The reasons which had made so many favour the annexation were weakened by the very power which had every interest in preserving them.
It cannot be too often pointed out that in this annexation, the starting-point of our troubles, Great Britain, however mistaken she may have been, had no obvious selfish interest in view.

There were no Rand mines in those days, nor was there anything in the country to tempt the most covetous.

An empty treasury and two native wars were the reversion which we took over.

It was honestly considered that the country was in too distracted a state to govern itself, and had, by its weakness, become a scandal and a danger to its neighbours.

There was nothing sordid in our action, though it may have been both injudicious and high-handed.
In December 1880 the Boers rose.