DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.33567#0027
3
<?/* //L' Akw C^^A'y/§.
MR. FARMAN To CH^IRIF PACHA, Minister of Foreign AFairs.
(7k^y/h//<?^ yr<?w Ar^r/^.)
CAIRO, Afhy I/, 1879.
EXCELLENCY: Referring to the diFerent conversations that I have had the honor to have with your Excel-
lency, in which you have informed me that the government of His Highness the Khedive is disposed to present to
the city of New York, to be transported and erected there, the obelisk of Alexandria, I should be pleased if your
Excellency would have the kindness to definitely confirm in writing the gift of this monument.
It is understood that its transportation is to be eFected at the expense of certain citizens of the said city of New
York.
I beg to assure your Excellency, in advance of the warm thanks of my government for having thus favorably
responded to the representations I have made to the government of His Highness the Khedive, in accordance with the
instructions that I had received on this subject.
I have every reason to hope that the monument, which is thus soon to be transported and set up in the city of
New York, will always be a souvenir and a pledge of the friendship that has ever existed between the government of
the United States and that of His Highness the Khedive.
I beg your Excellency to accept the renewed assurance of my high consideration.
(Signed) E. E. FARMAN.
CHP1RIF PACHA, Minister of Foreign AFairs, TO MR. FARMAN.
(
[MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, No. 343.]
CAIRO, 18, 1879.
MR. AGENT AND CONSUL-GENERAL: I have taken cognizance of the dispatch which you did me the honor of
writing me on the 17th of the current month of May.
In reply, I hasten to transmit you the assurance, Mr. Agent and Consul-General, that the government of the
Khedive, having taken into consideration your representations and the desire which you have expressed in the name of
the government of the United States of America, consents, in fact, to make a gift to the city of New York of the
obelisk known as Cleopatra's Needle, which is at Alexandria on the sea-shore.
The local authorities shall therefore be directed to deliver this obelisk to the representative of the American
government, and also to facilitate, in every thing that shall depend upon them, the removal of this monument, which,
according to the terms of your dispatch, is to be done at the exclusive cost and expense of the city of New York.
I am happy, Mr. Agent and Consul-General, to have to announce to you this decision, which, while giving to the
great city an Egyptian monument, to which is attached, as you know, a real archaeological interest, will also be, I am
as yourself convinced, another souvenir and another pledge of the friendship that has constantly existed between the
government of the United States and that of the Khedive.
Be pleased to accept, Mr. Agent and Consul-General, the expression of my high consideration.
(Signed) CHERIF.
CONSUL-GENERAL FARMAN TO SECRETARY EVARTS.
U. S. AGENCY AND CONSULATE-GENERAL, CAIRO, Afky 22, 1879.
HONORABLE W. M. EVARTS, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
SlR: I have the honor to inform you that the negotiations entered into to procure an Egyptian obelisk for the
city of New York have been successful.
The government of His Highness the Khedive has generously given to that city the obelisk at Alexandria known
as "Cleopatra's Needle."
I enclose a copy of the original notes in French that were exchanged between his Excellency, Chdrif Pacha, and
myself on this subject, after a verbal understanding had been arrived at, and also their translation into English.
The gift of this ancient and well-known monument cannot be regarded as other than a very great mark of favor
on the part of the government of Egypt toward that of the United States, and a proof of its high appreciation of the
friendship that has ever existed between these countries.
The two obelisks that have been removed to Europe in modern times were obtained under circumstances entirely
diFerent from those now existing, and they were themselves objects which, in consequence of their situation and
condition, were much less appreciated than Cleopatra's Needle. They were both presented many years ago by
Mohammed Ali, one to the English and the other to the French government. The latter now at Paris was taken
nearly half a century since from Luxor, in the vicinity of which are three other obelisks and many colossal ruins, which
were at that time seldom visited by Europeans. The one lately taken to London had long been lying on the shore of the
sea at Alexandria, nearly or wholly buried in the sand. That, however, which is given to the city of New York is still
standing, and is the veritable " Cleopatra's Needle," and the only obelisk properly known by that name. It constitutes,
with Pompey's pillar, the only relics of the ancient city of Alexandria that are of any interest. It is known by every
school-boy in the United States, and its removal to New York will long remain one of the marked events of history.
