Page 655
This being sworn in on Monday, 12th March 1866 was and is a matter of notoriety in the Colony, and should this most respectful protest be disregarded I key to much the fullest enquiry and to refer to high offices in different Services, as well as others, then in this Country — "there present, and now in there present, and his m... I shall furnish a list of them, if desired, and have no doubt that their Evidence can be easily procured.
I should hope, though, however that the very style of Governor Macdonnell's Despatch would on its receipt have been sufficient to condemn itself, but the Secretary of State's view of it is unknown to me, I am at a loss to say what confidence, if any, is attached to it, and I am allowed to make a stand on record and my character, both against an attack on public and personal, so uncalled for and so unfounded.
I repeat that it is only at this time it comes within my power to refer to this matter as a regard for the public Service (such as Gentlemen are apt to entertain) having barred Remonstrance during my continuance in the Colony, and the absence of documents having similarly operated till now.
That the Despatch may be construed injuriously to me I am (under correction) forced to infer; and this for various reasons: Among others, that after a longer term of office (and in the calmest and most critical places) than any other Hongkong official — after having had during a period of twenty years perhaps the chief share in promoting the welfare of a remarkable Colony — and after having had my Services not only acknowledged warmly and honorably both by my official Superiors and the unanimous Voice of the general public but also recognized officially by the Home Government, I see myself placed and compared in a position of disparagement with a number of Government Officers of other Services and Departments in China on whom honors and decorations in Her Majesty's name have been bestowed. This is a grievance which I feel particularly keenly owing to the peculiarity of position (in its communion with other Services) in which the Colonial Government of Hongkong has always been placed.
The immediate complaint, however, is against the intemperate Charge brought against me in Governor MacDonnell's Despatch, and I think it due to the Department under which I have so long served to seek in the first instance some remedy or reparation through the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
I have the honor to be, with much truth and regard, your obedient Servant
W. T. MERCER
Colonial Secretary, and
Acting Governor of Hongkong.
in
This being sworn in on
12th
Monday, March 1866 was and is matter of notoriety : the Colony, and thould this mony Rapectful protect be disregarded I key to much the fullest enquiry and to refer to high offices different Services, as well as others, then f
this Country-
"there present, and now in
there present, and his m
I shall furmis
ん
f
list of thin, if desired,
and have no downs that their Svidenc
Easily procured.
ho
mary
I should care though hope however that the very Stigle of Governon Macdonnell's Despatit would on its receipt have been Sufficient to condemn itself, but
the Secretary of State's hiew of it inthnown to me, I am at a loss to say what confiortance, if any, unwelling
unnoticed
ky
is attached to it, and Lam Hallow to mani on record and my character, bock
an attack on
public and personal, so uncalled for and to unfounded.
I repeat that it only at this timin Comes within my power to refer to this matter a regard for the public Service (such as Gentlemen are apt to entertain) having berred Remonstrance during my continuance Colony, and the absence of documents having Similarly operater till now.
my
in the
ham been
liberty
That the Despatch may Construed injurionaly to me I am at ( under Correction to infer; and this for Various reasons: Among others, that after
A
longer
term
hest
of office (and in the cal
places / than any other Hongkong official after having had during
Can claim
a period of twenty those years perhaps the
Chief
655
having
chief thave in promoting the flesh, of a Umarkable Colony- and after han had then Irrvices not only acknowledged warmly and
honorably both by my official Superions and the inanimions Voice of the general public but also recognized officially by the
the Stone Government, I see myself placed Compared In a position of disparagement with a number of Government Officers of other Services and Departinnies
China on whene
ham bem bestowed honors and decorations in Ster Majestys kann. This is a
particularly
jann
freevann
which I feel;
men of the peculiarity of position (in its Commution with other Services / in whic the Colonial Government of Houghing has always
aw placed.
advanced in this letter,
The immediate complaint, however, of the intemperato Charge brought against me in Governor MacDonnellis Despartit, and I think it due to the Department under which tham to
so long Served to Leek in the first mistence. Some remedy treparation through the Secretary of State for the Colonies-
ham The honor to be,
With much bruth and regard, your
obedient Servant
Cate Colonial Secretary, ands
Acting Governor of Hongking.
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