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RECOBDS OF THE CAPE COLONY.
3*f
EECOEDS
OF THE
CAPE COLONY
From FEBRUARY to APRIL 1825.
COPIED FOR THE CAPE GOVERNMENT, FROM THE
MANUSCRIPT DOCUMENTS IN THE PUBLIC
RECORD OFFICE, LONDON,
BY
GEORGE MCCALL THEAL, D.Lit., LL.D.,
COLONIAL HISTORIOGRAPHER.
VOL. XX.
PRINTED FOR
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CAPE COLONY.
1904.
LONDON :
PRINTED BT WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,
DUKE STREET, STAMFORD STREET, S.E., AND GREAT WINDMILL STREET, W.
CONTENTS.
DATE PAQB
1825
7 Feb. Petition of John Diplock and others .... 1
8 Feb. Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset . 2
,, Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst . 3
„ -_" Letter from the Commissioners of Enquiry to M. van
Breda, Esqre. ....... 3
„ Letter from Mr. Charles Trappes to the Commissioners of
Enquiry ........ 4
9 Feb. Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset . 4
„ Additional Instructions to Lord Charles Somerset . . 6
„ Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset . 12
„ Letter from the Commissioners of Enquiry to Lieutenant
Colonel Bird ....... 15
9 Feb. Letter from Mr. George Greig to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre. 16
10 Feb. Letter from M. van Breda, Esqre., to the Commissioners
of Enquiry ........ 17
„ Letter from the Commissioners of Enquiry to M. van
Breda, Esqre. ....... 17
11 Feb. Treasury minute ....... 18
„ Letter from M. van Breda, Esqre., to the Commissioners
of Enquiry ........ 30
„ Letter from P. G. Brink, Esqre., to the Commissioners of
Enquiry ........ 31
12 Feb. Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst . 32
„ Evidence given by Mr. Francis Dashwood to the Commis-
sioners of Enquiry ...... 32
„ Letter from R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre., to Mr. George
Greig ......... 38
13 Feb. Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset . 38
14 Feb. „ „ „ „ . 39
„ Letter from R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre., to Mr. Thomas
Willson 40
15 Feb. Memorial of Mr. John Bardwell Ebden .... 41
VI
Contents.
DATE
1825
15 Feb.
16 Feb.
17 Feb.
18 Feb.
19 Feb.
21 Feb.
22 Feb.
23 Feb.
24 Feb.
25 Feb.
26 Feb.
99
27 Feb.
28 Feb.
1 March.
3 March.
Letter from Mr. Thomas Willson to Earl Bathurst .
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst
Enclosures concerning Mr. J. H. Lange .
Letter from Mr. J. B. Ebden to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre,
Letter from Mr. George Greig to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre,
Letter from Walter Currie, Esqre., to Lord Charles
Somerset .......
Address to Lord Charles Somerset
Letter from Mr. J. B. Ebden to J. C. Herries, Esqre.
Memorandum by Lord Charles Somerset
Letter from the Landdrost of Graaff Reinet to the Com
missioners of Enquiry .....
Letter from Mr. J. B. Ebden to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset
Letter from George Kekewich, Esqre., to the Com mis
sioners of Enquiry .....
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset
Letter from the Landdrost of Worcester to the Commit
sioners of Enquiry .....
>> >» »»
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset
Letter from the Assistant Secretary to Government to the
Commissioners of Enquiry ....
Enclosures concerning the removal of the drostdy
from Tulbagh to Worcester
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset
Notes by the Commissioners of Enquiry upon Mr. Ingram'
arrangements for his apprentices .
Letter from Mr. J. B. Ebden to J. C. Herries, Esqre.
Evidence given by P. G. Brink, Esqre. .
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset
Enclosure ; Memorial of Jacob Theron .
Letter from the Secretary to Government to the Landdrost
of Albany .......
Enclosures relative to illicit trading in Kaffraria
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset
Letter from Mr. H. W. Wilton to Earl Bathurst .
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset
" '» >»
Letter from R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre., to George Harri
son, Esqre. .......
Letter from the Assistant Secretary to Government to the
Secretary to the Commissioners of Enquiry
Enclosures concerning the Paper Money .
Letter from the Reverend C. I. Latrobe to Earl Bathurst
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset
PAGE
42
44
44
46
47
49
54
56
57
59
60
61
62
65
66
66
67
68
69
72
73
74
78
81
81
90
91
94
95
98
99
99
100
102
113
113
Contents.
vn
DATE
1825
3 March.
4 March.
5 March.
6 March.
7 March.
8 March.
10 March.
11 March.
12 March.
Letter from Abraham Borradaile, Esqre., to Earl Bathurst
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset
Memorial of the Committee of Cape Trade
Letter from Mr. Thomas Willson to Earl Bathurst .
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset
Letter from R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre., to Mr. George
Greig .........
Return of the Slave Tax in the district of Worcester
Statement of Sales of Public Property at Tulbagh .
Letter from the Reverend William Geary to Earl Bathurst
Letter from Mr. George Greig to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre.
Enclosure : amended prospectus of the South African
Commercial Advertiser .....
Letter from Mr. H. W. Wilton to Earl Bathurst .
Letter from the Reverend William Geary to Earl Bathurst
Letter from Mr. B. Burnett to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre.
Letter from R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre., to Mr. Bishop
Burnett ........
Letter from R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre., to Mr. George Greig
Letter from R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre., to the Reverend
Wm. Geary .......
Discussion in the House of Commons
Letter from Mr. John Gregory to the Secretary to the
District of Worcester .....
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst
Enclosures concerning Mr. William Edwards .
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst
Enclosures relating to the South African Commercial
Advertiser .......
Letter from Mr. Abraham Borradaile to R. Wilmot
Horton, Esqre. ......
Letter from the Reverend Wm. Geary to Earl Bathurst
Letter from the Reverend Wm. Geary to R. Wilmot
Horton, Esqre. ......
Letter from Mr. Bishop Burnett to R. Wilmot Horton
Esqre. ........
Enclosures concerning his complaints
13 March. Return of Ivory purchased from Kaffirs.
14 March. Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst
Enclosures concerning newspaper charges
„ Trial of Galant and others .....
15 March. Letter from Sir Rufane Donkin to R. Wilmot Horton,
Esqre. .........
PAGB
114
114
115
115
121
123
124
126
126
126
127
129
131
131
133
133
133
134
134
136
137
137
139
146
147
151
152
153
154
154
154
181
182
183
188
341
vin
Contents.
DATE
1825
15 March.
Le*
J c from R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre., to the Reverend
W. Geary ........
" setter from Mr. W. A. Hankey to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre.
Enclosure : Instructions to Dr. Philip
' Letter from the Reverend W. Geary to R. Wilmot Horton,
Esqre. .........
„ Letter from D. Campbell, Esqre., to the Commissioners of
Enquiry ........
Letter from Mr. George Greig to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre.
„ Letter from Mr. F. R. Bresler to P. G. Brink, Esqre.
16 March. Letter from P. G. Brink, Esqre., to the Commissioners of
Enquiry ........
Letter from Mr. H. W. Wilton to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre.
Letter from Mr. Jacobus Theron to R. Wilmot Horton,
Esqre. .........
17 March. Letter from the Commissioners of Enquiry to Lieutenant-
Colonel Bird .......
Enclosure : Interrogatories and Replies .
18 March. Proclamation by Lord Charles Somerset
Letter from R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre., to Mr. George
Greig .........
Letter from R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre., to Mr. Bishop
Burnett ........
19 March. Letter from Mr. Bishop Burnett to R. Wilmot Horton,
Esqre. .........
Letter from Mr. Daniel Dixon to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre.
Enclosure : Current Wages in the Cape Colony
20 March. Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst
Enclosures concerning Buildings on Robben Island .
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to R. Wilmot Horton,
Esqre. .........
„ » » »»
21 March. Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to the Commissioners
of Enquiry ........
„ Letter from Mr. George Greig to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre.
„ Letter from J. B. Ebden, Esqre., to J. C. Herries, Esqre.
„ Letter from Mr. Thomas Willson to Earl Bathurst .
22 March. Letter from the Secretary of Worcester to John Gregory,
Esqre. .........
„ Letter from the Reverend W. Geary to R. Wilmot Horton,
Esqre. .........
23 March. Order in Council ........
„ Letter from the Commissioners of Enquiry to Earl Bathurst
„ Letter from Abraham Borradaile, Esqre., to Earl Bathurst
„ Letter from Mr. Maasdorp to the Commissioners of Enquiry
PAGB
342
342
343
344
345
345
346
347
347
348
349
350
354
355
355
356
357
357
359
360
362
362
363
364
365
366
368
370
370
372
374
379
379
Contents.
IX
DATE
1825
24 March.
25 March.
26 March.
27 March.
28 March.
30 March.
31 March.
2 AoriL
Letter from T. P. Courtenay, Esqre., to R. Wilmot Horton,
Esqre. .........
Letter from Mr. S. E. Shawe to John Gregory, Esqre. .
Letter from the Commissioners of Enquiry to Earl Bathurst
Letter from the Court of Justice to Lord Charles Somerset
Letter from T. P. Courtenay, Esqre., to R. Wilmot Horton,
Esqre. .........
Letter from Mr. P. G. Brink to John Gregory, Esqre. • .
Letter from Mr. J. W. Stoll to the Commissioners of
Enquiry ........
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset
Letter from Earl Bathurst to the Commissioners of Enquiry
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst
Enclosure : Memorial of Mr. H. E. Faure
Letter from George Harrison, Esqre., to R. W. Horton,
Esqre. .........
Letter from R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre., to Mr. Bishop
Burnett ........
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset
Return of occupied erven at Worcester ....
Letter from Mr. Thomas Willson to R. Wilmot Horton,
Esqre. .........
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst
Expenses of Albany and Somerset Districts .
Letter from the Secretary to Government to R. Wilmot
Horton, Esqre. .......
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst
Enclosures : Addresses to Lord Charles Somerset
PAGB
380
382
382
385
387
388
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
396
397
398
400
406
406
411
411
INDEX
417
XX.
RECORDS OF THE CAPE COLONY.
[Original.]
Petition of John Diplock and others.
1th February 1825.
To the Right Honourable Earl Bathurst, &c, &c, &c.
The Humble Petition of John Diplock and others Sheweth
That in the year 1819 one Richard Gower then of Greenwich
in the County of Kent, plumber and glazier, was induced with
his family consisting of a wife (Mary Gower) and three children
to emigrate to His Majesty's settlements at the Cape of Good
Hope, taking with him a considerable property which he had
saved in this country.
That the said Richard Gower on his arrival at the Cape
settled in Graham's Town where he used every exertion to
support himself and family, but in consequence of the failure
of the crops and other misfortunes he was reduced to great
extremities, which ultimately caused his death in the month
of July last, leaving his said wife the said Mary Gower and her
three helpless children (the eldest only ten years) entirely
destitute in a strange land.
That your Petitioners are advised that in cases of such
extremity Government have in some instances granted free
passages home to this Country, and your Petitioners being
unable to send her the means of returning and conceiving that
this is a case for the merciful consideration of Government,
Your Petitioners therefore trusting to the well known humanity
of your Lordship pray that you will be graciously pleased to
xx B
2 Records of the Cape Colony.
take the case of the said Mary Gower and her said three children
into your serious consideration, and order them a free passage
to England, and petitioners as in duty bound will pray.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Downing Street, London, 8th February 1825.
My Lord, — With reference to the correspondence which
has passed upon the subject of the measures which His
Majesty's Government have directed to be carried into effect
for ameliorating the condition of the Slave population in His
Majesty's Foreign Possessions, I transmit to your Excellency
herewith enclosed a copy of an Order of His Majesty in
Council which has been passed in order to provide for the
Religious Instruction of the Slaves in the Island of Trinidad
and for the improvement of their condition.
I also annex copies of two Proclamations which have been
issued for the purpose of modifying and explaining certain
Provisions of the said Order. These Proclamations will at no
distant period be embodied into an additional Order in Council,
which will also contain a modification of the Clause numbered
42 in the Order of the 10th of March ; this modification will
render the forfeiture of Slaves on the second conviction dis-
cretional with the Court and the Clause will stand " cruel and
unlawful punishments " instead of " cruel or unlawful punish-
ments," which was a verbal error in the former Order.
In order that the arrangements already adopted by your
Excellency and which it may further be deemed proper to
make upon this subject generally should harmonise as much
as possible with the measures enjoined in the enclosed Order
and Proclamations, I have to instruct your Excellency to
transmit to me a draft of an Order to be submitted to His
Majesty in Council which shall be framed in the spirit of the
Regulations laid down in those documents and adapted to
the Laws and State of the Settlement under your Excellency's
Government. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
Records of the Cape Colony. 3
[Original.]
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Cape of Good Hope, 8th February 1825.
My Lord, — I beg leave to acquaint your Lordship that I
have granted leave of absence for the term of Six Months from
the period of his embarkation from hence to Francis Dashwood
Esqre., Collector of Customs at Simon's Bay, to return to
Europe on account of his health.
I have directed Mr. Dashwood to report himself to your
Lordship on his arrival in England and to apply to you for any
further extension of Leave, and I have furnished him with the
Certificate required by Your Lordship's Despatch No. 9, dated
21 April 1818. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Copy.]
Letter from the Commissioners of Enquiry to
M. van Breda, Esqre.
Cape Town, 8th February 1825.
Sir, — We have the honor to request you would inform us
whether at any time during the period in which you filled the
Situation of President of the Burgher Senate, you ever had
occasion to communicate in writing or verbally with the
Secretary to Government Lieutenant Colonel Bird, or with
Mr. Ellis the Deputy Secretary, upon the subject of granting
an allotment of Land iri Cape Town, adjoining the Barracks
and Government wood yard, to the Members of the Catholic
Congregation for the purpose of erecting a Chapel, School and
residence for their priest, and what was the nature and result
of your Communication. We have &c.
(Signed) John Thomas Bigge,
Willm. M. G. Colebrooke.
b 2
Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.]
Letter from Mr. Charles Trappes to the Commissioners of
Enquiry.
Worcester, Sth February 1825.
Gentlemen, — In reply to the letter you have honored me
with, dated the 28th ultimo, I have no hesitation in avowing
what is well known, that I am of an ancient English Roman
Catholic Family, brought up in that Communion, and have
always professed that Faith.
I am no Jesuit nor ever was a Member of that Society, nor
was I educated at any Establishment of which that Body had
the Superintendance.
I was placed in the Situation I now hold, of Landdrost of
the Worcester district, by Lord Charles Somerset, but not at
the recommendation of Lieutenant Colonel Bird.
I have neither openly or secretly taken any steps to introduce
the Roman Catholic religion into this country. With respect
to the duties of Political Commissioner for Church affairs,
which form part of those of the Landdrost, I beg leave to remark
that it appears to me that they are not in the remotest degree
connected with the Religious Tenets of the Reformed or
Calvinistic Church, and the Situation being one of a Political
nature only, it may be presumed that a Person of a different
Communion will perform them more impartially, and with less
restraint, than a person professing the Calvinistic Doctrine.
I have &c.
(Signed) C. Trappes.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Downing Street, London, 9 February 1825.
My Lord, — I transmit herewith to your Excellency copies
of communications which have been received from the Boards
of Treasury and Ordinance, relating to Buildings which it is
Records of the Cape Colony. 5
proposed to erect in Cape Town for the accommodation of the
officers of the Commissariat stationed there, and in conformity
with the wish expressed by the Lords Commissioners of the
Treasury, I have to desire that your Excellency will take
measures for appropriating to the Commissariat the slip of
ground which is stated to be situated between the buildings
in question and the channel for the water of the Town Canal.
I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Downing Street, London, 9 February 1825.
My Lord, — The King having been graciously pleased to
take into his consideration the difficulties with which your
Excellency has to contend in administering the Government
of the extensive Settlements confided to your charge, has been
pleased with the advice of His Privy Council to issue additional
Instructions creating a Council to whose assistance and advice
you may in future have recourse upon every occasion of novelty,
difficulty or importance. These additional Instructions I have
the honor to enclose.
It being necessary that a proper person should be appointed
to perform the duties of Clerk of the Council, I have to signify
to you His Majesty's Pleasure that the sum of £800 be annually
applied out of the unappropriated Revenue of the Settlement
for the support of this Office ; and until the arrival of a person
nominated by His Majesty to fill this situation you are autho-
rised to make a provisional appointment in favor of any
Individual who may appear to you qualified for an employment
of so important and confidential a nature.
It is not the intention of the enclosed Instructions to impose
on you the necessity of resorting to the Council for advice upon
all the ordinary and less important details of public business.
The general rules which the Instructions have laid down for
6 Records of the Cape Colony
your guidance upon this head, you will in your discretion
apply to particular cases as they arise.
Although under these Instructions your Excellency is
authorised to act in special cases without the concurrence of
a majority of your Council, you will, however, not by this
understand that upon any occasion of importance you are
authorised to act without a previous communication with
them ; and if after such communication you take upon yourself
to act without the concurrence of a majority of the Council,
you will necessarily encur a responsibility which the exigency
of the case may make it justifiable and even laudable to encur ;
but on the other hand I must remind you that it will become
your indispensable duty to shew that such an exigency really
existed.
The Instructions have invested you with authority to suspend
any Member of Council until His Majesty's Pleasure can be
known, if you should see just cause for such a proceeding. I
cannot too strongly impress upon your Excellency the necessity
of abstaining if possible from the exercise of this power. It is
to be regarded as an extreme remedy to be adopted only on
very grave occasions on which the Public interest may render
the recourse to it unavoidable.
Your Excellency will make known to the Inhabitants by a
Public Proclamation that His Majesty has been graciously
pleased to create a Council for assisting with their advice in
administering the Government, and you will in the same
Proclamation notify the names of the Persons summoned by
His Majesty to sit in this Council. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Office Copy.]
Additional Instructions to Lord Charles Somerset.
George R.
Additional Instructions to Our Right Trusty and Well-
beloved Councillor Charles Henry Somerset Esquire
commonly called Lord Charles Henry Somerset General
in Our Army Our Governor and Commander in Chief in
Records of the Cape Colony. 7
and over the Settlement of the Cape of Good Hope in
South Africa or in his absence to the Officer Administer-
ing the Government in and over the said Settlement for
the time being Given at Our Court at Carlton House
the ninth day of February 1825 in the sixth year of Our
Reign. —
Whereas by a Commission under the Great Seal of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland bearing date at
Westminster the second day of November 1813 in the 54th
year of the Reign of His late Majesty King George the Third
Our Royal Father The Governor, and in case of his death or
absence, the person specially appointed to administer for the
time being the Government of the Settlement of the Cape of
Good Hope in South Africa and the Territories and Depend-
encies thereof were authorised and required for and during
Our Will and Pleasure to do and execute all things in due
manner that should belong to the said Command and the
Trust thereby reposed in them respectively according to the
several Powers and directions granted or appointed by the
said Commission and the Instructions under the Royal Signet
and Sign Manual therewith given and by such further powers
instructions and authorities as should at any time thereafter
be given and granted or appointed to the said Governor under
the Royal Signet and Sign Manual or by Order of His Majesty
in Council or through One of His Majesty's Principal Secre-
taries of State And Whereas We have thought fit that a
Council should be constituted and appointed within Our said
Settlement to advise and assist in the Administration of the
Government thereof Now therefore We do hereby declare it to
be Our Will and Pleasure that there shall be henceforward a
Council within Our said Settlement to consist of the following
persons whom We do hereby constitute and appoint to be
Members of Our said Council during Our Will and Pleasure any
two of whom (together with yourself or in your absence
together with the Member presiding) to be a Quorum viz : —
The Chief Justice ;
The Colonial Secretary ;
The Officer next in Command for the time being to the
Commander of the Forces ;
8 Records of the Cape Colony.
Lieutenant Colonel Bell ;
Walter Bentinek Esqr, Auditor General ;
J. W. Stoll Esqr, Receiver General.
You shall as soon as conveniently may be call together the
persons whom We have hereby nominated and appointed as
aforesaid to be Members of Our said Council and shall admini-
ster to them respectively the Oaths mentioned in an Act
passed in the first year of the Reign of George the first, Intituled
" An Act for the further security of His Majesty's Person and
Government and the Succession of the Crown in the Heirs of
the late Princess Sophia being Protestants and for extinguishing
the hopes of the Pretended Prince of Wales and his open and
secret Abettors " as the same is altered and explained by an
Act passed in the sixth year of the Reign of Our said beloved
Father and Royal Predecessor King George the Third Intituled
" An Act for altering the Oath of abjuration and the Assurance
and for the amending so much of an Act of the seventh year of
Her late Majesty Queen Anne Intituled " An Act for the
Improvement of the Union of the two Kingdoms as after the
time therein limited requires the delivery of certain lists and
copies therein mentioned to Persons indicted for High Treason
or Misprision of Treason " and also the usual Oaths for the
due execution of their places and Trust respectively all which
Oaths shall also be administered by the Governor or person
administering the Government of Our said Settlement for the
time being to all such persons as shall hereafter be appointed
to be of Our said Council before they respectively enter upon
the execution of the duties of such their Office.
You are to communicate forthwith to Our said Council
these Our Instructions and likewise all such others from time
to time wherein their advice and consent are requisite and as
you shall find convenient for Our Service to be imparted to
them.
You are to permit the Members of Our said Council to have
and enjoy freedom of debate and vote in all affairs of public
concern that may be brought under their consideration in
Council and if in consequence of vacancy or of the unavoidable
absence or inability to attend of any of the Members of Our said
Council there should not be a sufficient number of Councillors
Records of the Cape Colony. 9
upon the spot to form a quorum yo\x are hereby authorised by
a Warrant or Commission under the Seal of Our said Settle-
ment to appoint to be Members of Our said Council so many
fit and proper persons as shall make up the number present to
be six and no more It being nevertheless Our Will and Pleasure
that you do signify to Us by the first opportunity every such
vacancy with the occasion thereof as also the names and
qualifications of the persons appointed by you to the intent
that such appointments may be either disallowed or confirmed
by Us and until such disallowance or confirmation by Us shall
be signified and made known to you the persons so appointed
by you shall be to all intents and purposes Councillors within
Our said Settlement Territories and Dependencies.
