Exchequer
Edinburgh
607
3985
February 20, 1890
to the Honble Sir Reginald Welby, K.C.B., and the other Gentlemen, and in reply to their letter I have to state what I have done, and why, leaving it to Gentlemen to decide whether any blame is to be attached to those who may hereafter be the recipients of my advice.
Before taking possession of certain property referred to in the Memorandum to which I am about to allude on behalf of the Crown, I should be much obliged to you to let me know what are the views of the Treasury on the subject.
In familiar correspondence with the Colonial Office, it has been stated that there is no Act empowering the Colonial authorities to deal with property which appears to have fallen to the Crown. I should have no hesitation in instructing the Colonial authorities to return the money to the rightful owner by whom it may be claimed.
I am,
yours very truly,
W. J. Hamilton
de Reginald Mac...
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