Instructions of the Surveyor General have made certain statements and representations, which appear to have weighed with the members of the Council in adopting the Resolution referred to.
I am further informed by Mr. Wilson that the grave charges which have been brought against him, whilst bearing upon their surface the appearance of truth, are nevertheless at variance with the facts; and that he is in a position to prove that during the period he has filled the Office of Surveyor General to the Govt. of Hong Kong (now nearly five years), he has devoted himself unremittingly to the discharge of his duties, and has successfully and efficiently carried out the several important and difficult works committed to his charge, which facts have been endorsed in unqualified terms by the late Gov. Sir Hercules Robinson, and also by the gentleman administering the Govt. during the year immediately preceding the appointment of the present Governor.
From documents which have been handed to me by Mr. Wilson, I beg most respectfully to submit that I believe the evidence upon which the resolution of the Council, to which I have referred, was founded, was, to say the least of it, insufficient; and on behalf of Mr. Wilson, I solicit that, inasmuch as he is upon the point of returning to England in the course of a few weeks, the action in the matter on the part of the Home Government may be suspended until Mr. Wilson has arrived and had an opportunity of giving such explanation in answer to the charges brought against him as may be in his power.
I have the honour to remain, Sir, Your most obedient & humble Servant, Fud Ransome.