And We do hereby give and grant unto you full power and
luthority to suspend any of the Members of Our said Council
[rom sitting voting or assisting therein if you shall find just
3ause for so doing and in case of such suspension of any of
:hem you are to cause your reasons for so doing and his answer
^hereunto to be duly entered upon the minutes of the Council
ind forthwith to transmit copies to Us through one of Our
Principal Secretaries of State Nevertheless if it should happen
;hat you should have reasons for suspending any of the Members
)f the Council not fit to be communicated to the Council you
nay in that case withhold such communication but you are
;hereupon immediately to send to Us through One of Our
Principal Secretaries of State an account of your proceedings
herein together with your reasons at large for such suspension
md also your reasons for not communicating the same to Our
aid Council And We do hereby declare and it is Our Pleasure
hat Our said Council shall not proceed to the dispatch of
lusiness unless duly summoned by authority of you or the
Governor or Officer administering the Government for the time
>eing of Our said Settlement and unless two Members at the
east in addition to the Governor or Officer administering the
Government or Member of Council presiding in his absence be
>resent and assisting throughout the whole of the Meeting at
vhich any such business shall be dispatched And it is our
Measure that you do attend and preside at the Meetings of Our
aid Council unless when prevented by some necessary or
easonable cause and that in your absence the Senior Member
10 Records of the Cape Colony.
of the said Council actually present shall preside at all such
meetings the seniority of the Members of the said Council being
regulated according to the order in which their respective
offices are hereinbefore inserted and in all other cases according
to the priority of their appointment as Members of Our said
Council and in the event of any difference of opinion arising at
any meeting of the said Council at which not more than two
Members shall be present in addition to the Governor or Officer
administering the Government or Member of Council presiding
in his absence then it is Our pleasure that the decision of the
question in dispute shall be suspended and adjourned until
some other meeting at which a greater number of the Members
of Our said Council shall be present and attending And it is
Our Pleasure that the Clerk of Our said Council do attend and
be present at the Meetings and deliberations thereof unless
when otherwise directed by you or by the Senior Member of
Council presiding in your absence but without voting or con-
curring in such deliberations and that the minutes of the
proceedings of the said Meetings be regularly drawn up by the
said Clerk and preserved in his custody in a proper Office to
be provided for that purpose and We do further direct and
command that a full and exact Journal or minute be kept of
all the deliberations acts proceedings votes and resolutions of
Our said Council and that at each meeting of the said Council
the minutes of the last preceding meeting be read over confirmed
or amended as the case may require before proceeding to the
dispatch of any other business And it is Our further Will and
Pleasure and We do hereby command you that in the execution
of the several Powers and authorities granted and committed
to you by your Commission and general Instructions aforesaid
you do in all things consult and advise with Our said Council
and that you do not exercise the powers and authorities afore-
said or any of them except by and with the concurrence and
advice of Our said Council save and except only in such cases
as are hereinafter saved and excepted Provided Always that
nothing herein contained shall extend to prevent your exercising
without the advice and concurrence of Our said Council the
several powers and authorities aforesaid or any of them in any
case or upon any occasion which may be of so urgent and
pressing a nature as not to admit of the delay unavoidably
Records of the Cape Coll. \\
incident to the deliberations of Our said' Council it being
Nevertheless Our Pleasure that the measures . a(j0pted by you
without the advice of Our said Council upon ai, such emer-
gency shall with all convenient speed be by you bri. nuo.ht, before
Our said Council for their revision and sanction And . ^ js Qur
further Will and Pleasure that no question shall be bi^0Ughk
before Our said Council for their advice or decision excep\ +mg
only such questions as may be proposed by you for that ■-
purpose Provided Nevertheless and it is our Will that if any
Member of Our said Council shall deem it expedient that any
question should undergo the deliberation of the said Council
and should by application in writing to you request and propose
that such question should be so discussed it shall be competent
to any such Member to enter upon the Minutes of the said
Council such his written application to you together with the
answer which may be returned by you to the same And it is
Our Will and We do further direct that in case you see sufficient
cause to dissent from the opinion of the major part or of the
whole of Our said Council upon any question brought by you
under their consideration it shall be competent to you to execute
the powers and authorities vested in you by the said Commission
and Instructions in opposition to such their opinion upon any
such occasion it being Nevertheless Our Pleasure that in every
case it shall be competent to any Member of Our said Council
to record at length on the minutes of the said Council the
grounds and reason of any advice or opinion he may give upon
any question brought under the consideration of such Council
and it being also Our Pleasure that in the event of your acting
upon any occasion in opposition to the advice of the whole or
the major part of the said Council you do by the first oppor-
tunity transmit to Us through One of Our Principal Secretaries
of State a full explanation of the grounds of every such measure
together with complete copies of the minutes if any of the said
Council relating thereto And We do further direct that twice
in each Year a full transcript of all the Minutes of Council of
the preceding half year be transmitted to Us through One of
Our Principal Secretaries of State.
12
._, orals of the Cape Colony.
Jxeci'
/
[Office Copy.]
, Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Letter from
Downing Street, London, 9 February 1825.
i^ord, — In my dispatch of this date enclosing additional
^Suctions which have been issued by His Majesty for
^erecting a Council for your assistance in the administration of
the Government of the Settlements committed to your charge,
I have conveyed to your Excellency His Majesty's Pleasure
respecting the manner in which his intentions upon that
subject are to be carried into effect. The object of the present
dispatch is to put your Excellency in possession of such
Instructions as may be necessary for your guidance on the
important subject of the enactment and promulgation of
Laws and Ordinances for regulating the civil concerns of the
Settlement.
I am not aware that any printed collection is to be found of
the whole series of Laws Ordinances and public Proclamations
of a Legislative nature, which have been promulgated by your
Excellency and your Predecessors in office since the conquest
and cession of the Settlement of the Cape of Good Hope.
Perhaps even it may not be easy to procure or to compile such
a Collection in Manuscript. It would however be superfluous
to point out the urgent necessity for making such a compilation ;
and I am therefore to signify to your Excellency His Majesty's
Pleasure that you do take measures for preparing and trans-
mitting with all practicable dispatch to me exact and authen-
ticated copies of all such laws, Ordinances and Proclamations,
specifying the time at which each was passed and promulgated,
and distinguishing such as still continue in force, from such as
are obsolete or have expired.
I am aware that this undertaking may be a work of con-
siderable magnitude and difficulty, and not unattended with
a serious expense. The utility of the measure, however, so
entirely outweighs all objections of this kind, that they cannot
be suffered to prevent the execution of it, and if, as I am
disposed to think, any Legislative acts have proceeded from
the local Government which have not hitherto been trans-
mitted for His Majesty's approbation, the necessity of com-
Records of the Cape Colony. 13
municating to me for that purpose a complete collection of
;hem becomes still more urgent.
I need hardly observe that it will be necessary that all
)rdinances, public orders, and Proclamations of a Legislative
nature should be promulgated and passed in a uniform style
md with greater solemnity than has hitherto been observed.
For this purpose you will observe in future the following
Regulations.
Whenever you may deem it necessary in execution of the
Powers granted to you by your commission and general
[nstructions to issue any Ordinance, public Order, or Pro-
clamation of a Legislative nature, you will cause His Majesty's
Fiscal to prepare the draft of it with all due observance of
?very essential form of Law, so that the operation of such
enactments may not be impeded by any want of technical
iccuracy in the composition of them.
You will transmit to the Chief Justice the drafts of the Laws
:hus prepared, and it will be his duty to report to you his
opinion whether they are consistent with the fundamental
Laws at present in force in the Colony, and with that part of
;he Law of the United Kingdom which extends to and is in
orce within the Settlement of the Cape of Good Hope and its
Dependencies.
Upon receiving from the Chief Justice a Report that the
Iraft of any Law thus referred to him is not repugnant to but
insistent with the fundamental Laws of the Colony and that
)art of the Law of the United Kingdom which is in force there,
/our Excellency will bring it under the consideration of your
Council, whose duty it will be to lay before you their opinion
md advice respecting the enacting it. To what extent you
vill be bound to defer to their opinion, on this or any other
piestion, you will collect from the additional Instructions
ssued by His Majesty with the advice of His Privy Council,
ior creating a Council. Any Ordinance public Order or Pro-
clamation promulgated in pursuance of these Instructions, you
tvill publish under the style and description of "an Ordinance
3f the Governor in Council."
It will further be necessary that every such Ordinance
mould contain a short preamble formed on the model afforded
by Acts of Parliament, and that it should be divided into
14 Records of the Cape Colony.
Sections or Clauses of convenient length, and that each section
or clause should be accompanied by a short marginal abbrevia-
tion, stating the substance and effect of it.
If the discussions which may arise in the Council on the
Draft of any Ordinance should render it expedient to introduce
any material amendments or alterations, your Excellency will
suspend the final decision of the Council until His Majesty's
Fiscal has prepared the Drafts of such amendments and
alterations, and until you have received from the Chief Justice
his Report upon them.
It cannot be too distinctly understood that the Legislative
Power which is confided to your Excellency with the advice of
your Council is subordinate to that of His Majesty in Council
and of His Majesty acting with the advice and consent of
Parliament. The necessity of making immediate provision for
unexpected exigencies in so remote a part of His Majesty's
Dominions, renders it necessary indeed that the power of
Legislation should be exercised without the delay of a reference
to this Country on urgent occasions. Your Excellency how-
ever will understand that the operation of all ordinances which
may be passed by you in Council is to be suspended until His
Majesty's pleasure is communicated to you respecting them,
excepting only in cases in which you may be of opinion that
the Public Interest would be materially prejudiced by the
delay unavoidably attendant on such a reference.
It will be your duty to transmit to me for His Majesty's
allowance, by the earliest opportunity, every Ordinance or
Legislative Act passed and promulgated in the Settlement and
you will also transmit at the end of every year a printed Collec-
tion of all such Ordinances and Acts from the commencement
of the year bound up in a distinct volume and accompanied
with a full and methodical Index. It will be a part of the duty
of the Clerk of the Council to prepare all documents of this
nature for transmission to this Department.
When the Draft of any Ordinance or Legislative Act has
been finally approved by Your Excellency in Council it will be
subscribed with your signature and sealed with the seal of your
Government and countersigned by the Colonial Secretary and
by the Clerk to the Council.
The Instrument thus attested will be delivered by your
Records of the Cafe, Colony. 15
xcellency to His Majesty's Fiscal, with a Warrant from your
xcellency requiring the Chief Justice or in his absence any one
the Judges to cause it to be registered in the Court of
iistice. It will be the duty of the Fiscal immediately to
spair with the Instrument thus authenticated to the Chief
ustice or some one of the. Judges of the Court whose duty it
ill be to cause it to be enrolled in the Court. Simultaneously
ith this proceeding your Excellency will cause printed copies
t every such Ordinance or Legislative Act to be delivered by
le Clerk of the Council to the chief officers of the various
epartments of Government and to be announced by a Public
roclamation in the manner which has been hitherto observed.
In conclusion I have to direct your Excellency to deposit
b the Council Office in the custody of the Clerk, for the inspec-
on of the Members of Council, such extracts of His Majesty's
.dditional Instructions and of my dispatches of this date as
efine the powers granted to the Members for enabling them to
ischarge the duties confided to them by His Majesty.
I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Copy.]
setter from the Commissioners of Enquiry to Lieutenant-
Colonel Bird.
Cape Town, 9th February 1825.
Sir, — In a special Inquiry that we have been directed to
nake into the measures that led to the Expenditure, on
.ccount of which application was made by His Excellency
^ord Charles Somerset for an advance from the British Treasury
n relief of the Persons whose property suffered from the
torms that occurred in the month of July 1 822, we have felt it
>ur duty to call for information respecting the appropriation
)f 100,000 Rixdollars advanced for the erection of Public
buildings at Worcester, and as statements have been made to
is which render it necessary that we should refer to you for
16 Records of the Cape Colony.
explanation of the circumstances under which that advance
was made, the resources on which it was secured, and the works
to which it was to be applied, we accordingly enclose a series
of Interrogatories, which have been framed upon those state-
ments and the information we have acquired, and in replying
specifically to the points contained in the questions, the
opportunity will be afforded to you of adding such observations
as you may deem it right to make upon the answers of Mr.
Jones, an extract of whose examination before us we have the
honor to enclose, together with the documents connected with
the subject, and which may aid you in the explanations you
may wish to afford.
We deem it right to inform you that we have had other
authority for the statement made by Mr. Jones of the intention
of His Excellency the Governor to postpone the completion of
the Magistrate's House at Worcester, upon the plan originally
submitted to His Excellency. We have &c.
(Signed) John Thomas Bigge,
W. M. G. COLEBROOKE.
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. George Greig to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre.
32 City Road, 9th February 1825.
Sir, — At the interview with which I was honoured on
Monday last, you stated that I should receive a communication
in the course of that day. Not having yet received it, I trust
the importance of the subject to me will plead my excuse in
requesting you will give directions that it may be forwarded
with all convenient dispatch. I have &c.
(Signed) George Greig.
I
Records of the Cape Colony. 17
[Copy.]
Letter from M. van Breda, Esqre., to the Commissioners of
Enquiry.
Orange View, 10th February 1825.
Gentlemen, — I acknowledge by this the receipt of your
Letter of the 8th Inst., respecting the ground that was granted
for the erection of a Roman Catholic Church, School and Clergy-
man's residence, and have the honor to inform you in reply
thereto that everything respecting that Transaction is entered
in the proceedings of the Burgher Senate. I have &c.
(Signed) M. van Breda.
[Copy.]
Letter from the Commissioners of Enquiry to
M. van Breda, Esqre.
Cape Town, 10th February 1825.
Sir, — We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your Letter of this date in which you state to us that every-
thing respecting the grant of an allotment made by the Burgher
Senate for the erection of a Roman Catholic Chapel, School and
Clergyman's residence in Cape Town is entered on the pro-
ceedings of the Burgher Senate.
In reply we beg leave to state that as the Inquiry that we
had the honor to address to you embraced all verbal as well
as written Communications that passed on this subject between
yourself and the Chief Secretary and Deputy Secretary to
Government, we beg to know whether the substance of such
verbal communications was committed to writing by yourself
and was afterwards inserted in the Books of the Burgher
Senate.
Reserving to ourselves such further inquiries as upon the
result of your answer, and upon the examination of the Books,
may become necessary, we have &c.
(Signed) John Thomas Bigge,
William M. G. Colebrooke.
xx c
18 Records of the Cape Colony.
•
[Copy.]
Treasury Minute, llth February 1825.
My Lords have under their consideration the State of the
Currencies in the several British Colonies and Possessions
abroad, as they affect the Expenditure for the public service,
both military and civil.
They consider it as being highly expedient that they should
avail themselves of the present period of peace, and of the
means which appear to be now at their disposal, for introducing
a fixed and uniform medium of exchange for all transactions
connected with the public service, in the place of the various
fluctuating, and anomalous currencies which have been created
under the pressure of temporary emergency, or with views of
local and peculiar expediency, in many of these colonies and
possessions during the war ; and which have been productive
of much private and public inconvenience.
In these colonies the Spanish dollar has generally been the
prevalent current coin, and the standard by which the value
of other currencies, whether metallic or paper, has been
determined.
That coin has been the medium of payment to the troops on
Foreign stations generally ; but the rate in sterling money at
which it has been issued to the Army, has not been the same
at all of those stations, nor has that rate in any case been fixed
in conformity with the intrinsic value of the coin.
In the West Indies, in America, on the western coast of
Africa, at the Cape of Good Hope, at the Mauritius, and at
New South Wales, it has been reckoned in payment to the
Army at 4s. 8d. ; while at Gibraltar and in the Mediterranean,
it has been issued at 4s. Qd.
At some of these places, payments are made to the forces in
other coins than Spanish dollars ; but in those cases the value
of such coins has been regulated by the Spanish dollar, assuming
the value of the latter at the army rate fixed for each station.
These established rates are of long standing, and many of
them founded upon authorities, of the origin of which there are
no distinct records in this office.
The intrinsic value of the Spanish dollar as compared with
British standard silver, at the mint price of 5s. 2d. the ounce,
Records of the Cape Colony. 19
is about 4«. 3 '79d. or somewhat less than 4s. 4c?. ; and at the
market prices of silver which have prevailed for some time
past, it is scarcely above 4s.
It appears, therefore, that the prices at which dollars are
now issued to the British troops abroad, are considerably higher
than the real value of the coin, or its value in British money at
the mint price of silver ; and the Army would have cause to
complain if they had not antecedently, during a great length
of time, enjoyed the advantage of receiving that coin at a rate
much below the value into which it was convertible in British
currency through the medium of the exchanges.
Remonstrances have, however, proceeded from several of
the Foreign stations, on behalf of the Army, on account of the
rates at which the dollar is now issued ; and although the
change by which a more correct issue of the pay of the troops
abroad must be introduced, will unavoidably be attended
with a considerable increase of expense, My Lords deem it
just and necessary to adopt measures for that purpose.
They must at the same time observe, that by the regulations
adopted for the pay of the regimental officers, that valuable
class of the public servants, who would otherwise be the most
seriously affected by the disadvantages of this army-rate of
exchange, are wholly freed from its inconveniences, as they
have for many years past enjoyed the option of receiving their
pay either from the military chest, at the station where they
are serving, or through their agents in England ; by which
means they have the full benefit of the state of the exchange
when it is more favourable than the army-rate, and the advan-
tage of the army-rate when it is less so. The inconvenience
has, therefore, since that regulation, been confined to the
officers on the staff, and some others who, as well as the private
men, receive their pay from the military chest alone, and who
are in some degree indemnified by the mode in which those
supplies in kind are procured for them, which to a certain
extent are defrayed by stoppages from their pay.
In considering this subject, with a view to the introduction
of a better mode of paying the Army abroad, My Lords advert
to the circumstances which affect the supply of the Spanish
dollar at the present time. Some difficulties in procuring it in
sufficient quantities are occasioned by the diminished produce
c 2
20 Records of the Cape Colony.
of the mines ; while, on the other hand, the established
character of that coin, on account of its formerly well-known
uniformity of weight and fineness, has been materially affected
by diversities lately introduced in the coinage in America ;
whereby it has been rendered less fit for the payments which
are now under consideration.
Under these circumstances, it appears to My Lords that the
fittest medium for the payment of the forces, and the best
standard of circulation for the British colonies and possessions
where these anomalies have hitherto prevailed, will be the
silver and copper currencies now in circulation in this country,
provided the same be made convertible, at the will of the holder,
into the standard gold currency of the United Kingdom, by
means of bills of exchange, to be given at a rate to be fixed
for each station by the officer in charge of the military chest,
or some other public authority.
Owing to the rate at which silver is by the Act 56 Geo. 3d,
c. 68, converted into coin at the mint (which is considerably
above its general market value, as well as its former mint
price,) this currency would not be liable to be withdrawn by
private speculation, from the colonies ; while, on the other
hand, its ready convertibility, by the means above mentioned,
into that money which is the legal tender for large payments
in this country, would secure its circulation at the same value
in the colonies.
As there would exist no inducement to export a currency of
this description to foreign countries, so, on the other hand, if
the rate at which bills would be obtainable for it upon England,
be fixed in such manner as to be about equal to the expense
and risk of bringing it to England, the danger of any incon-
venience from its re-importation into this country, would in
like manner be avoided.
This rate My Lords conceive to be about 3 per cent from
almost all of the stations to which these measures would be
applicable ; and they would therefore direct, in the first instance
generally, that the officer in charge of the commissariat should
give a bill for £100 on this Board for every £103 in British silver
currency ; such rate being subject to future regulation in any
case in which it may, on experience, be found to be too high, or
too low, for the purpose which it is intended to secure.
Records of the Cape Colony. 21
Upon these grounds, therefore, My Lords will direct supplies
of silver coin to be prepared for remittance to the several
stations abroad, so as to furnish a sufficiency for the probable
wants of each as speedily as possible. They desire that the
agent for commissariat supplies will take the necessary steps
for that purpose.
But as the substitution of this currency for the Spanish
dollar, even in the payments from the military chest to the
Troops, can only be gradually effected, and as it may, in many
cases, be still expedient to employ that coin as a medium of
payment, at a fixed rate as compared with British currency,
My Lords are of opinion that it should (when necessary) be
issued at the rate of 4s. 4d. the dollar, being a fraction of a
farthing only above its intrinsic value at the rate of 5s. 2d. the
ounce of standard silver ; and also, that all other coins in use
in the colonies should, if used under any special expediency
for making payments from the military chest, be issued at the
same rate, as nearly as may be, with reference to their intrinsic
value as compared with that of the Spanish dollar.
Their Lordships desire that letters be written to the com-
manders of the forces, and to the officers in charge of the
commissariat, on each station abroad, conveying to them the
necessary instructions for carrying this measure into execution,
and directing that the rate at which the Spanish dollar and
other coins are hereafter to be issued for the pay of the Troops,
be adopted from the 24th of the month next succeeding the
receipt of the instructions.
Let the attention of the commanders of the forces be called
to the rates at which certain allowances in money are made
within their respective commands for forage, lodging, &c. &c.
which, having been fixed in British money with reference both
to the expense of the articles, and to the value of the currency
in which the payments were made, will require a revision upon
the introduction of the changes hereby directed. They desire,
therefore, that Boards may be appointed at each station for
inquiring into the subject of these allowances, and for reporting
what alterations should be made in their nominal sterling rates,
so as to keep the real amount of them at least as low as they
are at present, for which purpose the reduction must in all
cases be equal to the difference between the present army
22 Records of the Cape Colony.
rate of the dollar and the proposed new rate of 4s. 4cZ. for
that coin.
Let the officer in charge of the commissariat be also instructed
that all unliquidated engagements with contractors or other
persons, are to be completed according to the terms of those
engagements ; but that in all future contracts the commissariat
should reserve to itself the option of paying the contractor
either in British silver or in bills upon this Board, at the rate
above stated of £100 in such bills for every £103 in money :
And, further, My Lords desire that the commissaries be directed
not to grant bills on any occasion for British money at any
other rate.
If at any time there should not be a sufficiency of British
silver at the disposal of any commissary, for carrying on the
service at his station, he is then to advertise for Spanish dollars
or other coins, by public competition, for his bills on this
Board, and is to accept the lowest tender ; the dollars or coins
so purchased to be issued invariably to the Troops at the rate
of 4s. 4:d. for the Spanish dollar, and at proportionate rates for
other coins, according to their intrinsic values as compared
with the Spanish dollar valued at that rate.
Let copies of this Minute be transmitted to the Commander
in Chief of the forces, and to the Comptrollers of Army Accounts
for their information ; and also to the Master General and Board
of Ordnance, and to the Lords of the Admiralty ; in order that
the former may give instructions for the issue of pay to the
officers and men of the several establishments under their orders
abroad, in conformity with these regulations ; and that the
latter may give similar directions, through the paymaster of
the Marines, with respect to the detachment stationed at
Bermuda ; to whom it appears that their pay is now issued
in dollars at the rate of 4-51 sterling per dollar. My Lords
presume that the Board of Admiralty will think it right to put
that detachment upon the same footing hereafter as the Troops
of the line, with respect to the issue of their pay, and the
stoppages to be made from it.
Transmit copy of this Minute also to Mr. Wilmot Horton,
for the information of Lord Bathurst ; and request he will
move his Lordship to cause the necessary communications of
the measures hereby directed to be made to the governors of
Records of the Cape Colony. 23
the several colonies, together with such instructions as may
appear to his Lordship to be proper for ensuring a due attention
on the part of those Governors to the execution of them.
Desire also, that he will move Lord Bathurst to point out to
the governors of Nova Scotia and Demerara the expediency of
taking some measures for the gradual reduction of the paper
circulation issued for colonial purposes and under colonial
authority in those colonies, and of making it exchangeable,
until it be finally reduced to that which it purports to represent.
With respect to the currencies which now constitute the
chief circulating medium at New South Wales, Sierra Leone,
the Mauritius, Ceylon and the Cape of Good Hope, some more
special directions appear to be necessary, in order to the
introduction of the measures which are the subject of this
Minute into those colonies.
New South Wales.
