History of South Africa from 1873 to 1884/Volume 1
History of South Africa
from 1873 to 1884
Twelve eventful years
With continuation of the history of Galekaland, Tembuland, Pondoland, and Betshuanaland until the annexation of those territories to the Cape Colony, and of Zululand until its annexation to Natal
by
George McCall Theal, Litt.D., LL.D.
Foreign member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, Amsterdam, corresponding member of the Royal Historical Sociaty, London, and of the Geographical Society, Lisbon, etc., etc., etc.
In two volumes: Vol. I
(Vol. X of the Series)
London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd.
Ruskin House, 40 Museum Street, W.C. 1
First published in 1919
(All rights reserved)
Preface.
These are the first volumes prepared by me that overlap the work of another author. Count Wilmot's History of Our Own Times in South Africa, 1872–1898, in three volumes, was published in 1897–1899, and I certainly would not have trespassed upon that period if it had not been that the work alluded to has for some years been out of print, with very little or no prospect of its being reissued. I communicated with the honourable gentleman, its author, who in the kindest possible manner replied that he had no objection whatever to my continuing my work, and therefore I took in hand the volumes now before the reader. As he was in this field before me, my warmest thanks are due to him for his courtesy in this matter.
Wynberg, Cape Province.
January 1919.
Contents. | ||
| Events in the Cape Colony from 1873 to 1876. | ||
| Page | ||
| Condition of South Africa in 1873—European inhabitants of the different colonies and states—Bantu military tribes at that time—Transactions of the Cape parliament in 1873—Creation of the university of the Cape of Good Hope—State-aided immigration from Europe—Purchase of the existing lines of railway and telegraph by the government—Particulars of the steamship mail service between England and South Africa—Particulars concerning inland mails—Opening of Southey's pass to traffic—Changes in the ministry—Efforts to introduce silk culture—Dissolution of both houses of parliament—Meeting of the new parliament—Passing of the seven circles act—Formation of new magisterial districts—Transactions of the Cape parliament in 1874—Great advance in the construction of railroads—Opening of the Huguenot seminary at Wellington—Extension of ostrich farming—Ravages of the dorthesia and of the phylloxera—Account of great floods in December 1874—Damage caused in December 1875 to the village of Heidelberg by the rising of the Doorn river—Decline of cotton growing in the eastern districts—Population according to the census of March 1875—Efforts of Lord Carnarvon to promote confederation—Tours of Mr. James Anthony Froude through South Africa—Transactions during a special session of the Cape parliament—Settlement of the dispute between the British government and the Orange Free State concerning the ownership of the diamond fields—Particulars of some disastrous fires | 1 | |
| Events in the Cape Colony in 1876 and 1877. | ||
Immigration of agriculturists from Northern Germany and their settlement on the Cape flats—Construction of harbour works —Cause of unrest on the eastern frontier—Expansion of the Bantu—Condition of the Xosas—Manner of death of Makoma—Report of the frontier defence commission—Rejection by the parliament of its recommendations—Condition in 1873 of the territory between the river Kei and Natal—War between the Galekas and the Tembus—Commencement of the exercise of authority in the territory beyond the Kei by the Cape government—Reception of the Pondomsi clans under Umhlonhlo and Umditshwa as British subjects—Action of Mr. Orpen in regard to the rebellion of Langalibalele—His dealings with Umhlonhlo and Umditshwa—Assumption of authority over the Griquas under Adam Kok—Particulars regarding the Griqua territory—Trouble caused by Nehemiah Moshesh—Annexation of the district of Mount Frere to the British dominions—Rebellion of some of the Griquas—Conduct of the Pondos—Suppression of the Griqua rebellion—Formation of the chief magistracy of Griqualand East—Annexation of Griqualand East to the Cape Colony—Also of part of the chief magistracy of Transkei—Conduct of the Tembu chief Gangelizwe—Cession of Tembuland Proper to the Cape government—Retirement of Sir Henry Barkly and assumption of duty as governor of the Cape Colony and high commissioner by Sir Bartle Frere—Opening of an international exhibition in Capetown—Progress in the construction of railroads and telegraphs—Cessation of state-aided immigration
