The Acting Secretary of State of the South African Republic to Mr. Olney.
All the Americans except Hammond are out on bail, as are also most of the members of the reform committee. [Four unintelligible words.] Hammond, owing to illness, is allowed to reside at the private college with his family, but under police surveillance. His illness is not at all serious. Both he and the other prisoners are well satisfied with the treatment which they receive. The preliminary examination conducted by the judicial authorities, which was begun on Monday, will be continued on Monday next. The imposition of any penalty to which the prisoners may be sentenced may be expected within the two months following the conclusion of the examination. Everyone is at liberty to correspond, but under surveillance.