unappropriated balance of £2353, as shown by the enclosed statement. So that even if the last quarter's contribution had not been paid to the War Office there would still have been insufficient available funds to discharge the debt due to Her Majesty's Treasury.
It seems reasonable to expect however that the further remittance promised by the Governor in the Colony of the $90,000 subsidiary coinage, forwarded by Her Majesty's Steam Ship "Pearl" in June last, may soon be received, and that it will be sufficient, with the balance in hand, to repay the £10,000 advanced by the Imperial Government.
It would perhaps have been enable them, instead of paying £10,000 on the 20 ultimo as a half year's contribution towards Military Expenditure, the Crown Agents had first returned this borrowed money; but they were not at the time aware that the debt had not already been paid in China; but the money in either case would have gone into the same Exchequer, the difference would have been simply one of account.
I have the honor to be, Your most obedient servant,
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8/12.