Page:A colonial autocracy, New South Wales under Governor Macquarie, 1810-1821.djvu/312

 "I therefore most earnestly entreat your Lordship will be so good as to move His Royal Highness the Prince Regent to accept this second tender of my resignation, and to be graciously pleased to appoint another Governor to relieve here as soon as a competent person can be selected for that purpose."

Lord Bathurst replied, "I regret to find that you had not at the date of your former despatch received my communication of October, 1818 &hellip; as it would have fully explained the reasons on which alone I had thought it my duty to decline submitting your resignation to the King until you had an opportunity of reconsidering the ground upon which it was then tendered. Finding, however, that your anxiety to resign your command has no longer any reference to the circumstances stated in your despatch of December, 1817, I have thought it encumbent upon me to submit your request to the King, and have the honour to acquaint you that His Majesty has been graciously pleased to accept your resignation."

On the 5th of August, 1820, Major-General Sir Thomas Brisbane, having heard that Macquarie was returning, asked for the command. He had already been suggested for the post by the Duke of Wellington and the late Sir Joseph Banks. Of his own qualifications he refused to say anything save to assure Lord Bathurst of his "utmost assiduity in behalf of that infant Colony".

On the 3rd of November, the appointment was offered to him and at once accepted. He was a soldier of distinction with a knowledge of astronomy and kindred sciences, and it was on account of these that he was anxious to go to New South Wales. He sailed in May, 1821, and arrived in November after a five months' passage by Rio Janeiro. But before speaking of Macquarie's departure, some account must be given of his last attempt to honour, in the person of Dr. Redfern, the class to whom he had throughout his administration shown so much favour.

Redfern had been an assistant surgeon in the Navy when at