13th January 1873
My dear Sir,
Like you I have always entertained the idea that Mr. H. Rassams <1> services should be engaged, and I recommended the Trustees to do so if they undertook the excavation. The Board however only accepted the offer of the proprietors of the Daily Telegraph and placed Mr Smiths <2> services at the disposal of the D. T. for six months. As the arrangements stand I have no official control over them, and although I have seen Mr Arnold once I have scarcely been consulted as to what is advisable to be done. This has been entirely arranged by Mr Smith and Mr Arnold, and Mr H. Rassams services have been declined. Great delay will it appears to me take place as the firman has not yet been procured or even asked for, although Lord Granville <3> has written a letter asking for one for the purpose of excavating. Judging from the dilatory nature of the Turks it may be some time before it is forthcoming. You might if you think it advisable write to Mr E Arnold <4> of the Telegraph on the subject, but I understand that Mr Layard <5> has already done so. Sooner or later it appears to me the public will have to come in and then it will be a question how and by whom further operations should be conducted
yours very Truly
S Birch
H. Fox Talbot Esqe
4 Circus
Bath
H. F. Talbot Esqe
Notes:
1. Hormuzd Rassam (1826–1910), Turkish archaeologist.
2. George Smith (1840–1876), Assyriologist. His excavated tablets arrived in London in August 1873. See Doc. No: 09999.
3. Granville George Leveson-Gower, 2nd Earl of Granville (1815–1891), MP & diplomat.
4. Edwin Arnold (1832–1904), editor of the Daily Telegraph. [See Doc. No: 09999].
5. Sir Austen Henry Layard (1817–1894), politician and one of the excavators of Nineveh.