Letter from Schaeffer to Neumann on the Ras Shamra and Enkomi missions and the remaining excavation creditClaude Frédéric-Armand Schaeffer

After the elections (fixed for 4 Nov.) and if there are no disturbances I shall be able to widen my researches into soundings, an elastic term, meaning excavations; last year I made soundings with teams of 300 men.

I am therefore optimistic. The essential point is that, despite the general refusal opposed to all requests for excavations on the English and American side, I have succeeded in maintaining the privileged treatment for the Ras Shamra Mission, which has made enough sacrifices and discoveries in the past to deserve it. We shall therefore regain a foothold on this site, precious above all others, and once on the spot, I am sure that it will work.

Evidemment nous devons travailler sous la menace des premieres pluies d'hiver( la saison vérit.des pluies n'est qu'en Janvier et février). Il n'y a alors, comme nous l'avons expérimenté l'an dernier, comme seul moyen de liaison avec Lattaquié, centre de ravitaillement que la Jeep, traction 4 roues. Notre voiture chevrolet d'avant guerre ayant été démolie pendant la guerre et n'ayant de toute façon pas pu nous servir dans ces conditions, j'ai donc dû acheter une Jeep, prix 8.000 livres, frais compris. Cette saigné sérieuse de mon crédit de cette année ( 39.920 l.lib., voir ma note du 23 août) n'est pas très opportune, d'autant plus qu'il faut encore prélever env.8900 livres pour obtenir les 1000 livres nécessaires pour Enkomi. Il me restera ainsi environ à recevoir pour Ras Shamra sur le crédit de cette année: 29.920 liv.l. moins 8900 :=21.000 l.l. Avec les 2000 livres qui me restent en caisse actuellement, cela ira pour une campagne qui de toute façon ne peut durer plus de deux mois, sur le terrain.

Balance of excavation credit, budget 1949.- I take the opportunity to ask whether you have received my note of 20 August handed to M. Boucher before my departure concerning the use of the balance of the 1949 excavation credits. Do you agree with my proposals to distribute them among the missions of Tanis, Bryyere (Deir el Medinet), Doresse and Mouil%le. That is indeed what the Commission had thought of doing if the budget situation permits, and it would free the 1950 budget which, with the excavations in Anatolia and Crete etc. that must be set in train, risks being terribly heavy.

I hope you have also been able since then to send the 11.100 l.tur, due to M.Gabriel for the excavations at Yazilikaya.

A word from you on these questions would reassure me.

The weather here is hot but less humid than usual, and as we sleep practically in the open air on the excavations among our treasures, it is bearable. I have still received encore no mail from the bureau d'ordre since my departure. It is still the holiday season in France and I think things are still slowed down. My address for the mail of the excavation secretariat by diplomatic bag goes via the French legation at Beirut. For Enkomi and Ras Shamra, you may, to save time, write directly, poste restante Famagusta, Cyprus.

Handwritten: Please present my respectful homage to Madame Neumann and believe me, ch bonne, to all my best and sincere memories.

Handwritten: C.F.A. Schaeffer.