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a39015 OlSl 3079 2b
►
Bboubst of
KECOKDS OF THE CAPE COLONY.
cV-f^
G,p^ W$.-»/- ^,
EECOEDS
OF THE
CAPE COLONY
From MAY 1818 to JANUARY 1820.
COPIED FOR THE CAPE GOVERNMENT, FROM THB
MANUSCRIPT DOCUMENTS IN THE PUBLIC
RECORD OFFICE, LONDON,
BY
GEORGE M^'CALL THEAL, DXit., LL.D,,
OOLONIAL HUTOBIOGBAFHSB.
VOL. XII,
PRINTED FOB THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CAPE COLONY.
1902.
lohdoh:
PKOrrSD BT WnXIAM GLOWSB AKD 80HS, LnOTBD, 9UKB STBSBT, STAWORD BTUBBT, 8.B., AND GBSAT WIKDMILL 8TRBKT,
0
TflE applications to the Government to be sent out to South Africa as Settlers were so numerous in 1819 and the beginning of 1820 that with the testimonials and correspondence attached to them they would fill a volume. I have not considered it necessary to give more than a few specimens, as far the greater number of the applicants were rejected or drew back before sailing. The lists of those sent out are not quite complete in London. Every document of the slightest importance relating to the emigration, with the exception mentioned, has been copied for publication.
a M. T.
CONTENTS.
DATS 1818
13 May.
»»
15 May. 19 May.
M
21 May.
22 May. 25 May. 22 May.' 25 May.
M
26 May. 20 June. 23 June. 26 June.' 9 July. 15 July.
n
22 July. 27 July.
July.
July.
5 Aug.
10 Aug.
13 Aug.
14 Aug.
15 Aug. 19 Aug.
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst .
>» M » • •
M n M • • •
Letter from the Colonial Secretary to the Collector and the Comptroller of Customs
Letter from Mr. G. Beelaerts van Blokland to Henry Groulbum, Esqre. .......
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst . •
Memorial of Joz^ Martins Gromes . • . . «
Eeply to the above
Memorial of Joz^ Martins Gomes
Keply to the above
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset .
w n n • •
M w » • •
>» » » • •
Proclamation by Lord Charles Somerset .... Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Sir Henry Torrens Letter from Henry Goulbum, Esqre., to Lord Charles
Somerset ........
Letter from the Reverend J. H. Beck to Earl Bathurst
Letter from Lord Lynedoch to Earl Bathurst .
Letter from T. P. Courtenay, Esqre., to Henry Groulbum,
Esqre - .
Letter from Mr. John Mcllwraith to Earl Bathurst . Letter from Henry Goulbum, Esqre., to Mr. John Mcllwraith Letter from the Reverend J. H. Beck to Earl Bathurst Letter from the Registrar of Slaves to the Colonial Secretary Letter from the Earl of Caledon to Lord Bathurst Letter from Henry Goulbum, Esqre., to Lieutenant Colonel
Bird
Letter from the Colonial Secretary to the Commissary of
Vendues ........
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset •
PAQB
1 3
4
6
7 9 10 10 12 13 13 13 14 14 18
19 20 21
21 22 24 24 26 26
27
28 28 29
VIU
Contents,
DATE
1818 21 Aug.
26 Aug.
27 Aug.
|
29 Aug. |
|
ISept |
|
2 Sept. |
|
3 Sept. |
|
4 Sept. |
|
28 Sept |
|
29 Sept |
|
lOct |
|
2 Oct |
|
10 Oct |
|
17 Oct |
|
26 Oct |
|
INov. |
|
M |
|
3 Nov. |
|
10 Nov. |
|
12 Nov. |
|
16 Nov. |
|
17 Nov. |
|
25 Nov. |
|
27 Nov. |
|
28 Nov. |
|
Dec. |
|
3 Dec. |
|
4 Dec. |
|
4 Dec. |
|
7 Dec. |
|
n |
|
M |
|
M |
|
9 Dec. |
|
w |
|
10 Dec. |
|
n |
|
M |
|
n |
|
11 Dec. |
Letter from C. Arbuthnot, Esqre., to Henry Qoulbum, Esqre.
EnclosureB concerning slaves in the Pecquet Real Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset . Letter from the Navy Board to Henry Goulbum, Esqre. Letter from the Landdrost of Graaff Beinet to the Colonial
Secretary
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset
n n
n
Letter from Major Sogers to Lieutenant Colonel Brereton Letter from Henry Ctoulbum, Esqre., to Lord Charles
Somerset
Letter from Secretary Bird to Earl Bathurst
n
v»
n
Letter from E. Marshall, Esqre., to T. Courtenay, Esqre. Letter from Lieutenant James Fichat to Earl Bathurst Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst . Betum of Troops in the Garrison ....
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset .
Letter from Major Bogers to Lieutenant Colonel Brereton
Memorial of the London Missionary Society
Letter from Major Bogers to Sir Henry Torrens.
Letter from the Colonial Secretary to the Beverend Mr. Thorn
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset .
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Sir Henry Torrens
Betum of Troops in the Garrison • . • .
Proclamation by Lord Charles Somerset .
Letter from the Fiscal to the Colonial Secretary
Letter from the Beverend Thomas Erskine to Earl Bathurst
Letter from Major Bogers to Officers of the Ordnance.
Letter from the Colonial Secretary to the Chief Justice
Enclosure : Establishment of the Sequestrator's Depart- ment .......
Letter from the Colonial Secretary to J. Baird, Esqre. Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst .
n
n
M
Letter from the Colonial Secretary to the Beverend Mr. Taylor Letter from the Colonial Secretary to Officers of Ordnance Letter from the Officers of Customs to the Agent Victualler Letter from Sir Jahleel Brenton to Lord Charles Somerset Letter from Lord Charles Someitset to Sir Jahleel Brenton Letter from Sir Jahleel Brenton to Lord Charles Somerset Letter from Sir Jahleel Brenton to the Victualling Board Letter from the Colonial Secretary to the Burgher Senate Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset .
PAGE
29 30 33 33
34 36 37 37 37 38
45
45 46 46 48 49 51 51 52 55 57 58 60 60 61 62 64 76 77 78
80 80 87 88 88 89 90 91 92 93 93 94 95
Contents.
IX
DATS
1818
11 Dec.
12 Dec. 14 Dec.
17 Deo.
99
18 Dec
19 Dec.
21 Dec.
22 Dec.
23 Dec
24 Dec 24 Dec
28 Dec.
99 99
30 Dec
99
1819
7 Jan.
8 Jan. 25 Jan. 29 Jan.
3 Feb.
4 Feb.
8 Feb.
9 Feb.
12 Feb. 16 Feb.
16 Feb.
17 Feb.
99
19 Fdx. SlFdn.
25 Feb.
Letter from the Colonial Secretary to Lord Charles Somerset Letter from Secretary Bird to Henry Goulbum, Esqre. Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst
99
99 99
99 99 99
» 99 9>
Memorial of Mr. E. Bergh • . • . Letter from E. Bergh, Esqre., to Lord Charles Somerset Letter from Chief Justice Tniter to the Colonial Secretary Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset .
99
99
99
99 99 99 •
Letter from the Colonial Secretary to the Commissary of
Vendues
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst .
99
99
99
99 99 99 •
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset . Letter from Secretary Bird to the Keverend John Brownlee Extract from the Opgaaf Roll for 1818 : Theopolis . BeveDue and Expenditure Returns for 1818 •
Census Returns for 1818
Agricultural Returns for 1818
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Sir Henry Torrens Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset . Return of Troops in the Garrison .... Letter from Major Eraser to the Landdrost of Uitenhage Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset • Letter from Major Eraser to the Landdrost of Uitenhage Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset . Letter from the Landdrost of Uitenhage to the Colonial
Secretary ...•••• Lett^ from Major Rogers to Lieutenant Colonel Brereton Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Captain Robinson Letter from Captain Robinson to Lord Charles Somerset Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Captain Robinson Letter from Captain Robinson to Lord Charles Somerset Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Captain RobiniKm Letter from Captain Robinson to Lord Charles Somerset Letter from Sir Jahleel Brenton to Lord Charles Somerset Letter from C. H. Somerset^ Esqre., to Lieatenant Colonel
WiRshire
Letter from Captain Rolnnson to Lord Charles Somerset Letter from Major Rogers to Lieutenant Colonel Wilbbire
PAOB
95
97
97
98
99
101
102
104
105
107
109
109
110 111 113 116 117 118 124 125 128 128
180 131 131 132 134 134 136
137 138 139 140 140 141 143 144 145
147 149 150
X Contents.
DATE PAGE
1819
1 March. - Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset . . 157
2 March. Letter from Major Rogers to Lieutenant Colonel Willshire . 157
Enclosure : Plan of Operations against the Kaffirs . 158
15 March. Letter from the Landdrost of Uitenhage to the Colonial
Secretary 160
24 March. Letter from the Reverend Mr. Anderson to the Landdrost of
GraaffReinet 160
26 March. Letter from John Barrow, Esqre., to Henry Goulbum, Esqre. 162
Enclosure concerning Customs Regulations. . . 162
29 March. Letter from the Comptroller of Customs to the Colonial
Secretary . 164
30 March. Letter from R. Lushington, Esqre., to Henry Goulbum,
Esqre 166
31 March. Letter from the Colonial Secretary to the Comptroller of
Customs 166
12 ApriL Letter from the Reverend Mr. Anderson to the Landdrost of
GraaffReinet . • 167
Enclosure : Articles needed for trade north of the Orange 168
14 ApriL Letter from Mrs. A. Schmitt to the Landdrost of Uitenhage 168 17 April. Letter from the Landdrost of Uitenhage to the Colonial
Secretary 169
20 April. Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset . . 170
„ Letter from Henry Goulbum, Esqre., to Lord Charles
Somerset 172
21 ApriL Letter from the Comptroller of Customs to the Colonial
Secretary 173
„ Letter from the Colonial Secretary to the Comptroller of
Customs 174
24 April. Letter from the Landdrost of Uitenhage to the Colonial
Secretary 175
25 ApriL Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst . . 176
2 May. Letter from Major Eraser to the Landdrost of Uitenhage • 177 6 May. Letter from T. P. Courtenay, Esqre., to Henry Goulbum,
Esqre 178
Enclosures oonceming auditing Accounts . . • 179 8 May. Letter from Sir David Baird to Viscount Castlereagh . • 183 10 May. Letter from the Landdrost of Uitenhage to the Colonial
Secretary 184
12 May. Letter from Messrs. Vernon, Harberd, and Stracey to Earl
Bathurst 184
13 May. Letter from R. H. Crewe, Esqre., to Henry Goulbum, Esqre. 186
16 May. Memorial of Andrew Stockenstrom, Esqre. . . . 188
17 May. Letter from the Comptroller of Customs to the Colonial
Secretary 189
Contents,
XI
DATB 1819
17 May.
20 May. 22 May.
99
24 May.
25 May.
99
31 May.
1 June.
99
2 June.
99
8 June.
99
10 June. 15 Jun&
16 June. 18 June. 22 June.
99
25 June. 28 June.
99
30 June.
9 July.
12 July.
14 July.
16 July.
17 July
Letter from MessrB. Vernon, Harberd, and Stracey to Earl
Bathurst
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset . Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst . Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Sir Henry Torrens
99
99
99
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Captain Wauchope, R.N Letter from Captain Wauohope to Lord Charles Somerset Letter from Sir Henry Torrens to Henry Qoulbum, Esqre.
Enclosure : Petition of 800 Inhabitants of Boss-shire to be allowed to emigrate to the Cape of Good
Hope
Betum of Troops at the Cape of Good Hope Letter from Mr. George Banks to Earl Bathurst.
Reply to the above
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Sir Jahleel Brenton Observations on the Colonisation of the Cape of Good Hope Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset . Letter from Sir Jahleel Brenton to Lord Charles Somerset Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst . Letter from Mr. William Savage to Earl Bathurst Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset . Letter from Henry Goulbum, Esqre., to Lord Charles
. Somerset
Circular Letter issued by the Colonial Office Estimate of cost of articles required by Settlers. Printed Letter in reply to applicants desirous to emigrate Printed letter in reply to applicants for information . Printed letter in reply to applicants desirous of emigrating
singly
Printed letter used by the Colonial Office .
Letter from Mr. John Campbell to Earl Bathurst
Extract from the Times on emigration
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst .
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Henry Goulbum,
jjjsqre. ••••••..
Return of Troops at the Cape of Good Hope
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst .
99
99
99
99
9f 99
Proclamation by Lord Charles Somerset ,
Debate in the House of Commons .
Extract from the Times ....
Letter from Miles Bowker, Esqre., to Henry Goulbum, Esqre
Letter from Lieutenant John Crause to Earl Bathurst
Extract from the Tmef
FAQB
191 192 193 202 205 206 207 208
208 210 210 211 212 212 219 219 220 223 224
225 225 228 229 230
231
232 232 234 235
237 238 238 240 242 249 250 252 253 254 255
xu
Contents.
DATS
1819 17 July.
19 July.
20 July.
21 July.
Letter from J. T. B. Beaumont, Eaqre., to Earl Bathunst Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset •
n
9»
22 July.
23 July.
24 July.
25 July.
26 July.
27 July.
28 July.
29 July.
31 July. 1 Aug.
6 Aug.
10 Aug.
11 Aug.
12 Aug.
13 Aug.
18 Aug.
19 Aug.
99
21 Aug. 24 Aug. 26 Aug.
29 Aug.
2 Sept 4 Sept. 7 Sept
Letter from Mr. Oeorge Southey to Earl Bathurst Letter from Mr. John Cawood to Earl Bathurst. Letter from Thomas Lack, Esqre., to Henry Groulbum, Esqre. Letter from Mr. B. H. Banks to Henry Gk)ulbum, Esqre. Letter from Miles Bowker, Esqre., to Henry Goulbum, Esqre. Letter from Mr. John Stanley to Earl Bathurst Letter from Mr. Alexander Biggar to Earl Bathurst . Letter from Mr. Benjamin Osier to the Mayor of Falmouth Letter from Henry Gt)ulbum, Esqre., to Lord Charles
Somerset
Letter from Lieutenant Orause to Earl Bathurst
Letter from Mr. Bailie to Mr. Huskisson •
Letter from Mr. Walter Synnot to Earl Bathurst
Letter from Mr. Daniel Hockley to Henry Goulbum, Esqre
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst •
Letter from Mr. John Centlivres Chase to Earl Bathurst
Letter from Mr. T. P. Adams to Henry Goulbum, Esqre.
Letter from Mr. Edward Damant to Henry Goulbum, Esqre.
Letter from Captain George Pigot to Earl Bathurst
Betum of Troops on the Frontier .
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset
Extract from the TV'Tiies
Letter from Messrs. Bailie and others to Henry Gt)ulbum
Esqre.
Letter from Mr. John Bailie to Earl Bathurst . Letter from Mr. Joseph Dell and others to Earl Bathurst Letter from Mr. Charles Caldecott to Earl Bathurst . Letter from T. P. Courtenay, Esqre., to Henry Gt)ulbum,
Esqre.
Letter from Messrs. Dyason and Hudson to Earl Bathurst Letter from Lieutenant Y. Griffith to the Reverend G. A
Evers
Letter from Mr. Benjamin Osier to Henry Goulbum, Esqre. Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst Letter from Mr. Ralph Goddard to Earl Bathurst Letter from Henry Croulbum, Esqre., to Lord Charles
Somerset
Letter from Mr. W. Currie to Earl Bathurst Letter from Mrs. H. Gosling to the Institution " The
of the Destitute"
Letter from Mr. William Burgess to Earl Bathurst Letter from Mr. Samuel Bennett to Earl Bathurst Letter from Sir Henry Torrens to Henry Goulbum, Esqre.
PAGE
256 257 259 262 263 264 264 266 268 269 269
270 270 271 271 272 272 273 273 276 277 278 278 279
283 284 285 286
287 289
290 290 291 292
293 293
294 304 305 308
Contents. xiii
DATE PAGE
1819
7 Sept. Letter from Mr. Colin Campbell to Henry Gbulburn, Esqre. 309
10 8ept. Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset . . 310
13 Sept. Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to T. P. Courtenay, Esqre. 310 „ Letter from Henry Gt)ulbum, Esqre., to William Parker,
Esqre. 311
16 Sept Letter from Captain Bagot to Earl Bathurst . . . 313
17 Sept. Letter from Henry Groulbum, Esqre., to William Parker,
Esqre 314
18 Sept Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Henry GK>ulbum,
Esqre 315
„ Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Captain Hmin, B.N. . 316
22 Sept Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset . . 316
„ Letter from Mr. Thomas Pringle to Henry Gbulbum, Esqre. 317
24 Sept Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset . . 319 „ Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst . . 319
25 Sept Letter from the Reverend C. I. Latrobe to William Parker,
Esqre. 322
„ Letter from Mr. Samuel Bradshaw to Earl Bathurst . . 323
26 Sept Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Henry GK>ulbum,
Esqre 324
27 Sept Letter from Mr. Alexander Biggar to Henry Goulbum,
Esqre 325
„ Letter from James Grosling, Esqre., to Henry Gbulbum,
Esqre 325
28 Sept Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset . . 327
29 Sept Letter from Mr. J. Carlisle to Earl Bathurst . . . 328
30 Sept Letter from Mr. G. H. Gibbons to Earl Bathurst . . 329
Letter to applicants to emigrate after the requisite number
was selected 330
>» n n 330
n >f n 331
» » » 331 Letter from the Colonial Office to the Heads of Parties of
Settlers 332
Letter to Lord Charles Somerset 333
»f if . . • .. . 333
Letter to persons emigrating to the Cape at their own expense 334
Letter to the Commissioners of the Navy .... 334
1 Oct Return of Troops on the Frontier . . . . . 335
5 Oct Letter from Mr. Thomas Pringle to Henry Gt)ulbum, Esqre. 335
6 Oct Letter from Henry GK>ulbum, Esqre., to William Parker,
Esqre. 336
15 Oct Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst . . 337
Enclosure : Establishment of the Colonial Corps • • 341
„ Intelligence from the Camp on the Gwanga . . . 342
16 Oct Letter from Mr. John Bailie to Henry Goulbum, Esqre. . 345
XIV
Contents.
DATE 1819
17 Oct.
19 Oct
21 Oct. 23 Oct. 28 Oct.
30 Oct.
31 Oct.
3 Nov.
4 Nov.
5 Nov.
6 Nov.
11 Nov.
12 Nov.
13 Nov. 15 Nov.
18 Nov.
20 Nov.
22 Nov.
n
23 Nov. 25 Nov.
27 Nov.
IDec.
6 Dec. 8 Dec.
n
Letter from Lord GharleB Somerset to Lieutenant Colonel
WiUshire
Letter from Henry Ellis, Esqre., to Henry Goulbum, Esqre. Letter from Mr. John Bailie to Earl Bathurst . Letter from Mr. James G. Jackson to Earl Bathurst . Letter from Henry Groulbum, Esqre., to Lord Charles Somerset
9>
n
99
Scheme of Embarkation of Emigrants • • . . Letter from Mr. Edward Damant to Henry Goulbum, Esqre. Letter from Lieutenant W. Gilfillan to Henry Goulbum,
Esqre
Letter from Mr. Peter Campbell to Earl Bathurst Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset
Enclosure : List of Heads of Parties of Settlers Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst
99
99
99
9 Dec.
Letter from Mr. Hezekiah Sephton to Earl Bathurst Letter from the Duke of Newcastle to Earl Bathurst Letter from the Reverend William Boardman to Earl Bathurst Letter from Henry Gk)ulbum, Esqre., to Lord Charles Somerset Letter from Mr. Hezekiah Sephton to Earl Bathurst •
Enclosure relating to the Eeverend William Shaw Letter from the Reverend William Boardman to Earl Bathurst Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst . Letter from the Landdrost of Uitenhage to Land Surveyor
Ejiobel
Letter from the Reverend Francis Mcdeland to Earl Bathurst Letter from the Landdrost of Uitenhage to the Colonial
Secretary
Letter from Mr. Thomas Pringle to Henry Goulbum, Esqre. Letter from Chief Justice Truter to Lord Charles Somerset Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst . Return of Troops on the Frontier .... List of Settlers under direction of Mr. Thomas Owen .
Lieutenant Charles Crause Mr. John Mandy . Mr. Thomas Rowles „ „ Mr. George Scott .
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset . Letter from Henry Goulbum, Esqre., to Lord Charles Somerset Letter from the Landdrost of Tulbagh to the Colonial Secretary List of Settlers under direction of Mr. John Bailie
ft n Mr. John Carlisle .
Letter from Lieutenant Colonel Graham to Lord Charles
Somerset
99
99
99
99
99
99
PAGE
345 348
351 356 357 358 358 359
359
360
360
363
364
366
367
369
370
370
371
371
372
872
373
373 374
375 376 378 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 387 388 390 395
396
Contents.
XV
DATE
1819 10 Dec. 13 Dec.
UDec.
16 Dec.
17 Dec.
20 Dec. 24 Dec. 26 Dec. 29 Dec.
1820 1 Jan.
»»
4 Jan.
99 99 99
5 Jan.
6 Jan.
99 99
PAGE
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerget . . 396 Letter from T. P. Oourtenay, Esqre., to Henry Goulbum,
Esqre. 397
Letter from the Deputy Colonial Secretary to the Landdrost
of Uitenhage ........ 398
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset . . 398 Extract from the Proceedings of the Society for propagating
the Gospel in Foreign Parts ..... 399 Letter from the Reverend Thomas Erskine to Henry Goul- bum, Esqre 400
Letter from the Deputy Colonial Secretary to the Landdrost
of Tulbagh 402
Letter from the Landdrost of Uitenhage to Land Surveyor
Knobel 403
Letter from George Harrison, Esqre., to Henry Goulbum,
Esqre 403
Betum of Civil Officers whose salaries exceed £150 per
annum 404
Revenue and Expenditure Returns for 1819 . . . 410 Census Returns for 1819 ...... 414
Agricultural Returns for 1819 ...,«,« 414
Retum of Troops on the Frontier .... Letter from the Navy l^oard to Henry Goulbum, Esqre. Letter from Mr. John Stanley to Henry Goulbum, Esqre. Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset . Letter from Mr. Thomas Beale to Henry Gt)ulbum, Esqre. Letter from Mr. John Stanley to Henry Goulbum, Esqre. Letter from Mr. Henry Ulyate to Henry Goulbum, Esqre. Letter from Captain Walter Synnot to Henry Goulbum, Esqre Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst . Letter from the Navy Board to Henry Gk)ulbum, Esqre.
99
99 99
List of Settlers under Mr. William Clark
Mr. Thomas Mahoney
Mr. William Smith .
Mr. Charles Dalgaims
Captain George Pigot
Mr. Edward Damant
Mr. John Henry Dixon
Mr. Nathaniel Morgan
Mr. William Howard
Mr. Charles Gximey
Mr. William Menezes
Mr. Alexander Biggar
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
416
416
417
417
419
420
421
421
422
423
423
424
426
427
428
429
430
432
433
434
435
436
437
XVI
Contents,
DATE
1820
8 Jan. llJan.
List of Settlers under Mr. John Parkin
Mr. Edward Ford .
Captain Duncan Campbell
Mr. Charles Hyman.
Mr. Miles Bowker .
Mr. Benjamin Osier. Letter from Mr. Thomas Fringle to Henry Gbulbum, Esqre, Letter from the Navy Board to Henry Goulbum, Esqre.
»
n
99
99
99
99
99
99
12 Jan. Letter from Mr. Thomas Willson to Captain Toung List of Settlers under Mr. Greorge Smith . M Mr. James Bichardson
12 Jan.
13 Jan.
99
17 Jan.
18 Jan.
Lieutenant Valentine Griffith
Mr. Joseph Neave .
Lieutenant T. White
Mr. John Stanley .
Mr. Charles Mouncey
Mr. Jonathan Wainwright
Mr. Samuel Liversage
Messrs. Hayhurst and Whitley
Mr. Thomas Willson
Mr. Thomas Fhilipps
Mr. James Henry Greathead
Mr. George Southey
Mr. William Holder
Mr. Samuel Bradshaw
Mr. John Ingram .
Mr. Hezekiah Sephton
Mr. William Parker
Mr. Thomas Calton .
Captain Thomas Butler
Mr. George Dyason .
Mr. James Thomas Erith .
Mr. Thomas Pringle
Mr. William Cock .
Mr. Daniel Mills
Mr. Edward Ghurdner
Mr. Edward Turvey
Captain Walter Synnot
Mr. Samuel James . Progress in embarking Settlers for the Cape of GKxxl Hope Letter from Sir Bufane Shawe Donkin to Earl Bathurst Letter from the Navy Board to Henry Groulbum, Esqre. Letter from Mr. Thomas Pringle to Henry Goulbum, Esqre. Letter from the Navy Board to Henry Goulbum, Esqre. Letter from Mr. William Wait to Henry Goulbum, Esqre.
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
PAGE 438
439
440
441
442
443
444
446
446
447
448
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
460
466
467
468
469
470
472
474
480
484
487
488
490
491
492
494
495
496
498
499
600
501
502
502
504
504
RECOBDS OF THE CAPE COLONY.
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Gape of Good Hope, IZik May 1818.
My Lord, — ^In another communication I have had the honour to make your Lordship acquainted with the circumstance under which the Portuguese Brig Flor da Bahia with a cargo of slaves arrived in Simons Bay, but I have now to lay before Your Lord- ship a case of a different nature, and, as far as I can learn, quite novel of its kind.
I must premise by acquainting Your Lordship that it appears that Portugue^ Slave Vessels on their voyage from Mozambique, or the possessions of the Portuguese on the Eastern side of this Continent, have not unfrequently put into these Bays for the absolute requisites necessary for the prosecution of their voyage, or to repair damages received in the frequent bad weather met with off this promontory ; the Colonial Eegulations with respect to vessels under these circumstances is to put them into strict quarantine, placing them in the outer anchorage, and having seen to their supply with mere requisites, to order them to sea with the least possible delay. Sometimes these supplies have been paid for from funds which the Masters or Supercargoes have brought with them, and at other times they have given bills upon their owners at Bio or St. Salvador ; but it having often happened that such bills have been protested by the parties upon whom they were drawn, and the means of recovery, in such cases, having been found tedious and precarious, that consideration added to the idea which pretty generally has been spread that it is illegal to afford to these Traders any assistance whatever, has rendered
xn. B
2 Records of the Cape Colony.
it almost impossible for the Fortngaese Masters to get cash for what thej want or to obtain supplies upon credit.
1^6 Portuguese Brig Pacquet Real airiTed in this Bay -with a cai^o of 171 slaves, bound to St. Salvador on the 14th of April last. She had had a very long passage (71 days), had exhausted her provision, water, and stock, and was much damaged by bad weather ; in short she was in a state unfit to keep the sea, and the supplies which she required were likely to come to a very considerable sum, which the Master had not the smallest means of paying for; it also appeared that certain bills which he had given when here on a former occasion had not been discharged, 60 that relief from individuals was altogether unattainable. Thus situated, the Master applied to me, and Your Lordship will see, from the enclosed correspondence, that I have not thought it advisable to make him the advances he required. But a question of some difhcnlty has in consequence arisen. This vessel has no means of proceeding to sea, the Master must shortly, in all likelihood, abandon the vessel and cargo, not having the means of continuing Lo maintain the negroes on board, and what tlien la to be done with them ? My firat directions were to the Colonial Secretary to consult the officers of the Customs on the subject, and Your Lordship will see from the Comptroller's letter his view of the subject ; but as his reasoning was not entirely conclusive, in as much as it did not appear to me to he clear that Acts of Parlia- ment made solely for British Subjects and for the abolition of the Slave Trade in British Vessels and British Colonies were quite applicable to this case, I directed the further opinions of His Majesty's Fiscal and Mr. Truter to be taken on the case. I enclose copies of them, and beg to call your Lordship's particular attention to them ; it appearing therefrom that the freedom of the Negroes is clear from the moment the act of abandonment takes place, and that all that could be obtained for Negroes so situated by any of the provisions of the Acts of Parliament is thereby obtained. I have decided, whenever the event takes place, to act in conformity thereto, by which means I conceive that I shall not only act according to the spirit of the British Legislature, but that I shall be enabled to take the most desirable and decisive steps for the benefit of the poor objects thus thrown upon me for protection; besides which I shall obviate all those claims upon the British Treasury which would arise, were the case carried into
Records of the Cape Colony. 3
an Admiralty Court and the free Negroes there be condemned as forfeitures to the Crown.
I lay this, perhaps, prematurely before Your Lordship, as it is still possible, though improbable, the Portuguese Master may obtain relief ; but I am most anxious, in so novel a case, to have Your Lordship's early sanction and approbation of the steps I may take ; I am also no less anxious to have Your Lordship's instructions for my gtddance, in cases which may occur of a nature similar to the present one, or to that of the Flor da Bahia, or indeed in those of any other Portuguese Slave Vessels entering these Harbours. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Gaps of Good Hope, 13^ May 1818.
My Lord, — I have the honour to report to your Lordship, that the private ship Atla^ from Liverpool, Joseph Short Master, sailed from Simon's Bay on the 5th of February last, and having fallen in with the Portuguese Brig Flor da Bahia, employed in the Slave Trade, with a cargo of slaves on board, the Master took upon himself to detain her and to send her into this place for prosecution in the Court of Vice Admiralty. Upon examination of the ship's papers by the proper officers, it soon appeared that there was nothing legally to justify the step taken by the Master, and it was recommended that an early liberation of the vessel and cargo should take place, which was consequently effected.
But upon the arrival of the vessel in Simon's Bay the crowded state of the Negroes on board had caused so much mortality, and disease was making such rapid progress, that the common dictates of humanity urged a speedy interference, and in consequence of the reports, copies of which are herewith transmitted, I directed the sick to be landed, succoured, and treated by the medical officer at Simon's Town during the stay of the vessel in that harbour. I doubt not but that this step will meet your Lordship's approbation, and that your Lordship, apprized of the circumstance, will not allow the act to be misconstrued. The Negroes having been dying
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4 Eecords of the Cape Colony.
at the rate of 4 a day previous to my having afforded them relief, after which however not one perished during their stay here. It seems that various opinions are afloat with respect to the propriety or indeed legality, of granting assistance to a Portuguese Slave Vessel coming into the ports of this Settlement under whatever circumstances for refreshment or necessaries, which the length of voyage or stress of weather frequently compels them to do on their passage from Mozambique to the Brazils. So long as the Portu- guese Nation shall by their own Laws tolerate this traffic, I am not aware how the rights of hospitality can be refused to those in distress, and certain I am that the British Parliament never contemplated in its enactments forcing a vessel crowded with human beings to sea without the common necessaries of life.
I have the honour to enclose a statement of the mate of the Atlas who had charge of, and brought the Portuguese Brig into this anchorage. This narrative, shocking to humanity, is verified on oath, and is confirmed by the State in which the unfortunate Negroes were found upon the inspection I ordered to be taken of them.
The statement, in many parts, fully warrants what has, at different times, been brought forward as argument in support of the necessity, justice, and policy of putting a total stop to so nefarious a traffic, and it must be consoling to those who have so strenuously exerted themselves to this effect to know, that a very few years will totally and entirely accomplish their laudable object.
I have &c.
(Signed) Guables Eenrt Sohebset.
[OriginaL] Letter from LoKD Ghables Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Gafb of Good Hops, 15ift May 1818.
My Lord, — ^The great majority of the Officers of the late Gape Begiment having now left this Golony, I have to solicit your Lordship's protection for some few of them who have remained here under the hope of obtaining employment in our Givil Service. Some of them have already been put into small situations, the
Records of the Cape Colony. 5
emoluments of which would, however, not be adequate to their maintenance in the most humble manner, were they not, at the same time, permitted to draw the half pay of the rank in which they were reduced.
It is highly desirable here to have young men in all the departments of Govemmenli who have the facility of speaking the language of the country ; and the long residence of the Officers of this Corps in the Colony has given them, generally speaking, that incalculable advantage.
It is to secure to us in our official transactions the benefit herein described, that I beg to lay this request before Your Lord- ship, in order that, should Your Ix)rdship concur in this view, you may be so good as to move the Secretary at War to permit such Officers on Half Pay as speak the Dutch language fluently to receive such half pay, together with the Colonial pay of any Office which they may be appointed to fill. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henby Somerset.
[Copy.]
Letter from the Colonial Secretary to the Collector amd the
Comptroller of Customs.
CoxxnruL Owwum, Idth May 1818.
Gentlemen, — ^I am directed by His Excellency the Governor to acquaint you that in the dreadful gale of yesterday the Portuguese Brig Pacquet Real, having a cargo of slaves for St Salvador on board and in quarantine in this Bay, parted from her anchors, and was totally wrecked. By the immediate orders His Excellency had given for the relief of the sufferers, the Crew has been saved, and 140 Negroes in a most deplorable state were safely landed. Seven of these died from debility, and 133 are now secured and provided for in the General Hospital. This imfortunate drcum- ttance, forming a case completely novel in its kind, involving the ri£^t of a Foreign Nation, and, as His Excellency is advised, bdng unprovided for by the Acts relating to the abolition of the Slave Trade, it is His Excellency's intention to continue to provide for the safe keeping and maintenance of the unhappy Negroes until
6 Records of the Cape Colony.
such time as the directions of His Majesty's Goveminent at Home shall be received on this intricate question, and His Excellency desires me to acquaint you that his object in making this communi- cation to you is in order that you may be fully apprized of the circumstances of this case and know that the provisions of any laws, whether Commercial or relating to the abolition of the Slave Trade, cannot be infringed or interfered with by the steps he has taken, and that consequently His Excellency deems any interference on the part of the Custom Department to be unnecessary in the present stage of this business, and His Excellency therefore desires that you may be pleased to regulate yourselves accordingly.
I have etc.
(Signed) C, Bird.
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. G. Beblaerts van BloklaND to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
Haoub, 19th May 1818.
Sir, — I had the honour of receiving a letter from the Earl of Galedon, giving cover to a letter from you to His Lordship, holding information of Earl Bathurst having consented that my leave of absence from the Cape be prolonged for six months, and having expressed his willingness to consent upon cause being shewn to its further extension for a limited period ; thus the leave which was to expire on the 15th of August next wiU now stand prolonged till the 15th of February 1819. In acknowledging the receipt of this communication I beg leave to request you to convey to Lord Bathurst my most sincere thanks for this indulgence, and 'also that you will have the goodness to cause this extension of my leave being mentioned to the Government at the Cape in your dispatches thither.
Lord Caledon further informed me of his having had a communication with you on the subject of my wish to retire from the situation I hold in His Majesty's Settlement at the Cape, with a pension, which would be very desirable to me in many respects, and to which I fostered some hope from circumstances agitated (as
Records of tTve Cape Colony* 7
I suppose) in your conversation with Lord Caledon. I found, however, no great matter of surprise at the difficidty pointed out ; I am to confess that I know no precedent of pensions having been allotted at home for services performed in the Colonies; but permit me. Sir, to remark, that whenever the Colonial government grants a pension, it of course always acts in expectation of such being approved of by the Government at Home, which latter consequently, properly speaking seems to confer the favor. The want of precedent is perhaps merely accidental, the parties interested being usually in the Colony at the time when the grant is made, therefore it appeared to me that the difference in my case would be more formal than material, and that by such a course (as I happened to be now in Europe) time might be saved. You will oblige me. Sir, by taking this subject once more in contempla- tion, and should you find any means of obviating the existing difficulty, I will feel happy in receiving your directions.
I have &c.
(Signed) G. Beelaebts van Blokland.
P.S. In the case of your having to favor mel with any com- munication, I request the same may be forwarded to Messrs. G. & J. van Neck & Co., Austin Friars.
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Gaps of Good Hops, 21«< May 1818.
My Lord, — ^When I had the honour of addressing Your Lord- ship on the 13th instant on the subject of the Portuguese Slave ship Pdcqv^t Beat then at anchor in this Bay, I anticipated a different result from what I have now to communicate. On the 18th instant a dreadful gale at N. and N.W. came on, during which the Portuguese Brig and two other vessels parted from their anchors and were driven on shore. The state of the weather was so alarming that the unfortunate event was to be apprehended, and I had ordered detachments of the 60th and 72nd Begiments to be in readiness to afford every possible assistance to the
8 Records of the Cape Colony,
distressed crews> with the happy efiTect, with regard to the two other vessels that every life was saved, but, I regret to state to Your Lordship, that the decayed state of the Portuguese Brig did not admit of her holding together long, and though the crew and 140 of the Negroes, by most meritorious and indefatigable exertions, were saved, yet many of the unfortunate Africans perished before they could be brought on shore. 18 bodies have been cast up and buried, together with 7 of those who were saved in the first instance, but who died subsequently from weakness. The remainder (100 males and 33 females) debilitated and diseased, I have thought it my duty to take under my immediate protection, and I have placed them at present in our General Hospital (an insulated building) where the exeitions of the Military Hospital establishment will be called forth, nearly to reanimate the unfor- tunate and exhausted sufferers. The first dictates of humanity required the step I have taken, but the question which arises out of the unfortunate calamity is not of easy decision, and its difficulty will, I trust, plead my apology with Your Lordship for making it a subject of reference, and earnestly requesting Your Lordship's earliest instructions thereon.
What is to become of the unfortunate Negroes thus thrown upon our coast ? The Portuguese owner asserts his claim to them and states his intention of proceeding forthwith to the BrazUs to bring a ship for their relief. Should these men be given up to a state of slavery upon his return ? May AMcan Negroes be embarked to be dealt with as slaves from a British Colony? Should the Owner's claim be inadmissible, is he entitled to indemnity ? And from whence is that indemnity to be issued? Supposing these unfortunates to be entitled to freedom, in what manner shall they be provided for, they being in their present state quite incompetent to their own maintenance or support. Totally naked, and all, as I before said, debilitated and diseased, they exhibit a scene distress- ing to every feeling. Clothing them and administering to their wants will be expensive and tedious, nor can they, when by these means enabled to work, do so until instructed and accustomed to it. Beasoning by analogy, I should propose, if this course be the one to be adopted, that Your Lordship should sanction my taking by these unfortunates such steps as have already met Yoiu* Lordship's approval in the case of the Negroes held by the late Mr. Tennant, as I have found by experience that those measu]re$,
Records of the Cape Colonif. 9
which included a provision for the sick and helpless, are better adapted to the circumstances of the Colony than any others.
I should, however, first perhaps have solicited Your Lordship to sanction the steps which I have thought it best to take for the interests of humanity and those of all parties who might have claims arising out of this unprovided for occurrence, in determining to keep the Negroes under my own immediate supeiintendance until I hear from Your Lordship on the subject. Your Lordship will see by the enclosed copy of a letter which I caused to be immediately written to the Collector and Comptroller of Customs here, that I am of opinion that by the measures I have adopted " the Provisions of any Laws, whether commercial or for the abolition of the Slave Trade, cannot be infringed," while the interests of all parties are in the most effectual manner secured. I therefore anticipate Your Lordship's approval thereof, and beg, in conclusion, to express my anxiety that Your Lordship may be fully impressed that I have acted in this delicate case with the view, in the first place, of obeying the imperative dictates of humanity to the unfortunate, and in the next, of not committing His Majesty's Government in an unpleasant correspondence with that of a friendly power and Ancient Ally. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Copy.]
Memorial of Joz& Martins Gomes.
Illustrious and Excellent Sbnhor, — Joz6 Martins Gomes, Supercargo of the wrecked Portuguese Brig Pacquet Real Sayeth !
That for the good of his claim it is necessary for him to take an. account of his slaves, to examine them, in order to see the situation they are in after the shipwreck, and to know how many have perished, and the number that have died in His Britannic Majesty's Hospital since, and also the number sick, that it will be a satisfac- tion to him, having done his duty, as he cannot do it without Your Excellency's permission.
I beg Your Excellency will be pleased to determine to consent
10 Records of the Cape Colony,
to that above referred, conceding to me the favor to enter the Hospital at any hour, for which I shall feel grateful.
(Signed) Joze Maktins Gomes.
Gafi Tows{, 22n<2 May 1818.
Beply to the above Memorial.
His Excellency the Grovemor will give directions that the Memorialist shall be admitted into the General Hospital, and there count the Negroes who have been saved from the wrecked Brig Pacquet Heal. The person who has taken an inventory of the Negroes, and has entered their descriptions and marks in a Eegister, shall accompany the Memorialist. A return shall also be famished him of the number which have been buried, having been cast up on the day of the accident or subsequent days.
Colonial Office, May 25th 1818.
By Command of His Excellency the Governor.
(Signed) C. Bibd.
[Copy.J
Memorial of JofflS Maetins Gomes.
Illustkious and Excellent Senhor — Joz6 Martins (Jomes, Supercargo of the wrecked Portuguese Brig Fa^^vst Real, prostrates himself at Your Excellency's feet with the most lively sentiments of gratitude for the great protection which he received from Your Excellency and the prompt relief charitably rendered him as much in saving the lives of so many fellow creatures which he had on board as the hospitality which has been shewn to all, as much to the Whites as the Blacks, as also the activity and watoh kept over the fragments of his wrecked brig. Why ! So as Your Excellency could find so much humanity and speed in such an unexpected accident which only the Architector of the Universe could succour, so he hopes to find shelter here, in the feeling heart and soul of Your Excellency implores by the most sacred pledges of Your Excellency, by the excellent sons and daughters of Your Excellency,
Records of the Cape Colony. 11
were they wanting succour in such a critical accident finding himself entirely lost, having all he possesses laid out in slaves, that on board the said Brig he had the same which are now in the hospital by Your Excellency's order, belonging to himself the Supercargo seventy odd. In which commerce he was engaged to maintain a numerous family entirely dependent on him at St. Salvador, they being precious to him, such as his wife, sons, mother and sisters which he maintains, and what will become of him, finding himself in a strange country without a shirt to his back, answerable to his owners for more than 30 Contos of Eeis Fortes (near 40,000 Spanish Dollars) as also to a crew of 30 odd men, which he had on board, every one in his way of thinking, criminating him for the delay of the Brig in this Port, when it is well known in this town the great diligence he made to find one or more merchants united to lend him money or provisions, upon bills on his owners, making thousand proposals, even to go to Bio de Janeiro, or himself to remain here as a deposit of his person, leaving his passports and receiving others in lieu. Offering to sail in company with any Man of War or Merchantman which might be going to the Brazils, ceding over his passports which he had on board, and if at last unfortunately unsuccessful, to sell at Public Sale all that he could dispense with belonging to the said Brig, or even his last shirt, to pay that he owed, and with whatever small quantity of provisiona to bear up for the first Portuguese Port which he might be able to fetch, going on board at all weathers with cables and anchors for the security of his Brig, which is well known to the Captain of the Port.
Hoping Your Excellency will not be the means to make him unfortunate remaining discredited in his Country in his early stage of life, without having the courage to appear before his owners and merchants of his place : He therefore most humbly solicits Your Excellency on his part and on that of his Companions to commiserate, and determine what they are to do, well, they are willing and ready to obey all the respective orders of Your Excellency determining what is to be done with his slaves, those belonging to his Owners as also those of the Crew. Well Your Excellency will determine what is most proper, that the decision at the end may be able to save the proceeds of the voyage. So that the Supercargo may not remain entirely a lost man, as the Great God would have it that such a shipwreck should happen in
12 Records of the Cape Colony.
a place belonging to a nation which is reckoned the most civilized and humane in all Europe.
He waits Your Excellency's decision as he had already wrote to his Owners by the English Brig the Alexander to remit money to pay the disbursements made here on account of the Brig and cargo, which they will promptly do, as he trusts with certainty the honor and probity of the said Owners he the Supercargo will bind himself for that, which cannot leave persisting in benefiting the said negotiation.
Beclaiming all and every damage, prejudice, losses and gains binds him to become responsible for all and whatever expences incurred for the benefit of the cargo as also of the wrecked Brig.
Waiting with all silence Tour Excellency's decision knowing and being certain that Your Excellency will use with it hospitality and pity, and with all those who implore their rights in which grace Your Excellency abounds.
(Signed) Joze Mabtins Gomes.
Cafb Towk, 22fM2 May 1818.
Reply to the above Memorial,
His Excellency the Grovemor laments extremely the circumstance of the wreck of the Portuguese Brig Pacquet Real, having Negroes on board. The Grew of the ship has been ordered into Barracks by His Excellency, where they will be treated with every possible attention and humanity, so long as it shall appear to him to be necessary. With regard to the Negroes who have been saved from the wreck. His Excellency has given directions for their being clothed and subsisted in tiie manner adapted to their wants and miserable state, and His Excellency will take the earliest oppor- tunity of transmitting an account of the circumstances under which these persons have been thrown into this Golony to His Majesty's Government in England.
Colonial Office, 25th May 1818.
By Command of His Excellency the (Tovemor.
(Signed) C. Bird.
jRecords of the Cape Colony. 13
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Sombrsbt.
DowKiNO Stbbbt, 25<7i May 1818.
My Lord, — I have the honour to acquaint Your Lordship that I have been induced to give permission to Mr. Beelaerts van Blokland to remain in Europe during Six Months beyond the termination of his Leave of Absence. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
DowNiNO Stbbbt, 26^ May 1818.
My Lord, — I transmit to Your Lordship herewith sundry Monitions which have been issued by the High Court of Admi- ralty of England addressed to various persons resident within Your Lordship's Government; and I have to desire that Your Lordship wiU cause these Monitions to be served on the Parties specified therein according to the Instructions accompanying these documents. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
DowNnra Stbbet, 20 June 1818.
My Lord, — This letter will be delivered to Your Lordship by the Eeverend Mr. Erskine, whom I have appointed to the Situa- tion of Colonial Chaplain at Simon's Town.
I beg to recommend Mr. Erskine to Your Lordship's protection as a Gentleman well deserving of any Attention which Your Lordship may have it in your power to shew him. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
14 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Loed Bathukst to Lord Charles Somerset.
DowNiNO Street, 23rd June 1818.
My Lord, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Lordship's Letter of the 8th of April last, proposing the appointment of a Captain and of a Lieutenant to the Troop of Colonial Cavalry.
Under the Circumstances stated by Your Lordship in recom- mendation of this Measure, I beg to acquaint you that it has received the Sanction of His Majesty's Government. I have &c.
•
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Copy.]
Proclamation hy Lord Charles Somerset.
Whereas the Provisions contained in the Proclamation of the 30th June, 1803, with regard to Mechanics and others brought into this Colony under Contract of Service, appear to me to be insufficient for securing to each of the contracting Parties the rights to which they are mutually entitled by their Engagement ; and whereas it has been represented to me, that with regard to other Masters and Servants generally in this Settlement, no sufficient Provision exists, and especially, that in the reciprocal relations between Tradesmen and their Apprentices, there is not that security and regularity which are required, so as on the one side, to oblige the Master to the due performance of his duty in the instruction and treatment of his Apprentice, and on the other side, to bind the Apprentice to due obedience and continuation with the Master, until the time of his Apprenticeship be expired.
I have, therefore, deemed it expedient, to renew, alter, and amplify the said Proclamation of the 30th June, 1803, and to order and direct as is hereunder directed :
1. Mechanics, or other Persons under Contract of Service for a limited time, as more fully described in said Proclamation of the 30th June, 1803, who shall from time to time come, or be brought
Records of the Cape Colony. 15
into this Colony, or shall be already here under Engagements of this nature, shall not leave their respective Services previous to the expiration of their several Engagements, without the written consent of their Masters, on pain of being liable to arrest and immediate imprisonment, to be carried into execution by order of His Majesty's Fiscal, on complaint of the Master : His Majesty's Fiscal, tiLOwever, after having previously endeavoured to reconcile the Parties^ shall, without further process^ as soon as possible, (at the utmost within 48 houra), bring the Case before the Sitting Commissioner of the Court of Justice, for the Trial of lesser Offences, agreeably to the Proclamations of the 17th July, 1798, and of the 25th September, 1813, and summarily proceed against such arrested Person, conformably to the tenor of the last-men- tioned Proclamation.
2. The Sitting Commissioner shall have Authority, when he finds that the Accused has broken his Engagement without sufficient reason, not only to include in his condemnation a decree of confinement, for a term not exceeding two months; but also, should he find the Accused not to have had any just grounds for his breach of Contract, or that there have been aggravating circum- stances attending his misconduct, to sentence him, over and above the confinement, to a fine not exceeding Twenty-five Eix Dollars, and for a second or repeated offence, to corporal punishment in the Prison.
3. The accused shall be at liberty to appeal from the decision of the Sitting Commissioner to the full Court, provided such Appeal be made conformably to the Eegulations pointed out in the Proclamation of the 17th July, 1798, agreeably to which (saving the prosecution of the Appeal) the Sentence of the Sitting Member shall be carried into execution, for so far as the same shall not be attended with any infamy, or other grief not reparable, by the decision of the full Court, whose Sentence in these Cases shall be final.
4. Should it appear, on investigation of the Case, that the accused, instead of being guilty, has just grounds of complaint against his Master, the E. 0. Prosecutor, agreeably to the 19th Article of the Proclamation of the 25th Sept. 1813, shall make such declaration or claim, with regard to the Master, as he may deem adviseable, on which claim the Sitting Commissioner shall pass such Sentence, as he, in good justice, shall think proper.
/ /
16 Records of tlie Cape Colony,
6. Such aforesaid Sentence of the Sitting Commissioner against the Master, shall be appealable from to the full Court, but subject to the same restrictions as those prescribed in the 3rd Article, with regard to Persons bound.
6. All pecuniary condemnations in the above Cases shall be carried into execution, in the usual manner, by the Chamber for Begulating Insolvent Estates, after a single previous Summons ; but the confinement on the Decree of the Court, shall be carried into effect, without further form of Process.
7. In the same manner, the Fiscal shall proceed on such com- plaints of Persons who have come or shall be brought into the Colony under Contract of Service, as may be preferred by them against their Masters, who in such Cases shall be reciprocally liable, not only to indemnify the Complainant, should he have injured him, but also, in case of such ill treatment as is cognizable by the Sitting Commissioner, to a proportional correction, ac- cording to the nature of the Case and the existing Laws of the Colony.
8. With respect to the right of residence in this Colony, that which is enacted in the above-mentioned Proclamation of the 30th June, 1803, is considered as herein inserted ; so that the discharge of any Person from his Master's Service gives him no right of residence whatever, the grant of such right having been and being always vested in the Governor for the time being ; whilst those who remain in this Settlement, without permission from me, or from the (Jovemor for the time being, after the expiration of the term of their Contract, shall be liable to all the pains and penalties prescribed in said Proclamation.
9. In order to prevent any Persons, who may come to this Colony under Contract of Service, from being seduced or persuaded to leave their Master's Service, or from being aided in breaking their aforesaid engagements, no Person shall, willingly and knowingly, receive or employ in his Service such Contracted Persons, on penalty, on conviction, of Two Hundred Eixdollars for the first offence. Five Hundred for the second, and for the third, a like penalty of Five Hundred Eixdollars, and six months imprisonment; whilst those who harbour such Persons, without the written consent of their Masters, or without a written per- mission from the Magistrate, or in any wise aid or assist them in leaving their Service, shall forfeit, for each offence, a penalty of
\
Eecords of the Cape Colony. 17
Fifty Eixdollars, over and above such further pains and penalties, as the harbouring of Strangers, or other Persons not provided with a regular Pass, is, by the existing Laws of the Colony, subject to, as well in the Country Districts as in Cape Town.
10. Apprentices legally bound by their Parents or Guardians, by written Indenture, for a stated time, in order to learn a Trade, shall not leave their Masters, until they have served out the time of such Apprenticeship, on pain of being, on grounded complaint of such Masters, which complaint shall be brought before the Sitting Commissioner, compelled, by confinement, to return to their Masters, and in case of obstinate resistance, of being over and above punished by fine not exceeding Fifty Bixdollars, and temporary imprisonment not exceeding three months.
11. Should an Apprentice however consider himself aggrieved by his Master, he is (if a Minor, assisted by his Parents or Guardians) to prefer his complaint to His Majesty's Fiscal, in order, after dae investigation, that justice be equally done the Apprentice.
12. All proceedings on the complaints of Master Tradesmen, or of Apprentices, shall be carried on, and the execution of the Sentence take place, conformably to the Proclamations of the 17th July, 1798, and of the 25th Sept. 1813, under such modifications as are further prescribed hereby ; and, in case of Appeal to the full Court, the decision thereof shall be final.
13. His Majesty's Fiscal shall proceed in the same manner as has been prescribed in the seven first Articles of the present Proclamation, in all complaints preferred to him by Tradesmen and other Inhabitants against such of their Servants, not belonging to the class of Free-blacks, as have no right of residence in this Colony, and vice versa, by such Servants against their Masters. But if the Servants have been allowed the right of residence here, or otherwise are Natives of this Colony, then in the same manner as has been prescribed in the 10th, 11th, and 12th foregoing Sections.
14. Finally : In all complaints constituting the subject of this Proclamation, which shall occur in the Country Districts, the respective Secretaries (that of the Cape District excepted), shall proceed therein, «ts His Majesty's Fiscal is hereby directed to proceed in Cape Town ; with this understanding, that the Land- dro8t« of the Cape District shall bring the Complaints before the
XII. c
18 Records of the Capt Colony.
Sitting Commissioner of the Court of Justice^ and the Secretaries of the other Districts, before the Courts of Landdrost and Heem- raden, whose Sentence, in case of Appeal, shall be subject to the final Judgement either of the Annual Commission of Circuit, or of the full Court, to be decided by the Court in case of dispute about the choice.
And I hereby order and direct the Worshipful the Court of Justice, His Majesty's Fiscal, and all the other Magistrates, to observe, and to cause to be observed, . these my Orders and Directions.
And in order that no Person may plead ignorance hereof, this shall be published and affixed as usual.
God save the King !
Given under my Hand and Seal, at the Cape of Grood Hope, this 26th day of June, 1818.
(Signed) C. H. Somerset.
[Copy.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Sir Henry Torrens.
Gape of Good Hope, ^th July 1818.
Sir, — Empty Transports on their return to England having arrived from Ceylon, and not having reason to expect that any other unoccupied Transport is likely to touch here proceeding homewards, I have felt it my duty not any longer to detain the men of the 83rd Eegiment, who were, on tibie embarkation of this Corps for Ceylon in September last, considered unfit to proceed to the East ; but I should be wanting in my duty if I did not state that their departure, together with some men whose periods of Service have expired of the 60th and 72nd Begiments, amounting to 98 rank and file, leave this Station so weak that the ordinary and most necessary duties cannot be effected, and that even performing them in the very imperfect and inefficient manner that the want of force will necessitate, will harass the soldier so greatly as to endanger his health, and be almost destructive to his state of discipline.
I have already urged with the Secretary of State, as well as
Records of the Cape Colony. 19
with H.B.H. the Commander in Chief, the inadequacy of the force on this Station to the most ordinary and unavoidable duties required. H.B.H. will perceive by the enclosed return that there are only 520 men to perform the whole of the numerous and extended duties of this place. I should consider 2000 men but a small force for these duties, if guards were supplied to all the places where safety requires them, and if those that are now mounted were of a proper strength.
The duties here have been reduced to the lowest possible ebb, and yet the daily guards employ nearly 200 men, at some periods during the War the following was the daily detail of this ganison, viz. Captains 3, Subalterns 11, Sergeants 22, Corporals 34, Drummers 9, Privates 460.
It will occur to H.R.H. without further observation from me, how unequal 620 are to supply a daily force of 200 men, and what the result must inevitably be. I have &c.
(Signed) Chas. Henry Som[erset9
General Commanding the Forces at the Cape of Good Hope.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Henry Goulburn, Esqre., to Lord Charles Somerset.
Colonial Offioi, Ihih July 1818.
My Lord, — This letter will be delivered to your Lordship by Mr. John Harwood, who proceeds to the Cape of Good Hope to settle there.
Earl Bathurst has directed me to request that Your Lordship will order such a Grant of Land to be made to Mr. Harwood as may be considered proportionate to his Means of cultivating the same. I have &c.
(Signed) Henry Goulburn.
0 2
20 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original.] Letter from the Eeverend J. H. Beck to Eakl Bathurst.
No. 15 Gastls Street, Oxfobd Btbeet, July 15^ 1818.
My Lord, — I beg leave to solicit thro' the good offices of your liOrdship the consent of His Majesty's Government to my going out to the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope for the purpose of settling at Cape Town as a minister of the Gospel and erecting a Chapel at that place.
I beg to inform your Lordship that I am a native of Cape Town at which place my Belatives and Friends still reside, but that I received the former part of my Education at Gosport and since at the Universities of Utrecht and Glasgow, and as a very con- siderable Number of Protestants at Cape Town are desirous of public Worship in both the Dutch and English languages, it is my wish to comply with their request, but for this purpose I have to solicit the Sanction of your Lordship and of His Majesty's Government in the erecting a Place of worship on a Piece of ground which has been appropriated to this object and for which a sufficient Sum of Money has been already realized.
I beg to inform your Lordship that my Father who is still living at the Cape filled for many years a high Official Station under the Dutch Government and is well known to the English Governors Lord Caledon and Sir John Cradock, either of whom would if necessary testify the esteem in which he is held by them, or should your Lordship prefer to make any enquiry respecting myself I beg leave to refer your Lordship for such information to my Uncle Sir Goorge Buchan Hepburn of Smeaton N. B.
As no objection is anticipated to this request particularly as His Majesty's paternal Government has already extended the toleration to the Colonies so happily enjoyed in the British Dominions by granting permission to the Lutherans and also to the Mahometans as well as the Members of the English and Dutch Eeformed Churches to have their respective places of worship in Cape Town, an early Intimation of your Lordship's approbation and sanction of His Majesty's Government will be esteemed a particular favour. I have &c.
(Signed) James Henry Beck.
Records of the Cape Colony, 21
[Original.J ] Letter from Lord Lynedoch to Earl Bathurst.
Wabben'b Hotel, New Stbbet, 22nd July 1818.
My Lord, — I delayed writing to your Lordship after receiving a letter from Lt. CoL Graham dated at the Gape 20th April because I was in hopes on my return from Hampshire to have had an opportunity of speaking to your Lordship on the subject. I need not set myseK right with your Lordship, that in fulfilling this duty towards my friend Col. G. I have not the presumption to recall him to your notice on any other grounds than those of his having been favorably considered by your Lordship as an officer of distinguished merit and as a person intimately acquainted with the Colony and its interests, and one on whose integrity perfect reliance may be placed.
His object now is to be appointed Deputy Colonial Secretary, should the present deputy succeed to Mr. Alexander's situation likely to become vacant, as at the time of the sailing of the ship his life was despaired of. He would be well satisfied to hold such a situation with half the emoluments enjoyed by the present Deputy, which, it is understood, amount to about £4000 per annum.
Having submitted his wishes to your Lordship, I have only to assure you &c
(Signed) Lynedoch.
[Original]
Letter from T. P. Courtenay, Esqrb., to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
Gannon Bow, 27(^ July 1818.
Sir, — I have received instructions from Lord Charles Somerset to send out to the Cape Ten Bams and Fifty Ewes of the pure Merino breed, those which went out in 1814 having given great satisfaction at the Cape of Grood Hope. I have therefore to request that you will move Lord Bathurst to give directions for
22 Records of the Cape Colony.
providing a conveyance to the Cape for these Sheep, which are now ready to proceed to the place of embarkation. I have &c.
(Signed) Th. Per. Coubtenay.
[Original.] Letter from Mr. John McIlwraith to Earl Bathurst.
Gbesnock, July 1818.
My Lord, — A correspondent of mine at the Cape of Good Hope requests that I would apply to your Lordship for leave to take out one to two hundred young men as servants under indenture for three years for the consideration of bed, board, raiment, and free passage, with a clause of assignment of the indenture to their respective masters, and a clause of Eedemption for those indentured, they paying their said masters for their whole outlay and expence at the rate of £30 stg. for the three years, that is £20 if they wish to redeem two years and £10 if they wish to redeem one year of their servitude.
A plan of a similar kind (my <friend says) was acted upon about two or three years ago by a Mr. Benjamin Moodie, much to the satisfaction of the respective parties concerned. But I understand the old Dutch Law existing at the Cape is almost prohibitory, as no emigrant can be landed without petitioning the Governor for leave. A negative would prove fatal, 2nd. The Emigrant must find bail not to become a burthen on the Colony for three years and during that time to conform to the Law. This to an entire stranger in humble life is not to be got. 3rd. At the expiry of the three years a petition to be put on a footing with those free in the Colony is not refused, unless their public conduct has been deservedly obnoxious to the existing authorities.
Without an order from Your Lordship or the Privy Council (as in the case of Mr. Moodie) to dispense with the aforementioned restrictions, no one will embark in emigration to the Cape, which is a place that might soon go far towards superseding emigration to the United States of America much to the advantage of Great Britain. And as soon as the Fall ships shall have sailed to British America, numbers of emigrants will embark at this port in
Records of the Cape Colony. 23
American Ships to the United States, which might be advan- tageously employed at the Cape, and they would possibly prefer going there were a ship on the Berth here for the Cape and were the Owner enabled to hold out to the emigrant all the encourage- ment our Government might be inclined to give to families of male and female consisting of young and old. As my Cape friend's mode of indenture of servitude holds out little to recommend it but employment to the males without encumbrance, and even to them it carries with it the unpleasant idea of assignment to an unknown master, they would therefore, were they able to raise a sufficient sum, i^refer pajdng their passage and to have it in their power to take service or to have a grant of unoccupied Government Land, particularly if it did not lie far into the Interior of that Country, for they will be timid on that head at first.
My own object in this business is to establish from this port a ship in the Cape trade and to gain a fair freight (since my country- men will emigrate), and I learn the demand for servants at the Cape was so great that Mr, Moodie is said to have had 2000 applications for the 200 men he took out.
The Bar that stands foremost in the way will be the expence of passage necessary to pay a ship completely equipped and provided in every respect, which will of course far exceed the expence of a passage to America, say £10 to £12 according to accommodation. This sum the emigrant, will in general have provided and no more. In this case how far would Government be inclined to aid them in land, in money, or in both 1
Will your Lordship be pleased to give oi*ders to answer this letter:
1st. In respect to removing the prohibitory clauses in the Dutch Law at the Cape so that the emigrants embarking here might have free ingress there.
2nd. Observations for my guidance relative to indenturing young men (on the plan sent me) as I do not wish to attempt anything either unlawful or yet inimical.
3rd. The full extent (and kind of) encouragement for emigra- tion to the Cape in respect to land there, aid in passage money, &c., &c. And lastly what might Government deem a proper charge for passage money to adults in a vessel properly equipped, watered and provisioned for such a voyage, having in view the possibility of the emigrant not being able to quit the ship for a week or two
24 Records of the Cape Colony,
after arrival until he had got into bread or a view of employment as the case might be. I am &c.
(Signed) John McIlwraith.
[Copy.]
Letter from Henry Goulburn, Esqre., to Mr. John
McIlwraith.
DowinKO Stbeet, July 1818.
Sir, — I am directed by Lord Bathurst to acknowledge the receipt of youi- letter of requesting information upon
several points connected with a settlement at the Cape of Good Hope, and to acquaint you in reply that Lord Bathurst will be always ready to give to persons of respectable character such as Mr. Moodie the same degree of encouragement which that gentleman received, which was limited to an order to the Governor to make him an adequate grant of land in the Colony and to afford him his countenance in the cultivation of it ; that Lord Bathurst begs not to enter into any discussion of the terms which settlers may make with the persons employed by them, these being private transactions with which so long as they are not contrary to law Lord Bathurst has oflBcially no concern. As little can Lord Bathurst take upon himself to decide what charge should be made for the passage of persons to the Cape. I have &c.
(Signed) Hy. Goulburn.
[Original.] Letter from the Eevbrend J. H. Beck to Earl Bathurst.
No. 15 Gastlb Street, Oxfobd Street, bth August 1818.
My Lord, — ^I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of a letter from your Lordship addressed to me by Mr. Goulburn by your ' Lordship's desire on the 23rd of July in answer to mine of the 15th, signifying the consent of His Majesty's Government to my
Records of the Cape Colony, 2S
proceeding to the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope and settling in Cape Town as a minister of the Gospel.
I beg leave to acknowledge my obligations to your Lordship for the success of my application and for the prompt reply to my letter, but I trust your Lordship will have the goodness to excuse my troubling you again on the subject, as unless I shall be so happy as to obtain thro' the good offices of your Lordship the sanction of His Majesty's Government to my erecting a place of worship in Cape Town, it will be of little avail for me to return thither for the exercise of my ministry. Your Lordship may not have been perhaps apprised that His Excellency Lord Somerset the present Governor has been already solicited to grant the necessary permission, and as His Excellency had no objection to the request on his own part. His Excellency thought proper to refer the consideration of it to the members of the Dutch Con- sistory, who after meeting and consulting on the subject thought proper to break up without coming to any decision.
Li this dilemma recourse can only be had to His Majesty's Government at home, on whose justice and liberality I repose the utmost confidence. As a British subject claiming the free exercise of the Bights of Conscience in a colony of which I am a native and where my relatives and a numerous circle of friends reside, I hope to obtain that sanction from your Lordship which will not leave my religious liberty at the discretion of a dominant party of the Dutch Presbyterian Church, who while they are protected in the enjoyment of their own rights, it is presumed ought not to be allowed to infringe on those of others, and as by the liberality of the British Government the Malays, who are mostly Mahometans, have obtained permission to have a place of worship, there can be no doubt His Excellency will manifest similai' liberality notwith- standing the prejudice of the Dutch consistory ; should I only be 80 happy as to obtain the consent of His Majesty's Government, but without such intimation from your Lordship on this subject no hope can be entertained of any relaxation on the part of the Dutch Consistory.
Humbly relying on obtaining your Lordship's assurances to this effect, I wait Tour Lordship's reply and have &c.
(Signed) J. H. Beck.
26 Records of the Cape Colony^
[Copy.]
Letter front the Registrar of Slaves to the Colonial Secretary.
OnncE roB the Ehbbgistebhent of Slatbb, Cafe Town, Augu$t lOe^, 1818.
Sir, — I have the honour to represent for your consideration that the vendue-masters not being bound by their instructions to in- quire T^hether slaves intended to be sold by public auction are mortgaged or not, mortgaged slaves have been sold and transferred (the transfer taking place by the enregisterment of the vendue bill) without mortgages being paid off, and without its being in the power of the district functionaries to prevent the transfer taking place ; I take the liberty therefore to suggest the expediency of the vendue-masters not to sell a mortgaged slave but with the consent of the creditor prior to the mortgage being cancelled, the which I conceive will the more effectually fulfil the intentions of government, as respects the enregistering of mortgages on slaves.
I have &c.
(Signed) 6. J. Bogerb.
[Original] Letter from the Earl of Caledon to Lord Bathurst.
GsNiYA, \Wi Augua 1818.
Mt Lord, — As the death of Mr. Alexander, late Colonial Secretary at the Cape of Grood Hope, leaves to your Lordship the recommendation of his successor, I feel it my duty to the Colony as well as to Colonel Bird to mention to your Lordship how much the Colony is indebted to his exertions.
At the time I was nominated Governor of the Settlement, which was shortly after its capture, Colonel Bird was appointed Deputy Colonial Secretary, and as Mr. Barnard died within a few months after his arrival there the entire duty of the Secretary devolved on Colonel Bird.
When your Lordship knows that the records of the former
Records of the Cape Cohmf. 27
British Government were destroyed or romoved, and that the Dutch Government had undergone very recent and considerable changes, it may well be conceived that the formation and superin- tendence of the different offices required great exertion and integrity as well as abilities, and that Colonel Bird displayed those qualities then and has continued to do so to the present time is not only my own opinion but I am satisfied must be that of my successors in office, who will no doubt be willing to bear similar testimony.
During four years that I held the Government of the Cape Colonel Bird's conduct was in every instance most exemplary. He devoted the whole of his time to his official duties, and I am persuaded there is nowhere a more zealous or more efficient public servant.
Under these circumstances I trust to Your Lordship's forgiveness in expressing my hope that he may be recommended to the Prince Eegent to succeed Mx. Alexander.
I assure your Lordship that I am not induced solely by motives of private attachment to solicit this favour, but that I am also actuated by a very sincere anxiety for the interest of the colony, and I should esteem a compliance with my request an important public benefit as well as a great personal favour conferred upon myself. I have &c.
(Signed) Caledon.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Henry Goulburn, Esqke., to Lieutenant Colonel Bird.
DovNiNO Stbebt, 14^ Aa/g^ 1818,
Sir, — I am directed by Lord Bathurst to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th of May last, soliciting your confirmation in the Appointment of Secretary at the Cape of Grood Hope vacant by the death of Mr. Alexander, and to acquaint you that the length of time during which you have been officially employed at the Cape and your zecdous and unremitting Exertions as Deputy Secretary to the Colony have not failed to convince his Lordship of the Advantage which would result to the Colony fi?om
28 Becords of the Cape Colony^
your Appointment as Secretary ; and his Lordship therefore has had much pleasure in submitting the recommendation of Lord Charles Somerset to the Prince Begent who has been graciously pleased to sanction your Appointment. I have &c.
(Signed) Henry Goulburn.
[Copy.] Letter from the Colonial Secretary to the Commissary of Vendues.
Ck)LONiAL Ofhob, 14^ August 1818.
Sir, — ^I am directed by his Excellency the Governor to transmit to you the enclosed copy of a letter from the inspector of the enregisterment of slaves, noticing an irregularity which occasionally occurs in the sale of slaves which have been mortgaged by their proprietors, and to desire that in future sales of slaves by vendue you may be pleased in the first instance to ascertain whether such slave or slaves be mortgaged, and if so, then that you strictly adhere to the suggestion of the inspector. I have &c.
(Signed) C. Bird.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
GoLOHiAL Office, I5th August 1818.
My Lord, — I have received and laid before The Prince Begent your Lordship's Dispatch No. 3 announcing the death of the Colonial Secretary Mr. Alexander and recommending Lt. Colonel Bird as his successor.
I have had much pleasure in soliciting His Boyal Highness's favorable notice of Colonel Bird's claims to that Office, and beg to acquaint Your Lordship that EUs Boyal Highness has been graciously pleased to sanction his Nomination accordingly.
I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
Records of the Cape Colony, 29
[Office Copy.]
i
Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
DowKnro Stbxet, \9&i Augutt 1818.
My Lord, — An application was recently addressed to me by a Mr. J. H. Beck soliciting permission to proceed to the Cape as a Minister of the Gospel and Authority to erect a place of Worship in Cape Town.
I caused Mr. Beck to be informed that upon receiving respect- able testimony as to his character and qualifications, I would have no difficulty to sanction his intention of proceeding to the Cape, but that with regard to the erection of a place of Worship, he must address himself to Your Lordship as being best enabled to judge how far the proposed building would interfere with the public Interests.
I have since received another letter from Mr. Beck, in which he states that the question of building a church had already been submitted to the Colonial Grovemment, and that upon its being referred to the Consideration of the Dutch Consistory that body had declined coming to any determination on the Subject.
I have therefore to request that Tour Lordship would favor me with a report of the Circumstances of this Case, and that you would inform me more particularly of the grounds upon which Mr. Beck's Application was negatived. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Original.]
Letter from C. Arbuthnot, Esqre., to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
Treasubt Ghahbebs, 21gt August 1818.
Sir, — By command of the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury I transmit to you herewith copy of a letter from the Collector of the Customs at the Cape of Good Hope dated 25th May last, with enclosure, relative to the Governor having taken under his own protection 134 slaves which were wrecked in the
30 Records of (he Cape Colony,
Portuguese Slave Brig Pacquet Real, also of a letter from Mr. Stephen dated Kensington Gore 13th Instant on the same subject, which I am to request you wiU lay before Earl Bathurst, and move His Lordship to inform My Lords whether by the laws now in force at the Gape these slaves can be retained in servitude by their Portuguese Masters and removed from thence against their own consent; and also whether the ship and cargo were not originally liable to forfeiture for importing slaves into the Colony, being prohibited under the Abolition Act. I am &c.
(Signed) C. Aebuthnot.
[Enclosure A in the above.]
Custom Housb, Qkpm of Good Hope, 2&fh May 1818.
My Lords, — I have the honor of informing you that the Portu- guese Slave Brig Pacquet Real from Mozambique for St. Salvador lying in this port for refreshment since the fourteenth of April was wrecked on the eighteenth instant.
As Collector of His Majesty's Customs I was proceeding to take possession and charge of one hundred and thirty-four African Negroes carried, used, and treated as slaves, on board this Brig, and landed in the Colony, when I received a letter (of which the enclosed is a copy) written by order of His Excellency the Governor with instructions to forbear, it being His Excellency's intention to take them under his own protection.
My duty as Collector as well as the Orders in Council appearing to me to have been set aside on this occasion, I shall be under obligation to your Lordships for instructions as soon as may be compatible with your Lordships' convenience.
(Signed) Chasles Blaib, Collector of Customs.
The Eight Honourable the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury.
[Enclosure B in the above.]
See the Letter from the Colonial Secretary to the Collector and Comptroller of Customs, dated 19th May 1818, on page 5.
Records of the Cape Colony. 81
[Enclosure C in the above.]
EEireiNOTOir, \Z0^ AugutA 1818.
Deab Sir, — I have received from Mr. Planteras the only treaties which he believes bear in any manner on the question treated of in the letter from the Cape of Good Hope : the Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation with Portugal of February 19th 1810 and the convention with that Power on the subject of the Slave Trade of July 20th 1816. I have again looked into the Treaty with the same Power of January 22nd 1815 referred to in the sixth article of the letter.
If these are the only Treaties by force of which the Portuguese slave ships have been supposed to have the right called in the letter '* the Permission " of refreshing and victualling at the Cape, it seems to me perfectly clear that no such right exists, and that the allowing them to enter the Port for such purposes (not from inevitable necessity superinduced by accidents in their voyage, but merely on account of a shortness of provisions foreseen and calculated upon at their outset) has been a great abuse.
The 3rd Article of the Treaty of 1810 gives to the subjects of each Power within the Dominions of the other " the same rights, privUedges, &c. in matters of commerce and navigation that are granted or might be thereafter granted to the subjects of the most favoured nations." But the Dutch, the most favoured nation at the Cape, had clearly no right to touch there with slaves, because though the Treaty or Convention of 1814 permits their ships generally to repair and victual at that Port, the two Powers having bound themselves to each other to relinquish and suppress the Slave Trade, no Slave Ships could possibly claim the benefit of that stipulation. If this has, as I suspect, been the ground of the practice it is an error too palpable to be seriously maintained. The 29th Article of the same Treaty with Portugal provides that ships or merchandize saved from shipwreck shall be restored, but if this could be construed to oblige us to transport by force shipwrecked daves (which I should deny, and which without a new Act of Parliament we could not do) it could not extend to a case in which the wreck was only the consequence of a wrongful importation. I see nothing therefore in the Treaties which can give a colour of right to the restitution now in question, either in specie or value.
If the practice has no federal ground to stand upon peculiar to
32 Records of the Cape Colony.
the Portuguese or to the Cape, the giving countenance to it would be of very serious consequence beyond even the inhuman eflfects produced by it in the Trade from Mozambique, because on the same principle Foreign Slave Traders from any part of Africa while not expressly restrained by Treaty may claim a right to come for provisions into the ports of any of our Slave Colonies, the Isle of France, for instance, or any of our West India Islands, if not liable to be seized for doing so, their victims may be easily smuggled ashore ; not only Spaniards from the South of the Line, but even French and American Traders from all parts of the coast might for ought I see very safely do so, because the entering our ports would be no violation of our municipal Law and the case of Le Louis at the Admiralty has now settled that we have no right to seize them for a violation of their own. Without even actually entering our ports an intent to touch there for provisions and a scarcity easily contrived for the purpose would be a convenient pretext to secure them in the nearest approach to our shores that a clandestine nocturnal importation might require.
But it is needless perhaps to point out such possible dangers from precedent and principle when the immediate practice is attended with consequences so shocking to humanity as are found in the Trade from Mozambique to Brazil.
Having been engaged continually at my ofl&ce to-day till past 4 o'clock, I have had no time for searches and enquiries respecting the authorities I mentioned. Unless I am much mistaken, it has been adjudged in this Country as well as in the Colonies that the coming into port with prohibited goods is cause of seizure and confis- cation except in cases of involuntary and unavoidable necessity, but as you desired to hear from me on the subject in general without delay I will not lose another day in sending you these observations on the federal part of the question, especially these if considerable enough for the present practical purpose. If the Slave Traders had no right to be there, they have no right to caU upon us to repair the effects of their shipwreck either by becoming the accomplices and executioners of their barbarity and violating for their accom- modation one of the most sacred of our own municipal Laws or by paying for a property which the loss by them is not acquired by us.
(Signed) James Stephen. The Eight Honourable Mr. Vansittart.
Becords of the Cape Colony, S3
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lobd Bathubst to Lobd Charles Somebset.
Do^nnNa Stbekf, 2&th Auffua 1818.
My Lord, — T have had the honour of receiving Your Lordship's Letter of the 28th November of last year stating the great encrease of expense which has fallen upon the Public by a late Begulation respecting the Soldiers' Bations and suggesting for certain reasons that the Officers might be allowed to receive their rations without payment.
Having communicated with the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury upon this Subject, I now transmit for Your Lordship's information and guidance a copy of a Letter which they have caused to be written to my Under Secretary conveying their Lord- ships' Sentiments upon the questions which you had deemed it expedient to submit to the consideration of His Majesty's Govern- ment. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathubst.
[Original.} Letter from the Navy Board to Henby Goulbubn, Esqre.
Navt OnriGB, 2Bth August 1818.
Snt, — ^We acquaint you, for the information of Lord Bathurst, that we have, in compliance with your letter of the 5th instant, engaged freight for 60 Merino sheep to the Cape of Good Hope in the Promdence, a fine vessel of 380 tons, which will sail 25th September next, and will call at Cowes for passengers ; and that we have directed pens to be constructed for their safer conveyance in the 'tween decks. We therefore request to be informed where the sheep are, and when they are to be embarked, also whether it is his Lordship's intention that any person shall go in charge of
them. We are &c.
(Signed) H. Peake,
H. Legge, F. Thomson.
XII. D
34 Becards of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.]
JExtrads from a Letter from the Landdrost of Grcuiff Beinet to the Colon/icU Secretary, dated 27th August, 1818.
Sir, — Continidng in pursuit of some Caffers which had made their escape from the party which I had taken and reported to you about the 29th ultimo^ I came upon the fresh marks of some waggons which had gone in a northerly direction towards the Orange Biver.
This increafiong my suspicion with respect to an illegal com- munication between the Colony and the Bastards and Coenraad Buys, I followed those tracks with some armed farmers I could trust to, after having given the necessary instructions to another party concerning the cleaning that part of the Frontier of the marauding Caffers, and I arrived on the Orange Biver on the 2nd instant, where Mr. Anderson met me next day in consequence of a letter I had sent on before, in order to apprize him of my approacL
He inibrmed me 4;hat be had of late suffered much uneasiness from the disorderly conduct of the Bastards in general, that their affections were greatly aHenated from him and his doctrine through the machinations of Coenraad Buys, who has been able to make them believe that the only object of Government in permitting Missionaries to reside among them was to have them gradually seduced into the Colony, and made soldiers of, giving as an instance Sir John Cradock's ordering twenty men for the Cape Begiment from among them. He had also instilled into the minds of the greatest part of them that they should consider themselves entirely independent of the Government, as a separate nation strong enough to defend themselves, and that they would always find people on the borders of the Colony who would supply them with as much arms and ammunition as they would want, and had even persuaded them that he could make gunpowder himself.
Mr. Anderson and several Koranas moreover informed me that Buys had made repeated attacks upon one of the Breequa tribes, killed many and taken an inmiense number of their cattle, which he shared with those who assisted him in these depredations.
That such arguments should be able to corrupt the Bastards we need not wonder when we reflect upon their manner of living, the
Records of the Cape Colony. 35
greatest sloth and tendency to idleness is perceptible in every individual in every age or sex, not the least trace of industry is to be found in any of their Kraals. Their huts are by no means so good or as comfortable even as those of the Caffers^ a couple of mats thrown over a few bent sticks stuck in the ground constitute their most permanent dwellings, their flocks, though they com- plain of great destruction made among them by lions, are never guarded except when they can get Bosjesmen to hire as herds, who come to them when they are half starved, whom they treat shame- fully ill, some instances of which (even those related by Mr. Anderson) are most shocking to humanity, and nothing rouses them from this lethargy but a hunting excursion, a journey to the Colony for suppUes, or an attack upon some Bosjesmen Kraal or other. Several parties of this latter tribe which I met with com- plained of their having been attacked by the Bastards, the few cattle which they had from time to time received from the Colonists taken away, and their children which were not destroyed carried off.
Mr. Anderson assured me that there were at least fifteen hundred men capable of bearing arms already in his Institution and that they were increasing very fast ; that they had upwards of three hundred guns among them, and were continually bringing more jfrom the Colony. The men who had lately been to the Goup with the oxen and procured the eleven guns I wrote about had come back with the information that it was only in the district of Graaff Eeinet that they could not procure everything they wanted, as they were most cordially received by the farmers of the Tulbagh district, who told them that they required no passes from the Missionary, their oxen being the best passes they could bring, the consequence of which was that Mr. Anderson lost even the little shadow of authority he had maintained among them by refusing passes to those who misbehaved, for they now declared that they would drive their flocks to that market where they could do without his favor, and some were on the point of coming on when my arrival put a stop to their intention. A short time before that six or seven Bastard Hottentots named Visagies, deserters out of the service of some Farmers of the Tulbagh district, went with their cattle, horses, and arms, and settled among the people of this Institution, stating that a great nimiber from the Colony would soon follow them, and tho' Mr. Anderson
D 2
36 Becords of the Cape Colony.
was in his own mind convinced of the impropriety of harboring such runaways he declared that he had no way of sending them back, and I am well convinced that it would be dangerous for him to undertake it by force.
The consequence of this anxiety is obvious, and in spite of what bigoted accounts may have imposed upon the credulous world, it is impossible for an unbiassed eye to travel thro' that country without perceiving an Institution for the propagation of the sacred doctrines of Christianity degenerate into a cradle for the most serious mischief, for Mr. Anderson (I believe with the best intentions towards these deluded people) acknowledges that his church and school are almost entirely abandoned.
{Office Copy.] Letter from Lobd Bathttbst to Lord Chables Somerset.
My Lord, — I have had the honor of receiving your Lordship's several dispatches of the Dates and Numbers specified in the No 7. 13 May 1818 Margin, in which you request particular instruc- No 8. „ „ tions for your guidance with respect to the Nolo. „ „ propriety of furnishing Supplies and Assistance to Portuguese Slave Ships touching at the Cape and as to the disposal of such Slaves as either in consequence of Shipwreck or their Owners' Abandonment might be cast upon the Colony.
Having referred to His Majesty's Law Servants the several points upon which it appeared to me most advisable to ascertain the intent and construction of the Law, I have now the honor of transmitting to you their opinion, and in directing you to conform yourself most strictly to the principles therein laid down, I have only further to express my entire Approbation of the Line of Conduct which you have pursued in refusing to accede to the several Proposals made by the Master of the Ship in the course of his Correspondence. I have etc.
(Signed) Bathurst.
Records of th4 Cape Cohrvg. 37
[Office Copy.] Letter from, Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Colonial Offiob, IH September 1818.
My Lord, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yonr Lordship's dispatch of the 12th of March last.
Having had under Consideration the additional arguments which Your Lordship has urged in favour of granting a Colonial Allowance U> the Officer Commanding Cape Town Castle, I have felt myself compelled to submit the Measure to the Sanction of the Prince Eegent, and I beg to acquaint Your Lordship that His Eoyal Highness has been pleased to approve of your issuing to the Officer who may command Cape Castle aa Allowance of Twenty
Shilling per diem. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Office Cbpy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
OoLONiAL Ofugb, 2nd Septentber 1818.
My Lord, — I have the honor to enclose to Your Lordship a Copy of a Communication which has been received by my Under Secretary from the Secretary of the Treasury, in which it is stated that it does not appear from the Account Current of the Com- missariat at the Cape to the 24th of October last, that any Sums arising from Colonial Bevenues had as yet been brought in aid of the Expenditure, and I have to request that Your Lordship will transmit to me such information on the Subject thus adverted to by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury as will enable me to afford to them the information which they desire. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Ck)L0NiAL OinoB, Srd September 1818.
My Lord, — I transmit herewith a copy of a letter which has been addressed to my Under Secretary by desire of the Lords
38 Records of the Cape Colony.
Commissioners of the Treasury, enclosing a Communication addressed to that Board by the Ordnance Department, in which it is stated that it has been customary for the Deputy Colonial Secretary at the Cape to exact a fee of about Sixpence Sterling upon all Gunpowder sold from the Ordnance Stores to thp In- habitants of the Colony ; and I have to desire that Tpur Lordship will transmit to me the i^ecessc^ry information upon this Subject.
I have &c. (Signed) Bathubst,
[Copy,] Letter from Majoe Kogees to Lieutenant Colonel Beereton.
CtoYKBNMBHT HouBB, QepUmiber iih 1818.
SiK, — In transmitting tjh6 accompanying details of the Force which wilj be placed unde^ your command upon your arrival on the Frontier, His Excellency the Governor and Commander of the Forces has directed me to put you in possession of his views of the service you are called upon to superintend, in order that you may consider them as your guide and instructioH thereon.
1st. It may be necessary to premise that the Troops on the Frontier occupy a line of nearly 180 miles extending from Esterhuys Poort which is the left to the Sea. This line runs along the Boundary which separates the Uitenhage District from the Cafifer territory, and the object of occupying it is to repress the frequent incursions of the Cafifer people, whose habits of marauders frequently induce straggling parties to enter into and conceal themselves in tjie Colonial Territory for the purpose of plundering the Colonial herds, in effecting which they perpetrate the most cruel murders.
2nd. It win be manifest that the system of occupying small posts, which you will see to be the one which has b^n adopted, and in which the Troops on the Frontier are placed, is calculated for observation, not for aggression, but it is necessary that this circumstance should be impressed upon you, in order to explain the Colonial policy in regard to the Caffer people. This policy
Records of the Cape Colony. 39
oonsists in using in their regard the greatest possible forbearance^ in considering them collectively (as often as possible) as friends and in imputing the grievances of which the Colonists have so much reason to complain to the acts of individucds or petty chiefs, it being hereby intended to lay the foundation of a more moral sense of right among them^ for from the moment the Chiefs disclaim the acts of the marauding parties^ they admit their injustice and impropriety^^ and it is this feeling that it must be your zealous endeavour to improve:
3rd. The Cafifer people appear to range themselves under various petty chieftains; and these chieftains again when^ not strong enough to assert an entire independence seem to consider them- selves as attached to some more powerful chief. The authority of these chiefs is however extremely limited^ nor does any communication we have hitherto had with them lead us to suppose that the great chiefs can altogether control the-subordinate ones, or that the subordinate chiefs have any ef&cient check upon the- individual members of their respective kraals.
4th. It is this state of things which enables the Chiefs with a shew of good faith, not always justified by their own conduct, to disclaim having given countenance to the depredations of which the Colonists complain, and which- furnishes them with a plausible argument for deprecating that punishment which under other circumstances unquestionably would be inflicted upon them. But from this state of Caffer subordination also arises that system which His Excellency has constantly endeavoured to enforce of considering those Chiefs as friendly who, in addition to their disavowal of participation in the plunder made from the Colonists, have actually evinced their sense of right by enforcing restitution from time to time and by other marks of amicable feeling, shutting his eyes to minor irregularities which he has wished to attribute partly to the small proportion of real authority possessed by those chiefs, and partly to the savage state in which this roving people still continues, and in which no small portion of cunning and bad faith must be expected^
5th. In furtherance of this system His Excellency has always been anxious to conciliate the Chief Graika, who has long been considered as one of the most powerful of those situated imme- diately on our border, and it has been His Excellency's policy to acknowledge the supremacy which this chief claims over
40 Becords of the Cape Colony.
the other Captains (though it is evident Gaika is not strong, enough to enforce his pretensions) with a view in the first instance to concUiate him by this acknowledgment, and with the farther view of making him responsible for the conduct of his inferiors should he at any subsequent period be enabled to enforce the authority to which he aspires.
6th. His Excellency therefore in the interview he had with the Caffer Chiefs at the Kat Biver in March 1817 solicited that interview with Gaika and invited tixe other Chiefs (particularly the two supposed to be the most powerful of those who attended T Sambie and Botm^n) who assented to t]xe arrangements which Gaika made with His Excellency on that occasion.
7th. This arrangement has become the basis of tl^e intercourse now existing with t}ie Caffer people, and it is with their compliance or non compliance with the terms thereof that your operations in their regard must greatly depend. The arrangement chiefly consists in their promise to restrain as far as possible their respective Caffers from piundering the Colonists. In their engagement to restore such Colonial cattle as sl^ould be found amongst ^he Caffer herds, and in their agreeing to permit the Colonial Grovemment to enforce restitution of plundered cfittle from any kraal to which such ci^ttle should be tn^ked, or to permit the pcpiy following it to seize an equal proportion of Caffer cattle ^ho^ld sestitution or oompensation under suc^i circumstances be refused. It has been agreed that intercourse should only bie carried on with the Caffer nation through the Chief Gaika, -^ho should have permission to send, when the wants of himself or the Caffers required it, to Graham's Town where the Magistrate and officer in command wonld be instructed to allow such barter as should be advantageous to him and to the Caffer people. All other intercourse wiUi the Caffers is forbidden, and such of them as shaU be found within our boimdaries, unless accompanied by Gkuka's Messengers who are known by Gorgets with his name on them fumialied to h\m for this purpose, are to be considered as enemies.
8th. Erom the last remark n\ust be excepted such Caffers as may from time to time have occasion to communicate with the outposts, particularly at the Caffer Drift Posts. Such com- munication however should meet with as little encouragement as possible, and the orders given to prevent the Colonists from
Eeoards of the Gape Colony^ 41
intercourse with the Caffer people, or from passing the Borders with their herds, on any pretence, to be strictly enforced.
