My Lord Duke,
I take the liberty to represent to Your Grace the facts, that I am not culpable in any degree, and furthermore humbly pray, that Your Grace be pleased to exonerate me from that blame, with which I now stand charged, and cause a revision to be made, of the harsh sentence which has been passed upon me.
I have the honor to be, My Lord Duke, Your Grace's most-devoted and obedient Servant, Henry Gunthorpe.
True Copy. 10.316.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Victoria, Hong Kong, 10th April 1860.
His Excellency the Governor has, as you are aware, brought your case before the Executive Council of the Colony. The Council are unanimously of opinion that you are officially responsible for the deficiencies in the Harbor Master's Office to the extent of the $900 received by you, and that you have been guilty of such neglect and misconduct in the discharge of the duties of your office as to render your immediate suspension necessary with a view to your ultimate dismissal from the Service.
I am therefore directed to notify to you that your suspension dated 4th instant is hereby confirmed.