Societé d'Etudes du Canal de Suez London 16th December 1847 Dear Colleague; On Mr Robt. Stephenson's return to London yesterday, I brought before him your valued communication of the 8th instant, and I need not tell you, how gladly he would have accepted your proposition, had it been in his power to leave at the time you name, [viz]
the 15th February— but this is quite impossible. We have also a letter of the 8th instant, from Monsieur Talabot, and as he says—"Ce serait tout compromettre, "que de ne pas faire le voyage tous ensemble" – Mr Robt Stephenson is of opinion, that the present suggestion of Mons. Talabot will meet the views of all- c.a.d. to postpone the departure for Egypt till the month of October or November 1848— With Mr Talabot [he] Mons. L. Negrelli, Ingenieur& Chef de Chemins de fer de l'Etat à Vienne

he sees only advantage in this delay- it will give each of you time, fully to examine what has been done by the German, and French Brigades- besides which, the present crisis will doubtless then have mainly passed away, and your great project will come before the World well matured. Probably this period for leaving for Egypt will also be the most convenient to you. I am therefore authorized, on the parts of your Colleagues Mons. P. Talabot and Mr. R.
Stephenson, to propose that you now formally come to the agreement, to proceed altogether to Egypt in the month of October or November 1848- the exact day to be fixed hereafter: but that D.V.- nothing shall be suffered, on the part of either, (presuming you will accept this arrangement) to interfere with a punctual adherence thereto

I forward a Copy of the present to Mons. Talabot, and also to Mons. Enfantin. Waiting the favor of your reply, and expressing the kind regards of Mr. R. Stephenson. I remain Dear Colleague, Yours very Sincerely& Obed. Edward F. Starbuck
I have the large charts of the Red Sea, and the Ports of that Sea, at your disposition: how shall I now forward them to you?

Mon. L. Negrelli Ingénieur en Chef des Chemins de fer de l'Etat à Vienne Autriche