The Accounts are kept in the British denomination of money,
namely, pounds shillings and pence, but there are few, if any,
British coins circulating, the Spanish dollar being the most
ordinary and common medium of exchange, and which passes
at various values with reference to the pound sterling,
according to the transaction to which it is applied. The
Spanish dollar in private transactions of trade and commerce
is rated at ....... 55.
In payment to the troops . . . .45. 8d.
In payment of salaries to civil servants . 45.
In payment by the government for supplies 55.
In payment to the government, for duties, at the average
rate of exchange.
This state of things appears to My Lords to be highly
objectionable ; and they are of opinion that it would be
expedient to provide that all debts which may be contracted,
and all engagements which may be made, after a day to be
named for the payment of money in the colony, should be
discharged either in British silver money, or in Spanish dollars
at 45. 4d. each, at the will of the debtor ; and that the Spanish
dollar should also be issued and paid, in all government
transactions, at the same rate.
24 Records of the Cape Colony.
That all engagements contracted previously to the day to be
so named, either by the government or by individuals, shall be
respectively discharged and liquidated by the payment of
17s. 4d. in the pound for the nominal amount of the debt,
either in British silver money, or in dollars computed at 4s. 4d.
each ; by which a debt already contracted will be discharged
by the same number of dollars as at present. If at any time
it should be absolutely necessary to introduce into circulation
any other description of coin than British or Spanish dollars
and their proportions, the value at which it should be taken
should be accurately fixed with reference to the quantity of
fine silver contained therein, as compared to the quantity
contained in British standard silver at 5s. 2d. per oz., or in
Spanish dollars at 4s. 4d. each : — a Statement of which with
respect to several of the coins, My Lords have caused to be
extracted from the tables of assay recently made at the mints
both of London and Paris, and which have been found to
verify each other.
Sierra Leone.
The Accounts are kept, as at New South Wales, in the
British denominations of money, and the dollar is in all
transactions of commerce taken at 5s. each, and is issued to
the troops at 4s. 8d. My Lords are therefore of opinion, that
it would be expedient to provide that all debts which may be
contracted, and all engagements which may be made, after a
day to be named for the payment of money, should be dis-
charged either in British silver money, or in Spanish dollars at
4s. 4:d. each, at the will of the debtor ; and the latter coin
should after that day be issued and received in all government
payments on account of government, at the same rate of
4s. 4d. each. But it should be provided, that all engagements
already contracted, either by the government or by individuals,
should be respectively discharged and liquidated by the pay-
ment of 17s. 4d. in the pound for the nominal amount of the
debt, either in British silver money, or dollars computed at
4s. 4d. each, by which the debt already contracted will be
discharged by the same number of dollars as at present.
Records of the Cape Colony. 25
Mauritius.
The Currency has chiefly been Spanish dollars, and paper
dollars supposed to be of the same value as Spanish dollars ;
but these paper dollars have been at various times considerably
depreciated. Instructions however have recently been trans-
mitted to the Mauritius, which provide, if not for the immediate
liquidation of the whole of the paper dollars, at least for
raising their value to that of the Spanish dollar, and for their
gradual reduction. It may therefore be stated, that the
general circulation is Spanish dollars and various coins of
India ; and when the dollar is quoted with reference to British
money, it is called equal to 55. The various coins of India are
valued in circulation with reference to the Spanish dollar at
that rate.
The Spanish dollars (and other coins in proportion) are
issued to the troops at 4s. 8c?., and to the civil servants at the
same rate.
My Lords are of opinion that currency should be given to
the British silver coin, and that any debt in dollars should be
considered as discharged by a payment in Spanish dollars, or
in British money at the rate of 4s. 4d. British money for each
dollar ; and that in all cases where it may be necessary to issue
Spanish dollars to civil or military servants, for salaries, or
otherwise, they should be issued at the rate of 4s. 4d. each ;
and that all other silver coins usually circulating at the
Mauritius, should be issued at a fixed value, with reference to
their intrinsic value as compared with British standard silver
at 5s. 2d. per oz. troy, or with Spanish dollars at 4s. 4d. each.
It further appears to My Lords, that it would be expedient to
form tariffs of the duties now payable to the Crown in British
money, and to impose all new duties in the same currency,
leaving the parties to pay the same in any other coin authorized
to circulate in the Mauritius at the established rates by which
the accounts of the Government may be immediately kept in
the denomination of British money. A provision should also
be made, similar to that proposed with respect to N.S. Wales
and Sierra Leone, for payment of any debts which may have
been contracted previously to a day to be named, in money of
26 Records of the Cape Colony.
British denomination, but which debts are by usage payable in
dollars at 5s. each.
Cape of Good Hope.
The Spanish dollar was formerly issued to the Troops at
this station universally, and at the rate of 4s. 8d. each, but
they never obtained any considerable general circulation ; and
latterly their use has been almost discontinued in issues to the
Troops, who have been paid in the paper rixdollar computed
at the current rate of exchange. There is, in fact, at present
no metallic circulation at this colony, and the paper money is
not exchangeable against any metallic money, nor has it any
real fixed value with reference to metallic money. The nominal
value of the rixdollar is 4s. but it has for many years been at a
very considerable discount in exchange for bills upon England,
and its real value, with reference to those bills, has not, upon
an average of two or three years, been more than Is. Qd.
sterling. My Lords feel that it would be inexpedient, if not
impossible, to introduce a metallic currency into this colony,
without either providing for the immediate payment of the
whole of this paper money, or fixing a rate at which it should
be received both in public and private transactions, and made
exchangeable by the Government, at the will of the holder, for
metallic money, or for bills upon this Board. With reference
to the average rate of exchange, as above stated, it appears to
My Lords, that Is. 6d. per rixdollar may be considered as a
fair rate, and they are therefore of opinion the rixdollar
should be declared equal to Is. 6d. in British silver money ; and
with a view to prevent it from falling below that rate, that it
shall be at all times exchangeable, at the will of the holder, for
bills upon this Board, at the rate of £103 in value of rixdollars
computed at Is. Qd. each for every £100 bill ; and that after
the arrival of a sufficient amount of British metallic money in
the colony, no paper brought in to be exchanged for bills upon
this Board should be re-issued, but that such paper money
should be cancelled, and wholly withdrawn from circulation,
and that none other in lieu thereof should thereafter be issued.
And it is their Lordships' opinion, that the paper money with-
Records of the Cape Colony. 27
drawn from circulation should be sent to this country, as
vouchers for the bills which may be drawn on account of it.
By this measure, it is presumed that the value of the paper
money will be maintained at its fixed rate, with reference to
British money.
The number of paper rixdollars in circulation, which have
been from time to time issued at the Cape of Good Hope, is
about 3,108,000; and the total amount of bills upon this
Board, if the whole were to be exchanged for such bills, would
therefore be about the sum of £226,000. But as a part of
those rixdollars were issued by a government establishment
called the Lombard Bank, upon various securities, the sums
which may from time to time be paid upon these securities,
should be applied towards the liquidation of this paper money.
It is not, however, their Lordships' intention that any com-
pulsory measures should be taken to withdraw the whole of
the paper money from circulation ; but that such portions only
should be cancelled as may from time to time be brought in by
individuals in exchange for bills upon this Board ; and that
the paper money which may be received for rates, taxes, or
other revenues, should be again issued in payment of the
current expenditure, except such paper money as may represent
a less sum than 10 rixdollars, which should not, after the
arrival of British metallic money, be re-issued, but should be
cancelled, and sent home as vouchers to the accounts, as
should also rixdollars equal in amount to the sum paid to the
Lombard Bank, in liquidation of the debts due to that estab-
lishment.
As the rates, taxes, &c. are at present imposed in this
colony in rixdollars, and as it appears to my Lords that it
would be extremely convenient to introduce into all the
colonies belonging to the United Kingdom the same description
of money, My Lords are of opinion, that it would be expedient
to establish a new Schedule of rates, duties, &c. payable to the
Crown, in which Schedule the present rates in rixdollars, and
the new rates in British money, at the proposed fixed rate of
the rixdollar, should be specified ; and that all collectors
and other officers of government at the Cape of Good
Hope should be required to render their accounts in British
money.
28 Becords of the Cape Colony.
Ceylon.
The Currency of this Island is very various, and consists of
rix dollars coined in England for its use, of many of the coins
of India, of Spanish dollars, and of paper rix dollars.
The rix dollar coined in England expressly for the use of
Ceylon, is rated very much above its intrinsic worth, measured
by British currency ; and neither that or the paper rix dollar
is exchangeable at the will of the holder, at its nominal rate
against British money, or any other description of coin. The
consequence naturally is, that in all transactions of exchange,
the silver rix dollar is rated with reference to its intrinsic and
not to its nominal value, and a very considerable depreciation
of this coin appears to exist. Of this depreciation, numerous
complaints have been made from the civil and military servants
of the colony, who receive their salaries in this description of
currency at its nominal rate ; but, as some compensation for
the loss which they sustain, they are permitted to exchange a
certain portion of their salary, or rather to receive it, in deben-
tures or in bills payable in Great Britain, which are granted at
the nominal par. The rix dollars last coined in Great Britain,
were equal in weight and fineness to one-third of a Spanish
dollar ; consequently, taking the Spanish dollar at 4s. 4d.,
they are worth only Is. 5fd., although they are nominally
rated at Is. 9d. It appears to My Lords, that the value of the
rix dollar should be rated more nearly to its intrinsic worth as
compared to the Spanish dollar, and that the silver rix dollar,
as well as the paper rix dollar, should be made exchangeable
at the will of the holder, at such reduced value, either for
British coins or for bills upon this Board. My Lords are there-
fore of opinion, that the value of the silver and paper rix dollar
should be fixed at Is. Qd. ; and in order to prevent the paper
rix dollar from falling below that value, that an authority
should be conveyed to the governor, to draw bills upon the
agent of the island in England, in sums of not less than £100
for any amount of paper rix dollars which may be tendered at
the colonial treasury, at the rate of £103 value of rix dollars
for every £100 bill ; and that instructions should be sent to
the governor, that the paper rix dollar so brought in for bills
Records of the Cape Colony. 29
should be cancelled, and transmitted to this country as vouchers
for the bills drawn ; and that none other in lieu thereof should
be issued to replace the paper money thus withdrawn from
circulation, by which measure, it is to be presumed that the
value of this paper money, while any part of it remains in
circulation, will be maintained at its fixed rates with reference
to British money, and will be gradually paid off and cancelled.
The number of paper rix dollars in circulation and issued
upon the credit of the government, and the amount of deben-
tures bearing various rates of interest, which have been issued
in exchange for those rix dollars, is about 4,041,900 ; and the
total amount of the bills to be drawn, if the whole were to be
exchanged for such bills, would be about the sum of £296,000 ;
but a part of that sum will be supplied from the funds appro-
priated as sinking fund for the redemption of those rix dollars,
and even the remainder will be gradually drawn for, as it is
not their Lordships' intention that any compulsory measures
should be taken to withdraw the whole of the paper money
from circulation ; and that the paper money which may be
received by Government for rates, taxes, &c. should be again
issued in payment of the current expenditure.
It appears to My Lords, that after the promulgation of
these orders, neither the civil nor military servants of the
colony should receive bills upon England upon any other
terms than other individuals, namely, for Spanish dollars or
other coins at the current or market rate of exchange ; and for
British money, or for metal or paper rix dollars, at the rate of
a bill of £100 for every £103 of British silver coin, or metal or
paper rix dollars.
The rates, taxes, &c. in this Island being at present imposed
in rix dollars, My Lords deem it expedient that the same
arrangement should be adopted in respect thereof as that
proposed for the Cape of Good Hope, namely, that a new
Schedule of all the rates, duties, &c. payable to the Crown,
should be framed ; in which Schedule the present rates in rix
dollars, and new rates in British money, at the proposed
fixed rate of the rix dollar, should be specified, and that all
collectors and other officers of the government at Ceylon
should be required to render their accounts in British money.
My Lords further think, that from the date of the receipt
/
30 Records of the Cape Colony.
of their instructions, no debenture bearing interest payable in
Ceylon, or in this country, should upon any account be granted ;
and that the governor should be instructed to transmit an
account of those now outstanding, distinguishing those the
interest of which is payable in Ceylon, from those the interest
of which is payable in Great Britain ; and specifying also the
conditions upon which the debentures were issued, and the
periods when they will become payable, in order that such
arrangements may be made, with the aid of the sinking fund
established for the liquidation of these debentures, as may
ensure their liquidation at the time they may respectively
become due.
Transmit copy of this Minute to Mr. Wilmot Horton, for
the information and consideration of the Earl Bathurst ; and
request he will inform My Lords if his Lordship concurs in the
proposed measures ; and if so, whether, in his opinion, applica-
tion should be made for an order of His Majesty in Council, for
giving effect to these arrangements in the colonies of New
South Wales, Mauritius, Ceylon, Cape of Good Hope, and
Sierra Leone ; or whether the same may be more conveniently
carried into effect by his Lordship's directions to the governors
of these several colonies to issue proclamations for carrying
these arrangements into effect.
[Copy.]
Letter from M. van Breda, Esqre., to the Commissioners of
Enquiry.
Orange View, 11th February 1825.
Honorable Sirs, — I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your Letter of the 10th Inst, in answer to mine of
the same date, containing a further explanation respecting the
verbal communication which I in my Public Capacity may at
that time have had with the Colonial Secretaries upon the
Grant of a certain piece of Ground for the erection of a Roman
Catholic Church, School and Clergyman's Residence ; and if
this verbal communication was committed to writing by me,
and afterwards inserted in the books of the Burgher Senate,
Records of the Cape Colony. 31
and in conclusion reserving to yourselves such further inquiry
as may upon receipt of my Letter and examination of the
Books be necessary.
I have further the honor in answer to state that for those
occurrences which were committed to writing I refer to my
Letter of yesterday, and all such as may have taken place by
verbal communication with the Colonial Secretaries I can no
longer recollect.
Submitting myself to such further Enquiry as you may
deem necessary, I have &c.
(Signed) M. van Breda.
[Copy.]
Letter from P. G. Brink, Esqre., to the Commissioners op
Enquiry.
Colonial Office, lltk February 1825.
Gentlemen, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of your Letter of the 8th Instant, and to acquaint you in reply
thereto, that on reference to the accounts of Colonial Expendi-
ture in the period commencing with the restoration of the Cape
of Good Hope to the Batavian Government in the year 1803,
and ending with the Surrender of it by them to his Britannic
Majesty in the year 1806, the following charges appear for the
Salaries and Emoluments of the undermentioned Roman
Catholic Clergymen who were employed by the Colonial
Government of that day to administer and perform the Rites
of their Religion to such of the Soldiers of the Garrison as
professed the Roman Catholic Faith, viz :
Rds sk. st.
Johannes Landsinck, Roman Catholic Priest, Pay per diem Two
Guilders and thirteen Stivers, equal to . . .12 1
Do. Lodging Money 1 Guilder equal to . . . . - 4 -
Jacob Nelessen, Roman Catholic Chaplain, Pay per diem Two
Guilders and four Stivers, equal to . . . . .10 4
Lodging Money . . . . . . . . .-30
These Clergymen arrived at the Cape on the 5th October
1805, and received pay from the day of their appointment in
o2 Records of the Cape Colony.
Holland, viz : 9th October 1804, until the Surrender of the
Colony to His Majesty's Arms. I have &c.
(Signed) P. G. Brink.
[Original.]
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Graham's Town, February 12th 1825.
My Lord, — Referring to my Dispatch of the 8th Ulto. No. 145
in which I solicited Your Lordship's sanction to the retirement
of P. J. Truter Esqre. from the Office of Political Commissioner
receiving the full salary of his Office, I have the honor to inform
Your Lordship that that Gentleman died on the 31st Ultimo.
It will be unnecessary therefore for Your Lordship to take any
trouble on this subject.
I was aware when I addressed Your Lordship that Mr. Truter
could not long Survive, but I was induced to trouble Your
Lordship on the subject to gratify the feelings of a highly
respectable Family. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Copy.]
Evidence given by Mr. Francis Dashwood to the
Commissioners of Enquiry.
Cape Town, 12th February 1825.
You were formerly President of the Lombard Bank ?
Reply. I was appointed president of the bank in the year
1807 or 1808. I was at that time receiver-general ; and
antecedent to my appointment to the bank I was employed in
a committee for the investigation of its affairs, in connection
with the general questions of finance and currency. In the
report of the committee it was recommended, that the con-
stitution of the bank should be so far changed, that a permanent
Records of the Cape Colony. 33
president should be appointed. Previously the office of presi-
dent had been filled by each of the directors in rotation.
You were president of the Lombard Bank at the period when
the Discount Bank was established ?
Reply. I was. The Discount Bank originated in the report
of the committee of which I was president.
What were the immediate circumstances that induced the
adoption of the measure ?
Reply. A principal object in the establishment of the
Discount Bank was the relief of a part of the community who
were obstructed in their industrious pursuits by the absorption
of a large proportion of the capital of the Lombard Bank, by
capitalists who had borrowed with a view of lending at higher
interest ; at least this was the opinion of the committee, to
whom it appeared, that the capital which had been borrowed
from the bank at five per cent was lent out at six per cent, or
at higher rates ; a perversion of the principle of the institution
had thus obtained, which it was the object of the establishment
of the Discount Bank to assist in checking.
Were any more direct measures taken at that time to enforce
the regulations of the Lombard Bank ?
Reply. It was at the same time determined, in order to
secure a greater degree of punctuality in the payment of interest
and repayment of capital to the bank, that the arrears should
be called in during the months of January and February, after
the annual harvest, and not as antecedently, at uncertain
times.
What was the immediate effect that you observed to arise
from the establishment of the Discount Bank ?
Reply. The effect of the proclamation establishing the
Discount Bank, and which offered to the public an interest of
five per cent on deposits for twelve months, was, to occasion
a considerable accumulation of capital, deposited with the
bank upon those terms, and which was made applicable at
that time to the discounting vendue extracts and bonds of
various kinds, called Kustings. The rapid increase of deposits
on these terms occasioned the amount to exceed the demand
for discount of the foregoing obligations, and a portion of the
surplus capital of the bank, derived from the public and
private deposits, was issued in short loans. Sir John Cradock
XX I)
Q
4 Records of the Cape Colony.
subsequently allowed an extension of the discounts to private
bills and promissory notes, by which the whole of its capital
in deposit was progressively circulated.
What was the amount of the deposits with the Discount
Bank in 1814, when the interest on deposits was stopped ?
Reply. By a letter from the colonial secretary of the 10th
June 1814, copy of which I give in, the sum at that time in
annual deposits bearing interest was Rds. 673,000.
By what description of capitalists do you conceive these
deposits were principally made ?
Reply. Generally by a class of annuitants, or small
capitalists, who were living upon the interest of their money ;
and were contented, for the sake of government security, to
take five per cent from the bank, preferably to receiving six
per cent from individuals.
Did it happen that demands were frequently made on the
bank for peremptory repayment of the sums deposited, on the
party foregoing the interest ?
Reply. Demands of this sort were not made, because it was
known to be the regulation of the bank not to repay within
the period for which the sums were deposited. If, however,
parties, who had funds in deposit, applied for discounts on
their own deposits, they were accommodated upon the unexcep-
tionable security of those deposits ; and they paid a discount
of six per cent for the usual period of three months, while the
bank paid to them five per cent for their annual deposit.
Are you able to say whether deposits may have been made
at times by those who were indebted to the Lombard Bank ?
Reply. The case might have occurred ; but if they had
done so, they would have been chargeable by the bank for an
interest of six per cent, while only five per cent was allowed
them on the deposit.
Were there not considerable deposits with the bank for short
periods and without interest, and to what amount generally ?
Reply. I beg to refer to my letter to Sir John Cradock, of
the 20th December 1811, in which I reported that Rds. 157,000
had at that time been deposited by individuals on interest for
twelve months, and that the public had added a very large
amount which bore no interest. The amount issued in short
loans was Rds. 225,000, and in discounts for three months,
Jlecords of the Cape, Colony. 35
Rds. 123,000 ; so that a sum of Rds. 348,000 had been at least
deposited in 1811, of which 157,000 was a deposit on interest
for twelve months.
What were the profits of the Discount Bank chiefly derived
from at that time ?
Reply. In the first instance from one per cent, the difference
between the interest paid on deposits and received on discounts ;
and secondly, from the full interest of six per cent received
upon such portions of the general deposits as could safely be
employed in discount ; and thirdly, on the compound interest
derived from the prompt payment of the interest of sums lent
on security for short periods of three months.
I observe by the official returns, that the amount of deposits
at the end of 1814 was Rds. 1,096,659, and the profits of the
establishment Rds. 37,427 ; I am then to understand that this
profit was derived from all the sources that you have enume-
rated, and not from the one per cent alone, the difference of
interest on deposits and discounts ?
Reply. It would appear that the profit was derived from
the operation of the discounts after deducting the amount of
interest paid. In 1814 the Discount Bank was in full operation.
I beg to give in an authentic statement of the assets of the
bank on the 17th June 1814, from which it appears that
Rds. 1,268,543 was the amount of general deposits, of which
Rds. 1,044,797 were issued on bills and bonds, and Rds. 223,746
was the cash balance. •
Was any regulation at that time in force for the proportion
of the deposits allowed to be issued in discounts ?
Reply. There was no regulation ; I was permitted to
exercise my discretion and judgment with regard to it.
Upon what principle did you judge it expedient to issue so
large a proportion of the deposits ?
Reply. It may be proper to explain, that although so large
a proportion of the actual deposits was issued, that Rds. 673,000
were in deposit for twelve months, so that no sudden demand
could be made upon this fund ; and as there was an efficient
cash balance of Rds. 223,746, the actual risk to government
was limited to the amount of Rds. 374,797, which had been
issued, being rather more than one fourth of the whole amount ;
but as the government was in itself a considerable creditor of
i) 2
36 Records of the Cape Colony.
the bank in the deposits of public revenue, the risk was still
further diminished by the whole amount of such deposits.
Since the interest on deposits has ceased, the whole amount to
whatever extent has of course been liable to be withdrawn at
a moment's notice, and at the pleasure of the depositors.
What effect do you conceive was produced by the measure
of suspending the payment of interest on deposits for twelve
months ?
Reply. The diminution of discounts was the consequence
of the capitals being progressively withdrawn, on which an
interest of five per cent had been antecedently paid.
:I observe that one of the objects contemplated in the
establishment of the Discount Bank was the creation of a
sinking fund, to be applied to the redemption of that portion
of the debt which had no specifically recognized security ;
were the profits of the establishment at any time applied to
this object ?
Reply. The profits of the Discount Bank were never applied
to this object, the proposal of the committee of 1808 not having
been adopted by the government.
Can you explain the reason why no interest on deposits is
debited to the bank for the years 1808, 1809, 1810 and 1811,
according to the official statement shown to you ?
Reply. I am unable to explain this apparent omission,
without reference to the books of the bank.
During the period that you officiated as president of the
bank, did you strictly adhere to the regulation prescribing
" that applications for loans were to be made by letter ? "
Reply. The regulation was generally adhered to, there may
have been partial exceptions, but they were few. For the
attention given by me to the regulation in question, I beg to
refer to the advertisement issued by the Lombard Bank, dated
the 17th June 1808, enjoining a strict observance of the 17th
article of the Government Regulation of the 1st of June 1808.
