a Government Officer, is to lay the facts before the Executive, by whom they would be investigated, that is your course. I am to assure your Excellency is of opinion that the course you contemplated is quite unnecessary to vindicate character or to protect your position in the Public Service.
4. As to the various Official papers relating to Emigration, which at the request of the Editor of the "Hongkong Telegraph" were supplied to him, were so supplied by the Governor's authority.
The Acting Colonial Secretary said as to the special reason assigned by Captain Thomsett for asking permission to prosecute the Proprietor of the "HongKong Telegraph," he thought Captain Thomsett should be asked to state definitely what he meant; but as to the withholding of permission to vindicate his character, he did not think that that should be done. The fact that his Official work were a shame and farce, he should deem it incumbent upon him to repel that charge. He considered his official character as almost more sacred than his private character.
478