Major land dealer John Morphett sways vote against governor John Hindmarsh in favour of Light's Adelaide site
John Morphett portrait by Thomas Laurence, about 1834.
Image courtesy State Library of South Australia
Major land owner and dealer John Morphett’s votes were decisive in confirming the site of Adelaide chosen by William Light at the crucial meeting of settlers in February 1837.
Supporting resident commissioner James Hurtle Fisher against South Australia’s first governor John Hindmarsh, Morphett joined the committee that established the Southern Australian newspaper in July 1837. Hindmarsh later complained that Morphett was largely responsible for his recall to England.
At the age of 21, Morphett had worked at the counting house of Harris & Co., in Alexandria, Egypt, before returning to London in 1834 with his brother George.
Through Dr Edward Wright, Morphett became interested in the South Australian Association push for a colony. When South Australian Act passed the British parliament, Morphett issued a pamphlet on Reasons for the Purchase of Land in South Australia, by Persons Resident in Britain; With a View to the Removal of Labourers, and the Profitable Employment of Capital. He advertised that he was migrating to the colony and would act for land buyers. By 1834, he was on the South Australian Literary Association committee and one of the new province’s most energetic advocates.
Sailing in the Cygnet, Morphett arrived in South Australia in September 1836. Two months later, with Lieutenant W.G. Field and George Kingston, he discovered the River Torrens. The Torrens was vital to William Light’s choice of the city site. At the crucial meeting in 1837, Morphett's votes were decisive in confirming the site of Adelaide and added to his antagonism towards governor John Hindmarsh.
In 1839, Morphett helped select six 4000ha special land surveys, mostly for English friends and the Secondary Towns Association.
With his Mediterranean experience, he believed that wool growing was more suited than agriculture to South Australia but he also knew the colony needed men of capital.
Morphett backed many causes. In 1840, he became treasurer of Adelaide's Municipal Corporation, helped found the Agricultural Society in 1844, supported the Collegiate School of St Peter and was attorney for the Society for Propagating the Gospel in foreign parts.
He became a director of the South Australian Banking Company and served on the committee of the English Railway Company. His North Terrace office handled numerous calls for advice on land and commerce.
A popular chairman at public meetings, Morphett's long political career began in 1843 as one of the first non-official nominees in the Legislative Council.
In 1846, he was one of four who walked out in protest against the mining royalty proposals.
But Morphett showed his conservatives side in proposing the bill for state aid to religion. After visiting England, he returned in time to oppose Earl Grey’s federal plans and local moves for vote by ballot.
When the Legislative Council was reformed he was again nominated and in 1851 he was elected speaker. In the first elections under responsible government in 1857, he won a Legislative Council seat.
In 1861, he was chief secretary in the two short Thomas Reynolds ministries, resigning when he was unable to support the moves to dismiss Judge Benjamin Boothby. He was president of the Legislative Council 1865-73.
