Mr Gibbons to Acting Colonial Secretary.
Hongkong January 5th, 1881.
...
further delay.
As I am almost wholly dependent on my profession for the maintenance of my family and self, to deprive me of my salary and to detain me in the Colony is to visit punishment wholly disproportionate to any offence with which I have been charged. With His Excellency's permission, I propose to leave by an opportunity which offers at the end of the present week.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
(Signed) Mr. Fred. Gibbons
To The Honble H. Stewart LL.D., Acting Colonial Secretary.
[...]
Sir,
I have the honour to solicit a reply to my letter dated 3rd January 1881, in which I asked for the permission of His Excellency the Governor to leave the Colony.
An opportunity offers for me to leave on the ... of this instant, which I desire to avail myself of, as the delay involves expense and loss which I am unable to bear. I am quite unable to remain compelled to seek an...