After breakfast, the Governments held a preliminary meeting in the tent of President Steyn. It may well be imagined what the feelings of everyone were at seeing the rapid decline that had taken place in the health of the great leader. There was this strong man, seized in the iron grasp of an inexorable malady, and it seemed as if within a short month he had grown many years older. But his intellect was as clear and as strong as ever, and his courage still greater than before. When he spoke there was not the slightest sign of despondency in his words, and his strong personality still, as in his best days, commanded respect. But his body—his body had been stricken; and while the unconquerable spirit was willing, the poor instrument of flesh and blood was unable to accomplish.
Words of heartfelt sympathy were spoken, or a silent pressure of the hand was given. The Governments had met to make some preliminary arrangements before the Delegates should meet. First a decision was taken as to the oath which the deputies should take; and then the commission which the Delegates had received from the People was discussed. It appeared that at the meetings held by General L. Botha and most of the Transvaal officers, and at those held in the Orange Free State by Judge Hertzog, the Delegates had been fully empowered to act on behalf of the People according to circumstances, and even to come to a final decision. On the other hand, at the meetings held by General de Wet in the Free State and by General de la Rey in the South African Republic, the People had given to their Delegates a fixed and limited authority, whatever else might be decided, in no case to relinquish the independence of the States. The question was now raised, whether representatives with such conflicting commissions could be lawfully constituted an assembly, and the assembly to pass resolutions as to matters treating of a final decision. The discussion of this question threatened to take up too much time, and the Governments resolved to leave this point to the decision of the Delegates themselves.
At eleven o'clock there assembled in the large tent the following Representatives of the People, who took the oath and signed it:—
For the South African Republic.
- H. A. Alberts, General, Heidelberg.
- J. J. Alberts, Commandant, Standerton and Wakkerstroom.
- J. F. de Beer, Commandant, Bloemhof.
- C. F. Beyers, Assistant Commandant-General, Waterberg.
- C. Birkenstock, burgher, Vryheid.
- H. J. Bosman, Landdrost, Wakkerstroom.
- Chris Botha, Assistant Commandant-General, Swazieland, State Artillery.
- B. H. Breytenbach, Field-Cornet, Utrecht.
- C. J. Brits, General, Standerton.
- J. G. Cilliers, General, Lichtenburg.
- J. de Clercq, Assistant Commandant, burgher, Middelburg.
- T. A. Dönges, Field-Cornet, of the town of Heidelberg and bodyguard to the Government.
- H. S. Grobler, Commandant, Bethal.
- J. L. Grobler, burgher, Carolina.
- J. N. H. Grobler, General, Ermelo.
- B. T. J. van Heerden, Field-Cornet, Rustenburg.
- J. F. Jordaan, Commandant, Vryheid.
- J. Kemp, General, Krugersdorp.
- P. J. Liebenberg, General, Potchefstroom.
- C. H. Muller, General, Boksburg.
- J. F. Naudé, burgher of Pretoria, with flying commando of General Kemp.
- D. J. E. Opperman, Field-Cornet, Pretoria South.
- B. J. Roos, Field-Cornet, Piet-Retief.
- P. D. Roux, Field-Cornet, Marico.
- D. J. Schoeman, Commandant, Lydenburg.
- F. C. Stoffberg, Acting Landdrost, Zoutpansberg.
- S. P. Du Toit, General, Wolmeranstad.
- P. L. Uys, Commandant, Pretoria North.
- P. R. Viljoen, burgher, Heidelberg.
- M. J. Viljoen, Commandant, Witwatersrand.
For the Orange Free State.
- C. C. F. Badenhorst, Assistant Chief-Commandant, Boshof and Hoopstad, western portion of Bloemfontein, Winburg, and Kroonstad.
- A. J. Bester, Commandant, Bethlehem.
- A. J. Bester, Commandant, Bloemfontein.
- L. P. H. Botha, Commandant, Harrismith.
- G. A. Brand, Assistant Chief-Commandant, Bethulie, Caledon River, Rouxville, Wepener, and eastern portion of Bloemfontein.
- H. J. Bruwer, Commandant, Bethlehem.
- D. H. van Coller, Commandant, Heilbron.
- F. R. Cronje, Commandant, Winburg.
- D. F. H. Flemming, Commandant, Hoopstad.
- C. C. Froneman, Assistant Chief-Commandant, Winburg and Ladybrand.
- F. J. W. J. Hattingh, Assistant Chief-Commandant, eastern part of Kroonstad and Heilbron.
- J. A. M. Hertzog, Commandant, Philippolis.
- J. N. Jacobs, Commandant, Boshof.
- F. P. Jacobsz, Commandant, Harrismith.
- A. J. de Kock, Commandant, Vrede.
- J. J. Koen, Commandant, Ladybrand.
- H. J. Kritzingen, Field-Cornet, Kroonstad.
- F. E. Mentz, Commandant, Heilbron.
- J. A. P. van der Merve, Commandant, Heilbron.
- C. A. van Niekerk, Commandant, Kroonstad.
- H. van Niekek, Commandant of bodyguard to President Steyn.
- J. J. van Niekerk, Commandant, Ficksburg.
- J. K. Nieuwoudt, Assistant Chief-Commandant, Philippolis, Fauresmith, Jacobsdal, and a portion of Bloemfontein.
- H. P. J. Pretorius, Commandant, Jacobsdal.
- A. M. Prinsloo, Assistant Chief-Commandant, Bethlehem and Ficksburg.
- L. J. Rautenbach, Commandant, Bethlehem.
- F. J. Rheeder, Commandant, Rouxville.
- A. Ross, Commandant, Vrede.
- P. W. de Vos, Commandant, Kroonstad.
- W. J. Wessels, Assistant Chief-Commandant, Harrismith and Vrede.
The Representatives chose General C. F. Beyers as chairman; and as secretaries, Mr. D. E. van Velden, Minute-keeper of the Government of the South African Republic, and the Rev. J. D. Kestell, Acting Secretary of the Executive Council of the Orange Free State.
The chairman asked the Rev. J. D. Kestell to open the proceedings with prayer, and then Acting President S. W. Burger declared the meeting to be legally constituted. Thereupon the meeting was adjourned.
In the afternoon the Delegates met at three o'clock. Before beginning the discussion of the important subjects, the chairman said it would be well if the Acting President of the South African Republic were first to address some words of explanation to serve as a guide to the meeting.