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the 23rd November 1883.
It was fully expected that some of the officials of The Royal Mint would have been induced to accept various appointments, but I do not consider the salaries sufficient to induce them to make the change. They have a dread of living in China, and high salaries paid by merchants & others, to their superintendents and clerks, at Hong-Kong, not only prove the necessity for high salaries; but make the appointments for the Mint appear undesirable.
Considering the exceptional nature of the duties required, and the great responsibilities thereof, it is obviously desirable that gentlemen, not only of character and education, but of perfect professional ability, should be appointed. However, it now appears to me impossible to find such qualified persons without modifications of the proposed terms.
To enable you to judge the case, I beg to enclose a copy of Mr C F Macdonald's letter of the 24th instant, regarding the services of ... to secure the services of a gentleman with experience of the Royal Mint, and from his extensive experience.