Seymour to Cardwell, No. 22

30 August 1864

I must offer to you my sincere apologies for the delay which has occurred in reporting to you officially on several matters of importance. My excuse is simply this; that I have been engaged on a work of vital interest to the colony for many weeks, during which I was in a wild country, without pen or paper and my communications with the civilized portions of our territory generally cut off by the insurgent Indians.

2. I hope by increased exertions soon to make up for this inevitable delay.

I have etc.