Chapter III: The Great Trek and its First Results

The British Abolition of Slavery--The Immediate Effects of the Measure Disastrous to Both Dutch and Natives--The Trek of 1836 Commences--The Emigrant Farmer, Qualities and Mode of Life--Nature of the Country Traversed Character of the Various Native Tribes--Ruthless Warfare--The Boer Skill in Marksmanship--The Boers North of the Orange River--Their Subjugation of the Matabele--Pieter Retief and His Party in Natal--Massacre by Dingaan--Boer War with the Zulus--Conquest of Dingaan and His Followers by Pretorius--Dutch Treatment of the Natives--Boers Develop Strength in War But Show Signal Weakness in Government--Collision with the English in Natal--The Cape Governor Decides that the Natives Must be Protected--Conflict Between Boers and English--The Republic of Natalia Becomes a British Country--The Boers Trek North of the Vaal River and Colonize the Transvaal--Establishment of Moshesh by the British as Head of a Border Native State--The Griquas--A Third Phase of the South African Question

CHAPTER IV.

Birth of the Dutch Republics.

English Policy in South Africa During the Middle of the Century--Non-interference, no Expansion, Limitation of Responsibility--Brief Exception in the Case of the Orange River Boers--Annexation, in 1848, and Establishment as the Orange River Sovereignty--English Protection of the Boers Against the Natives--Rebellion of Pretorious and Defeat of the Dutch at Boomplaatz by Sir Harry Smith--A New Governor at the Cape and a Hastily Changed Policy--Independence of the Transvaal Boers Recognized in 1852--The Sand River Convention--English Campaign Against the Basutos in Defence of the Orange River Boers--Arrival of Sir George Clerk with Instructions to Withdraw British Authority from the Orange River Country--Protests of the Loyal Settlers--Formation and Recognition of the Orange Free State--A New Setting for an Old Problem

CHAPTER V.

Development of Dutch Rule.

Divergent Lines of Growth in the Republics--The Orange Free State and the Basutos--Early Difficulties and Laws--Rise of President Brand into Power--His High Character and Quarter of a Century's Wise Administration of the Free State--Diamond Discoveries and the Keate Award--Liberal Policy of the Free State and General Friendship with England--In the Transvaal--Troubles of the Emigrant Farmers North of the Vaal--Four Little Republics--Union Under Martin W. Pretorius, in 1864, after a Period of Civil War--Rise of S. J. P. Kruger into Prominence--Conflicts with the Natives--T. F. Bergers Becomes President--General Stagnation, Developing by 1877 into Public Bankruptcy--Failure to Conquer Sekukuni and the Bapedis--Danger from the Zulus under Cetywayo--Annexation to the British Empire--A New Link Forged in the Chain of Events

CHAPTER VI.

Development of Cape Colony.

Gradual Growth of Population after the Great Trek--Climate, Resources and Government--Agriculture and the Dutch Settlers--Lack of Progressiveness--The English and the Cultivation of Special Industries--Partial Self-government Granted to the Cape--Executive Council, Schools and Courts--English as the Official Language--Elective Council and Assembly Constituted in 1853--Extensive German Colonization--Railways and Diamonds--Incorporation of New Territories--The Establishment of Responsible Government--The Dutch and the English in Politics--Representative Men of the Colony--Cecil Rhodes Appears on the Scene--Racial Conditions in 1877--The Confederation Scheme Defeated in the Cape Parliament--Religion, Education and Trade--The Afrikander Bund Formed at the Cape--It Becomes a Most Important Element in the South African Situation