CO129-128 - Public Offices & Others - 1867 — Page 611

21

SERVICES

OF

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 Parlia mentary Papers, already published, and of private letters, either voluntarily and incidentally addressed to myself, or placed at my disposal.

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I wish it to be understood by my friends (and this is printed only for private circulation) that in no instance have I sought certificate of merit or service from any quarter whatever.

I.

W. T. M.

5th March, 1866.

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 Secre- tary to Sir John Davis, Governor of Hongkong, 1844;

confirmed

appointed Acting Colonial Treasurer, 1845; 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."

II.

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."

III.

"Financial" from SIR JOHN DAVIS to LORD STANLEY, No. 23, of 26th 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."

IV.

"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."

V.

From SIR JOHN DAVIS to EARL GREY, No. 129, of 27th December, 1847.

"The vacancy in the Legislative Council has been tem- porarily filled up by Mr. W. T. Mercer, Colonial

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