<?/* //L' Akw C^^A'y/§.
MR. FARMAN To CH^IRIF PACHA, Minister of Foreign AFairs.
(7k^y/h//<?^ yr<?w Ar^r/^.)
CAIRO, Afhy I/, 1879.
EXCELLENCY: Referring to the diFerent conversations that I have had the honor to have with your Excel-
lency, in which you have informed me that the government of His Highness the Khedive is disposed to present to
the city of New York, to be transported and erected there, the obelisk of Alexandria, I should be pleased if your
Excellency would have the kindness to definitely confirm in writing the gift of this monument.
It is understood that its transportation is to be eFected at the expense of certain citizens of the said city of New
York.
I beg to assure your Excellency, in advance of the warm thanks of my government for having thus favorably
responded to the representations I have made to the government of His Highness the Khedive, in accordance with the
instructions that I had received on this subject.
I have every reason to hope that the monument, which is thus soon to be transported and set up in the city of
New York, will always be a souvenir and a pledge of the friendship that has ever existed between the government of
the United States and that of His Highness the Khedive.
I beg your Excellency to accept the renewed assurance of my high consideration.
(Signed) E. E. FARMAN.
CHP1RIF PACHA, Minister of Foreign AFairs, TO MR. FARMAN.
(
[MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, No. 343.]
CAIRO, 18, 1879.
MR. AGENT AND CONSUL-GENERAL: I have taken cognizance of the dispatch which you did me the honor of
writing me on the 17th of the current month of May.
In reply, I hasten to transmit you the assurance, Mr. Agent and Consul-General, that the government of the
Khedive, having taken into consideration your representations and the desire which you have expressed in the name of
the government of the United States of America, consents, in fact, to make a gift to the city of New York of the
obelisk known as Cleopatra's Needle, which is at Alexandria on the sea-shore.
The local authorities shall therefore be directed to deliver this obelisk to the representative of the American
government, and also to facilitate, in every thing that shall depend upon them, the removal of this monument, which,
according to the terms of your dispatch, is to be done at the exclusive cost and expense of the city of New York.
I am happy, Mr. Agent and Consul-General, to have to announce to you this decision, which, while giving to the
great city an Egyptian monument, to which is attached, as you know, a real archaeological interest, will also be, I am
as yourself convinced, another souvenir and another pledge of the friendship that has constantly existed between the
government of the United States and that of the Khedive.
Be pleased to accept, Mr. Agent and Consul-General, the expression of my high consideration.
(Signed) CHERIF.
CONSUL-GENERAL FARMAN TO SECRETARY EVARTS.
U. S. AGENCY AND CONSULATE-GENERAL, CAIRO, Afky 22, 1879.
HONORABLE W. M. EVARTS, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
SlR: I have the honor to inform you that the negotiations entered into to procure an Egyptian obelisk for the
city of New York have been successful.
The government of His Highness the Khedive has generously given to that city the obelisk at Alexandria known
as "Cleopatra's Needle."
I enclose a copy of the original notes in French that were exchanged between his Excellency, Chdrif Pacha, and
myself on this subject, after a verbal understanding had been arrived at, and also their translation into English.
The gift of this ancient and well-known monument cannot be regarded as other than a very great mark of favor
on the part of the government of Egypt toward that of the United States, and a proof of its high appreciation of the
friendship that has ever existed between these countries.
The two obelisks that have been removed to Europe in modern times were obtained under circumstances entirely
diFerent from those now existing, and they were themselves objects which, in consequence of their situation and
condition, were much less appreciated than Cleopatra's Needle. They were both presented many years ago by
Mohammed Ali, one to the English and the other to the French government. The latter now at Paris was taken
nearly half a century since from Luxor, in the vicinity of which are three other obelisks and many colossal ruins, which
were at that time seldom visited by Europeans. The one lately taken to London had long been lying on the shore of the
sea at Alexandria, nearly or wholly buried in the sand. That, however, which is given to the city of New York is still
standing, and is the veritable " Cleopatra's Needle," and the only obelisk properly known by that name. It constitutes,
with Pompey's pillar, the only relics of the ancient city of Alexandria that are of any interest. It is known by every
school-boy in the United States, and its removal to New York will long remain one of the marked events of history.