Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/405

 Mr.G.F.Angas ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 379 with Colonel George Arthur, the Governor, he enlisted the co-operation of Messrs. J. Huttervvorth, Powell Buxton, W. Wilberforce, and other anti-slavery champions, until the liberation of the Indians was accomplished." To bring about this desirable result meant years ot anxious work and thought, the expenditure of considerable capital, and the forcing the hands of those in ]wwer. Eor several years he labored constandy on behalf of the Serampore Mission, and it was chiefly through his efforts, and those of his brother William, that the undertaking proved a success. His philanthropic interests in liis own country were as great as those abroad. While still resident in Newcastle he had a Savings Bank established under the auspices of the Benevolent Society that he had previously formed, the special object of which was to encourage provident habits in the work-people. He " very early became a Sunday-school teacher, and was also instrumental, with other i:)ersons, in forming the Newcastle Sunday-school Union in iSi6. So permanent was his interest in this organisation that in 1869, three years after the celebration of its jubilee, he bore the expense of publishing a history of the Association." He rendered his brother William devoted assistance among the sailors of England, and helped to found the Bethel Seamen's Union and the British and T'oreign Sailors Society. He was for years a treasurer to the latter institution, and the whole cost of the first year's labors of the pioneer missionary was borne by him. But he failed in his laudable endeavors to persuade his fellow-merchants to follow his example in promoting Christianity and civilisation through the medium of commercial, scientific, and professional agency. He proposed the formation of a society with this object, the operations of which were to be world-wide. But there were few who believed the scheme possible, and during the commercial panic of 1825-6 it fell to the ground. In that crisis, in common with most other large British merchants, he suffered heavy losses. During the year 1832, when the Reform Bill agitation was exciting national interest, he was twice asked to stand for the British Parliament, for Newcastle and Pontefract, but refused, because "the idea was repugnant to him." A year or two later he helped to found the National and Provincial Bank of England, was its first Director, and advanced money to provide for the preliminary expenses. In 1890 the report of this institution showed a subscribed capital of ^12,037,500, a reserve fund of ^1,450,000, and a profit for the current year of ^515,206 14s. 6d. In 1831 Mr. Angas turned his attention to the colonising schemes which were then being actively promoted in England. The home country was depressed and agitated, and men were turning their eyes to other lands Edward Gibbon Wakefield had lately propounded a new scheme of colonisation : to sell land in small lots to attract setders, and "to apply the purchase-money to assist further emigration." Mr. Robert Gouger accepted the principle, and advocated the formation of a colony in South Australia, west of the River Murray. The reports of Captain Sturt led a good many people to support the scheme, and a prospectus of " The South Australian Land Company " was drawn up. On March 31, 1832, Mr. Angas received a copy of this document, and "at once intimated his wish to take up as many shares as would qualify him to become a Director, and offered his ofifice in Jeffrey Square for the use of the proposed company." He then became a member of the Provisional Committee. He protested against a proposal to send out paupers, and hojjed that " Bible truth should be taught unfettered and without Z2