Cox's advice was taken, and nothing in the petition suggested 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 Campbell'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 improper 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