continued...... In the year 1850, a commission was given to Sir Charles Fitz Roy, whereby he was appointed Governor- General of the Australian colonies. By this commission, he was given extensive powers; but, it was neither intended nor desired that he should interfere with the administration of the governments of Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia or West Australia in any matters affecting only their internal interests. The lieutenant-governors of the three former colonies and the governor of the last were to administer as formerly; but, at the same time, they were instructed to communicate with Sir Charles Fitz Roy on all matters affecting the common welfare and prosperity, and, in the absence of express instructions from the secretary of state, to accept his decision on any matter which affected mere than one or the colonies. Sir Charles Fitz Roy was given this commission as governor of the largest and oldest colony, in order to initiate and foster all measures calculated to promote the interests of the Australian colonies collectively. By his commission, he was empowered, if necessity should arise, to visit any of the colonies, to assume the administration, and to retain it during the period of his residence therein. It is evident that the object of the British government was to prevent the conflict of interests amongst virtually independent but neighbouring colonies, and to lay the foundation of a semi-federal system. In the meantime, Sir Charles Fitz Roy's commission as Governor of North Australia was revoked in the year 1847. Sir Charles Fitz Roy retired from the government on the 17th of January 1855, and ten days later he embarked on the ship Madras for England. After his return to England, he was married to Margaret Gordon on the 11th of December 1855. He did not long survive his return, but died on the 16th of February 1858, in Clarges Street, Piccadilly, London. There has been no governor of New South Wales whose personal and moral character has been more discussed than that of Sir Charles Fitz Roy; and it is difficult, therefore, to estimate the value of his influence on the political, social and intellectual progress of the colony. All his contemporaries of any standing in the community criticize adversely his moral character and his unfortunate " undue partiality for the fair sex "; and, in doing so, many of them possibly have failed to recognise any influence, which he exerted in his official character. In his official capacity, Sir Charles Fitz Roy demonstrated a certain independence of action in the interpretation of instructions from the secretary of state, and for so doing he was severely censured by the secretary of state several times in the early part of his administration. On one occasion, however; he deviated* from his instructions owing to an informality of an order-in- council, and acted independently even of the advice of the attorney and solicitor-general; on this occasion, the secretary of state, Earl Grey, refused to reply officially to the despatch of Sir Charles Fitz Roy, but, in a private despatch, commended him for having "acted judiciously." During his administration, Sir Charles Fitz Roy endeavoured to become personally conversant with all the country under his jurisdiction; and, at great personal inconvenience, he undertook numerous visits of inspection in the country districts, and voyages along the coast to inspect coastal districts. He was the first governor to traverse the squatting districts, and to acquire a personal knowledge of the conditions of colonial pioneering in outlying areas. He was a fair and impartial administrator, and, he was never even charged with one act of harshness or partiality towards an individual. As the head of the executive, he was most industrious and painstaking; and it is said that no paper of importance passed through his office without his personal perusal and comments, when necessary. Unfortunately he belonged to a family, the members of which were notorious for their undue partiality for the fair sex. This failing had been commented on strongly by Junius in his eighty-seventh letter to the Duke of Grafton. It is undoubted that Sir Charles Fitz Roy and his two sons, who were with him in the colony, inherited the family failing to a marked degree. This was more exaggerated when all restraint was removed by the unfortunate death of Lady Mary Fitz Roy. His daughter, the Honorable Mrs. Keith Stewart, who acted as chatelaine at government house after her mother's death, had little influence over the conduct of her father and brothers, and many scandals were whispered in the colony. The feeling engendered in the colony may be realised by the action taken in the legislative council. On the 1st of December 1854, an address of farewell was moved. The Reverend John Dunmore Lang, thereupon, submitted an amendment that it was the deliberate opinion of the council " That the moral influence, which has emanated from Government House during His Excellency's term of office, has been deleterious and baneful in the highest degree to the best interests of this community; and that the evil example, which has thus been set in the highest places of the land, has tended more than anything else that has occurred in this colony these thirty years past to bring Her Majesty's Government into contempt, and to alienate from Her Majesty the affections and respect of the Australian people." This amendment was defeated by twenty-eight votes to six; but the minority consisted of the mover, Charles Cowper and Henry Parkes, who were destined to become premiers of the colony, Robert Campbell and Edward Flood, who were destined to become ministers of the Crown, and J. W. Bligh, a magistrate of the territory. When such prominent colonists were prepared to publicly express their opinions in such unmeasured terms, it is evident that there was strong feeling against the personal failings of Sir Charles Fitz Roy and his sons amongst certain sections of the community. It is probable that the industry and impartiality as head of the executive and the administrative ability generally of Sir Charles Fitz Roy exercised some influence on the progress of the colony during his administration; bur his personal character militated against this influence being felt to the full extent. It must be remembered, at the same time, that, during this administration, the agitation against the revival of transportation, the strenuous fight for responsible government, and the excitement caused by the discovery of gold clouded most other issues, and prevented their valuation in their due proportions. . Author Frederick Watson HRA Lesley Uebel mailto:ckennedy@bigpond.net.au CLAIM A CONVICT http://users.bigpond.net.au/convicts/index.html

Thank you Lesley. Regards Jill J -----Original Message----- From: aus-pt-jackson-convicts-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:aus-pt-jackson- continued...... In the year 1850, a commission was given to Sir Charles Fitz Roy, whereby he was appointed Governor- General of the Australian colonies. By this commission, he was given extensive powers; but, it was neither intended nor desired that he should interfere with the administration of the governments of Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia or West Australia in any matters affecting only their internal interests. The lieutenant-governors of the three former colonies and the governor of the last were to administer as formerly; but, at the same time, they were instructed to communicate with Sir Charles Fitz Roy on all matters affecting the common welfare and prosperity, and, in the absence of express instructions from the secretary of state, to accept his decision on any matter which affected mere than one or the colonies. Sir Charles Fitz Roy was given this commission as governor of the largest and oldest colony, in order to initiate and foster all measures calculated to promote the interests of the Australian colonies collectively.

Hi Lesley & Listers , Thank you Lesley. He certainly was an interesting character wasn't he? Regards, Norma McLean normabmc@bigpond.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lesley Uebel" <ckennedy@bigpond.net.au> To: "Aus-Pt-Jackson-Convicts@Rootsweb. Com" <aus-pt-jackson-convicts@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2009 3:05 PM Subject: [PJ] Sir Charles Augustus Fitz Roy Part 2 > continued...... > > In the year 1850, a commission was given to Sir Charles Fitz Roy, whereby > he was > appointed Governor- General of the Australian colonies. By this > commission, he > was given extensive powers; but, it was neither intended nor desired that > he > should interfere with the administration of the governments of Tasmania, > Victoria, South Australia or West Australia in any matters affecting only > their > internal interests. The lieutenant-governors of the three former colonies > and