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Auction: 13050 - Postal History and Historical documents
Lot: 2095

Historical Documents
1880 (21 Apr.) A.L.S. (draft?) signed "F de Lesseps" on letterhead of "ministère de l'instruction publique et des beaux arts" suggesting that the position of M. De Brassa and Ballay will be explained in the official report. He also acknowledges the very attentive care M. de St. Arromans, Secretary of the Commission, records in the minutes. Usual folds. Photo

de Lesseps was the constructor of the Suez Canal and, around this time, was planning to build the Panama Canal.

This letter refers to the French Government's attempts to get a foothold in West Africa. A new expedition was fitted out, and de Brazza left Paris at the end of 1879 with orders to go to the Niger, make treaties, and plant French flags. When on the point of sailing from Lisbon he received a telegram cancelling these instructions and altering his destination to the Congo. This was a decision of great moment.

Acting on his new instructions, de Brazza, who was again accompanied by Noel Ballay (naval doctor), reached the Gabon early in 1880. Rapidly ascending the Ogow he founded the station of France Ville on the upper waters of that river and pushed on to the Congo at Stanley Pool, where Brazzaville was subsequently founded.

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