CO129-128 - Public Offices & Others - 1867 — Page 613

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XI.

From Major General JERvois (Lieutenant-Governor,) to the DUKE OF NEWCASTLE, No. 25, of 8th March, 1854.

"The merits and services of Mr. Mercer have been so vividly brought by Sir George Bonham to the notice of Earl Grey in Despatch of 27th December, 1848, marked Sepurate, as well as to Your Grace in that of 20th January, 1854, No. 11, that there is but little left for me to add thereto, beyond my perfectly coinciding in the opinions expressed by His Excellency with regard to Mr. Mercer."

XII. "Financial" from Lieutenant-Governor CAINE to the DUKE OF NEWCASTLE, No. 2, of 15th April, 1854. "With reference to the succession to myself in the posts of Colonial Secretary and Auditor General, the merits and talents of Mr. Mercer have been so prominently brought to the notice of Your Grace by Sir George Bonham in despatches, separate, of 27th December, 1848, and No. 11 of 20th January last, that I can only express my convic tion that there is no Gentleman here more fitted for the post of Colonial Secretary, and should it be the pleasure of your Grace to confirm Mr. Mercer as Colonial Secretary and Auditor General, it will be a source of congratulation to this Colony to have that situation so ably filled as I know it will be in his person to this I am convinced that Sir George Bonham will bear full and ample testimony."

XIII.

From SIR JOHN BOWRING to MR. LABOUCHERE, No. 85, of 2nd June, 1856.

"The absence of Mr. Mercer from the sittings and dis-

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cussions of the Legislature has been frequently felt to be a very great inconvenience, and I am persuaded that his presence and assistance will be of the greatest possible value to the public service."

XIV.

Extract from Minute of SIR JOHN BOWRING, 8th August, 1856.

"The Colonial Secretary is entitled to all my considera- tion, and I do not forget the readiness with which he gave up his intention of visiting Europe, when it was re- presented to him that the public service would suffer from his removal,"

XV.

Despatch of Lieutenant-Governor CAINE, No. 88, of 19th May, 1859, to Secretary SIR E. B. LYTTON.

"In submitting the enclosed application from Mr. Mercer, the Colonial Secretary, I have the honour to entreat your favourable consideration of his request for a removal to a more congenial climate, or in the event of an appointment befitting his merits and equivalent to the situation he now so ably fills, not being attainable, then I respectfully recommend that the retirement requested be granted to this officer in the manner in which it is urged.

"The abilities and attainments of Mr. Mercer are so well-known in this Colony that I hardly know how to attempt an eulogium on one who has obtained the respect and esteem of all who have been associated with him during his great length of service in Hongkong, and I may at the same time be permitted to doubt if in all Her Majesty's Possessions there be a more useful, more zealous, or more practical officer, or one more worthy, Sir, of your highest consideration, than Mr. Mercer."

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