be ruins before four Lordship's decision can be obtained; and I must thereby be a pecuniary sufferer to a considerable extent, unless full indemnity is ordered by Your Lordship.
Even as to the right of Capt. Meik to dispose of the ground again brought under discussion, perhaps your Lordship will be inclined to regard it with leniency when informed that in addition to four hundred dollars actually expended on the ground a larger sum, even then has to the present, other lots of equal extent the Cost upwards of Three hundred more have been expended on many by the absconding of builders.
The Island were not unusually subject to, from there being no Chinese Contractors of respectability then resident upon it; and that his buildings progressed at a time when, in consequence of the continued uncertainty regarding the permanent occupation of the Island, the boldest had doubts regarding the result of their building operations; and that notwithstanding all difficulties, and sickness which compelled him to retire an invalid from China, considerable progress was made with the buildings; and the ground was transferred to ... two months before the expiration of the time usually allowed for building.
In conclusion it may be mentioned that I made an offer to surrender my right to the ground in question, should it be required by Contractors.