"I have felt it due to myself to say so much, but am not desirous a word more should pass on the subject. I trust it never has and never can be supposed, that I could either in word or deed do any thing that could occasion the slightest embarrassment upon any question, much less upon one of so personal a nature.
"Your's sincerely,
(Signed) "JOHN MALCOLM."
To this communication I received the following more satisfactory reply:
"Dear Malcolm,
"I have been so busy for the last two days, that I could not refer to the answer which I wrote on the 28th ultimo to your letter of that date, respecting the draft of the letter which you gave me for Sir George Barlow previous to your embarkation for Masulipatam.
"I now find that it is not mentioned in that answer that you had prepared the draft at Sir George Barlow's desire, after a long conversation with him on the subject; but I recollect perfectly well that you told me so when you gave me the draft.
"I remain, &c. &c.
(Signed) "R. BARCLAY,
"M. S."
"Fort St. George,
1st August, 1809."