Written in haste so do not
criticize

                                                Chonuane 18 Jany 1846

My Dear Mrs McRobert

                                          A considerable time has elapsed since we
had the pleasure of hearing from you. What is the matter, you
certainly never were compelled to listen for months to the
wearisome round of news, maka hela, of this country
10enough to make me pant with feverish desire for
something from the world sick in order to realize
the f refreshment good news imparts. It is now a
long time since we heard from the Kuruman side and all
we hear from the natives they well characterize as lies only
15there is so little truth in public report here a native
always begins by saying "there are no news. none at all
We have heard a few lies only." And then beginning their
story it is sure to be rumours of war - contentions
between tribes or something so vague we can scarcely
20make head or tail of it. Why dont you write
more frequently then? The Penny Post has made
you all so expert in the use of the pen you have
no excuse.

We heard last week from an authentic source
25that Sekhomi the chief of the BamangWerto had
put a large party of Matibele to death. They came
last year to reside with him and being dissatisfied
with his government began to flee to a neighbouring
chief when to prevent the whole following that example
30those who remained were indiscriminately massacred
A little more than ten months ago Mosilikatze sent 23
men to the Bamangwerto for tribute. Sekhomi
laid an ambuscade for them and the poor fellows
being hemmed in in a deep valley I well know
35were everyone cut off: A gentleman lately saw
their bones. I do not wish to harrow up
your feelings by these stories But when I
mention the fact of the destruction of the men

Ralph Lindsay Esqre has contributed £ 10..10 for another but I dont know anything
40about him Do you know him? does he intend to continue the sum? I am at a loss

for want of proper information Mrs Philip only notified the simple fact and no
more about it. If you know him I should like to hold some communication

Mosilikatze and likewise that the Bamangwerto have
subsequently "lifted" some of that gentleman's cattle
5and no attempt has been made to punish them, I give
you th information as evidence that Mosilikatzes
power is on the wane. And we probably will be allowed
to carry on our operations without any hindrance
from him. He was once the great obstacle in the
10way of the evangelization of the interior. God in His
providence has removed him out of the way and there is
now every probability that this region will become
the abode of righteousness and peace. A large tribe
of Matibele or Joolarhs lives about 10 days East of Sechele
15they have fought three times with Mosilikatse and with
more or less success each time. He is now at a great
distance from us. And long may it remain so. He
has too long been the cause of lamentation cursing & sorrow
here. But I must return to the point for which I
20introduced the deeds of Sekhomi, viz, to give
a deed of Mosheu of whom you may have read
in either Mr Moffats work or speeches. A village
about 12 or 14 miles from Mabotsa was lately
ransacked by a party of Korannas from the
25Vaal river. The whole of the cattle & goods of the
people were swept off, and a few lives were lost
When the marauders reached their residence next to
that of Mosheu, their horses & selves being all tired
by the long journey (nearly 200 miles) Mosheu
30lost no time in ordering them to restore everything
and as he is a man of authority among them
they do not dare to refuse obedience to what Mosheu
told them was the Divine will they made restitution
for they had stolen And Mosheu calling on the
35owners of the cattle and goods delivered the
whole into their hands. He would not even accept
a present for what he had done

any unless perfectly sure of their characters as also of
supports him David is doing well

I have heard the above particulars from the natives, I am
not yet aware of the whole of the facts But what a
5contrast to Sekhomi, I have conversed with Mosheu
and found him a simple humble minded Christian
When I reproved Sekhomi for having murdered his
brother he replied "But he killed me first" referring
to the fact of his brother having broken allegiance
10And rose up and went off to another part of the town
But afterwards enquiring whether it were true that I saw
all who were dead alive still in existence, I replied yes &
you will see your brother and stand to be judged by
his side. He replied "maka hela" his only. Let your
15prayers be made without ceasing for conversion
of these degraded Heathen

Sechele the chief to whom we have transferred
our labours is an intelligent man, and it is probable
if allowed to dwell in peace will become both rich
20and powerful. You would be amused to see his
royal highness Prince Al. & not he but a king stand
up to his knees in water and two persons scrubbing
his royal person all over. As a preliminary to
his washing his wardrobe himself. It takes a whole
25day to wash an old red coat and a few other duds which
if sold to a Jew in London would not realise 5/
His wives too are fond of European clothing. And as
Mrs

instructed to mention. Anything which will make strong
patchwork. If furnished by any of our friends you
may assure them we shall take every pains to make
their gifts of use in the course of Christ. For the labour
5paid by their gifts we shall endeavour to pay the
carriage which is always considerable in this
distant region. I have mentioned tools for the
native teachers to Mr Whish, they are exceedingly
valuable, the natives are all fond of working
10with them And as a few I have are too often
lent the station is rather hard put to for mending
sometimes I have bought all or nearly all those

Proceed with the instructions of * M
he is furnished with the leading pa
15in a sermon he makes a good addr
of it Love to Mr              Affectionately

                        DL.