"'The change of your official position which is urged in it depends upon matters not altogether in the control of the Government; and, although I am enabled to say that upon a fitting opportunity arising it is probable that an offer would be made by the Government to use Colonel Maberly's services in another department, I have no knowledge whatever of Colonel Maberly's wishes or intentions in regard to his own position, nor do I feel it necessary at present to inquire into them. "'I trust that you will not be disappointed if I am unable to give any further or more positive reply to your request. "'I return the copy of the 'confidential correspondence' which I received from you, and which has since been seen by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. "'I am, my dear Sir, "'Yours very faithfully, "'CANNING. "'ROWLAND HILL, Esq., "'&c., &c., &c.'" I was much disappointed; for with every allowance for official caution, the letter promised but little, and seemed to imply that, even if a fit opportunity should occur, there was no intention of _requiring_ Colonel Maberly to give up his present appointment. If any one regards my distrust as unwarrantable, I think he will find excuse in considering the numberless disappointments I had already sustained. "_August 16th._--Placed the subjoined letter in the hands of the Postmaster-General. Explained verbally the danger to my health, and even life, of continuing the present arrangements, described my sufferings from a tendency of blood to the head, ... and suggested his seeing Hodgson[101] on the subject. I told him that my object was to satisfy him of the real difficulties of the case, and that in saying I _could_ not go on as at present, I did not mean that I _would_ not. I think the communication will have its effect." In this letter I repeated the request so often made at an earlier period, that until the only effectual change could be made I might at least have such support to my authority as would arise from my being placed on perfect equality in all respects with my colleague,[102] and further have definitely assigned to me such departments of the secretarial duty as his lordship might judge proper, together with a transfer to my authority of the corresponding portions of the secretarial staff. An alternative expedient which I suggested was that I should suspend my present duties, and employ the interval in personally inspecting the postal arrangements of foreign countries, and in negotiating, under his lordship's instructions, such changes as might appear best calculated to facilitate our foreign postal communications.