My dear Mr Chesson,

I thank you for your advice concerning an interview with Sir Hercules Robinson. Have the kindness to inform us in time of the moment you intend addressing him and we will see what we can do. Evidently nothing less than the voice of England rising above the war cry of both white and black can save South Africa.

As to the insurrection of the Pondomisi cafers, I cannot explain it otherwise than by the fact that they had been disarmed and that they have availed themselves of the first opportunity of attaining arms again by treachery and murder. Disarming the natives is in their opinion an irremissible offence, when they have not brought it upon themselves by revolt or some other crime. Not only do they regard their weapons as a property and as a symbol of manliness, but they also suspect that some evil is intended against them. Why disarm us, so they all say, if not that they may be able to do against us all they like? I have no rest by day or by night, since the so called peace preservation act has thrown poor Basutoland, lately so peaceful and prosperous, in its present almost irretrievable state of confusion.

Believe me, dear Sir,
Yours most sincerely
E. Casalis

Paris 4 Nov 1880