My dear Mrd. Meade,
478 Hongkong August 14.93–
You will, I hope, consider the request preferred in my memorial to the Govt. reasonable nor unduly importunate. I have asked to be transferred from this Colony to General Ceylon, and I venture to tender that my record entitles me, at least, to favourable consideration. My service in Ceylon extended over 24 years, during the last 15 of which I occupied posts of responsibility in which I secured the uniform commendation of every Governor under whom I served.
From Ceylon I went, as you know, to Cyprus. Lord Bute, who was then Chief Commissioner there, while Acting Secretary, expressed the prejudice against me which is natural in a man who knows that I cannot fail to be aware from personal observation, of his singular futility and want of practical capacity; but I shall be surprised if he can find anything to say against the manner in which I discharged my duties as Registrar. If he could, he would hardly have descended to misrepresentations, "invidious" allegations which derived countenance from machinations which are perfectly well known to others as well as to myself.
From Cyprus I came to Hongkong, and here also I can honestly say that I have done my duty to the best of my ability. I have had very unpopular work to do both in the Council and out of it; I have not shrunk from incurring...
Page 479
...against his Exchange Fund:
He told the matter apo that owing to the Expiration of his hiring he intended to act in a certain way.
I cautioned him against it.
There is no objective & Mr. Swettenham thought it in hand. I believe he will be afforded a lenient judgment. Its little one can be in utter & joke.
Sinants W Robinson
Mr. Brin