9th. Thus having put you in possession of the relation in which we stand with the Gaffer Tribes, it remains to be explained to you, the object which is steadily to be kept in view, and to point out the means which, under the present circumstances, appear to His Excellency to be best suited to attain those ends.
10th. His Excellency looks forward to, and anxiously desires to promote a state of society which shall render the presence of a Military Force on the Border unnecessary : this will gradually be effected by procuring to the Inhabitants and new Settlers on the Borders that security for their persons and property which is the tie of society. Their numbers, when once the impression of constant danger is removed, will rapidly increase, and will theA be formidable enough for self protection.
11th. For this purpose it is that constant vigilance must be exacted &om the of&cers at the outposts, and that the system of patrolling pointed out by His Excellency's instructions from Somerset, dated 29th March 1817 (a copy of which has been furnished to you) be rigidly enforced, and that the erection of the Signal Stations must be hastened, in order that the earliest intelligence may be communicated to the front line, of Caffer depredations, so as to render escape into the Gaffer coimtry with plunder extremely precarious, which of itself will lessen the number of attempts at depredation.
12th. Every information which can be procured relative to the Caffer people or their country, to their chiefs, or the bounds of their respective territories, must be sedulously sought for, and immediately communicated for His Excellency's information.
13th. The line of country occupied by the Troops must be diligently reconnoitred and the most minute information relative to it collected, not only from the of&cers commanding at the several posts, but from the inhabitants, the distance of each post from the nearest habitation in every direction accurately ascer- tained, and every statistical information procured, which must also be minutely detailed to His Excellency.
14th. His Excellency's instructions to the ofScer commanding on the Frontier, dated 29th March 1817, before alluded to, being so explicit as to the station of the Troops, and the measures which His Excellency expects in consequence of these arrangements.
42 Records of the Cape Colony.
His Excellency merely deems it necessary to give you a copy thereof and to desire that you will be entirely guided by them in any of the circumstances to which they relate, but as the Com- mander of the Forces has been obliged to withdraw the Dragoons, 80 often therein alluded to, in consequence of the Begiment then stationed here being ordered on another service, it is His Excellency's desire that a proportion of Burgher mounted Force may accompany every Detachment which under the circumstances of pursuit of Caflfer plunder shall enter the country. Where the force collected for this object is assembled at any of the outposts, the nearest Field Comet should be applied to, to collect as many Burghers as he conveniently can; but where the Force is assembled with greater leisure from Graham's Town, then the Deputy liand- drost will furnish the number which you shall deem requisite.
15th. In case it shall unfortunately happen that it shall be necessary to enter the Caflfer country for the purpose of punishing any petty chief whose conduct shall have evinced peculiar marks of hostility (a measure however not to be adopted without His Excellency's special sanction) in such case not only must the Deputy Landdrosts be called upon to furnish the largest proportion of armed Hottentots they can collect, and notice must be given of the measure intended to the Landdrosts of Uitenhage and Graafif Beinet, in order that they may each collect a Force, to be stationed as shall be judged most expedient for the protection of the Frontier during the absence of the Troops so detailed. A proportion of the arms and accoutrements lately in the possession of the Cape Begiment has been lodged at TheopoHs for the purpose of arming the Hottentots upon emergencies, and a proportion should be deposited at Uitenhage in order to enable the Landdrost to arm the Hottentots of Bethelsdorp in a similar manner.
16th. Although any Force detached as above should move with as little encumbrance as possible, yet it is essential the usual means for their supply should not be neglected, and measures should be taken to have always in readiness the means of moving upon the shortest notice, and it will therefore be desirable you should communicate with the Commissariat, in order that fourteen days provisions at least tot such a force as may be necessary to employ upon such an emergency as is alluded to, shall be always in store at Graham's Town for this objects
Records of the Cape Cdlony. 43
17th. It Laving been found extremely difficult to provide with adequate security for the provisioning the Troops in this distant Quarter insomuch as to have rendered it frequently necessary to send by sea to Algoa Bay both Wheat and Barley for this service, which after the immoderate expense incurred thereby had still to be forwarded by land carriage to the Frontier^ His Excellency adopted the plan of forming an Agricultural Establishment at Bruintjes Hoogte for the supply of the Commissariat in bread, meat, and forage, and the arrangement at incalculable saving to the public appears hitherto to have entirely answered His Excellency's expectation. His Excellency therefore particularly desires your attention to this branch of the service and your cordial support of the measure. The Establishment is under the management of Mr. Hart, formerly Adjutant of the Cape Eegiment, with two assistants, and it is essential that he should derive every aid from you which the nature of the service will admit of; and it is the more necessary to impress this upon you as it is understood that some prejudices against the Establishment exist among the Troops under your Command.
18th. The officer in charge of the Signal Establishment has also the superintendence of the buildings at the several posts, including the Barracks at Graham's Town. It is His Excellency's wish that these posts should gradually be improved so as to attain that solidity which many of them (constructed of the slightest materials) had not when he inspected them ; but this is a service which must not be hurried, and the greatest attention possible should be paid to having the men's Barracks dry and airy ; the officers' Quarters should be neat and comfortable, according to the respective ranks of the officers they are intended to accommodate. No expense however should be incurred without previous sanction.
19th. There being a large proportion of Field officers on the Frontier, it will not be desirable they should continue to be stationed at Graham's Town ; but it wiU be more eligible that one should be posted on the extreme of the right, or at one of the Caffer Drift Posts, and another on the left or Boode Wal from whence the detaUs of the two wings may be more readily superintended.
20th. Although it is said in the outset that the Force under your command is to line the Uitenhage Frontier, yet it is not thereby intended to confine them upon emergencies to that line.
44 Records of the Cape Colony,
On the contrary it is necessary that protection should, when wanted, be extended beyond it, and thus if the Landdrost of Graaff Beinet should make application to you for military assistance, you wiU consider yourself fully warranted in affording it. At the same time a detachment of the 72nd Foot is in fact beyond the Boundary mentioned, being stationed at the Baviaan's Eiver,
21st. You wUl thus see from this communication what the policy and objects of His Excellency are, and what the means committed to you for carrying his measures into effect wUl be ; it therefore only remains to add that in every intercourse with the Caflfers, it is His Excellency's wish to treat them with kindness and with strict good faith, that he wishes to establish with Gaika in particular a closer union, and that whenever it becomes his indispensable duty to chastise any of the Border Chiefs, he wishes and desires to confine that chastisement within moderate bounds, and not to destroy the cultivation or kraals of the offenders. His Excellency is well aware that the Inhabitants of the Border have different sentiments &om these, and he also knows that most of those stationed for any time upon the Frontier have their feelings worked upon so as not to be so moderate upon this subject as His Excellency wishes; such however is the line he thinks it wise to pursue, and he begs to say in the strongest terms they must not be deviated from. His Excellency has no doubt but you will see the propriety of cultivating the friendship of the Magistracy, as well of the place you will be stationed at^ as of the surrounding districts, every sort of success depending upon the cordial coopera- tion of all. You will also meet His Excellency's wishes by every attention in your power being shewn to the interests and sufferings of the Inhabitants, the confidence which kindness wUl inspire will be one of the principal means by which the fertile districts you are proceeding to will be once more peopled.
22nd. You have already been furnished with a Warrant empowering you to assemble Courts Martial from time to time, as occasion may require amongst the Troops under your orders, but His Excellency most earnestly trusts that your presence and judicious arrangements for the prevention of crimes will render frequent recurrence thereto unnecessary. The assembling General Courts Martial is to be resorted to as seldom as possible, from the great injury to the service of withdrawing so many of&cers from the outposts. Except in very extraordinary cases no General
Eecords of the Cape Colony. 45
Court Martial is to be convened ^without a reference to His Excellency, and in no instance is the sentence of a General Court Martial to be carried into execution until approved by the CommaDder of the Forces.
By His Excellency's Command.
(Signed) G. J. Eogers, Military Secretary.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Heney Goulburn, Esqre., to Lord
Charles Somerset.
DowiONG Stbxbt, 28tft September 1818.
My Lord, — I do myself the honour of transmitting to Your Lordship a Copy of a Letter which I have received from a person who is desirous to obtain certain information as to the period of the death of a Mr. Schnaegelsberg who is stated to have held the Office of Beceiver at the Cape of Good Hope, and I have to request that you would give directions for supplying the information solicited. I have &c.
(Signed)' Henry Goulburn,
[Original.] Letter from Secretary Bird to Earl Bathurst.
Oafb of Good Hofb, 2Qth September 1818.
My Lord, — ^It is a most painful duty which is imposed upon me to communicate to your Lordship the severe illness with which Lord Charles Somerset has been visited, and which has reduced him so much as to render his recovery very precarious. On Saturday week last, (that is on the 19th) His Lordship first complained, but was suflRciently well to be at the theatre in the evening. On Sunday and Monday he was confined to the house, on Tuesday he was out for a short time in his carriage, but returned in a state of great debility, and has not been up since. There are this morning some favourable symptoms in his case, which Dr. Barry tells me is Typhus with Dysentery. There
46 Records of the Cape Colony,
appears to have been a return of disease for the last three or fonr nights at about ten o'clock and last night his Lordship was delirious. Lord Charles' habits of great temperance are probably much in his favour, but Dr. Barry nevertheless expresses so much apprehension that I cannot delay making your Lordship acquainted with the state in which he now is.
Should an unfavourable turn take place I shall forthwith dis- patch the Colonial Schooner to England with the tidings, that being the only vessel which I can control, and I trust your Lord- ship will approve of my so doing. I still however entertain hopes
it will not be necessary. I have &c.
(Signed) C. Bird.
His Majesty's ships Topaze and Liverpool are here on their way to India. The transports with the 38th Eegiment have not yet been heard of.
[Original.] Letter from Secretary Bird to Earl Bathurst.
Oafs Town, Ist Octdber 1818.
My Lord, — The Maryy by which I had the honour of writing to your Lordship on the 29th September not having put to sea as she intended, I am enabled to inform your Lordship that Lord Charles Somerset has rallied a little and was last night without fever. He is certainly in a state of great debiUty, but considerable hopes are now entertained that he will do well. I have &c.
(Signed) C. Bird.
[Original.] Letter from E. Marshall, Esqre., to T. Courtenay, Esqre.
War Ofwcw, 2md October 1818.
My dear Courtenay, — As it was you who obtained for my brother John the Presidentship of the Cape Bank, I am extremely sorry to inform you that your well meant endeavour to promote his welfare has eventually been of disservice.
Records of the Cape Colony. 47
You will pardon my calling to your recollection that upon leaving London John was obliged to give up an appointment under Grovemment, the salary of which, with his little remaining property and the kind assistance of friends, kept his family above want, and above, what is often thought worse, the appearance of it; whilst he was at hand ready to take any better place or employment that might offer* When thus situated, the oppor- tunity of going to the Cape presented itself, and it was represented in too favourable colours, without however imputing to any one, and much less to you, $i wish to exaggerate, to allow a man in narrow circumstances with a wife and four children to hesitate about going. Accordingly he sold off everything, and borrowed £500 besides, in order to equip his family for the voyage and a residence abroad.
The vessel in which they went was wrecked, and their goods and furniture entirely spoilt or materially damaged, and on arrival my brother found that his salary of 6000 Eixdollars, nominally worth £1200 per annum, was actually reduced by the depreciation of the currency to something less than £600 sterling, an inoome barely adequate to his necessary expences. Still with economy he contrived to live in tolerable comfort, but not to pay off his encumbrances. However he flattered himself with the hope of an improvement of the currency, in which he is paid, tho* for what reason 1 never could learn, for I understand that a large proportion of the other principal dvil officers receive salaries in KixdoUars at their nominal value of 4s, sterling instead of their real value of less than 2s. each.
The currency has since grown progressively worse and worse and there is no prospect of any amendment. Almost every article of native and foreign produce has also rapidly, and it is to be feared permanently, risen in price, as you will see by the enclosed extract fix)m my brother's last letter. Now my good friend, let me urge you to exert any influence which you may possess to get him put upon a footing with the other civil servants in regard to the payment of Ms salary, as there seems to be no just cause for so invidious a distinction in the different branches of the same Grovemment, and I am persuaded that Lord Bathurst cannot be aware of the preference, and how unequally it affects individuals, and how injuriously the Colony.
When the salary was originally assigned to the Presidentship,
48 Becords of the Cape Colony.
it wa3 liberal and adequate to the respectability and responsibility of the appointment^ as the HixdoUar was not depreciated and provisions were cheap ; and I cannot therefore imagine that the present occupant will be left to suffer from a change and pressure of circumstances which he had neither the power to prevent nor avert.
Nevertheless if the measure which I propose cannot be carried, an event I am unwilling to anticipate, but for which it is best to be prepared, I entreat you to try to get for him some appointment tenable with the Bank, or a removal to some more lucrative isituation.
Believe me &c.
(Signed) E. Marshall.
[Original.] Letter from Lieutenant James Fichat to Earl Bathurst.
10 EsmnNGTOH Lane, Vauxhall, lOih October 1818.
My Lord, — Having the permission of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to reside at the Cape of Grood Hope, and being about to embark with my wife and family for that Colony, and understanding that Gk)vemment are pleased to give grants of land to such half-pay Officers as are desirous of colonizing, permit me to solicit (if such should be the case) the favor of a grant of 500 acres of Land in the above Colony, which I have been informed is the number of acres given to Subaltern Officers, or any other proportion which your Lordship may conceive my services of 20 years standing may entitle me to. As I embark on board the ship Lord Cochrane on Monday next at Gravesend, the favor of an immediate answer will greatly oblige, My Lord &c.
(Signed) Jas. Fichat, Lieut. Eoyal Marines on half pay.
Secords of the Cape Colony. 49
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Nbwlands, nth October 1818.
My dear Lord, — ^Your Lordship's letter of the 12th of May reached me only this day, and I lose not a moment in assuring you that it is absolutely impossible that any foreign wines should have made their way to England from hence as Cape wines. A very small quantity of foreign cask wine has been imported into this place, and the strictest watch has been kept upon it, so that we can account for the disposal of every gallon which has been imported. The exporter of Cape wine is in the first place com- pelled by the regulations of the port to make oath before the Magistrate of the wine he exports being of the growth of the Colony, but having had intimation that the enemies of the Capd wine trade had sent some Catalonian wine here for the purpose of mixing with Cape wines and then shipping such mixed wines for England as the genuine produce of this Country, I issued in February last the enclosed Proclamation which has been most rigidly acted upon since, and was followed up by a subsequent regulation, a copy of which I also enclose. I have no doubt but that Your Lordship and the Chancellor of the Exchequer will coincide with me in opinion that these regulations are as strong as necessary, and that they must be fully sufficient to prevent any fraud upon the British Eevenue being successfully practised.
I am really hurt and alarmed at the thought of any increased duty being put upon Cape wines. As it is, the price which Cape wines fetch in the London market does not pay the exporter of them, they are valuable as a remittance to England in payment of those manufactures and luxuries which we obtain from thence. It is not to be expected that they shall compete with Madeira wines, those who can afford the luxury of Madeira will not sub- stitute for that delicious though expensive beverage the inferior produce of this Colony. The proportion now unsold in the London docks of the quantity exported from hence is no small proof of the premature fears of the Madeira merchants, and of the dealers in sweets. But, my Lord, I repeat what I had the honpur
XII. E
50 Records of the Cape Colony.
of before stating to yon : so mnch capital has now been embarked as well in addition to plantations of vine (not yet come into bearing) as in the building of capacious cellaring and storehouses and in the fustage necessary for a permanent export trade, which has been calculated upon in consequence of the favourable con- sideration which had been given to our commerce by the British Legislature, that nothing short of absolute ruin to all concerned can be anticipated from a change of policy in our regard. The inhabitants of the interior are at this moment suffering dreadfully from the consequences of an unprecedented drought which has caused an immense mortality among their cattle and sheep and has hitherto prevented any sowing beyond the mountains, and should this visitation be followed by a stop being put to the wine trade their misery will be complete. I trust your Lordship will avert from them so serious a calamity. I take this occasion of acquainting your Lordship that under your recent instructions I have advanced within the twelvemonth 193,000 EixdoUars on account of Commissariat expenditure and shall probably have it in my power to give additional aid under the same head before the end of the year ; if the Cape wine trade be stopped I see no prospect of continuing this assistance, nor do I see any more feasible mode of turning the prosperity of this place to the advantage of the mother country than by encouraging a trade the entire profit of which is remitted to the merchants of Great Britain.
Just convalescent from a severe illness I avail myself of an amanuensis in addressing your Lordship, because I would not delay an instant endeavouring to interest you in a case of such vital importance to us. 1 remain &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
Records of the Cape Colony.
51
[Original.]
Return of Troops serving at the Cape of Good Hope on the
25th of October 1818.
Officers of all ranks ....... 130
Sergeants, Trumpeters, Drummers, and Eank and File :
Eoyal Artillery ....... 67
Sappers and Miners ...... 13
60th Foot 755
72nd Foot 867
Eoyal African Corps ...... 526
_ _ ( Cavalry 77
Cape Corps j^f^^^^ ^gg
Prize Negroes
Grand Total 2603 • • • 68
(Signed) C. H. Somerset, General Commanding.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
London, Ist November 1818.
My Lord, — I have the honor to acknowledge the Eeceipt of Your Lordship's Letter of the 12th of May last, and with reference to that part of it which suggests the expediency of furnishing the Officers of Customs at the Cape with a Collection of the Laws and Eegulations relating to His Majesty's Eevenue of Customs, I beg to acquaint your Lordship that the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury have directed that a Copy of Tickling's Digest of the Laws of Customs together with one Set of Laws relating thereto which have been passed subsequently to that Publication should be transmitted to the Collector and Comptroller of the Customs at the Cape. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
E 2
52 Becords of the Cape Colony^
[Copy.] Letter from Major Eogers to Lieutenant Colonel Brereton,
GoYERNMENT HousB, November 1st 1818.
Sir, — ^Tour letter of the 22nd reached me only last night, and I lost not a moment in transmitting it to His Excellency the Com- mander of the Forces.
His Excellency desires me in reply to acquaint you that he has no douht that the uneasiness which has heen created in Cafiferland by the steps which have been taken to check their system of depredation has had the effect of causing that jealousy among them which appears to be manifesting itself in hostilities against the only chief, Gaika, who has given the Colonists so many marks of good faith and friendship.
His Excellency had at a former period (as you know) proffered to Gaika assistance in the event of his being attacked by those chiefs who should deviate from the engagements entered into at the Kat Eiver when the conference between the Governor and Cafifer Chiefs was held in April 1817, and His Excellency con- siders the application which you have forwarded to come within the meaning of the arrangements made with Gaika. The bad faith TSambie has always evinced, the constant protection he has afforded to the plunderers of Colonial property, his refusal to restore the Colonial cattle seen in his kraals and demanded by Major Eraser, and finally his murder of the two privates of the 72nd Eegiment now traced to him, certainly warrant any measure of active hostilities being taken against him.
His Excellency therefore has no dif&culty in sanctioning your acting against TSambie and his adherents in conjunction or with the cognizance of Gaika to such extent as you may feel prudent under all the circumstances of the Frontiers. But His Excellency recommends to you the strictest caution, not only that you should take measures whilst making Gaika acquainted with the interest His Excellency takes in his affairs to ascertain the real sentiments and views of that Chief and the actual position of TSambie and those leagued with him, but that you should be perfectly clear that there is no bad faith in the message brought you by Eendrik Nootka.
Records of the Cwpe Colony ^ 53
His Excellency does not believe you can act against TSambie with eflfect with infantry only, and he deems it essential that you should be accompanied by an adequate proportion of experienced Burghers ; the rapidity with which the naked Cafifer moves makes it impracticable for our dismounted men to come up with him, and makes it seriously to be regretted that we have no regular Cavalry to use on occasions similar to the present.
His Excellency thinks your plan of taking the present oppor- tunity to punish TSambie a very good one; but he doubts the policy of going into Cafferland for that object, unless due measures are taken for securing the Colony either in the unexpected event of a want of success or in the case of an irruption into the Colonial territory being undertaken by the Caflfers while the main body of the Troops shall be occupied against that restless Chief. His Excellency desires therefore explicitly to say, that should your further communication with Glaika lead you to continue in the opinion that his cause reqxdres the support and aid which have been held out to him, and thus induce you to avail yourself of the authority now given you to chastise TSambie, His Excellency deems it essential that you should concert with Mr. Van de Graaff (Deputy Landdrost of Cradock, a subdrostdy in the Graafif Eeinet district) in order to his taking steps for the protection of the country on that side, and with Mr. Stockenstrom (Landdrost of Graafif Eeinet) for his bringing a force to the position he occupied last January, while His Excellency will direct Colonel Cuyler (Landdrost of Uitenhage) by this opportunity to lose no time in collecting at least 200 Burghers at some convenient position between Graham's Town and Uitenhage to be placed under such command as you shall judge most advisable, and to be moved in such manner as circumstances may necessitate. With these pre- cautions and with a force left for the protection of Bruintjes Hoogte, either of Burghers or Military (or both) lest the provision depot (Somerset Farm) there should suflfer. His Excellency has no doubt but that success must attend any operation conducted with common prudence into the Cafifer territory.
His Excellency has found by experience that no person has brought away Gaika's sentiments with more accuracy than Major Fraser, you will judge therefore whether under the circumstances which have occurred within the last year it will be prudent to employ him to consult with that Chief on the present occasion.
54 Records of the Cape Colony.
but if you should deem it altogether inadvisable that he should go to Gaika at this moment, he will be able to point out the fittest persons to sound Gaika relative to the actual state of afiairs in CafiEraria.
. You will undoubtedly have already learnt that the character of Hendrik Kootka is not one entirely to be depended upon, and it will also be within your knowledge that Gaika has, in the recent discussions which have been had with him, contradicted and dis- avowed the communications made to Major Fraser in his name by his interpreter Nootka.
His Excellency therefore thinks that it is necessary some person of great confidence should ascertain from Gaika himself the extent of the important communication which Nootka has now made to you, to guard as far as practicable against any deception, treachery, or misunderstanding ; considering therefore that his Excellency's sentiments are sufficiently explicit as to the circumstances under which you are authorized to enter Cafiferland, His Excellency now desires me to add that in the event of your attacking TSambie it will be essential that your measures be prompt and decisive, so that his escape from you if you can come up with him shall be impracticable. The object you are to bear in view is the future tranquillity of this Border. Thus having defeated and overpowered TSambie, it wiQ be advisable to take that opportunity to do away the feelings which appear to prevail among some of the Cafifers that a large proportion of cattle brought from Cafifraria in January last belonged to adherents of Gaika. You will therefore, should a considerable quantity of the cattle of TSambie and his adherents fall into your power, restore to the claimants on that occasion a proportion equal to their losses, provided that such claimants shall not have adhered to TSambie on the present occasion. His Excellency thinks that the Colonial sufferers should next be in- demnified, and that even in the case of an arrangement being entered into with TSambie arising out of his own unqualified submission, both these sacrifices should be insisted upon and his removal from the kraals he now occupies further from the Colonial Border stipulated for. This latter measure will be enforced should you be induced from other circumstances to attack and dislodge that Chief.
When this shall be completed, it will be advisable that you assemble as many Chiefs as you can collect, and explain to Gaika
Records of the Cape Colony. 55
in their presence what has been effected through friendship to him^ and assure him that this friendship and support will be continued to him and to the whole of the Caffer Chiefs so long as the Colonial Territory shall be left unmolested ; but that as soon as a repetition of the plunder and murders takes place, His Excellency will forthwith direct an invasion of the Caffer Terri- tory for the punishment of such Chiefs as shall have been found to have transgressed. His Excellency is persuaded that it is useless to add that you will be accompanied with such supplies both for the Military and Burghers as will render it impossible that your operations shall be at all cramped on that account.
A communication has been, by this opportunity, made to Lieut. Colonel Cuyler (as stated to you to be the intention), but it is left to you to address Messrs. Stockenstrom and Van de Graaff with the least possible delay. I have &c.
(Signed) G. J. Eogers, Military Secretary,
[Original.]
Memorial of the London Missionary Society.
To the Eight Honourable Earl Bathurst, one of His Majesty's
Principal Secretaries of State.
The Humble Memorial of the Treasurer, Secretary, and the Directors of the London Missionary Society.
May it please your Lordship, — The Directors of the London Missionary Society established in the year 1795 being about to send out two of their Co-Directors, ministers of the Gospel, to arrange and superintend the affairs of their numerous stations in South Africa, in which many Hottentots and other African tribes are now instructed in the Christian Eeligion and in the arts of civilization, beg leave to solicit the attention of your Lordship for a few moments, and to request the favour and patronage of your Lordship towards undertakings which they humbly conceive are powerfully conducive to the peace and welfare of the Colony and surrounding countries.
The Eevd. Dr. Philip, late of Aberdeen, and the Eevd. John Campbell of Ejngsland are about to proceed to the Cape, and
56 Records of the Cape Colony.
expect to embark in a few days for the purposes above men- tioned; the former intends to reside at Cape Town, at least for a few years, and it is the humble request of the Society that he may be permitted freely to exercise his ministry in that Town, as the Ministers of Scotland and Dissenting ministers are allowed under the Toleration Act to proceed in this country, and particularly that he may have free liberty to preach to the Slaves of whom there are more than ten thousand, besides Mahometans, who are there rapidly making Proselytes : at present very little instruction is afforded to the Slaves. Your Memorialists can with the fullest confidence recommend Dr. Philip as a gentleman of piety and prudence, well affected to his Majesty's Government, and whose whole conduct they are persuaded will recommend him to the Government of the Colony, If your Lordship will con- descend to write to His Excellency the Governor recommending that Dr. Philip may enjoy the liberty proposed, and that the same liberty may be granted to the Eevd. George Thom who has long resided there, and to the Eevd. John Campbell, while he shall continue there, it will be accounted a singular favour. Will your Lordship be pleased to renew on this occasion the favour of writing to the Governor, recommending the Missionaries generally, as was done in a former instance to Sir John Cradock when Governor, and which encouraged that gentleman to render much service to the Missionaodes by granting Land &c. at the place called (by him) Theopolis, and which is now in a flourishing condition. Your Memorialists humbly trust that similar favours will again be bestowed as occasion may require.
Your Memorialists beg leave also to solicit your Lordship's attention to a few subjects closely connected with the successful progress of their endeavours to introduce the blessings of Christianity and civilization among the Natives of that country ; they refer to the Baptism and Marriage of the Native Converts as administered by the Missionaries, which they humbly request may be held valid and legal, whether performed within or beyond the Colony, in the same manner, as if the baptisms and Marriages had been performed by the Dutch Clergy, this having been refused in some instances to the great inconvenience of the parties concerned.
Your Memorialists have further to entreat your Lordship's favorable interposition in order that such Missionaries as are sent
Eecards of the Cape Colony. 57
out by this Society to places beyond the limit of the Colony may be allowed to proceed to them, a permission the refusal of which they have had to regret in the case of some of the missionaries who were sent out at a great expense to the Society for Namaqualand &c. They have had further to lament that several of their Missionaries have been ordered back from their Stations when they had reached them. Your Memorialists con- ceive that the peace of the Colony would be promoted by the residence of the Missionaries and the civilization of the Natives, in the countries bordering on the Colony, in which the Society has now several stations.
Your Memorialists further beg leave to request the favour of a personal confereuce with your Lordship on the subjects of this Memorial and at as early an opportunity as may consist with your Lordship's convenience.
And your Memorialists will ever pray,
(Signed) Wm. Alers Hankey, Treasurer,
Geo. G. Burder, Secretary.
HiBBiONABT Booms, Old Jewbt, Srd Noven^ber 1818.
[Copy.]
Extracts of a Letter from Brevet Major Eogers to Major General Sir Henry Torrens, dated lOth November 1818.
I do myself the pleasure, because I think it will prove satis* factory to you, to forward herewith copies of the General Orders issued here, immediately after the arrival and landing of the 38th Begiment (the 3rd Inst.) for transferring the well conducted men of the 60th Eegiment to the Eoyal African Corps, which measure has been most satisfactorily executed, and " 5 Serjeants, 5 corporals, and 215 privates, all reported (conscientiously) to be fit for any regiment in His Majesty's Service, have been embarked and are now under weigh to proceed to join your regiment on the Frontiers."
It has been contrived to make the arrangement so agreeable to the parties that after a proper explanation to them they were much pleased, and certainly no set of men ever behaved so well
58 Records of the Cape Colony,
as they did, there not being the most distant appearance of drunkenness or disorder in any one of the men on their embarka- tion, but on the contrary great cheering and exultation.
Lt. Colonel Brereton has received an authority to transfer to the 60th 90 men of a very bad description, and these consequently will be left in the 60th (with the exception of the foreigners who are in general very well behaved men), a set of the most desperate villains and worthless thieves and vagabonds that ever disgraced any country in the world. This gang will amount to about 350 men.
[Copy.] Letter from the Colonial Secretary to the Eeverend Mr. Thom.
CoLomAL Office, 12ih November 1818.
Sib, — I have not failed to take the earliest opportunity of communicating to His Excellency the Governor the certificate you put into my hands of your having dissolved your connection with the Missionary Society, and at the same time I laid before His Excellency the attestations of the Eevd. Mr. Vos, the Eevd. Mr. Manger, the Eevd. Mr. Faure, Jand the Eevd. Mr. Kicherer of your doctrines as an ordained Minister of the Scotch Presbyterian Church being in all respects similar to those of the Eeformed Communion of this place. Anxious as His Excellency has been to supply the Establishments of this Colony with regular Ministers of the Eeformed religion, His Excellency would not have hesitated following the precedent made by Lieut. Governor EaflBes in Java, at the recommendation of Professor Eoss, senior Minister of the Dutch Eeformed Church in that Island, of appointing to the vacant missions persons ha\ing similar letters of ordination to those you bear, and who should be unconnected with those Societies whose claims upon their time and labours might inter- fere with the duties imposed upon them by the Church Eegulations in force in the Settlement, even without such attestations as to the nature of their faith and the validity of their letters of ordina- tion as you have procured from four of the very respectable Clergymen of this place ; but strengthened by such testimonials, and being very favourably impressed with respect to your moral
Records of the Cape Colony, 59
character and conduct, His Excellency has sincere pleasure in availing himself of your oflTer of service, to nominate you to the vacant clerical Establishment of Caledon, requiring only from you, previous to his notifying the intended arrangement, that you signify to him in writing your assent to the Church regulations of this Colony which were issued by Commissary De Mist, and to the different forms and local rules which obtain in this Settlement as far as the particular branch of the Eeformed Church to which you are called to be a Minister is concerned.
His Excellency will also wish to be explicit with you on another point, a point he fears less attended to in the Colony than it ought to be. He means the instruction of the Black part of the Community; it being His Excellency's sincere wish that the Members of your Church may be led, by all the persuasion of which you may be master, to encourage their dependants and slaves to embrace the principles of the Christian faith, and to control their instructions therein. There is a wide scope for your charitable exertions in this field, but there is a particular and much to be lamented class within the boundaries of the Caledon Establishment which will demand your greatest attention. I mean the unfortunate Lepers, who are confined to narrow limits near the sea side.
The Colonial Government has used its best endeavours to alleviate the sufferings of these unfortunate objects, who are fed, clothed, housed, and furnished with the best medical assistance at the public expense, but it would be highly gratifying if there were means of affording them also religious instruction. His Excellency will wish you to extend your exertions to this quarter, and if you think it vdll be practically useful His Excellency will not object to the expense of fixing a Catechist there for the purpose of their constant religious instruction.
His Excellency begs me to recommend to you the most cordial communication with the Missionaries at Genaden Dahl, the objects they have in view and their mode of effecting them having been the subject of much consideration. His Excellency antici- pates firom your communication with these deserving men and the interest the class of Hottentots will therefrom see that our public Ministers take in their welfare, that their confidence will increase, and with it that their labour will be spread beyond the narrow confines of the Bavians Elloof. His Excellency desires me to
60 Records of the Cape Colony.
remind you that the law of the Colony gives to all denominations
of Christians, without distinction, similar rights and equal
privileges. I have &c.
(Signed) C. Bird.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Loin>oir, 16^ Novemher 1818.
My Lord, — ^This letter wiU be delivered to your Lordship by Etienne Bonges whom I have permitted to proceed to St. Helena as Servant to Count Bertrand, and I request you to take the necessary Measures for forwarding him to his destination.
I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Copy.]
Extracts from, a Private Letter from Lt. General Lord Charles Somerset to Major General Sir H. Torrens, dated Cape of Good Hope, nth November 1818.
I was sorely and seriously disappointed at the strength of tho 38th Eegiment, which is so greatly weaker than the 60th. I have abeady said as much officially relative to the inadequacy of the Military Force on this station as I conceive would be thought respectful, but opportunities may be afforded to you to move the Duke to urge those who fix the quantum of Force for each station to afford a more competent force to this one. The removal of the cavalry from hence was the first and main blow here, as it necessi- tates so much greater a force of Infantry on the Frontier, where Infantry cannot, from the nature of the depredators of the country, act with that utility that cavalry could. The latter would in two or three years put a total stop to the incursions of our savage neighbours. The country (which is the finest in the world) would then become populous, and that population would ere long be able to defend itself, and then, but not till then, could
.Records of the Cape Colony,
61
this Settlement afford to be garrisoned by the small force at present here.
The 38th and 72nd at Cape Town, Simons Town, and the vicinity of this place, are literally not adequate to the indispen- sable duties. I fear for the health of the men, it must break in upon their military habits and destroy all their energy, and unless it is in contemplation to strengthen us by another Segiment we have a prospect of becoming weaker and weaker. The periods of the services of the men are daily expiring, and others dying and becoming unfit for service. I have said enough and more than enough on this subject to convince you and those whom I have addressed of the importance of it. I only hope that if the men become sickly or that if the Begiments decline (as they must do) in smartness, discipline, or spirit, the cause will not be laid at my door. If I did not think that it would give offence, I would solicit an increase of Force by every ship that sailed from England, so much am I convinced that evil consequences will arise from the want of it.
[Original.]
Return of Troops serving at the Cape of Good Hope on the
25th of November 1818.
Officers of all ranks .«.•••• 168 Sergeants, Trumpeters, Drummers, and Eank and File :
Koyal Artillery 66
Boyal Engineers •••••• 13
38thEegiment 775
eOthEegiment 577
72nd Eegiment ♦....•. 869
Eoyal African Corps (Grahams Town) . . . 705
_, ^ (Cavalry (Cape Town) .... 71
C^P® ^^T^« Infantry (Grahams Town) ... 156
Grand Total 3400 Prize Negroes 68
(Signed) C. H. Somebset, General Commanding.
62 , Records of the Cape Colony,
[Copy.J
Proclamation hy Lord Charles Somerset.
Whereas the peculiar circumstances of those parts of the Districts of Graaflf Eeynet and Tulbagh, known by the names of the Ghoup and Nieuwveld, have rendered it necessary and expedient that they should be placed more immediately under the eye and control of the local Magistracy, than the great distance from the Seats of the Landdrosts to whom they are now attached admits : — And whereas it is become highly necessary, that such Eegulations should be enforced on that part of the Frontier, as shall effectually prevent those misimderstandings with the Tribes adjoining to, or in the vicinity of, the Colonial Territory, and with the numerous and encreasing class of Bastaards, which have led to the most inexcusable excesses :
I have therefore, by virtue of the power and authority in me vested, thought proper to order and direct, as is hereby ordered and directed, viz.
1. There shall be a Subdrostdy formed from those parts of the Districts of Graaff-Eeynet and Tulbagh, known by the names of the Ghoup, Nieuwveld and Zwarteberg, according to the following boundaries, viz.
North — The known boundary of the Colony.
East — ^A line drawn from the Pramberg, to the spot where the Kajdeka (or Kriega) Eiver toucheis the North point of the Winter- berg, and the said Karieka or Kriega ^Eiver, from thence to its course through the chain of the Zwartebergen.
South — The ridge of mountains known by the name of the Zwarteberg in Graaff Eeynet, including the Baviaans Kloof.
West — A direct liiie from the late Missionary Institution on the Sack Eiver, to the spot where the Dwika Eiver cuts through the Ghoup's Tafelberg, and from thence the course of the said Dwika Eiver to where it joins the Southern boundary.
2. The Subdrostdy shall provisionally be attached to the Graaflf Eeynet District : it shall be known by the name of the Beaufort District.
3. A Deputy Landdrost, Clergyman, and Secretary, with the usual number of inferior Officers, shall be forthwith appointed fur
Records of the Cape Colony. 63
the interior duties of this District, who will be guided by the existing Colonial Begulations, in as far as they relate to their several functions, subject to such modifications as the peculiar nature of this Frontier District shall appear to require, as shall hereafter be directed through the usual channels.
4. The Opstal of the Place formerly called the Hooy Vlakte, having been purchased for this purpose, the residence of the public Functionaries will be established there, and Erven, from time to time, be disposed of as the Inhabitants of the New Town shall be deemed to require.
5. Until such time as proper persons shall be recommended to fill the situations of Heemraden in the Kew District, and thus until such time as the usual Board of Landdrost and Heemraden, and Matrimonial Court, can be regularly formed, the Deputy Landdrost, Clergyman, and Secretary, shall form a temporary Matrimonial Court, guiding themselves by the known Eegulations of Matrimonial Courts ; but this temporary Court shall not take cognizance of any other matters whatever, but such as relate to the Marriages which shall take place in this District.
6. The Commission of Circuit shall visit this District in their annual progress, and hold a Session there for the trial of such Criminal and Civil Causes, as are of its cognizance.
7. The Landdrost of Graaflf-Eeynet, accompanied by one Heem- raad, shall likewise visit this District, at least once a year, and that, as near as circumstances will permit, six months after the Court of Circuit shall have been there, when the said Landdrost with the Deputy Landdrost and Heemraad, shall form a Court for the trial of such Criminal Cases as are cognizable by the Courts of Landdrost and Heemraden, under the Proclamation of the 18th July, 1817, and of such Civil Cases as are of the competence of those Courts to decide upon.
8. The Deputy Landdrost, together with the Clergyman, shall as soon as possible, recommend for my approbation, a proper and experienced Person or Persons to reside at the Klip (or Kook) Fontein, for the purpose of inviting the wandering Bosjesmen or Bastaards to settle there, and receive instruction in the principles of Christianity.
9. The Deputy Landdrost shall also, as soon as practicable, take measures for establishing a Market at the said Klip (or Kook) Fontein, or such other spot within the Beaufort District, as shall
64 Records of the Cape Colony,
be found most eligible for this purpose ; and he shall take every possible measure to invite and entice the neighbouring tribes of Briquas, Boshuanas, or Bastaards, to come to the same periodically, with such cattle or eflfects as they may wish to dispose of; and he shall also invite Hawkers and others to attend these Markets, taking however the greatest care to have every transaction regularly entered, and using the strongest precautions for the security and protection of the People who shall come into our Territory on these occasions. The strict Eegulations relative to the Hawkers now existing must on no account be relaxed in the New District.
And that no person may plead ignorance hereof, this shall be published and affixed in the usual manner.
God save the King !
Given under my Hand and Seal, at the Gape of Good Hope» this 27th day of November, 1818.
(Signed) C. H. Somerset.
[Original.] Letter from the Fiscal to the Colonial Secretary.
Fiboal'b Offiob, 28^ Noffeaber 1818.
Sir, — In compliance with His Excellency the Governor's directions, which you were pleased to communicate to me, respecting the pretended statement of certain Negroes, whose names are (xalant, May, Alexander, Captain, and November, in a Petition, the original of which has been enclosed in a despatch from His Excellency the Earl Bathurst dated the 24th January last, I have the honor for the information of His Excellency to report: that upon my perusal of the said Petition I soon discovered it to have been framed in the spirit of the late anonymous communications to which my private letter of the 30th December 1816 addressed to you, relates, and that the same may be justly considered to be a continuation of the said communications, framed by the same authors, and tending to promote the same objects.
I therefore humbly beg leave to refer to my said letter in as much as my explanation of circumstances contained therein will
Secards of the Cape CoUmy^ 65
render it needless to dwell again upon the circumstances which have abeady to the satisfaction of His Excellency the Governor, and I venture to say also to the satisfaction of His Excellency the Earl Bathurst, been explained by me.
The Petition now before me is not anonymous, as were the late communications. For not only has the Petition been sealed with a seal bearing the initials F. S. and written in the very well known hand-writing of Francis Shortt, but the names of Francis Shortt and James Callander also distinctly and unreservedly appear annexed to the Signature of the Negroes, whose uncultivated minds and understandings, having been imequal to the task of drawing up, nay even of suggesting the Materials, or understanding the contents of the said Petition, it may be thence inferred that it is no longer doubtful but that Francis Shortt and James OaUander who from a variety of circumstances have appeared to me to be the Authors of the anonymous communications, and who, in a letter to the Chief Justice bearing date the 11th December 1816, professed themselves the humble instruments under Divine Providence of already procuring the Sentence of Freedom pronounced on the 20th September 1816 in regard to four of the Petitioners, ought also to be considered as the sole source from whence the Petition, said to proceed from the five Negroes, originally issued.
Before I proceed to the refutation of the gross, and obviously malicious misrepresentations, contained in this Petition, it will bo requisite first to call to your recollection my statement of facts verbally quoted from my letter of the SOth December 1816 : " It remains for me to add that in open defiance of the regulations established in this Colony respecting Free blacks and all other Persons not permitted by the Governor to remain in this Settle* ment and who are placed under the immediate controul and superintendence of the Fiscal, and in defiance of His Excellency's special directions with regard to the re-indenturing of the late Mr. Tennant's apprentices, Mr. James Callander and Mr. Francis Shortt have presumed to take under their private protection and care four of these apprentices declared Buch by sentence of the Worshipful Court of Justice of the 20th September last, as also one not declared to be an apprentice who in consequence must remain in the state of slavery imtil it may be otherwise decided in Appeal. These five Mozambique Negroes they have harboured
XII. F
66 Records af the Cape Colony.
under their private roofs, and in contempt of my official authority declined to obey my summons for their remaining under my official protection and care; while these Persons have been taught by Mr. Callander and Mr. Shortt totally to withdraw from my authority and to imbibe and entertain ideas of such uncurbed liberty and freedom as no Hottentot or Free Person of Colour ever enjoyed in this Colony, so that in order to preyent the dreadful consequences which the total neglect of the public authorities established here must unavoidably lead to, I was obliged to avail myself of the warrants which I had obtained from His Excellency the Gk>vemor to enter their Houses and enforce their obedience to the Laws.
'' I therefore on the 9th instant according to Law, accompanied by a Comnussion from the Worshipful the Court of Justice, entered the Houses in which Mr. James Callander and Mr. F. Shortt reside, and desired them both to deliver over the apprentices under their care as also the Negro May who still remains as a slave, to my official protection and care, the conse- quence of which was that two of the apprentices, Galant and Alexander, and the Negro May were found in the house of Mr. F. Shortt, from which I sent them to the Trunk, the only place allotted for the custody of lodging of Persons not having their abode elsewhere in this Colony, but as none of the Apprentices were found in the House of Mr. James Callander, he thought it expedient to send November and Captain the following morning to my office, leaving me to dispose in their behalf as I should think right and just, which I have done by allowing them, at their ovm request provisionally, until I should adopt some other measure respecting them, to return to the place of Mr. B. Beck, where the wife of Captain lives and where these two Apprentices dedared that they had planted gardens for themselves, while with regard to the Apprentices Galant and Alexander I have placed these under the special care of the Bookkeeper of the Government Granary as Apprentices, there to be maintained at the expense of Government. As to the Negro May, who still remains in the state of Slavery, I have returned him into the care of his Master, Mr. J. Louw, since which I have learnt that he the day following again clandestinely left the service of his said Master.
" Thus far I have traced the course of my inquiries and further circumstances which took place respecting the late Mr. Tennant's
S/eaorda of t/n Cape Cohny. 67
Apprentioefl, to which the extracts of the anonymous eommnnicap tiou enclosed in your letter of the 7th XJltimo relate."
As I have nothing to alter in this statement, I now beg leave to continue the same with a short relation of facts which afberwards happened, and for the elucidation of the circumstances that may occur in this relation, to refer to the annexures of this report.
In the month of December 1816 a Decree from the Worshipfal Court of Justice, passed on the 12 th of said month, was forwarded to me, by which I was required to report in the Court upon the circumstances stated in a certain Memorial of Francis Shortt presented to the Court, requesting the Court to order the release of the Negroes Galant, Alexander, and May, as also upon the circumstances stated in a letter of Francis Shortt and James Callander bearing date the 11th December 1816 addressed to the Chief Justice (the same I hinted at at the commencement of this report), which latter document appeared to the Court to be so highly indecorous and insulting that I was desired in the sfdd decree to proceed on it, as I in my official capacity might think requisite.
I did not fail in compliance with the said requisition, to send in my report, upon the receipt of which the Worshipful Court was pleased by a decree passed on the 13th February 1817 to require my taking the evidences of the Negroes Galant, Alexander, and May respecting the treatment they had received in the Prison, and then again to report to the Court, which accordingly I did. Upon my bringing in the second report I on the 13th March 1817 was honored with the Court's Decree signifying to me the Worshipful Court's acquiescenee in my conduct, and further that it was the WorshipM Court's pleasure that the letter of the 11th December should be proceeded upon according to the Court's Decree of the 12th December 1816, and finally rejecting the prayer of Mr. Shortt's Memorial
During the interval, I had instituted Criminal Proceedings against Mr. F. Shortt and Mr. J. Callander, whom I considered guilty, Hr. Shortt of having illegally harboured the Negroes Alexander, Galant, May, Captain, and November, the same whose names are subscribed in the well known hand of Mr. Shortt to the petition to His Excellency the Earl Bathurst, and Mr. Callander of having illegally harboured two of them, viz. the Negroes Captain and November. These proceedings were carried on by
F 2
58 Recorde of the Cape Colony^
me on the 13th and 14th January 1817 hefore the Sitting Commissioners in whose jurisdiction it lies according to the existing regulations to take cognizance of minor offences, whilst at the same time I was pursuing an investigation with regard to Mr. James Callander on the more important charge of having framed and published several libellous writings, all relating to the affair of the late Mr. Tennant's Apprentices, and tending atrociously to injure the Worshipful Court of Justice, the Fiscal, and private individuals residing in this Colony.
Mr. James CaUander was on the 27th January 1817 by sentence of the Sitting Commissioners acquitted of my charge respecting the illicit harbouring of the Kegroes Captain and November then preferred against him, but Mr. F. Shortt, who was proved to have in open defiance of the Law and of my special injunctions, harboured the five before-mentioned Negroes, was on the 14th January 1817 by sentence of the Sitting Commissioners condemned in a fine of two thousand Eixdollars, and to two months imprison- ment.
This condemnation however he appealed from to the full Court, the consequence of which has been that by the sentence of the full Court dated the 24th April 1817 the Fine of Eds. 2000 was mitigated to Eds. 500, but the remainder of the sentence of the Sitting Commissioners confirmed. This sentence Mr. Shortt thought proper again to appeal from to the Eight Honorable the Court of Appeals for Criminal Affairs, the result of which however has been that the Court's condemnation was confirmed by decree of the Eight Honorable Court passed on the 28th November 1817.
Mr. Shortt's turbulent and highly provoking conduct^ by which he had made himself subject to my prosecution, compelled me after the receipt of the Worshipful Court's decree of the 13th March 1817 (for imtil that time I had deferred proceedings) to commence a prosecution against him on the combined charges of having framed and published defamatory libels, and of having treated the high authority of His Excellency the Governor with contempt, whidi charges as the same related to the letter of the 11th December 1818 as also to the contents of a certain memorial of Mr. Francis Shortt addressed to His Excellency the Governor respecting my official conduct in the cases of the late Mr. Tennant's Apprentices, and to the high contempt, with which he
Becards of the Cape Colony. 69
•had thought proper to treat His Excellency the Gtovemor's Search- Warrant through which I was enabled to compel him to the delivery of the Negroes Gkdant, Alexander, and May to my ofi&cial care, I cannot suflfer to pass unnoticed. The Proceedings in this case, as also in the case of Mr. James Callander charged by me with a similar oflfence, I was obliged on account of their apparent enormity in the first instance to carry on before the full Court, which by a sentence passed on the 26th February last declared Mr, F. Shortt guilty of composing, writing, and publishing defamatory libels, as also of having atrociously offended and treated with contempt the High Authority of His Excellency the Governor and Commander in Chief, for which offences the Worshipful Court condemned him to be banished from this Colony for ever. The Worshipful Court moreover declared Mr. Shortt guilty of having in the Court made use of highly offensive and defamatory expressions with allusion to me, and consequently condemned him further in a fine of Bds. 50 and to be confined in the Public Prison at his own expense until an opportunity should offer for his leaving this Settlement.
Mr. F. Shortt thought proper to appeal from this condemnation to the Eight Honorable Court of Appeals for Criminal Affairs, but this Appeal has not been attended with any success on his part, the condemnation having been confirmed by decree of the Right Honorable Court of Appeals of the 30th May 1818.
In justice to Mr. Shortt's conduct I cannot omit observing that from the date of his condemnation he has given the most un- equivocal marks of his contrition, and thereby conciliated the minds of those he had before made the objects of his flagrant insults ; the consequence of which has proved highly beneficial to himself, as he succeeded in obtaining His Excellency the Governor's gracious remission of the pimishment he had incurred, under certain conditions, however, which the Public Security seemed to require.
On the 16th April last Mr. James Callander was by sentence of the Worshipful Court of Justice declared guilty of composing and publishing defamatory libels, whereby he did not only atrociously injure the Worshipful Court, but also the ex officio Prosecutor, and private individuals, and consequently was con- demned in a fine of fifty Bixdollars to be paid to the fund of the Bible and School Commission, and to a confinement of three
70 Record^ of the Cape Colony,
months in the Public Prison. This condemnation Mr. Callander did not appeal from.
Independently of the several Memorials, Petitions, and Letteis which have been framed to serve the purposes of Messrs. Shoitt and Callander respecting the late Mr. Tennant's Apprentices, they had recourse to other means for securing the success of their machinations. During some time they were employed in endeavouring to prejudice the minds of some of these Apprentices against the measures of Qovemment, and to make them believe that, under the deceitful mask of protection, it was the intention of Government, or at least my intention, to enslave them during their whole lives. Thus having influenced the minds of some of these Negroes^ they professed themselves ready to protect them, and to defend the cause of their fr^eedom, even against Government.
It is not to be surprised at that the credulous and unsuspecting Negroes allowed themselves to be led astray by the fair promises of their pretended patrons, and that they were easily prevailed upon to put their handmarks underneath every Document which they were desired to subscribe, without even knowing what the same contained. Several instances of that nature have appeared to me in the course of my late investigations, which however it is not requisite here to mention. Suffice it to say that the greater part of them have been produced in the Worshipful Court of Justice in my Criminal Proceedings against Mr. Philip Landon. The annexures Nos. 3 & 4 of the Petition now before me, as also the Petition itself, are among that number, supposing the five handmarks underneath the same* to be the true handmarks of the Negroes, a circumstance which November and Captain seem to have no recollection oi^ and which may be considered at least doubtful
As from the ignorance of the Negroes and the informations which from time to time I was enabled to collect, I at the perusal of the Petition was in my own mind convinced they could not know its tenor or contents, I caused my Chief Clerk to take their judicial evidence before the Sitting Commissioner on such Points as I suggested to him, with the view of thereby bringing to light the malice of the Authors of the said Petition.
The replies they have given to the few questions proposed to them will, I trust, sufficiently show how wfell they are satisfied
JBeeards of the Cape Colony. 71
Dtath their present situation, and how little reliance can be placed in the truth of such Petitions as ill designing Persons have availed themselves of the opportunity of framing in their name.
In fact the situation in which the said Negroes are cannot be considered but in the most favorable light. Not through the exertions of Messrs. Francis Shortt and James Callander, as these two Persons have vainly boasted, but I humbly venture to say through my offidal exertions they have been relieved from the Bonds of Slavery, in which they were illegally detained. One of them, the N^ro May, not having been declared free in the Worshipful Court's decree of the 20th September 1816, I have appealed on behalf of him and three other Negroes to the Bight Honorable Court of Appeals for Civil Affairs, from which I on the 28th November 1817 obtained the Decree of his freedom. There is not one of these Negroes who does not feel himself happy under the care of a good and humane Master, where he enjoys all the advantages of a mild and proper treatment and is in want of nothing. At the expiration of their seven years' apprenticeship, which takes date from the 20th April 1815, or in case of inability to serve, they will become entitled to the benefit of the Apprentice-Fund established on behalf of the late Mr. Tennant's Apprentices, from which all other Negro-Apprentices indentured in this Colony are excluded. Whenever the service of their Masters does not suffer under it, they may occasionally earn something, and their Masters are bound moreover to make them a certain allowance (two shillings Colonial Currency every week) for their own private comforts. Such is the fate of those that are called in the Petition His Excellency's unhappy Memoriaiists.
I trust it will be needless to repeat what have been the reasons which induced His Excellency the Governor to approve of the reindenturing of the late Mr. Tennant's apprentices, to whose number they belong, these reasons I have explained in my letter of the 30th December 1816, to which I therefore humbly beg leave to refer.
After the explanation of the facets contained in my above state- ment, and in the annexures of the same, as also in my letter of the 30th December 1816, 1 may with silence pass over the greater part of the Petition, the malice and impropriety of which will sufficiently have appeared to His Excellency by a comparison of
72 Records of the Cape Colmiy^
the same with the real circumstances of the case which I have laid before you.
From the replies of the five Negroes in whose names the Petition has been presented to His Excellency the Earl Bathurst, to the queries which have been proposed to them, it will be obvious to His Excellency that no part of the contents of the Petition in question has been made known to them, but that three of them only have been taught to believe that such a Document as they were called on by Mr. Shortt to sign with a cross was requisite to secure their freedom. It therefore cannot be of any avail what has on their account, though utterly unknown to them, been stated in the Petition respecting four of their companions said to have been stolen froili Bobben Island by boats belonging to a Whale Fishery, smuggled into Cape Town, and sold as Slaves.
Most likely Mr. Shortt has been induced to put this Statement down in the Petition from the circumstance of my not having appealed from the Worshipful Court's Decree of the 20th Sep- tember 1816 on behalf of four Negroes who could not be proved to have been among the number of those manumitted by the late Mr. Tennant on the 16th April 1808, supposing this to be the case, then I humbly beg leave to refer to my report of the 11th November 1816, in which I have explained to you my reasons for not appealing on their behalf.
If however I am mistaken in this supposition, then, what other inference can be drawn from Mr. F. Shortt*s conduct respecting these four companions of his pretended Petitioners, but that he either fabricated the whole story or otherwise intentionally con- cealed from this Gk)vemment the circumstances known to him respecting four more of the late Mr. Tennant's emancipated Negroes, and consequently was, and still remains, the sole cause of the continuation of their illegal Slavery.
All that has been stated respecting Mr. S. Beck and the other Masters of the pretended five Petitioners as also respecting the oflScial conduct of the Worshipful Court of Justice in examining witnesses with closed doors, and respecting my own of&cial con- duct, has been replied to in my letter of the 30th December 1817 and in the annexures Nos. 4 and 6.
As no complaint of ill-treatment has ever been preferred to me by the Negro May or any of his companions against their late Masters, and as I have not been able to discover that any of these
Becords of the Cape Colon;/. 73
NegroM, when in the state of Slavery, ever have received a domeatic punishment in the Priaon, I leave it to the Authora of the Petition to substantiate their statement that the five Negroes were threatened with Impriaonment and corporal punishment, and that the Negro May had been actually flogged in the Prison ; nor do I think it requisite to refute the allegations that the five Negroes should have been by me positively interdicted from speaking to, or going to the houses of, Messrs. Shortt and Callander ; for although in my opinion the mala fide instigations and dangerous advices of these two persons made them utterly unqualified to have any of the late Mr. Tennant's Apprentices in their service as Apprentices, yet it must be obvious that I could not interdict nor have any interest in interdicting all intercourse between them and the said apprentices, since it was not my inten- tioa unnecessarily to curtail the freedom which they had acquired, but to provide for them in a manner most suitable to their wants and inclinations, which I was assured would render ineffectual all the efforts of Messrs. Shortt and Callander to make them dis- satisiied with their present situation. Let the replies of these Negroes to my queries decide how just has been my expectation, and how deceitful, oq the contrary, is the false statement which has been made in the Petition ; That the Dea}-ee of Freedom thus rendered nugatort/ had destroyed the health of the Negro November, ■who e?itertaiiied no hope of Iming to experience any advantage from his humble application, as also that superadded to the other mis- fort unes of the five Negroes they had not been provided mth sufficient food, being deprived of all means of getting money. Indeed the situation in which Mr. Shortt is placed is alone sufficient to show to His Excellency what might have been the consequence to these Negroes in case they had been left to themselves ; for supposing they had continued to hire themselves out to Mr. Shortt for Eds. 20 monthly wages, supposing also they had made some expendi- tures proportioned to their wages, the consequence is obvious, they, like tbeir Master, soon would have experienced the misfortune of the state of insolvency ; as even those wages which have become due have been left unpaid by Mr. Shortt, whose estate, it is known, has become insolvent, and still remains under the adminis- tration of the Insolvent Estates Chamber.
After these elucidations I need not dwell on the lat, 2ud, 4th and last parts of the pi'nyor of the Petition, for 1 am humbly
74 Mecords of the Gape Colony,
confident that £rom the same it will appear to His Excellency the Earl Bathurst :
Ist. That in their present state of Apprenticeship the five pretended Petitioners are free in fact, as well as on paper, and that a more unrestrained freedom, far from being beneficial to them, would likely have rendered them a burthen to themselves, and perhaps to the Public.
2nd. That the four companions of these Negroes are by no means proved to be either in the State of Slavery or of Freedom, or entitled to the state of Freedom, and that the statement con- cerning them whether true or not is utterly imknown to the Negroes.
4th. That the pretended Petitioners do not wish to be in the service of any other but their present Masters.
And 6th. That the mere act of buying and selling Negroes as Slaves, without any wilful and malicious intention to transgress the Laws, cannot make the bona fide Buyers and Sellers of such Negroes subject to any Prosecution, and consequently that the bona fide Buyers and Sellers of these Negroes, who have been dis- posed of as Slaves by their late Portuguese Master Guedes (the only one who has appeared to me guilty of the crime called in the CiYil Law Plagium) cannot be criminally prosecuted by me.
Bespecting the third part of the Prayer of the Petition contained in these words : 3rd that enquiry may be &^ I beg leave to remark that the same is founded in the very superficial and imperfect informations which Messrs. Shortt and Callander obtained of the progress, which in my discoveries concerning the late Mr. Tennant's Apprentices I have made. It therefore will be necessary to lay the circumstances in their true light before His Excellency. The number of the late Mr. Tennant's Apprentices indentured to him by the late Fiscal Van Byneveld, whose descriptions are extant, is 86. Fifty-three of that number have been produced to me ; ten others have been relieved from the State of Slavery in which they were illegally detained. From the Memoranda of the late Mr. Tennant and other circumstances it is highly apparent that 10 at least of those belonging to the above number of 85 died before Mr. Tennant's decease. The Executors to the late Mr. Tennant's will moreover produced to me 7 apprentices, who were by them considered to belong to the number of the 85, but as none of them answered the descriptions of any of the 85, I was induced to
Eecards of the Cape Colony. 75
suppose that a bona fide exchange of some of those belonging to the above number with Apprentices indentured to the late Mr. Tennant by the Collector of H. M. Customs might have taken place ; a circumstance corroborating such belief is that all the Apprentices indentured by the Collector of His Majesty's Customs have been duly accounted for by the Executors of Mr. Tennant's will, firom which it follows that the surplus of seven not reclaimed by the Collector must necessarily be included in the number of those indentured by the late Fiscal Van Ryneveld.
Supposing this to be the case, the following number of Apprentices have been accounted for :
53 produced to me,
10 relieved from the State of Slavery,
10 stated to have died before the decease of Mr. Tennant, and
7 bona fide exchanged with others belonging to the Collector's Kegro apprentices, making all together 80 Apprentices, and thus leaving a deficiency not of 26 but of 5 Apprentices not at all accounted for. A number truly large enough to make it desirable that they may be found out, but as Mr. Tennant, the only person who had it in his power to account for the whole number, is deceased, there is hardly any prospect of succeeding in the discovery.
Thus having explained to you the circumstances attending the Statement of the Authors of the Petition, said to be the Petition of Five Negroes, I confidently hope His Excellency the Earl Bathurst will be satisfied with the explanations I have given, and thereby be enabled to judge upon the merits of the case.
(Signed) D. Denyssbn, Fiscal.
The annexures are voluminous, and as they only support the statements in the above letter, without containing any new matter, I do not think it is necessary to publish them. — G. M. T.
76 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original.] Letter from the Keverend Thomas Erskine to Earl Bathurst.
Simons Town Pabsonaoe, December 1818.
My Lord, — Sensibly as I feel your Lordship's kindness in having presented me to this Living, which is far more lucrative than my most sanguine wishes could have anticipated, yet I trust I may not fall in your Lordship's estimation by soliciting your permission to exchange it with some Clergyman in England, who may be enabled to transfer to me a Living worth £250 a year.
This Living, with the Military, Naval Hospital, and dock-yard Chaplaincies, which I also hold, is, with all its advantages, worth fully £550 a year in sterling money, besides a largfe airy house and rations for a horse.
The prevalence of high winds here, particularly the S.E. which drives before it clouds of very subtle and penetrating sand, together with the dazzling reflection from the hills immediately surrounding this village, has had a most pernicious effect on my sight, which always was exceedingly weak: besides this, this climate, I am sorry to say, does not agree with Mrs. Erskine, whose health has been on the decline since she arrived here. These circumstances combined, I trust will induce your Lordship to consider my request in a favorable point of view, and if you allow me to exchange I shall come home at my own expence. But in the event of your Lordship's not allowing me to exchange this for a small Living in England, may I beg you will be so good as to issue further orders about my rations for one horse, which the Colonial Government refuse to give to me, or else that I am to receive, instead of forage for one horse, the sum of fifty guineas a year, to commence from the day I landed here.
I hope to be pardoned by your Lordship for taking the liberty of enclosing a letter to my kind and worthy Benefactress, the Dowager Lady Maimers, on the subject of an exchange which I have been obliged to ask from the unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances above mentioned. I have &c.
(Signed) Thomas Erskine,
JUcords cf the Cape Colony. 77
[Copy,]
Letter from Major Sogers to tlie respective Officers of the
Ordnance.
GoYSBNioNT HouBB, Sfd Deoemher 1818.
Gentlemen, — I am directed by His Excellency the Commander of the Forces to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th November soliciting me to move His Excellency to suspend the order which was communicated by me to the Ordnance Store- keeper on the 28th Ultimo for reasons (which you state) shall hereafter be transmitted to him.
His Excellency cannot refrain from expressing his surprise at a request so extraordinary.
The respective Ofi&cers appear to forget that all classes of His Majesty's subjects are bound by the laws and regulations of the Country in which they are, and no class, in His Excellency's opinion, ought to pay more implicit respect to such laws here than the persons connected with the Military Administration.
To the pertinacity of the Ordnance Storekeeper in immediate opposition to this principle can the present dilemma only be attributed.
In January last His Excellency found it necessary to direct a letter (a copy of which is enclosed) to be addressed to the Ordnance Storekeeper, cautioning him on these respects, but a perseverance in the same conduct has had the result of which he now feels the effect.
Even in the present instance if the Ordnance Storekeeper had thought the Colonial Courts incompetent to enforce obedience to the Eevenue Laws in a case in which he was officially concerned, the mode of appeal was open to him by which he might have brought the question to the highest Tribunal; but it would appear that the same feeling deterred him from following this plain line, and by his silence he acquiesced in the decision which has been made. But now that the sentence of a Court (whose competency his own act has acknowledged) is about to be enforced. His Excellency the Commander of the Forces, who is bound to give effect to it, is solicited to pursue a contrary course.
His Excellency had hoped that you would understand and appreciate the line he had taken, by which any alienation of the
78 Records of the Capt Colony.
stores in question to the injury of the public had been provided against^ and nothing more ordered than the deposit in the Government Bank of the amount of Gunpowder sold (which under any circumstances would be sold and distributed) for further disposal to those entitled thereto ; and as it will take a consider- able time before the quantity of Gunpowder seized can be thus sold and distributed, this course left to the respective of&cers full leisure to give to the Board of Ordnance any explanation they might think necessary relative to the conduct of their store-keeper. His Excellency under all these circumstances cannot rescind the order already given on this head. I have &c.
(Signed) G. J. Bogers, Military Secretary.
[Copy.] Letter from the Colonial Secrbtary to the Chief Justice.
GoLONiAii Offioi, 4<A Ikember 1818.
Sir, — I am commanded by His Excellency the Governor to have the honour of acquainting you that in a recent communication from His Majesty's Secretary of State it has been signified to him that it is the opinion of His Majesty's Gk)vemment at home that every possible measure should be adopted for reducing the number of offices within this Settlement, and particularly that the system of carrying on the public service by means of Boards should, where practicable, be discontinued ; and the Secretary of State has pointed out the Board for regulating Insolvent Estates as one which might more advantageously be carried on (as in other places) by a Sequestrator with proper assistance.
His Excellency therefore, in compliance with these suggestions^ and considering that the business of that department was hereto- fore conducted by an officer subordinate to the Court of Justice, and that the change is of no very remote date, has not tended to the dispatch of business, which on the contrary has been frequently represented to him by the Board itself as very much in arrear, has determined upon reducing the Board in question and substituting in lieu thereof a Sequestrator (with the assistance as pointed out in the enclosure herewith transmitted) who shall receive his instructions from the Worshipful the Court of Justice,
Records of the Cape Colony. 79
and report the proceedings of his office weekly in person to the Court and by such clear Books and Schedules as shall be pointed out to him by the instructions alluded to,
His Excellency has therefore directed me to communicate this arrangement through you to the Worshipful Court, and call upon you to give directions for the preparation of the necessary instructions to the Seq^uestrator, whicJi His Excellency does not think it necessary should considerably vary from the instructions under which this service is at present conducted ; hut His Excellency desires me to observe that it seems essential that the moat vigilant attention should be paid to the money administration of this Department, and therefore that it should be part of the inatrac- tion to the Sequestrator that he shall produce weekly the Cash Books in which all receipts and payments shall appear so clearly expressed as that every Member of the Court shall be fully satisfied on this head; that he shall be directed to retain no monies whatever, either in his own hands, or in any chest belonging to the Department, but that every sum shall as received be paid into the Bank, and be reissued from thence by the Sequestrator's drafts in favour of the party to whom a payment is to be made. The Bank book, made up to the date on which the Court shall assemble to inspect these concerns, should be one of the documents to be laid before the Court by the Sequestrator. Hi a Escellency, desirous in compliance with his instmctiona to retain those persons in this administration by whom the details have hitherto been conducted, has desired me to transmit to you the accompanying List of the Sequestrator's Department as it will stand from the date at which this arrangement shall take place, which his Excellency thinks may be best carried into effect on the Ist day of the ensuing year, up to which period the Board as it Qow stands should be called upon to close the accounts of this administration.
It is His Excellency's intention to allow to the Gentlemen of tbe Board who will by this measure retire from the service, half theii' present pay until such time as adequate opportunities shall offer for replacing them in the Service in such situations as may hereafter be deemed adequate to their respective pretensions.
I have &c.
(Signed) C. Bird.
80 Records of the XJwpe CohrVjf^
[Enclosure.] Establishment of the Sequestrator's Department.
Bizds.
Sequestrator • . R J. van der Riet, Esq. . . . • 4000
AsBt. do. and Cashier . Mr. D. F. Lehman 1200
Head Clerk . . Mr. J. A. H. Falck 1100
Mr. M. deKock 900
Mr. W.F.Bergh 750
I Mr. F. Perreyn 750
^Mr. J. J. G. yan Beede van Oudtshoom • 600
J. Blore 1500
610
Bookkeeper Clerks
1st Messenger 2nd do.
[Copy.]
Letter from the Colonial Secretary to J. Baird, Esqre.
Colonial Offiob, ^th December 1818.
Sir, — In a Proclamation issued on the 27th of last month His Excellency the Governor was pleased to nominate you to be Deputy Landdrost of the Beaufort district, which is therein pro- visionally made subordinate to the Drostdy of Graaff Beinet. This circumstance perhaps should render particular instructions to you, except through the Landdrost of the District, unnecessary ; but His Excellency nevertheless thinks it desirable that his views in establishing the seat of Magistracy in the Ghoup and Nieuwveld should be explained immediately to yourself, as it is his intention that you shall upon every extraordinary occurrence within the new subdivision correspond direct with this ofi&ce, in order that the time which the circuitous mode of corresponding thro' Graaff Beinet may be thereby saved.
A copy of this communication will be transmitted immediately to Mr. Stockenstrom, so that he will be quite aware that in giving you these directions it is not intended to subtract from him any part of that authority which of necessity devolves upon the superior Magistrate.
Within the limits of the new division it appears that more irregularity exists than perhaps in any other part of this extensive Settlement Widely separated up to this period from the resident
Becordk of the Cape, CoUmy^ 81
Magistrates, to whose administration the subdivisions of this tract have hitherto been subject, the several classes of inhabitants seem almost to have been left in or to have sunk into a state bordering on barbarism^ and scarcely to have attended to any of those regulations which the wisdom of the Legislature has from time to time established for the security and benefit of society. Hence the land is occupied without any title or by such uncertain tenure that the distinction of property is scarcely defi^ed. Hence the several classes who occupy this tract of country lead a nomad life^ and many are supposed from time to time to emigrate beyond the Settlement, where, mixing with the hordes that hover round the Missionary Institutions at the Orange Biver^ they join in the most unwarrantable depredations upon the peaceable and un- offending tribes in that vicinity. Hence also is it that the morality of the Christian religion which the inhabitants of this Country have received from their European forefathers is imper- fectly or scarcely known in the wide space we have under con- sideration. Hence it is that the first rudiments of education are rarely to be found in any of its inhabitants. To remedy these evils gradually is the arduous task which is imposed upon your intelligence and activity. It is one requiring the greatest perse- verance and attention, but one which will be well rewarded by the gratitude of those who will benefit by your exertions and by that self applause which is the natural concomitant of successful benevolence.
His Excellency thinks that previous to coming to any resolution with respect to the land in the Beaufort district, it will be essential that you should make yourself master of the entire subject and report to him with great minuteness the names of each occupier of land, according to the several Eield Cometcies in which he resides, the nature of the tenure by which the occupier holds or uses the land, the probable quantity of land each one thus possesses, and the stock possessed by the individual. This will nearly convey to His Excellency the information necessary to his forming a judgment as to the wants of the inhabitants in this respect, but if, in addition to this, you can describe the soil generally of each Field Cometcy, its features, capabilities, and peculiar defects, together with the supposed quantity of still unappropriated and useful land in each, the document will be of the highest importance. It is naturally His Excellency's wish
XII. G
82 Records of the Cape Colony.
that the population should be as much concentrated as possible and thus that agriculture should meet with every encouragement^ and all that description of settler chiefly countenanced who shall be willing to derive subsistence firom the produce of the soil.
The formation of the new Town is a first object, situated as it is on the high road to all the Northern Field Cometcies, it ought to attract settlers to it, who will derive a considerable part of their means of support from the wants of those who pass or repass ; these settlers again will take from the agriculturists of the neigh- bourhood part of the surplus produce, and thus by degrees a link will be established, the chain of which, according to the capacity of the district, will be more or less extended. His Excellency the Governor, having approved of the report made by the Landdrost of Graaff Eeinet relative to the several immediate outlays required at the residence of the Magistrate of the Beaufort district, desires to recapitulate his sanction thereof.
2500 Bixdols. for repairs of the building to be appropriated to the residence of the Landdrost.
200 for repairs to the outbuildings to be appropriated to the Clerk and Messenger's residence.
800 for the alterations necessary for the formation of a prison.
300 for the alteration required for the residence of an under sheriff.
200 for, repairs of a building and
6,000 for a new House for the Secretary;
13,333 J for the Opstals of the places.
Thus not only the immediate wants, but the comforts of those individuals who are about to settle in the public service at Beaufort will be provided for.
But towards the foundation of a new Town it will be essential that you early turn your mind to the subject and proceed with caution and regularity. On this point His Excellency desires that you may not act without the approbation and advice of Mr. Stockenstrom, for in the distribution of Erven it is essential that the greatest regularity should obtain, that the future wants of those Gk)vemment Servants who are to be resident at Beaufort should be in the first instance secured ; that due regard be had so to place the habitations as that each may be supplied with an adequate quantity of that essential necessary^ water, and that
Sederds of the Cape Colony. 83
every precaution be taken to secure the means of future cleanliness and free air, objects which are most essential to salubrity.
His Excellency, you -will perceive by the Proclamation of the 27th, has thought it necessary to appoint a minister to the district. His Excellency holds it to be incontrovertible that religion is the best basis of civilization, and that little progress will be made in the latter where the former is neglected or thrown aside. His Excellency therefore in appointing the Eevd. Mr. Taylor (whose dedication as a Minister of the Scotch Calvinist persuasion is in all essential points similar to the ordination of the Ministers who were supplied to this Colony froip. the United Provinces in former times) has clearly explained to him his views with respect to the new district. A considerable time may elapse before it is practic- able to erect a suitable church at the new Establishment, but no time should be lost in propagating those doctrines among the inhabitants of the Beaufort district, which contain in them the seeds of all that is conducive to their welfare both here and here- after.
Mr. Taylor consequently has been informed that until a church can be built, the sheU of a house must be appropriated to the business of divine worship, but this will not satisfy His Excel- lency's intentions. Scattered as the habitations of the community are, it cannot be supposed that many of them will have it in their power to attend divine service regularly. His Excellency expects from, him therefore an almost constant Missionary labour in visiting and instructing the inhabitants of the several parts of the district. His Excellency feels assured that Mr. Taylor will zealously second his views on this important head; but the ministry will be but partially filled if Mr. Taylor should confine his exertions to the white or Christian part of the community. His Excellency expects of him not only, in conjunction with your- self, to superintend the Establishment alluded to in the 8th Article of the above quoted Proclamation for the native inhabitants now wanderers in the district, which will be more fully gone into below, but His Excellency entertains a most sincere desire that the black or slave part of the community may receive that religious instruction which will be highly consoling to them under the mortifying restraints of their unfortunate lot, and un- questionably render them more valuable to their proprietors. His Excellency trusts therefore that Mr. Taylor may use his best
G 2
t
i
84 Beeords of the Cape Colony.
endeavours with such proprietors to induce them to encourage their dependents and slaves to embrace the principles of the Christian faith and to control their instruction therein.
From what has been above said, you will consider yourself authorized to build the shell of a house to be appropriated to the purposes of divine worship, but it should be constructed with a view to its becoming useful and valuable at a future period for any other object, public or private, which the new district may require. The clergyman will also require a decent dwelling, and His Excellency hereby authorizes your causing one to be built for him on the same plan as has been recommended for the Secretary, and at a like expense.
To return now to the institution which His Excellency wishes to set on foot at the Eookfontein, His Excellency has in the Proclamation of the 27th November called npon you, in conjunc- tion with Mr. Taylor, to recommend proper persons to undertake the superintendence and instruction of such families of the native inhabitants, whether belonging to the classes of Hottentots, Bosjesmen, or Bastards, as shall be induced to settle on this place, which His Excellency understands to be occupied without title by some persons, who must be directed to remove. The qualifications which it appears to be necessaiy that these persons should possess are various; they consist in a zeal bordering on enthusiasm, in a perfect knowledge of the principles they are to inculcate, in a competent proficiency in the vernacular language, and in a familiar acquaintance with the principles of agriculture and horticulture. To these endowments should be added mildness of temper and manner, great patience and forbearance, indefatig- able industry, and ability. His Excellency's wish is that the families settling there should each have a plot of garden ground, which they should be induced to cultivate, and that the land allotted to this purpose (that is to the purposes of the institution generally) should be adequate to maintaining a considerable number; his farther wish is that the greatest regularity may be enforced, and as much as possible cleanliness instilled ; by these means wants will be created which industry and industry alone will gratify.
It is His Excellency's intention that such r^ulations shall be framed as shall give to the father of a family a positive right to the land he shall have occupied and brought into a fair state of
Eec&rds of the Cape Colony^ 85
cnltdvation for a considerable, though definite, time, hereafter to be fixed* His Excellency does not believe that any adequate object is attained by an indiscriminate attempt to teach reading or writing to adults, but it should be a fixed rule that such as are allowed to settle here should compel their children to attend school from almost the earliest period ; the regularity and order of early habits of this nature will probably induce a great and useful change in the manners of these people. It will be wise and of great importance that a desire should be excited among both sexes for the usual clothing used by the lower classes in the Southern parts of this Settlement, and thus that gradually the uncleanly kaross should be thrown aside.
It is to this spot that His Excellency desires the neighbouring tribes should be invited to barter such cattle or valuables as they may seek to dispose of against such articles as they may stand in need of firom the Colony. Here they will see the paternal care which is extended to their brethren within our limits, and thus by the fairness of dealing which must be enforced in their regard, and the improvement which it is to be expected they will observe in those who live in better regulated societies than those to which they have been accustomed, they will probably be drawn to desire to participate in the benefits of civilization.
It is through the channel of Hawkers that the wants of these people should chiefiy be supplied, but as it may happen that these may not in the first instances be prevailed upon to attend regularly, and as it is highly material that these people shall not be disappointed of what they require when they come to the Kookfontein, if Mr. Stockenstrom deems it advisable a stock of what they are chiefly likely to want shall be sent to you to barter with them, not however proposing hereby to interfere with private traders, who should not by any means be injured or impeded by a measure which might be a check on their inducements to attend with these supplies, but solely to be furnished to the strangers, should the hawkers not attend or not have it in their power to satisfy the demands made upon them.
You will apply to Mr. Stockenstrom to frame such regulations for these occasions as experience shall dictate to him to be neces- sary for the preservation of order, regularity, and fair dealing at these markets, and it seems desirable that he should correspond with Mr. Anderson on the subject, in order, through him, to make
86 Records of the > Cape Colony.
known to the tribes which have been alluded to the times at which they will, through these measures, have it in their power to have their necessities suppUed, together with the means by which they must effect it. It is scarcely necessary to add that fire arms or ammunition are strictly prohibited from being sold to these people.
His Excellency has been applied to to provide a site within our limits for a number of IN'amaqua Hottentots and Basteuxis who at present are at an Institution on the west side of the Namaqua country, under Mr. Moffat, and His Excellency is in the intention of placing these hordes at the Zak Eiver at the place formerly occupied by Mr. Kicherer. Should this take place, the persons settling there must be placed on the same footing as those who settle at the Kookfontein.
His Excellency has not thought it necessary to give any particular instructions at this moment on the subject of the Bosjesmen who either are residing within your limits, or in the vicinity, knowing that the Landdrost has on every occasion exerted himself for the protection and advantage of this un- fortunate race :of people. His Excellency therefore only recom- mends to you to continue and strictly to attend to the benevolent regulations Mr. Stockenstrom has introduced in theii* regard. It is important that they should be charitably cultivated, and ihat they should be encouraged, whenever practicable, to enter into the service of the Colonists, on which occasions it will be your bounden duty to see that strict justice be done to them, and that no unfair practices be resorted to to enforce their stay in such services beyond the time for which they originally engaged them- selves. There is much, and His Excellency fears well grounded, complaint from the Hottentots and others on this point, and how- ever essential the services of labourers may be to the Colonists, yet they defeat their own object in the long run by resorting to unfair means to enforce the continuance of service beyond the time stipulated for. This it is, among other causes, which renders this class of Hottentots so averse from entering into the service of the farmers ; the vigilance of the Magistrate is the only means of counteracting this system, should it prevail in the district you are now to superintend.
The Commission of Circuit is directed annually to hold a Session at Beaufort. On these occasions it is, properly speaking,
Records of the Cape Colony^ 87
the duty of the Deputy Landdrost to act as public prosecutor. It may happen that your former pursuits have not enabled you as yet to qualify yourself for this purpose, in such case His Excellency desires you will consult with the Landdrost of the District as to the best mode of substituting for the deficiency, until such time as you shall have it in your power to undertake this essential part of the duty of your oflBce.
A copy of the general instructions for the regulation of the country districts has already been sent to you, and copies of the alterations and modifications introduced since the year 1806, either by subsequent proclamations or by circular communications, are now selecting for the press, a set of which shall be furnished to you as soon as the work is completed.
Upon any points not here adverted, yet relative to which you may require either information or instruction which you shall not be able so readily to procure through the Landdrost of the district, I shall be anxious to elucidate upon your making your difliculty known to me ; and there therefore remains nothing at present to add but the expression of my ardent desire that your exertions may be crowned with that success which will be both beneficial to the interests of the community generally, and satisfactory and grati- fying to your own benevolent feelings. I have &c.
(Signed) C. Bird.
[Original.] Letter from Lobd Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Cafb ot Gkx)D Hope, 1th December 1818.
My Lord, — Having again referred to His Majesty's Fiscal in this Colony on the subject of certain Negroes whose petition to your Lordship was enclosed in your Dispatch of the 24th of January last (No. 4), I have now the honour to transmit to Your Lordship another very detailed report from Mr. Denyssen on this subject I have no doubt but that the Fiscal's very clear and detailed report on this second point will be as satisfactory to your Lordship as the former explanation was, which I had the honour to forward to Your Lordship on the same subject.
88 Records of the Cape Colony.
I regret the size into which the annexures, which have appeared to the Fiscal to be necessary to the complete elucidation of the supposed complaint, has swelled this communication, but your Lordship will only see in any superfluous matter the anxiety which those who have compiled it have felt to leave no doubt as to the nature of the transaction to which Tour Lordship's attention has been called.
Before concluding this letter, I beg to refer Your Lordship to the 16th number of the annexures to the Fiscal's report, from which Your Lordship will best judge of the character of the person who is the real author of the Petition sent to you, under the signatures of 4 Negroes, who do not appear to have been aware of the purport of the paper some of them af&xed their marks to. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henrt Somerset.
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Sobierset to Earl Bathurst.
Cape ot Good Hope, lih December 1818.
My Lord, — Having caused the several Monitions conveyed in your Lordship's Dispatch No. 12 to be served on the Parties specified, according to the Instructions transmitted therewith, I have now the honour to return them with Certificates of their Service endorsed thereon as prescribed by the said Instructions.
I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Copy.]
Letter from the Colonial Secretary to the Beverend Mr. Taylor.
GoLOSiAL Office, 7lh DeeeaJter 1818.
Sir, — ^His Excellency the Governor having been pleased to appoint you to be Minister in the Beaufort district, I am directed in the first instance to call upon you to transmit to me your
Mec&rds of the Cape Colony. 89
adhesion to the Church Eegulations which were proclaimed in this Settlement under the administration of Mr. Commissary De Mist, and to such other local orders and customs as obtain in the communities of the Eeformed religion in this Colony.
I am also to transmit to you the enclosed extract of a letter of instruction to the Deputy Landdrost, Mr. Baird, in which the views of His Excellency with respect to the Ministry are ex- plained. His Excellency has not the least doubt of your zealously seconding his views in this respect, nor does His Excellency know that it is necessary for him to add to the sketch which he has therein taken.
Your salary has been fixed at 1500 Kixdols., which will be payable, as the other Colonial salaries are, by quarterly instal- ments, and your salary will commence on the first day of last November. The circumstances of the Beaufort district are such that His Excellency understands it will not be practicable to find at first proper persons to fiU the offices of Elder or Deacons, this. His Excellency is aware, must cause a deviation from the usual church order, which His Excellency must trust to your discretion to find a remedy for. I have &c.
(Signed) C. Bird.
[Copy.]
Letter from the Colonial Secretary to the respective
Officers of the Ordnance,
Colonial Office, 71^ December 1818.
Gentlemen,— I lost no time in submitting to His Excellency The Governor the letter which you did me the honour to address to me on the 2nd instant on the subject of certain stores which, having been seized by the Officers of Customs for breach of the Bevenue regulations, have been condemned in the Colonial Court and as such are now in course of execution. His Excellency the Governor has acquainted me that he has already signified to you his view of this case through the Military Secretary, and he therefore desires me merely to remark to you, in addition, that the grounds upon which you argue the case in the letter you addressed to me are those which should have been submitted to
90 Eecords of the Cape Colony,
and proved before the Competent Court which has had cognizance of this afiTair.
Sentence has now been passed in the case, and His Excellency is not aware of any authority being vested in him which would warrant his setting a legal sentence aside, except in his Court of Appeal, should there just ground be shewn for reversing the decision of the lower Court. This measure appears to have been contumeliously neglected, and however much His Excellency must regret the consequences which may befall upon the in- dividual most interested in this transaction, yet he has the consolation of knowing that that individual was duly warned on the subject, by his desire, nearly a twelve month since.
I have &c.
(Signed) C. Bied.
[Copy.l
Letter from the Collector and Comptroller of Customs to Alfbed Johnson, Esqre., Agent Victualler,
Custom Houss, Simons Town, Wi DecenAer 1818.
Sib, — ^The Colonial Laws are peremptory as to the non-landing or shipment of goods without a permit from the Ctistom House ; they make no distinction of persons or of ofi&ce. We have there- fore to request the favour of you to conform to this regulation, and in order to give your Department as little trouble as possible, we only require a general permit to be taken of the quantity and description of packages to be landed or shipped, which will be endorsed with particulars by the Tide Waiters, precisely as you are in the habit of doing at Cape Town. We have &c.
(Signed) P. J. Truter, Je., Collector Customs.
W. WiLBERFOECE BiBD, Comptroller,
Records <{f the Cape Colony, 9%
[Copy.]
Letter from SiR Jahleel Brenton to Lord Charles Somerset.
Sdcons Town Tabd, 9tft Decemher 1818.
My Lord, — I bog leave to lay before your Lordship the copy of a letter which I have received fix)m the Collector and Comp- troller of His Majesty's Customs calling on me to cause Permits to be taken out for eJl quantities and packages of Naval Stores landed or shipped at this Dockyard ; also a similar one addressed to the Agent Victualler, whose Department is under my control, in compliance with the existing Colonial Begulations.
If such regulations have your Lordship's sanction I shall give strict directions for their being immediately and correctly complied with, and I have ordered the unlading of the Transports to be suspended until I can have the honor of receiving a communica- tion from your Lordship upon the subject. I feel it my duty at the same time respectfully to offer an opinion that the Collector of the Customs may have misconstrued the Acts of the 13 and 14 Car. 2nd and 7 and 8 William 3rd, which appear to apply to merchandize or other goods belonging to individuals and not to the Crown, and I felt the more inclined to this opinion from the circumstance of no Vessel freighted with stores on account of Government ever having to my knowledge been subjected to the form of taking out a Permit for the purpose of landing her cargo. Upon a reference to Mr. Johnson, the Agent Victualler, I find that his clerk had been called upon in the year 1816 to take out a Permit for Victualling Stores brought out in the Adamant Transport, and that a correspondence had taken place in con- sequence between Colonel Bird and himself, in which your Lordship's opinion had been conveyed upon the point in question. I have expressed to Mr. Johnson my surprise and regret that he should not have made me acquainted with the circumstance, as it was my duty to judge of the expediency of the measures to be pursued, and I should certainly have appealed to your Lordship as in the present instance. That this is an insulated occurrence will appear upon a reference to the list of Transports and other vessels freighted with Naval and Victualling Stores arrived since that period, and for which no Permits have been taken out.
82 Eecords of the Cape Colony.
Nothing can be more reasonable than the claim of the Custom House to be informed of every article brought out in Transports or other vessels consigned to the Public Departments of the Navy. I have always considered the manifests of the Cargoes as open to their inspection, as well as every article landed, were it required, and had any application been made to me, I should immediately have ordered every facility to be given to the Custom House Officers in the execution of their duty.
Should your Lordship be of opinion that the Eevenue of the Colony will, as far as relates to Stores belonging to His Majesty consigned officially to the respective Departments charged with the distribution of them, be protected by every Paper or Document whatever relative to such Cargo being taken to the Custom House before any Article is landed to receive the sanction of the Officers of the Eevenue, or for Custom House Officers to be put on board the vessels in order to ascertain that nothing be landed which is not in the Manifest, I will give orders for such Eegulations to be complied with ; and should your Lordship's construction of the Acts of Parliament referred to sanction the measures, I should deem the substitution of such a form of great importance, inasmuch as it would prevent a departure from a long established system in the Departments under my controL I have &c.
(Signed) Jahleel Brbnton. •
[Copy.] Letter from Lord Chakles Somebset to Sir Jahleel Brenton.
SmoHB Town, IQih Deember 1818.
Sir, — I had the honor yesterday evening to receive your letter of yesterday's date, transmitting to me copies of letters from the Collector and Comptroller of the Customs of this Port, addressed to yourself and the Agent Victualler, and informing me that you had suspended the unlading of the Transports until you shall be informed if the regulations alluded to iu these communications have my sanction.
In reply I have the honor to state that these Communicatioiis were made by my express direction in consequence of my having
Records of the Cape Colony. 93
understood from you that the Colonial Laws which regulate the Custom Department have -not lately been strictly adhered to at this Port.
I should have great pleasure in substituting at your suggestion any other form of protecting the Eevenue of the Colony did I feel myself competent to make any alteration in the existing Laws.
I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henby Somerset.
[Copy,] Letter from Sir Jahleel Brenton to Lord Charles Somerset.
SocoMS Towv Tabd, 10<^ BeeenibeT 1818.
My Lord, — ^I have the honor to acknowledge your Lordship's letter of this date and to inform you that I have issued orders for the requisitions of the Custom House to be strictly complied with.
