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14th Regiment, accompanied him throughout, and distinguished himself particularly."
His Excellency
I have, &c.
(Signed) SAMFORD WHITTINGHAM,
Major-General.
The Lord Viscount Combermere, G.C.B., &c.
Commanding-in-Chief in India.
True copy.
HJ. Mula - Dimo, Colonial Secretary.
13.
EXTRACT from despatch marked "Separate and Confidential," dated 21st November, 1846, from Governor Sir John Davis to Earl Grey.
"Both the claims and qualifications of Major Caine are so different from those of Mr. Shelley, that I could not hesitate as to the selection. Major Caine is now the oldest Civil servant of Hong Kong, having landed in 1841, and lived in a mat shed on the first occupation of this island, through the worst and most dangerous period. Mr. Shelley came out at the same time with myself, in 1844, with the chance of obtaining any vacant office. From my personal regard for Mr. Bruce, and at that gentleman's intercession, I gave Mr. Shelley the office of Auditor.
"The double duties which I have the honour to perform under your Lordship and Viscount Palmerston, and the responsibilities attached thereto, make it an act of mere justice to myself to employ as Secretary a person on whose diligence, steadiness, and general ability I can perfectly rely. Mr. Shelley possesses many agreeable qualities, but the enclosed letter addressed by my direction to that gentleman is only one of the frequent occasions on which I have had to remonstrate with him on the neglect of his duties and the absenting himself from his office, and as he owed his employment to myself, this should not have occurred. Such habits would be totally inconsistent with the office of Secretary, whose constant attendance I require, and in respect to which regular attendance I find Major Caine all that I could wish."
True extract.
W. T. MERCER, Colonial Secretary.
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14.
70
EXTRACT from despatch marked "Separate and Confidential," dated 27th November, 1846, from Governor Sir John Davis to Earl Grey.
"Mr. Shelley adds, that no injustice would have been done to Major Caine had he been appointed Colonial Secretary. The injustice would have been great, that of appointing a negligent and unfit person for a diligent and fit one."
True extract.
W. SIMONS, Colonial Secretary.
EXTRACT from despatch No. 41, of 19th April, 1847, from Governor Sir John Davis to the Earl Grey.
"The Major-General's report will put your Lordship in possession of the military details of our short expedition of seven days, and I have only to add that the able dispositions of Major Caine, the Colonial Secretary, who was Acting Governor and Commandant in my absence, ensured the safety and tranquillity of the colony."
True extract.
Jef WI. Mas, Colonial Secretary.
15.
EXTRACT from despatch marked "Separate," of 29th October, 1850, from Governor Sir George Bonham to Earl Grey.
"2. Major Caine has spent forty-seven years of his life in Asia, and during thirty-seven years has been employed as a soldier and civilian in the public service. In the former capacity he has served either on the Staff or immediately under the eye of several of the most distinguished General Officers who have held commands in India, and their letters and memoranda, of which copies are inclosed in his letter to myself, unanimously attest his activity, utility, and distinguished gallantry in camp and field. As a civilian, both Sir Henry Pottinger and Sir John Davis have spoken in the highest terms of his zeal and efficiency, and I can but repeat the assurance which I have already had the honour to convey to your Lordship of my perfect concurrence with my predecessors in his title to their good opinion. He was for long
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