It benefits us, as its great men declare from the platforms of the parliamentary councils and in official publications. If we uphold these covenants, observe these trusts, recognize our duties to the homeland, and do not neglect any of our obligations, then it is incumbent upon us to adopt the means of wisdom and steadfastness to consider what brings us benefit and averts harm, and to prove to the people our worthiness of what we have achieved and to realize for us a homeland of the sons of the homeland who have placed us in their trust and reliance. So, my brothers, direct your efforts in seeking wisdom, moderation, foresight, and steadfastness. He who strives and mobilizes, and he who walks the path, will arrive. We ask God Almighty for a good beginning and end. Then their council dispersed, and they separated. At nine o'clock on the ninth of the aforementioned month, ten deputies of the country, delegated by the council, arrived at the Khedive's residence in Ismailia to present the response to the speech with which the Khedive opened the council. They stood before him, with all the ministers around him, and Minister Muhammad Sharif Pasha to his left. One of them recited this response: *After praising God for His guidance and direction, and sending prayers and peace upon His chosen servants.* We stand before this noble Khedivial presence, representing the entire Egyptian nation, to present our thanks to His Excellency the esteemed Khedive for his benevolent attention towards the consultative council of deputies, which he elected with his honorable will, demonstrating his great purpose from the realm of power to the world of action, and responding to the nation's desire and considering the public interest, after the obstacles were removed and the impediments between us and him were eliminated by the Khedive's great resolve, which smoothed the difficulties of matters and bowed the necks of problems, until the time became clear, the situation settled, desires drew near, and hopes were fulfilled. Indeed, that noble speech delighted our ears and enlivened our spirits, and filled our hearts with joy and delight by what it contained of expressing what we knew of the benevolence and nobility of intention from the benefactor and the one who bestowed favors upon us. The innermost feelings spoke of the breezes of joy that appeared, leaving no need for the tongues to express the immense love of a noble nation for a master who favored it and showed affection towards it, a love like that of a lover for its freedom, eager for its good and benefit. Thus, nothing remains but for us to exert the utmost of our capacity and do our best to benefit this nation that has entrusted us to consider its welfare and has appointed us to see to its interests, following the paths of prudence, foresight, and good judgment. With God's care, its outcome will be good, and the right hand of success will be praised for its ultimate goal. And it supports the noble intentions of our government, directed towards guidance and rectitude, and the safety of the country and its people. And it confirms our ties of allegiance to the noble Sultanate and the Sublime Ottoman State, which has granted us its noble favors of recognized privileges, thereby completing the bounty and magnifying the grace. And it supports our administrative relations with friendly foreign countries for our benefit and the benefit of our country. We implore God, whose praises are exalted and whose blessings are sanctified, to protect for us this esteemed Khedivial presence and to perpetuate the great benefit for our homeland through him. May God perpetuate His success in the best way possible and enable the dear homeland to achieve its ultimate aspirations. Amen. And they stood up.