Ningpo, 8th May, 1871.
Gentlemen,—I hare the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th ulto. conveying your sentiments of regard on my approaching departure from amongst you on sick furlough.
Such an expression of approval of my conduct of public business at the port from so influential a body of the British and other Foreign residents, cannot be otherwise than very gratifying to me, and I beg to tender you my warmest acknowledgments for your friendly expressions of good feeling, which I also have very much pleasure in heartily reciprocating.
As regards any influence I may be able to exercise at Home or elsewhere in order to obtain increased intercourse with the Chinese at the Ports and in the interior, I can only say that I fully concur in your views, that such extended intercourse would be for the mutual advantage of those concerned, and it will consequently afford me the greatest pleasure to see the intercourse referred to very largely extended.
With the reiteration of my best thanks for your friendly expression of personal regard, and with my best wishes for your own welfare, Iremain, Your obedient servant,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.