I have, as you are aware, encountered difficulties in no way diminished by the declared opposition of His Excellency and of yourself to any enquiry. I was fully prepared to take part, if requested, in the labours of any Committee, appointed in the terms of my motion and of our petition to Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies. I am ready to form part of such a Committee now, but I have seen no reason to change my opinion, that to be of any practical value, a majority of the members should be persons unconnected with the Government service.
May I venture to suggest for His Excellency's consideration the withdrawal from the Committee of the Honourable the Harbour Master's name, and the substitution of an Unofficial Member of Council in his place. It seems to me that the Committee so constituted would be what the Marquis of Ripon intended to grant us, and what would be acceptable to the public. I should have no hesitation in acting on such a Committee.
I have &c.,
(Signed) T. H. Whitehead.
Hon: G. T. M. O'Brien, C. M. G., Colonial Secretary.