CO129-142 - Public Offices & Others - 1869 — Page 211

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

202

Tutore

My dear M. Mercer,

You are aware that on the eve of your departure from Hong Kong, the Chinese Community, through one of their leaders, expressed their desire to be allowed to present you with some souvenir from themselves and as a testimonial of their high appreciation of your long and valuable service in the Colony. Your answer was to the effect that the rules of the Service to which you still belonged would not admit of your acceptance of the proffered distinction.

You will further remember that the Chinese Gentlemen then presented you with an Address, and at the same time expressed their regret at not being able to carry out their wish of handing you something of greater intrinsic worth, which might have been an heirloom in your family.

However, very shortly after the news of your retirement from the Service had been made known, the Chinese circulated a subscription for a testimonial to you, which I have learnt, and which has assumed the form of a Silver Tripod. Within the last fortnight, I have heard of its arrival in England, and I shall be glad to learn from you that the Treasury will allow the remission of the heavy duty which is levied on Foreign Imported Silver, and which will otherwise have to be paid in this case.

I may add that there is an inscription in English and Chinese on the Tripod.

I am, my dear Mr Mercer,

Yours very sincerely,

(Signed) A. C. Smith

Civil Service Club

St. James'

21st Feb 1889

Edit History

2026-05-20 11:03:31 · NVIDIA / meta/llama-4-maverick-17b-128e-instruct
Live
View comparison
AI Proofread
202 Tutore My dear M. Mercer, You are aware that on the eve of your departure from Hong Kong, the Chinese Community, through one of their leaders, expressed their desire to be allowed to present you with some souvenir from themselves and as a testimonial of their high appreciation of your long and valuable service in the Colony. Your answer was to the effect that the rules of the Service to which you still belonged would not admit of your acceptance of the proffered distinction. You will further remember that the Chinese Gentlemen then presented you with an Address, and at the same time expressed their regret at not being able to carry out their wish of handing you something of greater intrinsic worth, which might have been an heirloom in your family. However, very shortly after the news of your retirement from the Service had been made known, the Chinese circulated a subscription for a testimonial to you, which I have learnt, and which has assumed the form of a Silver Tripod. Within the last fortnight, I have heard of its arrival in England, and I shall be glad to learn from you that the Treasury will allow the remission of the heavy duty which is levied on Foreign Imported Silver, and which will otherwise have to be paid in this case. I may add that there is an inscription in English and Chinese on the Tripod. I am, my dear Mr Mercer, Yours very sincerely, (Signed) A. C. Smith Civil Service Club St. James' 21st Feb 1889
Baseline (Original)
202 - Tutore My dear M. Mevier, You Civil Service Club St. James; 21 from 1889. You will recollect that shortly last departure from Honghong the Chinese Community, through one, expressed their desire to be allowed to present you with some. Juice of Plate Souvenir from themselves and as a Testimonial of thin high appreciation of zou long as a and Valuable device in The Colony. Your answer was to the effect that the Jules of the Jervice to which you still belonged would not admit of you acuptance of the proffered distincomal_ You will further remember that the Ihmesi Alsidents then presented you with an Addrews, and at the a ame time Expressed then regret it not being able to carry out their wish of handing you something of Preater intrinsic worth, which might have heir loom in your family. been an of your retirements from However, very shortly after the news sement from the Service had been Made Known, the Chinese circulated subscription_hat for the Fector comial to Eesti.com. which I have reglerned, and which has assumed the form of a Silver Tripod. Within the last fortnight I have heard of its arrival in Ingland, and I shall be glad glax to learn from you that the Treasury the heavy duty will allow the remission which is levied of Foreign Imported Silver, and which will otherwise have to be paid in this case. I may and that there is on Papod Ann Chrisse. inscription in English and the I am, my dear Mr Mercer, Love My hoy livenly yours, (Ligurd / Acid C. Smith_ Τη T
2026-05-20 11:03:31 · Baseline
View content

202

- Tutore

My dear M. Mevier,

You

Civil Service Club

St. James;

21 from 1889.

You will recollect that shortly last departure from Honghong the

Chinese Community, through one, expressed their desire to be allowed to present you with some. Juice of Plate

Souvenir from themselves and as a Testimonial of thin high appreciation of zou long

as a

and Valuable device in

The Colony. Your answer was to the effect that the Jules of the Jervice to which

you still belonged

would not admit of you acuptance of the proffered distincomal_

You will further remember that the Ihmesi Alsidents then presented you

with

an Addrews, and at the a ame time Expressed then regret it not being able to carry out

their wish of handing you something of Preater intrinsic worth, which might have heir loom in your family.

been an

of your retirements from

However, very shortly after the news

sement from the Service had been Made Known, the Chinese circulated subscription_hat for the Fector comial to

Eesti.com. which I have reglerned, and which has assumed the form of a

Silver Tripod. Within the last fortnight I have heard of its arrival in

Ingland, and I shall be glad

glax

to learn from you that the Treasury

the heavy duty

will allow the remission

which is levied

of

Foreign Imported Silver,

and which will otherwise have to be paid

in this case.

I may and that there is on

Papod

Ann

Chrisse.

inscription in

English and

the

I am, my dear Mr Mercer,

Love My

hoy livenly yours,

(Ligurd / Acid C. Smith_

Τη

T

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.