Letter from Schaeffer to the Colonial Secretary acknowledging his decision, and letter to Megaw on funds and purchase of land to excavate, with a draft announcement of the excavationsClaude Frédéric-Armand Schaeffer

Le Castel Blanc, 14 Rue Turgot, St.Germain-en-Laye, (Seine et Oise).

1st June 1948

The Colonial Secretary, Colonial Secretary's Office, Cyprus.

Sir,

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated March 5th, concerning the acceptance by H.M. Government of Cyprus of the proposal contained in the Memorandum dated 21st November 1947, regarding a combined excavation at Engomi. I am authorized to signify herewith the acceptance of the scheme on behalf of the French Archaeological Mission.

I have taken note of the limitation of the Cyprus Government's financial commitments with regard to the joint publication and I agree to it.

No reference was made in the memorandum to the expropriation of the land at Engomi. I wanted to consult the French authorities as to the ownership of the land acquired. Pending the settlement of this question after my return to the island this autumn, I agree to proceed with the acquisition, the cost to be born in equal shares by the Cyprus Government and my Mission, up to a limit of 350 pounds for the 1948 budget [handwritten: of the Mission].

May I finally express my personal pleasure and the satisfaction of the Commission des Fouilles that there will be an anglo-french cooperation in the archaeological research in Cyprus, and hope that the combined operation will prove both satisfactory and fruitful.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Yours very truly,

Handwritten: signature

Stamp: le Directeur de la Mission Archéologique Française