Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 1, 1879

No. 477.
Mr. Farman to Mr. Evarts.

Agency and Consulate-General of the United States in Egypt,
Cairo, May 22, 1879. (Received June 11.)

No. 301.]

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the negotiations entered into to procure an Egyptian obelisk for the city of New York have been successful.

The government of His Highness the Khedive has generously given to that city the obelisk at Alexandria, known as “Cleopatra’s Needle.”

I inclose copies of the original notes, in French, that were exchanged between His Excellency Chéréf Pasha and myself on this subject, after a verbal understanding had been arrived at, and also their translations into English.

The gift of this ancient and well-known monument cannot be regarded as other than a very great mark of favor on the part of the Government of Egypt towards that of the United States, and a proof of its high appreciation of the friendship that has ever existed between these countries.

The two obelisks that have been removed to Europe in modern times were obtained under circumstances entirely different from those now existing, and they were themselves objects which, in consequence of their situation and condition, were much less appreciated than Cleopatra’s Needle. They were both presented many years ago by Mohammed Ali, one to the English, and the other to the French Government. The latter, now at Paris, was taken nearly a half a century since from Luxor, in the vicinity of which are three other obelisks and many colossal ruins, which were at that time seldom visited by Europeans. The one lately taken to London had long been lying on the shore of the sea at Alexandria, nearly or wholly buried in the sand. That, however, which is given to the city of New York is still standing, and is the veritable Cleopatra’s Needle, and the only obelisk properly known by that name. It constitutes, with Pompey’s Pillar, the only relics of the ancient city of Alexandria that are of any interest. It is known by every school-boy in the United States, and its removal to New York will long remain one of the marked events of history.

From the inscriptions upon it it is supposed to have been erected at Heliopolis (On of the Scriptures) in the reign of Thothmes III, about 1,590 years before the commencement of the Christain era, according to the chronology of Mariette Bay, or about 150 years later, according to that of Wilkinson.

The site of Heliopolis, which is about five miles east of Cairo, is now marked by a single monolith, though that ancient city was reputed to have been “full of obelisks.”

The one, however, which remains is the oldest of all the large Egyptian monuments of this character, having been erected in the Teign of Usortesen I, nearly 3,000 years before Christ. Heliopolis, or, as the word imports, the city of the sun, was known by the ancient Egyptians as the dwelling of Ea (Helios). The sun temple of this city was of a very remote origin, and having been destroyed or neglected was restored by Amenemhal I, the immediate predecessor of Usortesen I.

The obelisks at Heliopolis were undoubtedly placed in pairs at the entrance of the sun temple, perhaps on each of its four sides. They were emblems of the sun’s rays and were therefore frequently dedicated to this god and to his temple. The characters engraven in the granite were originally filled with gold or gilded bronze, and were spoken of as “illuminating the world with their rays.”

Heliopolis was also the seat of one of the most famous schools of antiquity, but the city had lost its importance and fallen into decay, some time before the commencement of the Christian era.

Cleopatra’s Needle was taken to Alexandria previous to or during the reign of Tiberius (A. D. 14–37) and was placed, with its companion now in London, on the shore of the sea in front of the temple of Caesar.

Why it bears the name of Cleopatra’s Needle is not known. She died about sixty years before the completion of this temple, but it may have been commenced by her.

The central row of hieroglyphical inscriptions on the obelisk refer to Thothmes III, who is here called the child of the sun” and said to be “endowed with power, life, and stability.” Other inscriptions were afterward added by Rameses II and by another Pharaoh.

I hope to be able to send you hereafter a full translation of all its hieroglyphics.

I have, &c.,

E. E. FARMAN.

[Inclosure 1 in No. 301.—Translation.]

Mr. Farman to Chéréf Pasha.

Cairo, May 17, 1879.

Excellency: Referring to the different conversations that I have had the honor to have with your excellency, in which yon have informed me that the government of His Highness the Khedive is disposed to present to the city of New York, to be transported and erected there, the obelisk of Alexandria, I should be pleased if your excellency would have the kindness to definitely confirm in writing the gift of this monument.

It is understood that its transportation is to be effected at the expense of certain citizens of the said city of New York.

I beg to assure your excellency in advance of the warm thanks of my government for having thus favorably responded to the representations I have made to the government of his Highness the Khedive, in accordance with the instructions that I had received on this subject.

I have every reason to hope that the monument, which is thus soon to be transported and set up in the city of New York, will always be a souvenir and a pledge of the friendship that has ever existed between the Government of the United States and that of His Highness the Khedive.

I beg your excellency to accept the renewed assurance of my high consideration.

E. E. FARMAN.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 301.—Translation.]

Chéréf Pasha to Mr. Farman.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Cairo, May 18, 1879.

No. 343.]

Mr. Agent and Consul-General: I have taken cognizance of the dispatch which you did me the honor of writing me on the 17th of the current month of May.

In reply I hasten to transmit you the assurance, Mr. Agent and Consul-General, that the government of the Khedive, having taken into consideration your representations and the desire which you have expressed in the name of the Government of the United States of America, consents, in fact, to make a gift to the city of New York of the obelisk known as Cleopatra’s Needle, which is at Alexandria on the seashore. The local authorities shall therefore be directed to deliver this obelisk to the representative of the American Government, and also to facilitate, in everything that shall depend upon them, the removal of this monument, which, according to the terms of your dispatch, is to be done at the exclusive cost and expense of the city of New York.

I am happy, Mr. Agent and Consul-General, to have to announce to you this decision, which, while giving to the great city an Egyptian monument, to which is attached, as you know, a real archaeological interest will also be, I am as yourself convinced, another souvenir and another pledge of the friendship that has constantly existed between the Government of the United States and that of the Khedive.

Be pleased to accept, Mr. Agent and Consul-General, the expression of my high consideration.

CHÉRÉF,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, and President of the Council of Ministers.