SERVICES
OF
212
WILLIAM T. MERCER,
Colonial Secretary, Member of the Executive and Legislative Councils, and Administrator of the Government of Hongkong.
NOTE. The following collection of testimonials differs from others of a like nature in this: that in no case has any testimony been solicited by me; the greater part of these extracts is from Public Despatches, and concerns myself alone; the other part consists of portions of Parliamentary Papers, already published, and of private letters, either voluntarily and incidentally addressed to myself, or placed at my disposal.
I wish it to be understood by my friends (and this paper is printed only for private circulation) that in no instance have I sought certificate of merit or service from any quarter whatever.
W. T. M. 5th March, 1866.
1
Extract from the Colonial Office List.
"MERCER, W. T.-Graduated at Exeter College, Oxford, B.A., 1843; M.A., 1851; entered at the Inner Temple 1842, but has not been called to the bar. Is Colonial Secretary of Hongkong since 1854, and a Member of both Councils. Entered the Colonial Service as Private Secretary to SIR JOHN DAVIS, Governor of Hongkong, 1844; appointed Acting Colonial Treasurer, 1845; confirmed 1847; administered the Government of Hongkong from July to September 1861, again from July 1862 to February 1864, and again on the departure of Governor SIR HERCULES ROBINSON for Ceylon, from March 1865 to March 1866."
2
Extract from "Confidential" Despatch of GOVERNOR DAVIS to LORD STANLEY, 12th December, 1844.
"Mr. MERCER, my Private Secretary, in consequence of his having received a regular University Education at Oxford, where he took his degree, possesses considerable advantages over ordinary Candidates for Office in this place, in addition to his personal readiness and ability to undertake responsible duties."
3
"Financial" from SIR JOHN DAVIS to LORD STANLEY, No. 23, of 20th February, 1846.
"As the efficiency of the present Acting Treasurer has been practically proved after the lapse of several quarters, I trust Your Lordship may be induced to confirm him in the Office."
4
"Civil" from SIR JOHN DAVIS to EARL GREY, No. 57, of 21st May, 1847.
"There being no person here whom I could venture to employ in the room of Mr. MERCER, who has ably performed the duties of Treasurer for two years."
5
From SIR JOHN DAVIS to EARL GREY, No. 129, of 27th December, 1847.
"The vacancy in the Legislative Council has been temporarily filled up by Mr. W. T. MERCER, Colonial Treasurer. Mr. MERCER's personal qualifications, his official station, and his education for the Bar at Oxford and one of the Inns of Court pointed him out as the most proper person for selection."
6
From GOVERNOR BONHAM to EARL GREY, No. 67, of 28th August, 1848.
"Mr. HULME having returned Mr. MERCER has vacated his temporary seat in the Legislative Council, but I have re-appointed him to the Council, considering him from his acquirements and professional education particularly qualified for the Office."
7
Extract from Enclosure 4 (by Governor Bonham) in Despatch "Separate" from GOVERNOR BONHAM to EARL GREY, of 27th December, 1848.
"Mr. MERCER, the Colonial Treasurer, has been in the service since February 1844; was educated at Oxford and is in every respect a desirable person for public employ. His capacity is far above the Office he holds, and were the Colonial Secretary's Office to become vacant, he would be a most eligible person to succeed to it.
"I never heard of Mr. MERCER, until I arrived in the Colony, but so highly do I think of his qualifications and attainments, that I have nominated him to a seat in the Legislative Council. He was educated for the Bar."
8
"Civil" from Governor BONHAM to EARL GREY, No. 37, of 20th April, 1850.
"I have already had occasion to record my sentiments respecting Mr. MERCER's qualifications for public employ. I think it, nevertheless, proper again to state to Your Lordship that Mr. MERCER has not only conducted the proper duties of his Office entirely to my satisfaction, but that he has rendered himself eminently useful in the Legislative Council, for which his education and other attainments render him particularly fit."
