South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 1 From the Foundation of Cape Colony to the Boer Ultimatum of 9th Oct. 1899   By: Louis Creswicke

BY LOUIS CRESWICKE AUTHOR OF "ROXANE," ETC.

WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS

IN SIX VOLUMES

VOL. I. FROM THE FOUNDATION OF CAPE COLONY TO THE BOER ULTIMATUM OF 9TH OCT. 1899

EDINBURGH: T. C. & E. C. JACK 1900

PREFATORY NOTE

In writing this volume my aim has been to present an unvarnished tale of the circumstances extending over nearly half a century which have brought about the present crisis in South Africa. Consequently, it has been necessary to collate the opinions of the best authorities on the subject. My acknowledgments are due to the distinguished authors herein quoted for much valuable information, throwing light on the complications that have been accumulating so long, and that owe their origin to political blundering and cosmopolitan scheming rather than to the racial antagonism between Briton and Boer.

L. C.

CONTENTS VOL. I.

PAGE CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE ix

INTRODUCTION 1

CHAPTER I

PAGE

THE GROWTH OF THE TRANSVAAL 13

THE BOER CHARACTER 15

SOME DOMESTIC TRAITS 18

CHAPTER II

PAGE

THE ORANGE FREE STATE 24

THE GRONDWET 26

TRANSVAAL DISSENSIONS 29

ZULU DISTURBANCES 30

THE POLITICAL WEB 33

THE WEB THICKENING 36

THE ZULU WAR 38

ISANDLWANA 40

AFFAIRS AT HOME 43

TOWARDS ULUNDI 49

THE VICTORY 57

CHAPTER III

PAGE

SIR GARNET WOLSELEY AT PRETORIA 62

GLADSTONE OUT OF OFFICE AND IN OFFICE 65

COMMENCEMENT OF REBELLION 69

THE FATE OF CAPTAIN ELLIOT 73

LAING'S NEK 77

INGOGO 84

MAJUBA 86

THE SIEGE OF PRETORIA 95

RETROCESSION 99

THE BETRAYED LOYALISTS 101

CHAPTER IV

PAGE

THE CONVENTIONS 106

MR. KRUGER 110

GERMANS AND UITLANDERS 114

CHAPTER V

PAGE

MR. RHODES 118

RHODESIA UNCIVILISED 120

RHODESIA CIVILISED 124

GOLD 127

DIAMONDS 131

CHAPTER VI

PAGE

THE TRANSVAAL OF TO DAY 136

ACCUMULATED AGGRAVATIONS 138

MONOPOLIES AND ABUSES 143

THE FRANCHISE 146

THE REFORM MOVEMENT 149

THE CRITICAL MOMENT 153

THE RAID 156

AFTER DOORNKOP 172

THE FATE OF THE MISCREANTS 177

THE ULTIMATUM 178

APPENDIX CONVENTIONS OF 1881 AND 1884 191, 197