CHARLES GEORGE: (1833-1885)

CHARLES GEORGE: (1833-1885) British Army officer, known as Chinese Gordon. A.L.S., C G Gordon, three pages, 8vo, n.p., 19th January 1884, to Lord Northbrook, in pencil. The first page of the letter is barely legible and only a few words can be partially deciphered, however Gordon continues on the second and third pages, which are legible, and states, in part, '…Said Pasha Viceroy, before Ismail, ordered the road to Soudan to be closed as he thought Soudan was so worthless. Lesseps went with him to Banha (?), Said Pasha was so horrified at the misery of people & oppression of them that he ordered the cannon to be thrown in Nile (ask Lesseps….. if this is not true)… It was only through influence… that the road was open again……' Some light overall creasing and a few minor tears to the edges and central fold of the letter, only very slightly affecting a few words of text. G £300 - 400 The present letter was written just one day after Gordon officially received command of the Sudan following the serious revolt which had broken out led by the Muslim religious leader and self-proclaimed Mahdi, Muhammad Ahmad. Gordon was sent to Khartoum with instructions to secure the evacuation of loyal soldiers and civilians and to depart with them. Thomas Baring (1826-1904) 1stEarl of Northbrook. British Liberal Politician and Statesman, Viceroy of India 1872-76 and First Lord of the Admiralty 1880-85. In 1884, Northbrook was sent to Egypt as special commissioner to inquire into its finances and condition. After six weeks of inquiry Northbrook submitted two reports, which included advising against the withdrawal of the British garrison. Sa'id Pasha (1822-1863) Wali of Egypt and Sudan 1854-63. Isma'il Pasha (1830-1895) Khedive of Egypt and Sudan 1863-79. Nephew of Sa'id Pasha. Ferdinand de Lesseps (1805-1894) Vicomte de Lesseps. French Diplomat and developer of the Suez Canal. It was Sa'id Pasha who signed the concession, on 30th November 1854, authorising de Lesseps to build the canal.