Page:George McCall Theal, History of South Africa from 1873 to 1884, Volume 1 (1919).djvu/87

 1877] The Ninth Kaffir War. 67 Kreli at this time sent messengers to request that Colonel Eustace and Mr. Fynn might be sent back to live with him, and promising to carry out any decision of the governor regarding the quarrel between his people and the Fingos. But as he asserted at the same time that he could not control the war party, it would have been useless to try to come to any terms with him, and he was therefore informed that his proposal would not be considered. He was given assurances that if he would surrender his life would be spared and he would not be imprisoned for a long period, but of this he took no notice. Colonel Griffith was informed by Mr. Merriman on behalf of the prime minister that subject to instructions from the imperial authorities it was intended to govern the country then occupied by the Galekas as an integral portion of her Majesty's South African dominions. What- ever settlement might be made of the land, the people as British subjects would be entitled to protection of person and property, and would be liable to provide by taxation for the expense of their government. With these conditions as a basis, he was instructed to disarm any of the common people who might surrender, and encourage them to resume peaceful avocations, protecting them from molestation by any one whatever as far as he possibly could. All who had taken no part in the war were to be treated in the same manner, but chief- tainship was in no instance to be recognised. The cattle not distributed as prize when captured and the land of those engaged in hostilities were made liable to be sold to make good the cost of the war. The aim of the colonial forces was therefore to break up the Galeka army, to destroy the kraals so that the fighting men could not rally again, and to capture the cattle in order to bring the people to submission. To carry this out. Colonel Griffith formed his forces into three columns, and on the 18th of October directed