325 Downing Street,
2 September 1873
Sir,
I am directed by the Secretary of State to inform you that he has appointed you to be Accountant and Cashier of monies in the Civil Service of Hong Kong with a salary of £500 per annum.
You will be provided with a free passage to the Colony on your signing the usual agreement with the Crown Agents, Spring Gardens, by which you will be bound to repay to the Colonial Government the cost of your passage in the event of your relinquishing your appointment within three years of the date of your arrival in the Colony.
You will also be entitled to half salary from the date of embarkation from this country.
I am to request that you will inform me of the earliest date at which you will be prepared to leave for the Colony, in order that the necessary communications may be made to the Governor and Crown Agents.
I am,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
R. G. W. Herbert