You infer that as the sum received by me was unusually large it therefore should not have escaped my memory but I would beg to say that the enormous sums that pass through my hands in the course of a year may be pleaded as some excuse for it viz:
In 1865, $269,791.
1866, $150,094.
and up to the present time in 1866 more than $22,000: this year more.
I admit that I was remiss in not having given the matter the careful attention it ought to have had and which I much regret, but I trust His Excellency the Governor will acquit me of any other motive than carelessness.
I have to...
(Signed) F. L. Hazeland.
Crown Solicitor.