Volume 66: Macarthur family correspondence relating to land, 1819-1881: No. 198
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[Page 198]
Leasing Plot
In a former letter I sent you the last Gazette published in September containing an advertisement for leasing the Reserved Lands at Cawdor - on the 1st October I wrote to the Governor (No 1) reminding him that he had received my Lord Bathurst's orders to grant me 5000 acres of the tract advertised to be Leased and soliciting that he would comply with the order. - I scorned to remind him that he had repeatedly promised that no portion of this Estate should be alienated until My Lord Bathurst's further orders should arrive. On the 7th an answer was written by the Colonial Secretary stating that my request could not be complied with consistently with The Governor's publick duty (No 2) but a few hours before this letter reached me Mr Macalister called upon His Excellency, and was desired to acquaint me that I might have the whole Estate on the conditions published, and that the Governor would give me a written obligation if any orders arrived to Grant me the Lands to cancel the Leases and carry the orders into immediate effect (See Minute No 3). Dr Bowman being here at the time I requested him to go to Government House and acquaint the Governor that I was much obliged and accepted his offer. - My object was to gain time and prevent the Land being Leased away - the Governor answered "I