Some three hundred of the principal native chiefs were called together
in the Square at Pretoria, and there the English Commissioner read to
them the proclamation of Queen Victoria. Sir Hercules Robinson, the
Chief Commissioner, having "introduced the native chiefs to Messrs.
Kruger, Pretorius, and Joubert," having given them good advice as to
indulging in manual labour when asked to do so by the Boers, and having
reminded them that it would be necessary to retain the law relating to
Passes, which is, in the hands of a people like the Boers, almost as
unjust a regulation as a dominant race can invent for the oppression of
a subject people, concluded by assuring them that their "interests would
never be forgotten or neglected by Her Majesty's Government." Having
read this document, the Commission hastily withdrew, and after their
withdrawal the Chiefs were "allowed" to state their opinions to the
Secretary for Native Affairs.

In availing themselves of this permission, it is noticeable that no
allusion was made by the Chiefs to the advantages they were to reap
under the Convention. All their attention was given to the great fact
that the country had been ceded to the Boers, and that they were no
longer the Queen's subjects. I beg attention to the following appeals
from the hearts of these oppressed people. They got very excited, and
asked whether it was thought that they had no feelings or hearts, that
they were thus treated as a stick or piece of tobacco, which could be
passed from hand to hand without question.

Umgombarie, a Zoutpansberg Chief, said: "I am Umgombarie. I have fought
with the Boers, and have many wounds, and they know that what I say is
true. I will never consent to place myself under their rule. I belong to
the English Government. I am not a man who eats with both sides of his
jaw at once; I only use one side. I am English. I have said."