EECORDS
OF THE
CAPE COLONY
From MAY 1801 to FEBRUARY 1803.
COPIED FOR THE CAPE GOVERNMENT, FROM THE
MANUSCRIPT DOCUMENTS IN THE PUBLIC
RECORD OFFICE, LONDON,
GEORGE McCALL THEAL, LL.D.,
COLONIAL HISTORIOGRAPHER.
PRINTED FOR
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CAPE COLONY.
1899.
LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS. LiMiTKB,
STAXrOBD STBBBT AND CHABINO CB08S.
CONTENTS.
DATE
1801.
18 May. Letter from Major General Dundas to the Eight Honourable
Henry Dundas
21 May. Proclamation by Major General Dundas 27 May. Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre. 29 May. Letter from Major General Dundas to the Right Honourable Henry Dunda.s . 3 June. Advertisement concerning Paper Money
10 June. Letter from Secretary Andrew Barnard to William Huskisson.
Esqre,
Enclosure: Sentence of Michael Franklin and James Mortlock ......
11 June. Proclamation by Major General Dundas „ Advertisement concerning cutting Timber .
19 Jime. Letter from Lord Hobart to Major General Dundas
20 June. Letter from Sir George Yonge to the Right Honourable
Henry Dundas
23 June. Proclamation by Major General Dundas
24 June. „ „
)>
25 June.
Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
„ Proclamation by Major General Dundas .
26 June. Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
27 June. Proclamation by Major General Dundas .
July. Letter fi-om Mr. H. C. D. Maynier to Major General Dundas
List of Ships' Arrivals
16 July. Letter from Major General Dundas to Lord Clive .
23 July. Letter from Major General Dundas to the Right Honourable
Henry Dundas ......
24 July. Letter from Major General Dundas to William Huskisson,
Esqre
29 July. Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre. 31 July. Proclamation by Major General Dundas . 4 Aug. Letter from Lord Hobart to Major General Dundas 10 Aug. Letter from Lieutenant Smyth to Major General Dundas
25 Aug. Advertisement concerning lost Anchors
26 Aug. Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
40
41
48 50 51 52 53 55 55
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22 Oct. |
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24 Oct. |
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28 Oct. |
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31 Oct. |
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M |
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7 Nov. |
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18 Nov. |
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29 Nov. |
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30 Nov. |
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2 Dec. |
iv Contents,
DAT! 1801.
27 Aug. Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
„ Questions proposed to Mr. Maynier and his Replies
„ Proclamation by Major General Dundas
9 Sept. Letter from Major General Dundas to Lord Hobart
„ Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre. 10 Sept. „ „ „
13 Sept. „ „ „
19 Sept. „ „ „
22 Sept. Proclamation by Major General Dundas
1 Oct. Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
2 Oct. Government Notice concerning Peace between England and
France
6 Oct. Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre, 8 Oct. Letter from Major General Dundas to Lord Hobart 10 Oct. Government Notice concerning Peace between England and
France
12 Oct Letter from Lord Hobart to M.ijor General Dundas „ Letter from Major General Dundas to Lord Hobart
»» f» »
Proclamation by Major General Dundas .
Letter from Major General Dundas to Brigadier General
Vandeleur, John Pringle, Esqre., and others . Proclamation by Major General Dundas .
» >i ...
Plan for amending the interior Police in the Colony of the
Cape of Good Hope
Letter from Mr. John Pringle to Major General Dundas Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nejiean, Esqre. Proclamation by Major Sherlock .... Letter from Major Sherlock to Major General Dundas . Letter from the Orphan Chamber to Major General Dundas Enclosures concerning Law of Inheritance .
2 Dec. Letter from Mr. John Hooke Greene to Major General
Dundas
Enclosure respecting Law of Inheritance . . ,
3 Dec. Proclamation by Major General Dundas
6 Dec. Letter from Sir George Yonge to Mr. Merry
7 Dec. Government Advertisement concerning Murders in Graaflf-
Keinet
9 Dec. Government Advertisement concerning Windmills 12 Dec. Letter from Major General Dundas to Lord Hobart
„ Letter from Mr. W. S. van Ryneveld to Major General
Dundas
15 Dec. Proclamation by Major General Dundas
17 Dec. Letter from Lord Hobart to Major General Dundas
18 Dec. Proclamation by Major General Dundas
Contents.
DATE PAGE
1801.
20 Dec. Letter from Major General Dundas to Lord Hobart . . 129
„ Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre. . 130
31 Dec. List of Ships' Arrivals 132
1802.
1 Jan.
2 Jan.
16 Jan. 23 Jan. 28 Jan.
30 Jan.
IFeb. 12 Feb. 3 March. 5 March.
9 March. 11 March. 16 March.
27 March.
31 March.
5 April.
9 April. 19 ApriL
21 April. 30 AprU.
ApriL
1 May. »
7 May. 19 May.
2 June.
22 June.
Proclamation by Lieutenant General Duudas
Government Advertisement concerning Loans of Paper
Money ........
Letter from Mr. John Pringle to Lord Hobart .
Proclamation by Lieutenant General Dundas
Government Advertisement concerning Loans of Paper
Money ........
Letter from Mr. John Barrow to Lieutenant General
Dundas .
Proceedings of a Commission for regulating the Consumption
of Grain in the Colony, &c., &c. .... Letter from Mr. John Holland to Lord Hobart . Letter from Lord Hobart to Lieutenant General Dundas Government Advertisement concerning Supplies of Barley Government Advertisement concerning Loans of Paper
Money ........
Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre. Government Advertisement concerning East India Produce Letter from Brigadier General Vandeleur and others
Lieutenant General Dundas .... Keport of the Commissioners appointed to investigate certain
Charges against Sir George Yonge Definitive Treaty of Peace between his Britannic Majesty and
the French Republic, his Catholic Majesty, and the
Batavian Republic ......
Letter from Lord Hobart to Lieutenant General Dundas Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Lord Hobart Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre. Proclamation by Lieutenant General Dundas Memorial of Mr. David Pontardant to Lord Hobart Letter from Lord Hobart to Lieutenant General Dundas Provisional Justification of H. C. D. Maynier Letter from Lord Hobart to Lieutenant General Dundas
Proclamation by Lieutenant General Dundas
Letter from Lord Hobart to Lieutenant General Dundas
» » »
Letter from Messrs. Dickens, Maxwell, and Matthicssen to
Lieutenant General Dundas ....
vi Contents.
DATE PAGE
1802.
29 June. Letter from Mr, A. Barnard to the Court of Justice and the
Burgher Senate ....... 333
I July. Advertisement respecting Supplies of Barley . . . 384 10 July. Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre. . 335 26 July. Letter from Sir George Yonge to Lord Hobart . . . 336 13 Aug. Proclamation by Lieutenant General Dundas . . . 336 19 Aug. Letter from Lieutenant Gt^neral Dundas to Commodore
Mellissen .337
„ Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre. . 339
21 Aug. Letter from Commodore A. Mellissen to Lieutenant General
Dundas 339
„ Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre. . 340
»» .. „ .t • 343
„ Letter from Mr. John Barrow to the Earl of Macartney . 344
„ Letter from Sir George Yonge to Lord Hobart . . . 346
25 Aug. Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre. . 349
26 Aug. Letter from Lord Hobart to Sir George Yonge . . . 350 „ Proclamation by Lieutenant General Dundas . . . 351 „ Letter from Sir George Yonge to Lord Hobart . . . 352 Aug. Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Lord Hobart . 354
27 Aug. Letter from Messrs, Benaij, Muller, and Dibbetz to Messrs,
Barrow and Maxwell .... . 357
31 Aug. Journal of the Expedition under Messrs. Truter and Somer-
ville to Bechuanaland 359
8 Sept. Letter from Messrs. Benaij, Muller, and Dibbetz to Messrs.
Barrow and Maxwell 436
15 Sept. „ „ „ . 437 25 Sept. „ „ „ . 438
4 Oct. Government Advertisement concerning delivery of Com . 438 „ Letter from Messrs. Benaij, Muller, and Dibbetz to Messrs.
Barrow and Maxwell 439
5 Oct. „ „ „ 440
8 Oct. Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre. . 440
II Oct. Letter from Messrs. Benaij, Muller, and Dibbetz to Messrs.
Barrow and Maxwell ...... 443
17 Oct. Letter from Lord Hobart to Lieutenant General Dundas . 447 25 Oct. Letter from Messrs, Benaij, Muller, and Dibbetz to Messrs.
Barrow and Maxwell
9 Nov. 11 Nov. Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
16 Nov. Letter from Lord Plobart to Lieutenant General Dundas 27^Nov. Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Lord Hobart
„ Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Sir Evan Nepean .
„ Embarkation Return of Troops sent to India
29 Nov. Letter from Messrs. Benaij, Muller, and Dibbetz to Messrs. Barrow and Maxwell ......
\
Contents. vii
DATE PAGE
1802.
2 Dec. Letter from Messrs. Benaij, Muller, and Dibbetz to Messrs.
Barrow and Maxwell ...... 454
3 Dec. Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Sir Evan Nepean . . 455
7 Dec. Transfer of Stores, &c., to the Batavian Commissioners . 456
8 Dec. Government Advertisement concerning delivery of Corn . 457
9 Dec. Embarkation Return of Troops sent to Europe . . . 457 „ Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Lord Hobart . 458 „ Embarkation Return of Invalids sent to England . . 459 „ Return of Troops under orders for India .... 460 „ Embarkation Heturn of Troops sent to India . . . 460
12 Dec. Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Sir Evan Nepean . . 461
• 461
16 Dec. Letter from Sir George Yonge to Lord Hobart . . . 462 23 Dec. Letter from Commissary General De Mist to Lieutenant
General Dundas ....... 463
25 Dec. Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Commissary
General De Mist ....... 464
. 465
27 Dec. „ „ „ . 466
„ Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Lord Hobart . 466
„ Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Sir Evan Nepean , . 468
30 Dec. Proclamation by Lieutenant General Dundas . . . 470
31 Dec. List of Ships' arrivals ....... 471
„ Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Commissary
General De Mist 474
„ Letter from Commissary General De Mist to Lieutenant
General Dundas ....... 474
„ Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Commissary
General De Mist 476
„ Proclamation by Lieutenant General Dundas and Commissary
General De Mist 476
„ General Orders ........ 477
„ Articles of Agreement between British and Batavian Com- missioners ........ 477
1803.
1 Jan. Letter from Lord Hobart to Lieutenant General Dundas
2 Jan. Proclamation by Lieutenant General Dundas
3 Jan. Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Lord Hobart „ Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Sir Evan Nepean .
11 Jan. Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Lord Hobart 14 Jan. „ „ „
„ Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Sir Evan Nepean .
21 Jan. Government Notice concerning Bands of Music .
28 Jan. Government Notice concerning False Signals
480 482 483 486 489 490 491 493 493
viii Contents.
DATE PAGR
1803.
1 Feb. Letter from Lieutenant General Diindas and Vice Admiral Curtis to Commissary General De Mist and Governor Janssens 494
4 Feb. Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Lord Hobart . 495
6 Feb. Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Sir Evan Nepean . . 495 „ Letter from Commissary General De Mist and Governor Janssens to Lieutenant General Dundas and Sir Roger Curtis 496
9 Feb. Reply to the above . . . . . . .503
EECOKDS OF THE CAPE COLONY.
[Original.]
Letter from Major General Dundas to the Eight Honourable Henry Dundas.
Cape of Good Hope, May \8th 1801.
Sir, — I have to report, for your information, the arrival here, on the 13th instant, of the Moriiington Packet, from Bengal, with Dispatches from the Government in India for the Governor of this Settlement ; and having received the Governor General's directions to transmit to you, by the earliest opportunity, Copies of the said Dispatches, I do myself the honour of sending them, marked No. 1 and No. 2, and herewith enclosed, agreeable to His Lord- ship's desire.
The Paper No. 3 is a Copy of a letter, dated the 17th instant, which I have had the honour of writing, in answer to the Dis- patches above mentioned, bearing date the 1st and 2nd of March last, from the Governor General, addressed to His Excellency Sir George Yonge, this day dispatched by the Nutwell, bound to Madras.
The sailing of His Majesty's Ship BattlesnaJce for St. Helena affording a safe and proper conveyance, I avail myself of it in forwarding the Monthly Eeturns of His Majesty's Troops in Garrison at the Cape, for the months of March and April 1801, and have the honour of inclosing them, marked No. 4 and No. 5, for you accordingly. I have &c.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
IV.
2 Records of the Cafe Colony.
[Copy.] Proclamation by Major General Francis Dundas.
Whereas by Proclamation of the 15th July 1800 certain laws & Regulations were laid down for the observance of the Butchers of Cape Town & its Environs, to which Eegulations though highly reasonable, just and necessary, it has been represented to me that a sufficient and proper degree of attention has not been paid, I have thought it expedient to order, and it is accordingly hereb}' ordered, that all the laws and Eegulations contained in the said proclamation and the penalties affixed to the transgression of the same do remain and shall continue in full force until further orders.
And by virtue of the powers in me vested, I do further direct, and it is hereby accordingly commanded, that all the Butchers of Cape Town and its Environs shall at the expiration of every Month deliver in to the President and Members of the Burgher Senate, each respectively, an account of the Sheep and Cattle killed by them in the course of the said month and the quantity at that time remaining in their possession in or near the Cape Town ; and moreover that they shall be obliged, if called upon, to give direct and unequivocal answers to such questions on the subject as shall be proposed to them by the President and Members of the Burgher Senate, on pain of incurring the same penalty of One Thousand EixdoUars as set forth in the said Proclamation of the 15th July for every neglect or omission in rendering such monthly report, or withholding the required infor- mation, to be paid into the Treasury of the Burgher Senate.
And the President & Members of the Burgher Senate are hereby requested to transmit to me, or to the Governor for the time beinf', the said monthly returns of the Butchers in order that Government may be furnished with authentic information of the Consumption of Meat, and of the Stock of Cattle remaining in the neighbour- hood of the Cape.
Given under my Hand & Seal at the Castle of Good Hope this 21st day of May 1801.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
Becords of the Cape Colony. 3
[Original.] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
Adamant, Simon's Bat, Cape of Good Hope, 27 May 1801.
Sir, — In my Letter to you of the 17th instant I referred to a letter (a Copy of which has been sent to you) which the Marquis of Wellesley wrote to the Govemour of this Colony, and in the 3rd Paragraph of which the Marquis mentions a List of the Articles of Provisions which he requested should be dispatched with all practicable expedition to Mocha in the Eed Sea. The abovementioned List comprises, besides Salted Provisions, Wine, and other articles, Flour and Wheat, but of the two last named none can be furnished from hence, on account of the alarming scarcity existing in this Colony, and of which by various Letters from me their Lordships have been informed. But General Dundas the acting Governour deeming it proper to send in conformity to the Marquis of Wellesley's Letter, a quantity of Salted Beef and Pork, and also a quantity of Cape Wine, a Vessel of little more than One Hundred Tons is taken up to carry those articles, it being the only one that can at this time be here ob- tained. The Governour General of India in his Letter to me of the 2nd March (a Copy of which has been transmitted to you) having desired I would afford every aid in my power for ensuring the safe arrival of those supplies at Mocha, I am under the necessity of appointing a Convoy for the Vessel abovementioned, and I have no Ship but the Adamant to send upon this Service. By referring to my Letter of the 4th January 1800, their Lordships will find a representation of the extreme dangerous state the Adamant was supposed to be in, in consequence of her having run upon a Rock in St. Augustine's Bay on the Coast of Madagascar in the Month of July 1799, and by which accident she made Three Feet Water an Hour for Five Hours after she got off; the leak afterwards gradually diminishing to almost nothing, without any person being able to account for it : Her state is further noticed in my Letter to you of the 5th March 1800, and a Copy of the Survey I directed to be held on her was transmitted to you for the information of their Lordships with my Letter of the 11th December 1800. Nothing but necessity therefore would induce me to send the
B 2
4 Records of the Cape Colony.
Adamant upon the service for which she is now designed, but such being the case, and I think it likely she will find the SW Monsoon blowing so strong out of the Eed Sea, she will not be able to enter that Sea, but will be under the necessity of bearing up for Bombay ; In case of this event happening, I shall direct Captain Hotham, if the same can be done conveniently, to put the Adamant into Dock at Bombay, not for the purpose of effectual Eepair, which I under- stand would cost there three times as much as the Ship is worth, but solely for the purpose of ascertaining the state of her Bottom in consequence of her running upon the Eock as before expressed, and thereby removing the anxiety and apprehension which exist in the Ship, on account of that accident, and to make good the defects thereby occasioned.
In my Letter to the Marquis of Wellesley dated the 17th instant (a Copy of which I have sent to you) and which I wrote in reply to his Lordship's Letter to me of the 2nd March, their Lordships will perceive I informed his Lordship I thought I could supply from the Naval Victualling Stores here, for the use of the Armament in the Eed Sea, Five Hundred Thousand Pounds of Salted Beef, and One Hundred Thousand Pounds of salted Pork. I deem it proper therefore to shew the Lords Com- missioners, upon what ground I made such intimation to the Governour General. It is as follows. Of Beef we have a suffi- ciency (being issued with Flour and Suet, and without Fresh Meat) to last 197 Weeks : But supposing the Ships to be so much in Port as to be supplied with -^ Fresh Meat, we have then a sufficiency to last 263 Weeks.
Our Stock of Pork without Fresh Meat will last 134 Weeks : With I Fresh Meat it will last 179 Weeks.
The calculations are founded upon a supposition of Victualling Three Thousand Men. And being so circumstanced, I hope their Lordships will approve of the notification I on this head made to the Marquis of Wellesley.
In my Letter to you of the 17th instant I informed you of my intention to cause the state of the Star to be thoroughly investi- gated. The foreman of the Yard (the Master Shipwright being under suspension) and the Carpenters of the Tremendous and Adamant having examined the above Sloop, have reported to me their joint opinion, " she is not worth Eepair, and that she is not fit to pro- ceed to Sea." I shall however Order her to be again Surveyed,
Becorch of the Cape Colony. 5
and direct Captain Osbom of the Tremendous and another Captain to assist thereat, and if it shall be finally determined she is in such a state as the Carpenters have represented, I shall be under the necessity of putting her out of Commission, in the same manner as I did the Hope. And in this event, I persuade myself their Lordships will, considering the small number of, and state of my Squadron, approve of my detaining the Penguin on this Station.
The Disposition of my Squadron is at present as follows.
Adamant — in Simons Bay. Under Appointment to proceed to the Eed Sea.
Tremendous — in Simons Bay. Under Repair, and wanting a New Main Mast which is in hand.
Lancaster — Off Eio de la Plata.
Jupiter — Gone to relieve the Lancaster.
Diomede \ Cruizing off the Island of Eodriguez in the Indian
Imp)erieuse^ Ocean at the request of the Governour General of India for a particular purpose mentioned in other Letters. To leave that Station at the end of June, and Watering at Mada- gascar return to the Cape.
Rattlesnake — gone to St. Helena with Dispatches.
Penguin — in Simons Bay. Refitting. Main Mast out, being sprung in two places. Mast repairing.
Star — in Simons Bay. Deemed unfit for Service.
Uuphrosgne, Armed Brig — in Simons Bay. Ready for Service.
By the above statement their Lordships will perceive that if the Adamant proceeds to Sea before the return of the Lancaster, I shall have only the Tremendous in Port, and it will be some time before she will be fit for Ser\ice. The state of affairs in Europe induces me to wish my Ships in Port, but their absence is unavoidable, and I hold myself obliged to keep a Ship Cruizing off Eio de la Plata, conformably to the Instructions contained in your Secret Letter of the 12th March 1800, until I receive from their Lordships contrary directions. I am &c.
(Signed) EoGEK CuETis.
Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original.]
Letter from Major General Dundas to tlie Eight Honourable Henry Dundas.
Cape op Good Hope, 2dth May 1801.
Sir, — I did myself the honor of writing you on the 26th of April, the original of my letter having been sent by the Chester- field, and a duplicate of it by His Majesty's Ship Rattlesnake, acknowledging the receipt of your Dispatch dated the 14th of January last, in consequence of which I have taken upon me the Administration of the Government of this Settlement, the duties of which honourable and important charge I shall study to execute with every attention in my power to shew, until the late Governor's Successor, Lord Glenbervie, arrives, in the hope that my humble endeavours may prove satisfactory, and such as to merit His Majesty's approbation.
I write you by this conveyance to inform you that all things are perfectly quiet here, thinking it unnecessary at present to trouble you with any Details as to the circumstances or position in which I found the Public Affairs, however, should any accident occur so as to retard the arrival of the new Governor, I shall con- sider it my duty to write you hereafter fully upon every point which I shall conceive to relate to the Common Interest of this Colony and the Public Service.
I am happy to be able to inform you that the apprehensions which were some time ago entertained in a very high degree of a want of Bread, and an impending famine owing to the failure of the last Harvest, have greatly diminished, to be ascribed to the judicious measures which a Commission, appointed by the late Governor for the purpose of ascertaining the quantity of Bread Corn procurable in the Colony, have adopted, the Inhabitants as well as His Majesty's Ships and the Garrison having chearfully acquiesced in a very limited allowance of Bread which the Commission have directed for each person, submitting also to receive a proportion of Eice weekly in lieu of Bread ; the wise and necessary Eules and Eegulations established by this Commission produced a system of economy in the use of Bread, now general throughout the Country, from which it is hoped that it will be in our power to contrive even
Records of the Cape Colony. 7
in the event of a disappointment in obtaining a farther supply of Eice from India, that the quantity of Grain to be procured will prove sufficient at the present reduced consumption, until the ensuing Harvest.
By my last letter to you, dated the 18th Instant, by His Majesty's Ship Rattlesnake, I transmitted the copies of some Dispatches from the Governor General in India, the Marquis "VVellesley, dated at Fort William the 1st and 2nd of March last, addressed to the Governor of this Settlement, together with a Copy of my letter in reply to the said Dispatches, sent you in con- formity to His Lordship's desire, and shall transmit Duplicates of the forementioned Letters and Dispatches by the earliest oppor- tunity. I have &c.
(Signed) Fkancis Dundas.
[Copy.] Advertisement.
It having appeared from the report of the Commissioners appointed to examine into the State of the Treasury that the Sum of Eixdollars 10,590-4 of new paper had inadvertently been thrown into circulation before the like sum had actually been exchanged for old and defaced pieces, I am directed by His Honor the Lieutenant Governor to give this public Notice, that all persons holding any old, torn or defaced paper money are requested to carry the same to the Office of His Majesty's Eeceiver General that they may have it replaced with good legible money, it being His Honor's desire that the said Sum of Eixdollars 10,590 - 4 may be got in as speedily as possible, in order that it may, together with Eixdollars 29,409 - 4 already exchanged and now in the Treasury, making in the whole forty thousand EixdoUars, be burnt in the usual manner hitherto observed.
And I am moreover directed to state for the information of the public that the sum of ten thousand Eixdollars of new paper Money, of the last new Coinage of fifty thousand Eixdollars re- mains locked up under the joint charge of Messrs. Matthiessen & I'. J. Truter, Members of the Court of Justice, for the purpose
8 Records of the Cape Colony.
of being hereafter exchanged for decayed pieces to the same amount.
Castle of Good Hope, 3rd June 1801.
By Command of His Honor the Lieutenant Governor.
(Signed) A. Barnard, Secretary.
[Original.]
Letter from Secretary Andrew Barnard to William HusKissoN, Esqre.
Castle of Cape of Good Hope, June the 10th 1801.
Sir, — I have the Lieutenant Governor's Commands to inform you that previous to the removal of Sir George Yonge from the Government of this Colony, he thought proper to grant leave to Michael Franklin Brooks and James Mortlock, two persons charged by the Honorable Captain Charles Elphinstone of His Majesty's Ship Diomede, with holding a Treasonable and traitorous correspondence with the Enemies of the Crown of Great Britain, and upon whom Sentence of Death had been pronounced by a Court of Piracy, lately held here, to embark on board of the first Ship bound to England, provided that proper Bond and Security was given, for their being delivered over on the Ships arrival, into the custody of such person or persons as His Majesty's Ministers should think proper to direct, to take charge of them, which Bond, having been this day duly lodged by Captain Innes of the Brig Eliza, and full security given as required, the Lieutenant Governor has thought proper to confirm the permission before granted, and at the same time has ordered me to Communicate the affair to you in order that the proper steps may be taken for the security of the prisoners persons, till such time as the Opinion of the Crown Lawyers can be known, to whom their case has been referred.
The Proceedings of the Court have been transmitted Home to the Court of Admiralty, but a Copy of the Sentence pronounced on the Prisoners, I have the honour of inclosing. I have &c.
(Signed) A. Barnard, Secretary.
Records of the Cape Colony. 9
[Enclosure in the above.] Sentence pronounced Thursday the Sixteenth Day of April 1801.
The Court is of Opinion that you Michael Franklin Brooks and James Mortlock are Guilty of adhering to, aiding, and comforting His Majesty's Enemies, but the Court does not determine how far such adherence, aid and Comfort, as proved before the Court, constitute a Case within the Provisions of any Statute now in Force relative to Treason and Treasonable Correspondence, if it does come within such Provisions, the Court being of Opinion that you are Guilty pronounce Sentence of Death on you accordingly, but if it does not come within such Provisions the Court is of Opinion that you are Xot Guilty ; in all Events the Court recommends you the said Michael Franklin Brooks and James Mortlock to His Majesty's mercy.
[Copy.J Proclamation by Majok Geneeal Dundas.
Whereas it has been represented to me that notwithstanding the orders contained in the Proclamation of the 20th of July 1798 several estates and Buildings on Loan places, Sold or otherwise disposed of to others by the title of hereditary property, are for some time kept in possession and frequently resold without such Estates or Buildings being regularly transferred, which is not only prejudicial to the Kevenue of Government, but also to the public- at large, I have therefore judged it expedient to require and direct, and it is hereby required and directed, that all such Estates or Buildings on Loan places, situate in Cape Town and its District, and Liable to Transfer duty to Government, as have been sold, bequeathed, or in any other manner disposed of, without having been regularly transferred, shall be transferred to the Proprietor within the space of four months, those in the Districts of Stellenbosch and Zwellendam six months, and those in tlie District of Graaflf Eeinet eight months, after the date of this I'roclamation, on penalty of double the Sum of Transfer duty due to Government.
10 Records of the Cape Colony.
And in order for the future to establish a time in which Estates or Buildings on Loan places, in any manner disposed of, are to be transferred to the proprietor. Notice is hereby given that hence- forth those in Cape Town and its District are allowed four months, those of the Districts of Stellenbosch & Zwellendam six months, and those in the District of Graaff Eeinet eight months, to pay the Transfer duty due to Government and to have such Estates or Buildings on Loan places transferred, on penalty as before, of double the Sum of the Transfer duty due to Government, re- maining the other part of the said proclamation of the 20th July 1798 respecting the mode of noting new Loan places in its full force and vigour.
Given under my Hand & Seal Castle of Good Hope 11th of June 1801.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Copy. I Advertisement.
Notice is hereby given that as the regulation laid down in the proclamation dated 26th January 1801 respecting the Woodlands of this Colony, directing the resident Commissaries Inspectors or Postholders to mark all trees previously to their being felled has sometimes proved inconvenient or even impossible to be carried into effect, the aforesaid Eegulation, together with the payment of the fee of Six Stivers, ordered to be levied upon each tree so marked, is therefore suspended, as is also that part of the said proclamation which directs the same duties to be levied upon the timber disposed of by private contract as if Sold by public Vendue.
And notice is hereby given that in future, until further orders, no duties, fees or demands whatsoever than such as have hitherto been usually paid for cutting Timber, will be levied or required from persons applying for that purpose.
Castle of Good Hope 11th June 1801.
By Command of His Honor the Lieutenant Governor.
(Signed) A. Barnard, Secretary.
Ecc&rds of the Cape Colony. , 11
[Office Copy.]
Letter from the Eight Honoukable Lord Hobart to Major General Dundas.
Downing Street, 19<ft June 1801. Sir, — I transmit to you herewith by the King's Commands Copies of Two Orders of the Lords of His Majesty's Most Honorable Privy Council dated the 4th and 16th instant, and I am to signify to you His Majesty's Pleasure that you are to take care that the orders and directions therein contained be promulgated and duly carried into execution within the Settlement of the Cape of Good Hope. I am, &c.,
(Signed) Hobart.
[Original.]
Private Letter from Sir George Yonge to the Eight Honourable Henry Dundas.
St. Helena, June 20, 1801. Sir, — I take the opportunity of a chance Conveyance, by His Majesty's Ship Cambrian to acquaint you, That in obedience to His Majesty's Commands of the 14th January, received the 20th April last, I resign'd the Government of the Cape of Good Hope into the Hands of M. General Dundas, as acting Governor, •ad Interim, until the arrival of my Successor, and took the first Opportunity of proceeding on my Eeturn Home, agreeable to my orders, in a private Ship for this Place, Vice Admiral Sir Eoger Curtis not furnishing me with any Conveyance ; and I arrived here, on my way to England, on the 16th Instant. The Convoy was sailed for England ten Days before my arrival, so that I am forced to wait for the next Convoy, Capt. Legge of His Majesty's Ship Cambrian, to whom I applyd, not being able to receive me, so that It will Probably the End of October, at least before I reach England. On my arrival I shall take the Earliest Opportunity of paying my Eespects to you, and be ready to receive His Majestys further Commands. In the mean time, I meet with the greatest
12 Records of the Cape Colony.
Civilities and attention in the "World from Governor Eobson, whom I find appointed to the Government of this Settlement, in the Koom of Governor Brooke, to the Great Satisfaction of the whole Settlement, and, as I believe, with great Eeason, from his long & faithfuU Services, so that It seems to be the General Wish, that His Appointment may be Confirm'd by the East India Company. Indeed there cannot be a moie deserving Man.
I have &c.
(Signed) Geo. Yonge.
[Copy.] Proclamation hy Major Genekal Francis Dundas.
Whereas the President & Members of the Board of Orphans have represented to me that much inconvenience has been ex- perienced in consequence of the Messengers of the Board having occasionally been paid Vendue monies upon their private Receipts, without the amount of the Sum so received being stated on the back of the Vendue Bill, which is contrary to the rules and Regulations laid down and prescribed by the Board of Orphans for the management of the property of the Orphans entrusted to their care.
And whereas the before mentioned President and Members of the said Board of Orphans have also represented to me the necessity of providing against the like irregularities in future, I have thought it expedient to order and direct, and it is hereby ordered and directed accordingly, that from and after the date of these presents all persons paying Vendue Monies to any Messenger of the said Chamber upon his private receipt as aforesaid, without taking the original Vendue Bill shall forthwith give notice thereof to the Secretary of the Orphan Chamber, in order to obtain the approbation of the said Secretary of the Chamber to the private receipt or receipts of the Messenger. And I do moreover publish and declare that in the event of the death, removal or failure of any Messenger before the money so received by him has been paid to the Treasurer of the Orphan Chamber, no receipt or receipts granted by the aforesaid Messenger to any individual
Records of the Cape Colony. 13
for the payment of vendue monies shall be deemed a sufficient discharge for the same until sanctioned and approved by the said Secretary of the Orphan Chamber, and it is moreover declared that any person or persons in possession of private receipts from the aforesaid Messenger, of which notice has not been given to the said Secretary, shall not be entitled, in the event of the death, removal or failure of any Messenger, to avail himself of any other means of redress than a private action at Law against the property of the said Messenger for the recovery of the money.
Given under my Hand & Seal Castle of Good Hope this 23rd day of June 1801.
(Signed) Feancis Dundas.
[Copy.]
Proclamation hy Major General Dundas.
Whereas it has been represented to me by the Burgher Senate that not only their funds are inadequate to the keeping in good order and condition those Streets that have already undergone a thorough State of Eepair, and at the same time to prosecute the general plan for repairing the Streets of the whole Town, but that also a very considerable delay would be occasioned in the com- pletion of that no less useful and ornamental work, were the persons employed upon it taken off for other purposes, I have found it expedient to order and direct, and it is hereby accordingly ordered, that every Proprietor of Houses or Grounds in any of the Streets that have already been put into complete repair shall cause to be kept in good condition, at his own expense, such part of the said Street or Streets as may lie before his House or Houses, or as far as his premises may extend ; and in all cases of omission or neglect in the observance of this my order, the Burgher Senate is hereby authorized, after eight days notice given by them to such defaulters, to have the necessary repairs made in whatsoever manner they may deem it most expedient, the said defaulters defraying all expenses attending the same, together with the penalty of Twenty-five EixdoUars for each neglect or offence, to be paid into the Treasury of the Burgher Senate, the present regulation to continue in force until the general repair of the
14 liecords of the Cape Colony.
Streets of Cape Town shall be accomplished, after which the Burgher Senate becomes responsible, as before, for the good order and condition of the Streets in the wliole Town.
Given under my Hand & Seal Castle of Good Hope the 24th day of June 1801.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Original.]
Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
Lancaster, Simons Bat, Cape of Good Hope, 2-Uh June 1801.
Sir, — I am now to detail to you for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty the occurrences here connected with my department, since my Letter to you of the 27th May last.
On the 4th instant the Lancaster arrived here, having been relieved by the Jupiter off the Eio de la Plata. Having been at Sea Nineteen Weeks a great number of her Men were con- siderably afflicted with the Scurvy. This Ship met with very heavy Gales of Wind which are very frequent on the station where she had been, though from the easiness of the Ship and the care of the Officers, she met with no other accident than her Main Mast being found to be so badly sprung, it became in- dispensibly necessary to take it out, and on examination it was discovered that the Spindle was much sprung, and must be re- placed by a new one. The other pieces of the Mast are deemed serviceable which is very fortunate for us, as we have not Spars sufficient to make a new Mast, and I consequently wait the arrival of the expected Storeship with great anxiety. By the Lancaster I received a Letter from Captain Losack of the Jupiter dated the 30th April wherein he informs me that the Head of the Main Mast of that Ship is A^ery weak and complains much, and that the Eudder of the Ship worked very much and very heavy on the Stern Post. He adds he shall keep on the Coast as long as possible, but if obliged to quit it, and finding the Eudder gets worse he felt inclined to put into Eio Janeii-o where perhaps he mi'iht get new Pintles for the Eudder.
Records of the Cape Colony. l5
From the immense distance of this place to Pdo de la Plata, a' Ship being obliged to Sail full Five Thousand Miles to get thither, it is time another Ship should depart from hence to relieve the Jupiter, but I have no Ship in a state for being ordered on that Service ; and as the Jupiter is directed by her Orders, that in case of her not being relieved by another Ship, she is to continue on the Station until she has no more Provisions and Water remaining, than may be deemed fully sufficient to bring her to the Cape of Good Hope, I have sent the Euphrosyne Armed Pri^' to order her to return immediately on being joined by the Brig. My motives for doing this arose from the present posture of affairs in Europe. Knowing from the Papers of a Mr. Prediger, a Dutch Gentleman who was detained here on his way to Batavia, his papers seized, and he sent to England in the Abundance Storeship, that the Dutch with the aid of France had determined to attempt to recover some of the places taken from them during the War, and that this Colony was particularly mentioned ; and seeing at the same time the Dutch were making great exertions in Holland to fit out their Ships of War, and that Troops were assigned for some Expedition — being fully aware of the great importance of the Cape of Good Hope to Holland and France, and perceiving that the British North Sea Fleet was gone into the Baltic, I deemed it wise to act as if an Attack on this Colony was very probable. If therefore such an event took place before the natural return of the Jupiter — the Enemy from Superiority of numbers to be successful, and the Jupiter to appear off, without a sufficiency of Provisions and Water either to carry her to the East Indies, or to the Island of St. Helena, she must enter into a Port in the hands of an Enemy, or those on board her perish at Sea from the want of subsistence. I have sent a Most Secret Instruction to Captain Losack of the Jupiter, to approach the Cape with caution, and if it happens the place should be in the possession of the Enemy, he is if he has Provisions and Water sufficient to carry him to India at a very short allowance, to repair thither with the utmost dispatch, and join Yice Admiral Eainier, or not being able to go to India to repair to the Island of St. Helena and from thence to England. My reasons for ordering her to India are, that if the events abovementioned had taken place here, the Enemy would doubtless proceed to that quarter, and consequently Eeinforcement to Vice Admiral Eainier would be of much importance : And it is
16 Records of the Cape Colony.
upon the same ground, that all Ships sent to Sea by me axe directed to repair to the Vice Admiral, upon seeing a Squadron of the Enemy- being in the Indian Seas. By Letters to you from me, their Lordships have been acquainted that it has been my usage to give the orders I now mention.
In the beginning of the last paragraph I have said I had no Ship in a state to replace the Jwpiter off the Eio de la Plata. The Adamant, exclusive of her weakly condition, is moreover from foulness of her Copper, or other causes, become so very bad a sailer, she is altogether unfit to watch a Squadron of the Enemy ; for instead of being capable of so doing, and carrying intelligence of their movements, she would most undoubtedly be taken by them. The Main Mast of the Tremendous is not yet finished making ; but exclusive of this, she is if possible more unsuitable to watch an Enemy than the Adamant, for having been Ten Years and a half off the ground, she sails dreadfully ill. And the Lancaster is without a Main Mast.
But however unsuitable the Ships I have with me may be for watching an Enemy, I have after the most mature consideration perfectly convinced myself that considering the reason of a Ship being sent off Eio de la Plata at aU was on account of a supposed measure the Enemy meant to adopt Sixteen Months ago, and duly weighing the probability of an Attack on this Colony, as I have in this Letter before stated, it is no longer my duty under all the circumstances of the case, to appoint another Ship to Cruize off Eio de la Plata, which causes the absence of two Ships, nor indeed to send any Ships to Sea, until I hear again from their Lordships, it appearing to me to be my Duty to keep my force together to be ready for any event that may occur. In this determination I act according to what I deem best for His Majesty's Service. Their Lordships are aware that Officers removed at such a distance from them as I am, must according to events act conformably to their own Judgment as the exigency of the case may require. I have done so in the determination I have made not again to send a Ship off the Eio de la Plata, and if unhappily I have erred therein, I trust that as I have done for the best, and have been guided in my decision by the purest motives, no great portion of their Lord- ships displeasure will fall upon me.
While the Lancaster was on her Cruize off the Eio de la Plata she took a small Polacca from Cadiz bound to Monte Video, on
Records of the Cape Colony. 17
board of which was Don Leon Attalaguerre the Governour of Monte Video and its dependencies, he having preferred making the voyage in this Vessel the better to elude the British Sliips Cruizing before Cadiz. Captain Larcom about a fortnight after the Capture, meeting with a Portuguese Vessel bound to Monte Video sent Don Leon Attalaguerre to his Government in this Vessel, giving him every thing which he declared upon his honour to be Ms own private property, and which was worth many Thousand Pounds. The Gratitude of the Governour for the kind and liberal treatment he met with is very strongly expressed in a Letter he wrote to Captain Larcom in the Portuguese Vessel, and sent to him before she parted from the Lancaster.
In my Letter of the 27th ultimo I stated it to be my intention to appoint for the reasons mentioned therein the Adamant to convey to Mocha the Vessel loaded with some Salted Provisions for the use of the Troops in the Pied Sea, but having since that time become more informed of the situation of public affairs in Europe, and maturely reflecting thereon, I judged it proper, much as it is my wish that the Bottom of the Adamant should be looked at, to detain her here, and appoint the Penguin for that Service.
In my Letter of the 27th ultimo I informed you that the Star upon Survey had been Eeported to me not to be worth repair, and that she was not fit to proceed to Sea, but that I meant to have her again Surveyed, more clearly to ascertain her real state, and the Lancaster arriving, I was enabled for that purpose to avail myself of the superior professional abilities and judgement of Mr. John Orsmond the Carpenter of that Ship, and the report from him and two other Carpenters stated her to be worth Eepairing ; and she was deemed with some little Strengthening safe to proceed to England: She is therefore ordered home, conformably to the tenor of their Lordships directions communicated to me in your Letter of the 31st January last. I am &c.
(Signed) EoGER Curtis,
IV.
18 Records of the Cape Colony,
[Original.] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqke.
Lancaster, Sim''N8 Bay, Cape op Good Hope, 25<A June 1801.
Sir, — I have stated to you in various Letters for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the distress we are in from the apprehension of a want of Bread, and the measures adopted, under the authority of the Government here, to prevent the calamity of a total want of that article.
I have informed you that pressing solicitations from the Govern- ment here had been sent to India for Eice, and that Vessels had been dispatched thither as well as to the Brazils for that Article. But no relief has as yet reached us, except a very small quantity of Rice from the latter Country.
When the alarm here respecting a deficiency of Corn for Bread appeared to be so well founded as to cause the appointment of a special Commission to allot and regulate the Consumption of Bread, effectual measures were taken to ascertain correctly what quantity of Com there really was in the Country, which was effectually done. The Inhabitants, the Army and Navy, according to their numbers, were then allotted their several proportions thereof, and my department was dealt with very liberally, and our proportion of the Corn in hand has been delivered to us.
Deeming it proper their Lordships should know precisely our situation in respect to this very important article of Victualling, I have caused a strict investigation to be made, and from the result thereof I am to acquaint you for the information of their Lordships that by continuing all persons belonging to the Squadron at f allowance of Bread and serving Eice in the same proportion in lieu of Bread two days in each Week, we have Bread, with Eice in lieu thereof, sufficient to furnish us with Bread Victualling until the 16th of December next. It is here to be observed that this applies to the Ships of the Squadron only, and that if any Ships arrive here to be Victualled from the Naval Stores, as was the case with the Ships under Sir Home Popham, our Bread Victualling will last so much a less time, proportionate to the quantity taken from us. The Bread Victualling, which is calcu-
Bccords of the Cape Colony. 19
lated to last us until the 16th December next, arises from the Bread and Eice we have in hand, and it is reckoned upon there is about 2,000 Muids more of Corn to come in from the Country, but which cannot be expected before the Month of September. Our proportion of this is about 330 Muids, to the Flour of which, if we add \ Barley Meal, which is the case in the Bread we now eat, and Piice arrives to enable us to continue to issue Eice as at present two days in the Week in lieu of Bread, we shall then have Bread Victualling for 52 days at § allowance, beyond the 16th December.
It is necessary on this important subject I should inform their Lordships that very little Wheat of the ensuing Harvest can be expected to come in from the Country until towards the latter end of January next. From the 16th December to the end of January is 56 days, but supposing the 52 days more Bread Victualling mentioned in the last paragraph to last 56 days, their Lordships will see that the Squadron will be then totally without Bread, and supposing that the Corn should then be brought in fast from the Country, I must remark to their Lordships that owing to the un- avoidable daily consumption, no little time must elapse before we should get a sufficiency of Bread beforehand to enable the Ships to proceed to Sea, however urgent may be the necessity for their so doing.
Being thus situated in respect to Bread, their Lordships will naturally believe the subject occupies my most serious reflection. When I consider how very far we are remote from any Country where we may obtain Bread or Eice (the East Indies being the nearest resource) and reflect on the probability of an event occurring which may make it of the greatest national importance that the Squadron should proceed to Sea, I look with no little dread on the remaining here until we have not Bread Victualling left to allow us to leave the Country or put to Sea, however momentous, in the vicissitude of human affairs, may be the necessity for our so doing. But I hope succours will so timely arrive as to quiet the great anxiety I am under on this subject. If they do not, it is my opinion I should greatly fail in my duty, were I not to exercise that discretionary power which in the exigency of affairs belongs to every Officer to Exercise, and take such steps as may be requisite that the Ships of His Majesty entrusted to my care are not reduced to a state that they could
c 2
20 Records of the Cape Colony.
not go out to face an Enemy, or repair to the assistance of any Territory belonging to His Majesty, towards which the Enemy may have proceeded.
In my Letter to you of the 12th January last, I informed their Lordshipg of the reasons which then appeared to apprehend a scarcity of Bread, and I submitted to the consideration of their Lordships the expediency of sending hither Five Hundred Thousand Pounds of that Article. If this Bread arrives my anxiety will be removed, but if it does not, nor any supplies of Corn or JRice arrive from other quarters, and I should at last think it my duty to remove the Squadron from the Colony, for the reasons I have set forth here, I shall proceed to India, and join Vice Admiral Rainier. I know not where besides I could with certainty get Bread or Rice for the Ships, for it appearing certain that Portugal will be forced to submit to the terms for Peace proposed by the French Government, it is more than probable the Ports of Brazil will be shut against us. But were not such an event to be apprehended, I should prefer going to India because, if the change of affairs in Europe should enable the Enemy to send a Force to that Country, I shall be in the way to assist in frus- trating their designs, when my being on the Coast of Brazil could not possibly be attended with any beneficial consequences. And here I beg permission very humbly to remark to their Lordships that should I go to India, I think from the state of things in Europe, the measure is more likely to be attended with advantage than detrimental to the public Service. For if an Armament be sent against this Colony, the probability of which I have given reasons for in my Letter of yesterday, the Enemy by correspon- dents from hence, as well as by other sources of information, are so well apprized of the number and Strength of the Ships attached to it, they will doubtless allot a decisively superior force for the occasion, and my Squadron would avail nothing in the Defence of the place ; for were I to disembark the Officers and Crews of the Ships, and join them to the Troops, the knowledge of the fact would enable the Enemy to adopt the like measure, and therefore the comparative strength of the contending parties on shore would remain the same. It cannot be doubted that if the Enemy were successful here, and for the reasons assigned above it does not seem likely my Squadron would be able to hinder their views at this place, they would immediately proceed to India, where my
Records of the Cape Colony. 21
Squadron, being added to Vice Admiral Eainier's, would very probably not only frustrate their schemes in that Country, but destroy their whole Force. I am &c.
(Signed) Eoger Curtis.
[Copy.] Proclamation hj Major General Francis Dundas.
Whereas Arend de "Waal Esqre. and the Gentlemen Commis- sioners appointed to examine and mark the old defaced paper money have reported to me that the Sum of Forty Thousand Pdx- doUars, being a part of the sum of Fifty Thousand Eixdollars stamped and signed as directed by a Warrant of the late Governor Sir George Yonge bearing date 31st of January last, has been exchanged for pieces to a similar and equal amount of worn out and defaced paper money unfit for Circulation, And whereas, in conformity to the Public Notice of the 5th of June given by my orders and in consequence of the Eeport of a Special Commission appointed by me to examine into the State of the Treasury, stating that as soon as the Sum of Forty Thousand Eixdollars should be got in to answer the like sum of new paper money prematurely issued, the same should be burnt in the usual manner hitherto observed.
I do therefore require and direct that Brigadier General Hall, Edward Buckley, Esqre., Civil Paymaster, William Stephanus van Eyneveld, Esqre., His Majesty's Fiscal, together with two Members of the Court of Justice and two Members of the Burgher Senate, to be appointed by the Court and Senate, do meet at the Office of Eevenue in the Castle on Thursday morning the 2nd of July next at 10 oClock, and that they do then and there receive from A. de Waal Esqre. the above mentioned sum of Eixdollars 40,000, and after examining the same that they do, and m their presence in the Court Yard of the Castle aforesaid cause the same to be publickly burnt and destroyed ; and in case the examination of the several pieces of money which constitute the above sum of Eixdollars 40,000 cannot be concluded in one day, they are then and in that case to adjourn and proceed therein as shall appear best to them,
22 Records of the Cape Colony.
but so as to finish and conclude in the shortest time possible. And it is further directed that the several persons above-mentioned do sign two Certificates of their proceedings herein in the English and Dutch Languages to be drawn up and prepared by the Secretary of the Board of Eevenue or Mr. H. C. Voget assisted by Mr. G. C. Hohne Sworn Interpreter to the Government under the direction of the Fiscal ; one of which Certificates is to be delivered to A. de Waal Esqre., as his discharge of the Sum of EixdoUars 40,000 with which he now stands charged to His Majesty ; and the other is to be lodged in the records of the Court of Justice by the Fiscal and Members thereto belonging, at their next meeting after the signing as above directed.
And His Majesty's Fiscal is hereby also directed to require and demand of the Court of Justice within Six days after the lodging of such Certificate above mentioned, that they do pass a public Act under their hand & Seal at the Court, certifying and declaring all the proceedings which have been held and have taken place with regard to the Stamping aud Signing of the several pieces of Money, and expressed in the Warrant of the 31st January last, as also of the exchanging and destroying of worn out and defaced public money equivalent thereto, annexing to or including in such their act authentic Copies of the several Certificates lodged as directed in their Eecords, which public act is to be presented to me to be disposed of in such manner as I may think expedient and proper for the satisfaction of His Majesty in the premises.
For all which this shall be to all concerned a full and sufficient warrant and authority.
Given under my Hand & Seal at the Castle of Good Hope this 25th day of June 1801.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Original.] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
Laneaster, Simons Bay, Cape op Good Hope, 2Qth June 1801.
Sir, —You will be pleased to inform the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that the following Ships are in this Bay, being detained in Virtue of His Majesty's Order in Council dated the
Records of tlie Cape Colony. 23
l4th January 1801, and their Lordships' Order dated the following day.
The LUik Catherine a Danish Ship from Copenhagen bound to Batavia. Most of her Cargo was consigned to Merchants here, and landed before the Order for Detention arrived. She has only a quantity of Iron and some trifles remaining on board. Burthen 432 Tons, 10 Guns, and 34 Men. Detained in Table Bay by Order of Major General Dundas the acting Govemour.
The Sojjhia Magdalcna a Ship belonging to the Swedish East India Company, of 700 Tons burthen and 61 Men, Hans Hansson Commander. From Canton bound to Gottenburgh, laden with Teas, Nankeen, Porcelain, Ehubarb, &c., &c. Detained by His Majesty's Sloop the Penguin in Lat. 34° 12' S., Long. 17° 23' East, on the 13th April 1801.
The Prince of Augustenburgh, Benjamin Scribbilan Commander, a Ship belonging to the Danish East India Company, 600 Tons burthen, 78 Men, 16 Guns, from Bengal bound to Copenhagen, laden with India Merchandize. Boarded by the Boats of the Squadron in False Bay on the evening of the 20th instant, and brought to this Anchorage.
The Princess Louisa AiLgusta, Hans Froon Commander, be- longing to the Danish East India Company. Burthen 1,000 Tons, 127 Men, 24 Guns, laden with piece Goods, Pepper, &c. from Bengal, bound to Copenhagen,
This Ship was on the 13th April last taken possession of in Lat. 1° 4' S., Long. 18° 30' West, by the Ship Britannia, Benjamin Stoute Master, the Britannia being then on her passage to Bombay, and proceeded with the Danish for the Cape of Good Hope. His Majesty's Ship the Lancaster returning from Sea fell in with the Britannia and the before mentioned Danish Ship on the 2nd June, the Cape of Good Hope being then about 8 or 9 Leagues distant. Captain Larcom of the Lancaster finding upon enquiry of Mr. Stoute, the Master of the Britannia, that he had no Letter of Marque against Denmark, nor any Authority for detaining Danish Ships, considered it to be his Duty to take possession of the Dane and bring her into safety in this Bay, which he accordingly did. But besides the ground for taking possession of the Danish Ship which Captain Larcom had, on account of the Britannia having no Authority for detaining her, he was further induced so to do, in consideration of the great value of the Ship, being supposed to bo
24 Records of the Cape Colony.
worth nearly £300,000, and Mr. Stout, the Master of the Britannia having declared his Ship was so weakly Manned, he had been apprehensive the Danes would rise on his Crew, having only Eleven Europeans in his Ship, some Lascars, and had at the same time about 90 Danish Prisoners, besides Lascars and Danish Passengers, upon which Captain Larcom took out of the Britannia the Boatswain of the Dane who was in Irons on account of threatening language he had made use of, and 18 other Danes ; and being informed the Danish Ship was so weakly manned she was by no means in a state of safety he sent a Lieutenant, a Master's Mate, and 25 Men Armed, to take charge of her, and follow the Lancaster into Simons Bay.
The Britannia, which detained this Ship, did not get in until some days afterwards, when the Commander and Supercargo coming to me, I told them I should state all the circumstances relative to the Danish Ship they had originally detained to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. I informed them that the Order issued to His Majesty's Ships was simply to Detain the Ships of Eussia, Sweden and Denmark, until further Instructions were given. That if a War between England and those Powers took place whether those concerned in the detention of these Ships should have any share of their proceeds depended entirely upon His Majesty's Pleasure, but there could be made no claim of Right. In all events, I said, that although they had detained the Danish Ship without Authority for so doing, their conduct therein would be duly determined on. They seemed perfectly satisfied with the observations I made to them, and expressed no discontent at Captain Larcom's conduct, but going up to Cape Town, they made, and Served a Protest upon Captain Larcom against his proceedings, and also served upon me a Protest for having sent an Officer to the Britannia to desire that the Captain of the Dane might come to me and bring with him his Papers ; but the fact is I desired to see the Danish Captain and gave no Orders at all about his Papers. I have thought it necessary to state these facts to their Lordships, because whatever pretensions those of the Britannia might otherwise have had for remuneration respecting the Detaining the Dane, their Lordships will probably be of opinion those pretensions are considerably diminished by their opposition to Authority and Litigious Conduct.
Looking forward to the further disposal of the Detained Ships
Records of the Cape Colony. 25
mentioned in this Letter, it has become a matter of consideration with me how Men can be obtained here to conduct them to England, in case of a War between Great Britain, Sweden and Denmark, and to which I humbly beg leave to call also their Lordships' attention. I am &e.
(Signed) EoGER Curtis.
[Copy.] Proclamation ly Major General Dundas.
Whereas it has been represented to me that the penalty of three thousand EixdoUars awarded by the Proclamation of the 2nd October 1798 has been found insufficient to prevent the continuance of persons not being Butchers from proceeding them- selves or employing their Agents to proceed on various pretences into the Country Districts, for the purpose of bujing or bartering Cattle without having previously appeared before His Majesty's Fiscal and made Oath, as required by the said proclamation, to the observance of their written instructions, by which illicit traffic so productive to the persons carrying it on that they can even afford to pay the said penalty out of their profits, great and serious inconveniences have arisen to His Majesty's Government and the public at large, I have therefore found it expedient to order, and accordingly it is hereby ordered, that all persons neglecting the performance of any of the Conditions specified in the said proclamation shall in addition to the said penalty of three thousand ELxdollars suffer confiscation of all the Cattle so purchased or bartered beyond the number limited by the said proclamation, the Informer to receive one third part of the whole penalty.
And I further direct and order that every article of the aforesaid proclamation of the 2nd October and all the Laws of this Colony also which respect the practice of hawking and peddling shall continue to be most rigorously enforced.
Given under my Hand & Seal Castle of Good Hope this 27th June 1801.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
26 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.] Letter from Mr. H. C. D. Maynier to Major General Dunbas.
MoN General, — Dans ma derniere lettre dont I'officier Stuart etoit le porteur, j'aunoncois a votre Excellence que tous etoit dans la plus parfaite tranquillite, dans ce moment ici je ne puis pas etre aussi heureux, je suis au desespoir d'etre dans la malheureuse necessite d'informer Votre Excell. que tres peu de jours apres le depart de Stuart cette tranquillite a ete interrompue d'une maniere non pas tout a fait inattendue mais assez singuliere, telle que Votre Excell. le verra par le recit que je vais lui en faire et aussi circonstancie que le peu de temps que me reste me le permettra. Vers le fins du mois de May dernier il se repandit un bruit tout a coup dans la Colonic que le Gouvernement avoit forme le plan de s'emparer de force des habitants pour en faire des Soldats et des Matelots que personne ne seroit exempt de cet engagement que les vieillards a tetes grises, que moi j'etois charge de la part du Gouvernement d'executer ce plan a I'occasion de I'opgaaf qui avoit ete fixe le 15 de Juin. Aussitot que je fus instruit que ce bruit courroit et qu'il ne lassoit point que d'alarmer les habitans et connoissant leurs trop grande faciUte a croire des tels bruits je fis toutes les recherches possibles pour decouvrir celui qui I'avoit repandu et en meme temps tout ce que je pouvois faire pour an-eter son progret et a detromper ceux qui etoient assez credules pour ajouter foi a cette calumnie infame. Au moment que je m'y attendois le moin le Wagtmeester Van Blerk du District de Melk riviere et Gert Coetzee beau fils de vieux Naude arriverent le 6 de Juin pour m'informer que tous les habitans de Bruins Hoogte et une partie de Vogel et Plat riviere avoient quittes subitement leurs habitations et qu'ils s'etoient tous rassembles a Zwagershoek, sans qu'ils purent me dire pourquoi ni qu'elles etoient les inten- tions de ces gens. Aussitot apres cette information j'expedie dans la minute meme un certain Jan Jacobsz ci-devant Wachtmeester de houte Niqualand avec une qualification de se transporter au plutot vers ces gens assemblees et de s'informer des raisons qui pouvoient avoir donnees lieu a une fuite aussi subite et impardon- able. Le 9 Jacobs revint et me rapporta qu'effectivement il avoit rencontre tous ces habitans reunis a Zwagershoek fuyant de toutes leurs forces vers la Tarka pour joindre le commandant de ce
Records of the Cape Colony. 27
District Johannes van der Walt, que tons ce qu'il avoit pu decouvrir de ce gens, etoit que Eensburg lui avoit repondu sur les questions qu'il lui avoit fait qu'on ne pouvoit plus habiter Bruins Hoogte qu'on y etoit continuellement inquiete par les Caffres ; et qu'un certain Henrick Kok qui etoit du complot et avec qui Jacobszen etoit en pays de connoissance lui avoit fait le confidence que tout ce que Eensburg lui avait dit des Caffres n'etoit qu'un pretexte et que c'etoit le bruit dont je viens de parler et qui parroissoit avoir pris son origine pas fort loin de Eensburg et I'autre du "Wagtmeester Piet Erasmus qui devrient a ce qu'ils lui avoit dis contenir un rapport officiel et circonstancier des raison qui les avoient engagees a fuirs. Ces lettres dont les Copies sont incluses n'etant du tout point d'accords avec les raisons que Eensburg avoit donne a Jacobs, me firent soup^onner qu'efifectivement les Caffres n'etoient qu'un pretexte et que toutes autres choses devoient etre la cause de cette conduite et de leur reunion en consequense sans perdre un seul instant je fis publier le 12 de Juin une proclamation et aussitot circulier des ex- emplaires dans toutes les Districts, cette proclamation inde- pendamment de tous les autres moyens que j'employois a centre dire ce fameux bruit fit un heureux effet. Les habitans de Eenosterberg, Sneeuberg, Cambdebo, Zondags, Vogel, et Melks riviere ainsi que des Zwarte ruggens revenues de leurs erreurs et parfaitement detrompes de bruit que les avoit epouvante se presenterent sans aucune crainte et avec toute la confiance possible a I'opgaaf a temps prescrit. A cette occasion comme V. E. voudra s'imaginera bien facilement je n'ai rien neglige a leur inspirer de la confiance et de la fidelite pour le gouvernement et au meme tems de horreur pour la conduite de leurs compatriots chaqu'un des habitans des districts mentionnees sur la proposition que je leur en ai faite ont renouvelles sans la moindre contrainte de la meillure volonte du monde le serment de fidelite ainsi j'ai continue en temoignant toujours a chacun I'indifference la plus parfaite a tous ce que pouvoit entreprendre les mal intentionnees. Le 3 de Juillet deux hottentots de voisinage de Tarka vinrent m'informer qu'une troupe considerable de pay sans avoit quittee Tarka pour s'achemener vers Graaff Eeinet pour I'attacquer et la raettre en cendre et que cette troupe etoit deja arrivee a Spitzkop environ huite heure a cheval de Graaff-Eeinet. Avec I'air de mepriser cette nouvelle, sans interrompre I'opgaaf ni aucune
28 Records of the Cape Colony.
affaires et ouvrages ordinaire je me mis sans qu'on s'aperput snr mes gardes et en etat de les attendre.
Le jour suivant le Wachtmeester de Sneeuberg Schalk Willem Burger barendzoon arriva et me remit une lettre ecrite par le chefs de la Ugue addressees a lui et au Commandant de Sneeuberg Carel David Gerots pour les engager a les joindre avec leurs hommes telle que Votre Excellence le verra par la Copie de cette lettre. Cet homme quoique fidele etoit tr6s embarrasse quel partie prendre il me demanda comment il devoit se comporter je lui repondit que je ne pouvois lui donner aucun conseil, que c'etoit a lui a savoir ce qu'il avoit a faire, que tout ce que je pouvois lui dire etoit que je le crois attache au Gouvernement par son Serment de fidelite, que cependant je lui laissais comme indifferement a tout le monde la parfaite liberte de prendre tel partie que bon lui sembleroit que settlement j'avois a lui declarer que sans avoir egard au nombre j'etois fermement decide a re^evoir tons ceux qui se presenteroient a defendre I'autorite et les interets du Gouvernement et qu'au premier acte d'hostilite je les extermiaerois qu'il pouvoit faire ce rapport a tout ceux qui voudroient I'entendre que mon partie la dessus etoit pris I'intention des habitans assembles, d'apres cette lettre ne pouvant plus etre une mistere j'ai cru devoir prendre les devants et y donner moi-meme toute la publicite possible et d'en informer les villagois afin de prevenir que les nouvelles mal rap- portees ou exagerees ne les epouvantassent point a cet fin je le fis tons assembler le lendemain matin a la chambre du conseil au Drostdy, leur ayant communique la lettre et la conduite louable du Wachtmeester Burger qui au lieu de se laisser entrainer par la terreur etoit venu pour me remettre la lettre et m'informer qu'on voleloit de seduire je leur ai declare que j'avois pris la partie d'attendre de pied ferme la ligue, que je ne m'imploroit le secours de personne, que chacun pouvoit se tenir tranquil chez soi, que je me defendrois moi-meme avec les troupes et les hottentots. Cette maniere indififerente d'agir fit impression, chacun s'offret alors volontierement pour defendre avec moi la cause de Gouverne- ment, je leur temoigne ma satisfaction sur leur conduite et comme parmi le nombre de villageois il se trouvoit plusieurs anciens cannoniers j'en fis usage pour la service des canons dont j'avois confie le commandement au Secretaire Van Diemen qui avoit servi aussi dans I'artillerie, I'ancien Secretaire Oertol se trouvant pour quelque tems ici, s'offrit aussi pour le service du canon et ces deux
Records of the Cccpc Colony. 29
personnes de concert formerent avec toute I'activite possible un petit corps d'Artillerie. Au moment que les Villageois assembles aller quitter la chanibre les Heemraden Smith et Liebenberg ainsi que la Diacre Marais proposerent d'aller au devant de la ligue avec le Wachtmeester Burger pour tacher de detourner ces gens de leur plan ; malgre leurs bons intentions, ne jugeant point a-propos de leur accorder cette permission de crainte que la ligue pris leurs bons intentions pour une avance ou foiblesse de ma part, je leur refuse leurs propositions, mais le nombre assemble s'etant joint a eux pour me supplier en grace de permettre que les trois personnes y allassent disant, que les gens de la ligue pouvoient etre induits en erreur par ce malheureux bruit qui s'etoit disperse et que pent etre par le moyens de ces trois hommes bien intentionnees ou pourroit prevenir une affaire malheureuse, je fus oblige de ceder a leurs instances, cependant sous cette condition qu'ils preteroient en tout temps serment qu'ils n'avoient point envoyes ni employes par moi a cet effet mais qu'ils y etoient aller de leurs propres chefs. Ces trois personnes partirent et revenrent deux jours apres et m'informerent qu'il n'y avoit point moyen de detourner ces gens qu'ils etoient au moins 400 en nombre ; que le fameux Buys avec des milliers de Caffres, ainsi que Tjaart van der Waldt avec un grand nombre d'hommes de Zwellendam devoient arriver aussi pour faire cause commune avec la ligue bien loin de me laisser deconcerter par ces rapports je leur repondis, faut mieux, plus le nombre sera grand plus nous aurons de gloire a les vaincre par les preparations que je fis le lendemain je leur fis voir que leurs rapports ne m'avoient point alarme, et qu'ils n'avoient change en rien le plan que j'avois forme de les recevoir, alors ces Heemraden me dirent que les chefs de la ligue les avoient charges de me dii-e qu'ils desiroient de me parler, et que si je voulois les assurer qu'il ne leur arriveront aucun mal il viendroient a moi, je ne iis point de difficulce de leur envoyer cette assurance, le meme jour un des chefs Joh^ van der Waldt arriva chez moi ; lui ayant demande la raison de sa conduite il me repondit, qu'etant seul, il n'etoit point en droit de me dire les raisons qui I'avoit decide ainsi que les autres a convenir a ce point, mais que cependant il vouloit rien prendre sur lui malgre la defense des autres chefs, de me dire que la prin- cipale cause de leur demarche etoit le bruit qui avoit ete repandu que le gouvernement s'empareroit des habitans pour les engager do force au service, qu'ils avoient ete forces d'agouter foi a ce bruit,
30 Records of the Cape Colony.
parcequ'il avoit et^ confirme aussi par un Cafifre pris sur le fait a voler un moutons, que le Caffre etant pris, lui avoit confesse, qu'il avoit ete envoye pour dire a sa nation que pendant que je attac- querois les habitans de ce cote ifi les Caffres devoient eu faire autant de leur cote afin de mettre les pay sans entre deux peur, que les habitans n'avoient jamais eu intentions de venir les armes a la main ni de commetre les moindres hostilites a Graaff' Eeinet ; qu'ils avoient seulement progetes dans les commencemens de venir une quarantaine d'hommes pour s'informer chez moi si ce bruit etoit fonde, mais qu'en chemin on leur avoit dit, que s'ils par- roissoient a Graaff Eeinet je les ferois exterminer, que cette nouvelle leur avoit inspiree de la crainte et le nombre s'etant agrandi on avoit resolu de venir arme a Graaff Eeinet d'autant plus qu'ils avoient etes informes aussi que les Hottentots accuses d'avoir assassines Claas Prins avoient etes mis en liberte par Mons. Somerville pendant mon absence, et cela etant qu'ils craignoient se presentant desarmes ifi d'etre attaques par ces Hottentots. M'ayant fait cette histoire il me demanda permission pour ses confreres pour venir me parler aussi, cette permission accordee il me dit, qu'ils viendroient volontiers, mais pas sans amies, je lui repondis que je ne vouloit point permettre a personne d'entrer arme que le premier qui se presenteroit arme, je lui ferroit bruler la sorvele, il me repliqua qu'il ferroit tout ce qu'il pourroit pour les disposer pour venir comme il etoit venu desarme mais qu'il ne croioit point qu'il reussiroit parcequ'ils avoient trop peur de ces hottentots mentionnees et de tant d'autres qui se trouvoient rassemblees ici je lui repette que le premier qui entreroit arme seroit mis a mort, qu' au reste il ferroit comme il voudroit, la dessus il partit. Quelques heures apres son depart Eensburg et Piet Erasmus arriverent dis- armes et tres soumis et me dirent la meme chose que van der Waldt qu'ils avoient etes epouvantes par ce bruit. Apres leur avoir dit tout ce qu'on pent dire en pareille cas ils partirent, disant qu'ils ferroient tons ce qui dependroit deux pour detromper et detoumer leur gens. Le Lendemain toute la bende de paysans au nombre de 200 parut sur les hauteurs autour de Graaff Eeinet, toutes les dispositions de defense etant prise j'ai donne I'ordre a I'officier Lindon aussi qu'au commandant de I'artillerie Van Diemen de se tenir seulement sur la defense de les laisser ap- procher a bout touchant, et au premier coup de fusil de I'ennemi de suivre mon exemple de ne point prendre ni de donner quartier
Records of the Cape Colony. 31
pendant que les paysans etoient aissi portes sur les hauteurs, le pere de Wachtmeester Burger arriva pour me prier de la part de ces gens de remettre en surete les hottentots qui avoient as- sassinees Prins et de leur donner une assurance qu'ils n'auroient rien a craindre de la part du Gouvernement, je donnai une lettre au digne veillard qui etoit a moitie mort de peur et une de I'officier Lindon que je lui avoit fait ecrire au chefs de la ligue. Aussitot que le veillard eu remis les lettres les paysans disparurent, etant informe que la ligue se proposoit de revenir trois jours apres j'ecrivis une lettre aux chefs que j'avois ete instruit de bonne part de leurs intentions de revenir, que je les prevenois pour la derniere fois que s'ils osoient reparoitre que certaine- ment ils n'en seroient point quitter a si bon marche que la premiere fois ; qu'ils pouvoient etre persuades que je ne me tiendrois plus sur la defense mais que je les attacquerois. — que s'ils s'en retourneroient tranquillement chez eux que je leurs pardonnerois ce qu'ils avoient fait jusqu'a present. Lundy le 13 Instruit qu'ils avan^erent de nouveau je pris soin de faire occuper les monticules qu'ils avoient occupes a leur premiere apparition par les hottentots, qui etoient bien plapes cashes et tres bien disposes a les attacquer tandis que les Dragons, pendoures et rartillerie etoient plafes devant I'eglise, Heureusement ils s'arreterent a une demi lieu de Graaff Eeinet et quelque temps apres les chefs Eensburg, J. Van der Waldt, Piet Erasmus, Carel Gerotz et Christoffel Smith les deux derniers n'etant pour rien dans cette affaire les trois premiers me dirent qu'ils venoient pour me temoigner leurs satisfaction au sujet de la lettre que je leur avois ecrit, qu'ils se reposoient sur la promesse que je leur avoit fait que leurs fautes seroient pardonn;!'es, qu'ils esperoient que les hottentots qui avoient commis le meurtre seroient remis en surete, et que je ne permetterois desormais plus aux hottentots de faire usage de I'eglise qu'ils avoient fait batir de leur argent et cinquante autres betises qui ne signifioient absolument rien, entre autres qu'a Zwellendam on pouvoit faire son opgaaf chez le Wachtmeester du District que I'enregistrement des hottentots ainsi que leurs differents avec leurs maitres, etoient confies aux soin des Commandants et des Wachtmeesters et termines par eux qu'a Zwellendam on ne payoit point I'opgaaf pour les hottentots et qu'on n'y payoit plus rien aussi, pour I'entretien des rues au Cap et que si je voulois mettre tout cela sur le meme pied ifi ils s'en
32 Records of the Cape Colony.
retoumeroient tranquillement chez eux, et qu'ils se soumetteroient plus que jamais au gouvernement. Ces prieres faites Eensburg et Piet Erasmus me dirent aussi qu'ils esperoient, et qu'ils prierent en grace qu'ils leurs seroient accordees autaut de poudre qu'ils auroient besoin aussi que la permission d'attacquer les Caffres. Je leur repondi avec fermete que je leur avois deja declare mes inten- tions dans ma lettre, que tant qu'ils seroient assemblees je n'ecouterois ni leur accorderois aucune demande mais qu'aussitot qu'ils seroient disperses et rendus chez eux je m'interesseroit pour eux aupres de Votre Excellence, pour ce qui regardoit la demande de Eensburg et de Piet Erasmus pour avoir autant de poudre qu'ils avoient besoin, et la permission d'attaquer les Caffres, que Votre Excell. Ti'avoit nuUe intention de faire une guerre aux Cafifres, qu'au contraire elle I'eviteroit autant que possible, que par conse- quent je les conseillois de renoncer a cette idee et qu'en attendant je'n ferois mon rapport a Votre Excell. qu'elle prendroit de tels mesures a ce sujet qu'elle croira convenable et que j'esperois qu'ils s'y soumetteroit avec respect. Apres cette declaration ils partirent selon les apparences assez contents et cette malheureuse affaire qu'auroit pu avoir des suites tres facheuses se termina ainsi fort heureusement. jusqu'a present mon General je ne crois pas avoir quelque chose a me reprocher d'avoir conduit cet affaire comme j'ai fuis sauve cependant le meilleur avis de Votre Excellence. Je m'estimerois trop heureux si cette conduite peut meriter son suffrage la seule chausa qui me tient a coeur et dont j'ai un repentir inexprimable est, que je n'ai pas resiste jusqu'au dernier moment aux instances perpetuelles de I'officier Lindon qui etant informs que les paysans ■ n'etoient partis le Vendredi que pour se renforfer et pour revenir le Lundij me persecutai le soir du 11 d'ecrire a la baie pour des troupes— des ce commencement de I'affaire il me representa la necessite de faire venir de la troupe, mais connoissant les difficultes et les depenses enormes que cela auroit coute au gouvernement de faire marcher dans ce mgment des troupes je n'ai jamais pu m'y resoudre a la fin sur la declaration qu'il me fit qu'il les croiait prevoir infaillible- ment j'eu la foiblesse de coder et de signer une lettre qu'il avait ecrit au Major Lemoyne — vous conceverez aissement mon General tant qu'il me restoit le moindre espoir de pouvoir arranger rafifaire sans I'intervention des troupes ma repugnance a faire usage de ce moyen, premiereraent pour eviter autant que possible une guerre
Records of the Cape Colony, 33
civile, dont les suites sont toujours incaleulables, et que je voulois faire voir au paysans que sans I'aide de plus de troupes, on pouvoit leur preter tete, en seconde lieu pour ne pas alarmer le cap et donner aux Ennemis de votre Excellence la Satisfaction d'avoir reussit a lui causer aussitot, son avenement au gouvernement des desagrements enfin pour epargner au gouvernement des frais enormes qui auroient etes indispensables si on avoit eu tout de suite recour au moyen des troupes, sans avoir employe auparavant tons les moyens de douceur possible pour applanir et terminer cet affaire toutes ces raisons calculees m'ont decidee aussi a ne point ecrire plutot je soutiendrai jusqu'a la fin de mes jours mon general que cette affaire est un coup d'adieu qu'on a prepare a Votre Excell. et certainement de la maniere qu'elle me parroit concertee on n'a pas cni que cette affaire finiroit comme elle a faite — Si votre Excell veut jetter un coup d'oeil sur ma derniere lettre ecrite a Sir George Yonge dont je lui ai envoye une Copie elle verra clairement que sans etre Men certain d'on le coup me serroit porte j'avois un presentiment que quelque chose avoit ete arrange pendant mon absence et que je devois m'y attendre plus ou moins. Moralement persuade qu'il y avoit un tel manege j'avois resolu de terminer cet affaire desagreable moi meme sans alarmer le cap et sans aucun secour soit de douceur soit de force — en montrant toute la fermete possible j'ai toujours employe le premier moyen de preference d'autant plus que je prevoyois pouvoir le faire sans compromettre I'autorite et le respect du Governement pour cela j'ai toujours eu grand soin de ne donner aucune autre interpretation aux demarches des paysans que la peur d'etre forcer de servir et de passer les mers effectivement a celui qui a repandu le bruit pour attendre son but infame pret tons le reste des habitans le croioit fermement et ce n'a ete qu'apres toutes les peines du monde que j'ai pu venir a bout de les convaincre que I'intention du gouverne- ment n'avoit jamais ete de les forcer a aucun service militaire qu'il etoit au contraire de son interet de laisser les paysans a la charrue, et que j'ai prevue une revolution complette et terrible — dans ce moment ici il n'y a plus le moindre doute et c'est une verite connue a toute le monde, que si au lieu de me tenir sur la defense j'avois malheureusement provoque, le feu de re volte auroit ete indubitablement allume dans toute la Colonic car la ligue n'attendois que cela pour avoir une raison solide a faire valoir aupres de ceux qui n'avoient pas voulu enibrasser leurs querolles
IV. D
34 Records of the Cajpe Colony.
et se mettre dans leurs interets plnsieurs personnes avoient dejii etes forcees, et cette ligue avoit menaje les habitans qui avoient refusees d'etre de leur partie, que si elle succomboit et qu'elle fut oblige a une retracte qu'elle pilleroit les habitans et qu'elle s'en fuiroit avec le butin a groote riviere et de la en amaqualand et comme cette bende de mal intentionnees etoit composees des gens comme Piet Prins, Prans Kruger les Bezuidenhout les deserteurs Anglois enfin de toute la clique de Chyka excepte Buis qui u'avoient rien a perdre et capable de commettre tons les crimes possibles, ils avoient causes la terreur a toute le reste des paysans, qui n'avoient point le courage de se mettre du Cote du Gouveme- ment pour faire une fin a ces gens ainsi Mon general si j'ai employe de preference les moyens de la douceur pour arranger cette affaire ce n'a ete que pour prevenir toutes les suites mal- heureuses que je n'auroit pent etre pu eviter par un autre moyen — en tout cas je laisse desormais a vous mon general a juger ce que j'ai fait ou ce que j'aurois du faire de mieux je suis tout pret a me soumettre an jugement qu'il plaira a Votre Excell. d'en prononper si cette affaire contre toutes attentes a si heureusement tournee en bien et que le troupe qui a ete demandee devient en ce moment inutile I'intention de I'officier Lindon a ete trop bonne et trop pure pour lui faire le moindre crime de m'avoir engage a la faire venir c'est officier s'est comportee dans cette affaire en homme d'honneur d'une maniere a meriter I'estime la plus marques de tout le monde et sur tout 1' attention particuliere de Votre Excellence il merite Mon general de vous etre recommande il a ete aussi que sa troupe infatigable — la conduite de Secretaire Van Diemen qui a commande I'artillerie ainsi que celle de I'ancien Secretaire Oertel qui commandoit une piece de canon a ete on ne peut plus distingues aussi, je suis persuade que si malheureusement on avoit ete oblige d'en venir au mains avec ses paysans, que ces trois personnes tant qu'ils auroient eu un reste de vie auroient defendu les interets du gouvemement et ce de Votre Excellence et je ne puis pour cela pas m'empecher de rappeller leurs services et leurs volont^es signalees au souvenir de votre Excell. et d'implorer sa protection pour eux — Mon intention etoit, avant d'ecrire a Votre Excell. d'attendre quelques jours, pour voir si cette affaire ne laissoit plus aucune suite a craindre mais le Capitaine Moore qui vient d'arriver le 20 du mois avec 25 honimes d'infanterie 4 dragons et cinq artillieurs en tout
Ttecords of the Cajyc Colony. 35
34 hommes m'ayant informe que le Major malgr6 qu'il avoit et6 prie je ecris de ma part dans le lettre de Mons'. Lindon de ne point alarmer votre Excel!. I'avoit cependant fait je me hate de faire dissiper llnquietude que sa lettre certainement aura cause a Votre Excell. et pour preuenir des dispositions que votre Excell. ne recevant point de mes nouvelles auroit peut etre pu prendre et qui deviendroit inutile puis que la chose a ete terminee j'espere conforme a ses desirs pour cette raison je suis decide de renvoyer le troupe a la bale apres demain, ce nombre de moin a la bai pourroit affoiblir la guarnison qui deja a ce qu'on m'a dit n'etoit que de cent hommes, et qu'en cas d'un evenement 25 hommes de plus ou de moins ici ne ferroit point une grande difference, outre cela en renvoyant la troupe je crois, et j'en suis presque sur que la crainte que leur presence causeroit toujoui-s au paysans qui ne sont pas du moin une grande partie encore parfaitement gu^ris de la crainte d'etre forpe de servir, se dicipera mieux et que je regagnerai bientot leur confiance en tout cas je conserverai jusqu'a ce qui plaira a Votre Excell. d'en ordonner autrement un Caporal et cinq hommes d'infanterie la piece du Canon avec les 5 Cannoniers et deux dragons de la bale, et quand le mur que je fais construire autour de la casserne sera fini avec ces hommes de plus et les troupes que j'avois deja je suis en etat de mettre la village de Graaff Eeinet a I'abri d'un seconde insulte ; independamment de cela j'ai espoir que I'envie ne reprendra pas les paysans d'entreprendre une seconde fois une folie pareille ; je ferai du moin de mon cote tout ce qui dependra de moi pour I'empecher — a cet effet j'ai assiste moi meme a I'opgaaf depuis le premier jours qu'il a commence et j'y assiste encore tous le jours depuis le matin jusqu'au soir pour precher a tons ceux qui s'y presentent leur devoir et veiller que ceux qui ne sont pas encore corrompus ne le soient et j'ose me persuader que les 500 qui ont passe en revue a I'opgaaf ne se laisseront point entrainer par le torrens — Malgre cela Votre Excell. peut se reposer en toute securite qu'en travaillant a retablir le repos et la tranquillite je me tiendrai toujours sur mes gardes Si Votre Excell. approuve la conduite que j'ai tenu dans cette affaire je la prirait instamment de vouloir bien faire connoitre le plutot et avec autant de publicite possible aux habitans de cette Colonic, que si Votre Excell. a pu se decider a ne pas punir I'audace de cette ligue d'une maniere effectieuse, que cela n'a ete que sur mes
D 2
36 Records of the Cape Colony.
instatices qu'ayant rapport^ a Votre Excellence que les paysans avoient ete induits en erreur par un bruit infame auquel par leur ifjnorance ils avoient malheureusement ajoutes foi que votre Excell. pour la dernier fois avoit bien voulue approuver le pardon que je leur avois accorde mais que desormais elle m'ordonnait d'employer les moyens que le Gouvernement a de faire rentrer chacun dans les bomes de ses devoirs et de faire respecter ses volontes — il est tems mon general de finir cette lettre ennuyeuse et si mal ecrite je rougis de honte d'etre oblige de vous la faire parvenir comnje elle est, mais n'ayant point une minute dans la journee a moi je suis oblige malgre ma foible sante d'employer la nuit comme le seul instant qui me reste pour vous ecrire toute la Colonie est temoin de la verity que j'avance — vous savez vous meme mon general apres une tempete pareille le soin que cela demande de se remettre en bon ordre tout ce qui a ete boulverse et quelles precautions il faut prendre pour calmer les esprits emus, et surtout dans ce moment ici ceux des hottentots et Caffres qui sont inquiets parcequ'ilS ont entendu comme tout le monde les pretentions des paysans et qu'il n'a pas ete possible de les leur cacher Mais grace a Dieu par la confiance qu'ils ont en moi j'espere qu'ils seront bientot calmees. Avant de finir done cette terrible lettre je dois informer Votre Excell. pour sa tranquillite que nous sommes dans les meilleurs termes avec chyka se seroit pent etre decide a venir a Graaff Keinet U est venu avec cette intention jusqu'a groote Visch riviere pas loin de bruinshoogte de la il m'a envoye un mesage pour me faire dire de venir au devant de lui pour le prendre qu'informe par les gens que les habitans avoient quittees leurs habitations et n'en sachant point la raison il avoit peur d'avancer— les mesagers arriverent justement un jour avant le siege et demande a rester pour voir comment la scene se passe- roit et ils se presenterent armes au champ de bataille en ligne avec les dragons — Le lendemain apres la retraite des paysans il se preparent a partir pour rapporter a leur maitre ce qu'ils avoient vus et entendus et pour lui dire I'impossibilite on je me trouvois dans ce moment de quitter la Colonie pour aller au devant de lui je crois qu'il est absolument inutile de dire a Votre Excell. le partie que j'ai tirre de leur presence a cette scene et avec quel joie ils ont etes annoncer la retraite des paysans — Monsieur van der Kemp qu'ils estiment beaucoup leur a dit de proposer a Chyka s'il vouloit venir il iroit avec son chariot le prendre un moment avant
Records of the Cape Colony. 37
leur depart je fis decharger les pieces de canons cette ceremonie eu lieu pour assembler les gens qui avoient servis au Canons apres leur avoir temoigne ma satisfaction pour leur zele et fidelite je leur accorde la permission de tirer quelques coups un de cannoniers pointa sa piece sur un mouton qui etoit i une grande distance qu'il avoit le bonlieur de tue il n'en fallut pas d'avantage pour faire eclater de rire les Caffres et pour les convaincre que si les paysans qui s'etoient justement montres a cet endroit y avoient reparus ils auroient tous etes tues de meme — J'espere que le Sergeant de Dragons un homme d'une couduite rare et absolument irreproch- able que j'ai choisi pour etre le porteur de la presente arrivera encore a terns pour dissiper I'inquietude que la lettre du Major certainement n'aura pas manque de causer a Votre Excell. — et dont I'idee me tue. Si malheureusement ce sergeant arrive trop tard je prie votre Excell. d'etre persuade que j'ai eu les meiUeurs intentions de monde mais que je n'ai pas ete assez heureux d'atteindre le but auquel je visois I'entetement de ne point ecrire avant que I'affaire fut parfaitement terminee provenoit uniquement de mon attachement pour votre Excell. et que je ne vouloit point prouver aux mal intentionnees comme je I'ai deja dit la satisfaction de voir le pais en alarme et de s'en rejouir et cela auroit ete inevitable si j'avois ecrit parceque le porteur de la lettre qui qu'il pent etre ne seroit point tu, et cela auroit peut etre reveille piusieurs esprits mechants qui n'ont pas eu I'occasion de prier leur role — voila poui-quoi j'ai prefere dix fois me sacritier que de vous causer mon general le chagrin de voir qu'on se fut rejouit des troubles — Si au contraire le sergeant sur lequel je compte arrivoit heureuseraent encore a tems je prie Votre Excell. de vouloir bien m'honorer le plutot possible avec une reponse et de ses ordres, comment je dois me comporter a la suite — ^je supplie Votre Excell. de vouloir veiller que les valets de benches de Guide nommes Onger et Harnel ainsi que celui de Feil nomme Fischer tous trois en chemin pour le Cap ne remettent jamais les pieds dans cette Colonic j'ai les plus grandes raisons de les soup9onner d'etre envoyes pour exciter du trouble comme le temps presse j'expli- querai a la premiere occasion a Votre Excell. les raisons qui m'ont rendues ses gens suspects Votre Excellence peut compter sur ce que j'ai I'honneur de lui dire je connois Guide et ses valets et je sai de quoi ils sont capables — ayant deja fatigue assez longtems et d'une maniere impardonable meme I'attention precieuse de Votre
,38
Becords of iJie Cape Colony.
Excell. il no me reste que de lui en demander pardon de me recommander dans sa protection et de iui assurer que j'ai I'honneur d'etre avec le plus profond respect,
mon general
de votre Excellence Le ires humble et tres obeissant serviteur
Graafp-Reinet.
le — Juillet 1801.
(signe)
Maynieu.
P.S, Si je suis condamne par Votre Excellence a rester plus longtems dans ce pays ci je serai oblige de supplier Votre Excell. de m'envoyer non pas un second Commissaire mais un Secretaire ponr ecrire les lettres au gouvernement car je me sens presque plus en etat de remplir cette tache dans une langue que je u'entends presque plus moi meme, et cela evitera a Votre Excell. le desagremens d'etre oblige de lire ces grands placcarts mals ecrits —
List of Ships' Arrivals.
|
Date 1 Ship's Kame |
Where from |
Nationality |
|||
|
1801 |
|||||
|
2 Jan. . . |
Harriett |
Philadelphia |
American |
||
|
6 „ |
Saint Martin |
Rio de la Plata |
|||
|
8 „ |
Princess Mary |
Bengal |
English |
||
|
10 „ |
Chesterfield |
Rio de la Plata |
Do. |
||
|
11 „ |
Mary |
Rio Janeiro |
Do. |
||
|
16 „ |
Matilda |
Madras |
Do. |
||
|
23 „ |
Thetis |
Delagoa Bay- |
Do. |
||
|
29 „ |
Fanny |
Mozambique |
Do. |
||
|
30 „ |
Bon Jardin |
(Prize to thej \ Diomede ) |
Spanish |
||
|
IFeb. |
Begulus |
Entiland |
English |
||
|
3 „ |
Caledonia |
Portsmouth |
Do. |
||
|
4 „ |
Margaret |
Salem |
American |
||
|
6 .. |
Buffalo |
Port Jackson |
English |
||
|
5 „ |
Ansiatica |
Hamburg |
Hamburg |
||
|
12 „ |
Romney |
Portsmouth |
English |
||
|
12 „ |
Sensible |
Do. |
|||
|
14 „ |
Victor |
Do. |
Ik>'. |
||
|
15 „ |
Varrunna |
Calcutta |
Do. |
Records of the Cape Colony.
39
|
DaU |
Ship's Name |
Where from |
Nationality |
|
1801. |
|||
|
26 Feb. . . |
Sheerness |
Portsmouth |
English |
|
27 „ . . |
Wilhelmina |
Do. |
Do. |
|
27 „ . . |
Bdlona |
Elsineur |
Danish |
|
27 „ . . |
Fanny |
/Coast of Ne\v\ \ Holland / |
English |
|
2 March. . |
Aaron |
Portsmouth |
Do. |
|
3 „ . . |
Friendschaft |
Hamburgh |
Hamburgh |
|
8 „ . . |
Urianimity |
Manilla |
American |
|
13 „ . . |
Catharine |
Do. |
Do. |
|
1-^ » . . |
La Belle Anna Maria |
Teneriffe |
Spanish prize |
|
18 „ . . |
H.M. Ship Imperieuse |
Bencoolen |
|
|
18 „ . . |
Fame |
Baltimore |
American |
|
19 „ . . |
Hazard |
Calcutta |
Do. |
|
31 „ . . |
Globe ^ |
Philadelphia |
Do. |
|
2 April . . |
Marrione |
New York |
Do. |
|
7 „ . . |
La Fortune |
Portsmouth |
En<:lish |
|
8 „ . . |
Ganges |
Boston |
American |
|
8 „ . . |
Bio Klova |
Portsmouth |
English |
|
8 „ . . |
Suffolk |
Do. |
Do. |
|
8 „ . . |
Little Catharine |
Coiwnliagen |
Danish |
|
9 „ . . |
Nostra del Pello |
Barcelona |
Spanish prize |
|
9 » . . |
Dispatch |
Coi)enhagen |
English |
|
9 „ . . |
Elizabeth |
Salem |
American |
|
10 „ . . |
Dispatch |
New York |
Do. |
|
11 „ . . |
Elizabeth |
Do. |
Do. |
|
13 „ . . |
Johanna |
Embden |
Russian |
|
13 „ . . |
St. Ant. Bolena |
Monte Video |
Spanish prize |
|
13 „ . . |
Henry Dundas |
Do. |
Do. |
|
13 „ . . |
Serjjfnta |
Do. |
Do. |
|
16 „ . . |
Earl Cornwallis |
London |
English |
|
19 „ . . |
Nutwell |
Portsmouth |
Do. |
|
19 ,, . . |
Betsey |
Falmouth |
Do. |
|
19 „ . . |
Dubuc |
Delagoa Bay |
Do. |
|
22 „ . . |
Active |
London |
Do. |
|
27 " . . |
Mary |
St. Helena |
Do. |
|
27 „ . . |
Charming Kitty |
Coast of Peru |
Do. |
|
28 „ . . |
Lady Yonge |
Kio Janeiro |
Do. |
|
30 „ . . |
Harriott |
Portsmouth |
Do. |
|
IMay . . |
Betsey |
Boston |
American |
|
1 „ . . |
St. Bedro Alias |
Spanish prize |
|
|
12 „ . . |
Earl Mornington |
Calcutta |
English |
|
12 „ . . |
Eliza |
Boston |
American |
|
14 „ . . |
Ellegood |
New Holland |
English |
|
14 „ . . |
Penguin |
England |
Do. |
|
18 „ . . |
Sophia Mojgdalena |
Canton |
Swedish |
|
20 „ . . |
Eliza |
Do. |
English |
|
21 „ . . |
Joseph |
Bostoa |
American |
|
3 June . . |
Venus |
London |
English |
|
4 „ . . |
Princess Louisa Augusta |
Bengal |
Danish |
|
4 „ . . |
Saint Joseph |
Cadiz |
Spanish prize English |
|
6 „ . . |
Britannia |
London |
40
Records of the Cape Colony.
|
Date |
Ship's Name |
^\■bere from |
Nationality |
||
|
1801. |
|||||
|
15 June . . |
Admiral Eain>er |
London |
English |
||
|
16 „ |
True Briton |
Do. |
Do. |
||
|
'^0 „ |
A Danisli Ship |
Bengal |
|||
|
3 July |
Cornwall |
England |
English |
||
|
3 „ |
St. I'ortuna |
Monte Video |
Spanish prize |
||
|
9 „ |
Nontra Begona |
Lisbon |
Do. |
||
|
10 „ |
Hope |
Bombay |
English |
||
|
11 V |
Cadle Eden |
VizagaiKitam |
Do. |
||
|
1^ » |
Priwe William Henry |
Do. |
Do. |
||
|
12 „ |
Sir Edward HuyJies |
Do. |
Do. |
[Copy.]
Letter from Major General Duxdas to Lord Clive.
Cape Town, IGih July 1801.
My Lord, — Inclosed I have the honor of transmitting to Your Lordship a List of some Eecruits belonging to the King's Eegiments in India who were lately landed from the True Briton India Ship bound to Madras, which was under the necessity of putting in here on account of a distemper which prevailed on board.
From the report herewith also inclosed from Doctor Somers and Mr. Somerville, Your Lordship wlQ perceive that of the Troops landed from the True Briton 70 Men only are in such a state as to render adviseable their being reimbarked, therefore the remain- ing part of the Detachment of Eecruits I think it necessary both from duty and humanity to detain here until so far recovered as to be able to proceed by some future opportunity to join their respective Regiments.
The Contents of the letter dated the 11th Instant from Major Mossman of the 73rd Eegiment addressed to Major Erskine the Deputy Adjutant General at this place I conceive it proper the submitting to Your Lordship in the hope that as Major Mossman has shewn himself sufticiently attentive to the discharge of his duty during his detention at the Cape, that any favour or com- pensation consistent with the rules of the service may be granted to him upon the present occasion. I have &c.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
Records of the Cape Colony. 41
[Original.]
Letter from Major General Dundas to the Right Honourable Henry Dundas.
Government House, Cape of Good Hope, 23rd Jxdy 180L
Sir, — By a former opportunity I had the honor of reporting to you having obeyed His Majesty's Commands in taking upon me the Government of this Colony, immediately upon the receipt of the instructions which were contained in your letter of the 14th January last. As in my letter of the 9th May I com- municated my intention of again writing to you, should any thing occur, by which the arrival of Lord Glenbervie might be delayed, and as, by intelligence lately received with respect to His Lordship, there is little reason to expect the pleasure of seeing him here, I am now once more to have the honor of addressing myself to you, in consequence of its having become incumbent on me to state, in the discharge of the duties of my official situation at present, such particulars relating to the public affairs of this Settlement as are requisite to be laid before you, for your information, or necessary to be conveyed to you in order to be submitted to His Majesty's judgment and consideration.
The low state of the Balance of Money in the Colonial Treasury, on the Eesignation of the late Governor Sir George Yonge, has required that I should direct the earliest attention to that object, particularly necessary from the insufficiency of the Funds which remained in the hands of the Eeceivei General, on the 20th of April last, to the liquidation of the Debts ; the said Balance being Two Thousand Nine hundred and Fifty Eight EixdoUars, Three Skellings and Five Stivers only, and the unpaid Warrants and other demands upon the Treasury amounted to the sum of nearly Sixty Eight Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Four EixdoUars and Two Skellings, consequently I was under the necessity of directing that the Warrants, agreeable to the enclosed List, should be returned by the Eeceiver General to the persons in whose favour they were drawn ; not being empowered to draw upon the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury on account of what might be necessary for supplying a deficiency in the Eevenue here, although an authority would have been convenient for that
42 Records of the Cape Colony.
purpose upon the present emergency ; however, I am happy to be able to add that the payments for the Warrants which were granted by the late Governor previous to his departure, I now consider to be only for a short time postponed, as the money in the hands of the Eeceiver General will soon allow them to be discharged.
I have already given you an account of the inconvenience which the Troops in Garrison, as well as the inhabitants of the Settlement, have for some time past suffered from a scarcity of Corn, owing to a failure in the last Crop, and am now to inform you that, not- withstanding the means that have been used for reducing as much as possible the consumption of Corn, I am not altogether freed from the apprehension of experiencing a want of Bread before the coming in of the new Harvest. I transmit to you herewith a detailed account of the proceedings of the Com Commission appointed by the late Governor for the purpose of ascertaining the quantity of Grain procurable in the Country, as well as for regulating the consumption of it, having to state that the judicious measures of precaution pointed out by this Commission, with the Kules and Eegulations established as to the use of Bread in pursuance of its recommendation, have greatly contributed to remove the uneasiness which was publicly felt from the appre- hension of an approaching Famine, a Calamity with which this Colony, some months ago, was seriously threatened. Before I conclude the subject of the Corn Commission, I must not omit to acquaint you that a Eepresentation having been made to me that if the Farmers were allowed to kill Game, as usual, it would be the means of allowing them to bring up to Cape Town a considerable quantity of Grain more than the Eestrictions laid down by Sir George Yonge with respect to the killing of Game would enable them to do, I thought it expedient by the Proclama- tion (marked A No. 40) to modify the Game Law recently established in this Settlement, being the more confident of the propriety of my acquiescence in this suggestion of the Corn Commissioners, the new Game Law having been unquestionably, in a great degree, obnoxious here, flattering myself with a hope that salutary effects have been produced by its repeal.
It having appeared that in consequence of some irregularity which took place during the late administration in the issuing of Paper Currency, new Paper Money to the amount of Forty
Records of the Cape Colony. 43
Thousand EixdoUars had not only been thrown into circulation before the like Sum of old defaced pieces were destroyed, but that there were also reissued several packets of the old Paper Money, which incautious proceeding, at the same time it increased in an illegal and improper manner the quantity of Paper Money in Circulation, had a tendency to injure public Credit, and created discontent, I thought it therefore necessary to appoint a Special Commission to examine into the State of the Treasury, and having published an abstract from the Eeport of the said Commission, I am happy to add that any ill effect which remained upun the public mind has been done away; the Sum mentioned in the Peport to have been issued of new Money, before it had been actually changed for old or worn out Money, having since been got in to the amount of Forty Thousand Eix Dollars, and agreeable to the Proclamation of the 25 th Instant destroyed in the usual manner, to the satisfaction of the public.
The Public Notice which has been issued for suspending the Eegulations laid down by Sir George Yonge in a Proclamation dated 6th January 1801 respecting the Woodlands of this Colony was necessary to remove the inconvenience found to result from them ; however, being fully conscious of the propriety of keeping all things, as nearly as possible, upon their present footing, it is my intention not to make any change or alteration which the necessity of the case cannot justify, nor to introduce any innova- tions not obviously or indispensably requisite for the security of His Majesty's Government and the Public Welfare.
A species of traffic having been lately introduced into the interior of the Country, with regard to the exchanging Cattle for commodities, instead of purchasing with money at a fixed rate, agreeable to law, productive of great profits to the persons carrying it on, but injurious to the Contractor for furnishing His Majesty's Troops with Butcher's meat, as well as to the public at large, I have therefore found it expedient to renew a Proclamation of the former Governor Earl Macartney, dated 2nd October 1798, upon the subject of buying or bartering Cattle without a licence, affixing, in addition to the Penalty of Three Thousand Eixdollars, the further confiscation of the Cattle so procured in the Country Districts; a measure which has already had the effect of re- moving, in some degree, the inconvenience complained of.
In consequence of a Kepresentation made to me by the President
44 Eecords of the Cape Colony.
and Members of the Board of Orphans, with respect to certain frauds of their Messengers, in collecting Sums of Money due on the Estates of the Orphans entrusted to the management of this institution, I was prevailed on to issue the Proclamation of the 3rd June, after mature deliberation as to the necessity of it, considering it my duty to support and encourage the Establish- ment of the Board of Orphans, it being of considerable importance to the common interests of this Settlement, and beneficial to the public.
I have also directed to be issued, in consequence of representa- tions from the Burgher Senate, the Proclamations (A No. 6 and A No. 9), the former in order to enforce, in an additional Clause, the observance of certain Eegulations heretofore established by the Proclamation of the 15th July 1800 for the Butchers of Cape Town and its vicinity, to which proper attention had not been shewn ; the latter Proclamation, dated 24th June 1801, had become necessary with a view to the more effectual prosecution of the plan of repairing the Streets of Cape Town, first adopted during the administration of Earl Macartney, having been fully convinced, after conversing with the Fiscal and others of the more intelligent members of the municipal body, to whose care are committed the good order and condition of the Town, that the subjects of the forementioned Proclamation were reasonable and just.
Notwithstanding the orders contained in the Proclamation dated 20th July 1798, means having been found to evade the payments of the Transfer Duties, and representations being made by the Collectors of the Duty on the Sale of Property, that many arrears of this important branch of the Kevenue had accumulated, by several persons taking advantage of the penalty not being clearly understood in the proclamation before mentioned, I was under the necessity of issuing the Proclamation dated 11th June 1801, explanatory of the Penalty as specified in the Proclamation of 1798 ; likewise having judged it proper to add a clause, awarding the penalty of double the duty if not paid within the period established by law.
My ignorance of the full extent of His Majesty's intentions with regard to a new Department which has been placed on the Civil Establishment of this Colony, for the purpose of improving the system of agriculture, has rendered the frequent and heavy
Records of the Cape Colony. 45
demands which continue to be made from it, in some degree, embarrassing, not knowing how far it is proper to yield my consent to them. As Mr. Duckitt has come out here without any regular Documents or written Instructions, I do not conceive myself entitled to authorize further expences respecting the Agricultural Department, until more particular instructions are received relative to it, but I have judged it advisable for me to direct Mr. Duckitt to deliver, to the Auditor General, an account of the expences incurred by the Agricultural Department, from its first Establishment to the day that Sir George Yonge resigned the Government, from which it appears that, besides some valuable public Lands with a considerable number of the public Slaves who are placed at the disposal of Mr. Duckitt the Agriculturist, for the purpose of making experiments in cultivation, the enormous Sum of Forty one Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Six Pdxdollars has been already expended, with very little probability of profit or advantage occurring therefrom to the Colonial Treasury, therefore His Majesty's commands respecting this Establishment I take the liberty earnestly to solicit by some early opportunity, and am to add for your information that Mr. Duckitt has been in the mean time informed that no further Grants of Public Money can be allowed to defray the Expences of his Department, until such time as some Eeturns shall have been made for those which have been already incurred.
From the great length of time which has elapsed without any notice or communication of His Majesty's commands with regard to Mr. Jessop the Chief Searcher of the Customs, who was suspended from his office by the late Governor Sir George Yonge, from whom I did not learn the nature of the charges to be ex- hibited against him, I have thought it right to allow Mr. Jessop a small part of his Salary, no portion of which has been paid him for fifteen months past, for the purpose of enabling him to subsist in the Colony until His Majesty's pleasure with respect to him shall be known.
In a residence of nearly five years, it would be impossible not to have acquired a pretty accurate knowledge of the temper and dispositions of the People ; therefore knowing, as I do, how greatly repugnant to the feelings of the Inhabitants of this Settlement is any alteration in their Laws and Customs, which they conceive to have been secured to them by the Capitulation, I could not
46 Records of the Cape Colony.
behold with indifference, or without concern, some of the proceed- ings in the course of the late Administration which, it is my duty to state to you, were considered in direct opposition to the terms of the Capitulation, and which, though proclaimed under the specious names of Improvement and Reformation, have been productive only of ill humour and discontent.
The Public have by no means relished the Wine tasting Establishment, which is attended with many grievous incon- veniences to the proprietors of the Wine sent up to Cape Town, on account of the Casks being opened at the Barriers, affording the means, as well as a temptation, for Slaves and others to break open and drink the wine ; the Establishment, though expensive, having been attended with no sort of use ; however, aware of the danger of rashly or hastily annulling the acts of Government, it is my intention to defer taking any steps, with respect to the new regulation on this subject, until after the Vintage, when, should a new Governor not have arrived, it will be requisite to give it mature consideration.
The Public have also much disapproved the new and additional Duties laid on Grain and Brandy, brought from the Country Districts to Cape Town, also considered as contrary to the terms of the Capitulation, and producing a very paltry encrease to the Eevenue, being a matter which will also hereafter require, if not entirely done away, at least some change or modification. I will only add upon this subject that, in my opinion, every change or alteration in the condition of things here not indispensably necessary for the security of His Majesty's Government, ought to be postponed until a Peace, by which time prejudices may have subsided, the unsettled state of Politics become fixed, and the destiny of this Colony as a British Province finally decided.
I had the honour to receive on the 23rd April His Majesty's orders in Council respecting the detention of Eussian, Danish, and Swedish Ships, copies of which were sent to Vice Admiral Sir Eoger Curtis, Bart., commanding His Majesty's Ships upon this Station, and to the Collector of His Majesty's Customs. The names of such Ships as are detained in the Bays of this Colony are comprized in the Ship List.
A List of Arrivals and Departures of Ships belonging to or which have touched at this Settlement from the 1st of January 1801 to the present date is transmitted under Enclosure marked M.
Hecords of the Cape Colons/. 47
The Return of His Majesty's Troops composing the Garrison at the Cape for the Months of May, June, July are enclosed.
The Quarterly Custom House Books and Accounts of the Ex- ports and Imports at the Ports of this Colony from the 1st January to the 31st March are lettered L.
I have the honor to enclose Duplicates of the Quarterly Reports of the Civil Paymaster being from the 30th September to the 31st December 1800, and from the latter period to 31st March 1801, likewise a Duplicate of the Book of the extraordinary ex- pences, charged upon the Civil Establishment from the 1st October 1800 to the 31st March 1801.
Without presuming to judge, or meaning to offer an opinion, which it does not become me to do, of the propriety of the Appointments conferred during the late Governor's administra- tion, I have thought it not amiss the sending you lists of the aforesaid appointments, distinguishing those paid by the Civil and Military Establishments, having to add, that the Salaries, as therein stated, wdll continue to be issued until honored with His Majesty's further commands and your instructions upon that head.
I send, conformable to custom. Copies of all letters of Indian correspondence, not having been honored by the receipt of any official communications from the Governments in India since those from the Governor General of the 1st & 2nd March last. Copies of which, together with my reply to His Lordship, were inclosed in my letter to you of the 18th May by His Majesty's Ship Battle- snake, also a Duplicate of the same by the Ship Dispatch, w^hich afterwards sailed, bound for St. Helena.
The Abstracts and Accounts of the Barrack Department, to- gether with the Bills and Contracts from its first Establishment at the commencement of the late administration of Sir George Yonge to the 30th XJlt°. are enclosed, having directed the Balance due on the Accounts, at the abovementioned period, to be paid into the hands of Major Glegg, the Acting Barrack Master during the absence of Lieut. Colonel Cockburn, by which I consider the expenditure of that Department finally closed, thinking it neces- sary, however, that the Barrack Master and his assistants should continue to receive their pay and allowances only, in the expecta- tion of being favoured with your particular orders respecting the Barrack Department at the Cape, which seems to me to be, upon
48 Records of the Cape Colony.
its present footing, an unnecessary Establishment, the expence of which demands your attentive consideration.
I have great pleasure to report, before I conclude, for His Majesty's information, the good health, good discipline, and pro- gressive improvement of the Troops under my command ; also the general tranquillity and satisfaction which seem to prevail amongst the Inhabitants of this Settlement, whose reliance upon, and confidence in, His Majesty's Government, I am satisfied daily encrease.
If I have exceeded the proper limits of a Dispatch, I hope you will consider the importance of the subjects, which I have had the honor to submit to you, have obliged me to trouble you with minute details, and that His Majesty will be graciously pleased to view my motives in a favorable light, since they solely proceed from my anxious desire to evince my zeal for His Service, to discharge, in an ample manner and to His Majesty's satisfaction, the duties of my station, and to contribute my humble endeavours to promote the public good, with the Service of His Majesty and my Country. I have &c.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Original.] Private Letter from Major General Dundas to William
HUSKISSON, ESQRE.
Cape of Good Hope, 2Uh July, 1801.
Dear Huskisson, — The Papers inclosed relate to a Captain Holman of the English Ship Eliza, which sailed from hence a few days ago upon her voyage to Madras, who appearing to be of a litigious temper, I think it necessary to supply you with the particulars of a transaction between him and me on the part of Government, which took place while the ship was in Simons Bay, being inclined to suspect that he will renew upon the ship's return home a claim for Demurrage, which was denied him at the Cape. As the contents of the Papers will be sufficient fully to inform you relative to the subject, it is unnecessary to trouble you with a more particular account of it than merely to state that a criminal
Record^ of the Cape Colony^ 49
was set on shore from the ship, in contempt of the legal restraints and necessary regulations of the Port, who being afterwards taken into custody in the District of Swellendara, and a report of it received from the landdrost, I wrote the Admiral requesting the Captain of the JEliza to be detained, in order that he might render some satisfactory explanation of his conduct.
•I send a public Dispatch by the present opportunity, flattering myself with the hope that the King's Ministers will approve the measure adopted in the discharge of the duties of my public situation, in all of which I have avoided doing any thing harsh, but humbly endeavoured to advance the interest of the Settlement, and in justice to His Majesty, as well as my country, the general good.
The appointment of Lord Glenbervie to an office in England, and in the new administration, gives me no longer reason to hope the pleasure of seeing him here.
• I am now to crave your leave, my dear Huskisson, to become an humble Petitioner to yourself, in order to obtain your assistance and good offices for procuring leave of absence to return home as soon as a new G-overnor arrives at the Cape, therefore should consider myself obliged to you beyond all expression, by men- tioning the matter to the Secretary of State in such a manner as to induce him to take my case into consideration, so that after an absence of nearly five years, by which my health has in some degree suffered, I may obtain His Majesty's gracious permission to return to Europe.
• Not having as yet received an official notification of the new Minister, I have directed the Public Dispatches for Mr. Dundas, and under the persuasion of your remaining in Downing Street shall address this letter to you accordingly. Let me know if the samples of some of the Cape Wines which were sent home for you have arrived. I remain &c.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
IV.
60 Records of the Gape Colony.
[Original.] Lett&r from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
Laneader, Simonb Bat, Cafb or Good Hope, 2dth July 1801.
Sir, — In continuation of my Eeport of Naval events here, I am now to inform you of the occurrences since my Letter of the 24th ultimo.
The masts of the Lancaster and Tremendov^ are finished and these Ships are ready for Sea.
The Jupiter having taken off the Eio de la Plata and sent to this place two Vessels, the one laden with dried Beef and Tallow, and the other with European Salt, I received from Captain Losack a Letter dated the 28th May, wherein he intimated to me his in- tention of going to Rio Janeiro at the end of June, for a supply of Water, as well as to endeavour to get new Pintles to his Rudder, which complained very much.
Having directed Captain Elphinstone of the Diomede when pro- ceeding with that Ship and the Imperieuse upon the Service men- tioned in my Letter of the 23rd April last, to reconnoitre the Harbour of Port Louis, and the Isle of France, before he repaired off the Island of Rodriguez, I am informed by him by Letter I received from him dated the 19th May he arrived at Isle France the 1 2th of that Month, where he detained a Brig from Hamburgh, which refused to be spoken with, and was seized by the Boats of the Ships close off the Harbour of Port Louis. This Vessel has arrived here, and brought me the Letter above mentioned, and Captain Elphinstone informed the Prize Master when he parted from him, which was the day the Letter was dated, that he was immediately going from the Island, in the further prosecution of his Orders. There were a great many Ships in Port Louis, amongst which it was thought there were Privateers, but there were no Ships of War. Captain Elphinstone further informs me he had chaced a Ship on shore upon the Isle of France, which not being able to get off he had Burnt. The Crew escaped to the Land, but by the Papers found on board, she appeared to have come from Bourdeaux with a Cargo. She was pierced for Twenty Guns, the most of which she had thrown overboard during the Chace, but
Records of the Cape Colony. 51
from those which remained she appears to have carried Brass Nine Pounders.
Several Ships belonging to the East India Company, and several Extra Ships ha\ing been obliged from various causes to put in here, in their way to England from India, I have been so fortunate as to obtain from the latter a considerable quantity of Eice, which Article is now issued in the Ships of the Squadron three days in the Week in lieu of Bread, and this seasonable supply has very much diminished the uneasiness I felt from the apprehensions I laboured under of a want of Bread Victualling.
The Star being under Orders for England, the Commanders of the Ships above mentioned were very desirous to accompany her. She is directed therefore to take them under Convoy, and will call at the Island of St. Helena, that such other Ships as may happen to be there may avail themselves of the opportunity of proceeding home with her.
In addition to the Detained Ships mentioned in my Letter of the 26th ultimo, you wlU be pleased to inform their Lordships that the Danish Ship the Maria Elizabeth, of Three Hundred Tons Burthen, Eno Koofort Master, from Batavia bound to Copenhagen, laden with Sugar, Coffee, and Spice, came into this Bay on the 25th instant, and is Detained here. I am etc.
(Signed) Roger Curtis.
[Copy.] Proclamation hy Major General Francis Dundas.
Whereas it has been represented to me by the Acting Com- missioner of Graaff Reinet that notwithstanding every lenity and indulgence which on various occasions have been shewn to the turbulent & rebellious subjects of that District by the different Administrations of the Former, as well as the present Government in this Colony, they have once more lately shewn a disposition to violate the Laws, and set aside the authority of the Magistrates, by assembling and appearing in arms before the Drostdy or seat of Government in the District, upon the most frivolous pretences. And whereas such daring outrages and rebellious conduct render it
E 2
52 Records of the Cape Colony.
indispensably necessary for the safety -and protection: of the Magis* trates, the authors should be punished in the most exemplary manner, yet as the acting Commissioner of the District, in con- sideration of their being abused and misled by false Eeports and of their promising to return to their duty, has out of humanity attended to their petition for pardon and forgiveness, I do hereby publicly declare that at the very earnest solicitations of the said Acting Commissioner, I have been induced to confirm and ratify the pardon held out to them by him, at the same time I do further give this public Warning to all the Inhabitants of the said District that should any similar disturbances happen in future, or any assemblies or meetings be held of Armed Men on any pretext whatsoever, such measures have already been employed as will most effectually and peremptorily bring to condign punishment all offenders of the like kind. It is to be hoped however that the deluded people of the distant parts of the Colony have at length seen their error in listening to absurd reports spread among them by malicious and ill designing persons, and of such a nature that nothing but a total ignorance of the Laws and principles of the British Government could have induced a belief; and that hereafter they will conduct themselves on all occasions as good and loyal subjects, which alone can secure to them the protection of Government and prevent the ruin of themselves and Families.
Given under my Hand & Seal in the Castle of Good Hope 31st day of July 1801. "
(Signed) Francis Dun das.
[Office Copy.J
Letter from the Eight Hon. Lorp IIobart to Major General Dundas.
Downing Street, Uh August 1801.
Sir, — In consequence of the Information which has reached this Country of the great Scarcity of Corn at the Cape of Good Hope^ I have availed myself of the opportunity offered by the East Indii^ Company's. Ship the Elizabeth to forward as large a Supply of
■Becords of the Cape Colony: 53
'VV'heat and Flour as can be put on board of that Ship. I am not aware of the exact amount of this Supply, but it will, as nearly as can be ascertained, amount to the proportion specified in the inclosed Paper; and I have only how to intimate to you that the Ship is on no account to be detained at the Cape longer than ten Days, as the owners would by such detention be liable to a heavy Penalty, which His Majesty's Government is pledged in such case to bear ; and you will in consequence take care to obviate the possibility of incurring this expence by using every exertion to land the supply in question within that period of time. I have &c.
(Signed) Hobart.
[Copy.]
Letter from Lieutenant J. C. Smyth to Major General Dundas.
