believe about 2 o'clock. P. M.
The Office was closed at 4 o'clock P.M. on that day as usual, and there was no attendance at the Office on the 10th when the Mail departed. It is quite possible that a solitary despatch may have been passed over by me, but I cannot admit that a document as voluminous and important as the Blue Book could have been laid before and have escaped my attention or my recollection.
I must after his explanation wholly exonerate the Lieutenant Governor from the intention to keep back from me any dispatches from Manila, and would rewrite that portion of the despatch had there been time. I would not in the slightest degree now impeach the veracity of the Colonial Secretary. In the hurry of making up the mails there may have been miscollections, which I doubt not will in future be avoided.
I have the honor to be, With the highest respect, Your Lordship's Most obedient humble servant, John Bowring