Colonial Secretary's Office,
Victoria, Hongkong,
19th March 1861.
I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of yesterday, in which you propose to make a confidential communication on a matter of a peculiar and important nature. I shall be glad to receive any such communication from you, and shall of course keep it strictly private, provided always that the interests of the public service be not affected by such reservation and reticence.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) W. J. Mercer,
Colonial Secretary.
The Honourable
T. W. S.
True Copy.
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