Colonial Despatches

Mr Elliot

Mr Ring writes to you as to an acquaintence.

But I must say that he or any other man appears to me to be very much mistaken in supposing that he can claim any public office as a sort of right, and treat the conferring of it upon another as a personal wrong.

I should think that the purport of the answer should be to direct the Governor to inform Mr Ring that you have received his letter of the 30h of August, together with the original documents by which it was accompanied and which are now returned to the Governor; and further instructing him to state to Mr Ring that you consider it the duty of the Governor, in appointing to a vacant public office, to make the selection which appears to him best for the public service, and that as you feel no doubt that he pursued that course on the present occasion, you have found no reason to interfere with the discretion which he exercised.

I do not remember Mr Ring in the N. Circuit.

(I hear from Mr Blackwood that Mr Ring, whilst he had excellent testimonials and may probably be entitled to all our respect, has had the misfortune to be involved in various differences since he has been in these Colonies.)

D. Babington Ring to Kennedy, 31 August 1864, asking that his enclosed letter and testimonials be forwarded to the Secretary of State.

Ring to Cardwell, 30 August 1864, disputing the promotion of Wood as Acting Attorney General over his own claim to the office, with detailed explanation and forwarding testimonials in support of his position (not on microfilm).

E. Alston to Ring, 23 August 1864, citing his experience, honor and capacity as ideal qualifications for the post of Attorney General and urging him to approach the governor and "make known your claims of which His Excellency may not possibly by aware."

Draft reply, Cardwell to Kennedy, No. 56, 29 October 1864, acknowledging receipt of Kennedy’s despatch and informing Kennedy that he has found no reason to interfere with [Kennedy’s] discretion.