THE KHEDIVES LETTER. 59 in affairs of the Soudan, the Eno'lish government had no loneer the authority to control the governor-general appointed to rule over those provinces, even though his mission was to endeavour to carry out the policy for securing which the British ministry had insisted on the resignation of a former Egyptian government. From that moment the whole scheme, undertaken too late, became contradictory, and the mischief remained to the bitter end.

It is true that in his original instructions Gordon found, " You will consider yourself authorized and instructed to perform such other duties as the Egyptian government may desire to intrust to you," but then followed, " and as may be communicated to you by Sir E. Baring." It is difficult to see how the Governor-general of the Soudan, appointed by the khedive and representing the authority of the Egyptian government, was to wait for all his instructions through the British consul-general at Cairo, unless it was to be understood that Britain became responsible for the government of Egypt in the Soudan, and for practically carrying out the operations which had been insisted on even though it might be necessary to revert to active interference and military intervention.

We were about to interfere either a great deal too much or not nearly enough. The khedive in a letter to Gordon respecting his appointment, dated the 26th of January, said : " Excellency, — You are aware that the object of your arrival here and of your mission to the Soudan is to carry into execution the evacuation of those territories, and to withdraw our troops, civil officials, and such of the inhabitants together with their belongings as may wish to leave for Egypt. \Ye trust that your excellency will adopt the most effective measures for the accomplishment of your mission in this respect, and that after completing the evacuation you will take the necessary steps for establishing an organized government in the different provinces of the Soudan, for the maintenance of order and the cessation of all disasters and incitement to revolt. YVe have full confidence in your tried abilities and tact, and are convinced that you will accomplish your mission according to our desire."