Annexation of the Transvaal 149 



Chairman asked if I had any objection to a deputa- 

 tion going to Sir T Shepstone to state what I had said 

 and to get a clear declaration from him of his inten- 

 tions. I said that I wished that they would. They 

 then deputed Messrs. Cornelius Bodenstein and F. 

 Munnik to interview him. On their return, they 

 told the Raad that Shepstone admitted that all 

 Struben had told them was true, but he could not 

 think where T had got my information from. The 

 Chairman then voted me the thanks of the Raad for 

 my conduct in the matter. The Raad was distracted, 

 and again asked me to give my views on the 

 situation. There was much diversity of opinion and 

 much talk, but it was evident that nothing would 

 be done. There was not 10/- in the State Chest ; 

 members of the Raad could not get the pay they 

 demanded ; the Government had not the confidence 

 of the country, and the people would not support it. 

 As a matter of history, the country was annexed by 

 Sir T. Shepstone by proclamation on the 12th April, 

 1877, without a shot being fired or a word of protest. 

 Sir T. Shepstone afterwards asked me, why I had 

 forced his hand, by informing the Raad of his 

 intentions ; and had in no way assisted him when he 

 thought he could depend upon me, having known 

 me for so many years. I answered that I did not 

 like the way the whole business was conducted ; it 

 might be diplomatic but not straight ; that I could 

 understand the dominating power in South 

 Africa, asserting that the South African Republic 

 had been allowed a free hand for some years, during 

 which time there had seldom been peace ; that the 

 country was bankrupt, and that the Boers had 

 proved themselves incapable of good Government, 

 and were a menance to the peace and progress of 

 South Africa ; and that in consequence, the British 