Dhostdy or Gbaafp Reinet, lOth August 1801.
Dear Sir, — Notwithstanding every exertion the difficulty of procuring Horses was so great that I was not able to arrive at this place until late at night on the 8th inst. having been seven days and one half on the road ; however I have the satisfaction of being able to report to you that everything here is at the present moment in the most perfect tranquillity and that in consequence I have with Maynier's concurrence sent your orders to Major Campbell to proceed with the two Companies of the 91st Eegiment to Cape Town it being my own intention to remain here for four or five days longer in order to make myself thoroughly acquainted with everything relating to the public affairs of this District to be enabled on my return to give you every necessary information respecting the present disposition of its turbulent and troublesome Inhabitants.
The Zuurveld and Bruintjes Hoogte Boors seem to have been the most active on this last occasion and although they have retired for the present intimidated by the steady conduct of the few Dragoons and the eager anxiety shewn by the Hottentots to begin firing at them yet as they are still collected together in con- siderable numbers behind the Bamboos Berg I cannot agree with
64 JRecords of the Cape Colony.
Maynier in opinion that they will nnquestionably separate quietly and return to their respective habitations.
Your Proclamation confirming Maynier's pardon to them was read yesterday after Church and Copies sent immediately to all the respective Wachtmeesters of the District and also to Hendrik Eensburg and Johannes Van der Wald and I have not the least doubt but it will produce beneficial effects removing any alarms they may have experienced from the expectation of the vengeance of Government which these Mutinous Vagabonds cannot but know they richly deserve.
Maynier strongly deprecates the idea of a Block House being erected at present or any immediate movement of Troops taking place ; such measures in his opinion tending to alarm the Boors and make them suspect the sincerity of- the pardon you have granted them ; so far he is certainly right but when the turbulent and licentious disposition of these Boors is considered, their immense distance from the seat of Government even in this District and the total want of Subordinate Magistrates living amongst them on whom Government could depend for true in- telKgence of the movements and intentions of the Ill-affected, no man can certainly say when these Boors may not reappear before the Drostdy and it may happen at an unlucky period when perhaps the Detachment may be surprized or the Hottentots through any momentary pique or disgust may be unwillini^ to defend the Magistrates, when the worst consequences to the British interests in this Colony could not fail to ensue. Such considerations seem to me strongly to call for some Fortress or secure Blockhouse which would at any rate ensure the safety of the Detachment as well as the persons employed by Government in this District from any sinister accident ; indeed the whole iuture management of this District will I am afraid occasion you some trouble and anxiety, Maynier enjoying at the best but a weakly state of health, and this last unruly conduct of the Boors having made it absolutely necessary to adopt some system which will maintain the public tranquillity even in case any accident should befiil him.
As I hope to have the honor of seeing you within a week after the receipt of this letter I shall not trouble you any further at present, and I am &c.
(Signed) J. C. Smyth.
Records of the Cape Colony. 5S
[Copy.] Government Advertisement.
Notice is hereby given that as the means hitherto employed for keeping the Bays and Harbours of this Colony clear of lost anchors have not been attended with the desired effect: all persons whatsoever are authorized to search for and take up all such anchors agreeable to the following Eegulations : —
1. Any anchor taken up and proved to belong to any Ship or Vessel then at the Anchorage where the said Anchor has been found, or to any Vessel recently gone to sea, shall be delivered to the Owners thereof or their Agents, upon payment of the usual salvage for recovering the same.
2. Any anchor that shall be taken up, & not claimed by any Ship or Vessel then at the Anchorage, shall be landed, and a description of the same made public, and if not claimed by the owners or agents within one month after the Landing of the same, shall then become the property of the Finder.
3. All anchors left by His Majesty's Ships on their going to sea, or recently lost by them, are to remain to be taken up by the Naval Department ; should however any person or persons happen to recover any anchor belonging to His Majesty other than as above mentioned, they will be entitled to the customary salvage allowed in His Majesty's Naval Service.
Castle of Good Hope 25th August 1801.
By Command of His Honor the Lieutenant Grovemor.
(Signed) A. Baknard, Secretary,
[Original.] Letter from ViCE Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
Lancatler, Simons Bat, Cape of Good Hope, 26th August 1801.
Sir, — This Letter will inform their Lordships of the occur- rences relative to my Command since my letter of the 29th July last
SS Mecords of the Cape Colony.
Captain Losack in His Majesty's Ship the Jupiter took on the 29th June in the Eio de la Plata the Nettstra Senora de los Dolores a Spanish Corvette (formerly the Duke of Clarence Packet) pierced for Fourteen Guns with a Complement of Eighty Men, commanded by Don Estevan Gomendio, which Vessel left Cadiz in March last, and is now at this Anchorage.
By a Brig which arrived here on the 24th instant, I received a Letter from Captain Losack dated Eio Janeiro the 23rd ultimo, wherein he informs me he put into that Port Eight days before for a supply of Water. I received also the information that the Ship ■Kent which left England the Ist of April last under Convoy of the Vambrian, having on board One Hundred Troops, and some Victualling Office Stores for this place, put into Eio Janeiro for Water on the 1st of June, and sailed from thence on the 26th of the same Month, and on the 14th July returned again to Eio Janeiro, having sprung a dangerous leak, and Captain Losack acquaints me she has been condemned as unfit for further Service, and that it was his intention to send to the Cape the Troops she brought from England in a Ship then at Eio Janeiro bound to this place.
His Majesty's Sloop the Penguin which sailed upon the Service mentioned in my Letter of the 24th June returned on the 4th instant, the Vessel she had under Convoy having from the effect of the Seas on the Bank of Aguillas become so leaky as to be un- able to proceed to her intended destination.
The Diomede which . Ship together with the Imperieuse were appointed to Cruize near the Island of Eodriguez for the purposes mentioned in former Letters which I sent you, arrived here on the 20th instant. These Ships in returning from the abovementioned Station cruized a few days before the Isles of France and Bourbon, and captured a small Brig from Madagascar with Eice and some Slaves, by which Vessel Captain Elphinstone gaining information that there were several other small Vessels gone to Madagascar to take in Eice for the abovementioned Islands, he ordered the Im- perieuse to visit the Coasts of Madagascar on her way back to the Cape, with a view of intercepting them. Three days after the ImperietCse parted from the Diomede on this Service, the latter 'Captured on the 19th July a small Brig that came from Isle France bound to Isle Bourbon, from which Vessel Captain inphinstone obtained information by a Letter found on board- her,
Records of the Cape Colony. 57
£hat an Extra East India Ship had arrived at Port Louis three days before, which Ship being homeward bound had been taken in the Southern Atlantic in her route to the Island of St. Helena, by the Chiffone French Frigate mounting 36 18-Pounders, and by the best information that could be obtained this Capture must have been made between the 1st and 6th of June. The Chiffone is said to have lost her Foremast and Bowsprit by running foul of the Indiaman for the purpose of boarding her ; and the Ships con- sequently separated from each other, but it falling very little Wind soon afterwards, the Indiaman could not escape and the Frigate having substituted a Jury Foremast and Bowsprit, pursued and took her. Captain Elphinstone being further informed that the Chiffone had on board a number of persons sent out of France to be landed on the Island of Madagascar (amongst whom it is said were Barrere, Santerre, Boucher, Chateauneuf, &c.) he proceeded immediately for the Southern Coast of that Island, and being off the Port of St. Lucie, on the 26th July, he took a small Brig, in which he found a Letter from the Govemour of the Isle Bourbon, dated 18th July, addressed to the Captain of the Chiffone at Foul Point on the Coast of Madagascar. He then looked into Port Dauphin, where he saw a person who left Isle Bourbon on the 24th July, who informed him that on the 16th of that Month a Danish Ship had arrived at the Port of St. Paul's in that Island, the Supercargo of which declared he went on board the Chiffone off the Island of Prunes on the Coast of Madagascar ; that her Fore- mast and Bowsprit had been carried away, a number of Shot holes in' her sides; and that there were English Officers Prisoners on board : The Supercargo said he was prevented from speaking to them, but he learnt they were taken in an English Corvette of 18 Guns, which had made a vigorous resistance.
Whether the Corvette here spoken of is meant for the Prize beforementioned, or is another capture made -by the Chiffone, we know not. In my Letter of the 16th May, I informed you of my sending the Rattlesnake to St. Helena with the dispatch brought oiit by the Penguin for the Govemom- of that Island, and she sailed from hence on the 19th May, and weathered the Cape with a S E wind on the 21st. By the intelligence Captain Elphinstone received from Isle France relative to the taking of the extra India Ship, the Chiffone had captured nothing before that Ship, and that event took place as beforementioned between the 1st and 6th of
S8 Eecords of the Cape Colony.
June. Now as the Rattlesnake was round the Cape on the 21st May, had then a fair Wind, and the wind which blew here was favourable for her for several days afterwards, and a strong current setting to the Northward on the West Coast of Africa, it seems very improbable she should not be so far advanced towards St. Helena before the 6th or 1st of June, as to be in a situation very unlikely to meet the Chiffone, and particularly as it is said that Ship took the extra India Ship about the 30th degree of S Latitude. The Orders to the Rattlesnake directed her after leaving St. Helena to Cruize for intercepting the homeward bound Ships of the Northern Powers, and I reckoned she might be out Eleven or Twelve Weeks : But as she has now been absent Fourteen Weeks, I am not without uneasiness about her.
It appears the Chiffone left Nantes towards the latter end of March or early in April. About a Month before she left that Port, a French Corvette the Fleche sailed also for Madagascar, having likewise on board a considerable number of persons of the same description as those on board the Chiffone ; but the Fleche having met with damage at Sea, was obliged to put into some Port in Spain to refit.
The Diomede and Imperieuse during their Cruize took several, and run on shore and destroyed several other, of the small Vessels belonging to the Islands of France and Bourbon ; but they are all of too insignificant a nature for the parade of a formal Eetum.
I am &c.
(Signed) Koger Curtis,
[Original.] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
Lancaster, SmoKs Bat, Cafe of Oood Hofb, 27U August 1801.
Sir, — In my Letters of the 26th June and 29th July I informed you respecting the Four Danish and One Swedish East Indiaman which have been detained and are now in this Bay. Not having received any instructions relative to their further disposal^ and the time of the setting in of the S E Monsoon being nearly approached.
Records of the Cape Colony. 59
when the Ships of War will remove from hence to Table Bay, I am under a little embarrassment in regard to these detained Ships, which are very valuable, for as they have been long from Europe their Cables are of course considerably worn, and Table Bay is so very insecure an Anchorage with a Westerly Wind even in the midst of our Summer, and as they not unfrequently blow there in that Season though the S E Monsoon, the disposing these Ships with the greatest prospect of safety occupies my most serious attention ; and I am therefore at present rather inclined to think it would be advisable for them to continue here in Simons Bay (though it will be attended with much inconvenience) until I receive directions concerning them.
If the affairs between Great Britain and the Northern Powers should not be amicably settled, it will require a great number of Men, not less than Two Hundred, to conduct these detained Ships to England, and to this circumstance I humbly beg leave to solicit their Lordships attention.
A Ship named the William arrived yesterday in Table Bay from England, after a passage of 14 Weeks, and has in some Pease for the use of my Squadron, and Stores for the Army. She left England with the Hindostan ; but this Ship is not yet arrived. I am &c.
(Signed) EoGER CuRTiS.
[Copy.]
Questions proposed to Mr. Maynier relative to the disturbances that took ploAie at the Drostdy of Graaff Reinet on and about the 20th July 1801, and his answers thereto.
Cape Town 21ih August 1801.
Question 1st.
To what cause do you attribute this last Insurrection ?
Answer.
To the Eeports and Eumours (mentioned in my letter to the General) that prevailed in the District of Graaff Eeinet that it was the intention of Government to secure the persons of the stoutest
fed Records of the Cajpe Colony.
Boors at the ensuing opgaaf and send them to Cape Town to serve as Soldiers and Sailors. These Eeports were circulated with great industry by several fractious and discontented Boors but originated in Cape Town.
Question 2nd.
You acknowledge that the Boors are still collected together to the amount of nearly four hundred behind the Bamboos Berg ; are you perfectly satisfied in your own mind that they will quickly disperse without committing any further outrage or act of Rebellion ?
Answer* Perfectly.
Question Srd.
What reasons have you for thinking so ?
Answer^
Not having succeeded in their attempts to raise the men from Sneeuwberg and the other well affected parts of the Colony a considerable number of those who made their appearance in arms before the Drostdy have already given in their opgaaf and paid their Quit Eents as usual and to enable them all to do so I have prolonged the usual time to one month.
Question 4ith,
What steps do you propose to take or do you recommend should be taken by Government to prevent the repetition of the transaction that took place at the Drostdy on or about the 20th July last ?
. " Answer.
I recommend that nothing {ahsolument rien) should be done at present ; by leaving them to themselves they will disperse quickly but they will be alarmed at any movements of Troops and perhaps fly to arms to anticipate the chastisement they expect from (Government.
Records of the Cape Colony. 61,
Queation MK
What Garrison do you wish for at the Drostdy of Graaff Eeinet or any other place in the District and what numbers can you feed ?
Answer.
None in addition to the few Dragoons. At any rate Bread could not be provided for any numbers until after the harvest.
Question Gth.
• Do you not think the Establishment of a small Fortress or ' jlock House at the Drostdy of Graaff Eeinet a desirable object ?
ATiswer.
By no means at present ; the Barracks when finished will answer every purpose and any additional work would only tend to alarm the Boors.
.Question 7th. , On what terms are we with Congo and the Gaffers on this side ?
Answer, On the best.
Qiiestion 8th.
On what terms are we with Gyka and the Gaffers on the other side the Great Vis Kiver !
Ansiver.
He has expressed a wish to see the Drostdy, in consequence of which my eldest Son and the Missionary Van der Kemp are gone to fetch him. If he conies it will be a sufficient strong proof of his confidence in our pacific intentions towards him.
Question 9th.
How are the Hottentots behaving and in particular Hans Stuurman ?
Atiswer. Cannot behave better.
63 Records of the Cape Colony.
Question 10th.
Have you every reason to be satisfied with Lieutenant Stewart's detachment of the Hottentot Corps, or do you wish to have them removed ?
Answer.
I have no reason to complain of them.
Question llth.
Do you approve of the conduct and principles of the Mission- aries and do you think their endeavors are directed towards the promotion of the general tranquillity ?
Answer, Undoubtedly they are men of exemplary conduct.
Question 12th.
Will you have the goodness to explain for the General's inforrfia- tion your plan for a Corps or band of armed Hottentots, the numbers you propose to arm, and the expence likely to be incurred by such an Establishment ?
Answer.
I wish to have four hundred Hottentots who must be armed and clothed by Government and receive a daily allowance of meat and Bread the first year, and I think that they might at their leisure cultivate the ground so as to be able to subsist themselves afterwards.
Question 12>th.
Do you not wish for some assistant either as Second Commis- sioner or as Secretary and do you know of any person you would particularly recommend ?
Answer.
I should much wish for some such person but know of none to recommend.
Records of the Cape Colony. 63
Question 14th.
Have you any person of confidence amongst the disaffected Boors who will give you early and timely intelligence of their movements and projects ?
Anstoer. I have.
[Copy.]
Proclamation hy Major General Francis Dundas.
Whereas it has appeared to me from various representations that the farmers of the Colony are labouring at present under very serious inconveniences in transporting their produce to the Cape, owing, in a great degree, to the very low condition of the draught oxen, and the numbers that have perished by the long continuance of the late dry season. And whereas the attention of the British Government has particularly been directed to promote the extension and improvement of Agriculture in this Colony, not only by holding out pecuniary rewards for the encouragement of industry ; but also by endeavouring to removQ any difficulties that might appear to check or impede the progress of husbandry. And whereas it has been found from experience that certain laws and regulations now in force are not well calculated for the attainment of these objects, and among others those laid down in the proclamations of the 14th and 25th of August 1800, the first imposing an additional duty on Brandy and other articles of produce subject to the payment of tythes, over and above the usual duties levied on those articles ; and the latter establishing a department for tasting and examining all Wines, as well foreign as those that are the produce of the Colony, imported into the Settlement or brought up to Cape Town, I have thought it expedient to order, and it is hereby accordingly directed and ordered, that from the date of these presents until further orders the Collector of the tythes or Inland duties shall not demand any other tythes or duties on any species of grain, Wine or Brandy, passing the barriers into Cape Town or Simons Town
64 Records of the Cwpe Colony.
than such as have been established and usually levied according to the Old laws of the Colony.-
And whereas it has moreover appeared that just and reasonable grounds of complaint have arisen from the Wine tasting depart- ment, and many serious evils resulted from the same: the opening of the Casks at the Barrier affording great temptations for the Slaves to be guilty of malpractices in the transport of Wines from the Country to the Cape, not only tending to produce riotous and disorderly behaviour in this class of people, but creating also very material injury both to the Cultivator and the Merchant, I have thought proper to direct that for the future, until further orders, the practice of opening and tasting of Wines, on entering the Town, shall be discontinued.
And moreover, in order to prevent any improper or pernicious liquors from being vended to the Soldier or the labouring man in the licensed Wine Houses for retailing Wines and Spirits, I do further command that the examination and tasting of Wines and liquors in the said Winehouses shall, as heretofore has been usual, form a branch of the duties attached to the Office of His Majesty's Fiscal, who is hereby directed to pay a particular attention to the same, and to inflict such punishment as the law directs, and levy such penalties in all cases of abuse as are awarded and heretofore established.
Given under my Hand & Seal at the Castle of Good Hope thi^ 27th day of August 1801.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Original.] Letter from Major General Dundas to Lord Hobart.
Cape op Good Hope, September 9th 1801.
My Lord, — Although I have not as yet received a formal intimation of the change which has lately taken place in those who have the honor to be employed in the administration of His Majesty's Government, yet as no doubt can be entertained of Your Lordship's appointment as Secretary of State, I do myself the honor of sending you this Dispatch, having at the same time
Records of the Cape Colony. 65
Bnclosed a Duplicate of that addressed to the Eight Honourable Henry Dundas, dated 23rd July last, and which was transmitted by His Majesty's Sloop Star which sailed from the Cape the beginning of August.
Having communicated, in the Dispatch abovementioned, my intention of doing away certain new Eegulations and Duties, made and imposed during the administration of the late Governor Sir George Yonge, considered by the Inhabitants of the Settlement as contrary to the terms of the Capitulation, under which this Colony was surrendered to His Majesty's Arms, and consequently productive of ill humour and dissatisfaction, I now herewith enclose the Proclamation issued for the purpose above stated, being a measure I found it necessary immediately to adopt, as the season has now arrived when the Wines and Brandies are brought up to Cape Town from the Country Districts. I have reason to believe that, as the grievances which have been stated to arise from the Proclamations of the 14th & 15th August 1800, the first imposing an additional tax upon Grain and Brandy, the second for establishing a new Department for examining and tasting Wines, are now removed, the Inhabitants have acquired fresh confidence in the Justice and Integiity of His Majesty's Government.
I have great pleasure to communicate that the Commissioners for regulating the consumption of Grain have reported the stock of Corn procurable in the Colony to be sufficient, with proper economical management thereof for supplying His Majesty's Ships, the Troops in Garrison, and Inhabitants, until the coming in of the new Crop, being happy to add that the seasonable Eains which have lately fallen, together with the general good appearance of the weather, indicate a favorable and plentiful Harvest. • Having before signified, to Mr. Secretary Dundas, the receipt of His Majesty's Order in Council respecting the detention of Eussian, Danish, and Swedish Ships, and reported those detained in the Ports of this Colony in consequence of it, I am now to have the honor of acquainting you that, considering the insecure anchorages of the Cape of Good Hope and the great damage to which the Cargoes of the detained Ships have been already exposed, in consequence of the length of time some Swedish and Danish Ships have been detained here, the Admiral Sir Eogor
IV. V
66 Records of the Cape Colony.
Curtis and myself have concurred in opinion as to the expediency of permitting the Danish and Swedish ships to prosecute their voyage to Europe, fully convinced that, from the intelligence which has lately reached us that the Embargoes are taken off at home — we shall receive an early ratification of the adjust- ment of the differences with the Northern Powers, and the consequent order to release the Ships detained in this Quarter of the Globe.
Having mentioned in my last Despatches that a Sum of Money due on account of unpaid Warrants issued by the late Governor Sir George Yonge could not then be discharged by reason of the state of the Balance in the hands of the Keceiver General, I am to report for your information that since writing the aforesaid Letter • of the 23rd July, the. Debt upon the Colonial Treasury has been reduced from Seventy three Thousand and Eighty seven Eix- doUars, Four Skellings & Four Stivers, to Thirty four Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Seven Eix Dollars, Seven Skellings, and Four Stivers, and it gives me pleasure to add that a Balance remained in the Treasury at the end of the Month of August amounting to Ninety Seven Thousand Five Hundred and Ninety three Eixdollars and two Stivers, being now confident, from the flourishing state of the Eevenues, that every demand upon the Colonial Treasury will be speedily discharged, and such Funds as are necessary for the Expenditure of the Civil Establishment of the Colony will be hereafter amply supplied.
It is with concern my duty requires me to state that, notwith- standing the lenity and indulgence shewn to the turbulent Inhabi- tants of the District of Graaff Eeinet, as well during the different administrations of the English Government, as formerly when the Dutch East India Company had possession of this Colony, a disposition to violate the Laws has again manifested itself amongst these remote and licentious Settlers, the Boors from the Bruintjes Hoogte, a division of the District of Graaff Eeinet, having appeared in arms at the late annual opgaaf or payment of the quit Eents, under very frivolous and groundless pretences, and though, by the firmness and prudence of the Magistrate of the District, this disposition to disturb the Public peace has been happily repressed, without coming to extremities with them, and in such a manner as gives me no apprehensions at present of an immediate renewal of disturbances, yet I must confess that the utmost vigilance and
Records of the Cape Colony. 67
exertion, on the part of Government, are required to awe and contronl the Turbulent peasants dwelling at the frontiers of the Colony.
I do myself the honor to enclose a Proclamation issued on the 31st July 1801, immediately on the receipt of the intelligence of what had taken place at the Drostdy of Graaff Reinet, seeing the policy, and indeed necessity, of temporizing at present, but it will become a matter of very serious consideration the adopting here- after such measures as are requisite for ensuring the good order and future tranquillity of a part of the Country which, from its distant situation from the Seat of Government, has been always liable to partial insurrections, in which the other Districts of the Colony have been by no means implicated, enjoying as they do at present, the most perfect tranquillity.
I avail myself of the opportunity, which the sailing of His Majesty's Ship Adamant for England affords me, of enclosing the Monthly Eeturns of His Majesty's Troops under my command, for the months of August and September last.
No other events having occurred, with the recital of which it is requisite for me to trouble your Lordship, I have nothing further on the present occasion to add than that I have &c.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Original.] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
Lancaster, Simons Bay, Cape of Good Hope, Qth September 1801.
Sir, — There will be detailed to you in this Letter for the infor- mation of their Lordships all the occurrences connected with my Command since my Letter of the 26th ultimo.
In my letter of the 26th ultimo now referred to, I stated to you for the reasons therein mentioned I was not without some uneasi- ness about the Rattlesnake. But I am now to inform you I have received a Letter a few days ago from Captain Curtis dated the 29th July, which is subsequent to the time the Chiffonc was at
F 2
68 Records of the Cape Colony.
Madagascar, consequently all apprehensions concerning the Rattle- snake are at an end. Tlie Letter was brought me in the Danish Ship the Christianus Septimus detained in her route to St. Helena by the Rattlesnake, and Captain Curtis informs me he had been induced to continue at Sea in the hope of intercepting two Swedish China Ships, of which he had obtained intelligence: However I expect his arrival here every Hour.
Captain Curtis also states to me that on the 12th July he spoke the American Ship Clothca from Canton, which place she left on the 17th March preceding, and from that Ship he received infor- mation of the arrival there of the China Ships under Convoy of the BelligeiLx, which SMp was in a very leaky state, and was to go to Bombay to Dock. Upon reflecting on this intelhgence, I am become apprehensive that owing to the circumstance of the Belligeux being under the necessity of going to Bombay, the homeward bound China Trade might be without protection in their Voyage to England, and I think it my duty, under such impression, to provide a Ship for their safety. I have in various Letters represented to you the circumstance of the Adamant running upon a Eock in St. Augustine's Bay on the Coast of Madagascar, and the dangerous state she has been supposed to be in, on account of that accident, and I have also several times reported to you her weakness and general unfitness for present Service, and I have consequently fixed on that Ship for going to England with the view abovementioned. She will depart from hence for St. Helena as speedily as may be, and though it appears the Cliina Ships might possibly have reached St. Helena by the end of the last Month, yet it generally happens they are later in their arrival there than they expect, and I am therefore full of hope the Adamant will get to that Island before they have left it. But if these Ships should have proceeded on their Voyage, she will be to remain there a reasonable time, to conduct home such Ships as may arrive there.
In my Letter of the 11th December 1800 I mentioned for the reasons therein set forth, my having it in contemplation to send the Adamant to St. Helena to go home with the charge of a Convoy assembled there, and to order the Ship sent from England for that purpose, in case she might meet her at the Island, to repair to this Station in the room of the Adamant, and 1 have received no intimation from their Lordships that such a step would be dis-
Records of the Cape Colony. 69
approved of: But various circumstances have arisen to prevent my having hitherto adopted that measure. It is now my intention that in case the Adamant should meet a Frigate at St. Helena, sent thither to conduct to England the homeward bound Trade, to direct the Adamant to perform that Service, and to Order the Frigate to the Cape of Good Hope ; and I trust when their Lord- ships consider how much my Squadron will be diminished by the absence of tlie Adamant and the Tremendous (which will be men- tioned hereafter) and that tlie Imperieuse is the only Frigate on this Station, which Ship I am taught to expect will return from Sea in bad condition, their Lordships will n(»t be displeased at my conduct in this respect.
In my Letter of the 26th ultimo I informed you the Penguin, which had sailed with a small Victualler under her Protection for Mocha, had put back with the Victualler, as the latter had been so leaky she was unable to proceed.
General Dundas (the acting Governour of this Colony) and myself deeming it of great importance that the supplies contained in the Vessel abovemeutioned should be forwarded to their desti- nation as soon as it was possible a conveyance could be procured for them, and a Ship in Ballast belonging to Hambrough and bound to Mocha having put into this Bay to get Water and Eefit, she has been engaged by the Agent for the East India Company for receiving on board what was in the Vessel abovemeutioned, and a further quantity of such articles as have been judged the most proper for the Army in the Eed Sea. It being indispensable that a Convoy should be appointed for the Hambrough Ship to prevent her being seized by the French Cruizers ; and her Com- mander making it a condition of his agreement, that the Ship allotted for his protection should not be less than a Frigate, particularly as he had heard the Chiffone was in the Indian Seas, and I having no Frigate on the Station except the Impcrieusc, and she is at Sea, I am under the necessity of appointing the Tremendous for this Service.
In my Letter of the 24th June I spoke of the state of the Tremendous, remarking that she had then been Ten Years and a half off the ground, and was consequently very foul. It is to be expected much of her Copper is off her Bottom and of course exposed to the ravage of the worms; and from the dec^y probably of the Oakum in her Seams she makes constantly at an anchor in
70 Becoi'ds of the Cape Colony.
the most tmnquil weather twelve Inches Water an Hour. The Ship being in this condition, I shall endeavour to make her present appointment of Service of two-fold advantage. It is therefore my intention to direct Captain Osborn after he has seen the Hambrough Ship in safety, to proceed to Bombay, and if possible have the Tremendous Docked, and such temporary repair made to her as may be found to be absolutely necessary. I am aware that if the Tremendous were to go the whole way to Mocha, it is possible she may not get out of the Eed Sea while the N.E. Monsoon prevails ; but I conclude that before she gets so far towards the Straits of Bablemandel either fall in with some Ship or Vessel of War to which he may consign the charge of the Hambro Ship, or that he may acquire such information as may shew it to be unnecessary for him to proceed so far towards Mocha with the Ship in his charge, as to endanger his getting over to Bombay, and conse- quently the Order under which he will sail will be of a discre- tionary nature, I shall write to the Commander in Chief in India addressed to him at Bombay, or in his absence to the Senior Officer there, stating my reasons for sending this Ship to that place, and requesting she may be docked &c. as beforementioned. If from any circumstances that may arise, the Commander in Chief in India should think it proper to retain the Tremendous in that Country, she will be at his Command ; but if she should not be retained there, Captain Osborn will in conformity to the Order he will receive from me, repair back to the Cape of Good Hope. I hope their Lordships will approve of my intentions respecting this Ship, and I expect she will sail from hence with the Ship under her Convoy, in Ten days at farthest.
The Terpsichore put into this Bay in her way to India on the 2nd instant, to procure some Water, and sailed again on the 6th.
We hourly expect the Sindostan Storeship, a Ship having arrived here a fortnight ago, that parted with her off Cape Ortugal.
A very large Ship having appeared on the evening of the 2nd instant at the entrance of False Bay, apparently in great distress, having been totally dismasted, and a S.W. Wind coming on and driving her to Sea, I ordered the Adamant out to her assistance, and she towed her into this anchorage on the 4th. She proved to be the Countess of Sutherland of above 1600 Tons Burthen from Bengal bound to London, having on board a most valuable Cargo.
Records of the Cape Colony. 71
She had been dismasted about three Months before on the Eastern Coast of this Colony, and since the accident had frequently been in the utmost danger, and had only a single Cask of Water on board when the Adamant joined her. She is in want of every thing, but there is scarcely a single Spar for Mastage to be pur- chased in this Country, and the stock here belonging to His Majesty is almost entirely exhausted, so that she can have no supply from our Stores, and must proceed home under small Jury Masts. I have caused her to be furnished with an Anchor and Cable for her security, the latter of which we could ill spare. In my Letter to you of the 15th March 1800, I stated how frequently it occurred that Ships of the India Trade put into the Cape in distress and the drain it was upon the King's Stores, Neither the India Company, nor others Trading to that Country, have made any deposit of Stores here, nor is any to be purchased from the Eesident Merchants, and the great number of crippled Ships which have taken refuge at the Cape since the writing of the Letter above referred to, have been of necessity assisted from His Majesty's Stores ; and though the King's Ships have not as yet been in actual want therefrom, yet the supplies granted to such Ships is a drain upon His Majesty's Stores unprovided for, and may eventually be attended with serious consequences. It seems therefore highly necessary that those interested in the Trade to India should deposit Naval Stores at the Cape of Good Hope. And it may not be improper for me to remark that the Cape, even as a place of refuge for Ships in distress, is of such importance, that since I have been here many Ships have put in under such circumstances that they must have done so, even had the place been in the hands of an Enemy.
The Jupiter not being yet arrived from Sea, I cannot in com- pliance with their Lordships directions send home Lieutenant Heathcote, but he shall go to England by the first opportunity after the Jupiter returns. I am &c.
(Signed) Eoger Cuktis.
72 - Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original.] Letter from Vice Admiral Cubtis to Evan Nepean, Esqee.
Lancaster, Simons Bat, Cape of Good Hope, 10(/* September 1801.
Sir,— In my Letters of the 26th June, 29th July, and 27th August, I adverted to the Ships here which had been detained in virtue of His Majesty's Order in Council dated the 14th January last.
I am now to acquaint you for the information of their Lord- ships, that a Ship having arrived in Table Bay on the 1st instant, which brought a Newspaper which contained the Gazette-publica- tion of His Majesty's Order in Council dated the 4th June, re- voking the general Embargo on the Ships and Vessels of Eussia and Denmark, General Dundas the acting Governor of the Colony and myself, after mature consideration agreed in Opinion, that it would be proper to set at liberty the Danish Ships which were detained here, and they were liberated accordingly.
And the Terpsichore having arrived in this Bay on the 2nd instant, and Captain Mackellar of that Ship having brought satisfactory information that the Embargo upon Swedish Ships was also taken off before he left England, although he had received no Official notification thereof, General Dundas and I, after duly weighing the information on this head received by the Terpsichore, concurred in Opinion, that the Swedish Ship detained here should be liberated also, which was accordingly done.
The Danish Ship Christianus Septimus sent in by the Rattlesnake arrived here a few days ago, as mentioned in my Letter of Yester- day, will likewise proceed for Europe as soon as she gets the Men which were taken out of her and which are now on board the Ratlesnake, and I every moment expect the Rattlesnake to make her appearance.
I hope the measure thus taken in regard to the Detained Ships will meet with their Lordships approbation. I am &c.
(Signed) Eoger Curtis.
Records of the Cape Colony. 73^
[Original.] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
Lancaster, Simons Bat, Cape of Good Hope, IWi September 1801.
Sir, — The Imperieuse arrived here last night, and having met with a great deal of Tempestuous Weather with adverse Winds, it will require some time to make her again fit for Service. While the ImperieiLse was on the Coast of Madagascar she took two Vessels having 11 ice on board, and they are expected to come in with the first favourable Wind.
The Wind has been favourable several days for bringing the Hi'iidostan Storeship ; and as she does not make her appearance, though I understand she sailed from England on the 19th May, I am somewhat uneasy about her, as if any accident has befallen her, we shall be in great want of various Stores, and particularly Cables for the two Decked Ships. I am &c.
(Signed) Eoger Curtis.
[Original.] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
Cape of Good Hope, IQth September J801.
Sir, — A Swedish Ship being to Sail from hence, the Captain of which saying he should have communication with England at Dover, I avail myself of the opportunity that their Lordships might know the Rattlesnake arrived here from a Cruize on the 15th instant : Captain Curtis had prolonged his continuance at Sea, conformably to the discretionary power I had given him, in the hope of falling in with some very valuable homeward bound Swedish Ships, of which he had obtained information.
The Jupiter, Hindostan, and Euphrosyne Armed Brig arrived here from Pdo Janeiro on the 17th instant. I am &c.
(Signed) Eoger Curtis.
74 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.] Proclamation by Major General Fkancis Dundas.
Whereas by proclamation of the 20th May 1797 it is directed that no British Subjects or Foreigners should thenceforth be allowed to settle or remain in this Colony without having previously obtained the special License of the Commander in Chief, or being furnished with a passport from the Secretary of State's Office, This is to give notice that all persons who have arrived in this Colony since the 13th June 1796 for the purpose of settling here, or who have resided in the Colony from that period to the present, whether Subjects of His Majesty or natives of any foreign Country, or Prisoners of War on their parole, are required to present themselves at the Secretary's Office, where a Commission consisting of Andrew Barnard Esq'. Colonial Secretary, W. S. van Eyneveld Esq"*. His Majesty's Fiscal, and Abraham Fleck Esq'. President of the Burgher Senate, will attend every Tuesday and Friday at 10 oClock in the forenoon, beginning on Tuesday next the 29th of September, and continuing to sit on the aforesaid days untU the 1st of November next. Before this Com- mission all persons above described will be required to give in their name, age, country, profession, time of arrival in this Colony, from , whence arrived, Family and present abode, passport and from whom.
And all such persons as may not be provided with passports or Licenses from the Secretary of State's Office in England, or who have not obtained passports here, must then apply for the same in •writing, stating the cause and intention of their remaining here, that, if appearing satisfactory to me, orders may be given to have them supplied with passports at the Secretary's Office in the Castle. And all persons neglecting to present themselves before the said Commission within the time above stated, will be con- sidered as having forfeited all pretensions to the indulgence of remaining in the Colony, and will be ordered to quit the same without delay.
This Summons extends to all persons not in His Majesty's Service, and who may now or hereafter arrive and intend
Recm'ds of the Cape Colony. 75
to stay longer in the Colony than the ship on which they came.
Given under my Hand & Seal at the Castle of Good Hope this 22nd day of September 1801.
(Signed) Feancis Dundas.
[Original.] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
Lancaster, Simons Bay, Cape op Good Hope, \st October 1801.
Sir, — By the Hindostan which arrived here on the 17th ultimo I receiA^ed the following Orders :
One of the 16th December 1800, to bring provisionally into Port, and direct to be so brought into Port, all Eussian Merchant Vessels. One of the 22nd December 1800, to suffer to pass freely all Vessels belonging to Persons of any Nation in Amity with His Majesty which shall be wholly laden with Provisions destined to the Ports of Great Britain or Ireland, notwithstanding the same shall be brought from a Blockaded Port.
One of the 10th January last, to take the Hindostan under my Command.
One of the 16th December 1800, respecting the Ensigns Armorial, Flags, and Banners to be worn in consequence of the Union of the two Kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland : Together with His Majesty's Order in Council thereon dated the 5th November 1800.
One of the 15th January 1801, to bring into Port all Ships of War, or Vessels of any description belonging to Eussia, Denmark, and Sweden. An Order of the same tenor and date I received on the 14th May by His Majesty's Sloop the Penguin.
One of the 16th April 1801, relative to the Trade to be allowed between the Colonies of Spain in America and the Settlement of the Cape of Good Hope.
By the Hindostan I received also the following Letters :
One of the 3rd December 1800, containing their Lordships directions to cause the utmost economy in the expenditure of Stores on board His Majesty's Ships and Vessels &c.
One of the 16th December 1800, together with 20 Orders of
76 Records of the Cape Colony.
their Lordships to detain and bring in, or send into some con- venient Port of His Majesty all Eussian Merchant Vessels. These Orders not reaching me until the 17th ultimo, and authentic in- formation having arrived here before that time, that the Embarga in England on Russian Ships had been taken off, the Orders in Question have not been issued. This remark applies also to the Order of the 16th December 1800, and to that of the 15th January- ISO 1 beforementioned, received by the Hindostan.
To all which Orders and Letters the most punctual attention will be paid. I am &c.
(Signed) Eoger Curtis.
London Gazette.
Government Notice.
Downing Street, October 2, 1801.
Preliminaries of Peace between His Majesty and the French Pepublic were signed last Night at Lord Hawkesbury's Office, in Downing-Street, by the Right Honorable Lord Hawkesbury, One of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, on the Part of His Majesty, and by M. Otto, on the Part of the French Government.
[Original.] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
Lancaster, Simons Bay, Cape op Good Hope, 6th October 1801.
Sir, — I am now to detail to you for the information of their Lordships the occurrences here connected with my Command since my Letters of the 9th, 13th, and 19th September last.
In my Letter of the 9th September I stated to you my motives for sending the Adamant to the Island of St. Helena, and from thence to England : She sailed from hence for those purposes on the 14th September.
On the 17th September the Jupiter, Hindostan, and Euphrosyne Armed Brig arrived from Rio Janeiro, which place they left on the 18th of the preceding month, in Company with the Lion and
Records of the Cape Colony. 77
the China Trade. Captain Losack of the Jupiter having while he was at Rio Janeiro obtained authentic information that the Force in the Eio de la Plata had been encreased since he left that Station to nine Sail of Men of War, viz. : Two Spanish Ships of the Line and Five Frigates, and two French Frigates, he very properly- determined to accompany the Lion and her Convoy, with the Jupiter and the Hindostan, to such distance from the Coast as there would be little probability of their falling in with the Enemies Squadron, and he parted with the Lion and the China Ships on the 27th August in Lat. 36° 11' S. and 27° 31' W*. Longitude, all well. The Lion, Hindostan, and the China Trade arrived at Eio Janeiro on the 1st August.
From the abovementioned encrease of the Enemy in the Rio de la Plata, my annulling the appointment of a Ship to cruize on that station may be considered as a fortunate circumstance.
The Battlesnahe arrived from a Cruize on the 15th September.
In my Letter of the 9th September I acquainted you of my having appointed the Tremendous for the protection of a Hamburgh Ship destined for Mocha and loaded with articles of Victualling for the use of the Army employed upon the Coasts of the Red Sea, and my reasons for so doing : She sailed with the said Ship under her Convoy on the 2nd instant. In ray Letter of the 9th September abovementioned, their Lordships will have observed my solicitude for the reasons therein stated to prevent if possible the Tremendous going the whole way to Mocha. Having sub- sequent to the writing the said Letter become acquainted, that were the Tremendous to proceed to Mocha, her being detained there until April would not be the only iU consequence of the measure, but that she cannot be Docked at Bombay during the S W Monsoon, besides other probable inconveniences of import- ance. Upon consideration therefore of the case, General Dundas, the Agent of the East India Compiny, and I perfectly concurred in opinion, that at this season of the year, the N E Monsoon prevailing, the route of the Hamburgh Ship to Mocha so near Bombay, it wauld occasion her very little delay to be conducted directly to that place, from whence she will proceed to Mocha with the other Ships charged with supplies for the Red Sea, which must necessarily be sent from Bombay during the N E Monsoon. In consequence of this determination, the Tremendous has charge of the Hamburgh Ship only so far as Bombay.
78 Records of the Cape Colony.
It having occurred to me that though there may be an oppor- tunity of Docking the Tremendous at Bombay, there might not be Copper there, which could be spared from the Ships belonging to the East India Squadron, to new Copper her, and there being here no want of that article, I have caused to be put on board that Ship as much as she may want, with a proportionate quantity of Copper Nails : And in the event of its not being practicable to Dock the Tremendous, and it should happen there may be a want of Copper at Bombay, I have directed Captain Osbom to leave there what he has on board. In case of the Tremendous being Docked at Bombay, or that it should be found impracticable, Captain Osbom is equally enjoined to use all possible dispatch not to be longer absent from this Station than may be indispensibly necessary unless he should receive in India contrary Orders.
I informed you in my Letter of the 9th September that I was taught to expect the Imperieuse would arrive from Sea in bad condition, and I am very sorry to acquaint you she is found to be in a worse state than was imagined. Having directed the Master ShipAvright of the Yard very carefully to examine into her Defects, he h£is made me the Eeport thereon, a copy of which I herewith enclose. Their Lordships will observe by it, that the Ship is not only unfit for Service here, but that it would be improper to send her home in the Winter Season ; and she must therefore continue here until such time, that from the period of her departure hence, she may be expected to arrive in England in the Summer Season.
The Ships which lately arrived from Sea not having compleated their Eefitting, and the N W Monsoon having continued unusually long this Season, I have not as yet removed the Squadron to Table Bay, but shall probably leave this Anchorage for that purpose in the course of next week.
The Troops on board the Kent Victualler, which was condemned at Eio Janeiro, as mentioned in my Letter of the 26th August, were brought to the Cape by Captain Losack in the Jupiter.
I am &c.
(Signed) Eoger Cuktis.
Kceords of the Cape Colonii. 79
[Original.] Letter from Major General Dundas to Lord Hob art.
Cape of Good Hope, Uh October 1801.
My Lord, — I have the honor to inform Your Lordship that the East India Packet the Star which left Amboyna on the 3rd August last, bringing an account of the Surrender of the Island of Ternate, and all its Dependencies, to His Majesty's Arms, arrived yesterday in Table Bay, and as she proposes to proceed immediately for England, I take the opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of the Ofi&cial Letters and Dispatches specified in the Margin,
„ _ , , , ,„„, which were delivered to me by Mr.
Mr. Dundas, 14 January 1801. ,_ , _, , .-,-,■,
Mr. HuskiB^n, 16 March. Hercules Eoss, who amved on board
Mr. Duadas, 16 March. His Majesty's Ship Hindostan on the
Lord Hobart, 18 March. I7th ultimo.
Mr. Huskisson, 31 March. m, , , i? j.r j.- i • i
Lord Hobart, 16 April. ^he shortness of the time which
Do. 1 May. has elapsed since the forementioned
Do. 2 May. Dispatches have reached me renders
D 9 M*^ ^* impossible, at present, to reply to
Do! 13 May. ^^ Several points of Your Lordship's
instructions contained therein, but I shall not fail to institute an Enquiry, in pursuance to His Majesty's Commands, relative to the subjects to which you have directed my attention, and will transmit by an early oppor- tunity every information in my power to procure, respecting the important matters mentioned in your Letters of the 1st and 2nd May last, of which I have already acknowledged the receipt.
The occurrences which have taken place, since my last letter dated 9th September, sent by His Majesty's Ship Adamant, a Duplicate of which I have the honor to enclose, are not such as to merit in any great degree Your Lordship's notice therefore, not unnecessarily to occupy your time, it is my intention to confine this present communication within narrow bounds.
The Proclamation upon the subject of the foreigners who have from time to time introduced themselves into this Settlement is the only one I have found it necessary to issue since the departure
80 'Records of the Cape Colony.
of my last Dispatch, having to acknowledge the justice of Your Lordship's remarks upon the subject of permitting foreigners to reside here ; and am to add, that the caution which you have directed to be observed in admitting them, particularly French, into this Settlement, will be for the future very strictly at- tended to.
Some of the Boors of the District of Graafif Eeinet who, upon a late occasion as I before informed Your Lordship, attempted to disturb the public peace, have not as yet been prevailed upon to return to their habitations, but have retired behind the Bamboos- berg, a remote and inaccessible part of the Country, from which it is not my intention, nor would it be indeed an object for Government, to endeavour by force to dislodge them ; however your Lordship may depend upon my unceasing attention and vigilance towards the maintaining of the public tranquillity in that, as well as in every other part of the Country. I am perfectly convinced that little credit ought to be given to the vague and interested information which is very frequently received from the Country Districts, and am happy to find that Your Lord- ship's sentiments upon that head so perfectly coincide with what my own experience has already taught me. Being able to appreciate pretty justly the value of such reports, I flatter myself with a hope that I am not likely to be misled so as to take any hasty, erroneous, or improper steps in consequence of them.
With a view of enabling your Lordship to judge of the nature of the disturbances to which I allude in the District of Graaff Eeinet, I herewith enclose Letters and Eeports addressed to me from that part of the Colony which, though perhaps tedious and prolix, may tend to give your Lordship some insight with respect to the affairs of the more distant Country, the unruly disposition of its Inhabitants, their ignorance, barbarity, and impatience of all legal restraints having ever rendered them troublesome and disaffected subjects under every Government which has as yet existed at the Cape.
I am apt to believe that the disseminating through all the parts of an enlightened Country a general knowledge of public events, through the medium of a Newspaper, is not only gratifying to Individuals but, under proper restrictions, useful in the administra- tion of public affairs. The establishment of a Printing Press
►
Records of the Cape Colony. ST
nevertheless, during the administration of Sir George Yonge, I conceive to be premature, and more likely to produce evil than good effects, since the minds of the Inhabitants are by no means prepared to exercise the freedom of discussion on almost any subject, particularly politics, concerning which they have been led to entertain very confused and erroneous opinions. The Printing press however having been placed in the hands of private in- dividuals, by the authority of the late Governor, at whose express desire the proprietors were induced, at a considerable expence, to import the Press from England, I have not thought myself at liberty to deprive them of their privilege of printing, without a proper compensation, and as it was represented to me that the suppression of the press would be attended with many incon- veniences to the Merchants and others, I have thought it advisable, until honored with Your Lordship's instructions on this subject, the purchasing from the proprietors, on Colonial account, the whole printing apparatus, placing it under the immediate inspec- tion of Government, in the office of the Secretary of the Colony in the Castle, under the superintendency of Mr. Barrow, Auditor of Accounts, who has voluntarily offered his assistance upon this occasion, having perfect confidence in his discretion and judgment in directing the publication of such subjects only as cannot prove injurious to the interests of His Majesty's Government and the public service. The price paid to Messrs. Walker & Eobertson, the original proprietors of the Printing Press, for the same, amounts to twelve thousand EixdoUars, equal to Two Thousand Pounds Sterling, which sum the Colonial Treasury will not ultimately lose, there being reasonable ground to hope that, in a very short space of time, the profits arising from Advertisements and Sub- scriptions for the Paper will fully repay the expence which has been incurred upon this occasion.
I transmit the Monthly Eeturn of the 1st of October of His Majesty's Troops in this Settlement.
It only remains for me, upon the present occasion, to acquaint Your Lordship, before I conclude, in answer to the first paragraph of your Letter dated 1st May, that no Copies of letters, or any other official documents, having been left in my hands by the late Governor of this Colony, on his departure, should Your Lordship happen to be of opinion tliat any particulars, contained in the official correspondence of Sir George Yonge with His Majesty's
IV. (}
82 Records of the Cape Colony.
Ministers, require further notice and attention, here, it will be requisite to favour me with such Extracts from them as will enable me to obey His Majesty's Commands. I have &c.
(Signed) Feancis Dundas.
London Gazette.
Government Notice.
DowNiKG Stbeet, October 10, 1801.
The Ratifications of the Preliminary Articles of Peace between His Majesty and the French Eepublic, signed on the 1st Instant, were this Day exchanged by the Eight Honorable Lord Hawkes- bury, One of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, and by M. Otto.
[Of&ce Copy.]
Letter from the RiGHT Honourable Lord Hobart to Major General Dundas.
Downing Stbeet, 12th October 1801.
Sir, — I herewith transmit to you a Copy of the Preliminary Articles of Peace, signed on the 1st Instant by the Eight Honorable Lord Hawkesbury on the part of His Majesty, and by M. Otto on the part of the French Government, the Eatifications whereof have been exchanged ; by which it is agreed that Hostilities shall cease immediately between the two Powers, and between them and their Allies respectively, together with a proclamation which His Majesty has been pleased to issue, enjoining the Cessation of Hostilities accordingly, and I am to signify to you The King's Commands that you are, on the receipt of this Dispatch, to abstain from the Commission of all Hostilities against the Subjects of France or of Her Allies. I am, &c.
(Signed) HOBAET.
Records of the Cape Colony. 83
[Original.]
Letter from Major General Dundas to the Eight Honourable Lord Hobart.
Cape op Good Hope, I2lh October 1801.
My Lord, — Your Lordship's letter bearing date Downing Street 9th May 1801 having signified to me the appointment of Lord Glenbervie to the office of Joint Paymaster to His Majesty's Forces and moreover stating that having held the Office of the Com- missioner of the Treasury which His Lordship had vacated in consequence of his nomination to the Government of the Cape, and that as Lord Glenbervie ceased to be entitled to receive his Salary as Commissioner of the Treasury until the 20th March last the period of His Lordship's appointment to the office of Joint Paymaster to His Majesty's Forces the sum of Two Thousand Nine Hundred and Thirty one Pounds Ten Shillings Sterling should be remitted as a compensation to him, I am to have the honor to acquaint you of my having this day given directions to the Deputy Paymaster General Mr. Hercules Koss to remit the fore- mentioned Sum by a Bill on the Paymaster General in London in favor of Lord Glenbervie the amount of which will be charged to the account of the Eevenues of this Settlement in pursuance of Your Lordship's commands conveyed to me in the letter before mentioned. I have &c,
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Original.]
Letter from Major General Dundas to the Eight Honourable Lord Hobart.
Cape of Good Hope, I2th October 1801,
My Lord, — I am to acquaint Your Lordship that Mr. Barnard Secretary of the Colony having represented to me that the situation of his private affairs required his presence in Europe and having at the same time communicated to me the contents of a letter dated 18th March 1800 from the Eight Hon'"^ Henry Dundas addressed to the late Governor Sir George Yonge
G 2
'84 Records of tlie Cape Colony.
signifying that His Excellency was at liberty to permit the de- parture of Mr. Barnard provided his absence was not prejudicial to the public Service I have therefore been now induced to grant leave of absence for the period of one year to Mr. Barnard ac- cordingly I have &c.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Copy.] Proclamation by Major General Francis Dundas.
Whereas information has reached His Majesty's Ministers of a Variety of abuses having taken place in this Settlement during the late administration of the Government thereof, in consequence of which information His Majesty's pleasure has been signified to me that " As soon as circumstances shall permit an especial Com- mission should be appointed, composed of not less than three of the principal Of&cers of His Majesty's Government at the Cape of Good Hope, with instructions and authority to enquire into, and take cognizance of all such cases as may be thought right to be referred to their consideration, transmitting for His Majesty's in- formation the reports received from the said Commission."
And whereas, in a subsequent dispatch from the Eight Hon'ble Lord Hobart, One of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, dated 2nd May last I am directed that all Documents produced in the course of the investigation, when they are not of a public and official nature, should be verified on Oath if circumstances will admit of it, I have therefore in obedience to His Majesty's Com- mands thought fit to appoint, arid by these presents do constitute and appoint the five following Gentlemen to compose the above- mentioned Commission: —
Brigadier General Vandeleur,
John Pringle Esq^ Commissary General,
W. S. van Eyneveld Esq^ His Majesty's Fiscal,
E, Buckley Esq^ Civil Paymaster,
John Barrow Esq'. Auditor General.
And I do hereby give public Notice that I have thought it expedient to invest the said Commissioners with full powers to
Records of the Cape Colony. 85
summon before them and to examine on Oath all such persons as may appear to them to be able to give information on the different cases which shall be laid before them, and also to call for copies of all such papers and public Documents as may tend to eluci- date the several subjects of their investigation, so that a clear and distinct report may be sent home for His Majesty's in- formation.
Given under my Hp-nd & Seal at the Castle of Good Hope this 22nd day of October 1801.
(Signed) Fkancis Dundas.
[Copy.]
Letter from Major General Dundas to Brigadier General Vandeleur, John Pringle, Esqre., Commissary General, W. S. VAN Eyneveld, Esqre., His Majesty's Fiscal, Edward Buckley, Esqre., Civil Paymaster, and John Barrow, Esqre., Auditor General.
Cape Town, 24<A Octoher 1801.
Gentlemen, — Having had the honor to receive the King's Com- mands conveyed to me through the Eight Honorable the Secretary of State, that a Special Commission should be appointed at the Cape composed of some of the principal persons holding Official Situations under the Government for the purpose of making an Enquiry into certain abuses alledged to have existed during the Administration of the late Governor; I have thought fit to nominate you accordingly, and as I have already invested you with such powers as are necessary for enabling you to execute His Majesty's Commands upon this Occasion, I have now only to request of you to proceed without delay to the investigation of the several points which I shall have the honor of submitting to your consideration.
As the Object of your Enquiry which you are directed to make is to furnish His Majesty's- Ministera at. home with such informa- tion as can be depended upon relative to certain transactions during Sir George Yonge's Government which have been stated as improper and injurious to the British Interests in this Colony, and
86 Records of tJie Cape Colony.
as from your Eeport His Majesty will determine what steps are necessary to be taken in consequence of them, it will of course be requisite that you should detail as minutely as possible every circumstance connected with or in any way related to the several subjects which will be brought before you for your particular in- vestigation.
The purpose of the Commission being to ascertain facts, without offering any Comments or Eemarks upon them, I should imagine that a difference of Opinion is not likely to occur, however should any such arise in the course of your examinations the question must be decided as is usual by the Majority of Voices.
I have to request your particular attention to the necessity of Observing an inviolable Secrecy with respect to your proceedings as well as with regard to all particulars whether of a private or public nature of which you shall acquire the knowledge in the course of your investigations, this admonition it is incumbent upon me to give, though from the confidence I place in your discretion and experience in business I am confident it is superfluous further to insist on the observance of it, leaving to your own judgements the sort of obligation to be entered into amongst yourselves to ensure a strict attention to what I have taken the liberty to recommend as a measure of precaution which in every view of the important duty you are about to perform has appeared to me to be requisite.
The accompanying minute transmitted by the Eight Honorable Lord Hobart Secretary of State being a Statement of Information His Lordship had received comprehends the particulars which are to constitute the Object of your Enquiry.
The truth or falsity of all the several points you will en- deavor to ascertain as speedily as possible, transmitting after- wards to me your Eeport thereon for His Majesty's Information.
I have &c.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
Records of the Cape Colony. 87
[Copy.] Proclamation hy Major General Francis Dundas.
Whereas the Especial Commission appointed by proclamation of the 22nd October has, with my approbation, nominated Lieutenant Eobert McNab to act as Secretary to the said Commission, This is to give notice to all whom it may or shall concern that all persons whomsoever are required to pay a due obedience to such sum- monses or other requests as may be made to them by the said Lieutenant Robert McNab in the name and by order of the Com- mission so appointed by me.
Given under my Hand & Seal at the Castle of Good Hope this 28th day of October 1801.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Copy.] Proclamation hy Major General Francis Dundas.
The Burgher Senate having represented that it is highly requisite, in order to keep the Upper or New Eoad between the Castle and the Drie Koppen in proper repair, that the use of that road be interdicted during the summer, and having for that purpose requested me to authorize them to cause the said Upper Road to be shut up as has been heretofore customary, I have, in confidence of its being for the general benefit, judged proper to grant the request of the Burgher Senate, and hereby authorize and empower them to shut up the Upper or New Road from the Castle to the Drie koppen, in the usual manner, from the date of the present Proclamation to the last day of next March, during which period the Lower or Old Road only shall be made use of. And I do hereby forbid and interdict all and every one from attempting to pass or frequent that part of the New Road which is crossed with Bars, either with waggons, carriages, horses, cattle, or sheep ; and moreover give notice and warning that I confirm and renew the penalty of Twenty RL^doUars to be levied on all persons that shall attempt to transgress this order, of wliich, as heretofore, one tliird
88 Records of the Cape Colony.
part is to be paid to the informer, and the remaining two thirds to the Treasury of the Burgher Senate.
Given under my Hand & Seal at the Castle of Good Hope, this 31st day of October 1801.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Original.]
A Plan for amending the interior Police in the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope.
Whosoever should cast but a very slight regard on the interior police of this Settlement will immediately be aware that it is wholly insufficient to preserve good order in general, and to administer Justice to every one in particular. And those who have travelled in the interior part of the Country and have atten- tively studied the nature of the Inhabitants, the various relations which they bear to one another, the opposite interests of the peasant and the Hottentot, who are both equally to be considered as real inhabitants of the Country and equally entitled to the pro- tection of Government, — such persons must be convinced that this nominal Police can not any longer Subsist, but that essential alterations, and those immediately ought to be adopted, in order that Justice may be done to every one, and that tran- quillity may be restored to the interior parts of the Colony.
The boundaries of the Colony have been extended by Slow and insensible degrees under the former Government, which with a careless indifference was overlooked and disregarded. This extension indeed of territory has even been sanctioned by Government, not only by its granting Lands, but also in receiving rents for them ; at the same time Laws were enacted and strict orders issued against injuring or maltreating the Natives of the Country.
No public notice however has properly been taken of the extortions and depredations of farmers upon the Hottentots, depriving them of their Lands, and afterwards driving them into the interior, or forcing them to become their Servants.
A sort of an interior police was first established at Stellenbosch, consisting of a Landdrost and a Magistrature.
Records of the Cape Colony. 89 ■
When the Colony extended itself further a Deputy Landdrost was appointed at Zwellendam, dependent on the Landdrost of Stellenbosch, and obliged to render an account of all his proceedings to the latter. But in process of time it was thought expedient, on account of the greater extension of the Colony, to create the new office of Landdrost of Zwellendam, on the same footing as that of Stellenbosch, to be immediately and solely answerable to the Government of the Cape, and lastly in the year 1786 a Landdrost of Graaff Eeinet was appointed and a Magistrature established as in the other Districts.
Such was the form of the interior police in the year 1795, when the present Government took possession of the Colony. It had already been experienced that the same was insufficient to main- tain good order, and put in execution the Laws of the Country. Men without any idea of Education, grown up in idleness, and in the unrestrained indulgence of the wild passions of nature, com- posed at all times the bulk of the inhabitants of the interior parts of this Country, ignorant and being accustomed from their infancy to command over slaves, Hottentots and other tribes of People, whom they considered as inferior to themselves, they could have no other Notions than those of arrogance, dissoluteness and other vices, pernicious to social order.
The Hottentots already reduced by the Peasants to slavery, by the right which the strong will usurp over the weak, (a right that such sort of People know very well how to exercise) have often times shewed, and recently given convincing proofs, that they are by no means indifferent as to their situation, that they aim at revenge, whenever opportunity may favor their design.
The farmer on the other side perceives very well that the Hottentot is only restrained by awe and a superior power. He is jealous of all such regulations made in favor of the Hottentots, as may tend to encrease his means to oppose himself to them, — in short both parties, especially in the remote Districts, consider one another in the light of enemies, and in proportion as Government incline to favor the Hottentots and to protect them particularly against oppression, in the same proportion will discontent arise among the farmers, who imagine that the Interests of the Hottentot are preferred to their own, and think themselves thereby aggrieved.
90 Records of the Cape Colony.
It will therefore be always a difficult task for Goverument to regulate and adjust the interest of these contending parties, to cause Justice to be done to every one, and good order and tran- quillity to be preserved throughout the whole Colony. This end can never be obtained so long as the police remains in its present form. Peace may perhaps by an armed force be preserved for a short time, but real tranquillity will never be established by these means, discontents among the farmers and Hottentots will con- stantly require extraordinary measures, which will not only occasion great expence and trouble, but never effect a lasting peace to the Colony.
I therefore deemed it my duty under the present circumstances to turn in my mind some Plan for amending the interior Police and to consider of measures to be adopted to prevent as much as possible inconveniences for the future.
To this end, two material points appear to me most im- portant:—
1st. The police in general relative to the Hottentots.
2nd. The particular amendment in the interior police itself, as it regards both the Peasant and Hottentot.
In respect to the Hottentots. These for the most part can not at present but be servants to the farmers. They neither possess Cattle, nor have other means of Subsistence, and become dangerous Subjects to Society when suffered to wander about, without being Servants, or having a Livelihood, — they skulk in the woods, and, if they can, steal the cattle of the farmers, upon which they live.
There are some who have Cattle and dwell with their families in Huts (kraalen), who can very easily remain there unmolested, and ought with all possible care to be protected in that right coute qu'il coute.
There exists a Third Class of Hottentots who belong to the schools lately established here by the Missionaries, — these also merit every support, and indeed nothing appears more material than to encourage these institutions for the instructing and civilizing the Hottentots. They thereby obtain a safe asylum against violence from the Farmers, and can then have no other inducement than good treatment from the farmers to go and serve them.
It will therefore be necessary to direct that no Hottentot is to
Records of the Cape Colony. 91
be suffered to remain within the Boundaries of this Colony, unless belonging to one or other of the following classes, viz. :
1. The Class of Hottentots serving the Farmers.
2. To the licensed kraals or huts.
3. To the schools of the Missionaries.
Ist Class. Every Hottentot serving an Inhabitant ought to be registered by the Magistrate of the district, stating the length of time and the conditions upon which he engaged himself, — every such Hottentot to be furnished with a Certificate from the Land- drost or Magistrate, and having served his time a written discharge from his master, which beincr duly countersigned by the Landdrost, he can then enter into the service of another, provided he renews his register.
2nd Class. The Hottentot kraals in every District ought also to be duly registered by each respective Landdrost, together with the names of every person belonging to such a kraal. No kraal to be suffered to exist without a Special License from the Landdrost of the district.
3rd Class. In like manner shall the schools of the Hottentots established within the Limits of the Colony be registered. The Missionaries or directors of such schools to be bound annually to deliver in to the Landdrost an exact List, specifying the names of such Hottentots belonging to their schools. Care must however be taken that too many Hottentots be not together in one school, unless they prove to the satisfaction of the Magistrate that they have either through gardening, hiring themselves for the whole or part of the year to the farmers in the neighbourhood, or other modes of industry, means of subsistence.
For the rest, no Hottentot, unless belonging to one of the above legally established classes, shall be permitted to remain within the Boundaries of this Colony ; but all wanderers and vagabonds ought immediately to be apprehended and placed either to the public works, or on Eobben Island, there to labor for their bread.
To which end every Hottentot in service, or belonging to the kraals, must always be provided with a certificate from the Land- drost of the District, and those belonging to the licensed schools with a certificate from one of the Missionaries, countersigned by the Landdrost, without which certificate, if found, they shall be liable to be considered as vagabonds, and taken up accordingly.
92 Records of the Cape Colony.
All which certificates are to be renewed annually, in order to prevent abuses.
This appears to me best calculated for the maintenance of good order, as far as regards the Hottentots, but at the same time it is necessary that effectual measures be adopted that Justice be done to those who conform themselves to the Laws, that prompt Justice be administered between Farmer and Hottentot, and thus both will be obliged to fulfil their reciprocal duties.
To this (which brings me to the second point) the present Police of the interior is insufficient. Very essential alterations will therefore be indispensable to the full attainment of the object.
It is known that the three Drostdies of Stellenbosch, Zwellendam and Graaff Eeinet, as comprizing the seats of Magistracy in the interior, were at their first and original institution pretty sufficient for their object, but cannot at present be so considered.
In proportion as the Country became extended, and the popula- tion increased, so the want of due police having been felt. Govern- ment endeavoured gradually to remedy the same, by appointing from time to time Field Cornets, and even Field Commandants, who took upon themselves as a part of this nominal Magistracy, but these people, being all fellow farmers, and consequently having but one and the same interest, could not thus be impartial men betwixt Farmer and Hottentot, and in fact they very seldom inter- fere with quarrels betwixt them otherwise than to support the Superiority of the farmers over the Hottentots,
Their chief business is to form bodies of armed men (commandos) against Bosjesmen and other Vagabonds, who disturb the Country and rob the farmers of their Cattle, and to mark the distances of loan places, all the rest remaining under the management of the Landdrosts.
That it is really impossible for the Landdrosts, however active and zealous they may be in the discharge of their duty, todistribute Justice, the great extent of Country they have to superintend will clearly prove, a distance of upwards of eight or ten days journey often deters Hottentot and farmer from preferring his just complaints to the Landdrost, or causes the investigation and decision thereof to be exceedingly difficult, so that frequently the injured, disgusted at the difficulties and length of the journey, bears his wrongs without redress ; which certainly must occasion sensations of dis-
Records of the Cape Colony. 93
content in his breast, by no means calculated to attach him to that Government under whose protection he lives.
Speedily to remove this evil is, in my opinion, a thing of the utmost consequence to this Colony.
The Landdrost himself does not know his own district. He is ignorant of what is passing therein, and being by reason of its great extent incapable of noticing many incidents which, though trifles, and beginnings of disturbances, ought always to claim the immediate attention of a Magistrate in order to prevent consequences.
Two measures appear to me fit to remedy these defects, viz.
1. The appointing in each district of several Deputy Landdrosts, and
2. The dispatching yearly a respectable Commission from the Capital, invested with the necessary powers, in order to proceed throughout every district, for the purpose of taking cognizance of all such matters as they may deem worthy their attention, and also such as persons concerned may lay before them, and summarily to decide the same after due investigation, (to be more fully explained by me on a Separate Plan of instructions for that Commission if the proposal be approved by Government).
Kespecting the aforesaid Deputy Landdrosts they ought to be stationed in manner following, viz.
1. In the District of Stellenbosch one at Eoodezand,
2. One at the Hantam and Eoggeveld, and
3. One at Zwarteberg beyond Hottentots Hollands Kloof. In the District of Zwellendam :
1. Beyond the Gourits river on this side Attaquas Kloof over the Districts of Mossel Baai, Outeniqualand, and Plettenberg's Bay, the post of Outeniqualand being the centre,
2. One beyond Attaquas Kloof over the districts of the Camnasie, the Lange Kloof, Tsitsikama, and Cauga, extending as far as the Gamtoos River, being the Separation between Zwellendam and Graaff Reinet,
3. One above Oliphants Eiver over the Districts of Baviaans Kloof and Winterhoek, extending as far as the Separation on that Side from Graaff Reinet, the residence being best at the place now possessed by Tjaard van der Walt,
4. One in the Cango over the Districts of Swarteberg, Cango, and so backwards to Cogmans Kloof.
94 Records of the Gwpe Colony.
In the district of Graaff Reinet :
1. One for Swarteberg and Nieuweveld,
2. One for Sneeuwberg, Voorste Sneeuwbergen, and Rhenoster- berg,
3. One for behind Sneeuwberg, Tarka, Baviaans River, and Bruintjes Hoogte,
4. One for Zuurveld, Great Fish River, Zwartkops River, and Zwarte ruggens.*
The respective duties of these Landdrosts should chiefly consist
1. In keeping the above mentioned three Registers of Hottentots, each for his own district, viz. (a) Register of Servant Hottentots, (b) Ditto of Kraal Hottentots, (c) Ditto of Schools in their Districts,
2. To take cognizance of, and to decide promptly, all petty differences between farmer and Hottentot,
3. To attend to the payment of the annual Duties, both of Government and the Colony, the first consisting in the arrears of Loan lands, the latter in the ojpgaaf money for Sheep and Cattle,
4. To take care that every one gives in his annual opgaaf truly and faithfully. And
5. That for the rest all orders of Government are punctually attended to, each in his District.
The said Deputies not to be allowed to be farmers, that is to say they should neither cultivate nor plant more than a Sufficiency for their own use, but receive a yearly salary of Rixdollars 1200 each, making thus an expenditure by the Public of Rixdollars 13,200 a year, payable partly by Government and partly by the respective districts, — a Payment which, exclusive of the good order and interior tranquillity produced by the appointing of this new Magistracy, will always doubly reimburse itself, by causing more prompt payment of the arrears and recognition money, whereabout the people, being so far off, give themselves no concern, as also a more accurate return (opgaaf) which is a principal branch of the Colonial revenues at the Drostdies, and will hereby certainly encrease. Hottentot as well as farmer would then, from having in their neighbourhood an impartial Man as their Magistrate, know more
* This of Graaff-Reinet is taken in the same way as the Veld Commandants have been therein distributed.
Records of the Cape Colony. 95
their reciprocal duties, and would then less injure each other ; if quarrelling they would see a prompt and easy mode of redress ; both would finally have peace in their own minds, and that rest and peace they would naturally attribute to a mild and careful Government, which had their welfare at heart.
The residence moreover of these Magistrates among them would, methinks, in time create, by the regular assemblage of people, a sort of Village or Market, and thereby tend to promote Civilization and Industry.
The said Adjunct Landdrosts should be obliged to hold a public Day Book, wherein there would be inserted all complaints, investi- gations, and decisions made by them, which Book, together with the Kegister of the Hottentots, should be annually sent to the Landdrost.
Moreover in order to prevent all possible abuses and to maintain a perfect reliance from all Classes of People living under the pro- tection of Government, the afore mentioned Commission, under the Title of , should make an annual or
biennial circuit from Cape Town through the Districts of Stellen- bosch, Graaff Eeinet, and back again through Zwellendam, in order not only in a political view to examine in general the state of the Colony and report thereon, but also in a Judicial Capacity, as above stated.
The utility of such a Commission will be obvious, especially so long as Government persists in the system hitherto adopted to civilize the Colony as much as possible, and firmly to establish tranquillity therein. Such a Circuit will at all events serve to support those Magistrates who faithfully discharge their Duty, and to put others on their guard not to commit any injustice or arbitrary acts, and also be the bulwark of safety to every one obeying the Laws, whether slave, Hottentot, or farmer.
Should this Plan be put into execution, there will then perhaps be found persons who, as wanderers and vagabonds, ought to be secured, care should therefore in my opinion be taken for resources for the disposal of such bad Subjects, and therefore, as there is no House of Correction here, Robben Island would be the properest place for that purpose, where they should be made to work for their bread, their labour, consisting in sawing Stones and collecting Shells for burning into lime, would doubly repay the expence of their maintenance, and the Colony would thereby be conveniently
96 Records of the Cape Colony.
disembarrassed of idlers and Vagabonds, who are enemies to a regular Society, and always find their Interest in robbery and disorder.
Cape of Good Ht)PE,
the Uit of October 1801.
(Signed) W. S. van Eyneveld, Fiscal.
[Original.]
Letter from Mil. John Pkingle to Major General Dundas.
Cape Town, 1th November 1801. Sir, — I do myself the honor of returning you Lord Hobart's Letter, together with the Papers relative to the Impediments thrown in the way of the Trade of the Honourable East India Company to this port by Sir George Yonge. I have perused the whole of them, and as every thing had been already placed by you on the original footing, by your Letter to me of 12th May, previous to their receipt, it does not occur to me that any further Eegulations or Explanations are necessary. I have &c.
(Signed) John Pringle,
Agent to the Hon. E. I. Company.
[Oiiginal.]
Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
Lancaster, Table Bat, Cape of Good Hope, 18</t November 1801.
giR^ — Having deposited in the Naval Arsenal at Simons Town such of the Stores which came out in the Hindostan as it was pro- per to leave at that place, the Ships of the Squadron removed from Simons Bay, and arrived here the 14th instant. The remaining Stores in the Hindostan will be landed as fast as may be.
The Investigator bound on a Voyage of discovery arrived in Simons Bay on the 16th ultimo, and having been Caulked, Refitted,
Records of the Cape Colony. 97
and furnished with whatever she wanted, proceeded on her Voyage on the 4th instant.
The Ship Spencer which left Portsmouth on the 9th August with the Convoy under the Protection of the Santa Margarita, arrived here yesterday. She has on board for the Naval Department Bread, Flour, and some Pease. This Cargo is very acceptable, and from the supplies that have come into this Settlement, in conse- quence of measures taken here for obtaining them, a just proportion of which has been allotted to us, and from the precautions and arrangements I have adopted, we shall not I trust be in want of Bread Victualling before the latter end of January next, when the Com of the ensuing Harvest will be thrashed, which we have a fair promise of being abundant. I am &c.
(Signed) Roger Curtis.
[Copy.] Proclamation hy Major Sherlock,
Graaff Reinet, Now. 29<A 1801.
Major Sherlock commanding His Majesty's Troops in the District of Graaff Reinet to the Inhabitants of that District.
Being duly authorized by His Excellency Lieutenant General Dundas, Acting Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, to settle the affairs of this District,
I do hereby invite the Inhabitants (who have been misled by ignorance or by evil disposed persons from a sense of their Duty) to return to their allegiance to the British Government, which will shew them every lenity and afford them every protection,
I do hereby offer a free and full pardon for all former offences to all such as will immediately return to their allegiance; I will protect their Persons and their Properties from any evil disposed Persons, who, (from their having accepted this Pardon), may be disposed to molest them, as well as from the plundering of the Savages.
I do invite them to make me acquainted with their real griev- ances, which will be redressed by the British Government, whose great object is to do justice to all the different Claims of luhabit-
IV. H
98 Records of the Cape Colony.
ants dwelling in this District, to prevent warfare and disorder amongst them, as also to restrain those acts of outrage and barbarity which have been but too much practised in this District.
I do entreat of you to reflect that in refusing this Free and Full pardon you will draw down upon yourselves the powerful ven- geance of the British Government from which the remotest Deserts of Africa cannot screen you.
I demand from you a positive and immediate answer.
(Signed) Francis Sherlock, Major 8th Light Dragoons, Commanding H. M. Troops in Graaff Eeinet.
[Copy.] Letter from MAJOR Francis Sherlock to Major General
DUNPAS.
Gbaafp Reinet, Monday, ZOth November 1801.
Sir, — I have the honor to inform you that the Detachment consisting of one six-pounder, 91st Light Infantry, and Eifle Company arrived at this place on Friday night the 27th inst. The Country between this and Algoa Bay is entirely deserted. On my arrival here the garrison had been four days without bread ; how- ever I have brought sufficient to supply all the Troops here until Capt. Menzies' arrival, (which I expect will be about this day week) with the Zwellendam waggons which I have ordered to be laden with that necessary article.
The Inhabitants of this Countr}'^ were to a man in arms. On the 28th I refreshed my Detachment as well as my Draft Oxen, and gained a perfect knowledge of the position of the Boors by means of Spies. On the 29th being perfectly prepared to attack their Camp, Humanity dictated to me not to spill the blood of those deluded people, without having first used every effort in my power to convince them of their Error and to restore to them the blessings of peace. To have secured success it would have been necessary to have let loose the Hottentots upon them, and I conceive their total annihilation to be the unavoidable consequence.
Becords of the Cape Colony. 99
their wives and innocent children desolate and wanderers. I therefore wrote the inclosed address (which I trust will meet with your approbation) and sent it into their Camp by a Dragoon. The moment it was received there they deputed two Boors to me (by name Piet Erasmus, a Veldt Commandant, and Jacobus Alewyn Kruger) to express their desire to return to their allegiance and to claim the protection of the British Government against which they had no cause of complaint, but many grievous against the Com- missioner which they will verify on oath. One Paper containing several they have entreated me to forward to you, the Original of which they sent to you on the 1st of this month, but which they suppose not to have reached its destination. I wish that this was the only Paper of that description which I shall find it necessary to transmit to you, but their complaints are numerous.
The Address has been at least thus far useful, it has given confidence to the well-disposed who were compelled to join them. Several of them have come in here, others returned to their Homes, and the whole body are now dispersed. I send herewith a letter from Eensburg which assigns as his reason for not coming in his having gone to his house for some Papers that he deems necessary to lay before you.
No steps had been taken until my arrival to put in execution your orders for enlisting such Hottentots as were willing to enter into our service, and Mr. Maynier was good enough to advise me to defer taking that step as he was convinced it would create an alarm amongst them. However I have ascertained his fears on that subject to be Militia ones. This morning I had them as- sembled in presence of every officer Civil and Military in this place, had your letter explained to them by the Eeverend Mr. Van der Kemp and Mr. Maynier. One Hundred and Forty seven have moHt willingly enlisted for one yeur. Lt. Campbell is now dis- tributing to those who have most influence among them, and to those who have rendered services to the English, a Jacket and Shirt, which gratifies them exceedingly.
In compliance with your orders I have been present when Mr. Maynier gave directions to his Messengers to inform Gaika, Congo, and Jalousa of his Departure. Before I enter upon what I conceive my bounden duty, allow me to declare most solemnly that I am not actuated by personal dislike to Mr. Maynier, (on the contrary, since my anival his conduct towards me has been the
H 2
100 Records of the Cape Colony.
most friendly and attentive). Nevertheless I should deem myself highly culpable were I to conceal from you that he is detested by the Officers who have been stationed here. The Boors will not venture into the Village while he remains here, so often do they alledge that he has broken Faith with them. I did suppose he had some influence over the Hottentots ; if he ever had he has for- feited that also by half starving them. When this Place was surrounded, the Hottentots (his chief defence) were so exhausted by fatigue and want of Food, that his own nephew young Mr. Van Eeenen (who commanded a party of them) was obliged by their frequent and unattended to complaints to resign his command.
Mr. Van der Kemp (of whom all parties here speak in the highest terms) will be of the greatest assistance in retaining the Hottentots in their present favourable opinion of the English as well as in communicating with Gaika of whom he has given most flattering accounts. He recommends instead of those insignificant baubles (which Gaika despises) to send him a Horse with some wearing apparel.
Old Van Eooy (two nights before he was murdered) informed me that he was convinced of Congo's peaceable intentions. ITie Messenger sent to him is directed to use every effort to convince him of the barbarity of the Crime committed by the murderers of Van Eooy and the greatest proofs of his friendship towards us would be to deliver them up to justice.
It is unnecessary for me to point out the distresses of Van Eooy's widow and numerous family, they are destitute of every- thing.
1 December 1801.
Mr. Maynier is preparing for his return to the Cape, I therefore think it necessary that Mr. Bresler should resume his functions of Landrost and which I shall immediately promulgate. To-morrow Evening (should things continue in the present favourable train) Capt. Moore and Lt. Blaney's Detachments will march for Algoa Bay. I calculate they will meet Capt. Menzies near the Poort.
Knowing your anxiety to hear of the arrival of my Detachment at this place I shall not detain this any longer. Every authentic information that I may be able to obtain I shall transmit without delay.
Records of the Cape Colony. 101
■ Should we not be visited by the Locusts in the course of ten days, the vicinity of this place will afford a considerable quantity of Corn and Barley. I send herewith a State of the Troops, Ordnance Stores, and Provisions, and have &c.
(Signed) Fkancis Sherlock,
Major 8th Light Dragoons.
[Translation of original.] Letter from the Orphan Chamber to Major General Dundas.
Honourable Sir, — In dutiful compliance with the requisition expressed in Your Excellency's very respected Letter of yesterday directed to us, the undersigned President and Members of the Orphan Chamber, we have caused attested Copies to be prepared of our Memorial and Inclosures presented on the 5th of October 1800 to the late Governor Sir George Yonge, relative to the Estate left by Mrs. Anne Lacy, Wife to J. H. Greene, Esqre., which Copies we beg leave hereunto to subjoin for Your Excellency's information on the subject in question. We have &c.
(Signed) W. S. van Kyneveld, P. L. Cloete, A. V. Bergh, J. G. Blanckenbekg, J. A. Truter,
H. VAN DE GrAAFF. Cape of Good Hope, 2nd December 1801.
[Enclosure A in above.] His Excellency Sir George Yonge, Bt, &c.
Eight Honourable Sir, — We the undersigned. President, Vice President, and Members of the Orphan Chamber, respectfully beg leave to represent to Your Excellency :
That by virtue not only of the Capitulation of the 16th Sep- tember 1795, but also of the Government Proclamation of the
102 Records of the Cape Colony.
subsequent 10th October, positively confirming the Laws and Usages of this Colony, and, more especially by virtue of the Government Letter of the 6th of that month, we have continued our usual official transactions as regulated by a new Code of Instructions framed in 1793.
That these transactions particularly comprehend the entering upon the Estates of persons who happen to die in this Colony intestate or without having appointed Executors, and leave heirs that are either under age or outlandish, on which Estates, being divided by us according to the existing Laws of intestate Succes- sion, we transmit to each heir of age his share and continue to take care of such Dividends as have fallen to the share of the aforesaid minor or outlandish heirs ; and the recording all Testaments, which on the decease of the Testators the Executors therein appointed are bound to lay before the Board.
That as Mrs. Anne Lacy, wife to Mr. John Greene, Collector of His Majesty's Customs, died in this Colony and left N. B. Children Wilder age, we applied to the said Mr. Greene for the Testament or any other Deed that may have been executed by his said wife, (disposing of her property in this Country) in order to be regularly recorded in our Chamber.
But the said Mr. Greene, scrupling to comply with our requisi- tion and personally appearing in our meeting, declared " that on the receipt of our Letter he appeared before us and, save all possible respect for the Gentlemen who compose the Board, must declare that he very much doubted whether this Board have any jurisdiction in his regard, and that as long as he is not satisfactorily convinced of it, he does not think himself bound either to answer any question put to him or to give unto the Board any account of his Estate or any property under him."
Which answer we found extremely strange, as none of the English Gentlemen residing and possessing, like Mr. Greene, real and personal pnjperty in this Colony may consider himself exempt of his duty to submit to the Laws and Usages in that respect, or much less by his own motion, unsupported by any argument, injure such Individuals as may derive any Eight from such Laws and Usages.
The Children of the said Mr. Green's wife, if she really possessed property and died intestate, are according to the Laws of Succession in this Colony, the lawful heirs thereof, and this Eight of Inherit-
Records of the Cape Colony. 103
ance cannot, in our opinion, be taken from them, unless Mr. Greene be able to prove :
1. That his wife had disposed otherwise by way of Legacy ;
2. That they were not married in common property, and that his wife, having therefore no part in the property he possesses in this Colony, had thus left nothing.
We, exercising our office under the eye and inspection of Government, have, upon consideration of the aforesaid objections, thought it advisable for us to apply to Government on the subject, and, well aware of the consequences that may in time arise from such an erroneous notion, most respectfully to request that it may please Your Excellency to take this matter into consideration, and thereupon to give such directions as Your Excellency will think expedient for the maintenance of the Laws of this Colony.
And we beg leave hereby further to represent to Your Excel- lency that, under the ancient Government, there was some or other officer appointed Curator ad Lites, whose duty it was to enter upon the Estates of such Servants to the Company as happened to die intestate and leave neither Children, Widows nor Heirs in this Colony ; the amount of such Estates was then transmitted by the Curator ad Lites, into the Company's Treasury and remitted to Holland, there to be divided according to the Laws of Succession of the Places in Holland where the deceased originally resided ; in which regard we lay the hereunto subjoined Extract before Your Excellency, that it also may please Your Excellency to take such measures on the subject as Your Excellency in your wisdom will think expedient towards preventing confusion and irregularity in this Colony. And we, as in duty bound, &c.
(Signed) W. S. van Eyneveld, P. L. Cloete, A. V. Bergh, J. A. Truter, J. G. Blanckenberg,
H. VAN DE GrAAFF. Capb of Good Hope, 5th October 1800.
104 Records of the Gape Colony.
[Enclosure B in above.]
Extract of the Instructions for the Board of the Orphan Chaviber at the Cape of Good Hope.
Art. 2. In general all notoriously solvent Estates of such persons ■whose heirs are either under age or outlandish or absent are to be entered upon, in the usual manner, by the Board of the Orphan Chamber, if not excluded by Testament ; excepting such Estates as the Curator ad Lites may find himself especially authorized for the administration thereof and also the Estates of such Individuals as have subjected their persons to any capital execution for having committed any criminal offence.
Art. 11. Moreover and for the same reason, all Testaments are to be laid before the Board of the Orphan Chamber, in order to be recorded ; and it is recommended to the Magistrates to take notice hereof in case of any person's happening to make any objection against this regulation.
[Enclosure C in the above.]
Extract of the Grant (Patent) hearing date 26 Novemher 1671, /or the Dutch East India Company to appoint Curators of the Estates of their Servants dying in India.
The States General of the United Netherlands to all persons that may see or hear read these presents. Salute ! Be it known that having received and perused a certain Petition presented to us from the Directors of the East India Company, tending to obtain a Grant for appointing Curators of the Estates of their Servants that may happen to die without leaving Children, Widows or Heirs in India, and having considered that such a Curatorship has, already these 50 years, been practised there with good success ; we have thought it proper to authorize the said Directors of the said East India Company, so as they are authorized by these presents, to appoint, in all their Settlements in India, Curators of the Estates of such of their Servants as may happen to die without leaving Children, Widows or Heirs there, and without having appointed Executors residing in India; so that the said Company are to require of their Representatives in India to appoint to that Office
Records of the Oape Colony. 105
the most clever and faithful persons that can be found at the Place where any of their Servants may happen to die intestate and leave any property that is to be liquidated there, and the said Curators shall be authorized to clear the Houses where the said Company's Servants died, to bring their affairs in order, to enter and pursue both active and passive actions by or against the Fiscal or any other Individual and to do all that the Heirs, were they themselves present, could or might do themselves.
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. John Hooke Greene to Major General
DUNDAS.
Cape Town, 2nd December 1801. Sir, — I have the Honour to reply to your Letter of Yesterday's date, requesting me to give such Information as is in my Power respecting the Claim of the Orphan Chamber to the Administration of the Property of my deceased Wife.
I am sorry to be under the Necessity of referring your Honour to the Orphan Chamber for the Information you require, not having in my Possession any other Paper on the Subject than the Scroll of a Letter to His Excellency Sir George Yonge, a Copy of which I inclose. I have &c.
(Signed) John Hooke Greene.
[Enclosure in the above.]
Cape Town, 28th October 1800.
Sir, — I have the Honour to return to your Excellency the Papers Eelative to the Claim of the Oiphan Chamber, and I shall only take the liberty of observing : That the Case appears to me to involve a question of a very serious nature to the English-born Inhabitants of this Colony, inasmuch as the local Laws established by the Dutch regarding Succession and Inheritance, and the. Testa- mentary disposal of Property, are materially different to the English Laws.
All the Englishmen I have conversed with here on the subject seem to entertain the same doubt that I do, how far these local
106 Records of the Cape Colony.
Laws can attach upon us. I shall not presume to enter into an Argument on a Law question of such importance. Your Ex- cellency will no doubt take such measures as will effectually remove the difficulty, and in the interim whatever directions you shall think proper to give me on the occasion I shall most punctually and cheerfully obey. I have &c.
(Signed) John Hooke Greene.
[Copy.] Proclamation hy Major General Francis Dundas.
Whereas His Majesty has taken into His Eoyal consideration the present state of the trade, commerce, and revenues of this Settlement, and with the advice of His Privy Council has, on the 11th of February last, judged proper to revoke that part of the Order in Council, dated the 28th December 1796, which exempts from duty any goods, wares, or merchandise which shall be imported in British Vessels into this Settlement, from any part of His Majesty's dominions, and has directed that such exemption from duty shall only extend to goods, wares and merchandise the growth, produce or manufacture of Great Britain or Ireland, Be it therefore known by these presents to all whom it may or shall concern that from and after the 1st of July 1802 all goods, wares and merchandise not the growth, produce or manufacture of Great Britain and Ireland, which shall be imported into the Settlement of the Cape of Good Hope, or the territories or dependencies thereof, from any part of His Majesty's dominions, when even so imported in British built Ships, owned and navigated according to law, shall pay an import duty of five per cent on the value thereof, which duty shall be rated and collected in the same manner as in use with the import duty of ten per cent, at present levied in tliis Settlement upon all goods, wares and merchandize not the growth, produce or manufacture of Great Britain or Ireland, imported in Ships or Vessels belonging to the subjects of countries or states in amity with His Majesty.
Given under my Hand & Seal at the Castle of Good Hope this 3rd day of December 1801.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
Records of the Cape Colony. 107
[Original.] Letter from Sir George Yonge to Mr. Merry.
London, Dec. 6, 1801.
Dear Sir,— I have to request, that you will once more, wait upon Lord Hobart, with my best Eespects, and acquaint him that, on my Landing, I made a Point, not without some Eisk and Hazard to myself, to take the first, and only. Opportunity I could, of paying my Eespects to Him : That not being so fortunate, as to find Him at Home, I hope he wdll be satisfied that nothing but Its being now out of my Power, (the Eeason for which you can explain) occasions my not renewing the attempt, or even to wait on His Majesty.
I next request you to press his Lordship, once more, to furnish you with the Particulars of those Charges, or supposed Charges, which. It seems, are to be alledged against me, and which. It is said, I must answer: In order that I may know what I am to defend myself against, which I am most Impatient to do, but which, till I know the Particulars, and the Parties who are my accusers, I have not the means of Doing, which I feel as a great Hardship.
In the meantime however, I will take this opportunity to advert to the General Purport, or Tendency, of such Points as I now understand may be gathered from what has been vaguely hinted at, tho' no Specifick articles have been alledged, reserving to myself that Defence, which, when called on, I am most anxiously ready, willing, and I trust, fully able to do.
Without entering therefore into what I can call a Defence, for I know of nothing as yett that I can call a Crime, I will just state, as to those Points, which you seem to have gatherd from Conversa- tion with his Lordship, or elsewhere. First as to one Point surmised, namely, the Extraordinary Expenses Incurred in the Eepairs of the Barracks and other PubUck Buildings at the Cape, I was called upon to do It in the most urgent Manner, by the most urgent Necessity, and I will add by the most urgent Eepresentations of almost every Servant of the Crown Civil & Military on the Spot, The whole Buildings being from neglect of the usual temporary Eepairs in Imminent Danger of Falling,
108 Records of the Cape Colony.
which Indeed was but too visible in which Case the Expense of Building even the most temporary Edifices (which must in the Case have been done) would have been enormous. The Pressure of this Measure was such that I found Estimates actually made before my arrival, by B, Gen'. Erazer then acting as L*. Governor, and other proper Officers, and the repairs would actually have been begun but that my arrival was hourly expected. I did therefore no more than what I felt my bounden Duty to do, and as to the Expence, I can only say that I reduced the Expence so much that the agreements for all the Publick Buildings did not exceed the Estimate for repairing the Castle Buildings alone, which was not one half of the whole, and I can safely say that neither in the Ordering or Execution of It I had no other object but doing my Duty to the best of my Power and no other Interest in it whatever. I will add, that by these Eepairs, I was enabled to lodge the Cavalry at the Barracks, which had before been kept 20 Miles off, in a Barrack or Stables, the Eent of which Cost Government £600 p. an. and I think the whole of the Eepairs did not exceed a Sum (tho' I do not just now recollect the amount) which such a Saving did not in some degree pay the Interest of and I meant, at the Expence of about £6000 more to have saved aU the Cost of the Lodging Money for the Officers, in which there are great abuses, the amount of which is not less than £3000 p. an. which I would have saved by Lodging them in the Barracks, but I was not allowed to proceed In It, but which ought still to be done.
The next Point, which It seems has been Intimated Is the expence attend*^, the Hiring of a Vessell for Conveying Military Stores & Provisions for the Troops at Fort Frederick and Algoa Bay. That It was an Improvident Measure in Point of Expence Incurred for Lucrative Views to myself, I shall not waste time, but repress the Indignation I feel at such an Infamous Calumny and tho' I feel it almost a Disgrace to enter into any Explanation of such a Profligate Falsehood, yett I will not disdain in this, as in every thing, to state most faithfully the whole Truth.
Vessells had been hired for these Purposes upon Terms which appeard to be in my opinion not the best for Government ; for each Voyage was paid for Separately, at no small expence and each Voyage reckon'd to exist only for a certain time; beyond
Records of the Cape Colony. 109
which, if detained by the Publick Service, the Charges were enhanced and on Every Voyage, Fresh Terms were to be made : I found the Service was grown so Permanent that It would be best to change the Manner of Engaging these Vessells, and to hire them for the year, by which a certain Expence would only be Incurred be the Voyages ever so frequent and I can only say, I made the Agreement on Terms which appeard to me fair and Just> and which as the Vessell hired made 5 Voyages in the Year and was preparing to make a 6th the Terms, if compared with what the Expence must have been by the former mode of paying by the Voyage can be proved to have saved Govern*, near £6000 p. an. and as to any advantage to myself in It, directly or Indirectly, I feel I do not say too much, in Vindication of my Honor, when I take the Boldness to assert, That I am as Incapable of harbouring a thought of the kind as Lord Hobart, or any other Servant of the Crown at Home, high as I hold and Esteem their Distinguished Honor and Character, and High as they deserve to have It held, and this Leads me to say something of myself, which but in Vindication of my Honor I am not fond of doing, namely that I solemnly declare that neither in that, nor in any other measure of mine had 1 any other object than His Majesty's Service. His Majesty was pleased, very unexpectedly and unlooked for by me, to send me across the Globe, at an advanced time of Life, to encounter the Dangers of the Seas & Climates to which I was unused, and every other Difficulty Incident to such Services. I felt my Weakness, But my Zeal and my Principle that my Life as well as Services, were at His Majesty's Command, I obeyd and from no other Motive whatsoever, and so far from seeking or taking any Emolument whatsoever, beyond my Salary and Appointments, I will now proceed to State two Facts which are notorious. The Governor had the Privilege of receiving the third share of the Fines due to the Crown, If not. It went to the Publick Eevenue. I orderd it to be pourd into the Publick Treasury, and the Amount was from £6000 to £9000, which I might have fairly taken. The Governor had also the Patronage of appointing the Cantine Master at the Castle, with all Its Profits and Emoluments and Lord Macartney had given It to the Person I found holding It. He Dyed, and it became in my Gift to be disposed of as I Pleased. The Cantine at the Barracks was also to be disposed of. I found that the Profits of this Office beyond a Certain Salary,
110 Records of the Cape Colony.
might be Beneficial to the Publick, accordingly I directed that the Holders of the "Wine Licenses should have the Profits of the Cantines with their other Licenses, and the whole was accordingly Putt up to Sale together. The Gain to the Kevenue on the Publick Vendue has been 30,000 Eds. p. an. a Fixed Salary was given to the Cantine Master in lieu of all Profits and the Town Major was fixed on to perform this duty, as residing in the Castle. Coupled with this was another Regulation, That the Wine issued to the Troops should be Issued at a Certain Price, and of a good Quality on which head Great Complaints (and very just ones) had been hitherto made. To secure this Inspectors were appointed to examine the \\'ine, and to Seize & Condemn whatever was attempted to be sold Inferior in Quality, and It appeard, very soon after, that this abuse was compleatly remedied, and has continued so ever since. Other Eegulations were made to prevent abuses in other Branches of the Eevenue, all of which have contributed to Improve Its Income, so that It amounts at present to about 400,000 Eds. p. an. which is far beyond what it ever produced. It may receive temporary abatement from temporary Causes & fluctuate accordingly, as at home, but It will, in time, rather exceed this amount.
Another Measure was adopted which has been I trust of Publick Service. There were great abuses in the Meat Contract which was under the Commissary General's Department and the Con- tractor at last braved Government and Demanded the Price to be almost doubled. The Commissary & the Fiscal, at the time the Contract was expiring, came to represent the Distress they were in. That every measure had been taken but in Vain. The Contractors had held their Contract for two Years (it had under the Dutch been held for Seven) and by their Influence and Connexions had secured themselves against any Competition. I directed some exertions to be made, which appeared to them to be usefull but It had no Effect, at that moment Mr. Duckitt of Esher who had been sent out by Government on an Agricultural Department, and was then 20 miles off, boldly came forward and offerd Terms greatly lower than what the Commissary thought possible and which compared even with the Existing Contract will prove a Saving in the two years for which he has taken It of 100,000 Eds.
There were some other I'oints which you reported to me, but
Records of the Cape Colony. Ill
which I can not now recollect and therefore I conclude this, which I send you as your Instructions, to represent, with all possible Eespect to Lord Hobart and I beg you will not fail to explain all this fully, entreating his Lordships early attention once more to the Business.
There is one thing more I wish just to touch upon, and I will do It as delicately as possible, of my own Purity & Vindication I have not a Shadow of Doubt, This is only a General Explanation, but if called upon I must unavoidably enter into Particulars. I do not wish to recriminate, but For the Vindication of my Honor & Character, if seriously Questiond, I must, I can, have no Ee- serve. The whole Truth must come out, and If, In so doing, some Persons should be Implicated which (tho' I do not wish It) must be done, I hope It will be Conceived to be not Invidiously done but from mere necessity. I have thought proper to mention this, that when It happens It may be understood that I do not do It wantonly nor with any desire, or Inclination to do It, if It can be avoided.
I have now only once more to beg that this Business may be speedily brought forward. It is impossible for any Body but myself, to feel the Heart Wounding Disgrace I endure by being for a moment necessitated with respect to my Honor and Character, that I may have erred in Point of Judgement Is incident to all men. I dont think I have and I can prove I hope directly the reverse ; but surely Error is not Wickedness, nor mistakes, if any, a Crime. I think I have done the Crown true & faithfull service at much Kisk & Hazard to my Health & Constitution. What then must be my feeling when Instead of the honorable Eeward I flatterd myself I had at last earned, after having nearly been wrecked on the Coast of my native Shore I find a Worse Ship- wreck on Shore, a Shipwreck of that which is dearer than life, of my Good Name, my Integrity, Honor, and Character, yett I will not Despair of a Eeparation of this Wrong for such I must think It. Perhaps Government notwithstanding the Eepresentations & Impressions made will think It right to consider the subject again well. I do not wish to criminate or Implicate any. If Govern- ment upon due Consideration think a General Explanation to a general Crimination sufficient, and If It is thought in general sufficiently satisfactory so that It may be dropped, I shall feel satisfied without a wish unnecessarily to give Government troublq
112 Records of the Cape Colony.
or Involve Individuals. But if Compelled, I hope I shall stand Justified in using whatever means are in my Possession or Power, to rescue my Innocence from the foulest Slander that ever was Ventured on most Iniquitously to Injure a Mans Character.
These Instructions to you, I desire you to make use of, leaving no Topick Conceald In your Eepresentations, which I request you most respectfully to submitt to Lord Hobart. You best can tell liim how precious Time Is to me in my affairs. His Lordship I trust will have the kindness to feel, How precious Time is to my Character, I rely on his Justice. Your discretion will supply whatever may further Require explanation, and I need not say how anxiously I shall wait to hear the Result. The Truth Is, I have endeavoured to do my Duty Zealously & honestly. In the discharge of that I have ventured to try to Correct Abuses in every Department. Hinc Illoe Lachrymce, and I suspect that for Fear of my complaining It was thought best to complain first. Indeed I think I can prove something more. But I will go no further at present, nor say a Word more till the Vindication of my Honor requires It. I am &c.
(Signed) Geo. Yonge.
[Copy.] Government Advertisement.
All the Inhabitants of Graaff Reinet, all Hottentots and Caffers are hereby most earnestly called upon and required to assist Government in discovering the perpetrators of the several Murders that have of late been committed in the District, it is a duty that all men owe to God and to themselves not to suffer murderers to reside unpunished amongst them. In the late murders of Naude and Van Rooyen several persons must have been concerned ; if any being accessory or present will come forward, confess their crime, and to conviction give up the murderers to public Justice, such person doing an act acceptable to his God may hope for mercy at the Throne of the Almighty, and shall have my free pardon. If such person making the
Reconh of the Cape Colony. J 13
discovery to conviction of the murderers be not himself implicated in the guilt he shall moreover receive as a reward Five hundred Eixdollars.
Given in the Castle of Grood Hope this 7th day of December 1801.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Copy.] Government Advertisement.
Notice is hereby given that in consequence of the representa- tions of the Burgher Senate, His Honor the Lieutenant and Acting Governor has thought proper to grant them leave to dispose of the Colonial Windmills by public auction ; and all persons who may now, or shall hereafter be concerned in the purchase of the same, are hereby ordered strictly to adhere to the conditions as specified and set forth in their advertisement for the sale thereof.
Given in the Castle of Good Hope, this 9th day of December 1801.
By Command of His Honor the Lieutenant and Acting Governor.
(Signed) A. Barnard, Secretary.
[Original.]
Letter from Major General Dundas to the Right Hon. Lord Hobart.
Capk of Good Hope, December \2th 1801.
My Lord, — The sailing of one of His Majesty's Ships, which Vice Admiral Sir Eoger Curtis has directed to proceed to England immediately, is the first favorable opportunity w^hich has offered for addressing myself to Your Lordship since the date of my last, by the East India Company's Packet tlie Star, a duplicate of which accompanies this Dispatch.
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Lordship's Letter dated 19th June, removing the late Embargoes on Russian,
IV. I
114 Records of the Cape Colony.
Danish and Swedish Ships, and of the 4th of August by the Ship Elizabeth, which brought a quantity of Wheat and Flour for supplying the wants of this Settlement ; no other communications having reached me from your Lordship subsequent to those specified in the margin of my letter of the 8th October last ; to the particulars of Your Lordship's Dispatches I shall now en- deavour to answer with as much fidelity and precision as the importance of the subjects contained therein seem to me to require.
However much I concur with your Lordship, with respect to a Capital example being necessary in the District of Graaff Eeinet, an opinion with which the late conduct of the Inhabitants and subsequent events have strengthened and confirmed, nevertheless it is my duty to call Your Lordship's attention to the peculiar circumstances in which the Prisoners are placed, who were con- victed and whose guilt was made manifest upon clear and in- disputable proofs ; and, as I am confident that the reasons which I shall have the honor to assign to Your Lordship will appear satisfactory, for making a further appeal to His Majesty's clemency before their sentence is carried into execution, I shall defer, until honored with Your Lordship's further commands, the complying with the order contained in the second paragraph of Your Lord- ship's letter of the 1st May, directing the punishments adjudged the Prisoners in custody here to be carried into execution, without further delay.
The Body of the Insurgents who excited disorders in the District of Graaff Pieinet, of which the Prisoners at present in custody were the Eingleaders, surrendered themselves to a Detachment of His Majesty's Troops, under the command of Brigadier General Vandeleur, so long ago as on the 6th April 1799, twenty of whom were then selected and afterwards brought to Cape Town for trial ; but from the disturbances which took place soon after with the Savages and the consequent necessary absence of the more im- portant witnesses on duty in the District of Graaff Eeinet, added to the expected arrival of Sir George Yonge, their trials were unavoidably delayed until the month of June 1800, and His Excellency having thought proper to recommend them to mercy, a period of nearly three years has elapsed since their first confine- ment, consequently the feelings of humanity, by reason of their long imprisonment, give the Prisoners a claim to some modification.
Records of the Cape Colony. 115
as to the Capital part of their punishment, if not a full remission of their sentence.
I have further to observe that, the Inhabitants above mentioned who had disturbed the tranquillity of the Country, obeyed without hesitation the summons to deliver themselves up together with their arms and ammunition, having assembled at the place ap- pointed for that purpose, conceiving (as I have reason to believe they did) that they should meet with forgiveness from Government for the past, in consequence of their ready compliance upon that occasion ; since, had they been aware that an act of rigour would positively have been put in force, it was in their power to have escaped beyond the reach of the laws ; all which considerations incline me to think that lenity ought, if possible, to be shewn to the Prisoners in question, seeing the Policy of avoiding an effusion of blood, which after their long confinement might appear harsh and severe, and preferring the exerting to the utmost every gentle means of conciliation with the ignorant Inhabitants of this Settle- ment, thereby demonstrating to them the mild spirit of the English laws, and the placable and forbearing system which actuates His Majesty's Government.
As it is, however, by no means advisable that the most guilty of the Prisoners should be liberated and permitted to return to their former habitations, where it is more than probable they might be tempted to renew their dangerous designs, I would recommend (should the suspension of their Sentence not continue till a peace) that some steps may be taken to remove them from this Colony, submitting to Your Lordship's judgment and consideration the proper or legal means by which this end may be attained, and in the meanwhile until favored through Your Lordship with His Majesty's final commands as to the disposal of these Prisoners, they will remain in custody in the Castle, where they have hitherto been, and where every indulgence consistent with the security of their persons and a proper attention to public justice will be allowed them.
However objectionable the present constitution of the Court of Justice at the Cape, whose judicial proceedings have been fre- quently complained of, and however unwilling the British subjects residing here may be to submit to its jurisdiction, still I am not of opinion that the English system of Laws and Jurisprudence can be introduced here with propriety at present, nor does it appear to
1 2
116 Recoi'ds of the Cape Colony.
me that any sudden or premature alteration in the forms of legal procedure could, for some time to come, be attended with beneficial effects. The proceedings of the Court of Justice are regulated by the Civil Eoman Law, the Supreme Judges, however, are not Civilians nor professional Lawyers ; the forms of the Court are in other respects faulty and in some instances their decisions are supposed to have had a partial bias ; nevertheless the Inhabitants at large are satisfied with its administration, and indeed, so far as I am able to judge, the Court is not inadequate to the purposes of its establishment, since the decrees of the Court of Justice have been found in most cases, the cognizance of which have devolved to the Court of Appeals, consonant to the principles of equity and Justice.
The Colonial Law of Inheritance differs so widely from the practice in England, as to the succession of property, that it is certainly by no means surprizing British Subjects residing here should manifest unwillingness in subn>itting to the regulations prescribed by the Colonial laws on that head ; however the Claims of the Orphan Chamber to the administration of the property of the deceased Mrs. Greene, who died intestate, are unquestion- ably well founded, since by the Articles of the Capitulation, under which this Colony surrendered to His Majesty's arms, the ancient Laws and Usages, in all civil as well as criminal cases, are con- sidered to be still in force. Should His Majesty think fit by His iioyal Declaration (or such other instruction as he may think proper to give) to exempt the British Inhabitants employed in the administration of this Government from the jurisdiction of the Dutch Laws, in Civil and Criminal Cases, rendering them amen- able to the Military law, as followers of the Army, until a Peace, I am inclined to be of opinion that every difficulty would be removed. The Orphan Chamber in all such cases as that of Mr. Greene are only desirous of some such authority to free themselves from the responsibility at present attached to their situation as Guardians of Orphan Property, which they consider themselves bound to protect, with regard to the English as well as Dutch Inhabitants, no exemption in favor of the former having been made in any of the Articles of the Capitulation. The matter as it now stands, in the case of Mr. Greene, involves a question of considerable difficulty an'd importance however, though perhaps it is impossible amicably to adjust this question between the
Records of the Cape Colony. 117
parties, yet, in obedience to Your Lordship's desire, I shall en- deavour to prevent for the present an appeal to a legal decision in England, where no doubt it must hereafter be referred and ultimately decided.
The apprehensions which the late Governor Sir George Yonge had been led to entertain relative to the Caffre Chief Guyka appear to have been unfounded, no hostilities having lately taken place with the Gaffers on either side the Great Fish Eiver ; indeed, as Your Lordship observes, the vague and uncertain reports trans- mitted to Government respecting them are very little to be de- pended upon ; but, at all events, as I consider that it is the interest of Government to secure the continuance of a good understanding with the Savages dwelUng on the frontiers of the Colony, I shall endeavour, on that account, to maintain it, being fully of opinion that some system of policy ought to be adopted more just and liberal, than what has hitherto been ob- served with respect to them.
Tlie annual Circuits which Your Lordship proposes should be made for the better administration of Justice in the several Districts of this Colony would unquestionably produce very salutary effects; indeed some such measure has been long necessary and ought to be immediately adopted, more particu- larly with respect to the District of Graaff Eeinet, where as yet a regular police can hardly be said to have been established, owing to the want of which, acts of violence and injustice pass every day unnoticed, and the greatest crimes are committed with impunity ; from which circumstance is chiefly to be ascribed the constant interruption of the public tranquillity in that quarter of the Colony. I have had it in contemplation, for some time, to con- stitute a temporary Commission to be composed of some of the most respectable of His Majesty's servants in this Settlement, (on whose zeal, capacity and integrity it will be in the power of Government to confide) to proceed into the District of Graaff Reinet, with a view to examine into the causes of the late dis- turbances, recommending at the same time the adoption of such measures as may appear to them best calculated to prevent effectu- ally a repetition of the Disorders which have been too prevalent in that distant part of the Country. This necessary step, which it is my intention to take the beginning of the ensuing year, I shall do myself the honor of communicating my final determination upon
118 Records of the Cape Colony.
by a future opportunity, and in the mean while, having directed the Fiscal to commit to writing the plan respecting the estab- lishment of the Circuit Courts, which he first submitted to the consideration of the late Governor Sir George Yonge, it is inclosed, having reason to place full confidence in the good intentions and judgment of Mr. Kyneveldt, the good opinion Your Lordship entertains of him, not being (I am confident) misplaced.
As I am ignorant of what Sir George Yonge may have proposed on the subject of the Circuit Courts for His Majesty's considera- tion, I cannot judge how far the plan may be feasible or other- wise ; but will take the liberty to observe, that the members of the Court of Justice mentioned in Your Lordship's letter of the 1st May, to compose the Circuit Court, are by no means the persons the most eligible for the execution of so important a duty, as the Native Inhabitants here. Colonists as well as Hottentots, have acquired a much higher notion of the impartiality of English Magistrates in the administration of Justice, on whom they would place greater reliance upon this occasion than upon their own Countrymen ; the people in general though still under the influence of prejudice, with respect to the English Nation, in many respects, yet all of them (I believe) admit the adva.ntages they have derived by the capture of the Settlement, together with our impartiality in the distribution of Justice, and the vigour and integrity of our Laws ; consequently the Circuit Courts ought to be formed of English and Dutch Gentlemen conjointly, who in their progress through the Country, by examining into the grievances and disputes, as well between Individuals relative to their private concerns, as in investigating the conduct of the inferior Magis- trates, would doubtless greatly contribute to the peace, prosperity and happiness of this extensive Colony.
According to the statement of the Fiscal, which I have the honor to enclose, the late Governor had apparently mistaken the c ise of the Prisoner Edeman, sentenced to banishment by the Court of Justice, however, the matter not appearing to me to be of much importance, I think it unnesessary further to trouble Your Lord- ship concerning it.
The furnishing the Post at Fort Frederick with supplies, by obtaining Cattle by means of establishing a traffic with the Savages, would-, unquestionably cause some inconvenience and
Records of the Cape Colony. 119
trouble, if not conducted with prudence and propriety. Mr. Eyles has not proceeded to Algoa Bay, and your Lordship may rest assured that I shall not permit him, or any persons with whos3 motives I am not perfectly acquainted, to establish themselves there, seeing the necessity of being extremely cautious, at present, upon this subject.
Being ignorant of Sir George Yonge's observations relative to the Loan Lands, it is impossible to comply with Your Lordship's desire, in submitting a detailed report and plan founded upon them, in order to correct existing abuses and to assist Your Lord- ship's judgment in forming some more practicable regulations upon that subject. I must confess, however, I am not aware of any very great evil which results from the supposed defects of the system according to which the Loan Lands are at present managed. As soon as the hands of Government shall be no longer restrained by the Articles of the Capitulation, some improvements may, no doubt, be introduced in the mode of granting and limiting the Loan Lands, but, at present I do not think it advisable to attempt any material alteration in the established usage, certainly not productive either of inconvenience to the individual Inhabitants or disadvantageous to the Public. The Colony is at present so thinly inhabited, that there is space sufficient to allow of the inaccurate manner in which the limits of the Loan Lands are fixed and determined. Few disputes or litigations, amongst the In- habitants, take place respecting their limits, and I am not of opinion that the collection of this branch of the Eevenue would be facilitated by any alteration which could be made, with respect to ascertaining more correctly the boundaries, nor would a change perhaps in the conditions upon which the lands are granted produce a greater punctuality in paying the Quit rents to Government,
The difficulty in collecting this branch of the public Eevenue proceeds from unwillingness but by no means inability to pay, since, with a very few exceptions, the Farmers are sufficiently affluent to render the payment by no means oppressive (the Quit rents being so small) and, as Your Lordship has justly observed, the immense advantages the Country has enjoyed since the surrender of the Colony deprive the farmers of any fair excuse for with- holding payment upon this occasion. The very great extent of the Country Districts, the supinencss of the Landdrosts, the want of
120 Hccords of the Ciqje Colony.
subordinate Magistrates, and the difficulty of speedy communi- cation make almost impracticable any improvement which might be proposed for the full collection of this branch of the Eevenue, however I shall endeavour to prevent the encrease of the arrears at present due, by adopting such measures for compelling a due attention to the annual payment of the Land Eents as shall appear best calculated for that purpose.
As Mr. Bianchi has never held any public situation under Government, I am unable to conjecture what his situation and services were during the late administration, however as he has not thought fit to make any demand for a recompence from me, since the departure of Sir George Yonge, and as Your Lordship does not desire further information as to his claims, I have judged it unnecessary to make any enquiry respecting him.
The sudden arrest of Mr. Prediger, with the seizure of his papers, excited when the circumstances took place a good deal of surprise and speculation at the Cape. I was not informed, until a considerable time after his departure in custody for England, that an attack was in contemplation against this Settlement by a combined armament from France and Holland, the particulars of which were fully detailed (according to Sir George Yonge) in the papers found in the possession of Mr. Prediger. A sight of these papers might probably have enabled me to judge of the likelihood of any such attempt, or at least of its probable success ; however, though certainly responsible for the defence of this place (under the authority of the Governor) I had not the honor of being made acquainted with this very serious discovery of the enterprize proposed, until by a casual conversation with Sir George Yonge some months subsequent to Mr. Prediger's arrest, in consequence of which I thought it my duty to wait upon His Excellency for further information respecting this affair, and upon that occasion was favoured with a verbal communication only, the papers having been previously sent to England.
Such measures of precaution were then taken by me as the importance of the subject seemed to require, without however creating any unnecessary agitation or alarm amongst the Inhabi- tants. I presume that, whatever the designs of the Enemy may have been, the enterprize above mentioned has been abandoned ; no subsequent intelligence having confirmed the statement found in Mr. Prediger's Papers ; and I rely with confidence on the
Records of the Cape Colony, 121
earliest information from Your Lordship should any such project on the part of the Enemy be again renewed.
The Missionary Van der Kemp, who has returned from the Country of the Caffers, is at present in the village of Graaff Eeinet, and is reported to me to be a man of irreproachable character, having been highly useful in retaining the Hottentots in their obedience to Government during the late very shameful disturbances in Graaff Eeinet ; however, should his conduct prove hereafter hurtful to the interests of His Majesty's Government, or in any manner suspicious, Your Lordship may rest assured of my immediate attention to his removal from that District.