I beg at the same time to correct an impression which I may probably have left on your Lordship's mind with respect to Permits having ever been claimed for Naval Stores. It was not my intention to infer that the practice had been discontinued, but to state that it never had been resorted to either in Table Bay, or in Simon's Bay, or to the best of my recollection in any of His Majesty's Colonies, nor has any demand been made upon the Agent Victualler since the removal of his Department to this place.
I have &c.
(Signed) Jahleel Brenton.
[Copy.] Letter from Sir Jahleel Brenton to the Victualling Board,
Cafe ot Gk>OD Hope, 10^ DecefnAet 1818.
Gentlemen, — I enclose for your information the copy of a correspondence I have had with His Excellency the Governor upon the subject of a requisition made by the Collector and Comptroller
94 Records of the Cape Colony.
of the Customs upon your agent that general permits should in future be taken out for all Victualling Stores landed or shipped for the use of his Department.
I feel it my duty to acquaint you that this innovation appears to have arisen from Uie circumstance of a cargo of gunpowder shipped by the Board of Ordnance, and consigned to their Storekeeper at the Cape, having been seized and confiscated for want of a permit from the Custom House, and the present measure is evidently intended to preserve consistency.
The Acts of Parliament upon which the demand is grounded viz. 13 and 14 Car. 2nd and 7 and 8 William 3rd seem so far applicable to it that I feel I should not be justified in resisting the claim, particularly when sanctioned by the authority of the Governor. I have therefore directed your Agent to take out the permits in question, and beg you will be pleased to send me such Instruction upon the subject as you may deem proper.
Altho' the present restrictions may be neither very inconvenient cor expensive, yet the principle of interference once established jnay lead to constant delays and animosities from the impossibility of defining the limits of the duties of the Tide Waiters, nor can the prevention of a contraband Trade be so efiectually obtained as by the means I proposed to His Excellency. I have &c.
(Signed) Jahleel Bbenton.
[Copy.]
Letter from the Colonial Secretary to the President and Members
of the Burgher Senate,
Colonial Office, lOih Dee. 1818.
Gentlemen, — I am directed by his Excellency to transmit to you the enclosed account of the water- works of Cape Town, under the superintendence of Mr. J. Chisholm, from which you will perceive that there is a balance of Bds. 228,822. 7sk. d^st. due to government, and to desire that you may be pleased to pay the amount into the hands of the directors of the Lombard Bai^, by yearly instalments of Bds, 18,000, and appropriate for the same purpose all such extraordinary sums as may come into your hands.
ItecoTds of the Cape Colony. 95
and whatever amount can be further spared from your treasury at the closing of your accounts at the end of each year. I have &e.
(Signed) C. Bird.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
LoNDOK, Wfh Deomber 1818.
My Lord, — ^This letter will be delivered to your Lordship by Mr. J. L. Cartwright, who is proceeding to the Cape of Otood Hope with the view of settling there with his family, and I beg to recommend him to your Lordship's protection. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Copy.]
Letter front the Colonial Secretary to Lord Charles
Somerset.
Colonial Officb, Uth Deeember 1818.
My Lord, — In compliance with your Lordship's desire to have the most detailed information with respect to the office I hold for controlling the issues of gunpowder to the inhabitants of the Literior, I have the honour to state that the extensive line of frontier to be protected against the incursions of numerous hostile tribes exceeding in length 700 British miles appears first to have given rise to the system still pursued of controlling the issue of gunpowder thro' this Channel, limiting the quantity each inhabitant of the line should receive to what was considered necessary to the protection of his herds and flocks from wild beasts and of his person and family from the hostility of the Gaffers or others of the marauding tribes of the borders. By this means it has been hitherto found practicable to prevent these tribes from obtaining the use of firearms, for which they evince the greatest anxiety, and the quantity of powder obtained by the
96 Becords of the Cape Colony.
restless boors of the remote districts has always been found insufficient for the dangerous purposes which they have frequently and recently contemplated. Your Lordship is quite aware how formidable at the present moment CafiTer incursions would be, when one chief at the head (as your official advices inform you) of 15,000 men is advancing upon the Colony, were the musquet the arm made use of instead of the assegaay. The Boor (or inhabitant of the Interior) is therefore required to produce a certificate from the Magistrate of the District in which he resides, stating that he has not received his annual supply; this certificate is filed and checked by me, who hold a census of the inhabitants of each subdivision (or Field Cometcy), and he then receives an^order upon the Ordnance Storekeeper for the issue of the quantity allotted to him, and for this order he pays at the rate of about 2s. 2d. per lb., not at that of 6d. sterling, as has been misrepresented by the Ordnance Storekeeper. Out of this receipt I pay a clerk for his services in the minor detail. The quarterly issue has averaged from 5 to 6,000 lbs., but it has been occasionally quite interrupted. I beg now to acquaint your Lordship that the Office is not one which I have first filled, but that it is a remainder of the Dutch System which furnished almost everything &om their Government Stores to the inhabitants, and that it seems to have been retained for the reasons which I have above gone into; neither have I clandestinely or contrary to regulation received this small emolument, for I myself called ^e attention of His Majesty's Government at Home to the circumstance with this effect that the Governor at the time (then Lord Caledon) received a dispatch from the Secretary of State, dated 10th December 1806, authorizing me to receive this remuneration for a service which is troublesome and not without responsibility. I take leave also to state that the office is a useful check upon the Ordnance issues, as was evinced in the last return laid before the Colonial Secretary for his Certificate, upon comparing which with my books it appeared that there had been an error on the part of the Ordnance Storekeeper by which the issue of near 2,000 lbs. of gunpowder was unaccounted for, the amount of which was thus saved to His Majesty's Government. I have &c.
(Signed) C. Bird.
Beeords of the Cape Colony^, ^7
[Original.] Letter from Secbbtary Bird to Henry GtOULBURN, Esqre.
Oafe Towk, 12ih December 1818.
Sir, — I have been honoured by the receipt of your letter of the 14th of August, acquainting me that Lord Bathurst had submitted the recommendation of Lord Charles Somerset to the Prince Eegent, who had been graciously pleased to sanction my appoint- ment of Colonial Secretary to this Government.
I wish it were in my power to express to Lord Bathurst how gratefully I am impressed by the magnanimity of his decision : the times, the merit and interests of numerous competitors, and my own feeble pretensions, all led me to apprehend a less favour- able result.
I can only beg you, Sir, to offer to Lord Bathurst my sincere and grateful thanks and to assure his Lordship that I shall be proud indeed if by assiduity I am enabled to justify the favour shewn. I have &c.
(Signed) C. Bird.
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Cafe of Good Hope, Hih December 1818.
My Lord, — Li reply to your Lordship's dispatch No. 19 (2nd September last) with enclosure from the Secretary to the Treasury stating that it does not appear from the account current of the Commissariat at the Cape to the 24th October 1817, that any sums arising from Colonial Revenue had up to that period been brought in aid of the expenditure, I have the honour to submit to Your Lordship that up to the period stated in the letter of the Secretary of the Treasury the expences of the late Cape Eegiment were bearing particularly hard upon this Finance, and that at that very time considerable additional expence was to be provided for at the disbanding of the said Corps ; that however subsequent to that period, as I have already had the honour to report to Your Lordship, sums amounting to 193,000 Eixdollars have been paid
XII. H
98 Records of the Cape Colony.
over to the Commissariat on the above account. I am further to acquaint Your Lordship that as soon as the balances of this year shall be made up, t have the prospect of again paying in a considerable sum under this head. It is proper however that I should apprise Your Lordship that it is possible this payment may be retarded for a short time, it having appeared that an undue combination has been entered into by the Bakers and dealers in com, the object of which having been to take advantage of a severe drought under which we have been for some time suffering, extravagantly to raise the price of bread and flour, I may be under the necessity of making temporary advances to the Burgher Senate to enable them to counteract these machinations and secure the regular supply of this town with these essential articles. I have &c.
(Signed) Chables Henby Somerset.
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Oafs ot Good Hope, I4dh December 1818.
My Lord, — In reply to your Lordship's communication of the 19th August last (No. 14) on the subject of an application having been made to you by Mr. Beck for leave to erect a place of worship in this town, which he states to have been refused to a similar request which he has already made to the Colonial Government here, I have the honour to inform Your Lordship that I am totally ignorant of any proposition of the nature alluded to having been submitted by Mr. Beck or by any person on his behalf.
The Colonial Government has been most anxious to encrease the number of Churches throughout this widely extended settle- ment, and within these very few years has furnished funds for erecting Churches at George Town, at Uitenhage, and at the Caledon Baths, where regular ministers have been appointed ; it has also erected at great expence a Church for the English Congre- gation at Simon's Town, and it has allowed the inhabitants of Hottentots Holland to build a Church there, promising to supply a Minister for the same as soon as possible ; independent of which
Secords of the Cape Colony, 99
it provides for two instntctors for the slaves of this Town in the Chiistiaii Beligion. To have done so much with such slender means as Your Lordship knows this Colony to possess^ appears to me to have called for other comment or insinuation than what Mr. Beck's communications to Your Lordship would seem to imply; but being, as I before said, quite ignorant of what Mr. Beck alludes to, it is impossible for me to give Your Lordship more detailed information on the subject, I have &c.
(Sigtied) Ghables Henrt Somerset.
fOriginalJ Letter from Lord CSarles Somerset to EarL BatMurst.
Oafs ot Good Hops, 17th tkeemher 1818.
My Lord, — Upon the receipt of Your Lordship's dispatch No. 20 (3rd September 1818) with enclosures from the Under Secretary to the Treasury and Ordnance Department, I lost no time in calling upon Lt. Col. Bird for explanation as to the nature of the Office he holds for controlling the issues of Gunpowder to the inhabitants of these frontiers and the emoluments thereof, and I have now the honour to enclose a copy of Lt. Col. Bird's reply, which I make no doubt will be in every respect satisfactory to Your Lordship.
I take this occasion to solicit Your Lordship to consider that it would have been respectful to me as having the chief command on this Station, and that it would have saved the Board of Ordnance the trouble of protracted reference, if the respective Officers of the Ordnance on this Establishment had applied to me for information on this subject, instead of invidiously calling the attention of the Board at Home to a circumstance which in their ignorance has been misstated, and an erroneous impression thereby created, the object of which appears to have been, to ijisinuate an irregularity in the conduct of an Officer fiUing a high situation under my Government. Lideed, the conduct generally of the respective officers and of the Ordnance Storekeeper here in par- ticular has been such as to call at various times for my strong animadversion; by an anomaly in the Military Service, these
H 2
100 Records of the Cape Colony,
Officers correspond with their particular Board at Home without communication with the Commander of the Forces on the Station, who is of course perfectly ignorant of the drift of this separate intercourse. The privilege thus allowed to them seems to have given rise to various pretensions inadmissible in themselves and highly injurious both to the Military and Civil branches of the Colonial Administration. Among other pretensions one, which I found it necessary to check, was that of loading or unloading Ordnance Stores without cognizance of the Customs Department ; the latter represented to me in the strongest terms the injury likely to be sustained by that branch of I^evenue from such assumption, and I have ever endeavoured (though fruitlessly) to impress upon these Officers according to the energetic language used by Your Lordship on another occasion, " that every class of His Majesty's subjects here are bound by the Laws established in the Colony and are amenable to the Tribunals which His Majesty has appointed for its regulation." So long ago as last January the late Mr. Alexander addressed a letter to the Ordnance Store- keeper plainly pointing out to him that he must conform himself to the established regulations, but in defiance of this and other warnings from the Custom Department itself, the Storekeeper proceeded a short time since to disembark a large quantity of gunpowder without the knowledge of the Custom House Officers, the consequence of which was that the latter made a seizure thereof, and brought the case before the Colonial Court, which the Storekeeper thought proper to treat with great levity. The Court supported the seizure, and condemned the gunpowder, and the sentence was sent to the usual Office for execution. In this stage the respective officers applied to me for relief, and the enclosed copies of the answers given to them by my Military Secretary in the first instance and by the Colonial Secretary afterwards will put Your liOrdship in possession of the whole of this case and show Your Lordship the distressing dilemma into which the Ordnance Storekeeper has brought himself by his contumeKous pertinacity. It wiU also, I doubt not, convince Your Lordship that the good of His Majesty's Service generally would be found in a renewal of the instructions under which the respective Officers act, and in so framing them as not to subtract this branch of service from similar control to that which the Commander of the Forces exercises over every other branch of Military Adminis-
Records of the Cape CoUm/g. 101
tration, without interfering with the necessary control and com* munication which exist between the Board at Home and its own officers. I have &c.
(Signed) Chables Henby Somebset.
[Original] Letter from Lord Chables Somerset to Eabl Bathubst.
Cafe of Good Hofb, 17^ DeeenAer 1818.
My Lord, — ^Your Lordship's dispatch No. 9 has been received, and I beg to return Your Lordship the thanks of the Civil Servants on this establishment for the very advantageous arrangement Your Lordship has directed for facilitating the issue of half their pay to such officers of this Government as may have obtained leave of absence from the Colony. I shall take particular care that in future all absentees shall be furnished with the certificates pointed out, and that in every respect the instructions of Your Lordship shall be conformed to.
I should perhaps however remind Your Lordship that I am by former directions restricted from granting to any officer a longer period of leave than three months, a term scarcely sufficient for his voyage home and thus not sufficient for the commonest business upon which a Civil servant may require to be absent. I submit this to Your Lordship, in order that, if you see fit, that term may be prolonged to 18 months, as in the Military Service, it not being likely that any officer will undertake so long and expensive a voyage as from hence to England unless health or business of importance shall necessitate it.
I also beg to call Your Lordship's attention to the only two absentees we have at present on leave,, the one is the secretary to the Court of Justice, Mr. Beelaerts van Blokland, who has obtained Your Lordship's further leave up to the 19th day of February next, in which he has surprized Your Lordship's kind consideration, for at the moment he had decided not to return to this Colony and had re-entered as a practising advocate the Law Courts of his own Country; at the expiration therefore of the period mentioned I shall not delay to fill up the vacancy he has occasioned ; the other absentee is Mr. Jennings, a member of the
102 B6cords of the Cape Colony.
Court of Justice, of 'whose prolongation of leave I have no com- munication from your ofiBce, and therefore I have suspended the issue of his usual pay. I shall lament to be under the necessity of replacing Mr, Jennings on this bench, where his talents and services have been of great and acknowledged utility. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Original.] Memorial of Mr. E. Bergh,
To His Excellency the Eight Honourable General Lord Charles Henry Somerset, Governor and Commander in Chief of the Cape of Good Hope, &c., &c„ &c.
May it please your Lordship !
The sudden dissolution of the Board for regulating In- Bolvent Estates, over which I presided so many years, compels me to address Tour Lordship on the occasion.
It is, my Lord, a measure so replete with disastrous conse- quences to my future existence that when these are submitted to a considerate authority I cannot but persuade myself they will meet with that attention and relief which the justice of the English Government has ever been renowned in granting to old servants whose services have been attended and honored with its unqualified and constant approbation.
My family, my Lord, have ever been since the Colony was formed placed in the highest situations. Myself brought up rigidly under a father who was Secretary and Member of Council, my avocations were early dedicated and unremittedly devoted to those of a public functionary under every Government, and this for a space involving five and forty years. My conduct through- out the .various stations with which I have been entrusted can safely stand the test of appeal. Its merit has been pronounced and registered by flattering documents repeatedly in the Colonial Office. Equally will the many stations which I was vested with be ascertained to have been of the highest importance, and the testimony which every governing power has conferred upon me, and which I can adduce in support, will serve to authenticate
Beoords of the Cape Cohnf. 103
the sentiments which each, in succession, was impressed with, and in the Archives they are liberally to my honour recorded.
As Secretary and Member of Council I succeeded, in 1792, my honored father, who after a length of years of irreproachable service paid some time before the debt of nature. In this employ- ment was I found when the English Grovemment took possession of the Cape in 1795. His Excellency the Governor Sir James Craig, and subsequently the Earl of Macartney, proffered to me the most desirable stations in their respective gift, but matters of private interest imperiously commanded my repairing to Europe; and I was therefore reluctantly obliged to decline the acceptance of the valued favors which they had in intention to have bestowed.
When the termination of my affairs permitted me to return to my family, firom whom I was, through an actual want of means, deprived during that period, I received immediately the ofiBce of Presiding Member of the Board of Accounts, ranking before the Court of Justice, and afterwards that of Eeceiver Greneral. When the Colony was surrendered in 1806 I held this appoint- ment of Eeceiver General, and one of the first acts of His Excellency Sir David Baird's Government was a full confirmation of my continuance in it with an increase of pay. Shortly after, an arrangement for an English Gentleman, Mr. Dashwood, was deemed requisite by General Grey, who acted ad interim as Governor; and as his Excellency thought the of&ce which I headed would be better adapted for the exertion of Mr. Dashwood's talents, he proposed this exchange, viz. that of President of the Insolvent Estates Board, to which I submissively acceded.
Your Excellency has exercised the powers of Govwument for nearly five years in this Colony, and can fully testify bpw much to your satisfaction the arduous duties of this Departmenjb were discharged, and how much its labours had of late, (fix)m Men speculating beyond their means) enormously increased! Still no application for an augmentation of salary for myself was ever preferred, I felt content with what I enjoyed. I looked for remuneration when Grovemment would have it more ajnply in its power to indulge and to actuate its benevolence. I knew the pressure which such a contest for freedom and independence had, unavoidably, entailed on the nation which, ne^t to my own, I avowed myself proud to serve. I left to time to lay at its feet
104 Records of the Cape Colony,
iny h6pes to be deserving of attention. I little anticipated such an unfortunate result to my prospects.
But, my Lord, not to trouble you further, permit me to solicit most earnestly your kind intercession on my behalf with His Majesty's Ministry, and in the meanwhile to entreat Your Lord- ship will be graciously pleased to allow my retiring on full pay, subject however to the difference being refunded, should the Administration not assent eventually to the prayer of my petition.
In the possibility of the last, which Heaven avert, I shall be reduced, my Lord, to real painful extremities. Advanced to the age of full sixty years, and having run through, without much advantage, a long course of honorable service, so as to be now (perhaps with one single exception) the oldest civil servant in this Settlement, I have scarcely any means to depend on than those which may emanate, I trust, from the Government's bounty. X havQ a large family to maintain with that dignified economy which has ever prevailed in my domestic concerns, and which, though a severe denial to my feelings, necessity and prudence have rendeired Superior to every other consideration. The world knows it, and X challenge the truth, of those whom I have been in the habit of intercourse with, not to verify my assertion. I equally repose on the candor and veracity of such as are described and alluded to, to come forward and say if disinterestedness in public employments, coupled with the strictest integrity, have not ever been the prominent features which constituted the basis of my actions, rejecting every kind of emolument which Men less scrupulous might have availed themselves of and appropriated to their sole benefit, without incurring the danger of even a shadow of blame attaching on the transaction. Beceive, my Lord, &c.
Cape Town, 18th December 1818.
(Signed) E. Bergh.
[Original.] Letter from E, Bergh, Esqre.^ to Lord Charles Somerset.
Cafe Town, 19(h Decmher 1818.
My Lord, — Having stated in my Memorial which I took the liberty of addressing to Your Excellency yesterday, that during
JRecords of the Cape Colony. 105
tny long series of 45 years public service I filled many a high situation of rank and responsibility, I deem it but right to prove it for Your Excellency's satisfaction. Pardon me therefore, My Lord, of introducing myself upon Your Excellency with the enclosed note, by which it will appear that I went almost through every Branch of Administration and Grovemment. I have &c.
(Signed) E. Bebgh. [Enclosure.]
Eank, — 1, Writer ; 2, Junior Merchant ; 3, Merchant ; 4, Senior Merchant ; 5, Member of Council.
Offices, — 1, Civil and Military Paymaster; 2, Commissary of Eeviews ; 3, Member of the Orphan Board ; 4, Commissioner for establishing the new settlements at Mossel and Plettenberg's bays and Outeniqualand (now George); 5, Colonial Secretary; 6, Vendumaster General ; 7, Treasurer General ; 8, Superintending Conmiissioner of the Colonial Secretary's Department ; 9, also of the Naval Department; and, 10, of the Artillery Department; 11, of the Hospitals; 12, of the Slave Lodge Department; 13, of Civil and Military Buildings ; 14, Presiding Member of the Board of Accounts; 15, Receiver General; 16, President of the Board for regulating Insolvent Estates ; 17, Commissioner superintending the Survey of Lands between Cape Town and Muyzenburg.
[Copy.l Letter from Chief Justice Trutek to the Colonial Secretary.
Caps Town, 21<< December 1818.
Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your ofi&cial letter of the 7th inst. containing the disposition of His Excellency the Governor for the augmentation of the salaries of the Members of the Court of Justice and of my own. I have herewith the pleasure to enclose a respectful answer from the Court to His Excellency, from which it will appear that the disposition of Government has excited those sentiments in the minds of the Grentlemen of the Court which ought to animate every public functionary when he receives so unequivocal a proof of the approbation of his Government.
106 Records of the Cape Colonf,
With respect to myself, I request you will be pleased to assure His Excellency of my peculiar sense of gratitude on the present occasion, but independent of this personal duty, I should not answer that confidence with which I am honored by His Excel- lency did I not add that in my humble opinion the whole of the measure of increasing the salaries has a more extended advantage than at first si^ht would be supposed. Nothing is more common than the belief which ill disposed persons study to keep alive among the inhabitants, that the natives are to be gradually forced out ojf their pubKc employments in order to be exclusively filled by the English. Nothing finds a readier admission than the idea that Government has not sufficient confidence in the official conduct of the several functionaries. These and similar prejudices must naturally shake the public confidence, and consequently weaken the spring of Government. Now it is my opinion that every pubKc measure which shews that no intention exists with Government to postpone the native Colonists, but on the contrary that they are considered as inhabitants equally qualified and admissible with other subjects of His Majesty to fill offices of trust, every such measure, I say, tends to remove those prejudices and makes room for that confidence, without which the best endeavours of Government for the benefit of the Colony are in danger of being frustrated. And in this point of view I consider the present measure to be of real importance, as cooperating finally to establish a general conviction that, as I have publicly said on a former occasion, ''the tranquillity and welfare of the South Africans is just as much the wish of Great Britain as it was that of the former Mother Country."
I cannot conclude this letter without also assuring you that it was with sentiments of the most sincere acknowledgment that the Members of the Court received my communication of the satisfaction you felt in transmitting the information of His Excel- lency's favorable disposition, to which I deem it but justice to add for myself, that I delight in the pleasing prospect that your valuable services are now secured to the Colony, and that hereby the Inhabitants will also be protected against another sort of prejudice, through which sometimes, under a new administration, with the best intention the moment of unanimous tranquillity may be retarded. I have &c.
(Signed) J. A. Tkuter.
JRecords of the Qape CdUmy. 107
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathubst to Lobd Charles Somerset.
LoNDOK, 229mI December 1818.
My Lord, — I recently received an application from the London Missionary Society that some of their Body might be permitted to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope for the purpose of exercising their Ministry in the Colony and adding to their Establishments already formed beyond its Limits. Adverting to the observations contained in Tour Lordship's dispatch of the , I
thought it my duty to decline acceding to their request until I should have had an Opportunity of receiving from the Society a further explanation of their Views and objects and stating to them the objections to which the Conduct of some of their Ministers in the Colony had previously been liable. The Besult of the inter- view which I in consequence had with them, has satisfied me that Your Lordship will see no reason to object to permission being granted to some other Members of their Society to proceed to the Colony, it being distinctly understood that they are in no case to proceed beyond the Frontiers without Your Lordship's permis- sion, and are again to return within the Colony on receiving an intimation from you to that effect. Your Lordship also will be gratified to learn that in order to controul the Conduct of their Ministers the Society have determined that one of the persons now destined for the Colony should be of a Superior Class and invested with Authority to regulate the proceedings of the inferior Mis- sionaries.
Your Lordship will I am sure see the Advantage of being upon good terms with this Grentleman and avail yourself of his inter- vention in the first instance in case of your having reason to object to the Conduct of any of the inferior Members.
The Society took the opportunity of the interview, of stating some Subjects of Complaint arising from the Laws and Adminis-* tration of the Colony, to which tJiey trusted that a remedy would be afforded. They related principally to the prohibition under which dissenters were conceived to be as to the Celebration of Marriages, Baptisms, and Burials between persons of their respec- tive Communions. With respect to the Celebration of Baptisms and Burials Your Lordship will observe from the accompanying
108 Records of the Cape Colony.
Opinion of the Attorney and Solicitor General that Dissenters are entitled under the provisions of the Toleration Act to celebrate the same in the Colonies as freely as in this Country, and will there- fore give no obstruction in future to their exercise of this right at the Cape of Good Hope.
With respect to Marriages I informed them that it was not in my power to dispense vdth a Compliance on their part with the Municipal Law of the Colony which regulates the form in which Marriages should be celebrated, inasmuch as the legal Validity of any Marriage would depend upon its having been celebrated agree- ably to the Law of the Country in which it was contracted ; but that the Members of every Eeligious persuasion had the liberty of superadding to a Compliance with the Civil Colonial Law any Eeligious form which they may respectively consider calculated to satisfy the Conscience of the Parties. Your Lordship, therefore, will I am convinced offer no objection to this proceeding on their part and will also be ready as far as is in your power to give that facility to Marriage which is stated to be much wanted in remote districts by naming a competent Number of persons for the per- formance of the Contract in the Manner required by Law.
Another Subject of Complaint was the power with which the Authorities at the Cape considered themselves invested of pro- hibiting the Marriage of Hottentots. If indeed any such power has been exercised either with or without the Sanction of Law, I am sure Your Lordship will feel in common with myself the Necessity of restricting it in future, since nothing can tend to retain that unfortimate Class of persons in their actual state of degradation and Vice, so much as a prohibition to contract Marriage, and I feel that I have only to recommend the Subject to Your Lordship's immediate Attention in order to ensure the effectual prevention of such a practice in future.
I have &c.
(Signed) Bathukst.
Records of the Cape Colony. 109
«
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
LoKDOK, 23fd Deeember 1818.
My Lord, — I beg to transmit to your Lordship a Copy of a letter which has been addressed to my Under Secretary by the Secretary of the Treasury, by which it would appear that no Accounts of the Revenue and Expenditure of Your Lordship's Government have been received for any period prior to the 1st of July 1816 ; and I have to desire that your Lordship will transmit home as early as convenient the regular Accounts of the Colony from the period when you assumed the Administration of the Government. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
London, 24<A Deoember 1818.
My Lord, — The Lords Commissioners of the Treasury have transmitted to my Department a Communication from the Board of Ordnance respecting a Seizure made by the Custom House Officers at the Cape of Good Hope of certain Ordnance Stores on board the Susannah Transport, and in compliance with their Lord- ships' Request I have to desire that your Lordship will make enquiry into the Circumstances of this transaction and report to me the result. I have &c.
(Signed) BathuIist.
110 Mecords of the Cape Coldn'if.
[Copy.]
Letter from the Colonial Secretary to the Commissary of Vendues.
GoLONiAi. Offtoe, 24t^ December 1818.
Sib, — ^The great change which has taken place in the circum- stances of the colony since the regulations were framed, by which the long credits still given to the respective vendue-masters in the country districts for making their payments to such persons whose effects are sold by public auction were authorized, appears to his Excellency the Governor to necessitate some alteration, also in what otherwise strongly tends to the injury of an im- portant branch of the public revenue, by checking the number of sales now effected, with considerable prejudice to the several sellers.
His Excellency therefore taking into consideration how much the districts of the colony are compressed by the new divisions which have been made of them, and with how much quickness all interior communication is now carried on by the greater regularity which has been gradually introduced into the manage- ment of public affairs, has directed me to acquaint you, that
1st. In all sales of moveables, which shall take place subsequent to the first day of January next in the Gape district, the payment shall be made by the vendue-master to the seller at the expiration of the fourth month from the date of the sale.
2d. By the foregoing regulation it is not intended to prevent the sellers from giving such further credit as they may choose to grant, with the concurrence of the vendue-master (but not without), to purchasers of moveable property by public auction ; but in all cases in which sellers shall give the purchasers at public auction a credit beyond the term of four months, it is to be understood by them that they become responsible for the auction dues at the expiration of such term of four months to the vendue-master, and that the collection of the amoimt of sales at the expiration of the period for which credit shall have been given, shall be the duty of the vendue-master, who however shall not be liable to the seller for the amount of a debt nut recoverable, if the purchaser shall have become insolvent subsequent to the period of four months from the date of the sale. I have &c.
(Signed) C. Brao.
Secords of the Cctpe Colony. Ill
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Cape of Good Hope, 28^^ Deoemher 1818.
My Lord, — From the period at which the Insurgents of the Districts of Graaflf Beinet and Uitenhage were banished from those provinces by sentence of the Court of Justice, the majority of these turbulent men established themselves in those parts of the a4ioining District of Tulbagh known by the name of the Ghoup and Nieuwveld. There remote from the eye of the Magistrate they have lived the same irregular and lawless life which had formerly caused .their ill advised measures. The former inhabi- tants of these parts were not of the most peaceable character, but since they have been joined by the restless men to whom I have above alluded, no part of this Settlement appears to have put on so irregular an appearance. From hence also has latterly been springing up matter which, if not timely attended to, may cause the most serious inconvenience to this Colony, and indeed already the anarchy and irregularity of this part of the border is making itself severely felt.
I shall endeavour briefly to explain this to your Lordship. The intercourse between the descendants of Europeans and Hottentot women and between the latter and the various classes of slaves has produced a new breed of man here known by the name of Bastard. Free by their nature, but yet early educated in the service of the farmers, they are when of industrious habits almost the best description of farm servants, both for activity and intelligence; hence their extreme value to the Colony ; but on the other hand, inheriting firom the Hottentot the love of wandering and change which are peculiar characteristics of that savage race, it is difl&cult to attach them to the soil, and the major part of them turn out idle and wandering vagrants, collecting where most remote from the local Magistrate and supplying their few wants oftener by plunder than by industrious habits.
This race has been numerous in the part of the Colony of which I am now speaking, but of late years even the small restraint they have here been under has been burthensome to them, and they have been gradually emigrating to those Missionary Institutions
112 Records of the Cape Colony.
which have been formed of late years (perhaps inadvertently) beyond our frontier and thus not immediately under control. The enclosed extract of a letter from the active and intelligent Land- drost of Graaff Eeinet, Mr. Stockenstrom, will explain to Tour Lordship the dangerous and precarious state in which one of the Missionary Institutions (from which he was just returned) was at the period of his writing in August last.
A consideration of all these circumstances has induced me to adopt the measure of again subdividing the immense provinces of Graaff Beinet and Tulbagh and forming a new district in this part of the Colony where the immediate eye of a Magistrate may best restore order among the several classes, now in so deplorable a state, and I have the honour to enclose your Lordship a copy of a Proclamation which I have issued on this head.
I beg at the same time to call your Lordship's attention in particular to the measure I have adopted for giving instruction and settlement to the class of Bastards within the Settlement, thereby taking from them the plea they use to cloak their emigra* tion, of their having no other means of obtaining religious in- struction.
I should be glad to be favoured with your Lordship's sentiments with respect to these dangerous assemblies of Bastards without the Settlement, as well in as much as relates to the Colonial interest as to those tribes the Boshuanas, Ghonas, and Briquaa, who hitherto have been very peaceable towards the Colonists, but who from having been lately fallen upon by these Bastards, whom they consider as Colonists particularly from their use of fire arms, may not henceforward behave with the same forbearance and moderation.
I cannot more clearly explain to your Lordship the views I entertain both for the civil and religious administration of this frontier than by enclosing to you copies of my letters of Instruc- tion to Mr. Baird and the Beverend Mr. Taylor, whom I have appointed to the respective situations of Deputy Landdrost and Minister of the established religion in the new district, and I have every hope your Lordship will favourably view the arrangements 1 have made. The expense will not appear to your Lordship heavy, when you take into consideration how much every branch of the Bevenue (particularly the Land Eevenue) must be benefited by introducing regularity into a large and not for this country ill
Records of the Cape Colony, 113
peopled district which has hitherto scarcely contributed to the Colonial income. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bat|iurst.
Gape of Good Hope, 28<^ December 1818.
My Lord, — It is with very considerable regret that I have perceived from your Lordship's reply to my dispatch No. 96 of the 10th October 1817, that I have been so unfortunate as to submit to your Lordship a proposition which the circumstances of His Majesty's Government have not permitted it to give its sanction to.
Being a daily witness of the distress to which the Grentlemen in the civil employment of this Government are exposed, in con* sequence of the immense increase of every necessary of life rendering this place, which once was celebrated for its cheapness, now nearly as expensive as any other part of the Empire, I felt it a duty to submit their claims and their wants to your Lordship's consideration and benevolence, and though from strong and just calls for economy your Lordship has only partially had it in your power to attend to my representation, yet will I trust that when your Lordship receives the account of receipt and expenditure of this Government for the current year and compares its financial prospects with those of past times, your Lordship will then permit me to recur to this subject, and to hope that you will give me credit for extreme unwillingness to bring any charge upon this Eevenue which it is npt fully able to bear or which is not called for by imperative necessity.
I had no sooner received your Lordship's commands in the dispatch under consideration, than I made it my study to see how I could best act in the spirit of them, so as not to make any greater addition to our civil expenditure than what your Lordship therein authorizes, and at the same time meet the claims of such of the civil servants as most eminently demanded it.
XII. Z
114 Mecords of the Cape Colony.
Conforming to your Lordship's suggestion to reduce the number of Boards, I took measures for suppressing that for regulating Insolvent Estates, which it appeared to me might be perhaps better conducted under a different administration, and I have the honour to enclose to your Lordship a copy of a letter I addressed to the Court of Justice on this subject, which I trust will meet your approval and sanction.
I have also permitted the Medical Board to die away, a vacancy having again occurred therein I have not thought proper to fill it up, tho' I have not suppressed the situation filled by the remaining member of it. The duties appeal* to me to be important to the safety of the Inhabitants, and although perhaps peculiar to this place, will, I doubt not, be judged by your Lordship to be highly useful. to the community; they consist in examining into the pretensions of such persons as propose to be allowed to practise in any of the branches of the medical profession, in examining aU drugs and medicines imported for the use of the Settlement, in frequent visits to the Apothecaries' shops in order to ascertain the quality of the airticles vended, and in being referee in all disputes relative to surgical charges and apothecaries' bills.
Upon the maturest consideration I could not recommend to your Lordship the suppression of the Board of Orphan Chamber. The duties the members of it perform are active and important, they having the administration of all intestate estates as well as being as their name imports the guardians of all orphans not under especial tutelage. The property constantly floating under this administration is of great magnitude, amounting to between two and« three millions of dollars, and the confidence of the public being so firm in, its integrity from the circumstance of its established probity and punctuality, I fear it might be highly dangerous to risk a change. Similarly situated are the two Bank Establishments (united however under one superintending ad- tninistrationX which it would be dif&cult and perhaps dangerous to remove. For these reasons therefore I have confined myself to the alterations already noticed, for when I took into consideration the various extrajudicial duties performed by the members of the Court of Justice, which are fully detailed in the 4th enclosure of my dispatch to your Lordship No. 62 (1st September 1816), and when I also considered that the law as now administered requires seven members of the Court to be present when any case is under
Becords of^ihe Cape Colony. 115
investigation the result of which may affect the life of the accused^ I could not safely recommend to your Lordship the diminution of the number of members (9) of which the Court is now constituted, the long absence of two of the members on the circuit (four months) even now occasioning much inconvenience in their pro- ceedings in such cases, and having obliged me to appoint an extra member occasionally from that class of civil servants considered eligible for this solemn duty.
Availing myself therefore of your Lordship's authority, I have made an increase to the salary of the Chief Justice of about £300 sterling; of the Fiscal of £150 ; and of the members of the Court and superior Magistrates of the interior Courts of about £100 each, calculated however in Eixdollars in which our accounts are altogether kept.
As however this addition did not amount to the entire sum to each which your Lordship's instructions would have warranted my increasing the respective salaries to, I have availed myself of the saving to add to the incomes of the three collectors of inland revenue £100 ; to the Deputy Landdrosts £50 each ; and to the Clergy a like sum of £50, which I am convinced your Lordship will not disapprove when their deplorable situations are thoroughly considered, and when you reflect that had I availed myself of your Lordship's authority in the other cases to its full extent the same expenditure would have been incurred.
I cannot conclude this communication without calling your Lordship's particular attention to the enclosed representation made to me by the late President of the Board of Insolvent Estates. It will very forcibly point out to your Lordship the sufTerings of an aged individual, and be no slight illustration of what I have so strenuously urged.
I beg also to lay before your Lordship a copy of a letter addressed by the Chief Justice to the Colonial Secretary, in reply to the notification I had directed to be made through him to the Court of the small increase to their salaries. The sentiments it contains are well worthy of your Lordship's attentive perusal. You will see in them the feeling which as yet prevails here, a feeling which the different treatment of two classes of civil servants in the same Establishment must contribute to foster, but which it is not among the least anxious of my endeavours to smother and do away ; the measure which I had recommended I conceived
I 2
116 Becords of the Cape Colony^
calculated to do so, and I am gratified in the extreme in the thought that your Lordship has enabled me partially to succeed.
I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Gaps of Good Hops, 2Sth December 1818.
My Lord, — The age and infirmities of the Eevd. Mr. Vos, Minister of the Beformed Church at Caledon Baths, having obliged him to avail himself of the Art. of the Church Eegulations of this Colony which provides for the retirement of the superannuated and infirm Clergy, I was much distressed with respect to a suc- cessor at a station where the services of a Minister are particularly necessary. All the endeavours which your Lordship has made to procure a sufl&ciency of Clergy from Holland have not had the effect of supplying the vacancies which had occurred and even with the aid of half educated Colonists who have returned here with letters of ordination, still the wants of the Colony in this respect have not been provided for.
In this dilemma I have availed myself of the services of the Bevd. Mr. Thom, a Grentleman regularly ordained of the Scotch Church, the tenets of which are, as I am informed, precisely similar to those of the Beformed Establishment of this place. I however, previously to taking this step, obtained the certificates of 4 of the Established Clergy of this place of the conformity of Mr. Thom's religious principles to those of the Calvinistic Church of this place and of the validity of his Ordination. I also took the opinion of the Chief Justice on the measure and required from Mr. Thom himself a written adhesion to the Church Begulations and Customs of this place. A copy of my letter to Mr. Thom on these points I have the honour to enclose for your Lordship's in- formation, begging further to acquaint you that I have taken the precaution to have deposited a copy thereof and Copies of the Certificates of the Clergy and of Mr. Thom's adhesion in the archives of the Church at Caledon for future reference if necessary.
Records of the Cape Colony. 117
Mr. Thorn had been in the employ of the Missionaiy society, but had quitted that connection for reasons which are not material to those unconnected with that body. I should not have deemed him eligible to the Ministry to which I have attached him, had he still been a member of an Institution which^ however praise* worthy, might have required from him duties and services not compatible with the functions of his present character.
I find that nearly a similar line was adopted in the Island of Java^ and I am ^erefore the more sanguine of the measure meeting your Lordship^s approval, indeed I believe it has been before suggested that it would be desirable that the clerical vacancies in this Settlement should be filled by Ministers firom Scotland, who however should be masters of the vernacular language of this place previous to their appointment. Mr. Thom speaks the Dutch language with great fluency, as does the Bevd. Mr. Taylor, whom I have appointed under precisely similar circumstances Minister in another District in this Settlement.
I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Office Copy.] Letter from LoRD Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
London, SOtfc Dwmhw 1818.
Mt Lord, — I have the honor to transmit to Tour Lordship a Copy of a Letter which has been addressed by a person of the Name of Franklin to Mr. O'Meara lately employed as Surgeon to Greneral Bonaparte in St. Helena, and removed from that Situation in consequence of his having abused the trust reposed in him by becoming the Instrument of an unauthorized correspondence be- tween the French Inhabitants of Longwood and certain persons in other parts of the World.
The language adopted by the Writer of the enclosed letter is evidently that of concealment, and certain expressions in it have led me to entertain suspicions that it has some connection with the plans which there is every reason to believe are in agitation for the escape of General Bonaparte.
118 Records of the Cape Colony*
It is therefore most important that Tour Lordship should keep a watchful eye on the Correspondence and proceedings of Mr. Franklin, and ascertain, if possible, whether he is in actual Communication with St. Helena, and, if so, the nature of his Communication.
It will be equally important that Your Lordship should dis- cover whether he is in Correspondence with any Persons in Brazil, that being the quarter in which those of Bonaparte's adherents who are t^e most likely to embark in an Enterprize to favor his evasion, have established themselves.
Your Lordship will not fail in this, as I had already instructed you on a former occasion to communicate to Sir Hudson Lowe any information which you may consider important, and in the event of Mr. F];anklin attempting either by himself or his Agents to communicate with General Bonaparte at St. Helena, You will use your best endeavours to give Sir Hudson Lowe such timely Notice as may enable him, if the course appear to him to be expedient, to apprehend the person entrusted with the communication either previously or subsequently* to its delivery to General Bonaparte.
I have also to desire that in the event of Mr. Franklin not having as yet acquired the Bights and Privileges of a Burgher of the Cape, that You will take care that he be excluded from that Class of persons, and I have further to authorize Your Lordship in the event of its appearing to you that Mr. Franklin's Besidence at the Cape is for the purpose of keeping up a communication with General Bonaparte in any other Manner than that allowed by the B^ulations in force at St. Helena and that he has the means of doing so without Your Lordship's privity, to enforce his departure from the Colony. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathuast.
[Copy.]
Letter from Secretary Bird to the Reverend
John Brownlee.
Colonial Office, 2Mh December 1818.
Sir, — The death of Mr. Williams in CafTerland having left the station at the Kat river without a Missionary, the Caffer Chief
Records of the Cape Colony. 119
Gkdka has expressed his uneasiness thereat, and has made appli- cation to the Colonial Goyemment for the establishment of a successor to that zealous indiyidual.
There is perhaps no circumstance connected with the interests of His Majesty's Government in this Settlement that His Excellency the Governor feels more anxiously alive to than the introduction of Christianity among our unenlightened neighbours, and with it its invariable concomitant and greatest of temporal blessings to a people, ** Civilization."
Independent of the duty which His Excellency feels to be imposed upon him to give every aid in his power to the diffusion of the principles of our Holy Beligion, thereby to be the humble means of recovering some few from the deplorable darkness in which they are still lamentably plunged; independent of the gratification a liberal and feeling mind must experience from having it in his power to aid in spreading the arts of civilized society among hordes still in a state of the greatest Barbarism, His Excellency is convinced that he shall better consult the immediate interests of the Settlement committed to his charge and put more easily a stop to those inhuman massacres and ruinous plunderings which take place on our Border by complying with the wish of the Caffer Chief to have a zealous and enlightened instructor sent to replace Mr. Williams, than by any acts of hostility towards the offending Caffers.
While His Excellency is anxious to pass his unqualified encomium on the zeal and energy which induced Mr. Williams to venture into the dangerous and novel path which led to his residence among the Caffers, yet it is necessary that he should remark how sincerely mortified he frequently felt at the deficiency he perceived in Mr. Williams for the task he had undertaken. Timid and illiterate, Mr. Williams appeared to waver and hesitate upon every occasion, which perhaps arose from his being account- able to superiors far distant, ignorant of the relations existing between the Colonists and their neighbours, and who might not perhaps approve of his acting in any instance except under their own immediate instruction. This good however has resulted from a slender and benevolent beginning, that an anxiety has been expressed from a Chief who is considered the most powerful of those who reside on our frontier, to have an instructor sent to him, in order that the Beligion and Customs of the Christians.
120 Records of the Cape Colony.
may be introduced among his countrymen; it has also been ascertained thereby that a Missionary may reside with perfect safety among these savages, respected and esteemed.
The Cafifer Chief moreover had expressed his confidence in Mr. Williams, and had latterly made him the organ of much friendly intercourse with the Colonial Government. It is there- fore with the view of continidng and carrying on this intercourse, so that it may be equally advantageous to the Cafifers and the Colonists, that His Excellency is desirous of availing himself of that zeal which he knows has induced you to devote your labours in a particular manner to the instruction of the Heathen.
Unconnected as you now are with the respectable Society which has sent many zealous Missionaries to this and other countries for the propagation of the Gospel (although His Excellency is assured that your wishes and views are still particularly directed to the same benevolent purposes) His Excellency thinks that the present field is one which may be deemed peculiarly and fortunately open to your exertions. His Excellency therefore has desired me to explain to you as distinctly as possible what his views are, in order that you may see and be assured that the motives which actuate the Colonial (rovemment are strictly and decidedly peace- able and friendly towards the Caffer people.
His Excellency, aware that you have been educated with the view to your carrying religious instruction to the heathen, b^s to say that it is not in any shape his intention to prescribe any particular method for you to adopt on this head. He relies upon your judgment and discretion on these points. But His Excellency will be desirous of regular and correct information of the progress made by the Caffer people in the principles we profess, and of the numbers who embrace the Christian faith.
His Excellency's chief object, next to this of religious instruc- tion, is that you should constantly impress upon the Chiefs his friendly feelings in their regard ; that you should explain to them his wish that the Border, now fixed for the two nations, should not be violated by either; that on his part he is prepared to punish any Colonist who shall commit the most trifling offence against the Caffer people, and that it is but just in return that the Caffer Chiefs should on their part seek out and punish those who commit depredations and murders in our territory. His Excellency in anxious to establish such an intercourse between
Becords of the Cape Colony. 121
the Caffer people and the Colonists as shall be mutually beneficial, and for this end he is desirous of obtaining correct statements as to their wants and also as to the objects which they may be able to bring to Graham's Town for barter; it must take time to collect all the knowledge which this object requires, but every now and then an additional observation or hint will add to the stock of information we possess and be essentially useful. Besides it does not appear that in the frequent communication which the. OaflFers have lately had with Graham's Town, that they brought anything there for barter except baskets or trifles of no value, and yet we know that in the illicit traflBic they have carried on at the Baviaans river a considerable quantity of ivory has formed an important part of it. The mode of supplying their wants by presents to the chiefs must be very inadequate. It is also a practice which must gradually be discontinued, though it is essential at present that Gaika's wants should be so supplied, in order to enable him to maintain that ascendancy which appears to be necessary to aid his endeavours to control the system of plundering which it is a great object with us to check.
It is possible that Gaika may endeavour to hinder and succeed in preventing those who come into the Colony and are only received when bearing his badges, from taking objects for barter to Graham's Town, thereby to keep to himself a small monopoly of copper and iron; this therefore should be watched and ascer- tained, since it tends to compel the Cafifers both to seek to satisfy their wants by plunder, and to encourage them to those illicit practices which require the utmost vigilance of the Colonial Government to control. Some late occurrences and trials have shewn that to procure the objects of which they most stood in need they have not hesitated to bring into the Colony and sell into slavery persons not of their own nation, and it is lamentable to think that there should have been Colonists so base as to enter into and encourage so odious a traffic. Happily such instances are very rare, and the regulations of the Begistry will, as in the cases alluded to, afford an efficient check to the dreadful attempt, but too much caution cannot be used, and it is this in particular which renders it a matter of the greatest moment that the Colonial Grovemment should be put in possession by you of every information you can collect relative to such Colonists as may enter the Caffer territory or keep up a communication with the
122 Records of the Cape Colony,
Gaffers through other than the permitted channels. It is particularly necessary that the Caffers shall be induced not to encourage the desertion of soldiers, slaves, or Hottentots from the Colony, and to give up such as may come over to them ; in all instances of soldiers, slaves, or Hottentots returned to the Colonists through the medium of the Magistrate at Graham's Town, an adequate reward will be given to the party who shall deliver them up.
There is great reason to believe that notwithstanding the long intercourse which has subsisted between the Colony and the Caffers, the information we possess relative to that people and. their country is very incorrect and inadequate, it will therefore be a most important object for your leisure to collect as much information on these points as possible and to furnish the Colonial (rovemment therewith. The strength and positions of the Border ChiefbainB, their relations to each other, and the peculiar features of their social compact are subjects of the greatest moment to be correctly informed of. We wish alao to be in possession of their mode of culture and the treatment of their cattle, in short it will be highly interesting and instructive to have by degrees the most minute details of their economy.
Your mission and agency are particularly and ostensibly directed to the Caffer Chief Gaika, who professes towards us the warmest friendship, and whose acts have led us to place faith in his sincerity. The protection he gave Mr. Williams is one proof thereof, his soliciting a successor upon the decease of that Missionary and his wish that the successor should be the channel of his communications with the Colonial Government is a further proof thereof; but his restoring the plunder his straggling parties have collected on our border, and his permitting our detachments to search the kraals dependent upon him, are marks of sincerity which cannot be mistaken. If it were not effected by him. His Excellency is willing to attribute it to his want of the power of controlling the subordinate chiefs, rather than to his want of good wi]ju It has been the policy therefore of the Colonial Government to ac^owledge tlie supreme authority of tUs chief, wishing to form fi^ni thence a system of interior control among the Caffers themsel<^ which shall have the effect of keeping them at peace with the ti^lonists. But though you are chiefly to be stationed with Graika\ti the Kat River, yet your exertions must be un-
Records of the Cape Colony. 123
remitting to conciliate the other Chiefs on the border, who nearly as powerfol as Gaika axe not however as yet disposed to live so peaceably with our inhabitants.
TSambie is said to be the principal encourager of Caffer plunder, and he is reported to be at this moment at variance with Gaika (his nephew) on the subject of his intercourse with us. The line the Colonial Government has adopted with respect to Cafifer plimder is to follow it if possible to the first kraal it can be tracked to, and there to insist upon restitution or equivalent ; this system has restored confidence on our side of the Border, but is naturally not relished on the Caffer side, and it has led to some lamentable acts of hostility. It is greatly to be wished that the necessity of such a system should be done away, and herein the benevolent exertions of an enlightened adviser may be greatly useful. Nothing can be more clear than the immorality of the Caffer aggression on the Colony, nothing more distinct than the peaceable and friendly views of the Colonial Government towards the Gaffers ; it requires therefore that they should be convinced of their injustice and that they should also see the impolicy of their proceedings; if they live at peace with the Colony their own welfare may be secured by it and their wants supplied, a contrary system brings upon them those evils which have visited their people ever since it became necessary to expel them from our territory.
It will be necessary that the Colonial Government should be kept apprized of any changes which may take place in the Caffer policy or in their interior relations, and it will be proper that you should correspond from time to time both with the Magistrate of Graaff Beinet and the officer commanding on the frontier, in order to their obtaining, through you, early information on such points as you may judge to be for the good of the service generally ; in other respects, and relative to the several subjects of this instruc- tion, it is His Excellency's desire that you should correspond direct with the Government Secretary, addressing your letters under cover to the Commanding Officer at Graham's Town, who will forward them by the weekly post.
The events which have occurred while this letter has been under consideration, and which are detailed in the paper herein transmitted, render it highly desirable that you should hasten your preparations for proceeding to Gaika. The moment seems
124 Records of the Cape Colony,
peculiarly favourable ; indebted as he must be, and as he professes himself in the most unqualified terms to be, to this Government for the support and protection it has afforded him^ there can be no doubt of the reception which you will meet with firom him and the favourable moment ought not to be delayed.
His Excellency the Grovemor has, as I before in conversation observed to you, agreed to your receiving towards your necessary expenses in this service a salary at the rate of 1000 Eixdols. per annum, and it is understood will bear all those bona fide expenses which your first settling may occasion, including the price of a waggon and team for your conveyance.
His Excellency will also agree to Mr. MofEat's joining you, and he will grant him a like salary for his maintenance. Mr. Moffat has been written to, and as soon as he has made his determination, the result will be communicated to you. I have &c.
(Signed) C. fiiRD.
[Copy.]
Extract from the Opgaaf Roll for 1818.
TheopoUs : 103 Hottentot Men, 88 Hottentot Women, 99 Boys, i Girls, 15 saddle horses, 18 breeding horses, 304 draft oxen, \& breeding cattle, 390 sheep, 20 goats.
j^ecords ,of the Cape Colony^ 125
Abstract of the Accounts of His Majesty* s Receiver General at the
Cape of Good Hope, for the Tear 1818.
REVENUE :
B<k. akil. tt
Balance . . 103,537 2 3^
Lombard bank 82,913 5 0
Discount bank . . . , . . . . 32,539 6 3
Vendue duties 179,66] 7 2i
Customs 302,918 3 5
Land revenue 84,730 4 5
Tithes and transfer duties 329,964 0 4
Stamps 163,233 4 0
Sequestrator's department 25,655 6 2
PHnting department 19,078 6 0
Commando tax **.... .^ . 40,657 0 0
Port dues 17,140 0 0
Postage 12,270 1 0
Knes 1,766 3 2
Pees of offices . 90,912 1 3
. „ wine taster's department • ^ . . . 16,088 6 0
Miscelkneons receipts 2,803 5 3}
Rds. 1,505,872 0 3^
EXPENDITURE :
Bds. tkU. ft
Civil list, sterling salaries 296,460 6 1|
Colonial salaries 425,930 7 5
Public buildings (erection of new and repairs of old build- ings, &c.) ...•»... 81,752 4 0 Cape regiment ........ 63,184 3 0
Pay of Hottentot captains 4,453 6 3
Commissariat expenses » . 103,636 6 2}
Expenses of ofices 34,027 2 2
Criminal prisoners and convicts 20,307 4 Of
Remittance to colonial agent ....... 28,995 4 3|
Freight and passage money, travelling expenses, &c. . . 8,690 6 4
House rent and lodging money 6,045 0 2
Carried forward 1,073,486 4 Q
126 Jtecords of the Cape Colony.
ICds. BkU. It.
Brought forward 1,073,485 4 0
Yessels and boats, purchase money and repairs of ditto, in- cluding charges of the harbour master's departments at
outposts . . . . . . . . 10,848 0 5|
Repair of the wharf , . 586 0 0
Buckbay, Grootepost and Somerset establishments . . 2,902 4 0
Goyemment Constantia wine . • . . . . 3,923 4 0
Commission of circuit . 15,477 0 3
Miscellaneous expenditure . . . . . . 8,636 5 0
Balance . . . 390,012 6 1
Rds. 1,505,872 0 3J
(Signed) J. W. Stoll, Bee' Gen».
MISCELLANEOUS RECEIPTS :— 1818.
BdL skiL H.
Fiscal's department, the amount of expenses refunded by several masters whose slaves were criminally prosecuted and afterwards returned to them «... 599 5 3f
Secretary to the Cape district, in reimbursement of the sum
advanced to him in 1814 ...*.. 1,000 0 0
His Majesty's fiscal ; the sum for which a quantity of stone
cut at Robben Island was sold 1,204 0 0
Total 1 • . Rds. 2,803 5 3}
(Signed) J. W. Stoll, Rec' Gen*.
•
SUNDRIES ; EXPENDITURE :— 1818.
Bd8.tkfl.ll.
D. W. van Eyk, a compensation for the loss of seven bullocks,
sustained by him in transferring government stores . 202 0 0
Executioner 78 4 0
Resident at Plettenberg's Bay, for victualling and clothing the
Government slaves at said place. .... 352 0 0
Messrs. Henderson and Patterson, for building a prison on
board the Neptune convict ship 723 0 0
J. H. Bruchhauser, meat, &c. for lions .... 225 0 0
Carried forward 1,580 4 0
Records of the Cape Colony. 127
Rda. skll. at.
Brougbt forward 1,580 4 0
Executioner 800
KeBident at Plettenberg's Bay, for victualling government
slavesy&c. ........ 132 0 0
Mr. Yillet, for seeds for the Ceylon government . . . 185 0 0 R. Gray Hodgson, for the clothing of the negroes of the Portu- guese brig PocA^ i^eo^ 3,176 6 0
J. H. Bruchhauser, meat, &c. for lions .... 225 0 0
Executioner . . 118 0 0
Premiums at the farming out of the wine licences . . 1,095 0 0
J. H. Bruchhauser, meat, &c. for lions . • . . 225 0 0 Resident at Plettenberg's Bay, for victualling government
slaves 313 0 0
Executioner . 75 0 0
J. Lawrence, tools for the stone quarry at Robben Island . 238 7 0
ll. Crowcher, fruit-trees for the government gardens . . 538 4 0
iiesident at Saldanha Bay, allowance for forage of ahorse . 192 0 0 Mr. Gomes, supercargo of th^ late Portuguese brig Packet
Becdf an allowance granted to him for his subsistence . 177 0 0
J. H. Bruchhauser, meat for lions, &c. . . . • 225 0 0 Resident at Plettenberg's Bay, for victualling the government
slaves 132 0 0
Rds. 8,636 5 0
(Signed) J. W. Stoll, Rec' Gen'.
128
Records of the Cape Cdom/,
Return showing the Populatwii and Cattle in the Possession of
CHRISTIANS:
Gape Town . Cape District Simon's Town Stellenboflch. Swellendam. GiulTReinet Uitenhage . Tulbagb. . George • .
It
1^
ass
Total .
2,35Y
666
1T3
1,469
1,386
2,056
1,149
1,233
824
11.302
1,503
493
112
1,115
1,403
3,434
1,266
1,160
Y80
I,
si
^3
10,266
1,851 644
92
1,130
1,011
1,698
866
869
671
I
Si
1,Y49
561
99
1,307
1,560
2,426
1,221
1,321
844
FREE BLACKS:
563
174
18
8,63211,088
22
214
i
g^
as
358
43
606
29
I
I
598
37
HOTTENTOTS;
386
«
g>*
S2
fli
a>
ss
I,
387
635
16
164 239 26 610 682
2,013 687
1,319 670
402
6,310
96 245
20 388 536 1,422 458 978 610
159 263 30 540 686
2,112 608
1,310 701
NEGRO APPRENTICES:
S§
^2
117 171 17 389 499
1.439 410
1,061 606
H
g^
4,752 6,308 4,708
430 246
16 87
12
794
111 41
1 16
I
169
193 63 11 18
76 80
t 11
381 131
Return showing the State of Cultivation and Quantity of Land
|
MUIDS SOWN : |
MUIDS REAPED: |
|||||||||||
|
■ |
• |
1 |
• • |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
'a |
> |
|||
|
Cape Town . |
• • |
• • |
• • |
• • |
• • |
• • |
• • |
Ite. • • |
• • |
|||
|
Cape District |
3,461 |
813 |
3,602 |
164 |
26,182 |
12,163 |
16,337 |
1,083 |
2,852,862 |
3,600,061 |
||
|
Simon's Town |
• • |
■ ■ |
■ • |
• • |
• • |
• • |
• • |
• • |
• • |
|||
|
Stellenbosch |
4,187 |
7294 |
3,774 |
284 |
34,637 |
12,409 |
24,134 |
2,103 |
19,819,668 |
|||
|
Swellendam |
3,864 |
877 |
140 |
164 |
30,416 |
11,636 |
1,636 |
940 |
881.800 |
|||
|
GraaffReinet . |
830 |
421 |
1 |
0* |
16,639 |
6,779 |
12 |
38 |
497,336 |
|||
|
Uitenhage . . |
606 |
178 |
20 |
• • |
8,214 |
1,984 |
139 |
• • |
117.400 |
|||
|
Tnlbagh . . |
3,336 |
9794 |
924 |
275 |
86,864 |
16,380 |
9,301 |
2,609* |
l,617,4oJ |
|||
|
Geoige |
9084 |
323 |
16 |
• • |
11,746 |
4,436 |
163 |
• • |
707,060 |
|||
|
Total . . |
16,270i |
4.319f |
8,376 |
867i 163,447 |
64,787 |
61,712 |
8,723* |
2,362,863 |
38,640,681 |
Beccrds of the Cape Colony^ Individuals at the Cape of Good Hope in the Tear 1818.
129
SLAVES:
CATTLE:
1^
II
3,109 2,0S8
106 4,305 1,068
967
S99 l,t64
629
1,M3
486
3T
1,398 557 312 149 730 822
1.
i
1,950 641 63
1,922 653 630 295
1,025 488
1,160 496
1,210 641 280 149 697 844
2,667
• • 5,545 8,049 4,018 1,150 4,864 1,458
•a
I
2,935
• • 4,8071 9,866 6,552 1,811 10,725 2,528
to
no
9,686
• • 20,071 14,065 18,360 12,169 18,169 11,548
4,833 8,886
5,582 19,065 65,285 38,103 28,134 20,740
0«
il
I
8,270
981
8,823
• •
10,664 1,649
6,317
• •
15,469
66,828
906,941
185,187
880,017
85,691
3,649
• •
818
6,358
789
• •
3,761 100
I
i
• •I • ■
4,635
• •
13,143 40,893 60,026 36,038 67,948 13,044
373
• •
99
9
686
1. 862 145
• •
1,377
14,844 5,184
7,607
4,899
21,651
38,714
108,968
181,693
38,763
1,595,860
14,335
338,706
4,569
i
occupied at the Cape of Good Hope in the year 1818.
I
•&
o
E
^
I
LA!n)S IN FREE- HOLD:
LANDS IN QUIT-aSNT:
J
i
1,308
43
597
177
HI
190
160
40
18,985
383
• •
87,106
67
9,649
330
38
743
14U
13,882i XIL
672 55i 64
111
lOOi
79
9141
1,520 438
1,684 670
1,892 597
6,748
428 40 28 13
lU 29
859
HI
107i
4621
873
68
680i 119
1,850
409 31*
• •
60
88i
69
763
17,414
665
101 123
56
10*
36,571 17,867
376
201
657
81,849
947
13*
373
80,817
511
39
1,0U 30
\1\
K
130 Records of the Cape Colony^
[Original.] Letter from Tx)rd Charles Somerset to Sir Henry Torrens.
Cafb of Good Hope, lik January 1819.
Sir,— I have the honor to state to you, for the information of His Boyal Highness the Commander in Chief, that the 1st Battalion of the 60th Regiment embarked this day on board the Transports William Pitt, Minerva, Nearchus, and Astrea bound to England.
Having understood that the Foreigners of this Corps were to be discharged on their anival in England, I have with a view to economize the public expenditure (both with respect to their conveyance to Europe as well as that of enabling them to reach their own Country) acquiesced with the desire of twenty-eight foreigners whose periods of service would expire at no distant period, and o{ fifty-eight foreigners whose periods of service were unlimited, to be discharged in this Colony.
In adopting this measure I trust I shall receive the approba- tion of His Royal Highness the Commander in Chief, to which I have been prompted by the frequent and pressing injunctions of His Majesty's Government to seek every means to diminish the Military Expences.
The number of men embarked, exclusive of the foreigners, amounts to 408 ; these, with the exception of non-commissioned Officers, are composed of such men belonging to the 1st Battalion of the 60th as were not deemed worthy to be recommended for the Royal African Corps, and of 91 men selected from the Royal African Corps whose characters were of the most unfavorable description.
I. cannot close jny information upon the subject of this Battalion without doing justice to the great exertions of Major Charles Gardiner in the command of the very troublesome and refractory characters which have been placed under him. He has on all occasions evinced his zeal for the service, and particularly in performing the grating task of selecting every man (not a foreigner) of tolerable character in his own Corps to be transferred to another, and I beg respectfully to recommend him to the favor of His Royal Highness the Commander in Chief. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset, General commanding the Forces at the Cape of Good Hope
Records of the Cape Colony, 131
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
London, S(h Jcmuary 1819.
My Lord, — I have received a commuiiicatioii from His Majesty's Treasury relative to the expence attending the employment of The Prince Begent's Botanical Collectors in some of His Majesty's Colonies.
It appears that the expenditure of the Botanical Collector employed at the Cape of Good Hope has been materially lessened by the facilities which have been afforded to him by the Colonial Grovemment in the prosecution of his labours ; and I only trouble your Lordship with this Communication m order to beg you to continue to render such assistance to the Botanist as may be granted without inconvenience to the Colonial Government and as will diminish the necessity of his drawing Money from His Majesty's Treasury. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Original.]
Return, of Troops serving at the Cape of Good Hope on the
25th of January 1819.
Officers of all ranks ••••••• 132
Sergeants, Trumpeters, Drummers, and Bank and File :
Boyal Artillery 65
Sappers and Miners •••••• 13
38thBegiment 771
72ndBegiment ....... 858
Boyal African Corps •...•• 659
^ (Cavalry 70
Cape Corps jj^^^ 3,57
Grand Total 2725 Prize Negroes ....... 71
(Signed) C. H. Somerset, General Commanding.
K 2
132 Records of the Cape Colony,
[Copy.]
Letter from Major Fra.ser to the Landdrost of Uitenhage,
Graham's Town, 29^^ Janwiry 1819.
Dear Sir, — I regret having to report the murders and depreda- tions lately committed by the Kaffers (in the part of your district intrusted to my charge) who on the 25th ultimo succeeded in taking away 61 head of cattle from the Farmer Het Gousen Senior, 25 from Piet Gousen Junior, and 22 from P. W. Nel. On the 30th ultimo they stole 39 head of cattle from Paul Bester, and on the 14th Instant 29 Head from said Bester, /(mr of which were retaken by soldiers of the Boyal African Corps, stationed at Hermanns' kraal ; (Bester is about to leave his place in conse- quence of these outrages). On the 18th Instant they took nearly 200 Head of Cattle from the Farmers Isaac Boice and Ockert Goosen ; they were closely pursued by mounted Inhabitants who succeeded in retaking all the Cattle, but during the absence of the Farmers &^ from the place of Antonie Lombard, in pursuit of these cattle, the Kaffers went to said Lombard's flock of sheep^ which were taken care of by a Hottentot woman and her daughter; while the mother made her escape in the bushes the Kaffers laid hold of the daughter, and to prevent her screaming or giving alarm they barbarously cvi her throat with an Assagay while the wretched mother witnessed the cruel «cene.
Late in the afternoon of the 19th Instant when the Farmer Johannes Oosthuizen was returning home (from Government employ in this village) and seeing some of his Cattle straying further than usual, and on looking for his Hottentot Cattle herd, who he supposed must have been asleep, He discovered the body of the Hottentot, not th&n cold, with upwards of 20 Assagay stabs, his firelock and ammimition carried off by the Kaffers, together with 69 head of cattle (not retaken). Said Oosthuizen has abandoned his place in consequence and left the Zuureveldt. The same day (the 19th Instant) they took 10 horses from the place of Abram Espach ; they were followed into Kafferland by a party of mounted Inhabitants, who did not succeed in retaking them ; and on that day the Kaffers also took 7 bead of Cattle
Records of the Cape Colony. 133
from the place of Pieter Relief (formerly John de Lang's) ; one of the cattle was killed by the Kaffers, and the other 6 head retaken by the soldiers of the Royal African Corps stationed at Hermanns kraal.
On the 20th Instant a number of Cattle and 12 Horses were taken by the Kafifers from the Farmers Johannes Bower, William Bower, William van der Merwe and Piet van der Merwe, of which 124 head and 5 horses were retaken near Jantie's kraal on the 22nd by soldiers of the Cape Corps, and three of the horses being left in the Bushes by the Kafifers were afterwards found by their owners ; and on this day the KafiTers took 23 horses from the place of Cornelius Meyer, which were i-etaken by the Farmers, and 5 head of cattle from the Hottentots in my service at the Kassuga River (not retaken).
Early on the 26th Instant a Hottentot in the service of Philip Botha had only proceeded a few hundred yards from the kraal, in charge of the cattle, when he was suddenly rushed upon by 7 Kafifers, who put him to instant Death, by innumerable assagay stabs ; carried ofif his fiirelock and ammunition with 133 head of cattle which he had in charge. The Farmers on the place immediately pursued and retook 50 of the Cattle which the Kafifers drove in one direction ; the rest were retaken by a paity of soldiers belonging to the Royal African Corps in the thick wood on the road leading towards Hermanns Kraal; but when the soldiers were driving the cattle to that Post, / regret to state that they were overpowered by the Kaffers, who killed 5 of them, carried off their arms and ammunition, together with having again got back the 83 head of cattle. (The Farmer Philip Botha has also left his place in consequence thereof). On which day the Kafifers took 51 Head of Cattle from the place of P. Retief on the Kaucha Kiver; they were pursued by mounted Farmers to the Kowie River, where they succeeded in retaking the cattle with the exception of one assagayed by the Kafifers.
It has this moment been reported to me that during last night the Kafifers broke into the Cattle kraal at my place on the Kassuga River and took therefrom a considerable number (the number taken was not ascertained at the time the report was sent to me) of cattle belonging to me and several others ; at daylight the traces were followed up by 10 Hottentots in my service at the place at the time. They are looked after by Military Patroles, as
134 Records of the Cape Colony.
also by a few Mounted Inhabitants, so that I expect the cattle may be retaken previous to their crossing the Great Fish Eiver. In great haste, I have &c.
(Signed) G. S. Eraser, Deputy Landdrost.
F. S. It has this moment been reported to me since writing the above that when the Caffers carried off the 23 horses above aUuded to from Cornelius Meyer, they murdered two Hottentots who were in charge of the Horses and carried off their arms and ammunition.
(Signed) G. S. Fraser.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
London, 8rd February 1819.
My Lord, — ^This letter will be delivered to your Lordship by Joseph Stanford, a coloured man from Amboyna in the East Indies, who has served several years in his Majesty's Navy, and is provided with his discharge from the service. His object is to settle at the ;Cape of Good Hope, and I am directed by Earl Bathurst to acquaint your Lordship that so long as Joseph Stanford conducts himself properly, he should be allowed to remain in the Settlement under Tour Lordship's Government I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Copy.] Letter from Major Eraser to the Landdrost of Uitenhage.
Obaham'8 Town, 4^ Fdfmairy 1819.
Dear Sir, — ^The Cattle taken by the Kaflfers from my place at the Kassouka Eiver (as reported to you in my letter of the 29th ultimo, being 85 head) they succeeded in driving across the Great Fish Eiver into Kafferland ; and on the morning of the 31st there was a large body of KafiFers (upwaids of 200) in the bushy kloof
RecoMs of the Capt Colony, 135
close to the house ; they destroyed the Garden, broke the Mill, and carried away the Iron therefrom.
I now sincerely regret having to acquaint you that during the night of the 31st ultimo the Eaffers attacked a Patrol of the Boyal African Corps commanded by Ensign Hunt, who was killed and three of the soldiers severely wounded. The remains of the unfortunate officer were found next morning dreadfully mutilated by the Savages ; this circumstance took place near the Post Upper Kaflfers drift.
Before this reaches you it will no doubt have been reported to you that on the 1st Instant (not far from the Post John Meyer's) the Kafifers murdered a Soldier belonging to the Royal African Corps, a slave, and a Hottentot, carried off three stand of arms and ammunition, together with about 300 head of Cattle which they had in charge.
This very instant (while writing) an express arrives bringing the melancholy intelligence, that late yesterday evening when it was reported to Captain Gethen 72nd Begiment commanding at the Bruin's Drift that the Kaffers had then murdered a Hottentot in charge of Cattle (belonging to a Farmer T, Dreyer) between said Post and Wentzel Coester's, taking with them the Firelock and ammunition belonging to the Hottentot, as also 136 head of Cattle ; Captain Gethen that moment pursued^with a party con- sisting of 7 mounted soldiers (while a party of Infantry followed for the purpose of retaking the Cattle which the Kaffers had driven into the thick wood in rear of the Post) when on his coming up with them and in endeavouring to recover the Cattle, that excellent officer after having discharged his rifle at a Eaffer, and when suddenly rushed on by others (who lay in ambush for the purpose) he was seen to have defended himself with the unloaded weapon until he fell covered with upwards of Thirty Assegay stabs ; (Sergeant Peacock and A. McDonald private 72nd Regiment were also killed with their Captain). The Kaffers suc- ceeded in retaining the 136 head of cattle, wherewith they carried away the eight horses and saddles as also 5 stand of arms and ammunition which was in possession of the unlucky party. Since the Kaffers were driven from the Zuureveld in 1812 they have not been nearly so numerous in it as at the present moment ; there are constant reports of their having been seen in large bodies and in almost all directions, they succeeded in committing
136 Records of the Cape Colony.
numerous depredations accompanied by cruel murders; the Farmers are daily abandoning their places (the few who still remain in the Zuureveld are about to leave it). The want of a moimted force here at this crisis is much felt.
Though I consider it my indispensable duty to give you the earliest possible intimation of every circumstance (or change) which may take place relative to the exact state of that part of your district entrusted to my charge^ and particularly so on a subject of so serious moment as the present proceedings of the Eiiffers, which seems to threaten the safety of its settlers who are consequently leaving their places^ however as Lt. Col. Brereton will minutely report every particular for the information of His Excellency tie (Jovemor and Commander of the Forces, therefore you will probably consider it unnecessary to forward this report to Grovemment (however as to that you will be best judge).
Anxiously waiting such instructions as you may be pleased to give, and with the assurance that I will endeavour by every means in my power to execute the same agreeable to your wish and directions, much hurried, I have &o.
(Signed) G. S. Fraser, Deputy Landdrost.
[Office Copy.] Letter from LoBD Bathubst to Lord Charles Somerset.
LoHDOM, 8 February 1819.
My Lord, — I beg to acquaint your Lordship that I have authorized the shipment of a Case addressed to the Countess Bertrand at St. Helena on board the Golden Grove Merchant Vessel bound to the Cape of (Jood Hope, and I have to request that Your Lordship would give orders that the Case may be forwarded to St. Helena addressed to Lieut. General Sir Hudson Lowe. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
Beeords of the Cwpe Colony. 137
[Copy.]
Letter from the Landdrost of Uitenhage to the Colonial Secretary.
UiTEVHAQE, 9th February 1819.
Sir, — I had the honor by last Extra Post, which left this Sunday morning last, to forward a packet from Graham's Town, containing, I believe, letters from the officer commanding the military on this Frontier, reporting the state of the Frontier ; as well as from myself to you, with enclosures from Major Fraser and the Field Comet Forie, that will inform you of the deplorable state of this unfortunate country with respect to our Savage neighbours. Major Fraser is now with me, bringing the enclosed from lieut. Col. Breretom As the situation of the entire of my district is now placed in from the inroads the Savages have made (they were yesterday seen in bodies close to the Sunday's Eiver, which you must know is less than a day's journey from this) demands me to call for support and to implore your aid without loss of time, by a strong Force of Inhabitants being sent to our Bdief from the more Interior districts. lA.y last of the 7th will inform you I had applied to Landdrost Van Eervel for 100 mounted inhabitants being sent to our relief so soon as may be ; and in which letter I solicited that Government would order that 100 or 150 men should be sent from Zwellendam for our support ; even this number, from the information I just collect from Major Fraser and the Commandant Muller who is just returned from the Zuurbergy will scarcely be equal to enable us to maintain our Positions, without attempting to clear the country of those Hordes now wandering in our bounds.
The European Infantry now here, I do not expect will be able to do more than maintain themselves in their respective Garrisons, and from the distance that most of the strongest Military Posts are from my Drostdy, and the bushy country that is between us, will place me so as perhaps to cut off all the communication, which is now already nearly so, for with less than 20 men to-day it would be hazarding to attempt mounting the pass at the Ado. Major Fraser will be able to inform you what he saw on his way down here and every other particular that may be required of him with respect to the state of the Country. If a body of 300 or 400
138 Records of the Caj>e Colony,
mounted Inhabitants, with the present number of the Cape Infantry, could be brought soon to act, we may have some hopes ; but unless we are soon supported I fear much mischief.
Under Boschjesman's Kiver, people (the Field Comet Fourie's) are assembled at Bautenbachs Drift in one camp, and other Field Comets, even perhaps Capewards of this, will have to follow the same plan.
Bepeating my former application for a supply of ammunition being sent here so speedily as may be for the service of the Inhabitants on this Frontier, I have &c.
(Signed) J. G. Cuyler.
[Copy.] Letter from Major Eogers to Lieutenant Colonel Brereton.
NEWLANDfl, Febmary 12^ 1819.
Sir, — In reply to that part of your letter of the 22nd instant in which (commenting upon a letter which you had enclosed from Bt. Major Abbey 72nd Eegiment) you recommended to His Excellency the Commander of the Forces the expediency of assembling another Force to act against TSambie in the vicinity of his own kraals without his being aware of such intention, I am directed by His Excellency to remind you that upon all former occasions the strongest injunctions have been given by him to keep the measures about to be executed secret, His Excellency having been perfectly aware that upon the secrecy with which Military operations of the nature of those intended are carried on, their ultimate success chiefly depends.
His Excellency is entirely of opinion that no efi&cient result will be obtained from the frontier operations, unless a decisive *"-^ effectual blow is struck at TSambie and his adherent chiefs, and it -wq^ in this view that his last instructions to you were framed ; it was with this view that it was desired that even in the case of submission on the part of TSambie, his removal from the Border should be a stipulation not to be receded from.
His Excellency therefore would approve of such prompt measures as should be really decisive on this point, but His Excellency conceives it to be extremely bad policy to render the
Records of the Cape Colony. 139
Caffers familiar with partial and inefficient inroads on our part, such measures also appearing to him to be both unjust and injurious.
If TSambie can be seized (or destroyed in ease of resistance) by a sudden secret irruption into his country, His Excellency is of opinion that it will be extremely desirable^ that such a step should be taken ; and in the event of success herein, His Excellency is of opinion that his adherents should be driven over the Keiskamma and Gaika put in possession of the lands intervening between that river and our borders.
It will be apparent that this operation must be effected with great caution and prudence, and that in the event of its successful termination it shall be considered whether it may not be necessary to protect Gaika in this newly recovered possession by occupying a strong post on or near the Keiskamma for some time, for the purpose of overawing the E^ffers who might attempt to molest him. In case however that you should deem this decisive step not certainly attainable and that you shall still continue to think Graika in personal danger from TSambie's open hostility or machinations, it appears to His Excellency that a post in the vicinity of some convenient spot, which should be chosen for his (Gaika's) temporary residence, should be occupied for his personal protection, and if this measure is resorted to, such post should have communication with the line now occupied, and the greatest caution be used to prevent the possibility of the Troops occupying it being cut off or surprized. I have &c.
(Signed) G. J. Eogers, Military Secretary.
[Copy.]
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Captain
H. EoBiNSON, E.N.
Oafb of Good Hope, \hih February 1819.
Sir, — ^Intelligence having reached me from the Frontier this day which renders it indispensable that I should forward about 200 men to Algoa Bay with the least possible delay, I beg to apply to you for the aid of His Majesty's Ship Favourite for this service, and should you have it in your power to accommodate this number
140 Records of the Cape Colony,
or any part of it, I shall be obliged by your early reply stating the time when you would wish the party to be at Simons Town for embarkation. I have &c.
(Signed) Chables Henry Somerset.
[Copy.] Letter from Captain Eobinson to Lord Charles Somerset.
H. M. S. FawmrUe^ February 15ih 1819.
My Lord, — I have had the honor of receiving your Lordship's letter containing a requisition for the immediate services of His Majesty's Ship under my command in conveying a body of Troops to the Frontier. I beg in reply to state to your Lordship that the Favourite has been detached from the Cape Station, and is now dismantled and repairing at Simons Bay, and that my orders are to proceed when complete with all possible dispatch to South America to reinforce the squadron employed there.
Under such circumstances I should not feel at liberty to interrupt my refittal, and to divert the services of His Majesty's Ship to any other purposes, unless the public good made it distinctly and imperiously necessary.
I must therefore request that your Lordship will (to justify my acting) inform me more fully of the present exigency and whether the conveyance of Troops by sea must be an instant measure, and whether no other means than those the Favourite offers are within your Lordship's command. I have &c.
(Signed) Hercules Eobinson.
[Copy.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Captain Kobinson, E.N.
Gaps of Good Hope, IGih February 1819.
Sir, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your reply to my letter of yesterday in which you acquaint me in answer to my application for the aid of H.M. Ship Favourite for the speedy conveyance of troops to the Frontier "that you
Records of the Cape Colony. 141
should not feel yourself at liberty to divert the services of H.M. Ship to any other purposes (than the orders you are under) unless the public good made it distinctly and imperiously necessary.'*
I am npon this to observe that the motive which induced me to make the application to you was precisely that to which you allude, viz. the Public Good, nor did I conceive that I could in more forcible language point that the Public Good did so urge me than by informing you that intelligence had just reached me from the Frontier which rendered it indispensable that I should hasten a reinforcement thither.
The relations of this Colony with the tribes on the borders are matter of notoriety, as it is that the greater part of the force allotted for the protection of this place is always in activity on our Eastern Frontier. Thus circumstanced and knowing how advise- able it is that the heavy expense of taking up shipping should be avoided if possible to meet the wishes of H.M. administration at Home, I did not hesitate addressing myself with confidence to you as commanding a Sloop of War here which might be made applicable to this pressing service. I have now the honour to reiterate that request, and anticipating your compliance therewith,
I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Copy.] Letter from Captain Eobinson to Lord Charles Somerset.
Favourite, February I7th 1819.
My Lord, — I have had the honour of receiving Your Lordship's reply to the observations which I yesterday submitted to Your Lordship on my receiving a requisition for the services of the Favourite, and I regret to find that the objections which I then felt to the instant compliance with such requisition continue un- removed.
Tho' the Favourite (as I have had the honour of explaining to your Lordship) was stripped and refitting for another specific and I should imagine from the tenor of my orders urgent service, I
142 Records of the Cape Colony.
directed her yesterday to be immediately prepared for sailing and for receiving on board such troops, guns, and stores as we can carry, and by the exertions made she is now ready for that service, but I must distinctly repeat that I cannot undertake a duty foreign to my orders (and which in this S.E. monsoon may be very protracted) without knowing what the exigency is which would impose the responsibility upon me, or being afforded any means of discriminating between the importance of the Service I am called upon to undertake and that which 1 am ordered to perform.
In no other case than a claim for my (very humble) conjunction on the King's Service could I presume to make any enquiries from Your Lordship.
Tour Lordship quotes my sentiments of the necessity that public good should be manifest to authorize my diverting the services of His Majesty's Ship under my command, and Your Lordship states that it is so in this case, but by Your Lordship again repeating your phrase "indispensably necessary" and referring me to an expression which I consider rather vague and susceptible of arbitrary interpretation as a simple and sufScient guide to my conduct, I should feel that acting thereon would have my decision totally dependent on Your Lordship's opinion, while the propriety of such decision (as it regards myself) would be most reasonably laid upon and required of me, by my immediate Superiors.
The public notoriety to which Your Lordship adverts (admitting even it had reached me) I cannot submit or allow to operate on my conduct as a substitute for accurate official communication.
I regret to have taken up so much of Your Lordship's valuable time by these observations, which with perfect respect to Your Lordship I feel it my duty to make, and to state in conclusion that I learn there are vessels in both Bays which may if neces- sary be hired for the conduct of troops, and that the Naval Commissioner Sir J. Brenton is sending an empty vessel to the Knysna for Timber, but that I cannot divert the services of the Favourite as Your Lordship desires, without Your Lordship informs me of a specified exigency sufficiently important to satisfy my mind as to the propriety and necessity of my incurring the responsibility, nor should I feel myself justified in employing the Favourite if your Lordship has any means by which it may be prevented. The Establishment of those points in order to mark
Records of the Cape Colony. 143
out my line of conduct was the exclusive object of my previous letter to Your Lordship, the substance of which I have now the honour to reiterate. I have &c.
(Signed) Hercules Eobinson.
[Copy.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Captain Eobinson.
Gafb of Good Hops, 17^ Ftbruary 1819.
Sir, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date, and lament to find that you do not feel yourself tinder circumstances to comply with my requisition for the service of H.M. Ship Favourite on the present urgent occasion.
With regard to the exigency of the Service for which I required the aid of that ship, I have in my letter of the 15th instant stated and repeated in that of the 16th that the intelligence I had then just received from the Frontier rendered my hastening a reinforce- ment of troops indispensable to the Public Service.
I repeat that assertion in its most ample construction, but to enter into any detail of local circumstances almost unintelligible to you would I conceive, only most unnecessarily take up your time. By the requisition I have made I consider myself responsible to H.M. Government that the services of one of H.M. Ships is not frivolously or unnecessarily called for by me.
At a late hour last night Major Fraser (commanding the Cape Corps) arrived here, having rode from Uitenhage (a distance of upwards of 600 miles) in less than seven days.
This experienced Officer was directed by Lt. CoL Brereton (commanding on the Frontier) to reach me with all possible dispatch, in order to lay before me the very critical situation in which the Frontier Districts are at this moment placed and the absolute necessity (for the safety of H.M. Settlement) of* the most prompt succour being afforded. Should a knowledge of the purpose for which Major Fraser has arrived in addition to my former statement " that the aid required was indispensable" induce you to comply with my request, I shall be obliged by the earliest notice of it, as the safety of the Settlement entrusted to my charge
144 Records of the Cape Colony.
may materially depend upon the promptitade with which I am enabled to succour Lt. Col. Brereton's force.
With respect to other ships in these Bays which might be obtained for this Service, from the enquiries I have made, I do not find any ship that I consider well adapted for it, but I should very ill obey the strong injunctions I have received from H. M. Government at Home to economise by every possible means the public expenditure in every branch of the Service, were I to accede to the very exorbitant terms demanded for such accommodation as these vessels can afford, without doing my utmost to avoid that expense by soliciting the aid of one of His Majesty's ships which fortunately happens to be on the spot. I have &c.
(Signed) Chakles Henrt Somerset.
P.S. I transmit this by express and shall be obliged by your answer by return of the Messenger.
[Copy.J Letter from Captain Eobinson to Lord Charles Somerset.
FavouriU^ Simon's Bat, 5 o*doek.
My Lord, — I have just had the honour of receiving Your Lordship's letter, and in conformity to Yoiur Lordship's desire of being immediately made acquainted with my decision, I have directed a Telegraph message to be forwarded to Your Lordship that " the Favourite is ready to receive Troops," which I have now the honour of repeating.
I must beg also to state that in your Lordship's original requisition for the Services of the Favourite " That intelligence had been received by Your Lordship from the Frontier which rendered it indispensable that you should forward about 200 men to Algoa Bay without the least possible delay," &c., &c., I considered the latitude of interpretation which the statement admitted of, and not being made acquainted with any specific exigency I felt in no way authorized to divert His Majesty's ship under my command from a prescribed service, nor did I consider that Your Lordship's repetition of a requisition substantially the same imposed upon me the necessity of a different line of conduct.
Records of the Cape Colony* 145
Your Lordship however has in your present letter fully answered those precise points on which I had previously sought information for my guidance, and in stating that the information above referred to is of such a nature "that the safety of the Colony witrusted to Your Lordship's charge may materially depend upon the promptitude with which you |ure enabled to succour Lt. CoL Brereton's force/' and that there are the strong reasons stated by Your Lordship against attempting the employment of other means of eonveyance than the Fcmmrite, I no longer feel myself in the dark, but that a case is made out which calls for my ready co-operation in Your Lordship's measures, which I am fully disposed to afford to the extent of my ability.
I can have no desire, nor had I ever to extract from Your Lordship '^ a detail of local circumstances which must be in great measure unintelligible to me " nor of those measures of Military Policy of which I am quite incompetent to judge rightly ; the comprehensive statement I have received in Your Lordship's present letter was all I ever desired, and would have been at the first final and imperative.
No exertion shall be spared in my proceeding with 100 Troops and all such Stores, Guns, and Ammunition as we can carry» whenever Your Lordship may order them to be embarked. I conceive from your Lordship's communication to me that I may expect them on Monday. I can also take the horses which Your Lordship requested I would, for CoL Willshire. I have &c.
(Signed) Hercitles Bobinson.
[Copy] Letter from Sir Jahleel Brenton to Lord Charles Somerset.
Sdcoh's Town Tabd, ]9ift Februarff 1819.
My Lord, — By an article in the Admiral's instructions for the guidance of the Captains of His Majesty's Ships whilst at. the Cape of Gk)od Hope, they are directed to consult with me upon points of service not abready provided for, and I am in conse-
XII. L
146 Records of the Cape Colony.
quench frequently called upon for opinions for which I of course feel myself ofi&cially responsible.
Captain Bous some time since consulted me upon tlie propriety of his complying with Your Lordship's request that he would proceed for the crew of the Portuguese vessel wrecked in the Channel of Mozambique. I recommended him in the first instance to ascertain whether any other means offered for performing this service, as a deviation from his orders could only be justified by the most urgent necessity, and suggested that he should submit to Your Lordship the expediency of the Isabella Schooner being sent for them, which from the correspondence he sent me it appears he did, but that the Schooner was considered too small, and her services immediately required for taking stores to Algoa Bay. I was a,ware of her destination, and considered that no time would be lost, as she could discharge her cargo at Algoa Bay on her way to Europa Bocks. With respect to her capacity I had formed my opinion of it from her having been previously employed in taking Troops to Algoa Bay, but as I was uncertain of their numbers I could give Captain Bous no further information upon the subject, and he proceeded upon a conviction of the absolute necessity of his doing so.
The Isabella has recently put into this Bay with, as I was informed yesterday, fifty-two persons on board, twenty-four of whom are said to be Government slaves going as passengers, besides some soldiers with their baggage. This circumstance convinces me that an incorrect report has been made to Your Lordship, of the capability oi the schooner, and I feel it my duty to represent the fact to Your jiordship. My share of responsibility incurred by the departure of the Podargvs from her original orders involves me in the necessity of making known to the Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Squadron the measures which were resorted to previous to Captain Bous having undertaken the service. I have &c.
(Signed) Jahleel Brenton.
Eecdrdi of tfte Cape Colony. 147
[Copy] Letter from C. H. Somerset, Esqre., to Lieutenant Colonel
WH^LSHIRE.
Xbwlands, F^wiry 21ft 1819.
Sir, — In the absence of the Military Secretary, who is indisposed, I am directed by His Excellency the Commander of the Forces to desire that you may be pleased to embark on board His Majesty's ship Favourite with the Light Infantry of the 38th Eegiment and proceed in her to Algoa Bay for the purpose of assuming the command of the Troops and Colonial Force now assembled and collecting in the Frontier Districts.
