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Details
GORDON, Charles G. Autograph letter signed ("C. G. Gordon") to Sir Samuel Baker, Bellevue Hotel Brussels, 4 January 1884. 10 pages, 8vo, final integral blank removed, slightly foxed.
"THE MAHDI HAS NO BACK BONE & IF NOT MOLESTED IN A RASH WAY, WILL FALL TO PIECES...I AM COMING TO EGYPT"
Gordon tries to get Baker and his brother Valentine to raise another Ever Victorious Army and lead a force against the Mahdi. "You & your brother could work wonders for you are well known to all, as just. The Mahdi has no back bone & if not molested in a rash way, will fall to pieces..." Gordon also suggests that Kitchener be sent out and promises to issue a proclamation to the people of Sudan. "I shall return," Gordon continues, "& go to Congo on 5 Feby & will take DV in 1886 the Equator & Behr Gazelle Provinces. The King will pay my loss on leaving HMG as I get nothing from them. He has entre nous spent 400,000£ on the affair, last year he spent 100,000£ I cannot get off. My respects to Ismail. I wish they would put him back. If you can afford it, telegraph this to Tewfik: 'Regretting the state of Soudan...I am coming to Egypt...I will restore the province...I feel convinced that the revolt if unchecked must endanger Lower Egypt, all therefore I ask is funds & freedom to promise Soudan fair reforms in the future. Gordon asks me to ask you this, in the interests of the Soudan people.'"
"THE MAHDI HAS NO BACK BONE & IF NOT MOLESTED IN A RASH WAY, WILL FALL TO PIECES...I AM COMING TO EGYPT"
Gordon tries to get Baker and his brother Valentine to raise another Ever Victorious Army and lead a force against the Mahdi. "You & your brother could work wonders for you are well known to all, as just. The Mahdi has no back bone & if not molested in a rash way, will fall to pieces..." Gordon also suggests that Kitchener be sent out and promises to issue a proclamation to the people of Sudan. "I shall return," Gordon continues, "& go to Congo on 5 Feby & will take DV in 1886 the Equator & Behr Gazelle Provinces. The King will pay my loss on leaving HMG as I get nothing from them. He has entre nous spent 400,000£ on the affair, last year he spent 100,000£ I cannot get off. My respects to Ismail. I wish they would put him back. If you can afford it, telegraph this to Tewfik: 'Regretting the state of Soudan...I am coming to Egypt...I will restore the province...I feel convinced that the revolt if unchecked must endanger Lower Egypt, all therefore I ask is funds & freedom to promise Soudan fair reforms in the future. Gordon asks me to ask you this, in the interests of the Soudan people.'"