Cofy Sii 64 Hongkong 15th December 1881.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th inst.
At the time when I wrote to you on the 2nd inst., I considered it just to direct my solicitor Messrs Brereton & Wotton to give them prompt notice of my intention to bring the circumstances of the suit in the Supreme Court, Hayllas & Eitel, to the attention of the Legislative Council. Messrs Brereton & Wotton have since informed me that they have received a communication from Dr Eitel to the effect that he has applied for enquiry before the Executive Council to enable him to vindicate his character.
I need hardly say that, should His Excellency order an enquiry,
The Honourable M.S. Tonochy, Acting Colonial Secretary.