Are you aware whether any immediate effect was produced
upon the exchange value of the paper currency, by the measure
of suspending the payment of interest on deposits ?
I am not aware of the fact that such an effect was produced,
because the sums received in annual deposit were again thrown
into circulation by bank discounts.
Records of the Cape Colony. 37
I observe that the first instalment of Rds. 15,000 repaid to
the bank from advances on account of the Rds. 500,000 fund
created for public works, was destroyed ; are you aware why
the instructions of Lord Liverpool, for redeeming and cancelling
that paper, were not completed ?
Reply. I am unable to explain this circumstance otherwise
than by supposing a different construction to have been sub-
sequently put upon Lord Liverpool's instructions than that
which Sir John Cradock had adopted and acted on, and which
was in accordance with the recommendation of the majority
of General Meade's committee.
While you exercised the office of president of the bank, were
you in the habit of receiving instructions from the Governor,
of the colonial or deputy secretary, respecting individual
applications for loans, and was it customary for orders to be
received by the bank for such loans being granted ?
Reply. Instances may occasionally have occurred in which
applications were addressed to the Governor by individuals,
but in these cases either the president or one of the directors
was usually consulted as to the expediency of granting the
accommodation. No order that I am aware of was ever given
to the bank to make advances to individuals, either direct
from the Governor or through the colonial secretary.
What is your opinion of the advantages that resulted from
the union of the offices of receiver-general and president of the
bank ?
Reply. I apprehend that the advantage resulting to the
public from the connection of these offices during the period
that I held them together, was the knowledge that I possessed
of the finances of the colony ; I was enabled to regulate the
transactions of the bank and of the treasury, so as to render
them subservient to the necessities of each other, by borrowing
from the bank in aid of the revenues of the colony, or from the
treasury in aid of the public discounts.
(Signed) Francis Dashwood.
38 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre., to Mr. George
Greig.
Downing Street, 12th February 1825.
Sir, — I am directed by Earl Bathurst to acquaint you, that
having considered the several representations which have been
addressed by you to his Lordship and to myself, in explanation
of the circumstances which induced you to return to this
country, there appears to his Lordship to exist no reason which
should preclude your return to the Cape of Good Hope.
I am also to acquaint you, that his Lordship will give
instructions for replacing you in possession of the printing
materials which belonged to you, upon your repaying to the
colonial government the sum which you received as the value
of them, subject, however, to such deduction for their wear
and tear as may appear reasonable.
And I am further directed by his Lordship to state, that
upon your binding yourself to the terms of the prospectus, as
originally issued by you, of the publication intituled South
African Advertiser, no impediment will be opposed to your
publishing a public journal.
In conclusion, I am directed by his Lordship to add, in
reference to your letter of the 19th ultimo, that the explanations
therein contained, and the entire discrepancy of statement
between the Rev. Dr. Philip and yourself with respect to the
presses, leave the whole subject in a very unsatisfactory state ;
and I am to observe, that if subsequent examination should
confirm Dr. Philip's relation of the case, you will necessarily
nave incurred a most serious responsibility. I am, &c.
(Signed) R. W. Horton.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Downing Street, London, 13 February 1825.
My Lord, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your Excellency's Dispatch of the 2nd of July last in which
Records of the Ccqje Colony. 39
you request instructions with respect to the payment of the
purchase money of the Loan Place called the Wolvegat.
Having referred to Major General Sir Rufane Donkin for an
explanation of the circumstances under which he had authorised
the purchase of the farm in question I enclose a copy of that
Officer's answer.
As it appears from this communication that the farm was
purchased by the Colonial Government in furtherance of the
general arrangements which it had become necessary to make
for the reception of the Settlers who left this Country in the
year 1820 with the sanction of Parliament, I see no reason for
hesitating to sanction the purchase, more particularly as the
price for which it was obtained appears to have been advanced
by the Sequestrator upon the authority of a letter from the
Colonial Secretary informing him that the purchase was made
on account of the Colonial Government.
I cannot, however, avoid expressing here my regret that a
measure of this nature should have been adopted by the Acting
Governor without any authentic Survey having been made of
the farm so as to ascertain its real value and its capability of
answering the purposes for which it was purchased ; and I
must express my earnest hope that your Excellency will make
such arrangements as you may consider best calculated for
disposing of the place with the least possible loss to the Public.
I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Downing Street, London, 14 February 1825.
My Lord, — I have the honor to acquaint your Excellency
that having received various applications from Mr. George
Greig representing his wish to return to the Cape of Good Hope
and his earnest desire to have his printing materials restored
to him for the purpose of enabling him to publish a journal
upon principles strictly conformable to the conditions and
40 Records of the Cape Colony.
modifications stated in the Prospectus originally issued by
him, I have under all the circumstances of the case been
induced to accede to that Individual's wishes ; and I enclose
herewith for your Excellency's information and guidance
copies of the communications which have passed between this
Department and Mr. Greig. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre., to Mr. Thomas
Willson.
Downing Street, lith February 1825.
Sir, — You were informed upon a former occasion that
instructions had been transmitted to the Government of the
Cape of Good Hope to investigate your claim to certain lands
in that Colony. It was explained to you that if it should be
proved to the satisfaction of the Colonial Government that
the Revd. Mr. Boardman had in reality acted in the capacity
of your Agent during your absence from the Colony, the fact
of your non-residence would in that case not be considered as a
bar to your title to the Lands.
Acting upon these Instructions, the Colonial Government
appointed a Commissioner to investigate your claim on the
spot. That Commissioner assembled as many of the persons
who originally accompanied you to the settlement as could be
collected, and from their evidence, but particularly from the
testimony of the Revd. Mr. Boardman himself, it appears most
unequivocally that you absolutely abandoned the party to
their fate and that you left no person to represent you in the
capacity of Agent during your absence. And as no proof
whatever has been assigned by you in support of your allega-
tion to the contrary, Earl Bathurst is compelled to admit as
conclusive the testimony which has been adduced in contradic-
tion of that allegation.
His Lordship has directed me to forbear from entering into
the enumeration of other topics which formed the subject of
Records of the Cape Colony. 41
much private controversy between you and the settlers ; but
in justice to the Revd. Mr. Boardman his Lordship has desired
me to state with reference to a passage in your communication
from Stockwell under date of the 10th May 1823, that the
insinuation therein hazarded against that Clergyman has been
satisfactorily disproved by the production of your own receipt
for the money originally advanced by you on his behalf.
I am &c.
(Signed) R. W. Horton.
[Original.]
Memorial of Mr. J. B. Ebden.
To the Right Hon'ble Earl Bathurst, His Majesty's Secretary
of State for the Colonial Department, &c, &c, &c.
The Memorial of John Bardwell Ebden, Merchant, Sheweth,
That Your Lordship's memorialist on the 18th ulto. had the
honor to memorialize your Lordship on the subject of the
redemption of the Paper Currency at the Cape of Good Hope,
and to suggest a mode for its accomplishment by means of a
Joint Stock Banking Company :
Having since understood that the Lords of His Majesty's
Treasury, to whom his Memorial had been referred, were about
to take some steps with regard to the redemption of the
currency, your memorialist conceiving it to be an indisputable
proposition that the commercial and agricultural interests of
the Colony would be essentially promoted by the introduction
of capita], by means of a Banking establishment, and further
considering that such a measure would prevent the recurrence
of the evil to which the Colony has been long exposed with
respect to its currency, and also that it might be made sub-
servient and useful to Government :
Therefore, on behalf of himself and others deeply interested
in the trade and prosperity of that Colony, and those capitalists
who are willing to embark in the undertaking, humbly prays,
That His Majesty may be graciously pleased to sanction by
42 Records of the Cape Colony.
His Royal Charter the formation of a Joint Stock Banking
Company at the Cape of Good Hope ; The Company funding
a sufficient capital or giving such other security for the fulfil-
ment of its engagements, as may be deemed necessary : And
your Lordship's memorialist as in duty bound will ever pray.
(Signed) J. B. Ebden.
Copthall Chambers, Throgmorton St., 15th February, 1825.
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. Thomas Willson to Earl Bathurst.
Stockwell, 15 February 1825.
My Lord, — I have read your Letter of yesterday with
feelings of sorrow and surprise. I lament to find that your
Lordship has received such impressions. If it is the wish of
the Colonial Government to eject me as a Claimant in right of
certain Lands at the Cape, after having fulfilled every pledge
of my engagement, and after all the labour, expence and
anxiety which I have undergone to establish my right, nothing
it seems is more easy than to raise a pretext for such an act !
by my zeal and perseverance in the service, I have furnished
upon my Location upwards of 300 Interested persons to
witness against me, whose immediate policy it is to vilify my
name, and overturn my right. These persons it appears have
been summoned before a Commissioner, and of course have so
witnessed against me ; nothing more or less could be expected
from such a Tribunal, self interest and aggrandisement would
naturally prompt them to it. And if your Lordship intends to
sanction such a measure, by consenting to wield the giant arm
of power, against right, (which I am assured is by no means
usual with your Lordship), I must doubtless fall before such
high Authority, from a sense of my inequality to cope with
your Lordship ; but I must trust after the sacrifice of so much
time, and very considerable expenditure, your Lordship will
not inflict upon me so cruel an injury and injustice without
granting me an adequate compensation ? Your Lordship
states that I have not furnished evidence in support of my
Records of the Cape Colony. 43
allegation that I had an agent acting for me after I left the
Settlers upon my Location, otherwise my right would have
been admitted. My Lord, I have before submitted to you Mr.
Boardman's Letter to me upon the subject, all the public
documents speak evidence in favor of my claim, you will find
the Receipts signed by Mr. Boardman for me (Thos. Willson),
permit me therefore to ask, what further evidence can be
required of me to adduce in support of my right, unless it be
to recapitulate your Lordship's correspondence from its com-
mencement.
I am aware that your Lordship has received numerous com-
plaints against me from the several persons whom I took out,
from the eve of our embarkation 5 years ago up to the present
time, but I believe no person in my situation (acting with
common prudence) could be exempt from such complaints,
and it must be evident that the great mischief to me was, and
is, that of not being furnished, on my arrival at the Cape, with
the essential and promised means of quashing such complaints ;
and it becomes a duty to myself to refute the charge of an
undue insinuation, for notwithstanding any receipt of mine
which Mr. Boardman may hold in part of payment, I must
repeat that he is unquestionably indebted to me for Cash
advanced in acct. and I had no other means of reimbursing
myself than by being re-imbursed my Deposit Money, as is
also the case with several other Individuals. What I stated
the 10th May 1823 was clearly from recollection, but I now
must beg leave to enclose a Copy of Mr. Boardman's account
signed by his own hand, and your Lordship will see by the
balance that it is rather unfair to charge me with undue
insinuation : hence indeed I have reason to feel galled and
oppressed by this non-payment on the part of Government,
and more particularly so, if after all the severe trials I have
undergone, I am likewise in conclusion to. be deprived of my
Lands ! This I cannot conceive possible at the hands of His
Majesty's Government. I have &c.
(Signed) Thos. Willson.
44 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original.]
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Graham's Town, February \(Sth, 1825.
My Lord, — I do myself the honor to submit for your Lord-
ship's favorable consideration Copy of a Letter from the
Landdrost of Uitenhage, covering a Memorial from J. H.
Lange, District Clerk of that District. These were presented
to me when at Uitenhage on my Road to this place, which gave
me an opportunity of making Minute Enquiry, both as to the
merit and respectability of Mr. Lange as a public Servant, and
his absolute inability longer to perform the duties of his Office,
principally brought on by long confinement to them.
The result induces me strongly to recommend his case to
Your Lordship's favorable consideration, and to submit, that
he be allowed to retire on a pension of Rds. 800 per annum.
The poor man's appearance does not indicate a very long
trespass upon Your Lordship's bounty. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Enclosure 1 in the above.]
Uitenhage, 2nd February 1825.
My Lord, — In handing your Excellency the accompanying
Memorial, I must bear testimony of the truth therein con-
tained, and to add that Mr. Lange was handed over to me by
my predecessor the late Brig. General Alberti, with the highest
character of willingness and Integrity, in which I have much
satisfaction in stating to your Lordship, I can bear witness ; he
has ever continued with me to this day, and such an opinion I
entertained of his utility and worth to this District as to induce
me at one period, when a vacancy occurred, to recommend him
to the Colonial Government to fill the important situation of
District's Secretary.
In concluding I must say that Mr. Lange is deserving of
every recommendation I can bestow for the honorable and
Records of the Cape Colony. 45
faithful service he has rendered the Civil Government of this
District under my own eye. I have &c.
(Signed) J. G. Cutler.
His Excellency General Lord C. H. Somerset, &c, &c.
[Enclosure 2 in the above.]
To His Excellency General Lord Charles Henry Somerset,
Governor and Commander in Chief, &c, &c, &c.
The Memorial of Johannes Henricus Lange, District's Clerk
of Uitenhage, Most Humbly Sheweth,
That Memorialist has had the Honor to serve the Govern-
ment of the Cape of Good Hope, since the year 1802, first as
Clerk in the Director General Debbetz's office, and from the
year 1804 in the situation of first Messenger and Clerk to the
Landdrost of Uitenhage at its first formation, in which situa-
tions he remained until he had the Honor to fill the responsible
situation of District's Clerk and Slave Registry, still con-
tinuing his Service as first Clerk to the Landdrost to the
present day, a period of upwards of Twenty Two years as a
Civil Servant, ever using his utmost exertion to the faithful
discharge of his duties ; but has had the misfortune from the
sedentary life his duties have called him to lead, to be deprived
of the greatest blessing, Health, having for these last Seven
years past been getting worse and worse, and now declared by
the Medical Man (the ablest he was enabled to procure) who
attends him, to be in a decline, and absolutely requiring a
relaxation from business to prolong his life. Thus weakened
in frame, as to render him almost incapable of continuing in
the Sedentary confinement, which the calls of office demand,
without the almost certainty of Shortening his days, as will
appear to your Excellency by the annexed Certificate.
Memorialist has a Wife and Six unprovided for Children,
all requiring education, and no Certainty of support after his
death.
Memorialist thus situated having exhausted the prime of
his life in the employ of his native Country, (being born at the
Cape) with a large family depending on him, most humbly
4C> Record* of the Cape Colony.
solicits, that it may most graciously please your Excellency to
take his Service and situation under your Excellency's most
Humane consideration, and permit him to retire on a suitable
pension, that may enable him to support his family, and some-
what compensate his length of service and loss of Health. And
your Excellency's Memorialist as in duty bound shall ever
pray.
(Signed) J. H. Lange, Dt. Ck.
Uitenhage, 2nd February 1825.
[Original.]
Letter from Mb. J. B. Ebden to R. Wilmot Hoeton, Esqee.
London, 16th February 1825.
Sie, — Since the date of my memorial which I had the
honor to present to Lord Bathurst on the subject of the
currency of the Cape of Good Hope, I have had some com-
munication with the Treasury, from which I have reason to
believe that they are about to take some steps with regard to
the redemption proposed ; I have therefore in my present
memorial confined myself to the subject of an Establishment
of a Bank at the Cape of Good Hope under a Royal Charter, to
which as a measure of general utility, I am not aware that any
objection can be urged.
In corroboration of my views on this subject, I beg leave to
annex the extract of a letter I have received from Sir Jahleel
Brenton, many years Commissioner of the Navy at the Cape,
to whom I had submitted my former memorial with the
statement annexed to it for perusal. He says " The result of
this view of the Cape Currency, a subject which frequently
called for my attention during my residence in the Colony, has
been to leave an impression highly favorable to the Establish-
ment of a joint Stock Banking Company at the Cape, which I
think would be admirably calculated to facilitate all pecuniary
transactions as well as for making remittances to the Mother
Country."
"Records of the Cape Colony. 47
Such indeed is the opinion of all persons conversant with
Cape affairs, to whom I have spoken on the subject.
I have &c.
(Signed) J. B. Ebden.
[Copy.]
Letter from Mr. George Greig to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre.
32, City Road, 11th February 1825.
Sir, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your
communication, dated February 12th, in which I find it stated,
that Lord Bathurst fully recognises my right to return to the
Cape of Good Hope, and resume my professional avocations ;
and that he will give directions for the restitution of the
printing materials which belonged to me upon paying for them.
I beg to express my grateful acknowledgments for the liberality
of this part of the arrangement ; but I trust his Lordship will
not object to allow me time in which to make those payments
(say five yearly instalments), in consideration of my heavy
losses.
I am further informed, that upon binding myself to the terms
of my prospectus of December 20th, 1823, no impediment will
be opposed to my publishing a journal at the Cape. As it does
not appear in what light his Lordship recognises those terms,
I beg to offer one or two remarks. My prospectus of that date
has already been construed by Lord C. Somerset into an
abjuration of any discussion of the measures of the colonial
government, or the least interference with the current politics
of the Cape.
The consequences of this construction, as you, Sir, are aware,
have already been ruinous to me, as well as being entirely
opposed to my intention and view, and to that of the whole
Cape community. The memorial to the King in Council for
a free press, which was drawn up and forwarded immediately
after the suppression of my paper, and numerous other docu-
ments since sent to this country, clearly prove (if proof were
wanting) that the inhabitants of the Cape consider it of vital
48 Records of the Cape Colon}).
importance that a medium should be open, through which
calmly to discuss measures affecting their general interests ;
and to suggest such alterations in existing laws as the course
of events may appear to render necessary. I have, Sir, also
understood you to say, that a freedom of discussion to this
extent would not be opposed by Lord Bathurst ; but that a
power would be vested in some persons to prevent the abuse
of this invaluable privilege. This, in the absence of unlimited
freedom, is perhaps all that can be desired ; while any thing
short of it would be viewed with grief and disappointment. I
therefore, Sir, beg to inquire whether Lord Bathurst considers
my prospectus of December 1823 to admit of this construction ;
or is the discussion of all public measures to be interdicted ?
Will the Governor be one of the persons to whom I am to be
answerable for a due observance of the terms of my prospectus ?
Should those persons be of opinion I have transgressed the
fair spirit of the prospectus, shall I receive one or more
warnings before the suspension of my paper ; and will such
suspension extend to the other branches of my business of a
printer ?
The necessity for putting the above questions will, Sir, I
apprehend, appear sufficiently obvious. With the liberal views
of Lord Bathurst I am fully impressed ; but knowing, as I do,
the feelings of the present Governor of the Cape towards the
press ; his expressed determination to oppose, to the extent of
his power, any freedom of discussion, be it ever so qualified ;
his having refused permission to establish a " literary and
scientific society ' (which in its regulations had expressly
prohibited the discussion of political and theological questions),
lest it should at any time transgress those regulations ; his
having bound the present possessor of my materials in a heavy
penalty not to admit into his paper any article whatever, until,
with the name of the writer, it shall have been shown to him ;
these, Sir, added to the injuries I have already sustained from
Lord C. Somerset's misconstruction of the terms of the pros-
pectus by which Lord Bathurst proposes I shall be bound, and
the possibility of my return to the colony being viewed vin-
dictively, justify me in seeking for the most explicit definition
of the ground upon which I am hereafter to stand, and the
responsibility I am likely to incur.
Records of the Cape Colony. 49
Indeed when it is considered the loss and inconvenience to
which many persons in His Majesty's colonies have been put,
arising from their connection with the press, it is much to be
regretted that no legislative enactment can be framed, defining
clearly the terms by which it is in future to be guided. Such,
however, not being yet the case, I feel impelled, by a sense of
duty to myself and those dependent on me, respectfully to
entreat that I may be furnished, as nearly as may be, with
Lord Bathurst's future intentions in regard to the conduct of
the press of South Africa, and the responsibility attaching to
its conductors.
Having, Sir, before adverted to the heavy losses consequent
upon the stoppage of my newspaper and business, I do it again
only with a view to strengthen the application which I beg
most respectfully to make to Lord Bathurst, for a free passage
to the Cape for myself and wife. As I am informed that one
of His Majesty's ships is about to proceed to the Cape, I trust
his Lordship will give it a favourable consideration.
With reference, Sir, to the discrepancy of which you speak,
between my statement and that of Dr. Philip, I have only to
remark, that although I do not consider that dispute as
affecting, even to a feather's weight, the merits of my case
against the Governor of the Cape, I should have not the least
hesitation in making oath to the truth of what I have asserted ;
besides that many parts of my statement can be confirmed by
persons at the Cape. In fairness, however, I trust I shall be
made acquainted with the nature of any inquiry which may
be in contemplation. I have &c.
(Signed) George Greig.
[Copy.]
Letter from Walter Currie, Esq., to Lord Charles
Somerset.
Bathurst, 17th February 1825.
My Lord, — In compliance with Your Lordship's commands
to communicate to you my ideas as to the best mode of in-
xx e
50 Becords of the Cape Colony.
troducing useful labor into the Colony, I beg leave to submit
the following hints for Your Lordship's consideration.
Being of opinion that free labour is preferable to that of
Slaves, every approximation to slavery or compulsory labor
for any considerable length of time ought to be avoided as
much as possible ; therefore the present mode of introducing
laborers as indentured Apprentices to Speculating Individuals
with transferable Indentures should be discouraged as far as
circumstances will permit ; unkindly feelings are created
between Master and Servant, unbecoming harshness on the
part of the former, and indolent discontent with the latter.
The more unshackled Laborers can be brought into the
Colony the better, there is little or no danger of the market
for labor being glutted and while the actual supply is short of
the real demand, it is best to leave the Laborer to find his own
Master, and the price of labor like every other article to find
its own level.
But as the class of people now most wanted in this Colony
cannot generally afford to pay their own passage to it, they
must arrive, if they arrive at all, more or less encumbered
with debt and remain in a species of apprenticeship till the
debt is paid off, therefore a principal object seems to be to
have them arrive as little encumbered as possible and to
remain in constrained service no longer than their Debt is paid,
provided they are then of an age at which it would be prudent
to allow them to look out for Masters for themselves.
For the better effecting these objects I would propose that
the Government cause lists to be opened at the Drostdy, or
with each Field Cornet, for those persons who wish Servants
to enter their names with the number and sex they require,
also the names of two respectable Inhabitants to be bound
with them that the regulations of Government shall be punc-
tually attended to ; a small deposit for each Servant subscribed
for, should also be made, which shal1 become forfeit to Govern-
ment if the Subscriber fails complying with the conditions in
the first instance.
The Government to take up Transports, or which would be
cheaper, hire passages in vessels coming to the Cape, and send
out such number of boys and girls from 10 to 16, or at most
not exceeding 17 years of age, as may be wanted, indentured
Records of the Cape Colony. 51
to Government to work out the net expense of their Passage
with such Masters as the Government choose to give them, and
at wages proportioned to their age and sex.
The boys apprenticeship to expire at the age of 18 and the
girls at 16, provided they are then clear of debt, or as soon
afterwards as they are clear. The Master to be ready to take
the servant from the specified Port immediately on arrival,
failing which within a given number of days, say 10, the
deposit money to be forfeit, and the servant transferred to
another applicant ; on duly complying, the deposit money to
be allowed as so much paid towards the servant's passage.
