14. I applied recently to Governor Orch to know what help he could give in circulating our coinage, but he tells me now that he does not want dollars but he will consent to receive $20,000 in subsidiary coins! I am about to supply him at once with $10,000 dollars from the Treasury Vault. The balance $10,000 will have to be coined for him as we have not at the moment the 20 and 50 cent pieces which he requires.
15. As I have already said there results as to the subsidiary coinage have greatly surprised me, and I freely confess that I probably would have shared the sanguine expectations of the projectors of the Mint on that subject.
16. It is unnecessary for me to remark on the expediency of Her Majesty's Government adopting some early decision as to whether the Mint should be kept open or closed, and if kept open at whose cost? Doubtless these points have been ere this decided.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord Duke,
Your Grace's most obedient,
Humble Servant,
Francis Edmonds Governour.