Yesterday week Mr. Chamberlain delivered a very eloquent and instructive
speech on the affairs of South Africa, which commanded tributes of respect from all parts of the House. He recalled the history of the Kaffir war of 1811 and 1819; of the war of 1834, which led to the annexation of the native terri- tory up to the Kei River, though the annexation was disap- proved at home, Lord Glenelg declaring that the Kaffirs had been driven into rebellion, and that the annexed territory should be given back ; of the war of 1846, which led to the re-annexation of the native territory ; and of the war of 1850, which extended the effects of the war of 1846. He illustrated powerfully the excesses of these wars, quoting a report of a speech by Mr. Spriggs, the Prime Minister of the Cape Colony, .in favour of enslaving the natives, on the fidelity of which Sir Michael Hicks-Beach had to throw doubts in his reply, while in the strongest way condemning it, as reported. Mr. Cham- berlain concluded by asking for investigation by a Commission, and pointing out that Sir Bartle Frere's policy would re- sult in perpetual war with the natives, while Confederation would load to a policy in which the hard Dutch ideas would be predominant.
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