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 were willing to act, and if in his opinion they were fit, he would appoint them whether they agreed with the present Government in politics or not. Torrens replied that we saw the necessity of procuring the aid of the best people possible, for unless such wore appointed, neither could the loan be raised in the City, nor could respectable emigrants be induced to go to the colony. To this Lord Aberdeen acquiesced. On ray remarking that I believed Mr. Rice had intended to nominate as commissioner one of the gentlemen in the Colonial Office (Mr. Elliott had been mentioned), Hay replied, 'an inferior in the office certainly could not be appointed.' On the whole the interview was favourable. All we desired was granted, but it was done in such a manner as to leave an impression on my mind that it is still intended to burke the colony if possible."

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"January 26th, 1835. ",

"I am sorry to have to communicate to you that I still feel decidedly unwilling to act as a commissioner under the South Australian Colony Act. The reasons which induced me to retract the consent which I had given under the Melbourne Ministry have not been diminished in force by subsequent consideration.

"My opinions on the usefulness and practicability of the enterprise have undergone no change. But my feelings and position with regard to the present government are such as would make it unsatisfactory, both to them and to myself, that I should undertake a responsible duty under them.

"With every wish for the prosperity of the colony, and for the maintenance of those principles on which it rests its claim to support,

"I remain, dear Sir, "Yours truly,