Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/587

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COLONEL ARTHUR AND MR. A. M. BAXTER.
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they found that less conscientious holders in process of time avoided payment. The latter were discontented with any arrangement which held them liable to perform their contracts. As usual, the resumption of the position of a creditor involved the government in an anomalous position towards its numerous debtors. With a man of so firm a will as Arthur's, supported by an Executive Council of four members, all of whom were officials, and by a nominee Legislative Council, the ardent spirits of the island were discontented. In March 1827 a public meeting resolved to petition the King and Parliament for "trial by jury, and legislation by representation." Echoes from Sydney reverberated to the Derwent.

There was a misunderstanding about the time for the reception of a deputation bearing the petitions to the Governor, with a request that he would forward them. Resenting delay, the deputation refused to return when invited to do so. They sent their petitions otherwise, and were informed that by an extant circular from the Colonial Office it was enjoined that all complaints should pass through the Governor's hands.

Mr. W. Gellibrand was removed by Lord Goderich from the commission of the peace for his share in the irregular transaction. He repaid the slight by vehement opposition to the Governor's measures, and by demanding (with Mr. Gregson, Mr. Horne, and others) popular institutions. By some of the reformers it was claimed that every convict on arrival on the island should be set free. The Governor meanwhile kept the rigid tenour of his way.

When Mr. Baxter (who had for a short time held office in Sydney as Attorney-General in succession to Saxe-Bannister) was appointed to act as Puisne Judge in Van Diemen's Land, Colonel Arthur boldly neutralized the appointment. Baxter was a notorious drunkard; and though the new charter of justice provided for the appointment of a second Judge, Arthur remonstrated against Baxter's assumption of office, and dealt with the position by a short local Act, which was denounced as doubtful and dangerous." The Act (2 Will. IV. No. 1), 5th Sept. 1831, declared that "whereas Alexander Macduff Baxter, the person appointed by his present Majesty's

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