imprisonment in Hong Kong:
I gather that prior to 1870 application was made in respect of expenditure under heading direct to the Consular Auditor at Hongkong, who reimbursed the Colony either on his own responsibility after a reference to the Minister at Yedo or Peking as the case might be. I should hesitate to pay out of the Kanagawa-Consulate Chest the amount demanded, although I do not in any way dispute the justice of the claim, and would respectfully submit that, you requisition in my forwarding copies of the correspondence direct to Earl Granville accompanied by a request from me for sanction to the expenditure or for such other instructions His Lordship may be pleased to give in the matter.
I have to
(signed) Russell Robertson,
(True Copies) Fans of Imist.
Acting Colonial Secretary