CO129-220 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [1-3] — Page 477

474

in the Colony, in the opinion of

the British Ministers in Cluina and

Japan, and of the fidmiral and

Naval and General commanding our

Forces. I will not avail.

Military

smyself at present of the leave granted,

while Expressing my cordial thanks.

I had already stated my

intention to remain at my post in

my telegram of the 27th Febry, ult.,

and

my

reasons for that decision

in my

<

"Confidential "despaters of the

3rd instant. which I request ray

ป

#

8574

be read together with this despatch. 5450

assigned

4. The reasons there

were amply sufficient to

Cause me to decide that it was my

duty

}

by not to avail myself at present

duty

of the leave of absence so

so kindly

granted, at whatever risk of healtto and at whatever sacrifice of personal

Since I last wrote on

Convenience

this subject, the intelligence of probable Complications, perhaps hostilities, betweens England and Russia, makes it still. more imperative that I should not quit what may

soon become a post

of danger,

av

well

(2.3

of difficulty

I am co-operating zealously witte the

Admiral and General Commanding. our sex and land Forces, in placing Hong kong in a conditions of defence. Admiral Sir 15 Dowell has given orders for the concentration of his entire

Iquadrow