(Letter continued,)
"Mr. Black explained the results of his mission by stating, that
the Deputation was received by the Governor with much courtesy and urbanity,
and that personally his Excellency had no objection to grant the public prayer.
He further stated, that so far as he had an opportunity of judging
of the Governor's disposition, his Excellency was in favour of the people,
but that he was so surrounded by injudicious advisers, as to leave him
entirely impotent in state matters. The great objection his Excellency
seemed to entertain against the Deputation's claim, was what is termed
want of courtesy in wording - for it must be understood that the Committee sent,
not to petition and pray, but demand the release of the state prisoners;
and the word demand was said to operate more against the Deputation
than the very object of their mission. Upon hearing all these reasons,
it was proposed to adopt the form of a memorial, and petition the Governor;
but this proposition was furiously scouted, on the ground that it did not
comport with the dignity of the League, first to demand and afterwards to pray.
"Kennedy, along with the music of his rubbing the nails of the right hand
against those of the left, blathered away in a masterly style for the benefit
of the League.
"It was evident that there was a 'split' among the three Delegates;
yet Mr. Humffray, who had been received by His Excellency, in an interview
as a private digger, found favour among the assembly. J. B. Humffray plainly
explained, and calmly made us understand, that Sir Charles was with us,
and was determined to put an end to our grievances; and that he had appointed
to this effect, a Commission of Inquiry, of popular men well known to us,
and His Excellency had made up his mind to 'act accordingly.' The feverish
excitement was subdued, and three hearty cheers were given for the
New Chum Governor, amid the discharging of several guns and pistols."
I must here interrupt the meeting, drop the letter, and hereby assert:-
lst. Peter Lalor and myself, had never addressed any of the meetings,
before this monster one.
2nd. Having made up my mind to return to Rome, the following Christmas,
in accordance with my brother's desire; I had to attend to my work; hence,
I had never taken any part in the agitation and to my knowledge,
Peter Lalor neither.
3rd. I never was present at the Star Hotel and therefore, personally I know
nothing of the boisterous Committee of the vaunting Reform League held there.
Corolarium. - I am not dead yet!
Chapter XXVIII.
L'Union Fait La Force.
We had better proceed with the meeting first, and with the letter afterwards.
Peter Lalor proposed the following resolution:-
"That a meeting of the members of the Reform League be called at the
Adelphi Theatre, on next Sunday, at 2 o'clock, to elect a Central Committee;
and that each forty members have the power to elect one member for
the Central Committee."
Being an old acquaintance of Peter, I supported the above resolution.
He gave me his hand and pulled me up on the platform, from among the multitude.
The whole of that Wednesday morning, my tent on the Eureka had been
a regular Babel. Foreigners from all quarters of the globe and of
the diggings, came to inquire from me what was the matter concerning
so much excitement as then prevailed on Ballaarat. I translated for them
the news from our 'Ballaarat Times', or from The 'Geelong Advertiser's' clever
correspondent. Thus, and thus alone, I became honourably their delegate,
and subsequently interpreter to Lalor, the Commander-in-Chief; and I hereby
express the hope that in time, Peter Lalor, though mutilated, may find
at Toorak, a little more credit for his testimony than did that infernal spy,
Goodenough. Anyhow, for the present, 'Le Pere Duprat', a well-known old hand,
and respected French miner on Ballaarat, who was with me within the
Eureka Stockade, and whose proposed plan for the defence, I interpreted
to Lalor, is a living witness to the above. We must, however, attend to
our Monster Meeting.
Chapter XXIX.
Heu Mihi! Sermo Meus, Veritas.
My friends had requested me to come forward at the meeting, and here is
my speech according to notes I had previously taken in my tent.
Gold-laced Webster, I challenge contradiction.
I came from old Europe, 16,000 miles across two oceans, and I thought
it a respectable distance from the hated Austrian rule. Why, then,
this monster meeting to-day, at the antipodes? We wrote petitions,
signed memorials, made remonstrances by dozens; no go: we are compelled
to demand, and must prepare for the consequences.
The old style: oppressors and oppressed. A sad reflection, very sad
reflection, for any educated and honest man.
For what did we come into this colony? 'Chi sta bene non si move,'
is an old Roman proverb. If then in old Europe, we had a bird in hand,
what silly fools we were to venture across two oceans, and try to catch
two jackasses in the bush of Australia!
I had a dream, a happy dream, I dreamed that we had met here together
to render thanks unto our Father in heaven for a plentiful harvest,
such that for the first time in this, our adopted land, we had our own food
for the year; and so each of us holding in our hands a tumbler of Victorian
wine, you called on me for a song. My harp was tuned and in good order:
cheerfully struck up,
'Oh, let us be happy together.'
Not so, Britons, not so! We must meet as in old Europe - old style - improved
by far in the south - for the redress of grievances inflicted on us,
not by crowned heads, but blockheads, aristocratical incapables,
who never did a day's work in their life. I hate the oppressor, let him wear
a red, blue, white, or black coat.
