Page:The founding of South Australia.djvu/120

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114
THE FOUNDING OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA.


other means. In no other respect did it differ from the plan of the foregoing; letter to Lefevre, and I hesitated whether or not it would be advisable to send this in rather than the 'answers to objections.' Wakefield, however, decided this point rather roughly, and the letter and enclosure were sent in.

"March 19th.—Called on Lefevre to learn whether or not he could express a decided opinion on the plan of the Crown colony. He did not seem at all hurt at the tone of the paper he yesterday received, but denied strongly that the refusal to the chartered colony was grounded upon a love of patronage. lie had not read the letter sufficiently attentively to enable him to express an opinion upon which I might act, but thought, at the first blush, it looked more likely to meet Mr. Stanley's views. Just then his luncheon came in, and I told him that if he would allow me to read to him the heads of the plan more in detail, while he ate his luncheon, I should be glad. He assented, and I read the following paper, which is founded on Pottinger's above mentioned:—


"Memorandum.
[Private.

"It is proposed to His Majesty's Government to found a colony in South Australia, and the following provisions are submitted for consideration. As a preliminary to the introduction of an Act of Parliament, His Majesty's Government must be fully satisfied that ample funds are ready to be invested in the purchase of land; that the body of intending emigrants are possessed of sufficient capital to maintain and employ the labourers taken to the colony; and that the country will not be put to any expense whatever, either in the founding or in the government of the colony. The amount of capital to be provided for these purposes to be determined by the Secretary of State.

"1. The colony to be erected into a province and in