But feeling myself bound respectfully to submit to his Lordship's decision, I have arranged on Thursday next to return the services of plate to Messrs. Mody & Co. of Gresham House to whom they were consigned from Hong Kong.
The circumstances under which the plate having been presented to me on the 8th of January last, I now know that it has become my duty to return it will be best explained by the correspondence which has led to this result. I propose therefore to give a copy of the correspondence to Messrs. Mody & Co.
The address itself is most gratifying to me, as for the plate presented, my habits are such that having previously had sufficient for all occasions, I have not once used any article of it since the day I received it. My children are greatly pained at losing what would have been ever to them a material proof of respect from the whole of two distinct communities to me as their Counsel.
I am now in the midst of most active preparations, which have been unspeakably much retarded by leaving England by the next mail hoping to reach Hong Kong on the 17th of October.
I have the honor to be,
Your very obedient Servant,
Chief Justice for Hong Kong