§ MR. BOURKEasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the Sixth Volume of General Gordon's Diaries, which left Korti on the 16th, has reached the Government; and, whether this volume will be sent to General Gordon's representatives?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONThe sixth volume of General Gordon's diaries has been received. A letter has also been received from General Gordon, which shows clearly what were his wishes with regard to these journals. It is addressed to the Chief of the Staff of the Soudan Expeditionary Force, and is dated November 10, 1884. It says—
Since departure, 10th September, of Lieut.-Colonel Stewart, C.M.G., I have kept a daily journal of all events at Khartoum, which contains also my private opinions on certain facts, which, perhaps, it is just as well you should know confidentially. You can, of course, make extracts of all official matter, and will naturally leave my private opinions out in the case of publication. I have already sent five portions of this journal, and now send the sixth portion.That ends the letter. The official extracts referred to will be published as soon as possible. The whole diary will be handed over to his relatives, and we shall confer with them as to what portions it is desirable to include in the official extracts.