SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This study is an attempt to analyse British interests in Egypt during the twenty-three years before the French expedition of 1798, and centres around George Baldwin, the only permanent English resident in the country at that time, who foresaw its importance to Britain in the event of a war with France. Although much stress is placed on Baldwin's promotion of the Bed Sea route to India, a proper evaluation of British activity necessarily encompasses a comprehensive survey of Anglo-Egyptian relations during the period. Chapter I deals with the first four years of Baldwin's residence, from 1775 to 1779, when he was primarily concerned with his work as a merchant; his trade was carried on concurrently in Suez, Alexandria and Cairo, and he was also involved in expediting the East India Company's dispatches to and from India. In 1779, he was forced to flee the country after a major clash with the ruling beys; it became clear to him then that any further activity in Egypt would only be possible with the establishment of official consular representation. Chapter II is concerned with the years 1779 to 1786 during the absence of Baldwin, when the French were busily involved in securing the right to navigate the Red Sea; this resulted in the Truguet agreements of 1785. Chapter III concentrates on the British reaction to the agreements, and points to the fact that Henry Dundas, the senior member of the newly-created Board of Control for Indian Affairs, les instrumental in appointing Baldwin as Consul-General in Egypt. Chapter IV is an examination of the seven years, from 1786 to 1793, of the British consulate, at the aid of which the post was discontinued. The last chapter shows how Baldwin remained in Egypt until March 1798 when ill-health and poverty obliged him to leave, and how, finally, it was to him that the commanders of the Mediterranean forces turned in preparing plans for the British landings in Egypt in March 1801.