Johannesburg Reform Committee

“ Every public act betrays the most positive hostility, not only to everything English, but to the neighbouring States as well. In short, the internal policy of the Government is such, as to have roused into antagonism to it not only, practically, the whole body of uitlanders, but a large number of the boers, while its external policy has exasperated the neighbouring States causing the possibility of great danger to the peace and independence of this Republic. ”

“ The position of matters in this State has become so critical that we are assured that at no distant period there will be conflict between the Government and the uitlander population. It is scarcely necessary for us to recapitulate what is now a matter of history. Suffice it to say, that the position of thousands of Englishmen and others is rapidly becoming intolerable. ”

“ The circumstances are so extreme, that we cannot avoid this step, and we cannot believe that you, and the men under you, will not fail to come the the rescue of people who would be so situated. We guarantee any expense that may reasonably be incurred by you in helping us, and ask you to believe that nothing but the sternest necessity has prompted this appeal. ”

“ Public feeling is in a condition of smouldering discontent. All the petitions of the people have been refused with a greater or less degree of contempt, and, in the debate on the franchise petition, signed by nearly 40,000 people, one member challenged the uitlanders to fight for the rights they asked for and not a single member spoke against him. ”