In the late 1860s he invested in pastoral runs in south-west Queensland, which ultimately led to financial losses due to prolonged drought conditions.

[1] By the early 1850s, Cowper's father had purchased the lease of 'Burrabogie' pastoral run on the lower Murrumbidgee River, in the Riverina district of New South Wales, which he held for about a year.

Following major floods in the Murrumbidgee River in June 1852 and July 1853, Cowper (senior) sold the 'Burrabogie' run, making a profit of four thousand pounds in about twelve months.

[11] In March 1856, when responsible government commenced in the colony, Cowper tried to assist with the organisation of his father's political faction by managing the unsuccessful campaign for John W. Chisholm in the electorate of Argyle.

[16][12] By May 1860 Cowper and Goulstone's general store had been established at the diggings, described as "undoubtedly the neatest built house in Kiandra".

[17][18] Cowper became a prominent member of the community at the Kiandra diggings, as a magistrate and leading local agitation to improve roads and postal communication.

Cowper, as magistrate, took charge of the situation and "swore in special constables, maintained order, and decided disputes, and kept things going till a new staff of officers was sent by the Government".

Cowper had earlier arrived from Adelong, accompanied by "a number of gentlemen" from that township and preceded by a brass band playing 'See, the conquering hero comes'.

During the nomination speeches, Cowper was described as "a bustling business man, one who has some stake in the Southern district, and who, to all intents and purposes, may be reckoned one of ourselves".

[23][24] Soon after Cowper's appointment as representative of The Tumut electorate, the New South Wales Legislative Assembly was dissolved on the advice of the Colonial Secretary, John Robertson.

[25] After the December 1860 election, at the first session of the New South Wales parliament on 10 January 1861, the previous Premier, John Robertson, announced that the position of first Minister of the government would be taken by Charles Cowper (senior).

[26] A proclamation dated 29 August 1861 and published in the New South Wales Government Gazette declared that the person holding the office of Clerk of the Executive Council was "capable of being elected a Member of the Legislative Assembly".

[27] In late August 1861 Cowper (junior) replaced Edward C. Merewether as Clerk of the Executive Council, a position with a salary of £600 per annum.

[29] Cowper's appointment as Clerk to the Executive Council was the subject of newspaper speculation and criticism, some of which included suggestions of nepotism.

[45] In early June 1864, it was reported that Cowper had met with a serious accident while travelling to Fort Bourke on the Darling River, resulting in a fractured kneecap.

[52][53][12] On 23 September 1865, an editorial in The Burrangong Argus was critical of the "continued absence" of Cowper "from his place in the Assembly", declaring that "the Tumut electorate has been virtually disenfranchised for the past twelve months".

Cowper's resignation arrived on the last day of the parliamentary session, leaving no opportunity prior to the prorogation of Parliament for the Assembly to declare the seat vacant and the Speaker to issue a writ for a by-election.

[57] When parliament resumed on 25 July 1866, the seat held by Cowper (junior) was declared vacant upon the motion of James Martin, "in consequence of the absence of that hon.

The writer was critical of Cowper and his "apologists", and condemnatory of the electorate "having been virtually disenfranchised for a session", adding: "We might have as well elected his stick or umbrella as himself to represent us".

[67][C] In July 1874, Charles Cowper was offered the position of Sheriff of the colony of New South Wales by George Wigram Allen, the Minister of Justice and Public Instruction in the first ministry of Henry Parkes.

[71] In April 1876 Franks was discovered in Hyde Park in a moribund condition; he was taken to the Sydney Infirmary where he died, aged 26 years, from "intermittent fever and debility" brought about by "habits of drunkenness and dissipation".

[81][82] In the Divorce Court in late March 1908 the judge granted a decree nisi in response to the petitioner, Amy Cowper, whose case had been made by affidavit.

In delivering judgment, Justice Simpson expressed satisfaction that desertion had occurred, but was doubtful that it was without the consent of the petitioner or without reasonable cause or excuse.

[83] Charles Cowper died on 16 November 1911 at Bowral in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, aged 77 years, and was buried in the family vault at St. Paul's Church at Cobbitty, near Camden, southwest of Sydney.