Hammond to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

In reply to your letter of the 27th Ultimo requesting that Enquiries
might be made whether the bonding system does or does not exist in
the Californian Ports, I am directed by Lord John Russell to inform
you that Mr Booker, Her Majesty's Consul at San Francisco, who is at
present in this Country has reported, in reply to a reference made to
him on this Subject, that the Bonding System does Exist in
Californian Ports, but that the Law, which is a federal one, requires
that the Importer and one other person shall enter into Bonds for the
due payment of the Duty, or for the Export of the goods within three
years.