Minutes of a meeting held in the place of Mr. P.A. Venter, Sand River, on Friday, the sixteenth day of January, 1852, between Major W. Hogge and C.M. Owen, Esq., Her Majesty's Assistant Commissioners, for the settling and adjusting of the affairs of the eastern and north-eastern boundaries of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope on the one part, and the following deputation from the emigrant farmers residing north of the Vaal River: A.W.J. PRETORIUS, Commandant-General. H.S. LOMBARD, Landdrost. W.F. JOUBERT, Commandant-General. G.J. KRUGER, Commandant. J.N. GROBBELAAR, Raadslid. P.E. SCHOLTZ. P.G. WOLMARANS, Ouderling. J.A. VAN ASWEGAN, Veld-cornet. F.J. BOTES, do. N.J.S. BASSON, do. J.P. FURSTENBERG, do. J.P. PRETORIUS. J.H. GROBBELAAR. J.M. LEHMAN. P. SCHUTTE. J.C. KLOPPERS: on the other part. The Assistant Commissioners guarantee in the fullest manner, on the part of the British Government, to the emigrant farmers beyond the Vaal River the right to maintain their own affairs, and to govern themselves according to their own laws without any interference on the part of the British Government, and that no encroachment shall be made by the said Government on the territory beyond to the north of the Vaal River, with the further assurance that the warmest wish of the British Government is to promote peace, free trade, and friendly intercourse with the emigrant farmers now inhabiting or who hereafter may inhabit that country, it being understood that this system of non-interference is binding upon both parties. Should any misunderstanding hereafter arise as to the true meaning of the words "the Vaal River," this question in so far as regards the line from the source of that river over the Drakenberg shall be settled and adjusted by Commissioners chosen by both parties. Her Majesty's Assistant Commissioners hereby disclaim all alliances whatever and with whomsoever of the coloured nations to the north of the Vaal River. It is agreed that no slavery is or shall be permitted or practised in the country to the north of the Vaal River by the emigrant farmers.