SERVICES
OF
212
WILLIAM T. MERCER,
Colonial Secretary, Member of the Executive and Legislative Councils, and Administrator of the Government of Hongkong.
NOTE. The following collection of testimonials differs from others of a like nature in this: that in no case has any testimony been solicited by me; the greater part of these extracts is from Public Despatches, and concerns myself alone; the other part consists of portions of Parliamentary Papers, already published, und of private letters, either voluntarily and incidentally addressed to myself, or placed at
I wish it to be understood by my friends (and this paper is printed only for private circulation) that in no
my disposal. instance have I sought certificate of merit or service from any quarter whatever.
W. T. M. 5th March, 1866,
1
Extract from the Colonial Office List.
"MERCER, W. T.-Graduated at Exeter College, Oxford, B.A., 1843; M.A., 1851; entered at the Inner "Temple 1842, but has not been called to the bar. Is Colonial Secretary of Hongkong since 1854, and a Member "of both Councils. Entered the Colonial Service as Private Secretary to SIR JOHN DAVIS, Governor of Hongkong, "1844; appointed Acting Colonial Treasurer, 1845; confirmed 1847; administered the Government of Hongkong from July to September 1881, again from July 1862 to February 1864, and again on the departure of Governor "SIR HERCULES ROBINSON for Ceylon, from March 1865 to March 1866,"
2
Extract from "Confulential” Despatch of GOVERNOR DAVIS to LORD STANLEY, 12th December, 1844. "Mr. MERCER, my Private Secretary, in consequence of his having received a regular University Education at "Oxford, where he took his degree, possesses considerable advantages over ordinary Candidates for Office in this "place, in addition to his personal readiness and ability to undertake responsible duties.”
"Financial" from SiR JOHN DAVIS to LORD STANLEY, No. 23, of 20th February, 1846.
"As the efficiency of the present Acting Treasurer has been practically proved after the lapse of several quarters, "I trust Your Lordship may be induced to confirm him in the Office."
4
"Cicil" from SIR JOHN DAVIS to EARL GREY, No. 57, of 21st May, 1847.
"There being no person here whom I could venture to employ in the room of Mr. MERCER, who has ably "performed the duties of Treasurer for two years."
5
From SIR JOHN DAVIS to EARL GREY, No. 129, of 27th December, 1847.
"The vacancy in the Legislative Council has been temporarily filled up by Mr. W. T. MERCER, Colonial "Treasurer. Mr. MERCER's personal qualifications, his official station, and his education for the Bar at Óxford and "one of the Inns of Court pointed him out as the most proper person for selection.”
6
From GOVERNOR BONHAM to EARL GREY, No. 67, of 28th August, 1848.
"Mr. HULME having returned Mr. MERCER has vacated his temporary scat, in the Legislative Council] but "I have re-appointed him to the Council, considering him from his acquirements and professional education par-
ticularly qualified for the Office."
7
Extract from Enclosure 4 (by Governor Bonham) in Despatch" Separate" from GOVERNOR BONHAM to EARL GREY, of 27th December, 1848.
"Mr. MERCER, the Colonial Treasurer, has been in the service since February 1844; was educated at Oxford "and is in every respect a desirable person for public employ. His capacity is far above the Office he holds, and
were the Colonial Secretary's Office to become vacant, he would be a most eligible person to succeed to it.
6+
"I never heard of Mr. MERCER, until I arrived in the Colony, but so highly do I think of his qualifications "and attainments, that I have nominated him to a seat in the Legislative Council. He was educated for the Bar."
8
"Civil" from Governor BONHAM to EARL GREY, No. 37, of 20th April, 1850.
"I have already had occasion to record my sentiments respecting Mr. MERCER's qualifications for public employ. "I think it, nevertheless, proper again to state to Your Lordship that Mr. MERCER has not only conducted the proper duties of his Office entirely to my satisfaction, but that he has rendered himself eminently useful in the "Legislative Council, for which his education and other attainments render him particularly fit.”
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