A Woman's Part in a RevolutionHammond, Natalie Harris
History
A Woman's Part in a Revolution
Hammond, Natalie Harris
Jameson's Raid, 1895-1896
SUNDAY, JANUARY 12.--Mr. and Mrs. Perkins called this morning to
advise Betty's not going immediately to Pretoria, as was her
intention. Mr. Perkins said that the Boer feeling was very bitter, and
foreign women were insulted in the streets. Advocate Wessels has also
written to me, insisting upon my waiting two or three days, as my
presence in Pretoria could do no good, and might prejudice my
husband's cause. A little trunk was packed and sent to my husband last
night. I got out of bed to superintend, and felt tragically tender as
I watched the things laid in. A fresh suit of clothes, some personal
and bed linen, towels, shoes, family photographs, flea powder,
ginger-snaps, beef essence, soap, my little down pillow, and his
beloved and well-read Shakespeare. I was able to sit up for an hour
this afternoon to receive Sir Sydney Shippard, Mr. Seymour Fort, and
Mr. Manion.
Yesterday the Governor of Natal, Sir Walter Hely Hutchinson, started
for Pretoria to confer with the High Commissioner in regard to the
transport of Dr. Jameson and his men through Natal. They are to be
handed over to the English Government.
Search parties of mounted Boers are going about looking for hidden
guns. The Robinson Mine seems to be the spot most suspected.
Yesterday's 'Volksstem'--a Government organ--recalled to the minds of
the Boers the Slachter Nek affair of eighty years ago--a story of
Boers hung by Englishmen for their insistence in punishing a negro
slave according to established custom. What a cruel sinister
suggestion underlies this![6]
Keen resentment is felt here against the young German Emperor and his
indiscreet message to Kruger. I never dreamed years ago, when I used
to see him, a tall, slender-legged boy in Berlin, that in maturity I
should have so strong a desire to chastise him. England has
commissioned a Flying Squadron, and the forces at Cape Town are to be
strongly augmented.
JANUARY 13.--Mr. Manion showed me to-day a cable from the United
States Secretary of State, Mr. Olney. 'Take instant measures to
protect John Hays Hammond, and see that he has fair play.' It brought
such a feeling of confidence and comfort! All he wants _is_ fair play,
and I pray to God that he may be protected until he gets it.
Many business meetings had to be postponed to-day on account of the
large number of influential men in jail. I hear from Mr. ---- that on
Thursday and Friday it was most difficult to keep the Boers from
storming the town. President Kruger dissuaded them by promising each a
new suit of clothes. These they have since been seen carrying, tied
to the cantle of their saddles.
Feeling is strong and bitter against the leaders; they are held
responsible for all the trouble brought about by the Jameson invasion.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account