vi. Introduction 



as President of the Land Commission, as first 

 Director of the Delagoa Bay Railway, 1875-76, as 

 first Chairman of Mines, Witwatersrand, (Johannes- 

 burg) etc., etc. Although advances were made to me, 

 but being (as a member of the Legislature) pledged 

 to the country, I took no part in the annexation of 

 the Transvaal by Sir T. Shepstone in 1876-7, and 

 during the term of the British occupation I held no 

 office of emolument, and I refused the offer of the 

 first seat in the Executive Council made me by Sir 

 Bartle Frere. I had among the Dutch Afrikanders 

 many friends at the time, and I fully appreciate 

 the good qualities they possess. Although in my 

 absence in Europe and the East, during the war of 

 1880, I was treated as one to be distrusted, an 

 English alien, and half ruined, I can conscientiously 

 say that I am not prejudiced against the Dutch Boer, 

 and I trust that any statements I have made will be 

 accepted as dictated by an open mind, without 

 animus and being correct as far as my memory 

 serves, and in remembrance of many acts of kindness 

 received, and of mutual friendship during years of 

 strenous effort and of vicissitudes in a young country ; 

 playing the difficult role of a pioneer of civilisation 

 in remote regions on a savage borderland. 



ROSEBANK, 



CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, 



February, 1911. 



