pronounced by a British court of justice, after long and patient investigation, never to have been occupied or possessed in any way by Waterboer or his people. This was now indisputable, as was also the fact that it had formed part of the Orange River Sovereignty and afterwards of the Orange Free State. But restitution was then impossible. In that territory were the principal diamond mines, the great majority of the residents were British subjects, and there were vested interests that couid not be disturbed without ruinous consequences. Lord Carnarvon was obliged therefore to decline useless discussion on that point, but offered a pecuniary solatium instead. With the assistance of Mr. Donald Currie the amount of this was fixed at £90,000, and the boundary line was modified so as to restore to the Free State some farms whose owners were particularly desirous of retaining their republican citizenship. Thus one of the causes of unrest in South Africa was removed.
The volksraad of the Free State had empowered the president to attend the conference and discuss the questions of a uniform policy throughout South Africa regarding the treatment of the Bantu and of the supply of arms and ammunition to those people, but not to take part in any debate that might affect the independence of the state. The South African Republic took no notice at all of the matter.
The so-called conference was opened in London on the 3rd of August 1876. Lord Carnarvon presided in person. Sir Garnet Wolseley had been invited to take part in it, and was present. Sir Theophilus Shepstone, as he had now become, and Messrs. Ackerman and Robinson were there, as was Mr. Froude, who had been requested by Lord Carnarvon to represent Griqualand West. These and President Brand constituted the conference. On the 15th Mr. Brand left to return to South Africa, but nominated Mr. H. A. L. Hamelberg to represent him at any future meeting. The whole thing
