TO THE EDITOR OF THE "TIMES,"
ETC., ETC., ETC.
Sir,
Returning to England from Hong Kong, upon sick leave, within the last few days, I have had my attention called to some observations of the Times newspaper of the 15th ultimo, upon the case of that Colony, as disclosed in certain Petitions to Parliament from several towns corporate in the north, also presented during my absence from these shores, and praying enquiry into the same.
I thankfully acknowledge the kind and flattering terms in which my part in the affair is treated. But I find myself under the obligation to point out some facts, in which, except as witness, I am personally unconcerned, and which, not having before him the papers which relate to them, or even a simple statement of their contents, the writer has very much misapprehended.
In doing so, I am actuated by the merest sense of what is due to public justice. The course of justice cannot but be much impeded by the prevalence of an erroneous opinion, as to the nature and gravity of the accusation; and public opinion, as it is called, is but the reflex of the opinion of the public journalist. If his eye be dark, how great is the darkness!
I purpose, therefore, in the brief compass of these pages, to present a clear, concise, and truthful statement of the main points in that much bruited case
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