n strongly supporting the Transvaal Boers
who had invaded Bechuanaland (q.v.), proclaiming that if the
Bechuanaland freebooters were not permitted to retain the territories
they had seized, in total disregard of the terms of the conventions of
1881 and 1884, there would be rebellion among the Dutch of Cape Colony.
Fortunately, however, for the peace of Cape Colony at that time, Sir
Charles Warren, sent by the imperial government to maintain British
rights, removed the invading Boers from Stellaland and Goshen--two
so-called republics set up by the Boer freebooters--in March 1885 and no
rebellion occurred. Nevertheless the Bond party was so strong in the
House that they compelled the ministry under Sir Thomas Scanlen to
resign in 1884. The logical and constitutional course for Mr Hofmeyr to
have followed in these circumstances would have been to accept office
and himself form a government. This he refused to do. He preferred to
put in a nominee of his own who should be entirely dependent on him. Mr
Upington, a clever Irish barrister, was the man he selected, and under
him was formed in 1884 what will always be known in Cape history as the
"Warming-pan" ministry. This action was denounced by many British
colonists, who were sufficiently loyal, not only to Great Britain, but
also to that constitution which had been conferred by Great Britain upon
Cape Colony, to desire to see the man who really wielded political power
also acting as the responsible head of the party. It was Mr Hofmeyr's
refusal to accept this responsibility, as well as the nature of his Bond
policy, which won for him the political sobriquet of the "Mole." Open
and responsible exercise of a power conferred under the constitution of
the country, Englishmen and English colonists would have accepted and
even welcomed. But that subterranean method of Dutch policy which found
its strongest expression in Pretoria, and which operated from Pretoria
to Cape Town, could not but be resented by loyal colonists. From 1881
down to 1898, Mr Hofmeyr practically determined how Dutch members should
vote, and also what policy the Bond should adopt at every juncture in
its history. In 1895 he resigned his seat in parliament--an action which
made his political dictatorship still more remarkable. This influence on
Cape politics was a demoralizing one. Other well-known politicians at
the Cape subsequently found it convenient to adapt their views a good
deal too readily to those hel