CO129-028 - Bonham - 1849 [1-3] — Page 216

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The six first paragraphs of this letter appear to be a rejoinder to the observations contained in Your Lordship's Despatch of the 4th of May, which require no remark from NEA and can be alone disposed of by Her Majesty's Government, and therefore the remainder of the letter seems intended to show that the inhabitants consider themselves overtaxed, and that the Imperial Government should pay the expenses of the Colony from the Revenue it receives in the shape of Duties from Great Britain and China, and that if this proposition be not conceded, that British Subjects residing at the Consular Ports on the Coast between ... be the same who are said to derive nearly equal advantages from this Colony as the local inhabitants, but who at present contribute nothing to its support, should be required to pay their quota.

These are likewise questions which have already been reported on by a Committee of the House of Commons. Your Lordship will observe that the letter is somewhat diffused, and that, although its object is obvious, namely that the Colony should be relieved from some of the Taxes which are at present levied, the writers do not specify to what particular items of Revenue they especially object.

I therefore had a personal conference with Mr Campbell, a member of the highly respectable firm of Messrs Dent & Co, who, I had reason to believe, had been an influential person in drawing up the letter, and asked of him, as far as he was able, to specify distinctly the requirements of those who signed it, and in reply I received from that gentleman, in a demi-official form, a letter, copy of which I now enclose.