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The Empress's residence
Captain de Surville's log
Alexandria, 22 October 1869.

The Admiral and Minister
of the Navy and the Colonies
Paris

Alexandria, 22nd October, 1869

Dear Minister,

 

As I had the honour of informing Your Excellency on 19th October, the Aigle left Constantinople on that date and travelled directly to Alexandria where she arrived on 22nd after a magnificent crossing.

On leaving the Bosphorus, the yacht was accompanied by the Forbin, 3 armoured frigates and the Pertessi-Pialé with Reouf-Pasha, the Sultan’s senior aide-de-camp, aboard.

When we reached a certain point in the Sea of Marmara, judging from its return to normal speed that His Highness’s squadron could not keep up, I stopped a moment and, with the Empress’s permission, went on board the Pertessi-Pialé to ask Reouf-Pasha to kindly thank his government for their brilliant reception of Her Majesty and for their last act of courtesy in escorting her with their Ottoman squadron.

The Aigle then continued her journey: her passage through the Dardanelles was lit, as on arrival, by thousands of lights and saluted by all the artillery from the forts.

We dropped anchor in the port of Alexandria at 6 o’clock in the morning of 22nd October. In a few hours, the Empress, who is in perfect health, will catch the train to Cairo where she will be staying for 3 days. She will then begin her voyage of Upper Egypt. In accordance with Her Majesty’s instructions, which I had the honour of explaining to you on 19th October, I will be joining the people accompanying her.

I will not close this letter before acknowledging receipt of Your Excellency’s dispatch of 10th October (cabinet).

I remain, Sir, your most devoted servant,


 

Captain of the Aigle,
J. de Surville