In pursuance of the directions from Mr. Secretary Dundas, dated 16th March, and Your Lordship's subsequent instructions, as contained in your letter of the 2nd May, a Special Commission has been appointed composed of Five of the Principal Officers of His Majesty's Government at the Cape, who, having been invested with full powers to enquire into the abuses and misconduct said to have taken place during the late administration, commenced their proceedings on the 29th October last, by authority given as per proclamation, and have nearly brought their labours to a conclusion, however, the progress of their investigations having been attended with some difficulties, and naturally very tedious from the number of persons and Documents it has been found necessary to examine, it will be impossible for me to transmit to Your Lordship their report by the present conveyance, which, consequently, I must defer until the next favorable opportunity, when I shall not fail to send Your Lordship a full detail respecting the facts which the Commission has been directed to enquire into for His Majesty's information.
The conduct of Mr, Jessup, Searcher of the Customs in this Settlement, suspended from his Office by the late Governor Sir George Yonge, has also been enquired into by a separate Com- mission appointed by me for that purpose, by the command of Mr. Secretary Dundas, as communicated in a letter dated 16 March 1801, having the Honor to enclose their report for Your Lordship's perusal accordingly.
His Majesty's Order in Council dated 11th February 1801, permitting the exportation of British Merchandize from the Cape to the Spanish Settlements in South America, having been trans- mitted by Mr. Huskisson, in a letter dated 31st March last, the
122 Records of the Cape Colony.
same has been published here and permission given to all persons to avail themselves of this order accordingly ; one Spanish Vessel has arrived from Eio de la Plata since the Licence has been published, and am to add that this Commercial intercourse cannot fail to prove in a very high degree beneficial as well to the Inhabitants in general, as to the Mercantile interest of this Settlement.
In conformity to Your Lordship's directions conveyed to me in your letter of the 2nd May, relative to His Majesty's Order in Council of the 11th February 1801, wherein I was directed to impose on all Goods, Wares and Merchandize not the growth, produce or manufacture of Great Britain or Ireland imported from any part of His Majesty's dominions into this Settlement, a Duty of not more than 5 per cent on the value thereof, the Proclamation to that effect has been issued by me, agreeable to His Majesty's commands.
Previous to the receipt of youi- Lordship's letter of the 7th April, which accompanied a collection of papers upon the subject of an interference of the late Governor of the Cape respecting the importation of China Goods for the supply of this Settlement, I had directed Mr. Pringle, the Company's Agent, to adopt such measures as were necessary, in order that the Stores landed from the China Ships and deposited in the Warehouses at St. Helena, should be forwarded to this place without delay, it having been represented to me that the Inhabitants would suffer inconvenience from the want of them. Your Lordship's letter of the 7th April I omitted by mistake to acknowledge the receipt of in the margin of my letter of the 8th October last, having had the honor to receive it by the Hindostan, together with the rest of your dispatches.
I enclose a Copy of a Letter from Mr. Pringle, dated 7 November, from which Your Lordship will be satisfied that the Trade of the Honorable East India Company to this port (which had been in some degree interrupted by the impediments alluded to) has been once more placed on its original and proper footing.
The delay in the sailing of the Ship by which this letter will be conveyed will enable me to transmit the Quartermaster General's accounts to the 31st December, being the conclusion of the present year, in which are included such necessary contingent expences as have been incurred by the Barrack Department, amounting to a
Hccords of the Gape Colony. 123
very small sum, having, in pursuance of my intention, as I bad the honor to mention to Your Lordship in my letter of the 23rd July last, closed the Expenditure of the Barrack Office, placing it upon the old footing previous to the arrival here of Sir George Yonge, subordinate to the Department of the Deputy Quarter Master General, by which method a very great expence is saved to the public, and at the same time the Troops enjoy equal advantages.
However unwilling to detach into the distant parts of this Settlement, in the time of War, a body of Troops, by which this extreme end of the Colony, the chief object to be defended, might be exposed to, or endangered, by any sudden attack, yet such has been lately the behaviour of the Inhabitants of the District of Graaff IJeinet, that I felt it necessary to detach Major Sherlock, with a Corps of about 300 picked men, by sea, to reinforce Fort Frederick, with orders to penetrate to the Drostdy of Graaff Eeinet, and to attack or exterminate the Boors, should they still persist to continue in arms in opposition to the Magistrates of the District, which conduct, whatever causes of complaint they might possibly have against their Magistrates, could only be construed as hostile to His Majesty's Government.
I do myself the honor to enclose Major Sherlock's first letter and report to me, dated 30th November, together with a Copy of a proper and spirited summons he sent to the Boors, to disperse themselves and return to their habitations, which seems to have had an immediate and the desired effect. Having submitted thus much to Your Lordship upon this subject, I think it unnecessary to trouble you further with respect to it, entertaining no serious apprehensions with regard to the future safety and tranquillity of the remote frontiers of this Colony, since, although occasional petty disturbances may happen in the mean while, it will be in our power fully to secure the obedience and submission of the Inhabi- tants, whenever an interval of peace shall enable us to adopt such measures of regulation as are necessary for the attainment of that end.
The Arrivals and Departures of Ships which have touched at this Settlement from the 1st September to the 31st December are enclosed.
The Monthly Returns of His Majesty's Troops in Garrison for the months of November and December are enclosed.
124 liecords of the Cape Colony.
The Extra Expenditures for the Months May, June, July, August and September, together with the usual Abstracts of the Monthly and Quarterly Accounts of the Revenue, likewise the Custom House Books, and Civil Paymaster's Accounts, are trans- mitted. I have &c.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. W. S. van Ryneveld to Major Genekal Dundas.
Cape Town, \2ih Decemher 1801.
Sir, — I am honored with your Excellency's Letter of yesterday's date, desiring an Explanation of the Circumstances of a Prisoner under Sentence of Banishment to Port Jackson having been suffered to escape, and beg leave to express my concern at Sir George Youge's mistake on the subject, and to represent to your Excellency that the man alluded to is a Cornelius Edeman by name, who by sentence of the Court of Justice of this Colony, dated 3rd September 1800, was condemned to be publicly flogged and afterwards banished from this Colony for Life, which as far as related to the corporal punishment was put into execution on the 20th of the same month. Authentic copy of the Sentence I have the honor herewith to transmit to your Excellency.
I beg to add that after the said part of the Sentence had been executed, and no opportunity offering for the man's being sent out of the Colony, I as Fiscal being responsible for its further execu- tion, applied to Sir George Yonge in order that Government might try to get the man out of the Colony by some conveyance or other. Sir George then answered me that he would send the man to Botany Bay. I then took the liberty to remark that the Sentence, being already partly executed, could not be aggravated by His Excellency the Governor, that the Representative of the Sovereign undoubtedly had the power of diminishing, but, in my opinion, not of increasing the punishment of the Sentence, and that this one would be satisfied by the man's being banished out of the Colony, never to return.
Sir George felt the force of my observation, and replied that we
Hccords of the Cape Colony. 125
must look out for an opportunity of sending him away. This passed in presence of the Public Secretary, A. Barnard, Esquire, after which I immediately went and gave orders to the Under Sheriff for his being removed out of the Settlement by the first occasion. Some weeks passed, and on the arrival of a Ship bound to Botany Bay, Sir George Yonge directed me to cause that man to be shipped thereon : conceiving Sir George had altered his mind, I sent for the said Under Sheriff, and directed him to see Sir George's pleasure forthwith executed, who thereupon informed me that the man had been sent away on the vessel Anna Augusta, Meldrum Master, the 11th Nov' 1800, in consequence of my former orders ; which I accordingly reported to Sir George, who, I am sorry to subjoin, did afterwards in my absence summon before him this under Sheriff and other people in the Department, and privately examine them on the subject. I have &c.,
(Signed) W. S. van Eyneveld, Fiscal.
[Copy.] Proclamation hy Major General Dundas,
Whereas a Dispatch has been received from the Eight Honour- able Lord Hobart one of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, notifying that the preliminary Articles of Peace between England and the French Government were signed on the 1st of October, and signifying His Majesty's Commands that from the receipt of the said dispatch all hostilities shall cease against the subjects of Fi*ance and her allies, I do therefore give this public notice, that a due obedience and strict observance be paid by all those whom it may or shall concern to His Majesty's most gracious proclamation, of which the following is a copy : —
" Whereas preliminaries for restoring peace between Us and the French llepublic were signed at London on the 1st day of this instant October, by the plenipotentiary of Us, and by the pleni- potentiary of the French Eepublic ; And Whereas for the putting an End to the Calamities of War, as soon and as far as may be possible, it hath been agreed between Us and the French Eepublic as follows ; that is to say, That as soon as the preliminaries shall be signed and ratified, Friendship should be established between
126 Becords of the Cape Colony.
Us and the French Eepublic by sea and land, in all parts of the World, and that all hostilities should cease immediately, and in order to prevent all causes of complaint and dispute which might arise on account of prizes which might be made at Sea, after the signature of the Preliminary Articles, it has been also reciprocally agreed that the Vessels and Effects which might be taken in the British Channel and in the North Seas after the space of Twelve days, to be computed from the Exchange of the Eatifications of the Preliminary Articles, should be restored on each side ; That the term should be one Month from the British Channel and the North Seas as far as the Canary Islands inclusively, whether in the Ocean or in the Mediterranean ; Two Months from the said Canary Islands as far as the Equator ; and lastly Five Months in all other parts of the World without any exception or any more particular Description of time or place. And Whereas the Eatifications of the said preliminary Articles between Us and the French Eepublic were exchanged by the respective plenipoten- tiaries of Us and the French Eepublic on the Tenth day of this instant October, from which day the several Terms abovementioned of Twelve days, of One Month, of Two Months, and Five Months are to be computed; And Whereas it is our Eoyal %vill and pleasure, that the Cessation of hostilities between Us and the French Eepublic should be agreeable to the several Epochs fixed between Us and the French Eepublic, We have thought fit, by and with the Advice of our Privy Council to notify the same to all our Loving Subjects ; and we do declare that our Eoyal will and pleasure is, and we do hereby strictly charge and command all our officers both at Sea and Land, and all other our Subjects whatso- ever, to forbear all acts of hostilities either by Sea or Land against the French Eepublic and their allies, their vassals or subjects, from and after the respective times above mentioned, and under the penalty of incurring our highest Displeasure.
" Given at our Court at Windsor, the Twelfth day of this instant October, in the Forty-first Year of our Eeign, and in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and One.
" God save the King."
Given in the Castle of Good Hope this loth day of December 1801.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
Records of the Cape Colony.. 127
[Office Copy.]
Letter from the Right Honourable Lord Hobart to Major General Dundas.
Downing Street, \lth December 1801. Sir, — His Majesty having been pleased to direct that the most accurate Maps and plans of the different Countries, Islands, Ports and Posts which have been taken from His Enemies in the course of the present War should be collected together, with the most correct information which circumstances may have enabled the Officers Commanding in the different stations to have obtained, I have His Majesty's Commands to desire that you will transmit to me correct Copies of all Plans and Maps to which you can have access, together with such observations as may suggest themselves to you thereon, with a view to the contingencies of any future interruption to the relations of amity under which those possessions are now to be restored. I am &c.
(Signed) Hobaut.
[Copy.]
Proclamation hj Major General Dundas.
Whereas His Majesty's Eeceiver General by his Letter of tlie 17th inst. has represented to me that he has Ten Thousand Eixdollars of worn out and defaced paper Money collected from the several branches of Eevenue in his hands unfit for circulation. And Whereas he has requested that the necessary Exchange of new pieces of such worn out and defaced paper Money may take place, These are therefore to require and direct that the Secretary of the Court of Justice do on Wednesday the 23rd next attend at the Castle, where on application to the Secretary of Government (in whose Custody they are) he will receive the Stamps, together with the number of pieces of Card Necessary for the purpose, and that he do in the presence of the Fiscal and two Members of the Court of Justice who are hereby required to attend at the time aforesaid at the usual place, and in the usual manner, cause the number of One Thousand pieces of Ten Eixdollars each to be
128 Records of the Cape Colony.
stamped, which pieces when so stamped are to be delivered by the Fiscal and Members of the Court of Justice aforesaid, to the said Secretary of Government, to whom they are also at the same time to return the stamps, which stamps being replaced in the Box in which they are usually kept, the Box shall be sealed with my Seal and with that of the Court of Justice, so as to remain until further wanted, of all which tlie Fiscal and Members of the Court of Justice are to make a public act of Certification in the presence of the Court on the next Court day, to be registered on the records of the Court.
And it is further directed that such stamped pieces, being by the Secretary of Government delivered to the Custody of Mr, Jacobus de Wit Secretary of the Board of Revenue, it shall be his business to prepare the same, by marking the value of each piece in plain Characters on the top of the Card, together with the number, beginning with that of the last number of the former issue of each separate denomination of money above the value of One Dollar; as also the day of this Warrant underneath, after which the whole of the pieces shall be signed by Messrs. C. Brand, O. M. Bergh, and A. V. Bergh.
And it is also further directed that such money so stamped and signed do remain in the Custody of His Majesty's Eeceiver General until Eeport be made of its being finished, when such further orders shall be given for the Exchange thereof as may be expedient ; and for these several matters herein mentioned, this, the Original of which is lodged in the records of the Court of Justice, shall be to all concerned a full and sufficient Warrant; and for the public information and satisfaction it is further directed that it be published and affixed in the manner usual with all other proclamations.
Given under my Hand & Seal, Castle of Good Hope this 18th day of December 1801.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
Records of the Cape Colony. 129
[Original.]
Letter from Major General Dundas to the Right Honourable Lord Hobart.
Cape of Good Hope, 20/A Dttj'. 1801.
My Lord, — The departure of an American sliip which sails this day bound to the Port of London affords me an opportunity of writing a few Knes to inform your Lordship of the arrival here of His Majesty's Ship Eurydice on the 14th Instant, by which conveyance your Letter dated Downing street 12th October 1801 transmitting the preliminary articles of peace agreed upon between His Majesty and the Government of France has been received, the particulars of which have been published in this Settlement pureuant to your Lordship's commands.
This unexpected event has necessarily occasioned considemble agitation here, in consequence of which there is at present an almost total stagnation in the usual transactions as well amongst Individuals as the public affairs, and having reason to entertain very serious apprehensions with respect to the possibility of collecting the Ee venue during the present uncertainty the Funds in the hands of the Receiver General will consequently no longer be sufficient to defray the Expences of the Civil Establishment, the Balance at present in his hands being barely adequate to the payment of the Salaries at the end of the present quarter due on the 31st Instant, therefore have to request Your Lordship will con- sider the difficulties the Government of this settlement is likely to experience on this subject as should a long space of time elapse before the evacuation of the place the Salaries and Contingent Expences must be otherwise provided for. Such provisional authority as Your Lordship shall think proper I beg may be sent me to enable me to draw upon the Lords of the Treasury should it become necessary for a Sum not less than Fifteen or Twenty Thousand Pounds for the purpose of discharging any demands on the Colonial account, this measure being the only one which suggests itself to me by which it will be possible to prevent the Government of the Cape from being placed in a very awkward and embarrassing situation.
I had prepared previous to the arrival of the Euridice a Dispatch for Your Lordship upon the subject of the affairs of this Settle-
IV. K
130 Records of the Cape Colony.
ment, but more particularly in answer to the letters dated 1st and 2nd May last which I had the honour to receive by His Majesty's Ship Hindostan.
Although to the particulars contained in this Dispatch the change of circumstances about to take place makes it not essentially necessary for Your Lordship to attend, yet it is my intention in order to evince the constant discharge of my duty to His Majesty to transmit the same by a Ship expected to sail for England the beginning of the ensuing month.
I shall wait with some degree of impatience for the honor of hearing again from Your Lordship in the hope of obtaining such further and particular Instructions as are necessary for the regula- tion of my conduct in the final arrangements which previous to the Evacuation must necessarily take place in this Colony.
I have &c.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Original.]
Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
Lancaster, Table Bat, Cape of Good Hope, 2Qlh Decern! er 1801.
Sir, — I avail myself of the sailing of an American Ship for England, that their Lordships may be informed of the occurrences here since my letter of the 18th ultimo.
The Eurydice arrived on the evening of the 14th instant, by which Ship 1 received your Letter of the 10th September informing me of their Lordships having judged it expedient to alter the Private Signals made use of by His Majesty's Ships for knowing each other, and enclosing to me a Sheet of the Signals so altered. Their Lord- ships further directions contained in your Letter aforesaid shall be duly attended to.
By the same Ship I received their Lordships Order of the 11th October, relative to the Cessation of Hostilities between the Belligerent Powers, and also a Copy of the Preliminary Articles of Peace, signed in London the 1st October. And strict attention will be paid to their Lordships Order abovementioned. •
Records of the Cajpe Colony. 131
I received likewise by the Eurydice your Letter of the 14th October, communicating to me their Lordships directions to " lose no time in apprizing the Governor of the Island of Mauritius of the Exchange of the Eatification of the Preliminaries of Peace, and to recommend to him to restrain the sailing of any Vessel from that Island for the purpose of committing any further Hostility, which, according to the Spirit of the 11th Article, it is his duty to prevent by every practicable means," I accordingly addressed a suitable Letter to him, accompanied with an attested Copy of the Preliminary Articles, which I dispatched by His Majesty's Sloop the Fenguin : She sailed from hence on the 16th instant, and the same day the Eurydice sailed also for the fulfilling the Orders she is under.
The Hindostan having been unloaded, was nearly ready for returning to England when the Eurydice arrived ; but as there are many Stores to be removed from hence, I shall detain her until I hear from their Lordships, and particularly as no Ship but the Hindostan, or a Ship of suitable size fitted for the purpose as the Hindostan is, can take away the made lower Masts which she brought out. I have &c.
(Signed) Rogeh Curtis.
P.S. In my Letter of the 6th October their Lordships will have seen my motives for sending the Tremendous to Bombay ; and in this they will observe the Penguin is gone to the Island of Mauri- tius, The rest of my Squadron, viz. the
Lancaster
Jupiter
Diomede ) are in Table Bay ready for Sea.
Imperieuse
Rattlesnake!
Hindostan— Table Bay.
Euphrosyne (Brig) — Simons Bay.
(Initialed) R. C,
K 2
132
Records of the Cape Colony.
|
List of Ships' Arrivals. |
|||
|
Date. |
Ship's Name. |
Where from. |
Nationality. |
|
1801. |
|||
|
Sept. 1 . . . „ 3 . . . |
Apollo Terpsichore Frigate |
England |
English |
|
„ 6 . . . |
Countess of Sutherland |
Bengal |
English |
|
„ 6 . . . |
Ghristianus Septimus |
Tranquebar |
Danish |
|
„ 13 . . . |
Pensimento Felix |
Prize |
|
|
;, 17 . . . |
Hindostan |
||
|
„ 17 . . . |
Pegasus |
Rio Janeiro |
English |
|
„ 20 . . . |
Aurora |
Portsmouth |
Do. |
|
;, 20 . . . |
Coldstream |
Do. |
Do. |
|
„ 21 . . . |
Hazard |
New York |
American |
|
„ 22 . . . |
La Anna |
Prize |
|
|
Oct. 8 . . . |
Star |
Amboyna |
English |
|
„ 9 . . . |
Neptune |
Philadelphia |
American |
|
„ 15 . . . |
A brig |
Prize |
|
|
„ 16 . . , |
A Lugger |
Do. |
|
|
;, 15 . . . |
Loyalist |
Bengal England |
English |
|
„ 16 . . . |
Investigator |
Do. |
|
|
„ 22 . . . |
Marion |
Calcutta |
American |
|
;; 28 . . . |
Iris |
TeneriflFe |
Do. |
|
„ 28 . . . |
Elizabeth |
Portsmouth |
English |
|
„ 30 . . . |
Carteret |
Do. |
|
|
„ 30 . . . |
Elizabeth |
Sumatra |
American |
|
„ 30 . . . |
Mornington |
Bengal |
English |
|
Nov. 1 . . . |
Scalehy Castle |
Portsmouth |
Do. |
|
„ 3 . . . |
Kent |
Do. |
Do. |
|
," 3 . . . |
Matilda |
Madras |
Do. |
|
„ 7 . . . |
Royal Geoi-ge |
Portsmouth |
Do. |
|
„ 9 . . . |
Eliza |
Madras |
American |
|
„ 17 . . . |
Spencer |
Portsmouth |
EngUsh |
|
„ 18 . . . |
Buonaparte |
Lima |
^Spanish I prize American |
|
„ 24 . . . |
Dispatch |
Madras |
|
|
„ 24 . . . |
Hope |
Bengal |
English |
|
„ 25 . . . |
Regulus |
Point de Gale |
Do. |
|
„ 25 . . . |
India |
Madras |
Do. |
|
„ 25 . . . |
Elizabeth |
Bengal |
American |
|
„ 26 . . . |
St. Hinilus |
Madagascar |
rEnglish t tender |
|
„ 28 . . . |
Concepcion |
Monte Video |
/Spanish I Cartel |
|
Dec. 3 . . . |
Admiral Rainier |
Calcutta |
English |
|
„ 4 . . . |
Roebuck |
Do. |
American |
|
„ 5 . . . |
Friendship |
Portsmouth |
English |
|
„ 10 . . . |
Diana |
St. Helena |
Do. |
Records of the Cape Colony.
133
|
Date. |
Ship's Name. |
Where from. |
NaUonality. |
||
|
3801. |
|||||
|
Dec. 10 . . . |
Liminos |
^Spanish \ prize |
|||
|
„ 15 . » 15 . |
Henry Dundas A packet boat |
Rio Janeiro Do. |
|||
|
, 15 . |
Harmony |
Calcutta |
American |
||
|
, 16 . |
Highland Chief |
Falmouth |
English |
||
|
, 19 . |
Automatia |
Calcutta |
Do. |
||
|
, 20 . |
Aj'ax |
Do. |
Do. |
||
|
, 21 . |
Caledonia |
Do. |
Do. |
||
|
, 21 . |
William Pitt |
Do. |
Do. |
||
|
, 22 . |
Hir Edward Hamilton |
Do. |
Do. |
||
|
, 22 . |
Scarborough |
Do. |
Do. |
||
|
, 22 . |
Nutwell |
Do. |
Do. |
||
|
, 22 . |
Experiment |
Do. |
Do. |
||
|
29 |
Duke of Kent |
Delagoa Bay |
Do. |
||
|
, 26 . |
Laurel |
Salem |
American |
||
|
, 26 . |
Arran |
Calcutta |
English |
||
|
, 26 . |
Gilwell |
Madras |
Do. |
||
|
, 28 . |
Ganges |
Bownaghur |
American |
||
|
, 30 . |
Sir J. W. Warren |
Calcutta |
English |
||
|
, 31 . . |
Duke of Clarence |
Falmouth |
Do. |
[Copy.]
Proclamation hy Lieutenant General Dundas.
Whereas representations have been made to me both by the Burgher Senate and the Special Commission appointed by Government for regulating the Consumption of Grain in this Colony of the expediency of laying up in public Granaries under the direction of Government a certain quantity of Wheat Corn as a supply in the event of a future failure of the harvest according to ancient practice established and continued on the beneficial effects experienced from the measure. And whereas it appears that such public Granaries did exist at the time of the Surrender of this Settlement to His Britannic Majesty, but were then dis- continued for many urgent reasons and that the reestablishment of such Granaries to the full extent has been hitherto impracticable on account of the increased consumption and the general scantiness of the harvests which indeed were so deficient the last year as to cause serious alarms and to render the interference of Government
134 Records of the Cape Colony.
indispensably necessary, and it having appeared on a full investiga- tion into the state of the said harvest, " that it was become a matter highly expedient, not only for the supply of His Majesty's Troops in Garrison here but likewise for the Squadron on the Station and for every individual residing in Cape Town and its environs, that a sufficient quantity of Wheat should annually be laid up in Store, to guard against the danger arising from the failure of the harvest." A proclamation to this effect was issued on the 4th of December 1800 directing " that all Wheat brought up to Cape Town should be delivered over into the Care of Commissioners to be by them deposited in Magazines, or delivered by theii- directions to the Bakers, the farmer to be paid for each Load of Wheat of ten Muids the Sum of forty-three EixdoUars, out of which is to be deducted the usual tythe to Government of three EixdoUars."
And whereas by a subsequent Proclamation dated 13th February 1801 it is stated "that in order to give every possible encouragement to the Farmer to cultivate a greater quantity of Wheat than usual I feel it my duty to give and I hereby give the solemn assurance of Government that the price now fixed of Forty- three EixdoUars shall not be diminished before the Month of May 1802."
And it being evident that such a measure is rendered still farther necessary at this time on account of the privileged Bakers having neither the convenience of receiving into stores nor of paying the Farmer for any very considerable portion of the Corn that may be expected in the three succeeding Months, I have found it expedient for the mutual benefit of the Farmer and the public to direct and order, and it is accordingly hereby ordered that notwithstanding my intention is to dissolve the Supreme and Special Commission on the 31st of the present Month, until which period the Eegula- tions with regard to the consumption and distribution of bread shall remain in full force, the Corn Committee established by proclamation of the 4th of December 1800 shall continue to receive all the Corn brought into Cape Town at the rate of forty-three EixdoUars agreeable to the aforesaid Proclamation, and to exercise aU its functions conformably to the Instructions of the said Board, or such modifications of them as may appear to be necessary. And Whereas in order to enable the said Corn Committee to carry this measure into effect, it has been represented to me that a fund for the purpose will be indispensably necessary I have thought
Records of the Cape Colony. 135
proper to direct that the Sum of One Hundred thousand Eixdollars shall be stamped and signed in the usual form and manner to be paid over into the hands of the said Corn Committee who are hereby ordered to receive and apply the same for the purpose above mentioned, and to deliver to Government at the end of each Month a detailed account of all their proceedings ; it being my intention that the like Sum of One Hundred thousand Eixdollars shall be destroyed as soon as the Corn shall have been issued out to the Bakers and not added to the Capital of paper money now in circulation, the present measure being considered only as a temporary and mutual accommodation between the Government and the Inhabitants.
And as a certain proportion of a Cargo of Eice brought here in the Matilda, according to an agreement made by Government at the recommendation of the Supreme and Special Commission at a time when the calamities of a famine were threatening the Colony, was assigned for the use of the Colony, it appears but reasonable and just that after deducting the full proportion of the said Cargo for the Army and the Navy, the remainder should be left in Store under the charge of the Corn Committee as a stock for the use of the Inhabitants according to the original intention. I have found it expedient to direct that a farther Sum of Eighty Thousand Eix- dollars be stamped and signed in the usual form and manner, the said Sum being the Cost price of that part of the Cargo assigned over to the Corn Commissioners for the use of the Settlement : The Eice to remain as a pledge in the same manner as the Wheat Com above mentioned and the paper money representing it to be destroyed as soon as the said rice shall be disposed of.
And whereas the Burgher Senate in the name and on behalf of the Inhabitants of the Colony has strongly represented to me the serious inconveniences experienced by the small quantity of paper Currency in circulation bearing no sort of proportion to the encreased Trade and Commerce of the Settlement nor to the property it is meant to represent, and the said Burgher Senate having in two Memorials on the subject requested that the Capital of paper money now in circulation thro' the Lombard Bank might be extended in order to prevent the evil consequences that are likely to ensue in case such a step be not speedily taken ; after full enquiries into and due consideration of this important matter, I have been induced to allow and to give the Sanction of Govern-
136 Becords of the Cape Colony.
ment to a new fabrication of paper money to the amount of One hundred thousand Eixdollars to be stamped and signed in the usual form and manner, and issued thro' the Lombard Bank for the convenience of the Inhabitants on the security of immoveable property and two sufficient bondmen, the property thus pledged and the securities proposed to be submitted to the consideration of a Committee of three Gentlemen who will be appointed for that purpose, the interest arising from the said Sum of One hundred thousand Eixdollars not to be paid into the Government Treasury, as is the case with that proceeding from the Capital now in the Bank, but to be paid into the Treasury of the Burgher Senate and applied to the General benefit and improvement of the Town, whereby it is hoped that the Inhabitants wiU hereafter be consid- erably relieved from the Colonial assessments for that purpose.
Given under my Hand & Seal, Castle of Good Hope this 1st day of January 1802.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Copy.]
Proclamation hy Lieutenant General Dundas.
Whereas Arend de Waal Esq. and the Gentlemen Commissioners appointed for that purpose have reported to me that the whole Sum of Ten Thousand Eixdollars stamped and signed, as directed by my Warrant of the 18th of December Ultimo, has been exchanged for pieces to a similar and equal amount of worn out and defaced money, unfit for circulation, which are now in the hands of His Majesty's Eeceiver General, These are therefore to require and direct that Brigadier General Vandeleur, Edward Buckley Esq. Civil Paymaster, W. S. van Eyneveld Esq. His Majesty's Fiscal, together with two Members of the Court of . Justice and two Members of the Burgher Senate to be appointed by the Court and Senate, do meet at the Office of Eevenue in the Castle on Wednesday morning the 6th of this instant Month at 10 o'clock, and that they do then and there receive from A. de Waal Esq. the above mentioned Sum of 10,000 Eixdollars, and after ex- amining the same that they do and in their presence in the Court Yard of the Castle aforesaid, cause the same to be publicly burnt
Records of the Cape Colony. 137
and destroyed, and in case the examination of the several pieces of money which constitute the above sum of 10,000 Rixdollars cannot be concluded in one day, they are then and in that case to adjourn and proceed therein as shall appear best to them, but so as to finish and conclude in the shortest time possible. And it is further directed that the several persons above mentioned do sign two Certificates of their proceedings herein in the English and Dutch Languages, to be drawn up and prepared by the Secretary of the Board of lievenue or Mr. H. C. Voget assisted by Mr. C. G. Hohne Sworn Interpreter to the Government, under the direction of the Fiscal, one of which Certificates is to be delivered to A. de Waal Esq. as his discharge of the Sum of 10,000 EixdoUars with which he now stands charged to His Majesty ; and the other is to be lodged in the records of the Court of Justice by the Fiscal & Members thereto belonging at the next Meeting after the assigning as above directed.
And His Majesty's Fiscal is hereby also directed to require and demand of the Court of Justice within Six days after the lodging of such Certificate above mentioned, that they do pass a public Act under their Hand and Seal of the Court, certifying and declaring all their proceedings, which have been held and have taken place with regard to the Stamping and Signing of the several pieces of money as expressed in my Warrant of the 18th December last, as also of the exchanging and destroying of worn out and defaced paper Money equivalent thereto, annexing to or including in such their Act authentic Copies of the several Certificates lodged as directed in their records, which public Act is to be presented to me to be disposed of in such manner as I may think expedient for the Satisfaction of His Majesty in the premises.
For all which this shall be to all concerned a full and sufficient Warrant and Authority.
Given under my Hand & Seal at the Castle of Good Hope this 2ud day of January 1802.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
138 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.] Proclamatim hy Lieutenant General Dundas.
Whereas the expediency of increasing the paper Currency is fully explained and set forth in the proclamation dated the 1st of the present month, — These are therefore to require and direct that the Secretary of the Court of Justice do on Wednesday the 6th instant attend at the Castle, where on application to the Secretary of Government (in whose Custody they are) he will receive the stamps, together with the number of pieces of Card necessary for the purposes ; and that he do in the presence of the Fiscal and two Members of the Court of Justice, who are hereby required to attend at the time aforesaid at the usual place and in the usual manner cause the number of pieces mentioned in the Margin to be stamped, which pieces when so stamped are to
S "T S Z I 'S ^ "^l-^-i by the Fiscal and Mem-
5,000 „ @ 10 = 50,000 ^6rs of the Court of Justice aforesaid to the said Secretary of Government, to whom they are also at the same time to return the stamps, which stamps being replaced in the Box in which they are usually kept, the Box shall be sealed with my Seal, and with that of the Court of Justice, so to remain until further wanted, of all which the Fiscal & Members of the Court of Justice are to make a public Act of certification in the presence of the Court on the next Court day, to be registered on the records of the Court.
And it is further directed that such stamped pieces being by the Secretary of Government delivered to the Custody of Mr. Jacobus de Wit, Secretary to the Board of Kevenue, it shall be his business to prepare the same by marking the value of each piece in plain characters on the top of the Card, together with the number beginning with that of the last number, of the former issue of each separate denomination of money above the value of one Dollar, as also the day of the date of this warrant imderneath, after which the whole of the pieces shall be signed by Messrs. C. Brand, 0. M. Bergh, and A. V. Bergh.
And I do further direct that for the several matters herein mentioned, this, the Original of which is lodged in the records of the Court of Justice, shall be to all concerned a full and sufficient
Recoi'ds of the Cape Colony. 139
Warrant, and for the public information and satisfaction it is further directed that it be published & affixed in the manner usual with all other proclamations.
Given under my Hand & Seal at the Castle of Good Hope this 2nd day of January 1802.
(Signed) Fkancis Dundas.
[Copy.] Government Advertisement.
His Honor the Lieutenant and Acting Governor being desirous that a fair and proper distribution should be made of One Hundred Thousand Pdxdollars about to be Stamped and Signed, and also that good and sufficient securities should be given, has thought proper to issue this Public Notice, that all persons wishing to obtain loans of the said paper money are required to send in to the Lombard Bank, on or before the 9th instant, written applications, stating the property to be mortgaged and the names of their securities, in order that the same may be laid before a Committee appointed to enquire into and decide upon the propriety of such applications, the said Committee to consist of the three following Gentlemen, namely
A. Barnard, Esqre.,
W. S. van Eyneveld, Esqre.,
C. Matthiessen, Esqre.
Castle of Good Hope, January 2nd 1802.
By Command of his Honor the Lieut. Governor.
(Signed) A. Barnard, Secretary.
140 Records of the Cajye Colony.
[Original] Letter from Mr. John Pmngle to Lord Hobart.
Cape of Good Hope, IWh January 1802.
My Lord, — I have the honor to inform you that I have as usual received Sixty Aums of Constantia Wiae and that I have shipped forty-eight of them (in equal proportions of red and white) on board the Experiment^ Captain John Nelson White, as per enclosed Bill of Lading.
His Excellency Lieut. General Dundas has directed me to reserve the remaining twelve for his distribution. I have &c.
(Signed) John Pringle.
[Copy.] Proclamation hy Lieutenant General Dundas.
Whereas His Majesty's Eeceiver General by his Letter of the 22nd instant lias represented to me that he has Ten Thousand KixdoUars of worn out and defaced paper Money, collected from the several branches of Eevenue in his hands unfit for circulation. And whereas he has requested that the necessary exchange of new pieces of such worn out and defaced paper money may take place. These are therefore to require and direct that the Secretary of the Court of Justice do on Saturday the 27th next attend at the Castle, where on application to the Secretary of Government (in whose Custody they are) he will receive the stamps together with the number of pieces of Card necessary for the purpose ; and that he do ill the presence of the Fiscal and two Members of the Court of Justice, who are hereby required to attend at the time aforesaid at the usual place, and in the usual manner cause the number of pieces mentioned in the Margin to be
1,000 of 5 Rds. = 5,000 -ji-i- i ^ j
500 f 10 D - 5 000 stamped, which pieces when so stamped are to be delivered by the Fiscal and Members of the Court of Justice aforesaid to the said Secretary of Govern- ment, to whom they are also at the same time to retui-n the stamps, which stamps being replaced in the Box in which they are usually
Eecords of the Cape Colony. 141
kept, the Box shall be sealed with ray Seal and with that of the Court of Justice, so to remain until further wanted, of all which the Fiscal and Members of the Court of Justice are to make a public act of Certification in the presence of the Court on the next Court day, to be registered on the records of the Court.
And it is further directed that such stamped pieces, being by the Secretary of Government delivered to the Custody of Mr. Jacobus de Wit, Secretary to the Board of Eevenue, it shall be his business to prepare the same, by marking the value of each piece in plain characters on the top of the Card, together with the number, beginning with that of the last number of the former issue of each separate denomination of money above the value of One Dollar, as also the day of the date of this Warrant underneath, after which the whole of the pieces shall be signed by Messrs. C. Brand, 0. M. Bergh, and A. V. Bergh.
And it is also further directed that such money so stamped & signed do remain in the Custody of His Majesty's Eeceiver General until report be made of its being finished, when such further orders shall be given for the exchange thereof as may be expedient, and for these several matters herein mentioned, this, the Original of which is lodged in the records of the Court of Justice, shall be to all concerned a full and suf&cient Warrant, and for the public information and satisfaction it is further directed that it be published & affixed in the manner usual with all other proclama- tions.
Given under my Hand & Seal, Castle of Good Hope this 23rd day of January 1802.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Copy.]
Government Advertisement.
The Committee appointed to examine the list of applications for the new loan of One hundred Thousand Rixdollars ha^dng reported that a Sum exceeding Six hundred Thousand Eixdollars had been applied for, chiefly on good and unexceptionable securities, which Sum, by contracting the demands of those who had most ample securities to offer, rejecting such as were dubious or that did not
142 Records of the Cape Colony.
accord with the established rules and regulations of the Lombard Bank, and of such also as could not be considered by them in the light of proper objects of relief, according to the intention of Government in granting the present loan, the said Committee have further stated has been reduced by them to One Hundred and Sixty-five Thousand EixdoUars ; and that by the disposal of this Capital in the manner proposed, it having been represented by them, a very considerable relief would be afforded to the Majority of those who had made apph* cations : His Honor the Lieut. Governor has thought fit to direct that the additional Sum of Sixty- five Thousand EixdoUars should be taken provisionally from the funds of the Corn Committee, and issued through the Medium of the Lombard Bank for the use and relief of the Inhabitants in the same manner as the sum of One Hundred Thousand EixdoUars designed for that purpose according to the tenor and intent of the Proclamation of the 1st instant, and that the interest of the said Sum should, in like manner be applied to the usual repairs and improvements of the Town, under the direction of the Burgher Senate.
Castle of Good Hope, 28th January 1802.
By Command of His Honor the Lieut. Governor.
(Signed) A. Barnard, Secretary.
[Original.]
Letter from Mil. John Barrow ^o Lieutenant General Dundas,
Cape Town, ZOth January 1802. Sir, — In pursuance of Your Honor's commands, the Commis- sioners for regulating the Consumption of Grain in this Colony have this day finally closed their proceedings, of which a detailed Copy is herewith transmitted. As the Eegulations contained therein, with regard to the economical expenditure and distribution of bread-corn, though of the last importance at the time they were in force, namely during the continuance of scarcity, are not at this moment when the blessings of plenty are once more restored to the Colony of sufficient weight to take up your time and attention, I am directed by the Commissioners to accompany the said report of
Records of the Cape Colony. 143
their Proceedings with a short Abstract, recapitulating the most material points, by which Your Honor will be at once enabled to form a competent knowledge of the motives by which they were guided and the measures they adopted in consequence of them.
In the Month of February 1801 when the Commission was first appointed it very soon became apparent to the Commissioners that on the supposition of each person consuming no more than one pound a day the quantity of Grain in the whole Colony was not sufficient for five Months, when at the same time eleven Months consumption was required before the returns of the next harvest could be expected and consequently that six Months consumption of Bread-Corn remained to be provided.
On the strength of this alarming fact, the Commissioners con- ceived it their first Duty to enter into such engagements for procuring foreign supplies as should appear to them most likely to afford a speedy relief.
In making these engagements it was considered that as six Months consumption of bread or substitutes for it was still to be provided for upwards of 20,000 persons, and that this number on an allowance of one Dutch pound a day without loss or waste would require at least 1800 Tons for that period, common prudence demanded that the engagements entered into by them for foreign supplies should rather exceed than fall short of the aforesaid quantity of tonnage.
Sir George Yonge being waited on by a deputation from the Commission for the purpose of ascertaining the measures he had adopted for providing against the scarcity which was well known to him some months before this period, stated for their information that he had despatched the Lady Yonge to Eio de Janeiro, and the Loyalist to Bengal, for cargoes of Eice. In addition therefore to these ships the Commissioners agreed to take up the Ship Henry Bundas to be sent to the Brazil Coast for Wheat, Flour, or Eice, and the Matilda to be dispatched to the Coast of Coromandel.
The engagements then entered into for foreign supplies stood as follows :
By the Governor (f"'^^,.^«"^!,*^ ^7 ^^'^^'^^"^ f « Tons
•' \Loyalt%l to Bengal 500 „
BytheCommisBioner8|^^ ^^^^^^B^^^jjg ^^
with the approbation L^^^.^^^^^^^^ j200 „
of Government J
Making in the whole 2,380 Tonu
144 Records of the Cape Colony.
It appeared from computation that in the event of all these Ships arriving in safety and with full cargoes there would remain only a surplus of 580 Tons above the quantity that the most economical expenditure would absolutely require before the next harvest.
It was further the opinion of the Commissioners that a quantity even more than the above-mentioned supplies would be a desirable acquisition to the Colony, and might be the means of enabling the Government in the course of the ensuing year to lay up in store a stock of Wheat equal to the quantity of Eice that it was intended should be distributed as a substitute for it on certain days in the Week.
On this consideration the Commissioners entered into a further engagement with Mr. Hogan for the ship Fanny to proceed to the Coast of Coromandel for two hundred Tons of Eice.
The Commissioners at the same time made such internal Eegula- tions with regard to their obtaining and bringing to the Capital the principal part of the Grain in the Colony as well as to the distribution of bread that no waste or improper use could be made of the same, and that every individual, as well among the Inhabi- tants of every description as those composing the Army and the Navy should receive his just proportion of bread.
By these Eegulations they had the satisfaction to find that they were able to effect a diminution in the consumption of bread amounting to a full sixth of the whole. Yet as this saving created only a further supply of one month of the six to be provided for, the Commissioners were under the necessity of directing that a certain portion of Barley meal should be mixed with the Wheat flour, that no White bread should be used except by sick persons, aged, or children, and that rice should be issued two days in the week in lieu of bread.
Severe as these restrictions might appear, they were unavoidable, and the Commissioners had the satisfaction to find that the majority of the Inhabitants not only cheerfully acquiesced in them, but cooperated in promoting the salutary object had in view.
It became indeed highly incumbent on all Classes of Men to submit to the most rigid economy in the consumption of the Stock of Grain actually on hand and to regard this stock as the only certain supply until the ensuing harvest. For as notwithstanding the great probability of receiving timely succours from abroad by
Records of the Cape Colony. 145
the accomplishment of some of the several engagements entered into for that purpose, yet these being precarious as to their event and consequently liable as all nautical concerns more particularly are to disappointment, they felt it would be imprudent to rest their expectations on a contingency.
They had likewise the less hesitation in accepting a Tender that was made of the Ship Hazard proposing to land at the Cape in the Month of August a Cargo consisting of 3,000 Barrels of American flour. They were further induced to accept of this offer as the Ship Henry Dundas had delayed sailing more than a month beyond the time proposed.
In the beginning of May the Lady Yonge arrived from the Brazil Coast, having on board about 100 Tons of rice. This Ship had been sent upon so loose a footing, and the terms of the Charter party as agreed upon by Sir George Yonge were so extravagant that notwithstanding the very low price of her Cargo at Eio de Janeiro, and the high rate at which it was issued at the Cape, you will perceive from the abstract account of that ship that the Government sustained an unavoidable loss of about 8,000 Eix- dollars.
Towards the end of the Month of August the stock of Kice becoming nearly exhausted, the quantity of Wheat on hand not equal to one month's consumption, no account of the expected foreign supplies except a communication from the owners of the Ship Henry Lundas that no rice was to be had on the Coast of South America on account of a general failure of the late harvest in that country, the Commissioners were glad to avail themselves of the opportunity of purchasing about 18 Tons of Eice from Capt. Clarke of the Anna Maria.
Fortunately on the 21st of September the Hazard arrived with 2,198 Barrels of Flour from North America, which with other adventitious supplies of Eice, enabled the Commissioners to remove the restrictions with regard to the use of white bread, every one being allowed to consume of this article as much as he chused, it having appeared that the high price was of itself sufficient to counteract any waste being occasioned in the consumption.
Your Honor will perceive from the account of this Ship that little or no loss has been occasioned by this transaction, which afforded a very seasonable relief to the Colony.
IV. L
146 Records of the Cape Colony,
In the month of October a very unexpected quantity, not less than three hundred Tons of Prize Eice, was brought into the Colony. This Eice being refused by the agents for the Captors to be delivered to the Commissioners at a fair and reasonable price, was suffered to go into the market.
Capt. Venables also of the Ship Pegasus brought in a Cargo of Rice which he was allowed to dispose of by Public Vendue.
About the same time an American Ship arrived with a Cargo of Wheat and Eye flour, but the Prices demanded for them were so exorbitant that she was allowed to depart without discharging her Cargo at this Port.
■ In fact the daily influx of adventitious rice determined the Commissioners to pass a resolution '* That a free and open Market should be allowed for all rice at present in the Colony or that hereafter should be imported in Ships not chartered by the Government or by the Commissioners with the authority of Government."
- About the middle of October the Loyalist from Bengal arrived with 450 Tons of Eice and a quantity of Biscuit. This ship being originally intended to carry a Cargo of that Grain to England, and one of the first on her return, and moreover there being at this time more than a year's supply of rice in the Colony the Commis- sioners recommended that she should be sent on to England, more especially as the Governor General of Bengal in his zeal to serve the Colony had sent information of his having not only engaged other ships to bring supplies, but had also held out encouragement for private Merchants sending Cargoes thither of rice and other Grain.
Advices were also received from the Governor and Council of Fort St. George of their having in consequence of most urgent applications from Sir George Yonge exerted themselves to procure shipping for the purpose of sending relief to the Colony.
These adventitious and unexpected supplies having arrived nearly at the same time with the intelligence of the Preliminaiies of Peace having been signed between Great Britain and France, it became a question of some difficulty to determine in what manner the stock of bread provisions on hand should be disposed of to the least disadvantage to the Public and His Majesty's Government. With regard to the Wheat there was no kind of difficulty ; on the contrary the small quantity of this Grain brought from England on
Records of the Cape Colony. 147
the Elizabeth by direction of the Right Honorable the Secretary of State, as well as the supplies from Bengal came most opportunely, the Colonial Wheat being barely sufficient to hold out until the beginning of December, when two months still remained without the least provision of that Grain. The small quantity of biscuit also and the remaining part of the Flour on hand could not be considered as unacceptable for the use of His Majesty's Troops.
The very unexpected influx of Eice has however not only so completely stocked the Colony that there is no longer any demand for that Grain, but the Price in consequence is also so very much diminished that a loss upon the Cargoes contracted for must be inevitable.
This loss however will be very trifling, and of little moment when compared with the evils that must have ensued from the Calamity of a Famine, which with the assistance of Providence the Com- mission has been instrumental in averting from the Colony.
As in all engagements entered into by the Commissioners for foreign supplies, the specific number of mouths to feed, of Inhabi- tants, of the Army, and of the Navy, were always taken into consideration, it was deemed just in closing the proceedings that the remainder of the Eice on hand should be proportionably divided among these three Departments. The Matilda's cargo was the only part of this Grain of any consequence, consisting of 1,600,000 pounds or thereabouts, and the part assigned for the Inhabitants being a full half the Commissioners recommended that 800,000 pounds of the said rice should be set apart for Colonial use and that 80,000 EixdoUars of new paper money should be fabricated as payment for the same, the said sum to be destroyed as soon as the rice whose value it represented should be consumed.
The Admiral having at a time of great scarcity availed himself of the opportunity of purchasing an accidental supply of Eice out of an India Ship in False Bay, and having in consequence a very large quantity of this Grain on hand, requested that he might be allowed to forego his full proportion of this Cargo, which was considered at a sixth part, and to take only about 150,000 pounds, a proposal to which Your Honor seeming to concur, the Commis- sioners could not object.
The Commissary General agreeable to Your Honor's Commands has received the rest of the Cargo for the use of His Majesty's Troops, which part has been further increased to one Million
L 2
148 Records of the Cape Colony.
pounds, being a supply of two years for 5,000 Men at the rate of two pounds a week for each Man, Payment for this Eice to be made by monthly instalments as it shall be consumed by the Troops.
The remaining small quantity of this grain has been sold by public auction in order that the Proceedings and the Accounts of the Commission may be finally closed.
These Proceedings are accompanied with an abstract account of each particular transaction and a general account of profit and loss by which Your Honor will perceive that at the same time the Commissioners endeavoured to supply the Inhabitants with bread at a fair and reasonable rate they were equally attentive to the interests of His Majesty's Government, their plan being that of affording relief to the Colony without creating any additional charge on the Treasury. How far they have been able to effect this, their proceedings and accounts will clearly point out. Had no interference taken place in their transactions, nor engagements been made without their knowledge, the whole concerns would have been closed in the Colony without any expense to Govern- ment whatsoever ; but as many unlooked for supplies were sent out both from India and England of which no Invoices were received, an account for these supplies will remain to be settled in London between the Government and the Honorable East India Company. The greatest part of these supplies except the rice have been delivered over to the Commissary General, who will of course account for the same.
For the manner in which the several articles of Eice, "WTieat, Elour, and Biscuit remaining on hand at this date have been disposed of. Your Honor will be pleased to refer to the Pro- ceedings of the Commission for a detailed account. I have &c.
(Signed) John Barrow,
Secretary to the Commission.
[I do not think it necessary to copy the very lengthy accounts annexed to this letter, as there is nothing of importance in them that cannot be gathered from other papers published in this series. — G. M. T.]
Records of the Cape Colony. 149
[Copy.]
Minides of the proceedings of a special and supreme Commission appointed hy Government for regulating the Consumption of grain in the Colony, and for supplying) it with provisions during the present Scarcity.
Friday, Fehruary the 21th 1801.
In consequence of the failure of the late Harvest and the too well grounded apprehensions of an approaching scarcity of grain, it was thought expedient on the part of His Honor Major General Dundas, the Lieutenant Governor, Vice Admiral Sir Eoger Curtis, and other principal Officers of His Majesty's Government, and respectable Inhabitants of this Colony to take into their most serious consideration the state of the Country, and to assemble, in order to consult and to deliberate upon such measures as might appear best calculated to obviate the evil, and to alleviate at least, if not altogether prevent, the dreadful Calamities of a famine.
For this purpose a deputation of two Gentlemen, the Secretary of the Colony and His Majesty's Fiscal, yesterday waited on His Excellency Sir George Youge the Governor, with a request that he would be pleased to invest the Gentlemen who were proposed to form the Commission with full powers to adopt, and caixy into execution, such measures and Eegulations as might appear to them most effectual to answer the intended purpose.
These Gentlemen reported, on their return. That His Excellency the Governor was pleased to approve of the measure proposed, to confirm the nomination of the Gentlemen who were to form the commission, to order a proclamation to be drawn up, investing the said Commissioners with full powers in every thing that related to the Supply and Consumption of provisions for the Colony, fully ratifying and confirming all acts whatsoever of the special Com- mission so appointed that might in any way relate to the supplying of the Inhabitants and the Troops with food during the Continuance of Scarcity in the Colony.
Agreeable to the Order of His Excellency the Governor the following proclamation was drawn up, read, approved and signed by His Excellency the Governor, and countersigned by the Secretary of the Colony : —
Whereas the result of the enquiries lately made as to the
150 Records of the Cape Colony.
quantity of Grain in the Colony renders it absolutely necessary to have immediate recourse to the most prompt, active, and decisive Measures, in order to prevent as much as possible the evils of Scarcity, I have therefore judged it expedient, until further orders, to appoint the several Gentlemen hereafter named, as a special and supreme Commission, to deliberate upon and to cause to be put into execution, all such measures of precaution or otherwise as they or a Majority of them may after due deliberation think proper or necessary for the furtherance of the great object of this Commission.
And I hereby fully authorize and empower the several Gentle- men hereafter named, or the Majority of them, to take all such steps, and make all such rules, orders, or Eegulations, as they after mature counsel and deliberation may judge necessary or expedient to adopt, in consequence of the present scarcity of Grain in the Colony, and I hereby most fully ratify and confirm all acts whatever of this special Commission by these presents appointed, that may in any way relate to the supplying the Inhabitants with Food during the continuance of Scarcity in the Colony, the said Com- mission reporting to me daily or as often as may be necessary, their proceedings, and all persons whomsoever are to take notice and to pay strict obedience to all such orders, or Eegulations, as the said Commission may think proper to make or ordain for the purpose before mentioned.
The following Gentlemen to form the said Commission : —
His Honok the Lieutenant Governor,
Admiral Sir Eoger Curtis,
A. Barnard, Esqre., Secretary of the Colony,
O. G. DE Wet, Esqre., President of the Court of Justice,
W. S. VAN Eyneveld, Esqre., Fiscal,
J. H. Greene, Esqre.,
P. L. Cloete, Esqre., and
J. Barrow, Esqre., Secretary to the Commission.
Given under my Hand & Seal, Castle of Good Hope, this 26th day of February 1801.
(Signed) Geo. Yonge.
By Command of His Excellency the Governor & Commander in Chief.
(Signed) A. Barnard, Secretary.
Records of the Cape Colony. 151
Having proceeded thus far, the Commissioners considered it their duty, in a matter of such serious and important concern, to lose no time, and accordingly met at ten o'clock this morning in order to deliberate on the subject, when to their great surprize and astonishment Mr. Barnard, the Colonial Secretary, produced a Letter from His Excellency the Governor stating that it was His Excellency's desire that the Commission he had signed yesterday might not be published, or, if published, might be cancelled, as he meant to issue a different one for the same purpose.
In consequence of this extraordinary notice, the Commis- sioners after serious deliberation came to the following resolu- tion : —
That a deputation consisting of Major General Dundas, Admiral Sir Roger Curtis, Andrew Barnard Esquire, and His Majesty's fiscal be again requested to wait on His Excellency the Governor for the purpose of impressing on his mind the importance of the subject and the absolute necessity of some immediate and decisive steps being taken in order to prevent the horrors and calamities of a famine ; and also to put into his hands a paper of which the following is a Copy : —
General statement of the length of time that the present quantity of grain in the Colony will suffice for the Consumption of the Army, Navy, and Inhabitants, from a calculation made upon the best possible information that could be obtained on the subject, the result of which was as follows : —
That the quantity of grain in the Colony, supposing no waste or loss upon the calculation, and that each person consumed no more than one pound a day, is not sufficient for five months, conse- quently five months consumption, at least, remain still to be provided for.
It was upon the strength of this most alarming fact that the undersigned Gentlemen conceived it their duty to meet and deliberate upon such measures as might appear best calculated to avert the horrors and dreadful consequences to His Majesty's Government, and the Colony at large, of an impending famine.
152 Records of the Cape Colony.
The first step they took was to depute two Gentlemen, the Secretary of the Colony and the Fiscal, to wait on Your Excellency to suggest their motives, to obtain Your Excellency's acquiescence to such a measure, and to request full powers to act in every thing that related to the subject ; to all which Your Excellency was pleased to assent, approving and ratifying the same by a formal proclamation signed by yourseK and countersigned by the Secretary of the Colony,
Upon the faith of this public Instrument, and feeling the pressure of the moment, the undersigned Gentlemen, named in the proclamation, met this morning in order to proceed without loss of time on this momentous and important business, when to their great surprize the Secretary of the Colony communicated his having received written instructions from Your Excellency that it was Your Excellency's desire that the Commission you had signed yesterday might not be published or, if published, that it might be cancelled, as you meant to issue a different one for the same purpose.
Under these very peculiar circumstances, the two Members who are at the head of the two departments upon which the safety and defence of the Colony depend, cannot avoid feeling it their more especial duty to be assured on what ground they are to found their hopes of the manner in which the several departments are to be supplied with bread during the five months for which no provision is yet made ; the othere feel for themselves and the Community at large. The whole therefore humbly desire Your Excellency, keeping in your recollection the imminent danger with which this Colony is threatened, will be pleased to communicate to the xmder- signed the measures you mean to adopt, as the delay, even of an hour, in our present situation may be attended with most fatal effects.
The undersigned cannot conclude without expressing to Your Excellency how much they lament that Your Excellency, by setting aside the Commission, has testified that in your judgment they were deemed improper persons for transacting the important concern upon which depends the lives of so many thousand fellow creatures. They wish that those whom Your Excellency may appoint may be more zealous and better qualified for the purpose than they are. For themselves however they cannot help thinking
Records of the Cape Colony. 153
that their rank, character, and situation render them more compe- tent to execute so important a trust than any other persons in this Colony.
(Signed) F. Dundas,
E. CUKTIS,
A. Bakxard, O. G. DE Wet, W. S. VAN Eyneveld, P. L. Cloete, J. H, Greene, John Barrow, Secretary for the Commission.
Friday, 11 th February, One 0' Clock.
These Gentlemen, on their return, reported to the Commission that, after a discussion of some length, His Excellency was pleased to confirm the original Commission, and desired them to proceed in the necessary business. He also informed them that he had already dispatched the Ship Lady Yonge of 230 Tons burden to Eio de Janeiro ; and the Loyalist to Bengal, with the most pressing Letters to the Governor General of that Settlement; that in addition to the said Ship two others if possible should be taken up there and sent directly to this place with Eice, he authorized also the Secretary of the Colony, in presence of the deputation, to con- clude a contract with Mr. Hogan for the Ship Matilda of twelve hundred Tons burden, now in Table Bay, to proceed to Madras ; and at the same time also to enter into a contract with the owners of the Ship Saint Martin, now in the Bay, to proceed to the Island of Saint Catherine, on the Coast of Brazil, for a Cargo of Eice.
This report being made to the Commissioners, they adjourned till ten o'clock tomorrow morning, to the Council Eoom of the Burgher Senate House.
Saturday, 28^A February 1801.
At a Meeting of the Commissioners held this day in the Council Eoom of the Burgher Senate House, as one of the first and most necessary steps to be taken, a contract was entered into and con-
154 Records of the Cape Colony.
eluded with Mr. Eobinson on the part of the Owners of the Ship Saint Martin, that the said Ship should immediately be got ready- in order to proceed to the Island of Saint Catherine on the Coast of Brazil for a Cargo of Rice, Wheat or Flour on the following Conditions : —
That the Owners of the said Ship shall consider themselves bound to deliver a Cargo of Eice, Wheat or flour at the Cape of Good Hope, for which Cargo, if Rice they shall be paid at the rate of ten Rixdollars paper Currency for every hundred pounds Dutch Weight, and for either of the two Articles of Wheat or flour, they shall be paid in the same proportion above the prime cost, as the aforesaid price of ten Rixdollars for the Rice shall exceed the Original Cost of that Article : Authentic Vouchers to be produced that all the Articles have been purchased at the Current prices in the Country. The several Articles to be good in their quality and to be delivered at the Cape in good condition. It was moreover agreed on the part of the Commissioners that provided the said Ship should arrive at the Cape in the Month of July next, or before that period, with a Cargo consisting of four hundred Tons of Rice, Wheat or flour, the Owners of the said Ship should be entitled to a premium of five thousand Rixdollars paper Currency ; but that if in case the said Ship brought only one hundred Tons, they were to receive a premium of One thousand Rixdollars, of two hundred Tons, two thousand Rixdollars, of three hundred Tons, three thousand Rixdollars, and if four hundred Tons or upwards, then as before mentioned, the sum of five thousand Rix- dollars, the Government to be responsible for the Custom House duties and expences of landing the Cargo.
And the Commissioners also closed with Mr. Hogan an agi-ee- ment for the Ship Matilda, namely, That the said Ship should proceed direct to Madras for the purpose of taking in there a Cargo of Rice for this Colony, the said Rice to be delivered on the Wharf of Table Bay, at the rate of Nine Rixdollars and a half paper Currency for each hundred pounds Dutch Weight, the Government paying the Customary Duties.
The several parties having agreed to the aforesaid conditions, the secretary of the Colony, with the approbation of the Governor, was requested to prepare the usual and necessary papers for the purpose.
The Commissioners then proceeded to make certain internal
Records of the Cape Colony. 155
regulations concerning the distribution of Bread when, as a necessary step to be previously taken, it was Kesolved: —
That Notice be given to the Wykmasters of the several Districts of the Town to attend the Commission at the Burgher Senate House on Monday Morning next at 10 o'clock in order to receive certain instructions from the Commission,
Eesolved: That an immediate stop be put to the brewing of Beer in the Colony, and that the Brewers be directed to give an account on Oath of the quantity of Wheat in their possession to a Commission that shall be appointed to receive the same.
Eesolved : That His Majesty's Fiscal be requested to take an account on Oath from the Contractors of Wynberg and Muysen- burg for serving the Troops on those Stations, of the quantity of Wheat in their possession ; and that Mr. P. J. Truter Member of the Court of Justice and Mr. 0. Bergh of the Burgher Senate do the same from all the Inhabitants of Simons Town.
Adjourned to Monday next at 10 o'clock.
Monday the 2nd March 1801.
The Wykmasters, or Wardens of the several Wards of the Town, this day attended the Commission, and were invested with orders and full authority to make out a Capitation list of all the inhabi- tants of every description residing within their respective Wards, in the course of tomorrow the 3rd inst. if possible, and it was strongly recommended to them at the same time to caution every individual giving in his account, to do it with such accuracy that he should be able, if called upon by a Special Commission, to con- firm the same on oath.
Mr. Van Eeenen the Brewer appeared before the Commission and declared that he had no wheat in his possession, and only One hundred Muids of Barley for which quantity he was directed to consider himself responsible to the Commission when called upon, and he received orders at the same time to purchase no more grain whatsoever for the present.
On a reconsideration of the Steps that had been taken and of the sources from whence a supply of grain might be looked for, in- dependent of the quantity now actually in the Colony, which could not be extended on the most moderate and saving calculation beyond the period of five months, the Commissioners were of
|
230 Tons |
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|
500 |
»> |
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450 |
» |
|
1200 |
»> |
156 Records of the Cape Colony.
opinion that prudence required them to enter into engagements for an additional tonnage of Shipping, in order to import rice, wheat or flour into the Colony, The reasoning on which they grounded their opinion was the following : —
They considered that Six Months consumption of Bread very nearly, was still to he provided for a number of persons not less than twenty thousand, which on an allowance of only one pound a day Dutch weight, without loss or waste, would require about 1800 Tons. The engagements already entered into were as follows : —
By His Excellency ] Lady Yonye to Eio Janeiro
the Governor I Loyalist to Bengal
By the Commissioners ) „^ ,, ,. . r,^ r^ ^, . vt, ^i, A ^1, -^ >S^^- Martin to St. Catherine with the Authority I ,^ ,.;7 , ,^ ,
„ ^ ^. I Matilda to Madras . .
of Government j
Making in the whole 2380 Tons
Supposing therefore that all these Ships should arrive in safety, and with full Cargoes, there would remain only a surplus of 580 Tons above the quantity that the most economical expenditure would absolutely require before the next harvest, and it was also considered that a quantity, exceeding the above mentioned surplus, would be a desirable acquisition to the Colony, by enabling the government, in all probability, in the course of next year to lay up a stock of Wheat equivalent to the quantity of Eice distributed as a substitute.
As to the two Ships for which application had been made by His Excellency the Governor to the Governor General of Bengal, no reasonable hopes could be entertained of their arrival, as every Ship at Bengal has been taken up for the purpose of transporting troops for Military purposes in India, or for carrying Eice to England.
On these Considerations the Commissioners entered into the following agreement with Mr. Hogan for the Ship Fanny of 280 Tons : That the said Ship proceed immediately to the Coast of Coromandel for a Cargo of Eice Two hundred Tons of which Mr. Hogan engages to deliver on the Wharf of Table Bay on or before the 15th of July next, at the rate of Nine and a half Eix- dollars for One hundred pounds Dutch Weight, to be paid for on
Rrmrds of the Cape Colony. 157
delivery ; the remainder of the Cargo to be reserved for himself, as a supply to enable him to fulfil his Contract for serving the Navy.
Kesolved : That the Colonial Secretary be requested to wait on His Excellency the Governor to obtain his concurrence with the above engagement, and to allow the necessary steps to be taken in order to enable the said Ship to proceed on her Voyage to India.
At the same time they agreed also with the approbation of the Governor with Mr. Hogan for the Ship Boa Caetana to proceed to the Coast of Brazil for a Cargo of Eice, wheat or flour, to be delivered at the wharf of Table Bay, the Rice at Nine EixdoUars and a half for every hundred pounds Dutch weight, and the wheat and flour in proportion to the first cost of those articles.
Adjourned till tomorrow the 3rd Inst, at 10 o'clock.
Tuesday Zrd March 1801.
The Commissioners having assembled, a long and serious dis- cussion took place on the measure of reducing the weight of bread, from one pound and a half the loaf to one pound, continuing the usual price; at the same time of raising the price of wheat in an equal proportion to the Bakers, whereby a fund might be established in order to recompense such farmers as had already brought up their grain to the Cape ; but the importance of these measures demanding most serious and deliberate consideration it was thought advisable to adjourn the meeting till tomorrow at 10 o'clock without taking any decisive step on the subjects before them.
Wednesday the Ath March 1801.
The investigations of the Commission having confirmed the result of general enquiries, and established the fact that a very serious scarcity in the article of Wheat would very soon be felt in the Colony, it was resolved unanimously :
That a proclamation be issued, by approbation of His Excellency, stating the necessity of reducing the present weight of bread from one pound and a half the loaf to one pound, the price of two pence the loaf remaining as usual, in order to procure a saving in the consumption of Grain, and establish a more economical use in tlie
153 Records of the Cape Colony.
article of Bread ; That the additional profits, accruing from such encrease in the price of bread, be applied towards recompensing those farmers who have already brought up their grain to the Cape, and thereby testified their readiness to comply with the first requisition of government ; That in order to induce the farmer to use his utmost endeavour, at this advanced season of the year, to bring up the greatest possible quantity he could spare, an advance of twenty Eixdollars upon the price fixed by proclamation, or the clear sum of Sixty Eixdollars, should be paid for any waggon load delivered to the Commissioners of the Corn Magazine, or according to certificates granted by them, on or before the last day of April next ensuing.
A proclamation to this effect being drawn up, and approved by the Governor, the Commissioners caused the several Bakers of Cape Town to appear before them and to render, on oath, an account of the quantity of wheat and flour in their possession, upon which quantity they were directed to pay into the hands of the Treasurer of the Corn Magazine the Sum of thirty four Eix- dollars and a half, being the difference between the present price of forty five and a half EixdoUars, and the proposed advanced price of Eighty Eixdollars for every load of wheat and flour, for it was found, on accurate calculation, that the Baker by paying 80 Eixdollars for a load of wheat, and selling one pound of bread for two pence, derived a greater profit than by selling one pound and a half of bread for two pence, and paying only forty five and a half Eixdollars for the Waggon Load, as will appear from the Statement here made :
A load of wheat is 1800 lbs. and will produce 2700 lbs. of bread. 2700 lbs. at 2d. per lb. is 112 Eds. 4 Sk. Price of the wheat 80 Eds. Profit 32 Eds. 4 Sk. 2700 lbs. at 1^ lb. for 2d. is 75 Eds. Price of the wheat 45 Eds. 4 Sk. Profit 29 Eds. 4 Sk. Difference in favour of the Baker by the new regulation on every load of wheat 3 Eds.
The next important object that called the attentioa of the Commission was that of ascertaining, with the greatest possible degree of accuracy, the quantity of grain still remaining in the Country Districts, and what proportion of it could absolutely be brought up to Cape Town before the commencement of the ploughing Season. For this purpose Mr. J. J, Vos, Burgher Senator, was requested to proceed without delay into the Country
Records of the Cap^ Colony. 159
Districts with Instructions from the Commission to ascertain from the several grain farmers
1. The quantity of grain remaining on hand on the 1st January 1801, of the former harvest.
2. The returns of the last harvest.
3. The quantity sold and delivered thereof, and to whom.
4. The quantity required as seed for the present year.
5. The quantity required for their own Consumption at the rate of a pound weight of wheat (or other grain in the same proportion) for each person in a family upwards of eight years of age, and for Children under that age half a pound a day to each,
6. And to give directions that the balance then remaining be sent up immediately to Cape Town or kept in reservation according as Mr. Vos should determine, who however was enjoined, l^y his Instructions, to use every possible exertion in sending up an immediate supply to the Cape.
And the said Mr. Vos was further authorized to declare to all the Cultivators of grain that, in order to encourage those who had exerted themselves in bringing up their grain on the first re- quisition of Government at the price then fixed by proclamation, His Excellency the Governor and Commander in Chief, at the recommendation of the supreme Commission, has been pleased to order that the said farmers who have thus brought up their grain shall receive, over and above the said price, the Sum of ten Eix- doUars for each load of Wheat so delivered, and that for all wheat brought up before the last of April next ensuing they shall be paid a clear sixty KixdoUars for every Waggon Load.
And the said Mr. Vos is also very particularly directed to take notice, in the course of his Commission, of such farmers as may not have complied with the orders of government requiring them to bring up, in the beginning of the Year, at least one half of their grain, and that he report upon the same to the Commission.
Instructions at the same time were drawn up for the Landdrost of Stellenbosch, directing him to make such Eegulations as appeared to the Commission best calculated to lessen the con- sumption of grain in the villages of Stellenbosch and the Paarl and also among the Cultivators of the Wine in his District, the said Landdrost having made a demand from the Commission of 1400 muids which he stated would be required for his drostdy or village.
Adjourned till tomorrow at 10 o'clock.
160 Becoi'ds of the Cape Colony.
Monday 5th March.
The next consideration that engaged the attention of the Com- mission was that of making such an arrangement respecting the Officers and Soldiers lodging in the Town, and for the different Mess llooms as might prevent any unnecessary consumption of bread, which regulations Major General Dundas, after consulting some of the principal Officers of the Garrison, undertook to make for that purpose.
And at the same time by the suggestion of Admiral Sir Eoger Curtis, it was ordered that none of the Officers nor Men belonging to any of His Majesty's Ships or to Merchantmen, nor any of the artificers or other workmen from the said Ships, employed on shore, should be allowed to purchase fresh Bread from any of the Bakers or other persons, but to draw their provisions from their respective ships.
The Commission having taken a retrospective view of the Consumption of Bread in Cape Tovm from the beginning of the present year, found that in the month of January it amounted, in one week, to 166,090 pounds, by certain regulations then established the weekly consumption was reduced on the 2nd Feb^. to 128,236 pounds, and still further in the last week to 124,866 pounds.
From the Capitation Lists delivered to the Commission by the Wykmasters of the several Wards it appeared that the population of the Town, exclusive of the Suburbs, amounted to 16,318 persons, of whom 2,840 were Children under the age of eight Years ; from whence may be derived a still further saving of bread, by allowing to each grown person a pound, and to each child half a pound a day, agreeable to the new regulations proposed and adopted by the Commission the Weekly Consumption will in this case be reduced to 104,286 pounds. And as many included on the Lists are foreigners and occasional visitors, it is conceived that a saving of bread may be extended still further, for which purpose a special Commission, consisting of the Fiscal, Mr. H. de Wet, and Mr. Cloete was appointed, with instructions to class the Inhabitants of the Town into eight several Divisions, corresponding with the number of the public Bakers, to call every householder before them, in order to ascertain from each how much bread less than his stated
Records of the CaiK Colony. 161
allowance of one pound to each person he may be able, by making use of other food, to Save to the public. This Commission re- quiring several days for its accomplishment, the meeting was adjourned till further notice.
Tuesday 10th March 1801.
A general meeting of the Commissioners was held this day, when the Capitation lists, methodically arranged and divided into classes according to the number of public Bakers yi the Town, were presented by the aforesaid Gentlemen composing the special Committee for that purpose, and the plan b^ing unanimously, approved, it was resolved —
That the followdug public notice, containing the Rules and Regulations proposed by the Supreme Commission to be in future observed with regard to the distribution of Bread during the con- tinuance of a scarcity of that article in the Colony, be presented to His Excellency the Governor for his approbation, and that he be requested tp ratify and confirm the same by proclamation.
Advertisement.
The supreme and special Commission appointed to regulate the consumption of grain, having in the first instance adopted such measures as were considered to be most effectual to procure a speedy supply of rice, wheat, or flour from abroad ; and also, at the same time, held out such encouragement to the farmer to bring up to Cape Town his remaining stock of grain, before thie expiration of the month of April, as cannot fail to induce him to use his utmost exertions to that effect, proceeded, in the next place, to make such rules and regulations with regard to the consumption of the grain on hand, and to establish such an equit- able mode of distribution in the article of Bread, that each indi- vidual should be supplied with his just and proper share, and altho a gradual and very considerable diminution has already taken place in the consumption of Bread since the commencement of the present Year, in consequence of certain i-egulatiuns made on this subject, yet as many grievous abuses and irregularities still prevail, such as the richer classes of people taking more from the Bakers than they have actually occasion for, at the same time that the
IV. M
162 Recm-ds of the Cape Colony.
poor are not able to purchase a loaf of bread, while many have been imprudent and improvident enough to feed their horses, poultry, and other kinds of live stock with bread and corn, the Commissioners have thought proper to take such measures as are most likely in future to prevent such abuses, and as the Army and Navy have most readily and cheerfully acquiesced in the orders of their respective Commanders for a diminution of the established allowance of bread, it is to be hoped that all the Inhabitants of this Colony will with equal readiness obey the rules laid down by the Supreme Commission, one great aim of which is that every individual of every description may be enabled to procure his just proportion of bread without obstruction or difficulty.
For the attainment of this object, the Commissioners have caused an accurate account to be taken of the number of persons supplied in each house, and having assigned the proportionate quantity of each family, have made out eight distinct lists, for the eight several Bakers of Cape Town, on which lists all the heads of families, by name and number, are assigned to such Bakers as they, by their own declaration, have been accustomed to deal with, while those who have not used any fixed Baker are distributed among the eight lists in such a manner as seems to be most convenient and expedient.
The public therefore are hereby informed that every householder will receive a Card or Ticket, signed by His Majesty's Fiscal, containing
1. The name of the person buying or sending for bread.
2. The Letter and number under which he is placed on the baker's Ust.
3. The name of the Baker who is appointed to supply him. And as the benefit to the public that, it is hoped, will result
from these measures must greatly depend upon their being strictly observed and duly executed, the Commissioners, with the approba- tion of His Excellency the Governor and Commander in Chief, require and order
1. That the Bakers shall not sell or deliver any bread to any person whomsoever, but to such as stand on their respective lists, or to their servants deputed by them, who at the same time shall daily shew the said Ticket.
2. That the Baker shall deliver every Morning, within the appointed hours, to such persons their whole proportion of bread if
Records of the Cape Colony. 163
required by them, as stated opposite their names on the list, but not more, on penalty to such an amount as shall be hereafter awarded.
3. That any person not chusing to take his stipulated allowance of bread may be at liberty to receive from the Baker as much less than that allowance as he pleases.
4. That the Baker shall daily, at ten o'clock in the morning, give in to the Fiscal a written return of the number of loaves he may have delivered that morning and of the quantity remaining on his hand.
5. That no Baker shall consume in his own family more than what is allowed to him and stated in the said list opposite to his name.
6. That no person shall fetch or send for his Bread at any other Baker's, but as directed in his Card or Ticket.
7. That no person shall transfer his Card or right to buy bread to any other person out of bis family, nor to trade with his bread, but to use the same for himself and his family.
8. That all those who take lodgers or boarders, foreigners or others, and have comprized them in the number of their family, shall on the departure of them, or any of them, give notice thereof to the Commission, in order that the same may be struck off the list.
9. That the same be observed in the case of deaths.
10. That on the other hand when any family happens to be encreased, the Commissioners will be ready to make a pro- portionate addition to the list, on proper application for that purpose.
11. That all persons who may hire out Slaves, not fed by them, shall also give notice thereof in order to prevent such Slaves from being comprized in his lists.
12. And every person whomsoever is hereby most seriously reminded of the proclamation of the 4th December 1800, for- bidding the use of corn or bread for the purpose of feeding any kind of cattle or live stock, and especially the Javanese and people of Colour who are known to be in the practice of feeding their poultry with bread; for they may rest assured that on every detection of such offences they shall be instantly tied to the Pump Post and severely whipped.
13. And lastly all Bakers are hereby informed that they are not
M 2
164 Records of the Cape Colony.
obliged to deliver any bread to any person whomsoever without ready payment, selling upon trust being at their own discretion.
And whereas these Kegulations are made with a view of ob- taining two great objects, namely first an exact and just distribu- tion of the article of Bread to every Individual, and secondly to effect the greatest possible saving of the necessary food, the im- portance of which must be strongly felt by all those who will for a moment take the trouble to reflect on the subject, the Commis- sioners therefore are willing to think that the Inhabitants of the Colony, all and individually, will be properly disposed to con- tribute, as much as in them lies, to the attainment of these grand objects, by every Householder observing, and causing to be ob- served by liis family, the strictest economy with regard to the expenditure of Bread, to make shift without taking the whole of what is allowed to him, substituting on every occasion other food in its place, a measure particularly recommended to the wealthier part of the Inhabitants, who with the public at large are assured that the Supreme Commission can derive no greater satisfaction for the troublesome and important task assigned to them than to find that their labors have been assisted by the ready and cheerful co-operation of the Inhabitants at large; and that by Divine assistance the calamity of a want of Bread, with which this Colony was severely threatened, may be averted, and the great object of the Commission hereby attained,
(Signed) John Barrow, Secretary.
These Regulations being approved by the Governor, a proclama- tion was issued, awarding a penalty not exceeding five hundred EixdoUars, and not less than fifty, to be inflicted on all persons who shall be found to transgress any one of the articles contained therein.
Adjourned to Friday the 13th March.
Friday \Zth March.
Agreeable to the plan proposed at the preceding meeting and approved by the Governor, the Commissioners met this day in order to examine the Bakers lists, and had the satisfaction to find that in consequence of their Kegulations, which fii-st took effect this morning, and their recommendation to the Inhabitants to
Records of the Cape Colony. 165
endeavour if possible to dispense with a still smaller proportion of Bread than their proper share, a reduction had taken place of nearly one sixth part of the whole quantity allowed for the Town and its environs, the number of loaves ordered to be baked for this day being 16,356, and the number issued 14,280, difference in one day 2,076 loaves, which amounts to more than one day's allowance in every week or two months nearly in the year.
This circumstance, flattering to the labors of the Commission, and so much to the credit of the Inhabitants, was considered as a proper subject for public information, and was accordingly com- municated in the following
Advertisement.
It is with infinite satisfaction the members composing the Supreme Commission observe that the recent regulations for the economical and impartial distribution of Bread have already been attended with the happiest effects.
The ordinary Consumption of the Town and its environs appears to be diminished nearly one sixth part. The Commissioners cannot sufficiently express their approbation of the very laudable conduct of many of the Inhabitants of the Cape who have voluntarily re- duced their consumption below the quantity assigned by the regulation to their respective families. The cheerful acquiescence of all ranks of people to the restrictions and privations necessarily imposed on them reflects the highest credit on the Inhabitants at large, and is the most grateful reward to the Commissioners for the laborious task which they have undertaken to discharge.
The Commissioners have the most confident hopes that no relaxations will take place in the very praiseworthy disposition thus shewn by the Community to give effect to the labors of the Commission, but on the contrary that the exertions and perse- verance of individuals will ensure, under God's providence, the comfort and preservation of the whole, and avert the dreadful Calamity of which so much and so well founded apprehension was entertained.
(Signed) John Barrow, Secretary.
The Commission had also the satisfaction to find that, instead of fourteen hundred Sacks of Com supposed to be wanted for the Village of Stellenbosch, as stated by the Landdrost, it appeared
166 Records of the Cape Colony.
from the Capitation list sent in, and the quantity of Com on hand in the said village, they were already in possession of more than three hundred Sacks above their stated allowance.
The Commissioners being of opinion that a Stock of Com ought to be laid up, and Mr. Greene reporting that a Storehouse bo- longing to Dielman could be obtained for that purpose at the rent of 30 Rixdollars a month, he was requested to hire the same.
Adjourned to Thursday 19th at 11 o'clock.
Thursday 19<A March.
Mr. Greene having represented to the Commission that several persons from the Country had applied to the Com Committee for Certificates to enable them to purchase Wheat from the farmers, it was resolved : —
That in consequence of late reports received from Mr, Vos it appears highly necessary to prohibit the farmers from delivering any more corn in the Country ; but that the whole be brought into the Government Stores, to be issued from thence only. That a Copy of this Resolution be sent to the Corn Committee for its informa- tion and guidance.
A report was received from Mr. Yos stating that he found the harvest had been still more defective than was thought, and that he had hitherto only obtained 3,941 Muids of "Wheat. In con- sequence of this information the Commissioners came to a resolution respecting the mixing of Wheaten with Barley flour, and directions were given for a plan to be drawn up to that effect.
Saturday 21st March.
In consequence of a Tender made by Capt". Gardner of the Ship Hazard for bringing, in the month of August, to this Port a Cargo consisting of 3,000 Barrels of Wheat flour from North America, a meeting was summoned and the following engagements entered into with the said Capt". Gardner : —
That the said Capt". Gardner should proceed with all possible expedition to America, and return from thence to this Port with a Cargo of three thousand barrels of fine flour, so denominated in the Prices Current (of the 12th March 1799) of America ; each barrel, to contain two hundred pounds, and to deliver the same in good
\
Records of the Cape Colony. 167
condition at the Cape of Good Hope, on or before the last day of August next, to l^ landed on the Wharf of Table or Simon's Bay at the rate of Sixteen Spanish Dollars a barrel of two hundred pounds free of import duties, the whole amount to be paid to Capt°. Gardner or his Agents, in Spanish Dollars at this place or in Bills for Spanish Dollars in India. It is also understood that in case Capt°. Gardner should not arrive before the 1st September he shall then be obliged to discharge his Cargo in Table Bay, which he is also at liberty to do whenever he arrives, if he thinks proper, and in case any accident or cause should arise to prevent the Ship Hazard from returning with the above mentioned Cargo, the said Capt°. Gardner engages and binds himself to provide and furnish another ship for the purpose of fulfilling this agreement, which is to stand good to the end of September ; engaging himself moreover to use every exertion to return with the above Cargo as speedily as possible, and not to be diverted from the Contract by other views, but bona fide to sail from America direct for the Cape, and for no other Market ; for the fulfilling of all which engage- ments Captain Gardner binds himself on his part in the penal sum of Ten thousand Spanish Dollars, for which Sum Michael Hogan Esqre. becomes his security.
Monday SOtJi March 1801.
At a meeting held this day a report was read from Mr. J. J. Vos of the 22nd March, from which it appears that the quantity of Wheat to be expected before the end of April in the great Com Districts near the Cape amounts to 5,794 Muids.
Eead also a second report of Mr. Vos of the 27*'' March, stating in addition to his former list he had acquired 1,451 muids, making in the whole 7,245 muids, and that there yet remained to be examined the districts of Breede Eiver, Hex Eiver, Bosjesveld, Eiver Zonder End, Goudini, and Hottentots Holland ; he men- tioned also his having commissioned Chrisf Broodryk to proceed into the Bokkeveld with instructions to induce the farmers dwelling in that district to bring up any corn they might have to spare by offering them 70 Eixdollars the load, instead of 60, on account of the difficulty of passing the Witsenberg. The Com- missioners having approved the measure gave the necessary orders to the Corn Committee on the subject.
168 Becords of the Cape Colony.
The Fiscal and Mr. Cloete reported to the Commission that they had made the necessary arrangements respecting^ the consumption of grain in that part of the Country lying between Cape Town and Muysenburg ; and that by taking from the farmers who had too much, in order to supply those who were deficient, there would be no necessity of drawing any Corn from the Magazines of the Cape for the use of that quarter.
The Fiscal reported also that provisional regulations had been made in Simons Town for effecting a saving in the consumption of grain in that place.
The weekly lists of the Bakers were examined, from whence it appeared that the quantity of Bread that had been ordered to be baked in the course of the past week was 116,965 pounds and the quantity issued 98,186 pounds, consequently there was saved out of the reduced allowance in seven days 18,779 pounds, equal very nearly to the consumption of one day and a half.
A plan for the issuing of Barley meal to the Bakers being read and approved, the following proclamation was drawn up on that subject and ratified by His Excellency the Governor : —
Whereas the supreme and special Commission for regulating the consumption of grain in this Colony have represented to me that from the late reports of the Burgher Senator J. J. Vos, at present on a commission of enquiry into the state of grain in the country, and with directions to cause such Wheat as the farmers might have to spare, after deducting the quantity required for seed and family consumption, to be brought up to Cape Town before the end of April next ; it has appeared to them as a measure not only of precaution, but of absolute necessity, to make such regulations concerning the application of Barley Meal to that of Wheat, as may further prolong to this Colony the use and enjoyment of that most necessary article of life, bread.
Now, for the more effectual and immediate execution of this measure, and at the recommendation of the said supreme Com- mission, I have thought proper to order, and it is accordingly hereby ordered, that the Inhabitants of Cape Town and its environs having in their possession any barley, either for feeding horses and other live stock, or for any other purpose, are required in such time and in such manner as will be pointed out by the supreme Commission, to bring the said stock of Barley well cleansed from sand or other impurity, into a storehouse, where
Records of the Cape Colony. 169
for every one hundred and forty pounds of barley they shall receive one hundred pounds of Bran, usually called Icort gocd, from which the flour shall have been taken, together with fourteen skillings in money for the forty pounds of flour reserved by the Commission, that the one hundred pounds of bran may be em- ployed by them as they shall think fit.
And in order to enforce this regulation directed by no other motive than the necessity of extending the quantity of food for man as much as possible, I further direct
1. That provisionally and till further orders no persons residing in Capetown or in any other place within the distance of the Drostdy of Stellenbosch, or six hours distance from Cape Town, shall be permitted to feed his horses, or any sort of live stock whatsoever, with any other barley than such as from every muid of which, weighing one hundred and forty pounds, has been extracted forty pounds of flour, the latter to be employed solely as food for man, on penalty of confiscation of such horses or other live stock as shall have been fed with barley or barley meal with- out the proper quantity of flour having previously been taken out of it, besides a fine of five hundred Kixdollars. The above order to take effect in Cape Town and its environs within the distance of six miles in four and twenty hours from the date thereof; in the districts of Stellenbosch and Drakenstein, and other places of the like distance, within five days from the date of these presents.
Be it however understood that this Eegulation is not in any wise to affect the Cornfarmers, they being allowed to continue feeding their cattle as usual ; it is at the same time strongly recommended to them, in order to save food for their fellow creatures, to follow the foregoing regulations as closely as possible,
2. That all Wykmeesters, or Masters of the Wards, shall within three days from the publication hereof, each in his district, take an account of the quantity of Barley in the possession of every Inhabitant, intended for fodder or any other purpose whatever; and as it is become extremely necessary to ascertain, in the most correct and expeditious manner, the quantity of Barley flour to be procured, in order to regulate the consumption accordingly, all persons are hereby warned to give the said account within the specified time, truly and without reserve, so as if summoned be- fore the Commission, they may conscientiously confirm the same by solemn oath, on penalty of five hundred Eixdollars for every
17(f Eecords of tJie Cape Colony.
muid of Barley either secreted or neglected to be stated ; and the several Wardmasters are directed, within four days after the publi- cation hereof to transmit to the supreme Commission their proper return in writing.
3. That all persons intending to sow Barley in the Gardens or grounds in the neighbourhood of the Cape or elsewhere shall appear before the supreme Commission, in order to receive the necessary orders on the subject, and to signify the quantity intended to be sown by them, and all persons buying or receiving Barley after the publication of these presents shall give an immediate account thereof to the Commission, incurring, on failure thereof, the same penalty as above mentioned for secreting Barley.
4. That all persons residing in the Country, and though not regular grain farmers, are yet in the habit of sowing Barley, are within the time of three weeks to state the quantity in the Cape district to the Fiscal, and in the Country districts to the several Landdrosts, and from this period till the month of October they shall not hold in their possession any barley in grain, or any ground barley without the flour being first taken out of it as above directed, on penalty of confiscation and a fine of twenty five Eix- doUars for every such muid of Barley so retained.
5. That the several farmers are hereby recommended to deliver over to the Commission their sifted barley flour between this date and the month of June next, for each hundred pounds of which they shall receive the sum of four Rixdollars and three Skillings.
6. And that whereas information is received of some inhabitants of Cape Town and its environs having mixed their barley with oats ; in order to prevent the continuance of such indiscreet practices, and the evasion in future of these presents, it is hereby directed that a separate account of the barley and oats so mixed shall also be given in by the Wardmaster, that the Commission may deliberate and resolve on the subject. And altho' it cannot be doubted tbat the well disposed part of the Inhabitants, sensible that measures of this nature, how strict so ever they may appear to be, are produced by the absolute necessity of providing food for man, and that they will again contribute as they have already cheerfully done in the case of bread, as much as in them lies, towards promoting the salutary object which the Commission in this point has in view ; yet it is nevertheless certain that there are persons of such contracted and selfish dispositions as to
Records of the Cape Colony. 171
endeavour to convert to their own interest and profit those very- measures that are now taken for the benefit of the community at large ; and I therefore think proper that any person under the smallest suspicion even of acting contrary to the present proclama- tion, shall be subject to the strictest scrutiny of his house ; and on detection of having transgressed any point thereof, he shall forfeit to the whole value of the fines awarded to the several articles of this proclamation.
And not only a Eeward of a third part of the said fines, but also, if desired, the strictest secrecy of their names, is hereby promised to all persons who may be able to give any information of such transgressions, and it is to be hoped that every individual will so far discharge his duly towards the Community at large, as to give up, without hesitation or delay, the name of any delinquent that may happen to come within his knowledge or information.
(Signed) Geo. Yonge.
Mr. Henry de Wet having voluntarily offered to superintend the grinding, sifting and delivering of the Barley meal, received his instructions to proceed without delay, to engage the necessary people for the purpose, and to keep an account of the disburse- ments attending this operation.
And in order to prevent any temporary confusion or inconvenience to the inhabitants, by the adoption of the above recited plan. Major General Dundas, with the approbation of the Governor, gave orders to the Commissary General to furnish an immediate supply of 2000 Muids of Barley in order to have it ground into meal for the pur- pose of accommodating such persons as should be called upon to give up their barley.
Adjourned till tomorrow at eight o'clock.
Tuesday Zlst March.
A petition was read from the Tanners praying they might be allowed to purchase bran which they stated to be necessary for them to carry on their trade.
The supply of Corn on hand, and the quantity yet to be brought up from the country, not being nearly sufficient for the Consump- tion of the Colony till the ensuing harvest, and tho' the most prudent measures had been taken that suggested themselves for
172 Records of the Cape Colonij.
procuring a speedy supply from foreign Markets, yet the dangers and casualties to which all naval transactions in particular are liable, rendered these measures uncertain as to their event, it became a subject for the consideration of the Commissioners, whether it might not be prudent to issue Rice to the inhabitants on certain days in the week, in the place of bread, but many difficulties presenting themselves, partly from the high price of that article, and partly from the apprehension of sacrificing the saving in the article of bread effected by the voluntary restrictions of the inhabitants, which saving, as already stated, was nearly equal to a day and halfs Consumption in the week, it was post- poned for further deliberation till next meeting. Adjourned to Friday the 3rd April.
Friday Srd April.
Eead a report from Mr. Vos of the 31st March stating that the amount of Corn on his list, at this date, was 8,888 muids, to be expected in Cape Town before the end of the present month, and that hopes might be entertained of a still further supply being brought up after the ploughing season.
The Fiscal having informed the Commissioners that Mr. Blake, the Governor's private secretary, had acquainted him of intelligence being received from Eio de Janeiro from whence it appeared that the Ship Lady Yonge might almost daily be expected to arrive here with a Cargo of Eice or flour, a letter was addressed to His Excel- lency on this subject, suggesting to his consideration that, as the Owners of the Ship Henry Dundas, formerly the St. Martin, had now more than a month ago declared to the Commissioners the said ship would be ready to sail for a cargo of Eice in a few days, and she is not at this time reported in readiness to depart ; and in regard also of other measures which have been taken for obtaining supplies of Eice and flour, it may not now be necessary to employ that Ship at all.
To this His Excellency returned an answer of which the following is a Copy : —
Gentlemen, — I have just been favoured with your letter of this day's date, in which you suggest that on account of the expectation of the arrival of the Ship Lady Yonye with rice or flour, the Ship
Records of the Cape Colony. 173
Benry Dwiidas which you had taken up for the purpose of bringing further supplies need not now be employed for that purpose at all, more especially as she is not ready.
On this subject I am sorry to say I cannot agree with you at all in opinion.
First, because it was well known to you that the Ship Lady Yonge had been sent for this purpose at the time you took up the Ship Henry Dundas, and the mere report of her being likely to arrive is not of itself sufficient to alter the propriety of that measure.
Next, because if the Henry Dundas is sent now, she may be reasonably expected to return in August, which period is the utmost our present stock wiU reach to, and this supply will be sooner than any of the supplies sent for to India can possibly arrive, nor will the Cargoes of both the Lady Yonge and of the Henry Dundas, if they successfully arrive between this and August next, be more than the wants of the Colony will require, and it even would, if it were possible, be more advisable in my opinion to add another Ship for the same purpose rather than desist from the means of sending this Ship on no better grounds than what is suggested.
With regard to the readiness of this Ship I have to acquaint you that I was yesterday applied to for letters of recommendation, similar to what I had given to the Lady Yonge, which I have given accordingly, and therefore I suppose she is ready, and I am also informed that she would have sailed sooner but that some person belonging to her was summoned to attend the Court of Piracy. I am therefore decidedly of opinion that she should be sent off as soon as possible, and I have directed the Master not to lose a moment in doing so.
I must now take this opportunity to express my hope that you will not rely with any confidence on any other succours before the month of November next. And I would recommend to you not to relax in your Economical regulations, let whatever succours will arrive ; but so govern the present Stock of all kinds now in the Colony that it may of itself, without any other aid, hold out till November, for unless this is steadily adhered to, I fear you will have reason to regret your not having done so. I am &a.
(Signed) Geo. Yonge.
174 Records of the Cape Colony.
Sunday 5th April.
At a meeting of the Commissioners held this day for the purpose of considering on the measure of a still further reduction in the allowance of bread to certain classes of people, and the issuing of rice as a substitute for bread two days in every week, the Members were unanimously of opinion that, notwithstanding the great probability of receiving timely succours from abroad by the accomplishment of some of the several engagements entered into for that purpose, yet as these were all of them precarious as to their event, and consequently liable, as all naval concerns more particularly are to disappointment, the most rigid economy in the distribution of the Grain actually in the Country ought immedi- ately to be adopted, regarding the stock on hand as the only certain supply till the ensuing harvest, and regulating the consumption accordingly. To this end it appeared to them as absolutely necessary to diminish the allowance of bread to certain individuals who had the means of procuring substitutes for it, and to issue rice in the place of bread at least two days in every week. A general sketch of the regulations intended to be adopted by the Commission is contained in the followins
PUBLIC NOTICE.
The Commissioners for regulating the consumption of grain in this Colony having taken such precautions, in the first instance, as appeared to them best calculated for preventing a total want of bread in this time of scarcity, by establishing certain internal Eegulations, and by employing the most eligible means that occurred under the sanction of government for procuring grain, flour or rice from the States of America, the Coast of Brazil, and the East Indies, proceeded next to ascertain by means of the Capitation lists the quantity of Corn that would be required for the whole Colony till the ensuing harvest, and having carried into effect a plan for the reduction of the usual consumption, as well in the military and naval departments as among the inhabitants at large ; and having adopted likewise such measures that grain might be employed for no other purpose than as food for man, the public
Records of the Cape Colony. 175
may now rest assured that the most strict and general economy has taken place with regard to the expenditure of bread.
They have also deputed a trusty Magistrate, the Burgher Senator J. J. Vos, to all the principal Cultivators of grain, for the purpose of taking an account of the Corn that each may have to spare, and to cause the same to be brought to Cape Town, if possi- ble, before the end of this present month.
And it has appeared to them from the reports they have from time to time received from the said Burgher Senator Vos, that the Stock of Corn now actually in the Colony, with the addition of a small proportion of fine Barley meal and the strict observance of the Rules of economy lately established may, without any great inconvenience to the Inhabitants, hold out till the foreign supplies may reasonably be expected to arrive.
But how well grounded so ever the hope may be of receiving timely succours from abroad, an entire reliance upon their arrival would be the height of imprudence, considering the many dangers and casualties to which all naval transactions are generally liable, and more especially so in time of "War.
Prudence therefore requires that so long as the foreign supplies shall remain eventual, the supreme Commission should make use of the internal resources with a sparing hand ; so much so indeed as if in fact no relief was to be expected from abroad, and in such a manner as to be able to extend if necessary a supply out of the quantity of Grain in the Colony to the ensuing harvest.
The Commissioners cannot doubt of meeting a general concurrence in tills opinion, and accordingly are led to hope that the same willing disposition already displayed on the part of the inhabitants for promoting the views of the Commission will again be manifested on the present occasion.
It is almost unnecessary to observe that the several heads of families, the free Inhabitants, their wives and children, are most of them able to procure substitutes for bread, and that the labouring slaves are generally destitute of any such substitute. The former therefore are the persons amongst whom a reduction in the allowance ought first to take place, whilst the latter, together with other hard working people of every description, and His Majesty's troops, should continue to receive, if possible, their full allowance of bread established by the late regulations of the Supreme Commission.
176 Records of the Cape Colony.
Agreeable to these principles the Commissioners have resolved to make a still further reduction in the consumption of bread ; and having particularly attended to the several circumstances of the different families on the capitation lists, the allowances to be drawn from the Bakers will be regulated accordingly. They confidently hope that, as the present measure is meant for the general good and will be executed with the strictest impartiality, the inhabitants, retaining a sense of the urgent necessity of the times, will cheer- fully acquiesce therein, and that those more especially who liave already testified their willingness to promote the public welfare by their voluntary restrictions in the article of bread, from which alone a very considerable saving has been effected, will still continue as much as they are able to adhere to so laudable a practice. The Commissioners have also been under the necessity of coming to a resolution that Eice should be issued on certain days in order to ett'ect a still greater saving of bread. It is intended that a pound of rice should be substituted for a pound of bread, and that the issuing of rice shall take place every Sunday and Thursday, on which days no bread will be delivered.
But as the Rice now in store cannot possibly be delivered for less than a skilling a pound, a price that must considerably affect the poorer class of inhabitants, the Commissioners have taken into consideration the means whereby this description of people may in some measure be relieved in that respect. The high rate of Eice, and the necessity of making use of it, are circumstances to be lamented, but cannot possibly at this moment be removed. It is to be hoped however that all those who are blessed with the means of doing it will contribute, as far as in them lies, to lessen the burden that must otherwise fall very heavy on the poor and labouring people, by supplying the place of bread on every occasion with rice or other substitutes.
But as there will still remain families wRose circumstances will not admit of their procuring Eice at the rate above stated, the Commissioners have thought it expedient to depute a Committee to sit on Friday and Saturday next the 10th and 11th Inst, from 8 to 12 o'clock, at the Stad House, in order to frame a separate list of all such persons as, on application to the said Committee, may be considered to fall under the denomination of real poor, and having no trade nor livelihood, or being infirm, have not the means of procuring Eice on the two days above mentioned. This list
Records of the Cape Colony. 177
framed, after due enquiry into the real conditions of the persons applying, and accompanied with the remarks of the said Com- mittee, -svill be laid before the supreme Commission, that measures may be taken for the relief of the said real objects of consideration, with regard to the price of rice, at least during the three ensuing winter months.
And the Commissioners are well assured that the respective Eeformed and Lutheran Church Wardens will not fail, on their part, to exert their utmost endeavours towards relieving such poor as belong to their several parishes, and who may have recourse to them during the existence of Scarcity in the Colony.
And notice is hereby given that a Committee will attend every Saturday from 10 to 12 o'clock, at the Stad House, for the purpose of correcting the Bakers' lists for every ensuing week, any person having sustained by the arrival or departure of lodgers or by the purchase or sale of Slaves, by deaths or otherwise, any increase or decrease of family, is therefore requested to state the same to the said Committee in order that the lists may be altered accordingly.
The Commissioners having observed that several persons have included in the number of their family slaves hired out and fed elsewhere, warn the said persons to rectify such false statements for the ensuing week, as all similar errors will hereafter be most strictly attended to.
By order of the Commission,
(Signed) John Bakrow, Secretary.
Agreeable to the resolutions, the allowance of bread to certain persons, as mentioned in the public advertisement, was im- mediately reduced to half a pound each, when it appeared that the necessary quantity for one day's consumption was 13,344 pounds. And on Saturday the 11th Instant Eice was for the first time issued to the inhabitants to be used on the following day in the place of bread. The quantity ordered for this purpose was the same as the reduced allowance of bread, of which there was de- livered only 9,453 pounds, consequently there remained a saving of 3,891 pounds a day.
At this meeting the Commissioners agreed for 51 Barrels of
IV. N
17S Jtecords of the Cape Colony.
American flour to be landed on the Wharf at Eighteen Spanish Dollars the Barrel to be paid for partly in paper money and the rest in Specie,
Thursday ^th April.
A report was read from Mr. Vos of the 2nd April stating the addition to his list since the date of his last to be 524 mnids, and also another report of the 8th April containing a further addition of 327 muids, making on the whole 9,731 muids. He enclosed also a return of the grain collected by Broodryk in the Bokkeveld amounting to 132 muids.
Mr. Duckitt the agriculturist having applied to the Landdrost of Stellenbosch for 50 muids of seed wheat, the Commissioners thought proper to direct the Landdrost to inform Mr. Duckitt that having made it appear to the Commission either personally or by his agent he had actually in preparation as much land as would require the quantity of seed demanded, he would be supplied accordingly without delay.
A proposition was made for repealing the present existing game laws in the Colony, which have been found extremely oppressive and vexatious to the farmers, particularly those who inhabit the distant districts where the larger sort of game have always been so very abundant that the several families subsisted almost entirely upon them.
Mr. Barnard, the Colonial Secretary, imdertook to make some new arrangement with the approbation of the Governor on this subject.
Adjourned to Monday next.
Monday 13 th April.
A letter was read from Mr. Duckitt stating his intention now to sow 100 acres of ground, for which he required 50 muids of seed ; also that he had sixty-six persons to feed, and sixty-six muids of corn for that purpose. The Commissioners in reply authorized Mr. Duckitt to draw from Stellenbosch 25 muids for the present, and informed him moreover that as soon as he should have sown that quantity and could demonstrate that he had more ground in preparation, he would then be allowed to purchase the necessary quantity of Wheat for sowing the same.
Records of the Cape Colony. 179
Saturday ISth April 1801.
The Supreme Commission met this day in order to receive the report of ]\Ir. Vos, from which it appeared that since the 4th March last he had travelled through the several districts of the Cape, Stellenbosch, and Zwellendam, making a most laborious journey, in the course of which he visited upwards of 450 farms, actually inspecting the quantity of grain at each farm. It appeared also that Mr. Vos had with the most indefatigable attention, and with an almost unexampled degree of precision and accuracy, noted in writing various particulars regarding the soil, produce, population, and resources of every place, forming a voluminous body of authentic information relating to the Colony, in the highest degree useful, interesting and important.
That in regard to the more immediate object of his mission, namely the procuring as much grain as possible to be sent up to the Cape, he has been successful beyond all expectation, which must be attributed to the most zealous and persevering exertions, regulated by a very superior degree of patience, moderation and discernment, as an eminent proof of wliich not one single com- plaint has been made of oppression, hardship or injustice by the exercise of the very ample powers with which he was entrusted by the Commission.
It appeared also, on the whole, that the quantity of corn which ]\Ir. Vos has been so instrumental in securing for the use of Cape Town, being 1 0,688 1^ muids, will, with a strict and scrupulous adherence to the present established system of economy, be suffi- cient to continue to the inhabitants the use of Bread till nearly the next harvest, leaving at the same time in the hands of the farmers a competent quantity of wheat for consumption, and an ample and more than ordinary provision for seed.
When a gentleman of property and independence voluntarily and gratuitously engages in so laborious and important a task as that by which Mr. Vos has so highly distinguished himself, his conduct can be ascribed to no other motives than those of benevo- lence and public spirit, and is entitled to the highest encomiums that can be bestowed upon it. The Commissioners on their part were unanimously of opinion, and it was accordingly
Itesolved that Mr. Vos, by his great and well directed labors and
N 2
180 Records of the Cape Colony.
exertions, has been materially instrumental in relieving the Colony from the impending Calamity of famine, and is therefore entitled to the most grateful thanks of every individual member of the Community.
Eesolved that a request be made to His Excellency the Governor to have the name of Mr. Vos inserted in the supreme Commission, in order that it may have the advantage of his zeal for the public welfare as well as his counsel and assistance in its further pro- ceedings.
Eesolved also that a circular letter be sent from this Commission addressed generally to the farmers of the Com districts, expressing in the strongest terms its approbation of their conduct in cheerfully and readily submitting to the orders and regulations made by Mr. Vos in virtue of the authority he received from the Commission and for the great assistance they gave him in the discharge of his important mission.
Eesolved that a copy of these resolutions be sent to Mr. Vos, and that they be inserted in the Gazette.
Monday 20th April.
The Commissioners having met for the purpose of examining the last week's consumption of Bread and Eice, it appeared that there had been issued to the inhabitants of Bread 65,879 pounds, of Eice 19,968 pounds.
A letter was received from Mr. Hogan stating as agent that the Spanish Prize Brig La Balena had on board a small quantity of flour and biscuit which was decreed for sale by the Marshal of the Vice Admiralty Court. To this letter it was replied that Mr. Hogan would be pleased to inform the Marshal of the Vice Admiralty Court that the situation of the Colony having occasioned a law to prohibit all sales of grain or flour by public auction, the Sale of the articles in question could not be permitted, but that the full market price for them would be given by the Com- mission.
The reports from the Landdrost of Stellenbosch were read, stating that the corn to be sent up from the Wine Farmers was 1200 muids, by the reduction on their consumption in the Village of Stellenbosch 300 muids, do. do. Paarl 310 muids, making 1810 muids.
Records of the Cape Colony. 181
The quantity from the Paarl to be sent up in consideration of the indulgence granted to the inhabitants to bake each his own bread, it having appeared to the Commission that a fixed baker would be attended with great inconvenience to that village, the houses being so widely scattered asunder.
Certain persons having made application for seed corn, a special Commission consisting of Mr. De Wet, the Fiscal, Mr. Cloete. and Mr, Vos was appointed to enquire into, and answer such applications.
And the said Committee were also authorized to make such particular exceptions from the general regulations established by the Commission as on investigation should appear to be absolutely necessary.
Eesolved that the sum of five hundred Eixdollars be given as a gratuity to the two Clerks employed by Mr. Vos in the execution of his late important Mission.
Eesolved that on the first day of May next ensuing a portion of barley meal should be issued to the Bakers in order to be mixed with wheaten flour and baked into bread.
Eesolved that this Commission do hereafter confine their meetings to each Monday at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, unless summoned on special business.
Adjourned to Monday 27th April.
Monday 20th April.
Note. — General Dundas having received His Majesty's command to take upon him the Government of this Settlement, Mr. J. J. Vos was. appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by this event in the Commission.
Monday Tith April.
The Bakers* tests of the Week's delivery of bread were ex- amined, from which it appeared that the quantity baked was 68,102 lbs., issued 66,235 lbs., saved upon the calculation 1,867 lbs. Eice ordered for two days 27,242 lbs., issued 19,706 lbs., saved upon the calculation 7,536 lbs.
At the recommendation of Mr. Vos the following public letter was written to the Corn Farmers of the Colony as an acknowledg-
182 Recm-ds of the Cape Colony.
ment of their good conduct and willingness to meet the wishes and regulations of the Commission : —
Good Friends, — We the Commissioners appointed by govern- ment for regulating the consumption of grain in the Colony, have received the report of the Burgher Senator J. J. Vos relative to the objects of the Commission with which we thought it adviseable to entrust him, and it is with the highest degree of satisfaction we have observed, in the said report, not only your alacrity and cheerfulness in submitting to all the arrangements which the said Vos, by virtue of his instructions, laid down for your observance, and the assistance moreover which you afforded him, but we have particularly been led to notice your ready participation in the common interests of the Colony, in many of you having declared it your intention to give up to the public store and for the relief of your fellow inhabitants, even a part of that com which had been assigned for your own private use. The quantity arising from such voluntary restrictions upon yourselves will, we find, amount to more than fifteen hundred muids.
Such a conduct, at a moment when a Scarcity was more than in apprehension, merits the highest praise, and the supreme Commission, strongly impressed with the sense of what is due to such laudable behaviour, votes you its sincere thanks in the most public manner for this your meritorious co-operation in having endeavoured to relieve, even by self-deprivation, as much as was in your power, the calamities that must have resulted from a famine, with which this Colony was threatened.
We have not failed to represent your meritorious conduct to the present acting Governor, who has assured us that he shall always use his endeavours for the promotion of Agriculture and the general prosperity of the Colony.
Praying the Almighty to avert from this Country all merited evils, and to make us sensible of those blessings which His Divine Goodness has been pleased to continue to us in a peculiar manner beyond the many thousands who at this moment are labouring under the calamities of war, famine and desolation, We remain with great esteem and regard Your sincere friends.
In the name of the supreme Commission,
(Signed) J. BAiiROW.
Records of the Cape Colony. 183
' And in consequence of various applications, but more par- ticularly from the recommendation of Mr, Vos, the following Minute was submitted to the consideration of His Honor the Acting Governor : *' It having been represented to this Com- mission in the letters and the final report of Mr. Vos that if a general permission were given to the farmers dwelling in the Corn and distant districts of the Colony to kill game, it would, among other salutary effects enable them to bring up to Cape Town a very considerable quantity of grain beyond what the present restrictions will allow them to do, the Commissioners therefore presume to suggest to his Honor the acting Governor and Com- mander in Chief the expediency of authorizing game to be killed in consequence of the above representations and for the important purposes therein mentioned."
Monday 8th May.
On examining the lists of the bakers for the preceding week it appeared that the quantity of bread ordered to the bakers was 68,145 lbs., issued 66,384 lbs., difference saved 1,761 lbs. Eice ordered 27,274 lbs., issued 17,253 lbs., difference saved 10,021 lbs.
Notice was given to the farmers that as the ploughing season was now commenced, the Commissioners had thought proper to extend the time allowed them to bring up their spare Corn till the beginning of December next, continuing the price of 60 Eixdollars the waggon load for all Corn brought up before that period.
The Commissioners being informed that many injurious reports had gone abroad both in the Town and Country districts regarding the exportation of grain, thought it expedient to issue the following
Public Notice.
The Commissioners for regulating the consumption of grain having understood that reports are industriously circulated, tending to establish the idea of the present scarcity of bread in this Colony being owing to the exportation of wheat and flour the last and present year, and as such reports however false and even impossible as to the fact, may be productive of much mischief, when
184 Bccords of the Cape Colony.
studiously supported by malicious and ill-designing persons, have thought it expedient, for the satisfaction of the Community at' large, to demonstrate the utter impossibility that any grain could have been exported from this Colony for the last eighteen months.
The supply of Wheat brought into Cape Town during the last and present year compared with the quantity required for the consumption of the Colony, is in itself sufficient to prove that no exportation could have taken place in the time above specified.
It is a fact well known that the general consumption of Cape Town alone (the Troops and Navy on the station included) requires upwards of 40,000 muids of wheat every year.
It appears from attested documents that from the 1st January to the 30th December 1800 the quantity brought up to Cape and Simons Town amounted only to 36,956 muids, in which sum axe included 1,694 muids of new wheat, properly for the consumption of the year 1801, but which had been ordered to be threshed out and brought up in the month of December,
The quantity of Wheat brought up this present year prior to the establishment of the Supreme Commission was ia January 7,648 muids, in February 3,895 muids, making 11,543 muids.
This quantity has been consumed in the above mentioned months, except the sum of 3,781 muids, which remained in the hands of the Bakers at the commencement of the month of March.
Hence appears the absurdity of supposing that the small supply of wheat brought up to Cape Town in the last eighteen months, after providing for the consumption of the inhabitants. His Majesty's Troops, Navy and private Ships could have afforded any residue for exportation to other countries.
It may be observed also that in the year 1800 individuals were strictly interdicted from purchasing Wheat, the whole being committed into the hands of the several bakers and contractors, who were obliged to account for it.
And that in the prese,nt year all the Wheat has passed thro' the Committee into the hands of the- Bakers and Contractors for which, as above stated, this Committee has duly accounted till the beginning of the month of March.
Further that the Burgher Senator J. J, Vos, according to his Instructions, has taken an account on Oath from the several Cultivators of gi'ain of the quantity sold and delivered, and to
Heconla of the Cape Colony. 18r>
Nvliom ; so that no person has obtained any Wheat in an illegal' or clandestine manner to i-ender the smuggling away in any degree probable, but on the contrary the accounts given by the farmers have been found to agree very exactly with the Books of the Collector at the Castle advance guard, and with those of the Corn Committee.
The Contractor, it is true, for victualling His Alajesty's Ships on this Station sends on board from time to time biscuit, Hour, and even wheat ; but this supply is made out of the allowance for the daily consumption of the said Ships, which allowance is exactly proportioned to that allotted to the Inhabitants of Cape Town and includes also the same proportion of Bice and barley meal. The Admiral, indeed, commanding on this station has given the most satisfactory proofs that every possible degree of economy has been practised in his department, the men under his command receiving live days in the week only two thirds of a pound of bread a day, and two days in each week rice. In short the Contractor for the Navy has received no more than 2,029 muids of Wheat in bread, flour, and biscuit, from the 1st January to the 30th April in the present year.
It is almost unnecessary to observe that out of so small a quantity set apart for the Navy, no illicit exportation could take place, especially when it is considered that the whole Squadron on the Station has subsisted upon it, and that the Tremendous, which alone has 600 men, lately arrived in Simons Bay with only three days' provision on board.
The Commissioners have thought tit to communicate these particulars to the public, with a view not only of removing all doubts from the minds of the well disposed, that no grain has been or could be exported or disposed of without their knowledge and interference ; but also to induce all the inhabitants both of the Town and Country to continue in the observance of every possible economy in the consumption of grain, this being the sole foundation on Avhich the supreme Commission in the midst of its laborious and difficult task has built the pleasing hope of avertino- from this Colony, by the assistance of Providence, a real want of bread.
The Commissioners also inform the public that the whole quantity of Wheat, partly brought up since the first of March last, and part in expectation before the end of August next, will amount
186
Records of the Cape Colony.
to 12,358 muids, and that the consumption of Cape Town alone (exclusive of His Majesty's Troops and Xavy) in the present year has been as follows :
In the Month of January . „ „ February
„ „ March
„ „ April
Lbs. 637,174
530,593
443,628
339,902
Lbe. 20,262
19,913
5,422
218
57,292
So that taking the consumption at its lowest reduced rate, the necessity will be obvious to every one of paying a strict attention to the rules and regulations laid down by the Supreme Commission for the observance of economy in the expenditure of bread, in order that the stock on hand of wheat, barley, flour and rice may be made to hold out till the approach of the ensuing harvest.
