It is clearly evident that the Khedive was keen on the success of Gordon Pasha's mission by the peaceful means he adhered to. Therefore, he granted Baron de Malortie the following statements, which are of great importance to the British government: "I could not give better proof of my good intentions than by appointing General Gordon Pasha as Governor-General of Sudan and granting him full authority to do whatever he deems necessary to achieve the goal that my government and His Majesty's government are aiming for.

He has the same full authority that I have, and I have left him the current situation and the means to achieve his goals in the best possible way. I have already accepted in advance whatever means he may propose, and whatever actions he deems appropriate. He has my full confidence. In this matter, Pasha, I have only one condition, which is that he makes every effort to protect the civilized elements, Europeans and Egyptians. He is now the main pillar of this mission, which is of great importance and significance.

My hopes for this mission are great, and I can hardly bear to think of the thousands of my loyal subjects whose lives might be at stake. I have no doubt that he will do his utmost to save the lives of most of them, at least. If he succeeds, God willing, in evacuating Khartoum and the most important ports of eastern Sudan, he will be thanked by me for the loyalty of my subjects, who place their trust in him and await his success. As for his forces in his mission, it is too risky for me to speak too much, as he faces forces larger than his and dangers that I cannot describe. However, he can rely on my sincere assistance and the fastest possible support from me and my government, to the extent possible."