as v
a
any of Lieut : Buchterlong's Official letters of variety of dates up to the 11th of last Month, the 2nd of August, that Officer wrote to the Officiating Deputy Secretary to Government: finally closing the Timber Account and applying for allowances - in which letter he also stated, that he expected to depart shortly for India - ; as the Manilla Agents evidently did not understand.
any portion of the Wood arrived, to belong to Government – which is proved by their not drawing for its value, by the Invoice being left blank. : and further by Mr. Oluday in his letter to Lieut : Ouchterlong's address which I now return speaking of the timber for you &c; - and finally, the whole transaction is now closed in the Accounts Office, and the duty of sanctioning any charges is removed from me by instructions from England. I do not think it is in any degree incumbent on me, to authorize the Wood to be received, thereby allowing Government Lieut : Ouchterlony to be made a convenience of by whose "forgetfulness" in this and other matters is, in my opinion, no excuse whatever for an Officer of his rank, charged with important public trusts.
Having thus disposed of Lieut Buchterlony's right to claim that the wood shall be received in my private letter to him, I will add, that as some Public Buildings are about to be commenced on, I shall authorize Mr Gordon the Land Officer, to buy the Timber should he on examination, find it suited for the purpose required, and the price not higher than it can be got elsewhere.
I have &c.
(Signed) Henry Pottinger