By order of the Commission,
(Signed) John Bakrow, Secretary.
The great object of the Commission being now to a certain degree attained, namely that of providing a supply of bread, or substitutes for it, till the next harvest, it was considered as a point of duty to lay before His Honor the Lieutenant Governor a copy of its proceedings from its commencement to the present date ; expressing, at the same time, the high degree of satisfaction the Commissioners now feel in the assurances they are with confidence able to make, that by the observance of the regulations laid down for the distribution of bread and grain, and the assistance of Providence, the stock actually on hand will afford a supply of those articles to the Inhabitants, His Majesty's Troops and Navy till very nearly the ensuing harvest.
Moiidmj ISth May 1801.
Eead to the Commission the Storekeeper's Eeport of Eice received out of the Ship Lady Yongc amounting to 212,666 pounds nett weight besides 28 bags of damaged Eice.
Records of the Cape Colony. 187
Ordered that the said 28 bags of damaged Eice be immediately sold by public auction.
It is to be remarked that though the prime cost of the above mentioned rice at Pdo de Janeiro did not exceed 2^ stivers the pound, yet the terms of the Charter party made by Sir George Yonge with the owners of the ship with the prime cost of the article and expenses attending the shipping and landing make it amount to about 8f stivers the pound at the Cape. The Com- missioners notwithstanding were unanimously of opinion that the price could not with propriety be raised to the Inhabitants, but continue as already fixed at six stivers the pound. The loss arising from the difference must consequently be sustained by Government.
The Contractor for victualling the Squadron on this Station applied for 500 Muids of Wheat, of which quantity 250 were directed to be issued out of the Stores for the use of His Majesty's Navy as a provisional supply, and the rest to remain as a matter for further consideration.
Cape Town 5th June 1801.
In consequence of an application from the Contractor for victualling His Majesty's Navy on this Station for 500 Muids of Wheat, a quantity that appeared to be more than the just proportion due to that Department, a special meeting of the Com- missioners for regulating the consumption of Grain was this day held, in order to take into consideration the said demand.
And in the first place to ascertain the proportion that the Navy bore in regard to numbers with the Inhabitants of Cape Town and the Troops, recourse was had to the Capitation Lists delivered in by the Ward Masters and to the Regimental Returns, from whence it appeared that
The number of Inhabitants was IG , 318 „ Troops 4,600
„ Navy 3,000
Making a total of 23,918
of which the Navy constitute ^ part; but as the number of Inhabitants may be considered to be reduced by the regula-
188 Becords of the Cape Colony.
tions of the Commissiouers which limit all white people and children to ^Ib. of bread a day, to 13,500, the daily number of loaves issued, the result will be that the Navy ought to receive \ part of the whole, for
Beckoning the Inhabitants 13,500 Troops 4,600
Navy 3,000
Total 21,100
Of which 3,000 is the seventh part.
On consideration however that the Wheat issued to the Navy is principally baked into Biscuit, which is known not to yield the same increase as when made into bread the Commissioners thought it but reasonable that some allowance should be made on that account, and accordingly agreed to increase the share to be allotted to the Navy to \ part of the whole stock on hand or hereafter to come in.
Now it appeared from the report of the Corn Committee that the whole quantity of Wheat brought into the Grain Magazines from the 1st January to the 31st March 1801 was
21,992 muids \ of which is 3,665 „
and that the quantity already received by the Navy was
3,296 muids Eemains still due 369 „
And it further appeared from the said report that in addition to the above quantity of Wheat received by the Squadron on this Station, there has been issued for its use Eice 150,000 lbs. or 600 Muids, which is more than its just proportion, Barley Meal 12,000 lbs. or 66f Muids.
It was therefore resolved "That the Corn Committee be in- structed to deliver to the Contractor for victualling His Majesty's Squadron on this Station the remaining sum of 369 Muids of Wheat which appears to be the quantity due to that Department ; and that in futm-e the proportion of ^ part of whatever Grain may be received into the Corn Magazines shall be issued for the use of the Navy."
Records of the Cape Colony. 189
Monday StJi June.
The Marshal of the Vice Admiralty Court sent in his Bill for Flour and Biscuit delivered to the Commissioners of the Spanish Prize Brig La Balena, in which he charged 16 Eix Dollars per 100 lbs. for the biscuit and 12 RixdoUars for the flour. The Commissioners being of opinion that these charges were very exorbitant directed the Corn Committee to offer to the said Marshal 10 Eds. for the Biscuit and 8 for the Flour, these Prices according with the highest at present given in the Market for such articles of the very best quality.
Many abuses being stated to exist in the distribution of white bread, it was thought expedient to make certain regulations on this subject, and to issue the following Public Notice : —
" The Commissioners for regulating the Consumption of Grain in this Colony being well aware that several irregularities have taken place in obtaining tickets for receiving white bread, such as persons remaining on the sick list after being perfectly recovered and others who are sick receiving at the same time both white bread and coarse bread, have thought proper to give this Public Notice that the Burgher Senator 0. M. Bergh will attend every Saturday from 10 to 12 o'clock at the Stadhouse for the purpose of making out the List of white bread to be issued each succeeding week, and of renewing the Tickets for authorising them to receive the same; such Tickets to be given only to those persons who shall produce renewed Certificates at the end of each week from some medical Gentleman, and all those of course not applying with such Certificates will be struck off the list for white bread.
" And as it appears that certain Medical Gentlemen have in- cautiously granted Certificates to improper persons, the Com- missioners trust that in future tliey will be more cii-cumspect in committing their names to paper recollecting that such Certificates are considered as given under the solemnity of an oath.
" And notice is further given that the Committee attending on Saturdays to regulate the Lists for brown bread will strike off in future that List all such persons as are comprized in the list for white bread.
(Signed) " J. Baurow, Secretary."
190 Records of the Cape Colony.
Monday 22nd June 1801.
Tlie Lieutenant Governor having transmitted to the Commission an application from the Treasurer of the Com Board for an increase of salary to his two Bookkeepers, for their consideration, the subject was referred to the two Commissioners of the Grain Magazines, who represented that the principal Bookkeeper Mr. Burnet was not only a diligent attentive person well skilled in accounts, but also that he acted as Translator to the Board ; that the whole time of both the Clerks was solely occupied in the duties of their situation, it was therefore Kesolved
" That a recommendation be presented to His Honor the Lieu- tenant Governor for an augmentation of pay to the two Clerks of the Corn Board from 40 to 50 EixdoUars a Month, and that Mr. Burnet the principal Bookkeeper being strongly recommended by the Gentlemen of the Corn Board as an attentive diligent Man, acting also as Translator to the Board, should be allowed a salary of 20 EixdoUars a Month in consideration of the duty performed by him in the latter capacity."
Wednesday 15th July.
Tlie Commissioners met this day for the purpose of taking into consideration a letter from His Honor the Lieut. Governor which stated "That two thousand bags of Eice might immediately be procured from a Vessel arrived in Simon's Bay, and desired the opinion of the Commissioners how far under their present engage- ments it would be advisable to purchase the whole or any part of the aforesaid Eice in our present emergency aiising from a deficiency of Grain in the Colony."
After a due consideration of all the circumstances connected with the present question, the Commissioners were unanimously and decidedly of opinion that the exigency of the Colony was not so great as to warrant any further purchase of Eice, the issuing of that article instead of Bread being a great hardship upon the Inhabitants at large; this opinion was transmitted to His Honor the Lieut. Governor, to whom it was moreover stated by the Commissioners that there were the strongest grounds to suppose that even should every measure fail which had been
Becoi'ds of the Cape Colony. 191
taken for receiving foreign supplies the quantity of Grain and Eice now in the Colony at the present reduced consumption would hold out very nearly to the ensuing Harvest.
Monday 20th July.
The Commissioners having considered that the time was now fast approaching when part of the foreign supplies of Grain agreeable to their engagements might be expected, and being of opinion also that a stock of Grain not less than 15,000 Muids should be laid up in store in the course of next year provided the returns of the approaching harvest should admit of such a measure, they thought it advisable to lose no time in providing the necessary stores, and accordingly requested the Commissioners of the Grain Magazines to lay before the next meeting a report of what stores are already engaged and what others suitable for the purpose could be obtained.
Mr. Van Eeenen the Brewer was desired to bring up without delay to the Barley Magazine the 100 Muids of that Grain which he had received orders to hold by him for the future disposal of the Commission.
Monday 21th July.
The Brewer Van Eeenen having proposed to deliver to the Commission 40 lbs. of Wheat flour out of the quantity allotted to him for his own Consumption for every sack of Barley in his possession, provided he might be allowed to use the same for making into Malt, his offer was accepted.
A letter was read from His Honor the Lieut. Governor stating that having found it necessary to assemble the 8th Eegiment of Dragoons at Groene Cloof towards the end of the ensuing Month in order that the horses might profit from the pasturage in that neighbourhood during the Months of September and October next, His Honor requested that the Commissary General might be authorized to procure from the Farmers of the vicinity 120 muids of Wheat for the service of the Eegiment before mentioned consisting of about 600 Men,
The Commissioners in reply informed His Honor that a Committee of two Members were appointed to make such
192 Records of the Cape Colony.
arrangements with the Farmers in the neighbourhood that the required quantity of Com should be brought thither whenever the Commissary General may think proper to demand it.
Monday Zrd August.
Mr. Greene reported to the Commission that the four storehouses already engaged and now nearly empty were capable of containing 5,000 Muids of Corn, and that the Monthly rent was 115 Eix- dollars ; and as the time was fast approaching when two or three thousand Muids of Corn or more was to be brought up from the Country, it was resolved that the said four stores should be con- tinued in hire, and as moreover reasonable expectations were entertained that in the course of the present or before the end of the ensuing Month some of the Cargoes of Rice or Flour engaged for by the Commission would arrive, two additional storehouses capable of containing nearly 5,000 Muids of Corn were directed to be hired at the rate of 110 EixdoUars a Month commencing from the 1st of September, provided the Storekeeper should find no objections to be made against the propriety of them for holding Grain, and directions were moreover given that the present store- house of Liebrand hired at 30 Eds. a Month should be retained for the purpose of laying up and issuing from it the first Cargo of Eice that should arrive.
Monday IQtTi August.
As the operation of extracting a certain portion of flour from every sack of Barley brought into Cape Town to be used as food for Man was now completed, it was proposed to the Commission that the restrictions laid upon that Grain by the Proclamations of the 13th February and the 31st March should be taken off and the Market thrown open, but on serious consideration of the subject and the consequences likely to result from the adoption of such a measure at the present moment, it was thought more advisable to ascertain in the first instance the exact quantity of Wheat that yet remained in the country, as well that part which the Farmers were not able to bring up before the ploughing season as the residue of the Seed Corn which had been allotted to them ; and that the question of the Barley should be postponed for two or three Weeks, in the course of which time Mr. Vos has again in the
Becords of the Cape Colony. IJiS
most handsome and liberal manner undertaken to ascertain the same by a second journey through the principal part of the Corn Districts.
The storekeeper having examined and approved of the stores proposed to be hired, was directed to engage the same without further delay. At the same time he laid before the Commission his account of the delivery of the Eice purchased from the Matilda^ of which the following is an abstract : —
Eico delivered to the Troops 86,579
„ Navy 70,000
„ Merchant Ships 13,018
„ Inhabitants 266,099
„ Damaged 558
Total delivered 436 , 254 lbs. Rice as per invoice 450,744
Loss in Weight 14,490 lbs.
or 3;^ nearly per Cent.
It further appeared from the Account Current that all expenses deducted there arose to the funds of the Commission from this transaction a nett profit of Eds. 7,876 4 1.
Monday 17th August.
On a minute enquiry into the delivery of the Eice purchased from the Matilda it appeared that instead of a loss of 14,490 lbs. as specified by the storekeeper, there ought not to have been more than 2,000 pounds ; this conclusion was drawn from a very ac- curate statement which was transmitted to the storekeeper for his consideration, and with directions for him to attend the Com- mission on Monday next in order to satisfy the Commissioners respecting the very great difference in the loss of weight in the Eice as stated in his account and the Document laid before him.
The wheat remaining in store this day was reported to be 2, 488 J Muida Out of which were ordered for the
Bakers in town 749
Government Baker 287
„ Simon's Town 80 1,116
Which quantity is calculated to serve
tliem till the last of September
Remainder to commence with the Month of October 1 ,372J Muids
: IV. 0
194 Becords of the Cape Colony.
This small quantity, not sufficient for one Month's consumption, being the whole stock actually on hand and the supply in expecta- tion coming slowly in from the Country, Mr. Vos resolved to set off on his Commission without delay, and accordingly received his Instructions which embraced a variety of objects not only with regard to the quantity of Corn yet due to the Commission, but extending also to the means possessed by the respective farmers of sending up their produce to market, a general complaint having been made of the scarcity of Cattle in the Country owing to a more than usual mortality among them.
Monday 2Uh August.
Mr. Fleck the storekeeper being called upon to explain the reason of the great loss that appeared by his account to have been incurred in the weight of the Pdce received from the Matilda^ delivered to the Commission a statement in writing in which he endeavoured to prove that the loss had principally been occasioned in moving the Eice from the Pier to the Warehouse and afterwards retailing a great part of it to the Inhabitants. The arguments however made use of by him not being sufficiently satisfactory to do away the conviction that remained on the minds of the Com- missioners that no such loss ought to have been sustained, he was farther allowed another week to procure and communicate the required information.
Messrs. Walker & Eobertson informed the Commission of their having received intelligence from the Brazils that their Ship the Henry Dundas was not likely to obtain any Eice or Grain in South America on account of a general failure of the late harvest in that Country.
Monday Zlst August.
At the recommendation of His Honor the Lieut. Governor , the Commissioners agreed to purchase from Capt. Clarke of the Anna Maria from Eio de Janeiro 217 bags of Eice weighing about 37,000 lbs. This Eice being of good quality and purchased at a high rate in Eio de Janeiro, it was resolved that the very highest price yet given for that article should be allowed to Capt. Clarke,
Records of the Cape Colony. 195
which was fixed at ten Eixdollars the hundred pounds free of all deductions, the Commissioners paying the import duties upon the same.
And at this meeting it was further resolved that the Price of ten Eixdollars shall be considered as the standard for Eice of the very first quality now in the Settlement, brought in Prizes or otherwise, by which the rate of all Eice of an inferior quality is to be regulated.
Monday *lth September.
Mr. Vos having returned from his Commission in the Country delivered in his report, from which it appeared that in the course of his last journey he had visited 223 different Corn Farmers, to whom he had assigned in his former Commission for the purpose of sowing 9,631^ Muids. Of this quantity he now found they had actually sown 7,5 14| Muids ; so that the remainder of the Seed Wheat to be brought up to Cape Town from the above mentioned 223 places amounts to 2,116| Muids; but out of this quantity he found it necessary to distribute to certain Inhabitants who were in actual want of bread 300 Muids. He reported moreover that exclusive of the remainder of the Wheat from the seed allotted to the above mentioned 223 farmers there were still due from them to the Commission between eight and nine hundred Muids which they could not conveniently bring up to town on account of the ploughing season employing their Cattle ; so that the real quantity to be expected from the said Farmers will amount to 2,600 Muids or thereabouts.
Mr. Vos reported also the great mortality that had raged among the different kinds of Cattle in consequence of the long continuance of the late dry season, the farmers above mentioned having suffered a loss of
2,859 draft oxen,
1,434 head of horned Cattle,
2,614 Horses,
14,386 Sheep.
The quantity of barley, oats and rye sown this season were also noted down by Mr. Vos with many other particulars worthy the knowledge of the Commissioners.
0 2
196 Records of the Cape Colony.
Resolved that the thanks of this Commission are voted to Mr. Vos for his liberal and spirited conduct in the offer of his services for the public good and for the very able and satisfactory manner in which he has accomplished the objects of the Special Commission with which he was entrusted.
The Commissioners having deliberated at three several meetings upon the reports of the administrator of the Grain Magazine re* specting the delivery of the Cargo of Kice purchased out of the Matilda, the loss upon which as stated by him and entered upon these Minutes appeared to be about 3^ per cent, whereas by an account extracted from his own books no greater loss can be ex- plained or accounted for than about i per cent, it was therefore resolved
" That the deficiency of 14,490 pounds upon the Cargo of Rice purchased from the Matilda has not been satisfactorily accounted for by the Administrator of the Grain Magazine, and that the Commissioners therefore feel it their duty to report this circum- stance to His Honor the Lieutenant Governor for his con- sideration."
A letter was received from Admiral Sir Roger Curtis stating the necessity of supplying the detained Danish and Swedish ships with bread and rice for twelve weeks for their passage to Europe, and proposing at the same time to supply to them the necessary quantity of Rice, provided a like quantity be deposited in the Naval Store in Cape Town free of Expense to the Naval Depart- ment.
This proposal was acceded to, and direetions given for a pro- portionate quantity of biscuit to be delivered to the said detained
A letter on the same subject was also received from His Honor the Lieutenant Governor.
Mr. Vos having now finished his Commission and ascertained the quantity of Wheat that each farmer was to deliver into the Corn Magazines in the course of the present year, it was the opinion of the Commissioners that the necessity which had occasioned the temporary measure of fixing the price of Barley by Proclamation of the 13th February 1801 now no longer existed, and therefore it was proposed that the opening the Market for that Grain should be submitted for the consideration of His Honor
Records of the Cape Colony. 197
the Lieut. Governor, who approved the same, and accordingly annulled that part of the said Proclamation which fixed a price on Barley.
Monday lUh September,
A report being made by the storekeeper that in consequence of the heavy rains the roof of the Magazine became damaged, and a part of the Wheat contained therein was wet ; the Bakers were in consequence summoned to view the same, and each of them proposed to take a certain quantity without any consideration being made to them for the state in which it was. The quantity thus issued out amounted to 1,171 Muids, the remainder consisting of 9-19 Muids was directed to be turned and exposed to the air.
Monday 21st Septeviber.
The Agent Victualler for serving His Majesty's Ships on the Station reported to the Commission that a quantity of Eice sent round from Simon's Bay to Table Bay in the Ship Fanny had been damaged by salt water in the passage, and was unfit for use, and requested permission to dispose of such part of it as on examination should be found in that state.
The Commissioners appointed two Members to survey the said rice, who found it as stated by the Agent Victualler, upon which leave was given to dispose of the same by public auction.
This day arrived the Ship Hazard from North America, having on board 2,198 Barrels of Flour, which were immediately ordered to be landed and lodged in one of the Magazines.
A letter was written to Sir Roger Curtis requesting him to give directions to the Agent Victualler for receiving the sixth part of the above Cargo of Flour, the proportion due to the Navy on all Grain received by the Com Commissioners, and requesting him also to furnish Roselt with a supply of Rice for the use of the Inhabitants of Simon's Town on condition that the like quantity should be delivered into the Naval Stores in Cape Town.
Public Notice was given that as a sufficient quantity of Rice was now obtained to allow a part of it to be distributed among the
198 Mecords of the Cape Colony.
Farmers of the different Districts of the Colony, any Farmer might be supplied with a quantity not exceeding 200 pounds and not less than 50 pounds on application to the Storekeeper of the Govern- ment Grain Magazines, at the rate of twelve EixdoUars and a half the hundred pounds.
Mr. Albertyn a Farmer was summoned to appear before the Commissioners and severely reprimanded for his insolent behaviour to Mr. Vos when last upon his Commission into the Country, and warned to have the quantity of Corn to be delivered by him in Cape Town on or before the 31st October.
Tttesday 15th September.
In consequence of a letter from His Honor the Lieut. Governor importing that " the great loss of cattle and particularly of draft oxen from sickness and the long continuance of the late dry season had occasioned in his mind very serious apprehensions that the scarcity of those animals might cause a check to the spirit and progress of agriculture in the Colony and create many difi&culties in bringing up to Cape Town the different products of the country ; and as the object of the Commission was not confined merely to the regulation and distribution of Grain, but was meant to embrace all such matters as might tend to produce plenty and prevent scarcity of Grain and other provisions, the said destruction among Cattle would naturally become a subject for its consideration," and His Honor therefore requested that "the Commissioners would seriously deliberate on the state of the Colony with regard to Cattle, and propose some plan for replacing the vast numbers that have perished in the course of the late unfavourable season, provided it should appear to them that the exigencies of the Colon}' required it."
The Commissioners having received and read the letter as above recited, took into serious consideration the important subject of its contents, and proceeded therein without loss of time in such manner as appeared to them most likely to be productive of the desired effect, and the following measure grounded upon the result of their enquiries was recommended for the consideration of His Honor the Lieut. Governor.
The Commissioners in the first place were unanimously of
Eccords of tJie Cape Colony. 199
qpinion after an examination of the Lists of Cattle that had perished, that some effective means were absolutely necessary to be put in practice in order to replace the vast numbers lost by the Inhabitants of the Corn Districts, without which a check would certainly be occasioned to the progress and spirit of agriculture, and many difficulties be experienced in bringing the several products of the Country to market ; the most effectual means for accomplishing this object appeared to lie in the attempt to open a trade by way of barter with some of the nations bordering on the Colony.
The people from whom the former Government were most in the habit of supplying the Colony in times of scarcity were the Kaffers on the east side, and the Namaquas on the North ; with the former it appeared by no means advisable to the Commissioners that at the present moment any communication ought to be attempted by way of traffick ; and the latter being reduced by the neighbouring Bosjesmans and by a former trade with the Colony to a very few hordes, and these not possessed of abundance of Cattle, Policy required that this nation ought not to be tempted to part with their remaining stock, as the consequences would lead to their becoming Bosjesmans or Marauders either upon the Colonists or upon the neighbouring Tribes of Natives.
The belt of Country extending behind the Colony from the Kaffers to the Namaquas was the only part that remained for enquiry, concerning which the Commissioners obtained the following information from a Farmer of Eoggeveld of the name of Floris Vischer.
That the said Vischer lived in the Middle Eoggeveld, which is distant from the Cape about ten days' journey ; that behind the Eoggeveld to the north-eastward, and about ten days' journey from it, was a great river usually called the Groot and sometimes the Oranr/e Eiver, upon the Banks of which was a tribe of people named Koranas, and many others, but none of them possessing much Cattle. Among or very near to the Koranas were dwelling certain Bastards or Men sprung from Europeans and Hottentots^ who were in the constant practice of frequenting and trading with a populous Nation called the Bericquas, situated about ten days' journey beyond the said Orange Eiver.
The Bericquas were represented by these Bastards as a kind of Kaffers and as being exceedingly rich in horned Cattle, the
200 Records of the Cape Colony,
supplies of which beyond their wants they were very willing to dispose of in exchange for the following articles :
Large coloured beads,
Thick Copper Wire for Bracelets,
Coarse coloured Handkerchiefs,
Tinder boxes and steels,
Knives,
Tobacco of the cheapest kind.
Small looking Glasses,
Ear Pendents,
Yellow buttons.
Tobacco boxes,
Bills or Hatchets,
Small rod iron in pieces of 9 inches long.
That it was his opinion if a Commission composed of proper persons should be sent thither with a quantity of the above mentioned articles a very considerable number of cattle might be obtained in exchange for them.
That some of the Colonists living in the Eoggeveld would be proper persons to attend such a Commission into the Country of the Bericquas and particularly Jacobus Kruger of the Kleine Koggeveld, and Jacobus Swanapoel ; and that of the Bastards living with or near the Koranas, Cornells Kok, Nicholas Barend, Piet Barend, and Claas Adonis would be very proper to act as Interpreters and to assist in opening a communication with them.
The Commissioners also having seen a plan drawn up by J. A. van Eeenen for effecting a supply of Cattle from the Namaquas which they conceived to be understood by him as the same people, namely the Bericquas, sent for the said Van Eeenen, who on a strict examination gave generally the same information regarding tho Bericquas and the mode of traffic with them ; but he recommended the journey to be made through the Namaqua Country and along the banks of the Orange Eiver, instead of proceeding direct through the Eoggeveld, and that the Commission should not by any means approach the craals or villages of the Bericquas, but remain at a short distance on this side, suffering the Natives to bring out then- Cattle to them, in order to prevent
Records of the Cape Colony. 201
any misunderstandings or disturbances from taking place by a promiscuous intercourse of the Hottentots and others attending the Commission, and the Bericquas.
These two persons both agreed that the Month of October was the most proper season for travelling thro' the Country behind the Eoggeveld and for crossing the Orange Eiver.
In consequence of this information, which has also been corrobo- rated from other quarters, the Commissioners entertain little doubt of the success of an expedition into the Country of the Bericquas provided proper and respectable persons could be found to entertain the same under the instructions of this Commission and accredited from the Government. But here they confess themselves to lie under some difficulty in recommending such persons as appear to them well qualified and at the same time willing to undertake so important an enterprize. They must possess a great share of address, consummate prudence, and unshaken integrity ; must be under the influence of no selfish views, but actuated only by the laudable desire of doing good to their fellow Creatures and of being useful to the Colony at large. At the same time it will be but reasonable as the expedition must be attended with much personal inconvenience and a very considerable degree of fatigue and exertion both of body and mind ; and moreover as during its continuance the pursuits, occupations, and affairs must entirely be suspended or carried on by agents of those who shall embark in this service, that they should be very liberally rewarded. The profits, it is hoped, that will arise from the barter of Cattle for the aforesaid articles will be sufficient to do this, and if the expedi- tion be crowned with success in a very ample manner.
They are of opinion that the Commission for efi'ecting the above mentioned purposes should consist of not less than three Gentle- men; and that a majority of them in case of any difference in opinion should decide all questions.
After long consideration as to the persons most proper to be proposed to Government for undertaking this important service, the three following Gentlemen met with the unanimous approba- tion of the Commissioners, namely
P. J. Trutek, Esqre., Member of the Court of Justice, William Somerville, Esqre., Inspector of Public Buildings, Arend van Vieling.
202 Records of the Cape Colony.
Application being made to these Gentlemen the two first mentioned immediately accepted the proposal, but the third declined it, stating that his domestic concerns would not admit of his absence. Mr. Kigler a Missionary now in the Roggeveld was therefore named to supply his place.
Mr. Daniel an ingenious Artist was recommended by His Honor the Lieutenant Governor to accompany the Commission, having already in a former journey to the Eastward collected materials highly valuable for elucidating the Natural History of Southern Africa ; he was therefore named as Secretary to the Commission.
His Honor the Lieutenant Governor having approved of the plan and the Gentlemen proposed to carry the same into execution, the Commissioners lost no time in making the necessary an-ange- ments for the Expedition. Two of their members, Mr. Cloete and Mr. Vos, were deputed to purchase six Waggons and to lay in such an assortment of Articles for bartering with the Bericquas as should appear best calculated to answer the purpose; and they were particularly recommended to have everything in readiness on or before the 1st of October.
Mr. Wium, a Gentleman of Stellenbosch, was also dispatched to the Eoggeveld to assemble the persons who were to accompany the Commission and to make the necessary preparations for the journey, in order to prevent any delay taking place at this extremity of the Colony.
Instructions for a Special Commission appointed hy the Commis- sioners for regulating the Consumption of Grain in this Colony hy order and under the sanction of Government.
His Honor the Lieutenant Governor having highly approved the nomination of the three following Gentlemen as Commissioners for opening a trade for Cattle by way of barter with the Nation of the Bericquas, namely P. J. Truter, Esqre., Member of the Court of Justice, William Somerville, Esqre., and Mr. Kigler the Missionary, and also of Samuel Daniel, Esqre., as Secretary to the Commission, has further directed that the following Instruc- tions drawn up by the Corn Commissioners should be recommended to their attention.
1st. That the Commission proceed by the nearest and direct
Records of the Cape Colony. 203
road, provided circumstances will allow it, into the Country of the Bericquas, situated about ten days' journey beyond the Groot or Orange Eiver, in order to open a trade with that Nation by way of barter, offering in Exchange such articles as they shall carry- thither and be sought after by that people for their Cattle.
2nd. That in the first place however the Commission assemble the persons necessary to attend at the house of Gerrit Vischer of the Middle Eoggeveld, among whom they will not fail to include Jacobus Kruger of the Kleine Eoggeveld, Jacobus Swana- poel living with Jan Vischer, Floris Vischer, provided his health will allow it, with as many others as may appear either to be particularly useful to them or necessary for their protection in passing thro' Countries infested by numerous hordes of plundering Bosjesmans. And here the Commissioners are strongly recom- mended to give out the most strict and positive orders to the party attending them that on no account whatsoever they shall be allowed to molest, disturb, or in any shape injure those miserable wretches, but on the contrary that they omit no occasion of shewing them acts of kindness, and endeavouring by presents or otherwise to conciliate their good opinion and esteem. Some of these people if so inclined may perhaps be found useful in pointing out Springs of Water, killing Game, or communicating information of various kinds.
3rd. That having completed their stock of provisions and assembled the necessary attendants at the house of Vischer as aforesaid the Commission should proceed to the Nation of the Koranas upon the right bank of the Orange Eiver, halting however at this side where will be found the huts or kraals of a number of Bastards, among whom it is recommended to engage by liberal offers of money or presents the following persons, namely Cornells Kok, Nicholas Barend, Piet Barend, and Claas Adonis, or such others who may be known to any of the Party as proper persons to proceed with the Commission to the Country of the Bericquas. From these Bastards they will learn in what manner they are to treat with and pass thro' the Country of the Koranas. It perhaps may be advisable to send over the river in the first place with a present for their Chief, and to explain to them the object of the Mission, in order to prevent them from taking alarm and spreading the same thro' the Country, perhaps also it may be found advisable to engage one or more of the Koranas to act
204 Records of the Cape Colony.
as Interpreters and to give information as to the best route to bef pursued.
4th. That leaving the Koranas the Commission should proceed within one day's journey of the Bericquas and there halt. That from this place they send forward one or more of the Bastards or of the Koranas with a present for the Chief of the Bericquas, to explain to him the nature of the Mission and to settle in what manner the Trade shall be opened and carried on. Here it will naturally occur to the Commission how very great a degree of caution will be necessary in order to prevent any misunder- standings or disturbances from taking place by a promiscuous intercourse of the Hottentots and others attending the Commission, and the Bericquas ; perhaps it may be found most prudent not to suffer any of the Farmers or their Hottentots to proceed to the Kraals or Villages of the Bericquas, but to receive the Cattle from the Natives at a distance from their Kraals.
5th. That no private trade be on any consideration allowed, nor a single Beast brought away but on account of the Commission alone; aU the persons employed in this service to be paid for their time and trouble in money.
6th. That a regular account be kept of all the expenses attending the present Commission, from its first setting out till the completion of the same, which account is to be delivered to the Supreme Commission in Cape Town, accompanied at the same time with a report of their Proceedings.
7th. That as soon as a certain quantity of Cattle shall have been procured the Commission will take such steps to forward them Capewards as the state of the Country with regard to water and herbage (information to be obtained only on the spot) will allow. That the first detachment being sent off and the trade fairly opened, one of the Gentlemen proceed direct to the Cape, not only to give information of the number so sent off and the route they meant to follow, but also to make a report of other matters concerning the progress of the Commission.
8th. In the event of meeting with kraals of Hottentots, Bastards, or others on the journey, from whom a quantity of Cattle may be obtained either by barter or purchased at a reasonable rate for money, the Commission will of course avail itself of the occasion, but care must always be had not to distress them by taking away more than they can spare without injury to themselves, a caution
Records of the Cape Colony. 205
which on all occasions will be present in the minds of the Commissioners.
9th. That a discretionary power be given to the Commission to act in all cases as circumstances may point out and prudence seem to require.
The Lieutenant Governor having approved the plan and the foregoing instructions, delivered the same to the Gentlemen named in the Commission accompanied by a letter stating his motives for directing the Corn Commissioners to turn their attention to the subject, and confirming the choice made by them of the persons proposed for carrying the plan into execution. Their willingness to undertake the expedition His Honor con- sidered as equally creditable to themselves as flattering to their employers.
On the 1st. of October the Commission departed from Cape Town in six new Waggons stored with a variety of articles intended for bartering against the Cattle of the Bericquas.
Monday 5th October.
The Lieutenant Governor transmitted to the Commissioners a Memorial of Mr. Hogan as agent for the owners of the Prize Brig Balena, in which he complained of not being allowed the appraized price for a quantity of flour and biscuit taken by the Commission out of the said Sliip, at the same time they were directed to take into consideration the grievance complained of therein, and to act and decide on the prayer of the petition conformably to the powers vested in them.
The Commissioners therefore informed Mr. Hogan by repeating what had already been stated to him in a former letter on this subject, that the situation of the Colony having occasioned the passing of a law to prohibit all sales of Grain or Flour by Public Auction or otherwise, the Commission would take the same at the very highest price that was then paying in Cape Town for the finest white Bread, according to which price the value of the bread and biscuit would be paid on his application to the Corn Committee. The Commissioners scarcely deemed it necessary to point out to him the absurdity of appraising articles that could neither be bought nor sold but thro' the medium of a Special
206 Eecords of the Cape Colony.
Commission appointed by Government for preventing by every possible means that should occur to them the Calamities of a famine then impending over the Colony.
The Commissioners marked also on the Certificate of Mr. G. Eex, Marshal of the Admiralty Court, wherein it was asserted that the said Biscuit and Flour " were delivered over in order to be paid for by Government according to the appraised value thereof," that no such condition was ever mentioned or thought of on the part of the Commissioners.
Monday 12th October,
Mr. Smith, Agent for the Captors, laid before the Commission various samples of Eice that had lately been brought into the Colony in Prize Vessels.
The quantity indeed that in the course of a few days past had adventitiously been imported was so considerable that the opening of the Market for this Grain became a question of serious im- portance, at all events it was resolved that the present high price should no longer be exacted from the Inhabitants.
Mr. Smith was therefore informed " that in consideration of the very large quantities of Eice now in the Colony and the still greater quantity hourly to be expected, the Commissioners were of opinion it would be both unreasonable and unjust to continue any longer the present high price of that article to the public ; that moreover most of the specimens of Eice submitted to them appeared to be already in a perishing state from their abounding with that devouring Insect the Weevil, which in the opinion of experienced persons who had been consulted on the subject, rendered it unsafe to be kept in store many months without danger of being entirely destroyed or utterly unfit for use. Under these circumstances the Commissioners would not think them- selves warranted to offer more than four EixdoUars and six Schellings per 100 lbs. Dutch Weight for the whole quantity, payable in three Months after delivery, this being about the average price of Eice in the Colony in times of moderate plenty, as would appear to him from examining the Vendue Eolls previous to the late scarcity."
To this Tender it was replied on the part of the Captors that the price offered could not be considered by them as an adequate price,
Records of the Cape Colony. 207
and therefore they requested leave to dispose of the whole by- Public Sale, which leave was accordingly gi-anted.
Captain Venables of the Ship Pegasus having for some weeks past refused to deliver a small quantity of Brazil Eice for nine Eixdollars the hundred pounds was also permitted to bring his Eice to the open Market.
Captain Jeffrys tendered also to the Commission a quantity of Wheat and rye flour brought on an American Ship, but the prices were so exorbitant that it was thought fit to reject the offer, of which he was accordingly informed.
Thursday loth October.
In consequence of the daily influx of adventitious rice a Special Meeting was this day held to decide on the important question of taking a fixed price or entirely rejecting in future all Cargoes that should arrive in the Colony of this description ; when after due consideration of the subject it was resolved
That a free and open market should be allowed for all Eice at present in the Colony or that should hereafter be brought into the Colony in Ships not chartered by the Commission or by Govern- ment previous to the appointment of the Commission.
Sunday ISth October.
In consequence of the arrival of the Loyalist from Bengal with a Cargo of Eice consisting of 6,000 bags and amounting in weight to about 900,000 pounds, a Special Meeting was called to consider whether it might not be prudent to forward the said Ship and Cargo to England, provided the Government should see a proper opening for taking such a step.
This measure the Commissioners were decidedly and unani- mously of opinion to recommend to the Lieutenant Governor, on the following considerations :
1. Because the quantity of Eice already in the Colony amount- ing nearly to one Million of pounds was fully adequate to one year's consumption of the Inhabitants.
2. That the quantity of Wheat and Flour actually on hand were now ascertained to be a sufficient supply under the present Eegulations till the approaching Harvest, from the promising
208 Records of the Cape Colony.
appearance of which the Commissioners had well grounded hopes of a plentiful season.
3. Because it has been communicated to the Commissioners that a second Ship has been taken up by the Government of India for the purpose of dispatching to this Settlement with a Cargo of Rice, and
4, Because they have intelligence of other ships chartered by them to bring Grain into the Colony, for the speedy arrival of some of which they have formed reasonable expectations.
The Rice also on board the Loyalist being old, as specified in the Invoice and some of it very dusty as appeared from samples taken out of several bags, is by no means of a proper quality to be laid up in store, which must be the case if kept in the Colony, a twelve months consumption being already provided for.
The Lieutenant Governor approving the resolution taken by the Commissioners, Messrs. Walker & Robertson, Agents for the Ship, were applied to for their sentiments as to the measure of sending forward the Cargo of Rice to London. Their answer was that provided the price of 32/ per cwt. according to the Minute of Parliament was guaranteed to the Owners they were willing to dispatch the Ship for England. The prime cost of the Rice in India as shipped by the Board of Trade there, to be accounted for to the East India Company at the rate of 2/6 the Sicca Rupee, but that in case of loss or capture they should not take upon them the responsibility. That the Captain and Owners should be entitled to any profits over and above the 32/ should Rice bear a higher price, also to such extra Bounty as may be allowed either by the Company or Government over and above the 32/ per cwt. Captain Walton to be furnished with documents from the Government setting forth the reasons for dispatching his Vessel to England.
Monday 2&h October.
Mr. Greene delivered to the Commission his report of the Biscuit received from the Loyalist and deposited in the Magazines, from which it appeared that the nett amount weighed 37,149 pounds, and that after covering all expenses upon the same the Cost would be about ten pence the pound.
It was also reported to the Commission from Government that the Marion American had arrived with a partial supply of Rice,
Records of the Cape Colony. 209
Wheat, and Bread. The Bread as in the case of the Loyalist came to the enormous price of ten pence per pound.
The Wheat amounted to at least ten Eixdollars the Muid of 180 pounds. As the price however of Wheat has been fixed for the year by the Eegulations of the Commission at eight Eixdollars, it was determined to issue the small quantity brought on the Marion to the Bakers at the same price. The Eice brought in this Ship amounted to something more than three pence a pound. It was therefore resolved
That the Eice brought in the Marion should be issued to the Inhabitants and His Majesty's Troops at the rate of four stivers the pound, the said price to commence on the first day of delivery after the 31st of the present Month, and an advertisement to that effect was accordingly ordered to be printed.
No intelligence of the Ship Matilda having yet reached the Commissioners, which in the earliest stages of their appointment they had chartered upon the faith of the Captain, who promised to return with a Cargo of Eice not later than the Month of September provided by his Contract he should be allowed to go to Madras, where Eice was dearer but to be procured sooner than in any other part of India, and upon which consideration they were induced to close with him on the very exorbitant terms demanded for the Eice, having more dependance on this than on any other Ship taken up by them to bring a speedy relief to the Colony, they even were of opinion that altho' no limited time was specified in the engagement of the Ship Matilda yet as the sole object upon which she had been taken up and of which Capt. Hogue was well aware, namely that of briaging timely relief to the Colony by going to Madras in preference to any other Port, for which an extravagant price was agreed upon to be paid to him, the said Captain Hogue has failed to fulfil his contract ; and that the Commissioners were further of opinion to recommend to the Government to enter a protest against the said Ship Matilda provided she should not arrive on or before the 1st day of Novem- ber next, as she had in no shape contributed to remove the diffi- culties under which the Colony was labouring and upon tlie grounds of which alone and the assurances of the Captain the said Ship had been engaged.
They therefore recommended to His Honor the Lieutenant Governor that the Colonial Secretary who had made the Contract
IV. p
210 Records of the Cape Colony.
ehonld be directed to enter a Protest against the Cargo of Kice to be shipped on board the Matilda in case that Ship should not arrive on or before the first of November next.
Monday 9th Novemher.
The Matilda having arrived and Captain Hogue satisfactorily- accounted to the Commission for the delay beyond the time he had been expected to arrive, the Lieut. Governor was requested the Cargo might be admitted to an entry for the account of the Commission, some difficulties arising with regard to the payment of the same on account of the low state of the Funds, and also of the Government Treasury, Mr. Hogue agreed to receive Bills on England for the whole amount upon which the Military Paymaster Mr. Ptoss was applied to by letter to know if he could draw upon His Majesty's Paymaster General for £30,000 or thereabouts, £5,000 of which sum to be furnished immediately and the rest in the course of two or three Months, the amount drawn for to be replaced in Paper money with the same premium thereon as shall be usually paid for his Bills in the Month when they should be drawn; observing to him however that neither the Government Treasury nor the state of the funds of the Commission would allow an earlier advance than about the beginning of .January next, after which the payment for the Bills might probably be continued by monthly instalments of £5,000 each.
To this application Mr. Ptoss replied that tho' he was not authorized to draw bills for Individuals on Credit, yet on the present occasion that he should engage to draw Bills to the amount and in the manner proposed.
The Treasurer delivered in his account of the delivery of Rice purchased from the Captain of the Anna Maria, from which it appeared that the Cost and Charges amounted to 3,746 Eix- dollars and the returns to 4,600-4-3, leaving a profit on this transaction of Eds. 854-4-3. The loss in weight on 37,146 lbs. was 203i lbs.
The Lieutenant Governor notified to the Commission that the Elizabeth Indiaman had brought a supply of wheat, flour, and biscuit from England, and desired that they would take the same under their direction. The quantity according to the Report of
Records of the Cape Colony. 211
the Storekeeper was of Wheat 733 sacks or 183,250 Dutch lbs., of Flour 221 hhds. in store and 80 do. in the DiomecUy and of Biscuit 120 hhds. in the Diomede and 117 do. in store.
Tuesday 24:th November.
The Commissioners having held several Meetings and made a variety of experiments with the Wheat received from England which proved to be musty at length came to the following resolution :
That ^ part English Wheat with 35 lbs. of Bran taken out of each Muid mixed with § Cape Wheat should be issued to the Bakers at the usual Price.
The Commissioners received a letter from the Lieut. Governor requesting their opinion on the proposal of the Burgher Senate to dispose of the Public Windmills, to which it was stated in reply that " being unanimously of opinion that all Monopolies are prejudicial to the Interests of the Community, and finding no reasons to be urged against the application of this general principle to the particular instance in question they do not hesitate to recommend the measure proposed by the Burgher Senate, agreeing fully with them that a very considerable advantage will accrue to the Public from the Mills being sold under such restrictions as may be deemed proper."
The Commissioners further recommended that a general per- mission should be given for erecting Mills in any part of the Country.
Monday 7th December.
Capt. MelviUe of the India from Madras tendered to the Com- mission 3,000 bags of Rice and Mr. Hogan 500 bags at the rate of 6 EixdoUars the 100 pounds, or in case the Commissioners should not take it at that Price to allow them to dispose of the same by Public Auction, to which leave was granted.
Saturday 12th December.
Capt. Elliott of the Admiral Rainier from Bengal stated to the Commissioners that he had brought to this Settlement, in conse- quence of Lord Wellesley's recommendation, 5,000 Sacks of Wheat
p 2
212 Records of tlie Cape Colony.
Corn weighing each about 160 pounda As Capt. Elliott had taken in this Wheat expressly for the Colony and made the tender of it previous to the date that the Commissioners had fixed for reducing the price to 40 Rixdollars the load instead of 60 PdxdoUars, namely the 20th of the present Month, they considered him entitled to receive the full price as now paid to the Farmers, namely 6 Eix- dollars the Muid of 180 pounds Dutch weight, free of Customs, but delivered by Capt. Elliott at his own expense at the Grain Magazines.
In consequence of this additional supply the Commissioners came to the foUovring resolution :
That a public advertisement be immediately issued giving Notice that all the Inhabitants of eveiy description should now receive their full pound of bread each every day in the week except on Sundays when Eice would continue to be served out as usual.
Monday \AiJi Decemher.
Some difficulties having occurred with regard to the payment of the Wheat received from Capt. Elliott, Mr. Pringle the Agent of the East India Company proposed to send out of the Colonial Stores a quantity of Copper to India for account of the East India Company and to give Capt. Elliott Bills on them for the amount ; the deficiency he also proposed to make up by private Bills on India ; and to receive payment for both these at a future period, which proposal was accordingly accepted.
Monday 28th Decemher.
Various complaints having been made to the Commission against the Kice brought in the Matilda on account of the extraordinary quantity of dust contained in it, and a Committee in consequence being appointed to examine and report upon the same, delivered in their statement at this Meeting accordingly.
From this statement it appeared that the quantity of dust beyond that which is usually thrown into the bags by way of preserving the Rice was nearly 2 per cent. Mr. Hogue therefore agreed that a deduction should be made upon the whole Cargo of
Records of the Cape Colony. 213
2' per cent. This deduction with the Tare being made, the Nett weight received into Store according to Mr. Fleck's receipt was 1,000,059 lbs., amounting at 9^ Eixdollars the 100 lbs. to 152,005 liixdollars, or allowiijg 20 per cent premium for Bills to £25,334 sterling, which sum -was furnished by the Deputy Paymaster Genei-al, the amount to be returned in paper money with the said premium of 20 per cent.
His Honor the Lieut. Governor having signified thro' the Secretary his intention of dissolving the Commission on the 31st of January 1802, and desired that the necessary steps might be taken to that end, it was resolved that a letter should be written to His Honor stating that " having lost no time in taking into due consideration His Honor's Message, when it appeared to them that the first step to decide upon was
" 1. The opening the Market for Wheat Corn, or
" 2. The continuance of the price of 43 Eixdollars the load as fixed upon by Proclamation of the 13th February.
" On the general principle of a free and open market being preferable to a monopoly, the Commissioners entertained but one opinion, but the peculiar circumstances under which this Colony is placed furnished many strong and apparently insurmountable objections against the policy of throwing open the market at this moment. For although the Farmer might perhaps be fully as well satisfied with 30 Eixdollars for his Corn if brought to a free and open market as with 40 when constrained to deliver it at a certain time and place, yet the privileged Bakers of the town not being prepared as usual as to conveniencies for receiving a large stock on hand or with money to pay for the same, could only take a very small portion of the Corn that would be brought up to town in the Months of February, March, and April, when more than three fourths of the Harvest are sent in. The rest would be bought upon speculation at a low rate perhaps for feeding horses, hogs, and poultry, and a scarcity in all probability would again be felt in the latter part of the year, notwithstanding the abundant Crops in every part of the Country.
" It was therefore the unanimous opinion of the Commissioners, that if such means could be devised as would enable the existing Corn Committee appointed by Proclamation of the 22nd December 1800 to continue to the Farmers the Price of 43 Eixdollars the Load as fixed by Proclamation of tlie 13th February, it would not
214 Records of the Cape Colony.
only secure to the Inhabitants a supply of Com equal to their wants and bread at a reasonable price, but would in all probability prevent a great deal of confusion and mischief The only objection that appears to the carrying on of the functions of the Com Com- mittee is the indispensible necessity of having a fund of money to pay for the Grain, the bulk of which as before mentioned is brought up in the course of two or three Months : the Farmer living at a distance has always been accustomed to receive payment for his Com on delivery.
" Having taken these circumstances into due consideration the Commissioners are of opinion, and they take the liberty to recommend it as an unobjectionable measure, that a new fabrication of paper money to a certain extent should be sanctioned by Government in order to be placed in the hands of the said Corn Committee for the express purpose of purchasing Wheat Com, on condition that the like sum of paper money should be destroyed as the Corn is delivered out of the Magazine to the Bakers, the new issue being thus considered as nothing further than a temporary and mutual accommodation between the Government and the Inhabitants, and in no wise meant to encrease the present Capital of paper money now in circulation. And as His Honor the Lieutenant Governor has been pleased to state that many difficulties have occurred under the present circumstances of the Colony as to the payment of a Cargo of Eice brought in the Matilda, the Commissioners are of opinion with the Lieutenant Governor that as a part of the said Cargo was assigned for the use of the Colony, and had been engaged for at a time when the calamities of a famine were threatening the Country, it appears but reasonable and just the said portion of rice should be left in charge of the Com Committee as a stock for the use of the Colony as originally intended, the cost price of the said rice to be replaced in the Government Treasury of the new fabrication of paper money proposed to be issued.
" For this double purpose of enabling the Com Committeie to purchase and store a quantity of wheat and to pay for the portion of the Matilda's Cargo assigned for the use of the Inhabitants, independent of the Army and Navy the Commissioners are of opinion that a sum not less than 180,000 EixdoUars (namely 100,000 for the Wheat and 80,000 for the Eice) should be ordered to be stamped and signed with all possible dispatch and under the
Records of the Ca'pe Colony. 215
conditions before mentioned, which they are further of opinion will tend to promote the general interest and benefit of the Colony."
Monday 4:th January 1802.
The Storekeeper of the Grain Magazines delivered in his report of the quantity of Wheat received into store from the Admiral Rainier, from which it appeared that there were received into the Granaries 4,987 bags weighing Nett 738,076 lbs., or 4,100 Muids of 180 lbs. each, at 6 Eixdollars the Muid, amounting to 24,600 Eixdollars or £4,100 Sterling.
The continual demands upon the funds of the Corn Committee, especially that for the Eice brought in the Matilda, rendering it impossible to discharge this above account immediately, Mr. Pringle the East India Company's Agent undertook to pay Capt. Elliott the above sum in a bill on India for 32,800 Sicca Eupees, for which he was to receive in return Copper out of the Colonial Store amounting to £1,479-18-9;^ and Bill on England for £2,620-1-21, total £4,100.
It was also reported that there had been received into the Granaries from the Ship Henry Dundas belonging to Messrs. Walker & Eobertson 47,675 lbs. of Eice amounting to Eds. 4,941-2.
Wednesday the 27th.
The Commissioners met this day for the purpose of closing their proceedings, and disposing of the remaining stock of Bread provisions on hand, when the following arrangements were made:
Wheat. — The remaining part of the Wheat purchased from the Admiral Rainier at 60 Eixdollars the Load to be given over to the Corn Committee at the fixed price of 43 Eixdollars the Load, and also any other Wheat remaining on hand.
Flour. — As much of the remains of the American flour as makes up the proportion assigned for the Inhabitants independent of the Army and Navy to be given over to the Corn Committee at prime cost, and disposed of according to the Eegulations made by the Ikirgher Senate. The remainder, being the share calculated lor the use of the Troops, to be taken by the Commissary General
216
Records of the Cape Colony.
at prime cost. The English flour brought by the Elizabeth, of which no Invoice has been received, to be taken also by the Commissary General.
Biscuit, — All the Biscuit received from India and also from England to be delivered into the charge of the Commissary General.
KiCE. — The proportion of this Grain brought in the Matilda assigned for the use of the Inhabitants, namely 800,000 pounds, to be laid apart in a Warehouse. Two years supply for 5,000 Men at the rate of two pounds a week, or 1,000,000 lbs., to be delivered over to the Commissary General, and the rest to be sold by Public Auction for whatever it will fetch.
Signed in the Burgher Senate House the 30th January 1802.
(Signed) Eoger Curtis, A. Barnard, O. G. DE Wet, W. S. VAN Eyneveld, John Hooke Greene, P. L. Cloete, J. J. Vos, John Barrow.
[Original.] Letter from Mr. John Holland to Lord Hobart.
Vice Admiralty Court, Cape of Good Hope, \st February 1802.
My Lord, — It appearing that the American Ship Joseph will touch at the Isle of Wight, I embrace the opportunity of sub- mitting to Your Lordship that it will be necessary some Provision should be made either by an Article of the Definitive Treaty or such other Method as His Majesty's Ministers shall in their wisdom think proper, for the Termination of Causes pending in the Vice Admiralty Court of this Colony and that will not in all Probability be finally determined upon previous to the Surrender of the Cape.
The Matters I particularly allude to are Cases standing for
Recmxls of the Cape Colony. 217
Claims, and Causes not yet brought to^ hearing that may eventually stand in the same Predicament. Also in Cases of Appeal, where Property has been delivered over on Security of Dutch Inhabitants to abide the Event of the Appeal, over whom the Court will cease to have Jurisdiction, unless specially provided for. Like Securities have also been taken for Letters of Marque and other Purposes necessaiy to the Proceedings of the Court.
I should further submit to your Lordship that it will be necessary in Cases of Confirmation of Sentences of this Court by the High Court of Appeals, their Lordships will be pleased to retain, and not remit those Cases as is customary on like Occasions, by reason of the Proceeds having been hitherto remitted to the Bank of England according to the Tenor of the Prize Act, and that those Sums which are not yet brought in to the Eegistry will be remitted in like manner as soon as they shall have been received.
I humbly conceive it will meet with the approbation of Government that the Eecords of the Court should be trans- mitted to the Eegistry of the High Court of Admiralty, and unless Directions are forwarded to me on that Head, I shall adopt such a measure previous to quitting the Colony.
I have &c.
(Signed) John Holland.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Lokd Hobaet to Lieutenant Genekal Francis Dundas.
Downing Street, \2th February 1802.
Sir, — Some circumstances having occurred which render it not improbable that the negotiation at Amiens may be interrupted, I have received His Majesty's Commands to direct, that you will cause the utmost circumspection to be employed for guarding against the consequences of the possible recurrence of Hostility ; that you will with this view issue the most positive directions for the observance of the strictest discipline and vigilance in every
218 Records of the Cape Colomj.
department of the Service, regulating the whole of your Conduct by a cautious regard to the British Interests in the Security of the important Colony under your Government. I have &c.
(Signed) Hobart.
[Copy.] Government Advertisement.
Whereas it has appeared that notwithstanding the abundant Crops of Barley of the present Season in this Settlement, large quantities of which have already been brought up and sold to Individuals in the Market in Cape Town, a small part only has as yet been delivered at the Store of the Commissary General of the quantities fixed by the Commissioners to be delivered by each Farmer in the Districts of Stellenbosch and the Cape, for the use of His Majesty's Troops. Notice is hereby given that should the due performance of this obligation be omitted, or the full portion of each Farmer's Share of Grain fail to be delivered in the course of the present Month of March, His Honor the Lieutenant Governor will direct after the 1st of April next, Detachments of His Majesty's Troops to be stationed at the Houses of such Farmers as shall have neglected to pay a due attention to this order, there to live at free quarters until the required quantity of Grain shall have been brought up and delivered, or proper and satisfactory reasons assigned for the non compliance with the indispensable regulations upon this subject.
Given in the Castle of Good Hope this 3rd day of March 1802.
By Command of His Honor the Lieutenant Governor. (Signed) A. Barnard, Secretary.
[Copy.] Government Advertisement.
Whereas certain persons who applied for a part of the loan lately issued through the Lombard Bank have not appeared to take up the several Sums of money affixed to their names by the
Records of the Cape Colony. 219
Commissioners appointed to examine the lists, Notice is hereby- given that unless the said persons shall make application for the same before the 12th of the present Month they will after that day- be considered to have forfeited their claim to any part of the said loan, and the several sums intended for their use -will be appro- priated to other persons who have made application for them.
Castle of Good Hope, 5th March 1802.
By Command of His Honor the Lieutenant and Acting Governor.
(Signed) H. Eoss, Deputy Secretary.
[Original.]
Letter from Vice Admiral Cuiitis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
Lancaster, Table Bay, Cape of Good Hope, dth March 1802.
Sir, — The PeTiguin which was sent to the Isle of France as mentioned in my Letter of the 20th December last, to notify the exchange of the Eatification of the Preliminary Articles of Peace to the Governour, and to recommend to him to restrain the Sailing of any Vessel from that Island for the purpose of committing any further hostility, returned from thence on the 12th ultimo. The Penguin arrived at the Isle of Prance the 20th January, and by her I received a Letter from the Governour dated the same day, containing the following Paragraph :
" Votre Excellence pent etre assuree que des ce moment aucune expedition Hostile ne seront Faites dans mon Gouvernement contre le Votre."
Captain Bouverie of the Penguin informed me there were three Privateers belonging to the Isle of France then at Sea ; and two fitting in the Port which would soon have sailed, had not the news of Peace arrived, and of which no intelligence had been sent from France. Captain Bouverie further informed me, the news he carried appeared to give very general satisfaction, and that he was treated with great hospitality, politeness, and attention.
In my Letter of the 20th December last, I stated my reasons for detaining here the Eindostan Storeship. The period of the return of the NW Monsoon being fast approaching, which will
220 Records of the Cape Colony.
oblige the Ships of the Squadron to repair to Simons Bay, I have come to the resolution of embarking immediately on board the Hindostan the Naval Stores which are here, although I have received no instructions to that effect ; because, were it not done before the time comes when we must of necessity take shelter in the other Bay, they could not be taken off until the latter end of the month of September next, before which Ships cannot with any safety ride in Table Bay : And I flatter myself my conduct herein will meet with their Lordships approbation. I hope the Hindostan, or at all events that Ship and the Ships of War, will be able to contain all the Naval Stores both here and in Simons Bay. There are some Articles which it will be more advantageous to His Majesty's Service to dispose of here, than to remove.
We have here a vast quantity of Salted Provisions ; but as I particularly stated the same to the Commissioners of the Victual- ling in a Letter dated the 26th May last, and reminded them of it in a Letter of the 18th of last December, suitable instructions will doubtless be sent concerning it. I am &c.
(Signed) Roger Curtis.
(
[Copy.] Government Advertisement.
His Honor the Lieutenant and Acting Governor has found it necessary (in order to prevent improper applications relative to the exportation of East India goods from this Settlement) to inform the public that all goods or merchandize brought from the east- ward, under the license of the Hon'ble East India Company, to this port, for the consumption of the Settlement, cannot be exported from hence without a special licence obtained from the Hon'ble Court of Directors in London, or their Governments in India, for that purpose. Consequently any application by memorial or petition of His Honor the Lieutenant and Acting Governor, with a view to obtain such indulgence, cannot be attended to.
Castle of Good Hope, 11th March 1802.
By Command of His Honor the Lieutenant and Acting Governor.
(Signed) A. Barnard, Secretary.
Records of the Cape Colony. 221
[Original.]
Letter from Brigadier General Vandeleur arid others to . Lieutenant General Dundas.
Castle of Good Hope, IQth March 1802.
Sir, — We do ourselves the honor of transmitting to Your Excellency the Proceedings of the Enquiry instituted by His Majesty's Commands, and which we have pursued according to the Instructions contained in your Letter of the 24th October last.
Your Excellency on perusing those Reports and the accom- panying Papers will certainly perceive that almost every Person whom we have been led to examine is more or less implicated in the Transactions which they might be able to elucidate, and that therefore the Evidence they have given is not perhaps so full and explicit as Your Excellency and His Majesty's Ministers may expect. We can however assert with the greatest confidence that no exertion has been left untried on our parts to realize what was expected from our endeavours.
We have only further to explain to Your Excellency that owing to the difficulty of obtaining several points of information, and the time necessary for copying the Papers, &c., together with the Official duties of the Commissioners which could not be dispensed with, we have not been able to complete our duties sooner.
We have &c.
(Signed) Thos. P. Vandeleur, Brigadier General, John Pringle, Commissary General, W. S. van Ryneveld, Fiscal, Edward Buckley, Civil Paymaster, John Barrow, Auditor General.
[Original.]
Report of the Commissioners appo'lnted to investigate certain Cliarycs against SiR George Yonge.
The undersigned Commissioners appointed by Proclamation of the 22nd October 1801, to Enquire into certain abuses said to have taken place during the Administration of Sir George Yonge,
222 Records of the Cape Colony.
having held several meetings for the purpose of Collecting and Arranging such Documents as appeared to them necessary for assisting their investigation of the several points laid before them by Lieut. General Dundas, Lieutenant Governor, &c., &c,, and contained in a minute of the Eight Honorable Lord Hobart, one of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, and having examined such evidences as appeared material to substantiate or invalidate the Charges submitted for their investigation ; deliver their report upon the same in the order of the Charges exhibited upon the aforesaid minute.
FiKST Charge.
An Infraction of the Sth Article of the Capitulation under which the Colony was Surrendered to His Majesty, namely in imposing New Taxes, and Augmenting those already established, particu- larly in the Instance of Licenses for Killing Game and for Billiard Tables, in extending the Stamp Duties and by a new tax on Grain and Spirits to the great dissatisfaction and Injury of the Inhabitants.
It appears to the Commissioners that the first Act of Sir George Yonge's Government which gave a great degree of offence and general dissatisfaction was the shutting up of the public garden.
This happened almost immediately after his arrival in the Colony, and at a Season of the Year, the middle of Summer, when the Inhabitants were accustomed to Enjoy the refreshing coolness of the Shady walks, the only Avenues of the kind in the vicinity of the Town.
This tacit but effectual interdiction from entering the Garden being loudly complained against, was at length followed up by a public order of the Government issued thro' the Colonial Secretary (A No. 1) explanatory of the reasons that had induced the Governor to adopt this measure, the principal of which was that of putting the whole into a state of repair, and altho' permission was given to all decent persons to enter the Garden on the condition of writing down their names in the Guard house at the entrance of the principal Gate, very few seemed willing to purchase as an indulgence what they had always considered as a right, on such Conditions, however reasonable they might appear.
The enquiries of the Commissioners being directed to ascertain
Records of the Gape Colony. 223
the General Opinion as to the extent and meaning of the Com- pany's Garden, as it is usually called, have led them to conclude that, though the shutting up in the first instance and the restric- tions afterwards imposed on opening this public walk, cannot be considered as a direct Violation of any of the Articles of the Capitulation under which this Settlement surrendered to His Majesty's Arms, yet it was nevertheless a breach of an ancient privilege enjoyed from time immemorial not only by the Inhabi- tants but also by strangers and persons of every description as appeared to them from the information of several old and respec- table natives, and from the Depositions of two of the Members of the Burgher Senate (A No. 2) who were examined on this subject.
Licences to he taken out for keeping Billiard Tables, holding Clubs & Societies, &c., &c.
The Second Act which appears to militate against the terms of the 9 th Article of the Capitulation and which is specifically adverted to in the Charge now under consideration, is contained in the proclamation of the 19th February 1800 (A No. 3) direct- ing that a return of all Clubs and other Societies should be made to the Secretary's Office, under the penalty of Five hundred Eix- doUars in case of neglect or refusal ; and that no Club or Society should hereafter be held, without taking out an annual licence for the same, and also paying the sum of Twenty-five Eixdollars for such licence, and that any person or persons found to hold meet- ings or to allow any Club or other Society of any Description to assemble in his or their houses without such licence, should for the first Offence pay a sum of Five Hundred rixdoUars, for the Second Offence their house and property should be confiscated and themselves banished from the Colony.
And the same Proclamation also directs that no person or persons shall be at liberty to keep a public billiard table, unless they shall have previously obtained permission from His Majesty's Fiscal and have paid the sum of Fifty Eixdollars into the hands of His Majesty's Eeceiver General, And moreover that all persons not having such licence shall have his Billiard table confiscated and also forfeit the sum of Five Hundred Eixdollars over and above the penalty declared to be inflicted on persons holding Clubs or meeting's without licence.
224 Records of tJie Cape Colony.
Altho' the Commissioners are fully aware that the imposing and exacting payment for licences to hold Clubs or Societies and for keeping billiard tables, as they have ascertained to have been carried into effect in many instances, is against the letter of the 9th Article of the Capitulation, which expressly says that no new Taxes shall be imposed, yet they think it their duty at the same time to state that the Operation of this Act, being confined merely to certain regulations for the improvement of the Police of the Town, affecting only a very few individuals and evidently intended to promote and maintain good order and to discourage idleness, was neither offensive to the Inhabitants, nor productive of any Oppression or mischief, on the contrary it might rather perhaps be considered as a wise and proper check against disorderly meet- ings, gambling and dissipation.
The Commissioners moreover cannot forbear taking notice that the Burgher Senate, the usual channel through which the represen- tations of the Inhabitants are conveyed to Government, did not in any shape interfere on this Occasion.
Game Laws.
Another act however of Sir George Yonge's Administration was considered as a direct Violation of the 9th Article of the Capitu- lation, against which among several other grievances, the Burgher Senate remonstrated in their meeting of the 9th September 1800. This was the establishment of certain Rules and Eegulations ordered to be observed with regard to the killing of Game, and the taking out from the Secretary's Office an annual licence or qualification for that purpose, for each of which licences was exacted the sum of Five RixdoUars, the neglect or transgression of the said regulations to be punished with certain penalties as specified in the Proclamation of the 15th July 1800 (A No. 4).
The Commissioners on directing their Enquiries into the subject of killing game, found that certain regulations and restrictions on that head did exist in the former Government, but had of late years nearly, if not entirely, fallen into disuse ; and these were principally intended to establish a limitation with regard to the time of killing Game, which limitation was meant to extend only to a certain distance from the Capital ; for it appears, that Game both large and small are found in such abundance in the distant
Records of the Cape Colony. 225
parts of the Colony, that any prohibition or restriction against their being destroyed would be attended with very material injury to the Farmers dwelling in those parts, as is stated to have been the case in the present instance where the prohibition was made General. Exclusive of the difference in the old and new law, the restrictions contained in Sir George Yonge's proclamation do not exactly coincide with those originally laid down by the Dutch Government ; It appears however from the letter of the Burgher Senate above alluded to (A No 5) that the new Eegulations were not considered by that Board of such a grievous tendency as to require their being done away; for they have even approved of every part of the Proclamation except that which exacts the pay- ment of Five rixdoUars for the annual licence to kill Game, which they consider as a new and direct tax upon the Colony.
Many complaints however against the new Game laws proceeded from the Farmers of the interior districts of the Settlement. These people having always been in the unrestrained habit of killing every species of Game, not merely as an amusement, but for the Subsistence of their numerous families in order to spare their Stock of Sheep and Cattle, and also in many places to prevent their Fields of grain from destruction, found themselves extremely aggrieved by the restrictions now imposed. Their Complaints it appears were at length attended to, for on the 6th of November 1800 an Advertisement from the Government (A No. 6) was made public, modifying the restrictions laid down in the aforesaid Proclamation, but the tax on granting licences continued to be levied.
Additional Tithes on Colonial Produce, &c.
From the foregoing acts of Sir George Yonge, and some others that do not properly fall under the first article of charges, a great degree of ill will and a general discontent seemed to prevail among the Inhabitants, which was still further increased by the Proclama- tion of the 14th August 1800 (A No. 7).
In this Proclamation it was directed that the tythes upon every product in the Colony, subject to duty, should be levied and collected by the person appointed for that purpose, in proportion to the market prices of the Town, with an exception however that on every article delivered to Government the tythes should be
IV. Q
226 Records of (he Cape Coloni/.
levied in proportion to the price paid by Government; and the same Proclamation further directs that every leaguer or pipe of Brandy brought into Cape Town shall be subject to the tythe or impost of Six rixdollars the leaguer instead of three rixdoUars the tythe usually levied upon that article. And by the same Proclamation the Collector of the Tythes is authorised to open and examine all kegs or leaguers previous to his receiving the duties thereon and allowing the same to pass into the Town.
Wine Tasting Departm&nt.
And moreover on the 25th of the same month another Proclama- tion (A No. 8) was issued ordering and establishing an entire new Department of a very grievous, oppressive and vexatious nature, totally unheard of in the Colony before. By this Act was created a sort of excise and an authority to examine and taste all wines and spirituous liquors whether Manufactured in or imported into this Settlement. The Officers appointed to carry into effect the Orders and Instructions contained in this Proclamation were Kichard Blake Esquire the Governor's private Secretary Chief Taster and examiner of wines, and Arend de Waal Esquire Eeceiver General Deputy Taster and examiner of the same, to whom were given full Powers and Authority to enter into taste and examine the same in any cellar, warehouse, public house, or any place whatsoever where wines and Brandy or other liquors are Sold, either wholesale or Eetail, and by Virtue of the said Procla- mation the Taster and Deputy Taster of wines and Brandy are empowered to stop all waggons bringing wine or brandy to Town and to open and taste the said wine. Brandy or other liquors, and in case they should be of Opinion that the same were of an inferior quality to destroy them upon the spot.
The Commissioners conceive it to be unnecessary for them to enter into any detail as to the Operation of the two last mentioned proclamations upon the public mind ; particularly as the Grievan- ces and inconveniences resulting from these meatiures axe Stated at full length in the general letter of the Burgher Senate of the 9th September (A No. 5). They cannot however avoid remarking that notwithstanding the Representations made in the said letter to the Governor on the subject of opening the Casks at the Barrier,
I
Records of the Ca^ye Colony. 227
which appear to them to be just and reasonable, and that the dispensing with the Order of Opening the Casks would in no shape frustrate the intention held out by the said Proclamation, namely the melioration of the wines and Spirits made in or imported into the Colony, and the prevention of bad and unwhole- some wines and Spirits being Vended, yet the Commissioners do not find that any public order was given to discontinue the practice, which with some modifications as appears from the Deposition of Arend de Waal the Deputy Taster, was continued until the whole proclamation was revoked by another of the 26th August 1801 under the Administration of the present Lieutenant Governor Lieutenant General Dundas.
It appears to the Commissioners that they have now gone over the most material points in which during the Administration of Sir George Yonge the Stipulations made in the 9 th Article of the Capitulation have been actually infringed, but others still remain for their investigation, not less important in their nature than any of the foregoing, wherein very strong attempts were made to Violate the rights of the Inhabitants and trample on the estab- lished usage of the country.
Attempt to grant in property the public lands mortgaged for the Paper Currency, tfcc, &c.
An instance of this kind appears in the correspondence of Sir George Yonge with the Burgher Senate, (Bundle marked B) on the subject of granting in perpetuity to Mr, Duckitt the Agricul- turist a number of places or public grounds amoimting to more than 1000 acres, which were actually surveyed and which do not include the slip of land between twenty and thirty miles in length, nor the whole of Paarden Island.
A notification to this effect was first communicated to the Burgher Senate by Mr. Barnard the Colonial Secretary in a letter of the 24th March (B No 1) transmitting diagrams of the same and signifying to them the Governor's Commands, that they should without delay appoint the usual deputation, to proceed to the said places or grounds, then and there to examine whether they could be granted without any prejudice to Government, to the public or to the adjacent places.
In this letter was enclosed the petition of Mr. Duckitt, wherein
228 Records of the Cape Colony.
he states that " being ordered by Government to be Established here, he had lost no time in proceeding to carry his instructions into execution, Accordingly he had undertaken to Cultivate the Farm called Clapmuts as an experimental farm, that he also found it necessary to have the use of the Government place in Sweet milk Valley as change of pasture for his Cattle, that he had begun to fulfil the intentions of Government, and that he had stepped forward in a very important branch of the public service, and that he humbly hoped he was therefore entitled to some reward, of which he was assured when he left England, and therefore Submit- ted for the Governor's consideration, that as Mr. Dundas had assured him that he had spoken to His Excellency on the subject of granting him something which he might enjoy as his own, and that as His Excellency had full Powers he had only to present his request that having been fixed on his arrival in a place at Simons Town, which had proved very convenient, and which he was desirous of retaining, humbly prayed for a permanent grant of the same, adding thereto the Slip of land extending to Cape Point, and moreover as His Excellency was desirous that a reward should be granted to him for his services of such a nature as to further the grand object of encouraging agriculture, he had there- fore well examined such places near the Metropolis as appeared to him capable of Improvement and humbly begged leave to request a permanent grant of certain places " (which he enumer- ates) amounting as before mentioned to 1000 acres.
This Petition of Mr. Duckitt was endorsed "Mr. Duckitt's Petition for Grant of Lands approved Geo. Yonge, a commission to be appointed to report without delay."
Before the Commissioners proceed to notice the Steps taken by the Burgher Senate on this application, they cannot forbear remarking, that Mr. Duckitt, having been a very short space of time in the Colony, and made no sort of returns whatsoever, nor even put a plough into the ground, (whatever he may have done since) for the large sums of money with which he had been fur- nished from the Colonial Treasury, amounting as appears from the accounts of the Receiver General to more than Forty thousand Eix- doUars ; they are very much at a loss to State the nature of the Services alluded to by Mr. Duckitt ; They also think it proper to remark that the slip of land extending to the Cape Point and Petitioned for by Mr. Duckitt in addition to the rest is a chain of
Records of the Cape Colony. 229
hilly ground from twenty to thirty miles in length, and the only spot upon which the Inhabitants of Simons Town can turn out their Cattle to Graze and which is of still greater importance the cattle of those who in the winter Season carry supplies to His Majesty's Squadron and other ships lying in the Bay.
The letter of the Colonial Secretary and Mr. Duckitt's Petition were accompanied or very shortly followed by a letter from Sir George Yonge to the Burgher Senate (B No 2) wherein he states for their further and better direction and information, that the said Petition and Order for granting the said lands was in pursuance of jiersonal directions which he had himself received from Mr. Dundas previous to his departure from England, and in Obedience to his Commands signified in person to Mr. Duckitt at the time of his departure ; and having thought it proper to give them this infor- mation, he had only to desire that the necessary Steps may be taken with as much dispatch as possible.
The Burgher Senate having called a meeting in consequence of the above recited application and read the Petition and accom- panying letters, resolved " to appoint no such deputation, but to make against granting the said places, or any of them, such Eepresentations and Protestations" as are stated in their letter {\^ No. 3), the substance of which was that "having received His Excellency's Commands to appoint a deputation to examine certain places (which they enumerate) in order to cause the same to be granted to Mr. Duckitt, no small scruples had occurred to them, in considering the nature of the grant intended to be made, as by such grant the lands might be alienated which according to the 8th Article of the Capitulation were most solemnly and effectually mortgaged for the paper money circulating in the Colony, so much so that their respectful Opinion was that so long as the Capitula- tion existed, or was in force. Government had not the power of making any permanent Grant of the said Lands or any of them, to any person whatsoever, on which account they were assured His Excellency would not further require of them to commit an act which in its nature could not be considered otherwise than as unlawful and inconsistent."
To this Memorial of the Burgher Senate, the Governor replied by letter of the 2nd April (B No 4) directing that his Orders for examining the places enumerated in Mr .Duckitt's Petition should be Obeyed without further delay ; to which the Burgher Senate
230 Records of the Cape Colony.
replied that " being honoured with his Excellency's letter, in which he was pleased to state that the only answer His Excellency thought fit to give to their Memorial was that, having sent directions to them to depute a commission for the purpose of reporting to him whether the lands petitioned for in the paper referred to them were Government lands or not, or had been granted away, he expected his orders to be obeyed without further delay, they (the Burgher Senate) took the liberty to say that all the lands in question were Government lands and were by Capitulation Mortgaged for the paper money circulating in the Colony, and that they never have been either wholly or in part, nor can be, granted away without real injury to the Government, to public credit, and to the Inhabi- tants at large, and that as every member of their board was personally acquainted with the said grounds and their relative circumstances, a commission to inspect the same would be super- fluous; and they hoped His Excellency would consider this Declaration as a satisfactory answer to His Excellency's letter."
Sir George in reply to this letter expressed himself satisfied respecting the Government places petitioned for by Mr. Duckitt, and desired that the Petition transmitted to their Board should be returned to him, an attested copy of which was accordingly delivered.
The Commissioners are not in possession of any facts to establish Sir George's intention as to the manner of proceeding after the refusal of the Burgher Senate to conform with the preliminary steps usually taken when grants of land are under consideration ; but it was generally understood, and the Deposition of the Colonial Secretary (B No 5) tends to confirm the Opinion, that he meant to carry his point by an extraordinary stretch of power ; whatever his intention might have been, time was not allowed him to carry it into effect. The last reply of the Burgher Senate is dated the 14th of April, on the 20th of which month Sir George Yonge received His Majesty's commands to resign the Government into the hands of Lieut. General Dundas.
Fixing a Maximum on the produce of Industry.
Another attempt at innovation appears from a Letter of Sir George Yonge addressed to the Burgher Senate on the 2nd Decem- ber 1800 (C No 1) wherein he orders them to make out and lay before him without delay a list of all kinds of Provisions and live
Records of the Cape Colony. 231
stock with whicK the Inhabitants of the town are supplied by the farmers and to fix a fair and reasonable price to be paid for each of the said articles, it being his intention to cause the same to be made public and observed till further Orders.
The reasoning urged by the Burgher Senate upon this subject, in their reply (C No 2) against the measure proposed for fixing a maximum on the produce of Industry leaves nothing further for the Commissioners to add thereon, and they are led to suppose the justness and propriety of their arguments more sufficiently con- vincing to prevail on Sir George to abandon this measure, as it does not appear that he persisted in carrying the same into execution, except indeed with regard to grain, the scarcity of which article and the necessity of Government taking the whole into its own hands made such a Step inevitable.
Extension of the Stamp duties.
In respect to that part of the charge which states as a breach of the 9th Article of the Capitulation, an extension of the Stamp duties, the Commissioners after due and diligent Enquiries do not find that part of the charge substantiated, unless indeed the taking out licences for killing Game, holding Clubs and Societies and keeping billiard tables, obtaining also permission for cutting wood, all of which licences and permissions were directed to be written on Stamped paper, may be considered under this head. In all other instances to the best of their knowledge the Stamps were continued without alteration.
Prohibition from cutting timber.
It has further appeared to the Commissioners, that an order was given by: Sir George Yonge to the Colonial Secretary to suspend the granting of Licences for cutting wood after the usual manner, in any of the extensive Forests of the Colony as it was his intention to make some new regulations on that head. No licences were accordingly granted for several months, nor a stick allowed to be cut. The consequences of such a prohibition were ruinous and oppressive to the families residing near the edge of the Forests, whose sole occupation is that of cutting wood, and vexatious and highly inconvenient to the Inhabitants of the Town.
232 Hecords of the Cape Colony.
1
At length a Proclamation was issued appointing certain Com- missioners of Woodlands, and directing many new Eegulations to be observed, most of them apparently frivolous in themselves, yet attended with trouble and inconveniency, and some of them wholly impracticable.
As however the subject of the woodlands forms a part of a specific charge in the Minute of the Eight Honorable the Secre- tary of State, the Commissioners pass over for the present the regulations laid down in the said Proclamation, reserving the subject for further investigation, when their enquiries shall be directed to elucidate the different points specified in the said charge, with some of which the woodlands appeared to be in- timately connected.
Second Charge.
The Commissioners are of opinion that the subjects contained in this Charge may be considered as divided into three distinct heads, namely,
1st. The Contract for Serving His Majesty's Troops with Butcher meat.
2nd. The monopoly for serving Cape Town with timber, and other Monopolies.
3rd. The Hire of the Ship Young Nicholas.
1st. Contract for serving His Majesty's Troops with Bntcher meat.
The Commissioners proceeded to take into consideration the meat Contract concluded between the Commissary General and Mr. Duckitt, and received from the former the accompanying correspondence on that subject, marked (D No. 1), to which they refer.
They then examined Mr. Eyneveld His Majesty's Fiscal, and Mr. Pringle the Commissary General, from whom they received the following information which these Gentlemen have sub- stantiated on oath, viz : —
It has always been the custom for the Commissary General to act conjointly with the Fiscal in all matters of importance, where the Colony was concerned, and particularly in the disposal of the Meat and Bread Contracts, in order to prevent the public at large
Becoi'ds of the Cape Colony. 233
from suffering by any injudicious arrangement where the General interest might not be sufficiently considered ; and in nothing does this obligation so forcibly operate as in the supply of meat.
The districts of this Colony where cattle and sheep are bred being at a distance of at least 500 miles from Cape Town, it is incumbent to give sufficient time to the Contractor to procure his supply of Cattle, therefore so early at least as the month of September 1800, the Commissary General spoke to Sir George Yonge and public notice was accordingly given that a Contract for 1801 would be publicly disposed of on the first of the next month. It had however been previously determined that unless 2^ lbs. were offered for one Schelling, the business would be postponed in order to use every exertion to obtain that quantity.
The Mscal and the Commissary General both attended, but not succeeding in their expectation, the Contract was not granted to any one. Various Endeavours were made to Engage some person or other to come to reasonable terms between that period and the 2Gth of the following November, when the contract was again publicly put up to sale, but with no better success than before, the Butchers appearing afraid to engage in so uncertain an undertaking as this was considered owing to a great drought in the Upper Country, together with the unsettled state of all that part of it towards the Caffre Frontier.
Two pounds had been publicly offered for one Schelling on the 26th November, and 2\ to the Fiscal in private shortly afterwards, which he reported to His Excellency, who answered wait a little.
On the 12th of December Sir George Yonge wrote to the Commissary General inclosing proposals made to him by Mr. Duckitt.
Copies of all this correspondence are annexed marked Qi) No. 1) and are sufficiently explanatory with respect to the Commissary General, But the Fiscal adds, that His Excellency sent for him at this period, and informed him that he had an offer of 2^ lbs. for a Schelling just the same as the Inhabitants got, which the Fiscal immediately advised Sir George to accept, as it was as much as could possibly be expected.
On leaving the Government House, he called at Mr. Pringle's [who was confined to the house] and congratulated him on this event, which so effectually removed the Embarrassment under which this important affair laboured ; but his Surprise was extreme
234 Records of the Cape Colony.
when the Commissary General shewed him Mr. Duckitt's proposals, so very different from what Sir George had stated, and on which misrepresentation the Fiscal had given his cordial assent.
The Fiscal and the Commissary General were both most firmly persuaded that serious mischief would be the result of a contingent price, and at the same time were intimately convinced that Mr. Duckitt who had so recently come to this country, alike ignorant of its language, manners and resources, could only be the instru- ment in other hands, the mere cover of future plots for raising the price of meat which a contingent contract afforded the easiest, if not the only means of accomplishing ; they were led to this belief by various reasons, but chiefly from understanding that Mr. Duckitt was to be connected with Messrs. Sebastian and Jacobus van Eeenen two men of doubtful character to say the least of them, and of known disaffection to the British Government and its interests.
The Commissary General wrote to His Excellency, and the Fiscal waited upon him to represent the danger likely to result from a fluctuating price. But their Eepresentations were un- availing, and the contract was by the express commands of the late Governor concluded on the original terms offered by Mr. Duckitt.
Altho' the two Deponents cannot positively prove, they do not hesitate to give their unqualified opinion that this transaction had been long preconcerted and that their attempts to dispose of the contract publicly, at a fair price, had been frustrated by the underhand manoeuvres of these Van Keenens and other principal Butchers, either combined with them, or imposed upon by their artful Eepresentations so as to be intimidated from making offers on their own account.
In support of this opinion, the manner in which Sir George Yonge gave all the Grazing Farms to Mr. Duckitt (viz.) instead of attaching them publicly to the contract beforehand, (a most proper measure) as detailed in the documents marked (D No. 2 and D No. 3) is very conclusive ; for unless an extensive plot was in agitation, it never could have been the wish of the contractor to occupy without using an extensive Eange of country, but they well knew that if all these Farms were held by them, no competition of consequence could be made by other butchers, and that their plans for enhancing the price of meat in Cape Town would then be
Records of the Cape Colony. 235
greatly facilitated, or in other words that they would acquire mrtually the monopoly of the whole Butchery concern of the Colony, whilst the apjmrent freedom of it would screen them at once from odium or detection.
The Commissioners are very averse to draw inferences from mere conjecture, or loose premises, but they cannot avoid remarking that from the foregoing circumstances it is probable that had Sir George Yonge remained at this place and continued to afford the same unqualified protection to these Contractors, many of the evils predicted would probably have taken place, which different measures have since rendered impracticable. They are led to this opinion by considering the Evidence which both the Fiscal and the Commissary General relate of the frequent Eepresentations made by the contractor's agent Mr. Van Eeenen (he living constantly in the country) of the impossibility to procure supplies of sheep or cattle and requesting that Salt Provisions might be issued to the Troops, and more particularly in last August, when it was known that the whole Garrison would soon be encamped, and the meat reduced in consequence of the contract to J lb. less than what was given in Town for one schelling, so that could they have succeeded in reducing the price to the Inhabitants to 2 lbs. they would have supplied the whole of the Forces at 1^ lbs. and perhaps even lower, for it is proper to add that the whole of these Butchers had shops in Town for the supply of the Inhabitants, so that no interruption could be given to their projects.
They continued to make similar and frequent Eemonstrances until towards the end of September, when they gave notice that they neither had nor could procure cattle after the middle of the ensuing month of October. The Fiscal and the Commissary General Eeported this dilemma immediately to General Dundas, who directed the contractors to be summoned immediately to answer and explain this alarming circumstance. The meeting accordingly took place at the Fiscal's house, where Mr. Van Eeenen attended, (his brother Jacobus who usually transacted Mr. Duckitt's business being then in the country).
When interrogated in presence of General Dundas, he simply answered that Mr. Duckitt was the contractor, that his Brother and himself were only securities, and that they would assist Mr. Duckitt with any sheep or cattle they could spare, but at present they had none, and saw no chance of soon procuring any
236 Records of the Cape Colony.
considerable supply. The Commissary General on this repoi-t immediately sent to the country for Mr. Duckitt, who when examined before the same persons had nothing to say but that he depended on the Van Reenens entirely who had faithfully promised to fulfil his engagements ; — it further appeared that he had neither cattle, sheep, nor any Agents employed directly on his own account for the purchase of Stock in the country, and what rendered the case worse, the Van Eeenens were only bound by a loose verbal promise, a bad security from such people.
On examining the monthly Eeturns which the Butchers in Cape Town are obliged to give in to the Burgher Senate, it appeared by the one dated 8th September that Mr. Duckitt had killed during the preceding month 5000 sheep and 400 head of cattle, and that he had none left. It moreover appeared that Mr. Jacobus Van Keenen Mr. Duckitt's Agent had during that month sold 1000 sheep to individuals besides what were consumed in his private Butchery altho' he had been making daily complaints of the inability he laboured under to supply the Garrison.
All these circumstances combined left no doubt on the mind of the Lieut. General, the Fiscal and the Commissary General, that a Plot was carrying on to reduce Government to the necessity of Submitting to an encrease in the price of meat, and it was naturally their duty as well as inclination to counteract it.
Mr. John Van Keenen and Mr. Veyl formerly contractor and known not to be at all connected with the present Set, were accord- ingly very privately spoken to and Mr. Veyl agreed to go into the Country, it having been previously settled with the Fiscal and the Commissary General that the latter should advance him a sum of money to purchase Sheep and Cattle.
Mr. Veyl set out at the end of September and returned in about a month with 6000 Sheep and some Oxen, a supply which the contractor no doubt could as easily have obtained had the desire existed, but which has not been wanted, as notwithstanding their alarms the contractors agents have hitherto found means to go on, — a fact which naturally increases the suspicion of their artifices.
These measures having been taken to provide for the immediate demand, Mr. Duckitt was asked what security he could give for the future certainty of an adequate Provision, for it was evident that he was a mere nominal contractor totally unqualified to transact such a business and that unless he could induce some persons
Records of the Cape Colony. 237
really able to perform it to become legally bound for the due execution of the contract, it was out of the question to think of allowing His Majesty's Troops to depend on the good will of the Van Eeenens for their Subsistence.
Mr. Duckitt was allowed some days for this purpose but it appeared he could not persuade anybody, — the Van Eeenens positively refusing to sign as principals a contract which Mr. F. Van Eeenen said in the presence of the Fiscal and Commissary General might ruin them.
To explain this assertion it is proper to Eemark that in the contract signed by order of Sir George, the penalty for any failure was stipulated to be what the Governor should impose instead of a specific sum as had always been customary, but at this time Lieutenant General Dundas was in that situation, and they hardly concealed that they did not choose to leave him such discretionary power.
Mr. Duckitt at last finding no alternative, requested by letter addressed to the Commissary General, to be allowed to give up the contract at the end of December 1801, which with the consent of General Dundas has been complied with.
The Commissioners can do no better than refer to the different papers (marked D No 4) by which and most particularly in the case of Mr. J. Van Eeenen it will appear that Sir George Yonge afforded Mr. Duckitt a degree of countenance and protection so unqualified, that neither ordinary motives nor any absolute facts that have come to the knowledge of this Commission can either explain or justify, and altho' it is not proved that any one of Sir George Yonge's family was concerned in this contract, the Commissioners cannot avoid stating it as their opinion, that the whole was a Speculation of great tho' distant advantage, and that had not events of a peculiar description intervened success might have attended it, and it is hardly to be supposed that profits so very considerable could have been Overlooked by those who are already proved to have been so attentive to their private interest on Various Occasions of very inferior importance.
238 Bmrrds of (lie Cape Colony.
2nd. Monopoly of serviiuj the Cape with Timber the Growth of the Colony.
About two months after Sir George Yonge had arrived at his Government, the stamped certificates of leave for cutting timber in the Woodlands of the Colony, usually granted at the Secretary's Office, on application for that purpose, were refused to be issued, in consequence of orders received by that office from Sir George Yonge signifying that no more wood should be cut, till he had made his arrangements on that subject. This order was received verbally as appears from the Eecords of the Secretary's office about the beginning of February 1800, and his arrangements were not made public until the 26th Januaiy 1801, when a long Proclamation appeared upon the subject of the Woodlands, renewing and reviving as it is stated in the Preamble, certain Ptegulations made and approved by the Dutch Govern- ment, and " making also such new Kegulations as by the lapse of time experience had shown to be necessary." (E No. 1).
Before the Commissioners proceed to point out the incon- veniencies attending the new Eegulations established by this Proclamation, the door they opened for abuses, and the im- practicability of carrying some of them into effect, they consider themselves called upon to state in their report the vexatious grievances and real injuries sustained by the inhabitants at large from the Suspension of an established right they had hitherto enjoyed without interruption.
The plea it appears held out for this Suspension was the necessity of making some new arrangements. But if even this necessity did exist, which the Commissioners cannot find to have been the case, and are more especially inclined to think it was not so, as the former Governments had not interfered on this subject, at all events there could not possibly have existed a necessity of prohibiting the cutting of wood for twelve months upon the plea of making new arrangements .
The evils arising from this positive prohibition from cutting wood, were not only of a vexatious nature but highly oppressive,, as will readily be conceived by those who are or have been resident in the Settlement.
In the first place very little foreign timber is brought to the
Records of the Cape Colony. 239
Cape, and the prices demanded for it are so extravagant as to preclude its being purchased for general uses. The Inhabitants therefore have no other resource to look to but their own "Forests, which indeed appears from the best authorities are of such extent and magnitude, that confined to the use of the Settlement alone, they may be considered as inexhaustible. The nature of the materials with which the w-alls of buildings are made, generally consisting of ill-burnt bricks laid in clay, and the very heavy rains that fall in the winter Season, have rendered it necessary to confine the operation of building to the Summer months ; and this happening to be the season when the Suspension first took place, the Situation of all those who were then concerned in building houses and relying on a supply of timber from the woods of Plettenberg's Bay was truly distressing. Various Petitions presented to Government by Individuals praying for relief received no Answer. The Burgher Senate in their general letter (alluded to in the Eeport on the first charge under the letter A No 5) stated the distresses of the Inhabitants, but they were equally unsuccessful in obtaining redress. The buildings therefore of those who were not provided with timber remained at a stand.
The disappointment and injury received by those who were in the habit of transporting timber in Vessels coastwise was not less felt than by the inhabitants of the Town.
It appears from the Deposition of Captain Dietz (E No. 2) that a Ship belonging to a House in which he was Co-partner, and which has brought three or four Cargoes of timber to the Cape from Plettenberg's Bay, was kept unemployed for nine months in waiting for leave to proceed on her Voyage, in the course of which time two Petitions were presented to the Governor after being refused leave at the Secretary's office, to neither of which he received any answer. But injurious as the prohibition appears to have been felt by the Inhabitants of the Town and the owners of Shipping concerned in carrying wood for the use of the Cape, it acted still more oppressively upon the poor families dwelling upon the skirts of the Forests, whose sole occupation and only means of Subsistence depend upon the cutting of wood. Kepresentations were made from these that they were actually Starving, and that they could no longer remain at their habitations unless permitted to follow their usual employment.
This appears from various (juarters, and the Deposition of the
240 Records of the Cape Colony.
Colonial Secretary, who received one or more Petitions from them to that effect, which he laid before the Governor, confirms the fact. Still no redress until the 26th January 1801, when as before mentioned the Proclamation on the Subject made its appearance.
How great soever might have been the expectations of relief by tlie said Proclamation to those who were particularly concerned, it appears from very scrutinizing enquiry of the Commissioners that the causes of grievances were not by any means removed.
Many of the new Kegulations were frivolous and vexatious, others were oppressive and contrary to the 9th Article of the Capitulation by subjecting all wood sold by private contract to the same duty as if exposed to public vendue, this became a direct tax upon the labouring part of the Community, the wood cutters, who are not hired to cut the wood, but cut the same and sell it upon the spot, or bring it to Cape Town for their own account.
The Commissioners after an attentive perusal of the contents of the said Proclamation, confess themselves at a loss to comprehend the true intent and meaning of the same, one part apparently running contradictory to the other. It is held out that " in order to prevent any monopoly or any undue preference or pretended claims to any authority or preference whatsoever in carrying on the said business (that is to say the business of cutting wood and disposing of it for money or merchandize) or conducting the coasting trade in any of the Bays of the Colony, it is hereby further ordered and declared, that it shall be free to all His Majesty's Subjects inhabiting this Colony to trade to all or any of the Bays, &c.". After which not a Syllable is mentioned of the Woodlands, or anything relative to that subject, so that the right of exercising a free and open trade and the prevention of Monopoly should appear to be confined merely to the coasting trade.
Two very powerful reasons induced the Commissioners to consider it in this point of view. First because in the foregoing part of the Proclamation the permanent Commissioners thereby appointed are invested with power to "direct the cutting and selling of the timber in the said Woodlands, in just and regular lots successively, or else to contract vnth any person or persons for cutting and selling the same, and none other to be allowed to cut or sell the same, hut such as shall be authorized by the said Commissaries,
Records of the Cape Colony. 241
<w' hy persons deputed and appointed hy them hy warrant under their hands'^
And secondly because it has appeared to them that the Com- missary Peters appointed to the Woodlands of Outeniqualand and Plettenberg's Bay, from which the whole Colony is supplied with timber, considered himself as having the exclusive monopoly of timber by his direct and positive refusal to allow the House of Onkruyt & Co., of which Capt. Dietz is a partner, on any terms to fetch wood from Plettenberg's Bay ; for it appears by the Deposition of Mr. Onkruyt that the Proclamation being issued and understanding that Mr. Peters was appointed Commissary of the "Woodlands at Plettenberg's Bay, he made application to the said Peters to know if their ship could then proceed to that Bay, and take in a cargo of wood, To which Mr. Peters replied, " That being Commissary he had the power of contracting vnth whom he pleased, and that he had already given the contract to Walker & Robertson," adding moreover that " if he {Onkruyt) sent his ship thither^ she vjould come back emj)ty."
Mr. Onkruyt it appears, after this very properly applied to the Colonial Secretary, who sent for Peters and questioned him on the subject in Onkruyt's presence. Peters replied to the questions put to him by the Secretary in a rude and insolent manner, and as nearly as Mr. Onkruyt could understand to the same purpose as he had previously done to him. This is also affirmed by the Deposition of Mr. Barnard the Colonial Secretary, (E No. 4) who adds that he (Mr. Barnard) insisted that he should give the necessary permission to cut wood, but he replied that he could not do it until he arrived at the Woodlands.
That Walker, Eobertson & Peters were the persons principally consulted in making the wood arrangements, appears from many circumstances : —
In the course of the long interval of time in which the cutting of the timber was put a stop to, Mr. Peters the brother of Peters the Commissary and an agent or occasional copartner with Walker and Ptobertson, was sent to the Bays and Woodlands on Secret Service by Sir George Yonge, and the expence of his journey was paid to him, amounting to 1085 EixdoUars out of the public Treasury, Tho' it appears from Mr. Walker's Deposition (E No. 5) that a quantity of Wares and Merchandize was put on board the Young Nicholas to trade with there both on his own and their account.
242 Recoi'ds of the Cape Colony,
It would perhaps be unnecessary for the Commissioners to proceed further into this business, were their investigation confined to the establishment as a fact that a monopoly was intended to be carried into effect for supplying the Cape with timber, to the injury and oppression of the Inhabitants ; but as this monopoly appears to have been connected with a charge of a more serious nature preferred against the private and confidential Secretary of the Governor, no less than that of his receiving a Bribe for obtaining this exclusive privilege to individuals, the Commissioners considered it incumbent upon them to direct their enquiries into this subject, particularly as the report was generally believed, and tended not a little to call in question the honor and integrity of the British Government at the Cape of Good Hope under the Administration of Sir George Yonge.
As transactions of such a shameful nature are seldom entrusted to the knowledge even of a third person, the difficulty will easily be conceived of obtaining some clue that might lead to the real truth of the matter. Mr. Hogan a Merchant of the Cape having in the former period of this administration been intimate at the Government House, and implicated in charges of a similar nature, was considered as the person most likely to throw some light on the subject, more especially as in a statement of facts demanded from him on oath, and laid before the Commissioners, he had observed that "Mr. Blake, having offered him the exclusive priviledge of carrying on the wood trade, he had refused to have anything to do with it," and observed further that " Mr. Blake however found no difficulty in making his timber arrangements." Being accordingly summoned before the Commissioners and inter- rogated on this point, he deponed (E No. 6) that "Mr. Blake applied to him to know what advantage might be derived from the cutting of timber being thrown into one hand." On Mr. Hogan answering that he thought it could not be done with propriety, Mr. Blake replied " that it could be done, for Sir George Yonge was making some arrangements on that head," and further asked him (Mr Hogan) that " if in case the exclusive priviledge should be given to him, wliat share of the profits woidd he he willing to give up to him."
Mr. Hogan declining to have anything to do with it, found after- wards the greatest difficulties in getting access to the Governor on the subject of obtaining leave to send for timber from Plettenberg's
Records of the Cape Colony. 243
Bay, till at length being pressed to perform a contract he had entered into for Supplying Boards and Trussels for the Troops, he was determined ro lay his case before the Governor and having demanded admission, Mr. Blake after enquiring the nature of his business said he would let the Governor know. Mr. Hogan how- ever suspecting that Blake might say something injurious to his cause stepped close behind him into the room, where he overheard Mr. Blake desire the Governor " to he firm in his determination, and not to he shaken hy any argument he {Mr. Hogan) might make use of."
Mr. Hogan further deposed that about a fortnight after this he was told by CoL Cockburn Sir George's Aid de Camp that Walker and Ilobertson had obtained the priviledge of cutting wood.
From the above Deposition the intention of Mr. Blake cannot be mistaken, yet the fact is by no means established that he carried his point with Walker & Eobertson on this particular subject, who the Commissary Peters asserted in presence of Mr. Barnard had been favored with a contract for the exclusive priviledge of carrying on the Wood trade.
On the contrary Mr. Walker asserts on oath, that he never spoke with Mr. Blake directly or indirectly on the subject, but admits that it was in agitation to propose to Government Five or Six Thousand Dollars for an exclusive priviledge, and Mr. Robert- son in his Deposition (E No. 7) states that in a conversation with Mr. Blake on the subject to give for the exclusive priviledge of cutting wood three or four times the Amount it had ever brought into Government or about the sum of Five Thousand Dollars, which were refused by Sir George Yonge, as he did not like the idea of giving an exclusive priviledge to any person. They both deny having entered into any contract or agreement with Peters on this .subject.
The Commissioners however are obliged to state, that the evidence given by them was obtained with so much reluctance and so contradictory on this and other points as to leave little weight in their minds as to the veracity of their assertions.
Whatever might have been the real designs of Sir George Yonge with regard to the supplying of Cape Town with wood, he had not time to carry them into execution. But it was obvious to all that some great scheme was in agitation from the circumstance
R 2
244 Records of the Cape Colony.
1
of his directing a large piece of ground the site of the Warehouses of the East India Company and the Dragoon stables burnt down in 1798 to be enclosed with a wall which cost the sum of 6050 KixdoUars, and which according to the Deposition of Mr. Barnard, after being much pressed for what the said enclosed piece of ground was intended, he acknowledged it was meant for a timber yard.
Aloes.
Before Sir George Yonge had been two months in the Colony, a very strong attempt was made with his approbation at the Monopoly of Aloes, by Captain Tucker his Aid de Camp. In order the better to accomplish his design, this OflBcer in His Majesty's service wrote a circular letter to the Landrosts of the several districts, requesting them to notify thro' the whole of their districts in the most encouraging words, that he was disposed to pay in ready money for all Aloes that should be brought to his Magazine in Cape Town, and that His Excellency forbids all persons to gather or collect any Aloes from the public lands, but for His Magazine, — a copy of this very extraordinary production accompanies this report (E No. 8).
Young Nicholas.
Some time during the former administration of General Dundas, the Burgher Senate having occasion for a quantity of large timber for the use of the public Windwills, and finding a ditficulty in procuring a proper Vessel for the purpose of bringing the same from Plettenberg's Bay to the Cape, made application to Govern- ment for assistance. The Camel Store Ship being at that time in Simons Bay, and not particularly employed, it was the intention of General Dundas, to apply to the Commander of His Majesty's Squadron on the Station for his permission that the Camel on her return from Algoa Bay to the Cape should call at Pletten- berg's Bay, and take in the said large timber; but finding it necessary shortly after this to go into the interior of the Settle- ment, and the Government during his absence devolving upon Sir George Yonge, the Camd was not employed on that service.
The Government however having occasion to send a Detachment
i
Records of the Cape Colony. 245
of Troops and Stores to Algoa Bay, and the Burgher Senate at the same time renewing its applications to Sir George Yonge, for a Ship to bring down their wood, the Young Nicholas, a Ship of about Four hundred Tons, was chartered for this double purpose from the House of Walker and Eobertson. The extravagant rate at which this Ship was taken up, coupled with other circumstances attending the transaction, occasioned various conjectures, and employed much public conversation. The Charter party of this Ship not being drawn out nor lodged as all documents of this nature and public papers whatsoever usually had been, in the Secretary's Office, and public Eegistry of the Colony , but signed in the Government House by Sir George Yonge and witnessed by Mr. Blake his private Secretary and Mr. Maynard under private Secretary, while Mr. Barnard the Colonial Secretary was not only not consulted but kept entirely in ignorance of this transaction, were additional circumstances to create and set afloat in the public mind suspicions and opinions highly unfavorable to the parties concerned.
As Merchants employed by Government in the light of Agents, they would certainly have been allowed to receive a reasonable compensation for their trouble, tho' this would have been irregular ■where a public office is established for similar purposes ; or if the Ship had been their own, and hired to Government on advan- tageous terms much above the usual rate, in either case the transaction might perhaps have been passed over without attracting much public notice; but another Charter party appearing about the same time concluded between the House of Walker and Eobertson with Captain Selby in behalf of the Owners Princeps & Saunders of London strengthened the conjectures that were afloat.
How much soever the Commissioners may feel a wish to confine their Eeport to a Statement of facts, and to avoid as much as possible offering any opinion of their own on the subjects laid before them for their investigation, yet where the nature of the transactions may be such that no direct evidence can be obtained to substantiate facts, tho' at the same time strong presumption may appear on the face of the Documents and the Evidence brought forward that such facts did exist ; they consider themselves pledged to offer any Eemarks and Observations on the papers and the evidence produced before them, as may tend to throw light
246 Records of the Cape Colony.
upon the different subjects submitted for their investigation ; otherwise they would feel themselves unable to fulfil the commands of His Majesty's Ministers, who seem to be desirous that the several charges should be minutely enquired into and " sifted to the bottom."
In the first place then they cannot pass over unnoticed the two Charterpartys lying before them.
It is sufficiently obvious from the first of these two Instruments made and concluded between Captain Selby and Walker and Robertson, that the Ship was intended to be employed in the Service of Government, which indeed was understood to be the case by Captain Selby as appears from his Deposition (F No. 1).
The Second Charterparty is a counterpart of the first, being nearly word for word the same, except indeed the rate at which the Ship is engaged. This rate in the Eecharter to Government is more than the double of that agreed for by Walker and Robertson with Selby, this being only £591 Sterling per month, while the other is £1,200 Sterling a month. The value also at ■which the Ship is estimated, in the event of her being captured or lost beyond the limits of the Colony, is considered in the first charter party at £4,000, and in the second at £6,000, so that in the course of twelve months the time specified for her engagement the House of Walker and Robertson could calculate upon a certain net profit, without risque, without trouble and without advancing one single Shilling of Forty-three thousand eight hundred and forty-eight RixdoUars or £7,308 Sterling, besides a contingency of £2,000 Sterling upon the loss of the Ship provided she should be Employed in any service beyond the limits or control of the Government of the Cape.
It is worthy also of Remark that the dates of the two Charter parties are within a single day of each other, one being the 14 th and the other the loth of May ; even this circumstance wears the appearance of its having been a preconcerted transaction with Walker and Robertson, and the more so as tlie date of the Instrument drawn up between the Government and them has evidently been filled in afterwards by another hand, acknowledged indeed by Mr. George Rex the Notary in his deposition (F No. 2) who however recollects nothing further tho' he drew both papers up, and witnessed one of them. Mr. Walker however has deposed (F No. 3) that they had other objects in view when tliey liired the
JRecords of the Cape Colony. 247
Ship and that they did not know she was to be Re-chartered by Government at an advanced rate.
The degree of Credit to be given to this assertion of Mr. Walker cannot have much weight if measured by his depositions taken on Oath on different days, and compared with those of his partner Mr. Kobertson ; so reluctantly were they given, so inconsistent and contradictory to each other, that the Commissioners cannot possibly lay any stress on them.
Captain Selby clearly understood at the time they were chartering the Ship from him that she was to be employed expressly in the Service of Government ; the charter party itself plainly points it out, and shews moreover that the freighters Walker and Robertson knew the identical service upon which she was going to be sent, namely that she would in the first instance be employed within the limits and control of this Government, and that she would be required to carry Troops.
This Second Charter party being secretly executed at the Government House without the knowledge of the Colonial Secretary, signed by Sir George Yonge and vsdtnessed by his two private Secretaries are of themselves suspicious circumstances and lead at least to this conclusion, that the particulars of the transaction were not meant to be made public.
It would be extremely difficult to appreciate the services performed by the Young Nicholas during the twelve months she remained in the employ of Government, as there scarcely can be said to exist any established price paid for the hire of Shipping at this Port. It appears however from the deposition of the Captain, that his owners were very well satisfied with the terms made by him with the House of Walker and Robertson, which as before observed are barely half of what the Government paid to these Merchants, and as a proof that they were so the same Sliip has been since taken up by General Dundas on the same terms as paid by Walker and Robertson in order to be employed in fetching the wood of the Burgher Senate, which she did not do in her former engagement tho' taken up principally on that pretext, but which she has since performed and been discharged, because better ships and more proper for Colonial Service could be had on terms still more reasonable.
The Services she performed are detailed in a paper demanded from Captain Selby by the Commissioners. The money paid to
248 Records of the Cape Colony.
Walker and Eobertson amounts to 86,400 EixdoUars or £14,400 Sterling, besides about 2,000 RixdoUars for contingent expences, a sum that evidently bears no sort of proportion to the services per- formed by that ship.
A very general opinion prevailed that some part of Sir George Yonge's family shared in the profits arising from this transaction. Perhaps such a conclusion might be drawn only from analogous reasoning, it being generally understood that the Governor's private Secretary and his principal Aid de Camp were in the habit of exacting a part of the profits accruing to individuals who had obtained thro' their means certain priviledges not granted in common : and it could not be supposed that they would let slip thro' their hands in the present instance so enormous a sum as between Seven and Eight thousand pounds Sterling without participating in it, or receiving at least an adequate compen- sation.
The Commissioners in the course of their Enquiries have met with nothing that had the least tendency to shake this estab- lished opinion with regard to the case before them, the truth of which on the contrary has been fully confirmed in several other instances.
Walker and Robertson being examined on this point have positively denied on oath having any knowledge that Mr. Blake or Colonel Cockburn or any part of the family shared in the profits of this, or on any other occasion, but the prevaricating evidence of these Merchants, and the different accounts they gave of the application of the said profits, one specifying the individual shares in which they were divided and the other asserting they were not yet settled and that the manner of dividing them rested entirely with him were considered to justify the Commissioners in calling for their Books. These when produced tended rather to encrease suspicion of fraud, than to demonstrate fair dealing. Of the large sum of Eighty-four Thousand Six hundred Kixdollai-s which had been paid to that house in the course of the last year on account of the Young Mcholoft alone, not one shilling appeared to have been entered under the head of that ship or carried to any other account ; there was no account of profit and loss, no partner- ship accounts, nor in short any regularity in the Books beyond what appears in the most ordinary Shop Books, yet these Mer- chants are settled in a very extensive line of business, connected
Records of the Cape Colony. 249
with a House in London, concerned in a variety of transactions in shipping and otherwise, and acting as Agents and Brokers for others.
Mr. Eobertson being called upon to give an explanation of this circumstance, so little favorable to themselves, replied with great indifference, that he carried their transactions in his head, and that the partners were upon such a Footing with each other that in making up the accounts as nearly as they could, the difference of a thousand, three thousand, or even Five thousand Eixdollars would not be considered an object. The Commissioners not con- sidering this explanation £is satisfactory, called in three merchants resident in the Colony who (F No. 4) all deposed that every trans- action of a Merchant ought to be entered in his books as it oc- curred and that it was a circumstance never heard of in mercantile concerns and utterly impossible for three or four persons connected in trade, some living in England, to be able to Eeserve the final adjustment of complicated accounts and transactions until the relinquishment of business without keeping regular Books ; and that the confidence placed in each other would not be thought a proper explanation before a tribunal of Mercantile men for such extraordinary conduct.
Continuing however to deny that any consideration was given or promised to any part of Sir George Yonge's family for obtaining them such advantageous terms, it occurred to the Commissioners that the compensation either given or promised might be general and not specific ; they therefore called Mr. Eobertson before them a third time and having put the question to him on oath, *' whether Sir George Yonge or Mr. Blake or Lieutenant Colonel Cockbum or any other part of Sir George Yonge's family were concerned with their house or with himself individually or with Mr, Peters in any mercantile or money transactions whatsoever directly or indirectly," he replied that they had furnished Bills for money to Mr. Blake amounting at different times to £3,000 or £4,000 (F No. 5) and that they had also purchased for Mr. Blake some prize Goods to the value of £2,500 or thereabouts, which they had shipped for his account to England, ordered insurances upon them, and consigned them to the House of Eobertson and Thompson in London, and being asked if these Goods were solely for the account of Mr. Blake or jointly with their house he replied, they were sliipped by them with an order to Eobertson and Thompson to
250 Records of the Cape Colony.
credit Mr. Blake's account with one third of the net proceeds. It appeared moreover from their coiTespondence with the House of Robertson and Thompson (extracts of which are given under F No. 6) that a quantity of East India prize Goods had been bought up as a joint concern of Walker Robertson & Co., Blake and Peters. Mr. Robertson being further interrogated on this subject admitted that he had once asked Mr. Blake if he was inclined to make a Spec (meaning a Speculation) with them in the Ladp YoTiffe, to which he stated Mr. Blake made no reply either that he would or would not, and Mr. Robertson still further deposed after reading over the questions put to him and his answers that he wished to add in his reply to the first question that he had no hesitation in declaring it to be his intention in case things suc- ceeded to make Mr. Blake a present, but to what amount or in what way he had not yet made up his mind ; the reason he assigned for doing this was the Services their House had received from him in facilitatinff their affairs with Government, — and being demanded what present he meant to give that Gentleman on account of the transaction of the Young Nicholas, his answer was that the account with Government not being settled, he had not yet made up his mind. He deposed that he had never communicated such inten- tion to his partner Walker until yesterday, tho' he meant that he should have his part in the said present.
That Mr. Blake was very much interested in the continuance of the Young Nicholas in the employ of Government beyond the time specified in the Charter party appears from his letter of the 14th April to Capt. Selby (F No. 7) wherein he states that " the Young Nicholas having been ordered down from Algoa Bay at the request of the Fiscal, to procure a cargo of rice from Madagascar, and having reported her arrival and desired him to acquaint the corn committee thereof, to which no answer has been received, he (Capt. Selby) will please to proceed with all possible dispatch to Plettenberg & Mossel Bays there to load timber for this Place on account of Government."
Luckily however she had not sailed on the 20th of the said month when Sir George Yonge resigned the Government. Walker and Robertson likewise mention in their correspon- dence with the Owners of the ship, that they had it in their power to continue her another twelvemonth in the service of Government.
Records of the Cape Colony. 251
Upon the whole it has appeared but too evident to the Com- missioners that Mr. Blake was very materially interested in the engagement entered into by Walker & Robertson for the ship Younff Nicholas, that he was directly concerned in Mercantile transactions and in the Speculations of that House and that he Shared in the profits arising from such transactions, which the Commissioners do not hesitate to give it as their opinion were to a much greater extent than their enquiries have been able to Substantiate.
With regard to that part of the charge where it is stated that the ship Young: Nicholas chartered for the service of Government was employed for private Merchants in bringing cargoes of wood on their account, — the Commissioners after very particular En- quiries, cannot find the fact corroborated to that extent which seems to be implied in the charge.
It is true that on her return from Plettenberg's Bay, whither she had expressly been sent in order to take in the heavy timber for the Burgher Senate, she brought only a few thousand bushels of Barley from Mossel Bay, and a quantity of light wood, the latter of which it appears was sold by public auction for the account of Walker & Robertson. Capt. Selby being called upon to explain this circumstance, deposed that no more wood was brought in the ship on the account of Walker and Robertson than what was absolutely necessary to dunnage the Ship, and to fit her up in a proper, manner for the reception of the Barley, which it seems was stowed in Bulk.
This explanation is further confirmed by a Letter from General Dundas to Sir George Yonge (F No. 8) wherein he requests that orders may be given for the Ship to be prepared in a proper manner to take in the grain, as a sufficient number of sacks were not to be procured in order to bring it in the usual manner. It appears also that this wood had been purchased and the flooring prepared at the expence of Walker and Robertson, and conse- quently as Government did not reimburse them for the said expence of fitting up the Ship in a proper manner to perform this service, they were at least entitled to dispose of the materials for their own advantage.
That the said ship was however to a certain degree employed for private purposes during the term of her agreement with Government is evident from the deposition of Mr. Walker
252 Becorils of the Cape Colony.
(E No. 5) wherein he acknowledges that Mr. Peters as well as their House put on board a quantity of wares and Merchandize with which he Peters for himself and as their Agent, traded along the coast of the Colony. This business he transacted at the same time that he was sent on secret service by Sir George Yonge and paid out of the public Treasury for his trouble and the expences of his journey.
Had this Mr. Peters been present he might perhaps have ex- plained the nature of this service and supplied many particulars respecting the Woodlands and the Young Niclwlas, but he left the Colony in the same ship with Sir George Yonge.
