Mr. Gladstone's Answer to Mr. Blunt's Second Letter dated Cairo, February 7th, 1882
10, Downing Street, Whitehall, *2nd March, 1882*. My Dear Wilfrid, Mr. Gladstone has read with much interest your further letter, for which he is much obliged. He hopes that you will have felt, or will feel, assured from the language in the speech from the Throne, of which I enclose by his desire a copy, that the British Government, while intending firmly to uphold international engagements, have a sympathy with Egyptian feelings in reference to the purposes and means of good government. Yours always, E. W. Hamilton.
Extract from the Queen's Speech forwarded to Mr. Blunt by Mr. Hamilton
In concert with the President of the French Republic, I have given careful attention to the affairs of Egypt, where existing arrangements have imposed on me special obligations. I shall use my influence to maintain the rights already established, whether by the Firmans of the Sultan or by various international engagements, in a spirit favourable to the good government of the country and the prudent development of its institutions.