deference to that Gentleman appears to me to be wholly unprecedented and untenable.
One when I arrived at this Island in August 1841, I was here but for a day, and during that short period was literally overwhelmed, and oppressed by the variety of affairs that demanded instant attention. Even under those circumstances I looked into what had been done and expressly prohibited any further sales or grants, allowing all that Captain Elliot had effected to stand as it was, pending the pleasure of Her Majesty's Government.
Under an avowed misconception of my orders, scarcely had I left the Island when Mr. Johnston framed rules for further Grants, and proceeded to act on them, of which fact I only became cognizant months after. The instant I was aware of it, I pointed out to that Gentleman the mistake into which he had fallen, but the evil was done, and I had no instructions to guide me until the receipt of Lord Aberdeen's Despatch No 4 of the 16th of January 1843, written by His Lordship after it was known in England that this Island had been ceded to Her Majesty.
I have thought it due to myself to offer to Your Lordship the above brief explanation of the position in which I find myself, and when I add to it, that I have been quoted and held up not only as the immediate cause of all the private dissatisfaction which (apparently) prevails