Reminds him that they are on territory belonging to the Barolong and that they are forbidden to plough the land at Rooi Grond, the Molopo River or anywhere on the Barolong's side of the convention line.

Copy. Enclosed in 8. letter. 1p.

Introduces himself as the general replacing Sir George Colley in command of the British troops; has heard with sorrow of the trouble between Montsioa and Machabi (of Polfontein) and that war has broken out; a Royal Commission (for the settlement of the affairs of the Transvaal) is sitting and will shortly proceed to Pretoria to enquire into the affairs of the Transvaal and the disputed Keate Award territory; is sending Major Ernest Buller to enquire into the cause of the fighting; Major Buller will disperse Boer commandos to prevent the Barolong being attacked. letter signed sealed (mutilated).

The Royal Commission has brought forward the date when it will have an interview with the chiefs; it will new meet on July 30 and each deputation is to consist of not more than the Chief and six perssns in attendance; it is not necessary for Montsioa to come to Pretoria as his son is already there and will probably be granted an interview with the Royal Commission. autograph letter signed. 1p.

Be has written to the freebooters and encloses a copy of the letter so that Moshette will know the true contents of his letter.

Copy. Enclosed in 8. letter. 1p.

He cannot allow the Boers to camp on his land as there is not enough grazing land for his own people and cattle; had it been summer he could have helped.

Enclosed in 12. letter draft 1p.

Places on record the terms and conditions on which Montsioa and his Headmen agreed to withdraw the petition against the annexation of British Bechuanaland to the Cape Colony. autograph letter signed. 3p.

Correspondence and petitions presented to Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies on the occasion of his visit to Mafeking in 1903, expressing the loyalty of the tribe to the British Government prior to coming under their rule and throughout the South African War and the siege of Mafeking in particular; the petitioners draw Chamberlain's attention to the fact that prior to 1873 they occupied the Polfontein Reserve in the Transvaal and were subsequently expelled; after the relief of Mafeking they approached Major General Baden-Powell and the Civil Commissioner of Mafeking Mr Bell requesting that the Polfontein Reserve be granted to them in recognition of the services rendered by the tribe; they protest against efforts to annex Bechuanaland and to the Transvaal.

In a supplementary petition they draw his attention to their privilege of being under the jurisdiction of the Paramount Chief and subject to Native Laws; that they should not be deprived of lands preserved for the tribe in the Bechuanaland Protectorate; negate fears in South Africa of a native uprising, confirming their loyalty; recognise the labour problem in South Africa and draw attention to the fact that their young men are working in the mines and suggest the increase in wages to enable them to live. Includes a list of headmen and councillors of the Barolong, and accounts sent to Sol T Plaatje by the attorneys who drew up the petitions.

Documentg detailing boundaries of farm Coed Hope belonging to Wessels Montsioa. undated 1 page.

Correspondents:

Green, E Graham.

Minchin, Spencer.

Moffat, J B.

Pringle, C S.

Snyman, Jacobus.

Subjects:

Letter to Jacobus Snyman in Dutch 1900 February 3 replying to his message that he (Wessels) should take his people out of Mafeking, but he does not trust the message which might be an English plot to put him in trouble; Lord Methuen requiring hire of 30 wagons to carry goods from Mafeking to Cowan's farm; looting of cattle by Barolong tribe members; eviction of illegal squatters on Setlagoli Reserve; loyalty of Barolong during South African War and losses sustained; inability of the government to relieve the Barolong from the balance of payments on farms in lieu of war losses.

Informs Chief Montsioa that by the annexation of his territory to the Cape Colony, his successor will receive on his death half the amount of his present pension i.e. 150 per annum for life as long as he holds the office of Chief.

Copy. letter. Signed by George Weavind, Pretoria, 1913 May 17.

Has received complaints from his people that the Dutch farmers in the district are having a petition signed, asking the High Commissioner to annex British Bechuanaland to the Cape Colony; was assured in 1884 and Subsequently that his country would always be under Imperial rule; encloses a petition signed by the principal chiefs and headmen of the Barolong against annexation; denies reports that the majority of the people are in favour of annexation.

Undated. letter draft ?p.