His Excellency has reason to believe that you will meet Lieut. Colonel Brereton at Algoa Bay, and should you do so, that ofi&cer (who is returning to Europe on pressing private affairs) has been directed to hand over to you all the papers and documents relative to the state of the Frontier and the several communications and instructions which he has received from" His Excellency through the Military Secretary. Should you not meet Lieut. Col. Brereton at Algoa Bay, you will take the earliest opportunity of communi- cating your arrival to him, in order to your assuming the command "without delay, so that no time may be lost in commencing your operations for expelling the Caffers from the Colonial Boundary. The 'force entrusted to your command (which is stronger and more efficient than any force which has hitherto been employed on the service) is detailed in the enclosed returns, and I also enclose a statement of the Ordnance, Ammunition and other stores which are now embarking on board the Favourite and on board the Alacrity (Findlay Master) which vessel has been taken up for the service. ^
Upon your arrival at Algoa Bay you will be pleased to communicate with the experiencec} and active Magistrate of the District, Lieut. Colonel Cuyler, from whom you will learn the actual state of the country, on which your immediate plan for pro* ceeding must be formed. Ignorant as we are here of the real state of affairs on the Frontier, it does not appear practicable to chalk out any precise plan, but the system by which the Caffers have been successfully expelled at former periods may be safely recommended for your immediate adoption, and as His Excellency trusts that it
L 2
148 Records of the Cape Colony^
will not be long before tbis point is effected it will then become a question what line of Cfvil or Military policy is wisest to adopt under the new circumstances which shall have presented them- selves.
His Excellency has directed me to put you in possession of the instructions under which lieut. Col. Brereton has acted up to this day, in order that you may be thoroughly apprized of the system which has been adopted, and appeciate those deviations which peculiar circumstances have given rise to. The relation of this Colony with the Caffers must for a very long period be very precarious ; it is advisable to conciliate all who can be conciliated and to be firm and vigorous with those who will not be upon good terms with us. Thus it appears advisable to support Gaika under his present reverse, and if possible to afford him that personal protection pointed out in the last dispatch addressed by the Military Secretary to Lieut. Colonel Brereton on this subject.
His Excellency will very early communicate to you his senti- ments and instructions with respect to the line you are to adopt for the military defence of the Frontier after it shall have been cleared of the enemy which now infest it. In the mean time His Excellency will be glad that you should turn in your own mind the practicability of ef&ciently supporting such a chain of front posts as shall enable communications to be rapidly made by means of the Signal Stations, and His Excellency will desire to have your opinion as to the most practicable system of defence, after you shall have had an opportunity of examining the line and learning the state of the Country.
The situation in which the Frontier is represented to be has induced His Excellency again to have recourse to the measure of calling out a considerable Burgher Mounted Force ; this measure, temporary in its nature, and harassing to men of other habits than those of Military life, must be employed with great discretion. The inhabitants of this Colony are kind and brave; but they require to be discreetly managed, to be controlled with moderation, and to be praised whenever praise can be bestowed ; they are best commanded by their own immediate Magistracy who, acting under the Military Orders of the Commandant of the Frontier, leave no room to regret the link which separates them from the Military chain. The Magistrates of both the Frontier Districts are men of Military habits and education, the one of high rank in the service.
Becords of the Cape Colony. 1-^9
the other by his talent and intelligence making amends for the want of that professional rank which when he was removed to the civil service was no longer an object which he could pursue. Your discretion will improve this hurt which will enable you to effect much with a force which has in it considerable and formidable elements. I have &c.
(Signed) C. H. Somerset, Aide de Camp.
[Copy.] Letter from Captain Eobinson to Lord Charles Somerset.
His Mjuesty's Ship FawmrUe, Simon's Bat, Tuesday Morning.
My Lord, — ^As Colonel Willshire went express to your Lordship last night to report the arrival of the Favourite I was unwilling to detain him to write a statement of circumstances which he promised to detail fully to your Lordship, especially the disabling of our foremast, which obliged me to bear up and relinquish a Service, the difficulty of which had been abready overcome as we had rounded Cape Lagullas, and were in a fair way for beating to our ultimate destination when the accident occurred.
I have now the honor of stating to your Lordship, that on my
anchoring last night, as well as during this morning, I have
examined into every means which might still remain of my
carrying into effect your Lordship's wishes. I sent for this purpose
to the Captain of the Dotterel (which vessel I thought might be
made applicable to the service) but he (Captain Grore) informed
me that his mainmast had been yesterday morning found defective
and was taken out, and that it would not be replaced in less than
eight days. On the suggestion of Sir Jahleel Brenton to fit the
Dotterel temporarily for this Service with her old mast, it was
reported by the builder to be so perfectly decayed as to be unsafe
to trust across the Bay, and as considerable delay must exist in
making a mast for the Favourite, I see no possibility of applying
either of the Men of War now here " to the immediate conveyance
of a Body of Troops to the Frontier."
I state these circumstances at length to satisfy your Lordship
150 Hecords of the Cape Colony.
that nothing but a concurrence of untoward events has prevented the completion of this Service, and as I am unfortunately (from the reasons stated) rendered incapable of performing an instant and uigent public duty, (the only Service which might justify my departure from my orders), I beg to know your Lordship's wishes with respect to the Troops and Stores embarked in the Favourite.
I mentioned to Captain Gore (whose mast I expected would be ready before mine) the possibility of your Lordship still desiring the services of a Man of War, but this Officer has represented to me so strongly the state of the St. Helena Station, weakened by the crippling of the Tees and the unexpected delay of the Podargus, and the extreme urgency of Admiral Plampin's directions to him, that I should not feel justified in disregarding the strong objections which he (Captain Grore) considers it his duty to state against any alteration in his orders for any other purpose than that to wliich I had applied the Favourite^ namely the performance of an immediate and important service, but which he is now with me rendered incapable of undertaking. I have &c.
(Signed) Hercules Eobinson.
[Copy.J Letter froin Major Eogers to Lieutenant Colonel Willshire,
GoTEBNMBBT HousE, 25(& Ffhruary 1819.
Sir, — ^The General Instructions which were framed for Lieut. Col. Brereton when he assumed the command on the Frontier and which will be handed over to you for your guidance, when you relieve that officer, will clearly explain to you the relations of this Government with the Caffer Tribe at the time LL-Col. Brere- ton joined his Begiment at Graham's Town. The instructions in question are jadso particularly worthy of your attentive study, as they lay down mth great minuteness the line of policy which it has been js^ef Vroper to adopt towards the Caffer people, a line which His Excs^b^ey the Commander of the Forces will at all times WOTK ±a n^et^ossity of departing fixim, although recent ciit^iiB^&imMS otEzafaitig their unwarrantable incursion into the AUttxv- Pt^gtm-r iTpetlvir to necessitate more eneigetic measures
.Records of the Cape Colony, 151
^ith r^ard to the Hordes who have been guilty of sio many atrocities.
The Colonial Government has however but one object in view, the tranquillity of its own Border, to this end the civil and military exertions are pointed.
The Colonial Government seeks no enlargement of territory. The known boundary of its Settlement, the Great Fish river, it does not desire to pass; on the contrary it rigidly prohibits its subjects from crossing the line of demarcation lest in so doing molestation or injury might be offered to the Gaffer tribes; in short the Colonial Government seeks no communication with the Caffer people, unless they themselves deem that communication useful, in which case by a public agreement made with their chief, the means are placed in their power of coming to Graham's Town to effect such barter as they may require. It is impossible to conceive a fairer line of conduct in their regard, or one better calculated to convince them that the Inhabitants of the Colony wish to live in friendship with them ; but the Colonial Govern- ment has gone farther, it has encouraged the settlement of a zealous Missionary there, not only thereby to throw the elements of the Christian faith in their way, but to endeavour gradually to communicate to them the arts and benefits of civilized society ; nor did a great proportion of the Caffer people refuse to acknow- ledge the justice and benevolence of the line adopted in their regard. The Chief Gaika (not long since considered the most powerful of those who adjoin our Border) appears strenuously to have exerted himself to bring the Caffer people to live on terms of reciprocal forbearance towards the Colonists. Among his own people he checked depi'edations, he collected and restored a large quantity of cattle and many horses which had been plundered from our territory, and he frequently availed himself of the privilege of sending to Graham's Town for the supply of his wants. The consequence of this was a tranquillity on the Frontier, such as had not been experienced in the memory of Man. Confidence began to be established, farms to be settled, and there was every prospect of seeing the most highly favoured province of this Government peopled and brought into cultivation.
These were the flattering visions which His Excellency enter- tained when he learnt that depredations and murders within our territory had, in an alarming degree, recommenced, and that
152 Hecords of the Cape Colony^
a combination had been formed against the Caffet Chief Gaika by the Border Chieftains headed by his uncle TSambie for the purpose of obliging him to give up his pacific system. Gaika notified the change and requested assistance. He however does not seem to have apprehended the storm to have been so nigb» for when it was signified to him that so unforeseen a circumstance required communication with His Excellency and fresh instructions, he appeared satisfied to wait, and did not press for more decided measures. In the mean time, before His Excellency's assent to his being succoured could arrive, Gaika's enemies had overtaken him and defeated him with great loss, his women and his cattle, the two great objects of Cafier jealousy, fell into the hands of the Marauders, and he retreated to the fastnesses of the Winterberg.
Meanwhile Lt-Colonel Brereton assembled a Force for the purpose of restoring order, his instructions being to fall upon TSambie and compel him to afford redress. Our very decided superiority, should TSambie dare to face a European force, could not be doubted, and it was wished that success should again throw the strength of the wavering into Gkiika's scale and thus oblige TSambie to retire beyond the Keiskamma. His Excellency felt that no other object was of any value except the personal punish- ment of TSambie and his adherent chiefs. Lt.-Golonel Brereton was not however so fortunate as to come up with them, they retreated to the impenetrable thickets with which the interval between the .Fish and Keiskamma Bivers is covered, and aban- doning their cattle or a great proportion of it, they secured by this means their safety. Lt.-Colonel Brereton replaced Gaika in the ground from whence he had been driven and restored to him a quantity of cattle beyond what had been plundered from hinu He also restored to the Colonists who had been plundered a quantity of Caffer Cattle equal to what they had been dis- possessed of.
In these measures Lt.-Colonel Brereton acted prudently, con- sistently with the agreement entered into with the Caffers them- selves, and in pursuance of his instructions ; but His Excellency does not judge so fovourably of his having brought away so much Caffer cattle beyond what was necessary to do justice to those who had suffered, nor does His Excellency deem Lt.-Colonel Brereton to have adopted the most eligible course in returning so soon as he did, without having accomplished the object for which he
Records (^ the Cape Colony. 153
had been authorized to enter the Cafier Territory. In saying thus much however, His Excellency desires you will not consider hiin to be imputing blame to Lt.-Colonel Brereton, that being foreign to His Excellency's present motives. But it is necessary that His Excellency should be explicit in opening to you his mind on these points, that you may fully understand his wishes should circumstances throw you into similar situations. It has been a maxim which His Excellency has sedulously endeavoured to inculcate that the Colonial Government stood in no need of Gaffer cattle, and for a long period not a head of Gaffer cattle was suffered to be brought into this >Settlement, subsequently when the extent of plunder made it absolutely necessary for our Inhabitants to be indemnified for their grievous losses, it was part of our convention vdth the Gaffers that when Golonial Gattle was not restored, an equal quantity of Gaffer cattle should be taken. But no encouragement or authority was ever intended to be held out or given for breaking through this rule. When Major Eraser returned in 1818 jfrom a incursion into GaflBraria every head of cattle which he brought back was distributed to such as had been plundered, there was no booty made, and it will be advisable to recur to this mode of acting, and not by partial plunder to put ourselves in some measure on a footing with the savages, who have little object in their irruptions into our Districts beyond the plunder of the Golonial herds.
His Excellency has no doubt but that you will find it easier now to expel the Gaffers who since Lt.-Golonel Brereton's return have invaded Albany and committed the most dreadful excesses, than it was at former periods. The circumstances of the country are much changed. When the Gaffers were with so much difficulty expelled the Zuurveld, they possessed the Fastnesses of that great and strong District ; they had been long in the occupation of the country they had invaded; they had families and their cattle there, and every inducement to make them cling to the soil as long as possible ; now they are merely passengers in it, they have neither their property nor their families, and nothing to induce them to remain beyond the spirit of hostility which has caused their entering it.
It will become a question when you shall have expelled them, whether to follow them or not into their own country, and this question must in some measui:^ be decided by circumstances.
154 Records of the Cape Colony,
His Excellency deprecates fruitless hostility, as much as he does a system of revcDge. The generality of incursions from the Colony have not had the effect of coming up with any body of Gaffers and of decidedly shewing that savage race the great superiority of European Troops. The importance of punishing TSambie is very great, and if upon the retreat of these Marauders from the Zuurveld there is a reasonable prospect by a prompt and decisive blow to attain this object, His Excellency will assent to the opportunity being seized; but it is only with the view of forcing this marauder with his principal adherents across the Keiskamma and of restoring to Gaika and his chiefs who remained faithful to him the lands on the left bank of the Great Fish Eiver, that His Excellency is induced to do so.
If the attainment of this object is not feasible. His Excellency is of opinion that it will be more advisable to temporize than by a few partial injuries to rouse and foment the spirit of retaliation and revenge^ always prominent sentiments in the breasts of savages.
It will then be your object to protect and strengthen Gaika by concerting with him and establishing his own immediate residence so near to a strong part of ours adequately secured (for in intercourse with savages it is always essential to exert the greatest vigilance) to be chosen by you, as shall protect him from personal danger, and at the same time admit of his gradually exerting himself to regain the ground he has lost. Whatever therefore he may want and we can conveniently supply him with should be given to him, and the Chiefs who are in his interest, or who can be brought over to his interest, should be, as far as possible, by promises and conciliating presents induced to give him their support.
So soon as he shall be established under your own immediate protection. His Excellency thinks it will be advisable that Mr. Brownlee should be directed to take up his residence with him. Upon the death of Mr. Williams (who had been a resident Missionary near Gaika's kraals and who had made himself much liked by Gaika to whom he was personally useful) Gaika applied to have a successor sent to him, and His Excellency selected Mr. Brownlee for the purpose of affording Gaika's people such instructions as they might be desirous of obtaining. A copy .of Mr. Brownlee's instructions was sent to Lt.-Colonel Brereton,
Records of the' Cape Colony. 155
and from him you will receive it and learn the importance of having a confidential person with that Chief, there being no other mode of communication entirely to be depended upon.
Should Gaika wish to have any of his sons educated in the Colony, His Excellency will gladly avail himself of the oppor- tunity of procuring their instruction and take charge of them for that purpose, placing them under the care of the Moravian Missionaries to effect it. Such a measure should be suggested to him at a convenient opportunity, for His Excellency has more hopes of ejecting permanent change in the disposition of the body of Caffers towards us, by introducing among them moral and religious sentiments and the first principles of civilization, than by any other measure that can be pursued. If by these measures Gaika can gradually regain the power of which he has been stripped, and if we at the same time can continue to encourage him in sentiments of friendship and justice to the Colony, we shall have attained a most important end, by means honourable and benevolent, and certainly by means which are deserving an attempt.
His Excellency considers that notwithstanding the disasters which have occurred, much has already been effected under the system he laid down by the acknowledgment of a large proportion of the savages of the justice of the principles upon which we have endeavoured to act, insomuch that even at this moment the position of Gaika at the Kakaberg at the head of 7000 armed men has had the effect of protecting the district of Graaff Reinet from plunder and devastation, and His Excellency pleases himself in foreseeing in this strong and chosen Band the elements of a future friendly and extended intercourse with our Caffer neighbours.
Thus far then His Excellency has endeavoured to point out the line to be adopted towards the Caffers in circumstances which had not been foreseen when the general instructions for Lieut.-Colonel Brereton were prepared, but it remains for him to point out the interior changes which appear to him to be necessary under the circumstances which have taken place. Deprived unfortunately as the coimtry is of cavalry, the only arm which could with certainty repress the marauding system of our neighbours. His Excellency is of opinion that the chain of small posts is no longer sufficiently secure and useful for the purpose for which they were originally intended when established with the view of acting in concert with
156 Records of the Cape Colony,
Dragoons. It does not appear to His Excellency that these posts are either sufficiently strong for protection or aggression, and consequently that the line as now posted cannot do more than protect itself against attack, for which even some of the stations are barely sufficient.
Under these circumstances His Excellency would recommend breaking up the smaller posts for the purpose of strengthening the remainder, and he is of opinion that every post retained should be of such strength as to be able securely to send out a detach- ment to the next station in case of necessity, and leave a sufficient number within for its efficient protection in case of attack.
He has already pointed out to you the necessity of each station being enclosed, as well as the nature of the ground upon which it is placed will allow, whether by Wall, Fallisading, or by such other means as circumstances shaU admit, and His Excellency only repeats it here for the purpose of observing that he does not think the walls of the buildings themselves adequate protection against clandestine attempts to set fire to the thatches, and thus that the walls or enclosures in question should be at an adequate distance from the building where practicable.
His Excellency would gladly see the practicability of estab- lishing the system of signals from right to left of the front line, which he formerly directed, each signal post being protected by its adjacent station, and thus by rapid communication ensure adequate and mutual support His Excellency is further of opinion that a. force should always be at ^Graham's Town sufficient to act ofiensively, without loss of time, and thus that whatever of regular cavalry can be collected should be stationed at that point, while if it be not practicable to feed the other horses there, some secure pasturage should be selected for the cantonment of the party which shall have charge of the horses which are to continue to be appropriated to the speedy mounting of the men of the Cape Infantry.
His Excellency desires me to express his great anxiety that at all times the greatest protection be given to the provision depot at the Government farm in Bruintjes Hoogte, as his Excellency is certain you will not fail to appreciate the great importance of not risking the possibility of an accident happening in that quarter. I have &c.
(Signed) G. J. KoGEKS, Military Secretary.
Records of the Cape Colony, J 57
[Office Copy.] Letter fr&in Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
London, \fi March 1819.
My Lord, — His Eoyal Highness The Prince Eegent having been pleased to confer upon Henry Ellis, Esqre., the bearer of this dispatch, the Office of Deputy Secretary at the Cape of Good Hope, vacant by the promotion of Mr. Bird to the Office of Secretary to the Colony, I do myself the honor of introducing him to your Lordship's favor and protection, and have to desire that Your Lordship will on his arrival in the Colony place him in the execution of the duties of that Office and of the subordinate Appointments latterly attached to it, and in the enjoyment of all such Salary and emoluments as were received by his predecessor in those Situations. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Copy.] Letter from Major Eogers to Lieutenant Colonel Willshire.
GoYEBNMXNT HousB, Hdnh 2nd 1819.
Sir, — My letter of the 25th ultimo having, His Excellency trusts, put you into full possession of the general policy to be pursued re- garding our relations with the Cafifers and the ultimate and perma- nent security of our Borders, His Excellency has directed me, with a view of aiding your judgment after the Cafifers shall have been driven beyond the Frontier, to transmit to you an outline of a plan (enclosed herein) which His Excellency has formed for entering Cafiferland and enforcing submission from the Cafifers, if it should be thought expedient to proceed into Cafiferland after the expulsion of those Tribes beyond the Fish river. The expediency of it however His Excellency desires me to repeat, must be well weighed before it is undertaken, in communication with the Magistrates of the Frontier Districts (Lt. Colonel Cuyler, Mr, Stockenstrom, and Major Eraser) who are best judges of the time necessary to crush the enemy ; for nothing mtcst be risked,
I have &c,*
(Signed) G. J. Eogers, Military Secretary.
158 Records of the Cape Colony,
[Enclosure in the above.] Plan.
Gaika to be directed to keep his people quiet at the Eakaberg, and not to be allowed to stir from thence ; this must be rigidly attended to.
All cattle which may during the operations fall into the hands of our force (except those required for provision) to be sent to Gaika to be (after submission shall have been made by the hostile chiefs) restored in his name to those \(ho submit to him.
On no account to let Gftika's people or any Gaffers whatever mingle with, or hover round the invading Force.
The force for the advance into Cafferland to consist of at least 1500 mounted men (including the Colonial troop and mounted men of the Colonial infantry), 300 infantry, and four guns.
This Force to enter Cafferland at three different points, say Left Division with 500 Mounted Men with ten days' provisions, from the Winterberg ; Bight Division of the same strength and equally provisioned, from Kaffers Drift; Centre Division, amounting to 500 men mounted, 300 infantry, and 4 pieces of artillery, with stores, provisions, ammunition, and camp equipage, from De Bruin's, Wentzel Coester's, or Junction Drift (as shall hereafter be deemed best) to proceed to a central point of Bendezvous, which will of course be selected from the security of its position against the attacks of such an enemy, to be fixed upon in corn- munication with the Magistrates of the Frontier Districts, whose local knowledge will also assist Lieut. Col. Willshire in deter- mining upon the point at which the Central Division shall enter Cafferland.
The place of Eendezvous is to form a Dep6t during the whole of the operations in Cafferland, and is to be strengthened by eveiy means as far as time will allow.
The flank divisions on arriving in Cafferland will scour the <;ountry before them until they respectively arrive at the Depot or central point of Bendezvous. After the flank divisions shall have joined the central one, the operations must entirely be guided by circumstances and the information obtained. But the Force must remain in Cafferland until submission be enforced. It is to be presumed that when the flank divisions shall arrive at the
Records of the Cape Colony^
159
place of Eendezvous, the central division will have reposed. It will therefore be wise to relieve the most exhausted of the flank divisions by an equal number from the central division.
The terms to be required from the Caffers must be the giving up all deserters, whether whites or blacks; the restoration of all fire-arms, and an acknowledgment of Gaika's superiority; TSambie, Congo, and Lynx to remove their kraals beyond the Keiskamma ; no blacks to be suffered hereafter between the Fish river and a supposed line continued to the sea from where the Ghonap inclines towards the Fish river. The Magistrates of the Frontier Districts will be able probably to specify a line better than it can here be described.
During these operations a force must be retained at Graham's Town, Bautenbach's drift (which commands the Sand flats and is therefore well situated for observation), Eaffers drift, Junction drift, Eoode Wal, and Somerset Farm ; at the latter place the force must be strong, and one gun may be advantageously placed there.
The points of retreat in case of necessity should be Graham's Town, Addas drift and Uitenhage, Somerset farm, and finally Graaff Seinet.
The probable force will be :
Graaff Beinet
Uitenhage
George.
Swellendam
Tulb^h
Stellenbosch
Cape •
Cape Corps mounted
Colonial Troop
Total Mounted
Hoyal Artillery
38th, 72nd, and R. A. Corps
Hottentots discharged from the Cape B^ment whose services will be required and for whom arms are sent • • • • •
400 Mounted Burghers
|
300 |
Do. |
|
260 |
Do. |
|
300 |
Do. |
|
300 |
Do. |
|
200 |
Do. |
|
100 |
Do. |
|
155 |
|
|
65 |
|
|
2p70 |
|
|
32 |
|
|
1100 Regular Infantry |
150
Grand Total
3,352
160 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.]
Extract from a Letter of the Landdrost of Uitenhage
to the Colonial Secretary.
UrnEVHAOB, 15 March 1819.
Sir, — I have the honor to inform you that the patrol sent into the Zunrberg as mentioned in my last have returned, and the Commandant Muller reports not having discovered a single Kaffer or even the fresh trace of one.
I naturally conclude from the time the Kaffers have had and meeting with no opposition on their return, that they have all got into their own country with their plunder, which I sincerely regret, as I would have wished a force could have been detached to have cut off their retreat. There appears to me nothing now left but that they should be made to suffer for their murderous conduct, in their own Country; that the limits of our country should extend, or rather that the settlement of the Kaffers should be confined to the other side of the Keiskama, and not one, not even Gaika, suffered to remain on this side of that line. It is too evident from Mr. Ulbrecht's letter which I had the honor to forward under cover of my last to you, that Congo's people were amongst the last depredators. The residence of this chief im- mediately facing the Post Caffer's drift you must be acquainted with, and to shew his cunning I annex the Extract of a. letter from B. Major Page just received.
" Gkabam'Ib Town, March 120k 1819.
"Our neighbours are at present very quiet. Congo sent a messenger to Upper Caffer^s drift some days since, desiring to be acquainted with the news of the day."
LCopy.]
Letter from the Bevebend Mb. Andebson to the Landdrost of Oraaff Beinet.
Gbiqua Town, 24fft March 1819.
Sib, — Tour letter of the 2nd February with the enclosed pro- clamation from His Excellency the Oovemor I did not get before
Records of the Cape Colony. 161
the 9th inst. It was with pleasing surprize I read them, since the disordered state in which you found things here, the great want of civil order which presented itself, and the evident necessity of some serious measures being adopted to prevent the apparent evils which seem to threaten, having given me since your departure many anxious moments, fearing lest the strict measures required to be used as a remedy against those evils might have a tendency to check our Missionary exertions towards evangelizing the heathen here, and in the more remote parts of the interior, than with a feeling sense of gratitude, I acknowledge the kindness of God in his providence, that His Excellency has been directed to adopt measures so wisely calculated to remedy those evils, while not the smallest hindrance presents itself to the injury of the Missionary cause, and I do believe your kind inter- position has attributed to this pleasing event.
I shall do all I can to impress the minds of the people with a sense of the benevolent plan adopted by His Excellency, and caution them against all insinuations which may be advanced to the contrary, as opportunity offers I shall make known to the neighbo^ tribes the kind offers made to tiiem.
I have not yet been able to satisfy myself as to the minds of the people on the subject, a few approve, many seem not to like the check to their liberty. It was a day or two before I received your letter that some who are leading men among them went to Lattakoe, on their return I will have them together and hear what seasons of the year will be best suited, I think myself twice a year .is sufficient, and think the months of April and September will answer the best. I shall as soon as possible forward you another letter on these points.
Since your departure I have been endeavouring to get things on a better footing, in a few instances I have succeeded, though in general much is still wanting, the partial reformation induced me to allow a few to go to the Colony. This was before the receipt of your letter.
On the 8th of October a most horrid murder was committed here, the murderer was brought to this place, it was my opinion he should be carried into the Colony, the people on the contrary would have him executed here, the principal reason they assigned was it would • have a deeper impression upon the minds of the peopla I told them I had no authority to give my sanction, but
XII. M
162 Records of the Cape Colony^
I should submit. His execution took place on the 27th, when he was hanged publicly in the presence of a large number of people.
Lately I was well informed that C. Buys had been on a commando against a tribe of Briquas called the Macqueen, had killed a number of the people, but had not plundered much cattle.
I have &c.
(Signed) W. Anderson, Missionary.
[Original.] Letter from John Barrow, Esqre., to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
Admtrat.ty OinoB, 26A Marth 1819.
Sir, — In reference to your letter of the 12th Instant, upon the subject of a requisition made by the Collector and Comptroller upon the Agent Victualler at the Cape of Good Hope, that general permits should in future be taken out for all Victualling Stores landed or shipped for the use of that Department, I have it in command &om my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you herewith the copy of a letter from Mr, Bicknell, their Lord- ships' solicitor, on the above subject, and to desire that you will lay the same before the Earl Bathurst, requesting that his Lord- ship will, if he sees no objection, give direction agreeably with Mr. Bicknell's opinion contained in his abovementioned letter.
I have &c.
(Signed) John Barrow.
[Enclosure.]
Sfbing Gabdkn TsRBAGi, 24(% Marek 1819.
Sir,- -In obedience to the directions of my Lords Commissioners of the Aimiralty signified to me in your letter of the 13th instant, (inclosing x letter from the Victualling Board, with the transcript of one from Sir Jahleel Brenton, the resident Commissioner of the Navy, at the Oape of Good Hope, accompanied with the copy of a correspondenct he had had with the Governor, upon the subject of a requisition made by the Collector and Comptroller upon the
Becords of the Cape Colony, 163
Victualling Agent, that Greneral Permits should in future be taken out for all Victualling Stores landed or shipped for the use of that Department, and enclosing also a letter from Mr. Goulbum on the subject) that I should give my opinion on the legal question, how far the construction given to the Acts of Parliament referred to, is correct; I take the liberty to acquaint you for their Lordships' information, that I have perused and considered the several papers abovementioned, and inspected the two Acts of Parliament of the 13 and 14 Car. 2nd Ch. 11, 7th and 8th William 3rd Ch. 22 (which I apprehend are the Acts referred to), and am humbly of opinion, that the said Acts, or either of them, do not require that permits should be taken out for Stores landed or shipped at the Cape of Gk)od Hope, on account of the Victualling Department there ; the first mentioned Act (Sec. 3) Enacts ''that no Captain, Master, Purser, or other person taking charge of a ship or vessel (whether of His Majesty or a foreign state or otherwise) shall suffer to be laden on board such Ship or Vessel any English goods, wares, or merchandi^ to be exported to parts beyond the Seas, nor the Captain, Master, Purser, &c. of any Ship or Vessel wherein any goods &c. shall have been laden or brought from the Ports beyond the Seas, shall unload or suffer to be discharged any such goods &c. without first delivering upon Oath to the Officers of the Customs the names of the Merchants or Laders of the goods together with the numbers and marks, quantities and qualities of the goods &c., and that every such Captain &c. shall be liable to all searches, and other rules, which Merchant Ships are subject to by the usage of His Majesty's Custom House (Victualling Bill and entering excepted) upon pain of forfeiting £100, and on refusal to make such entries, as well outwards as inwards, the Custom House Officers are authorized to enter every such Ship or Vessel, and bring away all prohibited or uncustomed goods." The Act of the 7th and 8th William 3rd Ch. 22, Sect. 6, Enacts, that Ships and Vessels of the above- mentioned description, coming into or going out of the Plantations shall be subject to the same rules, visitations, searches, penalties and forfeitures, as are contained in the aforegoing clause of the Act King Charles, but the introductory words of the said 6th Section confine its operation to the Plantation Trade in America, and there is no clause in the last mentioned Act which can by any construction extend it to other quarters of the Globe, unless the 4th Section can be so construed, which requires " the Governor
M 2
164 Records of the Cape Colony,
and Commander in Chief of jany English Colonies of Plantations to take an Oath to do their utmost tliat ail the clauses contained in the several Acts thereinbefore recited or referred to, (one of which is the said Act of the lith and lUh Car. 2) and in that present Act (7th and 8th WUliam 3rd) be punctually and bona fide observed, according to the true intent and meaning thereof, but as the above quoted clause from the 13th and 14th Car. 2 is by the Act King WiUiam expressly extended to the Plantations in Arnerica, I humbly apprehend the same cannot by implication be extended to any Plantation in Asia or Africa under the general wording of the clause, requiring the Governor to take Oaths &c., and therefore upon the whole, I am humbly inclined to be of opinion (with great deference to the construction which appears to have been put on these Acts at the Cape) that such construction is not correct. I am &c.
(Signed) Chas. Bicenell.
[Copy.]
Letter frojn the Comptroller of Customs to the Colonial Secretary,
Custom Housb, Gapk Town, 2Qih March 1819.
Sir, — I have the honour of requesting the favor of you to lay this letter hefa^ His Excellency the Govemor for his consideration on a subject which most materially affects my interest.
I made seizure four months since of Seven hundred (sic) gun- powder illicitly landed in this Bay, I brought the case before the usual Court, who confiscated the Gunpowder for the benefit of the parties concerned. I requested to have possession of my propor- tion of the seizure, I was informed that under the Law I was not entitled to the gunpowder itself, but to my share of the proceeds. I desired that it might be sold for exportation for my benefit, I was told that so much gunpowder could not be permitted to be exported, but it was proposed to me and assented to by me that the gunpowder should b^ sold for colonial use by the r^ular Officer, and that I should receive quarterly my proportion of ihe proceeds. Belying on this and regarding these proceeds, thus realised, to be as clearly my property as any other thing which I possessed, I made arrangements accordingly.
Records of the Cape Colony, 165
The Proclamation of October 1814 orders the process against Seizure to take place in three days incases of confiscation the Sentence to be sent on the day to the Insolvent Chamber, in order that the Sale may appear in the Two Gazettes subsequent to adjudication and take place without delay, and the proceeds in every case after deducting expenses to be lodged in the Lombard Bank for the benefit of the Parties ultimately interested therein, according to Law and the present usage, after a period of three, months.
The Law and present usage appoints the confiscation to be equally divided between Government, the Fiscal, and the Seizer, who become in virtue of this condemnation (which is complete and final, as there was no appeal) the only persons ultimately interested. I have therefore applied to the Sequestrator, who declares his ignorance of the whole matter.
Learning therefore the produce of this last Quarter's Sale of the Gunpowder to be in the Bank at the disposal of the proper person, I have most humbly to request the favor of His Excellency to order it to be paid over to the parties to whom it has been con- demned. My title to that which I solicit is incontrovertible, adjudged to me by the Law of this Land, against which no appecd wi Tntered. I L not impUcated in aky opinionB of the sLd of Ordnance or of any other which can alone affect their Of&cers. My business rests on the same ground as does a decision in the Exchequer not carried by appeal to the Lords, there is no power in the English Constitution strong enough to stand between such a verdict and its execution.
I do therefore tho' humbly yet confidently request that His Excellency will do me the favor to order that to be immediately paid over to me which is my just due by the final judgment of the Ciourt of Law of this Colony.
Seasons of safety and of policy might make it necessary to dispense with the Law and to refuse to the Seizing Of&cer, or to the Sequestrator, the possession of so much gunpowder; but no necessity can exist to stop from the parties that part of the pro- ceeds which is realised and to which they are now fully and legally entitled. I have &c.
(Signed) W» Wilberforce Bird,
Comptroller of Customs.
166 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original.]
Letter from R. Lushington, Esqre., to Henry
GouLBURN, Esqre.
Tbbasubt GHAHBiBBfly ZOfh Morch 1819.
Sir,— I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of His Majestjr's Treasury to refer yoti to a letter of this Board of the 29th of August last, acquainting you, for theanformation of Lord Bathurst, that it did not appear from the account current of the Commissariat Officer at the Cape of Good Hope to the 24th of October 1817, that any sums, arising from the Colonial Bevenue, had up to that period been brought in aid of the expenditure of that station. I am commanded by their Lordships to desire that you will acquaint Lord Bathurst that since the date of their Lordships' letter before mentioned, they have had before them some later accounts from the officer in charge of the Commissariat at the Cape, in which they observe that a sum of 90,000 Eix Dollars in Paper Currency was received from the Colonial Govern- ment in January last in aid of the Public Expenditure at that Station. I am &c.
(Signed) R Lushington.
LCopy.J Letter from the Colonial Secretary to the Comptroller of Customs.
OoLONiAL Offiob, Slst Mcmk 1819.
Sir, — I am directed by His Excellency the Governor to acknow- ledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th instant, and in reply to acquaint you that it is not His Excellency's intention to endeavour to controvert the Statement you have submitted to him, altho' he does not admit its correctness in every part. His Excel- lency confines himself solely to the fact that the Gunpowder seized and condemned by the Court of Justice, to which you refer, could not in consequence of that condemnation have been either sold for consumption here, or for exportation, consistently with the Laws and Regulations of this place, and that under such circumstances the step which His Excellency has taken, and which may be con-
Records of the Cape Colowy. 167
sidered as having delayed the execution of the Law, has been one by which the Parties claiming under the Sentence, may be bene* fitted but cannot ultimately be injured. The step to which His Excellency desires me to refer being one which is extrajudicial, and one for which therefore he is personally responsible, His Excellency does not consider that he should be called upon to distribute the proceeds which have been collected under it until such time as the sanction of His Majesty's (rovemment, before which the case is, is obtained thereto. If a contrary course is insisted upon, His Excellency will be under the necessity of officially interposing his authority to stop the sale (although under execution) of an article which is, as I have before alluded to, not distributable either for consumption or exportation by Law.
I have &c.
(Signed) C. Bird.
[Copy.]
Letter from the Beverend Mr. Anderson to the Landdrost
of Oraaff Reinet,
GBIQT7A Towv, 12^ At^ 1819.
Sir, — My Letter of the 24th March in answer to yours of the 2nd February I forwarded to the first fieldcomet at Sneeuwberg. I then promised as soon as possible to send you an answer more decisive relative to the seasons of the year for the market, with a list of some articles.
Having now explained to the people the object of His Excellency as to the plan proposed to the tribes beyond the boundaries and convinced them of the necessity of such regulations, they appeared satisfied, as also with the months I stated for the market, only they requested me to solicit you. Sir, to hold the market this year on Wednesday the 4th of August, having not been for a consider- able time in the Colony to relieve their necessities. This I promised to do, and hope you will be pleased to favor them on this point.
As you wished me to send you a Ust of such articles I might think would be acceptable, I have accordingly sent the enclosed.
168 JSeeords of the Cape Colony.
Be pleased. Sir, to favour me with an answer as to the holding the market this year on the 4th of August, that I may be able to inform the people. I have &c.
(Signed) Wm. Anderson, Missionary.
P.S. — ^A huge quantity of Ivory I expect will be brought to the Market, for which many will like to have money, being indebted.
[Enclosure.]
A list of Articles required for the use and comfort of the People beyond the Border.
CiiOitoNG. — Hats, Cloth for Jackets, Calicos, Checks, Prints, Striped Cotton, Blue Handkerchiefs, Metal Buttons.
Fob Agbicultukb. — Plough Shares, Spades, Large Hoes.
Common Tools. — Hatchets, Hammers, Adzes, Common Size Chisels, Do. Planes, Files, Elnives (Boslemmers), Forks.
Various. — Beads the size of a large Pea, colour Blue, White and Black, Iron Pots of different sizes. Basons, Tea, Padlocks, Brass Tinder Boxes and Steels.
[Copy.] letter from Mrs. A, Schmitt to the Landdrost of Uitenhage.
WiTTE BiYiB, April Uth 1819.
Dear Sir, — ^Excuse the hasty way in which I write; our circumstances compel me to it. We had hope that the Com- mando who have been here would help us with regard to the Kaffers; but alas! we have to-day experienced a more severe attack than before. All our Cattle are gone and Bi^lU of our best men murdered, not far from our house on the road to Coumey. We request that you will let us know as soon as possible what we can da Would we flee, we have no oxen: eight Guns have the Kaffers and eight of our best men, I have just heard nine. Do pray send us help as soon as possible. The 2 men that have escaped tell me the number of the Kaffers far exceeds what was last here. Pray help usj we find ourselves
Becords of the Cape Colony. 169
surrounded with women crying for their husbands and children for their Fathers. I remain in haste.
(Signed) A. Schmitt.
N.B. The Hottentot who brought this letter stated nine Hottentots to be murdered and 7 guns taken by the Kaffers.
(Signed) J. G. C.
[Copy.]
Letter fram the Landdrost of Uitenhage to the
Colonial Secretary.
UiTENBAOi, ll(k April 1819.
Sir, — ^I have the honor to forward for your information the copy of a letter &om Mrs. Schmitt, wife of the Principal missionary at Wit Siver, stating the depredations committed by the Kaffers on their settlement on the 14th Inst. The commando alluded to in her letter were the Zwellendam people under the Commandant linde ; linde had gone in the Zuurberg, the day before the Kaffers committed the murder, in person with one hundred men, and the rest of his people with the waggons had gone to Coumey, pro- ceeding on to Graham's Town. linde sent off the day previous to his reaching Wit Eiver to inform me where he was and that he wished to halt with his Commando at Sweetmilks Fontyn, and asking a supply of ammunition which I sent him as per enclosed letter to him. Mr. Theunis's letter, also inclosed, will inform you further the proceedings of the Commandant Linde.
The Uitenhage people, from this part of the district, intended for the Commando, were just assembled there when I received Mrs. Schmitt's report, and I hastened to dispatch them in a Body tinder Commandant MuUer to the relief of the people of Wit Eiver, and clear that part of the Country of Kaffers ; I directed four span of oxen to be taken to the Institution, to bring out the Families and effects of that unfortunate Society to this placa
I have further to inclose a report irom Mr. Backer of Bethelsdorp of the 12th Inst, reporting that the Kaffers had stolen cattle from them, on the receipt of which I dispatched a Party of armed Hottentots to follow the Traces, and a mounted Party of In-
170 Records of the Cape Colony.
habitants to cut oflf the roads crossing the Sunday's river, and I am happy to state, that after a pursuit of about 40 Miles, the mounted party overtook the Kaffers, shot one of them, and got back 42 Head of Cattle.
On the 15th the Kaffers got possession of a span of oxen belonging to the part of the Commando lying in the Coega, near this, which was followed up, and three out of 5 Kaffers, who were driving the oxen, killed.
On the 14th the Kaffers stole about 40 head of cattle and 3 or 4 horses from the Post Ado's drift, after which there is a Party of 20 Mounted Farmers who have not yet returned.
I have also the honor to transmit herewith a report from the Field Cornet Bekker from Eiet Eiver, that country lying north of the Zuurberg, by which you will see the Kaffers have com- mitted several severe depredations in his cometcy. I have also received reports of upwards of 100 head of cattle being stolen on the 12th from the Farmers residing at Hartebeest Fontyn, the post on the road to Graaff Eeinet. I have &c.
(Signed) J. G. Cuyler.
P.S. I regret to have to inform you that the horse sickness has shewn itself to some excess in this Quarter.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
London, 20^ April 1819.
My Lord, — I have received and laid before the Prince Eegent your Lordship's dispatch of the 28th December of last year detailing the arrangements which you had made with a view to carry into effect, in the most beneficial Manner, that limited encrease of official Salaries at the Cape of Good Hope which I had authorised in my Communication of the 3rd of May 1818.
His Boyal Highness has commanded me to express his entire Approbation of the several Measures which your Lordship has adopted, and is happy to find that the result of your attention
Records of the Cwpe Colony. 171
to this subject has been to afford relief to a greater number of Civil Servants than were pointed out in my dispatch, without incurring a charge beyond that which His Boyal Highness had originally contemplated.
The Prince Begent has been also pleased to approve of the reasons which induced your Lordship to decline carrying into e£fect the reduction of the number of Members of the Orphan Chamber or of the Bank, suggested for your consideration.
With reference to the other parts of your Lordship's dispatch I need not, 1 trust, assure your Lordship that His Boyal Highness will be ever ready to attend as far as Circumstances will admit to your Lordship's Eepresentation on behalf of other Civil Servants, convinced from your Lordship's imiform attention to the pecuniary interests of the Colony that no measures of encreased expenditure will be recommended by your Lordship for which there do not appear to you to be substantial grounds. His Boyal Highness indeed will be no longer inclined to withhold his Approbation from the Measure originally proposed by you, if it shall be found consistent with the Assignment for the Military purposes of the Colony of a fair proportion of its Means without imposing any additional burthen on the Inhabitants.
In compliance with the wish communicated in your Lordship's dispatch, I have brought under His Boyal Highness's particular Consideration the Memorial of the late President of the Board of Insolvent Estates, Mr. Bergh, and I have much pleasure in acquainting you that His Boyal Highness considers his Claim to remuneration to be of so peculiar a nature as to authorise a compliance with the prayer of his Memorial for a continuance of his Salary, until a Vacancy shall occur in some other branch of the Civil Establishment, where your Lordship may deem it advisable to avail yourself of his experience and his appointment to which will meet with His Boyal Highness's entire Acquiescence.
I have &c.
(Signed) Bathubst,
172" Records of the Cape Colony.
LOffice Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathubst to Lord Charles Somerset.
London, 200^ AprU 1819.
My Lord, — I have had the honor to receive and lay before The Prince Eegent your Lordship's dispatch No. 17, announcing the resignation of the Bevd. Mr. Vos, and stating that you had appointed the Bevd. Mr. Thorn as his successor.
I am commanded to acquaint your Lordship that His Boyal Highness entirely approves the Measure which your Lordship has adopted to supply the Vacancy that had thus occurred in the Colonial Church.
I have also to inform Your Lordship that I will not fail to procure from Scotland Ministers properly qualified to supply the Vacancies in the Colony, although firom the necessity which exists that they should understand the Dutch Language, some difficulty and delay must intervene. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Henry Goulburn, Esqre., to Lord Charles Somerset.
London, Wh AprU 1819.
My Lord, — I transmit herewith to your Lordship a List of persons (nineteen in number) who are about to embaric as settlers at the Cape of Good Hope where they will be under the direction of Mr. Tait who is already in the Colony.
This Gentleman's brotiier has made a deposit of JB190, being at the rate of ten Pounds for each family ; this Sum they will be entitled to receive on their being duly located on the lands assigned to them, and Your Lordship will, therefore, be pleased to draw a Bill on my Under Secretary for the amount.
I have &c.
(Signed) Henry Goulburn.
Records of the Cape Colony. 173
[Copy.]
Letter from the Comptroller of Customs to the
Colonial Secretary,
Custom Housb, Cafb Towk, 2\$t AprU 1819.
Sm, — ^An imusual press of business has prevented my acknow- ledging the honor of your letter of the 31st Ultimo on the subject of the seized gunpowder, and I feel obliged to His Excellency for having taken any extrajudicial step in that business, which may be considered to be ultimately beneficial to the parties, but I also consider the seizure to be substantially and irrevocably vested in us by the Law, and that there can be no cause for the sanction of His Majesty's Government (before whom I understand by your letter the case is) tho' no appeal having been made, I know not how it could get there.
With regard to the Parties insisting on the usual course, in which case you state it to be His Excellency's intention to inter- pose his authority to stop the sale of the Gunpowder, I hope it is unnecessary for me to say that no personal interest, however important, could force me to a proceeding objectionable to that Government I so much respect, and which would induce it to suspend the acknowledged Law of the Colony by the operation of its prerogative.
I know of no Law (tho' I may be mistaken) and I have inquired with due diligence, prohibiting the sale of Gunpowder. I see the Proclamation of the 13th September 1806, in which it is forbidden to sell gunpowder to any inhabitant without a certificate firom the Landdrost that it is for defence and wild beasts, &c., &c., but I cannot persuade myself that this is other than a Law of Police, and not a restriction on Gunpowder as a branch of Commerce or as an article illicitly landed and condemned to be confiscated ; but granting that this Law did exist in 1806, the subsequent Pro- clamation of the 21st October 1813 annuls it, for that Law declares that all goods when condemned to be confiscated shall be sold by the Insolvent Chamber within a few days and the proceeds after three months paid over to the Parties. This Law does not except gunpowder, and that which is not excepted is universally known to be included in the operation of every Law.
I therefore hope that I shall not be thought disrespectful or
174 Records of the Gape Colony.
presumptuous in my expectation that His Excellency will be pleased to see this matter in a different point of view and that He, upon further consideration, will give force and effect to the decision of the Court of Law of this Colony which has declared that the seven hundred barrels of gunpowder were illicitly landed and to be confiscated for the benefit of the Parties interested, and that His Excellency will also give force and effect to his own Law of the 21st October 1813, which orders all seizures when condemned to be distributed at the end of three months to the parties ultimately interested therein. La illustration of this, I beg leave to remark that all articles condemned in the Exchequer, however contraband in their nature, are uniformly sold by Public Sale for the benefit of the Parties concerned in the Seizure.
I request the favor of you therefore to lay these circumstances before His Excellency the Governor with my prayer that, as He has been pleased to take an extrajudicial step in causing the gunpowder to be sold by the Ordnance Storekeeper, He will permit me to be benefitted by that step in a receipt of that portion of the proceeds to which I am entitled by the verdict of the Court of Law and by the usage of the Colony. I have &c.
(Signed) W. Wilberforce Bird,
Comptroller of Customs.
[Copy.]
Letter from the Colonial Secretary to the Comptroller of CiLstoms.
Colonial Officb, 21st April 1819.
Sir, — The object of my letter of the 31st ultimo was to point out to you the measures which His Excellency the Governor had taken which were likely to be ultimately beneficial to you in the matter to which your application related. His Excellency did not therefore expect to receive from you a letter of the nature of the one I have now put before him, which is in most respects irrelevant to the circumstances pending.
There is but one mode of reply to your present communication, and that is by informing you that His Excellency will not by any act of his incur the responsibility attached to authorizing a dis-
Records of the Cape Colony, 175
tribution of the proceeds of Gunpowder sold under his direction, now lodged in the Bank. And as this is the only part of this case which at present rests with His Excellency, he has nothing to remark on your further reasonings and observations. I have &c.
(Signed) C. Bird.
[Copy.J
Letter from the Landdrost of Uitenhage to the
Colonial Secretary.
UiTBNHAGB, 24fA April 1819.
Sir, — I have the honor to report that the Missionaries from the Wit Eiver, with all their people, about 150 men, women, and children, are now here; having abandoned for the present the Wit Eiver, and have brought out most of their transportable property ; what is left at the place is mostly materials preparatory to Buildings, &c. It is their intention and wish if all goes well to return to it, as Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt and all the Hottentots are much attached to the place. I have done all in my power to make their situation as comfortable to them as circumstances would admit of. It is their intention to be useful, to work at their different trades here in the YiUage, and make their people work ; though before such can be commenced, having had to send in twice to get out their effects &c., and not having the present means of subsistence, I authorised the people receiving rations here of bread and meat, which I hope His Excellency may please to approve of; so soon as they are settled and their trades set going, they wiU be able I trust to support themselves. How far the widows and orphans of those unfortunate 9 men who were murdered, may seem to His Lordship to demand a support Irom Grovemment, I should hope, through you, to be informed; they are, at the present crisis, objects worthy of compassion, and their Brethren here, belonging to the same Society, robbed of their cattle and present means of support, not able to lend any aid ; but I hope in a short time to be able to report they are all able to support themselves and distressed belonging to their community that fled from the Wit Biver. I have &c.
(Signed) J. G. Cutler.
176 Eecords of the Cape Colony.
[OriginaL] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Gapb of Good Hofb, AprU 25ih 1819.
My Lord, — Private affairs of a very urgent nature compel me to solicit your Lordship to obtain for me His Boyal Highness the Prince Begent's most gracious permission to return to England for a short period quitting this place about January next.
As I shall at that time have been upwards of six years absent from England and as I have been gratified more than once by your Lordship's assurance that my administration of this Govern- ment has received the flattering approbation of His Boyal High- ness the Prince Begent, I trust I may hope for your Lordship's kind offices in obtaining for me an indulgence which nothing but the most pressing family circumstances would have induced me to solicit. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Cafb of Gkx)D Hope, AprU 25th 1819.
My dear Lord, — ^The great anxiety I am under on account of my eldest daughter's ill state of health (who is advi/sed for the recovery of it to return to Europe) has compelled me to solicit in the most anxious manner possible Your Lordship's kind inter- ference to procure me the Prince Begent's gracious permission to return to England for a short period.
With a view to avoid intruding any detail of my private concerns on Your Lordship, I have availed myself of the oppor- tunity which has offered (whilst thanking Lady Bathurst for a letter I had the pleasure to receive from her yester&ay) of entering more fully with her upon this subject, and she will, I am sure, be kind enough to explain my distress most fully to you, and I con- fidently trust that Your Lordship will imder these circumstances endeavour to obviate every difficulty should any present itself to my request being acceded to.
Records of the Cape ColoriTf, 177
I beg to assure Your Lordship that 1 shall be ready to return here the moment you call upon me to do so, my object being merely to convey my daughters to England and settle them there.
I shall not fail to place everything upon the best and plainest footing previous to my departure (which I trust Your Lordship will allow not to be protracted beyond the month of January next) so that my Locum Tenens may have a perfectly smooth course to pursue.
I have taken the liberty to enclose my official letter in this private communication in case any peculiar circumstance (which I trust will not occur) should render it impracticable for your Lordship to comply with this very urgent request. Under such a necessity I have to entreat your Lordship to cancel my applica- tion, as I should feel mortified that a record should remain in your Lordship's public office of an application (in which I am person- ally so intimately concerned) having been made which had not been acceded to. The same feeling induces me to trespass upon your Lordship's kindness in begging you to forward my official letter to Sir Henry Torrens (soliciting leave from my military command) in the event only of my prayer being acquiesced in, informing Sir Henry at the same time that the Prince Regent has been graciously pleased to accede to my request.
Believe me &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Copy.]
Letter from Major Fraser to the Landdrost of Uitmhage.
Graham's Town, 2nd May 1819.
Sir,— By a report which I received yesterday afternoon from the Field-comet Durant, I am sorry to acquaint you, that on the 25th ultimo the Kafifers succeeded in murdering two Slaves, and carried off two stand of arms together with 142 head of Cattle which they had in charge. One of the slaves belonged to Anthonie Lombard and the other to Pieter Johannes Goosen.
XII. N^
178 Records of the Cape Colony.
This oircumstanGe took place not far from the dwelling place of said Goosea, I have &c.
(Signed) 6. S. Fbaser, Deputy LanddrosU
[Original.]
Letter from T. P. Courtenay, Esqrb., to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
Gannon Bow, GOi May 1819.
Sir, — I have to request that you will submit to Earl Bathurst the enclosed copies of a correspondence which has passed between the Commissioners of Colonial Audit and me with regard to the mode of stating and auditing my accoimts as agent for the Govern- ment of the Cape of Good Hope.
On a perusal of these papers, it will be perceived that as the servant of the Governor of the Cape, I have considered myself as responsible to him and to him only, for the correctness of my proceedings as Agent ; and accountable to him only for the monies placed by him in my hands. I have always presumed that pay- ments made out of such monies, by me his attorney^ would be stated by the Governor of the Cape as payments made by himself. When I have received a direction from the Secretary of State for making any such payment, I have considered such direction in the light of an assurance that the amount would be allowed to the Governor, when brought forward in his account.
It now appears that the Account rendered by the Governor has not been framed imder the same conception ; but that taking no notice of the Payments made by me, he has returned as Payments made, and accordingly taken credit for, the sums which he has remitted to me, or which have come into my hands on his account.
Although I think this method erroneous, yet I have already informed die Board of Audit, in an interview which I have had with them in consequence of their Secretary's letter of the 12th Pebruary, that I considered this procedure on the part of the Cape Gk)vemmeiit as amounting to an Instruction to me to account to the proper Offices of Audit in this Country. But it is necessary for my own safety, that I should be protected against the liability
Records of the Cape Oolony. 179
to a second accounting. And I have therefore to request that if Earl Bathurst should think it fit that, under the circumstances which I have stated, my Account should be rendered to the Board of Colonial Audit in the first instance, such Instructions may be given to His Excellency the Governor of the Cape, as may ensure His Excellency's allowance of whatever sums may be passed in my accounts by that Board.
I have further to observe that acting as the servant of the Governor, I have hitherto conducted the expenditure of the monies of the Government according to such Instructions only as I have received from him; but that for the expenditure of monies im- pressed to me by the Treasury, the authority of the Secretary of State has been required by the Auditors.
If, under the new arrangement, a similar authority is to be required for the whole of my expenditure as Agent for thfe Cape, I shall take care to conform myself to that rule ; but I trust that if the accounts already forwarded to the Cape are to be brought back for the purpose of Audit, I shall be permitted to submit to Lord Bnthurst for a retrospective sanction, such payments as have been regularly made by me in conformity with instructions re- ceived from my Employers at the Cape. I have &g.
(Signed) Th. Pee. Courtenay, Colonial Agent for the Cape of Good Hope.
* [Enclosure A in the above.]
Colonial Audit Office, 3n2 Fehruary 1819.
Sib, — I am directed by the Commissioners of Colonial Audit po transmit to you the enclosed queries on your account as Agent for the Cape of Good Hope for the Year 1817, and to request your early attention and answers to them.
I am at the same time directed to observe to you, that it appears by the Accounts of the Colonial Government, that various remittances have been made to you from the Cape of Good Hope, for the service of the Colony during the time you have acted as Colonial Agent, the Commissioners are also aware that payments have been made by you for the Colonial Service, which have not been included in your accounts transmitted to the Lords Com- missioners of His Majesty's Treasury ; and I have to request that
N 2
180 Records of the Cape Colony.
you will state to me, for the information of the Commissioners, your reasons for not having included in your Annual Accounts transmitted to their Lordships, the whole of your transactions, both of Receipt and Expenditure, on account of the Colony, as is customary with the other Colonial Agents ; and whether you have received any specific Instructions or authority for the mode of making up your Accounts which you have adopted. I have &c.
(Signed) G. W. Brande, Secretary.
[Enclosure B in the above.]
Cannon Bow, 9fA February 1819.
Sir, — I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd inst., and to assure you that I shall without loss of time return answers to the Queries therein enclosed by direction of the Com- missioners of Colonial Audit.
But I am anxious to return an earlier answer to the enquiry made by direction of the Commissioners, respecting the sums which I have from time to time received from the Cape of Good Hope, which sums have not been included in the accounts rendered by me to the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury.
I can have no hesitation in acquainting the Commissioners that I have received such sums, amounting in the whole to £21,008 17s. 3rf., for the greater part of which I have transmitted accounts to the Colonial Government, and of which I have in my hands a balance of only £84. But I have not thought it my duty to account for these sums to any other authority than that by which the remittances were made to me. As Agent or Attorney for the Goverament of the Cape of Good Hope, I have considered myself responsible to that Government only; and it has not appeared to me that any Board or Officer in this Country can either call upon me for an account of the receipt and expenditure of the Colonial Funds, or discharge me from the liability under which my situation places me towards my Employers at the Cape.
The case is very different with respect to the monies which I have received by virtue of warrants from the Crown, or from the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury. In receiving these monies, I have made myself subject to such account as
Records of the Cape Colony. 18f
might be required by the Lords Commissioners; and I have therefore regularly furnished such accounts in the manner directed by their Lordships. I conceive that if I were to account for the whole which I have thus received, and to apply for no further imprests, I should be liable to no account in this country.
Having thus stated my view of the nature of my accountability, I trust that the Commissioners will be assured that I have no personal wish whatever to withhold from them, or from the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, the accounts of any of my pecuniary transactions as Agent to the Government of the Cape. On the contrary, if I can be satisfied that the audit of my accounts in this Country will, discharge me of any further responsibility for the sums which I have received, I shall rejoice in the opportunity of obtaining that speedy settlement which is practised at the Board of Colonial Audit. But as I am of opinion, on the one hand, that such an Audit would not legally exonerate me from the obligation to account to the (rovernor of the Cape, whose servant I am, or secure me from the disallowance of any payments which he might disapprove, and that on the other hand, it could not surcharge me for any payment made under his authority ; and moreover not being aware that there is any authority in the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury to call a person to account who acts only as the servant of the Governor of one of His Majesty's Foreign Possessions, I feel myself called upon to urge the objections which I have stated ; at the same time expressing my conviction that, if 'it should be thought desirable that I should render my account in this Country, some arrange- ment will be made, through the interference of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, whereby I may be secured against the liability to a double accounting, and against any imputation of a breach of my duty to my Employer.
I have only to add, in reference to your question as to my having received specific authority for the mode of making up my accounts, that I stated my view of what would be regular in this respect to the Governor of the Cape, and that His Excellency signified to me by letter his concurrence therein. I am &c.
(Signed) Tno. Per. Coubtenay, G. W, Brande, Esqre.
182 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Enclosure C in the above.]
Colonial Audit Offics, 12A FAmary 1819.
Sir, — Having laid your letter of the 9th inst. before the Commissioners of Colonial Audit, I am directed, with reference thereto, to request your attention to the 1st clause of the Act of the 54th Geo. 3rd, cap. 184, by which their Board is constituted, which gives them authority " for examining the Public Accounts of all Governors, Lieutienant Governors, and other Public Ofl&cers and Servants, and of all other Persons whatsoever, who have been, or shall, or may be, concerned in the Receipt or Expenditure of the Colonial EevenueS &c., or in the Receipt or Expenditure of any sums granted by the Parliament of Great Britain in aid of those Revenues, which accounts the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury may deem it expedient to refer to them, for examination."
Under this clause of the Act, and upon reference from the Lords of the Treasury, the Commissioners have examined the accounts of Mr. Huskisson, the Agent for Ceylon, of Sir H. E. Bunbury, the Agent for Malta, and of Mr, Penn, the Agent for the Mauritius, of sums received by them, by remittances from the respective Colonial Governments, as well as of sums received by them under orders from the Lords of the Treasury, in aid of the Revenues of the several Colonies.
I am further directed to state to you, that upon inspection of such of the accounts of the Cape of Good Hope as have hitherto been transmitted to this Country by Lord Charles Somerset, it appears that he has only taken credit in general terms for the sums remitted to you, as remittances for the service of the Colony ; and as the examination of the particulars for which those remittances were expended would of necessity come under consideration upon the Audit of his accounts, you might eventually at some distant period be charged in super, and called to account for those sums, for which, in the opinion of the Commissioners, you might with much more security and facility as to the production of the necessary Vouchers, obtain a prompt dischaige by rendering an immediate account of their application to their Board, through a reference from the Lords of the Treasury.
Should you retain any further doubt, the Commissioners will be happy to confer with you upon the subject, any day next week
Itecords of the Cape Cclony. 183
when you can make it convenient to call at the Office, between 12 and 2 o'clock. I have &c.
(Signed) G. W. Brandb. T. P. Goortenay, Esqre.
[Original.] Letter from SiK David Baird to Viscount Castlbreaoh.
London, 8^ May 1819.
My Lord, — I take the liberty of calling your Lordship's attention to the outstanding sum of 67,705 Bix Dollars and five Stivers, due to the Officers and Men employed at the surrender of the Cape of Good Hope in 1806, and request that your Lordship will be pleased to give directions for such sum to be paid forthwith to the Agents in order that the final distribution for such capture may take place.
I beg to refer your Lordship to my letter of the 10th June 1810 to the Earl of Liverpool respecting this Sum, and to the corre- spondence which took place during that and the following year, when your Lordship was pleased to give directions to the then Grovernor of the Cape to transmit the above sum to this Country, but which has never been done as I am assured, on account of there not being Funds in the Treasury of that Colony.
The condemnation of this Property took place in the High Court of Admiralty so long since as the 24th of March 1809, and I trost if the Money has not yet been remitted, that your Lordshipwill not at this late period delay ordering the same to be paid, it being now upwards of thirteen years since the Capture of the said Settlement, and such sum, being then tihe property of the Captors, was lodged in the Colonial Treasmy at the Cape, as appears by the Documents and Papers heretofore submitted to His Majesty's Government, at which period the Bix Dollar was worth three Shillings and one Penny each, making in the whole the sum of £10,437 lis. 4d. Sterling. I have &c.
(Signed) D. Baird, GeneraU
J84 Records of the Cape Cohny^
[Copy-l
Letter from the Landdrost of Uitenhage to the
Colonial Secretary.
UiTENHAGB, \01h May 1819.
Sir, — I have the honor to transmit the enclosed Letter just received from Major Fraser, reporting the murder of two Slaves, and 142 head of cattle stolen, on the 25th ultimo by the Kaffers on the Skirts of the Hoogte. As also to cover ^ sketch of the other depredations committed in Uitenhage since my last report.
And have &c.
(Signed) J. G. Cuyler.
[Original.]
Letter from Messrs. Vernon, Harberd, aind Stracey to
Eabl Bathurst.
London, \2th May 1819.
The Gentlemen who had the honor of applying to Lord Bathurst respecting the colonization of the Cape of Good Hope beg leave to submit the following brief observations to his Lordship's con- sideration, ii^ the hope that the serious attention of His Majesty's Government will be turned to the subject ; and at the same time they are desirous to assure his Lordship, that feeling as strongly as they do the importance of the measure for the good of the country at large, they will be most happy to do everything in their power which may tend to promote the object.
At the same time they think it due to themselves to state that they are not influenced by any personal or interested motives, directly or indirectly, that they are ready to give their personal exertions and to incur pecuniary risk, if the sanction and en^ couragement of Government can be afforded them, but that they shall feel much better satisfied if the object can be effected by Government itself, and attained without their further interference.
The most eligible spot for present cultivation appeara to them, from the best information they have been able to collect, to be from Mossel Bay in 22"^ 17' to the Great Fish river in 27° 20' East
fiecords of the Cape Colony^ 185
longitude, the further part of which is entirely unoccupied, the soil for the most part is fertile, the climate most favorable, the country affording both wood and water, on the coast good bays and an abundant fishery, in short requiring nothing but capital and industry to render it perhaps the most valuable Colony in the possession of this Country. The present Colonists are still per- mitted to follow the same course in obtaining a grant of lands which either from ignorance or from motives of state policy was pursued by the Dutch whilst the Colony was subject to their control, viz. to permit any colonist to select a favorable situation, and having fixed a stake or mark to walk from it for one hour in a straight line, then assuming this line as the diameter of a circle, he was permitted to hold the land contained within the circle on the payment of an annual rent of twenty-four rixdoUars or about three pounds sterling ; thus supposing him to have walked three miles, he has an area of from eight to nine square miles or not less than five thousand acres, cultivating perhaps at the utmost fifty acres for the support of his family, and leaving the remainder entirely unoccupied, in a condition useless to himself, injurious to the colony, subversive of any attempt at civilization, and paralysing any effort of improvement. A more effectual system of discolonization could not have been devized.
This system should undoubtedly be put an end to, especially as it can be done without any injury to the present Colonists, but on the contrary with real benefit. They are in point of fact only tenants from year to year, and might be dispossessed of the whole immediately. Instead therefore of their remaining tenants at will of so large a portion of land, alike useless to themselves and to the community, an allotment should be given to each of them to hold in fee, say to the extent of two hundred acres, without the payment of any rent or acknowledgment, on the remainder being given up by them, and they might be allowed to hold as much of the remainder next adjoining the 200 acres in one plot but not in separate patches, and not exceeding 200 acres more, at the rate (say) of two shillings an acre, with an option of purchasing such last 200 acres, within the space (say) of five years, and at the rate of (say) 10 yeai*s purchase upon the above rent, and in case they should refuse so to purchase it, then the same to revert to the Crown. New settlers might have leased to them at the rate of 2/ an acre,
186 J^ecords of th6 Cape Colony*
any quantity not exceeding 400 acres, with a power of purchasing the whole or any part not being less than half, at the end of five years, and at the rate of ten years purchase upon the above rent. As rivers are of such very great consequence in this country, road- ways of — feet wide should always be reserved in these grants for the purpose of enabling settlers who have not lands on the banks of the river to have free access to the water, and they should also be restrained from diverting the waters from their present courses to the injury of the lands of others.
It is generally believed that in the year 1816 when general distress was so prevalent in this country. Lord Charles Somerset wrote home expressing himself in the strongest terms to Govern- ment as to the resources of South Africa being most ample in the meaning of relief to our surplus starving population. If this information is correct, it may perhaps supersede the necessity of consulting with Lord Charles Somerset in the first instance, but whatever may be the determination of His Majesty's Govemment npon the proposition now laid before them, as early an answer from Lord Bathurst as may be consistent with His Lordship's convenience is earnestly requested.
(Signed) George Vernoi^,
E. Harberd, E. Stracey.
[Original.] Letter from E, H. Crewe, Esqre., to Henry Goulburn, Esqrk.
Oivios oi" Obdnahce, IQth Map 1819L
Sir, — Having submitted to the Master General and Board of Ordnance your letter of the 27th ultimo, adverting to communica- tions from this Department to the Treasury in regard to a fee to the Deputy Secretary of the Government at the Cape of Good Hope upon gunpowder issued to the inhabitants of the Colony from the Ordnance Stores, as well as to the seizure of certain Ordnance Stores oh board the Stbsannah Transport, and trans- mitting copies of a dispatch and other papers received from the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope upon those points, in refereQpe to which Earl Bathurst suggests the ropiiety of enforcing, on the
Reeards of the Cape Colony. 187
part of the respective Officers of the Ordnance at the Cape^ a due obedience to the laws of the Colony, the neglect of which appears to have occasioned some loss to the public ; I have it in command to acquaint you, for His Lordship's information, that the Metster General and Board having taken the same into consideration, together with a farther correspondence which they have had before them, touching the seizure, by the Officers of the Bevenue at the Cape of a quantity of gunpowder, Military Stores, and Stationery, forwarded by the Transports Hebe and Minstrel for the service at that place and at the Isle of France, and certain legal proceedings instituted against the Ordnance Storekeeper, His Grace and the Board have authorized a Communication to the respective Officers at the Cape to the following eifect : —
It is explained to them that the Master General and Board have nothing further to say on the question of the fee to the Deputy Secretary of the Governor, since the matter has been brought under the consideration of the Grovemment, with whom it will rest to sanction or forbid the receipt of it in future. Bat the Kespective Officers are positively forbid to issue any gunpowder from the stores for the use of the inhabitants, excepting upon the requisitions of the Governor or of his officers according to the usual practice, or to receive any fees themselves upon such issue.
Upon the other point before referred to, viz. the seizure of gimpowder and other stores by the Custom House Officers at the Cape notwithstanding those stores were imported for the service of His Majesty ; it is explained to the Bespective Officers that the Master General and Board impute the whole blame to the conduct of the Storekeeper and to the other officers of the Ordnance at that Station ; for, notwithstanding that, under His Majesty's order in Council of the 30th October 1818, the Board of Ordnance were permitted to export gunpowder, arms, &c., &c., to the Coast of Africa, it does not follow that the Officers of the Ordnance are to claim a right there, or in any part of His Majesty's Dominions, to import stores of any description without attending to the laws of the Government of such part of His Majesty's Dominions ; and the Master General and Board will not sanction any system under which the Officers of their Department may affect to claim an exemption from the operation of those laws.
It is further stated lo the Eespective Officers at the Cape that it appeiirs they wer«, in tliis particulai* instiince, warned of the
188 Records of the Cape Colony.
inconvenience likely to result from their not attending to the lawr of the Colony upon the importation of the gunpowder and stores, that they however still omitted to obey those laws until the gun- powder was seized and the other stores were condemned and sold, and that, in the opinion of His Grace the Master (General and Board, they, and particularly the Storekeeper, are and ought to be held responsible for all the losses which have been incurred upon the occasion.
The Master General and Board have also given the Respective Officers to understand that the first duty of all the Inhabitants of a Colony, including those employed under the different Depart- ments of the Government at Home, is to obey the laws for the Government of that Colony and the orders of the supreme authority on the spot ; that those employed under the Ordnance must of course keep the Master General and Board regularly informed of the orders which they may have received from time to time and of the execution of them ; and that it will rest with the Master General and Board of Ordnance to take such steps as they may think proper in case the orders of the Governor of such Colony shall be deemed by them inconsistent with or inconvenient to His Majesty's Service.
I am, at the same time, to request you will state to Earl Bathurst that I have, by the Master General's and Board's desire, called upon the Eespective Officers to state their answer to the Charge made against the Storekeeper of disobedience to the orders he received on the subject of the laws of the Colony. I have &c.
(Signed) E. H. Crewe.
[Copy.] Memorial of Andrew Stockenstrom, Esqre.
Bavtaan's Bitsb» May IMh 1819.
To His Excellency the Eight Honorable Lord C. H. Somerset, Governor and Commander in Chief, &c., <fec., cfec.
The Memorial of Andrew Stockenstrom humbly sheweth That Memorialist finding near the Sources of this Eiver in the Mountains some Waste Government T.«and, occasionally occupied
Secords of the Cape Colony. 189
by some wandering Fanners, but mostly uninhabitable, on account of the depredations of the Cafi&es and Bosjesmen, which Land however Memorialist conceives from the prospects the Commando holds forth, may in time become more safe, and be a good Cattle Farm; wherefore Memorialist begs Your Excellency may grant him the same, on such terms as the Laws make it attainable to any other Individual.
And Your Excellency's Memorialist as in duty bound will ever pray.
(Signed) And. Stockenstrom,
[Copy.]
Letter from the Comptroller of Customs to the
Colonial Secretary.
Custom House, Cafe Town, 17th May 1819.
Sib, — I had the honor of receiving your letter of the 27th Ultimo, in which was an inclosure from Lord Bathurst, desiring the explanation of a Seizure of Ordnance Stores made in the Susannah. I presume His Lordship must allude to certain Ordnance Stores seized in the Hebe for a clandestine and illicit landing, and confiscated by due course of Law, of the justice of which confiscation the parties here were convinced, as they made no appeal therefrom to the Court of Appeals in this Colony.
I beg leave therefore to state for the information of His Excellency the Governor, and in reply to Lord Bathurst*s inquiry, that the Heie arrived in October last with a cargo in which were included certain stores for the Ordnance Department and for the Storekeeper General. The Laws of this Colony require the OflScers of His Majesty's Customs to levy a duty upon all goods imported, and also a fee of one Bix dollar for a permit or sufiTerance, which duty and fee are carried to the account of Government.
This duty and fee is therefore on all occasions strictly enforced and collected (except when by special application to the Govern- ment an order is sent not to levy it), the not doing so subjects the OfiBcer to a penalty of 600 Pounds for each offence, and to K ^ declared incapable to serve the Crown in any post whatever. ^^
^
190 Records of the Cape Colony,
Of all this the Ordnance Storekeeper was apprized. Several letters for months preceding had been written to him on the subject in the hope that he would conform to these colonial regulations, with which he was made acquainted. The Store- keeper Oeneral who had also goods in the ship Hebe did regularly apply to the Government for the remission of duties, which was granted, and an order came to this Office accordingly.
The Ordnance Storekeeper on the contrary made no application to the Government for an order to land duty free, nor to the Custom House for a sufferance or permit to land, nor for a Custom House Officer to attend, as is required by the law here, when anything is lauded at places distinct from the wharf; but assumed the right and exercised the power of hiring boats and landing certain barrels of gunpowder when and where he pleased, at his own choice, in defiance of the Law and to the extreme peril of this Town and its inhabitants.
These barrels of gunpowder were seized by the Customs on the ground that there was no permission from Government to land them duty free ; no permit or sufferance applied for or granted ; no Bill of Lading or power from the Master General of the Ordnance as required by the act and order of Council; no licence to the ship to carry gunpowder ; and no Officer of the Customs to attend at the landing at an unusual place.
On a]l the grounds the decision of the Court, not appealed from by the parties, confirmed the seizure and ordered the gun- powder to be confiscated and the proceeds paid over to the parties according to the Laws of the Colony. This decision has irre- vocably confirmed the seizing Officer in his share, which is one third; and I humbly hope that both His Excellency and Earl Bathurst will approve the conduct of the Custom Department in upholding and enforcing Laws and regulations necessary to the correct levy of the duties of the Customs, and I beg leave to add that the attention of this Office was more particularly called to the Ordnance Imports, in consequence of what had occunied at Woolwich in the seizure of goods among Ordnance Stores, as well as on account of suspicion naturally excited by the determination of those here to admit no control, inspection, or interference from the Custom House Officers, who are by Law appointed to examine the legality of all imports and exports and by their diligence to guard and protect the Public Bevenue. I cannot avoid expressing
Records of the Cape Colony^ 191
my hope that His Excellency the Governor will cause the different letters written to the Ordnance Storekeeper previous to the seizure to be annexed to the explanation which I now have the honor to submit to his consideration, in order to shew to Earl Bathurst the forbearance of the Customs and the pertinacity of the Officer of Ordnance. I have &c.
(Signed) W. Wilberforce Bird,
Comptroller of Customs.
[Original.]
Lf^ter from Messrs. Vernon, Harberd, and Stracey to
Earl Bathurst.
21 Gbeat Obosob Stbebt, London, 17fb May 1819.
The undersigned Gentlemen beg leave to recall to Lord Bathurst*s locollection the printed observations relative to South Africa, and also a letter from them dated 12th May which they had lately the honor of laying before his Lordship, and they now submit to his consideration the propriety of recommending to His Majesty's Government certain measures in order to carry their objects into effect.
The undersigned conceive that it will be requisite in the first place that His Royal Highness the Prince Eegent should make a grant of certain lands, viz. from Plettenberg's Bay inclusive to the Great Fish River and fifty miles inland along the line of coast. Also a grant of a thousand acres upon the mouth of the Knysna and the same on the borders of Saldanha Bay for the purpose of forming mercantile depdts, to certain persons and their successors in free and common socage to be held for the purposes in such grant to be set forth. That a charter under the terms and restrictions deemed advisable should then be granted, securing those who embark in this enterprize and undertake the management thereof from all responsibility beyond the amount of their respec- tive subscriptions. Upon receiving from your Lordship an assurance that these proposals are approved of, and that they am likely to receive the sanction of Government, the promoters of the
192 Records of the Cape Colony.
plan will immediately use every exertion to procure subscriptions and will promote by every meai^ in their power the success of the undertaking.
(Signed) George Vernon,
E. Harbbrd, E. Stracey.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
London, 20<ft May 1819.
My Lord, — I have had the honor to receive your Lordship's dispatch of the 17th December last, in which you submit the propriety of extending the discretionary power vested in your Lordship to grant Leave of Absence to such Colonial Officers as business or ill health might place under the necessity of repairing to England.
The general Begulation to which your Lordship alludes and of which you have now requested some modification was intended merely as a check upon persons requiring or obtaining leave of Absence without good and sufficient ground, by placing it in the power of the Government at home to compel the immediate return to the Colony of any Civil Servant who might improperly have obtained leave of Absence. In the case of the Cape of Good Hope,. I am not aware that this power of Control would be weakened by extending to a period of Six Months the leave of Absence to be granted by your Lordship, as it would equally impose upon the party obtaining it, the necessity of applying on his arrival at home for an extension of his leave, to which no objection could arise, unless in cases in which the original authority to quit the Colony had been improperly obtained. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
Records of the Cape Colony. 193
[Original] Lettw from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Gape or Good Hope, 22fu2 May 1819.
My Lord^— It is with deep regret that I find the painful duty imposed upon me of acquainting your Lordship that our Frontier is very seriously disturbed and that our restless neighbours the Gaffers have for some time past committed great and increased depredations in their predatory incursions into the province of Uitenhage. The success attending their numerous plundering inroads since the Dragoon Begiment has been withdrawn from hence, appears gradually to have emboldened them, and relying on their numbers to have induced them to attack His Majesty's Troops, when they could fall in with any small patrol. On various occasions this has cost the service some few valuable lives, but I cherished the hope that things would resume their usual train and that the resistance which even the smallest numbers of our Military had successfully opposed to their attacks would have convinced them of the ultimate punishment which would await them, should these aggressions be persisted in.
The event however has not hitherto justified my expectation, and it necessitates my communicating to your Lordship that I have received advices from Lt. Col. Willshire of the 38th Eegt., who commands on the Frontier, stating that on the 22nd of last month the Caffers, 10,000 at least in number, attempted to surprize Graham's Town, the principal position on the Frontier and the depdt of stores and ammunition. The close bushy country which intervenes between Graham's Town and the Gaffer border, had enabled this body to approach very near the place before they were discovered, and when they were partially so Lieut. Col.
Willshire was absent inspecting a part of S^J?^;^P- • • ^ the Colonial Troop of Cavalry at some
88th Light Company . 45 .. . „ 4.1. m xu n
Boyal African Corpa . 135 distance from the Town ; the small garri-
Oape Corps .... 82 SOU not exceeding altogether 320 men, and
Armed Men mattached 32 consisting of the detachments named in
Total ... 333 the Maigin, was ably drawn out and
formed by Capt. Trappes of the 72nd Eegt. for the defence of the place, and 60 men of the Eoyal African Corps under Lieut. Cartwright were detached for the protection of xn. o
194 Becords of the Cape CoUmy.
the Barracks, which are situated about 2000 paces from the Town which itself is straggling and open. As soon as Lieut. CoL Willshire was apprized of what was going on, he put himself at the head of the Troop and rode towards the enemy to reconnoitre, and found him advancing with a rajddity which had nearly prevented the Lieut. Colonel's retreat upon the Town ; however he joined his small force and made the necessary dispositions for receiving the attack.
The Gaffers halted on an eminence to make their last arrange- ment and divided their force into three columns, commanded, (it is supposed) by the three chiefs who are known to be principally hostile to the Colony, viz. Tsambie, Congo, and Lynx; two of the Columns were directed upon the Town, the third advanced against the Barracks, while about 1000 men were posted between Graham's Town and the nearest station from whence relief could come to our Troops (Blue Krans), they advanced by signal (at a discharge of musketry from an adjoining hiU) and rushed forward with great impetuosity and making the air resound with their appalling shrieks.
Lt. Col. Willshire received them with fimmess and when but at a few paces opened his fire of Artillery and Musketry upon them with such effect as very soon to check their progress and evidently to make them waver. Our little band cheered in its turn and advanced towards the Enemy who very soon retreated, dragging away numbers • of his wounded. The attack at the Barracks lasted longer, the enemy having penetrated even into the Barrack Square, but Lt. Cartwright defended his post with great intrepidity, and drove back the enemy after having killed nearly treble his own numbers, of whom 102 were afterwards counted in the Barrack Square alone.
The whole loss of the Caffers on this occasion, in killed, cannot be estimated at less than between 700 and 800, whilst our loss only consisted in 3 kUled and 5 wounded. We learii that Tsambie lost 3 sons in this affair and that the Caffers retreated into their own country with a great number of wounded.
After having described this gallant effort of Lieut. CoL Willshire and the small force with him on the 22nd of April, it is proper I should detail to your Lordship the circumstances which have gradually brought on the present state of things on the Frontier and explain to your Lordship the measures I have been compelled
Records of the Cape Colony; 195
to take and the hopes I have of their success with the inadequate means this colony possesses.
Your Lordship will doubtless recollect that the frequent depredations of and murders committed by these restless marauders compelled my predecessor to send a large force to expel them from that portion of this Colony called the Zuur- veld, or Albany, of which some tribes of Gaffers under the chiefs before named had taken possession, driving out the Inhabitants and burning and destroying their dwellings and plantations ; this having been effected, with greater facility than had been anticipated, by the promptness of the measures which were at that period adopted; a chain of posts was established along the Colonial Soundary with the view of repressing future incursions, and these posts were occupied in considerable force by Troops which could be, without inconvenience, spared from the Garrison then allotted to this station and by a large proportion of mounted Burghers who were kept in this service tiU it should be apparent that order was re-established.
It next became necessary to conciliate the Caffer Chiefs, and the instructions to the Magistrates and officers commanding on the frontier were always urgent on this important point. StUl however depredation in some degree continued, but the chiefs disclaimed giving any countenance to the perpetrators, and indeed offered to punish the offenders should they be pointed out to them. The principal chief Gaika expressed his great wish to be on terms of friendship with us and his approval of the steps which had been taken for driving the Caffers into their own country, as he said they had only occupied part of the Colony, the better to withdraw their allegiance from him, whose vassals they, properly speaking, were. It was in this situation of affairs that I determined to have an interview myself with the whole of the Chiefs of the Border, and to explain to them our pacific and friendly intentions, and the conference took place early in Apnl 1817, which I had the honour to detail to your Lordship on the 24th April 1817.
The stipulations of the agreement then entered into with Gaika and acceded to by Tsambie and the other border chiefs were with tolerable good faith adhered to for some time, and at no period had the Frontier provinces been so tranquil or promising greater improvement ; but the reduction of the Garrison, which necessitated the weakening of the border defence, the description of soldier
0 2
196 Records of the Cape Colony.
which we were obliged to employ on the service (the African Corps and 60th Eegiment composed of convicts and deserters), and above all the removal of the cavalry, the only arm with which these marauders can be effectually pursued, soon gave room for appre- hending that some of the Chiefs repented having acceded to the regulations by which they were bound to indemnify the Colonists when depredations were committed which could be traced to their people; still Graika continued unshaken and faithfully caused restitution to be made to us when demanded and often anticipated our wishes on this head. I was therefore convinced that so Ions: as his preponderance continued the Colony would not be seriously injured, altho' I saw with regret that the minor incursions became more frequent and that murder had often been committed^ particularly upon two privates of the 72nd Begt.^ which outrage was subsequently traced to Tsambie's people.
In this situation of our affairs I learnt that a combination had been formed against Gaika, grounded upon his having refused to depart from our alliance and join the other borderers in their intentions to plunder the Colony, and that Chief sent to request assistance from the Oflicer commanding on the Frontier. Before my instructions on this head however had reached Graham's Town, the combined Caffers had attacked Gaika, defeated him with great loss, burnt his habitations, destroyed his stores and plantations, and carried off a vast quantity of cattle from the numerous kraals of his people. The dispirited chief retreated towards the Colony and again sent for aid.
By this time it became apparent that it was essential Guika's cause should be espoused, for throwing off the mask towards the Colonists, the system of plunder fearfully increased and with it the usual number of murders. Lt. Colonel Brereton therefore was authorised to call 'Tsambie to account, and he entered Caffiraria with a small force of MiUtar and Mounted Burghers. 'Tsambie however, altho' at the head of not less than 18,000 men, evaded him and retreated to those thick and to us impenetrable fastnesses which afford these people the shelter which enables them to annoy us so frequently. Cattle however, in great number, was seized by our people, and ample restitution made to Gaika, who was replaced in the position from which he had been driven. It was however unfortunate that Lt. Colonel Brereton did not more rigidly execute the Instructions which had been given to him, for, returning to
Records of the Cape Colony, 197
Graham's Town without having effected anything against the hostile Chiefs excepting the recapture of vast quantities of cattle which, as I before said, fell into his hands, and disbanding the Burgher force which had accompanied him, he gave 'Tsambie an opportunity of doing that which has actually followed, that is of entering our territory with the large numbers he had with him at a moment when we were without sufficient force to repress the incursion, being entirely without Cavalry, without which it is impracticable to come up with the light armed and half naked active savage, and to renew his hostile operations against the Chief Gaika, who again retreated to the Kakaberg ; the numerous incursions which have since taken place have caused the greatest distress to our Inhabitants ; from the Fish to the Sunday rivers most of them have abandoned their dwellings, unless situated near the Military Stations, and have assembled in bodies upon the spots best calculated for their defence in case of attack, and for mutual support.
As soon as I learnt these transactions (Lt. Col. Brereton having expressed his desire to be relieved in the command) I selected Lt. Colonel Willshire of the 38th Eegiment (an officer of consider- able reputation) for this duty, and not having any regular force to spare beyond the numbers then employed on the Frontier, I have resorted to the Colonial expedient of calling out a proportion of armed and mounted Burghers from each province of the Settle- ment; this call has been met with an alacrity which is highly creditable to the Colonists, and I have the pleasure to inform your Lordship that there are now 2000 well armed and appointed Burghers on the frontier road, to cooperate with the military in restoring order, according to Instructions which have been given to CoL Willshire, of which I transmit herewith complete copies to your Lordship, and I am further happy to say that the utmost cordiality prevails between the Military and Inhabitants, of which I have from both sides the most indisputable assurances, nor have I a hesitation in the opinion that order would have been already restored, had not a combination of untoward circumstances operated to retard Lieut. CoL Willshire's movements.
An unusual drought for near 9 months, which has brought us to a state of scarcity, had so impoverished the horses that it has required much time to collect such as were in sufficiently good condition to take the field, and these have required considerable rest when they reached the frontier, full 700 miles distant from
198 Records of the Cape Colony.
this place. Then again the horse distemper, so fatal in this Settlement, but which had not appeared for some years past, has attacked many of them and proved nnnsually destructive, the Swellendam detachment having lost 220 out of 300, which was Uieir quota. These as well as the other deficiencies have by very great exertions been replaced, for as there is not an Inhabitant here who does not feel the necessity and importance of the case, every nerve is strained to give efficiency to the generous exertions of their comrades.
Tour Lordship will, I am persuaded, feel with me that although there is little doubt of Lt. Col. Willshire's effecting the object of his instructions, yet that other measures are required to ensure that future tranquillity of the Settlement without which this Colony, which has hitherto flourished under the British Grovemment, must recede and be irretrievably ruined; the rudiment of that tranquillity which it is so important for us to attain is, I apprehend, in the division which exists among the Caffer tribes. Oaika still at the head of 10,000 fighting men remains faithful to our cause, and looks to us for protection upon the just ground that his reverse and losses have been brought upon him by having adhered to that pacifick line of conduct which, beneficial to the Colony, has at the same time broken in upon the habits of the tribes which were subject to him and incensed many of them against him. By supporting the interests of this Chief and interposing his people between the other tribes and the Colonial frontier a great step will be gained towards future security ; but so long as the habits of Savages remain imbroken the Colony will nevertheless be exposed to the changes incident to the fickleness of that character, and the death or removal of a friendly chief will be liable again to bring on the system of plunder and assassination which has depopulated our fertile border and which the moderate and pacifick views of the present Chief contribute temporarily to controL
With the view therefore of introducing other habits and of con- tributing to the future civilization of this interesting and energetic people, I have gladly availed myself of the wish expressed by the Chief Gkuka to have an instructor placed with him, who should teach himself and his people the doctrines of his Christian neigh- bours and at the same time introduce among them the European system of agriculture, and I have appointed Mr. Brownlee, an enthusiastick and intelligent man, selected for his piety and moral
JRecerds of the Cape Colony. 199
character, to reside with this Chief and to direct his labours to these objects and use his best endeavours to convince all the Gaffer Chiefs how mutually beneficial it will be that friendly relations should be renewed and maintained between themselves and the Colonists. Your Lordship will see in the enclosed copy of the letter of instructions which I directed to be addressed to Mr. Brownlee on this subject, how anxiously I have entered into the details of this measure.
That the most beneficial result may be expected in due time from this attempt, I do not permit myself to doubt, but that its operation can only be gradual and that the Chiefs who are now in arms against both His Majesty's Colony and the Chief Gaika will use every endeavour to counteract it, is no less certain, and therefore this system is not solely to be trusted to, but it is essential that it should be supported by that prudential strength which shall tend to overawe the restlessness of our hostile and wily neighbours; to this end two measures appear to be absolutely necessary, viz. to occupy a front line with strong posts of Cavalry, and to organize Colonization in the rear, which by spreading over a very fine and fertile country shall at no distant period be sufficiently strong to protect itself against aggression. I cannot too strongly recommend this suggestion to your Lordship's notice, hearing in various quarters that a great part of our overflowing population is in want of the first necessaries of life, there seems here to be a spot of great resource ; it is true that first establish- ments cannot be set on foot with fair prospect of success without persevering energy and without liberal support, but with these much may here be done, and it would prove eventually the most economical defence of the frontier ; but on this topic I beg to refer your Lordship to my dispatch of the 18th December 1817, No. 99, in answer to your Lordship's queries on this subject dated 28th July 1817.
