"Considering the fact that the British Government has refused to conclude peace, on the basis of their independence, and has refused to accept the proposals of their Governments made on that basis; yet, in spite of the above-mentioned refusal of the British Government, this meeting nevertheless desires to comply with the ardent wishes of the people to retain their independence, for which so many material and personal sacrifices have been made; "RESOLVES, on behalf of the people of both Republics, to authorise the Governments to conclude peace on the following basis, to wit: The retention of a limited independence with the offer, in addition to what has already been offered by the Governments in their negotiations, dated April 15th, 1902, of:-- (_a_) Surrender of all foreign relations and embassies; (_b_) acceptance of the protectorate of Great Britain; (_c_) surrender of portions of the territory of the South African Republic; (_d_) the conclusion of a defensive treaty with Great Britain with reference to South Africa." During the discussion of this draft resolution the Governments were clearly given to understand that the portions of the territory which they could surrender were those already mentioned, namely, the Gold Fields and Swazieland. The question was put whether the South African Republic alone should have to pay for the retention of independence, as these areas formed a portion of that territory. To this Mr. de Clercq (Middelburg) replied "Yes, and if I could secure the independence of the Orange Free State with all I possess, I would do so." Other Transvaal delegates spoke in the same sense, indicating that the sacrifices made by the Free State during the war were most highly appreciated by them. General Froneman thanked the Transvaal delegates on behalf of the Free State, remarking that there could be no further mention of the two States having divergent interests. With reference to the resolution, General de la Rey declared that he was opposed to the surrender of Johannesburg. Commandant Ross (Vrede) remarked: "I am surprised that the meeting takes such a resolution. What the people demand is total independence, and we can do nothing else but comply with that demand. Otherwise we act in a childish way. My commando is prepared to do everything to secure peace provided they retain their independence. If we part with that we cease to be a people." Commandant J. J. van Niekerk (Ficksburg) declared that the meeting could not even think of surrendering their independence.