If _we_ are united, then will the nation be united also; but if we are divided, in what a plight will the nation find itself ?" A letter was then read from the deputation in Europe, which had been written five months previously, and which had been brought through the English lines in safety.

It contained little more than an assurance that our cause occupied a better position in Europe than it had ever done before.
The Chairman then asked Commandant L.Botha to address the meeting.
Complying with this request, the Commandant said that he wished to be assured, before anything further was done, that the fact that some of the representatives had been entrusted with limited powers, whereas others had been given a free hand, was not going to prove to be an insurmountable obstacle to united action on their part.
To this Judge Hertzog replied that it was a principle in law that a delegate is not to be regarded as a mere agent or mouthpiece of his constituents, but, on the contrary (when dealing with public affairs), as a plenipotentiary--with the right, whatever his brief might be, of acting to the best of his judgment.
States-Procureur Smuts concurred in this opinion, which appeared to satisfy both the Commandant-General and also all the other representatives, for no further allusion was made to the subject by anybody.
Commandant-General Botha now made his report.
In the districts of Vrijheid and Utrecht, he stated, the store of maize was so small that it could not last for more than a short time; but there was still a great number of slaughter-cattle.

In the districts of Wakkerstroom there was hardly sufficient grain for one month's consumption.

Two other districts had still a large enough number of slaughter-cattle--enough, in fact, to last for two or three months.

In Ermelo, to the west and north-west of the blockhouses, and in Bethal, Standerton, and Middelburg, there was grain for one month.