the expiry of my command of that garrison, proving that I had under my orders a total force of 895 troops.
I most particularly pray your Majesty's gracious attention to the fact, that the military duties there performed by me necessarily led to the hope of recognition of my claim to the full Majority, which I trust may still meet with a revival through your Majesty's benevolent consideration. To add to my unfortunate position, I was obliged to purchase the commission of my third son, Henry Menteath Caine, notwithstanding that I had the promise from the late Lord Hardinge, when this son was in the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, that he should obtain his commission without purchase. My son passed the examination—the death of Lord Hardinge and the Crimean war nullified the promise—and a year after my son's passing for his commission, I was obliged to purchase his Ensigncy (and shortly after, his Lieutenancy) in the 27th Regiment, and during the interval I had to maintain tutors, and incur other heavy expenses necessary to his continuous studies. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge showed considerable kindness in the matter, and I am aware that this additional bad fortune to me could not have been avoided under the peculiar circumstances of the case.
On being permitted to retire from the military service I was denied the honorary rank of Colonel, an honour, at the period of my retirement, 1857, accorded to some, and now bestowed generally, and as a matter of course; this denial prevented my submitting my name to the Horse Guards as a candidate for being placed on the list of His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge for "meritorious services," but to which I now solicit the favourable interposition of my Sovereign.
When promoted to Lieutenant-Governor of Hong Kong, unsolicited by myself, my salary was raised from £1,800 per annum, as Colonial Secretary and Auditor-General, to £2,000, and eventually, at my request, His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, was pleased to grant me an increase of £250 per annum for house rent.
The rebellion in China, and our lengthened war with that country, eventually rendered all supplies for consumption at famine prices, and house rent rose in proportion (vide Memorial appended). I, as the Lieutenant-Governor of the colony, and for a considerable period its administrator, had to perform those courtesies usual, and in fact appertaining to the high position I had the honour to hold. Foreign Ambassadors, Governors, Admirals, Officers of all European Navies, our own Military and Naval Chiefs and Officers, the Civil Servants, as well as the principal mercantile community (also of several nations) had to receive that hospitality which was their due, and which I considered it my duty to maintain. All these expenses, with the limited increase of my salary on promotion, involved me in pecuniary difficulties; which, coupled with the loss sustained by the sale of my commission, the outlay caused by being obliged to purchase the commission of my son, and the expense necessary to fit my youngest son (unprovided for), for his entrance into the world, has rendered my present position most lamentable; moreover, the insurance on my life, at my advanced age (64), is heavy, very heavy. So, amidst all my difficulties, I have resolved to submit my unfortunate case to the foot of the Throne, most earnestly begging your Majesty's pardon for the trouble I am causing by this lengthened appeal, the necessary egotism of which I could not avoid, for, however painful so to speak of myself in the documents now submitted, I have not been able to write otherwise. The events of a life, extending over a period of nearly half a century, could hardly be rendered briefly.
In conclusion, it will be self-evident that the present is the only resource left, and therefore this humble appeal is submitted, in the hope of relief from the benevolent and gracious sympathy of my most gracious Sovereign; and as in duty bound I shall for ever pray for your Majesty's health and prosperity.
I now respectfully remain,
Your Majesty's most loyal, true,
and
very obedient humble subject,
Retired Lieutenant-Colonel, and late Lieutenant-Governor of Hong Kong.