It was further agreed that at the meetings of the nation representatives should be chosen who, on the 15th of May, 1902, at Vereeniging, should inform the Governments what course the nation desired them to take.
On the 18th of April Commandant-General Louis Botha, General De la Rey, and I left Pretoria, provided with a safe conduct for ourselves and for anyone whom we should appoint, and proceeded to our different commandos.
I went first to the burghers of Vrede at Prankop, where I met General Wessel Wessels with his commandos on the 22nd of April.

The nation was in a very miserable condition, suffering from the want of all necessaries, and living only on meat and maize, which food was also exceedingly scarce, and would only last for a few months more.
Notwithstanding this, the burghers decided, to a man, that they would not be satisfied with anything less than independence, and that if the English would not accede to this they would continue to fight.
Mr.Wessel Wessels, Member of the Volksraad, was elected as chairman, and Mr.Pieter Schravezander as secretary.

The representatives chosen were Commandants A.Ross, Hermanus Botha, and Louis Botha (son of Philip Botha).
My second meeting I held at Drupfontein, in the district of Bethlehem, on the 24th of April, with the burghers under the command of Commandants Frans Jacobsz, Mears, and Bruwer.

Mr.J.H.Naude was made chairman, and Landdrost J.H.B.Wessels secretary.

It was unanimously decided that independence had to be maintained, and Commandants Frans Jacobsz and Bruwer were chosen as representatives.
The next meeting I held on the 26th of April, at Tweepoort Farm, with the commandos under General Michal Prinsloo.