of property and independence, whereby we have passed several tribes without being obstructed, and in amity, until in the month of June 1836 we were attacked in a traitorous manner by the chief Maselikatse, while we were then still at a distance of about 40 hours on horseback from his territory, and whereby several families were barbarously butchered, and deprived of all their cattle, etc., which forced us to commence hostilities against said chief, and to endeavour to retake the cattle which they had stolen from us; for which purpose we went out against him at two different times, and have for the greatest part obtained our views. This chief having afterwards been expelled, Mr. Piet Retief, approaching the boundaries of the Zoolas, made proposals to the chief Dingaan for the purchase of a piece of ground on the southern part of the River Togola (which land was almost uninhabited); but after all arrangements were brought to a point of agreement on the most amicable and best terms, he was most barbarously murdered, together with 60 of his companions, children, and friends; which was followed up a few days after by the massacre of 370 others, who, under the idea of peace and friendship, unguarded also, became the victims of his love for murder, and were deprived of almost all their cattle. But as your Excellency is already fully acquainted not only with the particulars of the case, but also of that of our hero and friend, Piet Uys, we will, without further thinking of this melancholy history, proceed to acquaint your Excellency with the continuation of the emigration, of which three small divisions have arrived at Port Natal at different times, after a long and tedious journey of more than two years. One part has established itself at the head of the Bay, at the place called "Congela," another part at the River "Umgenie," and the third division also near to the Bay, at the River "Omlaas"; while three other and stronger divisions form a line to the River Togola, at a distance of an interval of from 10 to 20 hours on horseback nearer to Dingaan's residence. We trust your Excellency will not only pardon this circumscription, but will perceive thereby that we act openly, and do not intend to conceal anything; on the contrary, we shall continue to place everything under the eye of the world, in order thereby to give an opportunity to every one truly and fairly to judge of our conduct. Ön our arrival in the vicinity of the Bay, we found the surrounding maize plantations totally destroyed by the Zoolas, and the so-called tame Caffers, residing there, deprived of all their cattle, whereby want soon became perceptible amongst them, of which thousands no doubt would have become the victims, if the arrival of the Emigrants, whom they assisted in herding their cattle, etc., had not rescued them from general famine, some of them having already died from want of food. While now, their new harvest, consisting of maize plantations, which can hardly be overlooked (for the extension of which they were encouraged by us), holds out to them a good and abundant prospect, under the blessing of God, by whom alone the destructive hand of the tyrant " Dingaan can only be repelled. One of our first measures on our arrival here, was, to give notice to the chief "Faku" of our arrival, through the missionary Jenkins (to whom, in respect of several other instances, we were under great feeling of gratitude), and to make a proposition to him, "Faku," of peace and amity,--the favourable result of which your Excellency will learn from the reply of the said Mr. Jenkins (handed by us to Mr. Joubert). We shall always feel happy in cherishing friendship and peace with all the tribes with whom we may meet, and could we be fortunate enough to enjoy the same with that country where we have left more than one dearly beloved connection, we would, burying in oblivion the past sufferings, consider the result fortunate, and for which purpose, no sacrifice on our side will be considered too great. As to the so-called tame Caffers here, already mentioned we find, that with the exception of their natural propensity for thieving, which is particularly limited to eatables, as well as old iron, beads, and other trifles, we have no particular reason for being dissatisfied with them;-on the contrary, their conduct shows a certain degree of attachment to their master, to whom they however bind themselves but for a short time. The women generally are more industrious, and better fit for the cultivation of the land, which is also performed by them and their children. As we fear to trespass too much on the patience of your Excellency, we shall conclude, trusting that this open and candid statement may not have diminished your Excellency's good inclination towards us, but on the contrary, that giving satisfactory proofs of our peaceable intentions and views, we may thereby have increased your Excellency's concern in our fate. On our part, we can assure your Excellency, that the universal sentiment amongst us, is that of high respect and affection for your Excellency's person, as well as for the Government; and that nothing will be more pleasing to us than the receipt of equitable proposals from the hands of your Excellency concerning a privileged trade with the Colony. And we declare also, that all further measures proposed by your Excellency, having in view peace and amity, will be gratefully accepted by us; but at the same time if even here we are to be persecuted and disturbed by undeserved hatred and persecution, we shall be under the necessity, (having immeasurable fields before us.) of seeking elsewhere for that rest and peace which is refused us in such an ungenerous and iniquitous manner. We have the honor to be with the highest respect, SIR, Your Excellency's most obedient, humble Servants. P.R.O., the Zuid Afrikaan for 7 June 1839, bound in C.O. 48/205. EMIGRANTS' DEMAND FOR INDEPENDENCE. [On 24th Dec. 1839, the British force at Port Natal, 110 of all ranks, sailed for Cape Town. Five days previously the commandant, Captain Jervis, had written to the emigrants then stationed near the Bay, at Čongella Camp, and informed them of the intended evacuation. He wished them happiness and success in their new surroundings, but again pointed out that they could not throw off their allegiance or cease to be regarded as subjects of the Queen of England. Then in June 1840 Lord John Russell sent a despatch to Cape Town instructing the Governor to reoccupy Port Natal if such a step seemed desirable and possible. Napier replied that a large body of troops would be needed for the enterprise, and that he could not spare those troops at the time in view of the restless state of the frontier burghers, whom the Kaffirs had again begun to plunder. He earnestly requested leave to communicate with the emigrants, to ascertain their grievances, and to attempt to settle matters peaceably, believing, as he said, that this would be by far the easiest and ultimately the wisest course to pursue. Civil war would lead to increased ill-will towards the British Government and a fresh migration into the interior.] 