|
25 | |
| The Ninth Kaffir War. | ||
Condition of the Xosa tribe in 1877—Event at a Fingo wedding feast that brings on war with the Galekas—Fruitless efforts to restore peace—Arrivals and departures of British troops—Visit of Sir Bartle Frere to Butterworth—Fruitless efforts of the governor to obtain an interview with Kreli—Departure of the missionaries and traders from Galekaland—Defection of Mapasa from the Galeka cause and his retirement with a portion of his clan to the Cape Colony—Defeat of the police and the Fingos at Gwadana—Defeat of the Galekas with heavy loss at Ibeka—Arrival of strong reinforcements of police and volunteers at Ibeka—Prudent conduct of Gangelizwe—Proclamation of Sir Bartle Frere deposing Kreli from being a chief—Arrangements for carrying on the war—Destruction of the kraals of Kreli, Sigcawu, and others—Overtures for peace made by Kreli—Scouring of the Galeka country—Defeat of the enemy at Lusizi—Retirement of the whole Galeka people under Kreli over the Bashee—Their pursuit to Western Pondoland by Colonel Griffith—Return of the colonial forces to Ibeka and their disbandment—Proposed arrangements for the settlement of the territory recently occupied by the Galekas |
52 | |
| The Ninth Kaffir War (continued). | ||
General fear of a rebellion of the Rarabe clans—Flight of the Ndlambe chief Mackinnon into the Gaika location—Successful mission of Mr. W. B. Chalmers—Return of the Galeka warriors after their families have been placed in safety—Successful encounters with the enemy at Umzintsani—Measures adopted to obtain a field force—Removal of all the troops in Capetown to the eastern frontier—Employment of a naval brigade—Supersession of Colonel Griffith by Colonel Glynn as commander of the forces east of the Kei—Fruitless negotiations for peace—Appeal by Kiva to the Rarabe clans to aid the Galekas—Attitude of the old counsellor Tyala—Rebellion of the great majority of the Rarabes—Enrolment of Pulleine's rangers and Carrington's horse—Murder of Messrs. Tainton and Brown—Raids into Fingoland—Engagement near Kentani Hill—Enlargement of the area of disturbances—Defection of Dukwana—Murder of old Jacobus Vanderkemp—Participation of some Tembu clans in the strife—Arrival of volunteers and burghers on the frontier—Sweeping of the Gaika location by Commandant Frost—And of the Tshetshaba valley by Colonel Lambert—Expedition against Gongubela—Second and successful expedition against that chief—Decisive victory at Kentani on the 7th of February 1878—Abandonment of the contest by Kreli and end of the war with the death of Kiva |
74 | |
| Compulsory retirement of the Molteno ministry. | ||
Change of ministry in the Cape Colony—Altered condition of things caused by the rebellion of the Rarabe clans— Widespread disaffection of the Bantu in South Africa—Arrival of two more battalions of British troops—Differences between the views of the governor and the prime minister as to military operations—Opinion of Attorney-General Stockenstrom—Abrupt dismissal of the ministry by the governor—Acceptance of office as prime minister by Mr. John Gordon Sprigg—Names of the members of the new ministry—Opinion of the secretary of state for the colonies as to the matter in dispute—Return of the governor to Capetown—Opening of parliament on the 10th of May—Important measures introduced—Particulars of the debate upon the dismissal of the late ministry—Approval by parliament of the action of the governor—Adoption of a series of acts for establishing a strong defensive force on the eastern frontier—Imposition of an excise duty on spirits distilled in the Cape Colony—Particulars of the house duty act—Particulars concerning the peace preservation or disarmament act of 1878 |
97 | |
| Suppression of the rebellion of the Rarabe clans. | ||
