I hope to be at Klerksdorp on Wednesday, the 9th inst., if not prevented, with General de la Rey and my Executive Council. I have the honour to be, Your Honour's obedient servant, M. T. STEYN, _State President, O.F.S._ CHAPTER II. PROCEEDINGS AT KLERKSDORP. On April 6th the Government of the South African Republic left Kroonstad by rail, and arrived at Klerksdorp the next day, where they received the letter from President Steyn, mentioned above, as well as the following from General de la Rey:-- IN THE VELD, _April 7, 1902_. _His Honour The Acting State President, S.A.R., Klerksdorp._ YOUR HONOUR, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Honour's telegram forwarded to me by His Excellency Lord Kitchener. I leave to-day with His Honour President Steyn for Klerksdorp, and hope, D.V., to arrive there on Wednesday next. I have the honour to be, &c., J. H. DE LA REY, _Asst. Commandant General_. On the evening of April 7th Commandant General L. Botha also arrived at Klerksdorp. President Steyn, accompanied by his Executive Council and by General de la Rey, left the farm Weltevreden on April 7th, and arrived at Klerksdorp at 12 o'clock on April 9th. The British authorities gave accommodation to the Free State Government in the Old Town, while the Transvaal Government was accommodated in the New Town. The first meeting between the two Governments took place on Wednesday afternoon, April 9th, at three o'clock, in a large tent which had been pitched for that purpose some little distance out of the town. There were present, representing the South African Republic:-- The Acting State President, S. W. Burger. The State Secretary, F. W. Reitz. The Commandant General, Louis Botha. General de la Rey. Mr. L. J. Meyer. Mr. J. C. Krogh. Also Mr. L. J. Jacobsz, Asst. State Attorney; Mr. N. J. de Wet, Military Secretary of the Commandant General; Mr. I. S. Ferrerra, Military Secretary of General de la Rey, and Mr. D. van Velden, Secretary of the Executive Council. Representing the Orange Free State:-- President M. T. Steyn. Chief Commandant C. R. de Wet. General J. B. M. Hertzog. General C. H. Olivier. Acting Government Secretary W. J. C. Brebner. Further: Revd. J. D. Kestell, Acting Secretary of the Executive Council, and Mr. B. J. du Plessis, Private Secretary to President Steyn. The Acting State President of the South African Republic was elected Chairman. After the meeting had been opened with prayer, the Chairman spoke as follows:--