§ MR. CARDWELLsaid, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether he will lay upon the Table Despatches from the Governors of the Cape or of Natal with respect to the affairs of Basuto-land?
§ MR. ADDERLEYI have, Sir, already stated to the House that the intention of Her Majesty's Government was not to assume the Protectorate of Basuto-land, but to enable the Natal Government at the re- 115 quest of the people to annex them, the Free State being a party to the transaction by agreeing to the boundary, and the Basutos agreeing to such taxation as should make their annexation entail no additional charge on the Government of Natal. As to what events have precipitated measures, we have not yet received any explanation. The reports from the spot which have reached the newspapers are certainly highly coloured and distorted, but the Boers' invasion and devastation of Basuto-land have probably been the cause of hastening and necessitating measures of precaution. Sir Philip Wodehouse has moved up to the spot with the Cape Mounted Police, and with no other force, but he has delayed forwarding his communications. We hear, however, that he has been well received, even in Dutch quarters. As soon as despatches are received from him the whole Correspondence shall be laid upon the table of the House.