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the 14th "charge," in its extraordinary vagueness, relates; and also the conduct of Mr. Caldwell, in his character of "friend" of the pirate, after his conviction, in applying for and obtaining the all-important documents and effects of the convict, then at the Police Station; also his previous conduct at the Police Court, nolle prosequi on the stronger charge; and a number of other matters, not specified in the letter of the 13th instant, which H. E.'s decision of the 10th instant, in Legislative Council, compelled me to send in.
II. To what it contains: Because it is not a true and faithful abstract of what I really did say or write:—
| 1. | To the Governor in Council; |
| 2. | To the Secretary of State; |
| or 3. | To yourself as Acting Colonial Secretary. |
1. For the reasons already assigned in a former letter, I waive all benefit of the "privilege of debate," invented by H. E.'s own "standing orders," a few months ago, and, so far as I am concerned, submit to be "questioned out of Council by Government for what I have said or done in Council." But I cannot help thinking that H. E., before approving of the "List" before me, ought to have had his attention called to the fact, that the "privilege" was also intended to enure for the benefit of third parties. And I abstain here from recording the "charges" to which I particularly refer, and in which a name is mentioned.
2. With regard to the Secretary of State, I have above signified my determination, not to incur his Lordship's censure by publishing, except to H. E., the "charges" said to be contained therein.
3. But, as to my correspondence with yourself, commencing on the 6th July, 1857, occasionally re-appearing during the latest months of the last winter, and revived and pressed from the 18th instant to this date inclusive, I do most confidently aver, that the effect thereof cannot be truly ascertained from the analysis supposed to be furnished in the "List of Charges"—charges, many of which are but studied varieties of the same charge, many imperfectly stated, some mere inferences from the presumed establishment of the rest, and others never made at all, or, if made, expressly alleged to be merely probable or doubtful, or otherwise qualified.
1. Of the first are "charges" 2, 5, 14, 15, and 17; 3, 4, 6, 12, and 16; and 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12.
2. Of the second are "charges" 2, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, and 17.
