ality。 How the bills were paid I am sure I do not know； but I presume it must have been in kind； for no one had any money。 The position of the Republic was desperate； and of it all despaired。 Taxes could no longer be collected； and it was said that the postmasters were directed to pay themselves their own salaries — in stamps。 The forces of the country； or rather the mandoes of burghers； had been defeated by the Basuto chief； Secocoeni； with a loss of seven thousand head of cattle。 As a result the war against this potentate and his nine thousand warriors who lived in the Loolu Berg； a range of mountains about two hundred and fifty miles to the north…east of Pretoria； was then being carried on by a small force of filibusters。 These men received no pay； while they were expected to provide for themselves out of what they could take。 The upshot may be imagined。
The President of the Republic was a Cape Colonist minister of the Dutch Reformed Church who was educated in Holland； of the name of Burgers； a well…meaning； curious； and rather attractive man of intelligence and good appearance； but one utterly lacking in stability of character。 He had recently visited Europe in the interests of the Republic； and had even succeeded in raising 90；000 pounds in Holland for the construction of a railway to Delagoa Bay； which money； I believe； was lost。 Also he was said to have had certain nebulous dealings with the Germans which even in those days were a cause of some anxiety to this country。6 I have seen President Burgers almost in tears over the condition of the Republic； nor did he veil his opinions of its state in his addresses to the Volksraad； as anyone who cares to consult the history of the period can discover for himself。 At no time was he an earnest opponent of the