Colonial Despatches

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Grace's communication of the 23rd instant in reply to my letter of the 22nd asking on personal grounds for a small extension of leave of absence.

I deeply regret that my letter had led Your Grace to understand that my marriage was contingent upon my request being granted, a meaning which I did not intend to convey.

Cards similar to the enclosed were issued before that letter was written, fixing the day for the 2nd of January.

Your Grace had previously granted me leave to remain in this Country up to the mail of the 18h of January and had Your Grace refused me the additional leave of absence asked for in my last letter, it was my intention to quit England on the 18h of January. But I made application for the addition because it would have been more convenient to my wife to leave by the following mail (2nd February) and to guard against accidents.

I well know Your Grace would not now reprimand me for furloughs previously granted, and at once admit, that if Your Grace's apprehension of the circumstances had been correct, I would have justly merited Your Grace's most severe displeasure.

Under the circumstances actually existing I humbly ask that Your Grace will be pleased to withdraw the leave reluctantly granted and with it Your Grace's displeasure and the censure intended to be forwarded as my first official introduction to the new Governor.