As I wish to be believed, so I transcribe the following from 'The Argus',
Friday, December 15, 1854;
MAINTENANCE OF LAW AND ORDER.
The Lieutenant-Governor received a deputation from, with an address signed by, five hundred bankers, merchants, and other classes resident in Melbourne, placing themselves, their services, and their influence unreservedly at His Excellency's disposal, for the maintenance or order and upholding of the paramount authority of existing (!) law.
His Excellency listened with marked attention to the address, to which he gave the following answer:—
"Gentlemen…
"…It is necessary to look its (the Colony's) difficulty full in the face.
"Here we have persons from all parts of the globe,—men who come to look for gold and gold alone; men of adventurous spirit, of resolution, and of firm purpose to carry out the principles which actuate them. If gold fails, or the season is unfavourable, we must expect such outbreaks and such dangers as have given rise to the most loyal and valuable address which you present to me. ['Pardon, Monsiegneur, apres lecture des versets 28, 29, du chap. I., et versets 17, 18, 19, du chap. III., de la Genese, favorisez s'il vous plait l'exploitation de l'activite de tous ces gaillards la, par la Charrue: l n'y a pas mal de terres ici, et bien pour tout le monde. Audaces fortuna juvat.']
"I desire to govern by the people, and through the people: and by the
people I mean through the intelligence of the people. ['Elle est fameuse,
Monseigneur l'intelligence de ceux, qui vous ont conseille l'affaire de
Ballaarat! surtout in farce odieuse de haute-trahison!']
"In Ballaarat it was not a particular law, against which objection was raised, nor was there a particular complaint made. ['Oh, pardon, Monseigneur: ou l'on vous a toujours mal informe; ou l'on vous a souvent cache la verite: alheureusement, cela n'a pas beaucoup change meme aujourd'hui'.' Vide 'The Times', Ballaarat, Saturday, September 29, 1855, and Saturday, November 10th—Local Court.]
"…It was not exactly the licence fee, that caused the outbreak, though that was made the 'nom de guerre,' the 'cheval de bataille,' this was not the real cause. I consider that the masses were urged on by designing men who had ulterior views, and who hoped to profit by anarchy and confusion. ['Comment se fait il Monseigneur que vous mettez le prix de 500 pounds sur la tete du chef de ces blagueurs du Star Hotel, a Ballaarat; et puis vous lassiez courir le malin a son aise! Avez-vous, oui ou non, Monseigneur, accorde votre pardon a M`Gill? et les autres Americains donc?']