than the present applicant
r
Mr. Steedman's letter to myself will put your Lordship in possession of all necessary information regarding his graduation, testimonials, and appointment to the Garrison chaplaincy, and I can only add that I have found him to be an unassuming and zealous clergyman, and that my acquaintance
with him,
of
near three
years
duration, has confirmed all the good report of
his
previous
career.
In the course of
that he has resided in Hongkong
he has frequently, during the sickness or absence of the Colonial Chaplain, officiated in the
There has been
no
a
small amount of sickness and mortality in the Colony and especially in the
garrison, and Mr Steedman has not escaped without his share of ill health
but he has
never been absent for
more
than a short space of time from his post.
In
an
appointment of this nature
I conceive it to be
of no small importance
that the incumbent should be acceptable to those
over
whom he assumes charge,
and I am happy to be able to add that
as
a
member of Society, Mr Steedman, always preserving a full respect for ministerial character, is upon such terms with all classes of the inhabitants
that your Lordship's approbation of
him
would afford
them
great gratification as it would myself.
Mr. Steedman has refrained
from
out of delicacy to Mr. Stanton's certain application, and I trust that Your Lordship will excuse my anticipating the official announcement of Mr Stanton's retirement in ... consideration of the length of time.