118
and are not even hinted at
Liv. J. Bowring
by
as the grounds of
his decision. In like manner the incompetency or want of independence of the Consular Agent at Macao might have been as conclusive reason against entrusting him with the clearance
#
of the Royal George - but the reason assigned was not only different from, but apparently inconsistent with, that statement of his decision
In short Sir J. Bowring's decision may have been substantially right, but the reasons he gave for it were clearly wrong.
On the whole it does not appear to us that Sir J. Bowring's present Despatch shows any ground for complaint. We consider that Sir E. Bulwer Lytton was justified (having regard to the information before him) in censuring Sir J. Bowring. At the same time as Sir J. Bowring has ceased to be the Governor of Hong Kong and the Enquiry entrusted to W. Gerard has closed, there can be no practical advantage in pursuing the question further - we would submit, therefore, that the correspondence should be allowed to drop.
We have the honor to be
Your Obedient
humble Servants
M. E. Mundoch
Redcliifford.