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"The commercial delegations in the Suez isthmus",
the Suez isthmus. Journal de l’union des deux mers, n°213, 1er mai 1865.
In 1865, the Compagnie maritime du canal de Suez organised a trip
to inspect the works in order to show the whole world how well
the work was going. This inspection, unprecedented in the history
of large industrial companies, brought together the official representatives
of ten countries (Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Greece, Italy, the
Netherlands, Persia, Russia, Sweden and the Hanseatic Towns),
the delegates of eight large, constituted companies and sixty-two
Chambers of Commerce from fourteen different nations. The Journal
de L’Isthme de Suez highlighted the success of this expedition
and summarised some of the Delegates’ speeches.
“We can therefore safely say that the whole of Europe proclaims and affirms the universal utility of the digging of the Suez isthmus. And it is the whole of Europe, it is America, it is Asia and it is Africa which, through the voices of its political and commercial representatives, have recognised that the Suez canal is the world’s business. It is the promoter of a new era for all people and all flags and the work rises above all accusations of its being done for personal ambition or nationalistic purposes accusations which were used as a pretext for fighting and discrediting the canal”.
Speech by Cyrus Field, delegate of New York city:
“I was invited to come here by the New York Chamber of Commerce
to take part in the joining of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans
via the Mediterranean and Red Seas, united by the Suez canal.
I am certain that all those who see what we have seen will agree that
the maritime canal can be made through the isthmus with the capital
required and under the direction of the most distinguished engineers
of the 19th century.
Mr President, you have undertaken the great work of cutting apart
two continents for the benefit of all the commercial nations of
the world; I wish with all my heart that you will soon have complete
success and that the work will be a monument to your energy and
talent, which will last as long as the pyramids.
Speech by Alfred de Lindheim, delegate of the Imperial and Royal Society of Vienna:
"In brief, Austria blesses the day when the joining of the Red Sea
with the Mediterranean will be at the service of shipping. Who
can doubt that this will happen? When we go back to our own countries,
all of us will not just be praising the warm welcome we have received
and the friendly and gracious hospitality with which the company
has received us, but also saying to our compatriots:
The canal is no longer a dream, it is secured for life.
But we can do better still. Each of us, according to his influence,
means and ability, can put all his strength into this great and
glorious enterprise.
I myself, in my modest position, confess openly that I take great pleasure in thinking
that, upon my return, His Majesty the Emperor will have the grace
to receive me. And it is then that I will dare say: Sire, you
have made Austria happy, you have given her the most precious
of gifts: freedom. May it please Your Majesty to put the canal
under your august protection as an enterprise that will favour
Austrian commerce and which has nothing but the whole world’s
welfare at heart.
Gentlemen, I am not going to propose a toast at the end of my speech.
In all the admirable works we have been shown today, we have seen
that there is a God for the desert, just as there is for our fine
countries! And so, may the God of the desert, this powerful God,
be with M. de Lesseps and bless his efforts so that one may ever
be able to say: God is with de Lesseps!
Speech by Alexander Smelsky, Vice-Consul of Russia:
"Allow me, Mr President, to bear witness, in the presence of all
the delegates from the various Chambers of Commerce, to the sincere
interest that the government of His Majesty the Emperor, my master,
has in the great business of the digging of the Suez isthmus,
and the friendship he has for you, the initiator of this great
enterprise and brave and loyal champion of the cause of commerce
and world-wide navigation.
Russia’s foreign trade is growing day by day with the improvements
to our communication routes. Our vast and fertile plains and our
hard-working workers impatiently await the moment when they can
send the fruit of their now free labours along the route to which
you are opening the door.
The construction of the railway from Moscow to Odessa will begin
this year and here we are, on the eve of the day when civilisation
will go from south to north and north to south by steam power.
It is indeed this which is the peace and happiness of all peoples.”
Speech by the Italian delegation:
[...] There is no point, here, in going on about the grandeur of the immense
work that you have undertaken, your admirable perseverance and
the hope that the whole world, and our country in particular,
is storing up as a result of it. All the more so because, on our
return to Italy, when we report on all the detailed information
and conscientious observations which we have collected in situ,
and on all the other documents which you have kindly promised
us, we will submit the result of our studies to those who have
sent us and to the public, studies with which you have helped
us with such good will and enthusiasm.
Today, all we wish to express is our heartfelt and sincere gratitude.
The generous and splendid hospitality with which you have welcomed
the commercial delegates and which has allowed them to cross the
most desolate parts of the desert in European comfort and well-being
is new proof of the traditional courtesy which forms one of the
most salient and noble traits of the French character.
Sir, we will take back to our country and to our families the imperishable
memory of the exquisite kindness you have shown us."
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