Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 2]
offered to supply me with money, for tho' I shall ultimately have an independent fortune my present means are considerably too limited for these roving expeditions) and Mr Elphinstone insisted on my using his as my own. So perfectly easy on that score, even if contrary to my expectations. I should not be able to refund, & fortified with a strong letter to Ld [Lord] Minto from his friend Elphinstone, I came to Calcutta. What I am now going to say is to clear myself from an imputation that certainly might apparently attach to me, of having lingered in India unnecessarily. But no such thing. I give you my word of honor the blame rests not with me. If I could not say so clearly, I would hold my tongue, or confess my slips. But then as I must accuse somebody, I will do it as briefly as I can. Elphinstone had assured me that Ld M. would be very glad to see me and to talk with me about the affairs of Canton. & surely this was reasonable for me to believe. For what other Englishman, not in the Company service knows those affairs so intimately as I. My conduct at Canton, I may say without any arrogance, had procured me unbounded confidence. Well his Ldp [Lordship] was at Madras; I waited for him at Calcutta. When he arrived I sent him his letter I saw his friends. He returned me no answer whatsoever. Maybe press of business thought I but after waiting & waiting, I began to think the letter had not fallen into his hands. I enquired thru [through] his friends - this produced an invitation to Tiffen, wh [which] I did not want. I only wanted to know whether any Embassy to China to Ava to Tibet &c was or may be in contemplation but not a word addressed to me that might not as well be addressed to John Stiles Esq! Oh! but he was