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Auction: 20040 - Stamps and Covers of Southern Africa
Lot: 6

Basutoland
Covers and Cancellations
The Basutoland Rebellion, Gun War, 1880-81
1880 (Feb.-Mar.) autograph letters (2) from J. Gordon Sprigg from the Colonial Secretary's Office in Cape Town which relate to the Disarmament Proclamation; the first includes "...Disarmament has to be carried through, and and I trust you will not fail to impress that upon your Magistrates... and if a few white agitators, principally traders, would only leave the Basutos alone the whole thing would be carried through with the greatest of ease"; the second letter is in a more firm tone "...If Leslie should ask what will be done....when the proclamation is not complied with you will tell him that compensation will be given for all guns that are surrendered before the day named but that no compensation will be given afterwards. No man will be able to bring his gun out of doors or do anything with it..." and concludes "It is a very difficult operation that has to be carried out; and I believe that we shall be successful... though delays may sometimes occur". A valuable pair of documents relating to the cause of the troubles with the dissarmament of the Basutos

Note: Sir Gordon Sprigg was Prime Minister and Colonial Secretary of Cape Colony. Col. Charles D. Griffiths served as Commandant General of the Colonial Forces

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Sold for
£240

Starting price
£240