Colonial Despatches

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's despatch No 5 of the 21st January, communicating to me the decision of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury with respect to fixing fixing the rate of allowance for my travelling expenses when absent from the seat of Government, on official duty, which their Lordships think had better be postponed until sufficient data exist for establishing a daily rate, an arrangement which is in all respects satisfactory to me.

2. I beg however to explain for your Grace's information, that that the rate of allowance suggested in my letter viz £5 per diem, was not intended merely as a personal allowance, but is supposed to cover the whole expense of my official staff and servants, including transport maintenance and all other travelling expenses, and the rule was adopted solely with the view of introducing economy, certainty, and regularity, into the public expenditure.