I have no desire therefore that the Secretary of State for the Colonies should be troubled with the matter. I have merely brought it under your notice to protect myself from any misapprehension I might otherwise be subjected to if I were to remain silent.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your Most Obedient Servant,
Fredt: Forth,
Colonial Treasurer.
P.S. I sought to state that it is since July last that a recent Ordinance has ingrafted upon my Department the duties hitherto known as the "Office of Police and Lighting Rates" and then supervised by Grandprè, a gentleman of Portuguese Origin.
This gentleman, Mr. A. J. de Souza, and his subordinates – Messrs. J. Rigasman and C. de Souza – are Portuguese, imperfectly acquainted with our Language. I have invariably to address the Department through de Souza, who understands and speaks it very correctly to the Treasury.
There are difficulties which a little trouble would not overcome. Often I am obliged to have recourse to Mr. de Carvalho to explain to Mr. Hyndman in his own tongue the precise intent of my instructions. I encounter difficulties which M. Grandprè could not experience since the introduction by Ordinance of an entirely new mode of collecting the taxes.
Col. Loch has done as I have done since last upon the introduction by Ordinance of an entirely new mode of Collecting the Taxes.