In May, 1884, in the discharge of his office as Deputy Commissioner in Bechuanaland, and on behalf of Her Majesty, the Queen, Mr. Mackenzie entered into a treaty with the chief, Montsioa, by which his country (the Barolong’s country) was placed under British protection, and also with Moshette, a neighbouring chief, who wrote a letter to Mr. Mackenzie asking to be put under the same protection as the other Barolong.[30]

Mr. Mackenzie wrote:[31]—­“Whatever may have been the feelings of disapproval of the British Protectorate entertained by the Transvaal people, I was left in no manner of doubt as to the joy and thankfulness with which it was welcomed in the Barolong country itself.

“The signing of the treaty in the courtyard of Montsioa, at Mafeking, by the chief and his headmen, was accompanied by every sign of gladness and good feeling.  The speech of the venerable chief Montsioa was very cordial, and so cheerful in its tone as to show that he hoped and believed that the country would now get peace.

“Using the formula for many years customary in proclamations of marriages in churches in Bechuanaland, Montsioa, amid the smiles of all present, announced an approaching political union, and exclaimed with energy, “Let objectors now speak out or henceforth for ever be silent.”  There was no objector.

“I explained carefully in the language of the people, the nature and object of the Protectorate, and the manner in which it was to be supported.

“Montsioa then demanded in loud tones:  “Barolong! what is your response to the words that you have heard?”

“With one voice there came a great shout from one end of the courtyard to the other, “We all want it.”

“The chief turned to me and said, “There! you have the answer of the Barolong, we have no uncertain feelings here.”  As I was unfolding the views of Her Majesty’s Government that the Protectorate should be self-supporting, the chief cried out, ’We know all about it, Mackenzie, we consent to pay the tax.’  I could only reply to this by saying that that was just what I was coming to; but, inasmuch as they knew all about it, and saw its importance, I need say no more on the subject.

“Montsioa, in the first instance, did not like the appearance of Moshette’s people in his town.  I told him I was glad they had come, and he must reserve his own feelings, and await the results of what was taking place.  I was pleased, therefore, when in the public meeting in the courtyard, just before the signing of the treaty, Montsioa turned to the messengers of Moshette and asked them if they saw and heard nicely what was being done with the Barolong country?  They replied in the affirmative, and thus, from a native point of view, became assenting parties.  In this manner something definite was done towards effacing an ancient feud.  The signing of the treaty then took place, the translation of which is given in the Blue Book.