In Wessels' letter a distinction is made between Africander and English women, the former being offered an asylum in his camp.

This offer was made known, and half a dozen persons took advantage of it.

The suggestion, however, in the case of the English carried with it no promise that they would be conveyed to Orange River, and a compliance with it would have put them as helpless hostages into the hands of the enemy.

As to not publishing the message it is not usual to publish such official documents, but the offer was shown to Mr.Rhodes, who concurred in the impossibility of accepting it.
It is difficult to allude to this subject without touching upon the painful but notorious fact that there existed during the siege considerable friction between the military authorities and a section of the civilians, of whom Mr.Rhodes was chief.

Among other characteristics Rhodes bore any form of restraint very badly, and chafed mightily when unable to do a thing in the exact way which he considered best.