Third Charge.
In diverting from the Fortifications and other public works the Government Slaves employed thereupon, and in granting the use of them and other property belonging to the public to the persons above mentioned for their private use and emolument.
The accompanying documents furnished by Mr. Hohne the Superintendant of the Slave Lodge containing (G No. 1) an order for a requisition of slaves from the different departments under which they had been placed by the former Governments, that they might be put under the direction of Mr. Middlemit a Gardener brought out by Sir George Yonge, to the number of 41 and a return (G No. 2) of Government Slaves supplied to Mr. Duckitt and other Individuals, will of themselves be sufficient to explain and answer this charge.
The Commissioners will only observe that Lord Macartney had ordered Six Slaves to be appropriated to that part of the public Garden intended for the reception of rare or useful plants, and the rest was put under cultivation at the private expence of the Governor.
That the 41 slaves put under requisition by Captain Tucker in addition to the Six, were employed in the Garden which Sir George seemed to occupy as his own, and not to be considered nor to be mentioned as a public Garden. When the repairs of the Garden were supposed to be compleated, 33 of these Slaves were transferred to Mr. Duckitt the Agriculturist, 28 of whom as appears from the Ketum still remain in that department.
1
Mecords of the Cape Colony, 253
Fourth Charge.
A Lavish and unnecessary ea.-penditure and improper use of the public monies and Stores, namely in the creation of New Unnecessary and Vexatious Offices in Open Breach of His Instructions, such as Commissioners of Woodlands, Com- missioners of Corn, Tasters and Deputy Tasters of Wines and of Brandies, Keepers of Canteens, as well as other Em- ployments not partieidarly specified, and in the Erection of New and Expensive buildings, many of them for private purposes and all in direct Violation of the Minute of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury of the 28th November 1764. On the subjects contained in this charge couched in such general terras, and in their nature rather matters of opinion than of fact, the Commissioners do not feel themselves competent to decide, and as the Accounts of the Colony are regularly trans- mitted home, a reference to these and a comparison of them during the Administration of Sir George Yonge with those of his predecessors, may perhaps be fully as satisfactory as any Observations the Commissioners could offer upon them ; They must therefore content themselves by transmitting such docu- ments as they have been enabled to procure, and which they conceive will throw some light upon the different subjects. These documents consist of
(H No. 1.) Military Appointments made by Sir George Yonge,
2. Civil Appointments,
3. Mr. Blake's Appointment as Sub Secretary of
the Colony with a Salary of £1,200 a year,
4. Deposition of Lieut. General Dundas.
In making the Military Appointments it appears that General Dundas Commandant of the Troops so far from approving was not even consulted, nor did he think them at all necessary.
Of the new appointments on the civil list General Dundas recommended the two Commissioners of Graaff Eeinet as appears from his correspondence with Sir George Yonge on the subject. (H No. 5).
No. 6. Letter from Sir George Yonge to Mrs. Kemble allowing
254 Recoi'ds of the Cwpe Colony.
her the enjoyment out of the Cape Establishment of her late husband's Pension.
7th. The Barrack Contract with Mr. Hogan, which indeed has been noticed by the Commissioners in the preceding charge, where from Mr. Hogan's Statement the extraordinary conduct of Sir George Yonge respecting it will be seen.
From the accounts of this new establishment in the Colony of a Barrack department, it will also be seen that the additional expences incurred by the Government amount to the sum of Forty Thousand Pounds nearly independent of Blankets and other articles taken out of the Colonial stores and not paid for, amounting to between Eight and Nine Thousand Eixdollars. (H No. 8.)
The exorbitant rate at which the Young Nicholas was hired from "Walker and Eobertson has already been particularly noticed on the 2nd charge, and was disapproved of by Lieutenant General Dundas and Mr. Barnard in signing the Book of extraordinary expences, as appears by their depositions (H No. 4 & 9) in the latter of which Mr. Barnard adds, it appeared to him there was a great and unnecessary expenditure of the public money in General.
With regard to the expenditure for the Eepairs of the different civil and military public buildings and works, the Commissioners can only add that it appears to them to have been enormous, but they cannot take upon themselves to say whether the said Eepairs were absolutely necessary or not, that they were undertaken principally by one man and by contracts entered into privately by persons in the family of Sir George Yonge is of itself a suspicious circumstance of fraud being connected with the trans- action, especially as it appeared from the survey of a very in- telligent Engineer (H No. 10) that the rate of the contract far exceeds that for which they might have been undertaken to be finished in the most complete and solid manner, which is by no means the case ; many of the buildings said to have been put into a thorough state of repair being in the course of a year nearly in the same state as when the repairs were begun.
Mr. Thibault has calculated that the complete repair of the Castle should have cost .... 24,032 EixdoUars of the BaiTacks, 25,101 Do.
together 49,133 Do.
Records of the Cape Colony. 255
The terms of Mr. Wildts contract for the
Castle are 28,000 Eixdollars
Barracks 30,000 Do.
together 58,000 Do.
making a difference of Eixdollars 8,867, or nearly 20 per cent upon the sum for which the Engineer has certified they might have been done.
As the Commissioners had already fully established the fact that a common practice prevailed in Sir George Yonge's family of taking doceurs or bribes for obtaining or granting exclusive privileges or contracts, and that Col. Cockbum in particular had contended for 20 and at last obtained 10 per cent upon the BaiTack Contract entered into with Mr. Hogan, it was impossible for them not to conclude that the above difference of 20 per cent in the contract for Repairing the Castle and the Barracks miuht either wholly or in part be appropriated to himself, and they accordingly examined Mr. Wildt the Contractor on the subject, but he positively denies having made any compensation to Col. Cockburn or suffered any deduction from his contract. Not being able to get at any other Evidence, the truth of the fact must rest on the degree of credit due to Mr. Wildt, which the Commissioners cannot exactly appreciate.
They think it right however to mention that Mr. Wildt from being a common Soldier in the Dutch Service has accumulated under the English Government at this place an ample fortune in his profession as a mason.
The same roan had most of the Contracts for repairing old and building new buildings in the civil departments. These were principally confined to the Government House and Garden, the latter being entii'ely enclosed with high Walls and Water courses, basons, fountains, and fish ponds, which never before existed ; the expense became very considerable, amounting as appears from the Accounts of the Receiver General to no less a Sum than Fifty- two Thousand Rixdollars for masons work alone.
The establishment of the Agricultural department has been attended with an expense of more than 40,000 Rixdollars ex- clusive of Salaries, without any Returns whatever being yet made.
256 Records of the Cape Colony.
The greatest part of these articles of extraordinary expenditure made by authority of Sir George Yonge even supposing them to have been necessary, appear to the Commissioners to have been incurred in a profuse and highly improper manner ; none of the contracts for the repairs of public works, hire of shipping, or for any other purpose, being made public in the usual manner in order to obtain the lowest offers, but generally concluded with the greatest privacy in the Government House, a mode of doing public business not only creating opinions extremely unfavourable to the parties concerned, but prejudicial also in the highest degree to the interests of the public, and never before practised in this Colony.
Fifth Charge.
By receiving from Mr. Hogan and appropriating to Ms own use a
sum reported to he £5,000 Sterling for Permission to import
into the Cape 800 Slaves. This charge has been distinctly
brought forward from many quarters, all of which concur in
stating that there can be no doubt of procuring complete evidence
of the fact.
On the subject of this charge a very general report prevailed
that the private and confidential Secretary of Sir George Yonge,
and his principal Aid de Camp Major Cockburn (afterwards
usually called Lieut. Colonel Cockburn, a Eank given to him by
Sir George Yonge in virtue of the office conferred on him of
Deputy Barrack Master General) were in the habit of accepting
douceurs and even of demanding certain shares of the profits
arising from transactions wherein their influence with the Governor
had been used for obtaining exclusive priviledges and facilitating
the objects had in view by those who made the application. Such
a conjecture might probably gain ground from a public order issued
by Sir George Yonge on the 1st Feby. 1800, (I No. 1) after his
arrival at his Government, directing all persons to transact public
business thro' his private Secretary and his Aids de Camp, except
on Wednesdays when he himself was to be seen and spoken with,
this circumstance at least was considered by some as paving the
way for the consequences which it appears resulted from it, and
the references usually made on most occasions by the Governor to
Mr. Blake. Be that as it may the prevailing opinion that the
Records of the Cape Colony. 257
most effectual method of carrying any point with the Governor was by pecuniary offers to those about his person induced Mr. Battersby a Merchant at the Cape to take the opinion of his friend Mr. Mosse on this subject, and finding it to coincide with his own, he applied to Doctor Somers who as Physician to the Household was supposed by him to have a more free and easy access to the Governor's family (I No. 4). The Doctor states in his Deposition that in consequence of Mr. Battersby's application he made the tender of Two thousand Five Hundred pounds to Mr. Blake as a douceur or compliment provided he could obtain the Governor's permission to import exclusively within the en- suing year Five Hundred Slaves ; Mr. Blake's answer was that the permission had just been granted to another person, and the Doctor states that so far from being offended at the proposal, he grumbled and seemed to be hurt at the channel thro' which such permission had been obtained namely thro' Colonel Cockburn as it was irregular, it being as he expressed himself a civil transac- tion and ought to have come thro' him ; but he would take care it should not happen again, or words to that effect.
Mr. Tennant also a Merchant (I No. 5) after being several times refused leave to sell certain prize Goods for Colonial consumption, tho' it had been granted to Walker and Kobertson to dispose of theirs of the same cargo, resolved to avail himself of the prevalent opinion that the most effectual way to carry any point with those about the Government House was by offers of money, accordingly wrote a letter to Mr. Blake signed with the initials of his name, in which he offered him One thousand pounds if he could procure leave for him to dispose of his Sugars in the Cape for Colonial Consumption, but he never received any kind of answer.
Mr. Hogan however it seems was more successful, the deposition of this Merchant, and the statement of the transaction given in by this Merchant on oath (I No. 6) leave no doubts remaining in the minds of the Commissioners, as to the particular fact specified in the charge having taken place and others also of a similar nature. This statement furnishes a painful and humiliating proof to what height of profligacy and depravity the persons immediately con- nected with the Representative of the Sovereign were carried when even to a Stranger, for they had only been about two months in the Colony, they could have the audacity of proposing without shame or delicacy such disgraceful stipulations as appear upon the
IV. s
258 Records of the Cape Colony.
face of the said statement ; For it seems that after Mr. Blake had receded from his first demand of one half of the profits accruing from the importation and sale of Six Hundred Slaves from Mozambique which were to be admitted to an entry in this Colony thro' his influence with the Governor tho' contrary to law, and had acquiesced in Mr. Hogan's proposal of allowing him one third share of the profits, Yet on another occasion where a few adventitious Slaves had arrived in the Colony either belonging to Mr. Hogan or under his agency, he positively refused his inter- ference or to lend any assistance for obtaining the necessary leave for disposing of the same unless he should be allowed one half of the profits thereon. The landing was effected under the Governor's authority, and half the net profit was to be accounted for to Mr. Blake. The half share of that profit amounted to Eighteen thousand one hundred and fm'ty-seven Rixdollars five Schellings and three pence, half of which on its being presented to Mr. Blake he desired might be paid to him, and the half to Colonel Cockburn who, according to Mr. Blake, was to share with him in equal proportions in the Slave concerns. Mr. Hogan accordingly paid down to Mr. Blake on account of this transaction Nine Thousand and Seventy-three Rixdollars Six Schellings and four Stivers in Bills of exchange on London, and the like sum to Lieut. Colonel Cockburn.
On the general plan of participation in the profits arising from the Commerce of the Colony which Sir George Yonge, according to his own declaration, was determined not to cramp, nor to oppress those under his protection as was invariably the conduct of Lord Macartney in his Governments, Mr. Blake was very pressing with Mr. Hogan to accept the exclusive priviledge of serving Cape Town with timber from the Forests of the Colony, which Mr. Hogan it seems declined. This priviledge it appears was afterwards intended to be granted to Walker and Eobertson, but on what conditions the Commissioners have not been able to ascertain. These Merchants have positively sworn that neither on this or any other occasion was any consideration whatsoever given by them to Mr. Blake, but they admitted after being questioned several days on the subject that it was their intention to make liim Q. present for his services in facilitating their concerns with Government. Perhaps indeed his previous acquaintance in London with Mr. Eobertson might have inspired more confidence
Records of the Cape Colony. 259
than he thought proper to place in Mr. Hogan whom " he had only heard of in London " and that instead of making direct stipula- tions with them, he rather chose to trust to their generosity, in which according to ^Ir. Eobertson's declaration he may not finally be disappointed.
How much soever Mr. Blake might feel himself offended at Mr. Hogan's refusal of the Wood contract in consequence of which he could no longer " consider him as his friend " yet it is evident he had found him too good a connection to be thrown hastily aside as appears from the renewal of his visits to that Merchant about the beginning of the month of August at one of which he took occasion of enquiring of him, if he had a considerable quantity of Cape wine on hand and how much he could possibly procure? Being answered that he had about four hundred leaguers on hand and that a quantity to almost any amount could be procured for money, Mr. Blake proposed to him that he should become the purchaser of the "Wine and Brandy Licences which were about to be advertised to be let out to farm as usual from the Government, and that they two would hold the said Farm as a joint concern and divide the profits, adding that as he (Mr. Blake) was appointed Wine Taster he could pass off any sort of wine as good for the Canteens, &c.
If it be improper to express, it is at least impossible not to feel a degree of indignation at the proposal of so base and profligate a transaction. It is not the Offspring of a Merchant, a Speculator who lays his schemes to procure him a probable profit at all risques even that of his reputation, but a person high in the service of Government paid in a most ample manner, the confi- dential friend and the private Secretary of the Eepresentative of his Sovereign, who had in addition to his other employments appointed him Taster of Wines for the express purpose, as held out in the preamble of that Proclamation by virtue of which he held this Office, of effecting a melioration of the wines and spirits made in the Colony and for preventing pernicious liquors from being vended to the Troops and others ; yet this same man, this confidential Secretary and Taster of Wines concerts a plan to get into his own hands or share with others the exclusive vending of wines, because his Situation as Taster would enable him to pass off any sort of trash to the Soldier and the laboring part of the Com- munity who have no other means of purchasing small quantities
S 2
260 Records of the Cape Colony.
of wine or spirits but thro' the medium of the licenced wine houses; thus falsifying the end and defeating the purposes for which the Government ostensibly at least had appointed him to that trust. The Commissioners are fully agreed with Mr. Hogan that such a man is well calculated to bring his Employers grey hairs in disgrace to the grave.
Mr. Hogan states that his second refusal to engage in the plans of Mr. Blake entirely forfeited this Gentleman's friendship who became so very much displeased with him as to commission Colonel Cockburn to settle the accounts of the slave concern with him, for the balance remaining due on the several transactions of this nature and which amounted to Fifteen Hundred pounds. Mr. Hogan passed his Bond payable in July 1802 as a final Discharge of all demands on this head.
The evidence received by the Commissioners on the subject of the charge before them does not go so far as to apply any part of the criminality directly to the person of Sir George Yonge tho' a very strong degree of presumption appears in the several circum- stances brought forward, that he connived at and promoted the corrupt practices carried on in his family. His public order that all business should be transacted, except on Wednesdays, thro' his private Secretary and Aids de Camp was of itself a suspicious circumstance which added to Mr. Blake's own assertion to Mr. Hogan that " those expecting to benefit by the Commerce of the Colony must allow him to participate in the profits arising from it, for that in fact nothing could be done or would be allowed without it" amounts almost to a proof that Sir George Yonge was in- directly concerned in those exactions from individuals who had indulgences to solicit.
This surmise is still further corroborated by another transaction in which Mr. Hogan was concerned and on whose evidence the Commissioners consider the fact to rest. This was the Supplying the Barrack department with furniture, utensils and other neces- saries by a contract entered into with Colonel Cockburn, The usual practice of advertising contracts of considerable importance, such as the one in question, certainly was in order to get them performed on the best and lowest terms, was entirely disregarded. A verbal communication on the subject first took place between the parties, which was followed by a Letter from Lieut. Colonel Cockburn desiring that Mr. Hogan would give in his Tender in
Records of the Cape Colony. 261
writing for supplying the articles enumerated in the said letter and the lowest prices for which he could afford them. Hogan accordingly sent in his proposal with the sum in sterling money set against each article. This proposal was shewn to Sir George Yonge and approved of by him. But on a further explanation between the contracting parties Hogan was given to understand that a compensation was expected in consideration of his being favoured with the contract, this compensation was to be a per- centage upon the amount of the contract, which he stated would be paid to him in currency and not sterling money, making a difference of 20 per cent. Hogan upon this replied that he could not possibly afford to allow him any advantage for himself as every article had been put down as low as he could afford them, until he should receive supplies from England. Colonel Cockburn then said he would speak to Sir George Yonge and get the contract rose as much as would make it equal to the percentage on Bills, that is to say 20 per cent higher than what Hogan had offered it for. The written tender was brought back to Mr. Hogan with a message that Sir George Yonge would not allow it to be advanced more than ten per cent, upon which Mr. Hogan made out another tender accordingly, which on being again approved by Sir George Yonge, was accepted by Colonel Cockburn ; and Mr. Hogan has deposed that a compensation of ten per cent upon the whole amount of his contract for serving the Barrack department has been actually paid to him at different times in Bills on England or in Cash ; which amount as appears from the Barrack accounts was in twelve months Twenty Thousand pounds nearly.
Mr. Lewis the confidential clerk of Mr. Hogan being called upon by the Commissioners (I No. 7) deposed that he kept the accounts of the House and that he was several times directed to credit Colonel Cockburn's account with sums of money that were never paid in ; and that Mr. Hogan sufficiently explained the nature of the connection between him and the persons at the Government House, for him to understand that these persons received a part of the profits of the House of Hogan.
His Honor the Judge of the Vice Admiralty Court has likewise deposed (I No. 8) that having heard from common report of the scandalous transactions going forward at the Government House, he applied to Colonel Cockburn to know if there was any founda- tion in truth for such reports, when to his surprise Colonel Cock-
262 Records of the Cape Colony.
bum openly avowed that he himself was concerned with Hogan in the profits arising from the Sale of prohibited slaves in the Colony.
PEIVATEEK COLLECTOR.
The Collector Privateer belonging to Mr. Michael Hogan of the Cape of Good Hope Merchant, and commanded by Captain David Smart, cleared out at the Custom House on the 13th March 1799 on a cruize, having on board provisions and stores.
She was reported at the Custom House on her return the 12th April 1800 to have on board One hundred and Sixty-four Slaves said to have been taken out of a Prize Brig called L'Auguste captured off the Coast of Madagascar.
The first pretended prize sent in by this ship was a French Brig called La Rose, which according to the deposition of John Ptobertson and David Wood Seamen belonging to the Collector, taken before His Honor the Judge of the Vice Admiralty Court, was captured by the said Privateer off the Mahie Islands, and that previous to her capture she was abandoned by her master and crew, that when they took possession of the same, there were no persons remaining therein but slaves, and that no papers whatever were found on board the said Brig. James Brooke, another Seaman of the Collector called as a witness deposed to the same effect.
The number of Slaves brought in this vessel was Forty-eight. The Court adjudged this vessel to be a legal prize and she was condemned accordingly.
The next pretended prize sent in by the Collector was the French Lugger La Africano captured and seized according to the deposi- tion of James Quin Mariner on board the Collector, when lying at anchor at the Sechelle Islands ; that previous to her capture she was abandoned by her Master and crew, and that when the Deponent took possession of the same, there were no persons remaining therein but Slaves, and that no papers whatever were then found on board the said Vessel.
James Wood and Thomas Marshall Mariners on board the Collector, produced as witnesses in the standing interrogatories, deponed to the same effect. In this lugger were brought Twenty- aix Slaves.
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At length the Collector herself arrived having on board after performing quarantine One hundred and Sixty-four Slaves, said to have been taken out of a French Brig called L'Auguste which was captured in Miranda river on the Island of Madagascar, and afterwards burnt. A Bundle of papers was produced and sworn to as the papers belonging to the said French vessel L'Auguste. Two Seamen of the Collector also swore that the crew escaped in their Boat before she was taken possession of, and that there were on board about Two hundred and fifty Slaves. As a witness on the standing interrogatories was produced a Moor of the name of Mahomet Abraham, said to have been on board the L'Auguste at the time of her Capture. This man first deposed that the Slaves were brought from Kilmanar in a Portuguese Brigantine and were going to Mozambique when they were captured by L'Auguste, and the Slaves taken out into L'Auguste and the Brigantine burnt.
For some reason or other it was afterwards discovered that Mahomet Abraham had made a mistake in his answer to the 22nd standing interrogatory, and being produced a second time in Court, he stated that the Slaves had not been captured in a Portuguese Brigantine, but put on board the L'Auguste with Boats at Mozambique.
It appears also that a great deal of difficulty occurred in com- pelling this evidence to make oath to his depositions, nor is it certainly known whether" he did or not, as the Armenian Sam who stood interpreter on this occasion happens to be absent from this Colony.
The slaves however brought in the Collector as well as those of the other two pretended prizes were condemned in the Vice Admiralty Court as legal prize slaves.
Previous to the trial of the prize cause concerning the Collector in the Court of Vice Admiralty, the Holger Dansche, a Danish ship, arrived at the Cape. The Captain and officers of which Ship having lately been at Mozambique, publicly declared that the said slaves brought in the Collector and the two supposed prizes were not captured, as had been stated, but were purchased at Mozambique. This report gaining ground with the public from some other suspicious circumstances. Captain Campbell, the Port Captain, tho' at first unwilling to stii- in the business " con- ceiving it " as he states in his letter to Sir George Yonge (K No. 1)
264 Records of the Cape Colony.
and to His Majesty's Fiscal " impossible that any man or set of men could be so foolhardy as thus to impose on Government and the Vice Admiralty Court, considered it as a scandalous and malicious report until some of the most respectable British Merchants here mentioned it to him in a manner reflecting on his own character in his present capacity, to allow a traffic so pernicious to the fair Trader to pass unnoticed in so glaring a manner."
This strong representation, it appears, induced Captain Campbell to trace the report to its source, and he found it originated with a Captain Smidt and officers of the Danish ship Holger Danske, who declared to him, that being at Mozambique, they saw the two small prizes before alluded to enter the port with English colours over the French, and that they had neither cargo nor slaves on board ; but that the slaves were purchased and put on board at that place, to all of which they were ready to make oath.
Upon the strength of this information. Captain Campbell applied to Mr. Van Eyneveld His Majesty's Fiscal, and told him in confidence all the circumstances of the case, adding that his intention was to bring the business forward by writing an official letter to the Governor, and another to him as Public Prosecutor, in order that a proper investigation might be held on the subject ; but at the same time he expressed his doubts that in case the letter should be sent to the Government House, on account of Mr. Hogan's influence there it might not be delivered to the Governor, with that secrecy and propriety which the nature of the case indispensibly required ; for that if Mr. Hogan was apprized by his friends there what was going forward, he would be enabled to take such steps and precautions as might effectually prevent and frustrate every attempt to get at the truth of the matter, particularly as far as depended upon any written documents that might be on board the Collector. Captain Campbell then concluded that his letter on the subject should be put into the hands of the Colonial Secretary, for the purpose of being officially delivered by him to the Governor.
His Majesty's Fiscal on the receipt of his letter on the same subject from Captain Campbell instantly waited on the Governor and communicated the contents of it to him. The Governor's answer to the Fiscal was, that he did not see any weight in the Deposition of Captain Smidt and his officers, as they asserted
Records of the Cape Colony. 265
nothing that was matter of fact. Being called upon however in a serious manner by the Fiscal, that he should take the necessary steps for a proper investigation being held into this affair, he was at length prevailed upon to direct the Colonial Secretary to write an Official letter to the Fiscal conveying the Governor's commands that he should proceed in the business agreeable to the laws of the Colony.
Upon the receipt of these instructions, the Fiscal in order to prevent any communication with the Privateer the Collector placed one of his officers on board, until the people belonging to her should be examined.
The Commissioners of the Court of Justice were summoned to sit and enter upon the investigation, — before whom the witnesses were produced. The following day Sir George Yonge took occasion to speak to the Fiscal on the affair of the Collector, saying that he had read the proceedings of the Vice Admiralty Court, and that he found it a most extraordinary business, — the Court of Justice should interfere in the decisions of the said Court, that if he was in Mr. Hogan's place, he would not appear before, nor pay any regard to, the Court of Justice respecting this matter, after the case had been decided by another Court.
The Fiscal then told him that there was no intention to inter- fere in the proceedings of the Vice Admiralty Court, but to try an accusation that had been presented, of Mr. Hogan's ship the Collector being concerned in an illicit trade or a smuggling trans- action; and moreover that it was by no means impossible that the Vice Admiralty Court might have been imposed upon by false evidence, repeating that the investigation about to be held by the Commissioners of the Court of Justice was in no point of view a trial of prize, but an illicit traffic. Sir George Yonge reluctantly gave way and concluded the conversation by saying " Captain Campbell ought to take care for he must answer for the consequences."
The first Step taken by the Commissioners of the Court of Justice was the examination of the Captain and Officers of the Holfjer Danske, the amount of whose evidence was that the supposed prizes to the Collector came into Mozambique, without Slaves on board, from which place they carried away Slaves; and that the Collector also came in without Slaves, under the name of Mountain, commanded by Captain Smart,
266 Records of the Cape Colony.
The next evidences produced were as many of the people either belonging to or who had belonged to, the Ship Collector as could be procured. And in collecting these evidences a very suspicious circumstance appeared; not one of the nine persons who had been produced in the Vice Admiralty Court to answer to the standing interrogations could be found, — they had all left the Colony.
These witnesses from the ship corroborated the fact of the slaves being purchased partly in Mozambique and partly at a small village near Mozambique called Quilmango, where there was also at the same time a large Portuguese Vessel taking in Slaves, called the Joachim, which vessel, not being able to get within the bar at the mouth of the Eiver, was assisted by the Collector in loading her cargo of Slaves. It may here be observed that this said ship the Joachim came afterwards to the Cape with a cargo of Slaves, which, in consequence of Mr. Hogan's per- mission obtained thro' Mr. Blake for importing a certain number, were landed and sold under the direction of Mr. Hogan.
It appeared moreover from the Deposition of one of these witnesses, that the true Log Book of the Ship Collector, kept by the chief mate, and afterwards by the deponent, was locked up in his Trunk, upon which the Court dispatched a messenger on board and got possession of it. The Court also having under- stood that a Log Book had been produced and sworn to before the Collector of His Majesty's Customs, sent for the same ; this was on the 20th of April, On comparing the two Log Books together, they were found to differ in a most extraordinary manner, the one produced and sworn to at the Custom House being an after fabrication and altogether false, as appeared in the course of the Enquiry.
The present Commissioners had the Log Books produced before them, but they do not think it necessary to accompany their report with copies of them, as the Court of Justice have inserted, in the course of their proceedings, ample extracts to shew the falsity of the one imposed upon the Custom House, and indeed the iniquity of the whole transaction ; nothing more could possibly be required to set the business in the clearest point of view than confronting the Extracts from these two documents, so much indeed did they prove the guilt of the persons concerned, but more especially of Captain Smart, who had made oath to the
Records of the Cape Colony. 267
false Log Book, that his Majesty's Fiscal demanded a decree of criminal apprehension against the person of Smart, which being accordingly obtained the proper Officers of the Court went im- mediately to the House of Smart in search of him, and not finding him placed the Seals of the Court upon the house ; — and proceeded in the search after him in the places where he was known mostly to frequent, but to no purpose. Captain Smart had effected his escape. This happened on the 21st of April. Thinking he might have fled to Simon's Bay, this being the Season of the Ships lying there, the Fiscal wrote to the Admiral requesting the ships might be searched for the person of Smart, which as appears by the Admiral's report, reply inserted in the proceedings, had been done without effect.
After that the proceedings were carried on according to the rules and customs of the Colony against the absconded criminal, and he being declared an Outlaw a Sentence was passed by the Court according to which he was banished this Country for life, and if apprehended, liable to the penalty of suffering such punishment as the nature of his guilt should require.
Towards the commencement of the trial of this cause in the Court of Justice Mr. Hogan appeared in Court and stated his objection to their proceedings on the grounds of litis finitce, as the cause had already been decided in the Vice Admiralty Court. To this the Fiscal replied that in the meantime the investigation should go on, and that he should afterwards answer the exceptio litis finitce.
The proceedings accordingly continuing, Mr. Hogan declared he should not further appear in Court. As soon however as the two Log books had been discovered and confronted, Mr. Hogan came down and laid a Memorial before the Court, in which he stated " that circumstances having now come to his knowledge which raised some doubts in his mind of the legality of Smart's pro- ceedings with regard to the Slaves, and that he had reason to think the said Smart had deceived him ; he requested to withdraw the objection he had made on a former day, stating that the exception he proposed would only render the legality of the cause more uncertain, and that should any fraud be discovered, the suspicion would fall upon him of being the author cr at least of participa- ting in the transaction ; He therefore left the decision of the question in their hands."
268 Records of the Cape Colony.
The illegality of the transaction being clearly proved, the value of the slaves sold by public auction was confiscated.
The Fiscal moreover having demanded the usual penalty, being the triple of the value of any article of illicit traffic, the Court rejected the demand, supposing that there were not sufficient proofs to attach the criminality of the transaction to Mr. Hogan, whose property alone in this case would have suffered.
The Commissioners however thought it their duty to enquire of His Majesty's Fiscal if, after the Court had rejected his demand, he had prosecuted the cause in the Court of Appeal, whose reply to this question given in writing states, that '* it certainly was his Opinion at the time, that Mr. Hogan was liable, as party concerned with David Smart, to the penalty of three times the value awarded by law, and claimed before the Court." But the Court rejected the demand, not considering the proofs sufficient to convict Mr. Hogan. Added to this the office of His Majesty's Fiscal being chiefly paid out of Fines and confiscations, it became a very delicate point with Mr. Eyneveld to urge the penalty contrary to the opinion of the Court, and the more so as Sir George Yonge, on the part of Government, and Captain Campbell who lodged the information, expressed their willingness to drop the Prosecution.
Thus circumstanced His Majesty's Fiscal adds *' that his feelings could not possibly allow him to interject an Appeal : having never in the period of nine years during which time he has served as Fiscal, appealed from a Sentence of the Court of Justice in any case where his self interest was concerned." On these grounds he acquiesced in the Judgement of the Court, altho' directly contrary to his own. No additional proofs at that time appearing against Mr. Hogan, the Court finally absolved him from the usual penalty.
The proceedings of the Court of Justice in this cause (K No. 3) rendered it a matter of public notoriety that the Court of Vice Admiralty had been grossly imposed upon, and made a cloak to cover a most iniquitous transaction, and the public conversation was not less engaged at that time than a general degree of surprise excited, that no steps appeared to be taken by the Vice Admiralty Court to bring the delinquents to punishment, who by pre- concerted perjury had so completely imposed upon the said Court.
However reluctant the Commissioners might feel in putting any questions to the Gentleman who presides over the Court of Vice
Records of the Cape Colony. 269
Admiralty in this Settlement, that could be supposed to convey the most distant appearance of reflecting on the proceedings of that Court, yet as His Majesty's Ministers are particularly desirous of receiving the fullest information of all the circum- stances that attended the transactions of the Ship Collector, not only with regard to those persons who were immediately con- cerned in the said ship, but also those who sanctioned or connived at their illegal proceedings, thus " involving themselves in con- siderable guilt, if by their public situations it was in their power to prevent or punish such enormities," the Commissioners felt themselves called upon to ask His Honor the Judge of the Vice Admiralty Court, " if after it became apparent that the Court over which he presided had been deceived by all the witnesses produced for the purpose of condemning the two pretended prizes and their cargoes of Slaves, to the Collector, together with the supposed Prize Slaves brought in that ship; any steps had been taken by the Court to bring these delinquents to punishment ? " to which the Judge replied, " none whatever," and the reasons assigned by him were that in the first place no person appeared to prosecute for perjury, and secondly because the Jurisdiction of the Court appeared to him to be questionable. Mr. Holland further added that "the result of the Suit in the Court of Justice proving extremely unfavourable to the characters of the persons engaged in that transaction he (Mr. Holland) mentioned to the Fiscal, that the apprehension of Mr, Smart the Commander of the Collector would be a very desirable event."
The Fiscal conceived that the apprehension of those, or any of them, who had given false Evidence would be equally de- sirable and spared no pains to effect this purpose, but without success.
Altho' persons high in authority were willing to suppose that all the criminal part of the transaction of the Collector was removed with the persons of Smart and the other absconded delinquents, yet the public seemed not so easily to be convinced of the innocence of Mr. Hogan. Captain Campbell it is true had agreed to drop the Prosecution after the confiscation of the slaves, "because he did not want to ruin the man," yet he had no hesitation in saying that the criminality chiefly attached to Mr. Hogan (K No. 5). He deposed before the Commissioners that Smart came to him on the Sunday evening, the day after the
270 Records of the Cape Colony.
true Lof? book had been obtained, much agitated and enraged, declaring that as Hogan had basely and falsely traduced his character, he was determined to prove to the Court of Justice and to the world the villainy and the falsehood of Hogan, as he had not only been privy to the whole transaction of purchasing the slaves at Mozambique, but had formed and arranged the whole plan. The following morning Smart went again to Capt. Campbell much enraged as before, saying he had made up liis mind, and even at the risk of his life he would come forward and expose to the world, the villainy of Hogan, and in a frantic manner went repeatedly over the same sort of conversation, Capt. Campbell advised him to take the opinion of a Lawyer and recommended to him Mr, Van der Truck, for whom he sent, and Smart accompanied him to his own house. Captain Campbell some time afterwards enquired of Van der Truck what had passed between him and Smart, and what was become of the latter. Van der Truck replied that Hogan had been with Smart at his House, that he had seen the former in a very humiliating situation entreating the latter to abscond, otherwise the ruin of himseK and family would ensue ; that Smart was very violent and reluctant, but that they at last came to an accommodation. Van der Truck however on being examined by the Commissioners, (K No. 6) pretended ignorance of the nature of the accommoda- tion, and stated that finding Smart's case desperate he refused to have anything to do with it.
Mr, Cadogan corroborated Capt, Campbell's Evidence as to the agitation and violent expressions of Capt. Smart whom he had seen both at the houses of Mr. Hogan and Van der Truck, that when at the former he was conjured by Mr. Hogan to abscond. He protested that he had done nothing that required such a step. At Van der Trucks he shewed the deponent some letters in a loose frantic manner, which he had no doubt were written by Mr. Hogan, but the agitation of Smart and the concourse of people passing in and out, did not allow him much time to peruse their contents, at least he did not much recollect them, but thinks some mention was made of the witnesses to be produced in the Admiralty Court, and in one was a sort of Eeprimand to Smart in words to this Effect, " How often must I tell you Smart, tliat a still tongue makes a wise head."
Mr. Cadogan also remembers to have heard Smart inveighing
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against Hogan as the author of all his present calamities, and that he could and would prove him so by his own letters. Mr. Tennant has deposed (K No. 8) that two or three days before Smart absconded, he met him in the street and said he wished to take his advice, that on the morning before he absconded he called at his house and told him in confidence that he had it in his power to ruin Mr. Hogan, but that he was rather inclined to compound the business, that as he had calculated upon clearing from Fifteen to Seventeen Hundred pounds, in case the Slaves had not been confiscated, he thought himself entitled, provided he should abscond in order to save Hogan, to an adequate compensation, and enquired of Mr. Tennant what he thought reasonable.
Mr. Tennant's opinion was, that he ought to demand from Mr. Hogan Two Thousand pounds, which sum he was further of opinion Hogan could not refuse him. Having shaken hands and thanked him for this advice, Smart departed and Mr. Tennant saw no more of him.
It appears however from the Evidence of Mr. Bray (K No. 9) that the said Smart found no difficulty in coming to an accommoda- tion with Mr. Hogan. Bray & Venables had a small Brig ready for Sea, which had been purchased at the judicial sale of the pretended prizes of the said Smart, and this Vessel they transferred to Mr. Hogan upon his letter of indemnification to an unlimited amount, which was afterwards settled at Five or Six Thousand Eixdollars and paid by Mr. Hogan.
It appeared further from the Deposition of Captain Eussel (K No. 10) that during his stay at Eio de Janeiro Capt. Smart arrived in the Brig Maria, with nine Slaves which he smuggled into that place and sold there together with the said Brig upon the sole account of the said Smart.
The Commissioners do not find that part of the charge sub- stantiated which mentions the great loss of slaves on the passage from Mozambique for want of water ; The deficiency amounting to between Eighty and Ninety was occasioned by an infectious disease, on account of which she was ordered to perform quarantine at Robben Island for the space of eight or ten weeks. The smallness of the Vessel, being only about one Hundred Tons, might probably have contributed to cause the distemper on board, as the Doctor seems to think they were rather crowded (K No. 11), but Mr. Hogan says many of them were smuggled on shore whilst
272 Records of the Cape Colony.
the ship was performing quarantine, for the individual interest of Captain Smart.
That Mr. Hogan was the person who planned and by means of his credit carried into execution thro' Smart, the whole of the illegal transactions of his Ship the Collector, the Commissioners cannot entertain a single doubt, but it does not appear from their enquiries that any other person was connected with him, or had any interest in that ship, except the Capt., Officers and Seamen, nor that any undue influence was used to attempt to bias the proceedings of the Court of Justice, tho' an attempt was certainly made to intimidate the Prosecutors and the Court from trying the cause (K No. 12).
SHIP CHESTERFIELD.
With regard to the Ship Chesterfield belonging to Walker and Eobertson, and which was discovered and captured by His Majesty's Ship Diomede carrying on a contraband trade on the Coast of South America, all the circumstances are so fully detailed in the proceedings of the Court of Piracy held upon the Captaiu and Supercargo of the said ship as to leave nothing for the Commissioners to add on that subject. Sir George Yonge when President of that Court, made oath that he had no interest whatever in the said ship or the parties concerned.
SHIP LADY YONGE.
The ship Lady Yonge belonging to the same Merchants was generally considered to be sent upon a similar Voyage to that of the Chesterfield, and from the Evidence of Captain Elphinstone (K No. 13) there is reason to believe that information sent to her of the fate of the Chesterfield, caused the Supercargo Mr. Peters to change her destination.
This Ship with goods of European manufacture on board cleared out for St. Helena, and some time after she had sailed a Warrant on the treasury was made out and signed by Sir George Yonge for a very considerable sum of money as an impress for the Hire of that Ship to Government.
This naturally induced the Colonial Secretary to enquire into the nature of the service she was meant to perform, whither she
Records of the Cape Colony. 273
had been Sent, and the terms of the Charter party. But he had every reason to suspect that no such instrument existed. At this time the Chesterfield had been brought in by the Diomede. He was told by Sir George that the Lady Yomje was gone to Eio de Janeiro with letters from him to the Viceroy, requesting him to permit and to assist her to procure a cargo of Eice, and that Mr. Peters was on board as Government Agent.
The Lady Yonge did certainly return with some Eice for Government, but had at the same time a considerable quantity of sugar on board for the private account of the owners. The quantity of Eice brought in her was so small that the loss to Government by this transaction was about Ten Thousand Eix- dollars.
Mr. Peters a partner in the House acknowledged that he had verbal Instructions from Sir George Yonge, and that he carried a letter to the Viceroy of the Brazils, but that he had no copy of any charter party, that he looked for no pay as Government Agent, his purpose being sufficiently answered by getting an insight into the Trade of that Coast.
In short the sending of the Lady Yonge was a very mysterious and suspicious transaction. The owners not only put goods on board, when outward bound, but also on her return, and Mr. Eobertson acknowledged that he had asked Mr. Blake if he would take a speculation in the Lady Yonge. It may be observed however that the engagements made by Government for shipping were all of them equally loose and irregular, conveying strong suspicions that those who made and acceded to tJtie terms were alike interested and concerned in the profits arising from the several transactions. The correspondence of Mr. Barnard (K No. 14) with Sir George Yonge on the subject, which accompanies tliis report, will show the very improper engagements entered into by the Governor, all of which were concluded thro' the medium of Walker & Eobertson, and without the knowledge of the proper officers of His Majesty's Government.
(Signed) Thos. P. Vandeleuk, Brigadier General, John Pringle, Commissary General, W. S. VAN Eyneveld, Fiscal, Edward Buckley, Civil Paymaster, John Barwjw, Auditor General. IV. ' T
274 Records of the Cape Colony.
Signed and Sealed this 16th of March 1802 in the Castle of Good Hope.
(Signed) Egbert McNab, Secretary to the Commission.
[Some of the annexures to this report have been printed in their places chronologically. Only a few of the others — and these of the least importance — are now to be found, so it would serve no useful purpose to copy them. — G. M. T.]
[Annual Eegister.]
Definitive Treaty of Peace between his Britannic Majesty and the French Republic, his Catholic Majesty, and tJie Batavian Republic.
Extracts : —
Art. III. His Britannic Majesty restores to the French Republic, and her Allies namely, his Catholic Majesty and the Batavian Eepublic, all the possessions and colonies which belonged to them respectively, and which had been occupied or conquered by the British forces in the course of the war, with the exception of the island of Trinidad, and the Dutch possessions in the island of Ceylon.
Art. VI. The Cape of Good Hope remains in full sovereignty to the Batavian Eepublic, as it was before the war. The ships of every description belonging to the other Contracting Parties shall have the right to put in there, and to purchase such supplies as they may stand in need of as heretofore, without paying any other duties than those to which the ships of the Batavian Eepublic are subjected.
Art. XII. The evacuations, cessions, and restitutions, stipulated for by the present Treaty, except where otherwise expressly provided for, shall take place in Europe within one month ; in the Continent and Seas of America and of Africa within three months ; and in the Continent and Seas of Asia within six months after the Eatification of the present Definitive Treaty.
Art. XIII. In all the cases of restitution agreed upon by the
Records of the Cape Colony. 275
present Treaty, the fortifications shall be delivered up in the state in which they may have been at the time of the signature of the Preliminary Treaty ; and all the works which shall have been constructed since the occupation shall remain untouched. It is further agreed, that in all the cases of cession stipulated, there shall be allowed to the inhabitants, of whatever condition or nation they may be, a term of three years, to be computed from the notification of this present Treaty, for the purpose of disposing of their property acquired and possessed either before or during the war, in which term of three years they may have the free exercise of their religion and enjoyment of their property. The same privilege is granted in the countries restored to all those, whether inhabitants or others, who shall have made therein any establish- ments whatsoever during the time when those countries were in the possession of Great Britain. With respect to the inhabitants of the countries restored or ceded, it is agreed that none of them shall be prosecuted, disturbed, or molested in their persons or properties under any pretext, on account of their conduct or political opinions, or of their attachment to any of the Contracting Powers, nor on any other account, except that of debts contracted to individuals, or on account of acts posterior to the present Treaty.
Done at Amiens, the 27th day of March, 1802 ; the 6th Germinal, year Ten of the French EepubHc.
(Signed) Coenwallis.
Joseph Bonaparte. J. Nicholas de Azaka.
E. J. SCHIMMELPENNINCK.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Lord Hob.vrt to Lieutenant General Dundas.
Downing Street, ZUt March 1802. Sir, — I have the satisfaction of transmitting to you an Extraordinary Gazette announcing the arrival of Mr. Moore, Assistant Secretary to the Marquis Cornwallis, with the De-
T 2
276 Records of the Cape Colony.
finitive Treaty of Peace which was signed at Amiens on the 27th Instant.
You will not fail to make this important Communication public throughout your Grovemment without the least possible delay.
I am &c.
(Signed) Hobart.
[Original.] Letter from Lieutenant Genekal Dundas to Lord Hobaet.
Capk of Good Hope, April 5th 1802.
My Lord, — The departure of His Majesty's Ship Imperieuse affords me a favourable opportunity of writing to your Lordship, but, as no official communication has reached me since I had the honor to receive your letter dated 12th October last enclosing a Copy of the Preliminary Articles of Peace between England and France, little occurs for me to trouble Your Lordship with at present, having already reported a due obedience having been paid to the King's commands relative to the cessation of hostilities as notified in the Proclamation of the 12th October 1801 brought here by His Majesty's Ship Eurydice.
Eeflecting upon the difficulties which, in my official capacity, I was likely to experience, in consequence of the change which by the condition of the peace is to take place in the political situation of this Settlement, I could not help entertaining very serious apprehensions as to the possibility of collecting to an adequate amount the sums due from the different branches of the Eevenue, the payment of which the Inliabitants being at all times inclined to elude might possibly upon the present occasion have altogether evaded ; therefore considering that the Colonial Salaries and the contingent charges upon the Civil Establishment would require to be otherwise provided for, I did myseK the honor of ■writing to Your Lordship a letter (in triplicate) dated 20th December 1801 upon that subject ; however, as the produce of the Kevenue has exceeded what I apprehended it would be at the time I did myself the honor of writing to Your Lordship on that head, (the money paid into the hands of the Eeceiver General
Records of the Cape Colony. 2*1*1
being fully sufficient for the discharge of all demands) I now feel confident that it will be unnecessary for me to have recourse to such authority as Your Lordship may have deemed expedient to send me, agreeable to my request, for drawing to a certain extent upon the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, as the Colonial Funds may be expected to answer the usual expenditure as well as perhaps every other demand likely to be made by the exigency of the public service previous to the final evacuation of the Colony.
I have the honor to enclose the Eeport of the Commission which for His Majesty's information and in pursuance of the instructions contained in Your Lordship's letter of the 2nd May 1801 was directed to enquire into the nature and circumstances of the alledged misconduct of the late Governor Sir George Yonge. As it would be improper in me to trouble Your Lordship with any opinion or sentiments of my own upon this business, I indulge a hope that in transmitting the several documents and details accompanying the proceedings of the Enquiry instituted by Your Lordship's orders, together with a letter from the Gentle- men composing the Commission to me I have fully executed your instructions and fulfilled His Majesty's commands upon that subject.
In consequence of a representation made to me by the Burgher Senate seconded by the sentiments of the more respectable of the Inhabitants of this Settlement, who stated in very strong terms the expediency if not the absolute necessity of augmenting the paper currency on account of the great want of money (owing to the encrease of the trade and commerce of the Colony) such a measure it being apparently necessary to adopt in order to prevent much private distress as well as public inconvenience, I was prevailed upon to direct a New Coinage to the amount of Two Hundred and Eighty Thousand EixdoUars to be stamped and signed in the usual manner and to be issued under the restrictions as mentioned in the Proclamations marked A No. 3, 5, 6, 7, having only to add that sufficient securities having been obtained for this additional Capital of Paper Money from the Inhabitants for the relief of whom it was solely appropriated, no possible degree of responsibility with regard to it can be hereafter attached to His Majesty's Government.
The circumstances which rendered necessary the establishment
278 Records of the Cape Colony.
of a Com Commission by the late Governor Sir George Yonge a short time previous to his departure from the Colony I had the honor of communicating in a former dispatch ; the salutary regulations which were made at its recommendation, with a view to avert the bad consequences of a scarcity of Grain are stated to Your Lordship in the papers marked E 1, 2, 3, containing a full detail of the proceedings of the said Commission from its com- mencement on 27th February 1801 until dissolved by proclamation on the 1st January 1802 the cause which rendered necessary the establishment no longer existing, since the abundant crops of the late harvest together with a very large supply of Eice received from India have now completely removed every apprehension of a deficiency of bread corn the Colony being amply supplied.
As Your Lordship will no longer have any share in the ad- ministration of the public affairs of this Settlement, it would be superfluous to occupy your time with a particular account of occurrences since the date of my last dispatch.
The means which I reported to have been resorted to for the preservation of tranquillity in the upper Country have not dis- appointed my expectations, no hostilities having taken place with the Caffer nations, and the farmers having once more retui-ned to their habitations, where I have every reason to believe from the last accounts I received from the Ofl&cer commanding in the District they will remain without exciting any new disturbances, or forming any hostile designs against His Majesty's Government.
Some Hordes of runaway Hottentots continue to commit depredations on the frontiers of the Colony to which they have been naturally led by the example of the Boers themselves, having fled from the habitations of the Peasantry exasperated at the ill treatment they experienced from their ancient oppressors. These Savages however are not altogether inaccessible, refraining from any acts of hostility against His Majesty's Troops against whom they state they have no cause of complaint ; and I am convinced that some humane and judicious arrangements with respect to them are only wanted to bring these unhappy people back to confidence and tranquillity, and which an interval of peace and leisure would have fully accomplished.
In the hopes of receiving from Your Lordship an early com- munication of His Majesty's commands together with your final instructions upon every point relative to the affairs of this Settle-
Hecords of the Cape Colony. 279
ment previous to its expected evacuation, so as to obviate any difficulties which might possibly occur with respect to the several arrangements which it will be necessary to make with the Dutch Government before His Majesty's Troops can be withdrawn,
I have &c.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Original.] Letter froin Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
Cape op Good Hope, April 9th 1802.
Sir, — In my Letter of the 6th October last I signified to you for the information of their Lordships the defective state of the Imperieuse, and the necessity there was for that reason to detain her here, until that from the period of her sailing from hence, she might arrive in England in the Summer season ; she is now therefore to take her departure.
In my Letter of the 9th March I stated my determination, for the reasons therein mentioned, to put on board the Hindostan the Naval Stores in the Magazine at Cape Town, which has been done, and on the 5 th instant she sailed for Simons Bay, as did the Lancaster, and I am extremely happy that both these Ships have quitted Table Bay, as it is very insecure at all seasons, but particularly so at the change from the SE to the NW Monsoon. The other Ships will also repair as soon as may be to Simons Bay, which I am the more anxious for, on account of the little dependance that can be placed in the Patent Cables, which in a very short time rot and are found to be unserviceable, though having the appearance of being perfectly good. I have written a Letter dated the 7th ultimo to the Navy Board upon this subject.
On the 11th ultimo the Echo a Dutch Corvette from Holland arrived here, where she still continues, but is ultimately bound to Batavia. It is said this Vessel is to wait here the anival of a Ship expected from Holland.
On the 22nd ultimo the Braave belonging to this Station arrived here from the East Indies pursuant to an Order from Vice Admiral
280 Records of the Cape Colony.
Kainier. By this Ship I received a Letter from Captain Osbom of the Tremendous dated Bombay the 6th January, wherein he informs me that endeavours would be used the next day to put the Tremendous into Dock.
On the 25th ultimo another Dutch Vessel of War from Holland named the William arrived here, on her way to Batavia ; and it is supposed she will sail from hence in a few days. I am &c.
(Signed) Eogee Cuetis.
[Copy.] Proclamation hy Lieutenant General Francis Dundas.
Whereas Eeports of a false and injurious nature have been propagated respecting the Corps of Hottentots in His Majesty's Service quartered at Eietvalley, tending to alarm the Inhabitants in that neighbourhood by misrepresenting the intention of His Majesty's Government, which in all its measures has been in- variably influenced by the most just and equitable motives, I hereby find it necessary to express my most heartfelt concern at the circulation of such groundless reports, which must have originated in either malevolence or folly, and at the same time to call upon and earnestly to entreat the Inhabitants at large to be upon their guard in future against the belief of similar false and malicious Representations respecting the forementioned Hottentots, all of whom being kept under the strictest discipline, a?id commanded by proper Officers, have given no cause even for a Complaint, much less for such ill founded and absurd apprehensions.
And in order that the Inhabitants may not suffer themselves to be misled by the malicious assertions of the ill-disposed, I hereby warn them of the fatal consequences which will inevitably ensue should they be so far deceived as to act contrary to their duty in attempting to counteract the operations of Government.
I do hereby prohibit in the most positive manner the assembling of the Inhabitants in arms upon any pretence whatsoever, without a proper and legal authority for that purpose, the Held Cornets being only authorized by their Instructions to call out in their own Subdivisions parties of armed Inhabitants in cases of extreme
Records of the Cape Colony, 281
emergency not admitting of the delay requisite to inform the Landdrost, who in the event of any greater commando being necessary, will alone give the necessary orders to that effect, and I do hereby moreover declare my full determination to punish in an exemplary manner upon the spot any one who shall presume to act contrary to this regulation, it having become absolutely necessary to enforce by some vigorous and decisive step that attention to the orders of the Magistrates, as well as that due obedience to the Law, so requisite to ensure the tran- quillity and well being of every Community.
I think it necessary upon this occasion to remind the Inhabi- tants that the advantages they have experienced together with the security they have enjoyed during the Seven Years this Colony has been under the Dominion of His Britannic Majesty gives them no reason to entertain any doubt of the propriety or expediency of the measures of the British Government, which on the contrary is entitled to the full and implicit confidence of the Settlement, the Colony in general having enjoyed during the forementioned period a course of uninterrupted tranquillity, and flourished beyond all former example.
The attention of Government has been incessantly employed towards the suppression of the plundering Bands of Hottentots which infest the district of Graaff Eeinet, for which purpose measures have been already adopted, and the Hottentots who were lately brought down the Country, and who having been incorporated with the old Hottentot Soldiers from Houtsbay are now formed into a Eegiment and quartered at Eietvalley, were enlisted with no other view than the preservation of the peace and the general safety of the Country, since it was evident that these Hottentots, in order to subsist, must have joined the wandering Bands of plunderers, thereby augmenting the dangers to which the Farmers are already exposed, who consequently, instead of being ridiculously alarmed at the steps taken by Government with respect to these people, ought to feel grateful for this additional proof of that care with which the British Government has constantly laboured for the safety, peace, and prosperity of the Colony.
Given under my Hand & Seal, Castle of Good Hope this 19 th day of AprH 1802.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
282 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original,] Memorial of Mr. David Pontakdant to Lord Hobart.
To the Eight Honorable Henry Lord Hobart, one of His Majesty's Principal Secretary's of State, &c., &c., &c.
The Humble Memorial of David Pontardant Sheweth,
That your Memorialist received great and serious injury from the conduct of Sir George Yonge, late Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, and upon your memorialists return to England, he had the honor to present a Memorial to your Lordship, with the prayer of which, your Lordship was pleased to comply, but which has been rendered useless, by the preliminary Articles of Peace.
That your Memorialist has been informed, it is the intention of His Majesty's Ministers, to appoint a Consul at the Cape of Good Hope, and that such appointment rests with Your Lordship.
Your Memorialist humbly entreats your Lordship, to take his case, again under consideration and that you will be graciously pleased to nominate him, British Consul at the Cape of Good Hope.
And your Memorialist as in duty bound will ever pray for &c. &c.
(Signed) David Pontardant.
Clapton, list April 1802.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Hobart to Lieutenant General Dundas.
Downing Stbeet, 30<A April 1802.
Sir, — I have the honor to transmit to you herewith His Majesty's Koyal Sign Manual directing you to deliver the Settlement of the Cape of Good Hope with the Fortifications thereof in the state in which they now are, to such Person as shall be authorized to receive the same on the part of the Batavian Kepublic, pursuant to the Definitive Treaty of Peace signed at Amiens on the 27th ultimo, a Copy of which I herewith enclose ; and as it is possible that some doubts may arise with
Records of the Cape Colony. 283
regard to the Artillery and Ammunition belonging to the said Eortifications, His Majesty is graciously pleased to authorize you to restore, together with the Settlement, all the Artillery and Ammunition found therein at the time they were conquered by His Majesty's Arms.
It being stipulated by the Twelfth Article of the said Treaty, that the Evacuations, Cessions, and Eestitutions stipulated for by the present Treaty, except where otherwise expressly provided for, shall take place in the Continent and Seas of Africa within three Months after the Eatification thereof; and the Ratifications having been exchanged at Paris on the 23rd instant, you will fix the most early time for your restoring the said Settlement of the Cape of Good Hope to such Person as shall be properly authorized by the Batavian Eepublic to receive the same ; and having delivered up the said Settlement you will immediately bring away with you all His Majesty's Troops, and any of His Majesty's Subjects who may be upon the said Settlement of the Cape of Good Hope, together with all the Artillery, Stores and other Effects, now there belonging to the King or any of His Majesty's Subjects.
The Officer Commanding His Majesty's Fleets at the Cape of Good Hope has been instructed to co-operate with you in the execution of this Service ; and particular Instructions with regard to the disposal of His Majesty's Troops under your Command will be communicated to you by His Eoyal Highness the Commander in Chief. I have &c.
(Signed) Hobakt.
[Copy of Translation.]
Provisional Justifieation of Honoeatus Cheistiaan David May- nip:e, in Jiis Quality as Commissary of the District of Graajf Ileinct, concerning several accusations preferred against him, with the Investigation of which a Special Commission appointed, hy Government is at present occupied.
Before I enter upon my Defence, against the particulars of the very heavy Charges which have been preferred against me, and before I answer for my conduct during the time I held the very disagreealjle office of Commissary at Graaff Eeinct, it will be
284 Records of the Cape Colony.
necessary to state a variety of circumstances which the Impartial Reader ought to be acquainted with, before he pronounces Judg- ment either with regard to the nature of the accusations, as well as of the Defence itself.
These Circumstances relate principally to the disturiiances which have taken place some years past in the District of Graaff Eeinet, and to myself, that is, in other words, to the mode of my proceedings there, as also to the occasion by which I have been employed there during the last Disturbances.
When in the vicissitude of affairs it happens that a Public Officer, to whom the Magistracy of a whole District has been committed, is accused of Crimes short of Murder, Eobbery, Instiga- tion of Hottentots against the Christians, Peculation, and several other Offences, one would in the first moment tremble for the fate of an Inhabitant who is to groan under the Government of such a Chief Magistrate ; and one would be easily prevailed on to excuse such Inhabitants, if they, becoming desperate, should take up arms, and should endeavour by forcible means to free themselves from such a Despot, and throw all the Guilt upon the Villain who by his conduct has occasioned their misbehaviour.
But reflecting upon the Circumstances which now exist in that part of the District of Graaff Eeinet known under the name of Bruinshoogte and Zuurveld, whose Inhabitants for many years past have opposed themselves to all kind of Government, to every Landdrost, Chief or Commissary, who at any time were to execute in those Districts any Act of Authority, to preserve good order, and to prevent Murder and Eobbery. That those Inhabitants have not feared to take up Arms, both against the present and former Government ; and to charge the former Landdrosts and Commissaries with the same vague accusations as are at present preferred against me, and which are at present the subject of a serious enquiry by a Special Commission thereto expressly ap- pointed by Government. When at the same time it is taken into consideration that I have not intruded myself into the affairs of Graafif Eeinet, but that I have been called to the office of Commissary against my own inclination, and against my representa- tions, at a moment when N. B. the District by the Mutinous and Turbulent Spirit of some of the Peasantry was in the most imminent danger, even on the brink of entire ruin, and taken from my Eetirement where I had been living these four years past
Records of the Cape Colony. 285
Quietly and Peaceably. He will then be on his guard if he wishes to judge arightly, and will not be led away by these injurious accusations, or by the cry of such as have a private view in blackening as much as possible my conduct, and in justifying that of the Peasantry; but on the contrary he will, laying aside all prepossessions, ask for the proofs of the accusations I have been charged with, and will behave with all the required delicacy and circumspection in the judgment of these proofs, and of the Persons who may appear as Witnesses, especially when there are among them such as belong to the discontented party, and of course are my adversaries. By so doing he will be easily convinced, not only of my Innocence, but also of my being as Commissary of Graaff Pieinet and as an Honest Inhabitant scandalously abused.
The circumstances I have in view are certainly generally enough known ; every body is acquainted with the troubles of the District of Graaff Eeinet, or more particularly the Divisions of Bruins- hoogte and Zuurveld have during the last ten years continually caused to Government, and in enquiring into the origin and real causes of the same, they will be found to have arisen from that just protection which Government, and according to its principles and orders, the Landdrosts and Commissaries have respectively endeavoured to afford the natives against the Violence, Eobbery, and Oppression which the abovementioned class of perverse peasantry have always been committing against the Life and Possessions of those creatures.
Already in the month of October 1788, when I did not even once think of being employed in the unhappy Drostdy of Graaff Eeinet, the Magistracy of that place wrote to the Governor that some inhabitants had requested assistance against the Caffres, and to attack the same, and in that Letter the following expressions were made use of: —
" and with that Nation some of the Inhabitants have since long ago wished to stand at variance, to make if possible a good Booty, as the Horned Cattle the Caffres do possess has always stimulated their covetousness," And in another part of that Letter the following paragraph occurs : " It would be very possible that some military officers would have been met with, who had insisted upon attacking inimically that Nation, whereby the Sacred Eights of Nations would have been violated, and much Innocent Blood would have been shed, and by so doing the Just Wrath of God might be
28G Records of the Cape Colony.
feared over this Country, but. Honorable Sir ! what means soever may be employed to prevent the violation of that Eight of Nations, it will serve but only to defer the business a little, for these turbulent spirits will only for a while desist from their intentions to execute the same afterwards with the better success."
Thus, I say, they wrote from Graaff Eeinet before I even thought of being employed in a public situation in that district. Experience has afterwards but too well confirmed that supposition, the Caffres have indeed been assaulted, and the Inhabitants them- selves have given rise to what was already so justly feared in the Year 1788 and which, alas ! at present is too much felt.
Being appointed in the Year of 1793 as Landdrost of Graaff Eeinet, the disturbances rose to such a height that Government found itself under the necessity of allowing a numerous Commando of both the Districts of Zwellendam and Graaff Eeinet to act against the Caffres. The Landdrost of Zwellendam, Mr. Faure, and myself were placed at the head of this Commando. After having defeated the Caffres, and taken a good deal of their Cattle which were divided by Mr. Faure and me among those who had suffered by the invasions of the CafiEres, and who had well behaved in the Commando, we made peace with the Caffres, a thing of great importance to this Country.
I then employed all means to convince the Inhabitants of Bruinshoogte that it was their real Interest to live in peace with the Caffres, but in vain, they longed for nothing so much as to attack the Caffres again and to profit by new troubles. They took it very ill that I had caused part of the Booty to be distributed among such faithful Hottentots, as, in conjunction with the Inhabitants had assisted the Commando against the Caffres, and who had acted with as much zeal as if it had been their own cause. These Creatures had risqued their Lives, were always the first exposed to danger, and placed on the most advanced posts, and I therefore insisted that they should at least have some share, and indeed they had only a very small part in the Booty. But this was called to prefer the Heathens before the Christians.
The positive orders of Government were Tiot to attack the Caffres ; but to promote Peace and Tranquillity between them and the Inhabitants by mild and gentle means ; and to protect the Hottentots against the Oppressions and Violence which they continually suffered from the Boors.
Records of the Cape Colony. 287
These orders so coincident with my own feelings were of course executed by me with all possible punctuality. But the more I fulfilled in this regard both as a Man and as a Public Officer, the more Enemies and Adversaries I created to myself among those who saw their schemes thereby frustrated.
On the 6th of February of the Year 1795 the Inhabitants of Bruinshoogte assembled in arms at Graaff Eeinet, and made as they termed it a Bevolution. They declared themselves unwilling to obey the Dutch East India Company any longer, and that they would be independent, and ordered me to quit the Drostdy with all that belonged to me within a few Hours.
Having no Garrison to support my character and authority as Landdrost, I was obliged to comply with this Mutinous In- timation.
I went away, and made a circumstantial report of what happened before' the Eegency. Soon after a series of complaints against me were sent in. I was an Aristocrat. I ruled arbitrarily, I had stolen, murdered, and protected the Hottentots before the Chris- tians, &c.
The Eegency in order to restore quietness and to investigate these complaints, appointed Mr. Olof Godlieb de Wet, Member of the Council and President of the Court of Justice, as Commissary of Graaff Eeinet, who assisted by Mr. Johannes Andreas Truter as Secretary, immediately departed to execute his Commission in my absence.
The particulars of what happened at that time at Graaff Eeinet are certainly not accurately enough known to me to be here stated ; but will easily be found in the report of the proceedings of those Gentlemen.
However I know that this Commission in the first instance was very well received at Graaff Eeinet, but as soon as the same entered into a Calm investigation of the proofs of the complaints preferred against me, and endeavoured to inculcate into the I'easantry principles of Humanity and the System of living in peace and harmony with the natives of the Country, Letters were circulated, mentioning that Mr. De Wet was come to Graaff Eeinet with a view to Murder the Christians with the help of Colonel Gordon, and to give the Country up to the Hottentots ; the consequence of which was that this High Commission, after remaining about two Months at Graaff Eeinet, shared the same
288 Records of the Cape Colony.
fate with me, being by an Armed Band of Rebels expelled from the Drostdy.
A few days after the return of this Commission in Cape Town, I was desired to wait on the Commissary Sluysken, who gave me to understand that from the report of the Commission, my Innocence was established ; but that on the one side the circumstances the Colony was under (it being then in the Month of July 1795, when the Cape was besieged) and on the other side the situation of Graaff Reinet itself as being in a State of Mutiny would not allow for the present any steps being taken in my cause.
The Records of that time will sufficiently shew the state of affairs at Graaff Reinet. The proposals concerning the Hottentots made by the Voice of the People of Graaff Reinet to the Regency tending to nothing less than to reduce the same to absolute Slavery, and to cut off all means of complaint about the injuries they suffered from the Boors, and these same Records will in the mean time poini out the sufferings which the poor Hottentots have imdergone, who on all sides were caught up as iV ^ accused of being accomplices in the treachery of Messrs. de Wet and Gordon, and how the Gaols of both Graaff Reinet and Zwellendam (from whence the Landdrost Faure also had been dismissed) have been filled with those unhappy Creatures many of whom lost their lives therein. However this not belonging to my present task, is only stated en passant ; besides these circumstances are so generally known that it would be un- necessary to enlarge on the Subject.
Towards the Close of the Year 1795 after the Reduction of this Place by the Arms of His Britannic Majesty, Mr. Bresler was appointed as Landdrost of Graaff Reinet, probably to endeavour to restore quietness by sending a Stranger, while General Craig supposed that the prepossessions which the late events must have created would perhaps hinder the attainment of that end in case I returned as Landdrost.
I could not but applaud this prudent measure, and for the General Good I put up with this arrangement, and went to the place of my Brother in Law in Groene Kloof, and afterwards to the Place the Burghers Post, which a good Friend sold to me at a reasonable rate.
I did not neglect however to communicate to the General my Sentiments about the Interest of that part of the Colony which I so recently governed, and imparted to His Excellency my, as I
Eecords of the Cape Colony. 289
then imagined, so well founded fear of its future fate, namely that the unhappy Natives of the Country turning desperate by the bad treatment of the chief part of the Inhabitants, and by want of protection of their Eights, would one Day commit the most Horrid Depredations.
I repeatedly pressed this my apprehension on the mind of the then newly appointed Landdrost, advising him from time to time if possible to prevent this event from happening by exhorting the Peasants to treat their Servants humanely, and to bear himself with patience the complaints of the Hottentots, and in such cases as they were in the Eight, to Administer Justice to them &c.
During the time that I lived at my Place Groot Post, Six Hours from Cape Town, I heard little else of Graaff Reinet than what . came to the knowledge of the Public in General, namely that the . Boors were again rebellious, that they peremptorily desired leave from the General to pass beyond the Groote Vis-river among the, Caffres, which has always been before, and at that time wisely for- bidden to them. Another time that they had expelled their Land- drost and Clergyman from the Drostdy, then again that the General had resolved to send Troops against them, and to oblige them by force to live quietly, until at last in the Year 1799 that memorable event happened at Graaff Reinet which has caused so much noise here, and obliged Government actually to send Troops to Graaff Reinet to bring the Rebels to Reason. They took Arms against the Troops, and the consequence was that when the Troops advanced they disarmed them and sent the Ringleaders to Cape Town.
Thus what I had foreseen took place. The Hottentots saw the moment fair to take Revenge on the Boors, and together with some Caffres, they assaulted their places. Murdered several Innocent Families, took all the Ammunition and all the Horses of a whole Division. Every one Fled. The Troops found themselves sur- rounded, and the Country seemed on the very brink of total Ruin.
Troops were immediately detached from the Capital, and Com- mandos formed in the Country, but as the first mentioned had a long March to perform, and the others, whether terrified by the unexpected event, or by want of ammunition, rather cliusing to abandon ever \ tiling and so save themselves by Flight, the Hottentots and Caffres had the better opportuuity to continue to Rob and to Plunder.
IV. U ■
290 Records of the Cape Colony.
The alarming Eeports of all these Events made Lieut. Gen. Dundas (then Acting Governor of this Place) resolve to depart immediately, and to place himself at the Head of his Troops, a great number of which marched in the mean time for the purpose of protecting the Inhabitants and to encourage them by his own presence to defend themselves, and further to take the necessary measures for the restoration of Peace and Tranquillity in those Districts.
During all these occurrences I lived Quietly with my Family at the Place the Burghers Post, until I received a Letter by Command of His Excellency the General written to me, dated 12th of August of the same Year 1799, desiring me to come as soon as possible to the Cape, and to wait on His Majesty's Fiscal who was authorized to speak with me about affairs of the greatest importance.
I lost not a moment and arrived in the night of the 13th at the Cape. The Fiscal then communicated to me more particularly the distressed circumstances of the Country, adding that the General desired to have some person with him who had influence over the Hottentots, and on whom they would rely, as that it was necessary to bring this desperate people to order, and to prevent further Bloodshed, saying that the General was well acquainted the principle I had always acted upon at Graaff Eeinet was to protect as much as possible the Natives, which His Excellency supposed they would not have forgot.
In the first instance I naturally hesitated to leave my family and to expose myself without necessity to danger and disquietude, but I was prevailed on by the Fiscal's reasons, that I might perhaps be the means to stop the course of Murder and depredations and thereby be of real service to my Country. I resolved to attend the General to Zwartkops Eiver, and to execute as far as lay in my power the orders which His Excellency should be pleased to give me at that place according to circumstances.
The Day following, the 14th of August, I left the Cape without having been able to make any arrangements with regard to my private affairs, and to the best of my recollection I arrived the 16th of the said Month in Zwellendam, where I met the General just ready to Proceed on his Journey.
The Landdrost of Zwellendam as well as myself followed the General, and on our arrival at the Lange Kloof we abeady met with several Waggons of the flying Inhabitants who had abandoned
Hccords of the Cape Colony 291
their places and whose Hottentots had joined the Confederacy of the Eebellious Hottentots. The General immediately ordered tha Boors there to retui'n again.
Being here informed that several families were murdered, the General ordered the Field Commandant Tjaart van der Walt to assemble with all possible speed the Boors in his district to stop the further effusion of Blood.
The situation we found the District in at that time I am averse to describe. General Dundas and those who attended His Excel- lency on that occasion will best be able to recollect the state of the Country at the time, and it is not my business to enquire into the causes and origin whereby these affairs had risen to such a height, it will be sufficient only to note that the • Hottentots and Caffres were entirely master of the Gamtoos, Zondag's and Bosjesman'a rivers, that Stephanus Scheepers and his whole family, Hendrik Strydom and his family, the Widow Van Beilen and her family, and several persons at the place of the Widow Gerrit Scheepers, situated 3 hours distance from Zwartkops Bay, had already been murdered, and that the communication from the said Bay with the Lange Kloof was entirely cut off.
The Peasantry were confounded by this unexpected insurrection of the Hottentots, and panic-struck at their success. The Com- mandant Van der Walt still preserved some resolution, but few followed him, and several attacks made against those Hottentots were without success. The Commandant Eensburg suffered him- self by a single attack to be dispossessed by the Hottentots of 104 Horses, and he and his men put to flight.
The confederacy of the combined Hottentots consisted of upwards of 700 men, who already had with them more than 300 Horses and 150 firelocks ; besides the Hottentots who still remained under the Boors were not at all well disposed, but seemed rather to incline to join the confederacy on the first fair opportunity.
This was then nearly the hopeless state of the Country, when the General at the place of Cornells MuUer on Gamtous Eiver mentioned to me that Reflecting on the Circumstances and on the Situation of the Combined Confederacy of Hottentots which remained in the nearly inaccessible Woods and Mountains, and on considering that the numbers continually encreased. His Excellency thought it for the present impossible to attack them
2 u
292 ^Records of the Cape Colony.
with any Success, but His Excellency remembering the un- fortunate events of St. Domihgo feared with great Reason the most serious consequences for this Country if the progress of this evil by some means or other were not speedily suppressed ; being fuUy persuaded that a War with this Nation could never be carried on with the hope of a favorable issue, without exposing the whole Country to ruin. His Excellency therefore determined to appease these Creatures by fair means. The only question then remaining was how to enter into negotiations with them.
Altho' it may be inconsistent with the miles of Modesty to speak of one's own good deeds, the thread of this narrative requires that I should be indulged for a moment, to mention that I at that time, even against the General's inclination, who was anxious not to expose me to the danger, went unarmed, between the Bosjes- man's and Zondag's Rivers where the whole confederacy was assembled in arms. After long treating with them, and after having with much trouble prevailed on them to believe that Government did indeed conceive they were not well treated, and that it was really the intention of Government that their condition with the Boors should be altered, I concluded a peace, the terms of which were "that Government should protect them against the ill treatrnent of the Boors in the most efficacious manner, and should provide that when they served the Boors that they should be well paid and well treated.'*
After the lapse of two Days I returned to the General, bringing with me the principal Chiefs of the Confederacy, with whom the General . ratified this peace, and who was pleased to pardon the offences they had committed in consideration of the circumstances of their case, at the same time warning them against a repetition of these outrages, and threatening that in such an event they would certainly receive exemplary puuishment, and from that moment the Murders and Depredations of the Hottentots ceased.
The same plan was adopted with regard to the Chiefs of the Caffres, with whom the General also agreed on terms of Peace. The Peasantry now recovering from their fright and apprehensions, were exhorted to retake possession of their places which they had abandoned. The General then framed a plan to preserve lasting peace and good understanding with the Caffres and Hottentots, and more especially to prevent by all possible means the Hottentots and Caffres from joining together, and also to conclude
Mecords of the Cape Colony, .293
.with the latter, or the Great Caffrian Nation situated beyond the Groot Visch Eiver under the Government of Ghyka, a treaty of Friendship, on just and equal terms.
To this great end the General employed all means, and as far as laid in my power and my knowledge of the Country allowed me, I endeavoured to assist His Excellency Bona Fide with the best intentions and exertions.
Arriving at Graafif Eeinet, the General found the state of affairs not less distressing, — the Landdrost Bresler was accused by the Boors of having instigated the Caffres and Hottejitots against the Christians, and caused the Murder of the families of Scheepers and Strydom, but which accusations the General with reason did not think entitled to notice, they being of that kind as had almost become a privilege at Graaff Eeinet to vent against the Landdrosts and Magistrates, and the District was also threatened with an attack of the Catfres of Ghyka under the direction of a certain Coenraad de Buys, who with a number of fugitive Boors ha,d placed, themselves under his protection.
The General, always desirous to be on good terms with the Great Caffrian Nation, and persuaded that they should be of the peaceable sentiments of Government, I again took upon me to go to the chief Ghyka in order to accomplish this purpose. Mr, SomervUle accompanied me, and wiU best be able to testify how far Ghyka was prepossessed against Government by the instigation of Coenraa,d de Buis and his companions who were personally with them.
At my return in the month of November 1799 from Ghyka at the place of Johannes van der Walt, the General mentioned to me that he was ujider the necessity to return to the Cape ; but that His Excellency wished that I should remain for some time in the Country, to carry into execution the plan adopted for the tranquillity of the district. I represented that my affairs and the circumstances of my family did not indeed allow me to remain in the Country, and that my return was extremely material to both, but as the General insisted continually thereon, I thought it my duty not to refuse.
Consequently I was on our arrival at Graaff Eeinet on the 25 December 1799 appointed Commissary of the District, with solemn promises that it would only be for a few months, and that I should then be at Liberty to retui-n.
294 Records of the Cajpe Colony.
On the 7th of January 1800 His Excellency departed for the Cape leaving verbal orders and instructions to me to follow the adopted plan for the reconciliation of the Hottentots and Inhabi- tants, and above all to entertain a friendly intercourse with the Caffres, as also in general to do on all occasions as I should judge most proper and most suitable for the Interests of Government and the District. And on this occasion His Excellency was pleased to offer to send immediately after his arrival at the Cape, my Wife and Children to me, to which I replied that as I was only to remain two or three months at Graaff Eeinet it was not worth while, and thanked the General for his kind attention.
As the General was now departed I entered upon my duty cheered with the hope that three or four months would put an end to my anxieties, and that I then should be relieved.
The Hottentots I always endeavoured to engage to take service with the Boors, and the latter I persuaded that it was their and their Children's interest to treat the Hottentots with kindness ; and to impress upon their minds that the idea of extirpating the Hottentots, or to make Slaves of them was but a Chimera, that Nature had placed these Creatures here, that most of them were already robbed of their Land and their Cattle ; but that Divine Providence which always provides for its Creatures would certainly not allow the execution of the horrid enterprizes which many among them meditated, and a double punishment would attend such crimes.
I succeeded with many, and many who were prepossessed against me called me their deliverer. By such means I engaged of the abovementioned confederacy of 700 Hottentots, a considerable number to enter the service of the Boors, of whom I kept an exact Eegister, taking down the time and the terms on which such a Hottentot had entered into the service of such a Boor, when the time they were engaged for expired, I ordered that every Hottentot should apply to me with a Certificate of his Master, which I noted, as also accompanied with a Certificate of my own, that such a Hottentot again, according to the above mentioned regulations was at liberty to enter into the service of another. In case a Hottentot had any dispute with his Master about the terms they had agreed upon, he could freely have recourse to my Register Book, and enquire into the conditions he
Records of the Cape Colony. 295
had engaged himself upon, and this measure served me to keep both the Boor and the Hottentot to their mutual engagements, and when the Hottentot had served out his time, I took care that he always received his Payment.
Of these transactions, the Eegister Book deposited at the Secretary's Office at Graaff Eeinet will bear witness.
In the mean time Coenraad de Buis and some Boors who after the last disturbances with the Landdrost Bresler had fled to the Caffres and put themselves under the protection of Ghyka endeavoured to lay as many snares in my way as possible. At this time they had their emissaries among the Boors to make them believe that the Caffres would surprize them on this side of the Visch River, another time that Buis himself with Ghyka and a considerable number of his subjects would make an invasion among the Christians and murder all those who listened to me, and again that he, Buis, would come with the Caffres and destroy the Drostdy of Graaff Eeinet.
However I did not mind these threatenings, and endeavoured as much as possible to tranquilize the alarmed people by a confident appearance, and by receiving with indifference such reports, by which means I happily succeeded so far that those Eeports missed their intended aim, and produced no confusion.
In the mean time I did not neglect to treat secretly thro' my Emissaries with Ghyka and the other Caffre Captains Congo and Jalousa ; and I succeeded according to my wishes ; I had likewise the satisfaction to see the means I gradually employed to get some of the firearms, waggons, &c. which were still in the possession of the Hottentots, out of their hands, and to bring them back again to the use of their own Weapons the Bow and Arrow, crowned with the best success.
From time to time it was reported that some single Hottentots wandered about and committed thefts. I thereupon sent to all the different Craals of the Caffres and Hottentots for Information, and at the same time warned them that I should give leave to fire upon such Wanderers, and I wrote indeed to the Field Commandants and Field Cornets to keep a watchful eye, and that when they perceived any thing of the kind, that each should assemble some of the men of his district to pursue such wanderers, and to shoot at the same, and to those who lived on the limits, I ordered them in the mean time to cause patrols to be made
296 Records of the Cape Colony.
from time to time by six or eight young men to watch for their security.
In the month of April 1800 I was attacl<ed by a violent fever, which brought me to the edge of my grave, and which remained upon me till the month of August following.
How ill and incapable soever I was in the Month of July of that Year to undertake a Journey, I notwithstanding on the report that Coenra^d de Buis would make an attack on the Inhabitants of the Tarka, caused myself to be placed in a waggon and proceeded to the Tarka, in order to tranquilize the Inhabitants, and to convince them by my presence that their apprehensions were unfounded.
On account of my illness Mr. Somerville was adjoined to me as Commissary, and who has nearly a whole year served with me in that capacity.
In the Month of January 1801 I obtained leave to depart for Cape Town, and flattered • myself with the Hope that I should then obtain my discharge. I strongly urged it both with His Excellency Sir George Yonge as Governor, and with General Dundas. To the letter I repeated the promises given to me, and that I ought now to be relieved (as I styled it) from my banishment at Graaff Eeinet, Both declared that they were too much satisfied with my conduct to allow me to quit, and prevailed on me still to continue for some time until Govern- ment should meet with an opportunity to have me properly replaced, which they would in the mean time endeavoui" to effect.
The flattering satisfaction of having the approval of Government and the arguments of the Governor and the General made me resolve still patiently to bear my fate for some Months longer.
I departed from Cape Town, and arrived a second time in the Month of March at Graaff Eeinet, where I was informed by Mr. Somerville that he had received in my absence from the Cape a Memorial of Complaints, personally delivered to Sir George Yonge by the Field Commandant Eensburg, stating that they were not allowed to go on Commandos against the Hottentots or CafFres and such like; to which Mr. Somerville said he had already replied by a Memorial of Justification to Government, and in which I concurred.
I then resumed again my office as usual, and Mr. Somerville
Records of the Cape Colony. 297
liaving obtained leave of absence went to the Cape as I believe ill the Month of April following.
In the Month of May, and therefore not long after the tidings arrived at Graaff Eeinet that Sir George Yonge was called home, and that General Dundas in his place had taken the Eeins of Government, a report was then spread that in the following Month of June when the usual Opgaaf of the effects of the Inhabitants was to be taken, several Inhabitants would be imprisoned and sent to the Cape, and that at this transaction Mr. Barrow would assist, who was daily expected in the Country for that purpose.
Being well acquainted with the Credulity of the Peasants, and well knowing the intentions wherewith such Eeports were circu- lated among the Ignorant Public, I endeavoured to contradict and to make them remark the ridiculousness of the same. I learned afterwards that several Inhabitants from Bruinshoogte had quitted their Division and assembled in Zwagershoek.
I thereupon dispatched the former Field Cornet Jan Jacobse to these persons, to enquire into the reasons thereof, who returned two days after with a Letter from the Commandant Eensburg and the Field Cornet Erasmus, saying that the Caffres and Hottentots had circulated that they would extirpate the Inhabitants of the Bruinshoogte ; that they had not been able to retain the people at their places, and thereby had been obliged to follow them.
I issued immediately a public notice of which I sent a Copy with my Official papers to Government, in which I pointed out to them the folly of their inconsiderate conduct, and exhorted them to return to their places, but instead of this they came armed into the neighbourhood of the Drostdy, and on being informed of this I gave Van Eensburg, who was the head of the Eebels, to understand that he must not undertake to appear with this armed Band at the Drostdy, that should they so do I would repulse them with violence, and that if he or any of them had anything to propose or to petition for, they must appear unarmed at the Drostdy, and that in that case I would listen to every one, and grant such redress as their well founded complaints might be entitled to.
Their Grievances consisted chiefly herein, that they wanted ammunition and leave to go on Commandos against the Caffres and Hottentots. I told them that I had never refused to allow
298 Records of the, Cape Colony,
Commandos against such wandering Hottentots and Caffres as came to Rob them or any body else of their Cattle, and that I had never refused to give the necessary ammunition for such occasions, but that I would never allow them to make wanton attacks on the Hottentot and Caffre Kraals, and to expose so many Innocent People with their Wives and Children as lived therein to destruction, that I was willing to do Justice between them and their Neighbours, but that, whatsoever the Consequences might be, I would not load my conscience with spilling the innocent Blood of these unhappy creatures ; that if the Peasantry would unite with me to put into execution the plan of reconcilia- tion adopted by General Dundas, I could assure them that every thing would take a proper turn, but if on the contrary they again took up arms (without any reason) against Government, I would not answer for the consequences which their conduct most in- evitably would bring upon them.
Several other circumstances took place at that time, which are already mentioned in my official report of this event to Govern- ment, or hereafter will be stated in discussing the different articles of accusation which are to follow.
To avoid therefore all repetitions I shall not mention here what farther happened, as it is to make a particular part of this Justification.
In the mean while several Hottentots assembled at the Drostdy, some of whom for fear of their Masters had run away, and others had fled out of the kraals on hearing that the Combined Eebellious Boers had said that after they should have subdued the Drostdy they would murder all the Hottentots. This happened mostly in the Month of August, and in September several Hottentots came with firearms for the same reasons to the Drostdy for protection.
I looked upon this as a natural consequence of the inconsiderate conduct of the Boors, and prudence induced me not to refuse protection to these Creatures lest they might form a Band, and commit again the same depredations as in the Year 1799. I conciliated these people as much as I could, assuring them that if they committed no excesses, but behaved themselves well, Government would certainly continue to protect them. I kept them at the Drostdy as well as Circumstances would allow until I should see how this Business would end, always expecting that Eeusburg and his people agreeable to my "repeated exhortations
Hecords of the Cape Colony. 299
Would repent and return to their places, when I would again endeavour to get those Hottentots by the same fair means as formerly practised to enter for the second time into the service of their Masters.
It was indeed astonishing in what good subordination those Hottentots have been during the time of the (so termed) siege, having never committed an act whereby they might have exposed themselves to the reproaches of whomsoever. The Officers who resided at that time in the Village may be questioned on this point, and I am convinced they will give the best accounts of them.
I always boTia fide imagined that Eensburg and his followers, on revolving the steps they had taken and perceiving how by their rash behaviour they had again exposed the whole Country to Euin, would repent of their folly, and that tired of the vagabond way of Life they so wantonly led, would return to their places and assist me in promoting the real happiness of the District, but against my expectation and against all probability I found myself deceived, and saw on the Contrary that Eensburg a second time intended a serious attack on the Drostdy.
I warned him to be cautious, for that I had armed every one at the Drostdy, and that I should repel Violence with Violence, and on the 23rd October he surrounded the Drostdy, threatening that if the Hottentots were not delivered up to him he would Destroy them there. I was as good as my word. I immediately gave the necessary orders to fire upon them, which were duly obeyed, and the lire was returned on the side of Eensbm-g and his party and continued the whole of the Day; but they observing that they were received with firmness at length retired happily without Bloodshed, and without subduing the Drostdy as they had proposed to themselves.
This Circumstance I reported to the General, who appointed Major Sherlock as Commissary at Graaff Eeinet with me, and wrote to me to act in concert with him. Not long afterwards I received a second letter directing me to come personally to the Cape to confer with His Excellency after I should have given the necessary information to Major Sherlock.
From this Letter I could not perceive the least dissatisfaction of Government against me, but not long after the arrival of Major Sherlock I observed that something respecting me was on the
SOO Records of the Cape Colony.
anvil. Receiving a positive order to Repair to the Cape deprived of every assistance I began my cheerless journey to the Cape with my Wife and Children (who on account of my too long stay at Graaff Reinet had followed me thither) and continued in it for 30 Days.. When I arrived at this place I was looked at with astonishment for it was rumoured that I had fled. I learned afterwards that a String of complaints of Treason, Theft, Murder, &c., had been preferred against me, and that I was the cause of the Murders committed in the Country, it was also notified to me that the General would not see me, that His Excellency would appoint a Commission to enquire into my conduct, and that I should be suspended from my Public Offices.
This Suspension did not follow, but I was on the informed
that the Court of Justice had received a Letter from the General as follows : —
Cabb Town, 6«A January 1802.
Sir, — I am to acquaint you that it being my intention to institute an enquiry into the particulars of such transactions as have recently taken place in the District of Graaff Reinet while under the Administration of Mr. Maynier a Member of the Court of Justice, as well with a view to ascertain the grounds of certain complaints preferred against him by the Inhabitants of the said district in his conduct as Commissioner, having the Superin- tendancy of the Public Affairs therein, as in enabling Mr. Maynier himself to justify himself, it will be necessary th^t Mr. Maynier be not permitted to take his seat as a Member of the Court of Justice, until such time as the investigation proposed has taken place, and the reports prejudicial to his Character entirely re- moved, I am, &c.
(Signed) F. Dundas.
To 0. G. DE Wet, Esqre.,
President of the Court of Justice.
And I have since been informed to my utter astonishment, and have found it (however improbable it appears to me) by reports I cannot disbelieve, that not long after my departure Mr, Bresler, having been ordered so to do, had by a Proclamation, and by ringing the Bell, invited all the Inhabitants who had any com- plaints against me to bring the same before a Commission of
Records of the Oape Colony^ 301
Heemraden appointed for that purpose, which actually met, the result of the said meetings howevet remains still Unknown to me.
On the 5th of February I received ftom Mr. Dozy as Secretarj^ of a Commission appointed with regard to me, the following Letter : —
CAtE o* Good Hope, Uh Pebtuary 1802.
Sir, — I have the honor herewith to enclose by order of the Commission appointed by His Honor the Governor for the in- vestigation of the complaints preferred against you, a Translated Copy of the principal points of accusation, in order to enable you, as soon as the Commission shall have gone through the examina- tion of the evidence to state what you shall think propel* in your defence. I have, &c.
(Signed) E. Dozy, Secretary to the Commission.
To H. C. D. Maynier, EsqRe.
To the said Letter were added the Articles of accusation.
In the first instance I imagined that the Commission which was appointed for the enquiry would not close the examination of the Witnesses and have their Evidences sworn to before I should have been acquainted with their depositions, and allowed to pi-opose some regular Questions to the Witnesses myself before the Com- mission, but learning that the Witnesses were examined, and their evidences being sworn to, and the persons being allowed to l-eturn home, I thought it my Duty (without meddling with the mode of the enquiry) not to remain silent, as now incumbent on me in this Stage to refute as far as possible these Articles of Accusation.
To the Articles of Accusation I have judged it proper for the Eeasons alledged in the Preamble of this Defence, not to touch upon, before stating in distinct terms some circumstances the impartial Judge ought to be acquainted with before he shall pronounce Judgment on this my Apology.
The Circumstances which I have before described are either Generally known, or there are Persons who having been Actors in them are sufficiently acquainted and may be Witnesses to refer to, and to them I confidently appeal for the Truth, satisfied in my own mind that I can establish with adequate proofs what I have above stated, whenever I shall be called upon.
302 Records of the Cape Colony.
The particular Accusations at present preferred against me are Seven, of which the First is
" Delaying to acquaint Government of the turbulent State of the Country, and withholding information of a most daring and outrageous attack upon the Seat of the Government in the District of Graaff Eeynet by the Rebel Boors, which information was at length communicated without his knowledge by the British Officers on the Station, thus exposing the Country to Euin, and the Garrison there to destruction, Major Sherlock on his arrival having found the Troops to have been Four days without Bread."
2nd. "Peculations in various instances, but principally in obtaining Cattle from the Caffres and Hottentots for Beads and other trifling articles inadequate to their value, and selling the same to the Commissary for the Troops. In selling Cattle as his own property to the Commissary at the exorbitant rate of 18 Eds. each, some of which were afterwards claimed by Hottentots, for one of these Cattle however it would appear he gave the Owner Ten Eixdollars after having received 18 for the same from the Commissary. Of retaining money without the approbation or knowledge of Government, that had been levied by the Landdrost and Heemraden in the District from the Inhabitants as an Assess- ment for the repairs of the Streets of the Capital, and committed by them to his care for the purpose of paying it over to the Burgher Senate."
. 3rd. " Abusing the Confidence placed in him by Government, not only in withholding information and suppressing the Truth with respect to the real State of the Country, but in privately sending Emissaries among the Hottentots to dissuade them from entering into the British Service, and also insinuating to the Landdrost that he ought to be cautious how he resumed his functions from the Instructions of Major Sherlock, thereby endeavouring to create distrust of the British Government in that Magistrate, and also among the Hottentots who had fled to the Drostdy for Pro- tection."
4th. " Exercising various acts of oppression against the Inhabi- tants of the District, as for instance levying a Monthly Game Tax of his own framing, subsequent to the Proclamation annulling the Game Laws introduced into the Colony by Sir George Yonge. Preventing them from taking any steps to recover their Cattle that had been carried off by Plundering Parties of Hottentots and
Records of the Cape Colony. 303
Caffres, but rather seeming to encourage those Savages to bring Cattle to the Drostdy; likewise taking from the Boors, and appropriating to his own use, various articles, and refusing to pay for the same."
oth. "Entering into an improper negotiation or negotiations with the Boors, the particulars of which were not communicated to Government, and afterwards breaking faith with the said Boors, in refusing to perform the engagements and promises solemnly made to them by Him, on the part of His Majesty's Govern- ment."
6th. " Being Guilty of Injustice and Cruelty in the following Instances : The Murder of Naude a respectable Inhabitant of the district by the Savages through his means, as stated to have been asserted by his Son-in-Law Coetzee, and afterwards by the Deposition of Piet a Hottentot Captain transmitted by Major Sherlock. Likewise in delivering into the hands of the Boors a number of Hottentots who had fled to him for protection, fifteen of whom are said to have been immediately Murdered by the forementioned Boors."
7th. " Having refused to bring to Justice certain Hottentots who were committed to Custody at the Drostdy of Graaff Eeinet accused of Murder, on the contrary permitting them with impunity to escape, or liberating them from Prison, thereby violating every principle of Justice, and preventing the trial and punishment of these Criminals."
These being the principal Charges preferred against me, I shall divide every Article into so many parts as the same contains separate Accusations, and endeavour to place my defence as Briefly as possible in the Margin.
Article 1 says " That I have delayed to acquaint Government with the turbulent and rebellious state of the Country."
To this I am in General terms to remark that the District of Graaff Eeinet since the last Eight Years never has been in a state of perfect tranquillity, that the situation of the same has (as every one knows) never been but a Succession of Eebellions and Dis- turbances which one time have made more noise than another, according to the more or less influence of the false reports which were spread, and the means made use of to excite them.
But as far as this part of the accusation may allude, and attaches to the particular events at Graaff Eeinet which happened
304 Itmyrds of the Cape Colony*
in the month of July 1801, vrhen a number' of Boors were^ assembled at the Tarka, and afterwai'ds came up armed to the Dfostdy, my Letters and Reports which I immediately dispatched by an Express to Government in the month of July will afford the best testimony that I have not delayed to acquaint Govern- ment. This Express was immediately dispatched after the event took place, and the consequence thereof was the speedy arrival at the Drostdy of Graaff Eeinet of the General's Aid de Camp Mr. Smyth, as early as in the beginning of August, he being on the Receipt of my Reports expressly sent to make enquiry into the Circumstances, and to confer with me on the means to be adopted for the Public Service.
It is true that after my return from the Cape, and after the tidings of Sir George Yonge's departure had reached that part of the Colony (I believe in the middle of May) reports were spread that at the next Opgaaf which was to take place in the middle of the Month of June, the Inhabitants would be imprisoned and sent away, for which purpose Mr. BarTow was expected at Graaff Reinet; it is true, I say, that I did certainly not acquaint Government With these previous Reports and Alarms. That I did not do it was not because I thought it unnecessary, but inexpedient, for whoever is acquainted with the Circumstances of Graaff Reinet would certainly not require this attention on all &uch like occasions from me, indeed should I have communicated all the reports which were at one time at this part, then in another part of the District in circulation, I should have been obliged to have had Messengers perpetually on the Road ; and Government would have been every moment unnecessarily alarmed.
At one time Reports were spread that French Frigates were arrived at the Bicha, which on enquiry were found to be false, another time that the Cafifres advanced to invade the Country, again that Coenraad de Buis was coming forward with a number of Caffres to punish the peaceable Inhabitants for their Obedience to Government, and several others, which made generally such impressions on the weak minds of the Inhabitants that movements almost always ensued. Ought I to have given always immediate information to Government of such Reports and Commotions when I found means to arrange these disturbances quietly ?
As soon as I had appeased the same I regularly communicated it to Government, and so Circumstantially that I thought I made
Records of the Cape Colony. 305
myself ridiculous by the prolixity of my details, however I never did so till after I had succeeded by a steady and tranquil appearance in convincing the Boors of their folly and credulity.
At least four times in the course of Two Years that I held the Office as Commissary at Graaff Eeinet, I thought it expedient to proceed with the greatest speed to Bruinshoogte and Tarka, to show the Boors by my presence that I despised all the Eeports of the arrival of the Cafires, or Buis with his associates, and that the same were false, and to encourage them not to give any Credit to such reports.
It once happened at a moment when I was extremely ill, that I caused myself when half dead to be carried in a Waggon, and performed the views of my Journey with success, and I have always (I must again repeat) experienced that in assuming a calm appearance with fearless conduct whatever might happen, I adopted the best means to restore tranquillity.
This was also the Principle whereon I acted in the present case, a Principle founded on the Circumstances of the Colony, a Principle which I am certain the General himself will approve of on re- collecting the events which happened at the time of his Eesidence at Graaff Eeinet, and on recalling to his mind the extraordinary notions and ideas of the Ignorant and Stupid Boors, and will I flatter myself acknowledge it to be a just and necessary one to prevent those continual commotions to which a Country where such inconceivable Credulity as prevails among the Peasantry will be ever liable.
This having been my uniform conduct cannot at this moment even be deserving of Blame, much less should it become a serious point of accusation, especially not, as I afterwards received a letter from the General, wherein His Excellency completely approved of my behaviour, adding that I had done very well not to alarm the Capital,
I have equally acted Bona fide with Mr. Smyth the Aid de Camp. I disclosed every thing to him during his stay at Graaff Eeinet. He assisted at the Opgaaf, and heard the exhortations I made to the Boors after what had passed in the Month of July. I took him to the Barracks and other places where any works had been done, all which he approved, and some alterations which lie proposed I caused afterwards to be made, as finding them proper and useful. It is true Mr. Smyth the Aid de Camp asked me
IV. X
306 Hecords of the Cape Colony.
whether I wanted Troops ; and I answered that in my opinion no Troops ought to be sent. This my Opinion was founded upon the Circumstances of the District, and on many other reasons I then alledged to him. The State of the Colony was such that a general scarcity of Bread prevailed there, as well as at the Cape and through the whole Country, and consequently it appeared to me that Troops ought not to be sent but on the most urgent necessity, and no other means of preserving quiet remained.
The marching of Troops, besides the enormous expence to Government has been always found greatly burdensome to the Inhabitants, and attended with serious and unavoidable incon- veniences, and which mostly fall on the better Class of People, on such of the Boors as fulfil their duties and pay the strictest obedience to the Laws. It was ever my opinion to Levy a Corps of Hottentots, which might be disciplined with little expence at the Drostdy, and which would be sufficient to protect the most remote places of the Inhabitants against the attacks of the vaga- bond Caffres or Hottentots, who have always been and ever will be wandering thereabout, and by those means to maintain the Peasantry in Peace and Security.
Experience has confirmed and every day tells me the use which the Boors draw from their Hottentots in all their Commandos, of which not a single one is performed without a good number of these faithful Hottentots, and who always act the main part in such Commandos, and in the whole Division of Sneeuwberg the Cattle of the Peasantry is still effectually protected by such faithful Hottentots against the Bosjesmen.
On all these points Mr, Smyth perfectly agreed with me ; and if contrary to my hopes I should not succeed in bringing the Boors by my exhortations to reason, and that they should attempt another attack on the Drostdy, I thought myself able to repel them with the force I had, and the result had shown that I was not mistaken. And Mr. Smyth who has had the opportunity of obtaining other information besides mine, from the Landdrost, from Mr. Van der Kemp, and other capable persons, departed fully convinced (as he declared to me) that my opinions were well founded, and that he concurred in them ; can I then be considered as blameable in these respects ? Have I been mistaken ? If I have erred, it has been Bona fde with the purest intentions, but I am still at this moment firmly persuaded that I have by no means been mistaken.
Records of the Cape Colony. 307
The said Article says further
" In withholding information of a most daring and outrageous attack upon the seat of Government in the District of Graaff Eeinet by the Eebel Boors, which information was at length communicated without his knowledge by the British Officers on the Station, thus exposing the Country to ruin and the Gaixison there to destruction."
By this certainly is meant the event of the 23rd of October 1801 when the Rebel Boors attacked the Drostdy and were completely repulsed. Since the event which happened in the Month of July when the Boors had committed an open act of Eebellion, it is true many reports were continually circulating. The Hottentots fled to the Drostdy for protection declaring that their Masters had said that they would now destroy all the Hottentots. These people I appeased, and took care that they should not quit the Drostdy, lest they might again oin with others to revenge themselves in their turn on the Boors, they remained and behaved well
Pieports were constantly flying that the assembled Boors would attack the Drostdy, according to some at the latter end of September, and according to others in the beginning of October. These reports were mostly communicated to me by Hottentots. I kept the Drostdy in a state of defence, but I always found when the expected moment was expired, that these reports were inaccurate, and as usual not to be relied on.
I had Letters ready the 24th of September both for His Excel- lency the General and the Fiscal giving them a Circumstantial detail of what passed, but being informed that they wanted to intercept my Letter, I waited for a safe opportunity ; however after the event of the 23rd of October, I closed my Letters and sent the same by Algoa Bay to Town. It is true the Officers had written in the Interim by the Old Heemraad Cornells Olivier, but this was done without my knowledge and the opportunity concealed from me. If the said Olivier had not scandalously misled me, and had not kept his departure to the Cape a Secret from me (as I only waited for a safe opportunity) I should as well as the British Officers have written to Government by the same conveyance, but Olivier only informed me that he was come from the Cape with a view to transfer his Cattle from the Niewe Veld to his place in the Camdebo and leave them there to the care of his Children without however mentioning the time when he intended to proceed thither,
x2
308 Records of the Cape Colony.
nor when lie should return to the Cape, and therefore I could not avail myself of this opportunity ; after the first time the said Olivier had spoken to me, he never called again notwithstanding he remained for some time in the Village, and to my great astonishment some days after his departure I was informed by Lieut. Lindon in confidence that Olivier had directly proceeded from the Village to the Cape and had taken Letters of Lieuts. Blaney & Stewart with him,
I was too well acquainted with the Characters and the Courage of that Class of Eebel Boors who at times disturbed the Drostdy, and I knew perfectly well and was fully convinced that I did not by this my conduct expose the Country to Ruin, and the Garrison to destruction, this would have been inexcusable: and indeed the contrary has been sufficiently well proved by the Issue ; whatever fears others at the Drostdy might have entertained, I myself was very sure that the attack of these Eebel Boors would have no effect, and therefore not expose the Country to ruin and the Garrison to destruction. My own Family was at the Drostdy and consequently involved in the same danger. Thus whatever ill consequences may be imputed to my conduct, this circumstance will in the eyes of every dispassionate Judge so far plead for the sincerity of my opinion of what was necessary to the preservation of the Garrison, for as. my own safety and that of my wife and Children depended on that of the Garrison, it cannot be supposed that I would rashly expose them to destruction.
God be thanked, I have preserved the Drostdy by my firmness, and no mishaps have ensued, but had the reverse been the case, as every event at Graaff Eeinet is judged only by its con- sequences, the whole would have been attributed to nobody else but to me !
Further says the said Article : " Major Sherlock on his arrival having found the Troops four Days without Bread."
If the Officers on my repeated proposals had given to the Soldiers less Bread and more meat, then not only four Days consumption would have been saved, but probably the supply would have been sufficient till the new harvest. If I am not mistaken Mr, Bresler was already busy in cutting the new Corn before Major Sherlock's arrival, or at least very soon after.
The Second Article of Accusation mentions: A, "Peculations in various Instances, but principally in obtaining Cattle from the
Records of the Cape Colony. 309
Caffres and Hottentots for Beads & some other trifling Articles inadequate to their value, and selling the same to the Commissary for the Supply of the Troops."
This Article speaks in very general terms. Peculations in various instances, these instances it would have been just to point out to me specifically, but this article enumerates as the principal one the obtaining of Cattle from Caffres and Hottentots &c. &c.
The Article however yet remains general and I might justly ask who, and where are those Hottentots of whom I obtained Cattle for Beads and other trifles, whereby I have thus committed Peculations.
I can however very positively af&rm that / never bartered for Cattle with any. Caffre or Hottentot for Beads or other things. If there is anything existing which has given rise to this so malignant accusation it must be the perversion of the following fact.
A Certain Captain Hottentot named Benedictus or Euiter Beesje had sold to me a young Ox, yet unaccustomed to the Yoke, for 13 Eixdollars. Some days after he had sold the Ox to me, he came to my house in the character of an Interpreter to a certain Gonha Hottentot Vadock with whom he had come from the Craal of the Caffre Captain Congo to ask me to give a few Beads to this person, to which I answered that I was not in the habit of giving presents to the Caffres on their arrival, but at their departure. He replied that Vadock knew this very well, but he wished only to have a few, to get the same filed during his stay in Graafif Reinet, and Ruiter further added : " Sir, pray give him only a few, for you know. Sir, what troublesome fellows these are," and being very busy at that moment I requested Mrs. Maynier to let him have some ; not long before my departure one of my Hottentots called Bootsman came to me and related to me that the said Vadock complained that Euiter had cheated him of his ox, and had given him those Beads in payment. As soon as I was informed of it, I sent for Euyter, and asked him in the presence of Captain Moore, Messrs. Van der Kemp and Eead, as also the Hottentot Bootsman and the Caflres : Whose ox have you sold to me ? Tor how much ? Whether he had received the money, and whether I had given Beads to him to pay for the same ? Whereupon he replied that the Ox was his own, that he had sold the same for 13 Eixdollars, and had received the money.
810 Records of the Cape Colony.
denying further to have received Beads from me in payment for the Ox, This being translated to the Caffres, and it being evident that Kuiter had deceived them, I promised to indemnify them, and this would have been immediately done had not the Company waited for me to sit down to Dinner. Of this these Gentlemen can bear testimony. This happened at the time that Major Sherlock was at the Drostdy. Major Sherlock being informed of this occurrence sent for the Caffres, and the following day mentioned to me that I had obtained the Ox from the Caflfres for Beads and that he would immediately write to the Cape con- cerning it. I replied to him that this was not the case, and that if he would examine the Caffres with the Hottentots and Witnesses who had been present, he would then get at the truth of the Business.
Major Sherlock having answered me in a manner so ungracious, I told him that I should not now take any further steps in this affair with him but that I should take an early opportunity of Testifying myself to Government.
"Whether the above mentioned Gentlemen who were present at the transactions have been examined or not I don't know ; but I am certain that they can say nothing contrary to my statement. However I am ready and feel confident (that if the said Witnesses were heard in my presence) to prove that the case has truly happened so, and not otherwise than as I have stated. Ruiter and Bootsman are, as I am informed, come to Town with the Pandours, and may be immediately, either in my presence or absence, Examined on the subject.
The said 2nd Article also says " In selling Cuttle as his own property to the Commissary at the exorbitant rate of 18 EixdoUars each, some of which were afterwards claimed by Hottentots."
This vague assertion must have originated from what happened a short time before I left Graatf Eeinet and at the time when I had already received the order to come to Town. Before that time I have never sold any Cattle to the Commissary.
The Cattle however which I sold at the time of my departure was my own property, and it was at the repeated request of the Commissary that I parted with them. They were of the best of my draught oxen, for which I had paid from 15, 18 to 20 Eix- doUars each : if 1 had brought them to Town, I should have got from 25 to 30 EixdoUars each for them. In travelling hither,
Records of the Cape Colons/. 311
finding myself in want, I bought 17 head of Cattle of a much inferior quality and unaccustomed to the Yoke, for which I paid 18 to 20 Eixdollars each, of which the Receipts are still in my possession.
The Commissary Mr. Adriaansen himself remarked that the Oxen which I had sold to him for 18 Eixdollars each, considering they were draught Oxen were worth much more than the other Cattle purchased from me for 11 and 10 Eixdollars each, tho' among them were some of my best Milk Cows with Calves.
Concerning the claims of the Hottentots I have only to remark, it is very surprising that my accusers did not endeavour to verify the claims of such Hottentots, who were all at the Drostdy during my stay at Graaff Eeinet, when I was already dismissed and openly treated with contempt, and when they saw that the greatest pleasure they could do to my Enemies was to prefer accusations against me, and to treat me with indignity. They were therefore under no restraint from the fear of offending me. No person whatever addressed a word to me of such claims ; and judging from appearances and from the tokens of affection which the Hottentots shewed to me at my departure from Graaff Eeinet, and which Messrs. Bresler and Van der Kemp witnessed, I myself confess I cannot help doubting the truth of this assertion that the Hottentots had set up any such Claims. However I am ready to make affidavit that to my knowledge there were no Cattle among those I sold, to which any Hottentots could lay any claims.
The said Article further sets forth : C. " For one of these Cattle however it would appear he gave the owner 10 Eixdollars after having Eeceived 18 for the same from the Commissary."
To the Commissary I have as above stated never sold any Cattle, except just before my departure, and I don't recollect that I had within any short time previous to the disposal of my afore- said Cattle to the Commissary bought any Cattle from Hottentots or any body else.
It is possible that after receiving the money from the Com- missary I have paid for an Ox the owner of which had not yet been paid, but in that case it is necessary to enquire whether this had been a common head of Cattle for Slaughter, or Young Ox, or a Draught Ox accustomed to the Yoke ; of the latter description, for those alone I received 18 Eixdollars each from the Commissary, for the remainder I was paid only at th£ rate of 10 or 11 Eix«»
312 Records of the Cape Colony.
dollars each. It is well known that the Hottentots have no Oxen accustomed to the Yoke, it is therefore most probable that the Ox alluded to was one for slaughter, which commonly are paid at the rate of 8 and 10 Eixdollars per head.
Before the so termed Siege of the Drostdy I never hought a nngle head of Cattle from any Hottentot, and this / challenge any hody to disprove, but after, or during the Siege, I was under the necessity of so doing; tho' many Hottentots were at that time with their Cattle at the Drostdy, yet I directed the Landdrost Bresler to write to the Veld Cornets and Commandants to provide me with Cattle, for the people employed in the defence of the Drostdy. The Landdrost himself is in Town, and can witness what little effect these applications produced, and I was there- fore compelled to buy Cattle from the Hottentots at the Drostdy, for which I am fully pursuaded I always paid very dear and above their real value. Let the Hottentots themselves be asked, and I am sure they will acknowledge that they were fully satisfied on all occasions.
The second accusation concluded with the following paragraph : D. " Of retaining Money without the approbation or knowledge of Government, that had been Levied by the Landdrost and Heemraden in the District from the Inhabitants as an Assess- ment for the repairs of the Streets of the Capital, and committed by them to his care for the purpose of paying it over to the Burgher Senate."
I do confess that on settling accounts with the Landdrost (and not with the Landdrost and Heemraden) I received a Sum of Eds. 2,341^ for the purpose of transmitting the same to the Burgher Senate, for which I have given a due Keceipt, but the Landdrost must very' well recollect that on accepting the Com- mission, I then told him I would on my arrival at Cape Town endeavour to prevail on Sir George Yonge not only to relieve the district of Graaff Eeinet in future from this Tax on account of its particular distresses, but if possible to remit the above sum to its Treasury to enable them to meet the extraordinary expences which Graaff Eeinet was to bear above all other districts, as also to excuse the same from the obligation of paying some absurd claims to the Districts of Stellenbosch & Zwellendam.
1 actually did the last time I was at the Cape apply to Sir George Yonge for these indulgencies, and after His Excellency
Records of the Cape Colony. 313
had examined with me both the Cash Account and the Catalogue of the Opgaaf from point to point, and after I had shewn to His Excellency he promised me to take these points into consideration and that he would acquaint me with his determination. I then resolved not to pay this money to the Burgher Senate, as I conceived that should I obtain the favourable decision of the Governor, it might if paid to the Burgher Senate be attended with much inconvenience to that Body to refund it.
But on receiving orders suddenly to return to Graaff Eeinet, I thought it most advisable to place the above mentioned sum under the Custody of an accredited person, and my mind naturally turned to Mr. Johannes Andreas Truter Sequesterer and Secretary of the Court of Justice as the most proper person for such a trust. The money is still in his possession, and he can best testify the truth of this transaction.
That I have never made a secret of such money being in my hands Mr. Van Eyneveld the Fiscal can witness, for I have not only mentioned it to him, but also acquainted him with my intentions respecting it, as well as what His Excellency the Governor had said to me in answer to my applications. Besides at my return I told the Landdrost Bresler that from what the Governor had said to me, it might reasonably be hoped that the district would be freed from this Tax, and the amount of it be brought to the increase of the Treasury and that I had therefore provisionally not delivered the money to the Burgher Senate.
Erom a Statement of the Cash account which the Landdrost had given me for my information, it is evident that the above mentioned amount for the Assessments of the Streets has not been considered as settled; but has been really charged to my account, and to the Credit of the Cash as being under my Custody, which will appear from the document L* B in the Original hereunto annexed.
The designation which has been given to this, in the accusations against me, is certainly not very gracious, and how it is possible that I could have committed Peculation in this case, under my circumstances I confidently submit to the Judgment of the Eeader, convinced that no reflecting and candid mind will admit for an instant that a man, who in a hopeless moment was placed at the head of the districts of Graaff Eeinet and
314 Records of the Cape Colony.
Zwellendam, who against all expectation succeeded two Years in his Administration to the satisfaction of Government, as will appear from the Letters he received until the last moment of his departure, that such a man should be possessed of so little honesty as to Steal, and to appropriate as his ovm property/. Monies for which he has given an Official Receipt, and for which he stands charged in the Public Accounts of the districts over which he presided. A Circumstance which sooner or later could not possibly escape detection.
The accusations further run as follows : 3dly A " Abusing the confidence placed in him by Government, not only in withholding information and suppressing the truth with respect to the real state of the Country, but in privately sending emissaries among the Hottentots to dissuade them from entering into the British Service."
Several accusations appear to have been incorporated here together.
Concerning the withholding of information, I have already declared myself explicitly enough in the 1st Charge, and it would be too heavy a Tax on the attention of the Eeader to enter again into unnecessary repetitions. The words of Sup- pressing the Truth I confess not to understand, and appear only to be inserted here en passant.
But the sending of Private emissaries among the Hottentots is a positive accusation, and as such I might content myself with a denial equally positive and demand the Proofs. However I wUl not admit altho superfluous to state, that on having been informed that reports were spread that I had dissuaded the Hottentots from entering into the British Service, I caused the Hottentots to be assembled in the Street, and ranged the same in such a circle that every one of them might distinctly hear me, and in the presence of Major Sherlock and the Officers, the Landdrost, the Secretary, and Messrs. Van der Kemp and Read, I gave them all to understand that I had been discharged from my Office as Commissary, and that they need not be afraid, but declare frankly and without reserve, whether I or any body sent by me had advised them not to take service with the English, to which every one answered No, and the enlisting proceeded without difficulty or objection. If therefore this accusation had the least foundation how easy would it have been to those who
Records of the Cape Colony. 315
have taken such part, to convict me ; and if such conviction did not take place it certainly was not from any regard for me, for no regard at this time was shewn to me.
