Reports on threats by the printer; has contacted the Chief; the situation is serious but has refrained from borrowing money; has received promises to push the sale of the book but no help to release it; has received queries about the book at meetings which he has addressed; regrets that even after correcting page proofs the scheme may miscarry in which case the natives can give up appealing to anybody with their grievances; requests them to help him.

Passed by Mafeking on his travels; went to his home but was not allowed to sleep there as Chief William Letsapa wanted to see him; Letsapa informed him that those who did not have two shillings could bring him corn which he would exchange for money; arrived here today; the Chief dismissed the Batlou people's case until they can bring more witnesses; heard that he missed meeting Rev Moshoela who has gone to Mafeking; the Barolong arrived on Saturday with a sum of money; is hurrying on to Kimberley on Sunday and will send him his agreement.

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.

Mr Moshoeshoe has replied that he has discussed his case with the Chief who was interested but due to ill health unable to respond immediately; general ignorance in England about Blacks in Africa but those he hasnspoken to have promised to distribute his book to their friends as soon as it is published; has been correcting proofs assisted by Advocate Cross, Miss Alice Werner of Cambridge University and Sir Harry Johnston who have commented favourably on his work; has not been successful in borrowing money; would be tempted to give up were it not for the fact that he would disappoint people and be sued by the printer; Dube and Rhubasana are conspiring against him and do not want the book to be published; Mrs Saul Solomon has tried all means to borrow money, even from Dr Colenso, but peeple have no spare money because of the war; if the Chief would send him money he would be helping not only the Barolong cause but their friends, the British.

Regrets that his telegram asking for a ticket for Lord Roberts' funeral has just reached him, due to his absence; hopes that he went to the War Office and received one; would have liked to have helped especially for the sake of Chief Lekoko and the Barolong; hopes to return to South Africa after the war.

Jewish traders want to make a deal with Mr Mbelle who in away so he has referred them to him; they want to buy cattle for slaughtering and want a trustworthy man to work with them and will pay him per head of cattle; they want a large quantity and hope to persuade the Bechuanaland Protectorate chiefs to give them the monopoly; he will be interested to hear that they know Gordon and want to compete with him; he will have to bargain for a price but they are not stingy with money; the runners will be paid monthly and not per head of cattle.

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].

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 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.

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.