officer of their own, they, by the last steamer, despatched Captain Sparkes, lately the Company’s superintendent at Southampton, to relieve the firm at present acting as the Company’s agents at Singapore, in the superintendence of the Company’s affairs at that port, and they feel every confidence that he will actively and zealously discharge his duties at that station. The Directors also think it right to state, that from such information as they are at present in possession of, they have reason to consider that the representation which has been made to their Lordships is exaggerated, both as regards the extent of the delay of the ‘Achilles,’ and the alleged causes thereof.” 2021. This letter is of the date of the 10th of March, 1849; what is the date of the memorial of the merchants of Canton?--The 29th of December, 1848. 2022. Was there any corresponding complaint or representation from the Admiralty officer on board the vessel to the Lords of the Admiralty?--I cannot state. 2023. Was not the first letter which you read in consequence of the official representations made to the Admiralty, through their officer, as to the delay of the “Achilles,” previous to the reception of the memorial from Hong Kong?--I have no doubt it was. 2024. The Company say, in the letter of the 10th of March, that they can give no answer to the complaint made of misfeasance in the contract between Ceylon and China, til they shall receive a report from their agent at Bombay?--They state that they wrote to their superintendent at Bombay, calling upon him for an immediate explanation of the circumstances. 2025. Do you know that the service is now performed from Ceylon to China by a vessel that starts from Bombay, and picks up the mail there?--I believe it is so. 2026. What was the result of those communications; did the Admiralty come to any decision upon them?--On the 12th of March, the Admiralty acquainted the Company that they “were gratified to learn that they had despatched an officer of their own to act as superintendent at Singapore, and who may be able to prevent the recurrence of the delay complained of.” 2027. Nothing was done by the Admiralty but to express their satisfaction that the Company had sent out an agent to Singapore, as an answer to that complaint of the Company overloading their vessels, and being out of time?--The Admiralty subsequently sent forward the letter I have read from the merchants, stating, “that their Lordships trust you have already taken steps to prevent the recurrence of the delays complained of.” The Admiralty appear to have done nothing more; the matter is still in the course of investigation; it is not yet closed; the explanation has not yet been received from the Company.[7] 2028. Have you any other complaints?--No. _Charge of corrupt Jobbing, and Favouritism by the Admiralty towards the Peninsular and Oriental Company._ Examination of Mr. Andrew Henderson--