The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-05-28 00:00:00

MOSHESH THE AFRICAN CHIEFI

Moshesh, the paramount chief of the Basutos, who
died on the 11th of March, had ruled for almost half a
century one of the most powerful of the al,riginal
nations of South Africa, and during the whole of that
period manifested the qualities of a wise and bene-
ficent Sovereign. From the first, says the Cape Argua,
he perceived, as by a sort of inspiration, the importance
of British civilization for his people, and was so con.
vinced of it that he was himself willing to become a
subject of the Queen to secure it for them. Disputes
arose a quarter of a century ago through the Boers in-
fringing his territorial rights, and eventually, in spite
of his peaceful disposition, the Colonial Government,
misled (it is said) by misinformed or designing men,
came to considsr him an enemy, and Sir G. Cathcart
made war mion him. The battle of the Berea
nearly ended disastrously for the British arms.
The Governor's division was completely in the power
of Moshssh for souse time, and the Basutos sect mes-
sage after message begging him to allow them to at-
tack. But the chief stood wringing his hands in pas-
sionate grief, and could only say, "My chief, my chief !
you know not where you are going ;" and drove away
those who asked for orders to attack. It was only when
news WM brought over that the women of Kimabane's
village hod been murdered (not by the Br.tish troops
hut bv the Fingoea associated with them), that the
Basutos burst from his hands and rushed to the attack.
Th.- gallant Eyre had then come up and assisted to ox-
trig ore the Governor; but his party, while slowly re-
treating, were hotly pursued by the Baeutos, the disci-
pline of the British troops finally prevailing. At mid-
night Moshesh wrote to the Governor, praying for
peace. He said,
"You have shown your power you have taken much
cattle as a compensation for Boers ; lot It be enough, I pray
inn and let me no longer be considered an enemy to the
Queen. I will try all 1 can to keep my people in order for
the future."

The fiery Eyre, enraged at the loss of many a brave
soldier, heard of the proposal with anger; Mr. Owen
fumed and protected; but Cathcart already had his
misvivings as to ths representations made to him of
Moshesh, and saw plainly that he had owed his pre.
servation to him. Tie wrote :

your words are the words of a great chief, who has the
interests of Ms pe..ple at heart ; those who fought were not
all of them thieves, and lam sorry that many were killed. I
am not angry with your people for fighting in defence of
their property."

-
Moshesh appreciated this treatment, and told his
people Cathcart was their saviour. What is left of
Basutoland is now part of the British Empire ; but he
would have died happier if bis territory intact had
been annexed, and had not been split up by the diplco
matists. In the last Free State war he did not shine;
he remained in his secure fortress. But he had taught
his people a better art. They could drive the plough
and till the land as well as their antagonists. Be en.
couraged the arts of agriculture to the utmost of his
power, and welcomed every bettor influence that
penetrated the interior of Africa.