From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Letter detailing an unsuccessful attempt to obtain a favorable currency exchange rate at a French bank.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\4\ scan0098 | |
| Date | 14th July 1935 | |
| X300a HOTEL DE FRANCE, CHATEAUROUX, Indre. France. GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/3/JAB. 14th July 1935. To Mr. R.B. Wilson. c to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Dear Sir, ref. Wn1/3/EIT, In answer to your letter of the 12th inst., I would state that on the 24th June, I called at The Banque Nationale pour le Commerce & l'Industrie with my Letter of Credit. This was with a view to ascertain, whether I I could obtain a better rate of exchange than what I have been getting at the Société Générale. My interpreter accompanied me as no English is spoken in these Banks. The Employee who attended to us at the Banque Nationale, after referring to the file of the Midland Bank containing instructions, Specimens of Letters of Credit etc., hesitatingly informed us that, had the Letter of Credit been drawn on them, or giving them special authority for the negotiations of availments thereunder, they would have done so. It was apparent that the Employee was somewhat dubious, and did not impress that he had much knowledge about Letters of Credit. It was also explained to them that I intended to withdraw L.200.-/-. (Two Hundred Pounds). I would have endeavoured to interview the management for a precise explaination, but when after much hesitation they stated in any case that the rate of Exchange would only be 72 Francs to the Pound as against 74, I thought I had better not argue further with them, as already we had been there half an hour. Therefore I did my business with the Société Générale as usual. Yours faithfully, G.W.Hancock. | ||