No. 89
Downing Street
24 February 1862
Sir,
In another despatch I have announced to you the disastrous end of the late Mr. D'Ewes.
But there is once aspect of his case which is of so much future and general importance that I cannot omit making it the subject of a distinct communication. I find that in September 1858 Mr. D'Ewes received from Sir Edward LyttonaManuscript image a letter of introduction to you grounded on testimonials given to him by Lord Willoughby de Broke and Mr. Tooke F. R. S. Very soon afterwards however Sir E. Lytton discovered that, in consequence of certain occurrences at Ballarat in Victoria in the year 1854, Mr. D'Ewes' name was erased from the Commission of the Peace, and Sir E. Lytton accordingly communicated this information to you in aconfidentialManuscript image confidential despatch dated the 29th of November 1858. I should wish to know whether you received this last despatch, and, if so, what induced you to confer an appointment upon anyone respecting whom you had been supplied with such information.
I feel it incumbent on me to call for an explanation on this point, because I have with great regret heard it alleged that you have created an impressionthatManuscript image that you felt bound in selections for appointments, to give a preference to persons who brought out letters of introduction from this Office. If this be so it is a great error on your part. You must be aware that the standing form, never omitted in such letters, impresses it upon you, that you are on no account to view them as bestowing any claim on your patronage, and I can assure you that so far from obliging the SecretaryofManuscript image of State, you cannot more certainly incur his displeasure, than by treating his letters, contrary to his own express desire, as any reason for disposing of the patronage in the Colony other wise than in the manner best calculated to promote the public interests and uphold the character for Public Service.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your obedient Servant
Newcastle