the Transvaal. Sir G. Colley had unfortunately not made any official report of the result of his visit to this territory, but I have reason to believe that he was of opinion that it was out of the question now to maintain the line laid down in 1871, by Lieutenant-Governor Keate, and that he would have recommended a new line, leaving a considerable part of the territory to the Transvaal. It will be for you to consider what line should be adopted, and you will, I have no doubt, Iderive valuable information and assistance from Lieut.Colonel Moysey, R.E., the Special Commissioner in the Keate Award district. It may be found desirable to annex some part of this territory to Griqualand West or to the Orange Free State, but this must depend upon considerations which I am unable from want of local knowledge fully to appreciate. I will only add that this border has been so long in an unsettled condition that it is urgently necessary that the frontier line should be definitely fixed with as little delay as possible.

On reference to the constitution of the former South African Republic I find that there are articles which appear to infringe upon the principle of religious toleration. I am not aware that any actual impediment was placed by the State in the way of the free exercise of their religion by persons not belonging to the Dutch Reformed Church; but to prevent any misconception on the point it will be well to provide for the unrestricted exercise of their religion by all denominations within the future Transvaal State.

The Commission will have to consider the arrangements to be made for the assumption by the Transvaal State of the debt incurred in connection with the administration of the affairs of the country, whether by the South African Republic before the annexation, or by the Provincial Government subsequently.

I may refer you on this point to the declaration made by the Boer leaders in their proclamation of the 16th December last,* that the "lawful expenditure lawfully incurred for the necessary expenses of the country by the intermediate Government will be acknowledged."

There will also be other financial arrangements to be con* Paragraph 35, page 8 of [C. 2794] February 1880.

sidered in connection with the transfer of responsiblities and liabilities to the future Transvaal State, including such provision as is usually made on these occasions, for compensating any permanent officers displaced by the change of government.

I need scarcely say that it will be expected that full security for the continued enjoyments of their rights shall be guaranteed to all holders of property in the Transvaal, after the establishment of the new Government. I cannot doubt that the necessary undertaking will be readily given, and it will be for the Commission to consider and recommend the terms in which such undertaking should be framed. Provisions will also be required for securing to British subjects complete freedom of trade to and through the Transvaal, on the same footing as citizens of the Transvaal State. I shall transmit to you a copy of a treaty now in force, which will be of use to the Commission in considering the stipulations to be entered into on this subject.

With regard to the formal style and designation of the future Transvaal State, I am disposed to think that instead of reviving the name "South African Republic" (which never was appropriate, having regard to the fact that there were two Republics in South Africa) it would be preferable to adopt the name "Transvaal State." Before the annexation the country was very commonly spoken of as the Transvaal, and it would be convenient, as in the case of the Orange Free State, to describe it by the river which forms its southern boundary.

I shall from time to time address to you instructions upon any further point which may arise.

I have, &c.,

Sir HERCULES ROBINSON.

(Signed) KIMBERLEY.

TELEGRAM from Sir H. ROBINSON, Newcastle, to the
EARL OF KIMBERLEY.

May 22nd, 1881, Eastern Boundary.-We have fully discussed the question relating to the Eastern Boundary with the Boer leaders, and they think that the great majority of the

