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.

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:

Barrett, E.

Marumoloa, Stephen.

Mbelle, I Bud.

Mbelle, Richard G.

Minchin, Spencer.

Molema, Sebopioa J.

Molema, Silas.

Mothuba, George.

Nicholson, C H.

Tawana, Tau R.

Subjects:

Papers relating to the death of his regent Lekoko in July 1915 and John's appointment by the tribe as successor; the government's opposition to the appointment in view of the unsatisfactory reports about him; the appointment of Joshua Molema for two years as acting chief; John's appointment in 1917 February as acting chief; his rule of persecution and looting especially the harm done to the Rapulana Barolong at Rietfontein; the petition sent by the Tshidi Barolong re the chieftainship in 1920; his demotion and commitment to a mental home in Pretoria in 1920 July ; his discharge in 1922.

Copy of 36. Enclosed in 38, TB.

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.