MY DEAR SASSOON,
BANK BUILDINGS, HONGKONG, 17th September, 1886.
You may possibly have heard that I intend to offer myself at the next election as a candidate for a seat on the Legislative Council. You are probably also aware of the fact that you are generally reported to be about to leave Hongkong for a long period, if not altogether, and to resign your seat on the Council, leaving a vacancy to be filled up on the nomination of the Justices of the Peace.
Will you be so good as to let me know if this report is correct or not. If it is correct and I have it on your own authority, I shall have no hesitation in commencing an immediate canvass for the seat, but I do not feel justified in taking any steps on public report merely.
Forgive me for troubling you, but I think you will admit that it is not an unnecessary question,
Believe me, &c., &c.,
JNO. J. FRANCIS.
MY DEAR FRANCIS,
HONGKONG, 17th September, 1886.
As I am not quite sure about my future movements, I shall for the present "go away on leave," but I do not see that this need prevent your standing for the Council if you wish to. JACKSON is away on leave, and MCEWEN has been elected to fill his seat.
I shall most probably be leaving sometime next month for Europe.
Yours very truly,
F. D. SASSOON,
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