After some slight modifications, I received from the Khedive the
following firman:--

"We, Ismail, Khedive of Egypt, considering the savage condition of the
tribes which inhabit the Nile Basin;

"Considering that neither government, nor laws, nor security exists in
those countries;

"Considering that humanity enforces the suppression of the slave-hunters
who occupy those countries in great numbers;

"Considering that the establishment of legitimate commerce throughout
those countries will be a great stride towards future civilization, and
will result in the opening to steam navigation of the great equatorial
lakes of Central Africa, and in the establishing a permanent government
. . . . We have decreed and now decree as follows:--

"An expedition is organized to subdue to our authority the countries
situated to the south of Gondokoro;

"To suppress the slave trade; to introduce a system of regular commerce;

"To open to navigation the great lakes of the equator;

"And to establish a chain of military stations and commercial depots,
distant at intervals of three days' march, throughout Central Africa,
accepting Gondokoro as the base of operations.