“‘(Signed), CHARLES CONNELL.
“‘_The Hon. S. L. Tilley._’
“‘(COPY).
“‘SECRETARY’S OFFICE, _17th May, 1860_.
“‘SIR,—I have laid before his Excellency the Lieut.-Governor
your letter of the 15th inst., relative to the distribution of
postage stamps, and I am directed to inform you that he has
referred it for the consideration of his Council.
“‘I have, &c., &c.,
“‘(Signed), S. L. TILLEY.
“‘_The Hon. C. Connell, &c., &c._’
“‘I have felt it my duty to lay before your Excellency this
correspondence, together with the Minute of Council, and have
no desire to make any comment thereon, as I think it will speak
for itself.
“‘I may remark, however, that I cannot discover by that
correspondence—No. 1 to 8—that it was the intention to withdraw
from me that support in the action I had taken in procuring the
postage stamps as authorized by the Minute in Council referred
to.
“‘My administration of the Post Office Department is before the
public, and it is for them to say whether it is satisfactory or
not.
“‘I think I may state with certainty that the revenues of
the Department will be reduced by the recent action of the
Government, as I made arrangements for the delivery and
sale of postage stamps at every Post-office and Way-office
throughout the Province on the 1st May. I do not intend that
the legitimate authority belonging to the Chief of that
Department shall be limited or circumscribed while I have the
honour of being at its head.
“‘After a very careful and deliberate review of the whole
matter, under all the circumstances, I believe that my
continuance in office would not be beneficial to the Department.
“‘Holding the opinions that I have submitted to your
Excellency, I feel that I cannot, consistently with the duty
I owe to my constituents and the public, continue longer
to hold an office and position as one of your Excellency’s
advisers in opposition to my views on public duty. I therefore
respectfully beg to submit to your Excellency my resignation
of the office of Postmaster-General, and as one of your
Excellency’s advisers; and further request your Excellency’s
permission to publish and give my reasons for so doing, and the
correspondence connected therewith.