W.J.Wessels, Vice-Commandant-in-Chief; for Harrismith and Vrede.
The meeting now proceeded to choose a chairman, and the following were proposed:--J.

De Clercq, C.F.Beijers, C.C.Froneman, W.J.Wessels, and G.A.

Brand.
The choice of the meeting fell on General C.F.Beijers, who called upon the Rev.Mr.Kestell to offer prayer.
His Honour, S.W.Burger, now declared that the meeting was formally opened, and after the Chairman had spoken a few words, the representatives adjourned until three o'clock.
When they reassembled, the Chairman requested President Burger to explain the objects for which the meeting had been called.
Then the President spoke a few words of welcome to all; he expressed his sorrow for the absence of some who would certainly have been present had they not given their lives for their country.

But still there were many left to represent the two Republics.
"The difficulties which confront us," continued the President, "are like a great mountain, at the foot of which we have just arrived.

Everything now depends on us who are assembled together here.