When difficulties and dangers perplex all minds, it has often happened in history that many men by different lines of thought arrive at the same conclusion.  No complete record has yet been published of the telegrams which passed between the Government and their agent at this juncture.  The Blue-books preserve a disingenuous discretion.  But it is known that from the very first Sir Evelyn Baring was bitterly opposed to General Gordon’s appointment.  No personal friendship existed between them, and the Administrator dreaded the return to the feverish complications of Egyptian politics of the man who had always been identified with unrest, improvisation, and disturbance.  The pressure was, however, too strong for him to withstand.  Nubar Pasha, the Foreign Office, the British public, everyone clamoured for the appointment.  Had Baring refused to give way, it is probable that he would have been overruled.  At length he yielded, and, as soon as his consent had been obtained, the government turned with delight to Gordon.  On the 17th of January Lord Wolseley requested him to come to England.  On the 18th he met the Cabinet.  That same night he started on the long journey from which he was never to return.

Gordon embarked on his mission in high spirits, sustained by that belief in personality which too often misleads great men and beautiful women.  It was, he said, the greatest honour ever conferred upon him.  Everything smiled.  The nation was delighted.  The Ministers were intensely relieved.  The most unbounded confidence was reposed in the envoy.  His interview with the Khedive was ‘very satisfactory.’  His complete authority was proclaimed to all the notables and natives of the Soudan [Proclamation of the Khedive, January 26, 1884.] He was assured of the support of the Egyptian Government [Sir E. Baring to Major-General Gordon, January 25, 1884.] The London Foreign Office, having with becoming modesty admitted that they had not ’sufficient local knowledge,’ [Earl Granville to Sir E. Baring, January 22, 1884.] accorded him ‘widest discretionary power.’ [Sir E. Baring to Earl Granville, February 1, 1884.] One hundred thousand pounds was placed to his credit, and he was informed that further sums would be supplied when this was exhausted.  He was assured that no effort would be wanting on the part of the Cairene authorities, whether English or Egyptian, to afford him all the support and co-operation in their power [Sir E. Baring to Major-General Gordon, January 25, 1884.] ’There is no sort of difference,’ wrote Sir Evelyn Baring, ’between General Gordon’s views and those entertained by Nubar Pasha and myself.’ [Sir E. Baring to Earl Granville, February 1,1884.] Under these propitious auguries the dismal and disastrous enterprise began.