124 ST. HELENA 



Before leaving for South Africa a public letter was written 

 by the prisoners to the St. Helena Guardian. In this they 

 say : — 



We find it impossible to leave St. Helena unless we contribute 

 our share of thankfulness to His Majesty's officers placed over us 

 from time to time, for what they have done to make us take courage 

 to fight the future. Much is owed to His Majesty's officers for 

 the kindness and consideration accorded by them since January 

 1 2th, 1 901, and the conclusion has been made that the prisoners of 

 war have been squarely and gentlemanly treated. The calm 

 Lieut.-Col. Paget ; the placid and collected Lieut. -Col. Barclay 

 and Hind; the manly attitude taken up by Col. Price, C.M.G. ; 

 the even and courteous Lieut. Carden, will never be forgotten ; nor 

 will they ever cease to respect the genial Captain Meiklejohn and 

 his staff. Our heartfelt thanks go to the gentlemen mentioned for 

 the kind and courteous way they have received and met us from 

 time to time — kindness that was a sweet drop in our bitter glass. 

 Their general attitude towards us prisoners of war will always 

 be recounted with pleasure — an attitude at once firm and manly, 

 and worthy of admiration — and why ? Because ' politeness ' 

 was evinced in all their actions and doings. 



Very quickly were the preparations made for the removal 

 of the prisoners. The special court constructed for the 

 administering of the Oath of Allegiance, opened directly 

 after the declaration of peace, continued till September, 

 when it terminated according to the following public 

 notice. 



R. 



Notice. 



Notice is hereby given that by order of H. E. the Governor, 

 Colonel A. J. Price, C.M.G., the special Court constituted for ad- 

 ministering Oath, or taking declaration of allegiance to His Majesty 

 King Edward VII by the burghers of the late South African Republic 

 and Orange Free State will close on Saturday next, the 6th of 

 September, 1902, at 12 o'clock noon. 



By Order, 



John Proctor, Captain, 



Special Commissioner. 

 Court House, Jamestown, 

 2nd Sept., 1902. 