Occupation of the Thomas river valley by Sandile's Gaikas—Defeat of a Gaika army under Matanzima—Attitude of Tini, son of Makoma, in the Waterkloof—Occupation of the Waterkloof by the ninetieth regiment and some volunteers—Flight of Tini and his people to the Amatola forests—Retirement of General Cunynghame and succession of General Thesiger to the command of the troops in South Africa—Operations against Sandile in the Thomas river valley and afterwards in the Amatola forests—Treatment of the Kaffir women and children made prisoners during the rebellion—Crushing defeat of Stokwe, son of Tshali—Accession to the rebel forces of Delima, son of Pato, Jali, son of Umkayi, and Siyolo, son of Dushane—Defeat of Siyolo with heavy loss—Continued operations in the Amatola forest—Death of Jali in battle—Capture of the Tembu chiefs Gongubela, Stokwe, and Umfanta—New plan of operations against the rebels—Capture of Tini—Death of Sandile from a bullet wound—Death of Siyolo—Surrender of Delima and Ndimba—Capture of Matanzima and Gonya—Thorough suppression of the rebellion—Cost of the war and rebellion—Conduct of the Christian Bantu—Settlement of the conquered Bantu—Formation of the chief magistracy of Transkei—Annexation of the districts of Kentani and Willowvale to the Cape Colony—Population, revenue, and expenditure of the chief magistracy of Transkei in 1885 |
118 | |
| Further annexation of territory occupied by Bantu. | ||
Proceedings with regard to Emigrant Tembuland—Formation of the chief magistracy of Tembuland—Account of the Bomvanas—Offer of the chief Moni to become a British subject—Incorporation of Bomvanaland in the British dominions—Its inclusion in the chief magistracy of Tembuland—Account of the rebellion in 1880 in Tembuland—Complete subjugation of the clans under Dalasile, Gecelo, and Stokwe, son of Ndlela—Settlement of the territory recently occupied by these chiefs—Growing importance of the town of Umtata—Annexation of the chief magistracy of Tembuland to the Cape Colony—Population of Tembuland in 1885—Death of Gangelizwe—Good conduct of the Fingos—Regulations in force beyond the Kei—Account of the local Fingo council—Establishment of a hospital at Butterworth—Indications of trouble in Griqualand East in 1880—Rebellion of many clans—Treacherous murder of three officials by the Pondomsi clan under Umhlonhlo—Refuge afforded by the prison at Tsolo—Enumeration of the various contingents engaged on the colonial side—Retreat of the Basuto across the Drakensberg—Stamping out of the rebellion—Subsequent career of Umhlonhlo—Imprisonment of Umditshwa—Settlement of the four rebel districts of Maclear, Matatiele, Qumbu, and Tsolo—Addition of the district of Mount Ayliff to the chief magistracy of Griqualand East—Account of the quarrel between the Pondos and the Xesibes—Description of Kokstad—Population of Griqualand East in 1885 |
143 | |
| Further annexation of Bantu territory (continued). | ||
Comparative unprogressiveness of the Pondo tribe—Unreliability of Bantu traditions—Origin of the Pondo, Tembu, and Xosa tribes—Condition of the Pondo tribe—Importance of the mouth of the Umzimvubu river, called Port Saint John's, to the Cape Colony—Position of Ndamasi with regard to his half-brother Umqikela—Death of Ndamasi and succession of his son Nquiliso—Sale by Nquiliso to the Cape government of a slip of land at the mouth of the Umzimvubu—Occupation of Port Saint John's by a company of soldiers—Proclamation of Sir Bartle Frere regarding Umqikela—Annexation of Port Saint John's to the Cape Colony—Population of Port Saint John's in 1884—Action of Umqikela with regard to the main road through the Rode—Extensive cattle-lifting by the eastern Pondos from the Bacas and the Xesibes—Internal strife in Eastern Pondoland—Proclamation of a protectorate of the coast of Pondoland by Great Britain—Ludicrous attempt by the eastern Pondos to open a port for trade—Continuation of strife between the eastern Pondos and the clans received as British subjects—Friendly dealings with Nquiliso—Position of the Amatshezi chief Pali—Dealings wth Pali—Treatment of the Hlubi headman William Nota by the eastern Pondos—Disorder on the eastern Pondo frontier—Statistics of schools in the country between the river Kei and Natal |
173 | |
| Further annexation of Bantu territory (continued). | ||
