4th. To take soundings along the line, and carry them out to a depth of ten _metres_ below the level of low water in the Mediterranean. 5th. To collect specimens of the various soils met with in their operations. 6th. To settle the prime cost of manual labour and of all the materials that will be employed in the construction of the Canal. 7th. To establish positive data that will serve to estimate the number of workmen of all kinds necessary for the execution of the works. For my own part, I shall make it my business to collect the most recent statistical documents that will afford the means of ascertaining positively the _minimum_ valuation of the returns. When the time has arrived for commencing the works of the Maritime Canal, a large number of machines, and a considerable quantity of materials, timber, iron, coal, &c. &c., ought to be procured from Europe. The Suez Canal Company will find the advantages of certainty, economy and facility of transport, which do not exist at present, in the continuation of the railway to Suez, and the establishment of the Towing Society, with which is connected the amelioration of the Mahmoudieh Canal, and also its communication with the port of Alexandria. ... The communications which I have received from Europe bear witness to the ever-increasing interest with which the scheme of opening the Isthmus of Suez is everywhere received. Amongst those who have spontaneously offered me their co-operation, there are some who have placed considerable sums at my disposal as a contribution to the preliminary expenses of the undertaking. These offers already amount to more than 15,000,000 francs. I have not thought it proper to avail myself of them, but I have noted the names of those who have made them in order that they may take their appropriate place in the list of subscribers. Certain founding members have already been named; they have subscribed an engagement, under conditions, to contribute to the expenses preliminary to the regular organization of the Company. The first list of founding members, fulfilling the conditions required by Art. 11, of your Highness’s Firman, contains fifty-five names belonging both to Egypt and to Europe. Your Highness who leaves to me the charge of completing this list by the addition of persons of all countries who shall actually contribute to the establishment of the work, has desired that the total number should not exceed 100 if it can be avoided. Your Highness has been pleased to approve of the provisional appointment of M. Ruyssenaers, Consul General of the Netherlands, as principal agent of the Company in Egypt; he deserves in every respect this mark of confidence. Such are the preliminary proceedings that have appeared to your Highness calculated to promote the success of your grand enterprise. I beg your Highness to inform me whether I have fully understood your intentions. (Signed) FERD. DE LESSEPS.