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In this respect it is difficult to say that Sir Henry Loch achieved all that might have been expected from him. Possibly, to insist on more than he did would have left President Kruger no alternative but to refuse at all risks. The Volksraad being then in session, there may have been some diplomatic reasons for not pressing matters too hard.
This is what Mr. J.F. Celliers, the patriotic editor of the Boer newspaper, De Volksstem, wrote in reviewing the work of the special session of the Volksraad, convened to deal with the questions of Lord Carnarvon's Federation Bill, and the rescuing of the country from ruin and chaos: 'During the session we have repeatedly had occasion to comment on the doings of the Raad.
The tax was not a very just one, since it fell with equal weight on the rich man, who held twenty farms, and the poor man, who held but one. Its justice or injustice was, however, to a great extent immaterial, since the free and independent burghers, including some of the members of the Volksraad who had imposed it, promptly refused to pay it, or indeed, whilst they were about it, any other tax.
When the Vryheid commandos rode over the western border of their district and invaded Natal, Louis Botha, the successor of Commandant-General Joubert, was one of the many Volksraad members who went forth to war in the ranks of the common burghers.
The failure to fulfil promises; the deviation from old ways of government; the appointment of unsuitable officials, who did not understand the people or their language; the neglect to convene the Volksraad or to hold fresh elections, as definitely promised; the establishment of personal rule by military men, who treated the Boers with harshness and contempt, and would make no allowance for their simple, old-fashioned ways, their deep-seated prejudices, and, if you like, their stupid opposition to modern ideas: these things and others caused great dissatisfaction, and gave ample material for the nucleus of irreconcilables to work with.
The witnesses in this case are now difficult to find, as they are all natives; but it appears that the natives were tried by an informal court, of which B. A. Klopper, ex-President of the Volksraad, was president, and condemned to death. Hendrik Schoeman, son of the late general, and Piet Joubert are reported to have acted as escort. Case of five natives murdered near Wilge River.
That the Volksraad should have thought it necessary to enact such a law in order that the farmers should obtain a supply of Kafir labour in a territory that had nearly a million of native inhabitants, who, unlike the Zulus, are willing to work if only they meet with decent treatment, is in itself an instructive commentary on the feelings existing between the Boer master and Kafir servant.
That the objection lodged in this case was ridiculous in the extreme had no bearing on the immediate result. Numbers of Mr. Mr. Esselen was declared to have lost his seat by seven votes. Scrutinies were demanded and objections lodged, but without avail. The tactics above indicated were pursued in every case. The old Volksraad having been filled with Mr.
Anxiety of Lord Carnarvon Despatch of Sir T. Shepstone as Special Commissioner to the Transvaal Sir T. Shepstone, his great experience and ability His progress to Pretoria and reception there Feelings excited by the arrival of the mission The annexation not a foregone conclusion Charge brought against Sir T. Shepstone of having called up the Zulu army to sweep the Transvaal Its complete falsehood Cetywayo's message to Sir T. Shepstone Evidence on the matter summed up General desire of the natives for English rule Habitual disregard of their interests Assembly of the Volksraad Rejection of Lord Carnarvon's Confederation Bill and of President Burgers' new constitution President Burgers' speeches to the Raad His posthumous statement Communication to the Raad of Sir T. Shepstone's intention to annex the country Despatch of Commission to inquire into the alleged peace with Secocoeni Its fraudulent character discovered Progress of affairs in the Transvaal Paul Kruger and his party Restlessness of natives Arrangements for the annexation The annexation proclamation.
Motions are brought forward in the Volksraad to prohibit natives pleading in the Higher Courts. Such is the usual outcry. No appeal should be permitted, for may it not lead to a quashing of the conviction? The Landdrost is the friend of the Boer, and he can always "square" him in a matter against a native.
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