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
Sultans 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 Highnesss squadron could
not keep up, I stopped a moment and, with the Empresss 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 oclock 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 Majestys 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
Excellencys dispatch of 10th October (cabinet).
I remain, Sir, your most devoted servant,
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