§ MR. VILLIERS-STUARTasked the Prime Minister, Whether the lives of 29,000 men, besides a vast multitude of women and children, depend upon the success of General Gordon's mission; whether it is necessary for his success that his action should be perfectly free and unfettered; whether premature discussion upon his proceedings may endanger his success by paralyzing his action and weakening his authority; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will therefore exert their influence to check any such premature discussion upon facts of which as yet we have but a very imperfect knowledge?
MR. GLADSTONEMy hon. Friend takes a more sanguine view of the power of the Government than I am able to take; but I think his question refers, perhaps, more to opinion and intention than to matter of fact. However, it has become common to ask Questions about the intentions of Her Majesty's Government. What I should say is, that we have no power to prevent premature discussion on the subject of General Gordon's mission. But I cannot say that without also saying that I believe 1464 the House of Commons is disposed to place very great reliance upon General Gordon in relation to his character and his long career, and to the knowledge that they have of him; and, therefore, I hope that my hon. Friend may feel a very considerable degree of confidence that the House will not be inclined to encourage discussions which might interfere with the attainment of the objects of General Gordon's mission in the deliverance of the garrisons of the Soudan, the only hope, I may say, of that deliverance apparently being afforded through the qualities of General Gordon and the difficult task that he has undertaken.