Passed.
The difference that a sorter in the Treasury might have made in counting Dollars by number instead of by weight, might have been 2 to 4 Dollars in the Thousand.
When No. 372 from Beylen in 1840 I immediately made the inquiry and soon after satisfied myself of it.
For the convenience of Cashier & shroff, these Dollars in payment of small sums were disbursed by counting instead of by weight and complaints have been made by the receiving parties, they being current as full Dollars in retail transactions.
The Weekly Surveys of Dollars in the hand of the Cashier gave a small surplus, which he put every week aside in a separate bag and the first intimation I got of the surplus was when it was returned.
The Harvey assay being necessary to determine the cause is now being made and the close of the year is a fitting time for bringing it to account.
It may be as well to state that the Dollars forming this surplus have never been taken from the Treasurer's Chest.
(Signed) W. T. Mercer, Colonial Treasurer, Victoria, Hongkong, December 30th 1848
(True Copy)
14. 2. Mercer, Colonial Treasurer, to Colonial Secretary.
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