CO129-073 - Lieut. Governor Caine & Sir Bowring - 1859 [1-5] — Page 575

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

572

from the Stead of the Government town to the meanest porter in the local Service - I should indeed, Sir, hold myself unworthy of the high favor I have received at the hands of the Imperial Government, if I did not feel proud of, grateful for, and profoundly thankful for my promotion in 1857 to the office of Lieutenant Governor charged with its Government, and at the more so as it was unsolicited by me - But still it is a fact that my promotion from the unostentatious Office of Colonial Secretary, at £1800 a year, to that of Lieutenant Governor administering the Government at £2250, was in a pecuniary point of view, a heavy loss to me.

It so happened that I had no sooner assumed the Government, than the approach of the rebel forces to Canton, caused exodus of the wealthy population of that city, down to this island as a point of refuge, so as to make even the poorest Bungalows on this barren hill side, worth a rent that would command a Mansion in London - The necessaries of Life rose high in our Bazaars, at all times high, still higher, under that pressure, and continued until they reached exorbitant prices, under the prolonged operations against Canton from 1856 to 1857. Such was the crisis which I was called upon to undertake the responsibilities and of course the hospitalities of this Government upon an advance of salary of not more than £450 a year above my Colonial Secretary pay, no table allowance being attached to this

Edit History

2026-05-18 11:11:59 · NVIDIA / meta/llama-4-maverick-17b-128e-instruct
Live
View comparison
AI Proofread
572from the Stead of the Government town to the meanest porter in the local Service - I should indeed, Sir, hold myself unworthy of the high favor I have received at the hands of the Imperial Government, if I did not feel proud of, grateful for, and profoundly thankful for my promotion in 1857 to the office of Lieutenant Governor charged with its Government, and at the more so as it was unsolicited by me - But still it is a fact that my promotion from the unostentatious Office of Colonial Secretary, at £1800 a year, to that of Lieutenant Governor administering the Government at £2250, was in a pecuniary point of view, a heavy loss to me.It so happened that I had no sooner assumed the Government, than the approach of the rebel forces to Canton, caused exodus of the wealthy population of that city, down to this island as a point of refuge, so as to make even the poorest Bungalows on this barren hill side, worth a rent that would command a Mansion in London - The necessaries of Life rose high in our Bazaars, at all times high, still higher, under that pressure, and continued until they reached exorbitant prices, under the prolonged operations against Canton from 1856 to 1857. Such was the crisis which I was called upon to undertake the responsibilities and of course the hospitalities of this Government upon an advance of salary of not more than £450 a year above my Colonial Secretary pay, no table allowance being attached to this
Baseline (Original)
572from the Stead of the Government town to the micanest porter in the local Service - I should indeed. Sir hold myself unworthy of the high favor I have received at the hands "the Imperial Government, if I did not feel proud ofrateful for and profoundly of my promotion in 1857 to the office of Lieutenant Governo harged with its Government, and At the more so as it was unsolicited by me - Bout still it is a fact that my promotion from the unostentations Office of Colonial Secretary, at £ 1800 a year, to that of Lieutenant Governor administering the Government at £$2,250, was in a pecuniary pointloss toMueSt Do of view, a heavy happened that I had us sooner assumed the Government, than the approach of the rebel forces to Canton, caused exotisare curts of the wealthy porucation of that city, down to this aland as a point of refuge. as to make the poorest "Bungalows on this banen hill side, worth a Pent that would command a Mansion in London - The necessaries times high high in ourof Life. Bazaars, at all rose still higher, under that pressure, andis continued until they reached fassing prices, under the prolonged "operations against Canton from 1956 to 1857. Such which I was calledwas the crisis it upon to undertake the responsibilities and of course the horitalities of this Government upon an advance of salary of not More than £450 abreviousمن year above my Colonial Secretary pay and ruditor General.. no table allowance being attached to this
2026-05-18 11:11:59 · Baseline
View content

572

from the Stead of the Government town to the micanest porter in the local Service - I should indeed. Sir

hold

myself unworthy

of the high favor I have received at the hands "the Imperial Government, if I did

not feel proud of

rateful for

and

profoundly

of

my promotion in 1857 to the office of Lieutenant Governo harged with its Government, and

At the more so as

it was unsolicited by me - Bout still it is a

fact that my promotion from the unostentations Office of Colonial Secretary, at £ 1800 a year, to that of Lieutenant Governor administering the Government at £$2,250, was in a

pecuniary point

loss to

Mue

St Do

of view, a heavy happened that I had us sooner assumed the Government, than the approach of the rebel forces to Canton, caused

exotis

are curts of the wealthy porucation of that city, down to this aland as a point of refuge.

as to make

the

poorest

"Bungalows on this banen hill side, worth a Pent that would command

a Mansion in London -

The necessaries

times high

high in

our

of Life. Bazaars,

at all

rose still

higher, under that pressure, and is continued until they reached fassing prices, under the prolonged "operations against Canton from 1956 to 1857. Such which I was called

was the crisis it

upon

to undertake

the responsibilities and of course the horitalities of this Government

upon an advance of salary of not

More

than £450 a

brevious

من

year

above

my

Colonial Secretary

pay and ruditor General..

no table

allowance being attached to this

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.