Page:The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, vol. 1.djvu/185



July 10, 1894

TO


 * His Excellency the Honourable Sir Walter Francis Hely-Hutchinson, K.C.M.G., Governor and Commander-In-Chief in and over the Colony of Natal, Vice-Admiral of the Same, and Supreme Chief Over the Native Population<

The petition of the undersigned Inidians respectfully sheweth that :


 * 1. Your Excellency's Petitioners, representing the Indian community residing in the Colony of Natal, beg hereby to approach Your Excellency with regard to the Franchise Law Amendment Bill.


 * 2. Your Excellency's Petitioners understand that Your Excellency will send the Bill, above referred to, to the Home Government for Royal assent.


 * 3. Such being the case, a petition is being prepared for the Home Government regarding the Bill.


 * 4. Your petitioners will send the said petition to Your Excellency as soon as possible.


 * 5. Your Petitioners respectfully request Your Excellency to postpone sending Your Excellency's Dispatch to the Home Government with regard to the matter, till the petition hereinbefore mentioned is sent to Your Excellency to be forwarded to the Home Government.

And for this act of justice and mercy, Your Excellency's Petitioners shall for ever pray, etc., etc.


 * M. K. GANDHI


 * AND SEVEN OTHERS


 * 23Enclosure No. 6 in Despatch No. 62 of July 16, 1894 from the Governor of Natal, Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson, to Lord Ripon, Secretary of State for the Colonies


 * 24Vide the succeeding item.