Jr. 10/11/6
Macao, 22 March, 61.
The Honorable
Mr. Mercer,
Colonial Secretary, Hongkong.
It being highly important for me not to lose time, I have forwarded per "Thunder" to the "Board of Opium" of Calcutta, a copy of which is enclosed.
The tenor of said letter will point out the reasons of my having visited Singapore, Batavia, and China during the last three years.
If His Excellency the Governor of Hongkong knows much better than I do the importance of the Opium question, in its relations, both with the revenues of India, and with the equilibrium of the exchange between English and Chinese produce. My desire to bring forward H.E. in this affair is to facilitate all communications between this "Board" and myself, in case the steps I have taken should have the result I expect.
It will besides ensure ... time, and the secrecy of the affair, which I fancy, is a great point.