§ MR. RICHARDI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer a Question of which I have given him private Notice—namely, Whether it is true that a communication has been received by the Government of Natal from Cetewayo, King of the Zulus, stating that he never desired the present war; that he had never refused the terms proposed at the Lower Tugela; that he had collected 1,000 head of cattle to pay the demand made on him; that he had sent Sirayo's sons to be delivered up to the General at Rorke's Drift; that three men were sent to try and obtain a hearing, but they were fired at, and returned; that he now asks for suspension of arms; and that negotiations should be resumed, with a view to a permanent settlement of all questions between himself and the Government; and, whether, if such a communication has been received, it would not be more consistent with our character as a professedly civilized and Christian nation to entertain these overtures of peace, rather than further prosecute an aggressive war for purposes of revenge or military prestige?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHPerhaps I may be allowed to answer the Question, and I will do so by saying that a communication to the effect mentioned has been received through Bishop Schroeder, in which communication, however, King Cetewayo is also represented as stating that the fighting at Isandlana was brought about accidentally, that he never ordered his army to attack the English column, and that Colonel Pear- 452 son himself provoked the attacks made on him. I have received nothing to show whether any confidence can be placed in the expressions in the message; but its credibility and sincerity are doubted by those on the spot; and, looking to the statements which I have quoted, and to the intelligence which has been published of further military movements on the part of the Zulus, I fear that I am unable to view the message in the same light as that in which it appears to the hon. Member. I cannot doubt that any real proposal for submission on the part of Cetewayo would be readily entertained; but it is necessary, not for the reasons given by the hon. Member, but for the future safety of our Colonies, that the submission of the Zulu King should be complete. We should all be glad if this end could be achieved without further bloodshed; but I fear that I do not see any probability of this result. Perhaps I may be allowed to read to the House telegrams received yesterday, and which contain the latest intelligence—
§ "Telegram from Sir Bartle Frere.
§ "'Maritzburg, March 15.
§ "'Oham's surrender to Captain M'Leod confirmed, with circumstances which show it is a defection from Cetewayo, and not a trap. He had reached Luneburg from Derby on his way to Colonel Wood's column. Situation otherwise unchanged, except by arrival of very acceptable reinforcements of Her Majesty's 57th at Durban, and 91st at Cape Town. I start to-day for Transvaal. Sir Theophilus Shepstone arrived here yesterday.'
§ "Telegram from Government House, Cape Town, March 18.
§ "'Signalling with Ekowe now complete on both sides. All safe there. Colonel Pearson has constructed a road from the fort, avoiding a thick bush, effecting a saving of three miles. The work was constructed during fire from the enemy, but no casualities on our side. In one of the sallies Dubulaminzie's kraal, six miles from the camp, was surprised and burnt, with no loss beyond a trivial wound to Lieutenant Lewis of the Buffs.
§ "'Captain Williams, of the Buffs, and Midshipman Coker, have died of fever and dysentery at Ekowe. Her Majesty's ship Boadicea arrived at Durban, landed Naval Brigade; also Pretoria, with 91st Regiment, landed yesterday; 57th Regiment about to start for Lower Tugela; 60th Rifles reached Cape Town, and gone on to Durban, will reach there to-morrow. Manora at Simon's Bay; proceeds to Durban to-day. Latest advices, all going well with Wood and Glyn.'"
§ Further Papers with respect to South Africa will be laid on the Table this evening.
453§ MR. COURTNEYsaid, he presumed, from the reply of the right hon. Gentleman, that the Government had no information of the reported rising in the Transvaal; but it would be satisfactory to the House to receive a distinct assurance on the subject.
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHWe have no information as to the reported rising.