Napier Augt. 3/1868. Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th. July recd. at 8½ oclock this evg. mail closing in half an hour. Prior to your Honors instructions I had for my self defence to the reports at times received by Your Honor got kept not by myself as it might be open to question but by the Messenger a return of my attendance at office