It is understood that in the Cabinet Council of Wednesday
it was finally decided to uphold the Convention with the Boers as it stands, the Triumvirate who signed it having formally pledged themselves in the document itself to obtain a ratifica- tion from the Volksraad. It was, of course, impossible to aban- don the natives ; and Mr. Gladstone, throughout his recent speeches, has refused to give up the conduct of foreign affairs, upon the distinct ground that he will not allow the admission of foreign intrigue into South Africa. The decision of the Boers need not be given till Nov- ember 8th, but it is probable that the Treaty will be accepted as a whole, and that a force of some magnitude, in- cluding two regiments of cavalry, will be retained in Natal to watch over the execution of its provisions. It is not improbable that the Boers were deceived by Tory speeches, and by the savage discontent of the English settlers, who solemnly buried the English Flag in Pretoria and cursed Mr. Gladstone hip and thigh, into believing that this Government was weak. Their awakening, like that of other opponents, will be rough, but final.
