Treasury, Hong Kong
13th October, 1863.
Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated [date] enclosing a letter from Mr. J. Pauncefote.
Your letter is the first intimation that the subject matter thus introduced to the notice of the Acting Governor has reached me.
The legal proceedings alleged to have been threatened did not emanate from this Department and could hardly have occurred had it been otherwise, as there were misstatements previously.
By the subjoined copy of a letter from the Acting Colonial Secretary to [name], it will be seen that on the 3rd instant, when the Court was in the original...
[appears to be end of page; no clear sentence completion]
Page 16
(expected three lines at the bottom, but text is cut off)
However, to follow the exact format requested:N=55.
Copy.
15
Treasury, Hong Kong
13th October, 1863.
Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated enclosing a letter No. 1.232 from Mr. J. Pauncefote.
Your letter is the first intimation that the subject matter thus introduced to the notice of the Acting Governor has reached me.
The legal proceedings alleged to have been threatened did (not) emanate from this Department and could hardly have occurred on ... had it been otherwise, as there were misstatements previously.
The Honorable ... on the 3rd instant when ... the Court: Léa bem in the original.
The Acting Colonial Secretary ...
Page 16