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pass no further remarks on the subject for the mail. I had previously signed the Despatches, and therefore there was no necessity of further perusal by me. Shortly afterwards Mr. Mercer passed through my room, leaving as I understand, the Despatches and Blue Book in his hands for submission to the Governor. He almost immediately returned, and told me that he had left them with Sir John Bowring. Some stress is laid in detailing the foregoing as it arose - as it crowds inference on my recollection from the following circumstance. After Mr. Mercer's avowal of the Despatches and Blue Book being with Sir John, I left my room with the intention of going home, and whilst on my way down stairs was called back by Mr. Mercer, who found the Governor wished to see me, - I returned up stairs and met him just coming out of his room, who had some conversation with Mr. Mercer and myself relative to Despatch No. 69 from me.
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of the 10th of May last, the result of which was that at the instance of His Excellency I addressed a short Despatch, No. 80 of that date, to Lord John Russell, accounting for its not being then forwarded.
It had been always my practice to ask Mr. Mercer if Sir John Bowring had seen the Despatches, and I am certain that I never omitted doing so on the morning when a mail had been going out : indeed with His Grace the Duke of Newcastle's Despatch, No. 16 of the 30th March 1854, strongly in my recollection, requiring the Despatches to be submitted to Sir John Bowring before they were sent home, I was personally anxious that this point of Duty should be performed.
I would now respectfully submit that Mr. Mercer and Mr. D'Almada be called upon for an explanation on the first occasion when the Despatches were transmitted.