Honors, it happens to me but right and proper to place before you the circumstances that in a very great measure, if not entirely, led to the Colony of Hongkong being, I may say without so much as estimating my services, prepared for the occupation of our forces, the Government of the Island, and our merchants, and in fact, that the expedition on its return from the north of China, found already a thriving Colony when it had left only a fishing hamlet.
As will also be seen by my statement that although always employed in a civil capacity and was not unfrequently exposed to risks usually encountered by those of the Military and Naval professions alone, and could I advert to them, incurred by some very rarely any one. Desirous of obtaining service under the Crown, I cannot again hide from myself, that some mark of Their Most Gracious Majesty's approbation would be most gratifying.
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