2 No. 101. Request of Emigrants in Natal to be Recognised a PIETER MAURITZ BURG, PORT NATAL, To His Excellency the GOVERNOR of the CAPE OF GOOD YOUR EXCELLENCY,-By the blessing of God we have perfectly succeeded in establishing, with our numerously surrounding savage enemies, not only an advantageous, but, for the so long oppressed people, a lasting peace, which presents us with the cheering prospect of permanent prosperity. This prospect, though, is somewhat darkened by the conviction that between us and our always beloved Mother Country there does not exist that friendly sympathy in our welfare which we would fain wish to see strongly and lastingly established. 1 P.R.O., MSS. in C. O. 48/207. 2 29 Sept. 1840; MS. in C.O. 48/208. This general wish has frequently on former occasions been under the consideration of the Volks Raad (Council of the People), and has presently, to the exclusion of all other matters, been more particularly under their discussion-which has originated the following resolutions, namely: To submit respectfully to Your Excellency, as the honoured Representative of Her Majesty the Queen of England, that it may graciously please Her Majesty to acknowledge and declare us a free and independent people (a right so dearly purchased with our blood), and to concede to us all those privileges which constitute the boast and greatness of the Nation which has the happiness to live under her noble Government; and, to attain that object, the "Council of the People have resolved that (should Your Excellency desire it) Two Commissioners shall be sent from hence to the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope as our representatives, at such time and to such place as Your Excellency shall appoint, both which Commissioners shall be properly and fully empowered to concert such friendly arrangements as may be considered most compatible with the honour of Her Majesty and best for our permanent good. If, for the more speedy arrangement of this matter, Your Excellency should prefer a negotiation to take place in writing, the "Council of the People" will fully concur in it. We have the honour to subscribe ourselves, with the greatest respect, In the name and on behalf of the " Council of the People," (Signed) L. BADENHORST, President of the Council. J. J. BURGER, Secretary. MS. copy of translation in C.O. 48/208. No. 102. ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT AND ALLIANCE PROPOSED. PETER MARITZ BURG, NATAL, To His Excellency Major-General Sir GEORGE NAPIER, K.C.B., Governor and Commander-in-Chief, etc. etc. etc. of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope. RIGHT HONORABLE SIR, [After making some preliminary remarks, the letter proceeds :] We are willing and desirous of entering into a perpetual Alliance with the Government of Her Majesty the Queen of England on the following principles: Ist. That the Honored Government of Her Majesty the Queen of England would be pleased to acknowledge and declare our Settlement here as a free and independent State under the name of "The Republic of Port Natal and adjoining Countries the boundaries whereof can be hereafter defined. 2nd. That Her Majesty's Government declare itself willing to treat with the said Republic in the relation of an Ally. 3rd. That the said Republic reciprocally declares itself to stand in the closest alliance with the British Government. 4th. That Her Majesty's Government shall be at liberty, in case of any hostile undertaking against this Republic. by sea, by any other Power whatever to interpose itself either in a friendly manner or to repel the same by force. 5th. That in case of War between the British Government and any other Power this Republic shall be viewed as Neutral, and all private commercial Vessels lying at anchor in the ports of the Republic shall be left unmolested. 6th. That the British Government shall have the right to place here an Ambassador or Representative Agent. 7th. That the trade of British Merchandize shall not be made subject to higher imposts than those of other people or Nations, but the same as far as practicable shall be regulated according to the Duties on British Goods as levied in its own Colonies, with the exception of Wines, Strong Liquors, and other Articles prejudicial to this Republic the unnecessary import of which it would be advisable to restrain by higher duties. In consideration of which all articles of trade of this Republic should be received in all British Possessions and not be subject to higher duties than those of British Settlements. 8th. That this Republic promises never to make any Hostile movement against any of the Natives or Inland tribes who may reside between the Boundaries of the said Republic and that of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope without first giving Notice thereof to the Representative of that Government here or to the Governor for the time being of the Colony aforesaid, as also the cause which may have given rise thereto with exception however of such occasions wherein it will be our Duty to take immediate steps against the Enemy either in opposing or repelling their inroads or contemplated attacks upon us, or upon any of the Natives on our Frontier and in Alliance with us, or in case of Robbery to pursue immediately the Robbers and overtake them, and in all such other cases wherein delay or neglect would be dangerous and prejudicial to us. 9th. That we further bind ourselves not to extend our Boundary Line farther, to the detriment or disadvantage of any of the surrounding Tribes, nor to make any hostile movement upon them unless such tribe by any preceding hostile |