A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of East Sydney on 10 November 1859 because the Cowper government was defeated, causing Charles Cowper to resign his commission as Premier and Colonial Secretary and he resigned from parliament the following day.[1] [2] The second vacancy was caused because John Black had been appointed Secretary for Lands in the new Forster ministry,
| Date | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 26 October 1859 | Charles Cowper resigned as Premier and Colonial Secretary. | |
| 27 October 1859 | Charles Cowper resigned from parliament, | |
| John Black appointed Secretary for Lands.[3] | ||
| Writs of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.[4] [5] | ||
| 8 November 1859 | Nominations | |
| 10 November 1859 | Polling day | |
| 15 November 1859 | Return of writ |
Charles Cowper was nominated in his absence and resigned after the election, resulting in the 1860 by-election, won by Peter Faucett.[6]