“(Copy No. 8.)
“Letter from Mr. C. Connell to the Lieut.-Governor.
“‘To His Excellency the Hon. J. H. T. Manners-Sutton, Lieut.-Governor, &c., &c.
“‘Sir,—In the Royal Gazette of the 23rd instant appears a memoranda without date, signed by your Excellency’s advisers, and addressed to your Excellency, in which is reviewed a correspondence, which I had the honour to submit to your Excellency on the 19th instant. The subject-matter of that correspondence must be discussed at the proper time in another place; but as there are several points urged in the memoranda of your advisers calculated to create a false impression with reference to my reasons for resigning my place at the Council Board, I am induced to trouble your Excellency with this rejoinder.
“‘1.—In the memoranda under notice it is intimated that the real reason of my resignation was the refusal of my colleagues in the Government to advise your Excellency to issue the Five Cent Postage Stamp. This statement I must unhesitatingly declare to be incorrect, and if evidence is wanting to prove the contrary, I can refer to the Attorney-General, Provincial Secretary, and the Hon. Mr. Wark, who were present at a meeting of Council on Tuesday, the 10th April, on which occasion, on account of circumstances which then and there took place, I stated that “I could not sit with men who acted as they did.”
“‘I am well aware that the law reads: “The Governor in Council may cause stamps with their value thereon to be sold and issued as postage.” The Minute of Council made in December last, if not perfected by the Attorney-General, whose duty it was to do so, cannot be regarded as my fault. I have fulfilled my duty, and did what I supposed I was fully authorized to do. At all events I have violated no law, and in the memorandum under consideration it is admitted that I had the consent of my colleagues to obtain the decimal stamps....
“‘7.—As to the revenues of the Postal Department, at the end of the year when the returns are made up, the public will be able to arrive at a correct judgment.
“‘I have, &c. &c.,
“‘(Signed) Charles Connell.