The murderers of Hunt and Armstrong, twelve in number, after a trial that was in every way fair and impartial, were shot at Richmond in the presence of a large number of Natives, including Chiefs, at mid-day on the 2nd April, the firing-party consisting of comrades of the deceased. There is no doubt that the public execution of these men, who met their death with fortitude, created a profound impression on the Native population, and had no small share in checking the spread of the Rebellion, not only in that district, but in other parts of the Colony. Nor is it too much to say that the resolute action of the Government on that occasion will serve as a lesson for many years to rebelliously inclined Ethiopians throughout South Africa. Swayed by certain Members in the House of Commons, Lord Elgin cabled on the 6th April to the Governor to know if the warrant held by the police on the 8th February, as well as other documents connected with the executions, could be produced. The cabled reply of Ministers, whilst intimating ability and readiness to furnish any information that might properly be called for, and appreciating the position in which the Secretary of State was placed, contained a request that they might be protected "from harassing interference on the part of Members of the House of Commons in regard to matters for which Ministers are themselves solely responsible." And no further application seems to have been made. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 97: What happened at Polela was briefly this: In consequence of the local police being unable to arrest two Natives at one Luplankwe's kraal, on a charge of contempt of court, a stronger body, including half-a-dozen European farmers and members of the accused's tribe, proceeded, on the following morning, to execute the warrant. In spite of many attempts to induce the accused to surrender, they refused to do so. They, and eight others, armed themselves with shields and assegais. An altercation arose and assegais were thrown, one of the police party being killed and another wounded. Orders were then given to fire. The accused and four others were killed, and three wounded. The affair was apparently confined to the one kraal. It created a considerable sensation, and formed the subject of special inquiry by direction of the Governor.] [Footnote 98: _Natal Law Reports_, 1895, vol. xvi. 239.]