Continuation of raids and skirmishes along the eastern Pondo border—Battle between the Amanci and the Xesibes in which over a hundred men are killed—Action of the Kokstad Political Association—Resolution of the legislative council of Natal favouring the annexation of Pondoland to that colony—View of the secretary of state for the colonies—Return of cattle thefts during two years—Invasion of the Xesibe country by a large Pondo army—Collection of a strong force to protect the Xesibes—Demand upon Umqikela for explanation of his conduct and reparation—Offers of assistance against the Pondos from Dalindyebo, Kreli, and others—Denial of personal responsibility by Umqikela for what had occurred—Arrangement for a conference—Satisfactory results of the conference on the 7th and 8th of December 1886—Death of Umqikela—Election of his son Sigcawu as hie successor—Condition of anarchy in Eastern Pondoland—State of affairs in Western Pondoland—Intrigues of Umhlangaso with some German adventurers—Rebellion of Umhlangaso against Sigcawu—Cession of both Western and Eastern Pondoland to the Cape government—Division of Western Pondoland into two districts named Libode and Ngcaleni—Population of Western Pondoland in 1894—Submission of Umhlangaso—Division of Eastern Pondoland into three districts named Umsikaba, Tabankulu, and Bizana—Population of Eastern Pondoland in 1894—Population of the whole territory between the Kei and Natal in 1904 |
199 | |
| The Colony of Natal. 1873 to 1878. | ||
Lists of heads of the government—Want of European immigrants—Enlargement of the legislative council—Extension of the line of telegraph—Condition of the Bantu in Natal—Difference between the policy pursued towards these people in Natal and in the Cape Colony—Imprudent marriage law of Natal—Account of the Hlubi chief Langalibalele—Events that led to his flight from Natal—Shooting of volunteers at the top of the Drakensberg—Pursuit of Langalibalele by forces from different directions—Dispersion of the Amangwe clan and seizure of its cattle—Capture of Langalibalele in Basutoland—His trial before a special court and sentence to confinement and banishment for life—His imprisonment on Robben Island—Action of the secretary of state for the colonies—Eemoval of Langalibalele to a small farm in the Cape peninsula—Arrival of Sir Garnet Wolseley as administrator—Resolution of the legislative council in 1874 in favour of responsible government—Great change in 1875 in the opposite direction—Improvements in the method of dealing with the Bantu—Particulars of Mr. Welborne's railway scheme—Public debt of Natal—Population of Natal in 1878—Construction of railroads by the government—Construction of harbour works at Port Natal—State-aided system of obtaining settlers from Great Britain |
224 | |
| Events in the South African Republic from 1873 to its overthrow in 1877. | ||
Redemption of the paper currency by means of a loan in gold from the Cape Commercial bank—Opening of the Lydenburg alluvial goldfields—Arrangements for maintaining order there—Naming of Macmac and Pilgrim's Rest—Coinage of gold money by President Burgers—Alteration in the executive council—Effect of the Keate award upon the Betshuana and Korana clans cut off from the South African Republic by it—Account of the case of Matthew Smith—Particulars con- cerning President Burgers' scheme of a railway from the republic to Delagoa Bay—Visit of the president to Europe to borrow money for the purpose—His failure to obtain the full amount needed—Account of the Bapedi tribe—Rebellion of the Bapedi tribe under the chief Sekukuni against the South African Republic—Factions in the republic—Attack by the rebels upon a lager at Kruger's Post—Emigration of farmers from the South African Republic to Mossamedes—March of a strong commando against Sekukuni—Occupation of Mathebi's Kop—Storming of the stronghold of Johannes—Failure of the attempt to take Sekukuni's mountain, and retreat of the commando—Account of the volunteers under Conrad von Schlickmann and Alfred Aylward—Submission of Sekukuni—Action of Lord Carnarvon and Sir Henry Barkly—Mission of Sir Theophilus Shepstone—Account of the Swazi marauder Umbelini—Proceedings of the special commissioner—Issue of a proclamation by him annexing the Transvaal territory to the British dominions
|
248 | |
| The Transvaal in 1877 and 1878 under British rule. | ||
