We entertain the hope, that the undertaking will be favourably received, for there will be profit and honour for those who take the first part in it; and it will not only offer incontestable advantages, but it will be moreover the grandest work of progress and of civilization that the nineteenth century will have produced. Cairo, 20th March, 1855. (Signed) Linant _Bey_. Mougel _Bey_. APPENDIX. No. V. LETTER FROM THE GRAND VIZIER, TO THE VICEROY OF EGYPT. LETTER FROM THE GRAND VIZIER RESHID PACHA TO HIS HIGHNESS MOHAMMED SAID PACHA, VICEROY OF EGYPT. _Translation from the Turkish._ The 12th of the Month of Djemazul Akhir 1271. (1st March, 1855.) Your very humble servant has the honour to address you as follows:— M. Ferd. de Lesseps is about to return to your Highness. He is indeed, as your Highness was graciously pleased to observe to us, a guest who of himself deserves all possible attention and consideration. His object in coming here had reference to the affair of the Canal; an undertaking of the most useful character. During his stay in Constantinople, I have had the pleasure of seeing him several times, and of conversing with him at length on various subjects. He has had the honour of being presented to his Majesty the Sultan, by whom he was received with the highest favour. In conformity with the Imperial order on the subject of the Canal, the question of this interesting undertaking is now under the consideration of the Council of Ministers. M. de Lesseps, not being able to wait until the end of the conferences, has decided on taking his departure. I shall shortly have to acquaint your Highness in detail with the result. (Signed) MOUSTAPHA RESHID. APPENDIX. No. VI. REPORT FROM M. DE LESSEPS TO THE VICEROY OF EGYPT. AND HIS HIGHNESS’ INSTRUCTIONS. REPORT TO HIS HIGHNESS MOHAMMED SAID PACHA, VICEROY OF EGYPT. The Camp, Marea, 30th April, 1855. I had the honour of submitting to your Highness the memorial of your Engineers MM. Linant _Bey_, and Mougel _Bey_, for the construction of the Canal of the Isthmus of Suez. This is intended as a precursory scheme for the cutting through the Isthmus. It is accompanied by a map indicating the configuration of the ground and the nature of the soil. It has met with your Highness’ approval, and you have requested me to give it the most extensive publicity in order to call the attention of all competent persons in Europe and America to a question which interests the whole world, and to invite their examination and observations. ... Your Highness has decided to send immediately, to the Counsellors of His Imperial Majesty the Sultan, the explanations which they require for the ratification of the scheme for the communication of the two Seas.