Separate

I have the honor to submit the following Statement for Your
information.

2. When I arrived in this Colony on the 25th March I found on
reference to the Estimates for the Year 1864 (which had only just
passed the Local Legislature)

that all provision of whatever kind under the head of "Governor" had
been omitted. There was no Public Residence for the Governor and no
provision made for a temporary one.

3. As the Legislative Assembly was still sitting I thought it
expedient, with the advice of my Executive Council to bring the
subject formally under their notice.

4. This I did by a message on the 2nd of April covering the copy of
a Despatch

addressed to me while in England by Sir F. Rogers dated
26th September 1863, pointing out the proper course for me to
pursue. My message, the Despatch, and Reply of the Legislative
Assembly will be found herewith marked No. 2.

5. I at the same time sent a message to the Legislative Assembly
communicating a Despatch from Sir F. Rogers, dated 11th September
1863, in reply to my application for a Private Secretary. A copy of
my Message, the Despatch and Reply of the Legislative Assembly, will
also be found herewith, marked No. 3.

6. This ended my communication with the Legislative Assembly on
these subjects; not so however on the part of the Public and the
Press, who were almost unanimous in their expression of disapproval
of the action of the Legislative Assembly.

7. The matter finally culminated in a Public Meeting called by the
Mayor of Victoria, on the 11th Instant, when the Resolutions—Marked
No. 4—were adopted and presented to me on the following day.

8. I cannot better conclude this Statement than by transmitting
Extracts from every newspaper published in the Colony commenting upon
the whole proceeding, which you will find herewith marked No. 5.

9. Your Grace will observe that the Honourable The Speaker of the House
of Assembly, attended the Public Meeting, which is a circumstance I
think to be regretted.

10. From this Short Statement, Your Grace will be enabled to judge
in how far the action of the Legislative Assembly, in these matters,
represents the opinions and wishes of the People of the Colony, in
whose loyalty and intelligence I have full confidence. I must
however add in conclusion that my own replies and remarks to the
Deputations are very incorrectly reported.