Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/344

King in room of Paterson. King's position was embarrassing. By his despatches (Nov. 1802) accompanied by charts, he had persuaded the government to adopt his views about founding settlements to bar the footing of the French in the territory; but the circumstantial instructions of Lord Hobart it was impossible to obey. Port Dalrymple was not upon the southern coast of Van Diemen's Land, nor was it near the eastern entrance to Bass's Straits. In this dilemma King, on the 17th May 1804, "exhibited queries"^[1] by "precept" to himself as Governor, Colonel Paterson as Lt.-Governor, and Brevet-Major George Johnston. On the 18th May all three subscribed their opinions. They agreed that King had in Nov. 1802 recommended settlements at Storm Bay Passage and Port Phillip or King's Island, "to counteract any intention of the French intruding a claim to the prescribed limits of any part of this territory," and that Lord Hobart's instructions were founded on the recommendation.

They reported—

"that, his Lordship having so particularly designed Port Dalrymple to be settled, although its situation is named on the south part of Van Diemen's Laud, whereas its situation is on the north side, yet the command of Port Dalrymple is so positive that we are unanimously of opinion that that place should be immediately settled in compliance with any political reason that, his Lordship states, renders that measure peculiarly necessary."

The significance of the next query will be seen when it is remembered that the armed rebellion of March 1804 had just been put down by the exertions of King and Johnston. What force should Paterson take with him? How could it be replaced?

"It appears to be necessary that Colonel Paterson should take with him his company with three officers under him; and although a part of the military establishment at Norfolk Island will be withdrawn when the final arrangements are made, yet we are unanimously of opinion from recent circumstances that an additional number of troopers is highly necessary to answer such exigencies as may occur, which addition we think ought not to be less than twenty to the five already mounted—as proper officers and men can be selected and obtained."

The officers of the New South Wales Corps were no longer jealous of the little band of troopers formed by King when Paterson denied him military assistance in administer-