After the Enlisting of the Hottentots was completed, Lieut. John Campbell came to me and declared that he was very sorry to have for a moment suspected that I had dissuaded the Hottentots from entering into the English Service. That after he had heard me publicly and in the hearing of the whole district Question the Hottentots, he could not entertain such suspicions any longer, and that he therefore had expressly called upon me to unburthen his conscience in this respect, and to declare that I had acted like an honest man. On asking him from whence this false report had proceeded, he replied that Lieut. Lyndon had circulated the same, and that the Hottentots who had told it to him were now not to be found. Capt. Moore is acquainted with this circumstance, and may therefore be heard upon it.
The same 3rd Article concludes with the following Paragraph : B " And also insinuating to the Landdrost that he ought to be cautious how he resumed his functions from the instructions of Major Sherlock, thereby endeavouring to create distrust of the British Government in that Magistrate, and also among the Hottentots who fled to the Drostdy for Protection."
My Enemies have been then very active in collecting all kind of accusations against me. I hope that they have acteJ so from a sincere zeal for the service, and that no other motives may have incited them. However that may be my wicked deeds there are principally committed in the last days of my residence at Graaff Eeinet. In that time have I changed so much, in that time have I become so unfaithful, so unworthy a Servant of Government ? But to the purpose.
Tliis Article seems to me to be of such nature aa calculated rather to increase the numerical than substantial accusations against me.
The Landdrost is at the Cape, let him be examined on the subject, and let him state the particulars and means by which I created this distrust. I can confidently assert that I never conversed with the Landdrost Bresler upon the subject, and that I did not know what the Instructions to Major Sherlock contained, nor even that he had Instructions, and in regard to my having
316 Records of the Cape Colony.
inspired the Hottentots with distrust against Government, I believe there are Thousands of Proofs to the Contrary, this there- fore remains an Enigma to me. I earnestly desire to see the particulars respecting this charge. In the mean while I trust that Captain Campbell on being examined will not deny that on his arrival at Graaff Eeinet he communicated to me his fear that perhaps the Hottentots who were at the Drostdy would refuse to take service, to which I replied that he ought to leave me alone to manage this matter, that the Hottentots had some confidence in me, and that I would answer for it that they would take service. The result has verified my assertion, by those Hottentots having really taken service, which would certainly not have happened if I had inspired them with distrust against Government.
The 4th Article runs as follows : A. " Exercising various acts of Oppression against the Inhabitants of the district, as for Instance levying a Monthly Game Tax of his own framing subsequent to the Proclamation annulling the Game Laws introduced into the Colony by Sir George Yonge."
After the Proclamation by which the Game Laws in this Government were annulled, I never made any Scheme or put any regulations into practice. That Proclamation was published at the Cape the 30th April 1801, and was received by me in the middle of the disturbances at Graaff Eeinet, it was therefore not possible for me to make at that time any alterations in the custom which till that time had taken place. With regard to this Tax (here termed a Tax) and framing of a Scheme respecting Hunting in General, the case is this : When the Proclamation concerning the Game Laws was received at Graaft'-Eeinet, Mr. Somerville and myself both conceived that the said Pro- clamation was not to be literally put into execution at Graaff Eeinet, we therefore made a Scheme to modify the same, in order to preserve the Game from inconsiderate destruction ; and on the other hand not to deprive the Boor of the Liberty he had always enjoyed to shoot thro' the whole Year so much Game as he necessarily wanted for family use, and for this Licence he paid two skillings. This Scheme was published and acted upon and nobody complained of it.
We sent the said plan (which was translated by Mr. Somerville into English) to Sir George Yonge, at the same time acquainting His Excellency that we had thus presumed to modify his pro-
1
Records of the Cape Colony. 317
clamation respecting the Game Laws and submitted the same to his approval, to which no disapprobation was ever signified by Sir George Yonge.
The Licences have been Regist'red by the Secretary of Graaff Eeinet in the Public Eecords, and that Gentleman being at the Cape, will best be able to declare whether I have ever received any thing from the said two skillings.
B. " Preventing the Inhabitants from taking any steps to recover their Cattle that had been carried off by Plundering Hottentots and Caffres, but rather seeming to encourage those Savages to bring Cattle to the Drostdy."
That I have prevented them from taking any Steps, it must either have been verbally or in writing. Let those who have received such refusals from me bring them forward. I am convinced that neither the one nor the other can be done. It is true I always prevented the Boors from such expeditions or Commandos, where the Murdering of Innocent Hottentots and CafFres in their Craals with their Wives & Children were likely to be the consequence, but I have always recommended and encouraged them to fire upon the Vagabond Hottentots, and also I have always assisted the Peasantry, and both Verbally and in Writing authorized them, and by all possible means encouraged them to pursue with all possible speed and attention, the traces of those whoever they might be that disturbed them and stole their Cattle, and to fire upon them. I defy any person whom- soever to prove that on occasions where Cattle have been thus retaken and the Robbers shot, the people so concerned have ever met with molestation from me.
Whenever I have sent any Pandours to the Inhabitants to protect them, they have always been ordered by me, in case during their Stay with the Boors that any Thefts should be committed they were to endeavour to discover the Cattle, and to take the Eobbers Prisoners, or to fire upon them, and promised that if they did fulfil their duty, I would give them a reward. The Pandours may be examined on this Subject.
From the words, rather seeming to encourage these Savages to bring Cattle to the Drostdy, I am to conclude that they allude to two events which happened during the Siege of the Drostdy, namely, that some vagabond Caffres and Hottentots, who, availing themselves of the inconsiderate flight of the Inhabitants, had
318 Records of tJie Gape Colony.
stolen from these fugitive Boors some Cattle, and were about to drive the same to the Country of the Caffres.
As soon as I received notice thereof I immediately dispatched some armed Hottentots from the Village to pursue them, and who retook the Cattle and Killed & Wounded some Cafires & Hottentots, & I believe in both these excursions 224 head of Cattle were brought back by them. As soon as the Cattle were at the Drostdy I caused advertisements to be affixed, and notice given, that the owners should come and fetch their property away. One person named Momberg did appear and received his Cattle, but no other, and the rest has never been claimed. Afterwards I was under the necessity of killing some for the Public Service ; this however was not done before the Colours and marks were accurately taken, these marks, a List of which together with a sum of 804 Eixdollars I have delivered to the Landdrost Bresler, to be paid to the Owners of the Cattle. The number of those Cattle which have been killed I believe amounted to 64, and the remainder was delivered over to the Charge of Mr. Bresler for the benefit of the proprietors. All this happened openly and may therefore be easily ascertained, especially by the Landdrost Bresler, the Secretary, Mr. Van der Kemp, and the British Officers.
The 4th Article concludes with the following paragraph: C. " Likewise taking from the Boors and appropriating to his own use various Articles, and refusing to pay for the same."
This point is so vague & general that for the present I can only say that it is unfounded & malicious. However the proclama- tion of the Landdrost, published by ringing of Bells, after my departure from Graaff Eeinet, whereby all persons who had any complaints were invited and exhorted to appear before a Com- mission in order to State their grievances, and the encouragement which my accusers received there, wiU no doubt bring to light the particulars of this Article ; when I shall be ready to defend myself.
The 5th Article of Accusation consists in : " Entering into an improper Negotiation or Negotiations with the Boors, the particulars of which were not communicated to Government, and afterwards breaking faith with the said Boors in refusing to perform the engagement and promises solemnly made to them by him on the part of His Majesty's Government."
These Negotiations with the Boors, after they had been pardoned
Records of the Cape Colony. 319
their late inconsiderate conduct, amounted to nothing more than a Conditional promise to them, that if they returned as they ought to their places, I would give them Gunpowder and Ammuni- tion. This is the only promise I made to them, of which I have given due notice to Government,
To do away the offence taken at the Hottentots of the Drostdy frequenting the Church, I immediately altered this, and ordered the Hottentots to be instructed in a private House at the Drostdy.
But it is true that the said Boors some days afterwards sent a waggon to the Drostdy to take, as they called it the promised Ammunition, and I refused it. Why? Because they did not fulfil their promise of returning quietly and peaceably to their places ; for I considered it as highly imprudent to give Ammuni- tion to such Farmers as were still assembled, and continued in Arms about the Drostdy. I answered them that as soon as they returned to their Duty I would procure Ammunition for them, and I should hope that in so doing it will be considered I did that which Prudence and Duty Imperiously enjoined me to do.
That these Boors had sufficient Ammunition to act defensively against any Vagabond Hottentots and Caffres is evident from their Conduct on the 23rd of October, when they not only attacked the Drostdy of Graafif Eeinet, but fired the whole day at the same.
But they were not satisfied with having Ammunition enough to act on the Defensive, they must Act offensively, and their aim was, as they stiled it, to extirpate the Craals of the Hottentots and Caffres, where Women and Children would be confounded in the general attack, and this I have always prevented, as well in compliance with the principles of Government as those of Humanity.
This has been the object in view these Ten Years past, and this is yet at present the principal aim of Hendrick Eensburg as Commandant, who has placed himself at the head of the Eebels.
This same Eensburg went in the Month of December 1800 to the Cape, and preferred several false accusations against the Commissioners at Graaff Eeinet. I was on the road to Cape Town when Mr. Somerville received those complaints from thence, who wrote a Justification which he sent to Government.
This Justification, as containing many interesting fects, I hope
320 Records of the Cape Colony.
will at present be taken into consideration by the Commifision appointed for the Investigation of my conduct.
At first sight it must appear very strange that all the Peasantry of a whole Division without the least ground (as there really existed none) should combine together, abandon their places, and expose themselves to such troubles, but whoever is acquainted with the Country, and principally with that part of it which the grazing Farmers occupy, he will not wonder at such steps ; the inconceivable Ignorance, Credulity, and Timidity of those people are sources fully adequate to produce such events.
Any person who will put himself at the head of them and immediately bring them to action, need not employ much Stratagem or Trouble; Keports, how absurd soever, they readily believe. When in the year 1795 they would expel Mr. De Wet, then Commissary at Graaff Eeinet, Eeports were spread through the Coimtry both by writing and speech that Mr. De Wet, the Captain Hottentot Kees, and Colonel Gordon had engaged the Hottentots to invade and plunder the whole Country, that all the White men would be sent away, and the Women would be given to the Hottentots. Of these Letters the Originals are still extant, and this imaginary evil they appeared in Arms to prevent.
At the time of the tumults in 1799 a report was in circulation that a Letter of the Landdrost Bresler had been intercepted, from which it would appear that he had sent to a Captain Caffre Ammunition to Murder the Christians. The consequence of this report was that on account of this High Treason the whole Country was alarmed. One need only to give a look into the Law Suit against the Boors still under arrest, and prosecutions before the Court of Justice, to find this fully confirmed.
Nobody therefore ought to be astonished should Eensburg, or anybody else, either from his own motion or the instigation of others, bring about such commotions in the Country. These secret instigators well know the people they have to deal with, and that these attempts are always effectual in forwarding their views, but as it generally happens in such cases, the ignorant Vulgar become the dupes of their own folly, and a sacrifice to the Knavery of their abettors.
I have continually endeavoured to convince the Peasantry of their error, but in vain, as long as they were with me they agreed with me, they were fully convinced; they promised to rely on
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Government, and to join hands with the Landdrosts and Com- missaries to promote the public Good ; but as soon as they meet with some or other ill-intentioned Person, with some or other Vagabond Schoolmaster, or with some Butcher's worthless servant, they suffer themselves to be immediately imposed upon by such sort of People, and everything done or said on the side of Govera- ment is looked upon with distrust; and this is not only the case at present, it has been the case for many years and wiU always remain so as long as the people do not see with their own eyes and learn to know their own Interest.
The 6th Article of Accusation purports : A. " Being Guilty of Injustice and Cruelty in the following instances : The Murder of Naude a respectable inhabitant of the district, as stated to have been asserted by his Son in Law Coetzee, and afterwards by the deposition of Piet Hottentot Captain transmitted by Major Sherlock."
What motive could I have had in murdering a poor old man like Naude ? This man not only never meddled with the Eebels, but always behaved quietly and peaceably. Whenever he came to Graaff Keinet he always lived with me, and I felt particular esteem for him, besides my honor and reputation were deeply concerned in the preservation of peace and tranquillity in the district, and in preventing Murder and Eobbery ; can it be supposed I could thus act so diametrically against my own Interest? No. If they will only allow me in common with other men to act from the Principles of Self Interest, this will effectually clear me from so horrid a deed, A deed that I have often prevented at the hazard of my own life from being inflicted on persons with whom I had no connexion. I am sure that those who in the violence of their passions have invented this accusa- tion against me, will on calmly reflecting on the case be fully convinced of their injustice and cruelty, I hope not VUIainy.
Let the Landdrost and Secretary be summoned, and they will witness, 1st. That 1 have given a written -Qualification to Naude to have the Superintendency of his own district.
2nd. That I had prevailed on the Hottentot Kleinbooy who long ago had quitted his service to return again to him.
3rd. That I have supplied him with several Pandours to be guards at his place.
4th. That Naude was very imprudent in leaving his place and
IV. Y
322 Records of the Cape Colony.
thereby exposing himself to danger when he had a sufficient assistance at his own place.
5th. That at the time Naude was murdered I could by no means know where he was, he having abandoned his place, and
6 th. Besides all this I returned to the Cape in Company with the Sister of Naude, the Wife of Abraham Erasmus, who on account of the esteem I had always had for her Brother, offered every assistance to me in her power, and often declaring they considered the idea that I should have caused the murder of her Brother as an absurdity.
It is indeed to be wondered at how the Son in Law of Naude, Gerrit Coetzee, could assert that the Savages thro' my means^had murdered his Father in Law, while he was at the Cape at the time the murder happened.
Concerning the deposition of the Hottentot Captain Piet (the contents of which are unknown to me) I can say nothing to it than that neither he nor any body else, by himself or any other, or by any circumstances can prove that I have committed so horrid an act; but whatever the deposition of the said Captain Piet may contain, he can never deny that when he has been sent by me to overtake the Cattle which had passed by in the neigh- bourhood (and of which I have already made mention in the 4th Article) he has been, as weU as all the Hottentots belonging to that excursion enjoined by me to leave nothing untried, not only to retake the Cattle at that time stolen from the Inhabitants, but also to kill the Thieves, and they accordingly killed some Caffres and Hottentots belonging to a Band of that kind. He also cannot deny that he shared in a reward of 50 EixdoUars which I gave the Hottentots out of my private purse, to encourage them to do in future their utmost to protect the Inhabitants.
The Eeverend Mr. Van der Kemp can, and cannot hesitate to testify that before my arrival at Graaif Eeinet when he was at the Baviaans Kiver at the time the Caffres were murdering and plundering the Inhabitants, he was assaulted in a most insolent way by some of the Boors, at the head of whom was Willem Prinslo, Claas Son, and they accused him of instigating the Caffres & Hottentots to murder and plunder the Boors. The Landdrost Bresler has not only in general, but particularly in the full Court of Landdrost & Heemraden, been accused by Louis Kotzee Senior and Hendrik Eensburg of having sent round the
Records of the Cape Colony. 323
Country the Hottentots Willem Hasebek and Jan Rooy with certain tokens to prepare and engage the Hottentots to the murder of the Booi-s, and particularly the family of one Scheepers, and that afterwards he had caused the said Hottentots Hasebek and Eooy after a long confinement to be poisoned for fear they should divulge the Secret,
These instances, so like to the Charge against me, are stated with the view of shewing how prone the Boors are to make these kind of absurd (^ false accusations, which, when they are called upon to prove, they have nothing but hearsay to urge in support of them : and therefore His Excellency the General very justly considered them as undeserving of notice.
The 6th Article concludes with an accusation contradictory to the former, namely : B " Likewise in delivering into the hands of the Boors a number of Hottentots who had fled to him for pro- tection, fifteen of whom are said to have been murdered by the forementioned Boors."
Never did I deliver one, much less a number of the Hottentots who had fled to the Drostdy for protection over to the Vengeance of the Boors. It is true that the Boors have continually insisted that I should deliver over to them the five Hottentots accused of murder, but of whose guilt no proof was ever produced, and in the answer to the 7th Article this will be more particularly taken notice of, they desired that I should deliver those Hottentots to Eensburg and his followers to be punished by them.
To this my answer was, and which I frequently repeated to the principal persons at the Drostdy who began to waver and advised me to comply with this requisition in order to restore tranquillity, that as these Hottentots had during the turbulent State of thf Country been compelled by the threatening of the Boors to qui their service, and instead of joining the Vagabond tribes oi Hottentots & Caffres had sought for protection from the Authority of the Lawful Magistrate, he would not deliver a single one oi them, and that as long as they behaved well he would protec- them ; that in regard of those accused of murder, there was but one insufficient proof, and that in no case would he deliver them over to Eensburg, but would send them to the Cape to be tried by their Competent Judges, and tho' I was continually solicited to deliver them, I put a stop to all further applications both within and without the Drostdy by peremptorily tlechiring that no
Y 2
324 Records sf the Cape Colony.
extremity should reduce me to comply with such applications, and I have rigorously adhered to this Eesolution.
Thus I may safely declare that the accusation is also false, and that I have not been so weak altho' my family was with me at the Drostdy, and exposed with me to the same danger, as to deliver a single Hottentot to the Vengeance of the Rebel Boors. It is true that during the last Siege of the Drostdy, two Hottentots broke out of their confinerhent and fell into the hands of Eensburg and his ad ents, who deliberately put them to Death ; and these Creatures have themselves been the cause of their Deaths by thus exposing themselves.
Lastly the 7th Article purports " Having refused to bring to justice certain Hottentots who were committed to custody at the Drostdy of Graaff Eeinet, accused of murder, on the contrary permitting them with impunity to escape, or liberating them from prison, thereby violating every principle of Justice, and preventing the trial and punishment of these Criminals."
Those five Hottentots having been brought to the Drostdy on being accused of the murder of Claas Prinslo Senior, I immedi- ately placed them in confinement and caused both the sons of Prinslo to be directed by Letters to appear, together with all other persons who could give any testimony in this case, at the Drostdy in order to investigate the same.
These directions having been repeated by Mr. Somerville, and left unanswered, he dismissed the said Hottentots from Prison during my last Journey to the Cape. On my return to Graaff Eeinet I concurred in the propriety of this measure, not only as no evidence was produced against these Creatures, but also as the first information against them was entirely destitute of any ground.
Under L* 6 I have the honor to add the original report of the Veld Cornet Mcholaus Johannes Eoets, sent to me with those Hottentots, the informations were founded on the testimony of a Little Hottentot Boy ; concerning this Witness the Veld Comet thus expresses himself in the said Eeport : " The Little Hottentot Boy would not confess. I have been busy with him for half an hour with fair means, then I gave him three strokes with the tSjamhok, thereupon he confessed that those three Hottentots had done it (the murder) but the people themselves would not confess it to me."
Records of the Cape Colony. 325
When the Little Hottentot Boy, or so called Witness was sent to Graaff Eeinet, I found on examining Ms Body, that instead of three strokes he had received upwards of 36 Strokes with a solid Sjambok, and on being questioned he declared that the accusation was forced from him by Blows, but that as far as he knew the Hottentots were innocent.
These are the circumstances of this case, the accused besides have not fled, but were still, at my last departure, at Graafif Eeinet and at Liberty ; thus Major Sherlock is yet in the way to repair what he may judge to have been neglected by me in bringing these Hottentots to Justice.
I trust that I have now refuted this particular accusation against me. Everything which I have stated with regard to each point is so notorious that it is known to every body, and may be further proved by the Landdrost, the Secretary, the Eeverend Mr. Ballot, the Eeverend Mr. Van der Kemp, and the Officers who have been serving at the Drostdy, who at least will be able to confirm the chief part of what I have alledged.
And tho' I have some reason to complain that many Jealousies have not only been entertained but were manifested both in regard to the Authority vested in me by Government (an Authority even felt by me as dangerous) as well as on account of the confidence with which Government has honored me till the last moment, Yet I am so fully persuaded of the Justice and candor of the public I doubt not for an instant it will be entirely influenced by the dictates of truth.
That I have considered from the very beginning the authority vested in me as very dangerous, His Excellency the General will easily remember, by recalling to mind the conversations I had the honor of holding with him on the subject at the Tarka, when I represented to His Excellency my serious apprehensions of accepting in the then critical Situation of the Colony the Office of Commissary of those remote Districts. The General will also remember that I mentioned to His Excellency that I certainly Bona fide would do my utmost, but that knowing the Credulity, folly, and distrust of the Peasantry, I had too much reason to fear for what might happen, as in the event of miscarriage, my conduct as is in common the case, would be judged by the event, — fully sensible that I had not only to struggle with Eebellious Boors or to deal with fearful subjects, with two sorts of Caffres,
326 Records of the Cape Colony.
with Savage Hottentots; but above all those Secret Enemies whose caution concealed them from view and thereby enabled them more effectually to counteract his measures, and to triumph in his ill success. The General will be pleased also to recollect how much His Excellency encouragad me to act on the principle of pursuing an even course and of sparing no person, and yet with how much Anxiety I then accepted of the Office.
From the Month of December 1799 till the Month of July 1801 however, I succeeded extremely well. I appeased the Savages and furious Hottentots. I engaged most part of them to re-enter into the Service of the Christians. I succeeded happily in my repeated negotiations with both Nations of the Caffres. I brought it about that Ghyka placed more confidence in Government, and greater inistnist in Buis, so much so that he expelled the Latter from his Country, and I should certainly have succeeded entirely had the Boors united instead of interfering with me. They could no longer resist the influence of their credulous and weak minds, and they were made to believe that I had assembled the Hottentots for the purpose of acting against them. That the Hottentots would be encouraged by Government to destroy them, and their Wives distributed among the Hottentots &c.
These instigations could only be done by persons who had private views to answer by involving the Country in Confusion, and who perfectly acquainted with the weakness of the Peasantry well knew what means were to be adopted to attain their aim. They knew very well that the one was always a consequence of the other, that when they had brought it so far that the Boors assembled, their next step would be to abandon their places, and fly together, that the Hottentots would be alarmed and add to the confusion, the whole Country would then be exposed to the inroads of the Vagabond Caffres and Hottentots, and an open field left for the Machinations of these secret Incendiaries.
I might here close this my Justification with observing, that wearied with a Life full of disquietudes and cares, nothing shall induce me again in any Station whatever to Visit these Districts. But as I am too much interested in the Welfare of the Colony, and am persuaded that by following the plan which seems generally approved, or rather that plan of which every person whether he is acquainted with the nature of the Country or not is so inuch in Love with, the Country will be exposed to total niin.
Records of the Cape Colony. 327
I therefore beg leave to offer some reflections upon the Subject.
This Plan of driving the Caffres & Hottentots beyond the Groote Vis River so much favoured by some, I have always disapproved, and maintain that whoever knows the State of that part of the Country where they live, and the Immense Woods and Dens which offer a safe retreat to them, will look upon such plan to be unwise, because greatly difficult to be accomplished, and still more so to confine them there, and cruel on account of the hardships which they must consequently suffer. And I feel the most perfect conviction that Peace may be preserved with these Creatures, by fair means, and with little trouble.
I do not say that they should be allowed to proceed un- molested in Stealing the Cattle of the Peasantry, this I have always opposed, and encouraged the Boors to Pursue and fire upon such Vagabond Hottentots and Caffres as they should find Stealing their Cattle, and that this might be the better effected, I had formed small patroles on the Limits of the District, consisting of the Young Peasantry, who on the least alarm rode about and secured the District, but with this they were not satisfied, they ■wished for Great Commandos, they desired to destroy the Craal where their inoffensive Women & Children dwelt. This I always resolutely opposed with all my means. I have ever represented to the Boors that they would by such deeds bring ruin upon themselves, and that I trembled for the consequences, that I should not be astonished if in that case the Caffres and Hottentots should not only commit further depredations but destroy a Great part of the Districts of Graaff Reinet and Zwellendam, the be- ginning of which might be easily seen, but the end and con- sequences thereof would be incalculable. One need only reflect on the Bosjesmen, from which may be learnt that a Continual War with these Creatures for nearly 34 Years has produced no change in them, has had no other effect than to render them the implacable enemies of the Boors.
If therefore the Hottentots and the Caffres should be treated in the same way, what will be the consequence ? Should they like the Bosjesmen who are but a handful of men in comparison of them become the implacable enemies of the Boors no Farmer would then be safe.
They may have high notions of the (so called) Commandos, I have attended many of them, and not neglected to make my
328 Records of the Cape Colony.
observations with as much care as possible, and whatever may be said of them to the Contrary, I have always found that when there were not a considerable number of Hottentots with them to be placed in the front, and the first exposed to danger, they never succeeded. An Instance in proof of this may even now be seen in a late Commando, to form which 300 Inhabitants were summoned, but of whom only 80 appeared, and according to the accounts no more than 12 Ventured to attack a Craal, mostly filled with Women and Children, which they destroyed. But, soon after, this Commando attacked another ; here unfortunately they were obliged not only to Capitulate and return all the Cattle they had taken in the first Craal, but to give 12 firelocks to the Hottentot Claas Stuurman ; which certainly instead of terrifying the Schelmen, served on the contrary very much to encourage them, and to make them feel the weakness of the Boors.
It should not be imagined that the Hottentots who refrain from disturbances are quiet from Love and Attachment to the Boors. Such supposition will prove deceitful. Every circumstance shews that they think themselves to be the weaker party, and it is the fear of this ideal or imaginary superiority of the Boors which keeps them quiet.
To preserve peace and Tranquillity in the Coimtry, it is in- dispensibly necessary to maintain this prepossession, but tumults, disobedience, and distrust in Government are neither calculated to promote Happiness to the Boors, or to maintain this pre- possession ; and these inconsiderate and unnecessary Commandos are as little likely to contribute to one or the other. Havock and destruction rather follow their Steps, and like Oil thrown into the Flame increase the Blaze to Explosion.
That the Peasants may understand this, that laying aside all distrust they may confide in the Measures of Government, ever anxious for their good, and help to execute these Measures, and thereby prevent the fatal misfortunes which, without the inter- position of Providence, will undoubtedly befall them, and in which the Innocent together with the Criminal will be the Sacrifice, and Lastly that he who shall be called to Govern Graafif Eeinet may behave with the same Zeal and Fidelity as I am conscious I have always acted with, is the most sincere wish of him, who in the unjust treatment he has received, has the consolation of feeling that he has performed his Duty honestly.
Records of the Cape Colony. 329
and ever endeavoured to promote the welfare of the Country, and who flatters himself it does already, and hereafter will more fully appear that he is Innocent of these most horrid Cruelties of which he is accused.
Cape of Good Hope, AprH 1802.
(Signed) H. C. D. Maynier.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Hobart to Lieutenant General Dundas.
Downing Street, let May 1802.
Sir, — I transmit to you herewith by the King's Command a printed Copy of the Definitive Treaty of Peace between His Majesty, The French Eepublic, His CathoKc Majesty and the Batavian Ilepublic, concluded at Amiens on the 27th day of March last, the Eatifications whereof have been duly exchanged.
I also enclose a Copy of His Majesty's Proclamation issued on this occasion and I am to signify to you His pleasure that you cause the same to be made public, in the usual manner within your Government 1 have &c.
(Signed) Hobart.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Hobart to Lieutenant General Dundas.
Downing Street, let May 1802.
Sir, — I transmit to you herewith Printed Copies of His Majesty's proclamation notifying the conclusion of the War, and of an abstract of the Regulations contained in an Act passed in the Tliirty fourth Year of His present Majesty's Reign intituled " An Act for the further encouragement of British Mariners and for other purposes therein mentioned, respecting the manner
330 JRecords of the Cape Colony.
in which British Ships shall be navigated after the conclusion of the War," and I am to desire that the same may be published and made known within your Government. I have &c.
(Signed) Hobart.
[Copy.] Proclamation ly Lieutenant General Francis Dundas.
Whereas the disorderly and outrageous Conduct of certain Bands of plundering Hottentots & Caffres who have in some late instances committed Murders and depredations in the District of Graaif Eeinet requires to be immediately punished, I have thought fit in consequence of the strong necessity of the case, and at the urgent solicitation of some of the more respectable In- habitants, to appoint and direct an armed assemblage of the Farmers of the said District to take place on the 1st of June next under the orders of Major Francis Sherlock Commanding a Detachment of His Majesty's Troops in that District, in order to cooperate imder his orders and directions with the people of Zwellendam, who have also been required to assist under the direction of their Landdrost and the Veld Commandant Van der Walt in order to repress effectually these hordes of Savages, thereby restoring to the peaceable Inhabitants the blessings of tranquillity.
And whereas obedience to the orders of the said Major Sherlock is indispensably requisite on the part of the persons to be employed in the execution of this important service, I do hereby require all the Heemraden, Veld Commandants, Veld Comets, and others, severally and respectively Inhabitants of the District of Graaff Eeinet to pay due attention and implicit obedience to the said Major Sherlock, whose orders in the District of Graaff Eeinet shall be of the same validity or force as if issued by me, the Lieutenant and Acting Governor and His Majesty's Eepre- sentative in this Settlement, and I do hereby moreover authorize and empower the said Major Sherlock to displace, remove, or supersede any Heemraden, Veld Commandant, or Veld Cornet of the District of Graaff Eeinet who shall not duly obey and
Records of the Cape Colony. 331
execute such orders and Instructions as he the said Major Sherlock may think proper to give them, or in any manner evade the per- formance of the duties to be required upon this occasion respecting the proposed expedition against the Banditti beforementioned, reserving to myself the inflicting such further punishment upon the defaulters as upon conviction shall appear to me to be just and necessary.
Given under ray Hand & Seal at the Castle of Good Hope, this 7th day of May 1802.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Hobakt to Lieutenant General Dundas.
Downing Street, 19<A May 1802.
Sir, — The instructions which you will receive from His Eoyal Highness the Commander in Chief will inform you that the 22nd, 31st, and 65th Eegiments of Infantry and the 8th Light Dragoons are destined for India.
I am therefore to acquaint you with His Majesty's pleasure that those Corps may be held in readiness for embarkation as the Ships may arrive for conveying them to India. And as it is of con- sequence that each Ship should be dispatched with the Comple- ment of Troops without waiting for the others, I am to request you will be pleased to give such directions as you may judge to be necessary for the purpose of expediting this Service as much as can be done consistently with the preparations requisite for the accommodation of the Troops.
By the information I have received from the East India Company, I am led to suppose that the Ships now ready to be dispatched will be capable of receiving about Seven hundred men, and that those will soon be followed by the Eice Ships which are calculated to take an equal number.
It may not be advisable to reduce the force at the Cape below the number which may remain after these embarkations until His Majesty's Government shall be informed by the Batavian Eepublic that the Troops in their service have proceeded for the purpose of relieving the English Garrison.
332 Records of the Cape Colony.
You shall receive timely information npon this subject, as well as of the measures which may be taken for conveying to India and to England the remainder of the Troops under your command.
In the mean time I think it proper to put you in possession of His Majesty's Warrant for delivering up the Cape and its dependencies to the Eepresentatives of the Batavian Eepublic agreeably to the 3rd Article of the Definitive Treaty, if it should happen that the Troops of that Government should be arrived to receive the charge at the time stipulated in the said Article.
I have &c.
(Signed) Hobaht.
[OfBce Copy.] Letter from Lord Hobart to Lxeui-enant General Dundas.
DowiONG Stbebt, 2n<J June 1802. Sir, — Inclosed I transmit to you an Extract of a Eeport of the Committee of Shipping of the East Indias, which Eeport having been confirmed by the Court of Directors, I am to desire that you will govern your conduct thereby in the embarkation of the Troops destined to proceed from the Cape of Good Hope to India on board the Company's Ships mentioned in the said Extract.
I have &c. (Signed) Hobart.
[The enclosure is not to be found.]
[Original.]
Letter from Messrs. Dickens, Maxwell, and Matthiessen to Lieutenant General Dundas.
Castle of Good Hope, 22nd June 1802. Sir, — In compliance with the Directions contained in your Letters of the 26th January and 4th February last, we have carefully examined the written Documents which you did us
Records of the Cape Colony. 333
the Honor tx) transmit therewith, and have investigated the Charges preferred against Mr. Maynier late Commissary of Graaff Reinet contained under Seven heads. We have likewise examined on Oath such witnesses as appeared to us most capable of throwing light upon the dhiarges.
After having taken every pains to Sift into the truth of the accusations, we proceeded to hear Mr. Maynier in his Defence, which we have the honor to lay before you for your perusal, together with all the papers, and the examination of the Witnesses, on which we have formed our Opinion, which we take the liberty of submitting for your approbation.
We are unanimously agreed that after the most mature and serious investigation Mr. Maynier late Commissary of Graaff Eeinet is entirely innocent of all and every of the Charges preferred against ^him, and that some of the Evidences are such as to merit the most serious reprehension. We have &c.
(Signed) E. U. Dickens,
AcHESON Maxwell, C. Matthiessen.
[Copy.]
Letter from Mk. A. Baenaed to the President and Members of the
Court of Justice and the President and Members of the Burgher
Senate.
GoTEBNMENT HousE, June 29, 1802.
Gentlemen, — The Commissioners to whose particular considera- tion His Honor the Lieut. & Acting Governor found it necessary to submit a variety of criminal charges preferred by certain of the Inhabitants of the District of Graaff Eeinet against their late Chief Magistrate Mr. Maynier having finished and reported their proceedings to Government, I am commanded by His Honor to communicate the result to you of this Enquiry, and to acquaint you Gentlemen for your own information as well as for that of the Settlement at large that after a diligent and impartial investigation of the Commissioners not any part of the accusa- tions beforementioned appears to them to be founded in truth, on the contrary, it appears from their report that Mr. Maynier
334 Records of the Cape Colony.
during his administration in the District of Graaff Eeinet had to the best of his judgment and ability discharged the duties of his office, having shewn himself a faithful servant to Government, conducting himself upon every occasion as an upright and an honest man.
I have also received His Honor the Lieut. & Acting Governor's instructions to convey to you the contents of a letter dated 22nd Instant addressed to him by the Commissioners Colonel Dickens, Mr, Maxwell, and Mr. Matthiessen, which letter accompanied their report, having to desire that this letter together with that which I have now the honor to present you with may be registered in the proceedings of the Court of Justice and of the Burgher Senate to serve as a record of the real state of the Facts which have been enquired into upon this occasion.
I have now only to add that His Honor the Lieut, and Acting Governor has directed me to take this opportunity of signifying to the President and Members of the Court of Justice that Mr, Maynier who by an official letter bearing date 6th January last was prohibited from taking his seat in that Court until the Gentle- men of the Commission had finished their enquiry, is to be rein- stated in his office, the functions of which he will forthwith resume accordingly. I have &c,
(Signed) A. Barnard.
[Copy.] Government Advertisement.
Whereas it has been represented to His Honor the Lieut, and acting Governor by His Majesty's Commissary General, that a part only of the supply of Barley & Chaff required for the use of His Majesty's Troops has as yet been delivered at the Stores, notwithstanding the positive orders already issued upon that subject, Notice is hereby given that all such Farmers of the Districts of the Cape and Stellenbosch who shall not have delivered their respective quotas on or before the 15th of the present month of July must expect Detachments of His Majesty's Cavalry at their respective Farms, there to live at free quarters
Records of the Cape Colony. 335
until they have complied with the directions they have received by the Government Advertisement bearing date the 3rd of March last, in forwarding their proportions of Grain & Chaff to Cape Town,
Castle of Good Hope, 1st of July 1802.
By command of His Honor the Lieutenant & Acting Governor. (Signed) A. Barnard, Secretary.
[Original.]
Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
Lancaster, Simons Bat, Cape op Good Hope, lOth July 1802.
Sir, — His Majesty's Ship the Tremendous arrived in this Bay on the 3rd of the last Month from Bombay, where she was Docked, New Coppered, and had all the repairs done to her which were deemed indispensably necessary. This Ship had a passage of nearly Fourteen Weeks from Bombay to this place, and her Crew consequently became greatly afflicted with the Scurvy. Nearly Sixty of the worst cases were sent to the Hospital, and about Eighty less affected with the disease remained on board, though incapable of doing any duty. Having ordered them a liberal supply of Fruit and Vegetables, with Fresh Meat and other comforts, I am happy to say only one died, and excepting a very few still remaining at the Hospital, all the rest are perfectly recovered.
The Penguin is at present in Algoa Bay, where the General and I concurred in opinion it was advisable to post her, on account of some disturbances which exist between Dutch Farmers and a party of Hottentot Eobbers on the Eastern Frontiers of the Settlement. All the other Ships of the Squadron, consisting of the Lancaster, Tremendous, Jupiter, Diomede, Braave, the Rattle- snake Sloop, the Euphrosyne Armed Brig, and the Hindostan Store Ship, are in this Bay. I am &c.
(Signed) Roger Curtis.
336 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original,] Letter from SiB George Yonge to Lord Hobart.
HowiTON July 26, 1802.
My Lord, — I think it right to acquaint you that, during my Stay in this Part of the Country, I had an opportunity of paying my Eespects to His Majesty at Weymouth — and I flatter myself the Justness of your Lordship's mind will make you learn with Pleasure the Gracious Eeception I mett with, after such a long absence — such as was equal to my utmost Wishes.
I had the Honor of reporting to His Majesty the State of the Colony over which I had been Governor, and the Whole of my Conduct, during my Kesidence there. I found His Majesty perfectly well informed of every Particular concerning It, before- hand, and had the Happiness to be assured of his Entire appro- bation of my conduct & Services.
I am persuaded It is almost needless, at present, to trouble you further and therefore having apprized you, as I thought It my duty to do, of what has passed, I have only to beg you to accept once more of my thanks to you for all your attention to me and to beUeve I am truly sensible of It. I have &c.
(Signed) Geo. Yonge.
[Copy.J Proclamation hy Lieutenant General Francis Dundas.
Whereas a Dispatch has been received from the Eight Hon'ble Lord Hobart, one of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, transmitting His Majesty's Proclamation notifying that the defini- tive treaty of peace has been signed and ratified between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the French EepubKc, this is therefore to make public in this Colony an authenticated Copy thereof, which is as follows : —
Records of the Cape Colony, 337
By the King a Proclamation.
George E.
Whereas a Definitive Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Us, the French Eepublic, His Catholic Majesty, and the Batavian Eepublic hath been concluded at Amiens on the Twenty- Seventh day of March last, and the Eatifications thereof have been duly exchanged, In conformity thereunto we have thought fit hereby to Command that the same be published throughout all our Dominions, and We do declare to all our Loving Subjects Our Will and Pleasure, that the said Treaty of peace and Friendship be observed inviolably as well by Sea as Land, and in all places whatever, strictly charging and Commanding all our Loving Subjects to take notice hereof, and to conform themselves there- unto accordingly.
Given at our Court at Windsor, the Twenty-Sixth day of April One Thousand Eight Hundred & Two, in the Forty Second Year of our Eeign.
God save the King.
Given under my Hand & Seal at the Castle of Good Hope, this 13th day of August 1802.
(Signed) Fkancis Dundas.
[Copy.]
Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Commodore Mellissen.
Government House, Cape of Good Hope, 19</i Av^u»t 1802.
Sir, — As it appears by the Definitive Treaty of Peace signed at Amiens on the 27th March last between the Batavian Eepublic and His Majesty the King of Great Britain and Ireland that this Colony is to be immediately restored to the Batavian Eepublic, I think it necessary at the same time that I express my satisfaction at the restoration of the ancient peace and friendship between the
IV. 'J\
338 Records of the Cape Colony.
two Countries, to state to you my opinion with respect to the propriety of adopting some method for relieving without delay the British Troops at present stationed on the Frontiers of this Colony, begging leave to suggest the policy and if I may presume to add the indispensable necessity of directing a Detachment of the Batavian Troops from on board your Squadron at present in Simons Bay to proceed to Algoa Bay for the purpose of taking possession of the Post of Fort Frederic ; since having now received His Majesty's Commands for the restitution of this Colony it will be impossible for me any longer to delay bringing down the British Troops from the distant parts of this Settlement in order to assemble them for the purpose of being embarked to quit the Colony.
Influenced alone by my anxiety for the future general welfare of the Settlement I am induced to intimate to you my apprehen- sions (which my knowledge of the Country leads me to entertain) that disagreeable consequences may ensue to its future tranquillity should His Majesty's Troops be withdrawn from the Station I have mentioned before their places are supplied by the Troops of the Batavian Republic.
The favourable season for navigating the South-East Coast ending in the course of the next month a very short space of time remains for the transportation hither of the Troops from Algoa Bay consequently however desirous I might have been to postpone any movements of His Majesty's Troops until the arrival of the Commissary General de Mist and His Excellency the Governor Janssen (the Gentlemen authorized on the part of the Batavian Eepublic to administer the affairs of this Colony) yet as in a letter which I had the honor to receive from the forementioned Gentle- men by the hands of the Gentlemen Commissaries lately arrived, it appears that they cannot be expected here before the Month of October, I should be very unwilling to postpone until that period the withdrawing His Majesty's Forces from Fort Frederick, when it would be found very inconvenient if not impossible to convey them here in order to join their respective Corps previous to His Majesty's Troops being finally embarked to quit the Colony.
Should you Sir think it consistent with your duty and the orders you have received from your Government to acquiesce in what I have had the honor to propose upon this occasion orders will be immediately dispatched to the Officers commanding in the District
Records of the Cape Colony. 339
of Graaff Eeinet to deliver up the Fort at Algoa Bay to such persons as you shall authorize to receive the same, and the whole of the British Troops will be immediately withdrawn from the District abovementioned. I have &c.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Original.] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esq re.
Lancaster, Simons Bat, Cape of Good Hope, 19<fc August 1802.
Sir, — I am to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 3rd June signifying to me the directions of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, " to reduce the Establishment of the Naval Yard at the Cape as much as possible, by discharging all such persons therefrom as may not be absolutely necessary to retain, without waiting for the evacuation." And you will be pleased to inform their Lordships that I had caused reductions to be made therein previous to my receiving your aforesaid Letter, and being to the utmost of my power ever desirous to curtail the pubUc expenses I shall continue to order discharges as fast as circumstances will possibly admit. I am &c.
(Signed) EoGER Curtis.
[Copy.]
Letter from the Colonel and Naval Captain A. Mellissen to Lieutenant General Dundas.
May it please Your Excellency. — Upon receipt of the letter which Your Excellency did me the honor of addressing to me, I have immediately upon being acquainted with the subject felt regret that on account of the orders given to me by the Batavian Government I should be placed under an impossibility of entering into the proposal made to me by Your Excellency.
In the first instance expressing my particular acknowledgements for the mark of Your Excellency's confidence in me (which can
z 2
340 Records of the Cape Colony.
only be imputed to the harmony and friendship of the two nations at whose renewed prosperity I already rejoice) I shall have the honor of informing Your Excellency that the charge with the execution of which the Batavian Government has entrusted me is of such a nature that I can only consider my stay here with the Government Ships and Transports as a necessary means of restoring the Troops that are on board from the sickness under which they laboured and for the purpose of repairing the Ships for proceeding upon their Voyage.
Your Excellency will therefore readily conceive that as the Convoy which I have the honor to command has received from Government a particular destination to Batavia, I cannot consider myself authorized to enter here into any details with Your Excellency the object of which should lead to the disembarking of the Troops and that therefore nothing remains for me but to assure Your Excellency of my very sincere regret that it should not be in my power to assist Your Excellency in the object of removing the British Troops from Algoa Bay to this place.
I declare to Your Excellency my sincerest thanks for the concern you take in the future prosperity of this Colony, I recommend its interests to the continuation of your powerful influence and have the Honor to be with the utmost regard &c.
(Signed) A. Mellissen. Cape op Good Hope, 21 Aug%i»t 1802.
[Original.] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre,
Lancaster, Simons Bat, Cape of Good Hope, list August 1802.
Sir, — By the Dedaigneuse which arrived in Table Bay, I received on the 14th instant their Lordships Order of the 3rd June respecting the evacuation of this settlement, and in which I am directed to cooperate, and communicate with the OflBcer Commanding His Majesty's Troops relative to the necessary arrangements to be made for effecting the same, and assist in carrying into execution the measures he may have been directed
Records of the Cape Colony. 341
to take, so far as they may depend upon me, by receiving on board the Ships and Vessels under my command, and any dis- posable Transports I may have with me, such of the Civil and Military Establishments, and His Majesty's Troops, together with the Artillery and Stores of every description intended to be drawn from hence belonging to His Majesty as are to be carried to Englaud, In consequence of our respective instructions General Dundas and I have conferred together, and it appears that of Troops, and others belonging to the public Establishments, there are about Two Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Persons to be conveyed to England; and likewise the public Stores. Having therefore taken into my serious consideration the numbers of the Crews of the several Ships and Vessels of War, — the Arms, Baggage, &c. of the Officers and Troops — the great length of the Voyage home — the consequent quantity of Water necessary to be carried, the relative size and capacity of the Ships — the time of year they will probably approach the Channel, and all other circumstances, I think that having due regard to security, and preserving as well as circumstances will allow the Health of the Men, that the Ships and Vessels of War for such a Voyage cannot possibly carry more than as undermentioned, viz. :
The Lancaster 350 men.
Tremendous 350 „
Jupiter 180 „
Diomede 200 „
BroAXve 200 „
Hindostan ..... 250 „
Penguin . . . . . , 60 „
Rattlesnake . . . . . 80 „
1670 „
which taken from the Two Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty to be carried home beforementioned, will leave Nine Hundred and Eighty for whom conveyance must if possible be provided, there never having been any Transport Ships attached to the Colony, which by their Lordships mentioning disposable Transports to me in their Order, they seem not to have been aware of. And as Ships only resort here in the prosecution of commercial plans, it is seldom one can be procured. There are however here at present Three Merchant Ships that may possibly be attainable, which
342 Becords of the Cape Colony.
together witli one Ship now attached to Colonial Services, may in the whole be able to receive about the number of persons which the Men of War cannot take in. Though I expect the owners, apprized as they will be of the necessity there is for them, will demand the most exorbitant price for their hire ; but for various important reasons the Troops must at all events be taken away. And their Lordships may rest assured, that whatever measures the exigency of affairs may compel me to adopt, I shall by every exertion in my power prevent as far as possible the ptitting Government to unnecessary expence. I shall consider it as a fortunate circumstance, if it should so happen that any of His Majesty's Ships returning from India may touch here in their way home before our departure, that I may avail myself of them to ease us of some of our Burthen, for I am sensible our own Ships will otherwise be too much crowded.
In respect to Provisions for the Troops that are to be removed from this Country, we have little to fear, excepting for Bread and Flour : and if the Ships leaving England under the express appointment of taking on Troops to India should be provided with suitable Victualling for them, and which (from the repeated accounts which have been sent home of the scarcity we have had here) I should hope must be the case, I think we shall be able to provide for all those who are to go to England ; for having for a great length of time issued in the Squadron Eice three days in the Week in lieu of Bread, I am become tolerably well off as to that article ; but if the Troops which are to go to India are to take their Victualling here, we shall be put to much difficulty, and particularly on account of the great influx of persons there will be to be fed from the produce of the Colony, by the arrival of the Dutch Troops &c and their Ships. But if this difficulty does occur, it shall be met with resolution and energy, and the best possible shall be done, as the case may require. I am &c.
(Signed) Eoger Curtis.
Records of the Cape Colony. 343
[Original.] Letter from ViCE Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
Lancaster, SmoNS Bay, Cape of Good Hope, 2l8t August, 1802.
Sir, — The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have been informed by various Letters from me, that from the situation of affairs on the Eastern Frontiers of the Colony, contiguous to the Countries of the least civilized of the Hottentots and the Caffres, a considerable body of Troops has been constantly stationed in these districts at the distance of Six hundred Miles from the Cape, for preserving the peace of these remote parts of this Settlement. The withdrawing these Troops without waiting for their being replaced by others belonging to the Batavian Eepublick, would be a very dangerous measure, and would probably be attended with calamitous circumstances. On the other hand, if our Troops continue there until the Batavian Troops arrive to take the formal possession of the Colony, the departure of His Majesty's Forces from hence would be greatly delayed, to allow time sufficient for the Batavians to repair to those distant places, and for ours to return, and which could not I think be done in less time than Ten or Twelve Weeks, even supposing the Batavian Troops were in a condition to take so long a March immediately upon their landing. For when the S E Monsoon sets in, the period for which is nearly arrived, it requires a great length of time to send Ships to Algoa Bay against the prevailing contrary Wind, and besides, the Bay being entirely open to the violence of the Monsoon, no Ship can enter it without running very great risk of being wrecked, and the March to its neighbourhood by Land is, as I have before observed, very long ; but besides the distance the Troops will have to encounter many difficulties, from heat, and the nature of the Country through which they must pass. Upon this subject General Dundas and I have had very serious consultation, and as three Batavian Frigates and Six Transports with Troops are here on their route for Batavia, we have, after duly weighing the whole matter, entirely concurred in opinion, it would be highly advantageous to His Majesty's Service, to submit to the con- sideration of the Chief Batavian Officers, how much, under all the circumstances of the case, it would be beneficial to the two nations
344 Records of the Cape Colony.
for them to allot a portion of their Troops destined for Batavia, for relieving at once our Troops on the Frontier, that they may as soon as possible be removed from thence, and be ready to embark with the other part of the Garrison. But besides the reasons already assigned in this Letter, for wishing the arrangement beforementioned to take place, the General and I were the more particularly desirous of it, upon the consideration that if the difficulty of obtaining Bread and Flour for the voyage, as spoken of in my other Letter of this day's date, should occur, all delay of our departure may be attended with the most serious consequences, I am &c.
(Signed) Eoger Curtis.
[Copy.] Letter from Mr. John Barrow to the Earl of Macartney.
Cape of Good Hope, 21«< Augu«t 1802.
My Lord, — A Hambro' Ship being about to sail I avail myself of the occasion to trouble your Lordship with a few lines merely to say that at length by the arrival of the Dedaigneuse Frigate, we have received intelligence of the peace being finally settled, and that this Place is to be evacuated very shortly, in jfact Commissioners from Holland arrived here the same day with the Frigate to make preparations for the future Governor and Garrison, accredited by the Asiatic Council and recommended from Lord Hobart. As their Commission is very limited and the General of opinion it would be rather condescending too far to enter into the detail of discussions with them, he has thought proper to nominate Mr. Maxwell and myself to arrange with them the several points contained in their Commissions, the first of which is to be supplied with Forty thousand RixdoUars on their Eeceipt Qiomologuer is the term) by the Commissary and Governor about to be sent out, I strongly suspect as a stoppage out of the fifty thousand pounds thrown into circulation by Sir James Craig.
It is not a little extraordinary that Lord Hobart has not con- descended to give any instructions whatsoever to General Dundas on any one point respecting the evacuation of this Settlement. Bills are now drawn at 25 per cent premium, and Eoss can have
Records of the Cape Colony. 345
from 30 to 40 per centum for as much as he can possibly draw ; but unless it be intended that the Money of General Craig shall be taken out of circulation, the General does not mean to suffer the premium to proceed beyond 25 per cent ; in this he certainly is right, as it bears particularly hard upon the British Subjects who have Money to remit.
As Maxwell and myself have been pretty much employed in various Commissions on public Service w^e are flattered with the hope that our labors may be taken into consideration at home, which indeed is the only consideration that could make it palatable to us here, as all of them have been attended with circumstances far from those of an agreeable nature.
With regard to the present Commission we started with a great difficulty, which however I think we shall get over. The three Dutch Gentlemen propose that our proceedings shall be carried on in French tho' not one of them can write the language correctly. As they were Dutchmen and representatives of the Dutch Govern- ment, we insisted that nothing would be so proper as to carry on the business in the English and Dutch languages, without having anything whatsoever to do with the French, this point is to be settled tomorrow and I believe we shall carry it, especially as they want Money.
It is however too evident that the French and not the Dutch will virtually possess this Colony, and that it is their intention to throw into it such a number of Troops from time to time before they make "War against Us, as will make it impregnable, and in so doing they will convert into a point of the greatest annoyance a place that would have secured to Us our Indian possessions. France tells Holland We will protect you at home, send your Troops into your Colonies, where shortly they may be wanted. But independent of any attempt from hence to attack our Possessions in India, how is it possible in time of War for our East India Fleets to return safely to Europe ? How easily can a squadron of force from this place take their cruizing ground near St. Helena and wait there for the homeward bound Ships and easily intercept them, and what is of still more importance, how will effective Troops ever arrive in India in case of a powerful attack from the assembled Forces of the Dutch and French Colonies in the East, to strengthen which no measures will be left untried ? I observe Mr. Dundas's Speech in the House of the 14th May, and can only regret that neither your
346 Becords of the Cape Colony.
Lordship nor himself was consulted on this point. We have only this hope left, that the Great Nation which has so much disturbed the World will create for itself fresh disturbances. I have &c.
(Signed) John Bakrow.
[Original.] Letter from Sir George Yonge to Lord Hobart.
Walfobd, Aug, 21, 1802, My Lord, — I did myself the Honor of writing to your Lordship last month to acquaint you with my having waited on the King at Weymouth. I now do myseK the Honor of acquainting you that I have also presented to the Chancellor of the Exchequer a State of some Claims, which He has promis'd to attend to, and I enclose a Duplicate of the Paper deliverd to Him for your Lordship's Information, and I have to request that you will have the Goodness ofi&cially to Communicate with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject, that my Claims which I think Incontestible may be allowed with as little delay as possible.
I am encouraged to give you this trouble from the kindness I have always experienced and the attention which you have always had the Goodness to pay to whatever concerns me. I also have thought It my duty to communicate this officially to you, as the proper Channell, through which It should be conveyd and considerd. I have &c.
(Signed) Geo. Yonge.
[Enclosure in the above.]
The Grounds on which Sir George Yonge, late Governor of the Cape, rests his Claims, are, amongst others, as follows Viz —
On the 21st of April 1801 without any previous notice, or communication from Government to enable him to make any preparations. He received a Dispatch dated Jan^. 14th 1801, signifying His Majesty's Commands that He should resign the Government into the Hands of the Lieut. Governor ^o tempore, till a Successor should arrive, without assigning any Keason
Records of the Cape Colony. 347
for this measure, and directing him to return to England with all convenient dispatch, to receive His Majesty's further Com- mands.
Tho' there appeared nothing pressing in this Dispatch, to induce the Governor to resign till preparations could be made for his Departure, which he immediately applied to the Admiral for, and to be conveyed at least to St. Helena, but was refused, yet he thought it his duty to acquaint the Lieutenant Governor im- mediately with his having received the Dispatch abovementioned, and with his Intention to resign the Government agreeably to his orders, & also gave directions to the proper officers to prepare the necessary Act of resignation But, without waiting for this Proceeding in the usual Form, the Lieut. Governor, without the Governor's knowledge, the next morning announced Himself Governor in General Military Orders, which were published accordingly, without waiting for the Act of resignation.
The Governor, on being informed of this, was alarmed least the Public Bodies, and Civil Inhabitants should not regard a Military Order, as sufficient to warrant their obedience, and thus a danger- ous separation of Civil and Military might occur, the decision of which It was not fitt to trust a Military Body. To prevent this, if possible, he sent to the public offices to urge them to hasten the Act of resignation, and fortunately it was prepared and executed the same day, and thus, tho* not done till some Hours after the Military Orders were published, both Acts bore the same date, and all doubts were removed.
This hasty proceeding occasioned the Governors removal from the Government House, and obliged him to live in a private House, with his Household at his own Expence, and having been refused a Kings ship as before mentioned, he was obliged to engage a ship to carry and Victual Him & his household to St. Helena, from whence he hoped to get a passage to England in obedience to the King's Commands.
There was but one Ship at that time in the Harbour, that was going to the West Indies, and the Governor Engaged her to carry Him and His Household to St. Helena, but the Ship being in want of Repairs, it was six weeks before She was ready for Sea.
The Governor concluded, that being thus put to an extra- ordinary expence for such a Length of time, He should at least be allowed his Salary till the time of his departure, and ac-
348 Records of the Cape Colony-.
cordingly applyed to the acting Governor for it by Letter, to which he received an answer dated May 1st 1801, that though He did not " pretend to question or dispute the propriety of the demand yet he would not consider himself, in his present situation, competent to determine respecting it, but must refer it to Lord Glenbervie (then announced as successor) who, he was confident would attend to it."
Under all these circumstances, the Governor conceives he has a fair claim to be allowed his Salary from the time of his resigna- tion to the time of his departure from the Cape.
With regard to his Passage Home, The Governor submits as follows.
That on coming out, He was allowed a passage on board a King's Ship, and £500 was paid by Government for his Diet, besides his passage.
That on returning home, as above mentioned. He conceives he was under The King's orders, being commanded to return to England to wait His Majesty's Pleasure.
That the Expence of his passage home was increased by the following circumstances.
First, by being refused a Kings Ship, as before mentioned, so that He was compelled to be at the Expence both of Passage and Diet.
That on arriving at St. Helena, he found himself too late for the Convoy, and was obliged to wait till October, during which time He was forced to subsist himself and Household at a very considerable expence, and, at last to pay for His Passage and diet, home on board the Neptune Indiaman.
Upon these Grounds the Governor conceives He has a fair claim to be allowed passage and diet Money The conveyance from St. Helena to England alone, having cost him upwards of £600 besides the conveyance from the Cape to St. Helena, and the Expence of subsistence, in that Island, for four Months, all the while acting, as he conceives, under the orders of Government.
With regard to the Droit of Admiralty, the Governor begs leave to state the following Grounds,
That by Virtue of His Commission, He was not only Governor 'General, and Commander in Chief, over the Colony of the Cape, But was also, by a seperate Commission, Vice Admiral, with all
Becords of the Cape Colony. 349
the Eights and Powers of Vice Admiralty, together with all the profits and Emoluments thereunto belonging, in the fullest & most ample Manner.
That in all cases of Governors, having commissions of Vice Admiralty, as well as the care of prizes during War, The right of the Crown to all seizures made on the Enemy has been relinquished in favor of Captors.
That by virtue of His Commission, the Governor seized and made prize of a Ship bearing Neutral Colours, at anchor in Table Bay, on suspicion of her belonging to the Enemy.
That the cause was tried before the Vice Admiralty Court at the Cape, and the trial was attended with peculiar circumstances, for, By the discovery of false Papers, in consequence of a strict search, directed by the Governor, on board the prize, The system of France in its Trade and commerce, during the War, under Neutral Colours, was for the first time fully developed by the discovery of the orders of the Government of France, and especially of the Minister of Marine at Paris, directing the manner in which their proceedings were to be conducted & concealed, & declaring the importance of this System for the Benefit of the Trade and Manufactures of France ; all of which Documents the Governor sent Duplicates to Government.
That the prize was in consequence condemned, both Ship and Cargo, and the Sentence has fince been reported Home & confirmed.
Upon these Grounds the Governor conceives he has a fair claim to this prize as Captor, and also as a droit of Admiralty, by Virtue of his Commission, and he prays an order to the Admiralty for its being paid over to him accordingly.
[Original.] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
Lancaster, Simons Bat, Cape op Good Hope, 2Mh August 1802.
Sir, — This Letter is written to inform their Lordships of the general occurrences here relative to my department, since my last Letter of the same nature, dated the 10th of July last.
The Batavian Frigates the Juno, Phoenix, and Indraught, with
350 Records of the Cape Colony.
several Transports with Troops, the whole being destined for Batavia in the Island of Java, arrived here on the 19th and 20th July. The abovementioned Ships of "War came last from Eochelle, in the neighbourhood of which the Troops were collected. Six Transports sailed with them from Eochelle, but all of them did not arrive in this Bay until several days after those first mentioned. They all continue here, and I know not when they will proceed to their destination, as a good many of their Soldiers axe afflicted with the Scurvy.
On the 12th instant the Batavian Packet the Adventurer arrived here having on board Three Civil Commissioners empowered by the Batavian Eepubb'c for arranging matters with the Government here, preparatory to the arrival of the Batavian Governor and the Troops for taking possession of the Colony. Their Lordships will be pleased at my being able to inform them that the greatest harmony and good will exist between us and the newly arrived Batavians, which agreeable state of things is cherished by every means in our power.
The Dutch Ships have been under the necessity of requesting some little assistance from us in Stores; but I shall take the proper measures for their being duly paid for.
The Heavy Stores to be taken away in the Eindostan are the greatest part embarked, and everything will be put on board without delay. I am &c.
(Signed) Eogek Curtis.
[Office Copy.] Letter from, Lord Hobart to Sir George Yongk
Downing Stbeet, 2&{h August 1802. Sir, — I had the honor of receiving your Letter of the 21st Instant, inclosing the Copy of a State of Claims which you had presented to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and desiring that I would communicate officially with him upon the Subject ; and I am to acquaint you that I shall be ready to enter into the discussion of the Business with him whenever I am called upon for that purpose. I have &c.
(Signed) Hobart.
Records of the Cajpe Colony. 351
[Copy.] Proclamation by Lieutenant Geneeal Fkancis Ddndas.
Whereas by the Definitive Treaty of peace, and the consequent restoration of general tranquillity, the ancient amity and good understanding which heretofore subsisted between His Majesty the King of Great Britain and the Batavian Eepublic are happily reestablished, and it having been agreed upon in the conditions of the aforesaid Treaty that this Settlement is to revert to its ancient possessors. And whereas a considerable number of Batavian Troops being expected to arrive here before the coming in of the next Harvest to relieve the English Garrison, a much more considerable quantity of Grain than usual will consequently be required, as well for the supply of the Troops of His Britannic Majesty as for those of the Batavian Eepublic, over and above the quantity required for the consumption of the Inhabitants of Cape Town ; being influenced by these considerations I find it necessary to order and direct, and it is hereby ordered and directed accord- ingly, that all the Wheat or Bread Corn in the possession of the Farmers of the Districts of the Cape & Stellenbosch shall be forth- with put in requisition, it being my further Commands that the several Farmers are to give a true and faithful account to a Com- mission consisting for the Cape District of one Member of the Court of Justice and one of the Burgher Senate, and for the District of Stellenbosch of the Landdrost and two of the Heem- raden appointed and hereby authorized by Government for that purpose, of the quantity of Wheat or other bread Corn they may respectively have in their possession as aforesaid, the said Farmers being moreover directed to bring up to Cape Town and deliver at the Government Magazine, in the course of the ensuing month of September, the whole of the Wheat or other bread Corn of which they may be severally possessed, retaining only such quantities as may be absolutely necessary for the consumption of their own Families until the 30th of January next, which quantity the Commission will determine. And Whereas the good of His Britannic Majesty's Service, together with that of the Batavian Republic, as well as the existence of the Inhabitants of Cape Town, render it absolutely necessary that strict and prompt
352 Records of the Cape Colony.
obedience should be paid to this order, it is hereby declared that the penalty of One Thousand Eixdollars will be levied upon any Farmer or other who shall disobey this proclamation, or in any manner whatsoever attempt to elude, evade, or counter- act what is hereby required, the peculiar circumstances of the Colony not admitting of any the least disobedience, hesitation, or delay being manifested upon this occasion.
Moreover by these presents Petrus Johannes Truter Esqre. as Member of the Court of Justice, and Jacob John Vos Esqre. as Member of the Burgher Senate, accompanied by John Pringle E.sqre. Commissary General, are by me deputed and charged to execute this Commission in the Districts near the Cape Town, and the Landdrost of Stellenbosch accompanied by two of the Heemraden are in like manner to execute the same in the Corn Districts of Stellenbosch & Drakenstein, all these Commissioners being hereby authorized to fulfil this duty where necessary by administering an Oath, or by examining the Magazines in which the Wheat or other bread Corn shall be deposited.
Given under my Hand & Seal, Castle of Good Hope, this 26th day of August 1802.
(Signed) Fkancis Dundas.
[Original.] Letter from Sm George Yonge to Lord Hobart.
Bath, Aug. 26, ]802.
My Lord, — I troubled your Lordship with two letters, lately, the one, gave your Lordship Information of my having paid my Duty to the King at Weymouth. The other, informing your Lordship of Demands on Govemm* to which I conceive myself entitled, on the Grounds Stated in the Paper I did myself the Honor to send you.
Your Lordship will now allow me to remind you of my Services, which I desire may be laid before the King ; after eighteen years Service I went in Obedience to His Majesty's Commands, signifyd, very unexpectedly, in the year 1799 to most distant Part of the Globe, at every Eisk, where I will be bold to say I did my Duty,
Records of the Cape Colony. 353
In spite of every Vexation, in a Manner highly Beneficial to His Majesty's Government.
I Believe It is usual after such Services to be Rewarded with some Permanent Provision, and by Letters receiv'd in Dec' 1800 at the Cape, I was from Good authority assured of a Suitable Provision. Instead of which I was recalled on a Sudden, and on my arrival in England in Dec"^ 1801 I was for the first time made acquainted with an anonymous unavow'd, accusation, to this moment unknown to me what it is as well as the Persons who charged me without any Sort of Explanation or Information of the Nature of It, Although said to have been made above a Year & half ago.
This, My Lord, you will allow me to say. Is not the Eeward I think I am entitled to. I have served His Majesty, as I am sure He knows, with Zeal, Honesty and Eidelity, and am ever ready to serve Him. I deserve the Pteward of an old and faithfull Servant, and I Claim It of His Majestys Justice and Goodness, when I left the War Office for the accommodation of His Majestys Service The Faith of the Crown was pledged to me, for a Specifick Eeward, which was then settled with His Majestys Ministers, and secured to me to take Place whenever I should cease to hold the Employ- ment I was then appointed to, or any other Equivalent to It, in Pteturn for the Situation I then quitted, and as a Reward for my Services at the Time, and I receivd His Majestys most gracious assurances, personally made to me, that I should be satisfied and always be houord with his Protection. I believe such a Pledge, in the Name of the Crown was never yett forfeited, I am bold to say I have never yett done any thing to forfeit my Claim to the Performance of It. I must therefore entreat your Lordship to lay these my Humble Pretensions before His Majesty, not doubting your Lordships Goodness, with my Humble Duty and Request, That I may be relievd from the Cruel Situation I am now In, and receive that Just Reward w** none of His Subjects ever sue for in Vain and Especially an Old and faithfull Servant, who stands in Need of his Support.
It is your Lordships Duty Officially to lay such Representations from Servants of the Crown before His Majesty, but I am also Confident you will have the Goodness not to omitt or Delay It, from the Peculiar and extraordinary Circumstances of the Case, and I will rely on your doing It for the Vindication of my Honor,
IV. 2 A
354 Becords of the Cape Colony.
as well as for the Purpose of my just Eeward, and Conscious of my own Integrity, I will not for a Moment Doubt of His Majesty s Gracious attention to It, when laid before Him, as I most earnestly entreat you to do. I have &c.
(Signed) George Yonge.
P. S. — I write this in my Way to Town where I hope to receive your Lordship's commands.
[Original] Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Lord Hobart.
Cape of Good Hope, Axigust 1802.
My Lord, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Lordship's letters dated 31st March, 30th April, 1st, 19th, and 26th May, and 2nd June last, brought here by His Majesty's Ship Dedaigneuse which arrived in Table Bay on the 12th Instant, judging it proper to avail myself of the present opportunity afforded me by the sailing of a ship bound for Hamburgh in writing to Your Lordship these lines to inform you of my having received the Copy of the Definitive Treaty of Peace transmitted by Your Lordship together with His Majesty's Orders for the restitution of this Settlement to the Batavian Eepublic.
In pursuance of the instructions contained in Your Lordships letter of the 19th May the 22nd, 34th, and 65th Eegiments of Infantry with the 8th Regiment of Light Dragoons have been directed to prepare for embarkation, and will be dispatched with every possible expedition to India as soon as the ships shall severally arrive meant to convey them to their respective places of destination.
As the numbers composing the forementioned Eegiments to proceed to India (agreeable to His Majesty's commands as communicated by Your Lordship) amount to Three Thousand Seven Hundred persons, a much more considerable quantity of shipping will be required for their conveyance than appears to have been provided according to the Extract of the Eeport of the Committee of Shipping of the East India Company, a Copy
Becords of the Cape Colony. 355
of which accompanied Your Lordship's dispatch of the 19th May; consequently in order to avoid the great inconvenience which might arise from a want of shipping at the final evacuation of the Colony on the arrival of the Dutch Garrison, it has been deter- mined upon by Vice Admiral Sir Roger Curtis and myself to hire such Merchant Vessels as may be procurable here fit for the accommodation of the Troops, in order to expedite as well as ensure the timely and effectual performance of the important service the execution of which has been committed to our charge.
Your Lordship has already been informed in the course of the official correspondence I have had the honor to hold with respect to the Country Districts of the indispensable necessity there has hitherto been for keeping a Garrison of British Troops at a small Fort at Algoa Bay on the Frontiers of this Colony ; as also a Detachment at the Village of Graaff Eeinet situated Two Hundred Miles inland and Six Hundred from Cape Town ; both these Military positions being not less necessary with a view to the preservation of the Peace of the Country than for the maintenance of that obedience due to His Majesty's Government.
The embaiTassment that I felt was therefore very great as to the propriety of withdrawing those distant Detachments from the Upper Country in order that they might join their respective regiments previous to the evacuation of this Colony with the rest of His Majesty's Forces ; it being to be apprehended that their immediate recall might be attended with dangerous or calamitous consequences to this Settlement, and on the other hand if per- mitted to remain until the Troops of the Batavian Eepublic should arrive from Europe to take possession of this Colony, the length of time that must necessarily have elapsed before the Dutch Troops could have reached the Village of Graaff" Eeinet would unquestionably have retarded the return of our Troops until the period of the Monsoon, when the prevalence of the contrary winds (the Bay of Algoa being entirely open to their violence after the month of October) would not only have rendered it extremely hazardous for ships to have been sent there for His Majesty's Troops, but the embarkation would have been attended with the greatest difficulties should it not have been found altogether impracticable.
Under these circumstances and after consulting with Vice Admiral Sir Eoger Curtis I conceived it would be highly advantageous to His Majesty's Service and not incompatible
2 A 2
356 Records of the Cape Colony.
with the interests of the Batavian Eepublic to persuade the officer commanding a Detachment of about Six Hundred Batavian Troops (on board three Frigates and six Transports in Simon's Bay- destined to Batavia) to relieve immediately by a portion of those Troops the British Detachments before mentioned, and with this view I thought it my duty to transmit the accompanying letter A No. 1 to Commodore Mellissen (the officer of the Batavian Eepublic alluded to) and having received his answer A No. 2 I enclose them for Your Lordship's perusal and information ; being confident that in the measures adopted upon this occasion Your Lordship will be convinced I was solely influenced by a desire to promote His Majesty's Service together with an anxious wish to have secured in the most effectual manner until the last moment of our dominion the general and individual happiness of this extensive Colony.
It was however with heartfelt concern that I found from the answer of Commodore Mellissen that his instructions could not allow him to depart from the particular object of his destination in compliance vrith my request ; nothing therefore now remaining with me but to direct the immediate march of the Troops from the Upper Country for the reasons I have already had the honor to submit to Your Lordship, since these considerations are of too powerful a nature to admit of any hesitation on my part with regard to a step in the discharge of my duty which I conceive indispensably necessary to enable me to obey the orders I have had the honor to receive.
The assurances which Your Lordship has given me of my receiving timely information of the measures that are to be taken for conveying to India or to England the remainder of the Troops under my command render me perfectly confident that no diffi- culties will arise with respect to the details and arrangements necessary to be attended to upon this occasion ; taking the Hberty however of intimating to Your Lordship that to the number of Seven Thousand Individuals (Soldiers and Civil Servants to His Majesty's Government) will be required to be removed, as also Stores, Artillery and Ammunition as soon as or before the persons shall arrive authorized by the Batavian Eepublic to take posses- sion of the Cape.
I shall postpone until a better opportunity the communicating of such occurrences as have taken place in this Settlement since
Records of tlie Cape Colony. 357
the date of my last Dispatch 5th April last sent by His Majesty's Ship Imperieuse, nothing having happened meriting Your liOrd- sliip's immediate notice or consideration. I have &c.
(Signed) Fkancis Dundas.
[Original.]
Letter from Messrs. Ben ay, Muller, and Dibbetz to Messrs. Barrow and Maxwell.
Kaap Stad, den 27 Augustus 1802.
MiJNE Heeren, — Tngevolge onze verbaal overeenkomst, hebben wij de eer UE : by deze een voorstel aangaande verscheiden poincten onzer missie te doen, met gedienstig verzoek hetzelve ter kennis van de Heer Gouverneur Dundas te brengen, en ons de dispositie van Zijn Excellentie dienaangaande te willen mede- deelen.
1. Het Locaal in het Casteel thans door de heer Secretaris Bernard geoccupeerd, reeds door UE. aangeweezen zijnde, tot het prepareeren van een Logement voor de Heer Gouverneur Janssens & Commissaris Generaal De Mist, zal slechts het consent van zijn Excellentie de Heer Gouverneur Dundas nodig zijn, om het zelve met den 1 September aaustaande tot dat einde te doen prepareeren. Gaarne zoude wij zien dat (indien mogelijk) het naast het zelve staande Commandants huijs op dit zelfde tijdstip insgelijk aan ons wierd afgestaan. Het Gouvernements huijs bij het Kondes- boschje thans onbewoond zijnde, vertrouwe wij dat zijn Excellentie mede geen zwarigheid zal maken hetzelve dadelijk ter onzer dis- positie te stellen.
2. Ten einde het nodige werk in voorn : Locaalen te kunnen doen verrichten, SoUiciteere wij UE minzaamst aan de heer gouverneur te willen verzoeken een getal van 18 a 20 Slaaven, van die te voren aan het Bataavsch gouvernement toebehoord hebbende, aan ons toe te staan.
3. Het verzamelen der nodige vivres voor de verwacht word- ende Bataavsche Oorlog & Transport Scheepen voor derzelver verdere reis na Batavia, als mede het benodigde voor het onder- houd der Bataavsche Troupes welkers getal circa 4000 Koppen
358 Becords of the Cape Colony.
bedraagd, is ongetwijffeld eene taak die alle onze zorgen vorderd, en met de meeste omzichtigheid ten uitvoer zal dienen te worden gebragt.
De graanen tegen een vastgestelde prijs door het gouvemement in derzelver Magazijnen opgenomen wordende, zoude het door ons in Detail opkoopen van dit voornaam gedeelte der levens midde- len eene concurrentie daar stellen die voor het belang van het Engelsch zo wel als van het Bataavsch gouvemement volgens ons inziens aller nadeligst zoude zijn ; daar het echter noodzaaklijk is dat wij voor het arrivement der Troupes een voorraad graanen voor derzelver onderhoud geduurende ten minste twee maanden bij een vergadert hebben, vermeenen wij in consideratie te moeten geeven of het niet convenabel zoude zijn, van nu af aan, een zeeker gedeelte der opgereeden wordende graanen, uit de Engelsche Magazijnen aan ons over te doen, en ons te permitteeren dezelve in een Magazijn onder onze directie op te slaan. Dit gedeelte geproportioneerd aan het getal der Bataavsche Troupes met betrekking tot dat der Engelsche militairen, en der ingezee- tenen genomen wordende, het welk bij approcximatie \ of van de vijf mudden een, zoude bedraagen, schijnt het ons toe, dat het evenwigt bewaard, en geen der partijen gelezeerd zoude zijn.
De overige der aantekoopen levensmiddelen, als aardappelen erwten, &ca minder schaars zijnde, vermeenen wij dat er geen zwarigheid zal zijn, om dezelve direct ingevolge de marktprijzen aantekoopen. Alleen zoude het ons aangenaam zijn, daar er eene genoegzaam hoeveelheid reist in de Engelsche Magazijnen voor- handen is, de verzekering te hebben, dat in geval wij hier aan mogten gebrek hebben, het benoodigd tegen inkoop prijs uit dezelve te kunnen ontvangen.
4. Aangaande de bij Art : 6 onzer Instructie gevraagde Somma van honderd duijzend guldens Holl: Courant, nemen wij de vrijheid te proponeeren dezelve aan ons uit de gouvernements cas binnen de tijd van zes weeken (indien dit niet door onverhoopte gevallen onmoogelijk mogte zijn) te doen uit betaalen, namenthjk de eerste helft binnen een maand na mate onze behoeften, en wel in het legin van de aanstaande week 5 a 6000 Eijcxdaalders, en de resteerende tweede helft of vijftig Duijzend HoUandsche guldens veertien dagen later.
5. Om aan de intentie onzer Instructie te voldoen zoude het ons
Records of the Cape Colony. 359
aangenaam zijn (zo mogelijk) een a twee der Lands gebouwen geschikt om voor bakhuijzen gebruikt te worden ter onzer dis- positie te hebben. De twee blokken der Cazernes thans tot dit einde iu gebruik zoude wij van gedachten zijn, dat noodzaaklijker tot berging der Troupes behoorden te worden geutiliseerd, te meer, daar in geval er niet Spoedig een gedeelte der Engelsche Troupes kan worden ingescheept, het logeeren der Bataavsche krijgsmacht bezwaarlijk zal vallen.
6. EindeKjk nemen wij nog de vrijheid gedienstig te verzoeken, eene exadte opgaave van alle publieke gebouwen, zo in de Stad, Baaij Fals, als elders met informatie van het gebruik welk van dezelve thans word gemaakt, aan ons te willen doen toekomen.
UE rescript ie hier op zo ras mogelijk SoUiciteerende hebben wij de eer met de bijzonderste consideratie te zijn &c.
(Geteekend) J. F. Benaij,
A. MULLER,
K De Klerk Dibbetz.
[Copy.]
Journal in the form of a Report addressed, with due respect, to His Excellency Lieutenant General Francis Dundas, Acting Governor and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Castle, Town, and Settlement of the Cape of Good Hope in Southern Africa, and its dependencies, &c., &c., &c., hy the undersigned Commissioners of the Beriqua Expedition, containing besides everything remarkable that occurred in the Course of their Journey in tJie unfrequented North-Eastern part of this Continent from their departure on the \st of October 1801, the result of the Barter carried on in this Expedition.
Honorable Sir, — Having yesterday received from Your Honor our instructions and credentials, we this day undertook, in the name of our Lord, our interesting journey.
Thursday, the 1st of October. — After having bona fide verified by our signatures the Invoice of the Articles designed for Bartering and the contents of the waggons, we departed in the morning from Cape Town, together with the Secretary to the
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Commission, Mx. S. Daniell, and the Assistant Secretary, P. B. Borcherds, the Overseer of the Waggons, J. C. Schultze, five servants, being three Government slaves, Jan, Willem, and Anthony, the Hottentot Hendrik Booy, and the bastard Hottentot Hannes, in six waggons, and went to the place of Jan Louw, on the Pampoen Kraal, where the waggons arrived at two o'clock iuj the afternoon; from thence continuing our journey with fresh relays, which we there received, we arrived in the night at ten o'clock at the place of Adriaan Horak, called Middelburg, situated between the Paarl and Groote Paardeberg, where we remained the night, and found that one of the waggon stiles was broken and unfit for use.
Friday the 2nd. — "We continued our journey with fresh relays to the Pont at Jacobus Joubert's, where we had a change of oxen. Having passed the Berg river, we went to Mr. Oertel's, of whom we bought five pieces of cloth and some other trifles for the journey, to the amount of 30 Ptixdollars, and came in the evening to the house of the Veldcomet Hendrik du Preez, on the Groene Berg, where we stayed the night, and on
Saturday the 3rd October, after having paid to the said Du Preez for two hams and other provisions 18 Eixdollars, we went from thence, provided with fresh relays, to the Koodezand kloof, where fresh oxen carried the waggons over the mountains, and we arrived past two o'clock at Eoodezand, where we received information from the Veldcomet Andries du Toit that the Witzenberg and Mosterds Hoek were both impassable for loaded waggons, and that we were to take the longest way. "We continued our journey, provided with two fresh teams of oxen for every waggon, and arrived in the evening at eight o'clock at the Veldcomet Pieter Pranfois Hugo's, at his place De TAefde, situated on Breede Eiver, where we slept that night, and found that one of the tar buckets had been lost in crossing the Kleine Berg river.
Sunday the 4th. — On making preparation to depart from the last mentioned place, it was found that the fore axletree of the waggon No. 3 was broken. "We bought a new unplated axle, and went from thence to the smith Martinus Smit, who at no great distance from this place exercises his trade, and had the axle plated, and paid for this together 17 Eixdollars, leaving the waggon behind under the care of the Overseer J, C. Schultze, continuing the journey with the remaining five to the Eoode Draai, the place
Records of the Cape Colony. 361
of the Veldcomet Pieter du Toit, where about midnight the waggon No. 3 also arrived.
Monday the 5th October. — We proceeded on our journey with fresh relays, crossing several times the Hex river, unyoked at noon the oxen to graze, and in the afternoon being again put to the waggons, we went from this so called uitspan place to Wouter de Vos, where we arrived in the evening, and on
Tuesday the 6th, after having paid him 36 Rixdollars for two new axletrees, one lever on stile, six tanned sheep skins, tallow for greasing the waggons, biscuit, fruit, &c., we departed with the same oxen we had arrived with from the Draai. Passing the Bokke velds street, we arrived late in the evening at the house of the shoemaker Mulder, who lives near the Yerkeerde Vlei in a hut, where we through the dark rain, cold, and in tenseness of the weather were obliged to take shelter for that night.
Wednesday the 7th. — Having paid to the said Mulder for provisions 3 EixdoUars, we rode with fresh relays towards the place of Pieter Jacobs, where we remained the night.
Thursday the 8th. — We paid to the said Jacobs PdxdoUars 31 for 4 hams, 2 mats, 2 cedar wood planks, 1 earthen vessel, 8 towels, and some other provisions for the journey, and departed early in the morning, accompanied by the Veldcomet S. W. Pienaar and his brother Barend Pienaar. At noon we arrived at the Karoo Poort, where we unyoked the oxen and dined. In the afternoon Barend Pienaar took leave of us, and we went on to the Doom river in the Karoo, where we for the first time encamped.
Friday the 9th October. — The above mentioned Veldcomet Pienaar left us, and we departed from the Doom river provided with fresh relays. We passed the Koodoo mountains, leaving them to the eastward, and arrived in the afternoon at the Ongeluks river, at the Veldcomet Gerrit Snyman's, who provided the waggons with iresh oxen, with which we proceeded the same evening to the Ink river, and pitched there our tents.
Saturday the 10th. — We left the Ink river after having paid for provisions Rixdollars 5, passed the Gousblooms kloof, and arrived at noon at the pasture place of Esterhuizen, where we outspanned, and being provided with fresh relays we went on, and passed the Windheuvel, and arrived in the evening at Tanquas river, where we encamped. Having been there for some time, Mr. Willem Wium arrived the same evening, reporting that every
362 Records of the Cape Colony.
preparation for the furtherance of our journey and assistance on the road thus far was made, according to his commission received from Government for that purpose, but that Floris Visser from Middel Eoggeveld was not able from indisposition to accompany the commission, and that Jacobus Swanepoel, who according to his instructions was obliged to assist in this journey, was not present. He further reported that Jacob Kruger, Veldcomet of Klein Eoggeveld, would provide that the commission should meet at Kuilenburg 10 teams of oxen to carry the waggons to the Ganna kraal, and that he had ordered 6 men for the escort of the expedition, viz. Marthinus Bouwer, Marthinus Snyder, Andries Esterhuizen, Pieter van der Westhuizen, Abraham Lothriet, and Jan Schnyder ; that Jacobus Nel, Veldcornet of the Lower Eogge- veld, would send to Ganna kraal also 10 teams of oxen to carry the waggons from the Ganna kraal during the whole expedition, and back again. The said Wium remained that night in our camp.
Sunday the 11th October.— We departed together in the morning from Tanquas river, arrived about noon below Eogge- velds mountain, where we met with an additional waggon brought from Nicolaas van der Westhuizen for the purpose of transporting the biscuit, flour, &c., prepared by order of the above mentioned Wium, and after being provided with fresh relays by the Veld- cornet Gerrit Maritz, we ascended the very steep, difficult, and high mountain of Eoggeveld, where we in the evening arrived at the Klipfontein, situated on its summit, where we pitched our camp. Shortly afterwards a certain Van Zyl came up on horse- back to our camp, with a letter from the Veldcornet Jacobus Nel, directed to the above mentioned Maritz, from the contents of which we learned that the said Nel could not procure the ordered relays at the Ganna kraal before the 18th instant, whereupon we verbally ordered him by the bearer in the name of Government to take care that the necessary relays should be provided for at the Ganna kraal on the 16th, and that for that reason we should proceed by half days journeys (or half schofts) which already retarded the progress of our journey more than two days. We further paid 12 Eixdoilars to Eyno Forster for a fowling piece.
Monday the 12th October. — A letter was written to Your Honor containing our transactions and arrival thus far, to be delivered by the often mentioned Wium, who this day intended to return to Cape Town, and departed, leaving us a half muid of
Records of the Cape Colony. 363
salt, an article which cau scarcely be dispensed with, and where- with we have not been provided at the Cape, and which the people in Eoggeveld declared to be very scarce in these districts. We further required by a letter Cornelis Coetzee together with three saddle horses, which were stated as sold to the butcher Veijl, some other necessaries, and principally salt, for the journey, paying for another saddle horse to Nicolaas van der Westhuijzen the sum of 80 Eixdollars, and proceeded to the Jakhals Fountain at Wietze van der Westhuijzen's, where we passed the night,
Tuesday the 13th October. — We received from the afore men- tioned Coetzee
10 muids flour -i 1 „ biscuit i in 8 bags and 7 leather knapsacks, i „ salt j
1 oxwaggon, almost new, with tent, &c., complete, 3 saddle horses,
and paid to Wietze van der Westhuyzen for some stones of soap, mats, and whips ticks 10 Eixdollars. We received further 75 sheep, which Wium had requisitioned from several inhabitants of Middle Eoggeveld for our use, and proceeded towards Kuilenburg's river, accompanied by five inhabitants of these districts, namely Frans Kruger, Johannes Hendrik Cloete, Johannes Stephanus Maritz, Caspar Snyder, and Pieter Jacobs, the three first mentioned being from the men ordered by the Veldcornet Gerrit Maritz, and the two others from those commanded by the Veldcornet Gerrit Snyman for the escort of the commission. Arrived in the evening with our eight waggons at this place, we unyoked the oxen and passed here the night.
Wednesday the 14th. — The Veldcornet Gerrit Maritz took leave of us, and we proceeded on our journey with the same oxen which had brought us from the other side of Eoggevelds mountain to this place. The relays which the Veldcornet Jacob Kruger was to procure at Kuilenburgs river were not arrived, however in hopes to meet them on the road we jogged on, passing a street formed by two mountains called the De Beer's poort, and arrived in the evening on this side of the Groote Eiet river opposite the Bonte- berg, where we encamped, the weather being extremely cold and rainy.
Thursday 15th October. — We caught this morning an immense
364 Records of the Cape Colony.
number of fish in the river not far from our camp, being of a good taste but extremely full of bones, and saw the fresh footprints of a lioEi. We departed in the afternoon, crossing the said river at different places, passed the Van der Walts poort,and arrived at sunset at an uninhabited place of a certain Van Wyk, also situated at the. said river, but on the north side. Here we met Jochem Schols junior, David Kruger, and David Lombard, who delivered to us a letter from the Veldcomet Jacob Kruger, of Klein Roggeveld, dated the 10th instant and addressed to the commission, containing among other frivolous excuses especially " that he sent two teams of oxen, that he had commanded eight others, which had not arrived, and that the men named in the letter were commanded to meet us at Kuilenburg or at the Ganna kraal, he did not know whether they would come or not, as he had no answer from them," leaving to him Kruger to account for this. We further took at this place our night's rest.
Friday the 16th. — We left early in the morning the Groote Eiet river, passed the Stinkfountain, the Tygerhoeksberg, the Selderysfountain and river, and arrived in the evening at the Ganna kraal, at one of the uninhabited places of Frans Maritz, situated on the northern bank hard by the drift of the Kleine Eiet river, where we encamped, but did not only not find there the ordered escort of the Veldcomet Kruger, but likewise the necessary relays wliich the Veldcomet Jacobus Nel had promised to procure us were wanting.
Saturday the 17th of October. — As we found ourselves frustrated in our hopes we employed the greatest part of the day in fishing, and got once more fish of the same kind as we had caught in the Groote Eiet river.
Sunday the 18th. — While we had in vain waited till this moment, the undersigned resolved to delay no longer than till to- morrow, intending in case the men and oxen did not arrive before noon to proceed on our journey as well as we could, in consequence of which we dismissed on
Monday the 19 th, at his request. Jacobus Erasmus, who from Eoggeveld, and Jochem Schols, who had accompanied us from Groote Eiet river, and signified to David Lombard and David Kruger that they were pressed to accompany us in their place. We then departed in the afternoon from the Ganna kraal with the greatest part of the same draft oxen which had carried us over
Eecords of the Cape Colony. 365
the Middle Eoggevelds mountain, crossed the Karree river, on the north side of which we found ourselves beyond the limits of the colony. About six o'clock in the evening we arrived at the Brakke fountain, where we encamped. Shortly afterwards we saw at a distance a herd of oxen, together with some men who came through the veld towards us, and on their approach they delivered to us an open note of the following contents : " To the commissary Somerville. You hereby receive 30 oxen, I request you will return the people as soon as possible, as the robbers of the Bosjesmen are too busy in stealing, and I am every day ready to make a commando. I remain your servant. (Signed) Jacobus Nel, Veldcornet. The 15th of October 1801." We perceived on examination that the most part of the oxen were very young, unaccustomed to the yoke, and that there was hardly one team of good draft oxen among them, instead of procuring ten teams as he had been ordered. We leave it to the said Nel to account for this treatment towards this commission, and submit his conduct to Your Honor's better judgment. We then mustered our company, and found the expedition to consist in 12 Christians, being we five as we departed from Cape Town, mentioned on the 1st instant, wherein both the subscribers are included, 5 inhabitants of Middle Eoggeveld, as mentioned on the 11th, 2 pressed as mentioned this day ; 24 Hottentots and Bastards, viz. 2 described by name on the 1st instant, who departed from the Cape with the expedition, 18 from the districts of the Veldcornets Gerrit Snyman, Gerrit Maritz; and Jacob Kruger, called Wildeman, Kiviet, Booy, Steven, Willem, Polak, Andries, Piet Liebergeld, Dikkop, Fiool, Booy Hartog, Vigilant, Fredrik Kaffer, Africaander Kaffer, Fortuin, Geswind Gerrit, Hendrik Zwart, and Liebergelt ; 4 from the district of the Veldcornet Jacobus Nel this day arrived with the oxen as above stated, named Eoelof, Stoffel, Cupido, and Mulder Hartebeest; 4 slaves, three of whom, mentioned on the 1st, departed with the waggons from the Cape, besides one from Eoggeveld, called Noel, belonging to Johannes van der West- huizen ; 20 guns ; 13 saddle horses ; 120 draft oxen. With this force, notwithstanding all the disappointments of the already mentioned Veldcomets Kruger and Nel, we thought ourselves able, under the blessing of God, to perform our undertaking, and left in this manner the Brakke fountain on
Tuesday the 20th of October. — We met in our road with some
36G Records of the Cape Colony.
gemsbok, wild horses, &c., and arrived in the evening at the Commando or Kwagga fountain, where we remained the night.
Wednesday the 21st. — We proceeded on our journey, seeing at a distance in a southeasterly direction the Nieuwveld mountain, the Table hill and Lion's head of these mountains. In the afternoon we passed the not unpleasant place Blij Vooruit- eicht, or otherwise called Kruidfountain, where the missionaries Kicherer and Edwards had kept their abode for a long while. We found there yet in good repair a long oblong building or hut, which probably had served both for a church and lodging, together with several smaller huts, and the remains of a kitchen garden. We refreshed ourselves, and passed a couple of hours at this place. We afterwards went on, and arrived in the night about eleven o'clock at the place where the said Kicherer has taken his last residence in these quarters, on the south side of the Sak river. We also met here with a similar building and huts, but not in such good condition as the former at the Kruidfountain, where we took our lodgings for that night.
Thursday the 22nd of October. — After everything was in readi- ness to leave this place, two Bosjesmen by the name of Jephta and Jacob came up to us, from whom in bad Dutch we understood that the missionary Edwards and Jacob Kruger, whom we thought to find at this place, some days ago had proceeded to the Gariep, or the Great, or Orange river, and that the Eeverend Mr. Kicherer since a few days past was gone thither. We presented these people with ^Ib. tobacco, and continuing our journey we crossed the Sak river, and after having passed the lowest part of the Brakke river, which unites not far from thence with the Zak river, we arrived in the night at a relinquished farm in earlier days occupied by a certain Hendrik Korf, where we passed the night.
Friday the 23rd of October. — ^We went on, passed the Patrys fountain, saw on our route several quaggas, hartebeests, and ostriches, arrived in the evening at the upper part of the above mentioned Brakke river, near its ford, where we at a great distance saw the t'Kahaberg to the south-west, situated on the southern side of the Spionsberg, but far to the eastward of the same, and here
Saturday the 24th, before we departed, a Bosjesman, who called himself Wildboy, came to our camp, asking or indicating, for
Records of the Cape Colony. 367
nobody in our camp spoke his language, that he wished for some food and a little tobacco. We gave him an ample supply of meat, and added thereto ^Ib. Brazil tobacco, wherewith he was very well satisfied, and took his leave. "We proceeded on our journey, and arrived in the evening at the Lion's fountain, to which the second subscriber and David Kruger were gone before, the last mentioned having killed with a gun a male quagga, one of the largest and strongest we ever saw, of which the secretary Mr. Daniell took an exact delineation of his natural shape and colour. This was the first large animal we shot in the course of our travels. We en- camped here in an abundant pasturage for our cattle, where along the issue of the fountain a sweet nutritive reed grew luxuriantly.
Sunday October 25th. — We received a report that last night the Bastard Hottentot Liebergelt had wilfully absconded himself, with a horse of Frans Maritz, without any person's knowledge, notwithstanding our orders already issued on the 19th, that no person belonging to the expedition was to separate himself from us without leave of the undersigned. We then proceeded from the Lion's fountain, and arrived in the evening at the Klip- fountain, on this, or at the south side of the Karreebergen, near a, small river, where we found a certain Jurgen Kok had unyoked his oxen, who with his cattle was travelling to Eoggeveld, relating to us that he arrived from the other side of the Great or Orange river, from the country of the Coranas ; that the above mentioned missionary Mr. Kicherer lived two days journey farther on the other side of the said river, and he in the beginning of last week had met with the missionary Edwards and Jacob Kruger with three waggons, who were going that way. We here encamped that night.
Monday the 26th. — When the waggons were greased for the next journey, we found that the axletree of the waggon No. 1 was broken. We immediately made one of the new axletrees we had taken with us in readiness, although we could not pro- ceed to-day from the tenderness of the hoofs of the oxen. Here the second subscriber wrote a letter to Your Honor in the English language, which we both signed, and delivered to the said Jurgen Kok to forward to the Cape, stating our proceedings thus far and our arrival at this place ; and as our stock of sheep taken with us from Eoggeveld was greatly diminished, we bought from the flock of sheep under his care, belonging to Jacob Kruger, the
368 Records of the Cape Colony.
number of one hundred, at the rate of 2 Eixdollars each, which we paid for in ready money with Eixdollars 200.
In the afternoon on taking a walk along the river, we dis- covered a sort of onions, which tasted somewhat between onions and garlic, and when prepared, in some manner seasoned the meat, although a little more acute than onions, however not so piercing like garlic, the leaves, seeds, and flowers were equal to those of the common onion. We collected a good supply of the same, for we were not provided with them from Cape Town, and could by no possibility get a supply of them in Eoggeveld or Bokkeveld, besides it was a pleasant acquisition to have some vegetables to mix among our food. We further paid to J. C. Schultze for linen and some other necessary clothes for the pressed men David Kruger and Daniel Lombard 22 Eixdollars.
Tuesday October 27th. — At 9 o'clock in the morning we departed, and the above mentioned Kok went on his way to the Eoggeveld. We passed the Schietfountain, and crossed some of the uniform and barren Karee hills, and arrived in the evening at the Elandskuil, where we encamped.
Wednesday October 28th. — We left this place, and after having proceeded but a little way, the new made axletree of the waggon No. 1 broke, but as it was to be repaired in a few hours, we left the said waggon behind under the care of the overseer J. C. Schultze and some men of the escort. In the evening we arrived at the Grasfountain, where we encamped, and saw the waggon above mentioned arrive there before night.
Thursday 29th. — We left the Grasfountain, and after having passed the other and last chains of the Karee hills, we arrived in the night at an elevated place, and although there was no water we were however obliged through the darkness of the night, and especially as v/e had no traced way, to stop here.
Friday 30th. — We continued our journey with daylight down the height, and arrived after an hour at the Biesfountain near the BufTelsbout, unyoked the oxen, and gave them to drink. Having staid there a few moments we saw eight Bosjesmen Hottentots, who appeared, notwithstanding their full armour, very much frightened. We beckoned them to approach, but they signified, by bringing their hands to the ground, that we should come up to them. In consequence we went, accompanied by some of our company unarmed, and endeavoured to inspire them with confi-
Records of the Cape Colony. 369
dence, shewing that we had no arms, and to give them a proof of the good and beneficial intentions of the expedition we presented them with 12 yellow brass medallions, 2 caps with brass plates, 2 gilt rings, ^ lb. bread, tobacco, and a sheep which they imme- diately kiUed in our presence and divided among them, and then very contentedly went off. Shortly afterwards three other people of the same nation came up to us, but how much we endeavoured to persuade them that they ought not to be afraid, two of them immediately disappeared, but the other staying a few minutes longer, we had an opportunity of cutting |^ of a pound of tobacco in three pieces, which we delivered to him for himself and his fearful comrades. At noon we departed from this place, passing through a large plain clothed with high but dry grass, or as it is called grass karoo, and came late in the evening to the Jonkers-fountain, where we pitched our tents to remain the night.
Saturday October 31st. — "With sunrise we saw the Karee hills southwest by w^est behind us, and according to what we could guess the Great river's hill before us. Observed the poort in the last mentioned mountains northeast by east. We found that in the course of this month for the whole of the suite of the expedi- tion had been killed and consumed, since we left Eoggevelds mountains, 61 head of sheep, and that there had been used by the Hottentots serving the expedition 40 pounds Brazil tobacco. Continuing in the afternoon our journey, we passed a very large vlei, which partly derived its water from the fountain, but mostly received it from the rains out of the country. The water was very much impregnated with salt, and thereby undrinkable. We afterwards passed two other vleis or ponds about two hours distant one from another, and the water was in both of the said quality as in the first. We arrived in the night on an elevated plain, some hours on the south of the poort above mentioned, where we without water for the cattle were obliged to pass the night, and consequently departed on
Sunday November 1st, early in the morning from thence. We were now on a very extensive plain covered with dry or withered grass. Came at 8 o'clock in the above mentioned poort, where we for the first time since we left the southern part of Eoggevelds mountains saw high trees and woods. Several Bosjesmen ap- proached to us from the mountains, to whom we gave a \ lb. Brazil
IV. 2 B
iSTO Records of the Cajpe Colony.
tobacco cut in small pieces. We arrived at 12 o'clock at the southern bank of the Gariep, or Great, or Orange river, which was on both sides bordered by willows, mimosas, and other trees, where we encamped, and here we met with the missionary Edwards and his family and Jacob Kruger, who were together arrived here in three waggons in the course of last week. In the afternoon we took a view of the drift or passage through the river, and found the same at the place where the stream in two branches flows round an island situated in the middle of it, with a violent current more than 600 feet broad. We observed at the same time the manner in which the Bosjesmen assisted the above mentioned Kruger in bringing over his sheep. One of them lays himself on the trunk or branch of a large tree, of about six or seven feet long, on the one extremity, at a distance of a few inches, a perpendicular pin is fixed in the log, which he holds by together with the sheep in his arm, keeping the head of the animal above water with one hand while he employs the other and both his feet for the purpose of steering and swimming, and thus driving in an oblique direction with the current of more than 45 degrees, he attains the opposite bank of the river, not- withstanding which however we learned that 31 head of sheep of the herd of Kruger were drowned.
Monday November 2nd. — As the river was even at the shallow- est places of the Prisacas drift, which we were to cross, so high that the water must come a few inches above the bottoms of the waggons, according to the soundings, we gave the necessary orders that some trees should be cut and sawed in pieces, to be laid lengthways and across "the bottoms of the waggons, to raise their contents «o as to avoid bejng wet. We were informed that at a -distance of about two hours from the camp two hippopotami or seacows were seen. At this report the second subscriber, the secretary, the assistant secrfitary, the missionary Edwards, and a jdumber of the suite went on horseback to the place, where they actually saw these animahi, and one of them was wounded by a shot of Prans Kruger, but however escaped. We were visited by several Bosjesmen, who lived in the neighbourhood of the river, and who came to salute us. We presented them with some Brazil tobacco, altogether making a ^ lb. We caused the cattle to rest this day, wliilst Jacob Kruger passed in the afternoon with both his waggons through the river. We found that the
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wood for the purpose above mentioned and for an axletree was ready in the evening.
Tuesday November 3rd. — In the morning Mr. Edwards and his family crossed the river, while we unloaded our waggons to lay the wood below the cargo to prevent its getting wet. In the afternoon we crossed the Prisacas drift, situated, according to our guessing made after the calculation of the distance we had ridden and of the route we had taken according to the corrected compass, in south latitude 29 degrees and between the 23rd and 24th degree east from London, The two first waggons, on the foremost of which, as in general, the two subscribers were seated, passed very fortunately, but the third through the unwillingness of the oxen drove somewhat down the river, and being dragged by the current into a deep place was immediately in the greatest danger, but the Bosjesmen and Coras who live on the banks of the river forthwith came to assist, and throwing themselves into the water, as they are imcommonly good swimmers, cutting off the yokes and traces of the oxen by their exertions only one ox was drowned, whilst without their help the whole team of twelve would probably have been lost, but as our assistants were too much fatigued we could not save the waggon sooner than the following day. The other waggons passed all safe, and we encamped for the first time on the northern bank of the river.
Wednesday November 4th. — We put all hands to work, assisted by some of the Bosjesmen and Koras, to save the abovementioned waggon, which stood up to the sideboards in the water, but after most difficult labour we could not succeed before the afternoon, and when the waggon came on shore we perceived that the box with medicine had without our knowledge been inadvertently placed thereon, and that thereby most part had been melted or spoiled, except those which had been in glass or pots. This waggon by our orders should have been loaded with nothing but the casks with liquor, and for that reason no wood was laid on the bottom of it to elevate the cargo. After this being effected we presented the Koras and Bosjesmen for their trouble and assistance with 18 brass medallions, 8 caps with brass plates, 8 gilt rings, 1 lb. Brazil tobacco, and 3 sheep.
Thursday November 5th. — All the waggons were now unladen to take the wood away which was laid under the cargo, and being laden again we proceeded in the afternoon, taking among our
2 B 2
372 Records of the Cape Colony.
company at his request the missionary Edwards and his family as far as to the country of the Beriquas. After some hours riding we arrived at a resting place higher up the river to the northeast, where we remained the night.
Friday the 6th. — We continued our journey in the afternoon, and arrived at 11 o'clock at night at a place where no water was to be found, supposing that we had lost our way, as no traces were to be observed, we remained there till the morning of
Saturday the 7th, and arrived after some hours riding at 8 o'clock at the foot of Modderfountain. Here we met with the captain of the Coras, Slaparm, who was encamped at this place with some of his horde. A little afterwards arrived the captain of the Bosjesmen, Caricacoup, with two of his people, who brought us a piece of coarse salt in the form of a stone. We in return presented these people with 6 brass medallions, 2 gilt rings, 2 caps with brass plates, and i lb. Brazil tobacco, and proceeded on our journey at noon, the missionary Edwards and Jacob Kruger at their request being allowed to depart some hours sooner. Having travelled about two hours we were informed that Mr. Edwards and Kruger had mistaken the road and would be obliged to return, for which reason we did not foUow the traces of their waggons, but went on to the left in a northwesterly direction along the mountains, continuing our route through an interjacent passage or kloof we arrived in the evening at the pasture place of Jan Kok, situated in a long passage in the t'kaaraap, where we met with the said Kok and his family and a number of Bastard Hottentots. We heard this evening to our great astonishment the said Kok, at the fireside, giving a public explanation of the Gospel from John, Chapter the 3rd, treating about the necessity of the regeneration ■of men, which reading was opened by an humble prayer pronounced in a kneeling posture, after which a hymn was sung, and the lecture closed in the same manner. This evening the strayed waggons joined our camp and staid with us.
Sunday November 8th. — We left this place of Jan Kok, and arrived at noon at the Aakaap or Eietfountain, at the Eev. Mr. Kicherer's, and while he was engaged in discharging the duties of his office, we took a view of the building, which has the appear- ance of a magazine. It was quite new, between 50 and 60 feet by 20, composed of spars and laths, with doors and windows, well ij(.ivered with long reeds, plastered witli clay. Opposite the house
Records of the Cape Colony. 373
stood a kitchen, built in a circle, somewhat lower stood another building unfinished, intended for a school, all situated on a wide extensive plain. These buildings on the back part and on both sides were surrounded with a number of movable huts of the Koras, of a semicircular form, covered with mats. We intended to take a view of these villages, but were obliged to relinquish this our intention until a more favourable moment, for as soon as we had approached a couple of these huts, we saw to our astonishment that from all the others both men, women, and children fled from unfounded fear. As soon as we perceived this confusion, we returned with our company to the large building or church, and shortly afterwards the service was finished, when Mr. Kicherer received us with the greatest affability and kindness. We met in his company the missionaries Anderson, Kramer, Jacobus Scholtz, and Christiaan Botman, who all assisted him in the instruction of the Bastard Hottentots in the lower parts of education, such as spelling and reading. In the evening we assisted at his lecture, and heard with what a laudable zeal and love the Gospel was explained in the most instructive manner to the Bastards and Coras. The service was closed by a prayer and thanksgivings for the happy arrival of the commission thus far.
Monday November 9th. —The captain of the Koras, named Eooy, paid us a visit, and promised to procure us a little salt, of which we stood very much in want. We gave him at his request, and to encourage him to fulfil his promise, some gunpowder and shot, besides ^ lb. tobacco, and promised him a good reward in case he would supply us with a couple of knapsacks of that article. We employed all means to get both from the Bastards living at this place and from Jan Meyntjes van den Berg, who with his wife, and Johannes Olivier, who with his mother were arrived here in the month of April in company with the Eev. Mr. Kicherer, as many oxen for fresh relays as possibly could be collected, which they at the intercession of Mr. Kicherer promised to procure within two or three days. We further inquired whether some person might be found who could speak both the Briqua and Dutch languages, and had the pleasure of succeeding, for the same day a man by the name of Kees Miklanga.. a native Briqua, was presented to us, who had lived for some years among the Bastards and learned to speak Dutch pretty well, who willingly engaged to accompany us as an interpreter, but he declared not to be certain in indicating to
374 Records of the Cape Colony.
VLB the nearest way towards his native country, but that not far from this place lived a comrade and countryman of his who not long ago had been thither, whom he would bring to us tomorrow afternoon. The next day, being
Tuesday November 10th, Maklanga arrived with his friend Euiter Makauta, who also spoke Dutch very intelligibly, and we agreed with them that they should accompany the commission in the capacity of interpreters and guides.
Wednesday the 11th. — ^We still remained here, on account of the draft oxen which were to serve as relays not having arrived. We paid for provisions and other articles bought from different people at this place Eds. 49|, consisting in a young bullock for slaughter, 1 earthen pan, 3 Japanned tin cups, a pewter soup spoon, 5 head of sheep, and 75 lbs. Brazil tobacco, in addition for the articles designed for barter.
Thursday the 12th. — Jacob Kruger delivered for the use of the expedition 46 head of sheep at 2 Eixdollars each. In the afternoon we departed from the Aakaap or Eietfountain, leaving a number of 76 of the most fatigued oxen behind under the care of Johannes Olivier, having obtained here 48 head of cattle to serve for relays, which were all put to the waggons. In addition to our escort, Jan Meyntjes van den Berg afore mentioned with his Hottentot servant Bboj and the guides and interpreters Miklanga and Makauta went with us. In the night we arrived on the Gatie t'kamma or Whitewatersfountain, where we found that the axletree of waggon No. 3 was broken.
Friday November 13th. — Early in the morning preparations were made to put in the new axletree from the wood cut for that purpose at the Groote river, which was performed in the course of the day, so that before sunset we proceeded, and arrived on
Saturday the 14th, at two o'clock in the morning, at the t'kambiesiegalie or Buffelfountain, from whence we departed in the afternoon, and arrived in the evening with all the waggons on the t'Jocka t'gonie, or Dwaalfountain, where a little and very bad water was found. Supposing that we would meet here the second subscriber and Mr. Daniell together with two men of the com- mando who were gone on a hunting excursion, we found ourselves disappointed on account of Jan Meyntjes van den Berg having contrary to the directions of our guide Makauta taken the higher or more easterly road as thinking the same to be the nearest,
Records of the Cape Colony. 375
while Mr. Somerville with the company had taken the lowest footpath, and thereby they lost sight of one another in the evening. The first subscriber then took the firm resolution by himself only to rely on the directions of Makauta, and follow the same, as no person bnt our two guides had ever been out this way.
Sunday November 15th. — In the morning the servant of the second subscriber, Hendrik Booy, came up on horseback to our encampment, reporting that his master and his company only at the distance of an hour from our camp had been obliged to pass the night in the open air without having any food. He was im- mediately supplied with some, and returned with one of the Bastards on horseback. The first subscriber proceeded in the forenoon with the waggons, arriving in the afternoon at the Welkomstfontein, where he had the pleasure of finding the other part of the com- pany, and encamped there together.
Monday 16th. — Appeared first two Bosjesmen. One of the two was seen the day before by the part of the company who had been separated from us. Shortly after, four others of that nation made their appearance. They signified their wish for a little food and tobacco, which was complied with, and a large portion of meat together with ;^lb. of tobacco was given to them, with which they withdrew very well satisfied. In the afternoon we passed t'gaay- pa, or Blinkklips river, and arrived in the evening at the Mackat- sanie or Eendefountain, where we remained the night.
Tuesday 17th. — In the afternoon the second subscriber and the assistant secretary Borcherds took a walk, accompanied by the interpreter Maklanga, towards a den or cave situated about an hour and a quarter from our camp to the eastward. They found the same to be situated below a curiously formed hiUock, whose summit terminated in a high round point. Having descended into this subterraneous hole, they found it extremely deep, and could see at last neither daylight nor one another. This den was inhabited by numerous wood pigeons, which had made their nests at the entrance. They brought with them some stones of a brown red earth, with much mica and iron in it, which the natives use to colour their bodies, so that both those who are black as well as those who are yellow obtain a shining reddish brown colour. In the afternoon we left this place, and arrived in the evening at a kloof or pass in the Magaaga or Yzerbergsfountain.
576 Records of thd Cape Colony.
Wednesday November 18th. — ^We walked up the mountain between which this pass was situated, and discovered upon the same by an experiment with the compass that the same contained much iron or magnetic matter, as the compass brought from one rock to another turned entirely round and back again, and the needle shewed quite a different north at one place from that at another. We left the magaaga fountain in the afternoon, saw many ostriches, springboks, and hartebeests, and arrived in the night at the Koussie fountain and vlei, where we pitched our camp.
Thursday the 19th.— The vlei where we arrived last night was a few thousand paces in circumference, in the middle of which stood high reeds, and it was bordered by the mimosa on its south and west sides. Around the margin were dug a number of oblong holes, in which the natives catch the game that comes to drink in the vlei. We even found in one of these which stood full of water a steenbok, that was drowned probably the day before our arrival. We left this vlei a little after noon, and shortly afterwards some of our commando hunted a large troop of wild buffaloes, which we had seen at a great distance, and which on hearing the fire divided themselves into three parties, when one party crossed the plain before the first waggon, and another round the last waggon. We had the pleasure for the first time to shoot some of these buffaloes, and three of them, besides those that were wounded, fell in sight of the waggons. We immediately took off the skins, and divided them in pieces, taking the best part with us in the waggons, and then continued our journey. At 10 o'clock at night we were obliged to unyoke the oxen, as some of them were too much fatigued to continue to the place where, according to the indication of our guides, we should find water, which was at too great a distance. We consequently remained that night in these desertg without water,
Friday November 20th. — Having continued our journey early this morning, we saw after some hours riding the first giraffe or camelopardalis at a distance trotting with great velocity. Shortly afterwards we saw a troop of nine others of the same animal, among which were two foals. Some of our company and com- mando immediately set off to htmt the same, without causing any d.elay to the waggons, but the sportsmen returned to the waggons without having been successful. We arrived at last after a long
Records of the Cajye Colony. 37T
day's journey of 18 hours, without having been able in 30 hours^ to give the cattle to drink, with sunset at the fountain Klabologanie, flowing \^dth the purest water we ever saw, which was both for men and cattle no small refreshment. We here encamped.
Saturday the 21st. — In the morning at an early hour we sent the interpreter Makauta to one of the adjacent Briqua hamlets, to send from thence notice to their chief of our arrival at this place, giving him some tobacco to divide among the people of this horde.. He returned before night, assuring us that we should see the same evening some of his countrymen, which literally happened, for four men of this nation came to our camp, who peacefully and quietly passed that night with us.
Sunday the 22nd. — We learned from our guests that the name of this people was not Briquas, but Boetshoeanas, and that the first mentioned name was given to them as a nicname by the Coras and other Hottentots, for which reason we shall in future speaking of these people give them their proper denomination. To-day four other Boetshoeanas came up to us, among whom was Captain Serakoetie, brother to theii' chief Moeliehaban, whom we received in the most becoming manner. They all were very much pleased with the arrival of the expedition. We presented them with some tobacco, and provided them with food. Mr. DanieU returning from a walk related to us that about half an hour from our camp was a very copious fountain. We went with our Cape company thither, and found the same to be one of the strongest flowing fountains we ever met with in Southern Africa, which not only sprung forth from below a deep hollow rock of some- elevation, from which the water flowed like as from a large sluice ; but below the rock there was a white sandy ground out of which the water welled up from all sides; the first source was called by the people Koermana or Briqua river, and it threw out such an immense quantity of water that at a distance of two hundred feet from its origin it already formed a strong streaming river of about thirty feet wide and a foot and a haK deep, which flowed in a northwesterly direction. Hail fell this day for a little while very strong, and we saw stones as large as a marble. Our guests were, very gay during the night, and passed the same almost entirely with dancing and singing.
Monday November 23rd. — At the request of Serakoetie all the specimens of the articles carried along for barter were shown to
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him, which seemed to please him mightily, and he insisted with us to promise him that on our return we should pass by the village of his brother MoeUhaban to trade with him. We presented him and his company with some trifles and tobacco, after which he took his leave of us, allowing one of his people called Moelory to remain behind to serve us as a guide on our road. We left the Klaboeligana fountain in the afternoon, crossed the Koermana river about the aforementioned Seganjana fountain, whither with our leave the missionary Edwards and family were gone, and where he staid behind. We crossed some woods planted with mimosas, and arrived in the evening at the fountain Mapoetie, where we remained the night.
