| Jameson | Leander Starr | | | Was born in Edinburgh Feb 9, 1853, and is one of many children of H W Jameson, WS He was educated at Godolphin School, Hammersmith, and studied medicine at London University, graduating MB and BS 1875, MRCS Eng. 1875,andMD 1877. He then went to America, and on his return to England was offered the post of Consulting Physician to the Kimberley Hospital and a partnership in the practice of Dr Prince of that town. Proceeding there he was soon recognised' as one of the leading members of his profession, with what was probably the best practice in SA From this period dates his friendship with Cecil Rhodes. In 1881 Dr Jameson came to Europe on a holiday, and from the time of his return to SA began his interest in the historic movement known as the Northern Expansion. He accompanied Dr F Rutherfoord Harris and Rochfort Maguire, MP, on a special mission to Lobengula (whom he treated for gout); and it was perhaps owing to this fact that the mission was successful in accomplishing its objects. On his return to Kimberley Dr Jameson again returned to the practice of his profession until Sep 1889, when with Major Maxwell, Major Frank Johnson, and Mr Denis Doyle he unofficially accompanied another mission to Lobengula. On the occupation of Mashonaland Mr Colquhoun was administrator of that territory, but Dr Jameson held Mr Rhodes' power of attorney. During these early days he had to endure a course of self-denial so severe that nothing but the most single-minded devotion to his self-imposed duties could have carried him through. Long wanderings through the 'flybelt' with Major Johnson in search of the East Coast route, endless troubles with his sorelv-tried pioneers, imminent prospects (sometimes realised) of conflicts with Boer trekkers, Matabele and Portuguese—these were some of the propositions which required his infinite patience, tact, courage, and hard work combat. Eventually reaching Kimberley again, November 15, 1890, he left once more for Mashonaland on Dec 2 with some officials of the Chartered Company At Rhodes' Drift he met the Boer expedition organised by General Joubert to set up a new republic of Banjai in Chartered territory, and with great tact and firmness prevented the Boers from crossing the Crocodile River. On Sep 18, 1891, Dr Jameson succeeded Mr Colquhoun as Chief Magistrate and Administrator of Mashonaland; he took over also the administration of Matabeleland from Sep, 1894, and in Oct following was appointed Resident Commissioner of the territories along the western border of the SAR, north of Bechuanaland. These posts he relinquished in 1895 in consequence of his complicity in the Jameson Raid. It is difficult to say when Dr Jameson's connection with the Transvaal Reform movement first originated. He possibly for years had in mind the part which he was to play. However at may be, arrangements were made between the Reform leaders and Dr Jameson as early as Sep, 1895, that he would maintain a force of some 1,500 mounted men with Maxims and field artillcry on the western border of the Transvaal (ostensibly in case of difficulties with the Bechuanaland natives), and the seizure of the Pretoria fort and the railway was planned in conjunction with local levies. That was the original idea, but the arrangements were modified. The Johannesburg leaders appear to have somewhat regretted that they had invited outside aid, and it was agreed with Mr Rhodes in November, 1895, that the BBP and other troops should be kept across the border only as moral support or for assistance in case the Uitlanders found themselves in 'a tight place', for which eventuality an undated letter, signed by the leaders, was handed to Dr Jameson towards the end of November, setting forth the condition of affairs and inviting him to come to their assistance. This letter was mainly to justify the doctor before the British Govt, and the Directors of the Chartered Company Dates for the invasion were tentatively fixed, but the Secretary, of the Reform Committee has recorded that the primary condition of these arrangements was that under no circumstances should Dr Jameson move without receiving the word from the Johannesburg party. Doubts were then entertained as to whether there was not some underlying intention on the part of Mr Cecil Rhodes and the doctor to come in under the British flag, and so strong did these suspicions become that emissaries were sent to Mr Rhodes (Dec 25) to get his clear pronouncement that they were cooperating for a reformed and representative republic only, and the next day officers were dispatched to Dr Jameson to emphatically prohibit any movement on his part, and explaining the flag difficulty and the unpreparedness of the Uitlanders. But the doctor began to reveal an impatience which no protest either from the Committee, from Mr Rhodes, or from individuals at Johannesburg could restrain. On Dec 28, 1895, he wired, "I shall start without fail tomorrow night," and he left accordingly with 8 Maxims, two seven-pounders, one twelve-pounder, and about 480 well mounted men. Such was the consternation produced by this act that the first impulse was to repudiate the doctor's interference. But that was of course impossible. Maxims had already been placed in position round Johannesburg, and some 2,000 rifles distributed, and now earth works were thrown up and defensive measures hastily taken. The force left Pitsani at about 5 p.m. on Sunday, and in spite of messages received from the High Commissioner, the British Agent, and the Reform leaders, warning Dr Jameson to withdraw his troops, he continued to Krugersdorp (1 50 miles), which he reached at 3 p.m. on Wednesday. Near here, at the Queen's mile, the invaders suffered a small reverse, and withdrew, the firing being carried on until 11 p.m. During the night the Boers were reinforced with guns, Maxims, and men, bringing up their numbers to 1,200 or 1,500 men. Dr Jameson seemed quite unacquainted with the locality, and relied in the guidance of a local man, who led him into the strong position held by the Boers at Doornkop, Vlakfontein. He made a desperate attempt to break through, his men behaving with great gallantry. But the position was unassailable, and the force surrendered at 9.15 on Thursday morning, conditionally on the lives of all his force being spared. The casualties were 18 killed and about 441 wounded, while the Boers owned to 4 killed and 5 wounded. Dr Jameson was handed over by Mr Kruger's Govt, to the British Govt, for trial in London. Following on the police court proceedings, he was tried at Bar on the charge of having contravened the Foreign Enlistment Act of 1870 by organizing and heading a hostile expedition from Pitsani-Pitlogo against a friendly power. The trial commenced on June 20, 1896, at the High Court of Judicature, and lasted seven days. He was found guilty and sentenced to imprisonment as a first-class misdemeanant for fifteen months. He was, however, released from Holloway in the following Dec on account of illness. After a partial retirement for some years, Dr Jameson returned to SA, serving in the war (1899-1900), during which time he was besieged in Ladysmith, doing useful work until he was himself laid up with enteric. In 1900 he was elected a member of the Legislative Assembly for Kimberley, and made his maiden speech in the House on Aug 28, 1902, in which he hoped that the Jameson Raid might now be forgotten. Seceding from the Sprigg party, he identified himself with the Suspension movement, and was eventually (June 8, 1903) elected leader of the new Progressive party, which, after a long and difficult struggle, entailing considerable organizing powers, tact, control, and restraint, he lad to victory at the general election in Feb, 1904, himself being returned as member for Grahamstown. The Progressives being in a majority of five in the new assembly, and of one in the Council, and Sir Gordon Sprigg having been defeated at the poll, the resignation of the Ministry followed as a matter of course, and a new Cabinet was immediately formed by Dr Jameson, consisting of himself as Premier with charge of Native Affairs, Colonel Crewe as Colonial Secretary, E H Walton as Treasurer, Dr Smart as | Unknown |
