44. David Livingston [Livingstone], Kolobeng, to Rev Arthur Tidman, Mission House, Blomfield Street, London

Now resident at Kolobeng for 12 months; profession of faith and reception of Sechele into the Church; details conversations with Sechele around his conversion over the past 3 years in which they have been with the baKwena; describes the particular difficulties surrounding Sechele's "renunciation of polygamy", the strength of this tradition [a "sin" in the eyes of the missionaries], the position faced by his wives who were sent back to their families following his conversion and the reaction of the tribe upon hearing of this, including the holding of assemblies to try and persuade Sechele against this course of action; reaction of the baKwena to Sechele's baptism; discussion of rainmaking, the beliefs that surround this practice and comparisons made between the effects of rainmaking and western medicines by the local people; plans for the settlement of Paul with Mokhatla's people; report of the infant school under the care of Mrs Livingstone [Mary Livingstone] and reference to Mary's imminent confinement [their third child, Thomas Steele, was born on 7 March 1849]; discusses the circumstances surrounding his application for expenses to cover their removal to Chonuane [Chonwane] and their shortage of funds and food whilst there; disadvantages of journies to the Cape Colony and drawbacks to the mission occassioned by the lengthy periods of absence resulting from such journies; receipt of donations from individuals in the UK and damage sustained to some of the boxes of supplies sent to them.

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