No. 9
Downing Street
3 September 1859
Sir,
With reference to my despatch No. 4 of the 22nd July last declaring Victoria a free Port, and stating that an enquiry was being instituted to ascertain whether the Bonding system exists in Californian Ports, I transmit to you for your information Manuscript imagethe copy of a letter which has been received from the Foreign Office in reply to the reference which was made on the subject to that Department.
I also transmit to you the copy of a letter on the subject from the Board of Trade, and I have to request that you will furnish me with the explanation which their Lordships require of the statement in your despatch of the 23rd March last, that Articles imported into Vancouvers Island fromManuscript imagefrom Californian Ports are necessarily charged with the Custom duties levied in that State.
I have etc.
Newcastle
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Manuscript image
E. Hammond, Foreign Office, to Merivale, 11 August 1859, on the Bonding system…in the California ports.
Manuscript image
T.H. Farrer, Board of Trade, to Merivale, 25 August 1859, on the bonding system in the California Ports, and discrepancy on import duties on Vancouver Island.