->, GENERAL GORDON S MEMORANDUM. 49 other duties beyond those specified in my despatch as may be intrusted to him by the Egyptian government through you. He will report to you his arrival in Egypt, but as he is anxious not to go to Cairo I have to request you, if possible, to make arrangements for meeting him at Ismailia, in order to concert with him whether he should proceed direct to Suakim, or go himself or despatch Colonel Stewart to Khartum via the Nile."

It may be noted that Gordon was thus officially to take instructions through the British consul-general at Cairo, who, however, replied that it would be useless for General Gordon and Colonel Stewart to go to Suakim, where General Baker was doing all that could be done with the means at his disposal; but that they should first go to Cairo with Sir Evelyn Wood and General Watson, who would meet them at Port Said, and after discussing matters should proceed to Khartum. Daily conferences were being held on the subject of the Soudan, and instructions had already been sent by the Egyptian government to Khartum to commence at once sending to Berber all the civil officials and non-combatants who were desirous of leaving, and for whom transport could be provided.

Endeavours were also being made to secure the co-operation of the heads of tribes. Discretion had been left to the garrison of Sennar either to retire by the Kassala route, or cut its way through to Khartum. Very few Europeans remained at Khartum, and the real difficulty was in withdrawing the native civil population who wished to leave, and the garrison, with the wives and children of the soldiers.

General Gordon on his way to Port Said, drew up a memorandum in which he distinctly set down the position of affairs and his own opinions with regard to them as follows: — " Memorandum by General Gordon.

"1. I understand that her Majesty's government have come to the irrevocable decision not to incur the very onerous duty of securing to the peoples of the Soudan a just future government.

That, as a consequence, her Majesty's government have determined Vol. III. 40