218
by Pur. H. Pottinger
as soon as possible after each instalment shall have been disposed of.
Commissary General Coffin, and the Officers belonging to the Dept under his orders are under Sir H. Pottinger's directions, to such extent and in such manner as H.E. may think proper, in receiving, keeping, and disposing, in the manner abovementioned, of the sums to be received from the Chinese Authorities. It appeared to their Lordships that the Officers of the Commissariat Dept in China might, from their experience in monetary transactions, and from their habits of account, render careful assistance to H. E. the Plenipotentiary in the execution of the important duty of realising and remitting the Sums to be received under the Treaty, but it was not intended to relieve that high Functionary from any portion of the responsibility attending the performance of this duty.
Commissary General Coffin's correct accountability will commence only from the date at which Sums shall be transferred to his immediate Charge for the purpose of carrying on the civil and military expenditure, and it will be confined to the sums so transferred.
My Lords will make the necessary communication to the Board of Admiralty respecting the employment of some of His Majesty's Ships on the China Station in the conveyance of treasure to and from that Country.
The passage in their Lordships' Minute dated the 21st Sept which alludes to "local Collections" refers, as Lord Aberdeen supposes, merely to Monies collected in the Island.
(Signed) (C.E. Trevelyan)