"When looking over some old letters a few days ago, I found one from the
late venerable Dr. Moffat, who was one of the best friends South Africa
ever had. It was written in answer to a few lines I wrote him, informing
him that the Transvaal had been annexed by the British Government. I
enclose a copy of his letter."
Dr. Moffat's letter is as follows:--July 27th, 1877.
"My dear friend,
"I have no words to express the pleasure the late annexation of the
Transvaal territory to the Cape Colony has afforded me. It is one of the
most important measures our Government could have adopted, as regards
the Republic as well as the Aborigines. I have no hesitation in
pronouncing the step as being fraught with incalculable benefits to both
parties,--i.e., the settlers and the native tribes. A residence of more
than half a century beyond the colonial boundary is quite sufficient to
authorize one to write with confidence that Lord Carnarvon's measure
will be the commencement of an era of blessing to Southern Africa. I was
one of a deputation appointed by a committee to wait on Sir George
Clarke, at Bloemfontein, to prevent, if possible, his handing over the
sovereignty, now the Free State, to the emigrant Boers. Every effort
failed to prevent the blunder. Long experience had led many to foresee
that such a course would entail on the native tribes conterminous
oppression, slavery, _alias_ apprenticeship, etc. Many a tale of woe
could be told arising, as they express it, from the English allowing
their subjects to spoil and exterminate. Hitherto, the natives have been
the sufferers, and might justly lay claim for compensation. With every
expression of respect and esteem, I remain, yours very sincerely, Robert
Moffat."
* * * * *
A letter from a Son of Dr. Moffat may have some interest here. It is
dated December 20th, 1899.
The Rev. John Moffat, son of the famous Dr. Moffat, and himself for a
long time resident in South Africa, has sent to a friend in London a
letter regarding the relations of the British and Dutch races previous
to the war. Mr. Moffat, throughout his varied experiences, has been a
special friend to the natives. One of his younger sons, Howard, is with
a force of natives 60 miles south west of Khama's town (at the time of
writing, December 20th), and Dr. Alford Moffat, another son, was medical
officer to 300 Volunteers occupying the Mangwe Pass, to prevent a Boer
raid into Rhodesia at that point.