§ MR. CROPPERasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the Basutos have asked to be permitted to negotiate directly with the Representatives of Her Majesty's Government instead of with the Cape Ministry; and, if so, whether Sir Hercules Robinson has been instructed to accede to their request?
MR. GRANT DUFFYes, Sir; that was the drift of the Petition to Sir George Straban last month. That Petition led to the suggestion of Sir Hercules Robinson, made with the approval of his Ministers, that if the Basutos now in rebellion against the Crown should place themselves unreservedly in his hands, they should receive treatment at once just and generous. That suggestion further led to the deliberations with a view to which the present armistice was granted.