial governor and council to sit in judgment on the expediency or the justice of the mandates of a Secretary of State. A few independent members of the colonial council remonstrated, and voted against the appropriation of any part of the colonial land-revenue towards the maintenance of the colonial police; but the government officers, and those who held it equally preposterous to have any opinion of their own, of course, did as they were bid; and the principle, which had been virtually established by Lord Viscount Goderich, and to which the reputable portion of the inhabitants of New South Wales were looking with intense anxiety for the moral renovation of their adopted country, viz. that the land-revenue should be appropriated exclusively towards the importation of virtuous and industrious free emigrants from the mother country, was forthwith set aside.[1]
- ↑ Lest the reader should suppose that it is my intention to attach any personal blame in this matter to the governor of New South Wales, it must be borne in mind, that that officer is appointed merely to administer the affairs of the colony
