Her Majesty ‘doth declare her assent to the said Bill’

This despatch from the Colonial Office dated 19 July 1856 included the Orders in Council signed by Queen Victoria, which gave royal assent to South Australia’s Constitution and confirmed the Electoral Act.

The Secretary of State commented that: ‘These two Acts complete the necessary change, and establish the constitution of the province on a new and wide basis.’ He went on to note that it was the sincere hope of Her Majesty’s Government that ‘its provisions may tend to the progress of the community in prosperity and real greatness’.

State Records of South Australia GRG 2/1/16