Tuesday tiie 24th. — We were again visited by some other Boetshoeanas, who assured us that their chief was already ac- quainted with our approach. We presented them with tobacco, and continued our journey in the afternoon. We saw in our road many herds of quaggas and Gnoes. Arrived in the evening at the fountain Montgoearing, where we encamped.
Wednesday the 25th. — Immediately after noon we departed from this fountain, seeing many sorts of game, and arrived in the evening at the Gaatat Kooma fountain, where we pitched our tents, and as the guides informed us that we were but a good day's journey from the capital, the subscribers resolved to go by them- selves, only accompanied by the interpreter Makauta, tomorrow morning on horseback to the residence unarmed.
Thursday the 26th. — We fixed upon the presents for the chief, consisting in everything of the different sorts of the articles carried along for bartering, viz. :
4 tinder boxes, double ones, and steels. 8 do. single do. do.
4 common knives, brown handles. 4 do. yellow do.
8 knives, best, brown handles. 10 pocket knives, largest sort.
|
12 |
do. middling. |
|
16 |
do. smaller. |
|
16 |
do. smallest. |
|
2 small seals. |
|
|
4 |
pairs ear rings. |
|
1 large gilt watch chain. |
|
|
2 |
do. do. |
12 small pocket looking glasses.
Records of the Cape Colony. 379
60 yellow brass medallions.
2 lbs. beads, blue and white.
3 lbs. do. small, different colours. 2 lbs. do. painted glass and China, i gross large metal buttons.
J gross small do.
24 pairs sleeve buttons, with stones of No. 7.
6 do. do. gilt.
12 do. do. steel.
6 pieces white and red handkerchiefs.
2 caps with brass plates.
i lb. thick and thin copper wire.
4 lbs. iron in pieces of 6 and 9 inches.
3 pieces yellow hair crosses. 6 rings with stones of No. 2.
24 do. common No. 5. 24 do. gilt. 12 pairs ear rings gilt. 1 pair do. with stones.
4 pairs of scissors.
4 oval and square tobacco boxes, and 4 lbs. Brazil tobacco.
All wMch we packed up both in knapsacks and in the pistol holsters of our saddles, and went off therewith after breakfast according to our resolution of yesterday, leaving the waggons to- the care of Mr. Daniell, who was soon after our departure to- prepare the same to follow us. We went on at full speed, passed' several spots of ground cultivated like gardens, and arrived about noon with our interpreter through the irregular streets along the; houses, in a full gallop in the town of Litakoe, not a little, astonished to find here in these quarters such a strange appearance- as a city. We proceeded as far as to the residence of the chief,, where we found Moelehaban assembled with some of the eldest,, seated in a plain enclosed with wood. After having kindly greeted one another, we caused the above mentioned presents to be delivered to him, one by one, which were both by these people, as well as by the crowd which was in the mean time, assembled around the inclosed plain, viewed with much attention^ confessing never before to have seen such sorts of things. We explained to them the use thereof, and gave them in the mean time an idea of our mission, with a candid statement of the force of the whole expedition and the number of waggons thereto belonging. He said that he already three days ago had been
380 Becords of the Cape Cdony.
informed of our approach. He offered us some curdled mflk, which for want of a better meal we made good use of. After thia reception he conducted us to his habitation, where we saw his wives and children and numbers of the fair sex, who gazed at us with astonishment. His house, like all the others in the town, was built in a circular form, of about sixteen feet diameter, three or four feet above the ground was claystone and spars. On the east side of the circle about the fourth part of the houses are open, and rest on poles ; the other three-fourths are closed entirely. They are covered with a round pointed roof in the form of a tent, the exterior of the roof is made from long reeds or straw joined very tight, on the back or westerly part of the roof, towards the middle or at eight feet of the diameter a round apartment is made with a narrow entrance, wherein the head of the family takes his night's rest ; the remainder of the family lives in the fore part between the large and small circles of the house. The houses are enclosed by palisades, the space between which and the house serves for a granary and store for holcus and other grain, beans, peas> &c. These granaries are made in the form of oil jars, which could easily contain two hundred gallons, standing on three-legged pieces composed of clay some inches above the ground, which were also covered with a round straw roof erected on poles high enough to admit an opening into the jars, which were from five to six feet high. In the evening all the waggons with the whole of the expedition arrived, and at our request a proper place was ordered by Moelehaban to pitch our camp, about six hundred paces from the town southeastward, near a small river called the Malaapo which sprung forth from the Takoon fountain. We unyoked there the oxen, and pitched our tents. Soon after our camp was visited by many hundreds of people, who seemed to us good natured and only actuated by curiosity and astonishment, some of whom brought earthen and wooden vessels with milk, which they pre- sented to the people of the expedition to refresh them.
Friday November 27th. — We received again many visits of the Boetshoeanas, and afterwards walked to the town, which both within and on the outside we found planted and surrounded by numerous trees of that species of mimosa upon which the giraffe principally feeds. We estimated the town to be in circumference as large as Cape Town, with all the gardens situated in Table Valley ; but we could not enumerate the houses on account of the
Records of the Cape Colony. 381
irregularity of tJie streets and lowness of the buildings, but sup- posed them to amount to two or three thousand of such dwellings as already described. The population may amount in the whole, men, women, and children, to between ten and fifteen thousand souls. According to the scale of Mr. Barrow's map we calculated, after the corrected compass, that this town was situated in 26° 30' south latitude, and 27° east from London.
Saturday November 28th. — Moelehaban came with a numerous attendance to our camp, bringing an ox as a present to the com- mission, and related to us on that occasion how he for some years past, by the horrors and devastation committed by a certain. Bastard Hottentot called Jan Blom, assisted by some Coras and armed Hottentots, has been dispossessed of the greatest part of his. property consisting in oxen, and thereby was fallen into misery, that besides the plunder they had thus committed they had put fire to many houses out of the town and murdered the inhabitants in the most cruel and barbarous manner, and that for these reasons he could not supply the commission in exchange for their goods with such a number of cattle which could answer the purpose of the expedition ; but what he and his countrymen could spare without any inconvenience to themselves would be delivered up. He then requested to see the articles intended for barter, which was immediately complied with, and a good quantity of every sort ■was laid before them. His choice and that of the people with him fell only upon the beads, and especially on the small white and black ones ; next to these they chose the red, yellow, and green, then the painted, China, and glass beads, and lastly the large blue and white. We thereupon made the following agreement, to give in exchange for an ox either two pounds of glass and china beads> or three pounds small white, black, green, red, and yellow, or otherwise three pounds and a half large blue and white glass ones. For the rest they declared that the remaining part of the articles were of no use to them, and that they would not take them in exchange, for our knives cut only on one side whilst theirs did on both. Their knives which they so much valued had a round edged point, broad towards the handle, which was fastened by a pin in the middle of the blade, having the appearance of a short, flat, broad dagger. They wear them in a scabbard fastened to the neck by two small pieces of leather long enough to have the knife hanging down upon the breast.
382 Records of the Cape Colony.
Simday November 29th. — A feast was given in town on the marriage of the son of one of the principal characters among them. We went thither, and found the place for the entertainment to be the nriddle of the town, where in a place enclosed by palisades Moelehaban with some of the eldest was seated. We joined him there to Jaave a view of the festivities of the day. At the right side opposite to us stood a number of women, and the left side was filled with a still greater number of spectators, the middle was left open for the purpose of having a clear view of what was to be represented. The actors made their appearance in a very strange dress, consisting in an apron hanging from the waist downj to the knee, some made of ostrich feathers and others of tails of 1 :a small animal of the viverra genus, hanging down with two strips of skin, from the one the white and from the other the bladk fur circularly twisted round the body from the neck to the calf of the leg. These people amused the spectators by their •dextrous turnings of the body ia dancing, intermixed with song», which were answered by the women, who did not dance, in an antistrophe and applauses. Some of the women were painted with yeMow and others with white clay. After dancing, dinner was served, consisting in roast beef and in holcns, or Cafiej •corn, boiled m milk, of which the guests served themselves very well.
Monday November 30th. — We found that in the course of this montih had been killed and consumed by the suite of the expedition 23 head of sheep, and that to the commando and Hottentots in the service of the commission were delivered 43 lbs. Brazil tobacco. We observed that in this country the women peorformed the most part of the labor, for although in a very defective manner, it was this sex who went out daily to work tihe land, by means of an instrument, the only one in use, being an iron of about six or eight inches long and of an inch thick, with an edged point, flat towards the end, fastened in a knotted stick of about two or three feet long, in the knot of which a hole was made across to set the instrument in another direction, so as to have the double use of it, as a spade and a hatchet. With this instrument the ground, how light soever, was but very slightly turned, and thus the seeds of all sorts of vegetables irregularly thrown into it. Besides the labouring of the ground the women build the houses, bring the materials
Records of the Cape Colony, 383
together, such as wood, clay, &c., and prepare the same. The harvest is gathered by them, the dinner prepared, and the earthen pots and wooden vessels are the work of their hands. The men, on the other side, prepare the skins and hides which serve for shoes, and sow them up into habits or carosses for themselves, their wives, and children. They attend the cattle, milk the cows, go on hunting parties with their weapons con- sisting of spears or assegays, which they also use in battle.
Tuesday December the 1st. — We exchanged the first oxen, to the number of five, in the presence of the chief, and weighed to the people fifteen pounds of beads, black and white.
Wednesday the 2nd. — This day 33 oxen were brought by several Boetshoeanas, one bull, and a cow, for which were delivered according to agreement in the presence of Moelehaban 105 lbs. small beads, white, black, green, red, and yellow. Hans Kruger shot two antelopes of a very strange kind, both called by this people Palla. The head of this animal is hairy towards the point of the nose, from which a black stripe goes upwards somewhat higher than the eyebrow, above each eyebrow is a white spot, and the underlip is white. The ears, which are larger than the African antelopes have in general, are near the head grey and brown, black at the edges, and covered with white hair within. The neck is brown on the upper, and a light colour on the lower part ; the back dark brown, lighter on the ribs and below the breast and belly, and at the inside of the legs white. The tail has on the upper part a black stripe, brown and at last changing to white towards the end, finishing by a large tuft of long hairs. Around the trunk of the tail is a bare black spot, on both sides of which, on the buttocks, is a white spot in the form of a half moon, surrounded by a black stripe above ; on the ancles of the hind legs are two spots covered with black hair. This animal was from the shoulder to the tail 2 feet 10 inches, the forefeet were 2 feet 1 inch, the tail 1 foot 4 inches, the circumference of the body 2 feet 6 inches, the neck 1 foot 1 inch, the head 1 foot, and the ears 8 inches long. It seemed to be very quiet, of the shape between the hartebeest and springbock ; the taste was very agreeable and tender. A very accurate drawing of this animal in colors was made by Mr. Daniell.
Thursday December 3rd. — 27 oxen were bartered for 60 lbs.
S84 Records of the Cape Colony.
small beads, white, black, red, green, and yellow, together with 14 lbs. china and glass painted do. One of our herdsmen caught a young palla, of which no trouble was spared to save the life, and the Hottentots who had been hunting brought two female pallas and a springbok,
Friday the 4th, — "We exchanged 27 oxen and a bull for 30 lbs. white, black, green, yellow, and 36 lbs. fine glass and china painted beads.
Saturday December 5th. — We bartered to-day 9 oxen, and paid for the same 9 lbs. small white, black, green, and yellow, and 12 lbs. glass and china painted beads. Pieter Jacobs shot a handsome ram of a palla antelope, with fine horns, an exact drawing of which was taken by Mr. Daniell.
Sunday the 6th. — The following beads were given in payment oi two oxen and a bull, 3 lbs, small and 4 lbs. painted. Walking in the afternoon, we saw at a distance of more than half an hour from Litakoe a number of circle shaped small and large walls of stones in the same manner as the houses are built in the town, but no one of the Boetshoeanas could remember that these ruins were houses and inhabited, much less by whom.
Monday the 7th. — We exchanged 3 oxen and a bull for 6 lbs. small beads, red, green, and yellow, and 4 lbs. fine glass and china painted do,
Tuesday the 8tL — We exchanged 4 oxen for 6 lbs. of the above mentioned small and 4 lbs. of painted beads.
Wednesday the 9th, — Nothing remarkable happened.
Thursday the 10th. — We fixed our departure on Saturday the 12th, as we had observed that the barter at this place would not be successful, with intention if possible of proceeding to the country of the Barrolows. On acquainting Moelehaban with this plan, and asking him for a guide towards that country, he expressed great concern, stating that as he had heard of the project he had not been able to sleep for two nights, for farther on the people were of a ferocious disposition, and if some disagreement might befal us he was under apprehensions that our constituents would consider him to be the cause thereof We declared that we had no fears, and only asked a guide ; but he declared he had no person to shew us the way, and he insisted that if we would take his advice to resign our intention, as no water would be met with on the road, and that therefore we
Records of the Cape Colony. 385
should better stay for some time with him, and that in the mean time he would procure us as many oxen as could be spared. We enquired after his family, and he informed us that he had still two wives and twelve children alive. We further resolved to pass by the residence of his brother Serakoetie on our return.
Friday December the 11th. — Four oxen were offered to us, for which we gave in exchange 7 lbs. large blue and white glass and 4 lbs. fine glass and painted china beads, and as our departure drew nigh, we resolved to give the following presents to Moele- haban and his two wives and twelve children : —
2 tinderboxes and steels, best sort. 6 do. do. single ones.
2 knives, common bro\\Ti handles. 2 do. yellow wood handles.
6 do. best brown handles. 9 pocket knives, large ones.
13 do. middling.
15 do. smaller.
15 do. of the smallest.
2 pairs earrings.
7 small gilt watch chains. 25 pocket looking glasses. 48 brass medallions.
i gross metal buttons. 1\ gross small do, 15 pairs sleeve buttons with stones of No. 7.
6 do. do, gilt.
27 do. do. with stones No. 9.
15 do. do. ornamented with steel.
6 pieces handkerchiefs red and white. 4 caps with brass plates.
4 hair crosses.
7 rings with stones No. 2. 15 do. common No. 5. 15 do. gilt.
9 pairs earrings gilt
2 do. do. with stones.
1 pair of scissors.
2 japanned tobacco boxes. 2 lbs. Brazil tobacco.
Saturday December 12th. — We exchanged 2 oxen for 3^ lbs. large white and blue glass beads and 2 lbs. glass and china do., and delivered to Moelehaban the presents made in readiness for him yesterday, in return for which he afterwards gave a present
IV, 2 c
386 Records of the Cape Colony.
of two oxen to the commission. We found that during our stay here in compensation of service done to the expedition and for milk daily brought to the camp were given to several Boetshoeanas
5 tinderboxes and steels, double ones.
5 do. do. single.
28 common yellow wood handled knives. 15 pocket knives, large.
5 do. smaller.
12 do. yet smaller.
' 7 do. of the smallest.
4 handkerchiefs red and white.
i lb. copper wire. 51 pieces gilt rings, and
3 lbs. Brazil tobacco.
After having made the necessary preparations, we took leave of Moelehaban and the people with him. We gave him to understand that two of our bartered oxen were lost, which he promised if found to send after us. We left Litakoe at 8 o'clock, in view of many thousands who stood along the town upon the hillocks and followed by many hundreds, who bade us adieu in pronouncing in bad Dutch Goe dag Heeren. Some of them leaping in our waggon could not support for ten minutes the motion of the waggon upon the stones. We followed the same road we came, going on W. by S., and at three o'clock in the afternoon we for the second time arrived at the Gata Koomo fountain, where we encamped.
Sunday December 13th. — ^We early in the morning departed in the same direction as yesterday. We saw many ostriches and springboks in the forenoon, and arrived at the fountain and river Moetgoearing a little after two Boetshoeanas arrived from Litakoe bringing two oxen from Moelehaban as a present and the two which belonged to the expedition, saying that they had been ordered by their chief to express his hopes to see us next year again, when his oxen and calves, which would have been multiplied by that time, would be at our disposal, as being assured of our good intentions. We could make no promise as to this point. We left the Moetgoearing in the afternoon, in company of the bringer of the oxen, Taati, and his comrade. Saw a number of game on our road, which went on in the same direction as before, and arrived late in the evening at the Mapoetie fountain. Jacob Kruger and Jan Meintjes van den Berg, who
Records of the Cape Colony. 387
with our leave had gone before us, related that they had killed not far from this place a yellow quagga all over the body striped with brown stripes, and a bull of an unknown animal resembling, according to their account, a gnoe, but much taller, which the Boetshoeanas call kokoon. We here remained the night.
Monday December 14th. — The secretary and assistant secretary went early in the morning on horseback towards the place where the unknown animal was shot, about two and a half miles from our last camp, and gave the following account of the same. The upper lip was much more thick than the under lip, the nose somewhat like an ox, but more flat and the nostrils longer ; above the nose it had a crooked bow as far as to the forehead covered with long black hair, which continued on both sides down the head to the jaws, below the eyes were two black spots or glands with little holes, from which when pressed a white fluid matter sprung forth, and below each of these spots grew a tuft of hair. The ears were on the outside dark brown, and on the inside of a lighter colour. The horns had on the beginning some resemblance to those of the buffalo, but were much thinner and more pointed towards the extremities; between the horns upon the head was a groove covered with black hair, from which the mane took its beginning, and continued till the middle of the back. Below the chin it had a long dark brown beard down to the middle of the throat. The neck was very broad in proportion to the body. This animal was of a darkish grey colour on the body, below the belly and legs somewhat lighter, had a black tail like that of a horse hanging down to the ancle, the feet red brown, the hoofs pointed at the extremities but large at the heels. The head was 1 foot 10 inches long, the ears 10 inches, 5 feet from the head to the tail, the tail 3 feet 3 inches, the circumference of the body 5 feet, height 4 feet 11 inches, length of the fore legs 2 feet 9 inches. A drawing of the same was made by Mr. Daniell, and the skin was afterwards taken off and brought to our camp by the Hottentots. As we were to alter our route, our interpreter Kees Miklanga was sent on horseback to the fountain Segoenjana, where we on the 29th of November had left behind the missionary Edwards and his family, to take information as to the road, but on liis return he reported that he had left that place, but that the traces of his waggon went below the Koermana river. We departed in the afternoon towards
2 c 2
388 Records of the Cape Colony.
the N.W. Saw in the evening several buffaloes not far from the waggons, upon which some of the commando fired, but without success. We arrived in the night at half past nine at a hamlet of the Boetshoeanas, consisting of about 40 houses, situated at the Magau, along the above mentioned Koermana river, whereabouts several sorts of the mimosa giraffe were growing. We here encamped.
Tuesday December 15th. — ^We gavf^ to the inhabitants of the hamlet for milk they had supplied us with 8 yellow brass tinder boxes and steels and 8 yellow wood handled knives. And as our guide Molooy stated that this was his place of abode, and that he could travel no farther with us, we rewarded his good services ■with
1 of the best double tinder boxes and steels.
1 single do.
2 common knives with yellow wood handles. 1 best sort do. with brown wood do.
2i lbs. white, black, red, and green small beads.
i lb. fine painted beads.
1 red and white handkerchief.
1 coarse hat. 15 gilt rings, and
1 lb. Brazil tobacco.
We left the Magau in the afternoon, continuing our journey in the same direction, crossing the Koermana river, and arrived in the evening at an inlet of this river, at a place called Mapary, where we met with the missionary Edwards and his family and the already mentioned Jan Kok, who related to us that he had sustained a great loss of his sheep by the dryness, having travelled a few days between this and the Koussie fountain without water, and that a Hottentot who was given to him by the Eev. Mr. Kicherer to assist him had had the misfortune to be bitten in his arm by a lion that had been mortally wounded by a snelroer (a firearm placed purposely in the ground to catch wild beasts) at the Koussie river, but that he was recovering, and that he Kok had killed the lion. We pitched here our camp for that night.
Wednesday December 16th. — The said Kok shewed to us the skin of the above mentioned lion, wherein the marks of the two balls which had killed him were yet visible. We borrowed from Kok six sheep under promise to give them back to him if possible
Records of the Cape Colony. 389
at our return, as he had but very little remaining. We left the Mapory in the afternoon. We saw many hamlets of the Boe- tshoeanas, and went on in the same direction along the southern bank of the Koermana river, unyoked the oxen at 8 o'clock, and encamped on the said bank.
Thursday the 17th. — Continued our journey, crossing the river again, and travelled on in the same direction, a little more to thb N. on the north side of the river. We saw many old hamlets of this nation, some palla antelopes, a herd of springboks, and a few ostriches. Our interpreter Makauta brought us five eggs out of one nest, which was no small dainty to us, as we had seen none of them for a long time. At noon we arrived at the village Patanie, the residence of the captain Serakoetie, brother to Moelehiiban, but we returned a quarter of an hour, as we found ourselves in the midst of their gardens or holcus- grain fields, which was already in full growth, to prevent that perhaps by the inattention of our herdsmen no damage or destruction was made, and encamped on a most excellent spot alongside the Koermana river, where the above mentioned Serakoetie joined us, expressing his pleasure in seeing us happily returned at this place, asking why we had not encamped nearer to the village. We replied that we had been afraid that their young corn might be destroyed by our cattle, and therefore had rather chosen to pitch our camp at a distance.
Friday December 18th. — We bartered 3 oxen for 6 lbs. small white, black, green, and yellow beads and 2 lbs. fine china and glass painted do. David Lombard, the Bastard Hottentot Eoelof, and the slave Noel went with our leave on a hunting excursion, and returned in the afternoon reporting that the first mentioned had killed a young mare, and the other an old stallion of a wild horse or quagga, striped all over the body as above described, at a distance of half an hour from our camp, and the last mentioned brought his prey with him, consisting in two palla antelopes. We went on horseback to the place where the quaggas were killed, and found them lying on the spot. It was on our return extremely hot, the thermometer was at three o'clock in the shade 97°, and at eight o'clock descended to 62°.
Saturday December 19th. — We gave the following beads for 8 oxen, 21 lbs. small white, black, green, red and yellow, and 2 lbs. fine glass and china painted. As we observed that the
390 Beewds of the Cape Colony.
number of oxen we had bartered seemed to be diminished, we ordered the provisional veldcomet Frans Kruger to number the same, with the assistance of the other people, and in future to make a daily report of the number. We found that several oxen were missing. We then dispatched the Bastard Hottentots who were employed as waggoners and some of the other people to look after the same and to trace them up, who brought some of them, but not the whole. We rode in the afternoon on horseback to the village. Serakoetie treated us with great civility, and gave us milk for a refreshment, and presented to us his 4 wives and 5 children. The village consisted of about 50 houses not so well built as those of Litakoe.
Sunday December 20th. — We bought one ox for 3 lbs. small .beads. It rained very strong to-day, which was very pleasant in this hot weather, and gave us the flattering hope to find water between the Mapory and Koussie fountain. Frans Kruger reported that the full number of oxen was not collected together, notwith- standing all the endeavours made for that purpose. We fixed upon the present to be given at our departure tomorrow to Serakoetie, so for himself as for his four wives and five children namely
1 best double tinder box and steel.
1 single do. do.
■ 3 knives common, brown wood handled.
1 do. yellow do.
1 pocket knife first sort.
1 do. second sort.
1 do. tliird sort.
1 do. fourth sort.
2 pairs earrings.
2 gilt watch chains.
12 ix)cket looking glasses.
48 medallions.
i lb. large blue and white beads,
1 lb. small beads diflerent colours.
1^ lb. fine glass and china jjainted beads. 9 jjairs sleeve buttons.
2 handkerchiefs white and red. 2 caps with brass jJates.
2 rings with stones of No. 2. 20 gilt rings. 2 lbs. Brazil tobacco.
And we received from him a sheep.
Becords of the Cape Colony. 391
Monday December 21st. — We loaded our waggons, and gave the present to Serakoetie designed for him. In the afternoon we left Patanie, and travelled in a south-easterly direction, crossed again Koermana river, and arrived late in the evening at the Mapory, where we found the house built by the missionary Edwards and his family nearly finished. We encamped here, and agreed with Jan Kok that he, in company with Jan Meyntjes van den Berg, as soon as possible would ride on in a straight line to discover whether between this and Koussa fountain a fountain or sufficient water was to be found for our cattle, which he very kindly promised.
Tuesday the 22nd. — We again sent some of the people in search of the strayed oxen, but in vain, and Kok and van den Berg were even unsuccessful, having seen no water in the space of a good day's journey with an oxwaggon. Jan Cloete and David Kruger having been out hunting had each killed a male buffalo, which was brought to our camp,
Wednesday the 23rd. — We were supplied by Jan Kok with 8 sheep more, which made together with the 6 received on the 16th instant, 14 head of sheep, for which we gave him 16 red and white handkerchiefs and 2 pieces linen of those bought at Oertel's. We then made preparations for our departure, and we found on counting again the oxen that since the departure of the expedition 21 head of cattle had strayed, as well by the negligence of the provisional veldcornet Frans Kruger, who had not over- looked and reported every day the cattle given to his charge, as by the inattention of the herdsmen, who neither gave information of the loss till the commissioners themselves observed the diminu- tion of the herd, and although no pains have been spared we have not been able to collect them again in the wide extensive plains. We lent to-day 25 rixdollars in money to Pieter Jacobs, which he promised us when arrived in Eoggeveld to repay with twelve sheep and a lamb. We also gave 5 rixdollars to David Kruger to buy some necessary articles for his use from Jan Kok. We took leave of the missionary Edwards and his family, and con- tinued our journey in the afternoon, taking at their request under our protection the Bosjesmen Captain liuiter Zakriver, with his comrade Jacob, who had travelled thus far with the missionary Edwards from the place Bly VooruitziclU, and very anxiously wished to return to their placo of abode. We travelled on south-
392 Records of the Cape Colony.
east by south, saw an unknown antelope called by the Boetshoeanas Tsietsebee, passed some woods of the giraffe mimosa and karoo mimosa on the south-westerly side of the river, and arrived in the evening at a very delightful spot along the Koermana river, where we remained for that night.
Thursday December 24th. — Our guide Taati acquainted us that he would from hence return to Litakoe. We then presented him, in reward for his good services with
1 tinder box and steel double of the best sort.
1 do. do, single.
3 best sort brown handled knives.
1 pair of earrings.
2 small pocket looking glasses. 12 brass medallions.
3 lbs. small beads different colours.
li lb. fine glass and painted china beads.
2 caps with brass plates.
A coarse hat. 15 gilt rings, and
1 lb. Brazil tobacco.
He was it seemed very sensible of this ample reward, as he considered it, and took a kind leave of the whole company and went off. A buffalo cow was shot at a distance of more than half an hour from our camp, after which we heard several shots fired by our sportsmen, which was followed by the sight of three buffaloes and a calf, which crossed the river at about 600 feet from us, and ran into the woods. The overseer of our waggons Schultze had on a hat covered with feathers, and ran with some of the company with loaded guns with a pack of dogs into the woods, but the first mentioned before he could see one of the buffaloes was surprised by one of these animals and taken upon his horns and thrown up against the branches and thorns of a mimosa. Happily the dogs were near, and attacked the buffalo, by which means Schultze escaped, whose life was in no small danger. Mr. Daniell who having also run into the wood, seeing the danger, saved himself by climbing into a tree, and had from this place a near sight of the horrid scene. This proved that it was not every man's business to go to hunt buffaloes. At the return of these unfortunate sportsmen we saw that Schultze was much frightened and pale, and all over his head covered with blood from the wounds made by the thorns, saying that he had
Records of the Cape Colony. 393
further not been hurt, but this soon proved otherwise, for he fainted away, but on being bled he recovered. He complained of violent pains in the ribs, of which some probably were broken. His waggon was arranged in such a way as to give all possible ease to the patient, and he was laid therein. We left this place in the afternoon, travelling southeast by south a quarter south, and left the Koermana river, arriving in the evening at the Klaboeligana fountain, where we remained the night.
Friday December 25th. — We were visited by several Bosjesmen with their wives and children, who at this place fetched their water and caused their goats to drink. As we had a long journey to do and excellent grass for pasture was in flower, we resolved for the sake of refreshing our cattle to remain here till tomorrow afternoon with the waggons. Whilst Mr. Somerville and Mr. Daniell together with the three Krugers, Jacob, Frans, and David, and Jan Cloete went on liorseback towards the place where the giraffes were seen, in order to try to kill one of these animals, having agreed to reassemble on Sunday morning the 27th next at the Koussie fountain, the half aums were cleaned and filled with water, and everything prepared for the day and night's journey to begin tomorrow. The overseer Schultze was somewhat better than yesterday.
Saturday the 26th. — We left the Klaboeligana fountain shortly after noon, travelling mostly in a southwest by southerly direction. We passed in the night the place where on the 29th of October we had seen the cameleopards. We travelled all night, without un- yoking the oxen till the other day, being
Sunday the 27th, when at 8 o'clock in the morning we arrived at the Koussie fountain, where we met again with the second subscriber with his company, who related to us that they had seen the day before many camelopardales, and wounded some of them but killed none. We pitched our tents with the intention not to leave this place before the 29th, in order to give the too much fatigued cattle the necessary rest. Jacob Kruger killed this morning not far from this place a rhinoceros, called by the Boe- tshoeanas seikloa. We rode in the afternoon on horseback to the place, and found the same to be of an uncommon size, measuring from the head to the tail 10 feet 7 inches.
Monday December 28th. — Some of the company went on a hunting excursion, but returned without any game.
394 Records of the Cape Colony.
Tuesday the 29th. — We left the Koussie fountain and valley in the afternoon, went on south by west half west, but were obliged by the strong and heavy rains to unyoke at 9 o'clock, and to stop at about half way to our intended resting place.
Wednesday the 30th. — We continued our journey soon in the morning in the same direction as yesterday, and arrived before noon at the Maggaga or Yzerbergs fountain. Jacob Kruger and Meintjes van den Berg, who had ridden on before us, had killed a rhinoceros cow, called by the Boetshoeanas magooe, which ac- cording to their statement is of a different kind from those we had seen on the 27th instant, and of a different colour.
Thursday December 31st. — Early in the morning we went with our Cape company towards the place where the animal was killed. It was light ash coloured, the upper lip more flat, the horns much finer and more bent to the back part, and the body was in general smaller than that which was 'first killed. Having returned to our camp preparations were made for our departure, and by examining the consumption we found that in the course of this month had been killed for the use of the expedition 43 sheep, 5 oxen, and 1 cow, and that to the commando and Hottentots in the service had been distributed 43 lbs. tobacco. In the afternoon we left the Magagga fountain, travelling south-south-west a quarter south about an hour and a quarter below the Mackassanie fountain, passed by the den or cave from which the inhabitants of this quarter dig the shining dust wherewith they powder their heads and besmear their bodies, having the said fountain N.W. by N. from us, and late in the evening we arrived at the Welkomst- fountain.
Friday January the 1st 1802. — We resolved to remain here till tomorrow, to have the cattle enjoy the good pasture of this place, to be prepared for our long day's journey.
Saturday the 2nd. — Jacob Kruger killed early at daylight almost in our camp a young male of the cacoon gazelle. We left the Welkomstfountain at noon, saw several gnoes, hartebeests, and springboks, and afterwards 8 Bosjesmen Hottentots, who were with us alongside the waggons till night. We went on southwest by west, passed the Tjoeka Ijoenie or DwaaKountain, leaving the same at a distance of an hour from us southeast. We arrived in the middle of the night at the Kabesiegalie or Buffelfountaiu, where we encamped.
Records of the Cape Colony. 395
Sunday January the 3rd. — We remained here on account of the draft oxen being too much fatigued.
Monday the 4th. — We left the Kabesiegalie in the afternoon, travelled southwest half west. Saw numbers of quaggas and springboks. Three of our Hottentots had killed at a great dis- tance from our waggons three male elands, and one of the herdsmen a springbok. We arrived in the night at the Gatie t'kamma, or white water fountain, where we pitched our camp,
Tuesday the 5 th. — ^We gave to the Hottentots who were un- furnished with knives, tinderboxes, and hats
15 douWe tinder boxes and steels, 15 knives yellow wood handled, and 10 coarse hats.
The secretary Mr. Daniell and the assistant secretary rode on horseback to the place where the elands killed yesterday laid, and took a drawing ' of the same, caused the skins to be taken off by the Hottentots who accompanied them, and brought the same to the waggons ; the meat being already putrified by the heat of the weather. We left the Gatie t'kamma in the afternoon, the road went south- south-west haK west, and arrived in the evening at the Aakaap or Eietfountain, where we with the greatest affability were received by the missionaries Anderson and Mr. Kramer, who informed us that the Rev. Mr. Kicherer since some days ago had passed the Great or Orange river, and that the said river according to the last reports was yet fordable. They further related to us that the Bastard Hottentot Klaais Africaander, who some time ago had murdered his master, I'ienaar, lived with his band at a few days' journey from hence, far below the kraal of Cornells Kok, and exercised there his murders and depredations, that he had threatened that he also would make an attack upon the Eiet- fountain, and that they therefore lived here in continual uneasi- ness. We passed the night in the church.
Wednesday January the 6th. — We received at this place in good condition over 78 draft oxen, and returned to the Bastard Hottentots the oxen which they had lent us for relays, consisting in 48 head. We rewarded the herdsmen of Jan Olivier for the good care they had taken of the same with 3 tinder boxes and steels single ones and 6 lbs. tobacco, and as the interpreter
396 Records of the Cape Colony.
Miklanga lived at this place he requested his discharge, which was granted, and in reward of his good services he received
2 double tinder boxes and steels. 2 single do. do.
6 knives yellow wood handles. 1 pocket knife. 6 pocket looking glasses.
1 lb. blue and white large bieads.
2 lbs. small different coloured beads. 2 handkerchiefs red and white.
2 caps with brass plates. 2 coarse hats.
2 rings with stones of No. 2. 10 do. gilt, and
1 lb. tobacco.
Bartered from several Coras and Bastard Hottentots 12 oxen, 4 cows, and 3 calves for
2 double tinder boxes and steels. 10 single do. do.
31 knives brown wood handled.
40 do. first sort.
24 pocket knives large ones.
6 do. middling size.
61 handkerchiefs.
1 coarse hat, and 170 lbs. tobacco.
We further paid to them for 17 sheep and 4 goats 46 lbs. Brazil tobacco and 10 lbs. Dutch do. We then took leave of the mis- sionaries Mr. Anderson and Mr. Kramer, and departed in the evening in a west-south-westerly direction, and arrived in the night at the t'kaarap.
Thursday January the 7th. — We bartered from the Coras and Bastard Hottentots at this place 7 oxen and 2 cows for the following articles :
2 double tinder boxes and steels. 4 single do. do.
16 knives common brown wood handled. 20 do. best do.
12 pocket knives first sort.
3 do. second sort. 30 handkerchiefs red and white.
84 lbs. Brazil tobacco, and one sheep for 2 lbs. Dutch tobacco.
i
Records of the Cape Colony. 39T;
In the afternoon we continued our journey, left our former road, and went on southwest through a long pass or kloof, arriving before sunset at the northern bank of the Great or Orange river, near the Ghoey Kayps drift, where by the care of the Eev. Mr, Kicherer several Bastard Hottentots waited on us with their beasts of burthen to conduct us through the river, which we in the same evening crossed without any accident, and were heartily welcomed by Mr. Kicherer on our arrival on the southern bank of the river, where high upon the road we encamped.
Friday January the 8th. — We planned with the said Mr. Kicherer a project of going in company with him and some of his Bastards next week again through the river to the westward to the kraal of Cornells Kok, which was according to information about 8 or 10 days from this place, as he was of opinion that there would be obtained a tolerable good number of cattle, besides the veldt between this and Roggeveld and the fountains were too dry, according to the reports of the people he had purposely sent to enquire, for the number of cattle of the expedition, and before we had copious rains there could not be sufficient water in that veldt, and as we should thus be obliged to remain here till the rains had remedied this inconvenience, we the more readily accepted the plan. And as the people composing the Eoggeveld commando were of no service nor protection to the commission, and far from being in any way agreeable, they having shewn upon the journey their disgust, inactivity, and imfounded fears, and behaved like enemies of all good order, they were judged, in case any unexpected event might happen, not to be relied on, and therefore we resolved to dismiss the same, providing them with some necessary articles for their journey. They were this evening acquainted with this intention of the commission. "We gave at the proposal of Mr. Kicherer some of all the sorts of the articles designed for barter to him, according to a separate list, to exchange for the same all the cattle which the Bastard Hottentots living with him might be able to part with, without inconvenience to themselves,
Saturday January the 9th. — Jacob Kruger delivered 69 sheep for the use of the expedition, which made with those received from him the 12th of November, to the number of 46, in all 115, for which he was paid 2 rixdoUars for each, or the sum of 230 rix- doUars, and at his request leave was granted him to go and superintend his affairs at this river.
398 Records of the Cape Colony.
Sunday Jannary the 10th. — A letter was written to your Ex- cellency containing a recapitulation of what is noted in this report, the disagreeable unhappy result of the barter, and also of our further intentions. This letter was given to the farmers who had escorted us to be forwarded, and the same being provided with provisions for the road, one of the waggons bought in Roggeveld with the necessary number of oxen, the Bastard Hottentots for drivers, the slave Noel for leader, and the Hottentot Gei-rit to take care of the cattle, was given to them to conduct them home, wherewith they this day went away, together with Jan Meyntjes van den Berg, his family, and cattle.
Monday the 11th. — We exchanged from the Coras and other Hottentots 12 sheep and 3 goats for 10 brown handled knives, 3 large pocket knives, 29 lbs. large blue and white beads, 2 pairs sleeve buttons ornamented with steel, and 15 lbs. tobacco. We caught a fish in the river of about 3 feet 8 inches large, a large flat head somewhat like the bagger, and of a taste like the eel. We augmented the quantity of the articles already given to Mr. Elicherer for barter with some other articles.
Tuesday the 12th. — We observed that the Gariep or Great river was much higher, so that the same was already unfordable.
Wednesday January the 13th. — The river was a little descended, but of no consequence. We added to the quantity of the articles given to Mr. Kicherer some other goods.
Thursday the 14th. — Mr. Kicherer sent the remainder of the articles back again, together with the number of 28 oxen, 13 cows, and 6 calves, which had been exchanged for
49 double tinder boxes and steels. 10 single do. do.
24 common brown wood handled knives. 12 do. yellow do.
66 best brown do.
118 pocket knives large ones,
1 pair of earrings.
2 small gilt watch chains. 18 pocket looking glasses.
68 lbs. beads small of diflferent colours.
\ gross small metal buttons.
112 pairs sleeve buttons with stones of No. 7.
5 do. do, gilt.
117 do. do. with stones of No. 9.
52 handkerchiefs red and white.
Eecords of tJic Cajye Colony. 399
17 coarse hats.
12 rings with stones of No. 2. 144 common do. do. No. 5. 132 gilt rings.
36 pairs earrings.
2 do. do. with stones.
18 pairs of scissors.
160 lbs. BrazU tobacco, and 12 lbs. Dutch do.,
Besides 28 sheep and 3 goats, for which were paid
6 common yellow wood handled knives. 20 best brown do.
20 lbs. large blue and white glass beads.
3 lbs. green, red, and yellow small beads. 12 pairs sleeve buttons with stones of No. 9. 10 do. do. steel.
8 coarse hats. 40 lbs. Brazil tobacco, and 2 lbs. Dutch do.
Friday January the 15th, — ^We exchanged from the Bastard Orange one ox for 6 best brown handled knives, and 6 lbs. small red, green, and yellow beads.
Saturday the 16th. — The Gariep was somewhat lower, but not fordable. In the evening a hippopotamus or seacow crossed the drift of the river, and passed with the current before the tent which stood but 8 or 9 paces from the bank of the river, although it was discovered too late, and thereby at too great a distance some of our company and the Bastards fired upon it, but in vain.
Sunday the 17th. — The river was again risen a few inches above the marks, which prevented our crossing it. It rained to-day, which afforded us relief by laying the dust, which was blown up by the violent north-westerly winds. We received some pieces of a seacow, with a letter from Jacob Kruger, saying that the hippo- potamus of which this was a part was shot two days' journey higher up the river from our camp.
Monday January the 18th. — We agreed with Mr. Kicherer to send one of the Bastards towards the kraal of Cornells Kok with the samples of the articles designed for barter, and to invite the people to bring the cattle they could spare to the Prisacas drift, as the river, being again higher than yesterday, might perhaps remain unfordable for the commission, we would proceed
400 Becords of the Cape Colony.
to that place, where the people would receive a sufficient pay- ment in the articles of which the bearer would shew them the samples, who was dispatched for that purpose in the course of the day.
Tuesday the 19th. ^he river daily descended below our
Wednesday the 20th. mark, which gave US hope to reach once Thursday the 2i8t. more the northern bank, and nothing re-
Friday the 22ad markable happened during these days.
Saturday the 23rd. ., , ^, o.<.u a • j • *u
Sunday the 24th. — Arrived m the even- ing an old Bastard from the horde of ComeUs Kok, bringing a letter to Mr. Kicherer, who was departed from thence in company with three others who had first gone to the Kietfountain, but would arrive, tomorrow, from whom the necessary information with regard to the road and water between this and the said horde would be obtained. The river was still unfordable, although somewhat more below the mark than in the last mentioned five days.
Monday the 25th. — One of the saddle horses, a soiTel. died to-day of the horse disease here on the Ghoey kaps drift, being one of the three bought from Cornelis Coetzee in the Eoggeveld. The three Hottentots mentioned yesterday arrived, among whom was one by the name of Hans Luykeur, who gave us to understand that the people of the horde whereto he belonged were very much incliued to trade with the commission, as they were in want of a number of articles which he was informed were in our wa^aons. We learned from him that there was sufficient pasture and water on the road between this place and the said kraal, he offering his services as guide. He further mentioned that the already men- tioned Klaas Africaner with his band continued in their neighbour- hood with his robberies, and that only at two schofts or two days' journey from their place a European by the name of Stephanus lived among them, who had some years ago been apprehended as a coiner and had broken out of prison, and he had no doubt that in case we would supply them with gunpowder and shot they would be able with the assistance of the Bastards dwelling at the Eietfountain to make this villain and his accomplices prisoners.
Tuesday January the 26th.— We tried to make a float from one of the bottoms of the waggons with the covered side boards and the empty casks, by means of spars cut for that purpose, well tied together by cords and thongs, but could not finish it to-day. Meanwhile we made a proof by the aid of the Bastards who live
Records of the Cape Colony. 401
at this place, who are uncommonly good swimmers, to cross the river with a half ballasted waggon with eight oxen, whether the river could be passed without a float, but when nearly on the other side the volume of the current turned the waggon over, and by the assistance of the above mentioned people everything was saved.
Wednesday January the 27th, — In the forenoon the float was finished, and we tried the experiment, but it proved unsuccessful by the violence of the current, even a thin rope of two and a half inches and 120 fathoms being brought on the other side through one of the branches of the river into the drift with ten oxen, which were not able to keep the rope straight, and as soon as the people who were on shore and held the rope were obliged to let it slip, then the oxen were immediately dragged backwards or sideways by the current. We then desisted from the undertaking. Where- upon the abovementioned Hottentots offered to make a float as they are used to do at the Koubakas or Kokskraal, and the dry trees in the neighbourhood were immediately cut down for that purpose and were brought with their branches near the river, and the work was commenced without delay,
Thursday the 28th. — The float was finished in the forenoon, and was composed of thin trunks of trees of 8 to 10 feet long, first made like a frame of two rows, and the square spaces between each row filled up. Two other frames were put upon the first and sufficiently tied with cordage and thongs and with the peeled bark of the mimosa, and the square holes of the two upper frames were filled with dry reeds and branches of trees. This being finished, the float was brought into the water and laden with a chest of 200 lbs. weight, wherewith eight Bastards, good swimmers, conveyed it over the largest part of the river, where the current was less violent, swimming and fording as circumstances required. They reached the opposite side of the river in a declining line of five points of the compass, and without the water having run over the machine as high as the bottom of the chest. The load being put on shore, the float was brought down the river to a place where little or no current ran, to gain with the same declination the southern bank at the very place they had left it ; but while they were effecting this end we casually discovered a place somewhat higher than where the float was brought over, that a Hottentot below an island situated in the middle of the river passed, au(l IV. 2 I)
402 Records of the Cape Colony.
not higher than his thighs. Observing that the current was not so strong there as at the usual passage or drift, we caused some men to ford the river again and put marks on both sides, and having returned from the island we measured the depth, which was found could not exceed the bottoms of the waggons. "We immediately left off working with the float, which would have taken us eight days before all the waggons and baggage had been transported, provided the river did not grow higher, and all hands were employed, part in levelling the way towards the new passage, whilst the remainder of the people were engaged in loading the waggons, which was so happily performed that we were ready before five o'clock in the evening, and the first undersigned with the assistant secretary P. Borcherds passed in the first waggon, which was followed by three others, and all before sunset arrived at the northern bank of the Ghoey kayps drift through both the arms of the river, but the load of the fifth, which could not have been so well secured as the others, sprang loose, and the two foremost chests on descending into the drift fell in the water, but were immediately saved ; which however hindered the other waggons from passing, as it grew dark, wherefore the second subscriber, who with the secretary was on the southern side, remained till next morning.
Friday January the 29th. — We perceived that the Bastard Hottentot Vigilant had made his escape. He had a few days before asked his discharge, which was refused, but had not shewn the least discontent, and always behaved very well. The second subscriber arrived this morning with all the waggons and cattle on the northern bank. We gave to Mr. Kicherer 30 rix-dollars to distribute among the people for a reward for the assistance lent to the expedition in crossing the river during this month, and in the afternoon we departed, travelling N.E. through the t'kaaraapskloof, where we met with numerous fountains, by one of which we encamped that night, where Mr. Kicherer and Christiaan Botman joined us.
Saturday the 30th. — We travelled on in the afternoon in the same direction, and arrived in the evening at the place of Jan Kok ; altered our route to west by south half south, continued our journey all night, and arrived on
Sunday the 31st at 7 o'clock in the morning at the fountain t'Goecoup, where we found not so much water that the cattle
Records of the Cape Colony. 403
could quench their thirst. We found that for the consumption of the expedition, comprized therein the provisions given to the returned commando of Eoggeveld, were used 42 sheep, 5 goats, 1 ox, and 2 cows, and that to the said commando and Hottentots had been given 33 lbs. tobacco. In the afternoon we left the Goecoup, travelled N.W., and encamped at a horde of Coras at the t'Kanienghoaps fountain.
Monday February the 1st. — ^We left this fountain in the after- noon, saw on the branches of the giraffe mimosa a quantity of hay or straw in the form of a corn heap. By nearer examination it proved to be the nests of those birds described by former travellers in Southern Africa, which live in a great society together under one roof, but wherein every couple has its compartment free from communication with each other. On putting our hands therein, we found that it was long straw or grass of which the nests were composed, and covered with sharp points to the outside, so that we were obliged to withdraw our hands, which were as much hurt as if we had placed them upon pins. Our route lay N.W. by W. We passed the t'skagaaps fountain, and arrived in the middle of the night at the t'Koukamma, where we found very good water, and pitched our camp.
Tuesday the 2nd. — We were visited by several Coras. We left the Koukamma in the afternoon, but as we discovered that the grey horse of Mr. Daniell was absent, we left to the Coras the care of finding it again, and continued our route N. by W. After two hours' travelling the beam of one of the waggons broke, which pre- vented us from going on farther. We immediately cut a new one of caree wood, and placed the same to be in readiness tomorrow morning to continue our journey. We passed the night at the t'Gaakaap.
Wednesday February 3rd. — Already early in the morning the beam was finished, so that at 8 o'clock we were ready to continue our journey in the same direction. At noon we arrived at the t'Goukamma valley, where we caused the cattle to drink. We left this place in the afternoon, travelling on N. by W., W., and S.W., so that the course we had taken was joined together N.N.W. In the evening we arrived at the Gariep, at the t'Goedabieb, at a horde of Coras, who on our arrival were dancing and singing. Here we encamped.
Thursday the 4th. — Three of the captains of the Coras called,
2 D 2
404 Records of the Cape Colony.
T'haaybos, t'Gaboeque, and t'Goensap, attended by some of their horde, came to salute us. We presented them with
12 single tinder boxes and steels.
12 common yellow wood handled knives.
1 pair of earrings.
4 ix)cket looking glasses,
96 medallions.
6 caps with brass plates.
12 gilt rings, and
3 lbs. Brazil tobacco.
We left the t'Goedabieb in the forenoon on account of the hills. Our route varied from N.E. through N. to West. The greatest part of the road was very agreeable, and gave a good prospect over the river and woods. The second subscriber, the secretary Mr. Daniell, and Mr. Kicherer, as the nearest way passed alongside the river on beasts of burden, whilst the first undersigned and the assistant secretary remained in the waggon, and the Bastard Hottentot Hans Luyken, who served us for guide, was also seated by them, and related that some years past he had been with the well known Cornells Kok on a journey through the dorp Patania and Litakoe to the Barrolow nation, and had in a short time exchanged for beads a few hundred oxen, that these people were very good natured and rich in cattle, that he had seen their iron and copper melting houses, the latter from a yellow grey earth, that their town was so extensive that by going in the morning from one extremity to the other a person could not return before next day, that the same was inhabited by several thousands, that the people were very ingenious in cutting of wood, that their gardens and lands were better cultivated and their houses much better built than those of the Litakoes, that the trees and plants growing in that country surpassed those of the latter, and upon the whole that the soil was more productive and plentiful of water than those countries which we had visited, and lastly that the town was but 8 or 10 days' journey situated from the Boetshoeanas. This account struck so much the first undersigned that he could not help expressing his sorrow that he had not six weeks before received this information, but at present it was too late in the season to reap any benefit therefrom, besides our stock of pro- visions was more than two-thirds exhausted. I could not omit stating this account for general information. We met in our road
Records of the Cape Colony. 405
many of the Euphorbious plants wherewith it is said that the Bosjesmen poison the waters of the fountains. In the evening we arrived at the Gariep near the t'kago drift, where we met again with the second subscriber, the secretary of the commission, and Mr. Kicherer. During the night all the other waggons arrived.
Friday February the 5th.— We passed the river for the fourth time over five islands, thus the sixth time over the arms of the same stream running round the islands, and having more than two hours been busy in crossing the same we once again arrived at the southern bank safely with all the waggons and cattle. Very happily that we had soon in the morning commenced our passage, for not long after we had been over, the river increased several feet with a violent current, so much so that if this had happened half an hour sooner most probably nothing of the whole expedition would have been saved. We encamped here on the southern bank near the t'Gays drift. After a short time the Caffre captain Danser, together with some of the horde whose hamlet was situated very near this place, came up to us, complaining that he and his people not only were robbed of the most part of the cattle in their posses- sion by the villain Klaas Africaner, but that in his absence by the cunning of this malefactor several of his people had been murdered, and that on being informed of the approach of the expedition he had resolved to request to join the same with all his people, in order in case of necessity to attack this wicked man and his accomplices, and to try to take him prisoner. We allowed him to travel with us.
Saturday February the 6th. — Many of the Bastard Hottentots anived from the Aakaap, who had crossed the river yesterday morning at the Goedabieb, at our camp, requesting that as they intended to go to the Koubakas of Kokskraal, that it would be permitted to them to travel with us, as they had also been robbed of many of their cattle by the above mentioned villain Africaner, offering to assist us against his attempts. We were inforaied by them that the horse lost on the 2nd instant on the north side was brought as far as to the Goedabieb, but that on account of the water being too high they had been obliged to leave the same on the other side under good care. We left the t'Gays drift in the afternoon, travelled west half south. Arrived in the evening at the t'Sarokaap, where we encamped near a tamjet oC Bosjesmen
406 Records of the Cape Colony.
on the bank of the river. "We found here the remains of a building, now very much in decay, which was stated to have been erected there by the already mentioned coiner Stephanus to serve for a church; the ruins of a chair, cross, and seats were yet distinguishable. Near the same were a number of giraflfe mimosas, which were grown up so regularly as made it apparent that the same were planted there by man. Here we were joined by the Caffre captain Danzer and six of his men.
Sunday February 7th. — We continued our journey in the after- noon, in a northwest half north direction, and arrived at midnight at the t'Kariegaap, where we halted.
Monday the 8th. — We left this place in the afternoon, travelled N.N. West, and arrived late in the evening at the t'Koeroehaap, at a horde of Coras, where we encamped,
Tuesday the 9th. — In the morning the second subscriber and Mr. Eacherer proceeded on horseback to the Kokskraal, and the first subscriber with the rest of the company departed in the afternoon in the same direction as yesterday, and arrived in the evening at the t'Kaalogaap, where we encamped.
Wednesday February 10th. — In the afternoon we continued our journey, and arrived in the night at the t'Soulooghaap. The road lay W.S.W. half W.
Thursday the 11th. — We departed in the afternoon, travelled west half south, and were in the evening welcomed by the second subscriber and Mr. Kicherer at the Koubahas of Kok's kraal, where Adam Kok was the chieftain, and here the whole of the expedition encamped.
Friday the 12th. — A commando of the Bastard Hottentots both of the Aakaaps kraal and the Caffres of the horde of Captain Danzer and those of the Khoubahas kraal, was fitted out and numbered to the number of 40, provided with firearms, powder, shot, pewter, flints, &c., to make an attack upon Africaner and Stephanus, and it was resolved in case they would not deliver themselves up that violent means should be opposed to them to try to overmaster the vagabonds.
Saturday the 13th. — The second subscriber, the secretary, and Christiaan Botman set out with the commando mustered yesterday, in a waggon of the expedition prepared for that purpose, and travelled westwards along the river. In the afternoon we found that a Bastard Hottentot boy named Stoffel had absconded, out
Records of the Cape Colony. 407
of fear of punishment for a little theft committed on the provisions.
Sunday February the 14th. — The first undersigned received a letter from the second subscriber, stating that the commando had resolved to attack a little kraal of Africaner which lay the nearest, to get if possible by these means information of the place where their chieftain and Stephanus were hidden.
Monday the 15th. — The Bastard Eoelof requested that as he had obtained leave from the second subscriber to use the brown chestnut horse, he might go with it in quest of his cousin Stoffel and to bring him back again, which the first undersigned granted.
Tuesday the 16th. — At the usual daily counting of the cattle some oxen were missed, and Hottentots were immediately dis- patched in search of the same.
Wednesday the 17th. — Some of the strayed cattle were brought back. The second subscriber and his company returned with their waggon. Some of the unarmed Hottentots brought several oxen and other trifles out of the nearest kraal of Africaner, wherein they had not found him nor any of his people, wherefore it had been resolved to return, but the armed commando of Bastards and Caffres was ordered to pursue the villains.
Thursday 18th. — We had the necessary thornwood cut for beams, longwaggons, yokes, &c., &c., instead of those that were broken, and to be used in case of accident after our departure. The remainder of the oxen were all brought in the camp.
Friday February 19th. — We could not get open our trade, as the most part of the Bastards, who possessed the greatest quantity of cattle, were gone with the commando.
Saturday the 20th. — We unpacked the greatest part of the merchandise to shew to the Hottentots, and gave the people who had remained here notice that in the beginning of next week the trade would be opened to supply them with such articles as they should choose.
Sunday the 21st. — We assisted this day at the divine service performed by Mr. Kicherer. The river was swelling some feet higher than it had been for the other days we had passed at this place.
Monday the 22nd. — We had the pleasure of seeing the com- mando return, bringing with them two Namaqua women with
408 Records of the Cape Colony.
their children, with the news that they some time after the second subscriber was returned with the waggon had stormed the camp of the vagabonds, but that they were too soon discovered ; that they immediately had extinguished the fire, and favoured by the dark- ness fled in the woods through the river, and hid themselves in tlie woods of an island, leaving behind some of their greatest necessaries, together with their draft oxen that were already saddled ; but the people had all escaped, and they had not been able to take either Africaner or Stephanus, nor any of them ; that they had taken two muskets, a large screw, and about three hundred head of cattle and one hundred sheep ; and that they had fired several shots at one another, but that however none of the commando was wounded. Hans Luyken shewed us some balls made of red copper which he had found in the camp of Africaner, a proof they had no lead, and as a further proof that these villains were short of gunpowder their shots were very feeble, and Africaner, who had intrenched himself upon the island, cried with teiTible curses and threats : " I know very well that the Koks and Bastards plot together, and were great sinners in attacking him, as he was instructed and had repented, and that they would be sure they would not pass another quiet night with their families." Hans Koraga also shewed a very good jacket which he had found there, and which Adam Kok recognised to have been given long ago to Stephanus before he knew who he was, out of compassion to his miserable situation. We informed the people that those who could by the marks prove that some of their cattle were among those retaken from Africaner were to appear at the hamlet of Captain Adam Kok, when the same would be restored to the owners.
Tuesday February 23rd — Part of the cattle was returned to the proprietors, and another share of it divided among the commando, and the remaining part was adjudged to the expedition, consisting in five cows and eighteen calves, in some way serving in payment of the following ammunition given for the use of the commando, namely
100 lbs. gunpowder. 150 lbs. lead.
15 lbs. pewter.
50 lbs. shot, and 400 flints.
Records of the Cape Colony. 409
A small dispute arose between two Bastards as to which of them an ox belonged, and it was decided by us that they both had an equal right thereto, for which reason we took the same under our cattle, paying five rixdollars to each of them. In the forenoon the Eev. Mr. Kicherer and Christiaan Botman departed for the Prisacas drift to the eastward in a waggon we had provided them with for their return, under condition to deliver the same in Roggeveld to the veldcomet Gerrit Maritz, that on our arrival at the Cape we should write to him further concerning it, as we resjlved after finishing our business at this place to return by the shortest way, through the Hantam if possible, it was very probable we would arrive before Mr. Kicherer at the capital. In the after- noon we bartered from different persons ten head of cattle, for which we paid according to their desire the following articles :
10 double tinder boxes and steels.
10 single do. do.
45 common brown wood handled knives.
20 large pocket knives.
20 pocket looking glasses.
5 lbs fine glass and china painted beads. 10 pairs sleeve buttons with stones of No. 7. 50 do. do. do. No. 9.
20 hats.
20 rings common with stones of No. 5. 30 do. gilt.
5 lbs. Brazil tobacco. 260 needles.
Wednesday February 24th. — "We exchanged according to the choice of the people the following goods for twelve oxen and a bull from several Bastards :
12 double tinder boxes and steels. 14 single do. do.
58 common brown handled knives.
20 ix)cket knives large ones.
26 pocket looking glasses.
6 J lbs. fine glass and painted china beads.
13 pairs sleeve buttons with stones of No. 7. 65 do. do. do. No. 9. 26 hats.
26 rings with stones of No. 5.
39 do. gilt.
6i lbs. Brazil tobacco, and
330 needles.
410 Becoi'ds of the Cape Colony.
Thursday February 25th. — Four oxen were exchanged from Bastards for articles as follows :
4 double tinder boxes and steels. 8 single do. do.
18 common brown handled knives. 8 large pocket knives.
8 pocket looking glasses.
2 lbs. fine glass and painted china beads.
4 pairs sleeve buttons with stones of No. 7. 20 do. do. do. No. 9.
8 hats.
8 rings with stones of No. 5. 12 do. gilt.
2 lbs. Brazil tobacco, and 100 needles.
Friday the 26th. — Four oxen and a bull were bartered for
6 double tinder boxes and steels. 8 single do. do.
22 common brown handled knives.
10 large pocket knives.
10 pocket looking glasses.
2i lbs. fine glass and painted china beads.
5 pairs gilt sleeve buttons. 20 pairs sleeve buttons No. 9. 10 hats.
10 rings with stones of No. 5.
15 do. gilt.
2 J lbs. Brazil tobacco, and 130 needles.
Saturday February 27th.— We obtained seven oxen, and according to the choice of the proprietors we gave them for the
7 double tinder boxes and steels. 14 single do. do. 26 common brown wood handled knives. 14 large pocket knives. 14 pocket looking glasses.
3 lbs. small red, green, and yellow beads. 2 lbs. fine glass and painted beads. 7 pairs gilt sleeve buttons.
16 pairs sleeve buttons with stones of No. 9.
19 pairs do. ornamented with steel. 14 hats.
Records of the Cape Colony. 411
14 rings with stones of No. 9. 21 do. gilt.
3^ lbs. Brazil tobacco, and 180 needles.
Sunday the 28th. — An ox was exchanged from a Bastard for
2 double tinder boxes and steels.
4 common knives yellow wood handled.
2 pocket knives large ones.
4 looking glasses.
li lb. beads small ones. 1 pair gilt sleeve buttons.
5 pairs sleeve buttons ornamented with steel.
1 red and white handkerchief.
2 hats.
2 rings with stones of No. 5.
3 do. gilt.
1 lb. Brazil tobacco, and 30
We found that for the use of the expedition had been killed 69 sheep and 3 goats, and that to the Hottentots was distributed 30 lbs. Brazil tobacco. And as the Bastard Eoelof was not returned with the horse wherewith he was gone off on the loth instant, his account was charged with the purchase money of the said horse.
Monday March the 1st. — From several persons having bartered six oxen and a cow, the following articles chosen by them were delivered accordingly :
7 double tinder boxes and steels.
14 single do. do.
32 common brown wood handled knives.
14 large pocket knives.
3i lbs. small red, green, and yellow beads.
7 pairs gilt sleeve buttons.
35 pairs do. with steel.
7 handkerchiefs red and white.
14 hats.
10 rings with stones of No. 5.
25 do. gilt.
14 pocket looking glasses.
3i lbs. Brazil tobacco, and
180 needles.
412 Records of the Cape Colony.
Tuesday the 2nd. — We bartered five oxen for the following articles :
5 double tinder boxes and steels. 16 single do. do.
23 common brown wood handled knives. 10 pocket knives large ones. 10 pocket looking glasses. 2^ lbs. small beads.
4 pairs gilt sleeve buttons. M 25 pairs do. with steel.
10 hats.
35 gilt rings.
5 pairs gilt earrings.
2i lbs. Brazil tobacco, and 130 needles.
As our departure drew nigh, we dispatched two Bosjesmen Hottentots, who knew the way from hence to the Hantam, to take inspection of the situation of the road, to see whether there could be found between this place and the Hartebeest river sufl&cient water for our cattle either in fountains or ponds during a journey of three or four days thither. We were induced to seek this information by the dryness of the country in these quarters, and promised them a good reward if they would fulfil their commission speedily, and bring us accurate accounts of the state of that part of the country.
Wednesday March the 3rd. — We paid to a Cora for a sheep three single tinder boxes and steels.
Thursday the 4th. — We paid to the Bastards for three oxen and three cows, for which they desired most part money and a few articles, according to their wishes
40 rixdoUars in ready money. 2 single tinder boxes and steels.
1 double do. do.
4 common brown knives.
2 large pocket knives. 2 small looking glasses. i lb. beads.
5 pairs sleeve buttons with steel ornamented.
2 hats.
6 hair crosses. 14 gilt rings.
1 pair earrings.
3 lbs. Brazil tobacco, and 20 needles.
Records of the Cape Colony. 413
Besides to the Koras who wished it for three sheep nine single tinder boxes and steels.
Friday March 5th.— A sheep was brought by a Kora, for which he received three single tinder boxes and steels, and from a Bastard Hottentot one ox, who at his desire was supplied with
2 double tinder boxes and steels. 4 single do. do.
4 knives brown handled.
2 pocket knives large.
1 pocket looking glass.
^ lb. beads of different sorts.
5 pairs sleeve buttons with steel.
3 hats.
3 gilt rings.
2 earrings with stones.
4 pairs of scissors.
i lb. Brazil tobacco, and 20 needles.
Saturday the 6th. — We gave notice to Captain Adam Kok that we intended to leave this place about the middle of next week, and that according to our agreement the sheep we wanted for our return were to be provided within that time.
Sunday the 7th. — A report was spread that Claas Africaner was in the neighbourhood, and only at a day's journey from this place, but shortly afterwards we discovered the fallacy of this report, which nevertheless had very much frightened the women of this horde.
Monday the 8th. — "We paid to a Bastard for thirteen gelded goats at 1^ rixdoUars each 19i^ rixdollars in ready money, and for one sheep to a Cora three single tinder boxes and steels. Three cows and one ox were also exchanged to-day for the following
articles :
8 double tinder boxes and steels.
8 single do. do.
18 common brown wood handled knives.
5 large pocket knives.
8 ix)cket looking glasses.
20 pairs sleeve buttons ornamented with steel,
8 coarse hats.
12 gilt rings.
6 pairs earrings.
2 do. do. with stones.
4 pairs of scissors.
2 lbs. Brazil tobacco, and
130 needles.
414 Hecords of the Cape Colony.
Tuesday March 9th. — We exchanged and gave according to the choice of the people for three oxen and a bull :
9 double tinder boxes and steels.
8 single do. do. 18 brown wood bar died knives.
3 large pocket knives.
9 pocket looking glasses.
32 pairs sleeve buttons ornamented with steel.
8 coarse bats.
60 pieces of iron of 6 and 9 inches. 12 gilt rings.
4 pairs of scissors.
2 lbs, Brazil tobacco, and 130 needles.
And for a sheep to a Cora three single tinder boxes and steels. The Bosjesinen sent to inquire after the state of the country- returned to-day, and brought the disagreeable intelligence that they had nearly perished with thirst on their journey, that even the Hartebeest river was entirely dried up. We therefore resolved to leave this place after tomorrow, and to take our road along the southern part of the river to the eastward, till we could fall in with our former waggon traces leading to Cape Town.
Wednesday March 10th. — We exchanged from the Bastards two oxen, for which according to their desire was delivered
4 double tinder boxes and steels. 4 single do. do.
9 brown wood handled knives. 4 large pocket knives.
4 small pocket looking glasses. 16 pairs.sleeve buttons ornamented with steel.
4 common hats.
40 lbs. iron in pieces 6 to 9 inches. 8 rings with stones of No. 2. 2 pairs of scissors.
1 lb. Brazil tobacco, and 40 needles.
We prepared everything for our departure tomorrow. Thursday the 11th. — We exchanged for the undermentioned articles one ox :
2 double tinder boxes and steels. 2 single do. do.
5 common brown wood handled knives. 2 large pocket knives.
Records of the Cape Colony. 415
2 small pocket looking glasses.
9 pairs sleeve buttons ornamented with steel.
2 coarse hats.
13 lbs. iron in pieces from 6 to 9 inches. 4 fine rings with stones of No. 2.
i lb. Brazil tobacco, and 20 needles.
Paid to Adam Kok and several other Bastards for 174 sheep they had procured for our journey homeward at two rixdollars each 348 rixdollars, and gave besides to several Bastards, in recompense for delivered vegetables and milk during our stay at this place as well as in reward of their services in showing the way hither from the Ghoeykaps drift, and to the Bosjesmen for the inspection they had made of the road to the Hantam, in all
4 double tinder boxes and steels.
4 single do. do.
18 common yellow wood knives.
4 large jwcket knives.
2 pairs earrings.
2 small watch chains.
2 rings with stones.
2 pairs of scissors.
2 japanned tobacco boxes, and
2 pieces of linen, of those bought at Oertel's.
We found that during our stay to different persons who had delivered oxen, sheep, and goats to the commission for ready money, and afterwards had requested to obtain goods for their money, the following articles, to the amount of one hundred and fifteen rixdollars and seven skillings had been delivered :
2 double tinder boxes and steels. 10 single do. do.
14 yellow wood handled knives. 35 brown do. do.
30 lbs. beads large blue and white glass. 14 lbs. do. small green, yellow, and red.
3 lbs. fine painted glass and china beads. 22 handkerchiefs red and white.
9 coarse hats.
60 lbs. iron in pieces of 6 and 9 inches.
24 lbs. Brazil tobacco, and
13i lbs. Dutch do.
416 Records of the Cape Colony.
We left the Koubahas kraal in the forenoon, travelled east half north, and arrived in the evening at the Saulooghaap, where we encamped, but the northwesterly wind blew here so violently and threw up so much dust that we passed here a very disagreeable evening and night.
Friday March 12th. — We exchanged from some Bastards who had followed us, and from others who lived at this place, four oxen, for which we gave in return
16 single tinder boxes and steels.
6 yellow wood handled knives.
1 lb. small beads red, green, and yellow.
7 lbs. glass and china painted beads.
16 pairs sleeve buttons with stones of No. 9. Z\ lbs. Brazil tobacco, and 240 needles.
About the time when the oxen should have been put to the waggon an incessant rain began, which prevented our travelling any farther this day.
Saturday the 13th. — After having exchanged two sheep from the Coras who lived at this place for
1 double tinder box and steel, 1 single do. do.
6 yellow wood knives, and \ lb. Brazil tobacco,
We early in the morning continued our journey, and arrived at noon at the t'kalies, situated near the Gariep, where we unyoked the oxen, dined, and in the afternoon proceeded on again in the direction of E.N.E. half E. We passed some hamlets of the Koras situated alongside the river, and arrived in the evening at the Kaloogaap, where we encamped.
Sunday the 14th. — We left this place in the afternoon, and travelled in a S.S.Easterly direction to the Koeroehaap, where we remained the night.
Monday March 15th. — In the afternoon we proceeded to the Kharieghaap in the same direction as yesterday, where we staid all night.
Tuesday the 16th. — In the afternoon we continued our journey to the Bosjesman hamlet and horde at the t'Saroehaap, having travelled southeast half south, and here we encamped.
Wednesday 17th. — We exchanged from these people, who were
Records of the Cape Colony. 417
rich in sheep and goats, four sheep, which at their desire were paid with
4 single tinder boxes and steels. 12 yellow wood handled knives.
i lb. Brazil tobacco.
And bartered from a Bastard Hottentot an ox for
1 best double tinder box and steel.
2 single do. do.
2 yellow wood bandied knives.
3 lbs. small red, green, and yellow beads. 1 lb. painted glass and china beads.
5 pairs sleeve buttons with stones of No. 9. i lb. Brazil tobacco, and 60 needles.
One of the brown horses died of the horse disease raging in this part of the country. In the afternoon we left the t'Saroehaap, travelled E. by S., passed the t'Kaysdrift north from us, and arrived in the evening at the t'Kaboroganaap, close to the river, where we pitched our tents.
Thursday the 18th. — The first undersigned left this place in the afternoon with the waggons, being obliged to take a round from S.S.W. to S.E. to N.E., as the direction of the mountains makes the passage nearer to the river impossible, whilst the second subscriber, Mr. Daniell, and the assistant secretary on pack oxen travelled alongside the river to the kraal of the Caffre Captain Danzer, where they were kindly received, and after having travelled all night with the waggons arrived with the same next day, being
Friday March the 19th, before daylight at the t'Karaamakoonaap near the river, where the second subscriber, the secretary, and the assistant secretary joined the waggons again about sunrise. We had the misfortune to lose an ox by sickness. At this place were an immense number of locusts, the surface of the earth, the woods, and everything was covered with this insect, and the Bosjesmen of the adjacent hamlet to our camp were busily employed in collecting the same, which they dry and eat as a dainty. The Caffre Captain Danser and a number of men and women of his horde paid us here a visit, and we presented them with some trifles, such as beads, knives, and rings. As the cattle were extremely fatigued from the journey over hills and vales and sandy Karoo
IV. 2 E
A18 Records of the Cape Colony.
grounds, we were obliged to postpone our departure till next day, or
Saturday the 20th, when we continued our journey in the after- noon, passing as the direction of the mountains would allow south- west to south and east to north-northeast, and arrived in the middle of the night at the bank of the river near the t'Kabieb, where we pitched our tents.
Sunday March 21st. — Arrived several Coras, who brought us a bull, which being lame we had been obliged to leave under their care. We rewarded their honesty with a few knives and some tobacco. "We could not proceed both on account of the late arrival of the oxen, and especially as it rained very heavily,
Monday the 22nd. — We missed one of our herdsmen, being the Bastard Hottentot Cupido. We departed in the morning, and arrived in the afternoon at the t'kamt'kamma near the river. After having dined at this place, and refreshed the cattle, we departed. The secretary and assistant secretary together with a Bastard rode with our leave on oxen, to amuse themselves with hunting seacows along the river, having agreed that we would meet again tomorrow at dinner time, or on the same evening at the first resting place. Our route was in general south-south-east. At nine o'clock in the evening we were obliged to halt, on account of the heavy showers of rain, accompanied by violent northerly winds and continual thunder as loud as ever we heard, at a very improper place, where nothing but stones and rocks were to be seen, to pass there the night with the cattle.
Tuesday the 23rd. — We departed early in the morning from this uncomfortable place, and unyoked the oxen at noon in the veldt, where a little wood was found for the kitchen, and caused the cattle to be driven on to reach t^e river the sooner. We travelled on in the afternoon, and arrived with sunset at the t'Koaap, where we pitched our camp, having passed, according to the direction of the hills from southeast through east to north. We were not less astonished, and under no little concern, not to meet here our companions the secretary and assistant secretary, as we were agreed, the more as it had rained heavily all night, and they were not provided with clothes to screen them against the in- clemency of the weather, much less with provisions, and in these quarters no way was to be seen except those we traced with our vasfjons.
Records of the Cape Coloni/. 419
Wednesday March 24th. — We remained here the whole morning in continual uneasiness about our fellow companions, from which we were not relieved until the signal for our departure by a stroke of the whip to bring the oxen together to be put to the waggon was given, when they shortly after made their appearance, being very much fatigued and hungry, relating to us that they had paid for their amusement very dearly the two last nights, as they could not find shelter against the heavy rains, and being thoroughly wet, they had besides nothing to eat but roots of uyntjes which they had digged from under the ground, and of which they had yet a provision in their pockets, which they shewed us. We then continued our journey together, in a south-south-easterly direction, but were obliged after two hours' riding to halt by the continual rains, and to prevent the oxen's necks being wounded by the yokes we were obliged to unyoke the same, and to remain the night in a hamlet of the Bushmen situated near the resting place.
Thursday March the 25th. — We left this place in the morning, travelled on southeast by south in the same direction as the course of the river, and passed hard by a Bosjesman kraal. Saw several hippopotami in the river, and arrived before noon at the t' Jokoham, being the place "where to shorten our way we were to make a deviation to fall in with our former track. We rewarded our guide, the Bastard Hottentot Cupido Jonker, who had shewn us the way from the t'Kabrogoonaap to this place, with a few tinder boxes, knives, beads, and tobacco for the service thus shewn to us.
Friday the 26th. — Captain Slaparm, whom we had met at the foot or mudderfountain, came up to us attended by some of the Koras belonging to his horde, bringing with him five sheep which we bartered for five single tinder boxes and steels, 15 common yellow wood handled knives, and |lb. Brazil tobacco. And as the abovementioned guide Cupido Jonker took his leave to return to his family, Captain Slaparm and twlD of his men offered their services to fill his place and bring us to the Komatoa or Jonker- fountain, which we accepted, and as we found at the place along- side the river good pasture, we resolved to let the cattle enjoy the same for the day, and remained here on that account. In the afternoon two Bosjesmen came up to us, whom we asked by our interpreter whether they knew the watering places and fountains
2 E 2
420 Records of the Cape Colony.
between this and the Komatoa ? which being answered in the affirmative, they very williniily offered to shew us these places, and that they would join us the next morning for that purpose at the time of our departure.
Saturday March 27th. — We left the t'Jokoham and at the same time the Gariep, Great, or Orange river for the last time, travelled on S.W. by S. Having been for some time riding on, one of the waggons sank in a muddy place as far as to the naves. We were obliged to put two teams of oxen behind the waggon to draw it back, but as this was performed the waggon turned over, which made us lose about three hours before everything was put to rights, and we arrived in the afternoon at the Kokoatao, being a river which at certain periods flows, but had at present only a little standing rain water. We caused the cattle to drink, and went on at sunset, arrived late in the evening at the Koennau, where water was found, but not sufficient for all our cattle to quench their thirst. We here encamped.
Sunday the 28th.— Early in the morning we continued our journey in a southwesterly direction, arriving in the afternoon at the t'Koreeseep, where we found in a very curious rock sufficient water for men but not for cattle. This rock was flat, on its surface was an opening which led to a deep cave covered naturally with a roof so as to prevent the evaporation of the water by the heat of the climate. After having refreshed ourselves and the cattle, we pursued our road, and came in the evening to a place to the east- ward of the Kariekoup fountain, from whence we sent our cattle to a place in the kloof or pass of the mountains to the westward to drink, and after having quenched their thirst they returned to our camp.
Monday March 29th. — In the morning we left this place, travelling on south by west, meeting several Bosjesmen on the road, some of whom joined our guides. Saw many ostriches and springboks. Halted a little on the way, and arrived in the evening at the Komatoa, or Jonkersfountain, in our former track. Pitched the tents and encamped.
Tuesday the 30th. — We found on inspection that almost all the spokes of one of the wheels had burst through the nave, which we filled with wedges and repaired as well as possible. We resolved not to depart from this place before tomorrow, to let the cattle enjoy a necessary rest and feed on the abundant pasture which the
Records of the Cape Colony. 421
place afforded. We divided among Slaparm and his people, and to the Bosjesmans who had shewn us the way and the fountains, some tinderboxes, knives, caps, copper wire, tobacco, &c., and provided Captain Slaparm at his request with a passport, in case he might choose to visit Capetown with some of his horde, that the inhabitants of the country districts might let him travel un- molested. Since our departure from the Kokskraal the presents given to several Bastard Hottentots, to Koras, to the horde of Captain Danzer, and to the Bosjesmen, in reward of services shewn to the expedition, amounted to the following articles : —
6 double tinder boxes and steels. 28 single do. do.
58 yellow wood handled knives.
3 large pocket knives.
1 lb. glass and painted beads. 11 caps with brass plates. 6 lbs. copper wire.
4 rings with stones of No. 2. 16 rings gilt.
5 lbs. Brazil tobacco, and 1 sheep.
Wednesday March 31st. — We departed early in the morning from the Komatoa. After an hour's travelling the wheel repaired yesterday broke. We found that but two spokes were fastened in the felloes, and therefore resolved to take them out entirely and put vn. new ones of the wood we had on purpose taken with us from the river. We left this waggon behind under the care of Schultze, assisted by some Bastards who thought themselves able to perform the task, and provided them with all the necessary implements. This detained us half an hour, and we then continued with the other waggons S.W. by W., arriving in the afternoon at the Buffelsbout, or Bierfountain, where some of the Bosjesmen whom we had seen here at our outset arrived at the same time. We supplied these poor creatures with a sheep and ^ lb. Brazil tobacco, and passed here the night. We found that in the course of the month had been killed for the consumption of the expedition 70 sheep and 3 goats, and that to the Hottentots attached to the expedition was given 30 lbs. Brazil tobacco.
Thursday April 1st. — As the oxen, when the breaking of the wheel happened yesterday, were already driven on a couple of hours before, we sent in the morning a second team bsck to the
422 Records of the Cape Colony.
waggon, with a letter to Schultze informing him that we would proceed to-day to the Grassfountain, and expect him there tomorrow. We accordingly left the Bierfountain in the morning. The general route was S.W. \ S., crossing the two northerly chains of the Karee mountains. We met with many quaggas and spring- bocks on the road, and on passing between the first and second chain of the mountain we saw a valley to the eastward, which through the darkness of the night we had not observed at our first passage. At sunset we had a few heavy showers of rain, and arrived in the evening through the kloof or middle chain of the said mountain at the Grassfountain. We missed one of the draft oxen that had been obtained in the Middle Eoggeveld.
Friday the 2nd. — We remained on account of the waggon which stood behind, and which did not arrive till late in the afternoon, and both teams of oxen were exhausted. We found the wheel so well repaired that it was even stronger and better than when we left Cape Town.
Saturday the 3rd. — Early in the morning we departed from the Grassfountain, travelled S.S.W. by W., met with many Bosjesmen, whom we engaged to bring us tomorrow some honey, as all our sugar was consumed, which they promised to do. Others of these people followed us, and we arrived together in the afternoon some- what at the north side of the fourth chain of the Karee mountains, at the Elandskuil, where we encamped, our new company remaining with us.
Sunday April the 4th. — Before daylight the Bosjesmen engaged yesterday arrived, bringing a knapsack containing more than three gallons of the best white honey. We rewarded them for the same with 6 yellow wood knives, ^ lb. Brazil tobacco, and a couple of the best goats, wherewith they seemed extremely well satisfied. They left us in the morning, and we continued our journey in the same direction as yesterday. Crossed the fourth chain of the mountains. One of the Bastards who had followed us from the Gariep, called Fiool Dikkop, killed at a great distance from the waggon a male rhinoceros. We arrived late in the evening at the Schietfountain, where we were visited by a number of between 20 and 30 Bosjesmen, most part of whom remained in our camp after we had supplied them with food, &c.
Monday April the 5th. — We departed early in the morning according to the direction of the mountains southwest by south.
Records of the Cape Colony. 423
After two hours we crossed the fifth or last chain of the Karee mountains, passed the Klipfountain situated on the south side, saw a number of quaggas, and arrived in the evening at the Lions fountain, where we encamped.
Tuesday April 6th. — We left the Lions fountain in the morning, travelled S.W. by S. ^ S. Saw again many quaggas, of which from a troop of five at a distance of more than six hundred feet measured by pacing a young mare of about three years was killed by the assistant secretary in one shot, to our and his great satis- faction. We arrived in the afternoon at the pool situated at the upper part of the Brakke river, where we encamped. We were not a little astonished to find this pool, which was about 26 feet deep in the middle, about 60 feet broad, and of an extensive length, and wliich to prevent its outlet had but a bank of rocks which was situated only two feet lower than the surface of its borders, over- flowing with water, as the same on our outward passage was not eighteen inches deep ; which made us suppose that at the former time we had been here it had not rained for a length of time, or that the evaporation of the water must be stronger here than at other places.
Wednesday the 7th. — We proceeded on our journey early in the morning, and not far from our last camp crossed the river at a place where it flowed to the eastward. Our road lay S. ^ W. We passed in the forenoon the Patrys fountain, afterwards a relin- quished place of Korf, and crossed for the second time the Brakke river, where it took a westerly direction, and encamped in the afternoon at the southern bank of the same.
Thursday the 8th. — We left the river in the morning and travelled on in a southern direction. We crossed the Sak river, and arrived in the afternoon at the place where the Rev. Mr. Kicherer had formerly taken his residence, and where he intended to stay again for some time. We here met with Jacobus Scholtz and Christiaan Botman, besides with a number of Bastards with their families, who were all busily employed in covering, repairing, and building their huts. We here learned that Mr. Kicherer was gone to Iloggeveld, and was expected to return every day. We received here the waggon back again, wliich we had lent to him at the Koubahas kraal, and remained here.
Friday April 9th.— We left this place in the forenoon, after having; delivered to the Bastard Hottentots in reward of their
424 Records of the Cape Colony.
good services, 2 single tinder boxes and steels, 3 knives yellow wood handled, and i lb. Brazil tobacco. Our road lay S.W. by S. i W. We arrived in the afternoon at the Kniidfountain or Bly Vooruitzicht, where we encamped. In the evening we were visited by the Bastard Hottentots Nicolaas Barendsen, Hans Krager, and their people, who had arrived in the latter end of last month from the other side of the Gariep, informing us that the grey horse which had remained at the north side of the said river was under the care of the brother of Barendsen, who had promised to deliver the same at the first opportunity at Cape Town.
Saturday the 10th. — We gave a certificate to the Bushman Captain Euiter, Sak river, that he and his people were allowed until further order from Government with their cattle to live and pasture at a certain unoccupied place called Middelplaats of Hendrik Korf, rewarding him and his comrade Jacob who both with the missionary Edwards and his family had travelled over the Groote to the Koermana river, and from the last mentioned river were returned with this expedition, for their assistance in the capacity as interpreters for their nation and for other services to the commission, with
4 single tinder boxes and steels. 6 yellow wood handled knives, li lb. Brazil tobacco. 3 sheep, and 2 goats.
We left Bly Vooruitzicht in the morning. The road lay south around the hills. We passed the Commando or Quagga fountain. The Bastard Hottentot Fiool Dikkop shot an eland cow in sight of the waggons, which detained us a little. We arrived in the evening at a small pool or vlei at a great hour's distance from the Brakke fountain, where we halted.
Sunday April 11th. — We left the valley in the morning, travelled S.W. by W., and passed at no great distance from the Brakke fountain. Crossed the Karee river, and arrived at noon at the Ganna kraal, near the northern bank of the Small Eiet river, where we encamped, and as we were now arrived at the limits of the colony, we dispatched the Bastard Willem on horse- back with a letter directed to the Veldcornet of Lower Eoggeveld, containing order to repair tomorrow, between the hours of 2 and 3, in person, with two good saddle horses and a guide, at the
Records of the Cape Colony. 425
place of a certain Van Wyk, to make the necessary arrangements with him for the speedy arrival of the expedition in Cape Town.
Monday April the 12th. — We left the Ganna kraal in the morning, crossed the Kleine Eiet river, the road lay W. by N., passed the Sellery fountain, and arrived in the afternoon at the place of Van Wyk on the southern bank of the Groote Eiet river. Shortly afterwards arrived the Bastard Willem, who reported that the Veldcornet Snyman had left his place, and that he had not seen there any person. We passed here the night.
Tuesday the 13th. — We continued our journey, crossed the Groote Eiet river, travelled S.W, somewhat W., passed first Van der Walt's, and afterwards the De Beer's poort, arrived before night at the Kuilenburgs river, where we met Pieter Jacobs, who paid his debt of 25 rixdoUars with 13 sheep (where among one lamb) for which he was accordingly credited. The second subscriber resolved to leave tomorrow on horseback for Cape Town, in order to give your Honour personally notice of the approach of the expedition, and took with him out of the effects of the expedition, for the purpose of defraying the ex- penses of his journey and to reward the guides who should shew him the nearest roads, 60 rixdoUars ready money, one double and six single tinder boxes and steels. Meanwhile a letter was sent to the Veldcornet of Middle Eoggeveld, Gerrit Maritz, to order him to repair tomorrow morning as soon as possible to the place of Wietse van der Westhuyzen, in order to confer with the second and afterwards with the first subscriber on the means to be adopted for the speedy return of the expedition, which letter was delivered to Esterhuyzen, living at the river, who promised to forward the same with all possible speed. The undersigned further resolved that before the Bastards and slaves who had served the expedition were dismissed, they should be rewarded in proportion to the time they had served, so that those who should drive the cattle towards the Groene Kloof should receive the value of 20 rixdoUars in money, tinder boxes, knives, tobacco, &c., those who would be dismissed in Eoggeveld 15 rixdoUars each, and the others in proportion, with the addition of some of the above articles. We encamped here after the lapse of six months again for the second time.
Wednesday April 14th. — The second subscriber according to our resolution of yesterday departed early in the morning, and
426 Becords of the Cai^e Colony.
the first subscriber also left the Kuilenburgs river in the fore- noon travelling with the rest of the company S.S.W., and arrived in the afternoon at the Jakhals fountain, the place of Wietze van der Westhuyzen, where we met in compliance with our orders the veldcornet Gerrit Maritz, who communicated to us that the second subscriber, whom he had likewise seen here, had early in the fore- noon continued his journey, and that he had taken the necessary precaution, if the expedition would remain here till after tomorrow, that the relays as far as the Koggeveldsberg for the further con- veyance of the commission should be ready at the proper places. He further mentioned that by order of Government not only he, but all the other veldcornets, both those in the whole Roggeveld as those in the Lower Bokkeveld and the Hantam, were directed to provide the expedition with every necessary. An open letter was immediately sent to the Veldcornet of Kleine Eoggeveld, Jacobus Kruger, notifying to him that the waggons would be at the Tanquas river by the 16th instant, and that the necessary relays, together with two men, for the protection of the cattle of Government would be expected at that place, and that he was to give notice to the veldcornet in Bokkeveld, Schalk Willem Pienaar, that the commission would arrive on the 19th at the Karoo poort, in order to make the necessary preparations for its reception. We took our lodging in the house of Van der Westhuyzen,
Thursday April loth, — The Bastard Hendrik Swart offered an ox to the commission at the rate of eight rixdollars, which was purchased and paid for according to the demand. As the waggons were to remain till next day, and some of the Bastards were to separate from the expedition to-day and others tomorrow, so was distributed to nine of them who had served the expedition from the departure from and return to Roggeveld, namely Kiviet, Wilderman, Booy, Stephen, Willem, Polak, Andries, Piet Liebergelt, and Hendrik Swart
135 rixdollars ready money, or 15 rixdollars each.
18 single tinder boxes and steels or 2 rixdollars each.
36 yellow wood handled knives or 4 rixdollars each. 13i lbs. Brazil tobacco or \\ rixdollars each.
And to six others called Fiool Dikkop, Booy Hartog, Mulder Hartebeest, Fredrik Kaffer, Africaander Kaffer, and Gezwind, who have served from the Roggeveld, and will continue in the
Records of the Cape Colony. 427
service until the cattle will be delivered by them under the direction of Fiool Dikkop at the Groene Kloof was given
120 rixdollars ready money or 20 rixdollars each. 12 single tinder boxes and steels or 2 rixdollars each. 24 yellow wood knives or 4 rixdollars each. 12 lbs. tobacco or 2 rixdollars each.
Besides to Nicolaas Barends and Hans Korega with their attendants, who had accompanied the commission from the Kruidfountain to Eoggeveld, and had formerly served from the Kokskraal or Koubahas to the t'Kaboroganaap was given as a reward some gunpowder and shot together with
5 rixdollars ready money to purchase a tnuid of wheat.
6 single tinder boxes and steels. 11 yellow wood knives.
2i lbs. Brazil tobacco. 2 sheep, and 2 goats.
Further to four servants who had been employed as cooks and servants from the departure of the commission and are to continue till its return in Cape Town in their capacity, viz. Hendrik Booy, Willem, Jan, and Antony,
80 rixdollars ready money or 20 rixdollars each. 4 single tinder boxes and steels or 1 rixdollar each. 6 lbs. Dutch tobacco or IJ rixdollars each. 4 yellow wood knives or 1 rixdollar each.
Lastly were delivered to the veldcomet Gerrit Maritz to return to the inhabitants of Kleine, Middle, and Lowest Eoggeveld 116 draft oxen which had been provided by them to serve for relays from Eoggeveld to the country of the Boetshoeanas and back again to the Jakhals fountain, viz.
32 from the lowest Roggeveld. 49 from the middle do. and 22 from the kleine do. 3 in return of the drowned, died, and strayed.
As Wietze van der Westhuyzen would not receive any money either for lodging or for vegetables he had supplied the commission with, two japanned candlesticks were given to him out of the articles designed for bartering, as a remembrance.
Friday April 16th. — The waggons which were here received from Cornelis Coetzee, now deceased, and which had been almost
428 Records of the Cape Colony.
used out on this journey, were sold to Christiaan van Staaden for rixdollars 200, which he paid in ready money. With regard to the waggon here received from Nicolaas van der Westhuyzen, which has been found greatly damaged and nearly untransport- able, the same was delivered to the veldcornet Grerrit Maritz, who promised if possible to have the same repaired and returned at the first good opportunity to Cape Town, or to sell the same for the amoimt of 100 rixdollars, wherewith his account was provisionally charged. In the forenoon we departed from Wietze van der Westhuyzen's with fresh relays, our road lay S.W. by W. We crossed that difficult and steep mountain Koggeveldsberg, and arrived at the foot of the same in the afternoon, at the legplaats of Jan van der Westhuyzen, ki the Karoo, where we encamped. The first undersigned dispatched immediately a letter to the veldcornet Snyman, containing orders that the same without losing time and without any excuse should provide sis teams of oxen to be in readiness tomorrow morning at daylight at this place, and that if necessary he might press the same from the inhabitants Laurens Jacobs, Pieter Jacobs, and Nicolaas van der Merwe, who this day in mounting the Karoo had unteamed upon Koggeveldsberg, which letter was immediately forwarded by the care of the veldcornet Maritz, who was besides so obliging as to go himself on horseback to the Tanquas river to see whether the relays to be sent by the veldcornet Jacob Kruger to that place were already arrived.
Saturday April 17th. — The said Maritz returned before daylight, but without having found the relays at this place, and appre- hending that the same might not arrive, he dispatched letters to the inhabitants of Middel Koggeveld with orders to provide fresh oxen at that place by tomorrow morning, to make use of the same in case the expected relays did not arrive. As a fee to the Bastard Fortuin and the slave Noel, who had been in the service of the expedition from the 12th of October last till the 12th of January of this year, until the commando of inhabitants of Eoggeveld was dismissed, was given
16 rixdollars ready money or 8 rixdollars each.
2 single tinder boxes and steels or 1 do, do.
2 yellow wood knives or 1 do. do.
1 lb. Brazil tobacco or i do. do.
2 lbs. Dutch do. or 1 do. do.
Records of the Cape Colony. 429
Some relays having arrived in the afternoon, we departed from this place, and arrived in the evening at the Tanquas river, where shortly afterwards in lieu of the ordered relays a letter arrived from the veldcornet Kruger containing among numerous frivolous excuses that he w£is not able to get the necessary relays at the time prescribed, but that he would send a letter to the veldcornet Pienaar in the Bokkeveld to procure the oxen for that purpose, apologizing with some excuses. The first undersigned thus for the second time disappointed by the said veldcornet Kruger, returned him by the bearer, being one of the inhabitants of his district, verbal answer that he could not accept of his excuses, but thjkt he was to repair to Cape Town to apologize for his conduct in person before your Honour. Not far from our camp was a place situated of Gerrit Visser, whereto the first undersigned and both the secretaries went on horseback, and bought there from the Bastard Hottentot who lived at the same some fruit and vege- tables, which grew there very luxuriantly, for one rixdoUar. The river was almost entirely dry, except a little water standing in the holes.
Sunday April 18th. — The veldcornet Gerrit Snyman came up to our camp, bringing intelligence that the relays from Middle Eoggeveld would arrive about noon, and they actually did in the afternoon, when everything being ready we took leave of the veldcornet Gerrit Maritz, who continually from the 14th instant had assisted the commission. We expressed both in the name of Government and privately our thanks to him for his zeal and assistance shewn to the commission both in going and returning. We then departed, taking the nearest road to Cape Town, and arrived in the evening at the Modderfountain, situated in the Karoo, where we encamped.
Monday April 19th. — We travelled on in the morning, passed the Windheuvel, arrived at noon at the Bloem fountain. While dinner was being prepared a letter was written to the veldcornet in Bokkeveld, Schalk Willem Pienaar, to give him notice that the expedition would arrive in the morning of the 21st instant at the Karoo poort, and that he was to take care that by that time six teams of oxen were in readiness, and to give further notice from veldcornet to veldcornet. With this letter we dispatched one of the brothers Coetzee, who had driven our waggon from Tanquas river, and who with his own three horses made the best of his
430 Records of the Cape Colony.
way, promising to deliver the letter before daylight on the next morning, at its direction. After dinner we left the Windheuvel, leaving the Government cattle behind under the care of the herdsmen, with directions to seek the best places for water and pasture, and to drive them on, as they could not follow our daily journeys, which were performed with fresh relays, and principally to travel with them in the coolness of the night until they should arrive at the Government places in Groene kloof, where they were to remain. We passed the Gousbloems fountain and Juk river, and arrived in the night at the Ongeluks river, where we en- camped.
Tuesday the 20th. — We left the Ongeluks river in the after- noon, crossed the southern extremity of the Koedoesberg, travelled on the whole night on account of the dryness, and crossed the fords of the Groote and Doom rivers, in both of which we found no water. With daybreak one of the axletrees of the waggon broke, which we left behind under proper care, and arrived with the other waggons on
Wednesday April 21st with sunrise at the Karoo poort before Bokkeveld. An express was immediately sent to the next place of Pieter Janssen, with directions to hire a waggon and a team of oxen in order to take the cargo from the damaged waggon over, and to substitute a temporary axletree instead of the one which was broken, to be entirely renewed upon arrival in the Bokkeveld, which was in a few hours performed. In the forenoon arrived in our camp the veldcomet Pienaar with his brother Barend, with all the ordered relays and further appurtenances. We prepared everything for the continuance of our journey, and both the brothers Coetzee took their leave. We expressed our thanks to them for the obliging assistance given to the commission. The veldcomet Pienaar left the conduct of the expedition to his brother, and rode himself to the damaged waggon to superintend the repair. Meanwhile we paid to Pieter Janssen both for vege- tables and for the hire of the waggon and oxen rixdollars 13, and left the poort, arriving in the evening with all the waggons in Koude Bokkeveld at the house of the widow of Pieter Janse van Rensburg, where we remained.
Thursday April 22nd. — All possible speed was made to prepare a new axletree from the wood cut on purpose at the Gariep, which was finished before sunset, and all the waggons, being provided
Records of the Cape Colons/. 431
with fresh relays, were sent in the night under the care of the overseer Schultze to the Schurfde Berg, as far as to the place of the veldcornet Johannes Hugo. We paid to Van der Merwe for the repair of the axletree 2 rixdollars, and the first mentioned with the secretary and assistant secretary remained at the house of the said widow Van Eensburg (at the instance of Barend Pienaar) to pass the night, and agreed to depart at 2 o'clock in the morning with moonlight.
Friday the 23rd. — We rode before daylight with the horse waggon from the place of the widow Van Eensburg, driven by the said Pienaar, passed the place of Joosten, and arrived after a few hours' riding at the place of the veldcornet Johannes Hugo at the Schurfde Berg, where the overseer Schultze was arrived with all the waggons at midnight. We here enjoyed the pleasure of receiving, after six months and 23 days, for the first time intelli- gence from our relations and friends from Cape Town, and were also honoured with a letter from Government of the 19th instant, whereby the first subscriber was authorized to leave the waggons and further appurtenances of the expedition to the care of the overseer Schultze, and that your Honor had been pleased to direct that the first undersigned with the secretary Mr. Daniell and the assistant secretary Mr. Borcherds, on the receipt of this letter would proceed as soon as possible, and in the most convenient manner, to Cape Town. After having made some arrangements, and having paid to Van der Merwe for account of Mrs. Van Eensburg, for lodging and hire of a horse waggon 12 rixdollars, we prepared for our return, taking leave of our friends at this place, and being provided with horses and a guide by the said Hugo, we left them in the forenoon, mounted the most horrible road of the Schurfdeberg, which is hardly to be passed by waggons on account of the many rocks and difficulties which obstruct its passage, and arrived in the afternoon at the place of Jochem Schols. Having dined at this place and refreshed the horses, we departed, and reached after a few hours the foot of the Witzenberg. The road to pass the same is of a similar nature to the Schurfde- berg, and not to be passed without the greatest difficulty and danger. Having arrived at its summit, we had a pleasant pros- pect over the houses and lands of the country of Waveren, de- scended the same, and arrived in the evening at tlie house of Jacobus de Wet at Eoodezand, where we met with the Eev. Mr.
432 Records of the Cape Colony.
Kicherer, who delivered a letter from the second subscriber, from which it appeared that the said Mr. Kicherer was authorized by your Excellency to take some of the articles of the cargo of the waggons, as he judged proper, for which he would account to Government. We passed here the night.
Saturday April 24th. — We sent during the afternoon to inquire in the neighbourhood whether a waggon or other conveyance was to be obtained to bring us to Cape Town. Meanwhile a letter was written to the veldcornet of Groeneberg, to inform him that the waggons of the expedition were to arrive tomorrow, or the day after, at his place, and that the same expected to find the necessary relays in readiness, that this information was to be circulated from veldcornet to veldcornet as far as in the Cape district, where the waggons were to pass, in order that the necessary provision might be made. And as at noon no waggon was yet obtained, Mr. De Wet kindly offered to take his covered cart with six horses, to proceed therewith to the Eikeboomen, at the widow Louw's, or to cross the Berg river near Burgersdrift and to go to the place of the widow Eoux, which we accepted, and paid for the hire of the cart and a fee to the coachman and leader together 7 rixdoUars. In the afternoon we went from Eoodezand through the kloof, crossed the Kleine Berg river, and arrived in the evening at the Eikeboomen, where the house was shut and the mistress not at home. We went on, crossing the Groote Berg river near Burgers- drift, touched at the place of Mrs. Eoux, but having the same misfortune of not finding her at home, we rode to the Paarl Slot, at the widow Hoppe's, where we arrived late in the evening, and met with a most friendly reception.
Sunday April 25th. — This kind woman condescended at our request with the greatest politeness to give us her tent waggon with eight horses, without our being able to make her accept any hire for the same, to bring us to the Tygerbergen. We presented the slaves in the house and those belonging to the waggons with five rixdollars, and left in the morning, arriving at noon at the Phaisante kraal, the place of Adriaan Louw, Jacobsz, at the Tygerbergen, from which place notice was given by a letter to the veldcornet Jan Uys of the approach of the waggons. After dinner we left the Phaisante kraal in the waggon of Mr. Louw, and arrived after an hour at the place of Mr. J. J. Vos, Maestricht. According to agreement, we returned the waggon immediately,
Records of the Cape Colony. 433
paying a rixdollar to the coachman. Mr. Vos and his family not being at home, all the horses used to the carriages were taken from the place, but anxious to arrive this evening in town we took from the unbroken horses, and formed a team of six, which were put to the waggon of Mr. Vos, and one Fredrik Mont, a famous coachman, offered to bring us with the same to town. We proceeded very quietly with the same, and without any trouble, until about the distance of an hour from town the horses being frightened turned hastily in an outworn road, and overturned the waggon. Happily no person was hurt, and the waggon being lifted up we proceeded, causing the leader to run before the horses as a measure of prudence. We arrived between 8 and 9 o'clock, and dismissed the leader with a fee of two rixdoUars.
God be praised for his gracious assistance and guidance during this our so distant and dangerous journey through deserts and rivers into an unfrequented country.
Here we might close as travellers, but as directors of the opened trade we ought to expect the return of the waggons, to notice what has happened since we left them behind. And as the books and the balance of the same, kept of the trade, will shew at large the disposal of the articles entrusted to us, it will be suf&cient shortly to remark :
That the six waggons of the expedition on the 6th of May with the remnants of the goods have arrived at Cape Town.
That on their arrival the overseer had reported that the Rev. Mr. Kicherer on the 27th of April last at the Eoodezand had received from the goods, both of those designed for barter and for use, the articles specified in the list he had formed thereof, and which he delivered in the mean time to us.
That these articles of those designed for barter have been charged according to the invoice, and those for use according to the lessened value of the account of Mr. Kicherer to the amount of rixdollars 677^.
That the sheep and goats killed for the use of the expedition in the month of Aprid amounted to 57 sheep and 6 goats.
And that at the undermentioned dates have been accounted for as follows : —
On the oth of May for a sum of rixdollars 4271^ for the consumed provisions, liquors, &c., the lesser value of the waggons and appurtenances, and articles lost and broken from
IV. 2 F
434 Records of the Cape Colony.
the departure from till the return of the expedition in Cape Town.
On the 29th of May for the amount of eight rixdoUars for the invoice of four shirts for the faithful Boetshoeana arrived with us in the capacity of guide and interpreter, Ruiter Makauta.
On the 30th of May for the sum of 182^ rixdollars for seven months hire of a Hottentot, hire for horses for dispatching letters and several expenses paid by the overseer Schultze since the waggons were left behind under his care, as also for the con- sumption of the Hottentots who have watched the cattle, which has amounted in the course of the month to 21 sheep and 2 goats.
1st of June. — The above mentioned six waggons have been delivered by your Honor's order to the Department of the Deputy Quartermaster General.
10th of June. — 150 rixdollars were paid to Willem Wium for account of several inhabitants of Middel Roggeveld for sheep delivered on our departure.
11th of June. — Some of the remainder of the pieces of iron were sold at public auction together with some articles used by the commission and a saddle horse, which after deduction of the expenses rendered 83-,^ rixdollars, which have been duly paid by the venduemaster Mr. Matthiessen on the 19th following.
12th of June. — The value of rixdollars 1207^| on the invoice of the remainder of some articles has been delivered over, agreeable to your Honor's order, to the Secretary of Government. 30th of June. — The following accounts were charged : — Account of Presents with Eds. 49-4, for clothes bought for ready money for the above mentioned interpreter Makauta to the amount of Rdfi. 37-4 and for a musquet given to him Eds. 12.
The cash with 1200 rixdollars for the amount received from the Department of the Deputy Quartermaster General, for which the six waggons have been valued.
At the charge of cattle has been entered the amount of the articles spent in the transaction Eds. 175-4.
The account of expenses has been further charged with rix- dollars 66 ready money paid for hire of horses to Schultze, and the clothes bought for the Bastard Fiool Dikkop in reward of his services in attending the cattle from the Gariep to the Groene
Records of the Cape Colony. 435
Kloof, and to Mr. C. J. Gie for account of Wium for the sheep obtained between Bokkevelds poort and Karoo on our outward journey, and also for the consumption of the Hottentots serving with the cattle of 16 sheep.
The Government is charged with Eds. 1097|| for the cattle delivered for further care to J, Fles on the 20th instant, agreeable to order, consisting in 50 sheep and 212 head of cattle, viz.
154 old oxen. 36 young oxen. 3 bulls, and 19 cows.
And the account of loss with Eds. 321^ for the invoice of 72 head of cattle, consisting in oxen, bulls, cows, and calves, among which are computed the three restored in Eoggeveld and 69 wliich since the 19th of April that the same were left behind in the Karoo on their route to Groene Kloof have died from want of food and water.
On the 5th of August Government was charged to the account of the cattle with Eds. 2950|| for the augmentation of the value to which the oxen have been estimated above the original cost, and the same were for the said reason charged with the same amount to the account of gain.
And lastly on the 31st of August the following accounts occur :
The amount of Eds. 323 for five months hire of six Hottentots from the 1st of May to the last of September, for board, tobacco, wages, &c., and for some trifles to the interpreter Makauta for his return.
The account of loss charged with Eds. 25^ for the gain upon the goods delivered in lieu of money at the Koubahas kraal.
The Government charged with Eds. 7631|| for the amount of all the expenses of the expedition, and
On the other hand credited by balance with Eds. 2309 for the gain, after deduction of the losses sustained, and also the cash for the delivered balance in ready money with Eds. 744-4-3, and the other debtors all charged, to close by balance.
The undersigned thankfully expressing their feelings for the generous manner in which your Honor has been pleased to reward their trouble and labor, and that of the secretaries and overseer oi'
436 Records of the Cape Colony.
the expedition, which by far exceeded their expectation, presume from this omen to believe that their transactions will be favored with your approval, of which they humbly beg to offer your Honor this report. We have &c.
(Signed) P. J. Truter,
W. SOMERVILLE. Cape of Good Hope, Augutt 31«< 1802.
[Original.]
Letter from MESSRS. Benau, Muller, and DiBBETZ to Messrs. Barrow and Maxwell.
Caap Stadt den 8 September 1802.
MiJNE Heeren, — Hoe zeer de verzekering vervat in UE missive van den 31 1. 1. omtrend de benoodigde graanen voor de verwacht wordende Bataafsche Troupes en Oorlog Scheepen alzints redelijk en voldoende is, is het echter noodzaakelijk eene positive bepaaling dien aangaande te maken, ten einde de voorloopige arrangementen zo van aanbesteeding van brood als anderzints te kunnen bewerk- stelligen ; om op het oogenblik van de aankomst der Scheepen deze distributie te doen aanvang neemen.
Ingevolge van dien hebben wij de eer UE : bij deze te verzoeken, om op den 1° October aanstaande, (of zo veel vroeger indien het arrivement van eenig Schip of Scheepen dit noodzaaklijk maakte) aan ons uit het Gouvernements Koom Pakhuis te doen afgeeven 400 mudden Tarwe; zuUende deze quantiteit strekken voor de subsistentie geduurende de eerste twaalf of veerthien dagen der Bataafsche Krijgsmacht, en geene verdere aanvraag voor dezelve gedaan worden dan in derzelver arrivement.
Daar het vertrek van een gedeelte der Engelsche Troupes mimte in de Cazemes zal te weeg brengen zoude het ons bijzonder aangenaam zijn dat de geevacueerde Locaalen in dezelve, als mede die thans tot Magazijnen worden gebruikt, onverweild ter onzer dispositie wierden gesteld, ten einde die tot receptie der Troupes te kunnen doen prepareeren.
De Gouvernements gebouwen geene ressources voor het Loge- ment der Officieren opleverende, zal het misschien nodig zijn dat dezelve geduurende ten minste de eerste agt dagen bij de In- woonders worden ingequaxtifird, kunnende zij zich in dien tusschen
Records of the Cape Colony. 437
tijd voor hmme rekening verdere inwooning bezorgen. Ten dien einde solliciteere wij minzaamst door de regeering dezer plaats de noodige Logements billetten voor het volgend getal officieren te doen vervaardigen, op de wijze als zulks in Europa gebruikelijk is, en deze Billetten aan ons te willen doen ter hand steUen, namelijk voor
9 Colonels of Lieut : Colonels,
4 Majors,
44 Capitains,
98 Lieutenants.
Het verstaat van zich zelve dat voorn : getal Officieren op ten minste | gedeelte getrouwde moet worden gereekend.
Eindelijk, Mijne Heeren, solliciteeren wij nog een Somma van Vijf Duizend Eijxdaalders in de loop van deze week uit de Gouvernements Cas aan ons te doen uitbetaalen.
Met de meeste consideratie hebben wij de eer te zijn &c.,
(Geteekend) A. Muller,
E. De Klekk Dibbetz, J. F. Benaij.
[Original.]
Letter from MESSRS. Benaij, Muller, atid Dibbetz to Messrs. Barrow and Maxwell.
Mijne Heeren, — Wij verzoeken UE bij deze dat aan ons binnen de tijd van agt dagen mag worden ter hand gesteld, een somma van Tien duizend Eijxdaalders, uit zodanige montant van pen- ningen, op welke wij ingevolge UE veel geeerde missive in dato 30 Augustus 1.1, gunstige toezegging hebben gekreegen.
Insgelijks neemen wij de vrijheid UE gedienstig te verzoeken, of hot niet moogelijk is, dat aan ons behalve het vergunde getal van Slaaven, nog wordt geaccordeert een getal van Tien Jongens doordien het grootste gedeelte der slaaven aan ons geleend, tot het in order brengen van de Thuijn en het huis aan het Konde Bosje gebruikt worden. Wij hebben &c.
(Geteekend) A. Muller, J. F. Benaij.
Caap Stad, den 18 September 1802.
438 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original.]
Letter from Messrs. Benaij, Muller, and Dibbetz to Messrs. Barrow and Maxwell.
MlJNE Heeren, — Daar wij bij UE missive van den 10 deezer toesegging hebben ontfangen van op den 1 October aanstaanden uit Gouvememeijts Magazijnen de quantiteit van Vier Hondert Mudden Tarwe te zullen bekomen ; verzoeken wij UE thands ons nader te willen bedeelen, op welke wijze de afievering zal plaats hebben.
Het pakhnis welke wij tot dat einde ingehuurd onder opzicht van de Heer Carel David Wentzel gesteld hebben, is gelegen in de Leeuwen Straat,
UE antwoord te gemoed ziende, hebben wij de eer met de meeste hoogachting te zijn &c.
(Geteekend) A. Muller,
E. De Klerk Dibbetz, J. F. Benaij.
Cabo de Goede Hoop den 25 Sept&mber 1802.
[Copy.] Government Advertisement.
The unfavourable Weather during the month of September having prevented the Farmers of the District of the Cape, of Stellenbosch and Drakenstein, from fully complying with the orders issued in the proclamation of the 27th of August last. His Honor the Lieut. & acting Governor has been pleased to extend the term for the several Farmers completing the remainder of the respective quantities of Corn as determined by the Com- missioners until the end of the present month of October.
At the same time His Honor warns all the said Farmers that such as shall at that period not have compleated the delivery of the Corn stipulated, will immediately have the penalty expressed in the said proclamation enforced upon them.
Castle of Good Hope, 4th October 1802.
(Signed) H. Boss, Deputy Secretary.
Records of the Cape Colony, 439
[Original.]
Letter from Messrs. Benaij, Muller, arid Dibbetz to Messrs. Barrow and Maxwell.
MiJNE Heeren, — Wij hebben de eer UE te commuiiiceeren de ontfangst van uwen brief van den 30 1.1. met het daar bij gean- nexeerde paket met hondert en Tachtig billetten, welk tot huisvesting voor de vervvagt wordende Bataafsche Officieren zijn ingericht: Wij bedanken UE voor de moeite die UE ten dien aanzien hebt geUeven te neemen.
Wij maken van dezen gelegenheid gebrnik UE voor te dragen, dat daar onze uitgaaven daagelijks meerder worden, en wij tot heden maar Vijfthien Duizend Eijxdaalers ontfangen hebben, of men aan ons iagevolge de gunstige dispositie van zijn Excellentie den Heer Gouverneur Dundas op de door onze Committenten verzochte Som van Een hondert duizent guldens hoUandsche valuatie, alhier uit 's Gouvernements kas te kunnen erlangen, geliefden te accordeeren, Dat binnen zekere bepaalde termijn de nog ontbreekende penningen zoude kunnen worden uitgereikt, ten einde wij onze mesures daar na kunnen neemen.
Insgelijks neemen wij de vrijheid te proposeren dat dewijl tegenwoordig veel Graanen in de Stad aan gebracht wordt, en wij gaame de bakker die de leverantie van brood voor de verwacht wordende Bataafsche troepen heeft aangenomen, willen faciliteren, dat aan ons behalven de toegezeide quantiteit van Vier hondert Mudden, nog successivelijk zo veel koorn worde afgestaan, als na aftrek der ordinaire consumptien in voorraad overblijft.
Wij verzoeken UE aantenemen de vemieuwde blijken van hoogachting waarmeede wij de eer habben te zijn &c.
(Geteekend) A. Muller, J. F. Benaij, E. De Klerk Dibbetz.
Caap StAPT den 4 October 1802.
440 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original.]
Letter from Messks. Benaij, Muller, arid Dibbetz to Messrs. Barrow and Maxwell.
MiJNE Heeren! — Ingevolge onze laatst gehouden conferentie hebben wij de eer TIE bij dezen te proponeren.
Dat zodanige goederen, ustensiles gereedschappeu en andere benodighedens meer, welke het Engelsch Gouvernement ten behoeve van het Bataafshe zouden willen cederen, en waarvan de waarde voorlopig is geevalueerd, doch welke wij liefst aan de finaale decisie van de verwacht wordende Commissaris Generaal gedefereerd laten, aan ons, onder behoorlijke repus mogen worden afgegeeven.
Wij betronwen, daar wij tot heden de eqniteit van alle UE handelingen in zo eene groote maate hebben ondervonden, ten opzichte van deeze ovemaame en de kleine differentie die er bij de wederzijdsche taxatien plaats greepen, dat dezelve in de toekomst geen zwaarigheid zuUen ontmoeten. Wij verzoeken &c.
(Geteekend) A. Muller,
E. De Klerk Dibbetz.
Caap Stadt den 5 October 1802.
[Original.]
Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre.
Lancaster, Table Bat, Cape of Good Hope, Uh October 1802.
