Hong Kong 12th October 1855.
I have the honor to complain to your Lordship of deception by the former Governor, Sir John Bowring, of the Duplicate Dispatch No. 1. forwarded to her Majesty's Government yesterday morning, open for transmission to your Lordship.
His Excellency's Acting Secretary, Mr. Caine, in his letter No. 215. 11th October 1855, states that certain enquiries are demanded before he can report on the subject, and that Sir John Bowring cannot report on the subject by Wednesday's (Tomorrow's) Mail.
The only point in my letter which possibly involves certain enquiries, is that relating to Dr. J. Bridges, in connection with the Appellant Case. Your Lordship will judge of the good faith of this objection, and on perusal of Duplicate Dispatch No. 2, which is forwarded by tomorrow's Mail, through the Post Office, to your Lordship's consideration.
I take this opportunity to correct an error in yesterday's letter, which considerably extenuated the culpability of the parties concerned. It now appears that Dr. Bridges' suspension from the post of Counsel to the Superintendency dated from the 9th August.
I was obliged on that day to vacate it. In transmitting my arrears of salary yesterday morning, Acting Secretary Mr. Caine had the kindness to forward the Draught Letter of appointment addressed to Dr. Bridges, and thus enabled me to detect the fact, concealed from the public, that the immediate result of my suspension from office was the partition of my spoils between the late Mr. Day and the then Acting Colonial Secretary, who were chiefly engaged in promoting my suspension.
I have the honor to be,
(Signed) T. Quested de Montigny
The Right Honorable the Earl of Malmesbury
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