General feeling in South Africa regarding the annexation of the Transvaal to the British dominions—Resolution of the volksraad of the Orange Free State concerning it—Mission of Messrs. Kruger and Jorissen to England—Refusal of Lord Carnarvon to restore the independence of the Transvaal—Further dealings of Lord Carnarvon with the delegates—Financial condition of the Transvaal—Arrangement of the public accounts by Mr. W. C. Sergeaunt—Appointment of new heads of departments—Dealings with Sekukuni—Renewal of hostilities by that chief—Progress of the operations against him—Assumption of the chief military command in the Transvaal by Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Rowlands—Unsuccessful attempt to take Sekukuni's stronghold—Disappointment of the burghers with Lord Carnarvon's refusal to restore their independence—Preparation of a memorial against British rule—Despatch of Messrs. Kruger and Joubert to England with the memorial—Proceedings of these gentlemen in London—Refusal of Sir Michael Hicks Beach to withdraw the annexation proclamation—Return of Messrs. Kruger and Joubert to Pretoria—Hostile attitude of Ketshwayo—Fruitless negotiations with that chief—Appointment of a commission to take evidence and report upon the disputed boundary—Account of the Hanoverian and Norwegian missions—Outrage perpetrated by Zulus on Natal territory—Other acts of offence of Ketshwayo—Arrival of reinforcements of soldiers—Gloomy condition of the Transvaal |
275 | |
| The overthrow of the Zulu power. | ||
Different opinions regarding the justice of the war with the Zulus—References to various books on the subject—Particulars concerning Ketshwayo—Particulars concerning the disputed boundary commission's report—Arrival of Sir Bartle Frere in Natal—Military measures for the defence of the colony—Delivery to Zulu delegates of an award regarding the boundary and of an ultimatum concerning other matters—Underestimate of the Zulu military power—Abandonment of the Zulu cause by John Dunn—Plan of operations adopted by Lord Chelmsford—Advance into Zululand of the column under Lieutenant-Colonel Pearson—Notification to the Zulu people—Burning of the military kraal Ginginhlovu—Defeat of the Zulus at Inyezane—Occupation of the Norwegian mission station Etshowe—Entry into Zululand of a column under Lieutenant-Colonel Glynn, and accompanied by Lord Chelmsford and his staff—Destruction of Sirayo's kraal and capture of his cattle—Halt of the column at Isandhlwana hill—Despatch from Ulundi of a strong Zulu army to oppose it—Division of the British force by detachments going on ahead—Destruction of almost the entire force left in the camp at Isandhlwana—Retreat of Lord Chelmsford with the advance parties—Bivouac that night among the dead at Isandhlwana—Arrival of the retreating party in Natal—Description of the post at Rorke's drift—Gallant defence of the post against a large Zulu army—Defection of many of the Bantu auxiliaries—Measures of defence of Natal—Interment of the dead at Isandhlwana |
298 | |
| The Zulu war (continued). | ||
Cessation for a time of operations from Natal—Composition of the column under Lieutenant-Colonel Evelyn Wood—Advance of this column from Utrecht to Bemba's Kop in the lately disputed territory—Repulse of a Zulu attacking force—Occupation by this column of Kambula hill on the old hunting road—Destruction of the Qulusi military kraal—Raising of volunteer corps by Commandant Schermbrucker and Colonel Weatherley—Defection of Ketshwayo's brother Hamu from the Zulu cause—Atrocious conduct of Umbelini—Disaster at the Intombi river, in which sixty-three Europeans lose their lives—Still greater disaster at Ndhlobane mountain, when ninety-five Europeans are killed—Repulse with heavy loss of a great Zulu army that attacks the camp at Kambula—Death of the marauder Umbelini—Arrival in Natal of troops from the Cape Colony, Saint Helena, and Mauritius, and landing of a naval brigade from her Majesty's ship Shah—Arrival of very large reinforcements from England—Relief of Etshowe—Construction of Fort Chelmsford—Arrangements for resuming the offensive—Death of Louis Napoleon, once prince imperial of France—Advance towards Ulundi of the divisions under Major-General Newdigate and Brigadier-General Wood, and their junction near their destination—Number of British troops in South Africa—Appointment of Sir Garnet Wolseley to the supreme command—His movements after arrival—Defeat of the Zulus at Ulundi by the army under Lord Chelmsford, and end of the war—Capture of Ketshwayo and his imprisonment in Capetown—Great reduction of the forces in the field—Division of Zululand into thirteen independent districts—Selection of chiefs over these districts |
324 | |
| Map. | ||
| Chart of the territory between the Kei river and Natal | Facing p. 222 | |