Chapter III

The Annexation. Anxiety of Lord Carnarvon?—?Despatch of Sir T. Shepstone as Special Commissioner to the Transvaal?—?Sir T. Shepstone, his great experience and ability?—?His progress to Pretoria, and reception there?—?Feelings excited by the arrival of the mission?—?The annexation not a foregone conclusion?—?Charge brought against Sir T. Shepstone of having called up the Zulu army to sweep the Transvaal?—?Its complete falsehood?—?Cetywayo's message to Sir T. Shepstone?—?Evidence on the matter summed up?—?General desire of the natives for English rule?—?Habitual disregard of their interests?—?Assembly of the Volksraad?—?Rejection of Lord Carnarvon's Confederation Bill and of President Burgers' new constitution?—?President Burgers' speeches to the Raad?—?His posthumous statement?—?Communication to the Raad of Sir T. Shepstone's intention to annex the country?—?Despatch of Commission to inquire into the alleged peace with Secocœni?—?Its fraudulent character discovered?—?Progress of affairs in the Transvaal?—?Paul Kruger and his party?—?Restlessness of natives?—?Arrangements for the annexation?—?The annexation proclamation 50-86