The jealousy between the two peoples here is intense.

For years, the French have been thwarting us at every turn; and they may very well think that, however matters might finally go, our interference would make us so unpopular, in Egypt, that their influence would become completely paramount.
"Supremacy in Egypt has always been the dream of the French.

Had it not been for our command of the sea, they would have obtained possession of the country in Napoleon's time.

Their intrigues here have, for years, been incessant.

Their newspapers in Egypt have continually maligned us, and they believe that the time has come when they will be the real, if not the nominal, rulers of Egypt.