Gentlemen having been sent out from England in 1844, to fill the offices under that department. He then entered into commercial pursuits, in which he has been until lately engaged.
In my repeated conversations with Mr. Mitchell, I found that his opinions on most subjects, very generally agreed with my own, and I therefore desired him to place his views on paper; he has done so. I have accordingly submitted the inclosed documents which are No 1 @ 3.
They appear to me to contain much valuable information with respect to the past and present state of the Colony, as well as to its probable fate. I think it therefore only fair towards Mr Mitchell, that they should be forwarded to your Lordship unmutilated, as they will tend to throw light on, and explain many subjects connected with this Colony that have been heretofore imperfectly understood, as well as to show your Lordship the zeal and qualifications of the writer.
I have caused a précis to be made of these papers for easy reference, and I add that I concur on all essential points with Mr Mitchell. The précis will be of assistance to your Lordship in considering the subject matter discussed by Mr. Mitchell, but to understand it thoroughly, I regard his papers as worthy of perusal. Should it be at any time necessary or advisable to bring these papers before the Public, I have no objection to their being considered as reports made on my authority;