(Signed) W. J. Mercer,
Colonial Secretary.
True Copy
Colonial Secretary
(Copy)
Sir,
Snow Major's Office, Victoria, Hong Kong, 20th May 1856.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's date, No. 366, and I am directed to inform you that the Commandant has called upon the Officer commanding the Royal Artillery to point out if there is any other situation where salutes may be fired, so as to carry out His Excellency's views on the subject.
With regard to His Excellency not having received earlier information on the subject of a proposed Battery on the Esplanade, Lt. Col. Dunlop directs me to state that it was not considered necessary to submit the proposition at an earlier period.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
The Colonial Secretary,
&c., &c., &c.