by me to ascertain approximately the best means in what way my power the probabilities lie—and to supply Her Majesty's Government with materials for arriving at some definite line of action.
Accordingly, I appointed a Commission of Inquiry into the condition and prospects of the Mint, consisting of the following Gentlemen:
1st the Colonial Secretary (Mr. Mercer) who had from the first been thoroughly acquainted with the discussions and hopes from which the scheme of a mint originated.
2nd Mr. Whittall, principal partner of the Firm of Jardine Matheson & Co., who from the first had represented the opinions of those who regarded the establishment of a Mint at Hongkong as a questionable experiment—likely to fail than succeed.
3rd Assistant Commissary General Long, through whose hands pass every month very large sums for the Naval, Military, and diplomatic expenses of Her Majesty's Government in China. Mr. Long may therefore be regarded as well qualified from his experience