260 population. [1839. 



llsh a colony and military post, at Port Essington, on the 

 Coburg peninsula. The situation fixed upon for the settle- 

 ment is a favorable one in a military aspect, and well located 

 for a commercial emporium, though there is not, in its im- 

 mediate neighborhood, a sufficient extent of soil for an agri- 

 cultural or pastoral colony. 



According to a census taken in 1841, the population of 

 New South Wales, including Port Phillip, amounted to 

 87,298 males, and 43,558 females, making, in all, 130,856, 

 double the number seven years previous. In this computa- 

 tion were included 26,977 convicts. The population of West 

 Australia, at that time, was supposed to be about three thou- 

 sand, and the white settlers of the two other colonies proba- 

 bly amounted to about fifteen thousand. 



The executive power in the colony of New South Wales 

 resides in a governor, who is assisted by a council consisting 

 of the highest officers of government. He also shares the 

 legislative power with a council, composed of private individ- 

 uals appointed from among the principal settlers and mer- 

 chants, and persons elected as representatives by the people, 

 constituting altogether a sort of colonial assembly. Both 

 councils are appointed by the king. Every new law is pro- 

 posed by the governor, who, after submitting it to the chief 

 justice, to obtain his opinion whether or not it contains any- 

 thing contrary to the law of England, lays it before the leg- 

 islative assembly. If they approve of the bill, it must be trans- 

 mitted to the home government and laid before the British 

 Parliament within slx months. The sovereign may inter- 

 pose his, or her veto, at any time within three years. This 

 tedious process of legislation has naturally created discontent, 

 and elicited frequent murmurs among a people unusually 

 firm in their loyalty, and devoted in their attachment to the 

 " fast-anchored isle." They are now making strenuous ex- 

 ertions to obtain a colonial parliament, and it is to be hoped 

 their wishes will be regarded : for when we consider the im- 

 mense distance, about twelve thousand miles, that separates 

 them from the home government, it seems as unjust as it is 



