Edward F. Starbuck N. 2. Walbrook London Locomotive Engines Railway Bars & Forged work generally& c.& c. Represent y Mess. Robt. Stephenson& Co. Newcastle upon Tyne London, 26 March 1847. Dear Colleague; I am desired by our mutual Friend Mr. Robert Stephenson to reply to your much esteemed Letter of the 13 instant. The"preliminary Prospectus of the
"Grand Ship Canal through the Isthmus of "Suez"- dated September 1846, and published by Mr. David Bartie, appears to have been attended with no result whatever- nor has any Company been formed thereon. this Document or rather its Publication is not Monsieur Mons. L. Negrelli Ingenieur en Chef de l'Etat """ à Vienne

likely to exercise either in or out of England any pernicious influence whatever on our project, but on the Contrary the very little Effect it may have produced will be more likely to aid than impede our measures, by drawing attention to the subject. You will conclude from the
foregoing, that we are of opinion that no notice need be taken of the Document in question- at the same time it may be well to pursue our own measures with as little

time as possible and although even to this moment we are not able to furnish all the homes required for the English Group, yet we do trust that a very short time will elope before we Complete our List. You will have heard with satisfaction, of the Course pursued by the Chamber of Commerce of Lyons, and of Marseilles, in regard to our project.
With the expression of the Sincere Regard of Mr. R. Stephenson, and myself, I beg for [arle] believe [me] My [dearlu], Yours Very Obediently and faithfully Edward Starbuck

London 26. Maerz 1847. praes. Wien den 4. April.
Mons. L. Negrelli Ingénieur& Chef de l'Etat, Vienne