Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/359

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MACARTHUR AND WOOL-GROWING. LORD CAMDEN.
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to the Crown, containing not less than 5000 acres. Mr. Macarthur has represented that the lands he wishes to be conveyed to him for this purpose are situated near Mount Taurus, as being peculiarly adapted for sheep, and I therefore am to express my wishes that he may be accommodated in this situation."

(Convicts were to be assigned as shepherds.)

"His Majesty's Government takes a peculiar interest in forwarding the object of this letter. I am therefore persuaded you will do everything in your power to promote its success, and I shall be obliged for all such observations as shall occur to you upon the subject, and may tend to promote an object so important for the colony."

Macarthur showed shrewdness when invited in London to select a site in Australia. Rightly conjecturing that the grasses which had arrested the straying cattle (lost in 1788) betokened superior pasture, he at once fixed upon them, and the noble estate of Camden Park (named after his patron) still justifies his choice.

Another person, Mr. Davidson, nephew of Sir Walter Farquhar, was promised a grant of 2000 acres contiguous to Macarthur's, and two respectable young men went out "to instruct others in the art of assorting wool and finally to become settlers." A few other persons were allowed to accompany Macarthur.

The Governor hailed the arrival of Mr. Davidson. "Your Lordship has prescribed 2000 acres of land for him, to which I shall add another." Macarthur's former vigorous efforts to undermine King's position were not allowed to deter the latter from loyally promoting the experiment recommended by Lord Camden. It was alike creditable to Macarthur and to King that they acted as if the past had been forgotten.

The Argo arrived in Sydney on the 8th June. King reported (20th July 1805) that he had done all he could to promote the object commended to him by Lord Camden. The enterprising Macarthur had brought a ship, to be employed in the whale fishery, to carry wool to England once in eighteen months, and to return with articles of use and comfort for the inhabitants. King enlarged upon these prospective benefits. He had nevertheless shrunk from alienating the land on which the wild cattle were feeding, and had begged Macarthur to choose a larger quantity on the east side of the Nepean, promising to mark out in the

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