Several years the rate of exchange from 4/3 to the dollar, & I think the idea was never suggested that the rate should govern the payment of Salaries.
Because an Officer's salary paid in dollars in the Colony will not purchase as much gold in London as it did 2 or 3 years ago, it by no means follows that its purchasing power with respect to most important items of expenditure, viz., house rent, wages, food, &c., the produce of the neighbourhood is diminished in any corresponding degree; we have five great Concessions & those whose personal circumstances necessarily involve remittances to this country enabling them to draw part of their salaries.
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though the Means at the present rate of account.
Neither do I think it desirable that the Governor should be left to deal with these remittances without reference to the Secretary of State.
MR 2/4/76. No, but He may allow, pending reference home, such officers Business as may be bona fide the Acts sanctioned by Law. Intimation should be sent home first, in other respects answer as proposed. The best way ought to have been to inform him that Public officers cannot talk of drawing their salaries at the current rate of exchange.
If they are paid in gold for the worth of their Bills, Salaries merely measured by gold which is not gente what this warrant.
2m 26/heaton