501
I think we should tell Tu P. Hennessy that I am sorry his well meant endeavour to settle this matter. We have blamed him for settling questions on the spot, and should encourage him to make the effort to do so.
K Jan. 27/51
It will be found upon examination of dates that Sir J. P. Hennessy did not make a show of attempting to settle the matter on the spot until it had advanced too far, and then only in a warning addressed to them in connection with another affair of the same kind, and that if Mr Price had not appealed to the S. of S. he would in all probability not have been righted at all.
Mr Price first wrote to the S. of S. on the 7th of August complaining of the publication of Mr Ford's calumnious report. He wrote further on the 26th of August requesting that the report might be cancelled. These letters were received direct from Mr Price on 17 Sept and 15 Oct respectively.
It was not till 1 Nov that either of them was received by the Governor when they were received both together with unsatisfactory explanations from Ford, whereupon Kimberley directed the Governor to cancel the report in a despatch dated 13 Nov.
It was not until 4 Decr that Sir J. P. Hennessy suggested a Committee of Gentlemen to settle the matter on the spot, probably because he was frightened by Kimberley's scolding re the Mayor General which he would have just received, but as the matter had been long previously referred to him, an answer might be expected by the next
511