276 A COLONIAL AUTOCRACY. 



to-morrow, but the waters are too much out to attempt it. ... 

 The joint letter and return I enclose you signed by the magis- 

 trates of these districts, and I would much wish the question 

 as to who should act as jurymen should not be agitated at this 

 meeting. I have no doubt the Legislature will form their own 

 opinion on that subject and lay down the law for us but 

 should they not, it will be time to canvas it here. If done now 

 it will create division which in my humble opinion is better 

 avoided if possible." 1 



Cox's advice was taken, and nothing in the petition sug- 

 gested that there was any ill-feeling in the Colony between 

 emancipists and free men. 



Marsden, who was collecting signatures at Parramatta, 

 also had trouble from the floods. He wrote to Eager: "I 

 am sorry that the weather was so bad some persons could not 

 be visited. I sent a man on horseback to Mr. Bayly's, but 

 he came back not being able to cross the creeks. I had left 

 a place for his signature . . . and I have sent it to him at 

 Sydney." 2 



Jenkins in Sydney had troubles of a different nature. 

 " I return you the skin of signatures," he wrote to Eager 

 " with the addition of only one name (Mr. Secretary Camp- 

 bell's). I have been and solicited the following persons : 

 Mr. Wentworth. 



Broughton. 



Garling. 



Harris (I believe Harris is out of town) 



Oxley. 



Johnston. 3 



but without effect. Some declare their signing would be im- 

 proper while holding the King's Commission. Mr. Johnston 

 thinks his name might injure our petition. Mr. O. dislikes the 

 Trial by Jury. Mr. Garling will consider about the propriety 

 of signing. Mr. Campbell signed very cheerfully and freely." 4 

 Campbell's readiness to sign was a good indication of the 

 Governor's hearty approval of the petition. Indeed Macquarie 



1 Appendix to Bigge's Reports. R.O., MS. 



2 Ibid. Dated i8th March, 1819. 3 The deposer of Bligh. 



4 Appendix, Bigge's Reports. Dated i8th March, 1819. R.O., MS. 



