THE ORIGIN OF THE SUEZ CANAL. 135 



Since then there has been no secret about a single one 

 of my actions, and there is nothing in my sayings, 

 writings, or doings, to justify an attack which I should 

 not condescend to notice, but that I was afraid of its 

 just now being detrimental to the success of our enter- 

 prise. Eead this to Count Walewski, and communi- 

 cate it, if you think fit, to M. Damas Hinard, for the 

 Empress. She knows that though I did not vote for 

 the empire, I am no factionist, and that though I 

 am a lover of liberty, I am not one of those who would 

 seek to overthrow the order of things which my 

 country has raised up." 



To M. Ruyssenaers, Alexandria. 



" CONSTANTINOPLE, December 7, 1859. 



" After several ministerial councils, which resulted 

 in considerable discussion owing to the innumerable 

 steps taken by Sir Henry Bulwer, the Porte agreed to 

 the demand made by the French ambassador. That 

 is to say, a reference will be made to the Powers to 

 cover the political responsibility of Turkey in regard 

 to the canal, and to settle the international questions 

 arising out of it. All that now remains is to decide 

 in what form the reference shall be made. I of course 

 leave M. Thouvenel to take action in his own way, 

 and have not made any move personally. Sir H. 

 Bulwer sees so clearly that this appeal would put 

 an end to all possibility of further resistance that 

 he is moving heaven and earth to prevent it being 

 made. 



