CO129-139 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [8-12] — Page 255

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: and more intelligible estimates had never been laid before a Colonial Legislative Council. Owing to certain improvements in their form which I had introduced, and which I have more fully explained in my despatch No. 796 of yesterday.

Nevertheless the writer in the Daily Press seemed unable to comprehend what was set forth in a series of unusually clear, and in Articles of which I enclose a sample. He accused me of flagrant misrepresentations, and of borrowing from the special fund $140,000 (which had never been used), and of special pleading in reference thereto in such a manner as to make the ordinary reader feel his sense of morality completely outraged.

Enclosure No. 11. Before he had come to the end, one feels it hard to say whether grief, resentment, pity or contempt was the sentiment by which he was most prompted.

That style of writing has, unfortunately, been too common in Hong Kong, though perhaps less than formerly. But on this occasion it was combined with such obtuse and inexcusable ignorance of the subject treated of, that it appears to have attracted the special attention and excited the indignation of the unofficial Members of Council. Accordingly, on the 24th instant, they conferred together before entering the Council Room, and soon after my taking the chair, the senior...