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[[preprinted]]
[[underlined]] HEAD OFFICE-82-92, BEAVER STREET, NEW YORK [[/underlined]]

[[underlined]] ARNOLD, CHENEY & Co. [[/underlined]] 
London Office,
21 MINCING LANE, E.C. 

Mombasa ^[[Jan. 24th,]] 19^[[10.]]
[[/preprinted]]

[[underlined]] Personal. [[/underlined]]


Messrs.Arnold, Cheney & Co.,
New York.

Gentlemen:

I acknowledge your favor of Dec. 8th,and am deeply appreciative of the increase you have granted me.

Your letter has been carefully and thoughtfully gone over.

Re Visram. The general dropping of Ivory prices for our kinds the past year has naturally been vexing to him,but our relations have always been of the pleasantest,particularly those between Abdul Rasul and the writer. It is true Childs & Co. have obtained the bulk of their ivory from Alidina,but I believe they have paid above our prices for it, and that we have had the preference over them. The fact that our minimum ras is 45lbs.,whereas Childs' is 40,should be taken into consideration. This accounts for Visram's selling Childs & Co.all his tusks between those weights, and at the same time it creates an inclination to carry over to them other tusks of heavier weight to make up a higher average. Visram also takes over our rejects to them- particularly tusks which have thrown out beans from the hollow- and amny  of these are accepted by Mr. Parr,who does not use the rod in his sorting.

It is with regret that I have had to report Visram's receiving outside cottons. These were mostly bought in a moment of pique caused by a previous difficulty over interest,but that difficulty has since been disposed of,and Abdul Rasul has arrived at a better understanding of the facilities we offer him. Childs' recent sale of spot goods at the same price duty paid that we were asking c.i.f. was unfortunate,but unavoidable.

I realize fully that my prime duty in Mombasa is the maintenance of cordial business relations with Alidina and Abdul Rasul,and I shall do my utmost to keep them as pleasant as possible.

Thanking you for your kind letter and favorable consideration of my request,which I appreciate,I remain,

Yours faithfully,