’To disapprove the annexation of a country is one thing; to abandon that annexation is another.  Whatever we do, we must not blind ourselves to the legitimate consequences of facts.  By the annexation obligations entailed by the annexation, and if in my opinion, and in the opinion of many on this side of the House, wrong was done by the annexation itself, that would not warrant us in doing fresh, distinct, and separate wrong by a disregard of the obligation which that annexation entailed.  These obligations have been referred to in this debate, and have been mentioned in the compass of a single sentence.  First, there was the obligation entailed towards the English and other settlers in the Transvaal, perhaps including a minority, though a very small minority, of the Dutch Boers themselves; secondly, there was the obligation to the native races; and thirdly, there was the obligation we entailed upon ourselves in respect of the responsibility which was already incumbent upon us, and which we, by the annexation, largely extended, for the future peace and tranquillity of South Africa.’

Nor was this all.  The loyalists proceeded to remind him that Lord Kimberley, his Secretary of State for the Colonies, had telegraphed in May, 1880, ’Under no circumstances can the Queen’s authority in the Transvaal be relinquished,’ and had confirmed the telegram in a despatch following; and that his lordship had also stated in the House of Lords on May 24 that ’... after a careful consideration of the position, we have come to the conclusion that we could not relinquish the Transvaal.  Nothing could be more unfortunate than uncertainty in respect to such a matter.’ (Hansard, cclii., p. 208.)

The effects of the settlement, and the exposures in connection with it, and the attitude of the Imperial Government were most deplorable.  No credit was given by the Boers to a Government which was clearly moved by the meanest considerations.  No feeling but contempt, disgust, and even hatred, could be entertained by the loyalists for the Government which had so shamelessly deserted them.  The settlement has left its indelible mark upon the sentiment of South Africa.  The war, it will generally be admitted, was a most unfortunate occurrence.  Only one thing could have been more unfortunate, and that was such a settlement as actually was effected—­a settlement which satisfied no one, which outraged all, which threw South Africa into a state of boiling discontent.  In some quarters the defeats of Majuba and Laing’s Nek rankled deeply; yet they were fair fights, and Time can be trusted to allay the feelings of those who are worsted in a fair fight; but there were other matters which roused a spirit in the English-speaking people of South Africa that had never been known before.