Fears that France would lay claim to the land prompted the Governor of New South Wales, Ralph Darling, to send Major Edmund Lockyer, with troops and 23 convicts, to establish a settlement at King George Sound.
In January 1827 Blaxland was elected by a public meeting with two others to present a petition to Governor Darling asking that "Trial by jury" and "Taxation by Representation" should be extended to the colony.
Governor Ralph Darling held that the terms of his commission placed Dowling next in precedence to the chief justice, Francis Forbes, while Stephen, the other judge, pointed out that in England such questions were decided by seniority.
Governor Darling was, however, less sympathetic, and Halloran had great difficulty in providing for his family of nine children.
Ralph Waldo Emerson | Ralph Lauren | Ralph Nader | Ralph Vaughan Williams | Ralph Fiennes | Darling Downs | Ralph Steadman | Ralph Macchio | Ralph Bunche | Ralph Bakshi | Ralph Richardson | Ralph Stanley | Ralph McTell | Ralph Ellison | Darling | Ralph Jordan | Ralph | Ralph Abercromby | Darling River | Darling Harbour | Ralph Molnar | Ralph Records | Ralph Peterson, Jr. | Ralph Klein | Ralph H. Fowler | Alistair Darling | Ralph Tresvant | Ralph Moore | Ron Darling | Ralph Wilson |
He was recommended for this position by Bathurst, the Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, and promoted lieutenant-colonel, but Governor Darling appointed him instead as superintendent of police.