CO129-006 - Sir John Davis - 1844 — Page 221

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

With reference to the required report the possibility of combining the two Offices of Colonial Secretary and Secretary to the Superintendent, my experience of the duplex function confided to my charge, have convinced me that such a combination, would inevitably lead to a degree of confusion against which the separation of the two Secretaryships is the only safeguard.

I can illustrate the effects of their union in no better way than by the supposed amalgamation of the Colonial and Foreign Departments in England.

I was obliged to postpone, until after my interview with the Imperial Commissioner Keying, any measures as to a system of taxation to meet the expenses of the Colony; but am now prepared to enter on that task. Assisted by my Council, I shall take in review all the various available sources of Colonial revenue, for the provision of which not a single step was taken previous to my arrival, with the exception of Land Rents. I must, however, observe that some items of contingent outlay inseparable from a newly created Colony (as buildings and public Works) are beyond the provision of any revenue, and will have to be defrayed from the Chinese indemnity.

I have been led by Keying to indulge considerable hopes that the trade in Opium may be legalized by the Emperor, and the virtual connivance of the Government, even at the five ports of ...

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With reference to the required report the possibility of combining the two Offices of Colonial Secretary and Secretary to the Superintendent, my experience of the duplex function confided to my charge, have convinced me that such a combination, would inevitably lead to a degree of confusion against which the separation of the two Secretaryships is the only safeguard. I can illustrate the effects of their union in no better way than by the supposed amalgamation of the Colonial and Foreign Departments in England. I was obliged to postpone, until after my interview with the Imperial Commissioner Keying, any measures as to a system of taxation to meet the expenses of the Colony; but am now prepared to enter on that task. Assisted by my Council, I shall take in review all the various available sources of Colonial revenue, for the provision of which not a single step was taken previous to my arrival, with the exception of Land Rents. I must, however, observe that some items of contingent outlay inseparable from a newly created Colony (as buildings and public Works) are beyond the provision of any revenue, and will have to be defrayed from the Chinese indemnity. I have been led by Keying to indulge considerable hopes that the trade in Opium may be legalized by the Emperor, and the virtual connivance of the Government, even at the five ports of ...
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With reference to the required report the possibility of combining the two Offices of Colonial Secretary and Secretary to the Superintendent, my experience of the duplex function confided to my charge, have convinced me that such a_ inevitably lead to a combination, would degree of confusion- against which the separation of the is the only safeguard. two Szeretaryships I can illustrate the effects of their Iinion in no better way than by the England. supposed_ amalgamation of the Colonial_ and Foreign Department's in Iwas bliged to postpone, until after my interview with the Imperial Commissioner Reying, any measures is to A to meet but am system of taxation the Expences of the Colony ; prepared- now ab incl to enter enter on that task... Asisted By 216 my Council, I shall take in review all the various available sources of Colonial revenue, for the provision of which not a single stop. was taken arrival, with the... forvious to my arrival, Land Pents. Imust. exoption of however, observe that some items contingent outlay inseparable from newly created. Colony (as buildings and public Works) are of beyored the provision of any revenue, and will have to be defrayed from the_ Chinese indemnity. I have been led by Keying to indulge corsiderable hopes that the Trake in Opiums may by legalized the Emperor, and the virtual_ Connivance of the Government- even at the five whorts of trade may FHE:#nuen;;
2026-05-16 15:10:27 · Baseline
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With reference to the required report the possibility of combining the two Offices of Colonial Secretary and Secretary to the Superintendent, my experience of the duplex function confided to my charge, have convinced

me that such

a_

inevitably lead to a

combination, would

degree of confusion-

against which the separation of the

is the only safeguard.

two Szeretaryships

I can illustrate the effects of

their

Iinion

in no

better

way

than by the

England.

supposed_ amalgamation of the Colonial_

and Foreign Department's in

Iwas bliged to postpone,

until after my

interview with the

Imperial Commissioner Reying, any

measures is to A

to meet

but am

system of taxation

the Expences of the Colony ;

prepared-

now

ab

incl

to

enter

enter on

that task...

Asisted By

216

my Council, I shall take in review

all the various available sources

of Colonial revenue, for the provision of which not a single stop. was taken

arrival, with the... forvious to my arrival,

Land Pents. Imust.

exoption of

however, observe that some items

contingent outlay inseparable from newly created. Colony (as buildings and public Works) are

of

beyored the provision of any revenue, and will have to be defrayed from the_ Chinese indemnity.

I have been led by Keying

to

indulge corsiderable hopes that the Trake in Opiums may

by

legalized

the Emperor, and the virtual_ Connivance of the Government-

even at the five

whorts

of

trade

may

FHE:#nuen;;

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