Met the Barolong at a conferrce attended by all Free Staters; Mr Nyokeng (Nyokong] is upset that Molema has not contacted him; hopes that the Thaba Nchu peeple will help him out of his difficulties he is faced with in England.

Describes activities prior to his departure for England; had difficulties before sailing from Cape Town on June 11, because Mr Gumede's passport was not in order; before he left home he received a telegram from Mr Molema informing him that the Government refused them money which was to assist them in their trip; he contacted Mr Malan and saw him together with Rev Mahabane and pointed out that the Barolong had collected the money in order to finance the trip and the Government had no claim to the money; all the White people on board are sick while they are well; they are busy making their plans so that on arrival they can start immediately; hopes that they will he able to send them money as without it their work is hampered.

Describes evidence and recommendations given to the commission by the Barolong who point out the effect of the Native Lands Act.

Congratulates him on the excellence of his book [The Bantu, past and present] and discusses the difficulties in getting people to buy it; regrets that Joshua Molema did not live to see it; unfortunately F Z S Peregrino the journalist who would have ably reviewed his book in the South African press has also passed away; comments on the humour in the book; has asked his friends to try and get reviews published; comments on arrangements between his publisher and Juta, as the latter claims commission on all books sold in South Africa; asks if he can obtain three copies which he will use to his advantage.

Incomplete.

He was asked to go to Thaba Nchu where Rev Goronyane, [Chief] Fenyang and Messrs Makgothi, Setlogelo, and Nyokong and others committed themselves to pay for his expenses in England; saw Tiege and Sebopioa [Molema] at the station on their way to Bloemfontein and they asked if he would write to him [Molema] to add more weight to the telegram they sent and to show the magistrate the memorandum to King George; the Governor-General [Lord Buxton] has seen the memorandum and says they have full rights to see their chief especially as the Nationalists want to divide the chieftainship; secondly they must show the British government that they are a people and that their chiefs should be treated with respect; therefore Tiego would like him [Molema] to send messengers to the chiefs to help with money and blankets, the blankets being for the delegates who will carry their message to King George.

Has not heard any news from home; is happy about the release of Dr Modiri Molema's book and was surprised at his writing ability; it is a tremendous task and wonders at his knowledge and the time spent to undertake such a task; he met Modiri Molema in Glasgow in May and from there they went to Edinburgh on the day that his book was released; thinks that the Barolong will now he scorned and hated by the other tribes an they will be jealous; is busy writing two books, one is a novel, a romance based on historical facts of Barolong history, "Just like the style of Rider Haggard when he writes about the Zulus"; is now looking for a publisher and is also finishing a political work, an updated version of "Native Life"; when he was in Edinburgh a Scottish docter wanted to engage Dr Molema as his assistant but he did not accept as he wants to return home; hopes that he will find work near home and that he will not have to go to Johannesburg; he has also received an offer to go to Johannesburg but if he goes he will lose all his political rights; he [Silas Molema] could help him revive the Tsala so that he would not have to write in other language newspapers; he nearly died of hunger but the thaba Nchu people came to his rescue.

Draft telegram which Chief (John) Montsioa should send to Plaatje in Kimberley apologising for not being able to attend the ceremony but to convey to Lord Buxton the loyalty of himself and the Barolong to the Imperial and Union Governments, as well as their thanks to the Directors of Mgibisa [Ds Beers] as most of his workmen go to Kimberley [Refers to the opening of the Lyndhurst Road Native Institute Assembly Hall in 1918].

Enquires further about Chief Joshua's illness; while he was having the trouble with Boyce Skota, his mother fell ill, Teto scalded her arm and Lovedale threatened to expel Sainty [St Leger]; the Boyce Skota trouble is over as he has gone te the Cape, his mother has recovered, Teto's arm is healing and Sainty has not been expelled; the supporters of Barrett and Skota have turned away from them; would appreciate it if a representative of the Barolong could attend the ceremony and also send a donation.

Arrived home from Basutoland on October 4 to find his wife and nearly all the children ill, as well as relatives from Pniel; relates many deaths of family and friends including Elias Plaatje, the Evangelist, his brother [Ramokoto?'s son and Lucas Mashoko; there were also deaths at Thaba Nchu; at home Richard Mojanaga has a lung disease and Robert Setlogelo and his wife, the daughter of Mbelle have died a few daps after their marriage; at Bethany people were sick but did not die and at Lovedale School where his wife Ma Sainty teaches, ssven hundred were ill but only six died; Kimberley has been left desolate.

Has new troubles; Teto scalded her arm when she fell with a pot of boiling water; Sainty [St Leger Plaatje] is in trouble at school and they have asked him to go down to Lovedale at once; cannot go as he is preparing for the receptien of Lord Buxton who is to lay the foundation stone [ of the Lyndhurst Road Native Institute Assembly Hall] on August 7; asks that Chief John send a telegram of congratulations, and donates a sum of money; Rev J S Moffat has promised to send 10 and he has received money from Makgatho and Chief Fenyang; is still waiting for other contributions but because of his troubles has not written to all that he wanted to; has heard of Chief Joshua's sickness; the Natal Congrass is sending Dr Meshach Pelem te represent them at the ceremony.