I have duties at Canton. And letters which have reached me from various quarters, lead me to believe that there was little prospect of his being able to. Should measures be taken and conditions permit, I shall endeavour to test the prevailing circumstances.
Where to my great surprise, detriment may be exceedingly great that any inconvenience arose from being superfluous and leave of absences. Nor have I the least reason to believe that any prejudice arose from such cases.
The Revd H. Robinson, the Military Chaplain, is kindly assisting in the services of the Cathedral at present, officiating at Canton with the garrison officers and the free civilians who are there.
It is further to observe that Mr Gray would be more in his place at Hongkong. Mean while he continues to be at Canton for the greater portion of his slack time still at the former place.
I have to request the Secretary of State with that regard, it would be less to suppose that I would relinquish the duties of any post or willingly abstain from its discharge longer than duty possibly might.
Shorn of that claim, called on to utter the Bishop's letter, rather than to state that his Lordship labours under a misapprehension as to my intentions to apply for an extension of leave - for should I totter under the differences that the duties of my office, as provided for, have been liberally discharged.
Your Lordship's obedient servant, J. Smith, Chaplain of Hongkong.
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