On receiving the servant the Master with two good securities
to enter into a penal bond that he will properly treat his servant,
and duly fulfil the conditions of the Indentures which are
transferred to him by Government. I should think that
Servants might be sent from England to the Cape, Port Eliza-
beth and the Kowie at an average expense of about £15
Sterling or Rds.^210. This, or whatever thejiet expense might
be, the master should repay to Government on his taking the
servant, and the Government ought to exact it without listening
to complaints of the want of Money, as the man who cannot
raise such a sum will for a time be better without a servant.
A boy at 11 and 12 years of age in 2 years may
be worth his Victuals and
at 13 and 14 . 2 years
15 and 16 . 2 „
17 and 18 . 2 „
8
19 and 20 . 2 years at
21 and 22 . 2 „ at .
Expense of Passage estimated at
Clothing for 8 years at 50 Rds. per annum
610
Thus a Master taking a Boy in his 11th year could afford
to pay his passage, victual, and clothe him till his 18th year
without imposing any hardship upon the Boy. Taking him in
his 15th year the expense of passage and 4 years clothing
would amount to 400 Rds., in his 16th year passage and clothing
for three years to 360 Rds. and wages to 320 Rds. leaving the
e 2
40 to 80
Rds.
per year.
60 to 120
»»
80 to 160
9>
120 to 240
r*
600
150 to 300
>»
180 to 360
»»
210 Rds.
400 „
52 Records of the Cape Colony.
lad in the completion of his 18th year 40 Dollars in debt to his
master, which if he cannot pay and take up his Indenture he
must work out at 12 Rds. per month, being near the estimated
average rate of his wages for next year, and so of any other
ages or terms. Upon this principle and somewhere about the
above rates I would recommend the boys to be apprenticed
by Government to Individuals.
It will be harder with the poor Girls, as their expense in
coming out will be nearly the same as the boys, tho' the
value of their service is less, but as there is a considerable
scarcity of young women of the working class, it is more than
probable that the greater part by the time they are 16 or 17
years of age will have advantageous offers of marriage, and as
in this country 1 or 200 Rds. is no object to an industrious
man, especially when a wife is in question, the intended husband
might be permitted after passing the Matrimonial Court, to
take up the Indentures, on paying the debt due on the com-
pletion of her 16th year, or at any time afterwards.
A girl 11 and 12 years of age in 2 years may be worth her victuals
and 30 Rds. per year 60 Rds.-
13 and 14 . 2 years 40 Rds 80 Rds.:
15 and 16.2 „ 60 Rds 120 Rds.;
6 years 260 Rds;
17 and 18 worth 80 Rds. per year
19 and 20 worth 90 or 100, perhaps more.-
Expense of Passage 210 Rds:
Clothing for 6 years at 40 Rds. per annum .... 240 Rds?
450 Rds.
This would leave a girl apprenticed in her 11th year 190 drs.
in debt to her Master on the completion of her 16th year,
which unless she can pay off and take up her Indentures she
must work out at the rates specified for the succeeding years,
subject to pay for such clothes as she may continue to receive
provided they do not exceed 40 dols. per year beyond which
sum the master to have no claim.
In the above view I have considered the Government or
Parishes sending out the apprentices as ultimately bearing no
part of the expense ; but as it certainly is an object of im-
portance with the home Government to get rid of its surplus
Records of the Cape Colony. 53
population, perhaps it or the parishes would be at some part
of the expense of Transport, in which case the Apprentice
could be handed to his master with a less debt upon him. I
would then recommend that 50, 100, or 150 Drs. according to
circumstances should be paid by the Master to his apprentice
on the giving up of the Indentures, provided the apprentice
had conducted himself in an orderly and praiseworthy manner
during the time of his apprenticeship.
As the Government acting upon a large scale can afford,
without a loss, to give passages much cheaper than can other-
wise be obtained it would be advisable to allow any able bodied
individuals or families who are willing to pay their own passage
to come out, giving them distinctly to understand, that after
landing they had no further claims upon Government but
must trust entirely to their own Industry and resources.
The apprentices and Emigrants ought to be taken from
Country Parishes and from amongst the agricultural classes,
those reared in large towns being less adapted to this Colony.
Let the Emigrating Classes in Great Britain and Ireland be
fairly convinced that so far from being in a state of positive
misery and destitution, the Colony can not only support its
present population, but can afford and is most anxious to pay
high wages to a great many new comers, and that perhaps in
no part of the world can a man purchase more of the neces-
saries of life with the produce of his days labour than he can
in Albany, so lately said to be the very focus of wretchedness,
when this is known and believed I have no doubt Emigrants
will find means to come out of their own accord as fast, or
nearly as fast, as the country can absorb them.
But until then the introduction of labour on terms equitable
to master and servant cannot be too much promoted.
I have &c.
(Signed) W. Currie.
54 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.]
Address to Lord Charles Somerset.
May it please Your Excellency.
The inhabitants of Albany have assembled at the Kowie to
congratulate Your Excellency on your safe arrival in this
division of the Settlement, and at the same time to return
their grateful acknowledgments on the Spot, for the counte-
nance and support which your Excellency has invariably been
pleased to bestow on the important object of creating a Port
in this River. The benefits which have already arisen from
this encouragement have been felt not only by the immediate
neighbourhood but by the whole District and even by the
adjoining one, and it is universally admitted to be an object
of such general vital importance, that we unitedly and respect-
fully solicit the continuance of your Excellency's endeavours
towards an improvement of the navigation, either by the
erection of Piers or such other measures as Your Excellency
may deem advisable to be pursued. When these improve-
ments shall have been completed, we humbly trust that Your
Excellency will be pleased to cause to be extended to us the
benefits of a free Port, in as far as the permission of trading
directly with Foreign Countries. With these benefits in view,
we are sanguine enough to think that in a few years this newly
settled District of Albany will vie with the oldest established.
As Your Excellency has been graciously pleased to express
your desire to be made acquainted with our wants and wishes,
we beg to draw Your Excellency's attention whilst present to
the expediency of establishing some system of Police for this
part of the Country, situated as it is so far from Graham's
Town the only seat of Magistracy for the District. We pre-
sume to submit for Your Excellency's consideration such an
appointment not only at the Village of Bathurst but likewise on
this Spot where under the auspices of Your Excellency a little
Town has been commenced and is fast rising into consequence.
We seize the opportunity of Your Excellency's presence to
state one more subject of local Interest. The Town now
erecting here has not as yet received a name, we therefore
most respectfully request that Your Excellency will be pleased
to accede to the general wish and permit it to be called Port
Records of the Cape Colony. 55
Frances as the only mode we have of paying a tribute of
respect to the Lady of Colonel Somerset, whose conduct and
eminent virtues during her long residence amongst us have
greatly endeared her to every one on the Frontier.
Kowie, 18th February 1825.
(Signed) A. B. Dietz
C. T. Thornhill
Thomas Phillips
Dun. Campbell
W. GlLFILLAN
R. N. Dunn
Richd. Daniell
C. Dalgairns
William Wait
Fred. Carlisle
John Thornhill
D. Moodie
John Carlisle
robt. bovey
Ed wd. Philipps
J. COLLIS
J. Pa le (illegible)
J. H. Heath
Thos. Hewson
C. Stone
P. Heugh & Co.
J. Nelson
Chas. Crause
T. F. Cowderoy
Alex. Bisset
H. Crause
J. Crause
C. Mackay
J. Johnson
W. Austin
Isaac Dyason, Senr.
William Cock
James Carney
John Grant
56 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. J. B. Ebden to J. C. Herries, Esqre.
Copthall Chambers, 18th February 1825.
Sir, — I have the honor to hand you the accompanying
documents and correspondence as per Schedule annexed,
respecting the Currency of the Cape of Good Hope, which I
am induced to submit, through you, for the consideration of
the Lords of His Majesty's Treasury, in consequence of having
understood that since my memorial of the 18th ulto. to Lord
Bathurst on this subject, which was referred to the Treasury,
that Government was about to take some steps with a view to
its redemption, on terms which are conceived to be extremely
injurious to the inhabitants of that Colony.
These documents, it is respectfully submitted, will prove in
a conclusive manner, or at least, will shew in a conspicuous
point of view :
1st. That the amount of Paper money in circulation at the
Cape is a debt due by Government to the public ;
2nd. That the British Government by the most solemn
treaties and engagements stands pledged to redeem the paper
currency at the value at which it was originally issued, namely
4s. sterling per rixdollar.
3rd. That the principle of inviolable security has been not
alone recognised by both Dutch and English Governments, but
has ever been looked to with the greatest tenacity by the
inhabitants of the Colony.
4th. That any departure therefrom must be viewed as an
act of insolvency on the part of the Colonial Government, and
must consequently be productive of the utmost ruin and
distress to a large and most respectable class of the community.
5th. The causes of the depreciation, and the ruinous con-
sequences attendant on the instability of the circulating
medium.
6th. That a wide distinction exists in the value attached
to the Paper money as applicable to the internal and external
trade of the Colony, which arises from a beLef that the current
paper rixdollar, represents a silver dollar of 48 Dutch stivers,
or 4<s.
Records of the Cape Colony. 57
7th. That the present depreciated state of the currency, in
exchange for bills on the Treasury, is alone applicable to the
external trade of the Colony, and as such cannot be taken as
any criterion of the value of the rixdollar.
With the knowledge of these facts I think His Majesty's
Government will see the impolicy of either redeeming or fixing
the value of the rixdollar at anything short of 4s. sterling ; or
at all events, the Lords of the Treasury will enter upon
the consideration of what medium value, in justice to the
public, under all the circumstances, should be affixed to the
rixdollar.
I also beg to advert to the accompanying documents and
correspondence, as expressive of the opinions of some autho-
rities worthy consideration, as to the great benefit the Colony
is likely to derive from the introduction of Capital by means
of a Joint Stock Banking Company which, as a measure
of general utility, will I trust meet the support of Govern-
ment.
On the eve, as I am, of departure for the Cape of Good Hope,
I have to beg you will be good enough to favour me with an
early interview, when I shall be happy to afford you any
further elucidation in my power. I have &c.
(Signed) J. B. Ebden.
[Copy.]
Memorandum relative to a supply of Labourers from Great
Britain, drawn up by His Excellency Lord Charles
Henry Somerset.
The excessive scarcity of Labourers in the new district of
Albany, Cape of Good Hope, having raised labour to so high a
price, that no exertions on the part of the Settlers can avail
unless they are supplied from Great Britain, and the English
Settlers being restricted from employing the labouring class in
the colony (viz. the Slaves), it is evident that not only the
success but the continuance of the measure of Emigration rests
entirely upon their receiving a supply of Labourers.
58 Records of the Cape Colony.
Under these circumstances and the total loss of Capital that
the Settlers have sustained by the Blights and Tempests with
which they have been visited since their arrival in South
Africa, they anxiously trust that the British Government will
take upon itself the expense of conveying Labourers to them.
The result of the best consideration that has been given to the
subject is, that it would be better to send out Youths from
Eleven to Sixteen years of age, and Girls from Ten to Fourteen
years of age. Of the former Six hundred could be readily
disposed of to the Settlers alone ; of the latter Two hundred
and fifty.
It is proposed that they should be bound respectively to the
Government of the Cape of Good Hope, who should be charged
with procuring them good and humane Masters amongst the
English Settlers, and should have authority to remove them
in the event of the Terms of the Indentures being infringed.
The period for which they should be bound should vary
according to the age of the Apprentice.
It is proposed that they should be bound to the Colonial
Government in the first instance before a Magistrate previous
to leaving England, and that the Indenture under which the
Colonial Government should bind them to Individuals should
be as follows.
1st. The Masters shall provide their Apprentices during the
time of their apprenticeship, and the children of their Female
apprentices during the time of the apprenticeship of their
Mothers, with the necessaries of life, viz. Food, Clothing and
Lodging of good quality, and in sufficient quantity, and also
washing. The clothing to be given twice a year according
to a muster to be exhibited for that purpose by the Local
Authorities.
2nd. The Masters shall instruct their apprentices or cause
them to be instructed in the principles of the Christian Religion.
3rd. The Masters shall not transfer their Apprentices to
any other Person whomsoever, nor shall they take them or
cause them to be taken out of the Colony, without the special
permission of the Government in writing for that purpose,
under a penalty of Two Thousand Rixdollars on their Bond to
be taken for that purpose.
4th. The Master shall independently of the above men-
Records of the Cape Colony.
59
40 Rds^
60Rds^
80 Rds;
120 „
. 150 „
. 180 „
30 Rds;
. 40 „
. 60 „
. 80 „•
. 90 „
tioned supply of Food, Clothing, Lodging &c. pay to their
Apprentices as follows :
For every Male Apprentice of 12 years and not under 11
14 and not less than 12
16 „ 14
18 „ 17
20 „ 19
22 „ 21
For every female Apprentice of 12 years and not under 11
of 14 and not less than 12
16 „ 14
18 „ 16
20 „ 18
5th. The Apprentices on the other hand shall bind them-
selves to serve their Masters cheerfully, honestly and faithfully,
in the occupation of Husbandry, as House Servants, or in
other useful Employments to be specified in the Indenture,
and to work for twelve hours per day during the Summer
Season, and for Ten hours per day during the winter, and in
case of their running away or absenting themselves, or refusing
to work according to the terms of their agreement, they shall
on conviction thereof before the local Magistrates make up for
the lost time by an additional service beyond the term of their
apprenticeship.
6th. Sickness is to be considered as a valid excuse for not
working, but where wages are given they are to be deducted
during such period of sickness ; Medical Expenses to be divided
equally between Master and Apprentice.
7th. In case of any apprentice being imprisoned for having
offended against the Laws of the Colony, the period of such
Imprisonment is not to be reckoned as part of the term of
their apprenticeship.
[Copy.]
Letter from the Landdrost of Graaff Reinet to the
Commissioners of Enquiry.
Graaff Reinet, 18th February 1825.
Gentlemen, — In reply to your Letter of the 7th Instant
relative to Mr. Thomas Pringle and his party of Settlers, I
/
60 records of the Cape Colony.
have the honor to inform you that I shall ever be ready to give
my most unqualified approbation as to the exertions made by
Mr. Prin^le towards the comfort, success and prosperity of
said pxrty, and towards forwarding the views of government
by al possible means.
On their first arrival they became located in the most
exposed part of the Colony, farthest in advance towards the
Caffres, who have ever since harassed that division of the
District, they were far removed from the rest of the Settlers
among Colonists little acquainted with the English and their
manners and habits, but they have kept their ground ; by
constant industry and watching they have got every necessary
comfort of life which the location can possibly have afforded
in the few years they have been settled, and have preserved
their flocks in spite of the vicinity and often serious incursions
of the savages, and they have made themselves liked by their
native fellow colonists, as there has never existed the slightest
jealousy or national antipathy. This happy state of the
party I confess I have always attributed to the example given,
the system established and arrangements made by Mr. Pringle
before he left the party, and to the good disposition of its
members. I have &c.
(Signed) A. Stockenstrom.
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. J. B. Ebden to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre.
London, 19^ February 1825.
Sir, — With a copy of my letter to Mr. Herries of yester-
day's date, I have now the honor to submit, thro' you, for the
consideration of Lord Bathurst, the documents of correspond-
ence therein alluded to, in regard to the currency of the Cape
of Good Hope, on which subject I shall be happy to afford you
any further information in my power.
In reference to my memorial of the 15th Inst, to Lord
Bathurst, soliciting the sanction and support of His Majesty's
Government to the establishment of a joint Stock Banking
Company, as a measure, I repeat, totally unconnected with the
Records of the Cape Colony. 61
redemption of the currency, I beg leave, in corroboration of
the general opinion entertained on this head, to transcribe the
following paragraph of a letter from the late Mr. Henry-
Alexander, while Secretary of the Colony, to His Excellency
the Governor. Peculiarly conversant as Mr. Alexander was in
matters of finance, no person more thoroughly understood the
interests of the Cape than he did, or studied more to promote
them. One of the last acts of his life was an attempt to re-
establish public credit, and place the finances of the Colony on
a pure and solid foundation, in which no doubt, had he lived,
he would have succeeded. He says : —
" A Bank, of which the solidity of the institution and the
prudence of the first and probable future directors would
induce a subscription, and thus procure public confidence,
appears to me the best means of promoting the public interests.
It would regulate the internal value of money, check all
usurious transactions, draw money out of its recesses, and
prove the best vehicle for the circulation of the paper currency,
as well as the best means of establishing individual and public
credit. I do not dwell upon the general advantage derived
from public credit, or public banks, but I will venture to
assert that there is not an informed or enlightened Statesman
in Europe who does not think the one grows out of and is
connected with the other ; and both united have enabled
England to end her late arduous contest in so glorious a
manner."
In the present depressed state of credit at the Cape, the
necessity of a Bank so constituted is more obvious than ever.
I can only repeat my confident hope and cpnviction that it
will claim the support of Government. I have &c.
(Signed) J. B. Ebden.
[Office Copy.] •
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Downing Street, London, 21 February 1825.
My Lord, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your Excellency's dispatch of the 14th of June last, enclosing
62 Records of the Cape Colony.
a return of new appointments and of encreases which have
been made in the salaries of existing Officers on the Establish-
ment of your Excellency's Government, principally since the
1st of January of last year ; and I have to acquaint your
Excellency that I have signified my sanction of the expenditure
which these arrangements envolve to the Commissioners of
Colonial Audit. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Copy.]
Letter from George Kekewich, Esqre., to the
Commissioners of Enquiry.
Cape Town, February 21th, 1825.
Gentlemen, — In answer to your letter of the 18th Instant
I have the honor to state for your information, that some
time about the middle of the month of June 1820, after the
arrival of Mr. Parker in this Colony (who was then as I under-
stood residing conditionally in a House belonging to the late
Mr. Watney on his estate called the Oost Waal at Saldanha
Bay, which he purchased several years ago of Mr. Dirk Slabbert)
I was introduced to him on the Heere Graght by Mr. McArthy,
when he asked me if I were not related to Mr. Watney ? to
which I answered we were connected by Marriage ; whereupon
he said Mr. Watney had been kind enough, at the request of
Mr. Stoll, to allow him to make his (Mr. Watney's) House a
residence for a short period, " but," added he with Tears in
his Eyes, " the Time is elapsed, and as I have not yet been
fortunate enough to find a suitable Accommodation, I shall
feel greatly obliged if you will exert your influence with Mr.
Watney to permit me to remain fourteen days longer on the
premises, when I promise to quit the Place." I applied
accordingly to Mr. Watney, who not only immediately
acquiesced in the proposal, but at my special Request
extended the Term of Residence to One Month longer, instead
of Fourteen days, and actually deferred a Journey to Saldanha
Bay, which he contemplated about this Time. Before the
expiration of the Month I heard Mr. Watney frequently
Records of the Cape Colony. 63
complain that Mr. Parker, or his Servants, had destroyed all
the Kraals of Oost Waal. That he allowed a Blacksmith to
set up a Forge close to the Thatched Buildings, by which they
were in momentary danger of catching fire, and that he was
otherwise committing great waste and depredation over the
whole place. I cannot precisely recollect, but I think it was
about Ten weeks after the expiration of the additional month,
that I accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Watney to Saldanha Bay ;
and I perfectly well remember being on a visit to Major General
Sir Rufane Donkin (then Acting Governor) with Mr. Watney
at Groote Post, early in September, when talking about Mr.
Parker and the probable difficulty Mr. Watney would meet
with in ejecting him, Sir Rufane expressed himself in the
following words, or to this effect : ' Well, Mr. Watney, depend
upon it you will not get Mr. Parker out of your house, without
a regular siege, and as for myself I have given Orders to
Croucher " (the Overseer at Groote Post) "if he attempts to
come to this Place, to lock the Doors and fasten the windows,
for should he once gain admission, I shall never be able to
dislodge him without Military Force." I think this occurred
about Two or Three days before we set out for Saldanha Bay.
When we arrived about seven or eight miles from Mr. Watney's
House at Oost Waal, we were met by a Party of his Boys,
who had been sent there a few days before to prepare the
House for our Reception (naturally supposing Mr. Parker had
already left it) and were surprized to hear from them that
Mr. Parker was not only still in the occupation of the House,
but absolutely refused to quit it ; upon which Mr. Watney
mounted his Horse, begging Mrs. Watney and myself to remain
where we then were till we should hear the result. About
a couple of Hours after, we joined Mr. Watney at his House
at Ooste Waal, Mr. Parker having previously quitted it, but
not till some time after Mr. Watney's arrival. In the course
of the same evening Captain Thomas Butler, a settler now
residing in Albany District, who happened also to be at Ooste
Waal (and to whom reference may be made as to Mr. Watney's
conduct on this occasion) informed us that shortly before Mr.
Watney's arrival Mr. Parker declared " He would not quit the
House for the Governor or any one else." Mr. Watney having
at length obtained possession of the Dwelling House, wished
64 Records of the Cape Colony.
also to get possession of his Outhouses and Store Room, the
former being occupied by Mr. Parker's people, and the latter
containing various articles belonging to Mr. Parker, which he
had brought from England, and for this purpose wrote to Mr.
Parker, begging he would remove them within a stated period.
This produced a correspondence (copies of which I believe are
in the Colonial Office) which continued till the Day before our
departure from Saldanha Bay, but without effect, and Mr.
Watney having an extensive Fishery and no other place to
deposit and secure the Fish he had caught save the Store Room,
after many fruitless efforts to avoid being driven to an extremity
was reluctantly compelled to force open his own door, and
having removed what the store contained to a green Sod
adjoining the House, covered it with Canvas, and placed a
Guard over it for the Night. The following Morning it was
conveyed away by Mr. Parker. During the whole time I
remained at Saldanha Bay, I saw Mr. Parker once only, on
which occasion he told me, amongst other Tales, that it was
his intention to take possession of Groote Post unless Govern-
ment gave Him Five Thousand Pounds, which he averred,
Lord Liverpool had assured him would be paid on his arrival
here to reimburse him for some severe Losses he had sustained
whilst engaged in the West India Trade.
These, Gentlemen, are all the circumstances connected with
the Subject, as respects the first part of your Letter, to the
best of my recollection.
On the Subject of Mr. Parker's Sufferings and Hardships,
during the Time he pitched His Tents at Stomp Hoek, I am
not able to speak, never having visited him there nor elsewhere.
I am equally incompetent to speak as to the severity and
inclemency of the Season, as I am quite ignorant of the length
of time he dwelt at Stomp Hoek, but I must beg to observe
that the month of October has ever been considered the finest
Season of the year, and that there were a Government House
and Stores on the other side of the Water, within Four Miles
of Stomp Hoek, sufficiently capacious to contain Mr. Parker,
his Family, Followers, and all he possessed.
And with regard to Mr. Parker's Views, whether they were
directed to Commercial or Agricultural objects, it is impossible
for me to give any information or to form a Conjecture. On
Records of the Cape Colony. 65
the Occasion before referred to, he talked of Building a large
Village and Supplying Cape Town with Grain, but (in common
with other persons) I considered his Speculations too wild and
chimerical to claim any serious attention. I have &c.
(Signed) G. Kekewich.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Downing Street, London, 22 February 1825.
My Lord, — I have had the honor to receive your Excellency's
dispatch of the 23rd of June last, explaining the reasons which
induced you to take measures for constructing a carriage road
across the Fransche Hoek Mountain and describing the great
and permanent advantages which will accrue to the Settlements
under your Excellency's Government by continuing the line of
that road across the Cape Flats and Kogman's Kloof.
