The Economic Utility of British Consuls in the Philippines, 1844–1864: The Cases of John William Farren and Nicholas Loney

Abstract

This article contributes to the historiographical debate on the usefulness of foreign consuls through the study of a specific case: that of the British consuls in the Philippines, a colonial territory, which endowed it with special characteristics. To this end, it analyzes the figures of Consul John William Farren (1844-1864) and Vice-Consul Nicholas Loney (1856-1869) and their involvement in the following issues: the actions they undertook to boost trade, exports, imports, and investments in various fields; the relationships they established with various agencies for these purposes; the transnational networks they fostered; and the assessment the consular agents made of their own work. The article demonstrates, in conclusion, that the British's significant economic involvement in the Philippines was supported not only by commercial, political, and geostrategic approaches linked to India, Southeast Asia, China, and Australia, but also by the dedication and commitment demonstrated by British consular staff in the region and by the local and internationalnetworks created.