The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Jackson, John Alexander
Jackson, John Alexander, eldest son of Major Jackson, barrack master at Sydney, went to Tasmania in 1830, and was barrack storekeeper at Ross. In 1833 he moved to Launceston to edit the Advertiser. He was recommended by Sir John Franklin to the Government of South Australia, and was Colonial Treasurer in the early days of that colony and Colonial Secretary (succeeding Mr. Robert Gouger) from Oct. 1841 to June 1843, when he resigned owing to a difference with the Governor of the colony, Captain (now Sir) George Grey. Returning to Tasmania, he went to London as the official representative of the anti-transportation movement, and contributed towards the success of the agitation for granting responsible government to the Australian colonies by his letters to Earl Grey. It was due to an intimation received from Mr. Jackson whilst in London in 1849 that the people of Port Phillip became aware of the intention of the imperial authorities to despatch a batch of convicts to their settlement. They were thus enabled to initiate the opposition which was successful in preventing Victoria becoming a convict colony. Later on Mr. Jackson resided in Melbourne as general manager of the English, Scottish, and Australian Chartered Bank, a post which he held till replaced by Mr. (now Sir) George Verdon in 1872. Mr. Jackson married a daughter of the late W. G. Walker, of Vron Estate, Bishopsbourne, Tas., and died at Ealing, near London, in May 1885.