Audit Office,
Victoria, Hongkong October 30, 1844.
GENTLEMEN,-I have received the instructions of His Excellency the Governor and Members of Council to acquaint you that on perusing your Memorial, herewith returned, the language of it has been found so objectionable, and so little in accordance with the respect due to the constituted authorities of the Colony that it is impossible to receive it.
The Governor and Members of Council are anxious at the same time to observe a moderation in their proceedings on the present occasion which they do not discover in the document before them, and being ready to entertain the excuse already suggested by yourselves of the very hurried manner in which this Memorial has been prepared, desire me to say that they are willing to afford you an opportunity of making any alteration and amendments which, they feel persuaded, your own sense of propriety will on reconsideration dictate and supply.
I have only to add, that independent of the above considerations which weigh so imperatively on the Governor and Council in declining the reception of your address, in its present form, the standing instructions of Her Majesty's Government expressly require that all Representations made to the Governors of Colonies should be "properly and respectfully worded."
I have the honor to be,
Gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servant,
A. E. SHELLEY,
Clerk of Councils.
To T. A. Gibb, Esq.
Donald Matheson, Esq. Augustus Carter, Esq. Patrick Dudgeon, Esq. Samuel Rawson, Esq.