The Uitlanders had approached the Volksraad in a petition signed by
14,800 persons. The petitioners did not ask that the Republic should be
placed under the control of the British Government; on the contrary,
they postulated the maintenance of its independence; all that they asked
was for "equitable administration and fair representation." This
petition was received with angry contempt. "Protest, protest as much as
you like," said Mr. Krüger, "I have arms, and you have none."

It is contended that if President Krüger did provide himself to a
formidable extent with munitions of war, it was not until after the
Jameson Raid.

Here the connexion between cause and effect is not very clear; Jameson
once beaten there was no further cause to arm against him. But from the
Uitlanders' petition, to which allusion has been made, it is evident
that armaments had begun before. Among the alleged grievances we find
the following:--

"A policy of force is openly declared against us; £250,000 have
been expended on the construction of forts; upon one alone,
designed to terrorise the inhabitants of Johannesburg, £100,000 has
been spent. Large orders have been given to Krupp for big guns and
maxims; and it is said that German Officers are coming to drill the
burghers."

The Uitlanders of Johannesburg treated with contumely, adopted the
theories made use of by the Boers in their Petition of Rights of
February 17th, 1881, by which they justified their insurrection against
British rule, of December, 1880.