Enclosure 40 12
399
Government Civil Hospital Hong Kong
22nd November 1886
C
1520
I beg to acknowledge the receipt of Government Order of 20th instant No. 256/80 —
I am much astonished at the charges of disobedience &c brought against me in the first instance; and I do not now understand the decision of the Council.
My sole reason for declining to undertake extra work was ill health.
During my fourteen years in Hongkong, I have placed no limit to my exertions on behalf of the Government but these exertions have left their mark upon me and I have also suffered severely from climatic disease.
Over exertion and stress of work in the Hospital now take effect upon me more than in past years and I have internal warnings of the danger I run when I try to do too much.
These warnings I have received for some time past, and when requested to undertake Dr Marques' duties I could only represent my inability.
Such statements from me being regular and received by the Government as part of my duty and I have yet to learn on what grounds His Excellency refuses to believe me on my own behalf when I might be supposed least liable to error.
Don: L. Stewart L.L.D
Acting Colonial Secretary
My ...