337 years ago the land was worth probably $45,000 and it is equally certain that at present it would scarcely fetch $10,000 - although intrinsically perhaps worth much more. I also find that on the whole of the site of the present Civil Hospital were it to be changed, it would be better to build a new hospital on land adjoining it, which can be had at a very moderate cost. The Government is therefore interested in not being held liable to complete an arrangement to which Mr Duddell strongly objected as long as he thought it possible to obtain a higher sum than that offered.
As I write this at a very late hour of night, and am unable to remember or to ascertain with certainty whether I have forwarded to the Colonial Office a copy of his Duddell's Original Lease, the precise terms of which are of course of extreme moment in consideration of the questions adverted to, I shall not fail to supply the omission by next Mail, if necessary.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient humble Servant,
Robind Fraser MacDonnell
Governor.