CHAPTEE VII. 

 THE FIRST ATTEMPT AT GOVERNMENT. 



CAPTAIN WILLIAM LONSDALE, who for nearly three years acted as 

 the deputy of vice-royalty, and practically exercised the functions of 

 a Lieutenant-Governor, without the pay or prestige of the position, 

 was a man of kindly intention and genial temperament, at this 

 time somewhat past the prime of life. From the conflicting state- 

 ments which had from time to time reached Sydney, he was by no 

 means certain whether his mission would be favourably regarded, 

 and Sir Kichard Bourke, who thought it possible that some resist- 

 ance might be offered to the establishment of authority, directed 

 him to apply to Captain Hobson for the marines of the Rattlesnake, 

 if necessary, to overawe any attempted lawlessness. The precaution 

 was, however, quite unnecessary, for Lonsdale found the little com- 

 munity very orderly, the only indication to the contrary being the 

 tearing down of the proclamation which he had caused to be posted 

 in the town, probably the work of some mischievous youngsters. 

 He mentions that one of the first persons who made himself known 

 was Dr. Thomson, the medical superintendent and "catechist," 

 who called upon him, with a formidable pair of pistols in his belt, 

 and expressed much gratification at his arrival, as the people were, 

 he said, in a lawless state, and he was always in dread of being 

 assaulted. This is certainly quite at variance with Dr. Thomson's 

 statement as published in his letter to Latrobe in 1854, wherein he 

 praises the quiet behaviour of the people. And, as a matter of fact, 

 nearly all the inhabitants above the rank of servants were men 

 deeply imbued with a sense of the importance of their mission. 

 Resolute, adventurous and undaunted by difficulties, they were the 

 right material for nation building. With all the courageous enthusi- 

 asm that inspired the Pilgrim Fathers of New England, they were 



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