There were three sentences in Mr. Gladstone's speech which were
important enough to make it desirable to put them on ecord, in relation, first, to the position of the existing Suez Company; and next, to the international character of the "We think it our duty to do justice, as far as lies in our pow to this great Canal Company, and to its sagacious and en- ergett rojectors. I say that they have claims upon us, claims to respect •d honour; for they have conferred a vast benefit upon
mankind, and have conferred it by enormous labour and in the midst of great dangers, under unparallelled difficulties, difficulties which were unhappily, in some respects, due to the unfortunate action of this country in former times. We must also disclaim all community of sentiment with those who seem to us virtually to assert an English dominion over the water-way of Egypt ; and we must make it known that we at least are not parties to the employment of any influence that may attach to our temporary and exceptional position in Egypt, for the purpose of procuring any invasion or any abatement of any rights they may have. And lastly, recollecting and urging honourable gentlemen to bear in mind that I am speaking for ourselves, I wish to an- nounce that we cannot undertake to do any act inconsistent With the acknowledgment, indubitable and sacred in our eyes, that the Canal has been made for the benefit of all nations at large, and that the rights cobnected with it are matters of common European interest."
