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I received from the Land Inspector an official letter, dated Nov. 26. alt?, written by command of the Acting Governor, for? A. R. Johnston Esqt (of which I annex a certified copy) which again fully recognizes my title to the ground, and calls on me to fulfil the engagement : of Captn Theik by widening at my own expense the Public road to the breadth of 50 feet.
When the ground was cleared. I commenced erecting buildings upon it of the same character as those built by Captain Merk, and had proceeded about half way towards completion when I received a communication from His Excellency's Plenipotentiary, dated January 4th instant, being upwards of a mouth after His Excellency's return to Hong Kong from the north, to the effect that the transfer of the above-mentioned lots would not be made to the Crown on the ground that Captain Meck had forfeited his right to them by non-completion of his buildings, and intimating to us that if we built upon them, it would be at our own risk, as they would be sold by Public auction on receipt of the Expected instructions from England.
To this communication I replied, stating the above circumstances for H. E.'s information : upon which a second ...