Confidential

In consequence of Governor Austin's despatch I have felt it to be
my imperative, though very painful duty to suspend, with a view to
cancel, the appointment of Captain Holmes.

I use the word "suspend" because you have intimated to me that it
is his intention to make another appeal to me, and though I do not wish
to encourage him to incur any expense or trouble in making an appeal
which is not very likely to succeed, yet I leave it to himself to decide
whether it is worth his while to do so.

Under any circumstances I feel it my duty to state to you that the
facts admitted in your letter ought not to have been withheld from the
Secretary of State by a Governor recommending a candidate for an
appointment to an Office the Colony which he was leaving: You must upon
reflection feel how serious this omission was in it's bearing upon the
Colony, and in it's tendency to affect the whole Colonial Service. The
Secretary of State cannot distribute patronage properly unless he can
rely with complete confidence upon the recommendations which he receives
from those who hold the high and responsible Office of Governor.