113
51
guilty in that case, as reported by Aver has received any notice from His Excellency. In the mean time the facts have become notorious: and at least the Chinese population are led to suppose that Mr. Mitchell is powerful to protect not only himself from scrutiny, enquiry, but his servants and friends from the penaltios with which contempt of lawful authority and process are by the laws of England supposed to be punished.
Again on a following day I had occasion to request an early decision as to the gross insult thus offered: - my services as "Grand jury" being sought by Mr. Tarrant of West Point, for the presentment of a nuisance; and I took that occasion to point out to His Excellency that, until I received such decision, I could not with much satisfaction to myself undertake the arduous duty to which Mr. Tarrant invited me. To that letter again I have as yet had no reply.
The Information against Mr. Mitchell has been signed a week since; but, in the hope