These steps may again be aided by taking up a strong position on the Keiskamma Biver, a beautiful and rich country in the rear of those tribes who now so grievously molest us; this measure would very essentially tend to check the present inroads, for it is hardly to be supposed that the Caffers will attempt to invade our territory, leaving in their rear a force which would infallibly destroy their own country while they were absent in aggression upon ours. Your Lordship will, I am persuaded, perceive that thia
200 Records of the Cape Colony.
proposition is with no view whatever of adding to our present territory, as such a project is in direct opposition to the tenor of all the instructions I have given. It has been wisely remarked in a late public document "that experience has shewn that independent savage communities cannot long exist within the limits of a civilized population/' and indeed it appears to be equally necessary and advantageous to the parent state that here, as in the case from which the above quotation is extracted, the savage tribes should lose their independence at least partially, and be brought under the control of His Majesty's Government.
Populous and possessing a very rich country, these tribes would, if civilized, be of immense importance, and open a large field for commercial speculation. We are as yet ill informed of the interior resources of these countries, but we know them to be highly peopled even on our own border ; in the present commotion with the few tribes which are inimical to us, 30,000 armed Cafifers have been brouglit into the field, a number which is no small proof of their' strength in this respect.
But whatever may be your Lordship's decision with respect to these last remarks, it is my bounden duty to acquaint your Lordship that the force now in this Colony is insuf&cient for maintaining tranquillity, and that without some Cavalry our frontier cannot be efficiently protected. The proportion of Infantry which is on the Border is well calculated to defend the passes and positions it is placed to protect, but it is quite impracticable to it to come up with the native Cafifer carrying only his 5 tough but light spears (assagays).
Your Lordship will feel that the measure now resorted to of repelling the aggression by mounted and armed Burghers must be of a very temporary nature. The population and circumstances of the country do not admit of its being otherwise. Each Burgher finds his horse, arms, and food, he receives no pay, and is provided by Government with ammunition only. The present large arma- ment has already supplied itself with six months provisions, and though, as I have before observed, the fatigue, privations, and great expense necessarily attendant upon it, have been met with an alacrity which could only be created by an intimate conviction of the imperative necessity of the case, yet it is a burthen that cannot be continued upon the population of any State or Country whatever, particularly on this, where the inaster's eye is so
Records of the Cape Colony. 201
necessary at his home, that to take him from it at this (the sowing) season in particular is almost to deprive his family of their future means of existence.
Exclusive of individual burthen, I must also prepare your Lordship for very large issues from the Colonial Treasury for this service, particularly as in a very considerable item of Expenditure (that of sending supplies, reinforcements in troops, and ammunition to the frontier by sea) I have not received the slightest aid from any of His Majesty's vessels on this station, although I have on various occasions made the most pressing applications to the Naval officers in command at these Bays and although the assistance I might (with very little interruption to the ordinary naval service here, as it appeared to me at the moment) have received, would have been a saving of very considerable sums, which for the safety of the Colony I felt myself compelled to expend in hired freight.
Our superiority over the vast numbers opposed to us is chiefly in the use of fire arms, and so well aware are the Caffers of this circumstance that it has become a principal object with them in their predatory incursions to possess themselves of the arms and ammunition of those whom they surprize and assassinate. In the late attack at Graham's Town they had a considerable number of muskets, one of the three men kiUed was shot. It is credibly supposed that the late attack was made principally with the view of obtaining arms and ammunition, and that the plan was formed and directed by certain Deserters of the African Corps who are known to be with the CaflFer Chief Lynx, one of these a man who had formerly been a Serjeant in the line is said to have been promoted to the rank of a chief, and to be instxuctiDg as many as he can procure arms for; in a former communication to Tour Lordship I had the honour to express my serious apprehensions in this regard ; and this is one reason why the greatest effort must now be made to crush the aggressors, delay must render them more formidable. If our troops were to retreat, or even if we were to go the length of ceding to these savage foes the whole of the Frontier districts (the most fertile the Colony possesses) we should not only remain in no greater safety, but our danger would be considerably increased, as they would then settle in our frontier provinces and it would have the effect of increasing their force and bringing these hordes daily nearer to our better inhabited parts, and give
202 Records of the Cape Colony.
them the means of increasing their strength by the plunder of more arms from the insulated farms.
Under these circumstances I trust your Lordship will see the absolute necessity of reinforcing this Garrison, particularly with Cavalry and Artillery. When I had the honour to press upon your Lordship the expediency of reducing the Colonial Corps, I did not contemplate the great diminution which the force then at my disposal for the protection of this place wa^s likely to undergo, far less the loss of my principal means of defence in the removal of the 21st Dragoons. I have now been compelled to resort to the expedient of mounting the Infantry of the Cape Corps. I need not point out to your Lordship how inferior such a substitution is, and must be, to the Arm I have lost ; but I trust that I have said enough to convince your Lordship of the urgent necessity of reinforcing this place with the least possible delay. I feel persuaded that the policy I have adopted will meet your Lordship's concurrence, and that I shall be honoured with your Lordship's favorable representation of it to His Eoyal Higlmess the Prince Begent.
My endeavours have been to preserve tranquillity as long as it was consistent with sound policy, to employ all the energies of the population when defence and resistance became imperative, but I shall be compelled to throw the defence of the Colony upon the support that can be afforded from the parent country, when the personal exertions of its Inhabitants shall be exhausted.
I have &c. (Signed) Charles Hekby Somesset.
[Original.] letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Sir Henry Torrens.
Gafi 07 Good Hope, May 22imI 1819.
Sir, — ^Although it is with deep regret that I have ^ state to His Boyal Highness the Commander in Chief any internip^n to the tranquillity of this Colony, yet it affords me sincere graCAca- tion that the details which follow furnish an additional proo^ of the gallantry and discipline of British Troops altho' opposed o a
Records of the Cape Colony, 203
Foe of the most Ferocious nature, and whose numbers in the present instance exceeded our force upwards of thirty fold.
My letter of the 15th of February informed His Boyal Highness of the murders of Captain Gethin of the 72nd Begiment and Ensign Hunt of the Boyal African Corps by parties of depredating CafiPerai By advices received on the 10th instant from Brevet Lt. Colonel Willshire of the 38th Begiment commanding on the frontier of this Settlement, I learn that on the 22nd of last month the Caffers to the amount of from 10 to 15,000 attempted to surprize Grahams Town, the principal position on the frontier and the depdt of stores and ammunition. The close bushy country which intervenes between Grahams Town and the Caffer Border had enabled this body to approach very near the place without being discovered, and when they were partially so, Lt. Col. Willshire was absent inspecting the Colonial Troop of Cava]ry at some distance from the Town. The Garrison (owing to the patrols which were necessarily out) not exceeding altogether 320 men and
88 Light Infantry . . 45 Bank and File consisting of the detachments
Boyal African OorpB • 75 Do. named in the margin was ably
Do. at the Barracks . 60 Do. ^j^^^^ ^^^ ^ Captain Trappes
Oape Infantry in reserve 80 Do. /. ^. rro j x» • .. ^ fu
Artificers, &o. . . . 32 of the 72nd Eegiment for the
CSolonial Cavalry with defence of the place, and 60
Lt CoL WiUflhire . 39 men of the Royal African
Corps under Lieutenants Cartwright and Armstrong were detached for the protection of the barracks^ which are situated about 2000 paces from the Town (which is straggling and open).
As soon as Lt. Colonel Willshire was apprized that Caffers were in the neighbourhood, he put himself at the head of a part of the Colonial Troop and rode towards the enemy to reconnoitre, and found him advancing with a rapidity which had nearly prevented the Lt. Colonel's retreat upon the Town. He however joined his small force and made a judicious disposition for receiving the attack. The Caffers halted on an eminence to make their last arrangements, and divided their force into three columns com- manded as it is supposed by the three chiefs who are known to be principally hostile to this Settlement, viz. TSambie, Congo, and Lynx. Two of the columns were directed upon the Town. The third (preserving at the same time a communication with the others) advanced against the barracks, whilst about 1000 men were posted between Grahams Town and the nearest post from
/
204 Records of the Cape Colony,
which our troops could receive support. The whole advanced by signal (a discharge of musketry from an adjoining Mil) and rushed forward with great impetuosity, making at the same time the air resound with a most appalling yell. Lt. Colonel Willshire received them with an admirable firmness, and when within 35 paces of him opened his fire of Artillery and musketry, with such effect as to cause the enemy to pause and waver. At this moment our little force cheered and charged, and the enemy instantly fied in all directions, dragging away numbers of their wounded.
The attack on the Barracks was of greater duration, the enemy having penetrated into the Barrack square, but the post was defended with great intrepidity by Lt. Cartwright, and the enemy completely repulsed after having lost in killed nearly treble the number of Lt. Cartwright's force, 102 bodies having been after- wards counted in the Barrack Square alone. The whole loss of the Cafifers in their attack on this day did not amount to less than from 700 to 800 men, whilst that on our side, I am happy to say, consisted only in 2 Rank and File of the Colonial Troop of Cavalry and 1 Rank and File of the Royal African Corps killed and 5 Rank and FUe wounded.
I do not doubt that Lt. Colonel Willshire's reputation as an oflRcer is already well known to His Royal Highness the Com- mander in Chief, but I cannot refrain from adding my humble word of praise for the energy, wisdom, and prudence he has hitherto evinced in the performance of all the difficult duties which have fallen upon him since he has commanded on the frontier of this Settlement. At this moment exclusive of the Military he has a civil force under his command of upwards of 2,000 armed mounted Burghers, which the very serious attacks and horrid depredations and barbarities committed within our boundaries by our savage neighbours have compelled me to assemble on the Borders from every part of the Colony, our foe being of such a nature as only to be effectually opposed by a mounted force. His Royal Highness will be aware how inferior a force of this species must be to regular cavalry, and that the present exertion in this thinly populated Settlement can only be made temporarily by the inhabitants.
I anxiously trust therefore that His Royal Highness will be graciously pleased to recommend the strengthening of the force
Records of the Cape Colony, 205
here, with as little delay as possible, by a Eegiment of Cavalry and an increase of Artillery. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Sir Henry Torrens.
Cafe or Good Hope, May 22nd 1819.
Sm, — My dispatch of this date will put His Eoyal Highness the Commander in Chief in possession of the very arduous service on which the Force on the Frontiers of this Settlement under Brevet Lt. Colonel Willshire of the 38th Eegiment is at present employed. So harassing indeed is it from the excessive vigilance required, that lieut. Colonel Willshire informs me in the last communica- tion I have received from him, dated the 8th Inst., that his men did not then get one night in bed out of six.
These circumstances and the very heavy expence which the officers are at in procuring necessary supplies from Cape Town (upwards of 700 miles) induce me most humbly to solicit that His Eoyal Highness will be graciously pleased to recommend that authority be given for the Officers "employed on the Frontier Service until hostilities shall cease " to receive the usual allowance of Bat and Forage.
Aware of the necessity at the present moment of economizing all Military Expenditure, I certainly would not have presumed to have intruded this recommendation upon His Eoyal Highness did I not conscientiously consider that the privations the Officers suffer, and the nature and fatigue of the Service, render them most amply entitled to it. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset,
General Commanding the Forces at the Cape of Good Hope.
206 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.]
Letter from Loip Chaeles Sombesbt to Captain Wauchopb, E.N.
GtovKBHMEirr Houoi, } pa8t 7 a.k., 24<& May 1819.
Sm, — I sent on a horse to Mtdsenbnrg last night with an in- tention of being with you at an early hour this morning, but my late indisposition has rendered me incapable of encountering the very inclement weather of this morning. I am compelled there- fore to attempt to describe by letter that which I was so desirous to have urged personally, in order to put you in full possession of the very critical situation in which this Colony will be placed tmless immediate succour is sent to the frontiers. The last accounts &om the Officer commanding there state the absolute necessity of a farther reinforcement of Troops and a fresh supply of ammunition. The unfortunate loss of the Government Schooner has disappointed me in sending the latter, and the non-arrival of the long expected Transports with the 54th Begiment, the former. Under these pressing circumstances I applied on Friday last to Sir J. Brenton for the use of one of the ships (con- ceiving them to be Transports) conveying the 45th Eegiment to Ceylon, but those vessels not being Transports 1 was frustrated in that hope. I have therefore now only to throw myself on you and solicit the service of H.M.S. Hurydice to Algoa Bay, to afford this most pressing and timely aid to His Majesty's Service. The whole number of Troops that I have to forward at this moment is 226 Bank and File with a proportion of Officers, 2 Officers of the Boyal Engineers, 1 of the Boyal Artillery, and a proportion of entrenching tools. I have also to forward 10 (or any part of them) Howitzers not on Wheel Carriages and 40 Barrels of Gunpowder. You will oblige me by stating to me to what extent you can accommodate me. I enclose an order to the person in charge of the Ordnance Stores at Simon's Town to ship the 40 barrels of gunpowder whenever you shall be ready to receive them. The troops shall march from hence so as to go direct on board at the moment you shall appoint. The Howitzers and entrenching tools will on the receipt of your answer this afternoon be shipped on board the Ship Wellington (now in this Bay) which Mrill sail
Records of the Cape Colony, 207
for Simon's Bay early to-morrow morning, so that I hope every- thing may be on board on Wednesday, if so early a day may be consistent with your convenience. I am aware (at least it has been so asserted) that instructions have arrived by the Redwing for the immediate return of the Hurydice to St. Helena, but my anxiety to communicate personally with you on this subject was to place before you the situation of H.M.s possessions in this Quarter, and that the timely aid the Hurydice would afford might be the means of placing them in safety and of rescuing the troops and inhabitants from being exposed to the most imheard of barbarities. There is no vessel in this Bay (as I am informed) to be hired for this Service. I have &c.
(Signed) Ghables Henbt Somerset.
[Copy.] letter from Captain WAtJcnoPB to Loed Chaeles Somerset.
His Maje8tt*8 Ship Ewrydieef Simon's Bat, 2ith May 1819.
My Lord, — I have this moment had the honor of receiving a letter from your Lordship requesting me to take a re-enforcement of Troops and a supply of ammunition to Algoa Bay. I am extremely sorry to inform your Lordship that it is totally out of my power to comply witli Your Lordship's wishes. I am at present upon the point of proceeding to St. Helena in the Hurydice with a supply of provisions for the Squadron, who are in absolute want of everything. I know that a supply had been expected from England, but upon the sailing of the Redwing none had arrived, and at present there is only seventeen and eighteen days bread there remaining in store. Your Lordship must see from this how impossible it would be for me to alter the present destination of the Hurydice. But as Your Lordship informs me of the diflSculty of procuring a vessel at Table Bay for the service upon which the Hurydice is wanted to proceed, I have taken the liberty of inclosing a tender from the Master of the Golden Grove, a Brig at present in this Bay, who will be ready to sail should your Lordship think proper, with 150 Troops, the 40 barrels of
208 Becords of the Cape Colony.
Gunpowder, and what other stores Your Lordship may think proper, upon Thursday morning. I have &c.
(Signed) W. Wauchope, Captain.
150 Troops would be as many as the JEtt/rydice could properly take round.
[Original.] Letter from Sir Henry Toerens to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
H0B8E GuABDs, 25th May 1819.
Sir, — I have it in command from the Commander in Chief to refer to you the Petition of Finlay Matheson, in behalf of Eight Hundred of the Inhabitants of the Island of Sky praying to be allowed to emigrate to the Cape of Good Hope, which you will be pleased to lay before Earl Bathurst. I have &c.
(Signed) H. Torrens. [Enclosure.]
EbbbbsaiOi L0GHAL8H, ISih May 1819.
The Petition of Eight Hundred of His Majesty's Subjects who reside in the Isle of Skey, in Lochalsh and Lochcarron, Boss-shire, N. Britain Humbly Sheweth
That petitioners sometime ago applied to L. McEinnon Esqre., Sherijff of Sky, requesting him to make application to Government for a number of distressed families who reside in these parts, for leave to emigrant to His Majesty's settlements in America, in reply Mr. McEinnon had for answer that Government would not send emigrants out to America, but promised good encouragement to any who would be disposed to emigrant to the Cape of Good Hope, as His Majesty's Gk)vernment was inclined to favour emigrantation to the Cape, we the petitioners are not quite certain of the conditions held out by Government to emigrants, but Mr. McEinnon tells that they are to have free freight out, a twelve months provisions after landing, each person to get one Hundred Acres of Land already in cultivation on paying two shillings per acre, no rent ever after, also implements for husbandry, and that ships will come to this place to take the petitioners and famleys
Records of the Cape Colony. 209
away, these are the conditions offered them by Mr. McKinnon, he also says that Chelsea pensioners wUl get their pensions paid them in the Cape as in Britain.
Therefore not less than Eight Hundred persons have enrolled themselves already to emigrant and if the petitioners gets an answer to their petition there will many more come forward, petitioners have given up their farms, crofts, and those who have not, but who enroled themselves are turned out of their places by there Landlords, petitioners prays that your Boyal Highness will be graciously pleased to take their case into consideration and order a copy of the conditions on which His Majesty's Government will send emigrants out to be sent to them without delay, for providing petitioners do not give up their places in forteen days hereafter, they will be compeled to remain for another twelve months, petitioners pray that a suficient number of clergymen and school- masters will be sent along with them.
The Chelsea pensioners who have enroled themselves in the number for Emigrantation prays that His Eoyal Highness will cause the Act extend to them and that fresh Instructions will be furnished them to draw their pension in the Cape of Good Hope as in Great Britain. ^
Your Eoyal Highness petitioners will form themselves if required into a local body for the defence of His Majesty's settlements and property and guard against any Invasion foreign or domestic which may be made by sea or land. His Majesty's Government well knows that the Highlanders have always proved themselves the most loyal of His Majesty's subjects and been on every occasion the most forward in there Countrys cause, and these who are your Eoyal Highness petitioners if required would prove that they were not behind the rest of their countrymen in Martial deeds.
That Petitioners may find Grace in your Eoyal Highness sight and that they may have an answer of peace and petitioners will ever pray.
In Behalf of the Petitioners.
(Signed) Finlay Matheson.
To Field Martial His Eoyal Highness The Duke of York Com- mander in Chief &c. &c.. War Ofl&ce, London. The Petitioners request to address the answer of their Petition to Finlay Matheson late Sergt. 42nd Eegt. Erbersaig Lochalsh N.B.
XII. p
210 Becords of the Cape Colony.
[Original.]
Return of Troops serving at the Cape of Oood Hope on the
25th of May 1819.
Officers of all ranks 128
Sergeants, Trumpeters, Drummers, and Bank and File :
Eoyal Artillery 67
Sappers and Miners •••... 13
38thEegiment 767
72nd Regiment 846
Boyal A&ican Corps ...••. 628
(Cavalry 82
Cape Corps j j^^^^y , 169
Grand Total 2700 Prize Negroes .71
(Signed) C. H: Somebset, General Commanding.
[Original] Letter from Mr. George Banks to Earl Bathurst.
Leeds, 3let May 1819.
Mt Lord, — In consequence of the introduction into this neigh- bourhood of machinery for finishing cloth, a great number of hands formerly engaged in dressing cloth by manual labor are now out of employment, the number is materially encreased owing to the great depression in trade which at present exists in the manu- facturing districts generally.
I have been repeatedly waited upon lately by deputations from these unfortunate men expressing very strongly their wishes to emigrate to Canada if means could be raised to send them out. They have produced a printed paper of regulations which I believe was obtained at Tour Lordship's office by my Lord Lascelles and sent by him to them : this document is dated in last year, and I am apprehensive fiN)m information I have received that some
Records of the Cape Colony, 211
changes in these regulations have since been made. At the desire of these men and of the overseers of the poor of this town I am induced to trouble your Lordship to request you will cause to be transmitted to me information whether Gk>vemment still continues to provide tonnage for conveying settlers out and whether pro- visions or any allowance for them is made or might be made under particular circumstances, such for example as those attached to the present applicants; and when arrived in Canada what grant of lands is made and under what conditions and whether agricultural implements and any provisions are issued to the settler on arrival by Grovemment.
The season I am afraid is too far advanced for carrying into execution this year any scheme of emigration to Canada, but I could not refuse the repeated requests of the applicants who amount to 76 men with 56 wives and 161 children. I have &c.
(Signed) Geo. Banks, Mayor.
Reply to the above,
DowKiNO Strbbt, June 1819.
Sir, — ^I am directed by Lord Bathurst to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo, requesting information as to the conditions under which persons are 'permitted to emigrate to His Majesty's Provinces in North America, and to transmit to you the printed reply which is generally given to applicants of this description.
His Lordship has however directed me to suggest to you that the Cape of Good Hope from the superiority of the climate and the fertility of the soil affords greater facilities to the establishment of settlers, and if the persons desirous of emigrating should by any means be furnished with the means of conveyance thither they would have on their arrival better prospects of success. I have &c.
(Signed) Henry Goulburn.
p 2
212 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.J letter from Lobd Ghables Somerset to Sir Jahleel Brenton.
GovBRNMSNT HousB, lit June 1819.
Sir, — ^As the conveying the heavy baggage of the 54th Eegiment from Simon's Town to Cape Town by land would incur an expense of upwards of £200 Sterling, I am necessitated to require the service of a Transport to Table Bay in order to save this heavy expense.
The Acting Deputy Quarter Master General has informed me that he gathered from you that hired vessels in His Majesty's Service were restricted from going into Table Bay, but as I con- ceive that said restriction has reference only to their rendezvous being in Simon's Bay on their arrival in this Colony and can not refer to any service they may subsequently be required to perform in furtherance of the General Military Service, I feel confident that you will not hesitate to appropriate a Transport to this service.
I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Copy filed with Circulars in the Colonial OflSce.]
Observations on the Colonization of the Cape of Good Hope,
In calling the public attention to this most important subject, it may be expedient in the first place to enquire, whether under the present circumstances of the Country, labouring as it is under the pressure of an excessive and daily increasing Population, without sufficient employment, any doubt can exist as to the necessity of some measure calculated to relieve us from this most distressing situation, and against which, no probable change of system at home seems to promise the smallest remedy : The Poor Laws may be revised and remodelled. Claims upon Parishes may be qualified or reduced, the Eight of Settlement may be varied, still the difficulty remains unsubdued; locality of burden, were there nothing else to contend against, would of itself defeat the
Records of the Cape Colony. 213
wisest and most liberal plans that could be devised for the increase of cultivation, and the general employment of the poor.
In referring to the history of other countries, we shall invariably find, that wherever Population has begun to press against subsis- tence, Colonization was the remedy resorted to : all other measures are palliatives, inefficient in their operation, inadequate in their results. If then it is to Colonization that we can alone look forward, as to a harbour in which we may find security firom the tempests which assail and threaten us, that part of our Cape Settlements (ceded to us by the Dutch by the treaty of 1803*,) and bounded on the East by the Great Fish Biver, on the South by the sea, on the North by a chsdn of mountains, and on the West by lands ahready in some degree colonized, seems to hold out the fairest and most legitimate prospect of success.
This partially colonized District demands a little notice. The Dutch, while the settlement was subject to their control, permitted, either from ignorance, or from motives of state policy, any Colonist to select a favourable situation, and having fixed a stake or mark^ to walk from it for one hour in a straight line, then assuming this ^ne as the diameter of a circle, he was permitted to hold the land contained within the circle on the payment of an annual rent of about twenty-five rix dollars, or £3 sterling : Thus, supposing him to have walked three miles, he has an area of from eight to nine square miles, or not less than 5,000 acres, cultivating perhaps at the utmost 50 acres for the support of his family, and leaving the remainder entirely unoccupied, in a condition useless to himself, injurious to the colony, subversive of any attempt at civilization, and paralyzing any effort of improvement. A more effectual system of discolonization could not have been devised. Being obliged therefore to pass beyond the limit of these extraordinary settlements, which commence near the Cape, and also beyond a district covered with fine timber, and which for the future interests of the colony ought not to be destroyed, we come to the Country before-mentioned, and which, from the best information that can be obtained, appears to be the most eligible for the purpose, the climate being very healthy, and altogether one of the finest in the world, the soil extremely fertile, well supplied with wood and water, washed by a sea abounding with fish, and possessing some fine bays and good anchorage. It is true that Mr. Colquhoun (to whom the merit of having first brought the subject into notice
214 Records of the Cape Colony,
ought to be given) recommends the country to the north of the Cape, on account of the beautiful and secure harbour of Saldanha Bay ; but the scarcity of water and want of fertility in the soil, present obstacles not easily to be surmounted.
In the Territory belonging to the Cape, settlers are blessed with a climate which exposes them to none of the privations and hard- ships against which the emigrants to Nova Scotia and Canada have to struggle sometimes for years ; and with a soil that will produce the tea-tree of China, the sugar cane of the "West Indies, the tobacco of America, and all the European fruits, in the greatest abundance and perfection; and above all, the vine in such luxuriance, that hy prop&r encourageinent, and under jvdidous regulations, we might be supplied from thence with Wines equal, if not superior, to those of France, Spain, or Portugal ; and with brandy also, for which we are at present wholly dependant upon the pleasure of France, and which, in time of war, is only to be had at a most exorbitant price : a Colony, therefore, that would open at once a productive and important vent to our manufactures, — ^which our continental neighbours are, either by high duties or by the encouragement of similar manufactures in their own states, universally endeavouring to undermine : above all, it promises for ages to come, a never failing outlet for our redundant Population.
So much for the necessity of some measure; and for the expediency of the one proposed ; but it may perhaps be asked, whether people will emigrate ? the answer to which is, that they are emigrating daily from almost every part of the United Kingdom, and that in a manner the least favourable to the country, and at the same time the most unfavourable for them* selves. Laying aside the intermediate distinctions. Emigrants may be chiefly considered as of two classes ; namely, those who can afford to pay the expenses of the 'VoyKge, and find the pecuniary means of settling themselves, aad those who can neither bear the expence of the passage, nor look ibnvmrd to the acquisition of land otherwise than by their own labour mud personal exertions: of this latter class, many are and will !» disposed of by the former ; it is then to the residue of the latter class that the question of practicability chiefly refers. The expence of passage to the Cape, a voyage usually performed in ten or twelve weeks, may be ascertained in some degree from the experiment tried last year by the Refuge for the Destitute, who
Records of the Cape Colony. 215
sent out 12 young men to the Gape, at an expence of £10 per head, including their maintenance. If we suppose poor settlers are supplied with tools and clothing before they leave this C50mitry, and provided with shelter on their arrival, in procuring which there is not the least difficulty; the serene and genial climate enables us to consider Food as the only article of any magnitude to be provided for. Kow, without touching upon the abundance and cheapness of many articles of produce at the Gape, and without adverting to the facility of importations of rice from India, let us examine the testimonies of those best acquainted with the country, and we shall find, that a settler arriving at the Cape early in September, and commencing his operation of burning or cutting the coarse grass, and digging the soil beneath it^ may look forward to reaping, in twelve or thirteen weeks, an abundant harvest from the wheat, the rye, the barley, or the Indian com, which he has sown, and in eight or nine weeks from the potatoes he has set.
Any able-bodied man, who, with his wife and fkmily, shall be willing to emigrate to the Gape, may with confidence entertain a rational and well-grounded prospect of a comfortable subsistence for the present, and may in a very short period, by industry and attention, look forward to the securing for himself and his descendants not merely a competence, but wealth.
A Gharter of Incorporation to certain persons and their successors was proposed ; the brief outUne of which was, that upon a grant to them of lands, reserving of course the rights of pre-existing
settlers, a sum should have been raised, not less than £200,000, nor exceeding a Million, to have been divided into shares of £100 each ; no liability beyond individual subscriptions, and the profits in proportion to such subscriptions ; twelve directors to have been nominated, who were to remsdn in office the first seven years, with power of themselves to have filled up any vacancies from death or resignation : in the eighth year four to have gone out by loty but might have been re-elected ; haK of the remaining eight in the same way at the end of the next year, and afterwards four annually by rotation : the directors who were to come in, to have been chosen by the body of proprietors; no proprietor to have had more than one vote for every three shares ; the whole to have been transmissible as personal property; the directors to have kept regular accounts which were to be submitted annually to a
216 Becords of the Cape Colony,
general meeting of proprietors, to have been holden at on the day of , any six proprietors possessing shares
to have been empowered to call a special meeting at the same place, on days notice in London newspapers ; the
directors to have appointed such officers as they might think necessary, and to have made aU contracts, and to have had the general management and superintendance of the concerns of the company, subject to their control. Other matters of detail to have been adopted from the practice in similar cases. The names of the Gentlemen who were ready to undertake the direction for the first seven years, would, both as to known personal respectability and capacity for business, have afiforded to the Public a satisfactory pledge of their integrity, and of the total absence of all interested views and sinister motives.
His Majesty's Government . have not deemed it expedient to entertain this proposition ; but their negative was accompanied by a Memorandum from the Secretary of State for the Colonial department, which ia well entitled to the notice of the Public.
It now only remains for the gentlemen who were the promoters of the object, viewing as they do the great importance of it, to lay before the Public this Memorandum, in order that the conditions upon which lands in the Territory belonging to the Cape are to be obtained, may be more fully and generally known.
The Landdrost shall be authorized to assign a proportion of waste land to any person wishing to hold it, situated to the east- ward of Bosjesman's River in the district of Uitenhage, adapted to the wants and means of the applicant; thus a father of a family, having grown-up sons, or other relations residing with him, whose means would enable such relatives to occupy land apart on their own account, may have the quantity of land he is permitted to occupy increased in proportion to the number and means of such relatives : it wUl be evident that such associations will be the greatest security ; and it is evident, by many examples within the knowledge of each of you, that such associations, even under less favourable circumstances, have been unmolested.
2. These lands will be granted to the occupiers at a rent now to be fixed, which rent however will be remitted for the first ten years; and at the expiration of three years (during which the party or his family must have resided on the estate) the land shall be measured at the expense of Govertnment, and the holder shall
Records of the Cape Colony. 217
obtain (without fee) his title thereto, on perpetual quit-rent ; sub- ject however to this clause beyond the usual reservations, that the land shall become forfeited to the Government, in case the party shall abandon the estate, and cease to reside or occupy the same.
3. Parties wishing for grants in the district here mentioned, will not be necessitated to make a direct application to His Excellency the Grovemor as in other cases, but it will be sufficient for them to address the Landdrost, pointing out where they propose to settle, and the authority of the Landdrost shall be sufficient warrant to the party, of the intention of His Majesty's Government in his regard.
4. The landdrost is, however, to be particularly cautious in the distribution of ground, so as to preserve waters, that the most extensive accommodation possible may be afforded in that regard to future settlers ; the necessity of which must be obvious from the supposed scarcity of springs in the districts in question.
5. In order likewise to obtain the most accurate information possible with respect to springs in the whole of tjhis district, the Landdrost is called upon to give the greatest publicity to the Proclamation issued, offering rewards for the discovery of springs proportioned to their strength.
6. The Landdrost will communicate to the Colonial Secretary, quarterly, a list of persons taking lands under this invitation, and describing as accurately as possible the situation of the occupancies.
N.B. Any individual who will procure and convey to the colony subordinate labourers, and either reside or appoint an agent to reside with them in the colony, will be entitled to receive under the usual condition, land in the proportion of 100 acres for every male of above 17 actually settled on the land granted.
The Public cannot fail to see the very great advantages which may be derived by a person enjoying a certain portion of capital, and enabled thereby to hire and retain a proportionate number of able-bodied men, to be employed as agriculturists, masons, black- smiths, carpenters, &c.
Any individual with such means would receive a tract of country extensive in proportion to the number of hands employed by him, by which in a short space of time he might double or treble his capital ; and the very labourers and others employed by him, might (after three or four years spent in the service of the
218 Records of the Cape Colony,
person employing them) become themselves entitled to receive a grant of land in a similar proportion.
The advantages both as to emigration and colonization in favour of the Territory belonging to the Cape, before the United States of America, are immense. Persons emigrating to the Cape, are landed close to the spot where they are to receive their grant of lands, and the lands will be granted rent-free for the space of ten years, and, at the end of that period, are to be retained for ever, upon the payment of a small quit-rent to Government ; while, on the contrary, if they emigrate to the United States of America, they would have to travel up the country a distance of 2,000 miles, to the spot which they are to inhabit, by the expenses of which journey, a great part of their small capital would be consumed : and then, instead of receiving lands rent-free for the space of ten years, and at the end of that period having permission to hold them for ever upon the payment of a small quit rent, they would be obliged to purchase every acre of land from the American Government, at the rate of one, two, or three dollars an acre ; and this land, before it can be rendered fit for cultivation, must be cleared of wood by immense labour, and at a vast expense. In the Cape Territory, they will be under the protection of the British Grovemment, and in the way of communicating with and receiving supplies from their mother country.
To sum up the whole in a few words ; let all persons desirous of emigration, look to the Cape, as even in its most confined view, it must strike the dullest observer that, 1st An Outlet, and that of a most superior description, is ofifered for our redundant Population ; 2ndly, A vent to our manufactures of every description, and a consequent increase of employment at home, as every article (from a nail upwards) requisite for the colony, must be supplied from home; 3dly, The enrichment of ourselves instead of our neigh- bours, by the sale of wines made in our own colony ; 4thly, To small Capitalists, say of £100, an opportunity is presented of employing it most advantageously, and thereby acquiring a hand- some independence for themselves and families, as indeed large families for the purpose of colonisation are riches; and, lastly, That which can never be regarded as of doubtful importance, DiSusion of the knowledge of Christianity throughout the vast regions of Southern Africa.
la June 1819.
Records of the Cape Colony, 219
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
liOKDON, 2nd of Jme 1819.
My Lord, — ^The Colonial Agent for the Cape of Good Hope has recently transmitted to my Under Secretary a correspondence which had passed between him and the Board of Colonial Auditors, respecting the mode in which his Accounts have hitherto been stated and audited.
It appears to me that the Agent's Accounts may be audited in this country, with greater facility^ and convenience than at the Cape of Good Hope, the payments made by him being confined to persons resident at the time in England, and the Vouchers and authorities for his disbursements being more easily famished than in the Colony.
I have therefore instructed the Agent to submit, in future, his accounts to the Board of Colonial Auditors in this Country for their examination; and for the further regulation of your Lordship's proceedings in regard to this subject, I have only to refer you to my dispatch No. 37 of the 6th October 1815 trans- mitting the instructions and Acts of Parliament under which the Board is constituted. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Copy.] Letter from Sir Jahleel Brenton to Lord Charles Somerset.
Simon's Town, 2fu2 Jnm 1819.
My Lord, — I had the honour of receiving your Lordship's letter of the 1st Instant last night, and beg leave to inform you that in answer to the Acting Deputy Quarter Master General's application in your Lordship's name, I communicated to him officially my regret that it was not in my power to comply with your Lordship's wishes, as it is contrary to the express regulations of this Depart- ment fcr a vessel in His Majesty's Service to be sent into Table Bay during liie Winter Season. The experience of the last four
220 Records of the Cape Colony.
years has proved these regulations to be most salutary, and would render any deviation from them on my part utterly inexcusable.
I have &c.
(Signed) Jahleel Brenton.
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Capb of Good Hope, Sth June 1819.
My Lord, — In compliance with your Lordship's instructions and in pursuance of that economical line which I prescribed to myself on taking tliis Command, I have on all occasions taken every step in my power to prevent the increase of expenditure in every branch of the public service which came under my control, and I have thought it my duty in more instances than one to point out to your Lordship when essential saving in the public service might be made.
It is with this view therefore that I beg now to apply to your Lordship, in order that by your representations to my Lords Com- missioners of the Admiralty, a more cordial cooperation in the services which occur on this Station may be exacted, from the Officers of His Majesty's Naval and Transport service sent to this place, in order that the great saving may from time to time be made which now arises in the expense of the transport of troops and stores from hence to Algoa Bay or the other bays or places of debarkation of this Settlement.
I have felt it my duty, notwithstanding the most repulsive cold- ness, to persevere in making official application to the several officers of His Majesty's Navy for assistance, when the good of the service prompted me so to do, but uniformly without success, nor have my applications to the Naval Commissioner for the use of transports placed under his control by the regulation of the service, been, in the slightest degree, more fortunate, and from these circumstances I have been under the necessity of hiring freight for the indispensable conveyance of troops and stores, at prices only warranted by the exigence of the service, when the few masters of vessels here have taken advantage of that necessity to
Records of the Cape Colony. 221
exact a rate which xuider any other circumstances they would not have calculated upon.
I trust, my Lord, I have as much forbearance as falls to the share of most individuals, and that moreover when the service requires it I can even disguise the very painful feeUngs which the harsh correspondence to which I have been subjected in my endeavours to comply with the injunctions I have received from your Lordship to use the strictest economy in every department of the public expenditure, by making these renewed applications to a branch of administration not under my control ; but there is a point beyond which forbearance is not to be defended, and I there- fore must throw myself upon your Lordship if you shall see in the correspondence which 1 have the honor to enclose sufficient ground for the remarks which have escaped me, and in the subject itself sufficient interest to render it worthy of your notice. I shall now therefore lay before your Lordship a few instances which will serve to bear out my remarks and to shew your Lordship that I do not trouble your Lordship till my hopes of receiving the aid necessary for conducting the public service with promptness and economy, without your interference, have vanished.
The 54th Eegiment arrived in Simon's Bay last week, that Bay being now the invariable rendezvous for transports, although it is highly inconvenient and expensive to the Military service that the debarkations should take place excepting in this Town ; the expense of bringing the heavy baggage by land from Simon's Town to this place of that small corps will amount to near £250. I therefore applied to the Naval Commissioner for one of the transports now lying idle in Simon's Bay. I enclose the Com- missioner's answer, and here beg to remark that all merchant vessels come to this port in both seasons, and that so few are the accidents which occur here that the insurance does not vary in consequence of their lying here in the winter or bad season, 1 beg also to observe that imtil within those few months when the whole remaining naval stores were finally removed from hence, no diffi- culty appears ever to have occurred as to sending vessels into this Bay when wanted for that service.
I shall next instance to your Lordship the letters which I had the honour to receive from Capt. Bobinson of His Majesty's Ship Favourite, upon my application to him for the use of his vessel to carry Lt. Colonel Willshire and reinforcements to the frontier at a
222' Records of the Cape Colony.
moment when a most serious invasion had overrun the whole frontier province of Uitenhage and when the Town of that name was itself in considerable danger; you will perceive that, after calling me to account to him for my proceedings in the case and for explanations which it will be scarcely thought an officer of Gapt. Bobinson's rank ought to have received from me, Capt. Bobinson did take on board the troops required, but after keeping them at sea a few days and within 12 hours sail (as the wind then was) of his destination, he returned to port, reporting his vessel not to be fit to proceed on the voyage from an accident having happened to one of the masts. I have no doubt that in returning to port Capt. Sobinson pursued the line he considered the most prudent in his professional duty, but it is much to be lamented that a little more perseverance had not been adopted when the object of the service was of much moment to the safety of this Settlement, particularly as I have since learnt that the only repair which the mast received previous to the vessel proceeding to her destination on the South American coast was such as is at all times most readily and speedily performed at sea.
The service was by this circumstance greatly delayed and impeded, and I was under the necessity of putting the public to the expense of freight for the detachment at last I shall not call your Lordship's attention to a recent application I made to Capt. Wauchope of His Majesty's Ship Eurydice for the assistance of that vessel, and to his reply thereto, and I shall close with requesting your particular notice of a letter which the Naval €ommissioner thought proper to address to me, in consequence of my having made Capt. Sous of His Majesty's Ship Podargvs acquainted with the circumstance of upwards of 20 men having been left on a bairen rock in the Mozambique channel and put it to his sense of feeling and humanity whether he would take upon himself to go to their relief. I did not request him so to do ; it was his own heroic act. He came to their relief at the critical moment when their water was expended, and by this timely arrival had the gratification to save the lives of these unfortimate people and to restore them to their country and their Mends. It seems the Commissioner had advised Capt. Bous to suggest that the Colonial Schooner, of 52 tons burthen and crew of 8 men, should be employed on this Service.
It is umiecessary to comment upon a proposal so preposterous
Records of the Cape Colony, 223
(made by a Naval officer too) that a vessel of this description should be employed on such a service, but even supposing that she had been proper for the service, it was a matter of notoriety that she could not be spared from the Colonial Service at that juncture, as I had no other certain means of commimicating by sea with the disturbed Frontier districts. This therefore brought upon me the disagreeable communication which I now enclose, but which I did not notice. I forbear maMng any other comment upon the several circumstances, only remarking that they are a few among many which I might refer to, and that in transmitting them to your Lordship, the only object I have is to obtain through your Lordship that tiie instructions to the other branch of His Majesty's Service may be such as to remedy the inconvenience which it must be evident the general service is put to from collision of this nature. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henbt Somerset.
[Original.] Letter from Mr. William Savage to Earl Bathurst.
75 Gbomeb Stbeit, Bbunswiok Square, Uh June 1819.
My Lord, — I beg leave to express my obligation for Mr. Goulbum's answer to my former letter to your Lordship on the subject of emigrating to New Zealand.
Li that answer Mr. Goulbum says that in the event of persons proceeding to the Cape of Good Hope, they will receive grants of land in proportion to their means of cultivating it, and that too in a climate and under circumstances by no means less favourable than those which New Zealand could offer.
As political dissatisfaction forms no part of our motives for emigrating, we should greatly prefer continuing to live under the influence of that Constitution which from our infancy we have been taught to revere, and the value of which the experience of manhood has impressed still deeper in our minds ; and also under that Government which has raised the glory of the English Nation to an unprecedented height^ to living under any other Government in the known world.
!224 Records of the Cape Colony.
With these feelings I should be particularly obliged if your Lordship would have the goodness to cause me to be informed in what situation Grants of Land would be made at the Gape of Good Hope, and under what circumstances.
I believe the Capital we should possess would vary from about £800 to £1000 each, and the greatest part of us are men with families.
It would also be desirable for us to know to what extent His Majesty's Government would be inclined to grant land to each individual or family possessing the means of cultivating it ; under what tenure it would be held ; and if the timber that might be growing on the land would be the property of the settler or be reserved by His Majesty's Government. I have &c.
(Signed) Willum Savage.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
LoirDON, 10<& June 1819.
My Lord, — ^Two persons of colour, formerly slaves in the Mauritius and named Polidore and Victorine, will shortly proceed from this Country to the Cape of Good Hope, and I deem it expedient to acquaint your Lordship with the circumstances of their case.
They were lately sent to England by the Lieutenant Governor of the Mauritius, as evidence on the trial of several slave dealers who, on their testimony and that of others, were convicted of the crime imputed to them.
From considerations involving the personal safety of these two individuals, I have determined that they shall not return to the Mauritius, and I have yielded to their request to be allowed to repair to the Cape of Good Hope where they hope to maintain themselves by their industry.
By a communication from the Lords of the Treasury it appears that their Lordships have authorised the Commissariat Depart- ment at the Cape to issue to these persons, rations for a limited time not exceeding twelve months or to pay to them a small sum
Secords of the Cwpe CoUmy. 225
in money so as to enable them to settle in the Colony ; and I have only to express to yonr Lordship my hope that imder this arrange- ment you may be enabled to adopt some measure calculated to secure the comfort of these individuals. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst,
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Henry Goulburn, Esqre., to Lord Charles
Somerset.
London^ 15t& June 1819.
Mt dear Lord, — I am directed by Lord Bathurst to transmit to you the enclosed Memorandum which has been delivered to Lord Bathurst by some gentlemen composing the Committee of the Befuge of the Destitute, accompanied with a request that your Lordship's attention might be called to the subject of it Although the part which your Lordship appears already to have taken in favor of the boy who complained of his Master's ill treat- ment of him sufficiently proves to Lord Bathurst that there is no necessity for his recommendation, yet his Lordship has neverthe- less thought it better to put your Lordship in possession of all the Circumstances of this case which have come to his knowledge, in full confidence that your Lordship will adopt that course which you may consider best calculated to prevent the ill treatment of the boys in question, and to remove the objections which might be felt to sending apprentices from this country to the Cape, if it was supposed that they were improperly dealt with. I have &c.
(Signed) Henry GtOULBurn.
[Office Copy.]
CiTculaT Letter issued hy the Colonial Office.
Dowimro Stbikt, XiOMDoit, 1819.
I have to acquaint you in reply to your Letter of the that the following are the conditions under which it is proposed to give encouragement to emigration to the Cape of Good Hope.
xn. Q
226 Records of the Cape Colony.
The sufferings to which many individuals have been exposed who have emigrated to His Majesty's Foreign Possessions, uncon- nected and unprovided with any Capital, or even the means of support, haying been very afflicting to themselves, and equally burthensome to the Colonies to which they have proceeded, the Grovemment have determined to confine the application of the money recently voted by Address in the House of Commons, to those persons who possessing the means will engage to carry out, at the least. Ten able-bodied Individuals above eighteen years of age, with or without Families, the Grovemment always reserving to itself the right of selecting from the several offers made to them those which may prove upon examination, to be most eligible.
In order to give some security to the Government, that the Persons undertaking to make these Establishments, have the means of doing so ; every person engaging to take out the above- mentioned number of Persons or Families, shall deposit at the rate of Ten Pounds (to be repaid as hereinafter mentioned) for every Family so taken out, provided that the Family does not tconsist of more than one Man, one Woman, and Two Children under Fourteen Years of Age. All Children above the number ^f two will be to be paid for, in addition to the deposit above- mentioned, in the proportion of Five Pounds for every Two ^Children under Fourteen Years of Age, and Five Pounds for every Person between the Ages of Fourteen and Eighteen. . Ih consideration of this deposit a Passage shall be provided ftt the expense of Government for the Settlers, who shall also be victualled from the time of their Embarkation until the time of their Landilig in the Colony.
A Grant of Land, under the conditions hereafter specified, shall be xnade to him at the rate of One Hundred Acres for every such Person or Family whom he so takes out ; one-third of the sum advanced to Government on the outset, shall be repaid on landing, when the Victualling at the expense of Government shall cease. A further proportion of One-third shall be repaid as soon as it shall be certified to the Gk)vemor of the Colony that the Settlers under the direction of the Person taking them out, are actually located upon the Land assigned to them, and the remainder at the expiration of Three Montiis from the date of their location.
If any Parishes in which tiiere may be a redundancy of Popula- tion shall unite in selecting an Intelligent Individu^ to proceed
Records of the Cape Colony, 227
to the Cape, with Settlers under his direction, not less in number and of the description above-mentioned, and shall advance money in the proportion above-mentioned, the Government will grant Land to such an Individual at the rate of 100 Acres for every head of a Family, leaving the Parish at liberty to make such conditions with the Individual, or the Settlers, as may be calcu- lated to prevent the Parish becoming again chargeable with the maintenance of such Settlers, in the event of their return to this country.
But no offers of this kind will be accepted, unless it shall' be clear that the Persons proposing to become Settlers have dis- tinctly given their consent, and the head of each family is not infirm or incapable of work.
It is farther proposed, that in any case in which one hundred families proceed together and apply for leave to cany out with them a Minister of their own persuasion. Government will, upon their being actually located, assign a Salary to the Minister whom they may have selected to accompany them, if he shall be approved by the Secretary of State.
The Lands will be granted at a quit rent to be fixed, which rent, however, will be remitted for the first Ten Years; And at the expiration of Three Years, (during which the party and a number of Families, in the proportion of one for every hundred acres must have resided on the estate), the land shall be measured at the expense of Gk)vemment, and the holder shall obtain, with- out fee, his title thereto, on a perpetual quit rent, not exceeding in any case Two Pounds sterling, for every 100 Acres; subject however, to this clause beyond the usual reservations,* that the land shall become forfeited to Government, in case the party shall abandon the estate, or not bring it into cultivation within a given number of years. I am &c.
P.S. In order to ensure the arrival of the Settleis at the Cape at the b^inning of the planting Season, the Transports will not leave this country imtil the month of November.
^ The usual reeervations are the right of the Crown to Mines of Precious Btones, of Gold and Silver, and to make such Boads as may be necessary for the convenience of the Colony.
Q 2
228 Records of the Cape Colony,
[Office Copy.]
XaHmate of the Sxpence of Articles required for settling 100 Families at the Cape of Oood Hope, calcuiaied for each Family, and multiplied afterwards by 100.
Bita.
3 Spans of Oxen (36 at 30 Bds. each) for the use of five Families 216 1 Waggon (800) for the use of five Families . . .160
"^1 Horse, Saddle, and Bridle . . « . . « 125
5 Cows for Breeding (20 Bds.) . . ... 100
1 Plough (80 Bds.) for 5 Families 16
1 Wheelbarrow 15
2 pickaxes • .... 5
2 spades 5
2 Sickles 1
5 Canvas Bags 10
1 Large Axe 3
1 Hatchet 1
1 Adze 3
IJack Plane 4
1 Smoothing Do. 3
2 Chisels 2
1 Hammer. . , 2
Garden Seeds 20
Household Furniture—- \
2 Chairs t2 Iron Pots. t6 Pewter Plates . t6 Basons t Knives and Forks. fSpoons « Pails, &c . •
1| muid of wheat for seed 11
Materials for Building a House 20 ft. by 10 ft. Clay Walls, &c.
thatched Roof 100
40 Breeding Sheep 80
1 ..•«.« 60
942
The above is calculated upon a supposition that the Family is subsisted by Bations from (xovemment until it obtains a Crop. If to subsist itself add the following :
40 Sheep for Slaughter 80
650 lbs. of Flour for 6 months allowing 5 lbs. of Bread per diem . 39
1061
Becords of the Cape Colony. 229
The Article marked thus * is not absolutely necessary for each Family. The Articles marked thus t shoidd be purchased in England, and would in that case be cheaper.
Multiply the 1st Calculation by 100 gives 94^200 Eds. for lOO Families, which at 120 per Centum would amount to £8,563 Sterling.
Multiply the 2nd Calculation by 100 gives 106,100 Eds. for 100 Families, which at 120 per Centum would amount to £9,655 Sterling.
[Office Copy.]
Printed Letter in reply to Applicants desirous to emigrate.
DowNiNO Strbbt, London,
I am directed by Earl Bathurst, to acquaint you, that he has had under consideration your Letter
and that he accepts the proposal which you have made to take a party of able-bodied Settlers,
to the Cape of Good Hope, where a Grant of Land will accordingly be assigned to you on your Arrival, in conformity with the Eegulations laid down by His Majesty's Government.
I have therefore to request, that you will immediately transmit to me, three separate lists of the Individuals who have placed themselves under your direction, and I enclose to you proper Ketums for that purpose ; at the same time, I deem it necessary to mention, that it is absolutely requisite that the details respecting the Individuals of your Party which you are called upon to state in the Setums, should be correctly specified, as any erroneous statement upon these heads, but more particularly in respect of the Age of the Individuals, could not fail to be productive of much inconvenience.
Upon receiving these Betums, I shall lose no time in stating to you the Amount of the Money which you will be required to deposit under the existing Kegulations, and the mode in which the Payment is to be made.
I am^ &c.
P. S. If there be any Ofl&cers on the Half-Pay of the Army or Xavy, or military or Naval Pensioners among the individuals
^230 Records of the Cape Colony.
proceeding under your direction, it will be necessary that you should transmit to me a (fourth) List, specifying their usual place of residence, and the designation under which they are respectively i known at the War-Office, and at the Admiralty, in order that I . may take the necessary measures to enable them to receive their Allowances in the Colony.
These Persons should, on their part, immediately apply to the Secretary at War and to the Secretary of the Admiralty, stating their intention to emigrate to the Cape of Good Hope, and re- questing iustructions for their guidance in respect to the receipt of their allowances.
In making your arrangements for Embarkation, it will be necessary that you should bear in mind, that you will be allowed tonnage for the conveyance of the baggage of your party at the rate of Ton for each single able-bodied individual and
tons for each able-bodied incUvidual who is accompanied by his Family.
[Office Copy.] Printed Letter in reply to Applicants for Information,
DowNiNO Btbebt, LONDOir,
Sir, — In reply to your Letter of the I am directed by Earl Bathurst to acquaint you, that as the Circular Letter distinctly specifies the nature and extent of the assistance which will be granted to individuals who may be allowed to proceed as Settlers to the Cape of Good Hope, together with the conditions under which alone that assistance can be given to them, it is only necessary to refer you to that document, and to add that no pro- posal can be accepted which is not framed in conformity with the offer of His Majesty's Government.
With reference to your particular enquiries respecting the mode in which the views of the Settler may be best attained, I have to acquaint you, that it is not in Earl Bathurst's power to communi- cate to you that species of information, which can most properly be afforded by the practical Agriculturist, or only obtained upon the spot.
- The Settlers will be located in the interior of the Colony, not far from the Coast ; and in allotting to them the Lands which Govern-
Records of the Cape Colony. 231
ment have agreed to grant to them, their interests and their wishes will be consulted and attended to, as far as may be consistent with the public interest of the Colony.
The Settlers should take with them a supply of Agricultural Implements, as well as necessaries; but they will be enabled to purchase, in the Colony, a limited quantity of the former Articles, together with Tools and Seed Com.
The Settlers will not find habitations ready for their reception. ,
The person under whose direction a party of Settlers proceed, is at liberty to secure their services by any legal agreement into which they may think proper to enter.
The new settlement will, of course, be governed according to the Laws in force in the Colony.
In conclusion, I beg to observe, that it must be lefb to the persons taking out Settlers, to form their own opinion as to the amount of the pecuniary means with which they shoiQd be pro- vided, in order to support the persons placed imder their direc- tions, and ensure the success of their undertaking.
I am, &c.
[Office Copy.]
Printed Letter in re/ply to Applicants desirous of
emigrating singly.
Downing Street, LonKnr,
I have received and laid before Earl Bathurst, your letter of the and am desired by His Lordship, to refer you to the printed Circular Letter, which states the conditions under which Assistance can be granted to Individuals desirous of Emigrating to the Cape of Grood Hope, and by which you will observe, that Grovemment do not entertain individual applications for permission to settle in that Colony.
I am, &c.
232 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.]
Printed Letter used hy the Colonial Office.
BoivmNO Stbket, Londoit, 1819.
Sir, — In reply to your Letter of the I am directed by the Earl Bathurst to acquaint you that he cannot take into considera- tion the wish you have expressed to be allowed to settle at the Cape of Grood Hope, unless you transmit to this Department a detailed Statement of the Number, Names, and Age of all the Persons, Men, Women, and Children, whom you propose to take, under your Direction, to that Colony, according to the terms specified in the Circular Letter; nor, unless such statement be accompanied by an assurance that you are ready to conform your- self to all the conditions upon which His Majesty's Government have offered to grant Lands in the Colony. I am, &c.
Henry Goulburn.
[Original.] Zetter from Mr. John Campbell to Earl Bathurst.
Inybbnbss. I6ih June 1819.
My Lord, — Intending with several of my neighbours to proceed as Settlers to His Majesty's Colony in the Cape of Good Hope, I take the liberty of addressing your Lordship with reference to the terms held out to emigrants by the Government, as contained in a printed letter sent firom the Colonial Office in answer to queries on the subject.
The exact number of intending settlers is fotirteen, who, with their wives and children, will make in all about seventy souls. These fourteen settlers, or fathers of families, are each of them ready to pay down to any person appointed to receive the same ten pounds sterling, being the pledge required by your Lordship, and on the condition of repayment as specified in the letter.
They are willing to xmdertake the cultivation of whatever grants of land that may be allocated to them under the usual conditions, and have already become all bound to that effect. The Tonnage
Records of the Cape Colony. 233
will be provided for the Settlerg, and it is presumed at the expence of Government.
With reference to the Victualling, the enactments of the Act 43rd of the Bang, cap. 56, seem all to relate to settlers proceeding to North America ; for tho' the inductive clause of the Act refers to " His Majesty's Colonies " without particularizing any, yet the special provisions point out those Colonies for their object, and no other. The writer is imaware of any other Statute. And the parties may therefore perhaps store themselves, without regarding the Statute.
Your Lordship's letter bears that the expence of victualling the Settlers will be defrayed by themselves. The Applicant is igno- rant whether Government will procure the Stores, and make the emigrants pay for them, or whether they will be allowed at the sight of Government to provide them in such a manner as they please, or whether Gt)vemment will advance them stores on the credit of their deposit of £10 ?
Providing your Lordship grants the terms, the Settlers will be ready to embark from any point in the Parish of Strath, Isle of Skye, where they now reside, on the shortest notice.
Some months ago the Chief Magistrate of Skye published that Government was resolved to give a free and victualled passage to every Settler that would go to the Cape. Incited by this seemingly official intelligence, about nine hundred people gave up their farms, sold off their stock, and waited, and stiU wait, for the fulfilment of these splendid prospects.
By this cruel, or mischievous story, the greater part of this body wander about without home or means to get one. Among them are the present applicants on your Lordship's favour. They have had the foresight of securing their £10 from the shipwreck of their effects. But unless they are timeously removed, necessity will compel them to use even this money, and their misery will be then consummated. Trusting however that your Lordship will readily stretch forth your hand in their behalf, I for myself and them, &c.
(Signed) John Campbell.
234 Records of the Cape Colony.
[From the Times of June 18th 1819.]
Emigration.
Tt has been frequently stated as a subject of regret in this journal that the stream of emigration from the united kingdom has taken a westerly course. We have lamented it^ because, according to the actual policy of England, the whole western Continent must soon be lost to her empire ; and because, in the most favourable point of view, the natural advantages of North America are far from presenting to British emigrants the best re- sources within the dominions of their Sovereign. Southern Africa has been often pointed out as the most precious and magnificent object of our colonial policy, and the most firuitfol field of ad- venture to our emigrant population. We are much pleased with a document which has been transmitted to us some days ago, and from which we shall subjoin certain extracts, because it proves that the spirit of many of our enlightened countrymen is alive to means of r^uge for the indigent, which have never yet been resorted to. We shall at the same time advance our firm persuasion, that for colonization to become an effectual source of relief to this country, it must be powerfully aided and sup- ported by the state. Thousands and tens of thousands of our fellow subjects must be provided for in some way or other, and cannot be so while they remain at home. Our noble station at the Gape of Good Hope has the finest soil and climate in the world ; it is in the centre of both hemispheres — ^it commands the commerce of the globe — ^it produces in unparalleled abundance all the necessaries and aU the luxuries of life, whether civilized or savage. It is the natural key of India, the bridle of America, and is capable of superseding the whole of Europe in supplying this country with her accustomed articles of importation. The natives in the vicinity of our settlement are now in arms against us. The surface which we might people with hardy Englishmen is upwards of 100,000 square miles. Make the Cape a free port for the nations of Europe, and we banish North America from the Indian seas : carry out as settlers all the families who have not bread nor labour here, and we lay for posterity another England, with which, by equitable and skilful government, the moHkuK country will be joined in bands indissoluble.
Records of the Cape Colony. 235
[OriginaL] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Cafe of GKx)d Hops, 22fMi Jwne 1819.
My Lord, — ^As soon as I was honoured with Tour Lordship's dispatch of the 24th December last (No. 24) on the subject of certain Ordnance Stores which had been seized by the Custom Officers of this place^ I lost no time in calling upon the Comp- troller of Customs for an explanation of the circumstances alluded to in your communication, and I have now the honour to forward to your Lordship a copy of the Comptroller's very detailed report of this unpleasant and embarrassing circumstance.
Li a former dispatch dated 17th December last (No. 15) I had the honour to call Your Lordship's attention to this transaction; and to enclose for your information the documents relating thereto in the enclosures Nos. 2, 3, and 4 of that dispatch, and I now beg to state to you that whatever inconvenience the Ordnance Store- keeper has been put to, or whatever expence may devolve on him in consequence of this affair, are solely to be attributed to aa inexplicable pertinacity on his part and to his refusing to comply in the first instance with those regulations which the Custom House required not only for the protection of its Eevenue, but for the safety of the Public, and in the next place, to the levity with which he thought proper to treat the subsequent prosecution which had been commenced against him, instead of appealing £rom the sentence of the Worshipful the Court of Justice, as he might and ought to have done, which was the legal way of bringing the case before me in Appeal, and which would have enabled me to redress the decision of the lower Court, had I had grounds for so doing, or to refer the case home for a more advised legal opinion than I might have considered attainable here in a matter in which Public Stores were concerned, be suffered the matter to drop, and virtually acceded to the decision, thereby precluding my interference.
. The case however was still surrounded with difficulty, the Court of Justice had placed its sentence in the hands of the Sequestrator for execution, and the Prosecutor and Comptroller had acquired a legal title to a compensation which ought not
236 Records of the Cape Colony,
apparently to have been interfered in by me. Had the stores been of any other description than what they were, I am not aware how I could have protected them against the Sentence of the LaWy but as the article was Gunpowder and I found that I possessed great control oyer the disposal of it in any manner, I notified to the Sequestrator, through the regular channels, that he must not proceed in the Sale thereof, without further instructions, and I signified to the parties interested that the proceeds of sale of such Gunpowder as was disposed of from the Public Stores to the Inhabitants of the Interior should be deposited in the Govern- ment Bank to be distributed for their compensation should I obtain authority from Home so to appropriate it, and that in the meantime the nature of the seizure must necessitate the Sentence laying dormant.
The Comptroller, who is principally interested in the Seizure, has most anxiously solicited the execution of the Sentence of the Court of Justice, as Your Lordship will perceive from the accom- panying copies of letters which he addressed to the Colonial Secretary on the subject, and your Lordship will further see from the copies of the replies thereto the ground I took for the protec- tion of the Government interests herein, and in this stage I anxiously waited for your Lordship's reply to my letter of the 17th December above quoted.
But I have since received a letter from Mr. Secretary Lushington enclosing a copy of one from the Secretary to the Ordnance respecting the Seizure and condemnation of this gunpowder and requesting me to give the necessary directions for the immediate delivery thereof to the Ordnance Storekeeper and for the repay- ment of any penalties or costs which may have been levied upon the Ordnance Storekeeper. This communication is peculiarly embarrassing, as it calls upon me to set aside the Sentence of a Competent Court which I am not aware that I have any power of doing, and Tour Lordship will feel how strictly such a right, existing in the Grovemor, should be defined, if indeed it is con- sidered safe to the public interest that such interference be admissible. The Supreme Government has provided amply for individual security against any erroneous decisions of the Colonial Court of Justice by admitting a chain of appeals which end in His Majesty's Privy Council, but the Colonial Court would view with great jealousy and uneasiness an arbitrary interference such
Records of ike Cape Colony. 237
as must be exercised in the present case, to give eflfect to Mr. Secretary Lnshington's instructions.
The case now stands thus: 700 Barrels of Gunpowder have been seized under very aggravated circumstances of irregularity and l^ally condemned^ the seizor and prosecutor have obtained certain rights in consequence of the condemnation ; but from the nature of the Seizure no efTect has been yet given to the Sentence^ the Gun Powder never having been out of the possession of the Ordnance Storekeeper, who has not been hitherto put to any expence whatever. An expedient has been suggested for com« promising the affair by compensating those legally entitled thereto by the aforesaid Sentence out of the Proceeds of the Sales of the Gun Powder from the Public Stores, and I respectfully submit to Your Lordship whether it may not be wiser and more just to adopt this expedient than arbitrarOy to reverse the Sentence of a Court of Justice, which Sentence had it been illegal or unjust might have been appealed from, and the error, if such had existed, thereby redressed, and by so doing give room for feelings of in-^ security which now happily do not exist in this Settlement.
It is perfectly clear from Mr. Lushington's letter that in future irregularity such as has occurred is to be overlooked, and that the Grovemor is to consider himself possessed of the authority granted by the Act 51 of the King, Cap. 96, to the Board of Treasury to direct seizures of this nature to be restored before judgement shall be given, therefore nothing of the kind can in future occur. At the same time I beg to assure Tour Lordship that it requires very great vigilance to protect the Bevenue from the tricks and subter- fuges which the subordinate Officers of Public Departments have recourse to, to cover illicit transactions under the cloak of landing public Stores. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Hekby Somerset.
[Original.]
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Henet Goulburn, Esqre.
Gafb of Good Hofb, 2l^nd Jtme 1S19,
Sir, — ^I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th September last, giving cover to one from a
238 Records cf the Cap^ Colony.
person who is desirous to obtain certain information as to the period of the death of a Mr. Schnaegelsberg, who is stated to have held the Ofl&ce of Beceiver at this place, and in reply thereto, to transmit to yon, for the information of Earl Bathnrst, the enclosed copy of a report &om the Orphan Board of this Settlement, to whom I caused your letter to be referred, which contains satisfactory information on the subject. I have &a
(Signed) Charles Henrt Somerset.
The enclosure gives date of the man's death and states that he left a will bequeathing his property to his. widow.
[Original.]
Eeturn of Troops serving at the Cape of Good Hope on the
25th of June 1819.
Officers of all ranks . 157
Sergeants, Trumpeters, Drummers, and Bank and File :
Boyal Artillery 67
Boyal Engineers 13
38th E^iment . 777
54thBegiment 586
72nd B^ment 845
Boyal African Corps ...... 627
^ ., (Cavahrv 82
Cape Corps jj^^^^;:^ ^gg
Grand Total 3323 Prize Negroes * 70
(Signed) C. H. Somerset, General Commanding.
[Original.] Zetter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Gape of Good Hofb, 28ih June 1819.
Mt Lord» — I have the honour to acquaint Tour Lordship that I have availed myself of the return of His Majesty's Ship Phaeton
Beasrds of the Cape Colony. 239
to send by her, directed to My Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, detailed accounts with vouchers of the receipt and expenditure of the year 1818, and I have now the honour to forward to Your Lordship a copy of the Accounts Current which have been sent to His Majesty's Treasury to be submitted to the Audit Department from the 1st July 1816 to the 31st December 1818.
I take this opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your Lordship's dispatch No. 23 (dated 23rd December 1818) enclosing a copy of a letter addressed to your Under Secretary by the Secretary of the Treasury, by which it would appear that no detailed accounts of the receipt and expenditure of this Grovem- ment have been received at the Treasury prior to the 1st July 1816, and desiring in consequence that I will transmit Home as early as convenient the regular accounts of the Colony from the period when I assumed the Administration of Government. I beg hereupon to observe to Tour Lordship that shortly after the formation of a Board for the examination of Colonial Accounts I was honoured with Instructions from My Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury as to the mode in which the detailed accounts of the Colony were to be kept from the commencement of the Quarter (if practicable) immediately preceding the receipt thereof; the Accounts of this Government have therefore been kept in conformity thereto since that time and transmitted to the Treasury according to the forms and at the periods directed ; but prior to that date, in making up the Colonial Accounts, the system which had been established by the Earl of Macartney approved at that time and uniformly adhered to by his successors (my Predecessors in this Government) had been followed; by this system the Eeceiver General was made Debtor for all branches of Beceipt which" were paid into his hands, and he was credited with the expenditure ; such expenditure being vouched by a warrant under the Governor's hand and counter- signed by the Colonial Secretary for OBxh' payment by In'm made ; these warrants, with the Original Accounts which had regularly been audited by the OflScer appointed to the Office of Colonial Auditor here by the Commissioners of the Treasury, were not in duplicate, and became the only and unalienable records and vouchers of the Receiver General's Department of this Colony for the pecuniary transactions of this Government. Quarterly
240 Records of the Cape Colomy.
however copies of this Account Current were forwarded by the Grovemors for the time being to the Colonial Office in England, and these copies axe now the only record which it appears practicable to furnish to His Majesty's Treasury to elucidate the receipt and expenditure which Tour Lordship calls for. As however the pecuniary concerns of this place are extremely clear and the items of expenditure almost speak for themselves, I submit to Tour Lordship whether every substantial use of the Audit may not be attained by an attentive examination of the items of expenditure, and if there be any one upon the propriety of which there cannot be a shade of doubt, let the disbursement be minutely enquired into, but Your Lordship will at once see that regulations subsequently directed neither ought, or indeed can be made applicable to the transactions which took place previous to the month of July 1816, and in fact that it is impossible that accounts of the nature now called for should be rendered.
I trust Tour Lordship will not interpret this, or permit such construction to be put upon it, into any wish on my part to withhold either accounts or any information as to the minutest item of the public expenditure of the Colony; that cannot be the case, because the details of the Colonial Expenditure are before Tour Lordship, though unaccompanied with the vouchers which not having antecedent to the 1st July 1816 been prepared^ either in duplicate or according to the forms since directed, cannot now be furnished. I have &c*
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Original.] LetUr from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathtjrst.
Gafb of Good Hope, Juim 28tik 1819.
Mt dear Lord, — My official dispatch which accompanies this fully details to your Lordship the subject upon which it treats, but I am led to take the liberty of troubling your Lordship with this private communication, because I cannot help flattermg myself that when your Lordship directed your Dispatch of the 23rd of December last, you were not aware of the difficulty
Mecords of the Cape Colony, 241
into which Your Lordship's sanction of the request from the Treasury was plunging me or of the injustice (if you will pardon the expression) which the arrangement proposed by that Board must inevitably do me, that arrangement subjecting my accounts in this Government to be audited from the 1st of April 1814, ac- cording to Begulations and Forms not known here till July 1816.
Now, my dear Lord, all I ask is that until those Begulations were known my accounts should not be audited by their forms ; if they are, I can perceive no termination to my responsibility and no hope of a release, because it is not possible for me to famish the Documents which those Begulations demand for the previous period.
If the Auditors are to go back to Accounts in this Government previous to the Establishment of their present system, they must I presume do so to the Period at which this Settlement fell into the possession of the British Crown ; if on the other hand they are to commence their labours upon the newly established system at any period subsequent to the commencement of Sir David Baird's administration surely that period ought in fairness to be when those novel Begulations were known in this Settlement. From thai moment (1st July 1816) not a Bix Dollar was paid which was not ui the most strict conformity with those Instruc- tions. From that moment therefore let me entreat Your Lordship to permit my accounts to be audited by those Begulations, but previous to that period let my accounts (which were made out precisely according to the existing Instructions for my guidance and have been regularly transmitted periodically to your Lordship) be examined and discharged as my Predecessors' accounts have been.
I shrink from no investigation, for I am proud and confident in saying that no Bevenue could have been expended with greater attention to frugality, a more ardent desire to economise, or with greater anxiety for the public interests, but I require that whilst the Instnictions for making out my accounts were governed by the Instructions which the Accounts of my Predecessors were ruled, my Accounts should be passed as theirs have been, but that from the moment the new Instnictions were known here my Accounts should be audited by the tenets of those new Instructions, and if they be found deficient in the Forms prescribed. I shall submit most willingly to suffer for my negligence.
XII. Jl
242 Records of the. Cape Colony.
The difference then will be thus: I at present stand debited to the end of the year 1817 with 5,053,421 rds. 4 sks. If sts., from which should be deducted the Eevenue from the 1st of April 1814 to 30th June 1816, amounting to 3,168,067 Eds. 1 sk 3} sts., leaving the Debit against me 1,885,354 rds. 2 sk. 4 sts., to which will now be added the Eevenue of 1818 1,394,018-2-1, making the debit against me to the 31st of December 1818 3,279,372-4-5, for which I am anxious to meet the scrutinies of the Colonial Auditors.
Tour Lordship is too affectionate and exemplary a parent not to feel the awful situation in which the family of every man who is a public accomptant is placed until his quietus is given. What then must be the reflection of that man who is told that his accounts cannot be passed until he produces vouchers prescribed by ex post facto regulations, which it is utterly impossible to procure ? Your Lordship will, I am confident, perceive the cruelty of such a measure being enforced. I rely on youi: Lordship's fidendship, on Your Lordship's benevolence, on Your Lordship's justice, to rescue me from so perilous a situation, and I feel confident that when your Lordship views the subject more minutely I shall not be unsuccessful in my appeal.
Believe me &c.
(Signed) Charles Henby Somerset.
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathubst.
Oafb of Good Hope, 30fA Jtme 1819.
My Lord, — I have been honoured by the receipt of your Lord- ship's dispatch No. 22, of 22nd December 1818, stating that an application had been made to your Lordship from the London Missionary Society to permit some of their body to proceed to this place for the purpose of exercising their Ministry in the Colony and of adding to their Establishments already beyond its limits, and detailing the result of an interview which your Lord- ship had had subsequently with some members of the Society on the subject of theirviews and relative to certain complaints against
Records of the Cape Colony, 243
the regulations of the Colony, which they took the opportunity of stating to your Lordship affected the interests of those whom they here represented.
Previous to my receipt of this communication from your Lord- ship, Dr. Philip, the person to whom your Lordship alludes as being of a superior class and invested with authority to regulate the proceedings of the inferior Missionaries, had arrived, and he has obtained leave not only to visit all the stations within the Colony but to proceed to such of them beyond the limits as are to the N. and E. of the Orange river. Dr. Philip has commenced his tonr of inspection and proposes proceeding to Leetakoo and even farther if he finds it feasible.
I cannot but express to your Lordship the satisfaction I feel at the determination the Society came to of sending a confidential and well informed person to reside here for the purpose of con- trolling the inferior Missionaries. Previous to the arrival of Dr. Philip the irregularities at several of the stations were such as not only to have tended materially to frustrate the objects of the London Missionary Society, but to have caused consider- able irritation among the Missionaries themselves, in so much so that finding their statements not credited at home and consequently not attended to, many of the most respectable of them (8) had broken off their connection with the Society altogether. It was impossible for me, anxious as from my situation I must be for the welfare and improvement of the different classes of the community here, not to lament that the system upon which the members of this Society acted was one from which the benefits which the Parent Society in England anticipated could not possibly result; it clearly appeared that religion and civilization, instead of being progressive, in fact retrograded, and that the useful class of labourers of the Hotten- tots and Bastard tribes was subtracted from those occupations to which they were best suited, without benefit to themselves and with great detriment to the public. It did not require much local knowledge to see the errors that had been committed and were continued, but it would have been in vain to have attempted to stem the current of opinion. The misrepresentations which were sent home from hence by the inferior Missionaries (and particularly by some now expelled from the Society) were published, and whatever calumnies were vented against the
R 2
244 Records of the Cape Colony.
Colonists or the Colonial institutions appear to have been greedily received and implicitly credited ; it can only be attributed to this appetite for listening to the fables of their ignorant and some- times malevolent servants, that grave, well informed and well meaning men (in other respects) should have waited upon your Lordship and preferred a series of complaints arising, as they affirm, from the laws and administration of this Colony, not one of which is founded in fact.
So far from it having been the case that any impediment has been thrown in the way of their baptizing or burying the members of their communities, the animadversion of those who have officially visited their stations has been expressed at the few baptisms which had been administered among these congregations with the means of instruction they possessed, and which instruc- tion among the children at least might have been enforced, but which from the system upon which they have hitherto acted of not compelling children to attend the schools, but leaving it optional with them so to do or not, has not hitherto effected much progress at any of the London Missionary institutions within the boundaries, in the objects for which they were set on foot. With respect to Burials, it is impossible that any interference whatever should have taken place with these communities, the institutions or villages in which they reside are at a considerable distance from the Towns of the interior, they form a Society apart, have their own Church or Chapel and their own burjring gi^ound, no one interferes with them, and any ceremony which they might think proper to make use of would be neither obstructed, attended to, or even known. The Calvinists or Presbyterians, whose tenets are those of the Established Clergy of this Settlement, have no burial service ; the body is taken to the grave, followed by the relations and friends, and then deposited without the slightest ceremonial; but the members of every other congregation use their respective forms without the smallest molestation or remark. In this town there is a particular burying ground set apart for the class of Free blacks or slaves who have embraced the Christian faith, and even the Mahometans have their peuticular burying places and deposit their dead according to the peculiar rites of that people.
With regard to marriages of Hottentots, in no instance can I learn that any persons have attempted to prevent their taking
JRecords of the Cape Colony, 245
place ;. the Missionaries however have been distinctly informed that the members of their communities contracting marriages must do so according to the regulations of the Civil Colonial Law, and that these regulations cannot be dispensed with. I am the more surprized at hearing this complaint preferred, as only a few years since a complaint of a directly reverse nature was made to your Lordship arising from my having with some severity com- mented upon the system of concubinage which I had witnessed at an Institution of a somewhat similar, though far superior, nature to those of the London Missionary Societies. The founder of these Societies here, Dr. Van der Kemp, married into this class. . His successor as chief of the Missions took a Hottentot to wife, and has since been expelled the Society for concubinage ; neither of these instances was attempted to be checked. It is true that they were considered by many as calculated to do injury to the cause in which these persons were embarked, and perhaps the Inhabitants of the vicinity in which the Dr. and Mr. Bead resided expressed themselves to that effect, and thus gave offence to them; but beyond such expression of public feeling (a feeling which it will be diflBicult to remove,) there has been no opposition to these connections, ^which have however chiefly been confined to the residents at the Institutions. The Hottentots are precisely similarly situated with the Inhabi- tants of European descent in respect to the Matrimonial Courts at which marriages are by law required to be enregistered. Each district has at least one such court, the most extensive districts, in which the increase of population has afforded opportunity of making subdivisions and provision for a Magistrate and Clergy- man, have some two and one three such Courts. Thus it is not possible that more attention could have been paid to what your Lordship considers so essential an object.
From this explanation your Lordship will, I doubt not, be con- vinced of the inaccuracy of the information from which the Directors of the London Missionary Society have made their representations to you, and I am persuaded that as far as the interior of the Colony is concerned, they will obtain clearer know- ledge and have better views when Dr. Philip shall have made his tour of inspection and have reported to the Society. In a letter which that Gentleman has lately addressed to the Colonial Secretary, he thus expresses himself: *'That great errors have
246 Records of the Cape Colony.
been committed in the management of the London Missionaiy Society's Missions in South Africa cannot be denied, and that some of those errors may be. traced to diflFerent sources will be readily granted ; but the great source in which most of them have originated will, I apprehend, be found in the mistaken confidence which the Directors of the Society appear to have placed in the late Dr. Van der Kemp's judgment, the man who laid the founda- tion of the Society's Missions in this part of the African Continent The Dr. has been acknowledged to have been a man of learning and genius, but he seems to have been too much of a theorist and a visionary, and not to have had an understanding sufficiently practical for the situation he filled as a Missionary or even for the common purposes of life. When we say that Van der Kemp appears to have possessed sincerity, to have been a disinterested man, to have had much commendable zeal, and to have meant well, I am of opinion that we give him all the praise to which he was entitled as a Missionary."
It is apparent from this that Dr. Philip has already seen how full of evU the present system of Missions is, and I entertain the pleasing and confident hope that his perseverance, temper, infor- mation, and good sense will overcome the difficulties with which he will at first be surrounded, and place these Missions upon a footing which shall be at once beneficial to the Hottentot tribes and reflect credit upon the benevolent patrons of these Missions in England. But whatever errors may have been committed in the establishment of the system upon which the Missions within the Colony have been conducted, and however injurious, in my view of the case, the consequences of these errors have been to this Settlement, the danger arisiug from those Stations which have been established immediately beyond our limits, the members or inhabitants of which consider themselves independent of Colonial Law and Control, is far greater, and will require at no distant period the most vigilant attention.
Under the pretext of establishing Missions among the tribes beyond the borders, the Missionary Anderson has attracted to Griqua Town and its vicinity some thousands of the class of Bastards, who now range on the banks of the Orange river with- out order and without control. In a recent interview which the very active Magistrate of the Frontier District (Graaff Beinet) had with Mr. Anderson, the latter estimated the number of men of
Records of the Cape Colony. 247
this class capable of bearing arms at 1500, one third of whom had firelocks and procured ammunition from the Colony, notwith- standing the great vigilance which is enforced to prevent that traffick; these people, all bom in the Colony and brought up under the farmers in the interior, are thus subtracted from the dass of labourers of this Colony and live chiefly by the plunder of those tribes who are supposed by the London Missionary Society to be benefited by the establishment and evangelical labours of Mr. Anderson ; the degree of misrule which prevails might not be altogether credited, were it only reported to your Lordship from the Colony, but the enclosed copies of letters from Mr, Anderson to the Magistrate of Graaff Beinet will place the subject before you in an imquestionable point of view, and your Lordship will see that Mr. Anderson himself has no authority whatever among them, that instead of protesting against the execution of a supposed delinquent without form even of trial, he tells his hordes that he shall submit to their wish to have the man hanged, which was accordingly done.
Tour Lordship will also see reported one of those predatory excursions against the peaceable and inofibnsive tribes, whom it has been the anxious wish of the Colonial Government to cultivate^ and yon will judge from these circumstances what must be the ultimate consequence of all this to the northern parts of the Colony. The tribes attacked consider their oppressors as Colonists^ and revenge the assault whenever it is in their power. To counter- act further emigration, if possible, was a principal object with me in establishing a aeat of Magistracy in that part of the districts of Graafif Seinet and Tulbagh which I had the honour to report to you in a dispatch dated 28th December last ; for that purpose I directed a tract of land to be set apart for the Bastards, Bosjes^ men, Hottentots, or others of the Free black castes, giving them an instructor and some peculiar privileges, and I directed the establishment of a market or fair to attract those without the Settlement again within its limits, but the measure ean only be expected to have partial effect whilst Mr. Anderson's Station remains where it is. Nor is it Mr. Anderson's Mission alone that has subtracted a large proportion of our best population, the Missions in the Namaqua Countries count likewise their greatest numbers from emigrant Colonists of the same class, and though up to this period the same irregularities have not occurred in
248 Becoris of the Cape Colony.
those remote and tinfniitful parts as have taken place in thd direction I have been formerly speaking of^ yet even here much ground of complaint has arisen.
Moved by the consideration arising out of these circumstances, T have felt it my duty to represent to Dr. Philip that although i would facilitate his own visiting the Stations beyond the boundaries, yet I should on no account, without positive directions to the contrary from your Lordship, permit any additional Mis- sionaries to cross the Colonial Boundaries for the purpose of strengthening the present Missions or adding to the number of those already formed, and I have signified to Dr. Philip that it is my opinion that Mr. Anderson's establishment, which he has named Griqua Town, should be broken up, and that he should be settled either within the Colonial Border or so close to it as to be considered under the control of the Colonial Government, and the people attached to him subject to the local law of this place. The establishment of a Theocracy entirely independent of the Civil Government was Dr. Van der Kemp's favourite and avowed plan, and to the attempt to reduce that plan to practice is to be attri- buted the misrule which has given so much annoyance to the local Magistracy there. In the prosecution of this scheme both Dr. Van der Kemp and his successor have not scrupled to resort to means highly unbecoming the character with which the Society in England had invested them.
I trust yoiu: Lordship will approve the measures I have adopted in this regard; I have strenuously endeavoured to support the principle of introducing Christianity among the Heathens of this Colony, and have given every aid to the Missionaries who have had this in view and have cooperated with the Magistracy and clergy herein. There is great scope for their exertions if properly directed, and I cannot help remarking that until the Colony itself is entirely Christian it seems premature to attempt to convert the tribes beyond it ; by endeavouring to do too much, the good which might be effected at home is neglected or not efficiently performed, and perhaps the ultimate result is, in fact, that of making bad worse. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
Becords of the Cape Colony. 249
[Copy.] Prodamatian by Lord Charles Somerset.
Whereas by a Proclamation bearing date 23rd April 1812, the respective landdrosts of the country districts have been authorized to apprentice all Hottentot children who have attained their eighth year for the term of ten years, to such of the inhabitants in whose service they may have been born, and by whom they have been maintained, during the above-mentioned term of eight years, under the restrictions and regulations thei'ein prescribed :
And whereas it has been represented to me that it would be highly advantageous to the class of poor and unprotected infants, either Hottentots or others, who may at present or hereafter be found in this colony, and whose situations are not provided for by the said Proclamation, or by any other law or usage at present in observance in this colony, if some further provisions were made for their protection^ I have therefore judged proper to order, as is ordered by these presents.
That in future, in case of the death of Hottentot or other females, in the service of inhabitants or otherwise, leaving behind them an infant or infants without means of subsistence, and whose cases have not been provided for in the Proclamation of the 23rd April 1812, or any other law or usage at present in observ- ance in this colony, or in case of any other accident by which such children shall have been deprived of lawful protection they before enjoyed, the inhabitant in whose family such infant or infants at tiiie time of the decease of his her or their mother, or of such other accident, may happen to be found, shall make due report of the same within three months, in Cape Town, to His Majesty's fiscal, in the country districts to the respective land- drosts, and in Simon's Town to the government resident, on pain of 100 rix dollars for every person neglecting to do so.
And His Majesty's fiscal, the respective landdrosts of the country districts, and the resident of Simon's Town aforesaid, are hereby authorized and directed in the same manner as is pre- scribed in the said proclamation of the 23rd April 1812, to place all such Hottentot or other unprotected infant or infants, as by the laws or usages of this colony are not otherwise provided for, with Christian inhabitants, of known and acknowledged humane
250 Records of the Cape Colony,
- "v
disposition and good character, binding them as apprentices to such individuals, until they shall come to the age of eighteen years, or if females, until they shall come to the age of eighteen years, or the time of their marriage.
And that no person may plead ignorance hereof, this shall be published and affixed as usuaL
Grod save the King ! Given under my hand and seal, at the Cape of Good Hope, this 9th day of July 1819.
(Signed) C. H. Somerset.
[Hansard's ParUamentary Debates.]
HousB OF Ck>M]fONB, Monday^ Jviy 12, 1819.
Emigration to the Cape of Good Hope.
The Chancellor op the Exchequer said, he had to propose a grant for the purpose of enabling his majesty's government to assist unemployed workmen of this country in removing to one of our colonies. It had been the wish of his majesty's govern- ment first to try an experiment on a small scale, how far it might be possible to employ the surplus population of this country in one of our colonies, in such a manner as might be advantageous to the people removed, and beneficial to the country. From the satisfactory result of this experiment, it was, that government were now desirous of trying the experiment on a larger scale. The Colony selected was that of the Cape of Good Hope. The greater part of the persons disposed to emigrate from this coimtry rather wished to go to the United States of North America, where government could give them no direct encouragement, or to the British colonies of North America. But with respect to the latter, his majesty's government — considering the inconvenience to which these persons would be subjected on their arrival in America, had selected the Cape of Good Hope as the colony to which emigra- tion might be most advantageously directed. From the mildness of the climate and the fertility of the soil in some parts, a rapid and abundant return might reasonably be expected. That colony was also highly favourable to the multiplication of stock. The particular part of the colony selected was the south-eastern coast
Records of the Cape Colony. 251
of AMca. It was at some distance from Cape Town. A small town was already built there. It was proposed to pay the expense of the passage, and at the same time to secure to the settler the means of employing his industry to advantage on his landing at the destined spot. But a small advance of money would be required from each settler before embarking, to be repaid him in necessaries at the Cape, by which means and by the assistance given him by government, he would have sufficient to procure! him a comfortable subsistence till he got in his crops, which in that climate were of rapid growth. The Cape was suited to most of the productions both of temperate and warm climates — to the olive, the mulberry, the vine, as well as most sorts of culmiferous and leguminous plants. The persons emigrating to this settle- ment would soon find themselves comfortable. The right hon. gentleman concluded with moving the grant of a sum not ex- ceeding 50,000/. to be issued from time to time, for the purpose of enabling government to assist persons disposed to settle in his majesty's colony of the Cape of Good Hope.
Mr. Hume said, he was sorry ministers had not gone farther. Parishes having able-bodied men willing to work, chargeable on them, ought to be called on to subscribe sums towards removing a part of them to this or some other settlement, where their industry might provide them with a comfortable subsistence. He thought that if men under such circumstances were unwilling to emigrate, it might even be advisable to transport them with- out their consent If the parishes would but contribute the money they were forced to pay to these persons for one or two years, from the excellent climate of the Cape, and the fertility of the soil, the greatest advantages could not fail to be the result
The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, it was a part of the plan that parishes should have the power of sending out persons who might be desirous of emigrating; but there ought to be nothing compulsory. When the parishes and the individuals chargeable on them were desirous, an opportunity would be afforded.
Mr. Alderman Wood was surprised that labourers should be removed from this country, when there was so much waste land in it that might be cultivated to advantage. There were about 80,000 acres of waste land, on which both corn and flax might be grown.
252 Records of the Cape Colony.
Mr. Hutchinson approved of the grant. The right hon. gentle- man had said, that persons wishing to settle in the colony must make a deposit in this country ; he wished to ask him, if such people as the distressed manufacturers and labourers of Cork, who had not the means of making any deposit, might not be exempted from this regulation ? If government would give a loan to such persons, and afford them protection till they came to the colony, there could be little doubt, from the glowing language in which the right hon. gentleman had described that country, tha)} they would soon be able to repay the sums advanced.
Mr. Williams was convinced that this country possessed within itself the means of employment for all its inhabitants, and that nothing more was necessary than to cultivate those lands which at present were waste.
The motion was agreed to.
[From the Timee of July 14th 1819.]
A sum of £50,000 has been voted by the House of Commons, upon the motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for the assistance of such unemployed workmen as wish to emigrate to one of our colonies. The colony selected by Government is that of the Cape of Good Hope. It is on the south-east side of Africa^ remarkable for the mildness of the climate and the general fertility of the soil. The advantages of such a situation for the purposes of emigrants have been tried on a small scale by our Government ; and the result of their experiment is so satisfactory, that they wish it to be applied more generally. The person wishing to emigrate is to be sent out passage free ; but. he will be required to deposit a small sum of money previous to his voyage, to be repaid him in necessaries at the Cape on his arrival, by which salutary precaution he will not encounter those difficulties which almost oppress the voluntary exile when he lands in the United States of America. In the colony at the Cape, the emigrant will find no obstacle to an immediate settlement; he will not be subject to the inclemencies of a severe winter, and expend his little all before he sees any prospect of a future maintenance for his family. Such an arrangement may be productive of
Records of the. Cape Colony. 253
much good to this country, and to those adventurers who adopt it. Parishes will thus possess the means of recommending employment, and the great probability of ultimate comfort, to those able bodied individuals chargeable upon them, who have no work and cannot starve; and the redundancy of population, so much complained of in these days, may be materially diminished. It is scarcely necessary to remark, that there is no disposition on the part of the Government to force emigration ; but when it is desired, they give a facility of conveyance, and have already provided a place, where the goodness of the land, and the rapid growth of its productions, supply a speedy reward to the efforts of honest industry.
[Original.]
