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"Do not remit Military Contribution for Quarter due 30 September: Though I am unable as yet to understand the object of the Telegram, I must remind Your Lordship of your instruction that I should make arrangements for the Quarterly payments in London of the Military Contributions by the Crown Agents.
These arrangements have already been completed and Government has consequently this debit. Vide S. S. No 30 of 10th March 1869. Debits £4502. As there is no immediate control over payments which must continue to be made regularly as they fall due so long as the Crown Agents are kept in funds, which is the case at present. Vide S. S. No 6876 of 23rd April 1869.
But it will no longer be necessary to keep them in funds on this account. There is, however, probably an error in the Telegram, because it is not customary to remit money on account of a Quarter till its termination. The money, in fact, was not due till then, and it seems improbable that Your Lordship could have seen any necessity for warning Telegram in July not to pay a sum which at earliest would not be due till the 30th September.
As a precaution and with a view to explanation, I have the honour to be, My Lord, Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant,
MacDonnell, Governor.
Mounting anxiety as to when Your Lordship had occasion to send to the Crown Agents a Telegram requesting them to pay Military Contribution without reference to Your Lordship's wishes – this will lead to an explanation of Govt Secretary's wishes.
Received 19th August '69