The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-02

Offer of CessiOn TO the English-Letfer Of the
Chief Of Bamanswato 10 His Exceiiency sir
r. r.. Wodehouse, X. q. B., Governor of the
Colony of the Cape Of Good Hope.
sHosHoNG, Town OF THE BAMANGwATo,l
March 20 1885, !
May it please your Excellency-l beg to address
you as the representative OF her Majesty Queen Vic
torla anu as tne Governor OF the Cape colony which,
UNDERSTAND ~ the largest community OF white men
IN Southern Africa. would remind your Exceliency
that traders, hunters and travellers have Tor years
the Lake Ngami district, the country OF Moseekatse
and the region OF the Zambesi. ! am happy to say
that during an ,als period no blood has been she'd
intercourse between my people and the traders and
hunters referred TO. Some months ago ! WAS In
formed that gold had been found In Shashe
district, q part OF my country traversed by
the road leading TO Moselekatse and further, that
the metal has been discovered IN Mashonaland
which lies TO the northeast or Moselekatse have
since learned that suitable tests have been applied
to the ore ia the Cape colony and IN Natal,
and that mas been pronounced by qualified jucges
10 be gold. Ia also told that without reference to the
territory OF Others the districts i'm which gold IL
likely 10 be so productive, that large numbers OF gold
diggers may DE expected speedily to make their APP
nearance. am further informed that the majority,
If not the whole number OF such gold dggers win be
British subjects Now, conceive it my duty in cir
cumstances OF such peculiar Importance TO seek the
counsel and the aid OF her MaJestys government
The Iransvaal government, through Commandant
Jan viUoen desires to hand over to the republic
the district i'll question, and assures in return of
the protection Of the republic should the gold dlggers
modest my people shall decline to consider this or
any other overture until hear from your Excellency.
l. beg then humbly submit your EYceency,
Masys representative that the gold field fields in the
shashe district situated in the country which belongs
chief OF the Bamangwao, the boundary line being
country and tina. OF Moselekatse is at Molobes Town.
g. would Willingly give up this territory without
pensaon.
s. Having, however, to believe that claims
OF the district In question would be ignored by her
Maestys government beg to state willingness to leave
the Of compensation and the manner OF its payment
questions for future settlement.
a While have hitherto lived terms Of friendship with
English visitors and with few English residents. feel
utterly unqualified TO govern such community that of
gold dggers described to be. May please Excel
lency these gold diggers people therefore invite
you and beg and occupy the gold country In
Is my disposal and to govern the gold dggers
In the of the Queen OF England Meanwhile and until
hear from your EScelency intention to encourage
such gold dsgers make their appearance by granting
them permits to dig at nominal price, by enrolling the
names of such permit holders and by empowering
of their administer justice in the g0ldfeld;
steps shall the hope that speedily
weak efforts to sustain law and order among British
subjects may be superseded by the advent of the Of
Engs have the honor, &c.s T..
his
MACEN Chief Of tha Bamangwatc.