Urgent.—­You should inform the Johannesburg people that I consider that if they lay down their arms they will be acting loyally and honourably, and that if they do not comply with my request they forfeit all claim to sympathy from Her Majesty’s Government and from British subjects throughout the world, as the lives of Jameson and the prisoners are now practically in their hands.

In reply to remarks about grievances, Sir Jacobus de Wet stated that the Uitlanders could not expect under the circumstances anything more favourable than the discussion and consideration of the grievances with the High Commissioner, as had been promised, and added that, if there were any spirit of reason in the community at all, they would be content to leave their case in the hands of so experienced a statesman as Sir Hercules Robinson, a man whose instinct and training were towards fair and decent government.

In the course of a very long discussion, Sir Jacobus de Wet was asked if he did not consider the Boer Government capable of an act of treachery such as disarming the community and then proceeding to wreak their vengeance upon those whom they might consider responsible for the agitation.  According to the evidence of a number of those who were present, his reply was that ’not a hair of the head of any man in Johannesburg would be touched.’  The discussion was resumed at various times and in various forms, when different groups of men had opportunities of questioning the British Agent themselves.  When questioned again more definitely as to whether this immunity would be extended to the leaders—­those who had signed the letter—­Sir Jacobus de Wet replied again in the affirmative.  To another member, who had asked the same question in another form, he said ’Not one among you will lose his personal liberty for a single hour.  John Bull would never allow it.’  In reply to the remark, ’John Bull has had to put up with a good deal in this country.  What do you mean by “John Bull"?’ he answered, ’I mean the British Government could not possibly allow such a thing.’

It would have been an easy and no doubt a proper and reasonable precaution had the Reformers insisted upon a statement in writing of the terms upon which they laid down their arms.  There were however two considerations which weighed against any bargain of this sort.  The first was the overwhelming and paramount consideration of insuring Dr. Jameson’s safety; and the other was the belief (not seriously shaken by suggestions to the contrary) that the Government would be obliged to abide by the spirit of the terms arranged on January 1, because the High Commissioner would insist upon it as the vital condition under which he was endeavouring to effect the disarmament of Johannesburg.  That Sir Hercules Robinson well realized his responsibility to the Uitlander, but found it inconvenient or impossible to accept it at a later stage, is shown by his own reports.  On January 7 he telegraphed to Mr. Chamberlain as follows: