Sir George Grey entered protest. He was answered,
that when difficulties had to be met at home, sacrifices must be made in
the Colonies.
From tribulation, Sir George built authority. 'The fact that I was
fighting the battle of the chiefs with the Home Government, naturally
increased my prestige among them. They saw that I was sincere in all I
had done, and that I accepted them absolutely as good friends and loyal
subjects of the Queen.'
What happened? From his private means, Sir George made up, to the full
amount, the instalment of salaries next due. It was a stroke which he had
to repeat on a larger scale.
England raised a German legion for service in the Crimea, and, the war
over, did not know what to do with the men. It was not considered wise to
let them loose in England, and if they went back to Germany they might
have to face the music of a drumhead court-martial. Cape Colony agreed to
receive the Germans as military settlers; they would be planted, a row of
defence, along the borders of Kaffraria. But the condition was attached
that German families, into which the men might marry, should also be sent
out.
When asked to perform the second part of the bargain, Downing Street
said, 'Yes, we should like very much to do so, but we can't, for
Parliament won't grant the money.
Pages:
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154