There was nothing else to do.
And as things have turned out, may we not hope that the Cape and Natal Governments, following in the wake of the British Nation, will soon understand that the wiser course is to forgive and forget, and to grant as comprehensive an amnesty as possible?
It is surely not unjust to expect this of these Governments, when one remembers that whatever the Colonists may have done, must be ascribed to the tie that binds them to us--the closest of all ties--that of blood.
It is now for the two Governments to strive to realize the situation, and then, by granting a general amnesty, to promote, as far as in them lies, the true progress of South Africa.
* * * * * On the evening of the 31st of May, 1902, the members of the Government of both Republics met Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner, in the former's house, at Pretoria.
It was there that the Treaty of Peace--the British Proposal which the National Representatives had accepted--was now to be signed.
It was a never-to-be-forgotten evening.

In the space of a few short minutes that was done which could never be undone.

A decision arrived at in a meeting could always be taken into reconsideration, but a document solemnly signed, as on that night, by two parties, bound them both for ever.
Every one of us who put his name to that document knew that he was in honour bound to act in accordance with it.

It was a bitter moment, but not so bitter as when, earlier on the same day, the National Representatives had come to the decision that the fatal step must be taken.
On the 2nd June, 1902, the Representatives left Vereeniging, and returned every man to his own commando.

It was now their sad duty to tell their brave and patient burghers that the independence which they cherished so dearly was gone, and to prepare them to surrender their arms at the appointed places.
I left Pretoria on the 3rd of June with General Elliott, who had to accompany me to the various centres to receive the burghers' arms.
On the 5th of June the first commando laid down their weapons near Vredefort.