The Death of Gessi Pasha. 433 and goods to aboutthe value of other oOOL, and with this I Avas to provide for all the wants of Bahr-el-Grhazal, Rohl , and Makraka . The poor soldiers have nothing to distinguish them from other men but their Remington rifles ; for the rest they are entirely naked, and have not even a rag to protect their women from the scorn of the passers-by. We do not merit such neglect, for your Excellency has had sufficient proof that we have done what we could to create revenues for the Government, and to send ivory in quantities never seen before.

" The state of my health was such as to oblige me to seek immediately a change of climate. I intended to profit by my stay at Khartoum to inform your Excellency of all that has been done, and submit to you my projects for the amelioration of the province which is destined to become one of the most important possessions in the Soudan, both as to extent and the riches of its soil.

" The incidents of our voyage from Meshra-el-Rek, the loss of so many lives and the misery endured, have contributed to render the state of my health still worse, and after twenty days' rest I suffer more than ever.

" I must not forget to mention that a hundred irregular troops have been sent from Khartoum to Ladd, and another hundred will follow shortly. These men have no women with them. As soon as they arrive in the interior they will each lay claim to three wives, three concubines, and many servants, and in all will require at least sixteen hundred persons. Where will they get them ? The poor population must expect fresh captures, fresh raids, and many assassinations on the part of these undisciplined hordes, whose bad reputation is Avell known in the country.

" When they arrived at Fashoda, even the regular troops and militia made raids all along the iS'ile, capturing almost ten thousand slaves. The fact F f