A HISTORIC DOCUMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2655, 10 November 1909, Page 4

A HISTORIC DOCUMENT.

OFFER OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES GOVERNORSHIP.

A document of considerable interest to Students of Empire history has just been brought to light in Sydney. It is a letter written by Peter ~ Dillon, the South Sea explorer, to Admiral Sir Sidnye Smith, the gallant sailor whose defence of Acre in 1799 completely baffled Napoleon and comnelled him to retire, suggesting that he. should become Governor of New South Wales. The document was written_on September 19 1830, and was found in an old sea chest which once belonged to Lord Nelson, and had come into the family of Mr. Jolm Pease, of City Road, Sydney. The letter is now in the possession of the Australian Historical Society. It reads as follows: “I understand that the Governor of New South Wales is about to be recalled shortly. His salary is £BOOO per year, independent of rations for himself and suite, a comfortable house, with firing, servants, horses, with many etceteras. I understand that the fees attached to his office are such as to enable him to put by his £S,OOO a year. My dear sir, it would afford every man in England and the colonies tlie greatest pleasure to see you appointed ornor of this delightful colony. . - Jf The first four Governors were captains in the navy, educated at the old school. They knew more of the handling of the long eighteen than that of holding the reigns of Government. . (They were) succeeded by Colonel M'Quarry. . --.an ignorant old soldier from the Isle of Mull. . . . He was succeeded by Major-General Sir Thomas Brisbane. . . Sir Thomas understood and devoted his whole time to astronomy. (He) was succeeded by Lieutenant-general Darling. New South Wales is more of a colony for commerce than that of farming. . - It is, therefore, the public wish that this colony was governed by a naval man, who of course would bo acquainted with the interests of all concerned in shipping* Your being of an active, ingenious, industrial turn of mind would be of- tho greatest importance to a colony of the. above description.—l remain, dear Sir Sidney, yr. very obt., hum. servt., Peter Dillon.” There is unfortunately no trace or Sir Sidney Smith’s reply to this interesting proposal.