settlers will not willingly accept the continuance of British rule over any part of the Transvaal. The leaders say that at Langs Nek they consented to leave the question to a Commission for the sake of peace and in the full confidence that we should not find it necessary to retain any part of the territory. They aver that they do not recede from their agreement, but they anticipate difficulty in securing the acquiescence of the people and think that if a retention of territory is insisted on it will leave a rankling sore behind. In their evidence, and in a letter which they have laid before us, they deprecate the retention of any part of the country by us on the grounds that it would be unjust, opposed to their interests, distasteful to their national feelings, and unnecessary from our point of view, inasmuch as a British Resident possessing comprehensive powers would, in their opinion, be able efficiently to protect native interests within the country as well as upon the frontiers. Sir E. Wood entirely dissents from this view, and is of opinion that we should at all risks retain at least the country south of the Drakensberg range for the reasons which he will explain to you in a separate message. Sir H. de Villiers and I think that there is now no course free from objection, and that we can only choose that which presents the fewest disadvantages. If we give back the whole of the country the troubles which Sir E. Wood anticipates may arise, but if we retain any part of it we think that we shall have a half rebellious white population in the part retained and a dissatisfied Transvaal State alongside. We think that under these circumstances the evils of retaining a part will be greater than the risks of giving up the whole, and we think that the latter may perhaps be lessened by conferring stringent powers upon the British Resident and giving an ultimate appeal on frontier disputes to Her Majesty's Government, whose decision in such cases the Boer leaders acknowledge is to be final. Sir H. de Villiers and I are of opinion also that the giving up of the whole country would facilitate the settlement of the other questions which have been referred to the Commission, and that the chances of the successful operation of such settlement would be increased by the prevention of future agitation. President Brand concurs in this view and tells me he is convinced that further trouble

is inevitable should any part of the country be retained by us. It will now be for you to decide the line we should adopt, and, since further negotiations turn on this point, an early decision is necessary. If you agree with Sir E. Wood's view the maintenance of a considerable force in the country will be imperative for some time to come, assuming that an arrangement upon such a basis can be made at all, which we think very doubtful. If you concur in giving up the whole Sir H. de Villiers and I are of opinion that the concession should be conditional upon the powers of the British Resident being made such as we may consider it necessary to assign to him.

TELEGRAM from Sir EVELYN WOOD to the
EARL OF KIMBERLEY.

May 22, 1881.-Sir Hercules Robinson's telegram of to-day. I dissent believing the balance of disadvantages is on the other side, and that we have carried concession to the utmost limit compatible with future peace.

My telegram of 14th March expressing my view of boundary, was not approved, and the present recommendation is a compromise for the existing situation. The Resident, whatever powers are given to him, will not be able to stop native reprisals for Boer trespasses, which from need of pasturage in winter are inevitable, and I am convinced we should at all risks, so long as the Imperial Government has any responsibility here, retain at least the country south of Komati River, and on the eastern watershed of the Drakensberg. This would involve separation from the Transvaal of about six thousand square miles out of about forty thousand contained outside the line mentioned in your telegram of 17th March. The policy of that telegram was fully understood by the Boers when making peace, and they admit I informed them that I, for my part, would do my best to prevent their ruling territory adjoining large native tribes. I do not share the fear of strenuous opposition from the Boers in the district concerned, and I believe leaders now purposely exaggerate the vehemence of their followers. The Swazi king reports the resisted pressure put upon him by the Boer leaders to rise against us

during the war. Under your instructions of 25th March I informed all natives that the Royal Commission would have the settlement of what land east of the 30th degree was to be retained. I believe complete withdrawal will affect prejudicially our moral power over all natives in south-east Africa.

The Zulu war of two years ago was caused mainly by the inability of the Boers to control their frontier affairs. Their separation now from the Zulus is essential for the prevention of intrigues which will be fatal to the tranquillity of the Zulus, and to the safety of Natal. As regards the military question, I address the War Secretary.

TELEGRAM from the EARL OF KIMBERLEY to
Sir H. ROBINSON, Newcastle.

May 30, 1881.-We have given careful consideration to telegrams of the 22nd and 23rd from you and Wood, as to Transvaal boundary, and we agree with you and Sir H. de Villiers that, for the reasons stated in your telegram, no part of the Transvaal should be retained as British territory against the will of the Boers; powers being reserved to British Government as you propose, with respect to frontier disputes; and it being a condition that Boers fully recognise the independence of the Swazis, and the boundaries of Swaziland and Zululand, as lately defined under the authority of Her Majesty's Government.

Blue Book, C 3114, Februarv 1882.
CONVENTION, 1881.

HER Majesty's Commissioners for the settlement of the Transvaal Territory, duly appointed as such by a Commission passed under the Royal Sign Manual and Signet, bearing date 5th of April 1881, do hereby undertake and guarantee on behalf of Her Majesty that from and after the 8th day of August 1881, omplete self-government, subject to the Suzerainty of Her