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(husen in Feby 1841.
In Feby 1841, and on the Faces returning to the south, he was appointed Acting Magistrate of Hong Kong, where he served for 19 years without leave of absence, holding in succession the important offices of Auditor General, Colonial Secretary, Member of the Executive and Legislative Councils, and Lieutenant Governor of Hong Kong. He held that position until its abolition in 1859, when he was unexpectedly forced onto a retiring pension of $1050 per annum.
During my Husband's services in civil office in Hong Kong, he received numerous marks of approbation from the Authorities; and the annexed extracts, papers, despatches, and letters will show the estimation in which his services were held.
My Husband being the first official appointed to the barren rock which Hong Kong then occupied, has throughout his service been the oldest Government Officer located in that extensive settlement, and has had numerous calls on his hospitality, which involved him in heavy unavoidable expenses disproportionate to his official emoluments, as no public allowance has been given.
On the respected termination of his civil career, he returned to England in embarrassed circumstances, almost entirely caused by the pecuniary liabilities placed upon him as head of the Government in Hong Kong, and up to the time of his death, these liabilities remained a heavy drain on his means.
Under these circumstances, the policy of insurance of £2000 which had been effected on my Husband's life was almost entirely mortgaged, and the small sum that remained unencumbered - with a very small pension of £140 per annum, which would painfully manage to constitute my sole support.
I am unable to afford the allowance, having a life assurance and three light children; and my two other...
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