Mr. Bennetpresented a petition from a number of settlers in New South Wales. The hon. gentleman observed, that he had taken some trouble to ascertain who the 921 persons were whose signatures were affixed to the petition, and he found that they were not individual sent out of this country for their crimes, but bonâ fide colonists. The petition complained generally of the mode in which the laws were administered in the colony, and particularly of the unjust and oppressive conduct of the present governor. On the motion that the petition be brought up,
Lord Castlereaghrose, not for the purpose of objecting to the motion, or of entering into any discussion on the subject, but to express his hope that the House would not allow any of the statements contained in the petition to operate unfavourably towards the character of the distinguished officer in whom was vested the government of that important colony. It was due to that gentleman to state that he had filled that important situation most respectably for many years. He had been appointed to it when he (lord C.) had the honour to hold the seals of the colonial department; the only recommendation which he possessed was his merit, and from all which he had since heard, he had completely fulfilled the expectations entertained of him in the administration of the government of that distant and important colony.
§ The petition was read and ordered to lie on the table.