615
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"I may also mention as showing that Mr. Mercer pos- sesses the qualifications of tact and temper, and sound judgment so essential for such a post that he has lived in Hongkong (where society is established under somewhat similar conditions, as in Singapore) for seventeen years, during which time he has kept clear of the constant private and official quarrels which have disgraced the place, and has acquired the confidence and respect of the entire com- munity,"
XX.
Extract from letter of MR. CRAWFORD, formerly Governor of the Straits Settlements, 22nd April, 1861.
"I have already been at the Colonial Office, and there found that Mr. Mercer stood well, and I have also seen Sir George Bonham, once my own assistant, and he says he is the best man in the Hongkong Government."
XXI
Extract from SIR H. ROBINSON's Despatch, 10th January, 1862, to the DUKE OF NEWCASTLE, applying for leave of absence.
"Mr. Mercer, the Colonial Secretary, is an old and faithful servant of the Crown, and well fitted to administer the Government of the Colony, if Your Grace should think fit to entrust him with it."
XXII.
From SIR JOHN DAVIS to myself, 22nd March, 1863.
"I hope the Duke [of Newcastle] will do you justice, as
he has so often promised."
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XXIII.
From SIR FREDERICK BRUCE to myself, 10th September, 1863.
"I sincerely trust that you may get some new appoint- ment on Sir Hercules Robinson's return; it is a great shame that your claims are not favourably considered.”
XXIV.
Extract from Despatch No. 186 of 13th December, 1864, from SIR II. ROBINSON to the RT. HON. E. CARDWELL, Secretary of State for the Colonies, covering Mr. Mercer's application for the Government of Hongkong.
"My opinion as to Mr. Mercer's strong claims to and fitness for promotion is already officially on record in your Department. In addition to the Despatches quoted by Mr. Mercer, if I remember rightly, I addressed the Duke of Newcastle upon the same subject in a letter written from Ireland in either January or February last year,* when returning a Confidential Report upon the Public Officers of Hongkong which had been transmitted for my perusal. "It only remains for me therefore, in recommending the present application to your favourable consideration, to observe that Mr. Mercer's elevation to the highest post in the Colony would in my opinion be a very encouraging and appropriate recognition of his long, faithful, and efficient services in this trying climate, and that due provision has been made for such a fitting termination to a lengthened career of local usefulness, by the 5th Section of the Hong- kong Pension Minute."
* I have not seen this letter, but, as additional testimony, think right to call attention to it in this note,
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