Affixing Whig Names
Sir Richard Bourke was a son of the Emerald Isle, born in Dublin in 1777. He was a great supporter of democracy and protector of native peoples. From 1831 to 1838 he served as governor of New South Wales, during which time he travelled more widely than any of his predecessors. In 1837 he sailed to the settlement of Port Phillip where he delighted in commemorating the names of fellow liberal thinkers throughout the district. In this extract from a letter to his son Richard, we see a relaxed man, enjoying his role in giving the new settlement name and structure.
14 April—…I am just returned from refreshing myself in exploring the new settlement at Port Phillip. Six weeks under canvas enlivened me a good deal, and I have had the satisfaction of offering Whig names in the bush.
Melbourne is a beautiful site for a town and there will soon be a very pretty one erected. In laying it out I have avoided the cross into which my predecessors fell in establishing Sydney and the people of the new town will not have to go over this work a second time as we are now doing in Sydney Flats. My party consisted of Harten and Holden and we were joined by Captain King who very kindly acted as our geographer and has made a very correct plan of one sort and the portions of many of the hills and other features of the country are accurately laid down.
We have corrected this plan with Major Mitchell’s map having taken points again from a hill which he ascended for the same purpose. This hill, what he called Mount Macedon, we made 3500 feet above the level of the sea and so steep and stony I found it a tight job to get to the top. I went from hence to Port Phillip in the Rattlesnake ship of war and returned by the same. I would have wished to have gone or returned over land but had not time to spare…Upon the whole the expedition has I think benefited my health and I am sure it has rendered an important service to the Phillipians where settlement has been considerably accelerated by the visit. I went once [through] a great deal of fine country both for grazing and cultivating and we recommend any emigrating agriculturist to try his fortune in the new country.