474
in the Colony, in the opinion of
the British Ministers in Cluina and
Japan, and of the fidmiral and
Naval and General commanding our
Forces. I will not avail.
Military
smyself at present of the leave granted,
while Expressing my cordial thanks.
I had already stated my
intention to remain at my post in
my telegram of the 27th Febry, ult.,
and
my
reasons for that decision
in my
<
"Confidential "despaters of the
3rd instant. which I request ray
ป
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8574
be read together with this despatch. 5450
assigned
4. The reasons there
were amply sufficient to
Cause me to decide that it was my
duty
}
by not to avail myself at present
duty
of the leave of absence so
so kindly
granted, at whatever risk of healtto and at whatever sacrifice of personal
Since I last wrote on
Convenience
this subject, the intelligence of probable Complications, perhaps hostilities, betweens England and Russia, makes it still. more imperative that I should not quit what may
soon become a post
of danger,
av
well
(2.3
of difficulty
I am co-operating zealously witte the
Admiral and General Commanding. our sex and land Forces, in placing Hong kong in a conditions of defence. Admiral Sir 15 Dowell has given orders for the concentration of his entire
Iquadrow