Wa thing going pic. a-v I wished, especially as I had repeated my injunctions on the subject of Land in a letter to Mr Johnston of which a transcript was enclosed to your Lordship in my despatch No. 39 of the 7th of September, but the very moment it was brought to my notice that building had commenced on the lots which I had, for special reasons, granted to Captain Beeck, I took steps to put a stop to those erections, pending the instructions which I am expecting from you.
M: Johnston was then absent on private business, and your Lordship will observe by the accompanying Copy of a letter which he addressed to me, since his return on the 12th instant, that he understood that he was only doing what he was authorized in doing by sanctioning the transfer of the lots, and I give Mr. Johnston the full benefit of this fact, but it is to be taken into consideration, that had even Captain Beeck proceeded with the buildings which he began, they must have been pulled down as they encroached upon the Queen's Road (Highway) and that as permission was given by Mr. Johnston to enlarge the original allotment, and that the whole transaction took place long after the news of Peace having been concluded had reached Hong Kong, and had given value to land which it did not before possess.
In demonstration of the latter assertion, I need only mention, that the Revd Mr. Shuck, to whom Captain Beeck delegated his pretended authority to sell the land, offered to dispose of the twelve lots for a sum of money and the cost of building a thirteenth shop...