649495-1892-Despatches-Death-of-the-Duke-of-Clarence-and-Avondale — Page 1

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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19TH MARCH, 1892.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION. —No. 130.

249

His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to direct that the following despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with its enclosures, be published for general information.

By Command,

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 19th March, 1892.

CIRCULAR.

G. T. M. O'BRIEN, Colonial Secretary.

DOWNING STREET,

1st February, 1892.

SIR, I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Queen expressing Her Majesty's deep sense of the loyalty and affectionate sympathy evinced by Her subjects in every part of Her Empire on the sad occasion of the death of Her Grandson, His Royal Highness Prince ALBERT VICTOR, Duke of Clarence and Avondale, K.G., eldest son of Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales.

I have also the honour to enclose a copy of a telegram, dated Windsor Castle, the 20th of January, in which Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales express to Her Majesty's subjects, whether in the United Kingdom, in the Colonies, or in India, the sense of their deep gratitude for the universal feeling of sympathy manifested towards them on the sad occasion of the loss of their beloved eldest son.

I have no doubt that both these touching documents have been already published in the Colony under your Government, but I have thought it right that they should be communicated to you officially for record in the archives of the Colony.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble Servant,

に

KNUTSFORD.

The Officer Administering the Government of

HONGKONG.

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Whitehall, January 27th, 1892.

The following letter from The Queen has been received by the Right Honourable the Secretary State for the Home Department :--

Osborne, January 26th, 1892.

I must once again give expression to my deep sense of the loyalty and affectionate sympathy evinced by my subjects in every part of my Empire on an occasion more sad and tragical than any but one which has befallen me and mine, as well as the Nation. The overwhelming misfortune of my dearly loved Grandson having been thus suddenly cut off in the flower of his age, full of promise for the future, amiable and gentle, and endearing himself to all, renders it hard for his sorely stricken Parents, his dear young Bride, and his fond Grandmother to bow in submission to the inscrutable decrees of Providence.

The sympathy of millions, which has been so touchingly and visibly expressed, is deeply gratifying at such a time, and I wish, both in my own name and that of my children, to express, from my heart, my warm gratitude to all.

These testimonies of sympathy with us, and appreciation of my dear Grandson, whom I loved as a Son, and whose devotion to me was as great as that of a Son, will be a help and consolation to me and mine in our affliction.

My bereavements during the last thirty years of my reign have indeed been heavy. Though the labours, anxieties, and responsibilities inseparable from my position have been great, yet it is my earnest prayer that God may continue to give me health and strength to work for the good and happiness of my dear Country and Empire while life lasts.

VICTORIA, R.I.

The following official telegram has been received from Sir FRANCIS KNOLLYS, at Windsor Castle:-

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"The Prince and Princess of Wales are anxious to express to Her Majesty's subjects, whether in the United Kingdom, in the Colonies, or in India, the sense of their deep gratitude for the universal feeling of sympathy manifested towards them at a time when they are overpowered by the terrible calamity which they have sustained in the loss of their beloved eldest son.

"If sympathy at such a moment is of any avail, the remembrance that their grief has been shared by all classes will be a lasting consolation to their sorrowing hearts, and, if possible, will make them more than ever attached to their dear country."

"WINDSOR CASTLE, January 20, 1892.”