Page:History of New South Wales from the records, Volume 2.djvu/377

 OB KTSQt. ^ 31T, first instance should always be guided by and follow the natoie ^^Wl and description of the person. complaint shoidd be to the Governor or the nearest magistrate ; if a military person, to the Commander-in-Chief, or nearest offioor, as the case may require." Practically, this despatch is a vindioation of "King, and a condemnation of the military authorities as represented by Grose. The Dake of Portland expressed the opinion that if the ^^"^^^'ng settlement was properly governed — ^that is to say, if the two dtocuased. classes were kept apart — disputes would seldom arise ; but if disputes did occur he was particular in stating that ^' strict and impartial justice must decide between the parties." This was the wholesome principle that a Minister of the Crown might have been expected to lay down ; but it would be difficult to find any trace of it in Grose's Orders, which distinctly favoured the soldier, and placed the rest of the people at a disadvantage. As the Duke of Portland was writing to a third person, he could not have censured Grose in this despatch ; but it is clear that in the estimation of the Secretary of State a mistake had been made. Practically, the instructions contained in the despatch to Hunter abro- gated Grose's Orders, and restored the government of the island to the footing which it had previously enjoyed. The restoration took place in April, 1796, when King, Rertoration authorised by Letters Patent from the Crown, cancelled ^we^^ ^ Grose's Orders, and substituted others embodying the principles laid down in the Duke of Portland's despatch, King, in making the change, showed a consideration for the feelings of others which was in striking contrast with the harsh treatment he had received from Grose and the officers of the New South Wales Corps. Writing to the Duke of Portland on the 30th May, 1796, he said :— "As I have ever considered an obedience to orders as indispen- sable, I have not hitherto allowed a deviation of Lieut-Gov'r
 * Thus, if a oonvic^ or any civil person, is complained of, the