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despatch N. 136 of the 13th October
I had appointed to inquire into the prospects of the Mint. That Report was delayed by various causes to an unexpectedly late period, but nevertheless reached me in time to have forwarded it by last mail. I reflected however that the main object of the Inquiry had been to place before Her Majesty's Government a complete analysis of the circumstances affecting the progress of the mint hitherto and likely to influence its future prospects, might enable Your Lordship to give definite instructions, as to continuing or discontinuing the present heavy expenditure connected with it. I therefore felt that it might greatly assist Your Lordship to know the opinions of the leading Bankers here on the statements and arguments used in the Report.
The Bank's, as the great dealers in coin and Bullion, must necessarily be the principal sources of supply to the Mint, and it may be assumed that when they can use the Mint with profit they will do so—but not otherwise. It was therefore expedient to give them an opportunity of expressing their views in their own language, and I thought it so important