Your Excellencies,
With the object of finally terminating the existing hostilities, we have the honour, by virtue of the authority from the Governments of both the Republics, to propose the following points as a basis of negotiations, in addition to the points already offered during the negotiations in April last:—
(a) We are prepared to give up our independence as far as foreign relations are concerned;
(b) We wish to retain internal self-government under British supervision;
(c) We are prepared to give up a portion of our territory.
If Your Excellencies are prepared to negotiate on this basis, the above-mentioned points can be more fully set forth.
We have the honour to be,
Your Excellencies' obedient servants,
Louis Botha,
C. R. de Wet,
J. H. de la Rey,
J. B. M. Hertzog,
J. C. Smuts.
Minutes of Conference held at Pretoria on Monday, May 19, and following days between Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner, representing the British Government, and Commandant-General Louis Botha, Chief Commandant C. R. de Wet, General J. H. de la Rey, General J. B. M. Hertzog, and General J. C. Smuts, representing the Meeting of the People's Delegates assembled at Vereeniging on May 15, 1902.
Mr. Advocate N. J. de Wet acted as interpreter, and as secretaries: for the British Representatives, Mr. O. Walrond, and for the Commission representing the Republics, the Rev. J. D. Kestell and Mr. D. E. van Velden.
The Commission met the British Representatives in Lord Kitchener's house at 10 a.m. After the parties had taken their seats, General Botha said: To begin with, I wish to say that although the negotiations have occupied a longer time than we expected, I nevertheless wish to give Your Excellencies the assurance of our good faith, and that everything is done seriously with the object of concluding the desired peace.