Colonial Secretary's Office
Hongkong
10th January 1850
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th December 1849 which I duly laid before His Excellency, the Governor on the 9th of January
His Excellency, directs me to inform you that he cannot approve of the natives respecting admission to the City Hall Museum, as (from your letter of 29th December 1849 which he has now seen for the first time)
it makes a distinction between individuals of the Chinese and other nationalities, which is a violation of the conditions on which public money has been voted to the City Hall.
I am to acquaint you that, pending the ultimate decision of the Government on the subject, the allowance to the City Hall will be paid to the Honorable Phineas Ryrie (who the Governor is advised is the only Gentleman in the Colony in whom the Estate is legally vested).
I have the honor to be,
Your obedient servant,
B. W. H. March
Colonial Secretary