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from the Stead of the Government town to the meanest porter in the local Service - I should indeed, Sir, hold myself unworthy of the high favor I have received at the hands of the Imperial Government, if I did not feel proud of, grateful for, and profoundly thankful for my promotion in 1857 to the office of Lieutenant Governor charged with its Government, and at the more so as it was unsolicited by me - But still it is a fact that my promotion from the unostentatious Office of Colonial Secretary, at £1800 a year, to that of Lieutenant Governor administering the Government at £2250, was in a pecuniary point of view, a heavy loss to me.
It so happened that I had no sooner assumed the Government, than the approach of the rebel forces to Canton, caused exodus of the wealthy population of that city, down to this island as a point of refuge, so as to make even the poorest Bungalows on this barren hill side, worth a rent that would command a Mansion in London - The necessaries of Life rose high in our Bazaars, at all times high, still higher, under that pressure, and continued until they reached exorbitant prices, under the prolonged operations against Canton from 1856 to 1857. Such was the crisis which I was called upon to undertake the responsibilities and of course the hospitalities of this Government upon an advance of salary of not more than £450 a year above my Colonial Secretary pay, no table allowance being attached to this