Basutoland Records (Volume 1); Copies of Official Documents of Various Kinds, Accounts of Traveller, &C (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1883. Excerpt: ... Letter from Moshesh to Com. Gen. A. W. Pretorius. Thaba Bosigo, 28th April, 1848. Sir, --You wrote to ask me what my feelings are towards the Boers, and whether my friendship and peace with them are still the same as heretofore. I can give you a straightforward answer, that if you are not altered I am not in the least. Could I have shown a greater proof of friendship towards the Boers than I did when I met the Governor at Winburg? You well know how fatherly and full of love for the Boers his arrangements have been, and I complied therewith for the maintenance of peace and for your preservation. If it be your meaning that my friendship for the Boers should be shown by withdrawing myself from the Government, then you are mistaken. I look upon His Excellency the Governor as the Protector and Commander-in-Chief of all the whites in South Africa, and on that point I obtained information from the Boers themselves, for the first time I met Boers in my country they told me they were the subjects of the King of England, whose representative resides in Cape Town. 1 perceived at Winburg how anxious Sir Harry Smith was to speak with you. He trusted that if he could see you, you would have been of assistance to him in benefiting the others, as he took great interest in their welfare. I would be surprised were you to take offence at my having consented to a plan by which the Boers would live in peace and be again placed under the influence of Laws, Ministers of the Gospel, and Schoolmasters. If you wish to see me, I shall give you the best reception I can at Thaba Bosigo. My heart is not altered. Peace and the maintenance of friendship is the greatest wish of your friend. Mark X of Moshesh. Letter from Moshesh to Governor Sir H. G. Smith. Thaba Bosigo, 28th April, 1848...