![]() ![]() One cause of friction between British settlers and the colonial government was control of the press. Colonial exports increased appreciably in 1827. Bourke removed local dues and restrictions which had hampered primary producers, and with some success sought markets for Cape products in Mauritius and elsewhere. For years expenditure had exceeded revenue, the colony was heavily in debt, and by 1826 bad seasons had brought agriculture and commerce to the brink of ruin. ![]() He gave some relief by investigating complaints, but all the grievances were exacerbated by economic depression. The colonists of Dutch descent were more numerous but less articulate than the new British settlers they too had grievances and Bourke, fearing that even their small contact with the government might be lost, tried to conciliate them by appointing 'old' colonists to vacancies in the public service. The uncodified laws were confused, the courts were uncertain in operation, and many administrative officials were inefficient, inadequately paid and corrupt. A noisy minority of British settlers objected to a government that did not allow them civil liberties they claimed as British subjects even their right of petition had been threatened. The non-white population heavily outnumbered the Europeans. Bourke arrived at Cape Town in February 1826, and took office as acting governor on 5 March when Somerset left.īourke found his situation difficult. As an avowed Whig, he was a surprising choice for a Tory government, but his tact and ability had favourably impressed Wilmot Horton at the Colonial Office. On 4 July Bourke was appointed lieutenant-governor of the Eastern District, on the understanding that he should be acting governor of the whole colony in Somerset's absence. The government hastily decided to divide Cape Colony and create a separate government in the Eastern District as recommended by a Commission of Inquiry at the Cape. On 15 June 1825 he was appointed major-general on the staff at Malta, but a political storm blew up in Britain through complaints from the Cape of Good Hope about the arbitrary rule of the governor, Lord Charles Somerset, who was given leave to return home to answer the charges against him. He hoped that a change would benefit his delicate wife as well as augment his income to meet his growing family needs. Despite this active and apparently contented life Bourke began seeking an appointment in a better climate. Bourke managed his estates, acted as a magistrate and chairman of the Irish Distress Committee for Limerick, and encouraged public education, local industries and schemes for draining bogs. In 1800 he had married Elizabeth, youngest daughter of John Bourke, receiver-general of the land tax for Middlesex they had two sons and three daughters. He served in the Peninsula, where his knowledge of Spanish proved useful, and in 1812-14 he was stationed at Corunna as military resident in Galicia he was favourably noticed for his services and was promoted colonel on 4 June 1814.Īfter the war Bourke retired on half-pay and lived on his estate, Thornfield, County Limerick. In 1809 he was appointed permanent assistant in the Quartermaster-General's Department. He took part in the siege and storming of Montevideo and in the expedition against Buenos Aires. He saw active service again in 1807 as quartermaster-general with the unsuccessful expedition to South America. In 1806 he became superintendent of the junior department of the Royal Military College with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. ![]() He was promoted lieutenant and captain on 25 November 1799 and major on 27 August 1805. In later life he felt that the effects of this wound prevented him from speaking forcefully in public and consequently declined all invitations to stand for parliament. After Burke's death, Bourke came under the patronage of William Windham, secretary of state he was gazetted ensign in the Grenadier Guards on 22 November 1798, saw active service in the Netherlands in 1799 and was badly wounded through both jaws. His vacations were spent at the home of his distant relation, Edmund Burke, with whose political and personal friends he thus became acquainted. He was educated at Westminster School and at Oxford (B.A., 1798). Sir Richard Bourke (1777-1855), governor, was born on in Dublin, the son of John Bourke of Drumsally, County Limerick, and his wife Anne, daughter of Edmund Ryan of Boscable, County Tipperary. State Library of New South Wales, Original : ML 125 Richard Bourke (1777-1855), by unknown artist (after Richard Read jnr) ![]()
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