War
Land Bol
Misce
Q0
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the Mauritius
Created Houth as to his account.
the general accuracy of himself.
Hence arose a desire to ascertain the real facts Connected with his History. And with this view the enclosed memo has been forwarded to me.
J. was referred by the to the Police Authorities in Whitehall letter from
I beg to enclose Claud Henderson stating that no such person as Mr. Rice had joined the Metropolitan Police Force since its formation. Colonel Henderson's letter at the same time encloses a Communication of 29th June from Inspector Mulvany who had Communicated with the Chief Clerk of the Home Office, and the result of that investigation is a complete Contradiction of Mr. Rice's asserted Connection with the latter office.
Mr. Rice's name, however, is entered in the strong list.
Under these circumstances, and bearing in mind some other matters Connected with Mr. Rice, I would suggest the propriety of bringing the enclosed papers to the early notice of the Secretary of State, as the situation held by Mr. Rice is necessarily of a highly Confidential and responsible Nature and the interest of the Queen's service seems to require that the matter should be Completely investigated.
As Mr. Rich states that he was for two years Connected with the Gold Escort at Melbourne - and that he Commanded the Mounted Police of the Victoria Gold Escort "wanted" by Bushrangers and was severely wounded in an encounter - there can, I presume, be little difficulty in ascertaining the truth of those statements, if it be Thought necessary to extend the inquiry to far back into Mr. Rice's history previous to his asserted "Connection with the London Police".
I have the honor to be
Your most obedient
humble Servant
Macdonnell
No 2
2 July 1872
Private