Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest

Document 29: Letter to Thomas Burke from Hong Kong, May 1, 1890

Thomas Burke Papers, 1785-1925. Manuscripts and University Archives, University of Washington Libraries.

I have today written to President Hill of the Great Northern asking, in the event of his establishing a line of steamers to China, to be appointed agent for the company in Hong Kong. I have represented to Mr. Hill that our company...is financially and commercially the strongest and most important in the Pacific Northwest with branches at Butte, Helena and Portland, that we have much to do with the success of the Northern Pacific line and shall be much obligated if you will write to him and confirm what I say and recommend the appointment.

If we can arrange this we shall withdraw entirely from all connection with the Northern Pacific and turn all shipments that we can influence or contract to the new line....