[Untitled], this twenty-eighth day of February, in the year 1865
[Untitled]
The consul general said that he had been informed that a steamer had lately been launched at Liverpool, which was reported to be designed for the Egyptian government, or for an Egyptian company, but which, he feared was for the use of the confederates, and he had come to ask his Highness if he had steamers building in England.
His Highness replied that he had four steamers building in England; that none of them are war steamers; that one of them, a yacht, for his own use, and one other, are building on the Thames, near London; that the two others are building by the Peninsular and Oriental Company for the Azizich Company of Egypt. His Highness was unable to state where these two steamers are building.
The consul general inquired whether these steamers had names, and whether his Highness would give the names?
His Highness replied that the steamers had names: he stated the name of the yacht, and caused his excellency Fiki Bey to be summoned, who wrote all the names in Arabic characters on a paper now in possession of the consul general. His Highness repeated the names, and said they are the true and only names of his vessels, namely: for the yacht, Mahroussa; for the other steamer building at London, Bahira: for the two steamers building by the Peninsular and Oriental Company, Charkieh and Daeablieh.
The consul general mentioned the name Noor-el-Huda, given to the steamer launched at Liverpool, and his Highness said he had no knowledge of that name.
In the course of the conversation his Highness remarked he had a frigate undergoing repairs somewhere, but she is an old vessel; and, further, that in view of the unauthorized use that had been of his name and that of his government, that he would not fail, if now informed that such course would be agreeable to the consul general, to give him information whenever he (his Highness) should have occasion to order any war steamer to be built; which the consul general accordingly requested, and his Highness thereupon promised.
The conversation was held in the French language. This memorandum faithfully gives its substance. Everything here set down was explicitly stated without reserve or hesitation.
In testimony of the truth whereof, the aforesaid Charles Hale, agent and consul general of the United States of America, and Victor Barthon, vice-consul for Alexandria, who was present during the whole interview7, and heard the whole conversation, hereto set our hands at Cairo, Egypt, on the day first herein mentioned; and the said Hale hereto affixes his official seal.[l. s.]