A MESSAGE FROM CETEWAYO.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1651, 5 June 1879, Page 4

A MESSAGE FROM CETEWAYO.

Tii» following despatch, containing “a ruesfrom Oetuwayo,” appears in the most woently published Parliamentary papers relatiM to the Zulu war: — March 1, 8 p.m., 1879. The Native* who have baen expected from Mntumeni for some days arrived about two hours ago, and I and Bishop Schroedor have had an interview with them. They bring n message from Cetewnyo, which they have delivered informally, two Zulus who accompanied them being still on the other side of the Tngela. I have sent to have them brought up to the Bishop’s house, and to-morrow morning we will receive the message in regular form in their presence. I now proceed to give the substance of the message Cetowayo begs that the Bishop will explain to the Government that he never desired this war ; ho has never refused the terms proposed at the Lower Tugela ; ho had already collected 1000 head of cattle to pay the demand made upon him. Sirayo’s sons had escaped, and ho was looking for them when he heard the English armies had crossed the Tugela; they attacked and killed many o! Sirayo’s people, but even then ho did not despair of peace, for ho then succeeded in arresting Sirayo’s sons. He sent them bound with his army under Unvumengwana’s charge to be delivered up to the General at Rorke’s Drift s three men wore sent on to try and obtain a hearing, but they were fired at and returned. The fighting at Sandhlwana was brought "about accidently ; the English horse attacked outlying parties of Zulus, who returned their fire ; more came up and joined in the fray, until the battle became general. The King protests that he never ordered his army to attack the English column, and his Indema Unvumengwana is in disgrace for haring permitted it. As regards Inyezasi, Cetywayo contends that Colonel Pearson provoked the attack made on him by burning kraals and committing other acts of hostility along the li e of march. He now asks that both sides should pnt aside their arms, and resume the negotiations with a view to a permanent settlement of all questions between himself and the Government. The Sing also states he would have sent in a message some time since, but was afraid ; because the last time when he sent eight messengers to Lower Tugela they were detained, and ho now begs they may be sent back. I only asked the Entumeni men one question, viz., whether the Zulu army wag assembled. They say it is not; the men are all at their kraals. As soon as I get the formal message to-morrow morning I will write more fully; in the meantime, I send this ob by special messenger. (Signed) Jno. Eustace Pawnin', Special Border Agent.