had not arrived at Hong Kong where it was written. I trusted to her Austin, and he had apparently trusted to me to update the arrangement to the Secretary of State. I can only plead in extenuation that I was solely actuated by a desire to do that which was most beneficial for the public interest.
The office of Assistant Master at Hong Kong was vacant, and there was no fitting candidate obtainable in the Colony to fill it. I knew Captain Ewen to be eminently fitted for the office, and therefore appointed him with the distinct understanding that it was subject to the approval of the Secretary of State, and would hear further confirmation of it.
The arrangement proposed by H. Austin for the collection of the revenue is, I think, a reasonable and probably the best which could be made.
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