by for 4. Roberson in his despatch of March 20th 1853 - when submitting the proposal for consideration.
Independently however of this question, it would not be in the power of the Board to adopt either of the suggestions made by him with the view to a more general circulation of the Hong-Kong Dollar — 1st because there are no funds at their disposal out of which such a Loan could be advanced- & 2nd as the measures taken for the supply of the I. Chests abroad are in all cases such as are considered to be most favourable to Imperial interests, My Lords would not feel themselves justified in consenting to any arrangement unless it could be proved
As the reply to this Letter the following
Number should be quoted.
278
that it would be of benefit to the Imperial Exchequer.
The subject of the Military Contribution seems to be one which on its own merits should be discussed.
It remains therefore only to be considered whether a vote should be submitted to Parliament for the purpose.
Such a course could, in their Lordships' opinion, only be taken in the event of it's being proved to their satisfaction that the continuance of the mint at Hong Kong is of immediate and actual benefit to the commercial Community - So far, however, from any proofs being afforded of this, that Community would appear almost to have ceased to make use of it, although