Under these circumstances I could not hesitate in complying with the unanimous wish of the Colony in superseding Mr Scales, and I have placed temporarily at the head of the Office Mr Thomas Spring, who carried it on formerly to the satisfaction, I understand, of the Public here.
I would suggest that the Salary of the Officer be increased, and that should it not be considered advisable to confirm the temporary appointment of Mr Spring, a person of Experience should be sent out with power to report upon the method of conducting the correspondence with the five ports and Macao, and the proper Postage to be assessed on letters to these points. Viewing this as the
focus
of
communication with China, I think that if well managed the Post Office
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would pay the expense of maintaining an Efficient Establishment, and yield a considerable surplus Revenue.
I have the honour to be, with the highest respect Your Lordships'
Most Obedient,
Humble Servant.
P.S.
I enclose a further letter from Mr Scales shewing the rate at which he has received the Dollar, and the charge imposed by him at Southampton, contrary to Act of Parliament on the subject of letters transmitted via
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