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and Military Officers, and a large number of other persons under Royal Saluted from the Batteries and Ships of War, and a Feu de Joie from all the Troops in Garrison.
The Certificate of Exchange and the Declaration touching Transit Duties referred to in Your Lordship's despatches Nos 1 and 2 of the 4th of January 1843, were executed at the same time, after which the Charter for erecting the Colony of Hong Kong and my Commission as Governor were read, and I took the Oaths of Office.
I am now in the very midst of the arrangements for a Tariff, and intend to send Lieut. Col. Malcolm and Messrs Morrison and Caine up to Canton tomorrow with my proposals to be laid before the High Commissioner who returned to the Provincial Capital on the 28th Instant. His Excellency has generally agreed to my terms, and I anticipate no further serious difficulties, so that I hope the Tariff will be finally settled, and made public in a short time, but all its details and the lengthened discussions and inquiries which have led to it I must reserve for another despatch.
In the meantime, I have the honor to forward a Proclamation and its accompaniment which I have had published and to express my respectful hope that the Queen will graciously approve of my having honored this City with Her Majesty's Name.
Signed true Copy.
Michaud Norman
Capital