Adamantia : the truth about the South African diamond fields : or, a ...

.346 A CHOICE 01:' EVILS.diamond fields as a C,.own Colon!!. This, of course,would entail the consequence of repudiating theGovernor's pseudo annexation of the territory in questionto the Cape; the dispersion of the brigand Juntaat present in occupation; and the restitution of theplundered. country to the Free State, with such fairand proper compensation to that State for the wrongand injury to which it has been so outrageously subjected.There are, indeed, but three courses open toHer Majesty's Government :-1. To take over the acts and responsibiliti~ of thebanditti, .and declare the territory seized by thosegentry a new Colony of the Crown.2. To recall Sir H. Barkly, disavow his proceedings,and restore the diamond fields to the rightful owners.3. Or, by leaving the subject 88 it now stands, toadmit either todtlyor distinctly the sole, independent,and sovereign rights of Sir H. Barkly as the king,president, or successful robber-chief in actual posses­SIon.Of course, 80 far as principle is concerned, Sir H.Barkly has as much right to take unto himself a.colony, a territory belonging to some one eIs.e, as everEngland had to acquire one; but then it will at leastbecome rather awkward if British Colonial Governorsshould receive a carte blanche to .act like some of thefree companions of the good old robber times, whenhe took who could, and those retained who wereable.Hhould the British Government pass over the opportunityto extricate themselves from the imbroglio,.and proceed still further under the guidance of SirH. llarkly, and commit the crime of annexing theDigitized by Goog Ie