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the public service are precluded from accepting any Foreign Order without Her Majesty's sanction and on the other hand I do not doubt that I should offer a great offence by returning those in question accompanied by any explanation I could offer.
b.
The Officers upon whom His Majesty has conferred these honors without consulting me, or any of the Officers upon whom he has conferred these honors, adopted by His Majesty.
With my self they offered His Majesty fitting hospitality, and attention during his stay at Hong Kong, which extended over a week, believing that in doing so, they would only fulfil the wishes of the Queen towards a native King of considerable influence, who sought to establish friendly relations with Her Majesty's Government.
I have informed the General Commanding the Troops, and Commodore Shortt that I have reported the facts of the case to Your Lordship, - and I have communicated to them the substance of this Despatch.