Letter from Miles Bowker, Esqre., to Henry (tOulburn, Esqre.
ICanob Housb, Newton, Wn.TON, JuZy \Wi 1819.
Hon. Sir, — Finding \>j a paper handed to me yesterday by the Bevd. Wm. Boscawen that it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to countenance emigration to the Cape, and being for some time past determined with my family to take that step, I have to beg you will do me the favour to inform me what encouragement can be given to a large family qualified by every practical operation to promote the improvement of land and the welfare of such an establishment and the time when the first opportunity will be given to proceed to the Colony,
By constant application and industry in large concerns I have twice in my life been worth fourteen thousand pounds or upwards, and twice by necessary political arrangements had that sum nearly annihilated, presently upon a large farm here where I can make a living, but cannot provide for a family of eight sons and one daughter without reducing them to the lowest ranks in Society, which ill accords with the previous knowledge of being descended from the first, we are unanimous in this resolution, and though it is not our intention immediately to leave this situation, yet we intend so to divide the family that whilst the one part is here drawing the business to such a conclusion as will enable us to settle our concerns properly in this Country, the other pait are
254 Records of fke Gape Colony.
ready to proceed in taking such steps as are found fittest to make an attempt to provide for the whole in a distant settlement.
As we consider ourselves so far respected by every class of our neighbours as to be able to take out with us any number of able husbandmen that we could think could be well employed and with which our Parish is at this time sadly overburthened, and as to my wish to keep a considerable merino flock which I have been long accustomed to, which business particularly the assorting and scouring the wool I have brought to a great perfection in the Spanish manner, I hope that a grant of one thousand acres will not be considered too much for' such an undertaking, as this is even considerably less than I have been accustomed to occupy for many years.
Originally largely concerned in wholesale mercantile and manu- facturing engagements and well accustomed to general business, first in Northumberland, I would be proud to lend my assistance in any way to promote the general views of his Majesty's Ministers in this concern and if needed I could promptly satisfy them of my ability and fitness for such employment. I have &c.
(Signed) Miles Bowksk.
[Original.] Letter from Lieutenant John Crause to Earl Bathubst.
West Squabb, Lambkth, l^th Jvi^ 1819.
My Lord, — I beg leave to solicit your Lordship will be pleased to inform me whether I may be allowed a Grant of Land at the Cape of Good Hope or in Canada, with a free passage, and if Government gives any further encouragement to oflBcers to become settlers in either of those places, as I perceive by the public prints something of that nature is in agitation respecting the Cape.
I have &c.
(Signed) John Crause, Lt. and Adjutant H.P. Secruiting District.
Records of the Cape Colony. 255
[From the Times of July 17th 1819.]
It will be recollected, that £50,000 were granted by the House of Commons, on the motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for encouraging emigration to the Cape of Gk)od Hope. An official circular, which we have given in another part of our journal, contains the regulations to be observed by those who emigrate from this country to the new colony. The money granted is to be applied exclusively to the benefit of those who will engage to carry out at least 10 able-bodied individuals above the age of 18, with or without families, the Government reserving to themselves the right of selection. Each person so engaging is to deposit £10 for every family so taken out; but the family is not to consist of more than a man, his wife, and two children, under the age of 14 : all the children above that age, and under 18, aie to be paid for at the rate of £5 a head, and £5 for every two children under 14. In consideration of this deposit, a passage and provisions during the voyage wUl be provided by Government. On landing, one-third of the advance money will be returned, and 100 acres of land granted, on a quit rent, not exceeding £2, to be Admitted for 10 years, to every such person or family whom he takes out One-third more will be paid when the settlers are actually fixed in their allotments, and the remainder three months afterwards.
If 100 families emigrate together, and apply for permission to take with them a minister of their own persuasion. Government undertakes to give a salary to such minister, if approved of by the Secretary of State.
If any parishes unite in selecting a person to go to the Cape, with settlers under his direction, such as are described above, and shall advance money in the above-mentioned proportions, they may bargain with such individual or settlers, that they shall not again become chargeable to their respective parishes.
Such are the outlines of the system on which the Government intend to proceed in forming the new colony at the Cape. The precautions thus taken will obviate many of the difficulties en* countered by those who go to the United States in the vague hope of finding immediate relief from British taxation, abundance, and the enjoyment of a free Government : but it may be a question
256 Records of the Cape Colony,
whether, under the existing laws of settlement in this country, any parish can say to its poor, " We will give you a certain sum, and you shall never more be troublesome to us." An emigrant might soon discover that an African climate and colonial habits were injurious to his health, and detrimental to his little comforts ; by his bargain with the parish officers he must remain where he is located, because revocare gradum is not merely a serious work and labour, but an absolute impracticability.
He may die if he remains ; he must starve if he returns. The requisition of a previous money-deposit is a prudential measure, and the method of returning it by instalments very judicious ; and we doubt not that, though some few objections may be readily made to the scheme, its adoption will be productive of much practical benefit.
[Original.] Letter from J. T. B. Beaumont, Esqre., to Eael Bathubst.
CocHTT Fibs Offiob, London, Jii^ 17fh 1819.
Mt Lobd, — I have a turn for devising and conducting beneficial associations amongst men which I have successfully exercised in the formation of the first Volunteer Bifle Corps in this country (the Duke of Chimberland's Sharp Shooters), the Provident Life Office, the County Tire Office, the original Provident Institution or Bank for Savings (in 1806) &c.
In the further indulgence of this disposition I have planned and carried into effect the building of new villages on my land at each end of London, viz. at Shepherd's Bush and at Stepney, whereon I have caused to be erected upwards of two himdred new houses. But in these latter plans I have been counteracted and have lost many thousand pounds owing to the local justices refucdng to allow beer to be sold on either of my estates.
I have in consequence looked about for a place where I might employ my capital free from such unreasonable prohibition, and considering that we have an excess of population whose support as paupers or felons (in the absence of useful employment) is a great burthen to the honest and industrious remainder, and tiiat it would be a relief to the country and benefit to the individuals to convey them to some fruitful soil in want of population, and
Records of the Cape Colony, 257
considering that such soil is not to be found in our possessions in North America, considering further that it would be desirable to torn the tide of emigration to the United States, from that direction to South America, I have made proposals to the govern- ment of Buenos Ajnres for a large tract of land for the establishment of a colony of Englishmen, which proposal is now under the consideration (the favourable consideration I am told) of that Government.
But having considered the newly proposed settlement on the coast of Africa and the terms set forth in the circular from the treasury and presuming that the land is to be tythe-free, I wish to carry my plans into effect at that place. I therefore offer to send ouf 1000 able bodied men, part of them with families, and to deposit £10,000 on the conditions stated in the circular. I will undertake to send out these to the extent of one hundred at least in every year so as to complete the amount in ten years or two hundred in every year so as to complete the amoimt in five years, as Government may chuse.
I ask for an allotment of 100,000 acres of land, for which I am willing to pay a quit rent of five hundred pounds a year, the land to be as nearly in a square form as may be, with one side abutting against a good bay or navigable river, or with such river passing through the allotment ; the land to be such as affords rich pastur- age or can be easily brought into cultivation, the tenure to be subject to the conditions stated.
Should my offer be accepted I hope for the honour of permission to inspect the maps of the settlement and any descriptions thereof which are to be shown, as also for information how soon it would suit the views of Government to supply conveyance for 200 men and the families of some of them. I have &c.
(Signed) John Thomas Babber Beaumont.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
London, l^h July 1819.
My Lord, — I have received and laid before the Prince Regent your separate and confidential dispatch of the 25th of April
XIL
s
258 Records of the Cape Colony.
requesting permission to return to England for a limited period on private aflfairs of a very urgent nature, and I take the earliest Opportunity of acquainting you that although His Eoyal Highness cannot conceal firam himself the public Advantage which would have resulted from your presence in the Colony during the early period of the ensuing year at which the Colonial Government will be called upon to carry into effect a more extended System of emigration from this Country to the Cape, to which the Sanction of Parliament has been obtained ; yet His Eoyal Highness cannot deny himself the satisfaction of marking by an Acquiescence in your request, the Sense which he entertains of your conduct, in the administration of the Colony.
If therefore your Lordship should not be able consistently with the urgent occasion which requires your return to England, to postpone your departure from the Cape until the month of April next, you will consider yourself at liberty to proceed to this country as soon after the receipt of this dispatch as may suit your convenience. As the first Settlers from this country will probably arrive at the Cape early in the next year, your Lordship will not fail to leave with the ofl&cer who may succeed to the Government full instructions for carrying into effect the settlement of these persons agreeably to the expectations which have been held out to them, in the Paper enclosed, and to the principles hitherto adopted by Your Lordship in the few Cases for which you have been called upon to provide.
You will also desire that such preparations be made for their speedy conveyance to the place where they will be located, as may occasion as little delay and embarrassment as possible. And I trust that by availing yourself with as little delay as possible of the Prince Kegent's gracious permission to leave the Colony, you will be able to resume the administration of its Affairs at a period sufl&ciently early to obviate the inconvenience to which the infant establishments of Settlers might be exposed by your prolonged absence from the Colony. I have &c.
(Signed) Batuukst.
J
Records of the Cape Colony. 259
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
London, 2Qth July 1819.
My Lord, — I have the honor of enclosing a Copy of the Letter which I have directed to be addressed to all persons applying to this Department for permission to proceed as Settlers to the Cape of Good Hope, specifying the conditions upon which alone the Government will give to them either encouragement or assistance.
Your Lordship wiU observe that the individuals under whose direction the settlers proceed, are respectively responsible for the whole charge of their maintenance, from the time of their landing at the Cape ; And in order to obtain some security that these individuals will be able to maintain them, the deposits which they shall have previously made in this country, will begin, from that time, to be repaid to them by your Lordship under the conditions therein specified.
There is reason, however, to apprehend that the Sums which they may thus receive, may not in all cases be sufficient for the maintenance of the settlers, until the land on which they shall be located will be sufficiently cultivated to support them. It is, therefore, very desirable that such Arrangements should be made previously to their arrival, as will give the individuals who under- take the direction of the Settlers every facility in maintaining them, and in conveying them as speedily as possible to the place of their location.
It is obvious that every delay in assigning lands to the several parties as they arrive must materially waste their means of support, and more or less influence their ultimate success. I have, therefore, most earnestly to recommend to your Lordship, in the first instance, an immediate Survey of an adequate portion of the district in which it is proposed to make the first establishment and such a previous division of the lands into lots as may enable you at once to point out to the several parties, on their Arrival, not only the district to which they are to proceed, but the particular lots of which they are to acquire possession; and it would be further extremely desirable, with a view to the sub- sistence of the settlers that the best fishing grounds on the Coast
s 2
260 Records of the Cape Colony,
ia the neighbourhood of the new Settlements should be forthwith ascertained by actual experiment.
Your Lordship will further make arrangements for a certain quantity of rations being prepared for them on their arrival at or as near the place on which it is proposed to locate them as circumstances will permit, and these may, if necessary, be made over to the individuals in lieu of the instalments which they are entitled to receive, so far as these instalments will cover the original Cost of the rations so provided, and you will also consider yourself at liberty to sell an additional quantity at prime Cost, during the first six months after their location, always making it clear to them that they are not under any necessity of purchasing what the Government may have provided, if they imagine that they can procure provisions at a cheaper rate, or in a more convenient manner.
The vessels in which the settlers embark will be engaged after touching at Cape Town or Simon's Bay, to proceed to any other port of the Colony which your Lordship may direct, in order to put it in your power to avail yourself of them for the purpose of conveying the settlers at once to the spot nearest the spot of their final location. Should any Circumstances, however, render it more advisable to employ smaller Vessels on this Service, the expence of such Vessels will be to be defirayed by Gk)vemment, and will therefore be to be watched by you with the closest Attention.
After the settlers shall be landed as near the place of location as circumstances will permit, you will afford them every reasonable assistance in procuring means of Transport for themselves, their families and baggage to the lands allotted to them, and in forming their establishments in the manner most conducive to the early cultivation of the Soil and to their substantial comfort. With a view to this latter purpose, your Lordship will direct the particular attention of tiie Landdrost of each district to the Settlers who may be placed within it, in order that they may have, fix)m time to time, the benefit of his experience and advice, and may not be involved in diflSculties from ignorance of the habits of the Country, or of the mode in which their industry may, in the first instance, be most beneficially employed.
A Supply of agricultural implements will be sent out in the first Ships engaged for the conveyance of Settlers with a view to
Records of the Cape Colony, 261
yt>ur Lordship's disposing of them to such Settlers as may require them at prime cost, or on credit, accepting security for future payment either in money or produce as may be least burthensome to the respective purchasers. Your Lordship will also consider your- self at liberty to supply Seed Com (in cases where it may appear to you necessary) upon terms equally favorable. It appears to me further that it would add greatly to the comfort of the settlers and would discourage the attempts which may at first be made to impose upon them, if in addition to rations, your Lordship should be prepared to furnish them at prime cost and on the same terms, with other Articles of the iirst necessity, so far always as not to interfere with the fair retail Trade of the Country ; and generally it is my duty to convey to you the anxious Wish and injunctions of the Prince Begent that in confiding these settlers to your Lordship's Care, they will not find that they have lost the pro- tection of His Majesty's Paternal Government.
At the same time, however, that I have thus given to your Lordship a discretionary authority to afibrd assistance in every practicable manner to the settlers who may arrive in the Colony, and who may on their arrival be unable from deficiency of means to carry their ultimate objects into effect, I deem it necessary to guard you against an impression that it is the intention of His Majesty's Government generally to take upon themselves any further expence on account of these persons than what may be incurred in their removal from this country and in their main- tenance until landed in the Colony. Experience has shewn that the Settlement and Cultivation of waste Land is best achieved by the active application of the means which the settlers on it may themselves possess; and your Lordship will not be dis- posed to give this further assistance except in cases where it may be essentially necessary to prevent the industrious Settler from being overwhelmed by the pressure of unavoidable difficulties.
You will observe also that the Government have entered into no engagement with any but the individuals under whose direc- tion the Settlers proceed to the Colony, and although it is by no means the wish of His Eoyal Highness The Prince Eegent that assistance should be withheld from the settlers themselves, if actually distressed, yet it appears upon the whole more con- venient and advantageous that you should in general afford it to them only through the medium of the individuals under whose
262 Records of the Cape Colony.
direction they have voluntarily placed themselves; Your Lord- ship, however, will not consider this instruction as extending to prevent your immediate interference in any case in which the Settlers may prefer complaints against the person under whose direction they are placed : but will on all such occasions use your utmost endeavours to secure the due fulfilment of the conditions into which they may have entered with their principal and that attention incident to their dependent State to which, without any stipulation, they may be considered as having a claim.
As some of the settlers may be artificers, who may be more beneficially employed at the Cape than at the place of their location, your Lordship will consider yourself at liberty to allow these persons to be established in any part of the Colony, provided this is done with their own consent, and with that of the in- dividual under whose direction they may have arrived. But as the number of those who can be so advantageously employed in the Colony must be limited, I should prefer this indulgence being given to those emigrants who go out singly, at their own risk and expence, rather than to those who have received the Assis- tance of Government.
Your Lordship will receive Bibles and Common Prayer Books which you will distribute to those of the Settlers who may apply to receive them, and you will signify to me if more should be wanted, although after the first settlement T do not think it would be advisable that the distribution should be gratuitous.
I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Original.] Letter from Mb. George Southey to Earl Bathurst.
Wellington, Somebset, July 2\8t 1819.
My Lord, — I most humbly beg leave to ask your Lordship what the terms are on which Government proposes to send Settlers to the Cape of Good Hope, as there are many industrious men with families in this neighbourhood who would be glad to embrace the opportunity, and they are not disafiected persons
Records of the Cape Colony, 263
who want to live in anarchy, but men that would be content to work hard for 7s. per week if they could get constant employ- ment. I am &c.
(Signed) Geo. Southey.
[Original.] Letter from Mr. John Cawood to Earl Bathurst.
Lebdb, 2l8t July 1819.
My Lord, — In consequence of the alarming increase of pauperism a special committee has been appointed by the Guardians of the poor in this Township to inquire into the causes that have produced it, and to report if necessary the best remedies for the removal of this EviL As chairman of this meeting I have presumed to address the following queries to Your Lordship, which I hope you will be pleased to answer, and excuse the intrusion, as the impor- tance of the case compels the application.
Your oflRcial Circular respecting the proposed Settlers at the Cape of Good Hope has reached us through the medium of the public papers, on which we would ask :
1. At what ports will the Embarkation and Disembarkation take place ?
2. Where can we apply to get particular information as to the utensils requisite to take out, necessaries, clothes, &c., &c. ?
3. Do the Engagements made in England by the poor persons that an adventurer takes along with him to the Cape (such as tlie Engagement of a Blacksmith, &c., to serve for 3 years) continue firm and binding under the Colonial Government ?
4. Can the Guardians of the poor in this Township, which contains a population of 40,000, legally apply the money collected towards the maintenance of the poor with the aid which Govern- ment offers in supporting their colonists at the Cape ?
5. What number of persons may we suppose it will be allowed for us to send there ? I remain &c.
(Signed) John Cawood.
264 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Origiual.] Letter from Thoius Lack, Esqbe., to Henrt Goulbubk, Esqrk.
OnnoB or ComfiTm of Pbitt Gouvoil iob Tbasb, WiimBALL, 22nd JtHy 1819.
Sir, — The Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade, having had under their consideration the copy of a letter firom Messrs. Wm. and Js. Bumie (transmitted in yours of the 14th ultimo), requesting to be informed "whether Indian goods which have been regularly entered at the Cape can or cannot be legally exported from thence to the West Indies, and the British Posses- sions in both Americas, and whether they do, or do not come under the head of Cape Produce;" and their Lordships having thought fit to consult the Commissioners of His Majesty's Customs on this subject, I am directed to acquaint you, for the information of Earl Bathurst, that the Lords of this Committee are of opinion that Indian goods cannot be legally exported from the Cape to the West Indies, or the British Possessions in both Americas, the same being contrary to the Act of the 7 Greo. 1st, cap. 21, sec. 9 : and that such goods cannot be considered as the produce
of the Cape. I am &c.
(Signed) Thomas Lack.
[Original.] Letter from Mr. B. H. Banks to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
No. 9 Bridge Street, Westminster, Jvljf 23rd 1S19.
Sir, — From a published circular from Downing Street respecting the emigration to the Cape of Good Hope. I beg your permission to ask the few questions I shall take the liberty of subjoining, in order that I may be better acquainted with the nature of soil and of the undertaking and objects.
I have been accustomed to agriculture in different branches and particularljr the new cultivated lands, so that my experience would be of service, and I should like much to go out to the Cape providing there was a prospect of being situated upon such a soil as would recompence for the trouble and expence. I can
Records of the Cape Colony, 265
in a very short period procure from ]0 to 100 men or families of superior strength and hardiness that could excercise other occupations as well as agriculture, such as wheelwrights, smiths, builders, miners, &c., &c. Shall be obliged by your reply enclosing me a few circulars. I am Sir &c.
(Signed) Eery Hathway Banks.
1st. On arriving there whether any further assistance will be rendered by Government, such as a granary or any other neces- sary place for our produce or any advance of money for the erection of them.
2. Whether we are intended to be settled near the Coast for the convenience of shipping and whereabout there intended to be stationed.
3. If it's necessary to take out implements of husbandry or whether they can be procured there, or what it may be necessary to take out.
4. In which way you anticipate these families are to be engaged with so as to encourage them to industry and tranquillity.
5. If you allow us to grow what produce we think the soil best adapted for, or whether any article interfering with West India Colonies will be prohibited.
6. If we are allowed to send such produce to the best Market, that is a foreign instead of English Market if it shoidd be thought adviseable.
7. The nature of soil, whether it is light, Sandy, Rocky, free from roots, or stiff marly clay, &c., because the implements of husbandry must be made accordingly.
8. Whether you allow a person to take out a quantity of necessaries for the use of these families.
9. Whether a wife and two children belonging to a person who takes over 10 families would be taken over 12 months after her husband upon the same terms as tho' she had accompanied him upon giving the usual security.
10. When the first shipment is likely to be made, as I wish much to go by it.
11. If Government will lend tents till such time we can build houses. If they have any at the Cape.
266 Records of the Cape Colony,
[Original.]
Letter from Miles Bowker, Esqre., to Henry
Gk)ULBURN, Esqre.
London, July TAih 1819.
Hon. Sir, — Having yesterday the honour of receiving your
letter at South Newton, I have lost no time in waiting upon you
here, requesting information on the following queries. I am
exceeding sorry to be thus troublesome, but well aware that many
great undertakings of this sort have come to an unhappy issue
for want of such circumspection, I trust the occasion will excuse
the enquiries, and I will wait upon you, or attend here to be
informed where the information can be best procured; and I
have &c.
(Signed) Miles Bowkeb.
If a vessel could not go from Bristol in October or November to suit the west of England settlers.
What stowage room would be allowed each family or leading settler for bedding, furniture, and husbandry utensils.
If any medicines will be provided for the passengers on the voyage.
If any means can be given of confining the people taken out as labourers for such time as will repay by their labour the expence incurred by the head settler, and what is recommended as the best way of doing this part of the business.
What the distance of the intended settlement from the Gape, if near the coast, if near a port, or navigable water, and the name.
The nature of the ground, and whether fittest for the vine, tillage, sheep, or other purpose.
Whether Indian wheat, potatoes, and other esculents may be planted or sown with good prospect, and when the properest time.
Some wheat from the Cape is most excellent ; what culture does it generally require, and when the best time of sowing wheat, barley, peas, beans, &c., and if it is recommended to take out any of these kinds of seeds or others.
What kinds of cattle or horses are to be had, and which is esteemed fittest for the cultivation of the country, and the general value of such stock.
What kind of sheep are used as fittest, and if part of the
Records of the Cape Colony, 267
Country is not calculated for large sheep, and other parts hilly and fit for highland or merinos, and if merinos are to be had, and considered fittest, and the price ; and if this kind of wool was well managed in the Saxon or Spanish way it would not answer a good purpose for a Home Market, and if stout armed or piked hurdles would not be a needful protection and easy means of securing sheep and other cattle there, as well as manuring the ground for tillage. . If pigs thrive well, and the value.
If the land is generally close wooded, of what general quality, if various, if roads or communication is safe and easy, if immediate attention will be given on the vessels arriving to put the parties in possession of their portions, if they will be granted by lot or according to the different pursuits of the parties, if encouragement and assistance will be given for prosecuting the cultivation of the olive, vine, mulberry, fig, coffee, tobacco, Ehubarb, or any other particular article.
If the planters will be protected in their situations by Govern- ment and if they will be allowed fire arms and ammunitions and to be embodied for their own protection, and if they will be allowed to hunt and shoot to a sufficient distance to provide occasional food.
If tents will be necessary until needful houses can be built, and if any old tents or others can be had from Government until that period.
If head and petty constables will be appointed amongst the settlers to check the turbulent by handing them over to the proper magistrate, and in the case of one hundred families going out and agreeing about a clergyman, what would be the Govern- ment allowance to a person approved.
May it be recommended that a thrashing machine of moderate power be sent out with each certain portion of cultivators under proper regulations, as the means of getting over one of the most difficult operations that settlers will find themselves contending with.
268 Records of the Cape Colony,
[Original] Letter from Me. John Stanley to Earl Bathurst.
No. 11 MuiBEBBT Stbkbt, Manchsstib, 24<ft July 1819.
My Lord^ — I feel sorry in taking up your valuable time, by requesting some explanations on the subject of emigration to South Afirica. My intentions are to take out settlers for said Colony, and as many circumstances requiring explanation necessarily strike me your Lordship will confer a great obligation by giving further informatioiL Is 'it understood that the grant of land made to the person taking out settlers, that he is to be the sole proprietor of the land granted, and if not^ how far the matter is to be managed with respect to the settlers, being labourers? Is it understood that the deposit money to be returned in seeds, plants, &c., at the Colony is deemed adequate to stock the land granted with live stock, beasts of burden or labour, food for the time whilst the crops are housed, implements of husbandry, seeds, &c? If not, what capital will be necessary to take out to stock 1000 acres with the number of settlers stipulated by government ?
If any of the settlers should not or would not cultivate the respective 100 acres, would the rest be aU forfeited ?
Would government grant arms and ammunition to defend the settlers against the wild beasts &c. ?
Will the government land the settlers at the Cape or on the lands granted ? Is the land to be assi^ed at Algoa Bay or where ?
At what time and place will the government appoint a convey- ance for settlers from Lancashire ? The summer season begins at the Cape of Good Hope about the 1st October and the harvest in January and February ; it would therefore be necessary, (to get the coming crop in time against the rainy season) to appoint a vessel very soon.
To those who are desirous of emigrating the {|}>ove observations must of course strike them very forcibly, and I have no doubt your Lordship will kindly give such information thereon as will most conduce to the welfare of the Settlers.
Waiting the honour of a communication on these subjects firom your Lordship, and requesting pardon for intruding myself on your Lordship's time and attention, I remain &c.
(Signed) John Stanley.
Records of the Cape Colony. 269
[Original.] Letttr from Mr. Alexander Biqgar to Earl Bathurst.
No. 79 St. Avbtn Strut, Plymouth Dock, 2fffA Jtdy 1819.
My Lord, — I have the honour to request that your Lordship will do me the favour to inform me what are the conditions and encouragements held out by His Majesty's Government to those persons and families who wish to settle in the new Colony near the Gape of Good Hope. I have &c.
(Signed) Alex, Biqgar.
[Original.] Letter from Mr. Benjamin Osler to the Mayor of Falmouth.
Falmoutb, Jvly 25IA 1819.
Sir, — I beg leave to inform you I am desirous of availing myself of the late liberal arrangement of government in assisting those who may be disposed to emigrate to the CapOi and most respect- fully solicit your immediate application on my behalf. I consider you, Sir, (Chief Magistrate of the town) the proper channel through which I should apply.
My family consists of a wife and ten children, my own age 44, my wife 45, two children above 18, two between 14 and 18, and the remaining six below that age, all healthy and capable of work. Three or four of the youngest I would leave with their friends at home until I was established, the others would accompany me, for whose passages I would advance the amount required by Govern- ment agreeably to the regulation, and in addition take with me one able husbandman and in like manner advance for him. My means I am concerned to state to your worship allow me to go no further. Our habits are those of industry, sobriety, a^d economy, and from the experience I have had in general concerns flatter myself I should be found a useful settler in the new colony, the temperature of which is such as I have been accustomed to. In the event of obtaining permission will be anxious to embrace the first opportunity of embarking. I have &c.
X (Signed) Benjamin Osler.
270 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Heney Goulburn, Esqre., to LoBD Charles Somerset.
London, IQth July 1819.
My Lord, — This letter will be delivered to your Lordship by Mr. Henry Moore ; and I have received Eaxl Bathurst's directions to desire that your Lordship will direct a portion of land to be granted to Mr. Moore, according to the means which he may possess of cultivating it. I have &c.
(Signed) Henry Goulburn.
[Original.] Letter from Lieutenant Crause to Earl Bathurst.
BocHESTEB, 2Qth July 1819.
My Lord, — In compliance with your Lordship's circular letter relative to Emigration to the Cape of Good Hope, I beg leave to acquaint your Lordship that ten useful and respectable families, some of whom possess good capitals, have offered to accompany me to the Cape for the purpose of becoming settlers there under the conditions and advantages laid down in your Lordship's circular alluded to. I further beg leave to inform your Lordship that I am ready to make the deposit required as soon as I have the honor to receive instructions from your Lordship to that effect. I trust from the long and faithful services of my Father, together with my own, your Lordship will be inclined to grant my request, and allow me to proceed with the first party in November.
I have &c. (Signed) Chas. Crause, First Lt. E. Marines.
Kewrds of the Cape Colony. 271
[Original.] Letter from Mr. Bailie to Mr. Huskisson.
44 Pabliament Street, July 21th 1819.
Mr. Bailie presents his compliments to Mr. Huskisson, and takes the liberty of transmitting to him a memorandum he has drawn up on the late Circular for colonizing the Cape. Much more might be said on this subject. Mr. Bailie begs to remind Mr. Huskisson of his kind promise to introduce him to Mr. Groulbum's notice.
[Original.] Letter from Me. Walter Synnot to Earl Bathurst.
Balltwattbb, Irelakd, July 2$th 1819.
My Lord, — I had the honour of receiving a letter from the Secretary of State's office dated 28th May 1818, giving me in- formation respecting the settlement of British Colonists at the Cape of Good Hope. I am still desirous of establishing my family there, and have it in my power to comply with the regulations adopted by Government. However I hope I should not be altogether a useless person, and that Government will ever find me a zealous servant to her interests; and that if I go to that Colony it is with a desire of promoting civilization amongst the surrounding savage tribes and providing for my children a permanent subsistence. I beg to be informed at what season of the year Colonists are to embark, and from what port, and if it is possible to ascertain the expence attending the removal of ten families from the Cape and locating them in the situation assigned. I am particularly desirous of obtaining correct information, which may either prevent my embarking in an undertaking that might prove ruinous to my dependants and myself, or encourage me to proceed with firmness. I cannot presume to trouble your Lord- ship with further enquiries, but hope you will favour me with an audience when I shall have it in my power to go to London.
I am &c.
(Signed) Walter Synnot.
272 Records of the Cape Colony,
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. Daniel Hockley to Henry Goulburn, Esqrb.
No. 9 Bbookx Stbebt, Holbobn, Jviy 281^ 1819.
Sir, — In consequence of the announcement of the intention of His Majesty's Government to assist those disposed to emigrate to the Gape of Good Hope, after most mature consideration I am induced to trouble you with this to request I may be admitted of the number. I am a married man, aged 32 years, my wife 29, 3 children, and can make the deposit required. But I hope you will pardon my soliciting an answer to 2 or 3 questions which the anxious solicitude of a husband and father dictates.
Whether there will be an indiscriminate mixture of all persons appl}dng. (As I humbly conceive some of the most abandoned and profligate characters may apply to avail themselves of the gracious offer of Government.) Whether if the emigrant defrays the expence of the voyage that will entitle him to any advantage, if so what those expences will be. You Sir may perhaps think those who are disposed to accept of the boon should not trouble with questions. And the only apology I can make for putting them is having hitherto moved in respectable circumstances, but reduced under Providence by misfortune and losses. It may be necessary to add I am by trade a goldsmith, but have a veiy general knowledge of mechanics and some little of agriculture. Soliciting as early an answer as the nature of the case will admit.
I beg &c.
(Signed) Daniel Hockley.
[Original.] Letter from LoRD Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Cafb of Good Hops, 2d<ft July 1819.
My Lord, — I beg leave to acquaint Your Lordship that I have granted leave of absence for the term of three months to the
Records of the Cape Colony, 273
Reverend Mr, Hough, Colonial Chaplain, to return to Europe on his private affairs.
I have directed Mr. Hough to report himself to your Lordship on his arrival in England, and to apply to you for any further extension of leave, and I have furnished him with the certificate required by your Lordship's Dispatch No. 9, dated 21st April 1818. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Original.] Letter from Mr. John Centlivres Chase to Earl Bathurst.
21 GiLTSPUB Stbebt, West Shithfibld, 7!dih JtUy 1819.
My Lord, — ^Desirous along with a few Individuals to avail myself of the proposal of His Majesty's Ministers to emigrate to the Cape of Good Hope, under the regulations and restrictions specified in the official Circular, I take the liberty of requesting of your Lordship such information to enable me to decide upon the prudence of that important step, which I am at a loss to do with that document only before me. I have consequently obtruded a few queries upon your Lordship's notice, which I beg your Lordship's patience to answer, and pardon if there is any informality in my request as to its nature or the medium chosen to transmit it to you. My Lord, I remain &c.
(Signed) John Centlivres Chase.
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. Thomas Price Adams to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
32 Tbinitt Square, Toweb, July 9} a 1819.
Sir, — On perusing the conditions under which it is proposed to give encouragement to emigration to the Cape of Good Hdpe, I am led to conclude that Government does not intend to recommend any particular plan to the persons connecting them.-
xn. T
'274 Recoi'ds of the Cape Colony,
selves together for the purpose of emigrating, or to the Parishes that may induce their poor to emigrate ; but leave it entirely to them to make their own arrangements. I have in consequence drawn up the enclosed Prospectus, which I take the liberty to hand you. Copies I have sent to the Mayors and Corporations where the poor appear to be a source of trouble, and hope my humble efforts may be the means of relieving both parties of their present sufferings.
I have been several years resident in Lisbon and Madeira as a general Merchant, have attended the planting of vines and been a considerable dealer in wine, as well as had the management of it from the period of the grapes being pressed. I have offered my services as an Overseer, should my plan be approved, desirous of becoming one of the emigrants, and flattering myself that my general knowledge as well as experience may be of use to myself and those concerned with me. I have &c.
(Signed) Thomas Price Adams.
[Enclosure.]
Prospectus of a Plan for relieving the Parishes of the Poor that are capable of work, as well as to ensure to the Poor the means of supporting themselves, and with prudence to become in seven years, or perhaps a less time, honourable independent men, leaving at their death a Provision for their Wives and Children.
I Propose that the Parish or Parishes shall take of Government as many hundred Acres of Land as there are families disposed to emigrate.
That the Parish or Parishes shall remit to the Government of the Cape, or their Overseers, Funds for the support of these Poor for seven years, or until the lands are sufficiently cultivated to support them, and shall have produced a fund for their future cultivation.
The Poor emigrating must give Bonds to co-operate in the cultivation of these lands for seven years — in consideration of which, and their having a certificate of their good conduct during the seven years the Parish or Parishes shall grant to each man eighty Acres of Land and a Hut or Cottage, both of which Land and Hut or Cottage shall he theirs for ever, provided they forfeit nofc
Hecords of the Cape Colony. 275
their Bond or engageraeut with the Parish or Parishes during their servitude.
All persons emigrating shall be subject to Overseers appointed by the Parish or Parishes, who shall direct the Tillage or cultiva- tion of the lands, the produce of which, or proceeds, shall be in the hands of the Overseers for seven years, or till the lands are suflBciently cultivated : after which period, the produce or proceeds to be divided in equal proportions, to the Parish and individuals according to the number of Acres ; that is to say, in the propor- tion of one-fifth to the Parish, and four-fifths to each family or individual.
The Emigrants to work together upon the lands to commence trom East to West, or from North to South, as weather or circumstances may require — no undue partiality to be shewn to any particular land.
In seven years, or as soon as the lands are sufficiently cultivated, the contract between the Parish and the Emigrant is to cease; the Bond to be cancelled, and the Parish to remain with a fair proportion of one-fifth of the land, and each Emigrant with his four-fifths of the same as granted by Gpvernment, say one hundred Acres to each family. During the seven years, or the period of this contract, the Emigrants are to be supported out of the Funds remitted from the Parish to the Cape.
The Parish or Parishes to send out Tents (unless they can borrow them from Government) Clothing, Agricultural implements, Tools, and Ironmongery, at their own expense, to be equally divided at the end of the term with the land.
Each Family to have their Hut or Cottage as soon as it can be built by the joint efforts of the Emigrants, surrounded by one Acre of land deducted from the eighty Acres.
Provisions and Wine to be measured out to each family according to the number of persons, in the same proportion as is allowed soldiers and their families on foreign service.
All persons committing any depredations, or refusing to work, must be tried by a Committee of Overseers and respectable persons, and on being found guilty of the offence, the Bond to be in force, their Cottage and Land to be taken from them and themselves turned off the Estate.
The Emigrants with consent of the Government to be enrolled as Militia Men, and supplied with Eifles, &c., for the defence of
T 2
276 Records of the Cape Colony.
the Property, as well as to enable them as occasion may require to hunt for food. In case of the Estate being near a Eiver, Nets, &c., to be provided at the expense of the Parish.
By this or some similar plan, the Parish or Parishes might in seven years be relieved of a serious burthen, and in possession of an Estate of considerable extent and value; many hundreds of Poor People now wandering about distressed, discontented, a burthen to themselves, their Country, their Parishes, might be made happy in the enjoyment of the requisites of life, and a heavenly climate in which to spend their days.
The same plan might answer to an opulent Individual whose estate is surcharged with Poor.
(Signed) T. P. Adams.
17, Queen Street, Edgware Boad, and 32 Trinity Square,
[Original.] Zetter from Mr. Edward Damant to Henry GtOULBURN, Esqrk
Faeenhah, Nobfolk, l$l August 1819.
Sir, — I have the honor to inform you that in consequence of the encouragement promised to persons emigrating to the Cape of Good Hope, I have engaged twenty labourers of different descrip- tions with their families to proceed with me to that Coloby, and as it is the particular wish both of myself and these people that we set off as soon as we can after Harvest, I should feel obliged by their Lordships allotting us to the first vessel appointed to proceed to that place.
Having relations who have long been settled in the interior of the Colony and who have pointed out the great necessity of improvement in the breed of cattle, it is my intention to take out with me some for that purpose, and hope your Lordship will be pleased to grant a passage for them together with the most approved agricultural implements now used in this Country.
Trusting that I shall be favoured with an early answer,
I have &c. (Signed) Edw- Damaxt.
Becords of the Cape Colony* 277
[Original.] Letter from Captain George Pigot to Eael Bathurst.
Nbwbubt, Berks, August Iti 1819.
My Lord, — As it is my wish to embark some property in the cultivation of an Estate at the Cape of Good Hope, I beg to oflTer myself for your consideration, to undertake the charge of a body of emigrants desirous of settling there. From my habits and rank in life, (having been in the army thirty years, during which time I had an opportunity of informing myself of the dififerent systems of agriculture in various climates, and from my having been a practical farmer fifteen years, in Staffordshire and Berkshire), I feel myself qualified to undertake the enterprise, as well as to render myself useful to government, in any way they may think fit to employ me. I do not mention this with a view of emolu- ments, salary is no object, but I am aware a person of education would feel very awkwardly situated as an emigrant without some authority under government.
Should my first proposition meet your approbation, you will oblige me by a communication, and should you be able to place me in any situation where I may render myself useful, and at the same time respected by the settlers, you will very much oblige
Your most &c. (Signed) Geo. Pigot.
N.B. Not having the honor of being known to your Lordship, I beg to refer to the members of the counties of Stafford and Berks, or should there be any security required on my part I can procure it.
278
Records of tlu Cape Colony,
[Copy.]
Betum of Troops on the Frontier on the Ist of Atigvst 1819.
|
Oorpt. |
SergMiitB. |
DnuDiMrs or Buglers. |
BAnkaiid FUe. |
Total. |
|
|
Boyal Artillery . . . . |
1 |
•• |
32 |
33 |
|
|
Boyal Engineera . |
• • |
•• |
1 |
1 |
|
|
38th Regiment |
16 |
6 |
326 |
348 |
|
|
54th Begiment |
11 |
3 |
241 |
255 |
|
|
72nd Begiment |
18 |
3 |
373 |
394 |
|
|
Koyal African Corps |
31 |
12 |
569 |
612 |
|
|
Cape Corps Cavalry |
6 |
1 |
76 |
83 |
|
|
Cape Corps Infantry « |
k • |
11 |
2 |
157 |
170 |
|
1896 |
(Signed) A. A. O'Eeilly, Brigade Major.
[Office Copy.] Letter from LoRD Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
London, Gth Augutt 1819.
My Lord, — The Prince Eegent's Government have received information that on the 8th of Februaiy last Captain Hume of H.M. Ship Redwing had fallen in with the French Schooner the Sylphe laden with slaves near Cape de Verde Islands, and that deeming himself justified in detaining the vessel he had sent her into Sierra Leone. It further appears that after landing the slaves there, he had determined to send the vessel to the Cape of Good Hope for adjudication in His Majesty's Court of Vice Admiralty there.
I have received The Prince Eegent's Commands to signify to your Lordship his Pleasure that upon the Arrival of the Vessel in question within the limits of your Government you should take immediate measures for conveying her together with her crew and
Rmyrds of the Cape Colony. 279'
such effects as she may have on board, to the nearest French Port, in order that on her arrival there she may be delivered over to the French Authorities together with such proofs as may be necessary to enable them to proceed against the parties who may be charged with having violated the laws of their Country.
If the Sylphe should actually have arrived at the Cape of Good Hope, and if Proceedings should have been instituted against her, you will immediately stay them by Command of the Prince Kegent, and you will concert with the Naval Ofl&cer commanding on the Cape station the best means for conveying the Vessel to France in the mode which I have pointed out to your Lordship.
I have &c.
(Signed) Bathukst.
[From the Times of August 10th 1819.]
A meeting was recently held at Leeds, composed of merchants and others, " to take into consideration the propriety of affording to 120 croppers and their families, amounting to about 500 persons, the means of emigrating to America." The meeting is said to have been held at the earnest request of the workmen themselves. After some deliberation, as we are told, the meeting resolved, that it would not be advisable just at present, to subscribe for the intended purpose ; but that if no material improvement should take place in trade before the next spring, the matter should then be reconsidered, and a subscription, if approved of, set on foot, to enable such poor labourers as might be so disposed, to emigrate to our Canadian provinces.
It is probable, from the above statement, that the general opinion of the parties interested is in favour of an advance of prices; otherwise it must appear strange, that the speediest alleviation of sufferings which are on all sides so severely felt, was not resorted to by the Leeds merchants, instead of one which leaves the workman to struggle with fresh miseries through the winter months, except there be a moral certainty that some intermediate source of relief may be opened for him in the foreign market, or in the rate of wages at home. But why Canada should at this time of day be contemplated as a - chosen asylum for British
280 Records of the Cape Colony.
emigrants, we have still to learn. It would be foolish to enter upon an estimate of the advantages and discouragements presented by British North Amerioa, as compared with those to be fouod near the Cape of Good Hope, because the principles of that com- parison must be already familiar to the public. But if any one be inclined to consider the late irruption of the Gaffire hordes as an argument against the preference due to the Cape, let him reflect^ 1st, how certain is the immediate overthrow of that feeble enemy, and how manifestly it is within the means of the Government of Great Britain to repress and then conciliate an uncivilized people, whose character is for the most part as inoffensive as their powers of annoyance are unworthy of serious notice. 2. What danger can at any time be apprehended at the Cape, to which the occupiers of Upper Canada are not exposed with much greater frequency and to a tenfold extent. Are not the Canadas always open to an invasion from the United States? an invasion, not likely to be repelled with so much ease, nor to be accompanied by less outrage and ruin to property than that which has been attempted by our naked neighbours on the bank of the Fish river. If the emigrants to Africa be made liable to the militia service for the defence of their homes and families, so are British subjects in all the colonies of this empire, (that, we believe, of Botany Bay excepted,) and more especially in Upper Canada, where they are actively engaged, and have oftentimes been roughly handled, whenever an enemy appears. Since our minds have long been made up as to the necessity of employing emigration for one, perhaps the principal, among the means of regular and lasting provision for the surplus inhabitants of these islands, it becomes us to urge with the greater earnestness the selection of a scene the most desirable of all others, and of a plan of emigration the most vigorous and effective that can be adopted by a state. Approving highly the choice of Government, so far as concerns the seat of the new colony ; and not observing in this preliminary stage of the measure, that the regulations proposed for carrying it into execution are deficient in the necessary foresight, we nevertheless see reason to lament that it was not brought forward by Ministers at an earlier period, and that it has not been undertaken on a larger scale. Jealous although the country ought to be of the grant of large sums of the public ti'easure, there are circumstances in the affairs of nations, as well as individuals, which make a
Records of the Cape Colony. 281
liberal expenditure for an important object the wisest system of economy. This, then, ought to be regarded as the first of all great objects ; for it is, in fact, enlarging the productive surface of the kingdom, bringing into cultivation an immense extent of hitherto barren territory, and reinforcing the soil of England by another soil far more than equal to her own in extent, and beyond all calculation excelling hers in fertility. We know not of any plainer terms in which to express the benefits derivable from the execution of this new scheme of emigration. There are some who may answer us by asking a favourite question: Would you banish the people of England to a colony, while there is unculti- vated land at home? This admits a variety of answers : 1. None leave the country, who are not willing, nay, anxious to depart, because they cannot obtain food in England ; and where is the cruelty in showing a hungry man where he may find his dinner ? » 2. If it be merely a disputable matter whether England can feed her inhabitants or not, the nation is surely benefitted by a policy which puts the acquisition of food in abundance beyond all future question. But to us, we acknowledge, the point does not seem open to dispute. The vast increase of population which has grown up throughout the kingdom within the last 30 years, appears to us (perhaps we are mistaken) to have been produced by artificial causes, and to have been supported principally by artificial means. The demands of war and of commercial monopoly multiplied our stock of inhabitants ; and this extra stock was chiefly subsisted, not upon the produce of the soil of England, but one year with another upon the produce of other countries, which we imported in return for British manufactured goods. If our view be correct (and if an error, it is an honest one,) we require a continuance of the monopoly, as a continued fountain of subsistence to the yet overflowing people ; or we must have a substitute for the foreign com supplied to us out of that monopoly, by sending away the surplus mouths to feed themselves where they best can find subsistence. Here, again, we are met by the statement that our manufactures have not diminished. Why, then, are not the returns for them as abundant as before ? The answer is, either that we have for two or three years past traded at a smaller profit, or that the workman has not obtained the due proportion of that profit ; and both we believe to be the case. That the master manufacturer has gained less than during the war, and that he has endeavoured
282 Records of the Cape Colony.
to reimburse himself at the expense of his labourers, we have
already offered reasons for asserting ; but this will not account for
the whole mischief : the grand question haunts us at every turn
— how are the people to he fed ? We have heard it afl&rmed from
day to day, that the waste lands of Great Britain, if brought into
culture, would furnish food to every man who inhabits it : where
is the proof of this ? It is still a doubt with enlightened reasoners,
that every acre which would repay the cost of tillage must of
necessity have been cultivated ere now — in a country where the
whole community are struggling how to turn their money to most
advantage — ^in a country, every yard of which has been the subject
of inspection and of speculation, with men of agricultural capital,
for a series of years — with men who have seen on every side of
them immense cargoes imported of foreign corn ? What stronger
evidence can exist of a perpetual demand for corn than a
perpetual importation of it ? What stronger incitement to tiU the
soil than the laws which give the English farmer a monopoly of
the wheat market, until the prices are such as to make bread
unattainable to one half of the labourers who produce it ? With
respect to this problematical produce of waste lands, it is our
conscientious opinion, that too many of them have been enclosed
already. There is no question, that the sum-total of 'the produce
of the soil may have been augmented by the numberless bills of
enclosure ; more corn may have been brought to the great central
markets ; but the moral arithmetic is all on the other side. The
lower orders have been deeply injured by this practice ; they have
lost a useful and precious body of privileges. From the scenes of
their manly sport and enjoyment they have been driven to the
brutalizing ale-house; their cows, pigs, poultry, have vanished.
Thrown into parks and fields, therefore, although the common has
produced wheat instead of grass, the modes and uses of its fertility
have been impaired in the altered character and corrupted morals
of the neighbouring population. Another vice of a kindred nature
has crept into our economical system. The great landholder will
have nothing &mall within reach of him : the inexorable doctrine
that large capitals are the most profitable in their application has
destroyed the whole race of little farmers ; and stripped even the
peasant of his little rood of garden ground. This is dreadful — it
has not injured our peasantry, it has extinguished them. ^ The town
character — the manufacturing character, haa usurped upon everjf
Records of the Cape Colony^ 283
other; the pride and beauty of the rustic race is gone. The population, the revenue, the poor-rates, the calendars have swelled beyond example; and we have realized what our fathers would have considered the most egregious paradox in human afifairs — for instead of the increased numbers of the people of England constituting the boast and happiness of their country, we are every hour reminded that our burdens and anxieties are in direct proportion to the magnitude of the mass which bears them. This is not a natural state of things ; and the wisest men in the empire admit, that a prompt, vigorous, and skilful remedy, is as indis- pensable as it is diflBcult of suggestion. One branch of the subject of our present embarrassments has slipped through our hands WTETOticed — the manufacturing wages : we must return to it at some future day.
[Original.]
Letter from Messrs. Bailie and others to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
Committee Room, Globe Tavebn, Fleet Street,
11th August 1819.
Sir, — ^We have the honour to acquaint ypu that at a meeting which took place at the Crown and Anchor on the 9th Inst ; we were selected to form a Committee for the purpose of collecting and distributing such information on the subject of the projected colonization to the Cape of Good Hope, as might tend generally to satisfy the minds of those persons who are eager to avail them- selves of the benevolent intentions of Government.
To be enabled to fulfil the trust reposed in us, we shall be under the necessity of troubling you with queries. It will be our duty to intrude as little as possible on your valuable time.
In order to facilitate our labours, we request you will do us the favor to transmit to us a series of those circulars which have been issued from the Colonial Department relative to this Colonization.
We take the liberty of submitting to you that, from the confidence which has been placed in us by a very numerous and respectable meeting which no one of us was instrumental in calling together, we may be the means of relieving your Pepart-
284 Records of the Cape Colony*
ment from a very laborious and irksome duty by acting as a medium between you and the persons in this metropolis desirous of information.
It is unnecessary at present to obtrude farther on your attention, we shall therefore conclude by bespeaking your future kind con- sideration of any enquiries which we may feel it necessary to make and which may not be satisfactorily answered by the documents for which we have applied. We have &c.
(Signed) John Bailie,
Danl. Bakick, M.D.^ Jno. Fdrk. Elliott, John Mandy, John Beacull.
[Original.] Letter from Mr. John Bailie to Earl Bathurst.
7 Manchbsteb Buildings, Wb8tmin8Teb, \lth August 1819.
My Lord, — I have the honour to beg your Lordship's attention to a numerous class of individuals, who generally do not possess the means of complying with the Cii'cular issued by your Lord- ship, by taking upon themselves the charge and maintenance of ten or more people, but whose capital, though in many instances small, is quite adequate to insure to His Majesty's Grovernment the certainty of their not becoming a burthen to the Colony at the Cape of Good Hope.
Erom a mass of about six hundred persons of the above descrip- tion who have applied to me, I have been careful in selecting such only whose general character was good, whose habits were likely to render them useful in an infant Colony, and whose Capital was such as to guard against the possibility of their families, in the event of the heads dying, becoming a charge upon the Colonists.
The compact we have made, binding us to a certain period of mutual assistance, the mass of mechanical skill and industry, as well as knowledge of agriculture, centered in our body, hold out to us, individually, hopes of speedy comfort, and collectively, an
Records of the Cape Colony. 285
early prospect of promoting the prosperity of our native Country, which will ever be the object dearest to an Englishman.
We are 115 men, our collective number in family is 390, and the aggregate amount of our Capital as near as can be ascertained is £18,610.
I hope your Lordship will favourably consider the proposal I have the honour to submit to be allowed to colonize at the Cape of Good Hope in whatever district His Majesty's Government may have selected, under the advantages held out in the different Official Circulars.
Should this proposal have the good fortune to be approved by your Lordship, 1 would beg to be favoured, with as early an answer as may be convenient, that we may be enabled to com- mence our preparations with as little delay as possible.
I have &c.
(Signed) John Bailie.
[Original.] Letter from Mb. Joseph Dell and others to Earl Bathurst.
101 Long Alley, Sun Stbebt, Bibhofboatib, Augua 12, 1819.
SiK^ — Having Eeceived from Your oflBce the circular Letter and much approve of your Proposals and Have ten family's Eeady to Deposit the sum requierd But should bo Glad to know how we are to obtain the Necessaries such as Impliments for use or how to Gain Provisions when Government shall Cease their allowance Next if "We are supply'd 'with arms to defend ourselves from the natives by Government And Plants or seeds or what is requierd for the Climate Next "Wether the Director which we Nominate is over us When we Land or Wether Every man Is free And You Much Oblige Your Serevant Humble Pettioners.
N B please to Direct as Before to
Joseph Dell.
286 Records of the Ca'pe Colony,
[Original.] Letter from Mr. Chakles Caldecott to Earl Bathurst.
13 Gbeat Smith Stbxet, Westminstbb, 13^^ August 1819.
My Lord, — In consequence of the declared intention of Govern- ment to colonize the Cape of Good Hope, I beg leave to submit to your Lordship the following Statement. I have been liberally educated and brought up to the profession of a Surgeon. I was a pupil of the late Sir Charles Blickes, and pursued my anatomical studies under the instruction of Mr. Abernethy; I passed the Eoyal College 14 years ago, and have been in practice in Town for nearly four years, and can produce testimonials of my abilities and character I conceive everyways satisfactory thro' the medium of the most respectable references. But having a family of six children, and my means being slender when I first commenced practice in the Hampstead Eoad, I was unsuccessful in placing to myself such a practice as I had the most flattering expectation I should have done, and which I most assuredly should have accomplished if I could have remained in the same neighbourhood.
But failing thro' want of means, my family has had to endure, for these last six months, the most severe privations, and my situation at this time is truly distressing; under these circum- stances I have ventured to solicit your Lordship kindly to afford me your sanction in emigrating to the Cape of Good Hope, as I am informed the whole of the patronage rests exclusively with Your Lordship. I doubt not, was your Lordship fully apprized of the whole of my case. Your Lordship would most certainly take it into consideration; but lest I should be tedious, I beg leave to refer you to the Eight Hon. N. Vansittart, who is in full possession of the same, with whom I have of late corresponded on different subjects, and from whom I received the enclosed note yesterday morning. I am well known to Mr. Blair, of Great Eussell Street, surgeon, and who I have no doubt would feel a pleasure in recom- mending me to your Lordship's notice. Waiting your Lordship's pleasure, I have &c.
(Signed) Chs. Caldecott.
Records of the Cape Colony. 287
[Original.]
Letter from T. P. Courtenay, Esqre., to Henry
GouLBURN, Esqre.
Gannon Bow, l%ih August 1819.
Sir, — I have on former occasions submitted to His Majesty's Government the very strong representations which I have received from the Government of the Cape of Good Hope, as well as from individuals trading or connected with that Colony, of the great importance of relaxing for a time in regard to the Cape some of the restrictions of the Navigation and Colonial system. I am induced by two recent occurrences to take this opportunity of again soliciting Earl Bathurst's attention to this subject. The first of these is the determination of His Majesty's Government to encourage emigration from the United Kingdom to the Cape, an experiment the success of which must greatly depend upon the enlargement of the trade as well as of the cultivation of the Colony.
These objects and the general prosperity of the Settlement would be materially forwarded by the establishment of the Cape as an entrepot between the countries to the Eastward and those parts of foreign Europe and America to which British ships cannot legally resort, and of which we cannot force the supply through the United Kingdom. No new privileges given to the trade in British vessels between the Cape and foreign countries would of themselves lead to the supply of those countries with Eastern products, through that or any other British possession in British vessels. Considerable privileges of this nature now actually exist, but they are rendered unavailing by the regulations of other Countries which will not give facilities to relaxations on our part calculated solely for our benefit. We cannot at once maintain in our Colony a restrictive policy with regard to navigation and an enlarged system of commercial intercourse.
This remark, generally true, is doubtless peculiarly applicable to the Cape considered as an entrepot, inasmuch as the merchandise of which it is proposed to permit the exportation from the Cape in foreign vessels may now, under our own laws, be carried at once from the place of its production by foreigners in their own vessels to their respective countries. This case therefore is entirely
288 Records of the Cape Colony,
unaffected by any of the general reasonings upon which Great Britain has confined the exportation of the produce of her foreign possessions to her own ships.
It is the opinion indeed of many intelligent persons acquainted with the course of the foreign trade with India, that many vessels which are now obliged to go to India would, if there were a depot for Indian goods at the Cape, end their voyage there, a result which, if the increase of foreign vessels in the Indian seas be justly a source of apprehension, it would doubtless be very desirable to effect.
With respect also to her own very limited produce, as the Cape has not the protection against the competition of foreign produce which other Colonies enjoy, there appears no reason for subjecting her to the ordinary Colonial restrictions.
The other consideration by which I am induced to press this subject upon Lord Bathurst's attention at present is the issue of the Order of the Prince Begent in Council of the 25th May last, whereby great privileges with respect to its intercourse with foreign nations, in foreign as well as in British vessels, were given to the Island of Mauritius.
I will venture to submit with great deference that nothing in the situation of the Mauritius appears either to justify or require a departure from our Colonial system which would not lead to a similar departure as to the Cape, while it might reasonably be alleged that one of the dangers in which monopolies of Colonial intercourse are supposed to have originated is to be apprehended in the very recently French Colony of the Mauritius much more forcibly than at the Cape.
But it is not only as an example, or precedent, that the recent extension of favor to the Mauritius justifies the claim of the Cape to a similar indulgence. The enjoyment of that indulgence by the Mauritius deprives the Cape of the advantage of free com- petition, and tends to render nugatory, at least in regard to the produce of the East, the less extensive privileges which have been of late years conferred upon her.
Upon all these grounds I humbly submit to Lord Bathurst the propriety of recommending to the Prince Begent in Council the extension to the Cape of Good Hope of the provisions of the Order in Council of the 25th May last, with respect as well to the traf&c in British vessels with foreign countries as to the traffic
Records of the Cape Colony. 289
in foreign vessels with the countries to which they respectively beloug. I have &c.
(Signed) Thos. P. Courtenay, Agent for the Cape of Good Hope.
[Original.]
Letter from Messrs. Dyason and Hudson to
Earl Bathurst.
Bahsoatb, August 19th 1819.
My Lord, — Having determined after due consideration to become candidates for a Grant of Land at the Cape of Good Hope agreeable to your Lordship's oflBcial notice as approved in the Public Newspapers, We, viz. Messrs. Isaac, Joseph, and George Dyason, and Hougham Hudson, are desirous to obtain a Grant of 2000 Acres of Land at the Cape, and for which Grant shall be prepared to take out proper people and deposit the sums as required per the official notice.
We can either conjointly, or separately, have the most satis- factory references as to our capability, or as to our private and public characters, not only from our resident Ministers and Magistrates, the Deputy Mayor, and principal inhabitants, but also from many gentlemen in public situations, if it is required.
Having obtained the grant, we propose to admit others of our friends possessing the means, and to select husbandry men and mechanics suitable to our views and purposes ; also having families of our own, viz. Isaac Dyason, tin plate worker and brasier, 39 years of age, wife and 5 children, three of them stout lads from 8 to 16 years of age, and one used to cattle; Joseph Dyason, master mariner, 36 years of age, one child, George Dyason, Wine Merchant, 28 years of age, wife and two children.
Hougham Hudson, Grazier and farmer, 26 years of age, and wife.
We remain &c.
(Signed) Geo. Dyason,
Isaac Dyason, Joseph Dyason, Hougham Hudson. xn. u
290 Records of the Cape Colony^
[Original.]
Letter from Lieutenant Valentine Griffith
to the Eeverend G. A. Evers, Magistrate
for the County of Mantgomery.
Newtown, August 19ih 1819.
Sir, — ^Wishing to avail myself of the encouragement given by Government to emigrate to the Cape of Good Hope, I beg leave to acquaint you that there are twenty able-bodied individuals anxious to emigrate to the Gape of Good Hope, and that I am willing to deposit ten pounds per man, agreeably to the Circular of July 1819. I have therefore to request that you will have the goodness to make such necessary application to the Bight Hon'ble Earl Bathurst as may obtain for us the indulgence of being permitted a free passage to such part of the Cape as is intended to be colonized.
I have further to add that I have been engaged in practical agriculture for these last two years, and possess for the purpose of emigration the sum of one thousand pounds, and that I and the twenty individuals are willing to conform to such regulations and conditions as the Government may require. I am &c.
(Signed) Valentine Griffith,
1st Lieut. B. Marines, Half Fay.
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. Benjamin Osler to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
Falmouth, Augutt 19th 1819.
Sir, — I beg to acknowledge receipt of your esteemed favor through A. Young, Esqre., the Worshipful Mayor of this Town, with printed Circular relative to the terms on which indulgence will be granted to those desirous of settling at the Cape. In conformity thereto I engage to take with me ten able healthy individuals above the age of eighteen, a proportion of whom ahall be husbandmen possessing a general knowledge of agriculture;
Records of the Cape Colony, 291
also two children between the age of fourteen and eighteen, and four below the age of fourteen, for the whole of whom I will advance agreeably to the stipulation contained in the said Circular.
I beg leave to observe I have been a resident at Cadiz and Gibraltar nearly seven years, have made voyages to Surrinam, Trinidad, Marrarsham, Para, and dififerent ports in Portugal, Spain, and Italy in commercial pursuits, am consequently familiar with foreign habits and customs, and flatter myself will be found a desirable settler in the new Colony.
Most respectfully soliciting an early consideration and reply,
I am &c. (Signed) Benjamin Osler.
I do hereby certify that Benjamin Osier, the person writing the foregoing proposal to emigrate to the Cape of Good Hope, is a native of Falmouth and has always borne a good Character.
Witness my hand this 20 August 1819.
(Signed) Anprew Young, Mayor of Falmouth.
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Gaps of Good Hope, 21«< Augutit 1819.
My Lord, — ^It is most painful to me to be under the neceslsity of requesting Tour Lordship's sanction to any extra expence thrown upon this Settlement, particularly in the present year, in which resistance to the Kaffers must necessarily so greatly encrease our burthens ; but I have the unpleasant task of reporting to Your Lordship that the Government House at Newlands fell down in the night of the 12th instant, fortunately my family being in Cape Town, no lives were lost.
This untoward circumstance is attributed to the wet (from the violence of the last and early part of the present winter) having peneti^ated through the roof to the lower walls and foundation, which appear to have been built in the Dutch time of inadequate materials.
u 2
292 Records of the Cape Colony.
Were it consistent with the interests of the Grovemment property, or were I only to weigh the privation of personal convenience which a delay in rebuilding would cause, I should not hesitate to postpone it until our funds were less pressed upon, and until I should receive your Lordship's Sanction thereto, agreeably to a clause in my Instructions from the Treasury, directing me not to incur a greater Expence than £200 without previous authority from Home; but finding from the reports I have received from the persons employed to survey the remaining building, that great loss will accrue from delaying to make use of the materials immediately, I have decided upon taking advantage of the ensuing favourable Season of the year for rebuilding it, and trust I shall receive Your Lordship's approbation thereof.
Your Lordship may be assured that the utmost economy shall be preserved, consistent with the purposes to which a Government House must necessarily be applied and with ensuring a secure and durable building.
By carefully selecting the materials from the ruins, I am happy to say that I do not anticipate any very considerable expence, though it is impossible at present to obtain any precise estimate that can be relied on. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Heney Someeset.
[Original,] Letter from Mb. Kalph Goddard to Earl Bathurst.
113 Wabdoub Street, Soho, London, 2A£k Augwt 1819.
Honoured Sir, — It is not but with some degree of feeling, the result of mature consideration, that I am brought to sacrifice the ties of patriotic friendship with my fellow contrymen; for the unknown privileges of another part of the habitable globe. Had I not been a venturer in life's uncertain lottery and from thence drawn an excessive number of blanks which has reduced me most to a state of penury and despair ; I should not emigrate to this foreign clime, to revisit the much loved British isle no more. It's necessity ; alas ! necessity, which inspires my pen ; and whioh causes me to part with those endearing objects of my native
Becords of the Cape Colony, 293
home, ''to cross the trackless wave, and To burst the long unbroken clods That turf the wasteland o'er."
The terms of emigration I am but partially acquainted with and I would request to know whether I'm confined to any weight of carriage as my calling is that of a joiner and house furnisher, so that I might be enabled to carry some convenient tools with me. I have a wife and one promising lad about 12 years of age which compose the whole of my family. I further request to know when, and where, the vessel will sail from ; and where I am to enqidre for further information respecting my intended emigration ; that I might dispose of the remainder of my goods and to make preparations accordingly. I remain &c.
(Signed) Ealph Goddard.
[Oflfice Copy.]
Letter from Henky Goulburn, Esqre., to Lord Charles Somerset.
London, 2Gth Augud 1819.
My Lord, — This letter will be delivered to your Lordship by Messrs. Thomas Peterkin and John Carr.
Their Object in proceeding to the Cape of Good Hope is to settle there, and I have received Earl Bathurst's directions to desire that your Lordship will give the requisite orders that these persons may receive a grant of land proportioned to the means which they may possess of bringing it into cultivation. I have &c.
(Signed) Henry Goulburn.
[Original.] Letter from Mr. W. Currie to Earl Bathubst.
No. 8 Stockwell Stbkbt, Gbeenwioh, 29th August 1819,
My Lord, — ^Wishing to emigrate to the Cape of Good Hope accompanied by from 10 to 14 persons of the description under- mentioned, viz.
Lieut. Bisset, R. Navy, his wife and three children.
294 Records of the Cape Colony,
3 Carpenters,
1 Blacksmith (if I can procure one)
1 Cooper,
7 or 8 Ploughmen who are also qualified for agricultural services in general.
If I succeed in engaging the men I have in view 2/3rds of them are married with from 1 to 4 children each under 14 years.
Parents' ages from 20 to 38 years.
1 beg your Lordship will be pleased to allow me to proceed with the persons of the aforesaid description, and forward me for my guidance the Circular letters which have recently been issued, as well as the memorandum relative to granting lands in that Colony,
I have &c.
(Signed) W. CuRRiE.
[Original.]
lietter from Mrs. H. Gosling to the Institution " The
Refuge of the Destitute."
Gentlemen, — Understanding that our late Housekeeper Mrs, Clarence has forwarded a complaint to you some time since, which has been made public, in justice to ourselves I feel obliged to address you on the subject.
Unfortunately I know Mrs. Clarence to be an exceeding clever woman remarkable for a plausible manner of speaking and writing without the smallest regard to truth, and possessing withal a perfect talent for every art and duplicity ; against such a character it is impossible to be on our guard.
I can easily imagine that a letter from her may bear such a colour of truth and profess such a strong interest for the happiness of the boys as to cause in you an unfavourable impression towards us. At the same time I cannot help observing that before such a respectable body of gentlemen give implicit credit to one party's tale, however plausibly told, they ought in justice to those accused to cause a very strict enquiry to be instituted. It frequently happens that stewards and servants whose schemes having failed from a want of honesty (thwarted and disappointed at the time)
Records of the Cape Colony, 295
endeavour to exonerate themselves by accnsing their employers ; relying^ upon the distance from England preventing a discovery of the real truth. We must in justice to ourselves and friends by whom we are established here, act to the best of our judgments and do what we conceive to be right without allowing the un- founded reports of others to influence our conduct.
The letter alluded to having made a very strong impression on the minds of some of the gentlemen of the Institution they may very possibly at some future period bring forward before the House the cruelty and oppression their little Colony at the Cape have experienced. It is but fair they should previously attend to our statement.
The Government of this Colony are not likely to permit the slightest injustice towards apprentices whose complaints can at all times be heard. Anyone who knows me can I am sure vouch for my kindness to those placed under my care. I have been brought up to consider the most menial servant as worthy attention. Mr. Darly and Mrs. Clarence's brother in law (the latter a farmer on Mr. Gosling's late estate in Herts) have both known Mr. Gk)sling from an infant, and I believe they never considered cruelty 9S a feature in his character. Were it not for old age Mr. Gosling's man servant would have followed us hence.
Some time since on the discovery of Mrs. Clarence's conduct Mr. Gosling applied to his Excellency the Governor and to Col. Bird requesting they would cause an investigation to be made into the treatment of his apprentices, which was accordingly done, and proving satisfactory the boys were summoned before the drostdy and severely reprimanded. He Law reports will also prove their having been sentenced to punishment for ill treating a Hottentot in our employ by laying in wait for him in a body and severely beating him ; (this man's fault was causing them to be discovered at cards in the fields). The punishment at the request of Mr. Gosling was not put into execution, the boys promising to behave better for the future.
I will not apologize for entering most minutely into every particular, but as far as I am able state the Clarence views and our conduct.
When Mr. Oosling wrote to his friend Mr. Darly for a bailifif and his wife he fully thought that I was on my voyage to the Cape : consequently I was ignorant of the plan till just before the
296 Records of the Cape Colony.
Clarences sailed. Mr. Gosling most particularly stated to Mr. Darly his wish for a farming housekeeper and he mentioned a woman whom they both knew and who was not above cleaning out the butter pans, &c. Mr. Darly I know fully explained our situation here, the farm is quite in an infantine state, and the Clarences were not led to expect half the comforts they found. She engaged to make herseK most useful, and Mr. Darly felt fully persuaded he had sent us out a most valuable servant.
Before Mrs. Clarence sailed she found out that I had not lefi England, and from what she heard respecting the health of my little girl fancied that I might be detained perhaps for a consider- able time. These ideas were not communicated to Mr. Darly, and she left under the idea (from what she knew of Mr. Gosling's former habits) that Mr. Gosling could never settle quietly on a farm, but would be almost a resident in town, and that she and her husband would in that case have the entire management of the pursuit. After their arrival and so long as these ideas lasted Clarence was very harsh with some of the boys. Kennedy once complained of his having cut him on the head with an iron instru- ment. I arrived soon afterwards, and to the great disappointment of Mrs. Clarence after many significant enquiries we stated our deteimination to make the farm our constant residence. She urged every argument, such as the extreme dullness, my health, &c., to prevent this plan, when finding all unavailing and that she must descend in the eyes of the neighbouring Boors from the important rank of sole directress to a mere housekeeper, and besides all her plans of gain quite knocked out, she thought of new contrivances, and to do her credit she followed them up with infinite ability.
Mr. Gosling at the time he wrote to Mr. Darly for a farming man and his wife, requested him also to procure him twelve apprentices. They were procured, and according to Mr. Darly's letters particularly mentioning the number as twelve, Mr. Gosling paid the Captain the passage money for that number, and also got the permission of Government for his twelve apprentices to remain in the Colony. It was not until Mr. Gosling accidentally found the indentures on Mrs. Clarence's table that he could by any means procure them, he had frequently enquired for them, but some excuse was always ready for not producing them just at that time. On counting them over he could only make out eleven, and on
Records of the Cape Colony. 297
asking for the twelfth Mrs. Clarence said that he was indentured to them (this was Bichd. Harper). She had frequently hinted " that the boys thought they were all indentured to them " and observed at this time that the Institution had wished it so, only Mr. Darly said he was not authorized to allow it. Mr. Gosling remarked It was a strange idea to suppose that he would run aU the risk of the boys' passage money and expences out, and after- wards to maintain their servants. And there only remained in the present case two things for Mr. and Mrs. Clarence to make a choice of, namely to assign Eichd. Harper over according to Mr. Darly^s letter and arrangement in England, or to leave his service immediately. Their plans not being sufficiently matured, they chose the former. Some time after when we had taught the boy to be useful and they were leaving our situation they claimed him as their apprentice. Not denying their signature to the paper, but grounding their claim on the document being deficient of the signature of a witness having also signed it ; the paper particularly says "according to Mr. Darl/s letter and arrangements in England." We are now only waiting letters from that gentleman in answer to ours, and if they say that he was aware of Mrs. Clarence's act but had forgotten to mention it, Mr. Gosling does not intend to dispute the point.
In consequence of Mr. Darl/s letter, Mr. Gosling gave up the management of the boys a good deal to Mrs. Clarence, he allowed her to furnish them with everything they required.
Bread was found flung in the com, some boys (6 at a time) were discovered drunk in the road, others at the fishery, pewter plate melted down, many articles stolen and supposed to be sold. Several times in the middle of the night a party were found gambling with six or eight candles burning in their sleeping place.
Mr. Gosling thought it high time to put a stop to such waste, and till their mess room was finished allowanced each boy to a lb. and a ^ of &esh meat, 2 lbs. of bread, besides sugar for their herb tea, vegetables, sometimes buttermilk and rice.
On the commencement of Mrs. Clarence's system of complaints against the boys she represented at one period their having in a body struck work during Mr. Gosling's absence. Mr. Gosling on his return went to the Field Comet, the sub-magistrate of the district, to know the steps he must take, when the Field Cornet
298 Records of the Cape Colony.
authorized him to punish them. Mrs. Clarence was most gequent in her complaints, constantly urging the necessity of their being attended to, adding that withoHt it she should be of no use. Mrs. Clarence used to tell such stories of the boys, how true you gentle- men must be the best judges of. Various were the crimes each had committed. Ashford had forged an £800 draft on the Exeter Bank and stolen a portmanteau from a coach. James was she thought very bad ; she did not know what was Jones* crime but she supposed something of the vilest nature, for a Mr. Bedford of the Institution used to lecture him privately for hours together. This, it must be allowed, was sufficient to alarm us very much, so much so that Mr. Gosling woidd not allow me to remain at home when business called him to towa, Ashford was twice caught getting into our kitchen window assisted by Jones at twelve o'dlock at night, and once our house was attempted to be set on fire. After these acts Mr. Gosling determined to lock them into their sleeping room at half past nine o'clock. It was an indignity they could not brook, and after a promise from the head boys of future good conduct was discontinued.
On my landing my health was so very indifiTerent as to prevent my taking the management of my house. Whatever plans Mrs. Clarence proposed I almost invariably assented to (excepting having a Dutch master for her which she very much pressed and even at a time when she was making application to Mr. Thorn, the missionary, for the situation of teacher of the English language). It happened that once the boys complained to me of the Blacks having stolen their supper, and that Mrs. Clarence refused to give them any. I ordered her to give them a fresh supper, which extremely disconcerted her. She afterwards complained to Mr. Gosling, saying in her very smooth manner "Mrs. Gosling was extremely good natured, but she must say in this instance mis- taken, and that if she interfered in that manner she would render the boys extremely troublesome, for she, Mrs. C, knew what cheats they all were." Thus for some time I was completely checked. Mr. Gosling thought so highly of her he did not think it prudent to interfere with her management too much. We at last found that several indulgences were given as coming solely from herself^ but when it suited her plans to neglect them then it was by Mr. Gosling's orders; just before she left James complained to me "** he had worn his shirt for three weeks," knowing that I had given
Records of the Cape Colony. 299
out a sufficient number a short time before I called Mrs. Clarence to the dinner table, and before all the boys questioned her as to this neglect^ when she was obliged to confess herself to blame.
You will perhaps wonder why Mrs. Clarence acted thus; her object evidently was to set the boys against their proper masters and cause them to send their complaints to the Institution, and by the comparison of her apparent kindness extol her own conduct in the eyes of the gentlemen of the Institution and injure us as much as possible. She might perhaps have other views which from her conversations I think she had, namely that if the boys could be taken from Mr. Gosling the gentlemen might transfer them to her. She used frequently to say that if ever they (the Clarences) set up farming on their own account she was sure that through some relation who was in the Institution she could get out boys free of cost, and she also said that many here might be glad to get boys from the Institution through them, in which case she should expect a premium.
Our house was once attempted to be set on fire by tinder mixed with tar being placed on the thatch. A South Easter must have burnt it to the ground. It was most providentially a calm night, which saved it. The tinder was found by our Carpenter half burnt. It was proved to be made of linen rag, a bit of the band of Mrs. Clarence's gown was found amongst it. It came out in the evidence at Stellen Bosch that Mrs. Clarence had the morning before the fire been mending her own clothes and some of Mr. Gosling's linen, the odd ends she gave to Henry Jones who was heard to remark " it will make good tinder." Jones gave some to the cook, further it could not be traced. Mr. and Mrs. Clarence's evidence say that the former was most active in assisting to put out the flames. The other persons on the contrary declare Clarence never assisted in any way to extinguish the fire. Nothing could be brought home to anyone. But certainly very unpleasant surmises took possession of our minds. The Inden- tures were known to be at the time in the house.
It is generally the custom in this Colony to allow the slaves the Sundays to themselves. I believe it is optional with the masters in most instances, we allowed it and whenever we em- ployed any of them on that day we paid them. Last Summer the corn ripened suddenly, and for two successive Sundays we called on all our people to assist in getting it in before the
300 Records of the Cape Col<yiiy.
South Easters came on. No one was forced to work, some did not.
One Sunday it was necessary that Cowley and Ashford should attend the cattle, they refused unless pcdd. Mr. Gosling was deterxnined not to be forced to do what had been granted as a mere favor, he therefore laid the complaint before the Landdrost, and the young gentlemen soon found that the option of paying rested with the master. Attending the cattle does not prevent their reading if so inclined. Before we could get an assistant cook I used to make the boys take it by turns on a Sunday to keep up the wood fire during the time their dinner was boiling, the well inclined used to read in the books they brought with them during the time, the others called it a hardship. Jones who was always the most unruly refused to take his turn, nor did he attend prayers, but chose to be at the fishery all the day. When he came home to eat his dinner Mrs. Clarence made a most bitter complaint to me, and I desired him to stay on the premises or I would inform his master of his conduct, he gave me a most saucy answer and again went out. When Mr. Gosling returned from town I told him of this and the next day he pimished Jones, but not more than he deserved. If Mrs. Clarence says true I believe you geutlemen find amongst so many young boys such punish- ments are sometimes necessary, and at our Public schools, Eton, &c., it is also found necessary. No master can have his boys under subjection unless such measures can be resorted to. Jones worked as usual for three or four hours after he was punished, but when it was ascertained that we were gone out for some hours he was advised by Mrs. Clarence to set off for Cape Town, which he did, and reached it in one day, a distance that would fatigue a horse from the deepness of sands and burning heat of the sun. Mrs. C. afterwards said Jones had always declared if ever he, was touched he would run away. If she deemed corporal punishment a hardship, why did she urge her complaint so often ? Mr. Gosling knowing that he had the Field Cornet's authority for his conduct, took no steps to prepare witnesses or make any defence, he only returned from the country the day before he was called on to appear at Stellen Bosch, whither he went, merely taking in his pocket the written authority of the Field Comet as his justification. Four of the apprentices were called by Jones, who leagued with him were prepared with one story to carry him through and to
Records of the Cape Colony, 301
state as well the extreme ill treatment they had all experienced. Not a single witness of character appeared to corroborate their testimony.
It proves to be against the laws for a Master to punish his apprentices, which Mr. Gosling was not at the time aware of, he did not for a moment attempt to deny the circumstance. The landdrost and heemraden first sentenced him to pay fifty Bds. (to the Fiscal I believe), they then asked him if he was satisfied, and on saying he was not, consulted again and sentenced him to pay the forfeit of the Boy. Thus at first awarding one punishment and afterwards changing it for the most severe. I believe a notice for appeal must be made in twenty-four houi*s. Mr. Gosling was advised not to appeal, as it would only incur such an additional expence, he therefore in a moment of disgust deter- mined to let the boy go without further trouble.
On a calmer consideration he thought the example might be bad amongst the rest of the boys, and he afterwards memorialized the Governor, and his Excellency was kind enough to give the case some consideration^ but from the neglect of appeal said he could not set the verdict aside. The business however was more fully enquired into, and his Lordship directed that the boy should be sent to England, thus far assisting us by frustrating the hopes of those who might attempt to unsettle the other boys. Finding Jones had so far succeeded, Mrs. Clarence before she was aware of his Excellency's determination framed a complaint which was signed by all the apprentices and forwarded to his Lordship. It was this complaint that induced Mr. Gosling to request strict enquiry might be instituted, which was accordingly done, and the result was as already stated. One of our English servants was on the occasion called up to the Drostdy and questioned very closely.
Mrs. Clarence's charity did not extend to the Blacks and the Black Wretches (as she termed them) were not to enter her apart- ments. An English boy was trained to wait at her table, &c., &c. She considered the poor Blacks as nothing, and one of her com- plaints against us '' is not treating the boys better than the Blacks," because we chuse to allow the Blacks some of the comforts of the Whites, it is surely hard it should be mentioned to our prejudice.
Mrs. Clarence came to a farm in South Africa, she could not expect to find it peopled with whites, nor could she expect to find the comforts of England ; the latter are most expensive at the
302 Records of the Cape Colony.
Cape, and even in Cape Town go under the appellation of luxuries. In the country they are scarcely to be obtained. Every one in his line of life from the Grovemor to the lowest Englishman must submit to many privations. It is universally allowed in this Colony, and I believe in every other, and during the war on the continent the same, that the lower class of English submit to privations woi*se than the higher classes. The former no sooner turn their back on their distresses in England than they become so fine it is hardly possible to please them, and I begin to find what everyone says is true: "That they are more plague than profit." Mrs. Clarence notwithstanding the newness of our farm and the unfinished state of the buildings had infinitely more comforts for her line of life than I had for mine, tho' I was bom in Portman Square to some of the luxuries of England and never contemplated taking up my residence in South Africa.
When any shifts were to be made I invariably shared the inconveniences, most frequently submitted wholly to them, and I can with the strictest truth afiSrm that the comforts of our people have been our first thought, so much so that our Mends have often told us we should only make them idle. It was long ere we could bring our minds to think so harshly of the Clarences, not until repeatedly warned by some friends, not until proofs were brought of their double dealing. On finding it absolutely necessary to discharge them Mr. Gosling gave them three months' wages, tho' no stipulation to that efifect was previously made. After their conduct to us I never could advise my friends to engage them, but I took no steps to prevent their obtaining another situation, nor should I have written thus much if they had not attacked us in so public a manner. I have mentioned Mrs. Clarence particulaily, because she is the manager and Clarence acts entirely as directed by her.
Since the boys have been with us, they have each had (besides the new suit in which they landed) 4 pairs of trousers, 1 jacket, 3 shirts, a pair of shoes every six weeks, one black hat, one red cap, neckcloths, and stockings. The 2 latter articles were lately discontinued in consequence of frequently finding them in the hedge. They are now only given to those who will wear them and appear tidy on Sundays. When Mrs. Clarence came she had a complete set of pewter plates, knives, forks, iron spoons, mugs, &c. put under her care for the use of the boys. When she left our
Records of the Cape Colony* 30a
service very few of these remained ; a second set has since been provided. The Mess House has been completed some months. English men and boys sit down to a table three times every day. A man is purposely appointed to see that every one has as much as they can eat before they quit the table. The meals are com- posed of fresh mutton, soup from about 18 lbs. of meat, herb tea with sugar, sometimes buttermilk, vegetables, bread, and occasion- ally fish for one meaL During the harvest they had wine, and throughout the year it is given on Saturday nights. When one meal is ended the table is washed down by the assistant cook ready for the next. Clean linen is always allowed on Sundays, and during the rainy season they have dry clothes whenever they require them.
On New Year's Day Mr. Gosling gave the most steady of the boys 3 RixdoUars each. I have sometimes employed Standback out of the usual hours to make me reed baskets, for which I have paid him a dollar when I could get them elsewhere for 4 skillings. Any other of the boys whom I have employed out of the working hours I have always paid them something, preferring paying a high price for their work to giving them idle pocket money. Each boy has as much garden as he chuses to cultivate, and if they bring their vegetables to perfection I purpose buying them in preference to keeping a kitchen garden. I have given them all the seeds. The sleeping room is newly fitted up, and a person is directed to clean it out every week.
We have prayers every Sunday, but find great difficulty in collecting the boys, and not antil dinner was forbidden to those who staid away from idleness did we accomplish it
Mr. Colebrook has sent us out several boys who are to be placed as cottagers on his estates, provided they turn out steady. The same encouragement was held out to the Institution boys a very few months after they came, and had the Clarences shewn themselves better disposed, they might in case our situation had not exactly suited them, have been allowed to rent one of Mr. Colebrook's smaller farms. This Mrs. Clarence found out when too late, and I am confident she has often repented not having waited patiently till the farm was completed before she began her plans and com- plaints. There is I believe not another person who has the inclination to assist young settlers or indeed the power that Mr. Colebrook has, and I shall be truly glad if after a trial of their
304 Records of the Cape Colony,
steadiness here, we may be able to recommend some of the Institution boys to his notice.
In concluding this very long letter, Gentlemen, I have only to say that I sincerely hope you will not think me as vain of eloquence or style of writing as Mrs. Clarence. I assure you I would not for a moment attempt to vie with her, but I confess myseK her inferior in that respect, for it must by every one be allowed she possesses a great share of talent, and can relate her own story remarkably well. My only object has been to tell you uncontrovertible facts, with the strictest regard to truth, to remove from your minds the unfavourable impression which Mrs. Clarence's statement or the boys under her direction seems to have made. You are at liberty to make what use you think proper of this letter, and if it is referred to My Lord Charles Somerset, or Col. Bird I am confident they can prove its veracity. I do not despair but at some future period when our boys become men that they will send a very different account of our conduct towards them. At any rate I shall feel satisfied that we have done more than our duty by the boys, and therefore shall not allow untrue reports to vex me ; amongst such a number we must expect ingratitude.
I am sorry to add that since writing this letter one of your boys (Kennedy) has met with a sad accident A mule cart went over his legs and the bone of one is broken. It has been set by a good Navy Surgeon, the fracture is below the knee and I am in hopes that time and a good constitution will completely restore the use of it. He is a very fine lad and promised to be a most excellent farmer. I have &p.
(Signed) H. GtOSLIng.
GUSTERON FaBM, HoTTENTOTS HOLLAND,
Cape of Good Hope, August 29th 1819.
[Original.] Letter from Mr. William Burgess to Earl Bathurst.
Battinglass, Ireland, September 2nd 1819.
My Lord, — On yesterday I had the honour of your favour through the Hon'*"® Mr. Goulburn in reply to my letter of the
Records of Vie Cape Colony. 305
19tih Ult^. I apprehend that I did not make myself sufficiently understood to your Lordship in that letter.
K I and the number of persons I have already mentioned emigrate to the Cape of Good Hope, I will go out at my own expence ; it is not poverty, but a matter of necessity, that compels me to emigrate, as my conduct as a loyal man in opposing traitors to my King and Country has created for me numerous enemies, so that my life is in danger in my native land, and I prefer, on ac- count of the climate, emigrating to British Africa in preference to British America, and I beUeved that a person going out under the circumstances I mention, and with a Capital, would experience an encouragement from His Majesty's Government far more than the emigrant that goes out a burthen and an expence to the State. My family is numerous, and all the land I could expect according to Mr. Goulbum's letter would be three hundred acres, that is one hundred for myself and one hundred for each of my sons that are eighteen, which would not be sufficient for my means of cultiva- tion, I therefore would wish to purchase land as far as my means, in the same way as lands are purchased in Canada. I will bring out 14 persons : myself, the eldest, 43 years old, and the youngest five years old. I therefore beg that your Lordship will be so good as to order a further communication to be made to me on this subject. I beg &c.
(Signed) Will. Burgess.
[Original.] Letter from Mr. Samuel Bennett to Earl Bathurst.
Betton mxab Shbewsbubt, September ^th 1819.
My Lord, — Seeing by the public papers much discussion and various opinions respecting the intended new settlement at the Cape, and amongst other things that an application had been made to your Lordship to know what the country would produce, what seeds and plants would be likely to succeed, and for general advice upon those points. The papers state that your Lordship declined answering such questions, referring the enquiries to Agriculturists. Having been five years in that hemisphere, sent out by his Excellency the Portuguese Ambassador the chevalier
xn. X
306 Records of the Cape Colony.
De Sousa Coutina, brother of the then Minister Don Bodrigo Count Linhares, one of the best and greatest of men, and though the object of my going out, namely, to superintend and improve the great Estate of Santa Cruz belonging to the Prince Begent (now king), was defeated by the death of that excellent nobleman, yet I had a full opportunity of knowing by actual trial the success of almost every European seed and plant. It is from this practical knowledge that I am able to say no reference can be made with safety to Agriculturists merely English.
Persons who have lived and made observations, and practically too, in those climates, are the only persons who can be consulted with safety, and if none such can be found, then awful and critical indeed will be the situation of emigrants arriving there, destitute of almost everything and even of habitations. Having been in this situation, and trembling for others, I cannot forbear entreating your Lordship's attention for a moment, it may prevent much disappointment and much misery. It is stated that the ships are to saU. in November, the very worst time they can sail, the people will not be able to do anything for three or four months. January and February are the hottest months, accompanied also with much rain, which renders that season the most improper for people to expose themselves to the weather, and the most unfit to be in the woods without habitations. I left Portsmouth in February, and arrived at Eio de Janeiro the first week in Jurie, the cold weather was then coming on, August is the coldest month during the cold months, namely, June, July, and August, it is also rfry, so much so that the Portuguese have a proverb tempo defrio he tempo de secca, the cold time is the dry time, and this is the proper time, and the only proper time, for working people to arrive there ; during the cold season the first preparations should be made ; plenty of } and ^ inch boards and plenty of Carpenters should accompany, or rather precede, to erect temporary sheds and houses, whilst others should be employed in clearing and preparing small lots of ground to plant with such things as will soonest return sustenance to the people ; but who can direct them ? not an English agricidturist I can positively assure your Lordship. The ultimate object may be corn and windy the former will take many months, and the latter many years, four at least, before any considerable return can be expected, wheat taken out from England will not do, they may save themselves that expence and disappointment ; besides being
Becords of the Cape Colony. 307
consumed by the weevil on the voyage, what little escapes will, when sown, come to little or nothing, it will spread on the ground like grass, but will not rise up into ear as it does here. In Bio Grande, the most southern part of the Brazils, wheat grows very well, and it will grow in almost every part of the torrid Zone, but it is a bearded red wheat and does not grow higher than English barley. K a sufficient quantity of naturalized wheat is not to be found at the Cape for seed, it should be procured from Buenos Ayres. English barley grew pretty well, and gave small grain^ so did oats. Peas grow extremely well, but they must be stTick, that is must have sticks for them to climb upon. Potatoes do very well from English seedy but will not do to plant again. Asparagus does extremely well, and will give abundantly with good management the second year. The Sweed turnip does extremely well The sweet potatoe is no doubt there already, and is an excellent root, also the esculent yam. The beautiful plant called Arrow root grows very well in Madeira^ and will no doubt at the Cape. Of more immediate importance than these is the India com, which is food for both man and animals, seed of all the varieties should be ready to plant, little preparation is necessary, and the return is quick, what barley, peas, and oats are for animals in England, this article is, over all the warm regions of the earth, and is also the substitute for bread to man, 80 that its importance is very great. There is however another article equally if not of greater importance to a new settlement, because it will be the first to return as food to the cultivator, and this is what an English Agriculturist would not even dream of, because it is never used as food in this country, though it is in almost every other part of the world, I mean the different sorts of what we call French-leans, and a great variety that climb or run over sticks, these when ripe and dry are an excellent food. Throughout the United States of N. America, they are a leading article of food : in the Brazils not only the black people, but the Portuguese eat them as freely as we do potatoes, they are on the table of every English Merchant at Eio de Janeiro and Buenos Ayres almost every day, the blacks prefer the black or Negro bean. At Boston they soak a quart of white beans all night, and next day bake them with a piece of fat pork, a most substantial and savory dish, they have it regularly every Saturday. Now this is the quickest of all possible things which the new settlers can
X 2
308 Records of the Cape Cdowg.
mise that will sustain life ; common vegetables, snch as radishes, onions, carrots, cabbages, cucumbers, water melons, and a number of other things will soon come round, but are not substantial enough to depend upon. I do not like to trouble your Lordship further at present, though I feel it to be an object of great moment that the emigrants should be well advised, their habits will be materially changed, neither the instruments they have been accustomed to, nor the seeds, nor the season, will be the same. K I can render them any assistance I shall be very happy to do it. I am ready to come to town, or even to go out for a few years with them, being professionally a surveyor I could take a part in laying out the lands granted, and at the same time give advice freely to everyone, the diflBculty would be over in two or three years. I am also well acquainted with the culture and management of the vine, having paid particular attention to it in Madeira, where I had general access, and as I knew the language I could make the best of it. I have no other motive in writing this letter, and offering my service, than to promote good, and prevent eviL
I have &c.
