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XXV.
Letter from SIE JOHN DAVIS to Mr. Secretary Cardwell.
HOLLYWOOD, 30th January, 1865.
"Sir,--Without any knowledge of possibly contemplated arrangements as to the successor of Sir H. Robinson in the government of Hongkong, I venture in the briefest terms possible to state that in the year 1860, Sir George Bonham and myself together waited on the late Duke of Newcastle to bring to his Grace's notice, our personal experience of the merits and services of Mr. Mercer, the Colonial Secre- tary. His Grace without hesitation observed that the combined testimony of two retired Governors, under whom Mr. Mercer had served, spoke strongly in his favour, and confirmed the favourable opinion that himself had already formed.
"This received the best corroboration that the case has hitherto admitted of, by Mr. Mercer actually serving as Governor for nearly two years, vice Sir H. Robinson.- Without knowing Sir Hercules, I venture to assert that with an equally practical knowledge of his merits he will bo as conscientious an advocate of Mr. Mercer as Sir George Bonham and myself.
"I know that the archives and correspondence of the Colony will plead no less strongly in Mr. Mercer's favour.
"If a place, which I remember as little better than a fishing village, has in 21 years become a great commercial Emporium, lighted with gas at a distance of ten thousand miles from England, and more than paying its civil charges, Mr. Mercer has during the whole of that period been a promoting cause in the highest executive and legislative positions.
"These combined circumstances will, I trust, serve as an excuse for the intrusion on your official time of, Sir,
"&c., &c., &c.,
<< (Signed)
J. F. DAVIS."
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XXVI.
Acknowledgment of the above.
"COLONIAL OFFICE, 1st February, 1865. "SIR,-I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter bearing so high a testimony to the merits of Mr. Mercer, and remain,
"Your very faithful Servant,
EDWARD CARDWELL,
" (Signed)
XXVII.
From SIR MACDONALD STEPHENSON to Mr. R. S. WALKER, London, May, 1865.
"Mr. Mercer's views are those of a statesman, and I am indeed grieved to hear a report that he will not be the Governor of your Colony."
[Note.-I had given, by request, my opinion on the subject of railways in China.]
XXVIII.
From SIR JOHN DAVIS to myself, 15th June, 1865.
"If the welfare of Hongkong be an object, they had better have confirmed you in a position you have twice filled ad interim."
XXIX.
Despatch "Separate" from the SECRETARY OF STATE to Mr. MERCER, Downing Street, 26th October, 1865.
"SIR,
"Sir Hercules Robinson in his Despatch of the 13th of December last, No. 186, forwarded to me your
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