PUECHASE OF CAMELS FOR MILITARY PURPOSES." 39 



viceroy, who replies as follows : That it is contrary to the custom of 

 the country to permit the exportation of animals to foreign countries, 

 but that, out of regard to the American government, he gives his per- 

 mission for the purchase of two camels, only, and that the necessary 

 instructions have been given to the governor of Alexandria to permit 

 their exportation. 



With this communication, sir, I have the honor to enclose the 

 order for carrying out his highness' will. 



THE MINISTER OP FINANCE. 



Translation from the Arabic of the order enclosed. 



To his excellency the governor of Alexandria : 



The American consul at Cairo has addressed to me a despatch, 

 dated 13th Rabik Akar, 1272, (23d December, 1855,) requesting per- 

 mission to export twenty camels, intended for the American govern- 

 ment. This request having been laid before the viceroy, he an- 

 nounced that it has never been the custom of the country to permit 

 the exportation of camels to foreign countries, but that, out of high 

 regard for the government in question, he permits the exportation of 

 two camels, only. In conformity with this announcement of his 

 highness, the requisite information has been communicated to the 

 American consul, and this present writing is addressed to you that 

 the necessary instructions and facilities for the exportation of the two 

 camels, above mentioned, may be given by you in obedience to the 

 will of his highness. 



THE MINISTER OF FINANCE. 



Cairo_, Euypt, December 24, 1855. 



Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your commu- 

 nication of this date, from which I learn that his highness, the vice- 

 roy, in answer to my application of the 22d instant for authority to 

 export for the.United States government, and under its orders, tiventy 

 camels, has been so kind as to grant permission for the exportation of 

 tioo only. 



I am much obliged to his highness for this mark of his good will 

 towards the government of the United States, and although far from 

 desiring to trespass upon his kindness, I feel myself nevertheless 

 constrained by my duty to submit for his further consideration the 

 following statements : 



1st. That my mission is of a scientific character, its purpose being 

 to introduce upon the continent of America a new domestic animal, 

 that may prove to be of great usefulness. 



2d. That the voyage hence to America is long and tedious, and 

 consequently painful and dangerous to these animals^ creating the 



