GORDON S ASSURANCES TO THE PEOPLE. 95 due to the end of 1883 will be wiped off, owing to your inability to pay them. I will burn the registers as an act of clemency. I have also pardoned your former misdeeds. The inhabitants should therefore be warned accordingly, and should be informed that I abhor war, which causes bloodshed. My sole desire is that the inhabitants should live in peace and enjoy their property and agriculture under the auspices of the khedive." To the inhabitants and merchants he announced, that as commercial transactions in Soudan goods within the Soudan was not prohibited, whether exported to the western provinces, such as Kordofan, Darfiir, or other places, if any one wished to import or export any goods the government would not prevent him from so doing or interfere in any way with his trade.

He warned the employes not to petition him for increase of salary, because, having forgone half the taxes clue by the natives, which reduced the revenue, circumstances would not allow increase in the expenditure.

His proclamation to all the notables and the inhabitants of the Soudan afterwards promulgated said: " Let it be known to you all that I have been appointed, in concert between the khedive's government and the government of Great Britain, governorgeneral of the whole Soudan, and the Soudan has now become an independent state to govern itself without the intervention of the Egyptian government in any way whatever. The mudirs and governors have been informed accordingly.

" I am now ready to see to your prosperity and good government, and endow you with the privileges which were granted to you by the late Said Pasha. It should be known to you that the sultan had the intention of sending an expedition of strong Turkish troops to subdue the rebellious provinces, but his knowledge of your condition and of my kindness to you during the four years I was governor-general of the Soudan has prevented him from sending such an expedition, and I have come in person, by the will of God, to prevent war between the Moslems and the shedding of blood, which is contrary to the will of God, his Prophet, and his saints.