1258 ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATION [part Vv 
Naturally it has not always been possible to adjust with- 
out friction the relations of the Imperial and the Colonial 
Governments in connexion with the operations of Imperial 
and Colonial troops. The Governor of the Cape held, until 
the annexation of the Transvaal, a separate commission as 
High Commissioner for South Africa! and in that capacity, 
and not as Governor of the Cape, was entrusted with the 
conduct of the relations of the Crown with the native tribes 
beyond the borders of the British possessions in South Africa. 
After the grant of responsible government the position 
became more and more difficult, and eventually a violent 
dispute arose between Sir Bartle Frere, then Governor of the 
Cape, and the Ministry of the day, the first Ministry under 
responsible government, which was headed by Mr. Molteno.2 
There were at the time of the dispute in 1877 two revolts 
raging, and Sir Bartle Frere was extremely anxious that the 
Colonial Government should not attempt to deal with these 
revolts, which appeared to him very serious, by their own 
resources only, but should secure the assistance of the 
Imperial troops in the Colony. On the other hand, the 
Ministry urged with some vehemence that the presence of 
the Imperial troops was contrary to the wishes and feelings 
of the Colony, and that they threatened the independence 
of the Colony, and they advised that they should be entirely 
withdrawn. Further, the Ministry proceeded to continue 
to urge that the Governor in his titular capacity as Com- 
mander-in-Chief should not interfere in any way with the 
Colonial forces, and they appointed one of the Ministry to 
take complete charge of warlike operations, independently 
of the control of the Governor and independently of the 
Imperial officer commanding the forces in the Cape of Good 
Hope. They also proceeded, without consulting the Governor, 
to make appointments to the military forces in his name, 
although he had not authorized such appointments. and 
* For a discussion in 1888 of the relations of the Governor and High 
Commissioner, cf. Parl. Pap., C. 5488, 
! See Parl. Pap., C. 2079, 2144 ; Cape Acts Nos. 16 of 1855; 5 of 1878. 
5. 31; 7 of 1878, 1. 32.