of the colonists, and to forget that the labour, by which these objects have been procured, was a source of heavy expense to the British Treasury, and that other means of employment might have been tried and resorted to, the effect of which would have been to regulate in a cheaper and less ostentatious form the progress of colonization and of punishment." Macquarie erected more than two hundred buildings for public purposes in the colony, many of which bore the inscription " L. Macquarie, Esq., Governor." This inscription was generally so conspicuous that it seemed to imply a personal vanity and a desire on the part of the governor to perpetuate his name. Many of the buildings were of doubtful utility, and were built in anticipation of the expected growth of a town, which in several cases did not grow. It is certain that Macquarie wasted a large amount of convict labour on these buildings, instead of employing it in the formation of agricultural settlements in various parts of the colony, which would have conferred a permanent and lasting benefit. In fact, Macquarie devoted his attentions chiefly to the material and visible improvement of the colony,* and practically left the development of its primary industries and the pioneering experimental work to individuals undirected by the fostering care of government. Prior to Macquarie's arrival, the dominance of the military party had been complete, and this party had made every endeavour to prevent the intrusion of the class of emancipists and expirees into the respectable walks of life. With the downfall of the military party, this class had asserted their claims, and Macquarie was far too just to refuse to restore to their former rank in society those who had been convicted of trivial offences, and whose subsequent good conduct had been unquestionable. Macquarie quickly realised the justice of the claims of the emancipists and expirees, and commenced to forward their interests with all his powers. The adoption of this policy was approved by Earl Bathurst and by the select committee of the House of Commons. Macquarie, having decided on the policy, made serious errors in giving effect to it. In an arbitrary manner, he endeavoured to force the society of certain emancipists, whom he had selected for special favour, on persons who were resentful of the intrusion. * Governor Macquarie formed only two penal agricultural settlements. one at Emu Plains and one at Port Macquarie. See page 134. He made four appointments of ex-convicts to the magistracy. He endeavoured to force the judge-advocate and judge to grant permission to ex-convicts to practise as attorneys before the governor's and supreme courts. Both of these administrative acts met with the disapproval of the secretary of state. He attempted to introduce to general society several ex-convicts, whom he had selected for preferment, but he failed entirely in this object. The general result of Macquarie's policy with regard to the emancipists and expirees was to widen the breach between them and the inhabitants who had arrived free in the colony.* Macquarie's character was in many ways contradictory. He was honest and straightforward in all his administrative acts, yet on two occasions at least he neglected to make conscientious reports to the secretary of state, viz., when the crossing of the Blue Mountains was successfully accomplished by G. Blaxland, W. Lawson, and W. C. Wentworth, and when he had been compelled to grant compensation to the contractors erecting the general hospital for breaches of contract committed by himself. He was courteous and politic, yet he was intolerant of opposition. He was punctilious in his own conduct, demanding similar conduct in others, and resenting keenly any actual or imaginary slight, such as the neglect of the judge-advocate to stand on the governor's entry into church. He was pompous, ambitious, and fond of ostentation and display. He was a man of great decision of character and of good understanding. But in action his judgment was ill-balanced, and he was inclined to take hasty action and to push matters to extremes. He was strictly honourable, and no imputations of self-interested motives were alleged against his administration, such as had been made against his immediate predecessors. He was a good husband, and a God-fearing man, and the motto of his family," Turris fortis mihi deus," was typical of the motives which actuated his life and administration. During his government of the colony, he received military promotion. On the 5th of July, 1810, he was made colonel, on the 21st of February, 1811, brigadier-general, and on the 4th of June, 1813, major-general. It was not unnatural that the vigorous administration of Governor Macquarie caused considerable opposition. Representations adverse to his government were made to the secretary of state. At first these reports had little effect, but they increased in virulence and force. During the year 1817, Earl Bathurst criticised severely the administration of the colony in four despatches to the governor. After these comments were received, Macquarie tendered his resignation in a despatch dated 1st December, 1817. but no immediate action was taken. On the 27th of December, 1818, the Honourable H. Grey Bennet, M.P., wrote a letter which was published in pamphlet form. In this letter, Macquarie's conduct was criticised and condemned. At length, the English government decided to take action, and John Thomas Bigge was appointed a commissioner, and received instructions, dated 6th January, 1819, to inquire into the general state of the colony. But before Bigge had presented his report on the 6th of May, 1822, Macquarie had been recalled, and major-general Sir Thomas Brisbane, K.C.B., had arrived in the colony, and superseded Macquarie in the government on the 1st of December, 1821. Macquarie was loath to leave the scenes where he had ruled as a virtual dictator for eleven years and eleven months. For several weeks, he made a progress through the settled districts, and received almost universal expressions of regret for his approaching departure. At the instance of D'Arcy Wentworth, the principal surgeon, and John Piper, the naval officer, he was presented with a gold cup of the value of one hundred and fifty guineas, subscribed by the colonists. He sailed from the colony in February, 1822, and two years after his arrival in London he died at Duke-street, St. James, on the 1st of July, 1824. He was buried in a mausoleum on the island of Mull. He had one son, who died without issue. Notes on Governor Macquarie's administration will be found in the introductions to volumes IX and X. FREDK. WATSON. June, 1916. |