No. 9

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 42
of the 27th December requesting that you may be allowed leave of absence
for about two months, to take effect after the termination of the
Legislature Session, in order to enable you to visit New York on a
matter of personal moment to yourself.

I have much pleasure in granting you the leave for which you apply,
but I regret that I am unable to accede to your request for permission
to draw full salary during your absence from the seat of Government.

I do not think I should be justified in allowing, on the grounds
you put forward, such a departure from Established rules, neither do I
consider that it would be desirable, except under peculiar
circumstances, to appropriate any portion of the Crown Fund towards the
payment of the Officer who would temporarily administer the Government
during the absence of the Governor.