Concurring as I do most fully in the estimate which has been
formed by your Excellency of the extensive benefit which the
Colony at large will derive from the facilities of communication
which will thus be afforded to districts which were formerly
separated by insurmountable obstacles I am happy in having
to convey to your Excellency my approbation of a measure
which cannot but reflect credit on your Government.
In thus expressing my unequivocal approbation of this
undertaking I must however state my regret that the estimates
framed by Lieutenant Mudge of the work which remains to be
executed, should convey no clear idea of the total amount of
expenditure which the road, when completed, shall have
occasioned.
In the report made to me by Major Holloway, a copy of
which I enclose for your Excellency's consideration, the total
expenditure is estimated within six thousand pounds ; but as
it appears from Lieutenant Mudge's report that Major Hollo-
way's original estimate of the expence of cutting the road
across the Fransche Hoek had been considerably exceeded, I
shall be glad to learn that your Excellency has not proceeded
XX V
66 Becords of the Cape Colony.
to effect the completion of the road without being fully aware
of the extent of the expenditure which will be to be incurred
on account of this Service. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Copy.]
Letter from the Landdrost of Worcester to the Commis-
sioners of Enquiry.
Landdrost' s Office, Worcester, 22nd February, 1825.
Gentlemen, — In reply to your Letter of the 9th Instant
directing me to furnish you with a Copy of the Estimate or
Specification furnished me either by the Colonial Government
or by the Inspector of Buildings, Mr. Jones, and with the
original Drawing or plan upon which an Estimate amounting
to 68,000 Rixdollars was made of the Landdrost' s House and
Offices at Worcester, —
I have the honor to inform you that I never was supplied
with an estimate or specification either by the Colonial Govern-
ment or the Inspector of Buildings Mr. Jones, but was merely
informed that the Expence was estimated at that Sum.
I have enclosed the plan as delivered to me by Mr. Jones,
but it appears that Mr. Hemming has omitted leaving me the
Elevation. I will apply to him to know if it is still in his
possession.
May I request that the plan may be returned, there being
no duplicate in this Office. I have &c.
(Signed) C. Trappes.
[Copy.]
Letter from the Landdrost of Worcester to the Commis-
sioners of Enquiry.
Landdrost' s Office, Worcester, 22nd February 1825.
Gentlemen, — In reply to your Letter of the 10th Instant
referring me to a paragraph in my Letter of the 16th May,
1824, in which I had stated that " The Tax upon Slaves had
Records of the Cape Colony. 67
been determined upon to meet the Expense of repairing the
Old Drostdy House and Public Buildings at Tulbagh, which
were originally built of bad materials and subsequently suffered
to fall into decay, and the increase of Transport and Com-
mando Tax had become absolutely necessary in order to pay
the outstanding debts on these heads," I beg leave to say that
I was wrong in using the words determined upon. In lieu
thereof, may I be allowed to request that " contemplated "
may be substituted, as the measure was only decided upon in
the meeting of the Board of the 7th October 1822, when a
prospectus of the resources of the District was forwarded to
Government by the Board, and I have the honor to transmit
to you an extract of the resolution taken upon that occasion.
I have &c.
(Signed) C. Trappes.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Downing Street, London, 23 February 1825.
My Lord, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your. Excellency's dispatch of the 8th of October last enclosing
a copy of a previous dispatch which you had addressed to me
on the 20th of May 1823 in explanation of the grounds upon
which you were induced to recommend that some addition
should be made to the Salary of the Landdrost of Stellenbosch,
and I have the honor to acquaint your Excellency in reply that
your previous communication upon this subject was duly
received, but that I deemed it expedient to refer it for the con-
sideration of the Commissioners of Enquiry ; and I have only
to express my regret that I must postpone giving your Excel-
lency the final Instruction which you solicit, until I shall have
received their Report. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
f 2
68 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.]
Letter from the Assistant Secretary to Government to the
Commissioners of Enquiry.
Colonial Office, 23rd February 1825.
Gentlemen, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of your Letter under date the 19th Instant, requesting to be
furnished with a Copy of any Memorial or Application from the
Inhabitants of the district of Worcester, or from the Land-
drost and Heemraden of that District, representing the ex-
pediency of establishing the Sub-Drostdy of Worcester,
together with any record or communication of the Decision of
the Government thereupon. In reply I take leave to transmit
to you an Extract of a Letter from the late Landdrost of
Tulbagh to the Colonial Secretary, dated 9th November 1818,
pointing out the places called " Roode Draay " and " Lange
Rug " at the Hex River as well adapted for a New Deputy
Drostdy ; Copy of a Letter from the Colonial Secretary to the
Landdrost of Tulbagh, dated 11th December 1818, authorising
him to make arrangements for the payment of the Sums at
which the places in question had been valued ; Copy of Mr.
Fischer's reply to the Colonial Secretary, under date 21st
December 1818, communicating the conclusion of the purchase
of the abovementioned places ; Copy of a Letter from the late
Landdrost of Tulbagh to the Colonial Secretary, dated 9th
February 1819, enclosing a Plan for the Town proposed to be
built, and requesting permission to sell the Erven, in order that
a commencement thereof may be speedily made ; Copy of the
Colonial Secretary's reply to the same, under date 1st April
1819. In pursuance of the recommendation of the Landdrost
of the Eligibility of the Site described for a village, the Estab-
lishment was accordingly formed at Worcester, of which notice
was given to the public, by Government Advertisement on the
20th October 1819, a Copy of which I have also the honor to
enclose.
The minor details respecting this Measure, it is presumed,
were arranged Verbally between Mr. Fischer and the late
Colonial Secretary, as it would appear by the concluding para-
graph of Mr. Fischer's Letter of the 31st December 1818,
Becords of the Cape Colony. 69
wherein he announces his intention of proceeding to Cape
Town, for the purpose of more readily communicating with
Government upon the measure then in Contemplation.
I have &c.
(Signed) P. G. Brink,
Assistant Secretary to Government.
[Enclosure 1 in the above.]
Extract from the translation of a Letter from the Landdrost
of Tulbagh to the Colonial Secretary, dated the 9th
November 1818.
I have also on my road back inspected the Places the
Roode Draay and the Lange Rug at the Hex River, which are
considered as well calculated for a new Deputy Drostdy.
This place becomes more important when the New Road
over the French Hoek Mountains will be completed. Should
His Excellency determine on resuming those two places for
that purpose, the first would be worth Eighty Thousand, and
the other Sixty Thousand Guilders, in order to indemnify in
some manner the present occupiers.
By the pleasant and profitable situation of these places, the
Erfs that would be sold out for the forming of a village would
soon repay this Sum with profit, and in a very few years it
would become a good Drostdy, and a respectable village.
A true Extract from the Translation.
(Signed) P. G. Brink,
Assistant Secretary to Government.
[Enclosure 2 in the above.]
Colonial Office, l\th December 1818.
Dear Sir, — I am directed by His Excellency the Governor
to desire that you will be pleased to give the necessary notice
to the holders of the Two Loan places the Roode Draay and
the Lange Bug, that His Majesty's Government is in the
intention of resuming those Estates, paying for the Opstals.
70 Records of the Cape Colony.
You will therefore make such arrangement as shall be most
convenient for the payment thereof, which will be borne by the
Colonial Government, but it will be necessary you should
obtain as much time as possible, in order that so large a Sum
as the price at which you have valued these properties may
not be subtracted from the Treasury at once, it being under-
stood that Eighty Thousand Guilders is the Sum to be paid for
the Opstal of one of the said places and Sixty Thousand
Guilders for the other. I remain &c.
(Signed) C. Bird.
To the Landdrost of Tulbagh.
[Enclosure 3 in the above.]
Tulbagh, 21st December 1818.
Sir, — I take the liberty to inform you that in compliance
with your Letter of the 11th Instant, I have purchased on
behalf of Government the Places named the Roode Draay and
the Lange Rug, the former for Eighty Thousand and the latter
for Sixty Thousand Guilders. I have agreed with the Sellers
to pay a third part of the purchase money of each place in
Cash, a third at Six months, and the remaining third at a year.
It being my intention to proceed to Cape Town in the course
of the present week, in order to learn the further intentions of
Government respecting the plan for a New Village, and other
requisite information, I take the liberty to request the necessary
leave of Absence for the purpose. I have &c.
(Signed) J. H. Fischer, Landdrost.
To the Colonial Secretary.
[Enclosure 4 in the above.]
Tulbagh, the 9th February 1819.
Sir, — I take the liberty herewith to transmit to you the
Plan of the village for the new Drostdy at the Roode Draay
and Lange Rug, not knowing whether the One by Mr. Tulleken
has already been received by you. Should His Excellency
approve this plan, I request to be authorized to Sell the Erven
Records of the Cape Colony. 71
after a previous notice of Two Months shall have been given
of it in the Gazette, and that the Erven Situated on both Sides
of the Drostdy and the Church be at first retained, in order to
be applied for the use of the public Servants of the Drostdy
and those belonging to the Church. I have &c.
(Signed) J. H. Fischer, Landdrost.
To the Colonial Secretary.
[Enclosure 5 in the above.]
Colonial Office, 1st April 1819.
Sir, — In reply to your Letter of the 9th February, enclosing
a plan for the Town proposed to be built on the Hex and
Breede Rivers, and requesting permission to sell the Erven, in
order that a Commencement thereof may be speedily made, I
am directed to signify to you His Excellency's approval of
your making a beginning in this business, by the Sale of so
many of the Erven as you may deem sufficient for the first
wants of the public in this regard, bearing in mind that it will
be prudent gradually to proceed herein. His Excellency is of
opinion that in advertizing the Erven, a description of the
Site and its advantages should be descanted upon, and he
entirely Concurs with you in thinking that Two Months notice
at least should be given of the intended Sale. In the mean-
time His Excellency has had Copies of Mr. Tulleken's plan of
the Site and proposed Town made out, and he will send one
to each of the Drostdies by the Post of the day in which your
Advertisement shall appear in our Paper. His Excellency
continues of Opinion that it will be desirable that immediate
Steps be taken for planting the principal Squares and
Streets, the Expence of which may be subsequently reparti-
tioned upon the Proprietors of Erven, as it has been found by
Experience that to leave the planting to the Proprietors them-
selves, who occupy their Erven at intervals, is productive of
much irregularity and disfigurement. I have &c.
(Signed) C. Bird.
To the Landdrost of Tulbagh.
72 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Enclosure 6 in the above.]
Government Advertisement.
His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to make the
following Promotions and Appointments on the Civil Estab-
lishment of this Government : —
J. F. van de Graaff Esqr. to be Deputy Landdrost of the
new Sub Drostdy at the entrance of the Hex River Kloof,
now called Worcester.
W. W. Harding Esquire to be Deputy Landdrost at Cradock,
in lieu of Mr. Van de Graaff.
N.B. Major Fraser, Deputy Landdrost of Uitenhage, having
obtained leave of absence to return to Europe, Captain H.
Somerset will do the duties of Deputy Landdrost, until further
Orders.
Graham's Town, 20th October 1819.
By Command of His Excellency the Governor.
(Signed) C. Bird.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Downing Street, London, 24 February 1825.
My Lord, — I have had the honor to receive your Excellency's
dispatch of the 16th of November last, in which you state that
you have been under the necessity of causing a schooner to be
built in order to replace the Buckbay Packet which had been
wrecked in a gale of wind.
In conveying to your Excellency my sanction to the expen-
diture amounting to nine thousand Rix Dollars, which the
building of this schooner will occasion, I cannot avoid adverting
to the heavy losses which your Government has sustained by
the wreck of the preceding schooners. In the paper which
accompanies your Excellency's dispatch of the 2nd October it
is stated indeed, that as the loss of those Vessels was to be
Records of the Cape Colony. 73
attributed to the frequent storms by which the coast of the
settlement was visited, you had wisely determined to replace
only one of them ; but as this Vessel will be liable to the same
accidents which have occasioned the loss of others within so
limited a period, I am under the necessity of desiring that
your Excellency will not in future consider yourself authorised
to encur any additional expenditure for vessels of this descrip-
tion without having fully explained to me the grounds upon
which you consider them indispensably necessary for the
service of your Government. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Copy.]
Notes by the Commissioners of Enquiry upon Mr. Ingram's
arrangements for his Apprentices.
Thursday, 24th February 1825.
The Commissioner proceeded to inspect the accommodations
of the Irish Emigrants in the Service of Mr. Ingram at Zonne
Bloem near Cape Town, and the several apartments that they
occupied were pointed out. They were situated in a range of
detached Buildings which were considerably out of repair.
The first apartment near the House consisted of a small
Room 14 feet long and 12 feet wide, which was occupied by
eight Single Men. This Room though small was in good order,
and fitted up with two berths, one fixed above the other.
Above this Room was situated another of the same size, in
which nine men were similarly accommodated. The next
Room appropriated to the people was one of 20 feet square, in
which 8 men were lodged, this apartment was also in tolerably
good order. The remainder of the people, said to consist of
Six families and amounting to Twenty Three men, women and
Children, were lodged in a Room forty feet in length and twenty
in breadth, which was very much out of repair. The Gable at
one End had been partly taken down, and the Thatch of the
Roof was open in a manner to admit the wind and rain. The
Floor was of Brick and Earth, and the only furniture consisted
74 Records of the Cape Colony.
of two ranges of boarded berths, placed the one above the
other, and without any separations. An adjoining Shed was
appropriated for them as a Kitchen, but being unroofed, the
people alleged that they were unable in bad weather to niake
use of it, and even in fine weather from exposure to the Sun.
The fire for cooking was lighted in the room occupied by
the people.
This Room was extremely dirty. One man was lodged in it
who had a broken leg. Complaints were made by the people
that their rations were irregularly supplied and deficient. The
remaining parts of these detached Buildings were appropriated
to the use of Mr. Ingram. There were Two Stables in good
Order, one of them of considerable Size, a work Shop for the
Mechanics, and a Shed containing Lime.
Mr. Ingram explains that he has experienced great difficulty
in procuring a Thatcher and materials for Thatching his Build-
ings, that he was obliged to take down very lately one of the
Gables that was likely to have fallen and would have endangered
the people's lives, and that he has materials on the premises
and has now hired a person who is capable of repairing the
Roof, which he intends to have completed before the return of
bad weather. He is fully convinced that no Complaint can be
justly made of the insufficiency of Provisions furnished by him,
as he allows the people more than the Soldiers' Rations. He
cannot prevail on them to correct their Habits, or to form
Messes, which he had recommended to them with a view to
improve their comfort.
A true Copy.
(Signed) John Gregory.
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. J. B. Ebden to J. C. Herries, Esqre.
Copthall Chambers, 2±th February 1825.
Sir, — In a separate letter under this date I have the honor
to call your attention to the establishment of a Bank, under a
Royal Charter, as the best means of restoring public and indi-
Records of the Cape Colony. 7o
vidual credit at the Cape of Good Hope, which, I can but
repeat my hope, will meet the support of Government.
In my letter of the 21st Inst. I stated my conviction, that
some plan might be devised by which the gradual improvement
of the Currency could be effected, without either sacrifice to
the Government or committing any violence on the different
interests of the colony, and as you were pleased to express your
readiness to receive any further communications on this subject,
I am induced to offer the following observations to your con-
sideration :
In reference to the Cape Currency, it has been said, that
" Those who suffer by its deplorable condition have no voice
for the application of a suitable remedy to this galling evil ;
and those from whom the remedy must come are no sufferers
by the continuance of it."
True* as this remark is, and obvious as its application must
be, no reflection is here intended ; but in an appeal to His
Majesty's Government the inhabitants of the Cape, relying on
the justice of their case, look with confidence for that relief it
would be vain to seek elsewhere.
That the depreciation of the currency is alone to be ascribed
to its not being exchangeable for gold, the current coin of the
realm, I take to be an indisputable proposition.
Remove then the Bank restriction, as it may be termed,
and the currency will be at once restored to its proper and
original value, to which standard, as has been recently wit-
nessed in this country (no better proof of which can be adduced
than its present prosperous condition) property would more
readily adapt itself, with less prejudice to existing contracts
than any half measure, whereby the faith of Government
would be violated.
The external commerce of any place cannot be considered
as bearing any proportion to its internal trade ; it would
perhaps be difficult to determine with any degree of accuracy
their relative proportions, but no importance can attach to any
result on this head, however accurately ascertained, as the
difference in the value of the currency, as applicable to the
internal and external trade of the Colony, has been clearly
pointed out.
It may be observed that whether the value of the Rixdollar
76 Records of the Cape Colony.
is fixed at Is. 6d., the lowest point of its depreciation, or at 45.,
its legal and original standard, the result to Government as a
question of outlay and expense will eventually be the same, the
difference in adopting one or the other will be felt by the public.
The latter would be no more than common justice, while the
former would inflict incalculable ruin on the present as well as
future generations.
Constituted as the currency is, it is not my intention here
to advert to the various causes which in the opinion of some
persons have more or less tended to produce the present
depression. It will be sufficient for my present purpose
briefly to advert to such as are too obvious to need any par-
ticular illustration.
1st. The ill-judged measure of augmenting the quantity
of Paper Money in circulation, at the very time its diminution
ought to have been determined on.
2nd. The payment of the Governor and Civil Servants
from the Colonial Treasury in sterling money, whose salaries
amount to about £25,000 per annum, making at the present
exchange nearly one-eighth of the whole paper money in
circulation.
3rd. The payment of the Troops in currency, in lieu of
specie, whereby all check on the paper money was removed.
I shall not dwell on the effect these several circumstances
have had on the exchange, but with every deference I beg
leave to submit, as the certain means in my humble opinion of
effecting a gradual improvement in the Currency,
First. That the partial remedy shall be applied towards
the redemption of the currency in such manner as may be
deemed expedient by Government, and that the Colonial
Government shall be restrained from any further issue of paper
money.
Secondly. That those salaries of the civil servants which
are payable in sterling shall be paid in specie, to be sent from
England for that purpose, but as these salaries are a charge
upon the Colonial revenues, an equivalent value in rixdollars
shall be placed in the hands of the Commissary, for redemption,
at the exchange of the day.
Thirdly. That as a prelude and necessary step to the intro-
duction of the currency of Great Britain into the Colony, the
Records of the Cape Colony. 77
troops shall henceforth be paid in specie, to be sent out for that
purpose, a three months supply of which would be sufficient,
provided the Commissariat was authorized to grant Bills, at
all times, on terms which would prevent its being exported.
I would also suggest that the Commissariat should be open
for the receipt of tenders for any specific amount, monthly,
until the sum issued by Lord Caledon, on the whole amount of
Paper Money in circulation, shall be redeemed at the exchange
of the day.
Considering the introduction of the currency of this country
a very desirable measure, some announcement of the intentions
of Government might be made on this head, but whatever plan
Government may determine upon in regard to the currency, it
is almost unnecessary to say that its views should be matured
in England without any reference to the Cape, where alone
they might by possibility be contravened to the prejudice of
the public.
In conclusion, permit me to revert to my original proposi-
tion, as submitted to Lord Bathurst by my memorial of the
18th ulto., as offering under all the circumstances the best and
least exceptionable mode, in my opinion, of redeeming the
currency, leaving the value of the rixdollar to be determined
by competent authorities. Much good could not fail to result
from the funding of the debt, and the charge of effecting so
beneficial a change might surely be defrayed out of the colonial
revenues.
I annex a statement shewing how this object could be
accomplished without either sacrifice to the Government, or
its being in the smallest degree oppressive to the Colonial
Revenues.
Waiting the favor of a communication from you, either on
this subject or that of the Bank unconnected with the redemp-
tion of the currency, I have &c.
(Signed) J. B. Ebden.
78 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.]
Evidence given by P. G. Brink, Esqre., to the Commissioners
of Enquiry.
Cape Town, 16th October 1824.
Were you the chief clerk in the Colonial Office in the year
1820?
Reply. I was Assistant Secretary.
Had you during that time access to all the documents
and Despatches that arrived from His Majesty's Secretary
of State for the Colonies, and that were addressed to the
Governor ?
Reply. I had ; they were under my charge, at least those
that were committed to me.
You are not aware then that all the Despatches were
invariably delivered to you ?
Reply. With very few exceptions perhaps of confidential
Despatches, I have reason to believe they were all delivered
to me.
You recollect the arrival of Despatches from Lord Bathurst's
Office announcing the destination of the Settlers for this
Colony in 1819-20?
Reply. I do.
Do you recollect whether those Despatches contained any
recommendation of Mr. Wm. Parker from Sir B. Bloomfield to
the special notice of the Colonial Government ?
Reply. They did not.
Do you know whether any and what mention was made of
Mr. Parker's name in the Despatches ?
Reply. There was no mention of him whatever, except in
a letter from the Under Secretary of State for the Colonial
Department, the usual printed Letter enclosing a List of Mr.
Parker's party, and his name as the Head of it.
Were you ever present at any interview that Mr. Parker
had with Colonel Bird ?
Reply. No, I was not.
Have you met with, or do you think that there exists
amongst the Documents of the Colonial Office, any record of
Records of the Cape Colony. 79
an opinion given by Lieutenant Colonel Bird to Sir R. Donkin
respecting the expediency of locating the Settlers at Clan
William ?
Reply. No, I do not. I have never seen such an opinion
amongst the Schedules. I think that before the Acting
Governor went to the Frontier, he gave instructions to Lieu-
tenant Colonel Bird how he was to act with regard to the
Settlers.
Did the Acting Governor correspond with the Colonial
Secretary Lieutenant Colonel Bird during his absence on the
Frontier in 1820 ?
Reply. I presume that he did.
Was this correspondence deposited in the Colonial Office ?
Reply. No, it was not.
Have you ever seen the original Copy of the Regulations of
Mr. Commissioner De Mist respecting the Church Establish-
ment ?
Reply. This Printed Regulation is in the Colonial Office,
bound up with all the Regulations that were framed by the
Batavian Government of that day.
Do you know whether these Regulations were promulgated
in this Colony previous to its recapture by the British ?
Reply. The whole of them were published in the Colonial
Gazettes before the recapture.
Was the Gazette in the time of the Batavian Government
official ?
Reply. It certainly was.
Did the part that was published contain any declaration of
Religious toleration ?
Reply. I think that the beginning of it contains such a
declaration.
Religious toleration did not exist under the Dutch Colonial
Government, previous to the Capture by the British in the
year 1795 ?
Reply. Certainly not.
(Signed) P. G. Brink,
80 Records of the Cape Colony.
24th February 1825.
Mr. P. G. Brink re-examined.
You were Assistant Secretary in the Colonial Office in the
year 1820 ?
Reply. I was.
Will you be so good as to look at the Memorandum now
shewn you, and say whether you recollect that the original
draught of it was prepared and copied in the Colonial Office ?
Reply. I recollect that Colonel Bird desired me to prepare
several Memoranda relative to certain of the Settlers who
arrived in the year 1820 ; but I think that the Memorandum
respecting Mr. Parker was prepared by Colonel Bird himself.
Is there any passage in the Memorandum, or is the style of
it the usual style which Colonel Bird adopted in drawing up
Official Papers ?
Reply. The latter part of the question I answer in the
affirmative.
