Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1869-11-26
OPENING OF The
Sue< Canal.

One Of the grandest events Of the age Is
the opening OF the Suez Cauil to-day. As
effectiig an alteration in the map Of the
East, transforming Egypt into an important
commercial State, and changing the worlds
trade by the perfection of a water highway
which has been the dream and desire OF az, 5,
its celebration is of exceeding interest ami
moment, especially to American trade. The
wishes OF Caesar, Alexander, the Ptolemies,
of AmroD, of Nspolo on, have Keen realized
at last in the now accomplished enterprise
Of NJ. Delessops. To French geuirs, in
spite Of the English opposition belongs the
honor Of thus teneftting mankind, and 1t Is
gratifying TO know that the world wide use.
fulness of the understanding will not be im-
paired by exclusiyeness, or easily impeIil d
by the peculiar position whi.b Egypt at
present. occupies in regard 10 The Ottoman
Empire.
WORK BEGUN ON THE CANAL
On the 18th of April, 1859, the tlrst sod
was turned on the Port Said. The line 80.
lected for the canal was nearly direct be-
tween Port Said and SUI the extreme
points designated by the Vieeroy and the
excavation was formidable, mora from tue
climate aud the desolate aspect of the place.
than from any great difficulties to be over
come in removing the so 000,0U0 cubic
meters of earth which divided the seas,
The company was orgsnizsd on basis of a
capital OF gao 900 900, represented by 400,
| 900 shares of 500 each In 1868 France
alone had subscribed for 800 600 shares,
aud this furnished the project with extern
| sive resources to commence operAtions.-
English opposition continued to di,gust NJ.
| De Lesseps, but the work was, nevertheless.
| vigorously prosecuted, and in May, 1861, a
force Of 5000 laborers was employed. In
Al. q
had reached s22, 557, 266. This great ex
| plies required for the labor employed, the
cost of the dredging and work
shops, &c. BY May, 1862, 1t was expected
the waters OF the two seas would soon meet
10 Lake Timsah. About 10000, laborers
were at this time employed. The Egyptian
| Government, however, had stipulated that
| four. ffths of the laborers should be natives,
| and agreed to furnish them. In JanuarJ ,,
1868, Ishmael Pacba declared the system
of corUee, or compulsory labor, retarded the
development Of the country, though this,
as he explained afterward, did not refer to
the natives employed by tho Company, who
received payment for their services. Yield
ing to British influence the Yiceroy now en-
tered upon course which imperiled the
whole undertaking. In 1863. anticipating
that the canal would be abandoned In vex-
alton, the Porte offered to complete it aud
reimburse the sum expended. A delay OF
six months was fixed for the acceptance oil
these conditions. Nubar Pscta, represent
ing the Porte, arrived In Augusta Paris,
and moderatipg the pretensious ofthe Porte
proposed the reduction of the number OF
native workmen to 5000, the increase oil
their wages to two frances per day, the for
fixture of the lands Of the Company, and
the transfer Of the Fresh. Water Canal. lie
offered to pay all expenses incurred, and &c
terminate the canal to Suez. The Directors
rejected this proposition, and Nubar Paeha
called some OF the ablest French lawyers "a
his assistance In defining the claims of the
Company. M. De Lesseps did the same
and the decision Of his lawyers in his favor
was sustained by TIE Voluntary approval o.
81 of the lsading members Of the French
bar. Public feeling was highly excited by
these events. The MJnitetT at length indi
Gated that Napoleon Ill was determined tC
sustain NJ. De Lesseps.
The decision Of Il Emperor awarded al
indemnity of 100000 to the Company
aud conceded the fresh-water canals to the
Egyptian Government. The history of the
period succeeding the EmperOr's decision
is simply a chronicle of daily progress. The
moment the canal admitted Of traffic, th'
| N'hfNJ ehNp VI boNAo ohh Peooe'6"Ns
menoed. Daring the byssinian war thu
British Gov, rnment forwarded extensive
supplies over this route and the Company
realized large sum from she general bust
ness.
A COMMERCIAL REVOLUTION.
The distance FROM the English Channel 4
Calcutts, via the Cape Of Good Hope, by tn
route taken by tho best sailing vessels,
about 10 900 miles; via the Mediterranean
aud Suez Canal, II Is about 5000 miles
gain ia distance by the latter 10 or from
Calcutta, 5000 miles. BY the Cape rout'
10 Bombay, the distance is III 800 miles b.
The Rad Sea route, g. 200 miles gain in dis
lance TO or from Bombay, $500 miles. Th
advantages aceTuing TO the Mediterranean
and Black Sea ports would, Il Is apparent
DO very great, should England continue
favor the Cape route. The existence OF th
, Overland route also renders Il evident tina
Eagland's interests will impel her to trad
with the East via Suez. II follows also tia
As stoam has conquered on sea as on lanC
the five aud half millions OF tunHage hic
| form the merchant shipping OF Engla wi
be largely unemployed.
IL has been absurd enough TO purchAs
: Indian products Ia England. for transhipmeu
here but the economical laws OF trade car
not long sanction our procuring Easter
products at Liverpool when q voyage