Sir, — This Letter will contain for the information of their Lordships a detail of the occurrences here since my two letters of the 21st and one of the 25th August.
In one of my Letters of the 21st of August, above alluded to, I set forth the probable number of persons there would be to be carried to England upon the evacuation of the Colony, and also how many of them could be conveyed home in the Ships of the Squadron. Lieutenant General Dundas being extremely desirous
Records of the Cape Colony. 441
of securmg the means of carrying away the remainder, strongly urged to me the necessity of providing Ships for the purpose, if practicable. In my Letter to you abovementioned I stated that there were here three Merchant Ships that might possibly be ■attained, but according to the suspicions I therein expressed, the demands of those who had the disposal of them were of the most exorbitant nature. Two of them, however, were afterwards taken up by the Agent of the East India Company, to carry Troops to India, and at no unreasonable price, because the owners counted upon the advantages which would result to them from their carrying upon Freight a Cargo from India to England. The owners of the third Ship before alluded to, called the Begona, having come to such terms as I deemed fair and reasonable, she was conformably to the rules of the Service in such cases, hired as a Transport and fitted accordingly, under the superintendence of Lieutenant Street of the Lancaster whom I appointed Agent for Transports, it being indispensibly necessary to appoint an Officer for that Service, and the resident Agent having pursuant to orders from the Transport Office returned to England in the Imperieuse. The Transport before mentioned left Simons Bay, where she was taken up, with the Ships of the Squadron on the 30th ultimo in order to remove to Table Bay, but meeting with a strong S E Gale at the entrance of it on the 1st instant, bore up as is usual in such cases, to Anchor in the road of Eoben Island, but unfortunately during the ensuing night got on the rocks and was entirely lost. Lieutenant General Dundas being extremely solicitous another Ship should be hired for the same purpose as the one lost was engaged, and there being one now in this Bay suitable for the occasion, it is my intention to cause her to be taken up, if it can be done on any reasonable terms. Indeed the procuring, if possible, conveyance for the Troops that are to return to England is absolutely indispensible, for were any to be left behind, every means would be underhandedly taken to induce them to Desert and remain in the Colony.
In my other Letter of the 21st August before alluded to, I mentioned an arrangement in contemplation, for removing the Troops posted on the Eastern extremity of the Settlement; but the Dutch Officers declined the proposal. Upon which Lieutenant General Dundas determined to go to the Frontiers himself, in order to see the state of things there, and to adopt the necessary
442 Records of tJie Cape Colony^
measures for withdrawing the Troops, if possible; and I ac- cordingly sent the Rattlesnake to carry him to Algoa Bay. He returned in her on the 1st instant, and in that SMp, and in the Penguin, and in a Ship in the Service of the Colony, he brought away the chief part of the Troops, the remainder stationed in the Country about 150 Miles from Algoa Bay, marched towards the Cape by Land.
All the Ships and Vessels of the Squadron except the Ewphrosyne Armed Brig are now in this Bay. The Officer left with the Command at the Cape in the absence of Lieutenant General Dundas, being extremely desirous of sending to the Lieutenant General a dispatch, and it being deemed impracticable to send a messenger to Algoa Bay by land, owing to the present hostile disposition of the Skellam Hottentots, who have been joined by some Caffres, I sent the Euphrosyne with the Dispatch; She passed the Rattlesnake when the Lieutenant General was on the passage, without seeing her, and the Euphrosyne is not yet returned.
The Dutch Squadron and the Transports, mentioned in my Letter of the 25th of August as having arrived in Simon's Bay a few days preceding, did not leave that Bay in prosecution of their voyage to Batavia until the 21st ultimo. I have much satisfaction in assuring their Lordships the utmost cordiality between them and all the English here subsisted during their stay ; and upon their departure the Commodore wrote me a most flattering Official Letter, to express his acknowledgements for the attention that had been shewn him and his people, and for the assistance he had received.
It being hardly possible the Squadron will again return tO' Simon's Bay, every thing is brought away from thence, and the Hindostan is completely full. Some unserviceable Naval Stores^ and a few other Articles not worth sending home, and for which indeed there is no conveyance, have been sold by public Auction. There remain some Spars which we shall be unable to bring away, and which shall be disposed of in the manner the most advantageous to His Majesty. There are also a quantity of Dutch Anchors found here when the place was taken, and are upon the charge of the Naval Storekeeper. The most of them are old, and none of them suitable for the King's Service, and by no means worth the transporting to England, I am hopeful of being able,
Eecm'ds of tJie Cape Colony. 443
upon tiie arrival of the Dutch Government, to induce them to enter into some suitable arrangement in regard to the Anchors.
I am &c.
(Signed) EOGER CUBTIS.
[Original.]
Letter from Messrs. Benaij, Muller, and Dibbetz to Messrs. Barrow and Maxwell.
Caap Stad den 11 October 1802.
MiJNE Heeren ! — Op den Sen dezer maand hebben wij ont- fangen UE missive van den 6 October, dienende tot antwoord op de onze van den 4en bevorens rakende liet avanceeren der aan ons toegezegde gelden ; benevens het afstaan van eenig over- schot van Kooru, iiidien er eene genoegzaame quantitiet wierd aangevoerd.
Op het eerste gedeelte van UE antwoord hebben wij de eer te rescribeeren, dat wij zeer wel overtuigd zijn van de genegenheid van Zijn Excellentie den Heer Gouverneur Dundas om de wenschen •onzer zenders te gemoed te komen, dat wij ontevreden op ons zelven zouden zijn, wanneer wij immer een oogenblik getwijffeld hadden aan het toen gegeeven woord van Zijn Excellentie, en dat wij ons wel verzekerd houden dat wanneer de staat der Cassa ^ulks toelaat, Zijn Excellentie aan ons niet zal weigeren de door ons verzogte gelden wanneer wij dezelven benodigd zijn te doen avanceeren, ten minsten ter concurrentie van de somma van 100,000 guldens hollandsche courant ingevolge het door den Asiatischen Kaad gedaan verzoek, maar de reden waarom wij in onze missive van den 4 dezer verzogt hebben het bepalen van <}en zekere tijd binnen welke het resterende aan ons zoude mogen worden uitbetaald, is omdat wij onderscheidene engagementen hebben aangegaan, tot vervulling van welken wij het dienstig oordeelden ons zeker te stellen van den tijd op welken wij daar aan zouden kunnen voldoen, en daar wij ons (onder correctie) nog zeer wel rapelleeren dat in eene onzer eerste conferentien UE op u genomeu hebt, zo veel mogelijk uw best te zuUen doen, dat de geheele som binnen den tijd van Ses weeken aan ons zoude worden uitbetaald, zijn wij zoo vrij van te geloven dat dit ons
444 Records of the Cape Colony.
gedaan verzoek juist zoo niet ten eenemaalen kan beschouwd worden huiten de questie te zijn.
In alien gevallen Mijne Heeren! is ons verzoek, gelijk van zelf spreekt, voorwaardelijh geweest, dewijl "wij zeer wel weeten, dat aan ons geene penningen kunnen worden verstrekt, wanneer de Gas van het Gouvemement zulks niet toelaat.
Dewijl dit dan nu niet anders kan, en het in der daad ook weinig onderscheid maakt of wij de toegestaaae som in eens ont- fangen of onze toevlugt tot Zijne Excellentie de Heer Gouverneur kunnen neemen wanneer wij gelden benodigd zijn, (wel te verstaan niet te bovengaande de toegestaane somma) zo willen wij overgaan om het tweede gedeelte van UE missive te beantwoorden.
Het smert ons mijne Heeren! dat ons laatst gedaan verzoek om van het overschot van het aangevoerd wordend& koorn een gedeelte voor de verwagt wordende Bataafsche troepen te mogen hebben, eenige aandoening by UE schijnt verwekt te hebben, Wij herinneren ons zeer wel, dat, in den tijd toen de uitzichtea op eene genoegzame aanvoer van koorn op verre na zoo gunstig niet waren als nu, wij ons vergenoegd hebben met slegts om eene quantiteit van 400 mudden te verzoeken, en dat wij ook zeer zeker, wanneer die uitzigten zoo ongunstig gebleven waxen, ons wel zouden gewagt hebben, van om eene meerdere quantiteit aanvraag te doen, maar mijne Heeren ! daar de omstandigheeden eene zaak veranderen en wij het voor beweezen houden dat er een zeer aanzienlijke quantiteit graanen in deeze stad is opgebragt, en nog verwagt wordt ; hebben wij er althans. geene onbillijkheid gelijk UE het noemt ingezien, dat wij op nieuween zeer betamelijk verzoek deeden, dat aan ons van het overschot van aangevoerd graan eene geevenredigde hoeveelheid wierd afgestaan, daar wij zo veel als iemand overtuigd zijn van de noodzakelijkheid, om de verwagt wordende scheepen onzer Natie voor hunne verdere reis naar de Indische wateren van genoegzaamen voorraad van meel en andere eetwaaren te voorzien. Ons verzoek moge dan in \]^ oogen ongesaissonneerd schijnen, zeker is het dat wij niet kunnen begrijpen dat het onbillijk zij, dat wij eene pooging gedaan hebben om ons bij tijds van zodanig eene geevenredigde hoeveelheid koorn te verzekeren, als de oorlogscheepen onzer Natie bij het vervorderen hunner reis zullen mogen nodig hebben. Ook zoude het ons in onze ziel smerten dat het Engelsch Gouverne- ment vooral Zijne Excellentie den Heer Gouverneur, van wien
Records of the Cape Colony. 445
■wij zoo menigvuldige blijken van heuschheid en openhartigheid ondervonden hebben, eenige de minste reden zoude kunnen hebben van zich over de onMUijkheid onzer aanzocken te beklagen, en door- drongen van deze gevoelens verzoeken wij UE mijne Heeren ! met al den ernst die wij aan het Caracter het welk wij bekleeden verschuldigd zijn, dat GijL: ons gelieft te ontheffen van den blaam als of wij in staat waren een onhillijk aanzoek bij het Engelsch Gouvernement te doen, hoe zeer wij overtuigd zijn dat wij kunnen dwaalen, zijn wij verwaand genoeg te geloven dat niemand gereder kan zijn dan wij om van onze d waling terug te komen wanneer wij er van overtuigd worden.
Even zeer heeft ons gegriefd UE aanmerking " dat wij door het weigeren van de overname eener quantiteit Eijst (800,000 ponden belopende) niet alleen geene genegenheid hebben getoond om het met de oogmerken van het Engelsch Gouvernement eens te zijn, maar dat wij door het inkoopen van andere rijst omdat dezelve .eenige daalders beter hoop konde worden verkregen de lagere classe van Ingezetenen zeer wezentlijk in verlegenheid hebben gebragt omdat wij de eenigste quantiteit Eijst zouden hebben opgekogt die ten gerieve der armen bij de kleine maat mo»t worden uitgekogt"
Wij verklaren echter dat deze Uwe aanmerking ons meer zoude grieven, indien ze niet van zelve onze ontschuldiging met zich bragt, het kan ons immers nimmer ten kwaden geduid worden wanneer wij tot voordeel van ons Gouvernement daar onze eetwaaren inkoopen waar wij ze het beste koop kunnen bekomen, en dit geeft UE zelve op als de reeden van deze onze demarche.
Ofsclioon het tot de questie niet doet, neemen wij echter de vrijheid aan den Heer Barrow ter dezer plaatze te herinneren dat in eene onzer conferentien die Heer zelf zeer goed gekeurd heeft dat wij de quantiteit rijst die de heer Cruijwagen leggen had van dien heer zouden koopen, en in dien zin zelf met ons over de zaak heeft gesproken. Wij willen bier ook niet ongemeld laaten dat wij van de door ons aangekogte quantiteit Eijst die in het geheel 36,000 ponden beloopt, bereids 10,000 ponden aan het escader van den Heer Melissen op aanvraage der drie Bataafsche zee Capiteinen hebben afgestaan ; dat dus de geheele quantiteit Eijst welk wij in ons Magazijn hebben, slegts 26,000 ponden bedraagt, eene quantiteit waarlijk zoo gering dat mij moeite hebben om te gelooven dat wij daar door de geringere Classe der ingezeetenen
446 Records of the Cape Colony.
in dezen tijd in verlegenheid zonden brengen, en welke quantiteit wij volvaardig ten dienste der Ingezeetenen willen afstaan, zo dm wij slegts mogen weeten dat Zijn Excellentie den Heer Goiive?neur Dundas zulks zoude begeeren.
Wij vertrouwen dus dat wij ook van deeze beschnldiging on» ten voUen hebben gedisculpeerd.
Wat aangaat de bronnen van onze informatie dat er eene aanzienlijke quantiteit koom in deze stad word opgebragt, aan de egtheid dier informatien hebben wij gemeend niet te mogen twijffelen en verkeere nog in dat zelfde gevoelen. Dan daar UE ons declareert dat een verondersteld overschot van Tarwe, zelf» als er een was, ons niet kan worden toegestaan, zoude het nuttelooze moeijte zijn aan UE de gronden van deze onze sustenue te ontvouwen.
Eindelijk, mijne Heeren! erkennen wij dankbaar de menig- vuldige blijken van gereedheid en bereidwilligheid die wij van uwen kant in het waarneemen van uwe Commissie zo dikwerf hebben ontwaard, — het zoude ons ter liefde van ons Vaderland smerten indien er na deze onze gedaane explicatie de geringste verdenking bij het Engelsch Gouvernement konde plaats hebben als waren wij in staat om eenig onUllijk aanzoek te doen, of door het inkoopen van eetwaaren der eerste noodzakelijkheid de geringere classe der Ingezeetenen in wezentlijke verlegenheid te brengen. Neen Mijne Heeren ! wij hebben slegts naar onze beste geweeten aan den letter van den vijfden Artikel onzer Instructie willen voldoen, en indien wij niet getreeden zijn in de overnaame der bewuste 800,000 ponden rijst gelieft dan overtuigd te weezen dat wij om gegrondde redenen ons daar toe niet hebben geregtigd geoordeeld.
Na dit alles vermeenen wij van UE te mogen verwagten, dat, indien onze missive van den 4 October eenigen nadeeligen indruk ten onzen opzichte bij Zijn Excellentie den Heer Gouverneur Dundas mogte gegeeven hebben, UE in dat geval na deeze onze gegeevene explicatie wel de goedheid zult willen hebben dezelve uit te wisschen.
Wij verzoeken UE aan te neemen de verschuldigde gevoelens van achting waar mede wij de eer hebben ons te noemen etc.
(Geteekend) A. Muller,
E. De Klerk Dibbetz, J. F. Benaij.
Records of the Cape Colony. 447
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Lord Hobart to Lieutenant General Dundas. Most Secret.
Downing Street, October 17, 1802. Sir, — Circumstances having recently occurred which render it advisable to delay the Eestitution of the Cape of Good Hope to the Batavian Government, I am to signify to you His Majesty's Commands, that you should retain possession thereof until further orders. Tt is however extremely desirable that in the Execution of this Instruction every circumstance should be avoided which may be calculated to excite Jealousy in the Batavian Government, or to create an apprehension of its arising from an Hostile motive. Orders are herewith sent for the Ships which had been directed to convey such of the Troops at the Cape as were intended for India to proceed immediately on their Voyage ; and you will take care to have it understood, that the Commercial Concerns of the Company having rendered this arrangement necessary for their accommodation, other Ships have been substituted, which are actually on their passage to the Cape, upon which the Troops will ombark for India. In the mean time you will consider the orders for the departure of any part of the Forces under your Command super- seded. And in the Event of the arrival of any Troops belonging to the Batavian Government in the Expectation of your immediate Evacuation of the Colony, you will either prevent their disem- barking, or, if you should be induced to suffer them to land, you will so station them, as not to admit of any interference whatever with your authority as Lieutenant Governor of the Colony.
I have &c. (Signed) Hobart.
448 Becords of the Cape Cdony.
[Original,}
Letter from Messrs, Benaij, Muller, and Dibbetz to Messes. Barrow and Maxwell.
Caapstab den 25 October 1802.
Mijne Heeren, — Daar wij om de verwagt wordende troupen en schepen van het Bataafsch Esquader behoorlijk van levens- middelen zo geduiirende hun verblijf alhier als voor hunne verdere reijze naar de Indische Wateren te voorzien^ en wij ten dien einde nog eene aanzienlijke qnantiteit koora zuUen benodigd zijn, en daar er thans eene groote hoeveelheid koom in de maga- zijnen van het Engelsch gouvemement wordt aangebragt, en het zich laat aanzien dat er geene vrees althans voor gebrek aan dit artikel behoeft plaats te hebben, neemen wij de vrijheid UWEd'^"^^ te verzoeken, dat bij het begin der maand November nog zes honderd mudden koorn tot onze dispositie mogen worden gesteld. Ook verzoeken wij UWEd'®"^ de goedLeid te willen hebben van het daar been te dirigeeren, dat aan ons tegen het einde dezer maand nog vijf duijzend Eijxdaalders uit 's Gouveine- ments kas mogen worden afgegeeven. "Wij hebben &c,
(Geteekend) A. Muller, J. F. Benaij, E. De Klerk Dibbetz.
[Original,]
Letter from Messrs. Benaij, Muller, and Dibbetz to Messrs. Barrow and Maxwell.
Cabo de Goede Hoop den 9 November 1802,
Wel Edele Heeren, — Wij neemen de vrijheid UEd. te ver- zoeken, of het niet mogelijk zoude zijn, om nog vier of nog liever ses slaaven meiden, zijnde naaisters, aan ons te kunnen afstaan, ten einde het benoodigde werk te kunnen maaken, dat voor de ligging der verwagt wordende Bataafsche troupes thans word in
Records of the Cape Colony. 449
gereedheid gebragt. UEd. suit ons ten hoogsten verpligten met, so mogelijk, aan dit ons verzoek te voldoen. Terwijl wij voorts de eer hebben met hoogachting te zijn &c.
(Geteekend) A. Muller,
R. De Klerk Dibbbtz, J. F. Benaij.
[Original] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqrk
Lancaster, Table Bat, Cape of Good Hope, 11th November 1802.
Sir, — I avail myself of an opportunity which presents itself for sending to England, that their Lordships may be informed, relative to the Naval concerns here since my Letter of the 8th ultimo.
In my Letter aforesaid, I acquainted their Lordships of the Begona Transport being wrecked on Eoben Island ; but having ordered the Diomede down to the Island, to save as much as possible of the Stores the Begona had on board, I have the satis- faction to inform their Lordships that very little has been lost.
In my Letter abovementioned I also informed their Lordships of my intentions, for the reasons therein set forth, to hire another Ship then in this Bay, which has been done, on what are deemed here very reasonable terms, the particulars of which have been communicated to the Transport Office. This Ship will be ready to sail for England in about Ten days, and there is already embarked in her all the Cannon to be sent home, amounting to between 160 and 170 Tons; and she will take on board besides about 250 persons composed of some Officers and Invalid Soldiers. Nearly the like number of the same description of persons the General has hired a passage for on board a Danish Ship. The Euphrosyne is returned from Algoa Bay. I am &c.
(Signed) Eoger Curtis.
IV. 2 G
460 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Lord Hobaet to Lieutenant General Dundas. Secret.
Downing Stbeet, l&ih Nov. 1802.
Sir, — I have the honor to acquaint you that, notwithstanding the instructions which by the Eling's Commands I communicated to you on the 17th ultimo, it is His Majesty's pleasure, in the Event of the East India Ships originally destined for the convey- ance of the Troops being at the Cape when you receive this Despatch, that you do give directions for their immediate em- Ibarkation, with orders for their departure for India without delay.
Under an impression however of the probability of those Ships having sailed without the Troops, I am to acquaint you that other ' Ships have been substituted for that service, but that I am appre- hensive it will be at least one month before they can leave this ■ Country.
I am also to signify to you His Majesty's pleasure that you do proceed forthwith to the execution of your former Instructions for the complete evacuation of the Cape.
The utmost cordiality subsisting between His Majesty's Govern- ment and that of the Batavian Eepublic, you will observe the most conciliatory conduct in all your proceedings with the officers .belonging to that Eepublic, and you wiU especially exert yourself .to prevent any misunderstanding that may arise in consequence of my Instructions of the 17th ultimo. I have &c.
(Signed) Hobart.
[Original.] Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Lord Hobart.
Cape of Good Hope, Nwemher 21th 1802.
My Lord, — Not having the receipt of any letter to acknowledge from Your Lordship since the date of my last of the 22nd August, wherein I had the honor to mention my having received the several official communications with which you had favored me previous
Records of the Cape CoUmy. 451
to that date, I have nothing more to trouble Your Lordship with at present than to convey to you an account of such of the Troops under my command as have already proceeded to India in pursu- ance of His Eoyal Highness's and Your Lordship's orders upon that head.
The whole number of His Majesty's Troops who have already sailed to India amount to Two Thousand four hundred and four including Officers, the number still remaining for embarkation being Fourteen Hundred & Seventeen, having to add for Your Lordship's information that Vice Admiral Sir Eoger Curtis and myself being strongly impressed with the propriety of availing ourselves of such quantity of shipping as could be procured here for the conveyance of the Regiments to their respective places of destination in India, the East India Company's Agent Mr. Pringle was directed to engage upon the most moderate and reasonable terms the ships stated in the Margin, which several Vessels have already proceeded with Detachments Milford 309 as specified in the enclosed Eeturn to
XT ""'r. J o=, Bengal and Madras, as also have the
Henry Dundas i5\ en.- • j • i. -r<
American Ship Manhattan 350 Ships mentioned in the Extract from ' American Ship Prendent 200 the Report of the Committee of Ship- ping belonging to the Hon'ble East India Company as destined for the conveyance of this Garrison to India which Your Lordship transmitted to me in your letter of the 2nd June ; the Devagnes the last ship ordered upon this service being now in Table Bay and will prosecute her Voyage to Madras in a few days with a Detachment of the 34th Regiment on board under orders for India.
I shall now only upon this occasion add that I feel a consider- able degree of solicitude with respect to the timely arrival of such additional Ships as may be intended for carrying the remainder of the Regiments ordered from this place to Madras and Bengal, it appearing to me that it would be highly inexpedient for the Squadron of His Majesty's Ships together with the Troops ordered home to depart and finally evacuate the Colony before the com- plete embarkation of the Corps for India ; since I cannot help thinking it might prove in some degree disagreeable to me and no less embarrassing to His Majesty's Service should it become necessary for any part of the English Garrison to remain here after the restitution of this Settlement to the Batavian Republic,
2 G 2
452 Records of the Cape Colony.
as however liberal and well disposed the representatives of the Batavian Government may prove to be, yet it is obvious that many discussions would arise between the English and Dutch Inhabi- tants, and many difficulties and disputes originate therefrom which neither the power nor authority of a new Government perhaps at the outset unacquainted with the nature of the Inhabitants and the local circumstances of the Settlement, therefore in all prob- ability unable to obviate or repress. I have &c.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Origipal.] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Sir Evan Nepean.
Lancaster, Table Bat, Cape of (Jood Hope, 27th November 1802.
Sir, — In my Letter of the 11th instant I notified to you for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that a Ship had been taken up here as a Transport for carrying to England between 160 and 170 Tons of Cannon, and about 250 persons composed of Officers and Invalid Soldiers. Those persons and the Cannon being embarked, this Ship, which is named the Young Nicholas, is now to Sail, and Lieutenant Street the Agent for Transports, who has the charge of her, is directed to proceed to Spithead, Lieutenant General Dundas the Commander in Chief of the Troops here, deemed it probable the Invalids would be to be landed on the Isle of Wight or at Portsmouth. I have apprized the Board of Ordnance of the above Cannon being sent home, and have directed him to inform them of his arrival, that suitable communication may be had between the respective Offices con- cerned, for determination to be made where the said Ordnance shall be landed.
The Rattlesnake is at present in Saldanha Bay, to which place I sent her at the request of the General, to carry thither some Officers of Engineers, for the purpose of making some professional observations. I am &c.
(Signed) Eoger Curtis.
'Records of the Cape Colony.
453
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Lt. Col. Vandeleur. /Major Parr, 22nd\ I Eegt. / Colonel Vandeleur. Capt. McNeight. Major Kelso. Lt. Col. Mercer. Capt. Menzies. Capt. Lindsay. Major Parr. Col. Dickens. Capt. Johnson. LtCoLMaddison. |
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13th Sept. 1802 2nd Nov. „ 3rd Nov. „ 11th Sept. „ 14th Sept. „ 10th Oct. „ 17th Oct. „ 22nd Oct. „ 2nd Nov. „ 5th Nov. „ 9th Nov. „ 11th Sept. „ |
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r8th Light Dra-"» \ goons. / Do. Do. 22nd Foot. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. 34th Foot. Do. 65th Foot. |
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Milford . . . LordEUon. . Minei-va Sir Wm. Benslev |
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454 Eecords of the Cape Colony.
[Original.]
Letter from Messes. Benaij, Muller, and Dibbetz to Messes. Baerow and Maxwell.
Wel Edele Heeren, — Het Bataafsch Fregat De Vrede Com- mandant J. H. Dibbetz, is gisteren van Eochelle op deze Eheede gearriveerd, en heeft 170 zieken aan boord.
Het Hospitaal voor de zieken der Bataafsche troepen geschikt ia nog niet zoo verre in gereedheid, dat wij er op dit oogenblik zulk een groot aantal behoorlijk in kunnen bergen.
In dezen pressanten nood neemen wij de vrijheid tFEdlen te verzoeken, dat aan ons worde vergund om niterlijk op morgen deze zieken in het gebouw in de zeelinie te mogen laten brengen, en dat wij daartoe op morgen in tijds de nodige preparatoire schikkingen zuUen mogen maken.
UWel Ed. zult hierdoor ten zeersten verpligten een aantal noodlijdenden die thans om hulp smagten, en voor wien wij op dit oogenblik geen anderen raad weeten. Wij zijn, &c.
De Commissarissen van de Asiatischen Eaad.
(Geteekend) E. De Klerk Dibbetz, A. Muller, J. F. Benaij.
Caapstad den 29 Novmber 1802.
[Original,]
Letter from MESSRS. Benaij, Muller, and Dibbetz to Messes. Baerow and Maxwell.
Cabo de Goede Hoop den 2 December 1802.
Mijne Heeren, — Uit UEd. geeerde missive van den 30 1.1. hebben wij ontwaard de intentie van zijn Excellentie de Heer Gouverneur Dundas, namentlijk dat de 1000 mudden Tarwe welke wij uit 's Gouvernements graan Magazijnen hebben ontfangen, door ons in contant geld aan de Heer Fleck als Gassier van de koorn Commissie zoude behooren ter hand gesteld worden, of dat UE. anderzints het bedraagen derzelver wilde rabateeren van de
Records of the Caipe, CoUmf, 455
gelden welke wij ingevolge gemaakte overeenkomst nog van s' Gouvemements Tresorie te wachten hebben.
Wij betuigen dat deese aanschrijven ons geheel buiten ver- wachting is voorgekoomen, aangesien wij ons hebben laaten voorstaan dat het bedraagen van gedachte 1000 mudden Tarwe, op de generaale reekening gesteld zoude worden dien tusschen de beide Gouvernementen ter wederzijdsche liquidatie notoir zal moeten plaats vinden.
Wij verzoeken dierhalven, dat zulks op die generaale reekening moge gebracht worden, en aan ons het restant der toegezegde penningen, hoe eer zo beter mogen geworden.
Want de buitengewoone uitgaven waartoe wij verplicht zijn, door de calamiteuse toestand der gebouwen, het inhuuren van magazijnen, & & te moeten condescendeeren, doet ons merkelijk meer debourseeren dan wij in den beginne gecalculeerd hadden.
Wat belangt UE. aanbod in dienzelfde missive vervat om in geval er eenig surplus van Tarwe mogte overschieten, als dan die aan ons te willen afstaan, moeten wij verklaaren, dat bijaldien dat geschied, sans discompto van de hier boven gebuteerde reekening, wij onder die restrictie geneegen zijn daar in te bewiUigen. Wij zijn &c.
(Geteekend) J. F. Benau,
A. MULLER,
E. De Klekk Dibbetz.
[Original.] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Sir Evan Nepean.
Lancaeter, Table Bat, Cape of Good Hope, 3rd December 1802.
Sir, — The Danish Ship Admiral Chapman having on board Invalid Soldiers from this place for England being to Sail, I acquaint you for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that on the 30th of the last Month a Dutch Transport Ship from Eochelle boimd to Batavia with Troops, arrived here very sickly.
The Rattlesnake is returned from Saldanha Bay.
This day the Intrepid, Leopard, Virginie and Chiffone arrived
466 Records of the Cape Colony.
here from Trincomale, in their way to England. The Intrepid has more than One hundred of her Crew ill of the Scurvy, and many of them in a very advanced state of the disease. The other Ships have also Scorbutic Patients, but much less in number than the Intrepid. I have ordered them Fruit and Vegetables, and Fresh Meat, and shall use every endeavour to put them in a condition to prosecute their Voyage as soon as may be. I am &c.
(Signed) EoGEB CuKTia
[Original.]
The Commissioners of the Batavian R&puhlic in account with the British Government ai the Cape of Good Hope.
|
Dr. to Cash advanced them . |
. Eds. 42,300 |
0 |
0 |
|
1000 muids of Wheat. |
4,300 |
0 |
0 |
|
Hospital Stores. |
10,293 |
7 |
0 |
|
Barrack Stores . |
3,428 |
5 |
24 |
|
Wood at Plettenberg's Bay |
4,133 |
3 |
0 |
|
Barrack Utensils |
3,683 |
1 |
3i |
|
Furniture Government House 1,220 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Engineer Stores |
2,347 |
4 |
4 |
|
Hospital Stores Sealines |
976 |
3 |
li |
|
Medical Stores . |
10,734 |
0 |
0 |
|
Barrack Furniture |
879 |
0 |
0 |
|
Eds. 84,296 |
0 |
5i |
|
|
Cr. By Cash received for Wheat |
4,300 |
0 |
0 |
|
Balance . |
79,996 |
0 |
5i |
|
Agreed to as above by the undersigned Commissioners |
of both |
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Parties. |
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(Signed) |
John Baekow, |
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AcHESON Maxwell, |
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A. MULLER, |
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E. De Klerk Dibbetz, |
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J. F. Benalj. |
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lthDeemberl9X!fL |
Records of the Cape Colony.
457
[Copy.] Government Advertisement.
His Honor the Lieutenant & Acting Governor having given directions for closing the accounts of the Corn Committee on the Slst of December ensuing, and it having been ordered by pro- clamation of the 26th August last, that the whole of the Wheat or other bread Corn in the possession of the several Farmers should be brought up to Cape Town and deUvered at the Government Grain Magazines in the course of the month of September, which term was afterwards prolonged to the end of October, Notice is hereby given that, on the presumption that all Farmers and others have paid due attention to the above mentioned orders, no bread Corn whatsoever can be received into the Government Grain Magazines, nor permitted to pass the Barrier, after the 12th of the present Month of December, until further orders.
Castle of Good Hope, 8th December 1802.
By Command of His Honor the Lieutenant & Acting Governor. (Signed) H. Eoss, Deputy Secretary.
[Original.]
Return of the Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, Slst and 91st Regiments under Orders of Emlarkation for Europe, 9th December 1802.
|
Corps. |
13 |
S |
1 3 |
1 |
J |
i |
1 |
6- |
1 |
i |
E |
<0 1 1 |
1 |
.1 |
TotaL |
|
|
Royal Artillery. Royal Engineers, Slst Regiment. 9l8t Regiment. |
2 1 1 |
1 2 |
2 2 5 |
3 2 12 12 |
4 1 |
1 |
1 |
1 1 |
1 1 1 |
1 2 |
10 53 45 |
7 22 22 |
179 230 402 |
17 31 24 |
39 33 31 |
260 4 396 550 |
|
Total |
4 |
3 |
14 |
29 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
108 |
51 |
811 |
72 |
103 |
1210 |
N.B. — 5 Officers Wives and 4 Children of the Royal Artillery and 4 Officers Wives and 5 Children of the Slst Regiment not included in the above.
(Signed) P. Abercromby,
Major of Brigade to the Forces.
458 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original.] Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Lord Hobart.
Cape of Gow Hope, Deeeaber 9th 1802.
My Lord, — Since the date of my last letter to Yonr Lordship of
the 27th November I am to acquaint you that a squadron of His
Intrepid. Majesty's Ships as per Margin have arrived in
Leopard. Table Bay in order to obtain the necessary re-
Virginie. freshments to enable them to prosecute their voyage
ijfonne. ^^^^ India to Europe.
The Vice Admiral Sir Eoger Curtis and myself having taken into our consideration this very favorable opportunity for con- veying home a portion of those Troops which by the instructions from His Eoyal Highness the Commander in Chief I am ordered to hold in readiness to embark for England, it has been determined upon to send on board five Companies of the 91st Regiment which are to be distributed in the four Men of War before mentioned, being persuaded that as the further service of those Troops cannot now become necessary here, previous to the restitution of the Settle- ment, the Vice Admiral and myseK (by adopting this measure) have furthered to the best of our judgment His Majesty's Service, being confident therefore that the step thus taken for expediting the embarkation of the Troops ordered for England will meet with Your Lordship's entire approbation accordingly.
I have the honor to transmit for Your Lordship's information the Eeturns herewith enclosed, being Embarkation Eeturns of the several Detachments of His Majesty's Troops which have already proceeded to India, as also a Eeturn of the Invalids or unservice- able men who have been forwarded to Europe. Your Lordship will perceive as stated in the Eeturn A 2 that about Sixteen Hundred Persons are still here for the conveyance of whom to India Shipping must be provided ; beiag in daily expectation of receiving the timely information which Your Lordship has promised me in your Dispatch of the 19th May respecting the mode to be adopted for conveying the remainder of the Troops under my command to India and to England.
The return A 4 contains the whole of the Military Establishment which remains to be embarked to return home including the five Companies beforementioned of the 91st Eegiment which will be embarked in a few days for England on board the Squadron of
Records of the Cape Colony.
459
His Majesty's Ships from India as already mentioned. These five Companies consist of about Two Hundred Men exclusive of Officers; leaving consequently to the number of about One Thousand, Persons to be removed at the final evacuation of this Settlement, all of whom I have reason to hope will be now accommodated on board the Squadron of His Majesty's Ships of War belonging to this Station, as will also the Gentlemen of the Civil Departments of Government, who must necessarily accom- pany the Troops ; Vice Admiral Sir Eoger Curtis, with that zeal and exertion which upon all occasions I am happy to acknowledge has in a very essential manner aided my endeavours in carrying on His Majesty's Service in tins Settlement, having made every arrangement for that purpose. I have &c.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Original]
Embarkation Return of the Invalids embarked on Board the Young Nicholas and Admiral Chapman at the Cape of Good Hope for England, 9th December 1802.
|
1 |
s |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Total. |
|
|
Young Nicholas |
1 2 |
1 |
1 |
193 194 |
20 15 |
15 15 |
?,?9 |
|
|
Admiral Chapman |
1 |
229 |
||||||
|
Total |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
387 |
35 |
30 |
458 |
N.B.—Z Rank and file of the Slst Regiment, 1 Woman, and 1 Child board the Admiral Chapman not included in the above.
(Signed) P. Abercromby,
Major of Brigade to the Forces.
460
Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original.]
Return of the Detachments of the Sth Light Dragoons, S'ith and 65th Regiments at the Cape of Good Hope under orders for India, 9th December 1802.
Begiments.
Sth Light Dragoons 34th Regiment 65th Regiment
Total
I ■
1
lii
6519
119 499 761
1379
147 578
1613
N.£ —1 Officers Wife of the 34th Regiment, s
3 do. and 2 Children of the 65th ^ ^^ . ^^^ ^^^^^
1 do. and 1 Child of the Sth Light!
Dragoons. ^
(Signed) P. Aberceomby,
Major of Brigade to the Forces.
Embarhation Return of the Troops gone to India from the Cape of Good Hope on Board the Ship Deveynes, 9th December 1802.
|
Sblp'8 Name. |
Corps. |
When Embarked. |
Officer Commanding. |
1 |
1 1 |
a 1 |
s. 5 1 |
1 |
3 |
Total. |
||
|
Deveynes, |
34th Foot. |
3rd Dec. 1802. |
Lt. Col. Dodsworth. |
1 |
2 |
1 |
8 |
1 |
189 |
6 |
6 |
214 |
Mrs. Dodsworth and Servant on Board the Deveynes.
(Signed) P. Abercromby,
Major of Brigade to the Forces.
Records of the Gape Colony. 461
[Original.] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Sir Evan Nepean.
Lancaster, Tablk Bay, Cape of Good Hope, \2(h December 1802.
Sir, — You will be pleased to inform the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that the Victorious and Euridice from India came into this Bay during the last night : The Orpheus and Sybille which accompanied them are not yet got to an Anchor. The enclosed are the Defects of the Victorious which occasioned the Ships to put in : They shall be made good with all possible dispatch, and the Ships proceed on their Voyage.
By the Master of a Ship just arrived from England we have been informed that he passed the Dutch Admiral and other Ships bound to the Cape in Lat. 9° 8' K, Long. 19° 46' West, on the 27th of October. I am &c.
(Signed) Eoger Curtis.
[Original.] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Sir Evan Nepean.
Lancaster, Table Bat, Cape of Good Hope, 12th December 1802.
Sir, — The Ships of His Majesty which stopped here in their way from India as mentioned in my Letter of the 3rd instant having been Watered with the utmost expedition by the Ships of my Squadron, their Crews supplied with Fresh Meat, and liberally with Fruit and Vegetables, and some Caulking done to the Leopard and Chiffone, will be ready this day to proceed on their Voyage.
In my Letter of the 81st August last, when adverting to the Number of Persons to be carried to England from hence, I stated that I should consider it as a fortunate circumstance if it should so happen that any of His Majesty's Ships returning from India might touch here in their way home before our departure, that I might avail myself of them, to carry home a portion of the Troops.
462 Records of the Cape Colony.
I have therefore put on board the Ships from India now to depart suitably appointed to them, of Officers, Soldiers, and their Wives and Children, to the number of about 240 Persons, which measure I trust their Lordships will approve. I am &c.
(Signed) Roger Curtis.
[Original.] Letter from Sir George Yonge to Lord Hobart.
Hampton Court, Beer. 16, 1802.
My Lord, — I am honord with your answer to my last Letter, and however unwilling to trouble you again, as I do not mean to question your Decision yett I do wish to Vindicate to you and to Government the Propriety of the Eequest I have made. Because I desire It may not be said, that, according to my Ideas of the Subject I had not a Fair Claim to what was Demanded, and having done this I will dismiss the Subject entirely.
In the first Place then my Lord I can shew that my Claim to Salary from the time of my Eesignation till my Departure is not without Precedent, more especially as I was still imder orders and, as I Conceive on Service and the Length of Time I remained, was not by my own Choice, or for my own Convenience, but directly the Contrary. For I was detained unavoidably and I think Improperly by being refused a Conveyance even to the Island of St. Helena, tho' my orders required my Departure. For an Expence so incurr'd, I conceive It was for the Credit of Govern- ment to reimburse me, even if there were no exact Precedent for It and I confess, so far from being guilty of any Sort of Impropriety in Demanding this I should have thought Govern- ment would have even by Its attention, have prevented the necessity of any such application. It was the very great suddenness of my Recall. It is therefore to Government I owe the Difficulties which have Compelled this application for had I been permitted any time to prepare, or had I been permitted to remain till this Moment this application would never have been made.
In the next Place, my Lord, I am now compelled to say in
Records of the Cape Colony. 463
my own Vindication I never had allowance made for my Equip- ment as Governor, so that this Expense falling on me and having had no Eesource but my bare Salary while Governor, I could rely, for my Eeimbursement on nothing but an oeconomical arrange- ment which till then I carried into execution but the suddenness of that Eesource deprived me at once of the means of Discharging what had been thus Incurred, on account of my Situation.
It is from Government therefore that the occasion of this application arises, and I confess I did not think It possible that Government either could or would suffer me to be at least, out of Pocket, by the measure they thought fitt to adopt, without notice and without giving the means of Preparation, and leave me to abide by the Loss. But since It is so, since what your Lordship has thought fitt to recommend appears to you, even on Ee vision of the Subject, to be sufficient, I must submitt, and I assure you I shall Decline all further discussion of the Subject, satisfied with having at least Vindicated the application from any Idea of Impropriety, If indeed it stood in need of any Vindication at all. I have &c.
(Signed) Geo. Yonge.
[Copy.]
Letter from CoMMissAEY General De Mist to Lieutenant General Dundas.
A BOBD DU VaISSEAU DE LiGNE
Bato, ee 23 December 1802.
Monsieur ! — J'ai I'honneur d'informer Votre Excellence que le Vaisseau de Guerre Bato, Commandant Capitaine J. Claris, a jette I'ancre dans la Baie ; je m'empresse de prier Votre Excellence de me marquer le lieu et I'heure a sa convenance, pour Lui presenter mes respects Lui montrer- les pleins pouvoirs de mon Gouverne- ment et concerter avec Elle les arrangemens necessaires pour executor I'object de ma mission.
Je prie Votre Excellence d'agreer &c.
(Signe) J. A. de Mist, Commissaire General du Gouvemement Batave.
464 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.]
Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Commissary General De Mist.
GovEBNMENT HousE, 25 December 1802.
Sir, — It being expedient that the conversation which I had the honor to hold with Your Excellency this morning in presence of His Excellency Governor Janssens with respect to the period to be fixed on for the restitution of this Settlement to the Batavian Republic agreeable to the 3rd Article of the Definitive Treaty of Peace happily concluded between our two Governments I have to propose to you and to state as follows :
1st, That the Troops of the Batavian Government will be put in possession of the Castle and other Military Works on the 1st January 1803 for which purpose the Troops of His Britannick Majesty will be withdrawn on the Evening of the 31st Instant.
2ndly. As it will be impossible to compleat the arrangements requisite for the Embarkation of such of His Britannick Majesty's Troops as are encamped at Wynberg or at the Out Posts by the 1st of the ensuing month, those Troops will remain encamped at Wynberg until their embarkation on board the Ships destined for their Conveyance to India or to Europe.
3rdly. As the Troops at present in the Castle belonging to His Britannick Majesty wiU necessarily continue to furnish all the Guards until the Colony is formally restored, it is proposed that the Troops of the Batavian Eepublic should relieve the Guards in Cape Town, the Castle, and the Works at Sunset on the Evening of the 31st Instant, at which time the Flag of His Britannick Majesty will be struck in order that the Flag of the Batavian Eepublic may be hoisted at daybreak on the ensuing morning.
4thly. It will of course be understood that His Britannick Majesty's Troops will continue to be supplied with provisions as well as every other article requisite for their comfort or accom- modation in the usual manner and at the customary rates until they are finally withdrawn from the Colony; the Officers and Soldiers and other persons, as also the Civil Servants of His Majesty's Government attached to the British Army remaining under my orders and directions and subject only to the British authority and jurisdiction.
Heeords of the Cape Colony. 465
Sthly. The Salaries to Individuals and other payments due from His Britannick Majesty on account of the Colonial Government to be discharged to the 31st Instant inclusive by the Receiver General by my order, after which period the Receipts of the Revenues as well as all other Civil and Military arrangements to be under Your Excellency's authority and direction as the Representative of the Batavian Government. I have &c.
(Signed) Feancis Dundas.
[A letter from Commissary General De Mist in reply is merely a translation of the above into French, preceded by " j'accepte," and followed by the paragraph quoted (in English) in General Dundas's answer of the 27th December.]
[Copy.]
Letter from LIEUTENANT General Dundas to Commissary General De Mist.
GovKBNMENT HousE, 25 December 1802. Sir, — Having taken into consideration Your Excellency's pro- posal as communicated to me yesterday that certain conditions or stipulations should be agreed upon on the part of the Batavian Republic and His Majesty's Government with a view to the prevention of Desertion while the Troops of the two nations continue together at the Cape, I have the honor to signify to you my entire acquiescence upon this subject, and am further to ac- quaint your Excellency that Mr. Hercules Ross Deputy Secretary has been appointed on my part to adjust and arrange the several particulars of the proposed measure and who will meet such person as you shall be pleased to appoint at such time and place as may be found convenient. I have &c.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
IV. 2 H
466 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.]
Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Commissary General De Mist.
GoYBRKMEMT HouBB, December 27th 1802.
Sir, — I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter of the 25th instant, signifying to me your assent to the propositions I had the honor to make with regard to the formal restitution of this Settlement to take place on the 1st January 1803.
In answer to the paragraph in your Excellency's letter wherein you have proposed to me " that I should appoint some confidential person authorized on my part to arrange with such as shall be appointed by your Excellency the several details as well as to make out Inventories of the Articles to be transferred to the Batavian Government in consequence of the Definitive Treaty of Peace," I have the honor to acquaint you of my having nominated for this purpose John Barrow Esqre. His Majesty's Auditor of Accompts in this Settlement, who is instructed to meet the person or persons your Excellency shall be pleased to name accordingly.
I have &c. (Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Original.] Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Lord Hobart.
Capb ov Good Hope, December 21th 1802. My Lord, — I am to inform Your Lordship of the arrival here of Vidoriom. another Squadron of His Majesty's Ships from India
' Orpheus. as stated in the Margin since my last to Your Lordship Euridice. of the 9th Instant, and am further to acquaint you that ^ the East India Ships destined to convey the remainder
of the Troops from this Garrison to Madras and Bengal anchored
in Table Bay on the 20th and 22nd Instant.
I am also to communicate for Your Lordship's information the
arrival of Eear Admiral Dekker on the 19th Instant with a
Records of the Cape Colony. 467
Squadron of Batavian Men of War having on board the Troops to take possession of this Settlement, the Bato Dutch Ship of War with Commissary General de Mist and Governor Janssens having also arrived on the 23rd Instant.
Being already in possession of His Majesty's Warrant trans- mitted by Your Lordship for the restitution of this Settlement to the Batavian Eepublic (the receipt of which has been already acknowledged), I took the earliest opportunity of conveying to Commissary General De Mist Your Lordship's instructions upon that head ; and having on this day subsequent to the arrival of the Eepreseutatives of the Batavian Government had the honor of a conference, it was then agreed upon that the Colony should be formally restored on the 1st January 1803 ; doing myself the honor of enclosing herewith for Your Lordship's perusal and information Copies of such letters as have passed between the Batavian Commissary and myself with a view to the preparatory arrangements for carrying into effect thte orders of our respective Governments.
Although some particulars will still remain to be considered and adjusted between the Eepreseutatives of the Batavian Government and myself before His Majesty's Troops are finally withdrawn from the Colony, yet from the candid and liberal disposition which has been manifested hitherto, not only by Commissary General De Mist and Governor Janssens, but by the whole of the Civil and Military Officers who have accompanied them from Holland, I entertain no doubt of my not being able amicably to arrange the different points of discussion, without any difficulty or dispute; however should any obstacles or difficulties occur it is by no means my intention to take upon myself finally to decide with regard to them, it appearing to me more expedient for the good of His Majesty's service, as also more becoming in me to refer any question which may possibly arise to you for His Majesty's judgment and determination.
The remains of the 81st Eegiment consisting of about 200 men only (the greater part having volunteered into the Eegiments under orders for India) have embarked this morning on board the Squadron of His Majesty's Ships from India and by which oppor- tunity this letter to Your Lordship will be conveyed. The East India Ships Henry Addington and Ocean will be in readiness to receive on the 29th Instant about a thousand men from tlie 34th
2 n 2
468 Records of the Cape Colony,
and 65th Eegiments destined for Madras, and will be followed in the course of a few days by the Castle Eden and Lord Duncan with the remainder of the 65th Eegiment for Madras and a Detachment of the 8th Light Dragoons for Bengal, which will complete the embarkations of His Majesty's Troops from this place for India.
I took occasion in my last to acknowledge the active exertions and cordial co-operation I had then experienced from Vice Admiral Sir Eoger Curtis in carrying on the public service ; these exertions are still continued, and throughout the service in which we have been together engaged have been (I am bound to say) unremitting.
The arrangements for carrying home pursuant to Your Lord- ship's commands the remainder of the Troops, the Civil Servants of Government and others of His Majesty's Subjects attached to the Army or desirous of quitting the Settlement, the Vice Admiral has nearly compleated ; having reason to think that the final and complete evacuation by His Majesty's Forces will take place on or before the 12th January next.
Such further particulars respecting this Colony as my duty will require me to communicate to Your Lordship I shall postpone for the present ; it being my intention after the embarkation to do myself the honor of making a final report to Your Lordship relative to the administration of such of the affairs of this Settle- ment as shall appear necessary to be laid before Your Lordship for His Majesty's information. I have &c.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Original.] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Sir Evan Nepean.
Lancaster, Table Bay, Cape of Good Hope, 21th December 1802.
Sir, — The occurrences here to be communicated to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty since my Letter of the 12th instant are as foUow :
The Batavian Eear Admiral Dekker in the Ship Pluto, thp
Records of the Cape Colony. 469
Kbrtenaar, and a Frigate, and some Transports, all having Troops in them, arrived on the 19th instant; and the Ship Bato, having on board the Commissary General De Mist, Mr. Janssens the Commander in Chief and Governour of this Country, with a variety of Civil Officers arrived on the 23rd.
It is agreed between the Batavian Commissary General de Mist, Mr. Janssens, and General Dundas, that the Batavian Flag shall be hoisted on the Castle of Good Hope on the first day of the ensuing Year : And on this subject I have nothing further to add, than that between the Batavian and British, of every description, the utmost harmony prevails.
The Ships belonging to the East India Company, ordered here to carry to India the remainder of the Troops destined to that Country, are also arrived, and will proceed on their Voyage the moment their Water is compleated.
Having from various persons coming from England been in- formed, that owing to the great number of small Vessels sold there from His Majesty's Service, and other causes, Vessels of such description were disposed of at very low prices, and having reason to believe that the Euphrosyne Armed Brig of about 120 Tons burthen, belonging to my Squadron, would at this time sell well in this Country, I caused her to be sold at Public Auction, and she produced the nett sum of £977 12/ Sterling, and I hope their Lordships will approve of my having so disposed of this Vessel.
In my Letter of the 24th April last I intimated to their Lord- ships that, were I not instructed to do otherwise, I had it in contemplation to send to New South Wales the Salted Provisions in Store here; and having also communicated the same to the Commissioners of the Victualling, and they having signified to me their approbation of the measure, and the Ship Bridgewater bound to Sidney Cove having put into this Bay, I entered into, an agreement respecting the Freightage with her Commander, and have put on board that Ship about Two Thousand Six Hun- dred Casks of the said Salted Provisions. There is however still remaining about Fifteen Hundred Casks, which I have no means of sending away, and for which there are no purchasers at this place.
The defects of the Victorioiis, the account of which was sent to you with my Letter of the 12th instant,, have been made eood.
470 Records of the Cape Colony.
and that Ship, with the others that arrived here with her from India, wUl sail to-morrow. The 81st Eegiment ordered to return to England has, in suitable proportions, been put on board these Ships, which measure I hope will meet their Lordships ap- probation.
The remainder of the Troops, Civilians &c. to be conveyed to England will be embarked on board the Ships of my Squadron ; and I am in great hope we shaU be able to leave this Country in about a Fortnight, I am &c.
(Signed) Eoger Curtis.
[Copy.] Proclamation hy Lieutenant General Francis Dundas.*
Whereas by the 3rd Article of the Treaty of peace concluded at Amiens on the 27th March 1802 this Settlement is agreed to be restored to the Batavian EepubHc, which restoration will take place on Saturday next the 1st of January 1803. This is to signify to all the Inhabitants of this Colony of every descrip- tion, and to all others (not subjects of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland) who have taken the Oath of allegiance to His Britannic Majesty, that they are absolved from the said Oath from the above mentioned 1st of January 1803.
Given under my Hand and Seal at the Castle of Good Hope, this 30th day of December 1802.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
• This proclamation was withdrawn just as it was being published on the 31»t.
Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.]
List of Ships' Arrivals.
471
|
Name of Ship. |
Where from. |
Natloiudlty. |
|
Portland |
Isle of France |
American. |
|
Bonetta |
Boston |
Do. |
|
Hancock |
Bencoolen |
Do. |
|
Joseph |
Muscat |
Do. |
|
Pegasus |
St. Helena |
English. |
|
Calypso |
Mozambique |
Portuguese. |
|
Chance |
South America |
English. |
|
Joachim |
Mozambique |
Portuguese. Danish. |
|
Charlotte |
Mauritius |
|
|
Equator |
Portsmouth |
American. |
|
Johanna |
Batavia |
Prussian.l |
|
Visurgis |
Bremen |
Do. |
|
Fanny |
Portsmouth, N.H. |
American. |
|
Britannia |
Bengal |
English. |
|
Walker |
Coast of Chili |
Do. |
|
Herald |
Boston |
American. |
|
Active |
Salem |
Do. |
|
London |
Portsmouth |
Enghsh. |
|
Three Sisters |
Copenhagen |
Danish. |
|
Echo |
Texel |
Dutch. |
|
Britannia |
South America |
English. |
|
Neptune |
Batavia |
American. |
|
Pio Mingo |
Georgia |
Do. |
|
Sea Nymph |
Mozambique |
Portuguese. |
|
Eliza |
Sumatra |
American. |
|
Holstein |
Elsineur |
Danish. |
|
Harry and Jane |
Portland |
American. |
|
Albion |
Portsmouth |
English. |
|
William |
Helvoetsluys |
Dutch. |
|
Oak |
Portsmouth |
English. |
|
Mindon |
Portsmouth, N.H. |
American. |
|
Pyracatic |
St. Augustine's |
Portuguese. |
|
King of Denmark |
Elsineur |
Danish. |
|
Ocean |
Newburyport |
American. |
|
Anna Josephus |
Port Jackson |
English. |
|
Lavramento |
Rio Janeiro |
Portuguese. |
|
Rosina |
London |
English. |
|
Foxwdl |
Texel |
American. |
|
Hercules |
Cork |
English. |
|
Atlas |
Do. |
Do. |
|
Elizabeth |
Amsterdam |
Dutch. |
|
Mariana |
Elsineur |
Danish. |
|
Corenta Felis Africana |
Port 08 Santos |
Portuguese. |
|
Peter and Catherine |
Hamburg |
Hamburg. |
|
Duke of Kent |
South Georgia |
English. |
|
Besolution |
Portsmouth |
American. |
|
Kiobenhaven |
Elsineur |
Danish. |
|
Nancy |
Do. |
Do. |
|
Phoenix |
1 London |
EngUsh. |
472.
"Records of the Cape Colony.
|
Date. |
Name of Ship. |
Where from. |
NationaUty. |
|
1802. |
|||
|
May 27 . . |
Martha |
London |
English. |
|
,, 29 . . |
Persev^ |
Portsmouth |
Do. |
|
n 31 . . |
Oregers Juuhl |
Batavia |
Danish. |
|
June 14 . . |
MU/ord |
Bombay |
English. |
|
« 23 . . |
Marion |
New York |
American. |
|
„ 29 . . |
Java |
Savannah |
Do. |
|
„ 29 . . |
Begona |
Monte Video |
English. |
|
July 14 . . |
Buffalo |
London |
. Do. |
|
„ 20 . . |
Freden |
Copenhagen |
Danish. |
|
« 26 . . |
Schimmelman |
Do. |
Do. |
|
Aug. 2 . . |
President |
New York |
American, |
|
„ 3 . . |
Paulina. |
Mauritius |
Hamburg. |
|
„ 5 . . |
Legere |
Marseilles |
French. |
|
,, 5 . . |
Kroon Printz |
Copenhagen Helvoetsluys |
Danish. |
|
„ 6 . . |
Ardistan |
Dutch. |
|
|
» 11 . . |
Vrede m Bust |
Middelburg |
Do. |
|
„ 21 . . |
Kiobenoven |
Copenhagen |
Danish. |
|
„ 28 . . |
Ooede Verwachting |
Embden |
Dutch. |
|
„ 28 . . |
Bosebud |
Buones Ayres |
American. |
|
Sept. 1 . . |
Traverse |
London |
English. |
|
„ 2 . . |
Experiment |
Do. |
|
|
„ 2 . . |
Sir William Bensley |
Do. |
Do! |
|
« 5 . . |
Bendier |
Rotterdam |
Dutch. |
|
» 7 . . |
Neptune |
Helvoetsluys |
Do. |
|
„ 8 . . |
Frederick and Marian |
Middelburg |
American. |
|
» 14 . , |
Wilhelmina Theresa |
Copenhagen |
Danish. |
|
„ 17 . . |
Ossifice |
Boston |
American, |
|
« 21 . . |
Manhuttan |
New York |
Do. |
|
,, 26 . . |
Foxwell |
Batavia |
Do. |
|
» 26 . . |
Drie Zusters |
Do. |
Danish. |
|
Oct. 3 . . |
VHydre |
Bordeaux |
French. |
|
„ 3 . . |
Apollo |
Mozambique |
Do. |
|
,, 3 . . |
Ansiatica |
Madras |
Hamburg. |
|
» 5 . . |
Prudent |
Tranquebar |
American, |
|
» 5 . . |
Tottenham |
London |
English. |
|
» 7 . . |
Hannibal |
Buones Ayres |
American- |
|
„ 12 . . |
Fanny |
Isle of France |
Do. |
|
„ 13 . . |
Brig Fanny |
Coast |
English. |
|
» 19 . . |
Admiral Chapman |
Isle of France |
Danish. |
|
„ 20 . . |
Minerva |
London |
English. |
|
„ 20 . . |
Lord Eldon |
Do. |
. Do. |
|
„ 23 . . |
Clarisse |
Isle of France |
American. |
|
» 24 . . |
Vennerue |
Copenhagen |
Danish. |
|
„ 24 . . |
Loyalist |
Texel |
Dutch. |
|
„ 24 . . |
Dorothea |
Hamburg |
Do. |
|
» 24 . . |
Les Freres Unis |
Bordeaux |
French. |
|
,. 25 . . |
SMton Castle |
London |
English. |
|
« 27 . . |
Surinam Friends |
Amsterdam |
Dutch. |
|
„ 28 . . |
Bannebrog |
Copenhagen Buones Ayres |
Danish. |
|
,» 31 . . |
L'Esperanza |
Spanish, |
|
|
Nov. 2 . . |
Nile |
China |
English. |
|
» 2 . . |
Minwca |
Do. |
Do. |
|
„ 5 . . |
Caledonia |
London |
Do. |
Records of the Cape Colony.
47?
|
D»te. |
Name of Ship. |
Where from. |
NatioMUtjr. |
|
1802 |
|||
|
Nov. 6 . . |
Philippe and Antoine |
MarseiUes |
French. |
|
« 6 . . |
Concession |
Mozambique |
Portuguese. |
|
» 13 . . |
Bonetta |
Calcutta |
American. |
|
« 15 . . |
Mariana |
Batavia |
Danish. |
|
„ 19 . . |
De turn Gysherts |
Altona |
Do. |
|
n 19 . . |
Minei-va |
Hamburg |
American. |
|
„ 19 . . |
Mount Hope |
Newport |
Do. |
|
w 19 . . |
Camilla |
Boston |
Do. |
|
« 21 . . |
Annetje |
Amsterdam |
Dutch. |
|
.. 21 . . |
Devaynes |
London |
English. |
|
„ 22 . . |
Martha Washington |
Batavia |
American. |
|
„ 26 . . |
Bontenherg |
Do. |
Dutch. |
|
„ 28 . . |
Africaine |
St. Male |
French. |
|
„ 28 . . |
Vrouw Anna Catharina |
Hamburg |
Dutch. |
|
„ 28 . . |
Edwin |
Boston |
American. |
|
„ 28 . . |
Vrede Frigate |
Rochelle |
Dutch. |
|
Dec. 3 . . |
Mary |
Delagoa Bay |
English. |
|
« 7 . . |
Hunter |
Texel |
American. |
|
„ 7 . . |
BridgevMter |
London |
English. |
|
,1 8 . . |
Wakkerheid |
RocheUe |
Dutch. |
|
„ 9 . . |
Le Mentor |
Bordeaux |
French. |
|
„ 9 . . |
Europa |
Helvoetsluys |
Dutch. |
|
„ 9 . . |
Good Intention |
Texel |
Do. |
|
„ 9 . . |
Ganges |
China |
American. |
|
„ 11 . . |
Favourite |
Quiloa |
French. |
|
.. 11 . . |
Carteret |
Falmouth |
English. |
|
„ 11 . . |
Echo Brig of War |
Batavia |
Dutch. |
|
» 13 . . |
Elizabeth Sarah |
Mozambique |
Portuguese. |
|
„ 17 . . |
Yonge George |
Amsterdam |
Dutch. |
|
„ 17 . . |
Phoenix |
Bengal |
Portuguese. |
|
„ 17 . . |
John Jay |
Batavia |
American. |
|
« 19 . . |
Pluto 64 Guns |
Europe |
Dutoh. |
|
,. 19 . . |
Kortenaar Do. |
Do. |
Do. |
|
„ 19 . . |
Maria Rygersberg 36 |
Do. |
Do. |
|
,, 19 . . |
White Eagle |
Plymouth |
Danish. |
|
„ 20 . . |
Ocean |
Downs |
English. |
|
« 20 . . |
Henry Addington |
Do. |
Do. |
|
„ 20 . . |
Suffolk |
London |
Do. |
|
» 23 . . |
Castle Eden |
Downs |
Do. |
|
„ 23 . , |
Lord Duncan |
Do. |
Do. |
|
„ 23 . . |
Batavia |
Texel |
Dutch. |
|
„ 23 . . |
Hendrika Johanna |
Do. |
Do. |
|
„ 23 . . |
Maria Aletta |
Do. |
Do. |
|
„ 23 . . |
Buto 74 Guns |
Do. |
Do. |
|
„ 25 . . |
Britannia |
London |
English. |
|
„ 25 . . |
Renommee |
Nantes |
French. |
|
„ 25 . . |
La Flore |
Do. |
Do. |
|
„ 25 . . |
Eeldin |
Middelburg |
Danish. |
|
„ 26 . . |
Hdm |
St. Helena |
English. |
|
„ 29 . . |
Maria |
Texel |
Dutch. |
|
„ 31 . 1 |
Drenthe |
Dover |
Do. |
474 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.]
Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Commissary General De Mist.
Cabtle of Good Hope, 3l8f December 1802.
Sir, — I have the honor to acquaint you of my having this moment received an order from His Majesty's Secretary of State to delay the restitution of this Settlement to the Batavian Government.
Although I am therefore under the necessity of requesting Your Excellency to postpone your further arrangements for taking possession of the Colony, yet it gives me pleasure to mention my having received the most positive Instructions to avoid taking any step in executing His Majesty's commands which can in any manner create an apprehension of any hostile motive on the part of my Government towards that of your Excellency on this occasion, being further instructed that should the Troops of the Batavian Eepublic have arrived in the expectation of taking immediate possession of the Colony, that in the event of those Troops being on shore they are to be stationed in such a manner as to prevent any sort of interference with my authority here, I have to request of your Excellency to favor me with your senti- ments as soon as convenient as to the mode in which an arrange- ment may amicably be made between us with a view to that end.
I have the honor to be with the highest respect and considera- tions, &c.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Copy.]
Letter from Commissary General de Mist to Lieutenant General Dundas.
Du Ohatbatj au Cap db bonne Espebancb, ce 31 Becembre 1802. Monsieur, — C'est avec une peine infinie que j'ai du apprendre par la lettre que V. Excellence vient de m'envoyer dans I'instant que des ordres repues I'ont mis dans la necessite de suspendre la restitution de cette Colonic a la Eepublique Batave, laquelle de commun accord fiit arrangee pour ce soir meme.
Mecords of the Cape Colony. 475
Me fiant sur la Foi d'un Traite, aussi solemnellement conclu a Amiens, et ratifie par les Gouvemements respectifs que nous avons I'honneur de representer ici, et etant sur que le Gouverne- ment Ba^ve depuis mon depart de I'Europe n'a pu manquer dans raccomplissement d'une obligation quelconque, qui lui pourroit etre imposee par le susdit Traite. Votre Excellence trouvera juste la surprise qu'une telle suspension in'a du causer. Le Gouvernement Batave, en m'envoiant a I'Afrique n'a pas pu me donner des Instructions sur un cas qu'il n'a pu prevoir ni ranger parmi les possibilites. Cast done dans la parfaite ignorance, ou je me trouve par rapport des cireonstances actuelles en Europe, que j'ai recours au seul moieu qui me reste pour conserver a la EepubUque Batave le bon droit qu'elle a repu par la paix d' Amiens sur cette Colonie et c'est de protester solemnellement, comme je proteste devant Votre Excellence par celle-ci centre toute perte, fraix et dommages que la Eepublique Battave souffre deja, et pourra souffrir dans la suite par un delai d'accomplissement de I'article 6 du Traite de Paix d' Amiens.
Au reste j'entre volontiers dans toutes les vues de V. Excellence, qui tendent a conserver la bonne intelligence qui fut si heureuse- ment etablie entre Votre Excellence et moi et entre les Troupes des deux Nations, qui se trouvent reunies sur cette point de I'Afrique. J'ai autorise le Centre Admiral S. Dekker, Com- mandant la Force Navale Batave dans ces parages, et le CoUonel Henry Commandant les Troupes sous mes ordres, pour projetter a I'instant meme avec les Commissaires que Votre Excellence voudra nommer de sa part a cette fin, quelques Articles qui pourroient constituer une Acte de Convention entre V. Excellence et le Vice Admiral Curtis Commandant en chef la Force Navale de sa Majeste Britannique a cette Eade, d'une part et de moi dans ma qualite de Commissaire General du Gouvernement Batave de I'autre pgirt. J'en attendrai le resultat et je prie Votre Excellence d'etre persuade que j'y apporterai de mon cote toute cette candour et bonne foi, qui fait la caractere distinctif de ma nation, et toutes les Facilites que I'independance de cette nation et I'honneur des Troupes Bataves sous mes ordres pourront permettre.
J'offre a Votre Excellence I'assurance &c.
(Signe) J. A. de Mist,
Commiss. General.
476 Hecords of the Cape Colony,
LCopy.J
Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Commissary General De Mist.
GovEBNMEST HoTJSX, Slst December 1802,
Sir, — I do myself the honor of acquamting Your Excellency of my having named Colonel Hamilton Deputy Quartermaster General and John Pringle Esqre. Commissary General, who are authorized by me to communicate with such Persons as Your Excellency shall be pleased to appoint for the purpose of adjusting without delay the several points which Your Excellency signified to me your desire should be amicably discussed id consequence of the intelligence which Vice Admiral Sir Roger Curtis and myself had the honor of communicating to you this morning.
I have, &c
(Signed) ¥ranci& Dundas.
[Copy.]
Proclamation hy Lieutenant General Francis Dundas and Commissary General J. A. de Mist.
Whereas Instructions have this day arrived from His Majesty's principal Secretary of State, stating that the restitution of this Colony to the Batavian Republic should be for a time delayed, on account of circumstances having occurred to render it advisable, we the undersigned, in order to obviate and do away any suspicion or alarm that might arise between the Troops of His Britannic Majesty and those of the Batavian Republic at this place, have found it expedient to publish this general Kotice and proclamation, warning all persons whatsoever, either directly or indirectly by any false or forged representations, or by any other act, not to interrupt the good understanding that has happily been re- established between His Britannic Majesty and the Batavian Republic.
Given at the Castle of Good Hope, 31st December 1802.
(Signed) Francis Dundas, Lieut.-General.
J. A. DE Mist, Commissary General.
Records of the Cape Colony. 477
[Copy.]
General Orders.
Zltt December 1802.
Colonel Hamilton is to take the duty of Cape Town and Lines this Evening and to Visit the Guards and Posts as usual.
Lieut. General Dundas having this day received instructions from His Majesty's Secretary of State that the restitution of this Colony should be delayed, judges it necessary to communicate this information to the Troops under his Command, but at the same time to inform them that the good understanding which has been established between His Majesty's and the Batavian Government has suffered no interruption, consequently the same attentions and respect as have hitherto been paid the Officers and Soldiers of the Batavian Troops at present at the Cape will be continued to be shewn, — the Lieut. General being confident that both Officers and Men will be cautious of committing any act likely to prevent a continuance of that harmony and good will which have hitherto prevailed between the Troops of the two Nations.
A true copy.
(Signed) Egbert McNab, Town Major.
[Copy.]
Articles of Agreement concluded this Slst day of December 1802 hetween Colonel Hamilton, Deputy Quartermxister General^ and John Pringle, Esqre., Commissary General, duly author- ized for this purpose by their Excellencies Lieut. General Dundas and Vice Admiral Sir Eoger Curtis, Bart., on the part of His Britannic Majesty, and Rear Admiral S. Dekker, Commander in Chief of the Batavian Fleet for the East Indies, and Colonel Henry, Commander of the Cape Garrison, also duly authorized by His Excellency the Commissary General de Mist on the part of the Batavian Republic.
Art. 1. — Everything shall be considered as remaining on the same footing that was stipulated by mutual accord this morning before the arrival of the orders of His Britannic Majesty.
Remark. — The Lieutenant Governor agrees to this proposition
478 Records of the Cape Colony.
without any prejudice however to the full exercise of his authority in all points whatever agreeable to the orders he has received.
Art. 2. — The Commissary General de Mist shall be at liberty to encamp or canton the Batavian Troops in the neighbourhood of Cape Town, and to select for that purpose the most convenient position for the health, safety, and accommodation of these Tr > >ps.
Remark. — They shall encamp or canton in the neighbourhood of Wynberg, and it is to be understood they are not to move from thence beyond the usual distance allowed in a Camp, without the knowledge and concurrence of the Lieut. Governor.
Art. 3. — Their Excellencies shall not hinder the free transport of Baggage, Arms, and everything else necessary for encamping or cantoning the Troops.
Remark. — Agreed to, provided that not more than eight Field pieces (six pounders) shall be carried to Camp.
Art. 4. — A free communication shall be allowed with the Batavian Ships whether of War or Transport, now in the Bay or which may arrive hereafter, and no impediment shall be made to the disembarkation of any Troops that may still arrive, or to their Arms, Ammunition, and Baggage.
Remark. — Agreed to, in consequence of the orders received from His Britannic Majesty to avoid any possible steps which could lead to even the apprehension of a hostile motive, but only in so far as relates to the Troops intended for the Garrison of the Cape.
Art. 5. — All Batavian Ships, whether of War, Transport, or Commerce, shall have permission to prosecute their Voyages, or to return to Europe, according to the orders they may have on this subject, and which the Commissary General shall deem necessary to give them.
Remark. — Agreed to.
Art. 6. — In case His Excellency Lieut. General Dundas should receive any orders from Europe relative to the present state of affairs he shall communicate them to the Commissary General, and in the event of these orders leading to acts of hostility, he engages to give the Commissary General Eight days previous notice, in order that he may take such measures either for remaining in or leaving the Colony with every person and thing under his orders as may be necessary. Engaging himself to act reciprocally in this respect towards His Excellency.
Records of the Cape Colony. 479
Remark. — Agreed to. It being clearly understood that the privilege of either staying in or leaving the Colony with everything belonging to His Majesty or Individuals is equally left to the option of their Excellencies.
Art. 7. — The only object of the present agreement being the maintenance of good order, the Commissary General of the Batavian Republic promises to do everything that depends on him to prevent disturbances, or any act which might disturb the Public Peace in the District where the Troops may be stationed.
. I Remark. — Their Excellencies most cordially concur in carrying into effect the object of this article.
Art. 8. — To ensure the subsistence of the Troops of the two nations, the Lieutenant Governor shall in no manner liinder the supply of the Batavian Troops, as the Commissary General of the Batavian Republic on his part will in no way interfere to prevent Supplies from the Interior going into Cape Town.
Remark. — Agreed to in the terms of the preceding Article.
Art. 9. — None of these arrangements shall be interpreted at any time against the Batavian Republic, or against the Commissary General, as abandoning in any shape the clear right that the Peace of Amiens has given them to the Cession of this Colony.
Remark. — Certainly not.
Art. 10. — Sundry Detachments to hinder any disturbances in the neighbourhood of the Camp or to constrain the Hottentots, as weU as for the Escort of Provisions either to the Batavian Camp or to Cape Town shall not be considered as moving the Troops from the Position fixed. The Batavian Troops shall not return to Cape Town during this agreement, neither shall the English Troops take up any position out of the Castle or Eorts which can molest the Batavian Camp in any manner.
Remark. — Agreed to, provided such disturbances either threaten, or have actually taken place, and that the Safe Guards for Waggons, &c., do not exceed what is usual for such purposes.
Art. 11. — In case of any doubts or difficulties arising concerning the true meaning of the present Agreement, they shall be explained in the most advantageous manner for carrying into effect the salutary motives which have induced their Excellencies and the Commissary General of the Batavian Republic to enter into it, and more especially for ensuring to the Commissary General, the
480 Becords of the Cape Colony.
Grovemor and Greneral in Chief, and the officers Civil and Military the greatest security, liberty, and independence. The whole in order to cement more strongly the good intelligence so happily established between their Excellencies and the Commissary General of the Batavian Eepublic.
(Signed) S. Dekker,
Schout bij nacht in dienst der Bataafsche Eepubliek. John Pringle,
Commissary General. John Hamilton,
Deputy Quartermaster General. C. J. Henry,
Col. Commandant les Troupes Bataves au Cap.
Ratified 3rd January 1803.
(Signed) Francis Dundas, Lieutenant General J. A. DE Mist. Commissary General.
[Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Hobart to Lieutenant General Dundas.
Downing Stbeet, Irf January, 1803.
Sir, — Inclosed I have the honour to transmit to you a Copy of the arrangement that has been made with the Court of Directors of the East India Company, for conveying His Majesty's Troops from the Cape, destined to India, to their intended Stations ; and I am to desire that you will cause the utmost diligence to be used in the Embarkation of the Troops, as the Ships shall severally arrive, so that no Ship shall be detained at the Cape beyond the t^rm of eight days, except in a case of absolute necessity.
Your letter dated August communicating your correspondence with Commodore Mellisen, Commanding the Dutch Squadron bound to Batavia, has been laid before the King, who has been graciously pleased to express His approbation of the application
Records of the Cape Colony. 481
you had made to that Officer, for the purpose of providing the means of security for the Interior of the Colony, upon the removal of the British Troops, which became inevitable in consequence of your Instructions relative to the Evacuation of the Cape.
I am commanded by His Majesty to desire that you will cautiously avoid entering into any Engagements with the Kepre- sentatives of the Batavian Republic upon any subject relating to Money ; and that in transferring to them the Military occupation and Civil Government of the Colony, you will acquaint them that all other matters must be referred for discussion to your respective Governments. I have &c.
(Signed) HOBART.
[Enclosure in the above.]
\5th December 1802.
Statement of the probable time the undermentioned Ships proposed to carry Troops from the Cape of Good Hope to India may be expected to arrive at the Cape and be ready to receive the Men aboard.
Cumberland and Hindostan, each to carry 600 Men, bound to Madras, may be expected at the Cape about the 15th March 1803.
Admiral Gardner and Sir S. Lusliington, the first to carry 400 and the second 200 Men, bound to Madras or Bengal, may be expected at the Cape about the 30th March.
City of London, to carry 400 Men, bound to Bengal, may be expected at the Cape about the 30th May.
Elphinstone, to carry 600 Men, bound to Bombay, may be expected at the Cape about the 15th April.
Hugh Inglis, Calcutta, and Lord Castlereagh, each to carry 400 Men, bound to Madras or Bengal, may be expected at the Cape aljout the 15th May.
IV. 2 I
482 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.] Proclamation hy Lieutenant General Dundas.
Whereas the circumstances that have lately occurred might excite in the Breasts of the ill-disposed part of the Community opinions and designs prejudicial to the pulalic welfare and repose ; and Whereas any attempts originating from such opinions and designs to inten-upt the public peace can have no other effect than to produce disorder and confusion, misery and ruin, the destruction of Families, and a general desolation in the Country, in order to prevent as far as possible such direful consequences, I do hereby prohibit, in the most positive manner, on pain of prompt execution of Military Law, which by virtue of the powers in me vested I do hereby proclaim, all assemblages of armed peasants or other Inhabitants of any description whatsoever, unless by my authority and Commands conveyed in the usual manner to the Landdrosts or other officers properly qualified to issue the same. And all the Inhabitants of this Settlement, bound by the Oath of Allegiance they have taken to His Britannic Majesty, are hereby warned of the fatal consequences that must inevitably ensue to themselves their families and property by any deviation from this public order, it being my positive resolution to enforce a strict and literal obedience of the same.
And Whereas it is expedient during the present state of the Settlement that the Inhabitants in general, both of Cape Town and the Country Districts, should not be permitted to quit their habitations, I do further forbid all persons residing in this Town from leaving the same with their Families for the purpose of changing their places of abode, without my Special leave and authority, and those of the Country Districts without the know- ledge and approbation of the respective Landdrosts and Heem- raden.
Given under my Hand and Seal at the Castle of Good Hope, this 2nd day of January 1803.
(Signed) Francis Dundas,
Records of the Cape Colony. 483
[Original.]
Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Lord Hobart.
Cape of Good Hope, 3rd January 1803.
My Lord, — The arrival of His Majesty's Ship Victorious in England (which must necessarily precede the receipt of this Dispatch) with the Letter and accompanying papers and corres- pondence between the Commissary General of the Batavian Eepublic and myself previous to the date thereof, and which I transmitted by that opportunity, will have fully informed Your Lordship of the Preliminary Steps which had been taken for restoring to the Batavian Government on the 1st Instant the Settlement of the Cape, pursuant to the Conditions of the Defini- tive Treaty of Peace signed at Amiens and in compliance with a warrant under His Majesty's Eoyal Sign Manual bearing date 3rd May 1802, and enclosed to me by Your Lordship in your letter of the 30th April last.
As I had the honour to state in my Dispatch of the 27th ultimo that every arrangement would be immediately made for the evacuation of the Settlement, I am now to acquaint Your Lord- ship that they were compleated on the 31st December, and all the Troops for India with the exception of about five hundred men belonging to the 65th Regiment having been embarked by that day on board the Ships Ocean and Henry Addington, and even the remainder of the 65th Regiment as above mentioned having been under orders for embarkation on the 1st January at daybreak when they were to have marched from Wynberg for that puqiose. One Grenadier Company only remained in the Castle, ■ which together with the few men on guard constituted the whole of our Force in Cape Town, and even thase few were to have been relieved by the Batavian Troops at 5 o'clock in the evening of the 31st December, and to be embarked and finally withdrawn from the Settlement accordingly.
About Noon on the 31st December His Majesty's Ship Imogene anchored in Table Bay, having been honored with a Duplicate of Your Lordship's most secret dispatch of the 17 October last, signifying to me His Majesty's commands that the restitution of the Cape of Good Hope to the Batavian Government should be
2 I 2
484 Records of the Cape Colony.
delayed until further orders, and that the departure of any part of the Troops for India or for Europe should be suspended.
As the Troops of the Batavian Eepublic were already on shore, it no longer remained with me to determine whether they should be disembarked or not, and therefore the discretionary powers upon that head (with which Your Lordship did me the honor to entrust me) could not be exerted.
Having made every arrangement and pledged myself to Com- missary General de Mist and Governor Jansen for the delivering up this Settlement on the Evening of the very day on which I received your Lordship's orders to retain possession of it, the re-occupying the Castle Lines and other works (from the greater part of which His Majesty's Troops had been withdrawn) became a matter of considerable difficulty and dunger in the face of a Body of Batavian Troops already in possession of the Barracks, and more numerous than the whole of the effective force at the Cape of Good Hope under my command.
As soon as your instructions of the 17th October were perused by me orders were given for the instantaneous debarkation of the Troops on board the Indiamen in the Harbour to re-occupy the Castle ; a part of those remaining at Wynberg were directed at the same time to march and take possession of the Block Houses and Batteries upon the Heights commanding the Town and Castle. This Service by the exertion of the Boats of the Fleet and the activity and intelligence of the officers under my command was in a very short time effected without any opposition on the part of the Batavian Garrison, whose very praiseworthy forbearance I cannot but mention upon this occasion.
Your Lordship's letter of the 17 October having positively prohibited me from exciting even jealousy or apprehension in the minds of the Batavian Troops of any hostile motives much less of any act of aggression towards them, I could not conceive myself entitled to act any otherwise than upon the defensive, to which line of conduct it is my duty firmly to adhere until honored with His Majesty's further commands which in my very critical situa- tion I most anxiously expect.
Vice Admiral Sir Eoger Curtis and myself having fulfilled what we conceived our first and most indispensable duty to His Majesty and our country, lost not a moment in waiting upon the Batavian Commissary General De Mist and Governor Jansen
Records of the Cape Colony. 485
(who had been for some time past living in the Government House in the Castle) to convey to them the orders we had received. The astonishment of these Gentlemen upon receiving this very un- expected intelligence was necessarily very great and could only be equalled by the moderation and temper they manifested upon the receipt of it.
Your Lordship will easily conceive after an attentive perusal of the foregoing narrative the very unpleasant predicament in which the Batavian Commissary General and Admiral Commanding their Squadron found themselves placed nor was it less difficult for Vice Admiral Sir Eoger Curtis and myself to determine upon or advise the proper line of conduct to be pursued by us in a situation so new and perhaps unprecedented.
Under circumstances so new and peculiar a positive resolution was immediately taken by the Kepresentatives of the Batavian Government as w^ell as by the Vice Admiral and myself to redress at all events any disputes between the Troops of tlie two nations which might lead to a commencement of hostilities, and therefore with a view of pacifying the minds of the Batavian Soldiery as well as the Inhabitants of Cape Town and the Settlement at large (who expecting to have seen the Batavian Flag displayed in the Course of a few hours were naturally much disappointed and agitated) the proclamation B No. 2 was immediately issued, preparatory to the articles of agreement which were proposed by Mr. de Mist and agreed to by me as detailed in the enclosure C, proper persons on both sides having been previously appointed and authorized to arrange and discuss the same.
It would ill become me to offer any comment upon the probable unhappy if not direful effects which may be expected to result from the transactions which took place in this Settlement on the 31st December. As a Soldier I can only obey not feeling myself entitled to judge; indulging a hope however that whatever the consequences may be I shall not be considered otherwise tlian to have done my duty.
I transmit to Your Lordship herewith Copies of such letters as have passed between the Batavian Commissary General De Mist and myself together with such other public papers or proclamations as may demand Your Lordship's notice or consideration.
The Proclamation marked B No. 3 establishing Martial Law in this Colony for the present was absolutely necessary to prevent
486 Records of the Cape Colony.
commotions and tumultuous meetings amongst the Inhabitants who being sensible of the reduced numbers of His Majesty's Troops at present in Garrison here and being moreover disaffected to the British Government showed strong symptoms of Eevolt, and who had they met with any encouragement from the Kepresentatives of the Batavian Government would have made hostile attempts against His Majesty's Forces.
A Duplicate of my letter of the 27th December to which I have already alluded, together with Copies of its enclosures will ac- company this Dispatch. I have &c.
(Signed) Feancis Dundas.
[Oiiginal.]
Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Sir Evan Nepean.
Lancaster, Table Bay, Cape op Good Hope, 3rd January 1803.
Sir, — The Imogen with dispatches to Lieutenant General Dundas and me arrived here about noon on the 31st ultimo.
In my Letter to you of the 27th ultimo, sent by the Victorious, I informed you that the Batavian Eear Admiral with the Troops to take possession of the Settlement had arrived, and also the Commissary General, and the Governour, appointed to the Settle- ment by the Batavian Government. I in the same Letter also acquainted you, that the Batavian Flag was to be displayed on the Castle of Good Hope on the morning of the 1st instant.
The English Guards were to have been relieved from the several Posts, by the Batavian Troops, who were prepared to take their places in five or six hours, when the Imogen arrived. The Batavian Troops, about 1300 who were in the Barracks (which had been given up to them) situated close to the Castle, in which we had very few Men, they having been removed preparatory to the ceremony intended to take place the next morning ; and the moment was very critical. As soon as the General and I had read our dispatches we waited on the Commissary General de Mist, and the Governour Janessons and the purport of the General's Instructions was communicated to them, and their behaviour on this occasion was very temperate, although they were evidently much affected. The
Records of the Cape Colony. 487
Batavian Officers and Troops were in great agitation, but were appeased by the Governour (who is likewise the Commander in Chief of the Troops) by assuring them nothing hostile was intended against the Batavian Government. In the mean time orders were sent for immediately to bring again on shore about Nine Hundred Troops which were on board the Ships Ocean and Henry Addington, and would have sailed for India the next morning. The relanding these Men (who immediately took possession of the Castle) excited the most Lively sensation in the minds of the Batavian Troops, and an opposition to their coming on shore was seriously apprehended, but was prevented by the temper and moderation of the Com- missary General and the Governour Janessons. The Troops in our Camp, and at other out-Posts, were also moved into the Castle or near it, And I am happy to say that things were brought to this state without any disagreeable circumstance occurring.
The Commissary de Mist and Governour Janessons felt strongly the nature of their situation, and proposed the entering into such terms on this very delicate occasion as suited their own honour, and the honour of their nation : They therefore, as soon as they could be digested, and fairly written, proposed to General Dundas and me the terms contained in the paper enclosed, which having been very maturely weighed and considered by us, were replied to, and concluded on, as in the paper is set forth. And we flatter ourselves that all the circumstances of the uncommon peculiarity and importance of the case being considered, our conduct on the occasion will be approved of.
General Dundas will of course give the necessary information respecting the state of the Force under his Orders, and all other details relative to his Department.
An American Schooner arrived here last night, from the Com- mander of which we are informed, that on the 12th of November, he being then in Lat. 4° 33' N., and Long. 28° 30' West, he fell in with a Spanish Ship from which he learnt that on the 10th of that Month the Spanish Ship had been in company with 7 Sail of Line of Battle Ships, composed of French and Batavians, all having Troops on board, and said they were going to the Cape of Good Hope ; but as they have not arrived he supposes they must have put into the Brazils. One of these Ships was said to have Twelve Ilundred Soldiers on Board. Wliat may ensutj here when the French arrive it is impossible even to conjecture.
488 Records of the Cape Colony.
The serious situation of affairs here, and the above intelligence, form together a matter of such importance (although it is possible the Ships may be only armi en flute, and conducting French Troops to India to be placed in their possessions in that Country) that I think it highly proper to send the Rattlesnake to apprize Admiral Eainier of the same by a Secret dispatch, and General Dundas will also write to the Governour General.
Upon my mentioning to the Commissary General de Mist this morning the information obtained from the American, he said he did not believe any Batavian Ships were with the French, but Governour Janessons told me a few days ago that he expected some French Troops would call here in their way to the Mauritius and India.
The Batavian Ships of War now here are the Admiral's Ship the Pluto pierced for 68 Guns, but only 38 mounted, the Kortenaar pierced for 64 Guns, with only 38 mounted, the Bato pierced for 76, but only about 40 mounted, the Maria Reigersbergen a Frigate of 32 Guns, two Corvettes and an Armed Ship. The dismounted Guns of these Ships are said to be in their holds.
It may be proper their Lordships should be informed that Captain Yaughan of the Imogen is charged with a dispatch from the Commissary de Mist addressed An het Staats Bewend der Bataafsche Eepublick, Hage, to be delivered by him to the Batavian Ambassador, or their Agent in London.
I perceive I have been informal in the commencement of this Letter, in not stating their Lordships Instructions to me received by the Imogen, were dated the 17th October 1802, and were marked Duplicate. I am &c.
(Signed) Eoger Curtis.
P.S. — Since concluding the above Letter, it is ascertained that the Batavian Ships have their lower Deck Guns on board as the Admiral has already mounted Five on each side. — E. C.
Hecards of the Cape Colonij. 489
[Original.] Letter from LIEUTENANT General Dundas to Lord Hobart.
Cape of Good Hope, llih January 1803.
My Lord, — I do myself the honor to acquaint Your Lordship hy the return of the Princess Amelia Pacquet, by which I yesterday received the Triplicate of your Dispatch of the 17th October last, that all things remain here upon nearly the same footing as when I did myself the honor of writing to Your Lordship on the 3rd Instant by His Majesty's Sloop Imogene.
The Batavian Troops in pursuance of the agreement entered into between Commissary General de Mist and myself, are preparing for their encampment at Wynberg the place assigned them, and will proceed thither in the course of a few days.
The establishing of Martial Law throughout this Settlement by a Proclamation bearing date the 2nd Instant and already trans- mitted to Your Lordship has had the desired effect of preventing, as yet, any open acts of rebellion or hostile proceedings, on the part of the Inhabitants of Cape Town and its vicinity ; indulging a hope that before any combinations can be formed with a view to oppose the authority of His Majesty's Government, I shall be favored with such communications from Your Lordship as will enable me to take such decisive measures as are calculated compleatly to remove the embarrassment of our present state, arising from the peculiarity of our present situation, as well as the uncertainty as to the future fate of the Colony ; it being impossible totally to prevent those apprehensions and jealousies amongst the Batavian Troops as well as the Inhabitants at large, which the delay in the restitution of the Colony has naturally occasioned; the dangerous effects of which, should the adjustment of any political differences existing in Eui'ope be protracted, may be easily foreseen. I have &c.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
490 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original.] Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Lord Hobart.
Cape of Good Hope, 14i/t January 1803.
My Lord, — I think it expedient to communicate, in my own hand, a few particulars confidentially to your Lordship, which Prudence has not permitted me to mention in my public Dispatch.
The extensive line of Posts to be occupied with the small number of Troops under my command, renders my present military position extremely uncertain and precarious, as should the Batavian Troops be induced to make any attempts against me, for the purpose of gaining possession of this Settlement by force, stimulated perhaps by the disaffected Inhabitants, or other motives, to break their agreements with me, the events would be doubtful, and in spite of all my exertions to the contrary might prove unfortunate to His Majesty's arms.
As my letter of the 22nd August last must have communicated to Your Lordship early in November the intentions of Sir Koger Curtis and myself, to avail ourselves of such shipping as was procurable here for expediting the embarkations for India, Your Lordship will have been aware of the reduced number of the troops under my command; flattering myself with a hope that the reinforcements necessary for us are already on their passage to the Cape, so as to precede the arrival of the intelligence of hostilities having taken place, a circumstance in our present situation ex- tremely important, with a view to the defence and possession of the settlement.
I have only now to add that should the war be renewed, supplies of Provisions of every kind, as also Horse corn, ought to be immediately dispatched from England, likewise a field train of artillery, all the guns at present reinaining in the settlement being of Dutch Caliber, of which however we shall make the best use we can for the present, being desirous of a proper Train for such operations as may become necessary here in a state of protracted warfare. I have &c.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
Records of the Cape Colony. 491
[Original.] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Sir Evan Nepean.
Lancaster^ Table Bat, Cape of Good Hope, Wth January 1803.
Sir, — The Imogen bearing my Letters to you of the 3rd and 4th instant sailed from hence on the latter of those days.
In the Letter of the 3rd instant I stated my reasons why I thought it expedient to send the Rattlesnake with dispatches to India, and she accordingly sailed on that service on the 6th instant, carrying a Letter from General Dundas to the Marquis Wellesley, a Letter to Lord Clive at Madras, and my Letter to Vice Admii-al Eainier. Captain Cramer's orders were formed suitably to the prevailing Winds he might from the season of his arrival in that Country be supposed to meet, but he is in preference to call first at Trincomale, or Point de Galle, and Govern himself according to the intelligence he may receive of the Admiral at either place, for my Letter reaching him as speedily as may be, and also for conveying the other dispatches, according to their addresses, with which he is charged, with the least possible delay.
Eespecting the French and Batavian Ships which the Com- mander of an American Vessel informed me he had gained intelligence of from a Spanish Ship, as expressed in my Letter to you of the 3rd instant, it seems now more than possible that the Spaniard may have been mistaken, and that the Ships he saw might have been the Dutch Ships then coming here.
On the 10th instant I received by the Princess Amelia Packet the Triplicate of your Letter of the 17th October, communicating to me their Lordships' directions in consequence of the Instruc- tions sent to the Lieutenant Governour of this Settlement for suspending the Orders he had received for the evacuation thereof.
I cannot avoid looking forward to the period of the middle of April when the continuance of the Ships in this Bay will be attended with great danger. If the Squadron removes to Simons Bay, the usual Anchorage for the Winter Season, they will thereby become so situated as not to have the power of assisting the GaiTison or even to give it countenance in case of hostility commencing ; besides they w ill be to Leeward of the Cape, and may
492 Records of the Cape Colony.
therefore be retarded from acting as eircumstances may require, in the event of their being wanted to the Northward thereof. Saldanha Bay is from its situation to Windward, in the N W Monsoon, preferable to Simons Bay, but as it is about 20 Leagues distant from Cape Town by Water, and still a greater distance by land, the Ships being there could not lend any aid to the operations of the General, and in the event of hostilities the communication between it and the Cape by land would be cut off; and further, the small quantity of Water to be obtained there is of a very bad quality. I have cast my eye on the Anchorage at Eoben Island, which would be a most desirable Port, as a communication may be kept up from thence between the Ships and the Garrison, and the Anchoring Ground is tolerably good, but as the Ships must be there unavoidably exposed to the Northerly Winds which at times blow with violence, I have fears our Cables are not so suitable for the occasion as they ought to be. However, in case things are not brought to a crisis before Table Bay becon^es dangerous, I am determined if no unforeseen circumstance prevents it, to take post with the Ships at the Anchorage off Eoben Island. In my Letter to you of the 9th April last sent home by the Imperieuse, I adverted to the little dependance it was found could be placed in the Patent Cables, and I informed you in that Letter that I had on the 7th of the preceding Month written a Letter to the Commissioners of the Navy on that subject, wherein I ac- quainted them that " if the Squadron should remain at the Cape until September, the period for the Ships to Anchor in Table Bay, I should with the Cables we now have be apprehensive of their safety."
Every thing here remains in the same state as when the Imogen sailed on the 4th instant. I am &c.
(Signed) Koger Cuiitis.
Records of the Cape Colony. 493
[Copy.] Government Notice.
Representations having been made to His Honor the Lieutenant and Acting Governor that Bands of Music, the private property of Inhabitants, have recently at very improper hours disturbed the tranquillity of the Town, it is hereby ordered that henceforth no private Bands of Music shall play in the streets after sunset or before sunrise, nor any other musical assemblage held in the streets unless the Military Bands of His Majesty or of the Batavian Republic who of course will have the previous permission from their respective Commanding Officers.
Castle of Good Hope, 21st January 1803.
By command of His Honor the Lieutenant and Acting Governor. (Signed) H. Boss, Deputy Secretary.
[Copy.] Government Notice.
Whereas some mischievous and ill designed persons broke into the Signal House on the Lion's Eump in the course of last night, and having taken out the signal Balls, placed them so as to denote a Fleet from Europe in the offing, a reward of Five Hundred RixdoUars is hereby offered to any one who will give such information to His Majesty's Fiscal as may lead to the conviction of the offender, in order that an exemplary punishment may deter the wits of Cape Town from such amusements in future.
KB. The Informer's name if he wishes it will be kept secret.
Castle of Good Hope, 28th January 1803.
By command of His Honor the Lieutenant and Acting Governor. (Signed) H. Ross, Deputy Secretary.
494 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.] .
Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas and Vice Admiral Cur- tis to Commissary General De Mist and Governor Janssens.
Cape op Good Hope, Irf February 180a
Gentlemen, — Having yesterday received information that the two sons of the Widow Mostert named Johannes Gerhardus Mostert and Emestus Jacob Mostert as also one De Beer and another man named Kerman, all Inhabitants of the Cape of Good Hope, have recently enrolled themselves as Soldiers in the army of the Batavian Republic stationed at Wynberg ; onr duty compels vs to represent to Your Excellencies these fresh instances of enlistment, being confident that this representation will meet with that attention and regard which your cordial wish (in unison with our own) to preserve the good understanding happily subsisting between us will unquestionably induce you to pay.
We think it incumbent upon us to take this opportunity of stating to Your Excellencies that other important particulars have come to our knowledge as having taken place, inconsistent with the agreement entered into with Your Excellencies on the 3rd January last, and tending, in a great degree, to promote jealousies and suspicions, incompatible with the continuance of that harmony and friendship essentially necessary for the peace and welfare of this Settlement, and which have hitherto happily prevailed between us.
We submit therefore to Your Excellencies' consideration the propriety of appointing (in pursuance of the Eleventh Article of the Agreement subsisting between us) a second meeting of the Gentlemen who were named, upon the former occasion. Com- missioners from Your Excellencies as well as from ourselves ; or should you prefer it, and what we consider the best mode, a meeting between Your Excellencies and us in order amicably to adjust the several points to which we allude.
Deprecating as we do most sincerely the smallest misunder- standing between Your Excellencies and ourselves, and anxiously solicitous to preserve undisturbed that peace and harmony which we know so much to be the interest, and as must be the wish of our respective Governments to maintain, we rely with confidence upon your hearty concurrence upon this occasion. We have &c. (Signed) Francis Dundas, Lieutenant General, EoGER Curtis, Vice Admii-aL
Records of the Cape Colony. 495
[Original.] Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Lord Hobart.
Cape of Good Hope, Uh February 1803.
My Lord, — Thinking it incumbent upon me to profit by every conveyance for communicating to Your Lordship such particulars as occur here at the present very interesting period, I do myself the honor of writing to Your Lordship these few lines by a small Merchant Vessel named the Euphrosyne on the point of sailing for England.
The Troops of the Batavian Eepublic, since the date of my last of the 11th Ultimo by the Princess Amelia Packet, have proceeded to their Camp at Wynberg, having nothing very particular to report with respect to them excepting the arrival of three additional Transports with Troops containing about One Hundred and Twenty Men each, who having landed according to our agreement proceeded to join their respective Eegiments at Wynberg.
As in my late correspondence with Your Lordship the situation of His Majesty's Government at the Cape as also our Military position together with the very peculiar circumstances of the Settlement in general have, as I hope, been sufficiently detailed, I conceive it unnecessary to trouble Your Lordship with anything further by the present opportunity, and have &c.
(Signed) Francis Dundas.
[Original.] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Sir Evan Nepean.
Lancaster, Table Bat, Cape of Good Hope, Qth February 1803.
Sir, — Thinking it proper to avail myself of every opportunity of writing to you for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and a Vessel being now to sail for England, you will be pleased to acquaint their Lordsliips nothing has happened here necessary to be communicated to them since the detail of
496 Records of the Cape Colony,
occurrences set forth in my Letter of the 14th January, excepting that one of the Batavian Corvettes mentioned in my Letter of the 4th January sailed a few days ago for Europe ; and that the other Batavian Ships of War mentioned in the said Letter are preparing for Sea, to proceed, as is said, to Batavia. I am &c.
(Signed) Eoger Curtis.
[Translation.]
Letter from Commissary General de Mist and Governor Janssens to Lieutenant General Dundas and Vice Admiral Curtis.
The Commissary General De Mist and the Governor and General in Chief Janssens have the honor, according to agreement of the 3rd Instant, to transmit to Their Excellencies Lieutenant Governor Dundas and Vice Admiral Curtis a short Resume or the Substance of what was treated upon in the conferences of the 1st and 3rd Inst., in verbal answer to Their Excellencies' letter of the said 1st February.
They testify at the same time to Their Excellencies the assurance of the most perfect high regard, &c.
(Signed) J. A. de Mist, J. W. Janssens.
Cape of Good Hope, February 6th 1803.
Substance of what has heen treated upon in the two last conferences, and which is recommended for further attention.
The Batavian Eepublic has not obtained the Cape of Good Hope by the Peace of Amiens ; her lawful titles of property have subsisted for more than a Century and a half, and have never been called in question by any other power. The Sixth Article of the said Treaty of Peace does not therefore give the Cape of Good Hope to the Batavian Eepublic, but declares very plainly and con- formably to the Laws of Nations " The Cape of Good Hope remains
Records of the Gape Colmiy. 497
in full Sovereignty to the Batavian Eepublic as it was before the War."
The suspension of the execution of the Sovereignty, occasioned for a short time by the chance of war, was immediately put an end to by the Eatification of the said Treaty.
The British Government was, according to the 12 th Article, bound to restore this Colony within three montlis after the Eatification, which was effected by His Britannic Majesty on the 12th April 1802.
As these three months which expired on the 12th July 1802 have elapsed, the longer passage of the Commissary General, occasioned by the Season of the year, by calms and other impedi- ments, cannot afford any argument against the substantial and avowed right of the Batavian Eepublic to the Cape, nor any justifi- cation for delay of the restoration of it on the 31st December last.
When on the 24 December 1802 the Commissary General first put his foot on shore, he placed it on the Ground of the Batavian Eepublic, and not on any property of His Britannic Majesty. He from that moment entered upon those Sovereign Eights wliich His Britannic Majesty himself at the Peace of Amiens declared to have belonged to the Batavian Eepublic relative to the Cape of Good Hope prior to the "War, and which, after the War, continued (it is to be remarked) to the said EepubUc, that is, not hy any new cession but by a continued right, not taken from her, but only suspended in its execution during the War.
The Capitulation itself of September 1795, which assures the privileges of the Colonists, and constitutes the Lands and Buildings of the Dutch East India Company as a mortgage for the paper money, the subsequent issuing of an additional sum of paper money (which it may be observed was not stamped with the stamps of His Britannic Majesty but with those of the same Dutch East India Company as the former Paper Money also had been stamped) may be adduced as proofs that the words remains in full Sovereignty are perfectly consonant to the opinion of both the Governments.
And manifold proofs of the acknowledged right of Sovereignty in the Batavian Government as to the Cape, which have occurred within the short time of the Commissary General's residence here, and which are not unknown to Their Excellencies, will confirm
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that Their Excellencies also have never entertained any doubt upon the subject.
The day on which the Castle was to be delivered up and the Batavian Flag was to be hoisted, with the formalities usual on such occasions, being, for the better and more regular conclusion of all Colonial administrations, fixed for the 1st January 1803, can only be considered as a proposed arrangement of convenience; but can never be explained into any alteration, or prejudice to the good right of the Batavian Eepublic, acknowledged by both the High Constituent and all the Contracting Parties, by the Treaty of Amiens ratified by themselves.
Neither can, without direct offence, such a lawful Treaty be violated on the part of any one of the Contracting Parties or the performance of the Articles stipulated therein be delayed, even on the supposition that this is not done with hostile views, which from the nature of the thing and ipso facto is a protestatio adui contraria. The idea is alarming, that a justification of such a step should be attempted by the pretended right of the strongest over the inability of the weakest party to oppose it ; and it is difficult to suppose that such should be likely to be or to become the arguments of the British Ministers.
On other Grounds the Commissary General has for and in the name of the Batavian Council of State protested against the suspension of the restitution on the 31st December last, and against all costs, damage, and losses that might result from it to the Batavian Eepublic, and he must on the same grounds continue to protest against any new act or assertion of Sovereignty to the Cape Territories, on the part of their Excellencies, for and on behalf of His Britannic Majesty, which he never can allow nor acknowledge as lawful, without becoming unfaithful to his Country.
Mutual principles of humanity and political prudence have, in the mean while, led to the agreement of the 3 January 1803 ; and the Commissary General, as well as the Governor and General in Chief Janssens, declare that they consider the strict performance thereof as their most sacred duty, and that they likewise consider it as impossible that the circumstances in which Their Excellencies are placed should permit them on their side to deviate from it one single step.
Their Excellencies however appear to have been led, by erroneous reports, to suspect that on the part of the Eepresentatives of the
Becords of the Cape Colony. 499
Batavian Government this agreement has been deviated from, in the case of the Enrolment of Four Cape Inhabitants named in Their Excellencies' letter of the 1st Instant, and in two other cases, mentioned in the friendly conferences held on that day, on the said subject, between Their Excellencies and the Commissary General, and continued on the 3rd Instant, when the Governor and General in Chief also was present.
It is considered necessary here to repeat, by way of recollection, what has been stated in the said conferences for explanation and undeceiving Their Excellencies.
1. On the subject of the Enrolment, it is known to their Excellencies that when about three weeks ago a confidential explanation on the subject took place between the Lieutenant Governor Dundas and the Governor and General in Chief Janssens, in presence of the Commissary General and Vice Admiral Curtis, the Governor and General in Chief Janssens ;( without intending thereby to acknowledge any disqualification on his side to enrol men not being British subjects and not exceeding the number of 3,200 heads prima plana, vrhich has more than once been stated to Their Excellencies that the Batavian Government had more than a year ago destined to constitute the Cape Garrison, and which number can for various reasons scarcely be expected ever to be complete) did, however, actually declare, that to convince Their Excellencies of his wish to preserve the mutual confidence, he would immediately forbid all enrolments. This interdiction has taken place; the Governor and General in Chief Janssens has personally communicated it to Lieutenant Governor Dundas ; and it would be to suppose total disorder and want of military disci- pline, or an open want of faith on the part of the Batavian General in Chief, if it could be believed that any enrolment had actually taken place after that day. The four persons mentioned in Their Excellencies' letter were legally and voluntarily enrolled on the 28th December 1802, and there are no terms in this act in which any unfavourable reflection could be made. The Sovereignty of the Batavian Government over the Cape Territories was, without any diplomatic logic, then openly avowed ; and it would be the height of incongruity to consider private Inhabitants to be guilty of offence for having, at that time, acknowledged that Sovereignty here, and engaged themselves in the service of that Government, when Their Excellencies and all Public Boards and officers had
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already, before that day, done the same thing very properly in many cases. The Enrolment therefore of these four persons ought to be considered as out of the reach of all controversy, and to insist further on this point might likewise be considered as offensive to Their Excellencies.
2. It is unnecessary to say anything more on the suspicion of its being intended to make use of the Troops bound for Batavia (but which have remained here some time) against the letter and the purport of the agreement. These Troops much weakened by a long passage, and by being too much crowded on board the two ships De Vrede and Wahkerheid, required, more than any of the rest, recovery of their health, new clothing, and more room on con- tinuing their passage to Batavia. One half of these Troops are already sent away, some days ago, with the same ships De Vrede and WakTcerheid, and from a principle of humanity only and due precaution the Commisssary General resolved to place the other half on the men-of-war which are about to sail for Batavia, and which had now room, after having landed the Troops intended for the Cape. This has already, in a great degree, been effected, and there remain only a few men now on shore, whom the ship Bato, on account of refitting, could not take on board. The Commissary General and the General in Chief Janssens are however extremely
•concerned that ill disposed and disorderly inclined persons should endeavour to render their good faith suspected by their Excellencies, and thus actually offend and injure the character which they have the honor to hold here, whereas they, on their part, by their continuing with their families and property in a Fort manned with •British Troops, and under the Key of the Castle guarded by those Troops, and by many other acts of confidence, constantly and openly evince how much they rely, without reserve, on the honor and faith of Their Excellencies.
3. In the third point stated by Their Excellencies, in the aforesaid conferences, as a deviation from the agreement, no shadow of a breach of faith is to be found; the whole of the Ordnance destined by the Batavian Council of War for the Cape provisionally consists of six six-pounders and two Howitzers. The Corps of Light Artillery has four three -pounders as a part of the usual arm attached to the same Corps. The first mentioned eight field pieces are those expressed in the third article of the agree- ment, while the others were considered in no other Hght than to
Records of the Cape Colony. 501
be included in the number of muskets, sabres, and other weapons attached to particular Corps ; and besides the Lieutenant Colonel Ter Horst of the Artillery, who superintended the landing and transporting of these pieces, found that from an extraordinary confusion which must have taken place at their shipping, the wheels and carriages belonging to the said pieces were almost all defective, so much so, that the Body Carriage of one piece had been shipped with the Fore Carriage of another and with the Caissons of a third, and that many other essential parts had been left behind. In order to separate and arrange these parts, he sent everything to the Camp just as he found them, and he has with difficulty been able to render Eight Field Pieces fit for service. The agreement is not, therefore, at all violated in this respect. The other smaller pieces are still lying useless on the sand openly and before the eyes of every one. The access to the Camp itself has likewise, hitherto, not been prohibited to any person. Thus their conduct does not show that they had any intention to violate good faith by clandestine means, neither will the Commissary General nor the Governor and General in Chief Janssens suppose that a point of so little importance should be interpreted against their obligation in the sacred observance of the agreement. It could not seriously be required that the weapons of the Batavian Troops, among which these light pieces of Ordnance are to be reckoned, should be left in or brought back to Cape Town, or within the Military Posts of the British Forces ; yet, on the least objection remaining on the part of their Excellencies, and trusting that their Excellencies will reciprocally shew a similar indulgence to the grievance represented on the part of the Batavian Govern- ment, it is proposed to remove these (at best dubious) light pieces of Ordnance from the Camp to, or near Simons Bay, as a convincing proof how little importance they attach to the use thereof, and how anxious they are, on their part, to prevent the least cause which might interrupt the mutual good understanding so necessary for the general safety of this Colony; leaving to the contempt they so well deserve all those who by making such erroneous and odious reports, would, if they had it in their power, create an alienation between the two Governments.
The Grievance represented on the part of the Commissary General and Governor Janssens is known to Their Excellencies and has already been enforced with the strongest argument^.
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At this particular time the landing, clothing, arming, exercising, and employing in Garrison Service several hundred men, who till a few days ago did only common ship's duty, is an open alteration of the footing on which matters stood on the 31st December last, and which are agreed upon to continue so in the First Article of the Convention. It is true the full exercise of his authority has been reserved to the Lieutenant Governor Dundas in the said agreement; yet it is to be hoped that His Excellency will comprise no reinforcement of Troops in the word authority, an acceptation which could not surely enter the ideas of the respective Commissioners when they founded the said agreement on mutual good faith. One shudders to anticipate events, yet the liepresent- atives of the Batavian Government are not, however, such strangers in the course of worldly things as to believe that, in case of an unexpected rupture, and after the reciprocal obligation by which botli parties are bound under the agreement shall be legitimately absolved, the Commandant of the English Forces would then make no use of these men; but as this use at that time, and in those unfortunate moments is not at present called in question, they would now only ask whether the landing and arming of these men is not in the present moment useless ?
Whether this does not entirely alter the state of matters and the number and the Force of the British Land Troops, on which the agreement is founded ?
Whether this totally unexpected arming, contrary to the inten- tion of the agreement, must not create in the Batavian Government here and among the Batavian Troops suspicion either that their good faith is doubted, and therefore that it is conceived additional means of defence may justly be adopted against them, or that, on the British side, preparations are making for the means of attack ?
It is asked, therefore, whether the Batavian Troops are not entitled to demand that in order to balance those preparations on the part of the British, the present very precarious and open position of their totally defenceless camp should not also be changed and removed to another place ?
Such at least is at present the distress and ferment among the Batavian Troops ; and the Commissary General and the Governor and General in Chief Janssens hereby repeat their earnest request
Records of the Cape Colony. 503
that Their Excellencies will please to order this reasonable cause of distress and suspicion to be removed, and thereby on their part also openly evince the value which Their Excellencies attach to the strict performance of the said agreement.
They repeat at all events the offer made on their part, that by permanent Commissioners respectively to be appointed the strict performance of the particular articles of the said agreement be attended to.
[Copy.]
Reply to the several particulars contained in the Statement made hy their Excellencies Commissary General Be Mist and the Governor and General in Chief Janssens dated 6 February 1803.
It is not pretended to doubt the right of the Batavian Eepublic to the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope conformably to the Treaty of Amiens ; but Lieutenant General Dundas is directed to delay the restitution of it by the express command he has received from the King his Master ; however, the readiness with which the Lieutenant General concurred with Your Excellencies, upon your arrival in this Country, with respect to every point which had a tendency to carry into effect, without delay, the arrangements necessary to enable you to take possession of this Settlement, previous to the 31st December, must have fully evinced his anxious desire to fulfil his duty in the speedy withdrawing His Britannic Majesty's Troops from the Colony ; lamenting, as much as Your Excellencies can have done, that any unforeseen circum- stances should have occurred to prevent the immediate restitution of it to the Batavian Eepublic.
The orders which arrived on the 31 December, a few hours only before the time agreed upon for the formal restitution of the Settlement, have been fully communicated to Your Excellencies ; these orders, whatever may have given rise to them, must be obeyed ; they direct merely to delay, as Your Excellencies are already acquainted, the restitution of the Settlement.
As the Colony therefore remains, for the present, unrestored to the Batavian Eepublic, and it being impossible for Lieutenant General Dundas, conformably to his instructions, to admit of any interference whatever in the Government of the same until it is
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formally restored to the Batavian Eepublic, he is convinced that Your Excellencies with candour and liberality will see how impossible it is, in any manner whatsoever, to compromise the authority which he is positively ordered to maintain.
As to the several steps which have been judged advisable to take in the discharge of the Lieutenant General's and Vice Admiral's duty to their King and Country, with a view to the safety and tranquillity of the Settlement, they conceive them to be mere matters of course, which, in their military situations here, it was their duty to attend to; not having conceived that they could be construed by Your Excellencies into the slightest infringement of the agreement of the 3rd Ultimo, nor that they could, for a moment, have excited in the minds of the Batavian Troops the supposition of any hostile design.
The particulars mentioned in the letter of the 1st February and which were the subject of the subsequent Conference, having appeared inconsistent with the reserved authority of the Lieu- tenant Governor, as well as contrary to the terms of the agree- ment of the 3rd January; it was impossible to pass them unnoticed ; but the Lieutenant General and Vice Admiral have the pleasure to add that the explanations now afforded by Your Excellencies are so much satisfactory as to have altogether done away all unpleasant doubts and apprehensions.
The Lieutenant Governor having received from His Majesty's Ministers the strongest injunctions not to excite any jealousy or distrust on the part of the Batavian Government, on account of the delay in the restitution of the Colony, the Lieutenant General and Vice Admiral have derived the - utmost satisfaction from the good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between them and Their Excellencies, and which they sincerely hope will not suffer any interruption.
Their Excellencies the Commissary General De Mist and the Governor and General in Chief Janssens have been repeatedly assured that the landing a party of Seamen from His Majesty's Ships was done with no hostile intention ; but as their having come on shore is represented by Their Excellencies to have occasioned suspicion and disquietude among the Batavian Troops, the Lieutenant General and Vice Admiral will in the wise and prudent manner suggested by the Commissary General at the last conference, cause the said Sailors to be reembarked ; the Lieutenant
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General and Vice Admiral being most ardently desirous to prevent, to the utmost of their power, any jealousies or misunderstandings between the Forces of the two Nations ; and they are fully per- suaded the sentiments of Their Excellencies the Commissary General De Mist and the Governor and General in Chief Janssens are in perfect unison with their own.
In regard to the suggestion of Their Excellencies the Com- missary General De Mist and the Governor and General in Chief Janssens for the appointment respectively of permanent Com- missioners for causing a strict performance of the agreement entered into ; the Lieutenant General and Vice Admiral are most decidedly of opinion such an appointment would be productive of no good consequences ; but that, on the contrary, it would be attended with the greatest difficulties, trouble, and inconvenience.
Cape of Good Hope, 9(A February 1803.
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