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The Relation to S.A. Mohamed Said Pascia

Vice-King of Egypt

His Highness has invited us to come to Egypt to study the subject of the Cut (CHECK) of the Suez Isthmus; and in supplying for ourselves the ways to be able to evaluate the area, of the merit of different proposed plans for this purpose, L'A.S instructed us to submit the easiest, the safest, and the most advantageous one for Europe's trade. Our expedition–promoted by opportune timing, facilitated and shortened by the abundance of material resources at our disposal–is now finished; from it, we recognized infinite obstacles, or to be more precise, the impossibility of managing the Canal on top of Alexandria, and encountering the unexpected and favorable combinations/coincidences to establish a Port in the gulf of Pelusio. The Canal directed from Suez across the gulf of Pelusio is, therefore, the only solution to the problem of the union between the Red-Sea and the Mediterranean. The execution of this is not easy, its success certain, and the immense results for worldwide trade. Our conviction on this matter is unanimous, and we will expand upon the reasons in a detailed deposition supported by the Hydrographic plans of the Suez Baje and by Pelusio, by the profiles, and giving the elevation/survery of the surfaces and the drilling, indicating the nature of the land crossed by the canal. The writing of this deposition, of the plans, profiles, etc. that have to be provided, is no small task, and we will tirelessly occupy ourselves with it in Europe to be able to present it in a few months to His Highness. In the meantime, we move hurry to make our conclusions known to him. 1. The sketched out plan that should pass through Alexandra is inadmissible below/under every technical and economical relation. 2. The direct plan presents every ease for the implementation of the nautical canal with an entrance in the Nile, and it does not present difficulties in constructing two Ports. 3. The Suez Port will be able to open onto a vast and safe beach, accessibile at any time where there is 8 meters of water to 1600 meters from the shore. 4. What is to be constructed in the gulf of Pelusio, that which the previous plan proposed to be situated at the bottom of the gulf, will instead be established 18 kilometers further west in the area with 8 meters of water at a distance of 2300 meters from the shore. Here, the positioning is good and the arrival on land is easy. 5. The cost of the canal of the two Seas and of the labour that is necessary to complete the task will not exceed the sum of two hundred million that was indicated in the previous project by the Vice-King's Engineers. 'Alexandra January 2, 1856.' 'Signed.' The Members of the International Commission for the Cut of the Suez Isthmus. 'F. Conrad.' President. 'A. Renaud Negrelli. I. Mac.-Lean. Lieussoux' Secretary.