which Sauer ignores. To
show you I was in earnest, I offered to remain as magistrate with
Masupha for two years, so much did I desire a settlement of the
Basuto question. I did not want nor would I have taken the post
of Governor's Agent. The chiefs and people desire peace, but not
at any price. They have intelligence enough to see through
wretched magistrates like some of those sent up into the native
territories. They will accept a convention like the one I sent
down to the Colonial Secretary on the 19th of July, and no other.
I do not write this to escape being a scapegoat--in fact, I like
the altar--only that you may know my views. As long as the
present magistrates stay there, no chance exists for any
arrangement. As to the Premier's remark that I would not fight
against Masupha, is it likely I could fight against a man with
whom I am life and soul? Would I fight against him because he
would not be controlled by some men like ---- and ----? Even
suppose I could sink my conscience to do so, what issue would
result from the action of undisciplined and insubordinate troops,
who are difficult to keep in order during peace-time, and about
whom, when I would have made an example of one officer, a
Minister telegraphs to me to let him down easy. I beg to recall
to you that Her Majesty's Government disapproved of the former
Basuto war; therefore, why should I, who am an outsider to the
colony, even pretend I could make war against a noble people, who
resist magistrates of no capacity? The Government were well
warned by me, and they cannot, therefore, plead being led
astray."

Intimately connected with the Basuto question was the larger one of
the right treatment to be generally extended to the natives, and on
that subject General Gordon drew up, on 19th October 1882, the
following masterly note, which elicited the admiration of one of the
Cape Premiers, Mr Merriman, who said--"As a Colony we must try to
follow out the ideas sketched by General Gordon."

The following is the full text of this interesting and valuable state
paper:--

THE NATIVE QUESTION.

"1. The native question of South Africa is not a difficult one to
an outsider. The difficulty lies in procuring a body of men who
will have strength of purpose to carry out a definite policy with