me by the officials of Durban after the incident that happened on Wednesday last.[17]
I beg to state that I do not wish that any notice should be taken of the behaviour of some people towards me last Wednesday, which, I have no doubt, was due to misapprehension on their part as to what I did in India with reference to the Asiatic question.[18]
It is due to the Government to state that, although, under instructions from you, the Superintendent of Water Police offered to take me to town quietly at night, I proceeded to the shore with Mr. Laughton[19] on my own responsibility without informing the Water Police of my departure.
I have, etc.
M. K. GANDHI
Enclosure in Despatch No. 32 of 3rd March, 1897, from the Governor of Natal to the Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Colonial Office Records: Petition and Despatches, 1897
- 17↑ Shortly after he disembarked from the ship on January 13 Gandhiji had been besieged by demonstrators. He escaped being lynched by the intervention of Mrs. Alexander, the Police Superintendent’s wife, and by that officer’s resourcefulness when later the house where Gandhiji had taken shelter was also besieged. Vide “Satyagraha in South Africa” , Chapter VII and “An Autobiography- Part III, Chapter II & III”.
- 18↑ Chamberlain had cabled Natal Government to prosecute Gandhiji’s assailants and Attorney-General Harry Escombe has sought Gandhiji’s assistance in indicting them.
- 19↑ A European advocate of Durban who was friendly with Gandhiji
Cable to British Committee of the Indian National Congress, W. W. Hunter and Bhownaggree(28-1-1897)
[January 28, 1897][20]
FROM
INDIANS
TO
(1) “INCAS”[21]
(2) SIR WILLIAM HUNTER CARE Times
(3) BHOWNAGGREE, LONDON
TWO INDIAN STEAMERS “COURLAND” “NADERI” LEFT BOMBAY 30[22] NOVEMBER. ARRIVED 18 DECEMBER. DESPITE CLEAN BILL HEALTH
