CO129-116 - Sir MacDonnell - 1866 [11-12] — Page 231

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

229

Mr ... never sent, (unless secretly by Mackenzie). About one million and a half were offered. Of these nearly three-quarters were in 1866, 6,000 were in 1867, and weren't directly or indirectly on the part of this Government, whilst of the remainder, I am sorry to state that there was scarcely one "clean" dollar - they were "chopped and injured, light in weight, or for other reasons not easily got rid of.

That description of silver was sent to the Mint at its first opening because there appeared a chance of paying and converting into good dollars, free of all cost, some hundred thousands locked up in depreciated currency.

In this instance, therefore, as in all others, selfish calculations of profit were the motives influencing the customers of the Mint, and most convenient motives they are, because they make it possible to gauge beforehand the utility of establishments on the public funding whose success depends on profit in using them.

I admit it is very disheartening that there is an immense stream of this silver constantly flowing into and out of the Colony, and that, nevertheless, none of it can be brought through the Mint. Since the returns received of the present year, according to returns rendered by Mr G. Sharpe, the clerk who prepares the fortnightly summary of auction, imports, and reports for each Mail - there has been imported into Hongkong (including Canton imports) at least 29 millions of dollars and 11 million dollars of Bullion.

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229 Mr ... never sent, (unless secretly by Mackenzie). About one million and a half were offered. Of these nearly three-quarters were in 1866, 6,000 were in 1867, and weren't directly or indirectly on the part of this Government, whilst of the remainder, I am sorry to state that there was scarcely one "clean" dollar - they were "chopped and injured, light in weight, or for other reasons not easily got rid of. That description of silver was sent to the Mint at its first opening because there appeared a chance of paying and converting into good dollars, free of all cost, some hundred thousands locked up in depreciated currency. In this instance, therefore, as in all others, selfish calculations of profit were the motives influencing the customers of the Mint, and most convenient motives they are, because they make it possible to gauge beforehand the utility of establishments on the public funding whose success depends on profit in using them. I admit it is very disheartening that there is an immense stream of this silver constantly flowing into and out of the Colony, and that, nevertheless, none of it can be brought through the Mint. Since the returns received of the present year, according to returns rendered by Mr G. Sharpe, the clerk who prepares the fortnightly summary of auction, imports, and reports for each Mail - there has been imported into Hongkong (including Canton imports) at least 29 millions of dollars and 11 million dollars of Bullion.
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229 Mr seever sent, (unless secretly by Mackenzie). About one million and a offered. Of there nearly quarlei marlei were 19 6,000 wwe wen't directly or indirectly on the part of this Garnment, whilst of th the remainder, I am that there was as almost all to state sorry scarcely one "clean" dollar- were # "chopped and injured, light in weight, or for the reasons not easily got rid of. That description of silver was sent to the Mint at its first opening because there appeared thin as chance of opaying and converting into good dollars, free of all cost, some hundred thais and Can. annen locked up in depriciated In this instance therefore, as in all others, selfish calculations of profit wore and lof cons ehr motiver influmoing the customers of the Mint, and most convenient motives they are, because they makes it possible ti gange before hand the sutility of establishmenty on the Bublic finding whose success depends a profit in using theen. I admit it is very 29. lofind disheartening that there an immense stream of of this silon carstaully flowing into and out Colony, and that, neveriteles, of it can be burned through the Mint. Since the mar returns recurved of the present year, according to retum renild from Mr G. Sharpe, the quilerman who prepares the fortnightty summary ofluction, imports and reports for each Mail - there has been in ported into Wongting (including Cantin imports) at least 29 millions of dollars and 11 million dellars of Bullion
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229

Mr

seever sent, (unless secretly by Mackenzie). About one million and a

offered. Of there nearly

quarlei

marlei were

19 6,000 wwe

wen't directly

or indirectly

on the part of this Garnment, whilst

of th

the remainder, I am

that there was

as almost all

to state

sorry scarcely one "clean" dollar-

were

#

"chopped and injured,

light in weight, or for the reasons not easily got rid of. That description of

silver

was sent to the Mint at its first opening because there appeared thin as chance of opaying and converting into good dollars, free of all cost, some hundred

thais and

Can.

annen

locked

up

in depriciated

In this instance therefore,

as in

all others, selfish calculations of profit

wore

and lof cons ehr motiver influmoing the customers of the Mint, and most convenient motives they are, because they makes it possible

ti

gange before hand the sutility of establishmenty on the Bublic finding

whose

success depends a profit in using theen.

I

admit it is

very

29. lofind

disheartening

that there

an

immense stream of

of this

silon carstaully flowing into and out Colony, and that, neveriteles,

of it can be burned through the Mint. Since the

mar

returns recurved

of the present year, according to retum renild from Mr G. Sharpe, the quilerman who prepares the fortnightty summary ofluction, imports and reports for each Mail - there has been in ported into Wongting (including Cantin imports) at least 29 millions of dollars and 11 million dellars of Bullion

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