397
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impression is that these were the papers of the Beaver case, and although the matter of them and their particular connection with the case of the Convict have entirely passed from my recollection, I make little doubt that it was on perusing these that I told Mr Anstey in some conversation or other that I had finished my report. This supposes of course a confusion of dates on the part of Mr Anstey, but, with every confidence in Mr Anstey's powers of memory, and in fully admitting the defectiveness with which I am in this instance compelled to charge my own, I must be allowed to assume his anachronism to be a greater possibility than that I should have told him my report was ready on papers which I certainly never looked into.
In conclusion I beg to express my regret that through my instrumentality documents of so important a character should have been so long withheld from the department to which they belong.
I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) Thomas Wade, Chinese Secretary & H. B. M. Plenipotentiary in China.
(True copy)
Colonial Secretary.