Page:The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, vol. 2.djvu/238

 ernment, which declaration was apparently confirmed by Government officers being in command, and by Government employees being in the ranks, it has obtained a hold on the public mind which otherwise it could not have done.

We have the honour to be,

Sir, Your obedient servants, (Signed) GOODRICKE, LAUGHTON & COOKE

(APPENDIX U)
Copy: ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE, PIETERMARITZBURG, NATAL,

January 11, 1897

DEAR SIRS,

I have received your letter dated ‘Durban Club, 10th January, 1897.’

I understood that the interview between Mr. Laughton and myself was to be regarded as a “private meeting”, the words used by him in his note of the 9th instant.

I do not accept as correct your record of what was said by Mr. Laughton and myself.

Yours truly,

(Signed) HARRY ESCOMBE MESSRS GOODRICKE, LAUGHTON & CO. DURBAN

(APPENDIX V)
Copy

DURBAN, January 12, 1897

TO THE HONOURABLE HARRY ESCOMBE

DEAR SIR,

We have received your letter of the 11th inst., wherein, in answer to our letter of the 10th instant, you state as follows:


 * “I understand that the interview between Mr. Laughton and myself was to be regarded as a ‘private meeting’, the words used by him in his note of the 9th instant.


 * “I do not accept as correct your record of what was said by Mr. Laughton and mys