Such is my position. In my position in regard to the Rear Admiral's Packet, as to the delivery of the same, delivered on the 8th Instant, I cannot, however, refrain from offering in palliation of what appears to have been neglect, that from indisposition, I was on the 28th Instant, and for a few subsequent days, incapable of attending to my duties with that vigilance which, with the inexperienced hands I have in the office, I remember is requisite to prevent errors.
Being in the position to secure, as I thought, an early delivery, I was little in the office on the 29th, and placing it in a safe position, making a Chusan Mail subsequently, and it was not till making up a Chusan Mail on the 8th Instant that I discovered the packet had been placed in the Chusan division. That the Rear-Admiral should complain in this instance, I am not surprised. I have been particularly unfortunate in forwarding his correspondence, and this I acknowledge a justifiable complaint. The Admiral has been extremely tolerant.
Though I have vainly attempted, still I hope entirely to succeed in preventing a recurrence of similar irregularities. As to the closing of my office before the appointed hour, I apprehend there must have been some mistake. My time is compared every evening with the time of firing the eight o'clock gun, and it is impossible to see how, in the course of a few hours, my time could vary so much as to admit of a person returning from the Port Office to half way to the "Agincourt" and still be before the hour of 9 o'clock. My rude...
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