Mr. Childers received a deputation on the subject yelagrday week,
from the Associated Chambers of Commerce, and replied with great ability and firmness. He pointed out that the Com- pany presided over by M. de Leeseps had, in the belief of her Majesty's Government, obtained an exclusive right to pierce
the Isthmus of Suez with a commercial canal ; that they had obtained this exclusive right at a time when most people ridi- culed the enterprise as chimerical, and when they had to embark on a very difficult and costly undertaking with very uncertain hopes of a return ; that M. de Lesseps was willing to enlarge his works, and even to give the commerce of the world a sepa- rate up and down line on his Canal, under his present con- cession, and on his own terms ; and that though the new line which he must construct under his present concession is not by any means the best, it is still good enough to give the com- pany a complete command of the situation so far as making terms with us goes. The concessions which the Government had obtained from M. de Lesseps were very substantial conces- sions, both as to remission of dues, and as to better and more English management, and in Mr. Cbilders's belief they were the best which M. de Lesseps and his Company would grant. It was almost a question between leaving everything to the Company's own enlightened self-interest with its present resources, and accepting the very substantial advantages offered. under the agreement.
