282 RECOLLECTIONS OF FORTY YEARS. 



question of piercing the Isthmus of Suez was first 

 discussed between us.* 



" I have come to England to place the matter clearly 

 before the eyes of the public. I appeal to the interests 

 and am content to rely upon the judgment formed by 

 the East India Company, the traders with Australia, 

 Singapore, Madras, Calcutta, and Bombay, the mer- 

 chants of the city, the shipowners of London and Liver- 

 pool, the manufacturers of Manchester, the ironmasters, 

 the makers of machinery, the P. and 0. Steam Company, 

 the managers of banks and other large businesses, the 

 commercial associations, and the owners of coal mines 

 who in 1854 exported nearly four and a half million 

 tons of coal, representing a value of 2,147,156, and 

 who, by the opening of the Suez Canal, would find 

 these enormous exports considerably increased. 



" It has been objected that the Turkish Govern- 

 ment ought to concern itself about this project ; but 

 as in every question where the principles are just, 

 the foreseen consequences are inevitable. No matter 

 from what point the enterprise of the Suez Canal is 

 considered, it will be found to be of advantage to all 

 the world. 



" Turkey can only shake off its present state of 

 torpor by obtaining from Europe capital and intelli- 



*Note of the Translator. The greater part of this letter describes 

 the preliminary steps taken by the Viceroy and M. de Lesseps to 

 ascertain the nature of the work and its cost, the account of which 

 will be found in the preceding pages. 



