CONTENTS

CHAPTER I.

DESCRIPTION OF THE TRANSVAAL.

My reasons for visiting the Transvaal-How I came to be in-

volved in the war-Some account of the country-Its

boundaries and area-Physical divisions-The High Veld

and the Bush Veld-The natives as producers-The

minerals-Other products of the country-The towns and

villages-The native population

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CHAPTER II.

THE OCCUPATION OF THE TRANSVAAL BY THE BOERS.

Dutch settlement in Cape Colony-The ancestors of the Boers

of the Transvaal-Cession of the colony to the English-

Troubles with the Boers, a legacy of Dutch misrule-The

Slagter's Nek affair-The great trek-Reasons for it-

Abolition of slavery-Abandonment of the Kei River

territory-Reasons alleged in the proclamation of Retief-

Reasons alleged by the Transvaal Boers during the war-

Wanderings of the Trek-Boers-Their foundation of a

republic in Natal, and the annexation of the country by

England-The battle of Boomplats-The annexation and

retrocession of the Orange River sovereignty-The Boers

across the Vaal-Their victories over Selekatse-The

annexation by them of the Transvaal-The Sand River

Convention

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CHAPTER III.

THE TRANSVAAL FROM THE SAND RIVER CONVENTION TO THE ANNEXA.

TION BY ENGLAND.

Four republics in the Transvaal-Disunion-Expulsion of

missionaries-Laws against strangers, and prohibiting pro-

specting Attempts to block up the road to the interior-

War with the Orange Free State-Junction of the four

republics-Proclamation against slavery-Defection of

Pretorius- Fighting between Schoeman and Kruger-The

episode of the "little bottle "-More fighting between

Schoeman and Kruger-Return of Pretorius-His election

as President-Issue of paper-money-Discovery of gold-

Its effect on the country--The Keate award-Pretorius

compelled to resign-Burgers elected President-His cha-

racter-His attempts at reform-The Delagoa Bay Rail-

way-Burgers' journey to Europe-The war with Sekku-

kuni-Its origin-Boer encroachments on the natives-

The immediate cause of the war-The attack on Johannes

--Boers defeated by Sekkukuni-The Zulu difficulty-

Remonstrances of England-Sir Theophilus Shepstone

sent as Commissioner-Meeting of the Volksraad—The

new constitution-Its rejection by the Volksraad-The

annexation proclamation-Mr. Burgers' vindication.

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CHAPTER IV.

THE REASONS WHICH PROMPTED THE ANNEXATION.

Principal reason for the retrocession in 1881 alleged to be the

injustice of the annexation-Necessity of examining

reasons for annexation-Boer relations with natives-Re-

sumption contemplated if provisions of Sand River Con-

vention were violated-Mr. Lowther's speech explaining

reasons for annexation-Lord Kimberley indorses Lord

Carnarvon's policy in 1881-The Liberal discovery that

the annexation was unjust-The Midlothian speeches of

Mr. Gladstone-His change of views on taking office-

Letter to Kruger and Joubert-Second disinterment of the

"injustice" theory-Mr. Gladstone's letter to the Loyalists'

Committee-Mr. Chamberlain's indignation-Its value-

The external policy of the Transvaal, the real reason for its

annexation Summary of reasons-Raids on natives-

Attack on Kolobeng-Evidence laid before Royal Com-

mission-Dr. Nachtigal's letter and his explanation of

"apprenticeship "-Dr. Huet's explanation-Cruel treat-

ment of natives-Sale of natives at Potchefstroom-Mr.

Steyn's letter about slavery- Meeting at Potchefstroom to

protest-Remonstrances of Dutch clergy-Khame's letter

to the Queen-Slave-dealing on the Betshuana frontier-

The Cape Argus--Sir Morrison Barlow-Slavery still

extant in the Transvaal.

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CHAPTER V.

THE REASONS WHICH PROMPTED THE ANNEXATION

(continued).

Causes of wars with the natives-The purchase of and raiding

for slaves-Cattle-lifting-Earth-hunger-Mr. Osborn and

Mr. Chapman on the raids on natives-Story of the raid

on bushmen on the eastern border-Attack on Malouw-

The Commission of Inquiry into the Raids in the North-

The retaliatory measures of the natives, resulting in the

abandonment of Schoemansdal-The doings of Abel Eras-

mus-Weakness of the Executive-Financial condition of

the country-Mr. Sargeaunt's report-Summary and con-

clusion.

THE

CHAPTER VI.

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TRANSVAAL DURING THE ADMINISTRATION OF SIR THEOPHILUS

SHEPSTONE.

