CHAPTER V

THE CHARTERED COMPANY

THE British South Africa Company, better known as the Chartered Company, ought not in one way to have any concern whatever with the Transvaal, and, accordingly, would not need any mention in a book dealing with that Republic. Unfortunately, however, the events of the past few months have brought the Chartered Company into notoriety, from the fact that its late administrator led the armed forces under his command into the territory of a friendly nation. Dr Jameson, and the greater number of the men whom he led into the South African Republic, have arrived in this country for the purpose of being put upon their trial for their conduct in connection with that raid. They have every right to expect an impartial trial; but while the case against them, so far as the law is concerned, is still sub judice, it would be obviously improper that either in a book or a newspaper any statements might appear which could, in the slightest degree, have a prejudicial effect

on their approaching trial. The Chartered Company is, likewise, to some extent, upon its trial, and directly the charges which will be preferred against Dr Jameson and his fellow-prisoners have been adjudicated on, it is pretty well certain that a full and exhaustive inquiry will be held into the connection, if any, which existed between the Chartered Company or any of its officials in regard to Dr Jameson's raid into the Transvaal. It is only fair to say that Mr Rhodes has asked for that inquiry, and, so far as my personal opinion goes, I may say that I do not believe for a moment that Mr Rhodes has any reason to fear the result of that inquiry. I have known that gentleman for a long time; I have watched his career with the deepest interest; I am certain that he is a man with large ideas, great aspirations, no doubt considerable ambition. But, at the same time, he is a man of tact and caution, and I shall refuse to believe that Mr Rhodes knew anything of, much less authorised, that fatal incursion of Dr Jameson into Transvaal territory. Now, I do not intend in this book to criticise the Chartered Company any more than I do to cover it with fulsome eulogy. The Chartered Company has, in the past, done a considerable amount for the development and advancement of South Africa, and especially a portion of South Africa in which I am greatly interested. But, at the same time, I cannot shut my eyes to the fact that Chartered Companies are far from being the best means of administering a new country inhabited by a large

native population. It has been pleaded that the administration of newly-occupied portions of the earth's surface by Chartered Companies is economical for the mother-country, which gets all the kudos of possession without incurring the cost of administration. This is undoubtedly true, but, at the same time, it must not be forgotten that the objects of such companies are, to a large degree, incompatible with the just and upright administration of a new and undeveloped country. The primary object of a company must be a pecuniary one, and its shareholders the very first consideration. The example of the East India Company, which we so often hear quoted, is really nothing in point. We have progressed marvellously in many ways since the days of "John Company," and it is no exaggeration to say that the means by which the East India Company annexed large portions of what now constitute the Indian Empire, if attempted to be carried into effect at the present day in any part of the world, would rouse such a storm of indignation in this country as would sweep from office any minister or ministry that attempted either to tolerate or justify them. Wherever Chartered Companies exist at the present time or have existed of late years, in East, West, or South Africa, their rule has, to my knowledge, been disadvantageous to the native races under their control, and in many instances has brought discredit on Great Britain. In any case, it is manifestly an absurdity that a trading corporation should be allowed to have armed forces

at its disposal, under the command of an officer who is not directly responsible to the Imperial Government. And I say this, not only as regards the Chartered Company, but also in reference to the Royal Niger Company.

As I shall have occasion throughout this book to refer from time to time to the Chartered Company within the limitations that I have laid down in this chapter, I think it necessary, in order that my readers may have a clear and comprehensive idea as to the terms on which the Company was placed in full possession of its rights and privileges, that I should give here the full text of the charter, which Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen was pleased to grant it on the 29th October 1889.

"VICTORIA, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith.

"To all whom these presents shall come, greeting. "Whereas a humble petition has been presented to us in our Council by the Most Noble James, Duke of Abercorn, Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath; the Most Noble Alexander William George, Duke of Fife, Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Privy Councillor; the Right Honourable Edric Frederick, Lord Gifford, V.C.; Cecil John Rhodes of Kimberley, in the Cape Colony, Member of the Executive Council, and of the House of Assembly of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope; Alfred Beit of 29

Holborn Viaduct, London, Merchant; Albert Henry George Grey of Howick, Northumberland, Esquire ; and George Cawston of 18 Lennox Gardens, London, Esquire, Barrister-at-Law.

"And whereas the said petition states, amongst other things:

"That the petitioners and others are associated for the purpose of forming a company or association, to be incorporated, if to us should seem fit, for the objects in the said petition, set forth under the corporate name of the British South Africa Company.

"That the existence of a powerful British company, controlled by those of our subjects in whom we have confidence, and having its principle field of operations in that region of South Africa lying to the north of Bechuanaland and to the west of Portuguese East Africa, would be advantageous to the commercial and other interests of our subjects in the United Kingdon and our Colonies.

"That the petitioners desire to carry into effect divers concessions and agreements which have been made by certain of the chiefs and tribes inhabiting the said region, and such other concessions, agreements, grants and treaties as the petitioners may hereinafter obtain within the said region or elsewhere in Africa, with the view of promoting trade, commerce, civilisation and good government (including the regulation of liquor traffic with the natives) in the territories which are or may be comprised, or referred to in such concessions, agreements, grants and treaties as aforesaid.