C. O.
11988 Recd 15 JUN 1
Conclosure 7.
600
Government House,
Hongkong, 4th May, 1891.
Dear Mr. Keswick,
The receipt of your letter of yesterday has given me very great pleasure, though I cannot say that it has caused me surprise, for I was always confident, as far as you were concerned, that the letter of the unofficial members of the 24th ultimo was signed in the hurry of business without sufficient consideration of the terms used.
You only do me justice in saying that, had the letter from which you have now withdrawn been couched in respectful terms, it would have received from me the respectful consideration which would in such case have been due to opinions emanating from such a source.
As regards your motive in withdrawal, to which you refer, I will say that not only can it not be impugned, but that I am confident the manly and independent course you have taken in admitting and repairing an unintentional wrong will add largely to the estimation in which you are already held by the community of Hongkong.
Yours very faithfully,
(Signed) G. W. DES VŒUX.
Government House,
Hongkong, 5th May, 1891.
Gentlemen,
I have given careful consideration to your letter of the 4th inst. with an earnest desire to view it in the most favourable light.
Where offensive language is not itself withdrawn, the mere withdrawal or disclaimer of offensive meaning, which (according to my knowledge of English) inseparably attaches to the words, would under ordinary circumstances cause me difficulty in paying heed to it; but while for this reason my acceptance must in any case be as qualified as your reparation, I am nevertheless willing to so accept that reparation, in the spirit in which it is apparently offered, from a reciprocated desire for peace on the eve of my leaving a Colony as to which I wish to retain no other than pleasant memories.
I am, gentlemen, yours faithfully.
(Signed) G. WILLIAM DES VŒUX.
The Hon. P. Ryrie
Dr. Ho Kai
T. H. Whitehead.
C. O.
11988 Rece
Red 15 JUN 1
Conclosure 7.
600
Government House,
Hongkong, 4th May, 1891. Dear Mr. Keswick, The receipt of your letter of yesterday has given me very great pleasure, though I cannot say that it has caused ine surprise, for I was always confident, as far as you were concerned, that the letter of the unofficial members of the 24th ultimo was sign- ed in the hurry of business without sufficient consideration of the terms used.
You only do me justice in saying that, had the letter from which you have now withdrawn been couched in respectful terms, it would have received from me the respectful consideration which would in such case have been due to opinions emanating from such a source.
As regards your motive in withdrawal, to which you refer. I will say that not only oan it not be impugned, but that I am confident the manly and independent course you have taken in admitting and repairing an unintentional wrong will add largely to the estimation in which you are already held by the community of Hongkong.Yours very faithfully,
(Signed) G. W. DES VOUX.
Government House,
Hongkong, 5th May. 1891. Gentleman, I have given careful considera. tion to your letter of the 4th inst. with an Aarnest desire to view it in the most favourable light
Where offensive language is not itself with- drawn. the mere withdrawal or disclaimer of offensive meaning, which (according to my knowledge of English) inseparably attaches to the words, would under ordinary circumstances cause me difficulty in paying heed to it; but while for this reason my acceptance must in any case be as qualified as your reparation. I am nevertheless willing to so accept that repara- tion, in the spirit in which it is apparently offered, from a reciprocated desire for peace on the eve of my leaving a Colony as to which I wish to retain no other than pleasant memories. -I am, gentlemen, yours faithfully.
(Signed) G. WILLIAM DES Vœux. The Hon. P. Ryrie
Dr. fo Kai
T. H. Whitehead.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.