The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-23 00:00:00

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

We have received files of papers from the Cape
of Good Hope to the Ist of Nov. inclusive.
The Friend of the Free State publishes the fol-
lowing report of a conference between the Presi-
dent, J. N. Boshoff, Esq., and the Basuta Chief,
Moshesh, his Excellency Sir George Grey being
present. It took place ou the sth of Oct. last :
«The President.—l am very glad to see Moshesh here
in the presence of his Excellency Sir G. Grey, on the first
official opportunity we have had of meeting in the Free
State. I think it well that we shOuld often meet, as
personal visits are always much more satisfactory
than correspondence by letter. As we meet now per-
sonally we had better speak of business. I have often
heard that Moshesh is a man of peace and is desirous
of hoiding peace with the whites. I amalso a man of
peace, and now in the presence of his chief men I wish
to show him on what terms we may make peace and
friendship continue. As the hest mode to do so my
view is that, as I am cnosen on one side and Moshesh
on the other, t) see that peace is not interrupted, we
should, in case any disturbances occur, let each other
know our minds freely. I shall therefore tell him at
once that I have, on my arrival, been very sorry to hear
of many thefts having been committed within our boun-
dary by wicked people from the other side. I would be
glad to convince him that such things must be put a
stop to, or the consequences will be that they will put
the country in a blaze, and do great harm to all. These
are all the complaints I know of as yet. Mr. Ford has
already represented the case to him, and he has promised
to punish the thieves, and put a stop to the stealing. I
have no doubt that he will prove himself a man of his
word, and make his chiefs help him to carry out his pro-
) tinges.

" ISloshesh—Peace is the mother of all. I admire
what your Honour has mentioned. I would be glad to
hear any remarks of Mr. Ford's in confirmation.
" President—We will await your answer.
" Moshesh —lf no one else speaks it may appear as if
these were the words of only two people.
" President—l am the representative of all my people,
and my word is theirs also. I wish to hear the wind of
Mosin-sh'e people through him as their chief.
" Mosbesh—May the things we speak of ascend to
heaven ? My mind looks on the two personages present
as the first fruits of a new year. I do not mind faults
being mentioned, but I understood this to be a meeting
of friendship. I met Mr. Ford about the faults now
brought for wan!. Ido not deny that some of the things
have gone in our direction. I do not know the best
means of stopping these things. What has the Governor
he there
come for ? Has he been sent by his master ?
not a word of advice and wisdom ? I cannot bearU
he
weight of all. You come from the land ofe Chaka.
If
you have not seen him, you may have _fen
_ou hparvientws of
him. him. He was ruined by his relations. Y
We got all we
dow to build beautiful houses of clay.
have from the whites • can we not make some plan by
which we can enjoy what we have and keep peace! Dr.
Philip wrote to the English Government when we were
in trouble, and it assisted us. The complaints have not
been sufficiently established. If you can show time the
cause of dissatisfaction let me know. There I end.
"President—I will take him up at the last word. The
cause he must know, but the wzty is this—his people
come in and steal. The missionaries have been long
enough in the country for them to know that stealing is
wrong. I believe that Moehesh has enough good men
among his people to help him to put down the wicked men
who steal. lam glad to hear that he wishes to get ad-
vice. I want it also. If we can both get advice, I for
my part am ready to take it, and be guided by it. If he
is willing to take advice from his Excellency, I am also.
I will state the cause of complaint, a.-.d if be has any I
hope that he will state any he may have, and then, if
I can, I will remove it. I will tell him clearly, in
as few words as possible, what it is we complain of.
The thefts committed in Mr. Ford's district within two
years, a; carefully collected by hint front the field-cor-
nets, amount to 297 head of breeding cattle.
" Moshesh—l have already agreed with Mr. Ford that
I was convinced that some cattle had been stolen, and I
have made him promises. Can you not give me some
advice?

" President—Tl Moshesh will listen I will just tell him
the numbers.

" Moshe,h—lt is just what I wanted.
"President—Oxen and breeding cattle together, 363;
horses, 294; sheep, 112. I was not satisfied with the sim-
ple returns of the field-cornets, and have instructed Mr.
Ford to get statements on oath from the owners of
tolen cattle. 'Phis isnot yet completed, but is considerable.
Since the numbers in the statement of the field cornets