Was Mr. Ellis Deputy Secretary in the year 1820 ?
Reply. He was.
Does the Style of the Memorandum bear any resemblance to
that of Mr. Ellis ?
Reply. None whatever.
Was the Acting Governor Sir R. Donkin in the habit of
transmitting to the Office, or recording there any Memoranda
of his determinations and opinions on Public Matters ?
Reply. He might have written them in private letters to
Lieutenant Colonel Bird, but they were not recorded in the
office. Sometimes, but seldom, he wrote his opinions upon
the papers themselves. There are a few exceptions to the first
of these observations ; I now recollect that Sir Ruf ane Donkin
communicated to the Office a long Memorandum upon the
subject of Mr. MelviU's mission to the Interior.
From the tenor and language of the document, do you con-
ceive that it must have been drawn in the Colonial Office ?
Reply. I certainly conclude that it must have been drawn
up by a person who had access to the Official Documents to
which the Memorandum refers.
(Signed) P. G. Brink.
Records of the Cape Colony. 81
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Earl Bathtjrst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Downing Street, London, 25 February 1825.
My Lord, — I transmit to your Excellency herewith enclosed
a copy of a Memorial which has been addressed to me by
Jacob Theron complaining of various grievances which he
alleges to have suffered by the acts of several Officers and
Authorities of your Excellency's Government, and as no proof
has been adduced by this Individual in support of his repre-
sentations, I can only desire that your Excellency will cause
strict enquiry to be made into all the circumstances which are
set forth in His Memorial and report to me the result of the
explanations which you shall receive upon the subject.
I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Enclosure in the above.]
To the Right Honourable Earl Bathurst.
The Humble Memorial of Jacob Theron a Cape born subject
of His Britannic Majesty lately residing in Cape Town at the
Cape of Good Hope but now of the City Road in the County of
Middlesex, Sheweth,
That your Memorialist in the year 1817 carried on the
trade of a Travelling Merchant at the Cape of Good Hope and
that a considerable part of his profits being derived from his
traffic with the Inhabitants of the Interior of the Colony under
the sanction of the Colonial Government your Memorialist
considered that his trade would be greatly facilitated by
procuring as Servants some of the Bushman's Tribes with
whom he occasionally traded as Servants of the Colonists and
therefore applied to William and Gert Brits Farmers in the
District of Graaf Reynett to let your Memorialist have the
charge of two Bush Girls about the age of five or six years
(who were quite destitute and orphans) which they the said
William and Gert Brits consented to do on condition that
your Memorialist should cause the children to be instructed and
XX. a
82 Records of the Cape Colony.
on his undertaking that they should not again become an
incumbrance to the said William and Gert Brits which your
Memorialist did in the hope that the children would become
of essential service to him at some future period after they
were taught his own language your Memorialist intending
them to act as Interpreters to their Countrymen in his mer-
cantile pursuits.
That the present Landdrost of Graafrenet Captain Stock-
ingstrom took away the two girls against the wish of your
Memorialist, and either kept them himself or transferred
them to another, and that your Memorialist on his return to
Cape Town presented a Memorial to Lord Charles Henry
Somerset who made answer that Captain Stockingstrom was
justified in so doing by proclamation.
That on referring to the Proclamation your Memorialist
discovered it was made subsequent to this Affair and apparently
was intended to prevent the Children of the Bushmen from
being estranged from their parents and which might only then
have suggested itself could it be done by a pretext of such a
transfer as actually happened in the present case, whereupon
your Memorialist presented to the Governor another Memorial
requesting His Excellency to notice that from the date of the
Proclamation referred to in his reply to the first Petition of
your Memorialist that the date was subsequent to the affair
submitted for his consideration and that consequently your
Memorialist considered the decision of his case could not be
influenced by the Proclamation referred to and prayed to have
the two children restored to him, to which application your
Memorialist received a verbal reply through one of the Gentle-
men in the Colonial Office that " His Excellency could not
comply " but your Memorialist could never obtain the usual
written Document or any other information on the subject.
That your Memorialist in the year 1819 in the way of trade
received a Draft for two hundred Rix Dollars from Mr. Cock of
Graaf Reynett drawn by him upon his agent at Cape Town
Olof Johnias Truter (the son of the Chief Justice) payable at
three days after sight, which Draft or Bill on being tendered
to him for acceptance and after accepting it he Mr. Olof Johnias
Truter put into his Drawer saying he would pay the amount in
eight days, which he did not, and although frequently requested
Records of the Cape Colony. 83
to return the Bill, refused, until after the lapse of six months,
and then only in consequence of being threatened with a
prosecution for keeping what was not his property he returned
it to your Memorialist by the hands of Mr. Lyndt the Notary
duly accepted.
That your Memorialist having got the said Bill or Draft
into his possession was pacified for a time and expected that it
would be paid, and did not for a long time, and not till he was
pressed by his own want of money, institute any process for
its recovery. The petty Court that has jurisdiction to the
amount of Three hundred Rix Dollars gave judgment in favor
of your Memorialist for the whole amount.
That the said O. J. Truter then appealed to the Court of
Justice which appeal was decided by his Father the Chief
Justice his Uncle Mr. Bresler and three Nephews and also two
others (as your Memorialist was informed and still believes to
be nearly allied to the Appellant) as the Judges, on the Bench
and his Brother Johnias Andrias Truter was his Advocate
which mode of Trial your Memorialist has been advised was
contrary to the Laws of the Colony, as it is to the Roman and
the English Law. The result of the appeal was that your
Memorialist should lose his Debt and pay all the expenses in
both the courts which he did to the amount of six hundred
Rix Dollars. It may not be improper to observe that a
majority of the sitting Members of the Court decides the point
in question and that the grounds of their decision are never
made known.
That your Memorialist applied for an appeal and received
for answer that no appeal could be allowed where the subject of
dispute did not amount to the value of one thousand Rix
Dollars.
That your Memorialist having in the year 1819 (acci-
dentally whilst travelling) seen the Newspaper was surprised
to find inserted in the Cape Gazette (the only newspaper then
published in the Colony) " That Jacob Theron (meaning your
Memorialist) had been sentenced by the Commission of Justice
to be imprisoned for three days for offending a man of the
name of Palm.
That your Memorialist conceiving that his name had been
inserted by mistake for some other person's, applied to the
G 2
84 Records of the Cape Colony.
Gazette Office, then to His Majesty's Fiscal and afterwards to
the Governor Lord Charles Henry Somerset praying that the
offensive passage might be contradicted, and received a
similar answer from each " that it could not be complied with ':
but from His Majesty's Fiscal, this additional Declaration that
" I will be the greatest enemy you ever had."
That your Memorialist considers it needless to state the
particular effect such a paragraph appearing in a Government
Gazette and carried on in the way it is, had upon his mind and
the injury it did him in his vocation.
That in the month of July 1819 a Proclamation was issued
for the encouragement of Trade with the Natives by establishing
an annual Fair at Beaufort and your Memorialist having
obtained a Licence to carry on the trade of a Butcher in Cape
Town for the year 1820 purchased three Waggons and three
spans (teams) of oxen and goods to the amount of twenty
thousand Rix Dollars with the intent to avail himself of the
general permission to trade with the Breaquas at the ensuing
Fair to be held at Beaufort according to the Government
Advertisement published in the Cape Town Gazette, and
exchange those goods for cattle, and employed Andrias Hanson
as a servant or traveller to your Memorialist to barter away
the goods for cattle in the usual way of such Trade and procured
the proper Licence signed by His Majesty's Fiscal Daniel
Denyssen Esquire for the said Andrias Hanson and conformed
to all the customary observances as are in such cases required
and as a precautionary step took out a Licence also for himself,
all which doings your Memorialist was told and believed were
legal.
That His Majesty's Fiscal the said Daniel Denyssen Esquire
wrote a Letter to the Deputy Landdrost of Beaufort to arrest
your Memorialist's goods under proclamation of 23d October
1793 for employing an agent to sell for him, which was done on
the arrival of the goods at Beaufort by the Deputy Landdrost
Mr. Baird. In consequence of which Captain Stockingstrom
the Landdrost of Graafreynet in whose District the Sub-drosdy
of Beaufort is situated wrote a letter to Sir Rufane Shaw
Donkin the then Governor of the Cape of Good Hope stating the
peculiarly hard case of your Memorialist and praying for per-
mission to restore the goods to him which Letter His Excellency
Records of the Cape Colony. 85
sent to His Majesty's Fiscal the said Daniel Denyssen, who
prevailed upon His Excellency to permit the question to be
tried. It was accordingly brought on (many months after-
wards) before Mr. Neatling the Brother in Law of the Fiscal
and P. S. Beausiona two members of the Court of Justice
when your Memorialist was condemned upon the old Dutch
East India proclamation of 16th June 1774 .(instead of the
proclamation of the 23d October 1793 under which the Goods
were arrested) and in direct violation of the English proclama-
tion made at the Capitulation of the Cape in the year 1795
' that all persons might trade by water or land either in their
own persons or by their Agents," whereupon your Memorialist
appealed, and the Court of Appeals decreed restitution of your
Memorialist's property. That the said Goods were sold
(previous to the appeal case being heard) under the first men-
tioned sentence at the reduced price of Twelve thousand Rix
Dollars from their being greatly damaged during eighteen
months the period the question was in litigation.
That on your Memorialist's succeeding by appeal and
receiving the Decree of the Court for the restitution of his
property or its value he applied to the Bank at Cape Town for
the amount of the sales which had been effected when to his
utter astonishment he found no account had been rendered or
amount of sales paid over as the parties entrusted with such
sales are bound to do by Law within six months after such
sale, nor has your Memorialist ever received any satisfaction
whatever for the same.
That your Memorialist in December 1823 having occasion to
reprimand his servant John Howe an Irishman for getting
intoxicated and neglecting his work and being irritated by his
abusive and outrageous behaviour and prompted to as he did
strike him with his hand, but immediately retired to the House,
was within half an hour afterwards waited upon by one of the
Messengers from His Majesty's Fiscal requesting your Memo-
rialist to wait upon him at the Office which your Memorialist
promised immediately to do and requested the Messenger to
wait a moment till he changed his coat, before your Memorialist
had time to do so two of the Constables came in and took him
to the Office by force and in a very rude manner on the Con-
stables being asked where was their authority they merely
86 Records of the Cape Colony.
shewed their sticks to your Memorialist who told them he did
not want that, but the Decree of the Court, they said they had
no Decree, but they had orders from the Fiscal to take your
Memorialist ' dead or alive " on arriving at the Office the
Fiscal then interrogated your Memorialist as to what he termed
an assault, who admitted that he had struck the fellow but not
without a sufficient provocation and submitted that if all his
Servants were to be permitted (whenever he had occasion to
reprimand them for getting drunk and neglecting their duty)
to act towards your Memorialist in the way that John Howe
had done, and tear the clothes from his (your Memorialist's)
back as was the case in the present instance, without being
allowed immediately to chastise the insult and violence, or to
make resistance, there would be an end to all authority and
such forbearance was more than human nature could bear.
That your Memorialist, believing his man was really intoxi-
cated to madness and knew not what he did, expressed his
surprise that he was enabled to find his way to the office to
make a complaint and intimated that if the drunkenness was
only assumed your Memorialist did not intend to excuse his
servant's behaviour when Mr. Fiscal answered he had no
occasion to tell your Memorialist who was the Informant, and
immediately committed him to solitary confinement in the
Common Prison and although this was a Bailable offence (if
offence it might be called) and Bail was offered to any amount
still your Memorialist was not allowed this privilege. Your
Memorialist protested against the commitment as illegal for
want of the usual Decree of the Court of Justice for corporal
apprehension but Mr. Fiscal replied he had sufficient influence
with Lord Charles Somerset and would take the responsibility
upon himself.
That your Memorialist after three days had elapsed of such
imprisonment directed a Petition to the Worshipful the Court
of Justice complaining that your Memorialist had been confined
without any Decree of personal apprehension but received no
answer thereto.
On the twelfth day of your Memorialist's imprisonment he
addressed another Petition to the Court of Justice stating that
he had not been brought to trial according to the article of
the Code of CroAvn Trial which directs the trial to take place
Records of the Cape Colony. 87
in 8 days in absolute and clear terms and thereby prayed their
Honors to direct the trial of your Memorialist immediately to
be proceeded in about a fortnight after Memorialist received
a Decree of that Court to the last Petition, that His Majesty's
Fiscal had in answer to your Memorialist's Petition stated that
he (the Fiscal) was too much engaged to bring on the Trial.
That your Memorialist on the receipt of this Decree petitioned
His Excellency Lord Charles Henry Somerset to the same effect
and in addition thereto stated that the case of Venables v.
Edwards for an affair which took place since that alleged
against your Memorialist had been tried and disposed of, and
also that your Memorialist considered it extremely hard that
he should be kept in confinement when Thomas Drayer (who
had waylaid Mr. Van Reman and so violently assaulted him
that the Surgeons had declared their opinion that he could not
live) was permitted to be at large, and not even upon recog-
nizance and that your Memorialist could not attribute this delay
and this prosecution to anything else than a vindictiveness of
spirit against your Memorialist by His Majesty's Fiscal to which
application of your Memorialist His Excellency made no reply.
That after three months imprisonment your Memorialist
was brought to trial and when the said John Howe proved on
Oath that he never complained against your Memorialist nor
had any complaint to bring against him nor any reason to
blame the conduct of his master or to be dissatisfied with him,
that he had lived with his master a long time and wished to
continue in his service, that he had been spoken to about his
Master's hitting him but he was too drunk to know anything
about it and could not recollect what had taken place, that
if what his fellow servants had told him was correct he the
Witness had done very wrong and hoped his Master would not
think anything more about it, and that he could not help
drinking a little now and then.
That Henrick Hoffmeare Esquire an Advocate was
appointed by the Court to make your Memorialist's defence
and at the proper stage of the trial your Memorialist requested
him to do so and presented him with a very short and concise
statement of the facts but he refused to say a word in behalf
of your Memorialist and kept his seat the whole time. That
your Memorialist although he was little prepared (as he antici-
88 Records of the Cape Colony.
pated his Counsel would have made his defence) proceeded in
objecting to his answering as the witness Howe had declared
on oath he had no cause of complaint and that he was too
drunk to know anything about it and named and called five
or six respectable persons as witnesses in his behalf the first of
whom was stopped by the court before he had deposed to the
whole of what he had to say on Mr. Fiscal' s submitting that
there was no necessity to examine that Witness further or any
other in behalf of your Memorialist and then the Court decreed
your Memorialist's condemnation to the severe punishment
banishment from the Colony, his birthplace and friends for
seven years, although your Memorialist protested against that
mode of proceeding as unjust.
That your Memorialist appealed to the full Court and
applied for the assistance of Counsel which was granted and
Advocate Henrich De Wet was appointed, but instead of his
bringing your Memorialist's case before the Court as it was his
duty to do, he wholly neglected it and the sentence of the
Court of Commission was confirmed.
That your Memorialist cannot account for the true reason
of such a proceeding otherwise than by saying that Mr. De Wet
is cousin to Mr. Denysson and that the appeal was purposely
neglected although Mr. De Wet has since alleged in exculpation
of his conduct that " he saw no grounds on which to stand."
That had your Memorialist received such information in
time he would have applied again to the Court for another
Gentleman to argue the appeal or take such other steps as your
Memorialist would have deemed expedient in the case.
That your Memorialist then presented another Memorial to
His Excellency Lord Charles Henry Somerset in the following
words :
To His Excellency Lord Charles Henry Somerset Governor
and Commander of the Forces &c. &c.
The Memorial of Jacob Theron Humbly Sheweth,
That Memorialist having been condemned by two Members
of the Court of Justice to seven years banishment, entered an
appeal to the full Court, and applied for an Advocate to pro-
secute his Appeal in forma pauperis, which was granted and
Advocate De Wet appointed.
Records of the Cape Colony. 89
That a few days ago, Memorialist was informed that the
sentence was laid before your Excellency and fiat executio
obtained, in consequence whereof Memorialist is to be confined
on the Robins Island until he finds a passage.
That Memorialist having addressed the Chief Justice, His
Honor had called on said advocate De Wet, and had sent a
message to Memorialist in Prison, containing that Advocate
De Wet had pleaded as an excuse for neglecting Memorialist's
appeal, that he found no grounds on which to stand, tho' he
never signified it to Memorialist during the time of prosecuting
the appeal ; for had he done so, Memorialist would have taken
other measures.
That Memorialist also does not want the opinion of Mr.
Advocate De Wet or of any other Advocate, but he wishes only
that his Trial may be submitted to the full Court, in order to
decide whether there be or be not an error in the Sentence
appealed from.
And as Memorialist is also informed, that the Court of
Justice has no other objection to grant relief of the neglect of
prosecuting the appeal than your Excellency having sanctioned
the Sentence, he humbly prays your Excellency may be
graciously pleased to remove this impediment and require the
opinion of the full Court on his Sentence, in order that Memo-
rialist may enjoy the privilege which your Excellency has
granted to everyone without distinction.
And Memorialist as in duty bound will ever pray &c.
That in answer to your Memorialist's said last mentioned
application he received a reply in the following words :
Reply to the Memorial of Jacobus Theron under Sentence of
Banishment praying that he may be allowed to prosecute
before the full Court of Justice the Appeal which he entered
against the Sentence passed on him by the Commissioners of
the Court notwithstanding the Sentence has received His
Excellency's fiat.
" Cannot be complied with."
Colonial Office May 20th 1824.
By Command of His Excellency the Governor.
P. C. Brink.
90 Records of the Cape Colony.
That your Memorialist was removed from the Town Prison
to Robins Island from where he contrived to get a Letter
delivered to his Friends and was by the Commandant Captain
Petre (for this offence) threatened to be flagilated in the same
manner as the Culprit Slaves are punished with 39 lashes
which would have been an indellible disgrace and worse than
non-existence.
That from this indignity your Memorialist was relieved by
a Junior Officer at his own peril a Lieutenant of the Grenadiers
of the 55th Regiment.
That your Memorialist's friends had procured him a passage
to England Mr. Reneveldt the Deputy Fiscal offered your
Memorialist liberty to remain at large in the Colony if he would
petition the Governor for that purpose stating that he Mr.
Reneveldt had sufficient influence with his Lordship to accom-
plish that object.
Your Memorialist ever having been taught to believe that
England is the Land of Justice prefers seeking redress from
His Majesty's Government and therefore most humbly prays
of your Lordship that your Lordship will be pleased to direct
that your Memorialist may be restored to his Country and
Friends free of expence together with the restitution of such
property as he conceives he has been unlawfully deprived of.
And your Memorialist as in duty bound will ever pray &c.
(Signed) Jacobus Theron.
20, Anderson's Buildings, City Road.
[Copy.]
Letter from the Secretary to Government to the Landdrost
of Albany.
Graham's Town, February 25th 1825.
Sir, — I am directed by His Excellency the Governor to
transmit to you the enclosed Depositions (taken on oath before
His Excellency the Governor while at Kaffers Drift and re-
sworn to and signed by the Parties at this Place) of Sergeant
Cupido Cobus and Corporal Younker Band of the Cape Corps of
Records of the Cape Colony. 91
Infantry, relative to the seizure of a Hottentot in the Service
of Mr. Mahoney, a quantity of Cattle and a Horse with a
Saddle Bag full of Beads &c. in the Neutral Territory.
By these Depositions you will perceive that the Son of Mr.
Mahoney was identified as one of the persons engaged in illicit
Traffick with the Kaffers ; and that the elder Mr. Mahoney
was also in the neutral Territory under the plea of reporting
to the military the loss of some Cattle stolen from him by the
Kaffers.
I also enclose the voluntary Deposition of the Hottentot
Prisoner Peter Kettledorse.
His Excellency desires that the Board of Landdrost and
Heemraden may be called together without delay to investigate
into these proceedings. The Hottentot Prisoner and witnesses
are all on the spot together with the Articles seized and will be
produced before the Court of Heemraden on application to
the Commandant of the Frontier.
Should the Court of Landdrost and Heemraden, in the
investigation of this case find that it is one which cannot be
decided upon by them, and will require to be referred to the
Court of Justice, His Excellency desires that the whole of the
Persons who may have been concerned in this illicit Traffick
together with the Evidences and other necessary proof be
forwarded to Cape Town without delay, as His Excellency
conceives that it is very important for the public Tranquillity
of the Frontier that the case should be decided upon as early
as possible. I have &c.
(Signed) Richard Plasket, Sec. to Govt.
[Enclosure 1 in the above.]
Statement of Sergeant Cupido Cobus No. 3 Company of the
Cape Infantry.
That on the 19th January he went to Trompetter's Drift
and while patroling there he met with Mr. Mahony who told
him that the Kaffers had taken from him his cattle. Mahony
then said that his cattle had gone over the same drift that the
former Cattle went over, the Sergeant then said no, I will go
over here, I shot a Kaffcr yesterday and I want to see where
92 Records of the Cape Colony.
the body is. He said I will go with all my heart. He then
left the Corporal and three men who afterwards joined him at
the under drift, with the horse now produced, the saddle bags,
and forty five head of Cattle all of which (besides the Hottentot
Prisoner and Mahony's son who galloped off) the sergeant
brought to Kaffer drift Post.
Corporal Yonker Band No. 3 Company Cape Infantry. On
the 19th of January he was at Trompetter's drift with a
Patrole under charge of Sergeant Cobus, on arriving at the
Drift they met old Mahony who said that the Kaffers had
stolen his Cattle and all Brown's cattle also. Sergeant Cupido
Cobus said, Corporal Band go with Mahony and I will go at
break of day, after the Kaffers I saw yesterday. Mahony
disliked this, and said, he wanted the Sergeant, and party, to
come with him. The Sergeant said I will go with you and
leave my Corporal behind, the Corporal then retired with his
men to the Waggon Drift, where he observed a fresh trace of a
horse. He followed this up with all speed to the Blind River
when he observed that the horse's spoor went up the Mountain,
he then came back into the Blind River when he observed the
cattle moving from the top of the hill above the River, when
he came on the cattle there were three Kaffers, one Hottentot
Servant and one Englishman. He immediately pursued them
and secured all but young Mahony, who being mounted
galloped away. He brought the whole to Sergeant Cobus,
The Kaffers fled into the Bush.
The Corporal further states that the previous evening the
Hottentot Prisoner was in company with Mahony, but Mahony
would not let the Hottentot speak to them or come to the fire to
light his pipe, to his surprise the next Morning he found the
Hottentot with the Cattle and he made him Prisoner. Mahony's
Son saw the Patrole first, he then gave notice of it to the other
people, when the whole began to drive the Cattle into the
Kloofs. Mahony's son gave the Hottentot the white horse and
jumped on the Hottentot's horse and galloped off.
Evidence further states that he will make oath that the
Hottentot he took with the cattle is the same Hottentot he
saw the previous Evening with Mahony.
The saddle bag being opened in the presence of His Excellency
the Governor and the Commandant it was found to contain :
Records of the Cape Colony. 93
3 bags of beads, one blue, one black, and one Red ; 1 bag of
Kaffer corn ; 4 Empty bags and some Riems.
Sworn before me, this eighteenth Day of February 1825.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
Kaffer drift post.
[Enclosure 2 in the above.]
