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Sir J. Jordan has informed you that when, acting on
Sir F. Grey's instructions, he enquired of the
Chinese Government whether they contemplated the
appointment of a foreign legal adviser, they declared
that for the present they did not.
There would in these circumstances have been no
justification for his spontaneously acquainting you
with the manner in which your hypothetical candidature
was viewed by His "ajesty's Government.
It was only when you continued to solicit Sir
J. Jordan's official support of your candidature that
it was necessary for him to intimate to you that he
was precluded by his instructions from doing this,
and, on being further and personally pressed, to in-
form you of the considerations which had weighed
with His Majesty's Government in forming the con-
clusion that you would not be the best qualified
British subject whom they could recommend to the
Chinese Government for the post of legal adviser, if
asked for such recommendation.
Sir E. Grey does not see that there is anything
in this procedure to which you have any legitimate
cause to take exception.
He would regret if circumstances were to render it
necessary for His Majesty's Government to oppose the
appointment of a public servant who has occupied posts
of distinction under the Crown, but they are bound to
judge an appointment of this kind entirely from the point
Hon
of view of the particular circumstances, and, if their
advice is sought, to put the question of the best
possible selection before every other consideration.
Above all they are unquestionably entitled to re-
serve to themselves the right of making to a foreign
Government in a matter of this kind the recommendations
which appear to them to be the most suitable, having due
regard to all the conditions required.
I am
(Signed)
C. 7
Fyre A. Crowe.
India
cause
T