Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/52

 her children, and her children are urged by the same advisers to abandon their allegiance. As yet the tempter has been rebuked and the shame avoided; but it was currently believed that had it not been for the efforts of a few, Mr. Gladstone's ministry were prepared to recommend disruption of the Empire, as a portion of the policy to which England was committed in 1869.

When the colonization of New South Wales was resolved upon, Lord Sydney was influential in selecting the first Governor. Trained to the sea, Arthur Phillip was successful in obtaining promotion, and after the peace of 1763 devoted himself to country pursuits. He was adventurous enough to offer his services to Portugal in her war with Spain, until the outbreak of war between England and France brought him back to active service in the English navy. After the peace of 1783 short time elapsed before, in 1786, he was appointed to the command of H.M.S. Sirius, and to lead the new band of adventurers. The powers to be conferred upon him were vast. The nature of the settlement was new; it consisted only of criminals and their custodians. A successful riot might overwhelm the government in a day, while months would elapse before the Governor could communicate with England.

Legislation was resorted to in order to convey new powers. Former statutes on the subject of transportation had legalized transportation, had empowered the Crown