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The petition on his behalf is, I observe,
signed by all the leading members of the European community
who were best able to judge of his worth, and also by Dr
Hokar, who may be taken to represent the Chinese.
I
feel certain therefore that the largest possible compassionate allowance which Lord Knutsford could feel justified in sanctioning, would receive a cordial and general
approval in the Colony.
I am writing this in haste, in order that no
time may be lost; but in case I have thereby been led
into important omissions, I shall be happy to supply
them when they are pointed out.
I trust however that the inherent strength of
the case as represented in full by Mr Fleming, will
prove such as to compensate for any weakness in my advocacy.
As soon as the Secretary of State has come to
a decision, I should be much obliged if you would communicate it to me, in order that I may make it known to
those who are so deeply interested.
As regards the late defalcations in the Post
Office to which allusion is made in the petition to the
Administrator, I may mention that though I have very
slight knowledge of the circumstances, I think it most
probable that they would not have occurred if the late Mr Lister had not for the last year been in a condition of health which had very greatly impaired his capacity.
I have &c
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.
(Signed) G. William Des Voeux