B 159 6. Mr. J. Winchessen.
My dear Sir,
28th May 1856.
27025/56
129
With reference to the subject of your letter of today's date, I have only to observe that the suspicion of your being drunk, at the Governor's table on Tuesday the 13th inst., never crossed my mind. I did not sit near you during dinner, but on rising from the table I went up and paid my respects to you as it was the first time I had the pleasure of meeting you since your illness. You retired soon afterwards to the Ante Room and remained in conversation there for twenty minutes or half an hour. Had you been drunk, I do not think I could have failed to notice it, and it was with extreme surprise that I heard afterwards of such a rumour being current.
Mr. Fowler states that on hearing that you were accused of having been drunk on the occasion referred to, his astonishment was greater than he could express; and Mr. Seant says that he saw nothing of the kind.
I remain, dear Sir,
Yours very truly,
Signed Thomas Willows