Page 13
and position of British Commerce we would for the following reasons ask you to consent to reconsider
the decision on this point, which was arrived at so far back as
1873. The conditions of British Commerce have greatly changed since then.
British Merchants and Traders confronted on all sides by a keen and vigorous competition and
while desiring
undue assistance we submit
desiring
all
be afforded
possible facilities may
especially when the expansion of our operations directly and assists the extension of British
Commerce).
Not being allowed to establish a branch of the Bank at Manila,
we have conducted our business there
through an Agent, and being obliged lately to have recourse to the Bank of that Island we have had and still meet with
the greatest difficulty in establishing our credit there.
We desire especially to call your attention to the exceptional position of British Commerce in the Philippine Islands and the urgent
need there exists that we should be allowed to establish a branch in
those Islands, if we are to continue
operations there, which operations
we