General C.G. Gordon | Autograph letter signed, to Samuel Baker, on the siege of Khartoum, 26 November 1884

General Charles George Gordon

Autograph letter signed, to Sir Samuel Baker

written under siege in Khartoum, expressing his great anger at the British government, thanking Baker for all the efforts he has made ("...the people of Kartoum are well aware of your kind efforts to help them..."), and with news of the fight against the Madhists ("...I am afraid sorely afraid about Stewart Power & French Consul..."), 3 page, 8vo, Khartoum, 26 November 1884, creasing, minor neat repairs

"...There will be no truce between me & Gladstone's Govt not that I shall attack them, I shall never go to England again. I will accept nothing whatsoever from them, & I will not allow them to pay my expenses..."

Gordon was in a desperate situation when he wrote this letter, and places much of the blame on the lukewarm support he had received from London. He mentions the attempt to break the siege by his second in command, Col. Stewart, which had failed with the death of all involved. The Relief Expedition was on its way but took another two months to reach Khartoum - reaching the city just two days after it fell to the Madhist army.

PROVENANCE:

Papers of Sir Samuel Baker ("property of a lady"), Sotheby's, London, 29 June 1982, lot 145