victs; but free settlers will be ruled by nothing short of a system of civil liberty. It would be idle to construct a constitution beyond the wants of the people who are to be benefited by it, or beyond their capability of enjoying it. Thus a representative Government in New South Wales would at present be a wild and futile scheme. But the protection of an authority, limited and regulated by law, they have a right to demand; and if English statesmen do not bestow it, other means will assuredly be taken by which it will be obtained." This theme he returned to later in the pamphlet, saying:—
"I cannot refrain again here (from) entreating your Lordship to reconsider the opinion you have given on the propriety of continuing the Governor of New South Wales in his present authority unchecked and uncontrouled except by the Colonial Office at home; which … is fourteen thousand miles distant. The recommendation of the Committee in 1812 ought to have carried some weight in influencing your opinion; but the events of the Colony since that period demonstrate the necessity of that measure. A consistent and intelligent administration of the affairs of the Colony is of primary importance … which cannot be obtained under the present vicious establishment, and which is essential to the wellbeing of the settlement."
The actual reforms suggested by Bennet were moderate enough, and indeed were very similar to the final recommendations of Bigge himself.
The commission with which Bigge was invested gave him power "to examine into all the Laws, Regulations and Usages of the settlements[1] … and into every other matter or thing in any way connected with administration of the Civil Government, the Superintendence and Reform of the Convicts, the state of the Judicial, Civil and Ecclesiastical Establishments, Revenues, Trade and internal resources thereof, and to report to us the information which you shall collect, together with your opinion thereupon".[2]
In order that he might take evidence on oath, Macquarie was to make him a magistrate of the territory.[3]
But more important than his commission were the instruc-
