However, in his negotiations with Halil Pasha, Mehmed Ali did not raise the issue of independence; again it was Ibrahim who was urging his father to do so. Mehmed Ali started asking for independence only in 1838; back in 1833 he could still not think of himself as being outside of Ottoman authority altogether.

XREF: Extends the theme of Mehmed Ali's ambivalence as strategic rather than deep-seated — he still saw himself within Ottoman authority in 1833. Builds on: "Ambivalence toward sultan reflected strategic rebellion, not identity crisis."

Khaled Fahmy, All the Pasha_s Men_ Mehmed…, loc. 182