Throughout
my career, I followed a very strict rule in those matters. I never had
any dealings in land, or other property, except as Governor, charged with
the interests of the whole community. My despatches were my sole title-
deeds.'
'There is no virtue,' he laid down, 'in honest duty, such as we claim
from every public servant. Our lofty ideal in that regard is true British
wisdom. Moreover, need a man, estimating wealth on its merits, care to be
rich? What private means I inherited, I have spent largely on public
ends. I mean, in particular, those libraries at Cape Town and Auckland,
which I was enabled to help. Why, the bargain is all mine; I am the
debtor for the opportunity.'
To Sir George Grey, Oceana had seemed a fertile land, crying across the
depths, 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest.' His mission was to pass that invitation freely to the
shores of the Old World, and to be vigilant on the spot, keeping a clear
ring. He did not want folks to come, only to find a path strewn with the
obstacles and ills they thought to have left behind. His purpose was to
make life as generous, as unfettered as possible. Keep the Old World out
of the New! It became a passion with him; and he counted on making the
New World an influence towards regenerating the Old.
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