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myself by day or night, but ever sought opportunities, and found them, to render myself useful, without reference to the duties of the special office which I had, at the time, the honor to fill; as further vouched for by the testimonials enclosed, official and Non-official.
I am dependent on my Official Subsistence; and Providence having struck me down, in the 42nd Year of my life, with age, Actual Service, beyond the pale of Medical aid, rendering my tenure of life from day to day uncertain, and death within a few years at farthest, an inevitable doom, even in this temperate Climate, I am compelled, sorely against my inclinations to apply for the means of existence during the period I may be permitted to live, as the resignation of my office now would, otherwise, involve the loss of my means of support.
Should the humble prayer of this my petition be rejected, I have no alternative but to return to my duties in Hongkong, with the fixed resolve to exert myself with the same energy, zeal and Capacity as I have ever heretofore displayed, my spirit being, as yet, unaffected by the wretched condition of its Corporeal shell; and although doomed to an early death, I will cheerfully exert myself, while life lasts to perform my duties faithfully and strive at the last to die in harness at my Post.