CO129-027 - Public Offices - 1848 — Page 369

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To The Most Heritable Ford Colonis. Secretory of Shed for the Majishijs

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Mrs H 9. Marchin

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The Memorial of Charles William Gibbons

That in March 1844 Your Memorialist was appointed by Sir Henry Pottinger to a situation in the Colonial Secretary's Office in the Colony of Hongkong, which appointment was subsequently confirmed by Lord Hunley.

That Your Memorialist continued to fulfill the duties of such appointment until February 1845, when being taken seriously ill, he applied for leave of absence in order to proceed to the Bath to recruit his health. Leave being granted by His Excellency Sir John Davis under the counter signature of the Honorable Mr. Bunce Austin, dated 4th February 1845, for the term of six weeks. Your Memorialist immediately took passage to the Bath on the coast of China, but the said passage was unfortunately detained by strong adverse winds, and did not reach her destination (Chefoo) till the 31st March, about 42 days from Hongkong, the usual passage from Hongkong to Chusan being only 7 or 8 days.

That Your Memorialist arrived in Chusan and not being able to obtain an immediate passage back to Hongkong until the return of the same ship which conveyed him, was compelled to remain there, thereby prolonging his absence considerably longer than was anticipated by him.