Commission Plaatje to represent the natives of Bechuanaland, and to obtain from the Secretary of State for the Colonies a renewal to the assurance made by J Chamberlain at Mafeking in 1903 respecting the safeguards embodied in the Annexation Act of 1895, and the right to appeal to the Imperial Government in the event of any change being contemplated; also commend him and their case to the Aborigines Protection Society, the Native Race Committee and the Wesleyan Missionary Society.

Enclosed in 38.

Informs him of fees and expenses for the course in medicine at Leeds University; he will have to he there by June to be ready to commence.

Has been requested by people to help in the matter concerning Jabavu and the Land Bill; the natives have become a laughing stock to other nations.

Regrets that his time has been wasted by coming to Mafeking to see the Chief; reports that Mr Welsh will be going to Mafeking, and that he states that their land does not belong to them but on migrating to the south the Baralong were diverted to the east by the Matabele War; they then killed the Hottentots living in the mountains and as a result they are now being penalised:

Plaatje refutes argument stating that the land from Mafeking to Lohurutse belongs to the Baralong and Bangwaketse; blood was not shed deliberately but caused by provocation of the Matabele; they fought together with the Boers to expel the Matabele, yet now the Boers are troubling them.

Has not received a reply to his letter about going to see the Chief personally to ask for help; wants to see the Chief to print news of the case involving Jache Dikokonyane, but the Diamond Fields Advertiser would not do this for nothing.

Acknowledges receipt of a telegram from the Chief; has written to him that he is still in trouble, and that if he does not get help he does not know what is going to happen; will be satisfied with even less than the 100 he requested; as matters are so serious requests Molema to send him the Koranta [ea Becoana] book file as he wants to copy something immediately.

Has received letter from Monnoapula about the financial problems and informing Plaatje that Maduo has given away his plot of land to Ephraim Molema, and even wanted to rob his house as it was on his land; Plaatje asks Silas Molema to intervene as Maduo had given him the land before witnesses; was unable to attend Congress'sainterview with Mr Sour [Sauer) and thus their affairs were not represented.

Requests Molema to persuade Chief Lekoko to keep a promise which he has not fulfilled; mentions offering a temporary job to Modiri [Molema] at the school [Lyndhurst Road].

Dennison who has previously spoken out for them at elections is bankrupt; asks him to speak for them and also to approach someone called Aldred; regrets that Chief Lekoko has not helped him and that he [Molema] has not sent his biographical sketch of Ma Siako. typed letter signed. 1p. Photocopy (original with Molema family).

Regrets that he has not replied about Leeds Hospital and medical training in England or America but he has been troubled by sickness and death in the family and tribe; this also affected their work in the Transvaal as they were not able to get any money from there which made things worse; Chief Tatinyane [Motshegare]'s arrest has caused great sorrow because of his position; deplores uprising of the children of Mosele from Thaba Nchu; hopos that the year will end well, as it started with sorrows.