The news of the annexation received with satisfaction in

England-The majority of the Boers tacitly acquiescent--

The natives and Europeans jubilant-Remission of the

war-levy-The first deputation to England-Absences of

the administrator on the border-The beginning of disaffec-

tion-The petition to the Colonial Secretary-The pro-

clamation of the 11th of March, 1878-The retirement of

Lord Carnarvon-The meeting at Doornfontein-The

second deputation to England-My first visit to the Trans-

vaal-The Sekkukuni war-Attack on Masselaroon-

Colonel Rowlands appointed Commandant-General-The

Zulu war-Piet Uys and the Utrecht Boers assist; the

other Boers hold aloof-Meeting at Wonderfontein-Jou-

bert's interview with Sir Bartle Frere-Recall of Sir Theo-

philus Shepstone, and appointment of Colonel Lanyon

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CHAPTER VII.

FROM THE RECALL OF SIR THEOPHILUS SHEPSTONE ΤΟ THE

LOTHIAN SPEECHES OF MR. GLADSTONE.

Colonel Lanyon the new Administrator-His character-Mass

meeting of Boers near Pretoria-Excitement in the capital

-Proclamation issued by the Administrator against sedi-

tious meetings-His interview with the Boer leaders at

Strydom's farm-Sir Bartle Frere's journey to Pretoria—

Instances of terrorism on the way-Dr. Jorissen goes over to

the Boers-Sir Bartle's visit to the Boer encampment-The

conference at Erasmus Spruit-Subsequent interviews—

Memorial sent to England by Sir Bartle Frere-The despatch

accompanying it-Discussion in the Free State Volksraad

-Sir Bartle's scheme for a constitution for the Transvaal—

Sir Garnet Wolseley appointed High Commissioner--The

battle of Ulundi and capture of Ketchwayo-Sir Garnet

Wolseley's visit to the Transvaal-His statements that the

annexation was final-His proclamation-Disturbances at

Middleburg and other places-Additional troops ordered

up-The Sekkukuni war— -The Wonderfontein meeting-

The banquet at Pretoria to Sir Garnet Wolseley-Sir

Garnet's speech-Arrest of Pretorius and Bok-Meeting of

Boers, and their dispersion-Release of the criminals

MID-

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CHAPTER VIII.

FROM THE MIDLOTHIAN SPEECHES TO THE OUTBREAK OF THE BOER

REBELLION.

Boer agitation kept alive by English politicians-The Mid-

lothian speeches of Mr. Gladstone-Meeting at Wonder-

fontein-Agitation in Cape Colony-Appointment of Sir

George Colley as High Commissioner-Withdrawal of

troops-Overthrow of the English ministry and advent of

Mr. Gladstone to power-The Queen's Speech-Mr. Glad-

stone repudiates his Midlothian speeches-Mr. Courtney

and Mr. Grant-Duff on the Transvaal-Mr. Chamberlain's

contradictory speeches-Lord Kimberley in the House of

Lords-Mr. Gladstone's letter to Kruger and Joubert-

His letter to the Loyalists-Mr. Gladstone's conduct and

its effect on the Boers-Beneficial effect on the material

prosperity of the country-Unpopular appointments of the

local Government-Payment of arrear taxes the immediate

cause of war-'
-The Wakkerstroom manifesto-The Bezui-

denhout affair-The Paarde Kraal meeting-Proclamation

of the Republic

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CHAPTER IX.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCES BEFORE AND DURING THE SIEGE OF PRETORIA.

Reasons for making a second trip to the Transvaal-Journey to

Pretoria-Increase in size of the town-Complaints of the

behaviour of the soldiers-Effect of the change of ministry

at home- A sitting of the Legislative Assembly-Journey

to Betshuana-land-The attitude of the natives-Feeling

of the Betshuana—Outbreak of the rebellion-Not deemed

serious at first-Proclamation of the Republic-Public

meeting in Pretoria-Fortification of the town-The

Bronker's Spruit disaster-Martial law proclaimed-The

town evacuated-The convent laager-Description of the

camp and laagers-Life in camp

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CHAPTER X.

THE SIEGE OF PRETORIA-SOCIAL LIFE IN THE CAMP.

Our fighting strength-Regular and volunteer mounted infantry

-Civilians in camp-The enemy, their laagers and patrols-

The big guns-Our sanitary arrangements-Our rations—

Trek beef and "weevily" biscuits-The medical men, and

their strike-The water supply-Danger of its being cut

off-The cattle and cattle-guards-The pound cut open-