FitzGerald to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
20 September 1858
Sir,
With reference to my Letter of the 18th Ultimo, 1 enclosing Copy of a Despatch from Her M's Minister at Washington, reporting a conversation which he had had with General Cass relative to the question of imposing a License Duty on Miners in New Caledonia, I am directed by the Earl of Malmesbury to transmit to you, for the information of Secretary Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, a Copy of a further Despatch from Lord Napier enclosing a copy of an unoffical Letter which he had received from the Assistant Secretary of State on the same subject.
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Merivale
This shews favorably for the liberality of British Authorities in dealing with Foreigners in Columbia as contrasted with the conduct pursued towards them for a few years in California. I imagine that this is merely sent for informn.
ABd 23 Sep
It is curious.
HM S 24
C S 25
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Napier to Malmesbury, No. 208, 6 September 1858, enclosing letter from John Appleton and describing Douglas's regulations as "liberal."
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Appleton, Department of State, Washington, to Napier, 30 August 1858, Unoffical, regarding tax on foreigners digging for gold in California.
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Jos. S. Nelson, General Land Office, to Appleton, 23 August 1858, advising "that the Laws of Congress make no discrimination whatever between our citizens & foreigners in digging or collecting the precious metals."