Page:A colonial autocracy, New South Wales under Governor Macquarie, 1810-1821.djvu/338

 easily set right. He thought that any charges which could justify a parliamentary inquiry into his conduct would also justify his recall. His Majesty's subjects in that distant Colony had an indefeasible and, till now, an unquestioned right to ask Parliament to redress their wrongs. It might be urged that the individual of whom they complained was absent; that was his misfortune; unless, against that misfortune, he chose to set off his being Governor of the settlement. While he continued to exercise his functions as Governor the petitioners could not enter actions against him; if he quitted the Government, but did not come home, they were still incapacitated from bringing their actions against him, because no process could be served upon him."

In the discussion that followed, Forbes, a friend of Macquarie's, defended him with an inaccuracy which is worthy of note.

"Governor Macquarie," he said, "resolved to allow individuals who had been hitherto excluded to practise, and in the exercise of his authority ordered the judge to receive them as barristers and solicitors accordingly. This measure was afterwards communicated to His Majesty's Government and received its approbation."

Wilberforce urged inquiry, saying "&hellip; with all his respect for Governor Macquarie, he would confess that he should think him something more than human if, vested with almost uncontrolled authority, his conduct had not been in some degree affected by that circumstance. It commonly had the dangerous effect of shutting up, or of corrupting, the channels of information to him who was so unhappy as to possess it. &hellip; He was anxious for inquiry also on this additional ground, that Governor Macquarie might be made acquainted with all that was known in this country." Goulburn, who spoke for the Government, promised inquiry into Williams' case (which was indeed made by Bigge with the result that his right to a grievance was proved) and touched lightly on Blake's affair, but his defence of this was very weak. One other matter of importance had been raised by the petitioners and commented upon by Brougham—the action of the Governor in raising £24,000 a year by