Shanghai, 2nd August, 1897.
Smm,—I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No 97/716 dated 28th July, 1897, the contents of which caused me great surprise and pain; aurprisa because no whisper bad reached me that I was not giving satisfaction to the Council, and after the substantial and flattering recognitions of my services which I received from them; and pain, because I feel that if the decision of the Council is final I can hardly hope to retain the respect. and authority in an inferior position to that I at ally lay the following facta of my original resent enjoy. I trust that I-may respect-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.