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Sergeaunt to Matabeleland Its melancholy termination The Isandhlwana disaster Departure of Sir T. Shepstone for England Another Boer meeting The Pretoria Horse Advance of the Boers on Pretoria Arrival of Sir B. Frere at Pretoria and dispersion of the Boers Arrival of Sir Garnet Wolseley His proclamation The Secocoeni expedition Proceedings of the Boers Mr. Pretorius Mr.
Merensky, a well-known and successful missionary, who had been for many years resident in Secocoeni's country, in which he stated that he heard on very good authority that Secocoeni had distinctly refused to agree to that article of the treaty by which he became a subject of the State. He adds that he cannot remain "silent while such tricks are played."
All these men persisted that Secocoeni had positively refused to become a subject of the Republic, and only consented to sign the treaty on the representations of Commandant Ferreira that it would only be binding, as regards to the two articles about the cattle and the boundary line.
Native lands were inspected and given out to a few speculators, who held large numbers of claims to lands which were destined for citizens, and so a war was prepared for me, on my return from Europe, which I could not avert." This extract is interesting, as showing the state of feeling existing between the President and his officers previous to the outbreak of the Secocoeni war.
Under these conditions they were placed in the Pretoria Gaol, and with the exception of a few subordinates there they have lived or died since. The offences of these natives, for all anyone knows, may have been similar to those of Langalibalele, Dinizulu, Secocoeni, Cetewayo, and other native chiefs whom the British Government have also disposed of without trial.
Upon this information, Sir T. Shepstone wrote to President Burgers, stating that "if the officer in whom you have placed confidence has withheld any portion of the truth from you, especially so serious a portion of it, he is guilty of a wrong towards you personally, as well as towards the Government, because he has caused you to assume an untenable position," and suggesting that a joint commission should be despatched to Secocoeni, to thoroughly sift the question in the interest of all concerned.
As we drew near, Secocoeni, who had inspired such terror into the bold Burghers of the Republic, the chief of nine thousand warriors, the husband of sixty-four wives, the father of a hundred children, rose from the ox-hide on which he was seated, under the shade of a tree, and came to the gate to meet us. And a queer sight this potentate was as he stood there shaking hands through the gate.
Merensky, but moved to a stronghold on the Spekboom river, in the disputed territory. The Boers sent to him to come back, but he refused, and warned the Boers off his land. Secocoeni was then appealed to, but declared that the land belonged to his tribe, and would be occupied by Johannes.
Secocoeni had evidently signed the piece of paper under the impression that he was acknowledging his liability to pay 2000 head of cattle, and fixing a certain portion of his boundary line, and on the distinct understanding that he was not to become a subject of the State.
Burgers elected president His character and aspirations His pension from the English Government His visit to England The railway loan Relations of the republic with native tribes The pass laws Its quarrel with Cetywayo Confiscation of native territory by the Keate award Treaty with the Swazi king The Secocoeni war Capture of Johannes' stronghold by the Swazi allies Attack on Secocoeni's mountain Defeat and dispersion of the Boers Elation of the natives Von Schlickmann's volunteers Cruelties perpetrated Abel Erasmus Treatment of natives by Boers Public meeting at Potchefstroom in 1768 The slavery question Some evidence on the subject Pecuniary position of the Transvaal prior to the annexation Internal troubles Divisions amongst the Boers Hopeless condition of the country.
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