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My impression, from what was said in Council on the 10th and 14th of May, certainly was, that His Excellency and the Acting Colonial Secretary were convinced that Mr. Caldwell had cleared himself from the charges then brought against him, and that there was no need of further inquiry. My strong impression is, that I did hear the Acting Colonial Secretary say in debate, that he saw no harm in Mr. Caldwell's servants being interested in brothels, and, on being reminded that it might lead to improper persons being licensed to keep brothels, I certainly think I did hear him say, that as any person wishing to become a brothel-keeper must be an improper person, that would be of no consequence.

 

My resignation was not accepted.

Under these circumstances, and considering that the decision of the Government—for decision it was—left me no other resource, I gave formal notice on the 13th May, of an appeal to the Secretary of State. On the 17th May, I despatched my letter of appeal of that date, for transmission to Lord Stanley, M.P., through the usual channel.

In reply, I was then informed by Dr. Bridges, that an inquiry being contemplated before a Commission, to be nominated by the Government, my letter of appeal was stopped in the Secretariat.

I had, however, taken the precaution to prepare a duplicate, which I now forwarded, through the post-office; adding a few lines expressive of my hope that the Minister would consider these strange circumstances, as constituting a case for departing from the routine of his office, and for reading the duplicate so transmitted. At the same time, I duly informed Dr. Bridges of what I had done; protesting against this tardy concession of an inquiry in a form so palpably intended as a baulk.

Late in the evening of the 22nd May,—which fell

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