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My resignation was not accepted.
Under these circumstances, and considering that the decision of the Government—for decision it was—left me no other resource, I gave formal notice on the 13th May, of an appeal to the Secretary of State. On the 17th May, I despatched my letter of appeal of that date, for transmission to Lord Stanley, M.P., through the usual channel.
In reply, I was then informed by Dr. Bridges, that an inquiry being contemplated before a Commission, to be nominated by the Government, my letter of appeal was stopped in the Secretariat.
I had, however, taken the precaution to prepare a duplicate, which I now forwarded, through the post-office; adding a few lines expressive of my hope that the Minister would consider these strange circumstances, as constituting a case for departing from the routine of his office, and for reading the duplicate so transmitted. At the same time, I duly informed Dr. Bridges of what I had done; protesting against this tardy concession of an inquiry in a form so palpably intended as a baulk.
Late in the evening of the 22nd May,—which fell
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