(Signed) Samujkl Bsnnbtt.
[Original.] Letter from SiE Henry Torrens to Henry Goulburn, Esqrb.
HoBSE GuABDS, lih September 1819.
Sir, — Altho' it is probable that the Secretary of State has received from General Lord Charles Somerset an account of an attack upon Graham's Town by a Kafifer Force, yet I have the Commander in Chiefs Command to transmit, in original, for Lord Bathurst's perusal, two dispatches from His Lordship, detailing that occurrence. And His Eoyal Highness feels it incumbent upon him to draw His Lordship's serious attention to the represen- tations of Lord Charles upon the inadequacy of his Military Force, and the necessity of a Eegiment of Cavalry being restored to The Establishment of the Colony. I have &c.
(Signed) H. Tobrens.
Becorck of the Cape Colony. 309
[Original.] Letter from Mb. Colin Campbell to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
KnsTBAyr bt LocHGiLFHBADy 7ih September 1819.
Dear Sm, — ^The encouragement held out by Government to Settlers who wish to emigrate to the Cape of Good Hope has made a strong impression on the minds of several respectable persons in this quarter^ and is keenly enquired into by the lower classes, who are eager to engage in it, but they will never do so unless they have some leaders under whose protection they would wish to embark. These men from their industrious habits are the fittest persons for establishing a colony in a distant quarter, and not the discontented clamorous weavers who would always be better within reach of the strong arm of Government to check their irregular proceedings. As a number emigrated from this quarter to British America (that are now very comfort- able) when you acted as Government Agent the people look up with great confidence to you for information respecting the views of the ministry in peopling the Capa Under this impression I take the liberty of addressing myself to you to request that you may have the goodness to transmit to me such information as may have come to your hands connected with this business, for the people in the Highlands will place more confidence in any explanation given by you than in all the Newspaper information they would obtain for a twelvemonth. I have some thoughts myself of leading a party of emigrants if suitable encouragement should be given. My experience as an agriculturist would I hope be of importance to myself and others at the Cape, and my being in the Commission of the Peace and holding a Captain's Commission in the local force of this country would I think likewise be a recommendation, I therefore beg leave to subjoin a few queries which I trust you will have the goodness to obtain answers from the Foreign Office for my own and other
people's information. I am &c.
(Signed) Colin Campbell.
Queries.
Ist. What encouragement would Government be inclined to give to a person heading a party of emigrants from the Highlands,
310 Records of the Cape Colony^
for tho' 100 acres is mentioned for each of the settlers, there is nothing allotted for the person acting as their leader ?
2nd. Would Government dispose of Land near the Colony to a person bringing out emigrants and possessed of some capital ? if so at what rate per acre ?
3rd. At what distance is the proposed Colony to be established from Cape Town, and what is the name of the spot selected for the purpose ?
4th. As the present breed of sheep at the Cape are of the worst description, would Government furnish an improved breed on being paid the priTne cost, by the settlers, for wool it is probable may in process of time form one of the staple articles of exportation from the Colony ?
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
London, 10^^ September 1819.
My Lord, — I do myself the honor to transmit to your Lordship a copy of a note from the Charge d' Affaires of Wurtemberg at this Court requesting information respecting several individuals subjects of his Sovereign, who are settled in the Colony under your Lordship's Government; and I have to request that you will transmit such information as you may have it in your power to afford respecting the individuals in question. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to
T. P. COTJRTENAY, ESQRE.
Gafb of Good Hope, 13^ September 1819.
Sir, — I beg leave to transmit to you herewith a statement of two cases, the one of Jack, slave of the widow Verge, and the other of Hendrick, slave of G. Munnik, who absented themselves without the knowledge of their respective Masters, the former in the year 1806 and the latter in 1811 ; both returned to this place
Records of the Cape Colony, 311
after having spent some tiipe in His Majesty's Naval Service and in England ; together with copies of the proceedings had in these cases, in consequence of the slaves, in question having been reclaimed by their respective Masters on their arrival here ; they however opposed the claim, maintaining that they had become free by having been in England and consequently having ceased to be Slaves. The Worshipful the Court of Justice pronounced sentence thereon, whereby Hendrick is declared free, and Jack ordered to be restored to the possession of his master.
I transmit these documents to you with the view of soliciting that you will be pleased to take the best legal opinion on the several questions therein propounded, the cases being now before the Court of Appeals here, and the decisions therein postponed until an answer to this communication shall be received.
Eelying on your accustomed promptitude and punctuality,
I have &c. (Signed) Cha^rles Henry Somerset.
[Copy.]
Letter from Henry Goulburn, Esqre., to William Parker, Esqre.
Downing Street, \Uh September 1819.
Sir, — I have laid before Earl Bathurst your letter of the 3rd Inst., enclosing for his Lordship's consideration a Memorandum of certain conditions under which you propose to take charge of a body of Settlers, and proceed to the Cape of Good Hope, and I am directed in reply to assure you that if his Lordship does not feel himself at liberty to admit in your case of any deviation from the conditions laid down in the printed circular, under which other Settlers proceed to that Colony, it is not from any doubt as to your individual qualifications, but from the necessity which his Lordship considers to exist for placing all the Settlers in that Colony on a precisely similar footing.
On this ground, therefore. His Lordship is unable to hold out to you any expectation of your being permitted on your arrival to
312 Records of the Cape Colony.
select the particular spot which yoii may consider most eligible for a Settlement. You will of course be at liberty to make known your wishes to the Governor, but it must rest with him to decide how far a compliance would be consistent with the general interests of the Colony.
With respect to the appointments which you have in view either as the Superintendant of the Knysna, as Colonel of the Militia, or as Landdrost of the District of Greorge Town, Lord Bathurst cannot enter into any engagement nor does he consider it necessary to discuss your proposition with respect to the military service of the Settlers, it not being in his power to sanction any that differ from those which are actually in force in the Colony. His Lordship is particularly desirous however that you should be aware that as all the persons who proceed to the Cape as Settlers wfll of course receive in common with His Majesty's other subjects in that Colony all due protection and support, so they cannot be permitted to enjoy, either with respect to their lands, or in other respects, any immunities from which other Inhabitants are debarred. For this reason the right of cutting Timber on the land allotted to them is one which Lord Bathurst has it not in his power to concede.
With respect to that part of your proposal which relates to the carrying out a certain number of Boys and Girls from the Charities in Ireland, Earl Bathurst considers that although the plan may be well deserving of future consideration, it is one which he should not in the first instance be desirous of encouraging. To the other conditions which you have specified, as they are in most respects conformable to the regulations laid down in the Circular, TTia Lordship sees no objection, but he has desired me to add that in the event of any proposal which you may make being accepted it must rest with you to make any legal agreement with the Settlers under your direction which may be essential for your mutual interest and comfort. I am &c.
(Signed) Henry Goulbuen.
Records of the Cape Colony, 313
[Original.]
«
Letter from Captain Bagot to Earl Bathurst.
EiNOSTHOBPB, KoBTHAHFTON, lQ(h September 1819.
My Lord, — I trust that your Lordship will pardon the liberty I take in addressing a letter to you, but since Government determined on sending settlers to the Cape of Good Hope, it has been my most ardent wish to go there with my family, for which purpose I have obtained His Eoyal Highness, the Prince Eegent's leave ; my next step was to raise a sufficient sum of money for the purpose, but all my efforts in that way having failed, I presume to apply to your Lordship, as my last resource. One hundred Pounds is all I require to put my intentions into execution, which if your Lordship will be kindly pleased to let me have, you will confer a lasting obliga- tion on me, and any mode of payment that you may think fit to point out, that comes within my power, shall be adopted; the method I propose is by my half pay, which shall be lodged by Messrs. Greenwood Cox & Co., at any place your Lordship may think proper, for the liquidation of the sum I require, in addition to which, should it be thought necessaxy, I would have my life insured to prevent the possibility of any loss in case of my death. I am well aware that I have no claim whatever on your Lordship, but my having been twice at the Cape, and knowing the Colony, joined to the knowledge I have of agriculture, makes me feel sanguine as to a prospect of providiag for a large family, which I cannot do in this country. I will not trespass longer on Your Lordship's time, but trusting to your goodness,
I have &c.
(Signed) Eobt. Wood Bagot, Capt. 47th Eegt.
314 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.]
Letter from Henry Goulburn, Esqre., to William Parker, Esqre.
DowNiNO Street, llth September 1819.
Sir, — I have laid before Earl Bathurst the letter which you addressed to me on the 14th Inst., in which you state that you do not desire any special exemption in your favor from the conditions laid down in the printed circular with respect to emigration to the Cape of Good Hope, but that you are anxious to receive so strong a recommendation to the Governor as should ensure on his part a compliance with the wishes which you express in your former letter provided they are consistent with the general interests of the Colony.
I am directed in reply to acquaint you that in the event of any proposal for proceeding as a Settler to the Cape being made by you and accepted. Earl Bathurst will readily recommend you to the Governor in terms perfectly consistent with the testimonials which you have adduced from so many respectable quarters of your respectability and qualifications, and his Lordship has no doubt that you will receive every favorable consideration compatible with the general interests of the Colony and the claims of other Settlers.
But in order to remove any erroneous impression to which such a recommendation might give rise Earl Bathurst is desirous that I should again explain to you before any definite proposal has been made by you, that he cannot hold out to you any expectation that the Governor can confer on you any privileges not con- ceded tx) other Settlers in a similar class with yourself or that it will be possible to abandon in your favor the light of cutting Timber which has heretofore been always reserved to the Crown.
I have only further to add that if it should be finally your wish to proceed to the Cape it would be desirable that I should receive from you as early as is convenient the number and list of the persons whom you propose to accompany you in order that Earl Bathurst may have your proposal under his consideration together
Records of the Cape Colony, 315
V
with those of any other persons who axe equally desirous of availing themselves of the offers held out in the cii'cular letter.
I am &c.
(Signed) Henry Goulbubn.
[Original.]
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
Gaps of Qcogd Hope, September l%(h 1819.
My dear Mr. Goulburn, — I received on Sunday last your letter of the 15th June enclosing a statement sent from the Institution of the Eefiige for the Destitute relative to the treatment of twelve apprentices which were placed with James Gosling, Esqre., residing at the Cape.
I lost no time in referring the subject to Mr. Gosling for explanation, and it so happened that Mr. G. having heard from Mr. Colebrooke (who married Mrs. Gosling's sister) of the villainous misrepresentations made to his prejudice in England, Mrs. Gosling had already prepared a statement of the facts, which I now enclose to Grovemment, which is not only a complete refutation of all that has been so falsely alledged, but also shews plainly the motives by which Mr. G.'s calumniators have been actuated.
In the case of the boy Jones, the Court of Landdrost and Heemraden were compelled to adhere to the Letter of the Law, but had Mr. Grosling not been ill-advised not to appeal, I think it most probable (knowing the circumstances as I since have done) that I should have been induced to have reversed the Sentence had it come into Appeal.
Ko persons can conduct themselves in a more praiseworthy manner than Mr. and Mrs. Gosling on all occasions, and I cannot but sorely lament that the tenets of modem Philanthropy should induce even the most respectable persons to advocate the cause of the most unworthy and wicked of the Community, and frequently too (as in the present case) upon ex parte Statements. From all I have heard of the artful conduct of Mrs. Clarence my own
316 Records of the Cape Colony.
opinion is that there can be found no one less deserving of atten- tion. Believe me &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Copy.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Captain Hunn, E.K
Gk)YEBKiiENT HousE, September ISlh 1819.
Sir, — I have the honor to state to you that accounts which I have this day received from the Army in KafiBraria render it expedient that I should be present there with as little delay as possible.
The state of my health and the probability of being greatly delayed from the Swelling of the Eivers by the late violent rains, render a journey by land to be avoided if possible.
I therefore beg to state to you, Sir, that if you would afford me the advantage of the Redimng to take me to Algoa Bay, you would very materially promote the very important service now carrying on against the hostile Tribes on our Borders. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Office Copy.]' Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
London, 22nd September 1819.
My Lord, — I transmit herewith to your Lordship a Copy of a Besolution of the House of Commons which passed during the last Session of Parliament, and in virtue of which an Address has been presented to His Eoyal Highness The Prince Regent soliciting Eatums of the Eevenue and Expenditujre of the Colonial Govern- ment of the Cape, together with otheJr information which your Lordship will find more particularly defined in the Besolution; and I have to signify to your Lordstip The Prince Begent's Pleasure that you do transmit to accordingly.
With reference to that part of the iResolution which calls tor
me the various Beturns
Records of the Cape Colony, 317
a list of the Civil Offices of the Colony, I beg to inform your Lordship that I have not, as yet, received from yon the Eetnms which you were last year desired to furnish, and I take this opportunity of enclosing a printed form which distinctly points out the heads of information which I am desirous of possessing ; and I have to instruct your Lordship to call upon all the Officers of your Government to make out Eeturns of their respective Offices accordiQg to the form in question. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Original.] Letter from Me. Thomas Pringle to Henry Goulburn, Esqrb.
SALI8BUBT Stbbbt, EDnmuBOB, September 22nd 1819.
Sib, — I beg leave to enclose a petition to Earl Bathurst, a copy of which I lately transmitted to the Colonial Office through the hands of Mr. Scott of Abbotsford, and I now take the liberty (as authorised by that gentleman and by Mr. Croker of the Admiralty) to address you on the subject of it.
UnderstandiDg that it is the intention of his Majesty's Govern- ment in forming the present Settlement to give a preference to persons possessed of some small capital and who can at the same time be recommended for steadiness, enterprise and agricul- tural skill, I humbly venture to claim for my friends some con- sideration on each of these points. In addition to what is specified in the inclosed petition, I may confidently say that my father and brothers (who form four of the party) are allowed to be as good farmers as any in the county of Eoxburgh, and should it be considered of any importance they are ready to produce the most respectable certificates in regard to this and the other qualifi- cations above mentioned.
Mr. Walter Scott, to whom I have the honour to be known, informs me that he has mentioned something of my own in- dividual situation and wishes to Mr. Croker, who he says, will communicate with you on the subject. To the candid explana- tions therefore of that illustrious friend I beg, Sir, respectfully to refer you in regard to myself, in the belief that they will have
318 Records of the Cape Colony,
infinitely more weight than any thing I could personally presume to urge.
I will not farther intrude upon your time, except to add that it will exceedingly oblige me if you will be so good as to inform me as soon as your conveniency will admit, whether I may hope for success in this double application for my friends and for myself; if accepted, at what period we may expect to embark, and whether one of my brothers, who is now in the United States (but who is anxious to join us at the Gape), may be permitted to rank in the allotment of land as one of my party ? I have &c.
(Signed) Thos. Pringle.
pEnclosure.]
To the Eight Honourable Eael Bathurst, Secretary of State
for the Colonies, cfec, Jkc,
The Petition of Thomas Pringle, residing at No. 24 Salisbury Street, Edinburgh, humbly sheweth
That the petitioner is desirous to avail himself of the generosity of His Majesty's Government in sendiug out settlers to the Cape of Good Hope : That he is ready to carry with him a party of at least ten able bodied men, seven of whom (being the petitioner's own relations) have been bred to farming in the South of Scotland, and can muster among them about five ^hundred pounds sterling of capital: That the rest of the party will consist of a joiner, a blacksmith, a gardener, and perhaps two or three ploughmen, with women and children within the specified proportion : and that the Petitioner and his party pledge themselves to fulfil all the other points prescribed in the official circular and to conform themselves to the general regulations that Government may find expedient. May it therefore please your Lordship graciously to attend to this Petition, to affi)rd the party a free passage to the Colony, and to grant them such a settlement there as may be most advantageous for their individual benefit and for the general welfare. And the Petitioner will ever pray &c.
(Signed) Thos. Pringlk.
Records of the Cape Colony, 319
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
London, 24tft September 1819.
My Lord, — ^This letter will be delivered to your Lordship by Juliette Bouillinot, whom I have permitted to proceed to St. Helena as an attendant on the Countess Bertrand, and I have to request that your Lordship will give the necessary orders that this person may be forwarded on to St. Helena. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
P.S. I enclose a dispatch which I have addressed to Sir Hudson Lowe relative to Juliette Bouillinot, and I request your Lordship to cause it to be transmitted to St. Helena.
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Cape of GK)0D Hope, 24ith September 1819.
My Lord, — Subsequent to the date of the dispatch in which I had the honour to communicate to your Lordship the means which I had found it necessary to direct for repelling the hostile aggression of the three Caflfer Chiefs who had taken up arms against the Colony and their Superior Chief Gaika, several circum- stances occurred which tended to retard and impede those opera- tions ; and the molestations which several of the military posts suffered from numerous bodies of the hostile Caffers rendered it prudent to adopt many measures of precaution on our frontier previous to following the enemy into his own country with the view of finally putting a stop to their murderous system of 'Warfare.
The distemper among the horses of the Burgher cavaby was to a great extent and it took a considerable time before it was possible to bring up a sufiicient remount to enable them to take the field. This interval was employed in placing the frontier line in a state of security. Major HaUoway of the Royal Engineers
320 Records of the Cape Cclowy.
directed these works, and the line was rendered sufficiently strong to defy any sudden attack which might have been attempted. Graham's Town, being the chief depot of military stores and provisions, required greater caution to protect, but the Com- manding Engineer by unremitting exertions placed this impor- tant post in a state to protect itself against the most formidable attack which could be brought against it. These arrangements having been completed, the Burgher force formed into three
divisions and, supported by
Boyal Artaiery 4 gmia . 82 B. and P. .,^ ^^fof«i.^^„f If «.^,lnJl
Infantry of the Line . , 400 da ^^^ detatchment of regulars
Colonial Troop .... 68 da and Artillery as per margin,
m * 1 « ^ ™ T;^ marched into Caflferland be-
TotalB. andF. .500 , «« , , «h . -
tween the 22nd and 31st of July, that is the left division under the command of Mr. Land- drost Stockenstrom marched on the 22nd of that month by the Winterberg, the centre under the orders of the officer commanding on the frontier (Lt.-Col. Willshu'e 38th Eegt.) by De Bruins Drift, and the right under Major Fraser Cape Begiment on the 31st by the Caflfer or Ebb and Flood Drift. These corps were to meet on the Chumie, which is beyond all that strongly wooded country which extends along the left bank of the Great Fish Biver in a length of near 60 miles from its embouchure and whose breadth differs from 8 or 10 to 15 and 20 miles.
This vast forest was the retreat and fasthold of the marauders who have so long annoyed His Majesty's Settlement; to clear it from the hordes who had made it their retreat and lurking place required no small degree of perseverance and energy, this however has been effected.
During the protracted continuance of our preparations, the great body of Caffers continued in these woods, but the pasturages which are encircled thereby being at length exhausted and their numerous herds requiring fresh pasturage, Tsambie had moved to the plains of the Keiskamma where the division of Burghers imder Mr. Stockenstrom arrived on the heights which command the villages and pastures belonging to that Chief and his people. The dreadful weather the Burgher cavaky experienced rendered it impossible for them to act offensively at this important crisis, but Tsambie having found that they had taken precautions for preventing a surprize, retreated prebipitately to those haunts which have heretofore been deemed impervious to Europeans.
Records of the Cape Colony. 321
It was become imperative however to dislodge the enemy from these fastnesses, and by a suite of the most persevering and fatiguing attacks this has been at length effected. Wherever the enemy could be traced to, thither our brave Troops and Burghers penetrated, and after a number of very sanguinary affairs they have finally dislodged them from the whole of this vast tract.
To persons who have not seen the face oi this country and who are not aware of the strength of the ravines and clefts into which this extraordinary people retreats, the exertions of the assailants win not be understood; but to those who have seen it, it will appear almost incredible that so much has been effected. The persevering energy of the assailants cannot be too highly extolled or appreciated. The very inclement season to which our people have, during these operations, been exposed has never been known to have been equalled, and the loss we have sustained in horses and oxen is very considerable, but hitherto the Troops and Burghers, I have the satisfaction to say, have continued healthy.
Cut off from their fortresses, as they may be called, and having no longer a secure retreat, division has spread itself among the hostile chiefs, and they have sued for mercy and peace separately, offering to abandon each other ; their protestations have hitherto been unattended to, and the consequence has been that one of the three principal Chiefs (Lynx) has thrown himself upon British clemency, declaring that there was no longer any security for him. The notorious Tsambie has offered also to surrender, but has not hitherto come in, although his life has been promised him if he do so. It is not expected that he or the Chief Congo will long remain in the field, as their further retreat is cut off by Hinza, who occupies the coimtry behind the Buffalo (a river beyond the Keiskamma), who has declared that they shall find no asylum in his territories and who has spontaneously offered to surrender all Colonial plunder which had been deposited with him by the three Chiefs upon their expectation of invasion.
Under these circumstances I trust I may look forward to a speedy termination of hostilities, and with a view to this impor- tant and desired result, I am about to proceed to the Frontier to direct such measures as may be most expedient for effectually preventing a recurrence of those circumstances which have given rise to the present state of affairs. The friendly Chief Gaika is already at Lt.-Col. WiUshire's head quarters, and it is of great
XII. Y
322 Records of the Cape Colony,
exigence that his present friendly feelings towards this Govern- ment should be taken advantage of for securing the permanent interest of His Majesty's Settlement. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Copy.J
Letter from the Eeverend C. I. Latrobe to William Parker, Esqre.
FuLMB NBAB Leeds, September 25th 1819.
Dear Sir, — On my arrival here last night, I found your obliging letter of the 18th Instant and hasten by the first post to return an answer to it, tho' I fear not as satisfactory as I could wish, not having made such observations as might assist in your researches. All I know of the Country about the Enysna is contained in the account I have given of that Eiver in my Journal, and I hardly know anything to add that would be interesting to you (see P. 156 to 158). Had not a thick fog prevented it, I should have had a better report to make, especially of the Estuary of that Biver, of which, as I afterwards heard, it was intended to make some use, as a harbour or place of refuge for ships. It was said that certain rocks formed a kind of mole, or defence towards the sea. For want of some Island or rocks breaking the force of the sea lying before the entrances of Plettenberg, Algoa, and other Bays, they are very unsafe in South East Grales, which are not unfrequent in those seas.
The Knysna appeared to me to flow thro' a fine country, and where there is any supply of water in South Africa there ia little doubt but cultivation would be easy. Mr. Bex has a garden in the VaUey, but I do not remember having seen any plantations, or cultivated grounds higher up the river, where the Ford is situated. As I had heard from Mr. Van Kervel, the Landdrost of Geoige* that all the country was occupied except Jackal's Kraal, near Plettenberg bay, I did not take such notice of the places I passed as I otherwise should have done. I remember our being much pleased with the appearance of the banks of the Ejaysna, where we spent the i^ight. Mr. Van Eervel informed me, that there was no
Records of the Cape Colony, 323
unoccupied land in his district except Jackal's Ejraal, and prevailed upon me to go and see it. It appeared to me and the Missionary who accompanied me a very eligible spot for a settle- ment, but the Hottentots I had taken with me from Gnadenthal, who seem very intelligent men, objected to it, on account of the want of sweet grass, which with them is a main consideration. Mr. Van Kervel is deservedly considered as a character of superior excellence, and I hope is still the Landdrost of George. A report reached me some time ago that he had another appointment at Cape Town. I was very sorry not to see him on my return from the interior.
I wish you much success; and that the favour and blessing of God may attend you in the execution of your benevolent plan, which, as you foresee, will be attended with no small difficulties.
Our new Settlement on the Witte Eevier, beyond the Sundays Eiver, has been burnt by the Caffres, after all the cattle had been stolen. Nine Hottentots were killed on that occasion; but I have as yet received no particulars relating to the melancholy event. I trust the war will soon end, by the expulsion of those ferocious invaders. In the former war they penetrated far into the Colony.
I am truly concerned not to be able to answer your kind
enquiries as you wish and as your kindness deserves, but with
sincere esteem &c.
(Signed) 0. I. Latrobe.
[Original.] Letter from Mr. Samuel Bradshaw to Earl Bathurst.
Gam iTEAB DuBSLBY, Glouobstebshibb, SepUfoAer 2bih 1819.
My Lord, — may it please your Lordship to Inform me what are the Conditions that is offered by His Majesty's Government to Persons that do take out the Number of Men Women and Children to the Colony for to settle at the Cape of Good Hope according to the Terms specified in the Circular Letter and at what place they do embark at and at what Time they do embark, for the Parish of Cam are over Burdened with poor and propose sending out at least Ten able Boded Men above the Age of
Y 2
324 Records of tlie Cape Colony^
Eighteen principally with large Families and wether the Person so taking them out will be allowed to take out any Tools such as are Used in the Cultivation of Land and what he must advance in Money for his passage, and Tunage for such Tools if so allowed.
I am &c.
(Signed) Saml, Bradshaw.
[Original.]
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
Gaps Town. Sej^tmlber 2Sik 1819.
My Dear Mr. Goulburn, — The Gentleman who will present this to you is a Mr. G. G. Harington, a merchant at this place, and as he is extremely anxious to have an introduction to you I hope you vdll forgive my giving you this trouble. Mr. Harington was in the E. I. Company's service and in the command of a Chinaman, but conceived that fixing himself here would be either more profitable or more pleasant he left the Service about 5 years ago. He has laid out an enormous sum in buildings here, and has set out upon a scale that the extent of trade here never will in his time repay. He is a bold man in mercantile business, and will I doubt not be of use to this Colony. I think he is upon too grand a scale to benefit himself much. His wish is to introduce the best of all measures for the interests of this Colony : " the Coasting Trade/' and he has already exported some aloes and com from the Eastern Shore. He is well acquainted with the capabilities of this place, and I daresay will be very glad to bore yon as often as yon are disposed to hear him upon it and probably oftener too. I was much obliged to you for your hint about Madame du Pay, I hope I was civil enough to her.
I embark in the Redwing to-morrow morning for Eafi&aria, and I hope I shall effect measures that will be of lasting benefit to this Settlement. Numerous circumstances render my going as great a personal sacrifice as a man can make, and in particular the very precarious state of my eldest daughter's health, respecting whom I am under great anxiety. I hope on my return to find a letter
Records of the Cape Colony. 325
from Lord Bathurst with the Prince Eegent's permission to return to England for a short time for the purpose of conveying my daughter home, when I ti'ust I shall have the pleasure of finding you well and our friends firm in their Ministerial Seats. I shall be happy also in an opportunity of acknowledging in person your kindness and friendly attention to me during my absence from England. Believe me &c.
(Signed) C. H. Somerset.
[Original]
Letter from Mr. Alexander Biggar to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
No. 3 NOBTHUMBBRLAND Ck}UBT, StBAND, LoNDON,
21th Septemb&r 1819.
Sir, — In compliance with the regulations established by Lord Bathurst, I have the honor herewith to annex a list of my family and of the men with their families who have engaged to settle with me at the new Colony near the Cape of Good Hope, and I beg leave to acquaint you that I am ready to comply with all the conditions stated by his Majesty's Government. My capital £300 Sterling. I have &c.
(Signed) Alex. Biggar.
[Original.]
Letter from James Gosling, Esqre., to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
Gaps of Good Hope, September 27th 1819.
SiB, — His Excellency Lord Charles Somerset having put into my hands a letter he had received from you covering a memorandum of complaints made by my late housekeeper (Mrs. Clarence) and some apprentices from the refuge of the destitute affecting materially my character, I trust you will have the goodness to excuse me if I take the liberty of saying a few words on the subject. I should first mention that His Excellency is so
326 Records of the Cape Colony.
convinced of my innocence throughout that he has informed me he should lose no time in contradicting such calumnious reports. I forwarded to His Lordship a statement Mrs. Gosling had previously prepared for the "Eefuge" in consequence of a letter we had lately received from Mr. Colebrooke.
Mr. Colebrooke in his letter mentions (alluding to a reinforce- ment of apprentices he had sent me from another quarter) " They go in consequence of my assurances and against the dissuasion of persons who interfered to damp their confidence, two in particular gentlemen of the vestry, also patrons of the refuge who had seen the complaints worked up by the Clarences. I sent for perusal your letter : it induced the Governor to withdraw a direct opposi- tion and to allow the children to do as they pleased."
My principal object therefore in addressing you now is to explain a little respecting the boy Jones. This boy was tried by the court of Landdrost and Hemraden, which is composed of farmers chiefly from my immediate neighbourhood, people who are jealous in the extreme of English settlers and would take every opportunity of thwarting them in the cultivation of their lands upon a system like mine. It is quite a novel thing in this colony, the introduction of apprentices so young as mine, and I believe Mr. Colebrooke is the first who has ventured to send any at so early an age. The Dutch are of course averse to the principle, because they foresee it would in time, if followed by many others, materially depreciate the price of their slaves. It was never my intention to have corrected myself the boy Jones, and for that reason (which Mrs. Gosling's letter will explain) I made my complaint to the Field Comet of the District (the Drostdy being at so great a distance). I was at the time but a young settler and unacquainted with the Governor's proclamation regarding the treatment of apprentices. The field comet's wrong, and perhaps I should be correct in saying designed advice, led me into the error that followed, and which Mrs. Clarence so promptly took up to ground her complaints to the Institution. With regard to the other part of Mrs. Clarence's statement, which reads exactly as if I had persevered in punishing these boys myself, I beg to remark that the field comet was directed by the Landdrost to punish the four first she enumerates, entirely upon the complaint made by Mrs. Clarence, who was the only evidence before the field comet against the boys. The four others who Mrs. Clarence
Records of the Cape Colony. 327
states to have gooe to Stellenbosch to escape the same fate, were sent there by me, and it is on record that they were severely reprimanded, and certainly would have been punished if I had not looked over their faults upon a promise of amendment in future,
I have nothing further to add than an earnest desire to remove from Lord Bathurst's mind every unfavorable impression towards me from the unjust reports of Mrs. Clarence ; I fear nothing she may do on this side, as I have at all times courted the strictest investigation, and her character is too well known to do me any injury. It leaves me therefore only to offer this explanation to Lord Bathurst, for the satisfaction of my friends in England, and I should be happy if his Ijordship would give his sentiments again on the business, in order that I may determine on what steps to take with Mrs. Clarence.
Defamation of character I know in England is amenable to the laws and can be severely punished, but I am not quite certain whether I should succeed so well in a Dutch court. I might incur a very heavy expense without perhaps gaining my object.
I have &c. (Signed) Jas. Gosling.
[Oflace Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
London, 2%th September 1819.
My Lord, — I have had the honour of receiving your Lordship's dispatch No. 25, and have in consequence had a communication with the London Missionary Society as to the state of their establishments both within and without the Colony.
It afforded me much satisfaction to find on their part a ready disposition to admit the existence of those evils which your Lordship has pointed out as having, in some instances, resulted from the mode in which their missions have been conducted, and to cooperate in the measures which might upon consideration be thought necessary for preventing their recurrence. From the Opinion which you have expressed to Dr. Philip and from the
328 Becorda of the Cape Colony,
confidence which the Society repose in him, I have little doubt but that you will be enabled to concert with him some effectaal Means of carrying your views into execution. But I feel assured from what has passed in my communication with the Society that they will not be backward in contributing, if not to remove their establishments for the purpose of bringing them within the juris- diction of the Colonial Authorities, at least to enforce in them such Begulations as you may consider necessary to repress the la^i^less proceedings of some of the persons composing them. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Original.] Letter from Mr. J. Carlisle to Earl Bathurst.
Belmont ksab Lebk, Staffobdshibb, September 29ih 1819.
My Lord, — I beg leave most respectfully to tender to your Lordship my petition for a grant of land at the intended new Colony at the Cape of Good Hope.
It may be necessary for me to state that I am the second son of a clergyman of the established church, and in my 22nd year, that my father has about 60 acres of land in his own hands, that I have had the chief management of it for the last four years, and that I am fond of agricultural pursuits.
I have seen the Circular which was issued from the Colonial Office, and have noticed the conditions upon which the lands are to be granted. And I have 16 stout healthy men, who are willing to embark with me ; out of these 16 1 shall select ten, whom I shall, upon due inquiry, find to be the most likely to suit my purpose.
If your Lordship should be pleased to accept my proposal I should feel particularly obliged by being permitted to go out with the first embarkation. I have &c.
(Signed) J. Carlisle.
Records of the Oape Colony. 329
[Original.] Letter from Mr. G. H. Gibbons to Earl Bathurst.
42 St. Mabt Axe, 80«fc September 1819.
My Lord, — I beg leave to call your Lordship's attention to a Claim which I have upon the Navy board for the conveyance of Sheep to the Cape of Good Hope in the month of October last, and for which I entered into Contract to convey at the rate of je4 per Head, £3 to be paid on Embarkation and £1 per Head on those that were landed alive. Unfortunately out of 60 em- barked 29 died on the Passage and the receipt for the 31 landed alive has been handed to the Navy Board upon which I claim the Freight of dBl Per Head as stipulated, as also other Freight for the conveyance of Stores amounting together to about £119, but which the Commrs. of the Navy refuse to pay me without a Certificate furnished by Mr. Courtenay, and on my applying to that Gentleman he answers that he has never heard from the Cape on the subject and probably never shall, consequently cannot grant it, and that he has nothing whatever to do with it ; the period of time elapsed since the Sheep were landed is now 8 months, and I consider it a great hardship the Settlement of my Account should be witl^Jield because there is no Approval on the one part or Complaint on the other. I have also produced an Affidavit from the Chief-Mate of the Ship stating that every possible care was taken of the Sheep, which would be sufficient to establish my Claim in a Court of Justice, yet still I am answered you must produce a Certificate from Mr. Courtenay, indeed I have even offered an indemnity against any Claim that might be set up against the Ship for misconduct, and I am answered in the same manner "Mr. Courtenay is the proper person to take the Indemnity and upon his certifying he has no objection to the Freight being paid it wiU be settled immediately," but upon applying to Mr. Courtenay he answers "he has nothing to do with it, and that he had written to the Navy Board that he was not aware of any objection to the settlement of my Account," but yet nothing but a Certificate will do, and that it seems it is impossible to obtain, therefore understanding that the Transaction originally emanated from your Lordship I hope I may be allowed
330 Records qf the Cape Colony.
to call your attention to it and to request you will sanction the settlement of my Account with the Navy Board. I have &c.
(Signed) G. H. Gibbons.
[Office Copy.J
Letter to Applicants to emigrate after the requisite
nuTober was selected,
DowNiNa Stbebt,
I have laid before the Earl Bathurst your letter of the
and have received His Lordship's directions to acquaint you in reply, that His Majesty's Government have, for some time past, been under the necessity of withholding all encouragement from persons desirous of emigrating to the Cape of Good Hope, as the number of those who have been allowed to proceed to that Colony at the National Expence, is too considerable to render it expedient that any further number of individuals should, at present, be con- veyed thither.
I am, however, desired to add, that the Governor of the Cape has full power and authority to grant Lands to Individuals who possess the means of bringing them into Cultivation ; and that any person is at liberty to proceed to the Colony at his own expence, and to apply for a Grant of Lands, which it mast however be left to the discretion of the Governor to allow or deny, according to the ability of the applicant to cultivate them.
I am, &c.
[Office Copy.]
Letter to Applicants to eihigrate after tJte requisite
number was selected.
DowinNG Stbeet, London,
I am directed by the Earl Bathurst to acquaint you in answer to your application of the that His Majesty's Govern- ment no longer give eucouragement or assistance to persons
Records of the Cape Colony. 53:1
desirous of proceeding to the Cape of Gx)od Hope for the purpose of settling in that Colony : but all Individuals who may choose to go out there at their own expence will upon application to the Local Authorities receive a grant of land proportioned to the means which the applicants can shew that they possess for bringing such lands into cultivation. I am, &c.
[Office Copy.]
Letter to Applicants to emigrate after the requisite
numher was selected.
DowNma Street,
I have laid before the Earl Bathurst your letter of the
and have received his Lordship's directions to acquaint you in reply, that His Majesty's Government no longer hold out any encouragemcDt to persons desirous of emigrating to the Cape of Good Hope.
I am however desired to add that individuals are at full liberty to proceed to that Colony at their own expense, and that the Governor is empowered to grant lands to persons having the means of cultivating them. I am, &c.
[Office Copy.J
Letter to Applicants to emigrate after the requisite
number was selected,
DOWNDTQ StBEBT, IiONDON, •
Your letter of the has been received and laid before
the Earl Bathurst, and I am desired by his Lordship to acquaint you in reply, that the whole number of persons for whom it has been possible to prepare accommodation at the Cape of Good Hope, for the present, has been already completed, and that no encouragement can, therefore, be given to persons desirous of emigrating to that Colony. I am, &c.
332 Becords of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.]
Printed Letter from the Colonial Office to the Heads of Parties of Settlers.
DowioNa Street, London, 18 •
Sir, — Mr. Hill of the Treasury has reported to me that you have paid into his hands the sum of £ , being the amount
of your deposit money.
I therefore transmit to you by Earl Bathurst's direction, a Letter to the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, which will ensure to you a grant of Land in conformity with the Eegulations.
Directions have been given to provide you and your party with a conveyance to that Colony; and you will receive from the Commissioners of His Majesty's Navy due notice of the time and place which they may appoint for your Embarkation.
I am directed by Earl Bathurst to take this opportunity of acquainting you, that he feels assured that you will not fail to impress upon the persons who have placed themselves under your direction, the necessity of observing an orderly conduct during the Voyage ; nor does his Lordship doubt that you will cordially co-operate with the Master of the Vessel appointed for your conveyance, in enforcing implicit adherence to the Begulations established for the guidance of the Settlers, and which have no other object than to ensure their comfort and their safety.
I am. Sir,
Tour obedient Servant,
Henry Goulburn.
' P.S. If there should be any Naval Pensioners among your Party, I request that you would desire them, on their arrival at the Cape of Good Hope, to write to the Paymaster of Pensions at Greenwich Hospital, and solicit from that Officer directions respecting the Payment of their Allowances.
Records of the Cape Colony. 333
[Office Copy.]
Printed Letter to General the Eight Honourable
Lord Charles Somerset.
DowinNa Street, London,
•My Lord, — This Letter will be delivered to your Lordship by
who proceeds to the Cape of Good Hope with the view of settling there ; and I have received Earl Bathurst's directions to desire, that your Lordship will cause a grant of Land to be made to proportionate to the means which
he may be able to satisfy your Lordship that he possesses^ for bringing it into cultivation. I have, &c.
[Office Copy.]
Printed Letter to General the Eight Honourable
Lord Charles Somerset.
Downing Stbebt, Londov, .
My Lord, — I am directed by Earl Bathurst to transmit here- with to your Lordship a Eetum of Persons proceeding to the Cape of Good Hope, under the direction of ,
to settle in the Colony under the Eegulations which have been promulgated by His Majesty's G<)vemment ; and I am directed to desire that your Lordship will cause a portion of Land to be allotted to in conformity to these Eegulations.
has deposited the sum of as specified in the Eetum ; and
I have to request that your Lordship will issue your Warrant to the Officer at the head of the Commissariat Department at the Cape, for the repayment to
of the Amount of his Deposit Money, in the proportions, and at the periods stated in the Eegulations. I have &c.
334 Mecords of the Cape Colony.
[Office Copy.]
Letter to Persons emigrating to the Cape at their
own eocpense,
DowNnro Stbebt, Londok,
Sir, — I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the
, and I am to acquaint you in reply, that the Governor of
the Gape of Good Hope has full power to make grants of lands to
individuals desirous of settling in that Colony, proportioned to the
means which they possess of cultivating them. I am, &c.
[Office Copy.J
Printed Letter to the Commissioners of the Navy,
DowNnro Stbbet, Lohdqn,
Gentlemen, — I am directed by Earl Bathurst to transmit to you herewith a Eetum of Settlers who have received his Lordship's permission to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope, under the direction of and I have to request
that you will make arrangements for providing tMs Party with a conveyance to that Colony, and that you will give due notice to
of the time and place which you may appoint for their Embarkation. I am, &c.
Records of the Cape Colony.
335
[Copy.] Betum of Troops on the Frontier on the 1st of October 1819,
|
Carps. |
Seigeants. |
DnunmeTS or Baglers. |
Bank and File. |
Total. |
||
|
Boyal Artillery .... |
1 |
. • |
32 |
33 |
||
|
Boyal Engineers . |
1 |
1 |
27 |
29 |
||
|
38th Begiment |
16 |
2 |
326 |
344 |
||
|
54th Begiment |
11 |
3 |
242 |
256 |
||
|
72Bd Regiment |
18 |
2 |
372 |
392 |
||
|
Boyal African Corps |
31 |
12 |
568 |
611 |
||
|
Cape Cavalry |
6 |
1 |
76 |
83 |
||
|
Cape Infantry |
11 |
2 |
156 |
169 |
||
|
" |
1917 |
(Signed) A. A. O'Eeilly, Brigade Major.
[Original.] Letter from Mr. Thomas Pringle to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
24 Saubbubt Stbieet, EniNBUBaH, October 5th 1819.
Sir, — Since I had the honour of addressing my former letter to you two individuals of my acquaintance have applied to be included in my party for the Cape in the event of a favourable answer to my petition. They are young men of most respectable connections and good character, and can be highly recommended. One of them, Mr. Charles Sydserff, is a nephew of the late Baron Hepburn, and related to Lord Dalhousie, the other is a brother of the rector of the High School of Edinburgh. They can raise between them about £1000 of capital, and propose to carry out six or seven ploughmen and artificers. With this accession our number would be increased to seventeen or eighteen men, and our total capital to about £1500 sterling. If letters of recommendation
336 Records of the Gape Colony,
are required from them or the rest of the party they can be provided in a few days. If you approve of it I shall be happy to have them joined to our party, but in this as in other matters I wish to be regulated by your advice.
We are particularly anxious to be honoured with an early reply from the Colonial office, with copies of the official notices, the period and place of embarkation specified, and such other informa- tion as may be thought competent, in the event of a favourable reception to our application.
May I venture humbly to hope for your favourable consideration of my request, and to solicit respectfully the honour of your attention to my personal wishes so far as agreeable to the views of Government.
Mr. Scott, whom I had the pleasure of Seeing at Abbotsford a few days ago, told me that he understood it would be in the Spring before any of the emigrants to Algoa Bay would sail, but I presume he has been mistaken, as I have just met with some leaders of a party from Glasgow whose application has been accepted and who have got notice to be in readiness by the middle of next month. Information on this point would be exceedingly acceptable to myself and friends. Hoping that you will have the goodness to excuse the liberty I have taken of again addressing you, I have the honour to remain &c.
(Signed) Thos. Pringle.
[Copy.J
i
Letter from Henry Goulburn, Esqre., to William
Parker, Esqre.
DowKiHa Stbebt, 6 OdUiber 1819.
Sir, — ^I have received and laid before Earl Bathurst your letter of the 29th Ultimo in which you advert to the necessity of a perfect understanding between yourself and the Colonial department on the subject of your proposal to establish yourself on the Banks of the Knysna in Southern Africa, and I am to acquaint you in reply that Lord Bathurst considers the letter which I had the honor of addressing to you on the 13th Ultimo as containing every information necessary to prevent misunderstanding as to the Aepee
Records of the Cape Colony. 33T
of enconragement whicli it is in His Lordship's power to hold out to you, and has therefore only to repeat that he cannot enter into any Engagement that you will receive from the Crown the precise Lots of Land which you may specify nor that you will be able to acquire them by purchase, nor can his Lordship encourage any expectation that you will be placed on your arrival at the Cape in a situation different from that of other Settlers who have accepted the terms offered by Government. I am &c.
(Signed) Henry Goulburn.
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Camp ok the Gwanga, 15th October 1819.
My Lord, — ^It is with peculiar satisfaction that I find it in my power to announce to your Lordship the termination of hostilities in this quarter and with a result the most favourable to this Settlemeut I am just returned from a conference with the Caflfer Chief Gaika, at which the principal Chiefs Eno, Botman, and others assisted, and at which Congo, Habana, Garreta, and some of inferior note (who had previously surrendered themselves to Lt. Col. Willshire) were present.
Subsequent to my dispatch to your Lordship of the 24th of last month, the principal Chief in arms against the Colony, TsambiCj^ finding further resistance impracticable, his men being dispersed and all his inferior chieftains having deserted him, took the resolution of abandoning this country altogether, and not finding refuge among the neighbouring tribes, has proceeded, it is said, beyond the Tambookie country. Meanwhile Hinza, who is the recognised Chief of all the country between the Tambookies and the Buffalo Eiver, has sent in the strongest assurances of his friend- ship, not only towards the Colonists but towards Gaika, so that nothing has impeded replacing in the hands of that friendly Chief all the country between the possessions of Hinza and the Colonial Border, and the whole of the inferior chiefs (who were all present at the conference) have declared themselves subordinate to Gaika.
In order, however, to secure to the Colony those permanent advantages which are requisite to its welfare, and which can only
XII. z
1B38 Records of the Cape Colony.
be ensured by our having it in our power to control those depreda- tions which have proved so ruinous to the inhabitants of the frontier districts and to the community generally, by the great expense and sacrifice of such exertions as have been lately made fot the suppression of their adversaries, I have effected the removal of th'e Chief Congo and his adherents and people from that forest country which is on the left bank of the Fish Eiver ; these tribes were particularly obnoxious and hostile to the Colonists, and chiefly iinhabited the environs of those fastnesses which I have had occasion so frequently to describe. In like manner the chief Kassa having fallen in the course of the late hostilities, it has been agreed that his people shall remove from all the country at the foot of the Winterberg ridge, behind the Keiskamma, those hordes having fcwr a series of years carried on the most unnoying system of plunder on the Graaff Eeinet side of the country.
It has been finally stipulated that the Caffer border shall in future be the ridge of the Kat Eiver Hills from the Winterberg to where that ridge joins the river Chumie, the Chumie itself to its junction with the Keiskamma, and from thence the Keiskamma to Its embouchure; thus are the Caffers at length cut off from all those forests from whence they have so long carried on their depredations, and checked the prosperity of the Colony, while by our means a friendly Chief has been restored to his possessions and still more to that influence among his countrymen which the mauifestation on his part of a more settled disposition and con- sequently of one more suited with our policy had so much impaired. In order, however, to guard against the faithlessness and versatility inherent in the savage character, I have been under the necessity of establishing two strong military posts in the most commanding situations of the ceded territory, one situated on the Gaigai, a stream which is tributary to the Chumie is calculated to overawe any of the tribes beyond the last mentioned river, from thence an irruption into the very heart of the Caffer territory may take place without the smallest impediment at the slightest notice, and redress be forthwith sought, should the system of plunder be unfortunately lecommenced.
The second, situated near this place, on the Gwanga Eiver, will control all that country lately inhabited by Congo and his minor chiefs and effectually prevent, in conjunction with such posts as I purpose still to occupy on our present line, the repossession of the
I
jRecorcU of the Cape Colonij. 339
forest country by the Caifers, should they at a future period attempt to do so. The country thus ceded is as fine a portion of ground as is to be found in any part of the world, and together with the still unappropriated lands in the Zuurveld might perhaps be worthy of your Lordship's consideration, with the view of systematic Colonization, and in furtherance of this important object, I obtained from Captain Hunn (commanding H. M. Ship Redwing) a scientific young officer (Mr. Dymocke) who with Lieut. Eutherford of the Eoyal Engineers and with^two boats and a competent crew are at this moment sounding and surveying the Coast from the Fish River to the Eeiskamma, including the mouths of those rivers and the intervening one of the Beka, in order to ascertain the practic- ability of an anchorage or landing place on any part of that shore.
It will only be by peopling this country and gradually civilizing the Caflfer tribes that the habits of the latter will be finally eradicated. By inhabiting the frontier districts, security will by degrees be attained, and I am not without hope that the Tribes on the Border may be progressively civilized, as upon mentioning Mr. Brownlee to Gaika during our conference, he expressed (as I had the honour of informing your Lordship he had done on a former occasion) the most anxious desire that Mr. Brownlee should be allowed to reside with him. When these objects shall be, in some measure, effected, the military support which is now indispensable, but which appears not to have been adverted to when the Force to be stationed in this Settlement was decided upon, may be withdrawn.
At present upon the lowest calculation it will take between fourteen and fifteen hundred men to occupy those posts on our frontier which cannot be dispensed with, without endangering this country for many hundred miles, and this force I have.nofrt)een able to collect, although I have reduced the Garrison of Cape Town so as merely to have sufficient Sentries on the various public stores and have evacuated most of the outworks and outposts altogether. Under this emergency I have been under the dis- agreeable necessity of directing the augmentation of the Colonial Corps, according to the Establishment which I have the honor herewith to enclose. Possessed as your Lordship is of my sentiments with respect to this Corps, you will be somewhat able to appreciate the embarrassment which I must labour under to be induced to direct its augmentation, but I am compelled to it lest
z 2
340 Becorda of the Cape Colony.
those evils which fell upon us subsequent to the reduction of the military force in this Quarter should be renewed.
In passing thro' the province of Uitenhage on my way hither I had opportunities of seeing between the Sunday Eiver and Graham's Town the ruins of most of the farms and places which I had left in a flourishing state scarcely two years before. The inhabitants, assembled in the environs of the Military posts, repeated to me the extent of their losses. Returns were given in by the Magistrates, by which it appeared that thirty inhabitants, including 9 inoflfensive residents at the Moravian Institution had been killed; that near 11,000 head of black cattle, besides horses and sheep, had been carried off in the course of a few months by our daring and murderous neighbours. These events, and the fortunate issue of the measures which have been pursued against them, made it imperative on me not to hesitate, and I have consequently given directions for the augmentation which I now submit to your Lordship's sanction.
Until the arrangements connected herewith are brought to maturity, I am likewise under the unpleasant necessity of retaining the Royal African Corps. They are now encamped here, and will continue so to be until the two posts I have alluded to are secured, and until the Cape Corps, both cavalry and infantry, can be brought up. I calculate that it will take about two months to effect this, after which I shall lose no time in embarking that Regiment according to your Lordship's former directions. I have in the meanwhile given directions for dis- banding the Burgher Force. Worn out by incessant fatigue, having been for many months exposed to all the severity of a most inclement season, nearly all dismounted, the greater part of their horses having perished, this fine body of men had become most anxious for repose, and having effected with the greatest regularity, bravery, and patience the object for which they had been called out, I was not a little pleased that the time was come when I might safely send them to their homes.
I should be wanting in an essential duty if I did not endeavour to impress upon your Lordship the merits and value of the Burgher Force of this Colony, Near two thousand on this occasion have been in the field for seven months, mounted and equipped at their own expense, and. without pay, and having found themselves in six months provisions. They have in this
Records of the Cape Colony. 341
time lost near | of their horses, and have submitted to every privation, even to the want of shoes and clothes, without a murmur. Their respective Commanders have fulfilled their duties with unexampled perseverance, but no praise which I could bestow would describe the merit of Mr. Landdrost Stockenstrom, who on every occasion has led his men on with the greatest activity, courage, and foresight, and to whose knowledge of the country the officer commanding has been greatly indebted. It would likewise be highly unjust if I dosed this dispatch without calling your Lordship's attention to the merits of Brevet Lieut Colonel Willshire of the 38th Eegt., who has had the command of the Force employed here since March last, and whose zeal and attention have been highly satisfactory to me throughout the whole operations. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Enclosure.]
Establishment of the Colonial Corps, 1 Major, Commandant. 6 Captains
2 Cavalry 4 Infantry.
6 Lieutenants | . t ^ J
[ 4 Infantry.
2 Cornets.
4 Ensigns.
1 Adjutant with the rank of Ensign.
1 Paymaster.
1 Quartermaster.
1 Surgeon.
1 Begimental Sergeant Major.
17 Sergeants I ^ ^
° 12 Infantry.
4.00 Privates I ^^^ Cavalry
I 288 Infantry, 200 of the Infantry to be mounted.
2 Trumpeters, Cavahy, 8 Buglers, Infantry,
2 Farriers.
342 Records of the Cape Colony*
[Cape Gazette.]
Intelligence from the Camp on the Gwanga, dated
15th October 1819.
His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by Lieut. Colonel Bird, Major HoUoway, Capt. Trappes, and Capt. Somerset, left Graham's Town on the 12th October, and having been joined by Lieut. Colonel Willshire on the Commetjes Hill, proceeded to inspect the Forests of the Fish Eiver and the Banks of the Chumie and Keiskamma, and arrived at the Camp on the Gwanga on the 14th instant.
His Excellency lost no time in inviting Gaika and the Cafire Chiefs, who had been some time in expectation of his coming, to a conference, for the purpose of discussing and adjusting the future state of the relations of the Caffre people with the Colony. Gaika, attended by his son Groma, and by the subordinate Chiefs Botman and Enno, hastened to obey the Summons ; he was also accom- panied by Congo, Habana, and Garetta, who had, on delivering themselves up to the OflScer commanding on the Frontier, declared their sorrow for the part they had taken against the Colony and against Gkdka, and had requested to be received into the favor of that Chief.
After the usual friendly salutation, the conference commenced ; Hermanns and Platje being Gaika's Interpreters. His Excellency called Gkika's attention to the circumstances which brought Hia Lordship to the Frontiers; Gaika had solicited the aid of the Colony against TSambie, who had driven him from his posses- sions, and had carried off his finest herds ; His Excellency had, in consequence, assembled the Colonial Force from its most distant parts; he had entered CaflTreland under the most unfavorable circumstances, from the dreadful severity of the weather, and from the state of the Bivers ; that notwithstanding these obstacles, he had driven TSambie and his adherents out of the Country; be had pursued him to Hinza's Territories ; had on its borders dispersed his Force, had compelled him to abandon CaG&aria altogether, and to save hia life by becoming an exile and outcast in Countries unknown.
By these operations. His Excellency had not only replaced Gaika in all the Country of which he had been derived, but by
Records of the Cape Colony. 343
shewing TSambie's Adherents, that the Fastnesses of thei Forests iato which they had retired, no longer afforded the security which they formerly experienced, had induced the Chiefs then present, to submit to Gaika's authority, excepting whichi no other would hereafter be recognised between the ColoAial Border and (he Buffalo Biver. His Excellency had moieover induced Hinza tQ vow permanent friendship to Gaika, and thus had completely fid- filled his intention of affording to Gaika efficiei^t succour^ and of replacing him in a far better situation than he had eye]r y^ been. Gaika acknowledged in the most impressive manner his obligationa to His Excellency, whose effoits, by the favour of God, had been crowned with complete success, and he prayed that Heavein might be equally propitious to His Excellency's endeavpuis for tha prosperity of the Colony ; he said, that the Chiefs Congo, Habanai and Gfiretta, had heard His Excellency's sentiments, and would speak for themselves on the subject. They were then separately asked to make their declarations, upon which Congo said, he had always been, by rij^ht, subordinate to Gaika, but residing neay *TSambie, who was more powerful, he had submitted to circum- stances, and joined him ; that hei\cefo^^warf, howeveis he should consider himself solely subject to Gaika, and would most solemnly promise to maintain the strictest allegiance, to him ; Habwc^ and Garetta made similar declarations, OiUd stated, that they had remained in the Forests, as considering Gaika's arrival in Camp^ the fittest time for tendering their submission to him ; they were, in reply, informed, that it was to their having so acted, that they were indebted for their reconciliation with His Excellency, as it had been intended, in the event of their hesitation on thU point, to have sent them to join Lynx at a small rocky Island near th^ Cape.
His Excellency further explained to Gaika^ that it appeared impracticable to secure the repose of the Colony, sq long as Caffres could have access to the Forests near the Fish Kiver, and that, consor quently, it would be necessai-y that the Fish Eiver should no longer be considered the limits. It was, therefore finally arranged, that the Chumie Waters should be the Division henceforward ; that is^ that the left Bank of the Chumie, to where it joins the Keiskamma. shall be the Boundary which the Catlires shall not pass, and the Keiskamma from thence to the Sea, and the Eidge of the Kat .River Hills. to where th§y join the Chain of the Wjnt^rbergen, shall
S44 Records of the Cape Colony.
be tho Line of Demarcation from the spot at which that Ridge touches the Chumie, so that the Waters that fall from that Bidge into the Chumie shall belong to Gaika, and those which fall into the Kat Biver, shall appertain to the Colony.
It was agreed, that the Females of Congo's Kraals should have liberty for one month, to fetch away the Cafifre Com which is deposited in the Kraals of that Chief, or in those of Lynx^ Habana, and Garetta, or for a longer period, if the Officer Commanding should find that they employ themselves diligently for that object; and it was further settled, tJiat G^ika's People should move from the Kakaberg, beyond the new line of Demarcation, on the next Full Moon (Nov. 2nd). After that date, it is intended, that the Force under lieut.-Colonel Willshire, shall scour the Country between the old line of the Fish Eiver, and the new Line, and destroy every vestige of Ejraal. It has been further determined, that strong Military Posts shall be established between the Keiskamma and the Fish Biver, to prevent the future occupation of the Ceded Territory by any petty Chieftain.
Gaika expressed a wish, tiiiat a Successor to the late Mr. Williams should be sent to him as soon as possible, and, that a Person capable of maintaining a correspondence, on his part, with the Colonial Government, should likewise be placed with him. Thus, it is now to be hoped, that the Boundary being completely freed from Caflfres, repose and security will be the results of the late Military Operations ; results which will best reward the noble and patriotic exertions of our brave Comrades. .
His Excellency, on the 15th, assembled the several Com- mandants at his Head Quarters on the Gwanga;. and, after thanking them, in appropriate terms, for their respective exertions under circumstances of the severest difficulty, he notified to them his intention of dismissing gradually the Commandos, retaining only 12 men in every hundred, until such time as Gaika should be settled behind the Chumie and Keiskamma. In the meantime, the Officer Commanding on the Frontier, to whose indefatigable attention His Excellency has not failed to give its due meed of praise, has been directed to establish two strong permanent Posts, at positions fixed by His Excellency, between the spot where tho Chumie joins the Keiskamma and the Gwanga, for the purpose of finally compelling such Caf&es as might attempt to repass the Fish Biver Forests, to confine themselves to the Limits, which
Records of the Cape Colony. 345
their Chiefs have agreed to consider as the future Boundary of their Territory.
[Original.] Letter from Mb. John Bailib to Hknby Goulburn, Esqbe.
7 MANOHKflTKB BuiLDnroB, WisTMiKBTBB, IQIh October 1819.
Sib, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th Instant, conveying to me Earl Bathurst's opinion that I should provide adequate medical attendance for the large proportion of individuals composing my party during the voyage, and directing me to state to you the measures which I might adopt for that purpose. Fully impressed with the import- ance of Earl Bathurst's suggestion I have the honour to acquaint you that I have engaged Daniel O'Flinn, Physician and Surgeon, and Edward Boberts, Surgeon, to accompany my party in their professional capacity should it meet your approbation. From my personal acquaintance with Mr. O'Flinn I am enabled to bear testimony to his humanity, and the testimonials which he can produce will I trust be found unexceptionable. Mr. Eoberts is a pupil of Mr. Hay of Leeds and is a member of the Eoyal 'College of Surgeons.
In reference to the concluding paragraph of your letter, I beg leave to state that the delay in transmitting my returns is occasioned by the' distance of the residences of my numerous country settlers, but I trust I shall be enabled to complete them on the 18th Instant. I have &c.
(Signed) John Bailie.
[Copy.]
Hxtrads from a Letter from Lobd Chables Somebset to Lieu- tenant Colonel Willshibe, Commanding Frontier Districts.
Gbabam^b Towv, OeUher lllh 1819.
The enclosed return will shew the detail of the Force which is now placed under your command, amounting altogether to 1775 Bank and tie, but as it will be requisite that I should take the
346 Secords of the Cape Colony.
earliest opportunity of sending the Eoyal African Corps to England to be disbanded, according to the orders I have received from His Majest/s ministers, which will reduce the number to 1219, 1 have decided upon augmenting the Cavalry and Infantry of the Cape Begiment, the former to 120 Bank and file and the latter to 300 Bank and file, which will leave the permanent force of the Frontier at 1423 Bank and file, of which 120 will be regular Cavalry, and 200 mounted Infantry out of the 300 of which the Cape Infantry will be composed.
Experience has shewn that no number of Military Posts are effectual for preventing the Inroads and Depredations of the CaiBfer People upon the Colony, so long as that people have it in their power to establish themselves upon the confines of our Territory, and possess the Forests of the Fish Biver to secrete their Plunder in, till opportunity oflfers of driving oflf the stolen herds to the Savage Hordes in the rear, who gladly receive and conceal them ; in the arrangement therefore which I have lately come to with the chief Gaika, it was agreed that the Keiskamma from the sea to where the Chumie falls into it, and the ridge of the Cat river hills from the Winterbergen to where they touch upon the Chumie shall henceforward bound the CafiTers on our side, so that no kraals shall remain on the ceded Line, no hunting be allowed, and no grazing be claimed in future within it. To see to the due execution of this agreement is the first object which you are now to attend to ; to preserve the agreement from infraction, the ultimate one.
By the occupation of strong permanent Posts in the heart of the ceded country, containing each a force sufficient for aggression, it is not to be doubted but that Gaika and his subordinate chiefs m^y be controlled ; it has been agreed that as soon as the next full moon arrives Gaika and his people shall move firom the Kakaberg behind the Chumie.
It will be essential previous to your withdrawing the Troops (with the exception of those to be permanently stationed at the Posts just spoken of) from the ceded country, that you seek an interview with Gaika, and inform him that as he is now the recognized chief of all the country between the Colonial Boundary and Hinza's Territories, it is from him that the Colonial Govern- ment will exact satisfaction, if depredations are neveitheless com- mitted in the Colony, and that a force sufficiei^t for the object will
Baaarcb ^^f fUe Ci» 5<ii<iif 'S^
tlmeftBA k viH mt avail rrii^ ir ve'^ tok iis^ .ndonr sam^ or sac aCGEBii to ids injunEtunn^ In imr naoruL HiSK 'vr imuc aox whitk id dKBL it is that fsmtnnuiiF *lf lifiiiidgr Im . liiidmn^. vmk ft qoHDijr erf* GHCdtt oinaiL tB 'viiac joe- Man. jflC 'vdL ik the defradbfiHs ood tlifr paceas jniiMHimr ^?i>t ^snaHniMg^
Tos. win be pbaoecL t2i sr^ "as r^asr gimnwranMigr the two PoBBB thft !«iii'affjJMt: arofls idr lue ^nndBBBSt 4S0f a^sb^ •lie moec i^^ militarpr iHm^rirMMf^ «r ^mc r?- ac »^m£ <r i«4MM^ the Poat mCfTBionrf gb am TMoift ueL 'k cnam^BBMcl Tac wiH poiBC 4MS tti hioL G&I& zufiOBflBirT of tosm^ mnBaasDZiy agmM^ a Wily ywpljff- Tm: wdZ fijrnic in Hie the «iiiMii«iiii« of aa::?^ X.a&r juak or iamak mmr 40x7 pras^noe wfaafiew witshor G&& wnnks. Ton wdT dinKC irooiiom pMrajes -^ be mailr fircnL ck& <]f TaKse Posts, wic inaii uoSar drift. «M poiiiL oat tbe »**»-**— HL wniifn. zue^ wpe U' «3oiir ibe £a^ ^ tvoHanr. ^md to ^t^M-^-g- ami Gi&sr eaoie uok ito iamu or eoizieiBem iif CafioR W widiiiL c&ie: '9Bd»c limiifi. Tbe Pitizvuds ^dL carcf uUt wa»dh my fioBE ase maw m, xd^n in tti« Fi^ Iliviir Foncttfi, «&d diJj^eBtlj' a»£ caaciDOBhr iccomioiaK if auj be pero^ved.
Ihe gTBfafttr ^«g=»»«^^«> rnnai be ^ven as aoan as cLtcqiikM&oqb win '*^***^ to ffeamKg aatd acoeksatiog conmimtGaQQe £nain tbe neaieal USiissBj Pob&b in the Cdanr, \ri£. from De £niui*s» Caffar dnf^ aoBd «i;sdaaii'£ Toim, witii xhe new Posts.
Ib the civvEi rf itB baonminp BooaBBanr wain to aot t^fiansi^r
tke GafiBR, tbe faroe ehonld aaaemfak ax one or ot^Msr x£ tike aew FsetE, wbcae stoRS should be }iroTided and kept lead j for cadh taaoi^naiey ; in sndi cases it is to be snf^ooed tlmt br tnaHparlty aiwpinfaling the mounted men from the two Posts, and tike Caj^ilrr from Giaham's Town, a foroe efficient for pniposea wlddk anj oocnr will be collected, but if it should not be deemed ao, jum are bcsrebj authodaed to apply to the Lauddrosts of GiaaiT aiad Uitenhage for the aid of mounted fiui^ghers, an aid they will then be directed to afford, but whioh should only tfM^uixtid in cases of great emeigency.
348 Secords of the Cape Colotty.
[Original.] letter from Henhy Ellis, Esqre., to Henry GtotJLBUBN, EsQM.
GaJPb Town, 19<^ Ockber 1819.
Dear Goulburk, — ^I enclose the precis of News from the Frontier which I teceived by the post of last night from Lord Charles for insertion in otir Gazette. You will see with satis- faction that the Military operations are at an end, and that our Militia will be able to return to their farms, where they are dreadfully wanted, their protracted absence having already led to much individual distress, and being likely if continued to produce pubUc embarrassment.
The Burghers of this Colony certainly constitute an admirable description of force as against the Caffers, and in the present want of regular Cavalry have been the great means of clearing our frontier. Their character however is already so violent, and their habits so barbaric, that I view with regret any occurrence which assembles them in a military capacity. I do not like that they should count their own array, or retain the impression, which their late successes must to a certain degree have produced, that the defence of the Colony has been mainly and can hereafter be entirely achieved by themselves. They still consider us as foreigners and conquerors, and a trifling want of temper or conduct in a public authority might produce insurrection. With these feelings I look to the separation of the Commando (as the expedition is locally called) with satisfaction. I never wish to see a Burgher use his rifle for any other purpose but shooting a buck. My opinion of the course to be followed consequent upon the late successes is that we should not go too far in treating with our savage neighbours, nor for immediate convenience encourage the concentration of the hordes under fewer chiefs. There can be no real difference in the character and habits of a Graika or a Tsambie, they are both savages, herdsmen, and hunters, who prefer plunder to industry, and only submit while the scourge is held over them.
Let us by advancing our frontier place the thickets immediately bordering on the Colony in our rear, and having thus a narrower line to defend, and an open country in our front, the assemblage of any number of Kaflers may be rendered almost impossible* This
Records of the Cape Colony. 349
advance will bring us to the Keiskamma, and place within the Colony tracts of highly improveable land. I much fear that the discovery of a safe landing place to the Eastward becomes more doubtful, and from the accounts which I have received, the weather on the coast is more tempestuous than in any other part of the world.
I have this moment seen the Circular respectmg Emigintion to the Cape, issued subsequent to the grant of £50,000, and approve of the provisions which it contains. There is here land enough, and if the Settlers are enabled to grow enough com for their maintenance the object in view, as far as relates to the home interest, will have been effectual, that is a portion of the redundant population will have been provided for. The only point upon which I entertain any doubt is whether too great a facility is not given, by the smallness of the deposit required, to the sending out of children under 14. Parishes might find it convenient to get rid of families likely to become burthensome from the number of children, by shipping them to the Cape, even at the expense of a pecuniary sacrifice. Suppose the case of an able bodied labourer with a wife of undiminished fecundity and six children under 14 years of age, landing at the Cape, having made the regulated deposit, amounting in this case to £20, a third of the sum advanced would do little towards immediately supplying himself and family with necessaries. The grant of 100 acres to a man in this situation is useless, all he requires is employment. Were he not burthened with so large a family, the wages of his labor might maintain him, but as things are, he and they must appeal to the humane part of society for assistance. Thus the poor house would be transferred, with this disadvantage that pauperism would be sent to prey upon poverty.
I am aware that in America families often proceed on foot in search of land to the back settlements, but it must be recollected that there, as soon as the settler cultivates beyond the mere con- sumption of his family, a market is readily found for the surplus produce. This would not be the case here, and therefore capital from not being so productive is less likely to be employed in agriculture and to afford immediate employment to the labourer.. Should the intended emigration take place to any extent and realise itself in permanent establishment, the growth of an English population will form a security against the danger pointed
350 Beeords of the Cape Colony.
out in the former part of this letter ; our English Burghers would no doubt equal their Dutch fellow Colonists in courage, and would liave stronger motives for loyalty to the paramount, which to them would be the mother country.
I hope in my next letter to be enabled to offer some information upon the subject of emigration hither, at present I write with the ring of the postman's bell in my ear, and beg that yon will excuse the want of arrangement, and perhaps inaccuracy of the observa- tions which I have made.
The Governor expects to return by the 25th. I tntst that the rumors of disturbances in London which have n^ached us will prove unfounded. I remain &c.
(Signed) Henry Ellis.
22nd October,
I also enclose a copy of the Instructions which have been sent to the officer commanding at Robben Island where our prisoner the Caffre Lynx has been deposited.
Since I closed my letter of the 19th the dispatches by the Menai have arrived. I am inclined to think that the urgent con- sideration of his daughter's health, more especially under the augmented danger of remaining the summer months in Cape Town, will compel Lord Charles to avail himself without delay of the leave of absence, and he will no doubt feel less hesitation in consequence of the command devolving upon an officer of General Donkin's rank, which will set all colonial jealousies at rest. The General, altho' now broken down by affliction at the loss of his wife, is a man of information, and as far as military affairs go, of habits of business. The accident therefore of the General being here I consider fortunate. Lord Charles will arrive by the end of next week, and I have sent an express in the hope of catching him at Algoa Bay, that he may have his mind made up before he sees General Donkin, who is privately informed by Torrens of his appointment, with which he is of course much gratified.
The dispatch respecting the intended emigration provides most completely for all reasonable contingencies, and the supply of rations meets the chief difficulty with which settlers will at first have to contend. When I wrote on the 19th I was not sufficiently aware of the determination of Government to enter into engage-
Beeards of the Cape Colony. 351
ments with none but the Directors. This is pro tanto a security against the occurrence of the case put by me in that letter, I do however still think that with respect to Parishes, it is not without importance, and should be inclined tx) have laid the higher deposit upon the children under 14 years. Algoa Bay will no doubt be the point on the Coast to which the vessels generally will have to proceed, there is a scarcity of &esh water at Saldanha Bay, and settlement there is on the spot treated with ridicule. As the Eastern Coast is so difficult of access, and the weather so tempestuous, the masters of those vessels should be good seamen, and the vessels themselves strong, well found, and I should at a venture say from two to three hundred tons. Should the emigra- tion proceed to the extent of forming an English district in the interior, some modification of the Colonial Laws will be required, which are in many points founded upon principles abhorrent to English practice ; and should the Directors be persons of capital, I know of no circumstance more likely to excite disgust than being subject to what they would call, judicial oppression.
[Original.] Letter from Mr, John Bailie to Earl Bathurst.
7 Makcbesteb BuiLDiiTOfl, Wkstuikster, 2\ti Odober 1819.
My Lord, — ^I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship the return of my party as required by Mr. Goulbum's letter of the 30th XJltimo.
The Deposit money, amounting to £1,230, is ready to be .paid whenever your Lordship may honour me with your commands to that effect.
In the selection of my settlers, I have been particularly attentive to chacACter as well as ability, and have assembled artisans of nearly every description, besides thirty farmers.
I have also the honour to transmit for your Lordship's informa- tion copies of the Articles of Agreement between myself and the persons composing my party, which I hope will meet your approbation. I have &c.
(Signed) John Bailie.
352 Recm^ds of the Cape Colony.
[Enclosure in the above.]
Articles of Agreement made this 6th day of October, 1819, between John Bailie, of Manchester Buildings, Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, Esq., of the one part, and the several other Persons whose names are hereunder written, of the other part.
Whereas the said John Bailie hath proposed to the Government of Great Britain^ to take a party of One Hundred able bodied Settlers with their Families to the Cape of Good Hope. And whereas His Majesty's Government have accepted of such pro- posal of the said John Bailie, and propose and intend to make to the said John Bailie, a Grant of Land, to be assigned to him on his arrival at the said Colony of the Cape of Good Hope, in conformity with the regulations laid down by his Majesty's Go- vernment. And, whereas, the several Persons whose hands and names are hereunder written, have severally and respectively agreed to and with the said John Bailie, to proceed with him to the said intended Settlement in the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope, upon the terms, conditions, and stipulations hereinafter expressed and contained :
I. That he, the said John Bailie, his Heirs, Executors, or Administrators, shall and will distribute to each of the under- signed Persons, parties hereto of the second part, their Wives or Children, an allotment of Land of the measurement of Fifty Acres, being part of the grant or grants of Land which he' the said John Bailie shall or may receive from his Majesty's Government, such several allotments to be subject to a proportional share of the quit-rent. Taxes, and other charges imposed or to be imposed thereon by His Majesty's Government for the time being of the said Colony. And it is hereby mutually agreed between all the said Parties hereto that the said several allot- ments of Land so to be made by the said John Bailie, to the several other Persons parties hereto, shall be laid out by him the said John Bailie, in one or more Towns or Villages as the position or form of the Land so to be granted to him the said John Bailie, by His Majesty's Government, may require, or admit of, for the more convenient location, and for the benefit and safety of all the Parties hereto.
Records of the Cape Colony. 353
II. That such Town or Towns, Village or Villages (should it be so found necessary) shall each contain a Church, or place of Public Worship, a HaU to be sub-divided into whatever Booms or Compartments the circumstances of such Town or Village may require, and a space of Ground not less than Ten Acres as a place of Becreation and for a Market.
III. That the Ground required to be employed for the above- mentioned pubUc purposes, and for such Streets and Beads as may be required for the convenience of such Towns or Villages as may be laid jDut, shall be in deduction from the allotment of Land to be made by the said John Bailie to the said undersigned Persons rateably and in proportion to their several allotments.
IV. That the undersigned Persons bind themselves each for himself, his Wife, Children, Family, and Dependants, unto the said John Bailie, his Heirs, Executors, or Administrators, to guarantee and indemnify him the said John Bailie for all and every expence he, the said John Bailie, shall incur, sustain, or be put unto, on account of, or for the Maintenance, Clothing, or Transport of the said undersigned Persons, their Wives, Children, Families, and Dependants; and generally for their Armament and Equipment, whensoeveir or wheresoever ; the respective allot- ments of Land which may have been made to the said undersigned Parties hereto of the second part, by the said John Bailie, being chargeable with all such expences, and revertible to the said John Bailie in case of failure of such Guarantee and Indemnity.
V. That the undersigned Persons do hereby bind themselves severally and respectively to assist each other, and all the Party, in labour in whatever way they can severally and respectively be rendered most serviceable and available until the Public Works herein before mentioned shall be fully completed; a House or Hut be erected and buUt for each and every one of the Parties hereto, the said Houses or Huts to be erected and built of equal dimensions, and four Acres of Land to be cleared and fenced for each of the Parties hereto, and a Fold therein made, calculated to shelter the Cattle of each of the undersigned, and shall and will also assist each other in digging such Wells as may be found requisite for supplying suflBlcient quantities of Water for the use of all the Parties hereto.
VI. It is hereby further mutually agreed, by and between the xn. 2 A
354 Records of the Cape Cohmf.
several Persons parties hereto, of the second part, and the said John Bailie, that if they, or any or either of them, shall, or da neglect, or refuse to comply with the stipulations and conditions contained in the above recited Fifth Article, he or they so refusing to comply therewith shall forfeit and pay the sum of £20 British sterling or such sum in the currency of the Colony as may be of equal value, and also that he or they so offending shall be deprived of the gratuitous services of the other and others of the Parties hereto, in building, clearing, and fencing, his, her, or their allotments, and shall also be deprived of the use of the common stock of Tools, Implements, and Library. And further, that should the Parties or Party so offending not be possessed of such pecuniary means as will enable them to pay such forfeiture of £20 British sterling, then he or they so offending shall respec- tively forfeit in lieu thereof a certain portion of their allotment of Land, not more than Twenty Acres, nor less than Ten Acres, to be taken from his or their respective Allotments, such forfeiture to be adjudged by the finding and award of a Jury to be composed of twelve of the undersigned Parties hereto of the second part, to be selected and appointed by lot.
VII. And, whereas, it is necessary for the preservation of good order and moral and industrious habits, that Shops, or Stores, or Houses, or Booths, of whatsoever description, whether errant or stationary, be totally prohibited from selling, retailing, or serving out, in any shape or quantity whatsoever. Spirituous Liquors of all and every denomination within the il^ecincts. Boundaries, Limits, and Premises, of the Grant of Land which may be made by His Majesty's Government to the said John Bailie, for himself, or for the use and benefit of the aforesaid undersigned Parties hereto of the second part, such prohibition to be enforced by the forfeiture of the Stock or quantity of Spirituous Liquors which shall or may be found in the possession of either of the said Parties, which Spirits so to be found in the possession of either of the said Parties for the Purposes of sale shall be poured out and scattered on the Earth, and a forfeiture of £100 colonial currency (if such currency shall exist) or £50 British sterling, shall be incurred and levied for every such offence, or failing the pecuniary means of the Party or Parties so offending, such other forfeiture of Land shall be incurred as may be ordered by the finding and award of a Jury of twelve
Records of the Cape Colony, 355
of the Parties hereto of the second part, to be selected and appointed by lot.
YIII. And whereas it is repagnant to the feelings of humanity and contrary to the principles in which all Englishmen have been reared, to tolerate or admit of slavery, therefore it is hereby mutually and respectively agreed between all the Parties hereto, that any, or either of them, shall not nor will either directly or indirectly be concerned in the purchase or emplojnoaent of Slaves within the Precincts, Boundaries, and limits of the Premises of all and every the Grant or Grants of Land which may be made by His Majesty's Government to the aforesaid John Bailie, for himself, or for the use and benefit of the other Parties hereto, under the penalty of the restoration to liberty of the Slave or Slaves so to be found in the possession of any or either of the Parties hereto, their Heirs, Executors, Adminis- trators, or Assigns. And further, a penalty shall be paid by the Party or Parties so offending, of a sum of Money equal to the value of the Slave or Slaves so to be found in his, her, or their possession,
IX That all forfeitures and Penalties hereby imposed, whether in Money, Land, or otherwise, shall be paid and received for the benefit of the Fund of the Town or Village where the offence or offences may have been committed, or which may have occasioned the infliction of such forfeitures.
X. And it is hereby further mutually agreed by and between all the Parties to these presents, that in consideration of the great trouble which he, the said John Bailie, hath been at in the forma- tion of this Society, and in consequence of the reliance which the Parties hereto of the second part, have and repose in his judgment for the regulation and formation of such Settlement as may be formed for their mutual benefit and advantage, it is hereby agreed that the said John Bailie shall reserve to himself the sole direction of the intended Settlement, and the nomination of such Committee or Committees of Management as he may deem necessary to assist him in the superintendance of the same and also the nomination to such vacancies as shall or may occur from time to time in such Committee or Committees, and generally everything appertaining thereto.
XI. It is hereby fully understood and agreed that these Articles can only be of force and available, in as much as they may be
2 A 2
356 Records of the Cape Colony,
found in conformity with the existing Laws in the Colony or Settlement, or with such Laws as may in future be established and enacted in the Colony or Settlement in which it may please His Majesty's Government to locate the undersigned Parties hereto, and in as far as these Articles of Agreement may meet the approbation of His Majesty's Government.
[Original.] Letter from Mb. James G. Jackson to Earl Bathurst.
GiBous, America Square, 23r(2 October 1819.
My Lord, — I beg leave moat respectfully to request the honor of an interview with your Lordship for the purpose of laying before you a plan, (not a visionary or theoretical one but founded on practical experience derived from a constant residence of upwards of 17 years in Africa, and in a country resembling that of the Cape of Good Hope, in Latitude, in Climate, and in Soils), which will demonstrate to your Lordship's discriminating judgment the in- calculable advantages to be derived from the importation at the Cape, and cultivation of, certain valuable plants and seeds, hitherto unknown in South Africa, but which are perfectly con- genial to that climate and soil !
The produce, to be justly and reasonably anticipated from the successful cultivation of these useful and valuable plants and seeds, would encrease His Majesty's resources, by transferring in a few years from the Treasury of Morocco to that of Great Britain, incalculable sums of money heretofore and now paid by British and other merchants to the Emperor of Morocco, in duties or customs on the exportation of the produce of the plants above alluded to, all which are essential in our manufactories, and which duties in the ports of Morocco, amount to one third, two thirds, or one half of their original cost in West and South Barbary.
The extensive commercial intercourse which I have had, during a long residence in West and in South Barbary, the experience which I have necessarily derived from my observations on the soil and produce, during my various journies through every part of that Empire, my knowledge and experience in neg(Dciating with the Emperor, having been remarkably successful in all my negocia-
Records of the Cape Colony. 357
tions with him, with his father, and brothers who preceded him, give me just reason (without presumption) to suppose, that my knowledge of the language, the people, their manners juid customs, and mode of transacting business with them, would enable me to procure all the plants and seeds required, in order to pursue, with advantage, the agricultural pljui which I flatter myseK, (for the good of my country) I shall have an opportunity of submitting to your Lordship. With the highest respect &c.
(Signed) James G. Jackson.
[Copy.]
Letter from HSNRT GoULBUBN, EsQRE., to Lord Charles Somerset.
London, 2Sth October 1819.
My Lord, — This letter will be delivered to your Lordship by Messrs. Greo. Wilkinson and John Morton who are proceeding to the Cape of Good Hope, with the persons named in the enclosed Eetum, with the view of settling in that Colony.
I have received Earl Bathurst's directions to desire that your Lordship will cause a Grant of Land to be made to Messrs. Wilkinson and Morton at the rate of one hundred Acres for every male person on their List above eighteen years of age.
I have further to acquaint your Lordship that Earl Baihurst has consented to make some allowance to Messrs. Wilkinson and Morton in reimbursement of their expences in conveying them- selves and their party to the Cape, and I am therefore desired to request that your Lordship will issue to these persons a sum not exceeding twelve pounds sterling for every male and female above fourteen years of age and at the rate of eight pounds for every individual under that age, named in the List, whom they shall land at the Cape ; and your Lordship will be pleased to draw on the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury for the money required to cover this advance. I have &c.
(Signed) Henry Goulburn.
358 Records of the Cape Colony,
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Henry Goulburn, Esqre., to Lord Charles Somerset.
London, 20th Oekber 1819.
My Lord, — Mr. John Leigh junior of the City of London has made Application to Earl Bathurst to receive a grant of land. Tinder the usual Conditions, for a certain Number of able bodied settlers whom he would undertake to send to the Cape of Good Hope at his own expence, under the superintendance of competent persons who would be responsible that none of the settlers should become a burthen on the Colony.
In conformity with this Application Mr. John Leigh has trans- mitted to Earl Bathurst a list of twenty families who are pro- ceeding to the Cape of Good Hope imder the direction of Lieut Nightingale of the Eoyal Navy and of Mr. Thomas Bowyer, and I have received Earl Bathurst's directions to request that your Lordship would order a grant of land to be made to Mr. John Leigh at the rate of one hundred Acres for every able bodied Settler included in the List herewith enclosed. I have &c.
(Signed) Henry Goulburn.
[Office Copy.] Scheme of Urnbarkation.
From London : Parties under Bailie, Clarke, Carlisle, Colling, Crause, Damant, Dalgaims, Dixon, Dyason, Erith, Howard, Morgan, Mahony, Mandy, Mills, Owen, Pigot, Pringle, Eowles, Scott, Smith, Tiurvey, Wait, Willson, and Parker.
From Portsmouth: Parties under Bowker, Biggar, Campbell, Ford, Hawkins, Hyman, James, Osier, and Parkin.
From Bristol : Parties under Greathead, Holder, and Southey.
From Liverpool: Parties under Gardner, Griffith, Hay hurst, Jiversage, Mouncey, Neave, Eichardson, Smith (G.), Stanley, Wainwright, White, Calton, and Phillipps.
From Downs : Parties under Gumey and Menezes.
Jlecords of the Cape Colony, 359
Fkom Crobiarty : Party under Grant.
From Cork: Parties under Butler, Ingram, Parker, and Synnot.
81 October 1819.
[Original.] Letter from Mr. Edward Damant to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
Fakenham, Srd November 1819.
Sir, — Having settled for the passage of myself and people going out to the Cape of Good Hope, and obtained the receipt from the Commissariat Department, I take the liberty to request that you will have the goodness to inform me the name of the ship and the day the people must be at Deptford to embark, as it will take some time to collect them together.
Mr. Woodhouse, the member for this County, promised to write to you to request permission of Government to allow me the privilege of taking out with me a breeding horse with a Devon bull or two, and as he is at present from home, I trust you'll excuse my troubling you to inform me if that request is granted or not.
In anxious expectation of an early answer. I have &c.
(Signed) Edwd. Damant.
[Original.] Letter from Lieut. W. Gilfillan to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
BiGSNT Stbebt, Webtionsteb, ^th November 1819.
Sir, — ^Having served for many years in the Frontier of the Cape of Good Hope as an Officer in the Army, since which I have been placed on half pay, and being desirous of returning to the Cape to settle in the Interior for which my funds are altogether inadequate I beg you may be graciously pleased to grant me a passage with the settlers now on the point of going. I have &c.
(Signed) W. Gilfillan,
H. P. Lieutenant 60th Eegt.
1
360 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original.] Lett^ from Me. Pbtek Campbell to Earl Bathuest.
Lambeth Butts, Sxtbbey, November Wi 1819.
My Lord, — I am one of those proceeding as colonists to the Cape of Good Hope. A few days ago I had the honor of ad- dressing a note to your Lordship stating the outlines of my certificates of qualifications as a surgeon, man-midwife, and chemist, and I now most respectfully beg leave to submit to your Lordship's consideration the inclosed testimonial of character which I trust may operate in my favour should a vacancy for a surgeon exist in any of the transports proceeding to the in- tended colony.
Your Lordship's condescension to confer this favor might materially serve me, as I have a heavy family, and such an appointment would afford me an early opportunity of introducing myself professionally to a portion of the settlers.
In conclusion, my Lord, I beg leave to request that this docu- ment may be returned, as it may probably be of service to me on a future occasion. I have &o.
(Signed) Peter Campbell.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
LoiOWN, 6t^ November 1819.
My Lord, — ^As the nature and extent of the preliminary arrange- ments to be made in the Colony for the reception of emigrants from Great Britain will be materially influenced by the numbers for whom such provision is to be made, I take the earliest Oppor- tunity of communicating to your Lordship am Abstract Return of the numbers of those who have, under the regulations already communicated to you, obtained permission from His Majesty's Government to proceed to the Cape.
As it is most important with a view to the comfortable Settle- ment of those persons that they should arrive at the Commence- ment of the Planting Season, you may confidently look to the
Records of the Cape Colony. 361
Arrival of them all by the 1st of March 1820 ; Some of them indeed may be expected at an earlier period, as the embarkation of the Settlers will commence at the end of the present or the beginning of the ensning Month, and be continued as the several parties are ready to avail themselves of the conveyance provided.
Your Lordship will observe that some individuals take under their charge very considerable parties of Settlers, and are in con- sequence provided with a Minister of the Beligious persuasion which they profess, for whom the Government have engaged to make a competent provision. You will therefore consider yourseK authorised in making to each such Minister an adequate allowance for his decent Support, and in every grant of land made to large bodies of Settlers, you will assign an adequate grant as glebe, and will further reserve particular portions for the Crown, with a view of deriving from them hereafter the means of maintaining the Clergy.
It appears to me advisable that the Settlers proceeding from the three parts of the United Kingdom should be separately located, not indeed in small parties, or at such a distance from each other as to encrease their difficulties, but yet sufficiently distinct to guard against all interference and dispute on the part of others whose habits, tastes and Manners are extremely different. The Highland Families who proceed with Captain Grant are particu- larly desirous not to be mixed with any others, and as they speak a distinct language, as there is every probability of their being followed by many of their friends and countrymen hereafter, and as they have requested to be placed as near to the Frontier as possible, I am most anxious that a Separation which would in all Cases be advantageous, should in this instance be particularly attended to.
I would suggest to your Lordship that the large bodies of Settlers thus separated should be made the founders of Villages, and that the smaller parties should be placed on lands adjoining to one or the other according to their particular Circumstances. For as the larger parties are all accompanied by a Minister of Beligion, by Medical Practitioners, and by many useful mechanics, you will by this arrangement have it in your power to extend to the inferior Class of Settlers, without expence, many essential Comforts and conveniences of which they would otherwise be deprived.
