Andrew Anderson to Frederick Chesson, 28 January 1885

Cranleigh

Surrey

28 Jany 1885

Dear Sir,

Many thanks for your letter of the 9th inst.

I have been waiting expecting more information from Africa.

A friend of mine who is mixed up with the Boers supplies me from time to time of their movements, and it if is known I give this information he would be a sufferer, and I should not get any more. Therefore do not name from whom the information comes to any one likely to let it out.

But the Boers have been for nearly a year planning an expedition into Bechuanaland, north of Montsioa’s territory. With 800 or a 1000 good shots. Professidly to make war on the Matabele king.

But if they once get into [Gaseitsive’s?], Sechele’s, or Khama’s country, they may stop there and hold possessions and the chief could not help himself. They are going to try to get Sechele to help them. If he is foolish enough to do so, he will lose his country, and the trade south to the interior would be closed as the only road to the north runs through the centre of each of the above chiefs’ country.

Colonel Sir C Warren’s mission to Montsioa and [Mankuruane’s?] territories will not stop them, but if they the Boers have to give way, they will seek further north for land and as a matter of course the extermination of the kaffres would follow, with all the … repeated as in Montsioa’s and [Mankuruane’s?] territory. If I obtain more information will let you know.

Yours very faithfully

Andrew A Anderson

F.W. Chesson Esq