HL Deb 14 May 1877 vol 234 cc828-9
THE EARL OF CARNARVON

My Lords, it may be interesting to your Lordships that I should read a telegram which I received about 20 minutes ago from Sir Bartle Frere, which gives an outline of the Proclamation of Sir Theophilus Shepstone. The telegram is dated Capetown, April 25, and is in these terms— Sir Theophilus Shepstone issued Proclamation 12th April. Recites commission, sketches history of existing disorder and anarchy, refers to wishes of inhabitants that country be taken under British protection, declares territory henceforth British, continues existing Courts. Transvaal will remain separate Government, Queen's new subjects to enjoy reasonable legislative privileges, arrangements for optional use of Dutch language, existing laws to remain until altered by competent legislative authority, equal justice to all races, private rights to property respected, Government officers able and willing to serve continued in office, bonâ fide concessions and contracts of State to be honourably maintained, payment of State debt to be provided for. Another proclamation notifies assumption of office as Administrator of Transvaal, a separate address to Burgher population, the war tax suspended. Inhabitants reported to acquiesce willingly in new order of things. My Lords, about an hour or two before the reception of that telegram, another reached the Colonial Office, from Sir Bartle Frere, dated the day previous—the 24th of April. It does not supersede the telegram I have just read, but I will read the last paragraph of it to your Lordships— The necessity for annexation seems to be generally recognized as the inevitable result of disorganization in the Republic. I have also to inform your Lordships that, from information received through a private source, and which is dated April 25, it appears that the Proclamation was recognized as being in a concilliatory spirit, and that the state of affairs in the Transvaal was one of quiet. Of course, all this information is only an outline, and I reserve any positive opinion as to the measure of annexation until I have not only the Proclamation itself, but a statement of the ground on which Sir Theophilus Shepstone acted in the matter.