The New
Constitution The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General
Advertiser 29
January 1848 |
In the year 1838, a plan for fastening on this colony a constitution
similar to that proposed by Earl Grey in his late despatch
was entertained, and to show how much of backstairs influence was at work,
the following incident, partially reported in the Morning Post, though
suppressed in the other papers, will show:- Mr. Praed asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, in his
place in the House of Commons, whether the report was true that the gentlemen
belonging to the Colonial Department had given over a part of their duty to
other persons not belonging to the Ministry,
and that in consequence a constitution was preparing for New South Wales
repugnant to the spirit of the British Constitution. And further, if such rumour were true he would give notice of motion of
impeachment of Her Majesty's Ministers. The answer given was, that there was no such
constitution preparing, but that Her Majesty's Ministers had beep endeavouring to obtain every
information relating to the colony. Herald. |