Mss Eur F699/1/4/7/22

Various papers relating to proposed telegraph projects in the Red Sea and India, including papers relating to the Mediterranean and Indian Electric Telegraph Company (established by John Watkin Brett) and the East Telegraph Company (established by Frederick and Lionel Gisborne) Consists of:

Letter from Mr J.A.M. Pinniger, 19 Nov 1855, on behalf of John Brett, requesting meeting with Lord Canning regarding the Mediterranean Electric Telegraph Company. Also two copies of printed Report to Shareholders of the Mediterranean and Indian Electric Telegraph Company, 25 Jul 1855, and copy of Report to Shareholders of the Mediterranean Electric Telegraph Company, 25 Jul 1855. Shareholder reports contain maps showing telegraph lines with proposed extension. Also handwritten list of Directors.

Memorandum on distances on suggested lines of telegraph, received by Charles Canning from Mr Macnaghten, 23 Nov 1855. Draft correspondence from Canning, Cairo, to Lord Clarendon, Jan 1856. Copy of report from Mohammed Said Pasha regarding Suez. Two reports by Captain Rennie, 'A report on the expediency of erecting Light Houses, and having Light Vessels in the Red Sea', and 'On the Sites best adapted for Submarine Telegraph Communication between Egypt and India', Feb 1856.

Letter and other papers received from Frederick Gisborne, Cairo, 17 Dec 1855, regarding the Eastern Telegraph Company. Includes copies of correspondence with the East India Company, May-June 1855, notes on distances between the Dardanelles and Kurrachee [Karachi] June 1855, notes in French on the telegraph from Toulon to Constantinople, manuscript copy of printed circular to shareholders, and copy of printed prospectus for the Eastern Telegraph from the Dardanelles to Alexandria, with map of proposed line, June 1855. Also letter 10 Jan 1856.

Letter from Frederick Gisborne to Canning, 2 Mar 1856, enclosing copy of concession granted to the Eastern Telegraph Company by the Egyptian Government. Also letter from Frederick Bruce to Canning, 5 Mar 1856, informing Canning of further details of the agreement.