362 Records of the Cape Colony.
Your Lordship will, I am sure, feel that any delay between the arrival of the Settlers and their location on the lands allotted, will be attended with great inconvenience, and as I trust that some progress will in consequence of my dispatches of the 19th and 20th of July last, have been already made in measuring the lands proposed to be settled, I have only to suggest that you should, from the information now conveyed to you, assign the Spots to particular Settlers, so that they may on landing at once proceed to the places which they are permanently to occupy.
I am aware &om the experience of what has taken place in forming Settlements of this kind in North America, that the Settlers will for some time after their arrival require much super- intendence and direction. Upon the detail I shall have the honor of addressing to you a separate Gommimication. All that may in the first instance be required will be that to each party of Settlers some intelligent Soldiers or non-Gommissioned Officers should be attached, for the purpose of instructing them as to hutting or other- wise providing the necessary covering for themselves and their families, and that some officers should have the general command and direction of the persons so selected. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
F.S. As the expence of conveying the Settlers has been fotmd to be very considerable, I must express my hope that your Lord- ship will have made such Arrangements previously to their Arrival at the Gape, as may render it unnecessary that the Vessels should be detained there longer than may be sufficient to enable your Lordship to give them directions for their ultimate destination.
Records of the Cape Colony.
363
[Enclosure in the above.]
|
Kmnherof |
||||||
|
KameB of the peraoDs |
ikmiUes |
|||||
|
under whose direction the |
composhig |
Their present residence. |
General Semarks. |
|||
|
settlers proceed. |
their parties. |
|||||
|
England : — |
||||||
|
Bailie .... |
101 |
London . . . , |
Accompanied by a physician and two surgeons. |
|||
|
Biggar. . . . |
12 |
Hampshire |
||||
|
Bowker |
10 |
WUtshire |
||||
|
Bradshaw |
22 |
Gloucestershire |
||||
|
Campbell |
13 |
Hampshire |
||||
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Carlisle |
11 |
Staffordshire |
||||
|
Clarke . , |
31 |
London .... |
Mr. C. is a surgeon. |
|||
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Sephton . |
101 |
Do. |
||||
|
Colston |
12 |
Somersetshire |
||||
|
Crause . . |
12 |
Kent |
||||
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Dalgaims . |
11 |
London |
||||
|
Damant , |
25 |
Norfolk .... |
Accompanied by a surgeon. |
|||
|
Dixon . , |
11 |
London |
||||
|
Dyason |
20 |
Do. |
||||
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Erith . . |
10 |
Surrey |
||||
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Ford . , |
10 |
Wiltjsbire |
||||
|
Gardener . |
16 |
WarwickRhire |
||||
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Greathead , |
11 |
Worcestershire |
||||
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Gumey |
13 |
Kent |
||||
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Hawkins . |
40 |
Oxfordshire |
||||
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Hayhurst . |
32 |
Lancashire |
||||
|
Holder |
11 |
Gloucestershire |
||||
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Howard |
15 |
Buckinghamshire |
||||
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Hyman |
11 |
Wiltshire |
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James . , |
20 |
Do. |
||||
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Liversage . |
17 |
Staffordshire |
||||
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Mahoney , |
16 |
London |
||||
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Mandy. |
11 |
Surrey |
||||
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Menezes |
12 |
Kent |
||||
|
Millfl . , |
10 |
London |
||||
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Morgan , |
12 |
Do |
Mr. M. is a surgeon. |
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Moimcey , |
12 |
Yorkshire |
||||
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Keave . , |
•12 |
Lancashire |
||||
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Osier , , |
11 |
Cornwall |
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Owen . , |
11 |
London |
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Parkin |
11 |
Devonshire |
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Pigot . , |
20 |
Berkshire |
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Eichardson |
n |
Yorkshire |
^ |
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Bowles |
10 |
London |
||||
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Scott • , |
10 |
Do |
Accompanied by a |
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surgeon. |
||||||
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Smith, G. . . . |
21 |
Lancashire |
364
Records of the Cape Colony.
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Number of |
|||
|
Names of the penn |
Ds funillee |
||
|
under whoee directioi: |
i the oompoeliig |
Their present xesidfince. |
General Remarks. |
|
BetUen proceed. |
their parties. |
||
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England— con^tTii |
lied: |
||
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Smith, W. . < |
. . 11 |
London |
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Southey . |
. . 27 |
Somersetshire |
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Stanley |
. . 11 |
Lancashire |
|
|
Turvey |
. . 14 |
London |
|
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Wain Wright . |
. . 11 |
Yorkshire |
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Wait . . . |
. . 64 |
Middlesex |
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White . . |
. . 12 |
Nottingham |
|
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WillBon . |
. . 102 |
London .... |
Accompanied by two surgeons. |
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Wales; — |
|||
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Griffith . |
. . 22 |
Montgomeryshire . |
Accompanied by a surgeon. |
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Philipps . |
. . 20 |
Pembrokeshire . |
Do. Do. |
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Scotland ; — |
|||
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Grant . . |
. . 400 |
Highlands . . . |
Accompamed by a Minister of the Church of Soot- land and an ade- quate number of surgeons. |
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Pringle |
. . 12 |
Edinburgh |
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|
Ireland ; — |
|||
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Butler . |
. . 12 |
Wicklow |
|
|
Ingram |
. . 27 |
Cork |
|
|
Parker. |
. . 124 |
Do |
Accompanied by a clergyman of the Church of Eng- land and by a physician and |
|
# |
apothecary. |
||
|
Synnot. |
. . 11 |
Wicklow |
[Office Copy.] Letter from LoED Bathuest to Loed Chakles Somerset.
LoNBOH, 6th November 1819l
My DEAR Lord, — I have had the honor of receiving your Lord- ship's dispatch of the 8th of June, and the private letter which accompanied it, communicating to me the correspondence which had taken place between your Lordship and certain Naval Officers, to whom you had made Application for cooperation and Assistance
Records of the Cape Colony. 365
in forwarding Measures which you had considered expedient for the public Service of the Colony.
Your Lordship will I am sure be disposed to appreciate the motives which have induced me on a Subject of this nature to revert to a confidential Communication with the Lords Com- missioners of the Admiralty rather than to make your dispatch the subject of an official Bepresentation ; and the more so, as I am enabled to assure you that their Lordships have evinced the greatest readiness to prevent the recurrence of those incon- veniences of which you have had reason to complain^ and propose to instruct the Admiral who wiU shortly proceed to relieve Admiral Flampin to afford you on all occasions the most cordial Assistance and Support. In considering, however, the conduct of the Naval Officers to whom you have more particularly referred, your Lordship will, I am sure, make some allowance for the difficulty of their Situation, in being called upon to decide how far they were authorised in attending to your Lordship's orders, when at variance with those of the Admiral under whose Com- mand they are placed, and to whom they are of course responsible for any deviation from their general or particular instructions, and although it would under other Circumstances have been highly indecorous for an Officer to have required from you an explanation of your grounds of proceeding, yet you will I am sure feel that where their justification to their Superior for preferring a com- pliance with your application to his original instruction depended upon the comparative importance of the two conflicting Services, it was natural to endeavour first to establish by a knowledge of the facts the superior importance of the duty on which you had required him to proceed. I will only add that I am confident after the explanation which has now taken place and the instructions which the Admiralty have given, that you may at all times rely upon the Assistance of any Naval Officer to whatever Command he may be attached upon merely affording to him such a general explanation of the Service on which you propose to employ him, as may satisfy hiTn of the necessity of postponing the duty on which he is more immediately employed, tiU your wishes have been attended to. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
366 Records of the Cape Colony.
[OriginaL] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Cafe of Good Hope, November 6ih 1819.
My Lord, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's dispatch of the 7th of July, conveying to me the gracious assent of His Eoyal Highness the Prince Begent to my application for permission to return to England for a limited period on private affairs, and I beg your Lordship will be pleased to lay before His Eoyal Highness my humble and most grateful thanks for the kindness and ready consideration which he has vouchsafed to give to a request of such importance to myself and my family.
Did not the application with which His Eoyal Highness has been graciously pleased to comply, involve the health of one of my daughters, I should have had no hesitation at the sacrifice of any minor interest to have postponed my departure from hence, until the latest period mentioned in your Lordship's dispatch, but the prolongation of my stay in Cape Town till the month of April (which would include the whole of the hot season) might be attended with the most fatal consequences.
I must confess that the fortunate circumstance of my being authorized to place the Government of this Colony during my absence in the hands of an ofl&cer of Sir Eufane Dorddn's rank, experience, and talents, relieves my mind from the anxiety that I must unavoidably have felt under any other arrangement, and I am sanguine enough to think that the information I have person- ally acquired of almost every part of the Colony, but more particu- larly of the fertile frontier district of Uitenhage, will enable me to put Sir Eufane Donkin so fully in possession of the most material points affecting the enlarged system of emigration communicated in your Lordship's dispatch, that the execution can suffer little from any supposed want of tried experience on my part.
I cannot refrain also from entertaining a hope that my presence in England may not be whoUy withoj^ its use in promoting this important measure, as there are mamy points of detail requiring consideration and arrangement ppf^ously to the future departure of any settlers, on which my local[ knowledge may supply salutary suggestions.
I can assure your Lordship that \ I have not adopted the resolu-
Records of the Cape Colony. 367
tion of accepting the alternative of immediately availing myself of the gracious permission of His Eoyal Highness without a painful struggle. The very flattering allusion which your Lordship has been pleased to make to the manner in which the affairs of this Colony have been hitherto administered by me, whilst it is an ample recompense for past exertions, naturally stimulates me to continuance, and leads me to seek with anxiety every opportunity of acquiring fresh claims to the approbation of His Eoyal Highness. The imperative motive, however, that has guided my decision leaves me no option, and my best consolation arises firom a con- viction that the well known qualifications of Sir Sufane Donkin, aided as they will be by the ability and preeminent local informa- tion of Lieut. Colonel Bird, will guard the public service from injxuy during my temporary absence. I have &c.
(Signed) Chables Henkt Somerset.
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Gaps Town, November Gih 181 9»
My dear Lord, — On my return from Kaffraria to this place on the 1st Instant I found Your Lordship's dispatch of the 19th of July last as well as your private letter of the same date. In assuring your Lordship of my sincere gratitude for your Idnd representation to the Prince Eegent of my anxiety for le^ve to return to England, I find myself quite inadequate to express my feelings at the very flattering and firiendly manner in which Your Lordship has conveyed His Eoyal Highness's gracious permission to me.
Your Lordship only does me justice in supposing that I should but too eagerly adopt the line you suggest of remaining here until after the arrival of the new settlers did I feel that I could do so with any regard to my own feelings or to what I owe to the preservation of my daughter's health. The hot season here (to which I entirely attribute my daughter's impaired health) includes the months of January, February, and March, and I am this year of all others, compjelled to fly from it in consequence of my delightful cool retreat ait Newlands having fallen down.
368 Records of the Cape Colony.
Your Lordship will pardon me if I venture to say that I differ from you in thinking that my presence in the first settling of these people can he of the utility you are so flattering to me as to suppose; indeed I believed I should render greater service to the cause by conversations with those who promote this scheme at home and by giving them the information which iny local experience qualifies me to do. Before I depart I will put everything in the clearest train for Sir Bufane Donkin. I will point out the particular farms where the whole of the number which the Grant of Parliament will be sufficient to send out (which I reckon at 2000) or even many more than that number can be located. I will order the land to be measured, put the local Magistrates on the alert, and in short Sir Bufane shall find everything prepared that my knowledge of the country and my experience can suggest. I will also ascertain from the principal directors of the Moravian Institutions (who have been entirely successful in their endeavours to form Societies) the means they have been wont to adopt in their infant Establish- ments and the average pecuniary support from home that a given number of the Settlers require. Be assured, my dear Lord, that my absence shall not retard this desirable work, for I will not turn my back till I have done all that can be done to facilitate it.
Much, very much, of the success must depend upon the ability and integrity with which those in charge of the families and labourers will perform their duties. I have no hesitation respecting the most eligible situation. The neighbourhood of Graham's Town is imquestionably the place for them, and it is indeed a peculiar satisfaction (almost a triumphant reflection) to me, that an opportunity should so soon occur of proving the great advantages of our new boundary on the KafiTer side.
I have another and perhaps a still more stable cause for not apprehending any injury to this new objeclj or to the prosperity of the Colony in any point of view, which : s the disposition I find in Sir Bufane Donkin with regard to his holding the Government in my absence. It is impossible thaf, any communication can have been more satisfactory either as th,i'3y regard myseK personally or the Colony, than those I have hwj with Sir Bufane Donkin since I received your Lordship's lelLters, and I may veutnie I think thus early to assure your Lolrdship that there could not
Records of the Gape Colony^ 369,
have been a more appropriate selection for this duty than Sir Bufane Donkin. He is a man of acknowlegded talent and pays me the compliment to say that he shall pursue precisely the line I have adopted in every branch of the Administration of this Government.
I conclude if I am fortunate in obtaining a vessel that I shall get home about the 3rd week in February. Your Lordship would contribute very greatly to my personal convenience and comfort on my arrival, if you would cause an order to be previously sent to the Officers of Customs at Portsmouth to permit my personal baggage, particularly my plate (every article of which I brought out with me), to be landed without difficulty; every separate article will be manifested at the Custom House here, and the best guarantee against our having anything contraband is that this place produces nothing that is so. I take the liberty of making this request, as I know this indulgence was afforded to Lady Hood on her return from India, who had an immense quantity of things exclusive of her personal baggage, and also because I have heard that the late Lord Comwallis was exposed to excessive outrages on his property (his plate in particular) on his return from India, in consequence of not being aware of the necessary forms. I have &c.
(Signed) Chables Henry Somerset.
[Original.] Letter from Mr. Hezekuh Sephton to Earl Bathurst.
London, November llih 1819.
My Lord, — Having been disappointed in Mr. Thomas Colling, he not being able to go out, at the head of one hundred families, as accepted by you, and as I am selected by that Company to succeed him.
I herewith agree to accept of the terms proposed by His Majesty's Government to take the one hundred Settlers under my care to the Cape of Good Hope, and wait your pleasure for such other necessary information as may be required for our guidance.
I am &c.
(Signed) Hezh. Sephton.
XII. 2 B
370 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original.] Letter from the Duke of Newcastle to Earl Bathurst.
Glttmbeb, November 12ih 1819.
My Lord, — ^We have had a Greneral Meeting to-day of the subscribers for Emigration, and we find it necessary to enquire whether a sufficiency of com for bread and for seed will certainly be found at the Cape of Good Hope and at a reasonable price.
2. What port is fixed upon for the Nott's emigrants to embark from.
3. To be allowed permission for 50 families to go out on our account, that is 50 men, most of them with wives and families. A complete list shall be sent as soon as possible, but at present from unfitness in some and unwillingness in others, continual alteration is taking place in the list, in a very few days these difficulties will be overcome and we hope to be able to act with mora certainty. I have particularly to request your Lordship to accede to my last proposal, and if you will trust to me I will take care that nothing improper shall tatke place. I am exceedingly anxious for the success of our enterprise. I have &c.
(Signed) Newcastle.
[Original.]
Letter from the Eeverend William Boardman to
Earl Bathurst.
Blackbubn, IWi NovenAer 1819.
My Lord, — At the earnest request of several poor, but honest, and industrious families, I take the liberty to write to your Lordship, requesting to know whether a vessel will go out from Liverpool with settlers for the Cape of Good Hope, and how soon she may be expected to sail.
They have engaged to go out to the Cape with Messrs. Whitely and Co. from Liverpool, who have called upon them for the Government deposits, but give them no satisfactory answer with respect to the time when the vessel will saiL As the deposits
JRecorcU of the Cape Colons'^ ;371
are to be paid from the sale of their furniture, working looms, &c., imless the vessel sails in a very short time they will be reduced to great distress, and compelled to go into the workhouse.
It was my wish to have gone out with a party from Liverpool, but the number of families not amounting to 100, no chaplain will be allowed. I have therefore offered my services to a gentleman who is about to take out a party from London; in case of acceptance I propose humbly to submit to your Lordship something that may be of great advantage to the mother country as well as to the colony. I am &c.
(Signed) Wm. Boardman^
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Henry Goulburn, Esqre., to Lord Charlss Somerset.
Downing Stbebt, London, I5th N&vemher 1819.
My Lord, — ^With reference to the letter which I had the honor to address to your Lordship on the 23rd October, marked Separate, I beg to acquaint you that Messrs. Wilkinson and Morton have applied to Earl Bathurst for an additional grant of land, at the rate of one hundred Acres for five labourers whom they have added to their party, and his Lordship having acceded to their application, I have received his directions to request that you will apportion their grant accordingly. I have &c.
(Signed) Henry Goulburn.
[Original.] Letter from Mr. Hezekiah Sephton to Earl Bathurst.
November 19lh 1819.
My Lord, — Having accepted of Mr. Shaw as our Minister to accompany me with One Hundred Settlers to the Cape of Gkxxl Hope, I herewith submit to you the inclosed testimonial as a proper person to officiate in that capacity* Your most obedient &c.
- (Signed) Hezektah Se!»hton.
2 B 2
372 Becords of the Cape Colony.
[Enclosure.]
Wbslbtav Mission House, Hatton Gabdbn, November 15, 1819,
Mat it please Your Lordship The Committee for managing the Wesleyan Missions having been applied to by a number of Settlers going out to the Gape of Good Hope under the sanction of His Majesty's Gk>vemment to appoint them a Minister, and Mr. William Shaw having offered himself to the Committee for that service, we are directed by the Committee to state to your Lordship that Mr. Shaw is a person of approved character as a Minister in our Society, and is considered by us in every respect to be a proper person to take charge of the religious concerns of the persons who have accepted him as their Minister.
The Committee beg leave to submit to Your Lordship that they do not make themselves responsible for the conduct of the individuals composing this Colony, though from what they know of the leading persons among them, they confidently trust that they will conduct themselves so as not to forfeit the good character they have at home ; and the Committee having been applied to by them, they were anxious that so large a body of people, chiefly members of the same religious body as them- selves, should not go out without a Minister of their own persuasion. We have &c,
(Signed) Jabez Bunting,
Jos. Taylor, EicHD. Watsok, Secretaries.
[Original.] Letter from the Eeverend Mr. Boardman to Earl Bathubst.
Blagkbubh, 2iHh NovenAer 1819.
My Lord, — Having been put in nominatipn to your Lordship for a chaplaincy to the Cape of Good Hope by Thos. Willson, Esqre., of Chelsea Cottage, at the recommendation of Thos. Claughton, Esqre., M.P. for Newton, I have transmitted my letters testimonial to the Bishop of Chester for counter-signatare, which I trust will be forwar;jied to your Lordship in due time.
Becords of the Cape Colony, 373
As the vessels are expected to sail for the Cape in a very short time, and as I have some arrangements to make previously to my departure, I humbly request that your Lordship will be pleased to give me the earliest intelligence of my appointment, should it take place. I am &c.
(Signed) Wm. Boardman.
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
GafIi of Good Hope, 22and November 1819.
My Lord, — I have the honour to transmit the proceedings of the trial of Jacob Smit for murder, who was found guilty and condemned to die, but from which sentence the prisoner appealed.,
As Judge of the Court of Appeals in Criminal Cases, I have affirmed the sentence of the Court below, not perceiving anything informal in the finding thereof; but in conformity with the recommendation, contained in the opinion given by my Assessor in that Court (which accompanies the minutes of the trial) I beg humbly to recommend this case to the Boyal clemency.
I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Copy.] :
Letter from the Landdrost of TJitenhage to Land Surveyor Knobel.
UiTBNHAOB, 22nd November 1819.
Sir, — His Excellency the Governor being desirous to make immediate arrangements to receive a portion of Emigrants the Government at home are about sending out to settle in the Zuurveld has directed a Survey shall be made of certain Lands intended for the settlement of these people. I have the honor to subjoin the following extract from the Colonial Secretary's Letter to jne on that subject, viz.
374 Records of the Oape Colony.-
»
^' It will be desirable that as soon as possible after the receipt of this you instruct Mr. Knobel to take a minute survey of the unoccupied places in the immediate vicinity of the limits of the Land attached to Graham's Town, and that in his report thereon he not only specify the quantity of Land calculated for Garden Ground, for the Plough, and Pasture, but that he describe with accuracy the different Springs or other Water which such places may contain or command ; next after these he should survey the Blue Erans and any situations in that vicinity where Colonists may be advantageously placed ; from thence he should take the direction of Waay Plaats to the lower Caffer Drift Post, where His Excellency believes that great facilities are to be found for a very considerable portion of Settlers, who may avail themselves in the first instance of the Hutting which was occupied by the Troops. The mouth of the Great Fish Biver will next offer an Eligible Site on the spot called the Palmietfontein in its immediate vicinity. Upon these Spots and the intervening Ground His Excellency conceives that a greater number of Persons and Families may be placed than can be for a considerable time expected from England. Mr. Knobel's charges for surveying will be satisfied from the Colonial Treasury according to the Tariff of Charges allowed to Surveyors."
Which I have to beg of you to receive as Instructions for that purpose, and that you will at your earliest convenience proceed to this duty, and make your Beport accordingly.
The Deputy Landdrost has been written to as per annexed copy to afford you every aid and protection in the execution of your Surveys. I have &o.
(Signed) J. G. Cuyleb.
[Original],
Letter from tjie Reverend Feancis McClelaxd to
Eabl Bathubst.
18 GsoBGE^s Stbebt, Adilfhi, 28fv{ November 1819.
My Lord, — ^At the suggestion of Mr. Goulbum I beg leave to inform your Lordship that I have arrived in London, in order to accompany the settlers proceeding under Mr. Parker to tho
■Records of the Cape Colony. 876
Cape of Good Hope. I brought letters of introduction to Mr. Ooulbum from Lord Forbes and Sir George FetherstoDe, and though I called repeatedly at Downing Street I had not the honour of an interview with that gentleman till yesterday.
On referring to the appointment, under the sanction of which I came to London, I was very much astonished to find that Mr. Goulbum expressed some doubts of my being enabled finally to proceed. Should this be the case words are inadequate to express the very great inconvenience and expense that I have been put to, and I should hope that your Lordship will be kind enough, when you consider this, to confirm it, in consequence of its having been productive of so much trouble to me.
With regard to the objection which Mr. Goulbum seemed to think would be made, namely that I could not be expected to have any influence over such of the colonists as are Englishmen, I have every reason to suppose that they will to a man subscribe to any conditions which may be thought necessary to secure their obedience to the laws of religion and morality.
In conclusion, I shall only add that should I go out, I shall leave my native land with the most fervent and heartfelt wishes for its welfare and happiness under the present government, and that my attachment to its laws will be displayed in my humble endeavours to establish a similar regard in the breasts of those over whom I am appointed to act as clergyman. I have &c»
(Signed) Francis McCleland.
[Copy.] Letter from the Landdrost of Uiterihage to the Colonial Secretary.
UiTEKHAOX, '2&th November 1819.
Sir, — ^I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 12th Instant with enclosures relative to the Emigrants about .to arrive here from Home and to be settled in Albany, and to transmit to you the copies of my Letter to the Deputy Landdrost at Graham's Town and to Mr. Knobel, the Government Surveyor.
I observe in the third paragraph of Lord Batburst's Letter
376 Records of the Cape Colony.
to His Excellency, in which he recommends an imniediate^ Sunrej^ of an adequate portion of Land in that part of the Countary iii which it is proposed to make the first Settlement, that he also proposes the several Lots to be ready marked out for the reception of each Settler, &c., so that they may be placed on it immediately on their arrival. Permit me to ask you. Sir, is it intended that Mr. Knobel shall in the survey he is now instructed to make (as per enclosed letter from me to him) mark out the Boundari^ of the several Lots now, or will that be postponed until he may have made a general and particular Beport of the different Situations ? He will probably proceed to this duty in the course of ten or fourteen days, and there will be sufficient time to allow me to hear from you without delaying him.
Mr. Knobel, with whom I have spoken on this point, conceived he may first proceed to the general Inspection of Survey and report upon each position or Tract, as soon as so generaUy surveyed, for His Excellency's information and pleasure, and on his return from the most distant or last, may retrace the ground he may have so generally reported upon and mark out or subdivide eJBich lot to the extent His Excellency may be pleased to direct ; and I have to hope I shall be prepared to fulfil His Excellency's instructions so far as regards the duty I shall have to perform in this Transaction. I have &c.
(Signed) J. G. Cuylek.
[Original.] Letter from Mr. Thomas Pringle to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
43 Pbinces Stbebt, Soro, Lohdon, NownJber 27<A 1819.
Sir, — ^Your letter of the 12 th instant reached me the day before 1 left Edinburgh, but having previously remitted the deposit money for my party to Mr. HiU, agreeably to your directions, I thought it unnecessary to trouble you with any further correspon* deuce on the subject until I reached London. I am advised by a letter from Edinburgh to-day that Mr. Hill has acknowledged the receipt of the £150.
Permit me now, Sir, tlirough the hands of Mr. Croker respect-
Hecdrds of the Cape Colony, 377
fully to solicit your favourable attention to my personal applica- tion for employment under the Colonial Government at the Cape* Mr. Walter Scott has already through the medium of his friend Mr. Croker been so good as to make you somewhat acquainted with my wishes and qualifications. I feel it difficult at ptesent^ from my imperfect acquaintance with the civil airangements of the Colony, to express myself more definitely on the subject. I will only venture to add that I am anxious to be usefully employed, and that if any respectable situation (of whatever description might be found most suitable and expedient) could be obtained for me in the" Colony, or in the new settlement where I might more agreeably reside among my relations, a very moderate income would satisfy my wishes. AH that I am very ambitious about obtaining is a secured competence for my family, dependent only on my own exertions, and the approbation of Government. My pretensions are not lofty, indeed I can neither boast of scientific knowledge nor of much experience in aflairs, I may only venture to lay claim to some little literary experience, and (what is perhaps of more importance in the present case) to habits of attention and accuracy formed during ten years employment upon the Public Becords under the superintendence of Mr. Thomson, the Deputy Clerk Begister of Scotland, and in the management of a newspaper and magazine for more than two years, since I think it right to 3tate however that I have hitherto had little or no practice in figures or accounts and cannot therefore pretend to any great expertness in matters where they are the principal requisites. For the rest, I understand French and Latin, and am at present acquiring some knowledge of the Dutch language.
These, I am aware, are but humble qualifications, but if, such as they are, they might be turned to any account in the service of the colony, I should feel honoured and obliged by being piit in the way of employment. I feel the more anxious on this point because my personal infirmity and want of capital prevent me from engaging in the cultivation of land or other common occupations with the same advantages as the friends and relations who accompany me to Africa. I therefore take the liberty once more. Sir, earnestly to request your favourable consideration of this application, and to solicit the important favour of your influence in regard to it.
It may be proper to add that none of the party except myself and
378 Becords of the Cape Colony^
iny wife have come up to liondon. The rest await your further directions in Edinburgh. It has been lately reported that a vessel is to be sent round to Greenock to. take on board the Scotch Settlers. As such an arrangement would be an important advantage to my friends, they would feel greatly obliged by being informed through me whether the report is correct, and if so, about what time they must hold themselves in readiness to embark. Again begging your indulgence for all this trouble.
I remain with &c.
(Signed) Thos. Fringle.
[Original.] Zetter from Chief Justice Truter to Lord Charles Somerset.
My Lord, — However reluctant I may feel to trouble your Excellency or His Majesty's Government on my own behalf, yet the present peculiar circumstance of your Lordship's departure on leave seems to offer such an appropriate opportunity for my in- dividual interest, that I cannot refrain from availing myself of the same.
The^fficial situation I have the honour to be placed in is the highest to which I can reasonably aspire. I have the invaluable gratification of experiencing the most unequivocal marks of the approbation of Gk)vemment. And from many circumstances I think I may suffer myself to be led to conclude that my services are not dis- regarded by the public. Under such circumstances I need not assure your Lordship that I have every reason to be satisfied with my situation, and to feel inclined to persevere in it. But it is obvious that the continuation of the above advantages demands a degree of mental and bodily strength, which I cannot expect lastingly to enjoy ; and how strongly soever I may feel a call not to give up a career in which I can be useful to my native country, but for the most pregnant reasons, equally strong on the other hand I conceive ib incumbent upon me, when my powers will be no longer adequate to the full discharge of my official duties, to withdraw of
B/ecords of the Cape Colony, 379
toy own accord, and thus to give an opportunity of providing therein betimes.
The latter not being the case, I can have no idea at present to request your Lordship's leave to resign, neither would the present moment be a proper one on my part for taking such a step, with- out the most urgent necessity, being charged, as I have the honor to be, with commissions of consequence to the Colony, the successful execution of which promises me fresh proofs of the approbation of His Majesty's Government.
But as during your Lordship's absence there will be only a provisional administration in the Colony, from which no definite disposition in my behalf can be expected, and as besides your Lordship will have the advantage of a direct communication with His Majesty's Government at Home, I have deemed it a duty I owe to myself to take a step towards securing my interest, when sooner or later it might become incumbent on me to withdraw from my present career, a step which I hope your Lordship will not deem amiss, considering that thirty years services, in no other but momentous situations, have not been able to furnish me with the means of increasing my fortune.
I therefore take the liberty respectfully to request your Lordship may be pleased, in addition to the many favors you have already conferred on me, to make your Lordship's successor acquainted with your good intention regarding my eventual retreat from public life, or to submit my request to the pleasure of His Majesty's Government with such recommendations as your Lord- ship may deem proper.
With respect to the grounds of this request, as far as they are founded on my personal services, I beg leave to be permitted to refer to your Lordship's testimony, and thus to spare me the painful task of speaking of myself. One circimistance however I have no hesitation to state, in support of my application, and this your Lordship will, I am confident, have no reason to doubt, namely that my own pecuniary circumstances are by no means calculated to support me and my family in the least conformable to the situation I hold.
Herewith, my Lord, I submit my case to your Lordship's liberal direction, assuring your Lordship in the most solemn manner that my circumstances alone have induced me, as a father of a family, to make a direct application for securing my eventual retreat, but
380 Becards of the Cape Colony.
that my feelings are infinitely more gratified by the consciousness that my conduct is deserving your approbation and that of His Majesty's Govemment. I have &c.
(Signed) J. A, Tbutbr.
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Gape of Oood Hope, lit Deeemher 1819.
My Lord, — I have the honour to acquaint your Lordship, that in the month of April last, Captn. Hunn of H. M. Ship Bedmngr, sent into these harbours, for adjudication in the Court of Vice Admiralty, a French Schooner called La Sylphe, which he had detained on the Coast of Africa, on a charge of illegal Slave Dealing.
The above vessel was subsequently sold under a Decree of the Court of Vice Admiralty and purchased by Mr. Osmond, a ship builder of this place, who having put her into complete repair, resold her to this Colonial Gk)vemment, to be employed on these Coasts and to replace the only vessel belonging to the Colonial Govemment, the Isabella, which had, a very short time previous to this, been unfortunately lost on the North Coast. Mr. Osmond was paid the sum of 16,112 Bixdols. and 5 Skgs. for this vessel ready for sea, and she was subsequently employed between Algoa Bay and this place.
In October last, however, Captn. Moresby, of H. M. Ship Menai, received orders from Vice Admiral Flampin, in consequence of directions from H. M. Secretary of State for Foreign AfEiedrs, to take possession of the aforesaid vessel La Sylphe, and to deliver her up to the French Authorities at the Lsle of Bourbon, which instructions were forcibly carried into effect, and the Schooner has sailed imder convoy of H. M. Ship Hardy, Lieut. Kent, for the purpose above stated.
I am, therefore, under the necessity of bringing this case before Your Lordship, and of requesting that Your Lordship will be pleased ta take such steps as you may deem most expedient for indemnifying this Government for the loss it has sustained, and
Records of the Cape Colony^
381
that such indemnification (amounting to Bixds. 16,112-5 or £1611 4s. Sterling) should be made either thro' the Naval Commissioners on this Station, or that such sum may be placed at the disposal of the Agent of this Government in England, as may be found most convenient. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Copy.l Return of Troops on the Frontier on the 1st of Decemler 1819.
|
Corps. |
Sergeants. |
DrnmiiieTs or Bnglero. |
Hank and FUe. |
Total. |
|||
|
Royal Artillery .... |
1 |
• • |
31 |
32 |
|||
|
Royal Engineers . |
> < |
1 |
1 |
24 |
26 |
||
|
38th Regiment |
► < |
14 |
3 |
325 |
342 |
||
|
54th Regiment |
* < |
11 |
3 |
243 |
257 |
||
|
72nd Regiment |
1 < |
18 |
2 |
368 |
368 |
||
|
Royal African Corps |
1 4 |
31 |
12 |
667 |
610 |
||
|
Cape Cavalry |
> 4 |
7 |
1 |
116 |
124 |
||
|
Cape Infantry • |
* 1 |
10 |
2 |
214 |
226 ■ |
||
|
' |
1 2005 |
(Signed) A. A. O'Eeilly, Brigade Major.
382
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[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathubst to Lobd Charles Somerset.
DoWNDro Street, eih Deomher 1819.
My Lord, — It having been thought expedient by Eoyal Pro- clamation dated 20th ultimo to call in the old Mediterranean Passes granted by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for the protection of Vessels against the Barbary Cruizers, and that new Passes should be granted for that purpose, I herewith transmit for your Lordship's information and guidance an Order which H.B.H. the Prince Begent in Council has been pleased to issue upon this occasion. I have &a
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Henry GtOULBURN, Esqre., to Lord
Charles Somerset.
Downing Stbebt, London, 9lh Deeember 1819.
My Lord, — ^This letter will be delivered to your Lordship by Mr. Thomas Calton, of North Collingham in Nottinghamshire, who is proceeding to the Cape of Good Hope in charge of a party of able-bodied Settlers with their families, for the purpose of settling in the Colony, under the same Begulations and conditions as those under which lands have been offered to the other Settlers ; but as Mr. Calton and his fellow Settlers have been provided with the funds requisite for their undertaking by the contributions of several Noblemen and Gentlemen of the County of Nottingham- shire, the Subscribers conceive that it would be more expedient that the grant of land which will accrue to Mr. Calton and his Settlers should be made to the Bevd. J. Thomas Beecher and Edward Smith Godfrey, Esq., of the said County, as Trustees for the Subscribers at large.
This request being founded upon public grounds alone, and the object of the Subscribers being no other than to ensure the welfare of the Settlers, which they hope to promote by maintaining the
2 c 2
388 Records of the Cape Colony,
exercise of their superintendence over them and their proceedings, Earl Bathurst has had no objection to accede to their application.
The Subscribers have paid the sum of £737 10s. on account of Mr. Calton, to whom your Lordship will be pleased to remit the amount of such deposit, in the proportions and at the periods specified in the circular letter enclosed in Earl Bathurst's dispatch of the 19th July last. I have &c.
(Signed) Henry Goulburn.
[Copy.] Letter from the Landdrost of Tulhagh to the Colonial Secretary.
TuLBAGH, %ih December 1819.
Sir, — After I had done myself the honor by letter of the 5 March 1818 to report to His Excellency the Governor the result of my inspection of the Places Groote Vlakte and Gemerkte CaiT^ houte Boom at the Hantam applied for on quitrent by the widow of the late Jacobus Adrian Louw Ad. Son (now again married to Jacobus Bedelinghuys) it pleased the Inspector of Lands and Woods to make some remarks thereon ; and I now beg leave in compliance with the directions contained in a Public Letter of the 15 October last, for the information of His Excellency to communicate,
That the extent of the Land measured for the said widow would be too much for one individual if the whole of that Land was supplied with water proportionate to its extent, but the deficiency thereof is the cause, that the extent of the grant must be regulated according to the number of springs or quantity .of water thereon found. The diagram of the same clearly demon- strates that there are only seven springs, and two Dams, on the Land, of which Dams one has been ceded to D. G. Ockhuisen, and it is to be remarked that these springs^do not constantly last, but in dry seasons so weaken that they scarcely afford sufficient water for any considerable quantity of stock. If the whole of the Land was supplied with water, I certainly would give it as my opinion that it ought to be divided ; but under the existing circumstanoes this would be prodjictive of endless quarrels, because one or two
Records of the Cape Colony, 389
individuals would obtain the benefit of the whole of the water, and th^ others would get none.
The applicant has in the same manner as all her predecessors formerly made use of all the vacant Land adjoining her Estates, could only employ the same as grazing ground, want of water made it unfit for any other use, and she being one of the most opulent individuals in the Hantam is the only person who could properly stock such an extent of Land ; as she is possessed of between 300 and 400 Horses and Black Cattle, and 2000 Sheep, which require a pretty extensive piece of Pasture, particularly so as in dry seasons the herds must be removed from one spot to another for the sake of pasture and of water.
In my first Seport on Places, and Vacant Lands in the Hantam, I certainly did represent that the applicant did not pay that attention to her farms which she ought to do, but this may have been occasioned by a want of resolution to attend to her concerns with the firmness and activity of a Man, but she now having entered into wedlock again, it is to be expected that things will take a different turn.
Putting all this aside, there is only one point of great importance, namely the exclusive privilege "on the whole of the Hantams Hill," claimed by the applicant's predecessor and herself.
This certainly bears hard upon the occupiers of the adjoining Places and Lands, and particularly so at the time that the horse disorder prevails, as the Hantam Hill is the only retreat from this destructive calamity ; to make provision in this regard is an object of importance, and I would recommend with due submission to reserve the right for all these Individuals to send all their horses to said Hill upon such occasions, and to keep the same there as long as the disorder lasts or to let the right of the use of the Hantam Hill to the highest bidder for five, or more years ; or to grant the same to the applicant at such annual rent as His Excellency shall deem proper. I have &c.
(Signed) J. H. FiscHKB^ Landdrost.
390
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896 Eecords of the Cape Colony.
[Original.]
Letter from Lieutenant Colonel Graham to Lohb
Chables Bomeeset.
Klayeb Vallxt, 91h Leeefmber 1819.
My Lord, — Tour Lordsliip i» perfectly acquainted with every circumstance relative to the letting of Eiet VaUey farm, as also with the terms on which a Grant in Perpetuity of it was offered to me as a reward for my services, consequently that were I to accept of it on those terms at the expiration of the present lease, I should be inevitably ruined.
Permit me, My Lord, most earnestly to request that, previous to Your Lordship's return to the Cape, Tour Lordship will have the kindness to explain the above circumstances to Earl Bathurst, and to solicit His Lordship's favorable consideration of my case.
It may be asked why I am anxious to obtain a grant of this farm in preference to any other : my answer is that it is the only one which lays in the vicinity of all my connections in this Colony, and from whom alone I can expect that occasional assistance without which, it, as any other, would become a burthen to me.
Your Lordship is aware of my declining state of health, and to which, I beg to assure Your Lordship, my misfortunes and dis- appointments have in no small degree contributed, from the load of anxiety on account of my wife and children which constantly and heavily bears upon my mind. I have &c.
(Signed) John Graham.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somersbt.
DowKraa Street, IQth Deeember 1819.
My Lord, — The Lords Commissioners of the Treasury having had under their consideration a letter &om Mr. Thomas Willson requesting to be informed if the Commissariat at the Cape of Good Hope may receive his Bills on his Bankers, Sir John Fening and Co., in payment for such Stores as he may purchase for the use of
Records of the Cape Colony. 397
the Settlers proceeding to that Colony under his direction, I do myself the honor of transmitting herewith for your Lordship's Information and guidance, a Copy of tlie Minute of their Lordships hereon, dated the 23rd of November. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Original.] Letter from T. P. Courtenay, Esqrk, to Henry
GOULBURN, EsQRE.
India Boabd, V^k December 1819.
Sir, — I have received from Lord Charles Somerset a letter, of which I enclose a copy, directing me to take the best legal opinion upon certain questions which have arisen at the Cape concerning two slaves whose cases are fully explained in the accompanying paper.
Being aware that on a former occasion, when, under instructions from the Governor of the Colony, I took an opinion upon a case also arising out of the Slave Laws, Earl Bathurst also took the opinion of the Law OflBcers of the Crown upon the same case, I think that it may be convenient that I should transmit the papers to you, in order that Lord Bathurst may have an opportunity of sending the Case to the Law Officers if he should think that course proper, or otherwise that I may obtain his Lordship's authority to charge the expence of taking the opinions in the account which,, according to your letter of the 11th of May last, I am to render to tlie Commissioners of Colonial Audit.
I trust that I may be permitted to add, that it appears to me that the nature of the present case requires a reference to His Majesty's Advocate as well as to the Attorney and Solicitor General I have &c.
(Signed) T. Per. Courtenay,
398 Jiecards of the Cape Cdlowy,
[Copy.]
Letter frfm, the Depviy Colonial Secretary to the
Landdrost of Uitenhage.
Colonial Offiob, 14th Deceauber 1819.
Sir,— I am directed by His Excellency the (Jovemor to acknow- ledge the receipt of your Letter of the 25th Ultimo, and to inform yon that His Excellency is of opinion that the Survey of the Lands designed for the location of the Emigrants expected from England should be concluded upon the general plan first proposed, and that the subdivision of the Lots should be postponed imtil their actual arrival, as the quantity of each must be regulated by the number of Persons who may be under the charge of the several Directors respectively, 1 have &c.
(Signed) H. Ellis, Deputy Secietaiy.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
DowNiNO STBner, IQih December 1819.
My Lord, — This letter will be delivered to your Lordship by the Eeverend Mr. Francis McClelland, who is proceeding to the Cape of Gk>od Hope with a Party of Settlers under the direction of Mr. Parker. I have to acquaint your Lordship that Mr. McClelland has been accepted as a person properly qualified to officiate as Clergyman to the Party in question, and is to be located as such, receiving a moderate Stipend for the discharge of Clerical Duties. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
Becords of the Cape CoUmy. 399
[Copy.]
Extract from the Proceedings of the Society for propagating the
Gospel in Foreign Parts,
St. Mabtin'8 Libbabt, Deewiber 17ih 1819.
The Committee for India Affairs made the following Beport: —
That as the system lately adopted by Government for the colonization of the Gape of Good Hope will carry great numbers of British Subjects to that Country, where the fertility of the soil and the excellence of the climate promise a rapid increase of the population, it is desirable that permanent means of religious worship and instruction should at once be secured, as well to the original settlers and their descendants, as to the natives who will probably resort in considerable numbers to the several new Settlements ;
That the attainment of this important object involves the necessity of erecting Churches and Schools, and that no security can be obtained for the maintenance of such pure religious principles as may promote virtue and happiness among individuals, and peace and good order in the Community, without a regular establishment of orthodox Ministers, with determinate spheies of action under proper superintendance and control ;
That at the first formation of the Settlements these objects may be accomplished with comparative ease, by dividing the inhabited districts into parishes of moderate size and appropriating to the support of the Church and the Schools a certain proportion of land, which in its present state is of little value, and is taken from no one, but will hereafter become valuable in proportion to the increase and prosperity of the Colony.
That if arrangements of this nature should be made, the Society is willing to extend to the Cape the system on which it has acted with so much success in North America, providing a regular supply of Ministers and schoolmasters, but looking of necessity to Grovemment for pecuniary aid in default of the sufficiency of the Society's Funds.
That the President be requested to communicate with Earl
400 Records of the Cape Colony.
Bathurst to explain to his Lordship the view which the Society has taken of the subject and to offer its assistance and co-operation to Government in the manner stated above, as far as its resources will go.
(Signed) W. London,
F. H. Pott, Joshua Watson.
Agreed to adopt the Beport of the Committee, and that a Copy be transmitted to the President.
[Original.]
Letter from tJie Eeveeend Thomas Erskine to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
No. 6 High Stbebt, Wobobster, 2(Hh December 1819.
Dear Sir, — I had the honor of receiving your most kind and polite letter on Saturday, for which I beg you will accept my best thanks. I am fully aware how much your valuable time is occupied, and I shall condense what I have to say, and study brevity as much as possible.
I arrived last year at Cape Town on the 7th of October, should immediately have kept a horse had I been allowed rations for one as I expected, but they were refused. However a few days before Christmas Lord C. H. Somerset allowed me to have forage from the Government Store at Simon's Town on paying for it This I accordingly did, and enclose the account and receipt of the Com- missary General, by which it will appear that I paid about £22 Is. for what ought to have been given to me for nothing. Had I had forage from my first arrival on the same terms it would have made the bill nearly £30 : and if this sum may be paid to me I shall ask no more, or even if the money I have paid be returned to me I shall be satisfied and also be much obliged to Earl Bathurst.
A horse was absolutely necessary to me, who never was strong in that climate, where the summer heat is so intense and the
Becords of the Cape Colony, 401
winter's rain so heavy and frequent. I have had several miles to go on duty : the Burial ground was a good way from my house, and the Military Hospital was still further off, where I was obliged to visit twice each week. I know not why rations for one horse were refused to me at the Cape : they were granted to many a one, who had not so much public occasion for one, and I own I was very much surprised that so little attention was paid to the order, or at all events to the wish of Earl Bathurst.
The name of the clergyman appointed by the Governor to succeed me is the Eev. G. W. Sturt, Eector of Critchell in the County of Dorset, one of the Chaplains of H. K. H. the Duke of Clarence, and uncle of the present member for Bridport. I stated in my last letter the cause of my so soon resigning so good an appointment arose from my much injured sight, and greatly impaired health. A medical gentleman of the B. N. Hospital assured me I had not stamina for that climate, and that I was quite right to return home before the summer's heat began. I am glad to be able to say I am now in much better health, and more particularly since I landed in England.
Could I have returned Home on leave of absence on account of
my health, and then found in this country a respectable and
worthy clergyman willing to exchange with me, your kind letter
of the 3rd March gave me some reason to hope that Earl Bathurst
would have the goodness to permit and sanction the exchange on
certain conditions. But I could not get away without resigning.
Might I then still hope Earl Bathurst would have the kindness to
consider my case and keep me in mind. It is true I have oo
longer fordgn service to plead on my behalf, as it was only for
a year, nor have I any right to ask or expect any new favor from
his Lordship, who has already done much for me, for which I
shall ever be most gratefuL But my foreign employment, short
as it was, greatly hurt my health, the badness of which caused me
to resign. It cost me between £200 and £300 returning Home.
I have now a Wife and two young Boys dependent on me for
support, and at this moment I have not a farthing of Income
arising from my Profession, either a Living or a Curacy, tho' I
have now been in Orders eleven years. I hope you will pardon
me for having trespassed so long on your time. I wished to make
this letter as short as I could, but I find it has swelled to a much
greater length than I expected.
XII. 2 D
402 Becords of the Cape Colony.
I beg leave to state that the Appointment I lately held was in value as follows :—
Colonial Chaplaincy JB350
Dockyard do. 50
Military do. 50
R.N. Hospital do. ...... 40
£490 a year I have &c.
(Signed) Thomas Erskine.
I request the favor of an answer as soon as is convenient to you, as we leave Worcester next Monday, and I hope to have the honor of hearing fiX)m you before that time.
[Copy.] Letter from the Deputy Colonial Secretary to the Landdrost
OF TULBAGH.
GoLOiriAL Offiob, 24tii Deeemher 1819.
Sir, — I am directed by His Excellency the Governor to acknow- ledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th instant, and in reply to inform you that His Excellency has been pleased to concur in the valuation of the perpetual quitrent on the places Groote Vlakte and Gemerkte Carr6 houte Boom, now held on Loan by J. Eede- linghuys, contaiued in the original Eeport of 4 May 1818.
With respect to the right of grazing on the Hantamberg His Excellency has thought proper to direct that a Survey should be made of the same in order to form the valuation of Perpetual Quit- rent thereon, and further that an inquiry should be instituted as to what persons may actually, and under what conditions they possess •a right of gracing besides the Claimant J. K Eedelinghuys wUk whose application as contained in the inclosed Copy of a Memoricd His Excellency is disposed to comply provided that the right of other Individuals be not thereby affected. I have &c.
(Signed) H. Elus.
Mecords of the Cape Colony. 403
[Copy.]
Letter from the Landdrost of Uitenhage to Land Surveyor Knobel,
UrmrHAOB, 2&tk Deember 1819.
Sir, — I have the honor to hand you a communication I have had from Government, to say a Letter from me and a reply thereto relative to more explicit instructions for you to sub- divide the Lots intended to settle the Emigrants on, and have &c.
(Signed) J, 6. Cuylbr.
[Original.]
Letter from George Harrison, Esqre., to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
Tbeasubt OHAMTtinM,. 29th Deeember 1819.
Sir, — The Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury having had under their consideration your letter of the 301^ ultimo, transmitting copy of a dispatch from the Governor of the Cape of Gk)od Hope i*eporting that the (rovemment House at Newlands had fallen and that he had been under the necessity of directing its reconstruction, I have it in command to acquaint you for the information of Earl Bathurst that under the circumstances detailed in the letter from the Governor of the Cape their Lord- ships will not object to allowing the expence incurred in rebuilding this House. I am &c.
(Signed) Geo. Harrison.
2 D 2
404
Becords of (he Cape Colony.
Betwm of Civil Officers at the Cape of Oood Hope, Whose Salary and Emolvments exceed £150 per Annvrni.
N,B. — ^All the Civil OfficeB at the Cape of Good Hope are executed by the Pensons holding them, and none by Deputy.
|
DMorlptfanofaTU OffloeB. |
Officers. |
Qy whom Appointod. |
Salary in Sterling. |
SaUzyln |
||
|
His Excellency Governor . . |
""} |
.. •• |
By the Crown |
£ 8. 10,000 0 |
||
|
Private Secretary to'l His Excellency . / |
Markham, Bobert. |
•• |
500 0 |
|||
|
Aid-de-Camp |
• |
Underwood,Capt.W. |
•• |
182 10 |
||
|
D* |
a |
Somerset, Lt. C. H. |
•• |
182 10 |
||
|
Commd* of 1 Town . . |
Simon's'l ffice: |
Lieut. CoL Graham |
•• |
182 10 |
||
|
Colonial 0 |
||||||
|
Colonial Secretary . |
Bird, Christopher . |
By the Crown |
3,500 0 |
|||
|
Deputy D» |
• |
Ellis, Henry • • |
D» |
1,500 0 |
||
|
Assistant D* |
• |
Brink, P. G. . . |
• a |
•• |
3,000 |
|
|
Chief Clerk . |
• |
aoete,S.V. . . |
• a |
a* |
1,500 |
|
|
Auditor's i |
||||||
|
Auditor . . . |
• • • |
Bentinck, Walter . |
By the Crown |
1,050 0 |
||
|
FiscdFs Office |
||||||
|
Fiscal. • . |
» • |
Denyssen, Daniel . |
a* |
•• |
11,500 |
|
|
1st Deputy . 2nd ly |
1 • |
Borcherds, P. B. . |
a. |
a • |
4,500 |
|
|
> • ie: |
Lind, John . . |
• • |
• • |
3,000 |
||
|
€ot$rt qf Justic |
||||||
|
Chief Justice. |
Truter, J. A. . . |
a. |
• • |
9,000 |
||
|
1st Member |
Matthiessen, C. . |
aa |
• • |
4,250 |
||
|
2nd D* |
Hiddmgh, W. . . |
.. |
• • |
4,250 |
||
|
3rd D* |
Jennings, W. D. . |
• • |
• • |
4,250 |
||
|
4th D* |
Bentinck, W. . . |
a. |
• • |
4,250 |
||
|
6th D* |
Neethling, J. H. . |
• a |
• • |
4,250 |
||
|
6th D» |
Bressler, F. R. . |
a. |
• • |
4,250 |
Records of the Cape Colony,
405
DoktIdUoii of CML Offloes.
Cotai of Justice: continued.
7tb Member . . . 8th D» . . . 9th D» . . . Secretary. . . English Assistant ]>* let Head Clerk . .
Orphan dumber:
President. . .
ViceD* . . .
Secretary. . . Book-keeper •
Lombard Bank :
President Director
!)•
D* Cashier Book-keeper
DtBcoimt Bank : Cashier . . .
Postmaster General .
Sequestrator's Depa/ri' TnerU:
Sequestrator . . .
Beeeiver OeneraTs Office:
Receiver General Secretary. . . .
Names of Ci^ Offloen.
Fleck, J. C. . . Buissinne, P. S. . Truter, P. J. Junr. Berrange, D. F. . Murphy, Henry . Le Sueur, J. J. .
Truter, J. A. . . deWaal, D. . . Faure, J. P. . Watenneyer, G. A.
Marshall, J. • . Bergh, A. V. . . Maasdorp, G. H. . Eckhard, 0. S. . Frouenfelder, J. H. G.J.C. . . .
Crozier, B*. . • Crozier, B.. . .
Biet, B. J. van der
StoU, J. W. . . Wentzel, W. A. .
07 whom Appointod.
Salary In Sterling.
£ 8.
• •
••
••
Sftlaiyin ItdB.
4,250 4,250 4,250 6,000 3,000 2,000
4,000 1,500 5,500 4,000
6,000 1,600 1,600 1,600 1,500 2,100
3,000 5,000
4,000
4,000 2,300
406
Becords of the Cape Colony.
Description of Civil Offices.
Colonial Paymaster's Office:
Colonial Paymaster .
Office of Tjand Revenue :
Beceiver
* • * ■
Collector of Tythes Office:
Collector • « « .
Port Office^ Cape Town : Port Captain. . .
Port Office^ Simon's Town:
Harbour Master . .
Names of Civil Officers.
McCarthy, M. S. .
Smuts, J. J. L.
Klerck, W. J.. .
Blair, Charles . •
Custom House^ Cape Town:
• • •
Collector .
Comptroller . Searcher . . Storekeeper .
D** Allowance) for Porterage . . 3
Custom House, Simon's Town:
Collector .... Comptroller .
Gardner, Thomas '.
By whom Appointed.
By the Crown
Blair, Charles -.
Bird, W. W. . Maude, Edwin Hare, Joseph .
Dashwood, Francis Bird, W;W. . .
Silaxyin Sterlteg.
Salsry fai Bds.
£ a.
1,000 0
500 0
By Lords of| Treasury /
By the Crown
1,000 0
1,000 0 700 0
3,700
3,000
2,000
1,800 100
700 0
2,000
Secords of tJie Cape Oalony.
407
|
DeMTlptloiiofCiTU Oi&oes. |
KameBofClTU Offloen. |
B7 whom Appointed. |
Sftlftxrin Sterling. |
SalaiTin |
|
Wharfnuuster, Cape\ Town . . . ./ |
Rivers, Harry . . D'Escury, Charles Melvill, John . ^ Underwood, Wm. . Hussey, Dr. Wm. . Hussey, Dr. . . Sogers, G. J. . . Maynier, H. P. W. Eekewich, ^teorge, Bowles, Thomas . Eekewich, George |
• • • . •• •• f • •• • • •• • • . • •• By High Oourt of Admiralty |
£ 8. • ■ .■ •• •• 150 0 •• •• •• 300 0 300 0 480 0 600 0 |
3,500 |
|
Irupedorof Lcmda and Woods: Inspector .... |
5,000 |
|||
|
Inspector of Buildings] and Gbvemment Surveyor . . .J |
5,000 |
|||
|
Wine Taster's Office : Wine Taster . . . |
3,000 |
|||
|
Medical Committee: President. . . . |
||||
|
Vaccine Inetitution : Director .... |
1,800 |
|||
|
Office o/Enregisterment qf Slaves: Inspector . . . Assistant Inspector . |
5,000 2,000 |
|||
|
Court of Appeals : assessor . . • • D* .... Secretary. . . . |
• |
|||
|
Vice Admiralty Court : Judge |
J
408
Records of the Cape Colony.
Dttcriptlon of civil Offices.
'' Surgeon to the Slave^ Lodge . . . ./
Names of Civil Officexs.
'm
Lj6, W. H,
Vendue Office:
Commissary of Ven-'l
dues . . . ./
Assistant D^ . . .
Ccbpe Diairid:
Landdrost of the Gape)
District . . .J
D' for House Rent
Secretary . , .
Landdrost of Stellen-^
bosch . . . ./ Landdrost of Swellen-^
dam . . . ./ Deputy Landdrost of 1
Galedon . . ./ Landdrost of Tulbagh Deputy Landdrost of\
Clan William . . /
Landdrost of Graaff^
. Reinet . . . ./
Deputy Landdrost of J
Worcester . . .J Deputy Landdrost ofi
Beaufort . . ./ Deputy Landdrost ofl
Cradock . . . / Laoddrost of George. D* of Uitenhage Landdrost of
Graham's Town
Reitz, J. F. . Buyskes, E. A.
'}
Stoll, J. W. . .
• • • • Schomberg, W. .
Ryneveld, D. J. van
Schoonberg, V. A..
Ryneveld, W. C. van Fischer, J. H. . . Bergh, 0. M. .
Stockenstrom, A. .
Graaff, J. F. van de
Baird, J. • . .
Harding, W. W. .
Riet, J. W. van der Cuyler, J. G. . .
Fraser, G. S. . .
Simon^s Bay : Resident .
Somerset Farm : Huperintendent .
Brand, J. H. .
Hart, R.
Bjr whom Appointed.
Sftlftxyin Sterlfaig.
Sataxyln iUta.
1,500
7,000 3,000
4,600
600 2,000
4,500
4,600
2,000 4,500 2,000
4,600
2,000
2,000
2,000
4,600 4,600
2,000
3,000
. I
2,000
Records of the Cape Colony.
409
|
DesartottonofCivU OfDoss. |
Names of CivU OfBoero. |
By whmn Appointed. |
Salary in Sterltaig. |
Salary in Bda. |
||
|
£ 8. CLERGY: |
||||||
|
defrgynum of the |
1 |
|||||
|
Ghuroh at Cape |
Fleck, Rev. C. . |
•* |
• • |
2,500 |
||
|
Town ... .1 |
||||||
|
!)• <!• . . |
Manger, J. H. von |
• ■ |
2,300 |
|||
|
D* d- . . |
Berrange, J. C. |
• • |
% |
2,300 |
||
|
jy oftheChurchl at StellenboBchJ |
Borcherds, M. |
• • |
2,000 |
|||
|
D* d» atthePaarl |
Gebhardt, L. |
• • |
2,000 |
|||
|
D* d« at Swart- land . . . |
Scholtz, J.. |
• • |
2,000 |
|||
|
!)• d' at Tulbagh |
Kicherer . |
• • |
2,000 |
|||
|
D* d* at Swellen-| dam . . ./ |
Spyker, J. . |
• • |
2,000 |
|||
|
jy d» at Caledon |
Thom,G. . |
• • |
2,000 |
|||
|
D* d» at Graafh Reinet . . . j |
Faure, A. . |
• • |
2,000 |
|||
|
D» d° at George . |
Herold, J. T. |
• • |
2,000 |
|||
|
D« d* at Uiten-l hage . . .J |
Moll . ., |
• -• |
•( |
2,000 |
||
|
1> d° at Cradock |
Evans . |
• • |
2,000 |
|||
|
!>• d» at Beaufort |
Taylor, G. . |
• • |
2,000 |
|||
|
Political Commis-] |
||||||
|
sioner for Church |
Trutor, P. J. Semor |
• • |
• • |
1,500 |
||
|
Affairs • • . . |
||||||
|
Clergyman of the |
||||||
|
English Church at |
Hough, G.. . . |
• • |
700 0 |
|||
|
Cape Town . .j |
• |
• |
||||
|
D« d» at Simon's^ Town . . ./ |
Sturt, G. . . . |
• •• |
350 0 |
|||
|
Colonial Agent . . |
Courtenay, T. P. . |
«• •• |
600 0 |
N,B, — ^The appointment of all Officers, not otherwise stated, is with the Gt>vemor, subject to the approbation of the Crown.
410 Records of tke^ Cape Colony.
Abstract of the Accormts of His Majesti/s JReceiver General at the Cape of Good Hope, for the Year 1819.
REVENUE :
BdB. akO. It
Balance . . . 390,012 6 1
Lombard bank 93,467 2 1
Discount bank . . . . 27,843 5 3
Vendue duties 197,263 5 3
Customs 263,135 1 1
Land revenue 76,282 0 4
Tithes and transfer duties ...... 280,431 2 2|
Stamps .......... 142,999 4 0
Sequestrator's department ....... 20,329 7 3
Printing department 19,211 3 0
Commando tax 40,652 4 0
Port dues 16,590 4 0
Postage ......... 13,166 4 0
Fines . . . ... . . . . 6,869 1 41
Fees of offices 75,792 1 0
Do. wine taster's department . .' . • « 11,230 6 0
Literest by vendue office on a sum of Bds. 60,000 . . 3,000 0 0
Annual Repayment by Stellenbosch ... . • . 3,000 0 0
Miscellaneous receipts . • 1,998 4 4
Rds. 1,682,266 7 3}
Ilecards of fhe Cape Colony. 411
EXPENDITURE:
RdB. akiL tl.
Civil list, Bterling Balaries ....«• 274,390 0 0
Colonial Bftlaries 483,768 0 Of
Public buUdings (erection of new and repairs of old buildings) 113, 307 4 3|
Cape raiment 89,006 5 1|
Pay of Hottentot captains 2,284 5 Oi
Commissariat expenses 155,681 7 2|
Burgher senate advances 267,273 2 1\
Expenses of offices 32,675 2 0
Criminal prisoners and convicts ..... 16,656 4 1
Remittance to colonial agent 27,969 5 1|
Bible and school fund, in aid of the same .... 3,084 5 0
Freight and passage money, travelling expenses, &c. . . 10,446 4 0\
House rent and lodging money 6,055 7 Oi
Vessels and boats, purchase money and repairs of ditto, in- cluding charges of the harbour master's departments
at outposts 38,930 0 2|
Repair of the wharf . . • . . .. .. 6,888 7 2
Buckbay and Grootepost establishments • . • . 9,864 7 2i
Frontier service 26,143 0 0
Gk>vemment Constantia wine 4,802 0 0
Commission of circuit 10,443 4 4
Annual repayment by Stellenbosch (destroyed) • . • 3,000 0 0
Miscellaneous expenditure 16,207 0 2|
Balance . . . 84,586 6 5)
Rds. 1,682,265 7 3i
(Signed) J. W. Stoll, Rec' Gen*.
412 jRecards of the Cape Colony.
SUNDRY EXPENDITURE :— 1819.
Bds. akSL it
Surgeon Hamilton, proviuons iflsued to negroes landed from a
wrecked Portuguese brig 182 4 0
Mr. S. v. Gloete, gunpowder supplied for the stone quarry at
Robben Island 120 0 0
Executioner 3000
Mr. Hoets, presents for the Oaffre chiefs .... 798 4 0
Mr. Ooolhaas, an allowance granted to him for having acted
as superintendent at Saldanha Bay .... 250 0 0
Messrs. Marsh and Gadogan, for gunny bags . . . 800 0 0
Executioner 181 0 0
J. Squire, for clothing and victualling the government slaves
at Plettenberg's Bay 241 0 0
Executioner 26 0 0
J. Bnichhauser, for meat supplied to the lions, &c. . . 225 0 0
Dr. Hamilton, provisions issued to the negroes landed from
the Portuguese brig PocXv^ JBeaJ .... 1,419 4 0 Reverend Mr. Moffat, for a waggon as a present to the
Namaqua Chief Africander 800 0 0
Mr. Lawrence, tools for the stone quarry at Robben Island . 396 0 0
Mr. Findley, an allowance granted him as master of the
Alacrity 600 0 0
Beceiver of land revenue, the premiums given by him at the
sale of two government stores ...*.. 192 4 0
Mr. Murphy, an allowance as translator to the coiomittee for
defining the laws which are in force relative to the
slaves 1,500 0 0
Mr. Beck, for a waggon and oxen for the use of the mission- ary stationed in Gafire Land 1,380 0 0
Landdrost of Swellendam, for two waggons and twenty-four
oxen 2,420 0 0
Mr. Squire, for victualling ten government slaves . . 132 0 0
Mr. Phillips, for clothing, &c 161 2 0
Vendue office, duties on two stores sold by public sale . . 109 0 0
Executioner 39 4 0
J. Bnichhauser, for meat, &c., supplied for the lions, &c. . 225 0 0
Mr. Fynn, as a remuneration for conveying some negroes to
Uitenhage 250 0 0
Mr. Lawrence, tools for the stone quarry at Robben Island • 443 4 0
Premiums given to the highest bidders at the letting of the
wine licences 1,350 0 0
J. Bruchhauser, meat, &c., for the lions .... 225 0 0
Carried forward 14,396 2 0
Beoords of the Cape Cdony. 413
fidik Afl. it.
Biooght forward 14,396 2 0
Executioner 70 4 0
Ditto 32 0 0
Mr. Keeye, the ezpenieB of the funeral of the late master's
mate^ and a sailor of the Conway .... 75 0 0 L. Anhuyzer, artideB supplied by him to the Gaf&e Chief
Lynx 98 4 0
G. Anderson, for fruit trees for goyemment garden . . 98 0 0
J. Scheibe, tools, &c^ for the quarry at Bobben Island. . 635 0 0
Mr. Dinoock, for a surrey on the coast .... 231 6 2)
Executioner 12 0 0
Resident Saldanha Bay, allowance for the forage of a horse . 192 0 0 Resident at Flettenberg's Bay, for victualling the govern- ment servants at that place 141 0 0
Mr. Bruchhaoser^ meat| &c^ supplied to the lions, &c. . • 225 0 0
Total Bds. 16,207 0 2}
(Signed) J. W. Stoll, Rec' Gen\
414
Records of the Cape Colony,
Return showing the PopuUxtum and Cattle in the Possessiafi of
Gape Town . GapeDlstilct SImon'B Town SlellenboBch Swellendam. GraaffBeinet Uitenhage . Tolbagh. . Gaorge . .
Total .
CHBISTIANS:
2,20Y
Y40
218
1,431
1,424
2,464
1,049
1,039
869
11,431
i
1,4Y8 644
136 1,111 1,481
1,262 934 819
10,481
I II
1,833
674
120
1,136
1,065
1,816
801
745
596
8,674
I
1,817
608
114
1,305
1,607
2,775
1,263
1,120
888
11,497
116
8
134
FREE BLACKS:
11 1^
465
48
613
^1
557
329
26
683
I
362
il
405
20
426
HOTTEHrrOTS :
NEOBO APPBENTICBS:
1^
119
284
21
442
782
,292
1,026
974
648
6,637
PS
as
84 207
12 346 728 1,969 868 788 622
6,624
Is
164 220 15 626 725 2,621 994 991 635
6,791
90 166
14 881 691 1,800 938 793 608
489
332
32
92
10
6,481 808
^1
II
^ s
120 86
6 18
|20» 55 18 M
179
309
83 26
5 17
132
Betum shomng the State of Cultivation and Quantity of Land
|
liUIDS SOWN: |
HULDS REAPED: |
|||||||||||
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
• S3 |
||||
|
OapeTown . |
• • |
• • |
• • |
• • |
• • |
• • |
• • |
• • |
Ibt. • • |
• • |
||
|
G^ District. |
3,297 |
810 |
3,606 |
l7li |
33,171 |
18,241 |
24,906 |
1,066 |
8,965,488 |
S.6flS.8B6 |
||
|
Siinon'a Town |
• • |
• 1 |
• • |
• • |
• • |
• • |
• • |
• • |
• • |
• • |
||
|
SteHenboach. |
4,884 |
662i |
3,675 |
346i |
83,048 |
11,084 |
24,294 |
2,362 |
738,119 |
20,568.868 |
||
|
Swallandam . |
3,172 |
926 |
486i |
18 |
84,828 |
9,916 |
3,683 |
»»* |
• • |
1,12S,4M |
||
|
GraaffBeinet |
1,000 |
459 |
16 |
6 |
20,321 |
9,417 |
69 |
214 |
• • |
867,37T |
||
|
Uitenhage . . |
885 |
207 |
37i |
0* |
9,084 |
2,070 |
274 |
• • |
• • |
^N.^M |
||
|
l^lbagfa . . . |
3.291 |
881 |
890 |
266 |
35,436 |
13,426 |
8,466 |
2,683 |
• « |
1,«IS,SI6 |
||
|
George . . . |
1,043 |
361 |
11 |
• • |
12,711 |
4,142 |
90 |
• • |
• ■ |
9M,m |
||
|
Total . . |
17,672 |
4,205i |
8,6221 |
807* |
178,099 |
68,296 |
61,620 6,269* |
S.MS.fiM |
i7,«T.ai |
Beeords of the Cape Colony. Indwiduah at the Cape of Good Hope in the Tear 1819.
415
SLAVES;
II
8,058 145
4,m
1,066 1.036
408 1,480
688
U,*25
1,288
491
38
L,S61 MO
183
«61 841
6,963
1.9T4
670 48 1,952 659 6f0 841 8f4 440
7.628
CATTLE:
I
1.131
610 27 1,124 688
816
184 638 361
^1
2,137
5,114 8,824 5,519 1,180 8,449 1,387
4,880
2,695
4,032 11,737 10,696 2,362 7.368 3,227
23,61042,017
a
-S)
9,578
18,461 14,625 16,407 14,605 14,367 12,446
99,489
4,678
6,649 20,663 106,443 53,542 20,919 22,539
^
2,776
10,012 1,575 2,843 800 6,363 2,185
6,173
16,004
70,631
823,943
(a)»«230
*^,837
••681
233,433,26,554 ••68,499
2,619
1,162 4,888 1,039
• •
1,653
11,861
I
I
4,658243
12,078 43,247 130,085 33,948 60,996 1,186
143 10
275,193395
I
457
1,788
576
175
72
1,323 862
4,748
(a) The flgoTM omitted In thJe oQlmnn are illegible in the MS.
Tccttpied
m
I
e
^
J
LANDS IN FREE- HOLD:
i
i
^
LANDS IN QUIT-BENT:
I
I
I
1.882
43
604
170
10
101
163
49
14,192
82
46,026
316
41
19,468 4i06i 310
6U 798 1384
18,643i
629i 72 89
aoii
113 82
1,059
1,515 1,127 3,068
748 1,137
660
7,844
484
67 86
16
126
80
879
10
113 458i 358i 88 474 107
1,645
1396 29i
• •
4
30i 86
709
106
170
62
46
• •
766
20,062
3,000
28
84
86
37,340
110
168
8
120
2894
2
51,464
84,193
100,604
• •
3,501 6
286,793
420 400
58
• a
418
• •
1,607
41
416
Beeords of the Cape CoUyuy.
[Copy.] Return of Troops on the Frontier on the Ist of January 1820.
|
Corps. |
SergeantB. |
DrnmmerB orBoglen. |
Bank and File. |
TcUL |
||
|
Boyal Artillery |
1 |
• • |
31 |
32 |
||
|
Royal Engineers . |
1 |
1 |
24 |
26 |
||
|
38tli Eegiment |
^ |
14 |
2 |
324 |
340 |
|
|
64th Begiment |
11 |
3 |
246 |
260 |
||
|
72nd Regiment |
18 |
2 |
366 |
386 |
||
|
Royal African Corps |
33 |
11 |
562 |
606 |
||
|
Cape Cavalry |
8 |
2 |
125 |
135 |
||
|
Cape Infantry |
12 |
4 |
261 |
267 |
||
|
2052 |
||||||
|
(Signed) A. A. O'Keilly, Brigade Major. |
[Original] Zette/r from the Navy Board to Henry GtoULBURK, Esqre.
Nayt Office, Itt January 1820.
Sir, — In return to your letter of the 16th November last, we acquaint you, for the information of Earl Bathurst, that orders have been given for Mr. Sephton's Party of Settlers (No. 40) to embark in the Aurora Transport, at Deptford, on Wednesday next for Passages to the Cape of Good Hope. We are &c.
(Signed)
H. Peake, H. Legge,
J. BOWKK.
Hecords of the Cape Colony. 417
[Original.] Letter from Mr. John Stanlev^ to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
LivBRFOOL, lit January 1820.
Sir, — ^Applying to Lieut. Church on the subject of beds for persons going to the Cape under my direction, he refers me to the Secretary of State's Office. As soldiers in transports are always found beds, I fully expected they would be found for my party, and as a matter of course came unprepared with them. My wife and self are provided, but the settlers will want 20 beds and suitable blankets, as they are now on board quite destitute for themselves and children. The weather being severe, they arid their children feel the effects of it, and, as it is not in my power to find them, having been at a great expense for many months without being able to get a profit for my business, my capital is reduced at least one third since my offer to Government wa« made to proceed to the Cape. Eequesting yoii will be good enough to grant the beds immediately. I am &c.
(Signed) John Stanley.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
DowKiNO Street, ^(h Januury 1820.
My Lord, — In addition to those persons who have either pro- ceeded or are on the point of proceeding to the Cape as Settlers, under the Conditions and Eegulations prescribed in the Printed Circulars of which I had the honor of enclosing a Copj' to Your Lordship in my Dispatch of 20th July, there are many others who have made offers of settling in the Colony, without any other encouragement than a Grant of Land proportioned to their means of cultivation and to the number of persons whom they may take out. In all such cases in which the parties have been able to adduce satisfactory proof of their means and qualifications, I have had no difficulty in assuring them a (J rant of Land on their arrival in the Colony : and it is in consequence of this assurance
XII. J E
418 Mecords of the Cape Colony.
that Major General Campbell has engaged to proceed with 100 persons upon condition of receiving Land at the rate of 100 acres for every family which may be actufiJly settled on the Land allotted to him.
By the enclosed Copy of a Letter from the Major (reneral you will observe that it is his intention in the first instance to dispatch 9 persons to make the necessary preparations for receiving the further number of Settlers whom he proposes to send out, and I have therefore to desire your Lordship would make to them an adequate Grant of Land for the erection of their Buildings, and the commencement of cultivation, reserving at the same time a sufficient quantity of Land adjoining to accommodate the Settlers who may be sent out by M. General Campbell to complete his original proposal
The other persons who have engaged to settle at the Cape under similar conditions are :
Mr. John Leigh and 20 families,
Mr. W. Currie,
Mr. Henry Moore,
Messrs. Thos. Peterkin and Jno. Carr,
Mr. Wm. Jones,
Mr. Walter Meacey,
Mr. James Hill,
Mr. B. Burnett,
Mr. Eoberts with 19 families,
to whom your Lordship will also extend the similar indulgence of a corresponding grant of Land. But Your Lordship will distinctly understand in all these Cases, that the parties not having made any deposit in this Country are not entitled to receive any money on their arrival, nor to the other advantages which Your Lordship was authorized to extend under my Dispatch of the 20th July to the Settlers sent out at the charge of Government. I am &c.
(Signed) Bathubst.
\
Records of the Cape Colony. 419
[Original.] Letter from Mr. Thomas Beale to Henry Goulburn, Esqbe.
5 Chapel Stbbet, Grosvenob Square, Mh January 1820.
Sir, — I am induced to trespass again on your time in con- sequence of the disquietude of some who have engaged to ac- company me to the Cape of Good Hope, as also from my own anxiety to arrive at that Colony previous to the departure there- from of the present Governor, Lord Charles Somerset, to whom I have the honor of being personally known. It may also be necessary to acquaint you for the information of Lord Bathurst that three of the number whose names I had the honor to lay before you have relinquished their engagements, two as I am informed to proceed to the United States of America. I beg however to state that should His Lordship be pleased to approve of my proceeding to that Colony, I shall have no difficulty in completing the number already proposed on the terms and plan stated in your printed Letter of the 27th October last.
But should it meet the approbation of His Lordship to deviate from the plan therein laid down and allow the Settlers who may engage to emigrate to that Colony rations on their passage thereto, I will engage within three weeks from receiving notice thereof, to take with me from twenty to thirty Settlers with their families, for each of whom I will deposit the security required by the said Letter, to be returned to me on their being located on the Land assigned. I have &c.
(Signed) Thos. Beale.
E 2
420 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original.] Letter from Mr. John Sta^nley to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
LiYEBFOOL, January 4^ 1820.
Sir, — I was answered with your note of the 31st ulto., for which am obliged. The purport of the present is to hand you original, duplicate, and triplicate return of settlers proceeding under my direction to the Cape of Good Hope.
As I before requested, the beds and blankets required are very much wanted. You will readily admit that when the weather is 80 severe as to make the thermometer rest 14 degrees below the freezing point, that it cannot be very comfortable for men, women and little children from 1 month to 6 years old to take up their abode every night on bare boards, on board the John, now lying in the Eiver Mersey. As to my finding them is entirely out of the question. For want of them I have been obliged to take Ash- brook's family ashore, as for want of proper bedding clothes, and the proper necessaries, one of his children is dying of a fever, and two others of the measles. They are now ashore at my expense, for lodging, medicines and the necessary food, what I certainly was totally unprepared for. I have no children of my own, yet it would appear I am liable to the maintenance of fifteen both in England and elsewhere, to which my funds are totally inadequate, for as I before observed what with the total absence of business and the support of my family for 6 months, since my offer in July my property is reduced full one third.
I beg to be excused for being thus candid and remain &c.
(Signed) John Stanley.
N.B. The letter to Lord Chwrles Somerset is on board the Jok%, but shall be sent by tomorrow night's post.
Records of the Cape Colony^ 421
[Original.] Letter from Mr. Henry Ulyate to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
2 Clapham Road, 4<^ January 1820.
Sir, — I trust the undermentioned circumstances will plead an excuse for this application to you requesting a grant of land at the intended new Settlement in the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope. I some time back entered into an engagement with a gentleman who was going out in Mr. Wait's party, the unfortunate failure of whom has prevented his going and in consequence placed me Id an unpleasant situation having prepared myself, wife, and 6 children with every requisite, and sold my furniture; should I not be successful in this application I should be a very consider- able loser, which I sincerely hope will not be the case. I possess a small capital of £270, have a slight knowledge of agriculture and the manufacturing of agricultural instruments. I am quite willing to pay my passage to the Cape by the first conveyance for myself and family should I be so fortunate as to receive from you such Grant, and am, Sir &c.
(Signed) Hy. Ulyate.
P.S. Your answer at your earliest convenience will be con- sidered an obligation as by delay I might lose an opportunity of taking my passage for a considerable time.
[Original.]
Letter from Captain Walter Synnot to Henry
Goulburn, Esqre.
Ballymoyeb Lodge, 5th January 1820.
Sir, — The length of time which has elapsed since the receipt of your instructions directing me to expect an order from the Commissioners of the Navy induces me to suppose som« mistake
422 Recoi'ds of the Cape Colony,
must have occasioned the delay. I consider it my duty to inform you that no official notice has been made to me, and that the settlers under my care are extremely dissatisfied and difficult to be kept together, that a very heavy expense attends holding them in constant readiness such a length of time, and I can assure you* is extremely prejudicial to the welfare of my undertaking. Most of the stores absolutely necessary must be obtained at the place of embarkation, and to be hurried ofif without them would expose us to the greatest hardships. I have received private letters from Cork informing me there is no other ship for the reception of settlers for the Cape of Good Hope than the Fanny, whose cabin is so small that I am requested to join in the expence of making it more airy. I beg you will taike these circumstances under your serious consideration, and direct that I shall be furnished with positive instructions how I am to proceed.
I have &c.
(Signed) Walter Synnot.
[Original.] Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Oapb of Good Hope, 61^ January 1820.
My Lord, — I beg leave to acquaint your Lordship that I have granted leave of absence for the time of three months from the period of his Embarkation from hence, to William Underwood, Esquii'e, Wine Taster, to return to Europe on his private affairs.
I have directed Mr. Underwood to report himself to your Lord- ship on his arrival in England, and to apply to you for any further extension of leave, and I have furnished him with the certificate required by Your Lordship's Dispatch No. 9 dated 2lBt April 1818. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somersfi.
Records of the Cape Colony, 423
[Original.] Letter from the Navy Board to Henry Goulburn, Esqrb.
Nayt Office, Wi January 1820.
Sir, — ^We have received your letter, of the 5th instant, inclosing a Copy of one from Mr. John Stanley, requesting to be supplied with beds during the passage of himself and Party of Settlers to the Cape of Good Hope, and we acquaint you, in return, that Orders are given for beds to be supplied as desired by Earl Bathurst. We are &c.
(Signed) E. Seppings,
H. Lkgge,
J. BOWEN.
[Original.] Letter from the Navy Board to Henry Goulburn, Esqrb.
Navy Offiob, 6th January 1820.
Sir, — In return to your Note of the 5th instant, we acquaint you for the information of Earl Bathurst, that directions were given on the 17th ultimo for Mr. Wait's Party of Emigrants to embark on board the Zoroaster, of 460 tons, at Deptford, on the 22nd of last month. We are &c.
(Signed) E. Seppings,
H. Legge, J. BowEN.
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[Original.] Letter from Mr. Thomas Pringle to Henry Goulburn, Esqrs.
43 Pbinges Stbbit, Soho, London, Jantiary Sth 1820.
Sir, — I beg leave to inform you that the party of settlers proceeding under my direction to the Cape of Good Hope have now all arrived in London, and that I have notified their arrival to Captain Young of the Transport office, who has promised to have them embarked in a few days.
IVevious to their departure from Scotland, however, some alterations had taken place in the names and numbers of the party, which it is necessary to report to you. When nearly ready to sail from Leith, the servants, both those engaged by my father and our friend Mr. Sydserff, and who had been all engaged on written agreements for four years, refused to emiarTvni^ certain extravagant demands were conceded to them, quite incon- sistent with the terms they had engaged upon and incompatible with our future circumstances. Bather than submit to this con- spiracy or incur the trouble of seeking legal redress, my Mends discharged the whole of them, and engaged other men in their stead. But not being able to find a smith and joiner on such short notice, my eldest brother has also remained behind in Scotland, with the view of joining us next year with some accessions of money and implements. In consequence of these changes the party now consists of 21 individuaLs, in place of the 27 formerly stated in the official lists, viz. besides myself 10 men, 6 women, and 4 children, Alexander IToble's wife and four children being, of course, left with him. This man IToble was the instigator of the conspiracy for a rise of wages &c.
With a view to fill up the vacancy that now remains for one man, I have advertised yesterday, but we do not consider it of any importance unless required by the Colonial Office.
I inclose a list of the individuaLs withdrawn and of those added in their place, and hope you wiU be pleased to allow of the alterations, especially as we now bring rather more capital and fewer persons.
Mr. Barrow of the Admiralty has informed me that you have been so good as to promise me a letter of recommendation to the
Records of the Cape Colony.
445
Governor. For this most important favour I beg to present my most grateful and respectful acknowledgments.
As a slight testimony of my sense of the obUging attention you have bestowed on my concerns, I beg leave to request your acceptance of the little volume which accompanies this letter, and
I remain &C.
(Signed) Thos. Peingle.
[Enclosure.]
Names of the persons withdrawn from Thos. Pringle's Party of Settlers proceeding to the Cape of Good Hope.
William Pringle, Agriculturist Alexr. Noble, Joiner
Walter Tumbull, Blacksmith
Andrew Soott, Ploughman
William Bitchie, Ploughman
Isabel Horack, wife of Alexr. Noble
Margaret Noble • • \
Mary Noble . . .1 children of
Isabel Noble • . . / Alexr. Noble
Christian Noble . . I
Total .
5 men.
= 1 woman.
= 4 children^
10 persons.
Names of the persons engaged into the party in place of those withdrawn.
4 men.
Thomas Davidson, Agriculturist, aged 22 . • James Echom, ploughman, aged 20 • Alexander Mortimer, ploughman, aged 23 • James Sonness, ploughman, aged 19 •
Of the four men last mentioned the two former are natives of Boxburgshire, the two latter, servants of Mr. SydserfP, are from East Lothian.
446 Records of the Cape Colony,
fOriginal] Lett&t from the Navy Board to Henbt Goulburn, Esqrx.
Nayt Office, lli^ January 1820.
Sir, — ^With reference to your letter, of the 11th of November last, we request that you will inform us, if you are now enabled so to do, of the probable time when the Emigrants for the Cape of Good Hope proceeding from Cromarty will be ready for Em- barkation ; and, further, whether the numbers of the Emigrants will be nearly the same as are stated in your Letter of the 26th of October last; viz. 600 men and women and 50 additional persons above 14 years of age, amounting to the total number of 1,400 men, women and children. We are &c.
(Signed) E. Sbppings,
J. Thomson,
J. BOWEN.
[Original.] Letter from the Navy Board to Henry Goulburn, Esqre.
Navt Office, llih January 1820.
Sir, — ^We have received your Letter of the 10th instant, calling, by desire oi Earl Bathurst, our immediate attention to the necessity of pressing the Embarkation and Departure of such Parties of Settlers for the Cape of Gt)od Hope as may be still waiting at the various Ports for conveyance to that Settlement ; and we request you to inform His Lordship that the detention of such of the Emigrants as have not sailed has arisen solely from the state of the weather and the Biver Thames being blocked up with ice.
We are &c.
(Signed) R Seppings^
J. Thomson, J. BowEN.
Becorda of the Cape Colony. 447
[Copy.] Letter from Mr. Thomas Willson to Captain Young.
La Belle AUianoe, Deptfobd, I2th January 1820.
SiE, — I have to express my regret that any representation has been made by individuals of my party to Earl Bathurst, com- plaining of a want of attention to their health, or of the general accommodation provided in the La Belle Alliance, more particularly as I find after duly investigating the matter that such representa- tion is utterly devoid of truth (no such partition as stated having existed at all). The whole appears to have originated in some petty jealousy of the individuals, one of whom I have found it prudent to send on shore, the signatures I understand were un- duly obtained, one being that of a female and the others readily admitted to be the effect of misrepresentation. It is but justice. Sir, due to you and a pleasant duty to myself to bear testimony of the general satisfaction of my Party for the excellent arrange- ment and accommodation which has been made under your direction, and an unprejudiced mind must readily perceive that every humane consideration has been judiciously combined with public oeconomy and the arduous duties of office, a feeling that I shall ever feel proud and grateful to acknowledge in subscribing myself, Sir, &c.
(Signed) Thos. Willson.
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Becards of the Cape Colony,
[Office Copy.] Progress in embarking Settlers for the Cape of Good Hope.
Name of Head of Baity.
Scott, Greorge
Grause, LieuteDant Charles .
Owen, Thomas
Bowles, Thomas
Mandy, John
Carlisle, J
Bailie, John
Willson, Thomas
Mahony, Thomas
Clark, William ......
Smith, William
Dalgaims, Charles
Pigot, Captain George ....
Damant, Edward
Dixon, J. H
Morgan, Nathaniel
Howard, William
Gumey, Charles
Menezes, William
Biggar, Alexander
Parkin, John
Ford, Edward
Campbell, Captain D
Hyman, Charles
Bowker, Miles
Osier, Benjamin
Smith, George
Bichardson, James
Griffith, Lieutenant Valentine .
Keave, Joseph
White, Lieutenant
Stanley, John .
Mouncey, Charles
Wainwright, Jonathan .... Hayhurst and Whittey ....
Liversage, Samuel
Philipps, Thomas
Greathead, J. H ;
Soutbey, George
Holder, William
Bradshaw, Samuel
Ingram, John
Butler, Captain Thomas ....
Sephton, Hezekiah
Parker, William
Name of YesaeL
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John
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Kennenley Castle
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When sailed.
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9 December 1819
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6 January 1820
99 99 99 99
6 January 1820
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99
7 January 1820
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12 Januaiy 1820
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12 Januaiy 1820
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Fanny
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Aurora East Indian
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Name of Head of Fwrty.
Calton, Thomas . . . Wait, William . . . Dyason, George . . . Krith, Thomas . . . Pringle, Thomas . . . Mills, IJaDiel .... Cock, William . . . Gardner, Edward . Turvey, Edward . Synnot, Captain Walter . James, Samuel .
Name of Yessel.
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Whenaailed.
[Original.] Letter from Sir Eufane Shawe Donkin to Earl Bathurst.
GoYEBKiiENT HousE, Cape Town, January \2th 1820.
My Lord, — I have the honor of acquainting your Lordship that I have this day received charge of this Government from Lord Charles Somerset, who has embarked for England.
In making this communication to your Lordship I beg to be allowed to add that no efforts shall be wanting on my part to obtain your Lordship's approbation during the time I may hold this important situation, and I am impressed with the belief that the most likely means to obtain it will be by adhering to the general system and by following up the plans of Lord Charles Somerset.
As I am well aware of the interest which is attached by His Majesty's Government to the effectual Colonization of Southern Africa I shall not fail to direct my attention and exertions in a particular manner to that object, and as the first embarkation of Colonists may now shortly be expected here, it is my intention to proceed to the Interior, so as to be myself on the Spot at the time of their Establishment, with a view to aid and encourage their Endeavors, as well as to remove at once difficulties as far as it may be in my power to do so. I have &c.
(Signed) E. S. Donkin.
502
Xecords of the Cape Cohmy.
[Original.] Letter from the Navy Board to Henbt Goulbusn, Esqre.
Natt Offios, 13t& January 1820.
Sib, — ^We have received your letter of the 8th instant, inclosing for our consideration a copy of a Petition addressed to Earl Bathurst by John Scott and others attached to the Party of Settlers pro- ceeding to the Cape of (rood Hope under Mr. Wilson's super- intendence, complaining of the mode in which the Transport La Belle Alliance has been fitted up.
In return, we transmit herewith, for His Lordship's information, a Copy of a letter from Captain Young, Agent for Transports at Deptford, dated the 12th instant, and also a copy of one from Mr. Wilson, referred to therein, showing the complaint to be entirely groundless, and that every humane consideration has been studied for the comfort of the Settlers. We are &c.
(Signed)
E. Seppings, J. Thomson,
J. BOWEN.
[Original.] Letter from Mb. Thomas Pbingle to Henby Goulbubn, Esqbb.
43 PuiroEB Stbekt, Soho, London, January 13thj 1820.
Sib, — I had the honour to receive your note of the 10th instant the day before yesterday, and would have more promptly obeyed your directions in returning the letter to the ^Governor, had I not experienced some difficulty in getting it out of a trunk which my friends had left at the wharf on their arrival. I now inclose it along with the full and final lists of my whole party, which are now perfectly completed by the accession of Wm. Elliot, and E. Bedgard a saddler with his wife and two children. As the latter of these persons, besides possessing a trade which may be very useful to the party and neighbourhood, is possessed of con- siderable capital I hope his joining us with his relation Wm. Elliot, who is bred a farmer, will meet with your approbation.