Statement of Peter Kettledorse, Hottentot prisoner detained
by the Patrol.
Peter Kettledorse states that on Friday 14 Jany. he with
his young Master Daniel Mahony went from the location into
Kafferland by the Drift before Congo's Kraal to barter for
Cattle. They remained there until Wednesday Morning the
19th and then returned with 46 head of cattle, one ox was
sick and their number was therefore only 45. Three Kaffers
came out with them, also the Kaffer captain Mami, who carried
young Mahony's double barrelled gun. The Cattle were
purchased from Darlaine who lives some distance from Cobus
Congo's kraals. They came out with the Kaffers and cattle
close to Trompetter's drift, when young Mahony sent Evidence
to the house of Mahony at clay pits, to give notice of their
arrival. On his return with Mahony Senior he found the
Patrole from Kaffer drift. On this Mahony went up to the
sergeant and reported he had lost his cattle. The sergeant
went with Mahony but suspecting something left a corporal
and some men behind who captured the cattle and Evidence ;
Mahony's son being mounted galloped off.
They also purchased a horse from the Kaffers. The Cows
were purchased for 23 Strings of beads and the oxen at 30
strings. Mami, Cobus Congo's Brother, built a hut for Mahony
at the Drift at the Keiskamma, and also a kraal. Old Johnson
the Irishman beyond Waai-plaats was also in Kafferland, and
returned on Sunday the 16th with cattle.
The day that the Patrole captured the first drove of Cattle
from Mahony Mr. Brown of the clay pits came out of Kafferland
with 60 head of Cattle and Eleven Kaffers. These Kaffers
then received beads for their trouble and returned home.
94 Records of the Ctqie Colony.
Evidence states that he was three times in Kafferland with
Mahony Senior and twice with Mahony Junior, but previously
they had always remained at the drift at the Keiskamma
without crossing, Mahony being afraid to trust the Kaffers.
The first Cattle Mahony Senior purchased were 34 head, the
second 72 head, the third time 16 head. The first time with
Mahony junior he came out with 10 head, 6 Riems, 8 Sea cow
Teeth ; the second time 46 head and one horse.
Evidence is not aware of what Mahony's Intentions are
about the cattle, but he parted with 18 to an old soldier called
David, late African Corps, 4 oxen and a cow to old Johnson,
five he killed and four Calves, one was drowned in a water hole,
and one the Wolf killed.
John Prince, a Hottentot, is aware of all these transactions,
he ran away from Mahony, and is now with Mr. Hunt.
Some months ago Mahony lodged five Kaffers who had 60
Assegays, they were hid away one night and a day. The
Patroles came by, but Mahony kept the Kaffers concealed and
gave them provisions, he also sent one of his English servants
to get them clay. Evidence's wife was present and also John
Prince's wife.
Mahony gave them warm beer with sugar in it, and pointed
out a place for them where they were to deposit the Elephants
Teeth &c.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Downing Steeet, London, 26 February 1825.
My Lord, — In compliance with the request which has been
conveyed to my Under Secretary of State by the Chief Secretary
to your Excellency's Government, I transmit herewith for
your information and guidance an attested copy of the bond
which was entered into by Mr. Ingram with the Lords Com-
missioners of His Majesty's Treasury. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
Records of the Cape Colony. 95
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. H. W. Wilton to Earl Bathurst.
4 Regent Street, Pall Mall, 2§th February 1825.
My Lord, — I have the honor to refer to a Memorial trans-
mitted to your Lordship on the 7th Inst, on the part of several
gentlemen proposing to form, under sanction of His Majesty's
Government, a Corporate Company for agricultural and com-
mercial purposes in South Africa.
A Deputation has subsequently had an interview with the
Under Secretary of State, who then informed the Deputation
that your Lordship would require, previous to coming to any
final decision upon the application, a more detailed statement
of the encouragement the proposed Company hope to receive
from His Majesty's Government.
In consequence of that communication I now proceed, by
authority of the parties interested, respectfully to submit the
statement required.
The attention of the proposed Company would be directed
in the first instance to the growth of corn, the culture of the
vine and tobacco, the grazing cattle, the rearing merino sheep,
and to all agricultural purposes to which the Country may be
generally found suited, beyond those actually in existence ;
amongst these may be enumerated hemp, flax, the olive, the
silkworm, and generally the products of the South of Europe.
They would also particularly direct their attention to the
Whale and Seal Fisheries, from which, when conducted with
capital adequate to the undertaking, the Colony would derive
a valuable export.
Partial experiments lead to the impression that iron, lead,
and coal are to be found at the Cape of Good Hope ; these the
proposed Company would endeavour to bring into action,
when sufficiently advanced in their primary objects.
In relation to the commercial views of the proposed Company,
an immediate object would be the endeavour to open an active
commercial intercourse with the Island of Madagascar and the
Maritime tracts situated to the Eastward of the Colony.
To the feasibility of this project the parties interested rely
96 Records of the Cape Colony.
upon the detailed reports received from His Majesty's Naval
Officers recently employed in those parts.
They trust that a consideration of the nature of the soil, and
the peculiar geographical circumstances of Southern Africa,
will induce your Lordship to feel that some degree of en-
couragement beyond that given to places more happily situated,
is required to promote the application of capital to the Colony
of the Cape of Good Hope, to such an extent, and in such a
manner as may insure the realization of the advantages con-
templated by the proposed Company.
In an agricultural point of view, the Cape of Good Hope
from the frequent interspersion of tracts of arid and wholly
unprofitable Land, cannot be considered as requiring merely
the application of ordinary efforts, but rather as exacting the
exercise of unwearied patience and perseverance, to produce
those results more easily obtained in almost all other Countries
having the same advantage of Climate.
As regards its commercial importance, an extension of
agriculture seems to be mainly wanting, it being almost wholly
destitute of exports, the creation of which would give an
activity hitherto unknown there to every branch of its Trade.
Past events demonstrate that many difficulties are to be
encountered, which can alone be overcome by the aid of
Capital and the judiciously combined exertions of an increased
population. It is by the application of these that the proposed
Company hope essentially to ameliorate the condition of the
Colony.
The introduction of free labour from this Country has
naturally entered into the contemplation of the proposed
Company, and the parties interested, adverting to the course
taken by His Majesty's Government on similar occasions,
entertain an expectation that such a measure on their part
would constitute a claim for consideration in the mode of
granting the Lands requested.
Under these impressions I beg leave to solicit :
The sanction of His Majesty's Government in favour of an
application to Parliament for an act authorising His Majesty
to incorporate the Applicants under the title of the South
African Company.
And should His Majesty be pleased to grant a Charter,
Records of the Cape Colony. 97
That there be granted by the Crown to the Company, not
exceeding one million of acres of Land, to be selected by them,
as the precise localities can only be determined by actual
survey, in the Cape, Stellenbosch, Zwellendam, and Tulbagh
Districts, the Country along the Eastern coast of the Colony,
and such tracts as might be found applicable in Graaff Reynet,
Uitenhage, and Albany Districts.
That the Land be fixed at the valuation of nine pence sterling
per acre.
That the Quit-Rents be established at the rate of 30s. for
every £100 value of the Land.
That no Quit-Rent be payable until the expiration of seven
years from the date of the Grant.
That the Company giving six months notice to the proper
authority, be permitted to redeem any part of the whole of
the Quit Rent at twenty years purchase.
That when there shall be expended five thousand pounds
in making roads, canals of irrigation, clearing, cultivating,
fencing or other improvements, the building of vessels, boats,
and erections connected with the Whale and Seal Fisheries, the
Company be permitted to alienate one twentieth part of the
Land granted, and in like proportion for every £5000 so
expended.
That when three hundred persons have been introduced
into the Colony, before the expiration of five years after the
commencement of the Rent, and the greater part of them have
been employed during that period by the Company, that one
third of the Quit Rents with the arrears shall be considered
as redeemed : and if 200 more persons are in like manner
introduced and similarly employed for the next five years,
another third of the Quit Rent shall be considered as redeemed :
and that if in a third term of five years an additional number
of 200 persons are introduced and employed during that time,
the whole of the Quit Rent shall be considered as redeemed.
The parties by whose authority I have the honor to address
your Lordship have also conceived that an arrangement not
inconvenient to His Majesty's Government might be made, by
which the proposed Company should rent or purchase the
existing Government Farms to be hereafter determined upon.
It is proposed on the part of the Company to effect these
xx. H
98 Records of the Cape Colony.
objects a Capital should be subscribed of one million sterling,
to be divided into ten thousand shares.
No shares to be transferred until the passing the Act and
granting the Charter.
The affairs of the Company to be conducted under the
management of not exceeding twenty-six gentlemen including
Governor and Deputy Governor to remain in office for five
years, and not to retain less than twenty:five shares as their
qualification.
Having thus submitted to your Lordship the objects of the
proposed Company, and the degree of encouragement they
hope to receive from His Majesty's Government, I have most
respectfully to add that a deputation from the parties interested
will be ready to attend your Lordship whenever your Lord-
ship's convenience may allow them the honor of an interview.
I have &c.
(Signed) H. W. Wilton.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Downing Street, London, 21th February 1825.
My Lord, — As I consider it convenient and desirable that
His Majesty's Government should be in possession of Regular
Muster Rolls and returns of the Cape Corps of Cavalry and
Infantry, I transmit herewith to your Excellency various
Printed Forms which you will transmit to me regularly at the
expiration of every month, and also to the Secretary at War.
I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
Records of the Cajie Colony, 99
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Downing Street, London, 28th February 1825.
My Lord, — I transmit to your Excellency herewith
enclosed a copy of a note which has been addressed to His
Majesty's Charge d' Affaires at Frankfort by the Minister Pleni-
potentiary of the Prince of Hohenzollern Sigmaringen soliciting
that the Judicial summons therein enclosed be served upon
the Widow of Joseph Maria de Fraet or upon his legal repre-
sentatives and that a certificate of the delivery of such Summons
be duly made out. It is likewise requested that in the event
of the said Joseph Maria de Fraet or his Widow having died
intestate that a certificate to that effect be forwarded to the
Hohenzollern Government, and I have to desire that your
Excellency will take measures for fulfilling these several
requests. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Copy.]
Letter from R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre., to George
Harrison, Esqre.
Downing Street, 28th February 1825.
Sir, — I have laid before Earl Bathurst your letter of the
12th instant, transmitting a minute of the Board of Treasury
relative to the introduction of the British silver currency into
the Colonies belonging to the United Kingdom, under certain
regulations therein detailed ; and I am to acquaint you in
reply, that Lord Bathurst entirely approves of the measures
proposed by their Lordships, and is of opinion that it would
be advisable to give effect to the arrangement by an Order of
His Majesty in Council. I am &c.
(Signed) R. J. W. Horton.
h 2
100
Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.]
Letter from the Assistant Secretary to Government to the
Secretary to the Commissioners of Enquiry.
Colonial Office, 28th February 1825.
Sir, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter of the 1st instant, requesting me to prepare from
the records of this office, and transmit to His Majesty's Com-
missioners of Enquiry, A List of the several " lands and houses,
the property of the Batavian government, that were delivered
up to the British Arms in consequence of the 10th article of
the Capitulation of the 10th of January 1806, and were to
remain as security for that part of the paper money which was
not already secured by mortgages upon the estates of indivi-
duals, by its having been lent to them ; " and to acquaint you
in reply, for the information of His Majesty's Commissioners,
that notwithstanding every research, I have not been able to
discover among the records kept in this office, from the first of
January 1806, any document containing the information they
require.
Upon reference, however, to the proceedings of the Governor
in Council for the period during which this Colony was in the
possession of the Dutch East India Company, it appears that
the Commissaries-General Nederburgh and Frykenius directed,
on the 10th of April 1793, a commission from the court of
justice to be appointed, for the purpose of appraising all the
territorial possessions of the Dutch East India Company in
this settlement, with the view of making an entry thereof in
the books of the " negotie over drag er," (store-keeper), as the
annexed extract from their letter to the Governor in Council,
marked No. 1, will show.
This committee having accordingly been appointed, trans-
mitted their report to the Governor in Council on the 28th of
August following, as will appear from Annexure No. 2, being
an extract from the proceedings of the Governor in Council of
that date : from this document the Commissioners will per-
ceive, that directions were given for the entry in the books of
the " negotie overdrager" (storekeeper), of the appraisement
made bv the committee, a^reeablv to the intention of the com-
Records of the Cape Colony. lux
missaries-general ; but as the committee's original report, and
the enclosure therein referred to, are not (I regret to say) to be
found in this office, I have been at a loss how to supply this
deficiency, no insertion of the appraisement above alluded to
appearing to have been made in the proceedings of the Governor
in Council, till it struck me that I had, a considerable time ago,
seen among the effects left by an individual who died in the
year 1813, and who had been employed in the " negofie over-
drager's (storekeeper's) office, sundry books belonging to that
department. I therefore called upon the heir of that individual,
from whom I have been fortunate enough to obtain the very
book in which the entry in question was made, and from
which I have extracted Enclosure No. 3.
Although these documents do not afford grounds for con-
cluding that the territorial possessions of the Dutch East India
Company were at that time considered as a security for the
paper money then in circulation, yet taking into consideration
that by the capitulation of 1795 it was agreed, that the " lands
and houses, the property of the Dutch East India Company,
shall continue the security for that part of the paper money
which was not already secured by mortgages upon the estates
of individuals, by its having been lent to them," it may be
useful for the Commissioners to become acquainted with them,
and I have therefore taken the liberty of furnishing them
therewith.
I beg leave to add, that I have been informed from good
authority that none of the lands and houses comprised in the
appraisement made in 1793, and herewith transmitted, had
been disposed of between that period and the surrender of this
colony to the British arms in 1795; between 1795 and 1806
(the second capture of the colony by His Majesty's arms),
however, several of the lands and houses have been alienated.
Begging you will apologize to the Commissioners for the
delay that has taken place in answering their letter, I have &c.
(Signed) P. G. Brink,
Assistant Secretary to Government.
102 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Enclosure No. 1 in the above.]
Translation.
Extract of a Letter from the Commissaries-General Neder-
burgh and Frykenius to the Governor and Council
of Policy at the Cape of Good Hope, dated the 10th April
1793.
It has further appeared remarkable to us, with respect to
the Commercial Journal, to find under the head of items which
are entered therein within the columns, several of the Company's
buildings, batteries, &c. stated at their value, without our
being able to penetrate why all the buildings and immoveable
effects of the Company in this colony have not been entered in
the same manner, either according to their real, or as nearly as
possible estimated value.
As it now appears to us to be conformably to good order
and the interest of the Company that they should at all times
know, as nearly as possible, the value of their territorial
possessions, in so far as they are capable of being estimated,
we have found good to direct you hereby to insert in future,
under the above-mentioned head, all the buildings without
exception which the Company possess in this colony, and like-
wise all the country places yet unsold ; those, of which the
expenses of the buildings are known, or which have been pur-
chased, at their known value ; and those, the value of which
is yet unknown, at such value as they shall be appraised.
This appraisement is to be made by commissioners from the
court of justice, who are to observe that such effects as cannot
be serviceable to individuals (such as guard-houses, powder
magazines and the like) be appraised according to the relative
value they ought to bear to the purposes which they are
destined to serve.
(A true extract.)
(Signed) P. G. Brink, Assistant Secretary to Govt.
(A true translation.)
Henry Murphy, Sworn Translator.
Records of the Cape Colony. 103
[Enclosure No. 2 in the above.]
Translation.
Extract Resolution passed by the Governor and Council of
Policy at the Cape of Good Hope, on Wednesday, the 28th
August 1793.
The commissioners from the court of justice, who were
charged by their excellencies the commissaries-general with the
appraisement of the Company's territorial possessions at this
government, have sent in the following Report of their pro-
ceedings annexed to the valuation : —
To the Honourable Johannes Izaak Rhenius, acting Governor,
and the further Members of the Council of Policy of this
Government.
Honourable Gentlemen,
Commissioners from the court of justice have received
your resolution of the 16th April last, directing them to
appraise all such of the Company's buildings and country
places in this colony of which the value has not been already
noted, in order, conformably to the respected commands of
their excellencies the commissaries-general, to be entered in
the commercial books here, with further directions that
Captain Kuchler of the artillery, as being charged with the
superintendence of the tradesmen's quarters, and Captain
Thiebault of the engineers, should assist the commissioners, in
order to make this appraisement with the greatest possible
accuracy.
Together with the said resolution, the commissioners were
furnished, not only with a specific list of the places and build-
ings taken from the report made by Colonel Gilquin to your
Honors, shortly before his departure hence, but also an extract
from the commercial books by Casparus van Eerten the book-
keeper ; the latter containing a statement of such works,
buildings, and other immoveable effects belonging to the
Company as are entered in the commercial books for the
expense which they have cost.
104 Records of the Cape Colony.
Although the commissioners, on a consideration of the
contents of said resolution, conceived that they could not
deduce any thing else therefrom than that they should com-
pletely fulfil your Honors' intention, by making an appraise-
ment of the buildings, works, and further possessions of the
Company, the expenses of which are not entered in the com-
mercial books, the first undersigned president, however,
declared in this respect, that as the buildings and works
specified in the said extract of the book-keeper are, for the
most part, charged with only the expense of the materials
required thereto, and as the amounts thereof are very erro-
neously entered in the commercial books, it was in his opinion,
also your Honors' intention, to have all the territorial posses-
sions of the Company in this country, none excepted, valued by
commissioners from the court of justice, and as such entered in
the books ; and which the commissioners were subsequently
informed of by a second resolution of your Honors, dated the
16th instant, through which their doubts having been removed,
they therefore endeavoured to acquit themselves in the best
possible manner of the commission with which they have been
charged.
But they cannot avoid declaring to your Honors, that on a
consideration of this commission, and of every thing required
for its complete accomplishment, they have encountered
doubts, which they have deemed necessary to inform your
Honors of, with the report of their proceedings, in order that
it may be seen in how far, and under what restrictions, they
were only enabled to take upon them the task with which
they were charged, and to comply with their orders in this
case.
Among those doubts the first and principal was, the diffi-
culty of what they were to understand by territorial posses-
sioyis ; namely, whether one should include herein, besides the
buildings and works constructed and established by the Com-
pany, the lands also, which are situated in the magistracy of
the Company here ; or whether these lands (as most of the
members of the commission were of opinion) should be con-
sidered as in themselves the property of the state or common-
wealth ; and, therefore, that in appraising the Company's
possessions, nothing else should be brought into account than
Records of the Cape Colony. 105
the value of the constructed buildings and established works
for as far as they could be estimated.
As the decision of this point would necessarily and naturally
have the greatest influence on the appraisement to be made, it
was deemed eligible to learn the opinions of the commissaries-
general in this respect, which the first undersigned president
having taken upon him to do, the result was, that their excel-
lencies declared that the appraisement of the country places
and erfs, or lands established and appropriated by the Company
to their use, should be made in proportion to the probable
amount, which each, in itself, would yield by private sale under
the circumstances of the present times ; and, consequently,
not according to the value only of the buildings respectively
constructed thereon, but also of the land itself, which could
serve for individual use, and the utility which could be derived
therefrom.
The commissioners likewise found themselves rather at a
loss with respect to the appraisement of the fortification works,
as a matter in which they must sincerely declare that they are
totally ignorant ; but in which regard, they, with due sub-
mission, conceived they could not better fulfil your Honors'
intention, than by conforming to the opinion of Captains
Kuchler and Thiebault appointed to their assistance, and who
accordingly appraised the same, one for one, as accurately as
possible, in presence of the commissioners.
In appraising the buildings, the commissioners endeavoured
to value them according to what would now be required for
their construction, allowing for their age, defects, or the
deterioration found thereon, likewise for as far as they were
capable of being reasonably estimated ; while with respect to
the places and country posts, they conceived they should
regulate themselves according to the circumstances of the
times, and the particular utility and purpose for which each
of them was severally adapted.
Strictly keeping all these points in view, the commissioners,
together with Captains Kuchler and Thiebault, as appointed
to their assistance, proceeded to make, and effected the
appraisement in such manner as is more fully stated in the
specific lists annexed hereto, which they most respectfully
beg leave to lay before your Honors ; and in which, in order
106 Records of the Cape Colony.
to maintain every possible perspicuity, they have brought the
said Company's territorial possessions under the five following
classes or divisions ; namely,
1st. Fortifications mentioned in the report of Colonel Gilquin,
of which the expenses are not entered in the commercial
books.
2d. Buildings, likewise mentioned in the report of Colonel
Gilquin, which are not found calculated in the commercial
books.
3d. Buildings, gardens, country posts and places, &c. which
neither appear in the report of Colonel Gilquin, nor of which
any mention is made in the commercial books.
4th. Fortifications, which on the contrary are inserted in
the said report of Colonel Gilquin, and of which the imaginary
expense is calculated in the commercial books.
5th. Buildings and places, which, with regard to the former,
are mentioned in the report of Colonel Gilquin, and both to be
found in the commercial books.
The commissioners have also subjoined a total of the whole
valuation of all the said fortifications, buildings, gardens,
places and country posts ; and for the greater perspicuity,
they have briefly noted against each of the said effects, the
reasons and motives which operated with them in making the
appraisement, and to which for the sake of brevity they take
the liberty to refer.
The commissioners cannot avoid remarking, that the same
as the value of all immoveable property depends on the circum-
stances of the times, and which, as your Honors well know, is
no where so uncertain and changeable as in this colony,
(experience having frequently shown that such property has
differed in value fifty per cent in the course of three or four
years), in like manner the real value of the Company's posses-
sions is equally eventual, and must be considered as subject
to the same uncertainty.
The undersigned in executing this commission, and making
the appraisement, have acted sincerely and in good faith
according to the best of their judgment, and trusting that they
have herewith complied with your Honors' respected intention,
as far as was in their power, they have the honor to subscribe
themselves,
Records of the Cape Colony. 107
With all due veneration, Your Honors' most obedient humble
servants,
(Signed) W. F. v. Reede van W. S. v. Ryneveld,
OUDTSHOORN, H. I. DE WET,
Joh. Smuts, C. Matthiessen,
R. T. v. dee Riet, A. Fleck.
P. H. Meyer,
Delivered to the Council of Policy of the Cape of Good Hope,
on the 28th August 1793.
Resolved, to transmit by letter copies of the above report
and of the appraisement to their excellencies the commissaries-
general ; and also to allow a copy of the appraisement to be
delivered to the Commercial Office, in order to make such use
thereof as their excellencies have been pleased to direct in
their letter of the 10th April last.
(A true extract.)
(Signed) P. G. Brink, Assist. Secy, to Government.
(A true translation.)
Henry Murphy, Sworn Translator.
[Enclosure No. 3 in the above.]
(Translation.)
Extract from the Books kept by the Commercial Book-keeper at
the Cape of Good Hope.
In the Castle of Good Hope, 31st August 1793.
The following territorial possessions of the Company in this
settlement are entered on the books, pursuant to the orders of
their excellencies the commissaries-general for the whole of
Dutch India, and the resolution of this government, dated the
16th April last, passed thereon, at the respective values for
which they have been appraised by commissioners from the
court of justice, assisted by Captains G. C. Kuchler and L. M.
108
Records of the Cape Colony.
Thiebault, agreeably to their report, dated the 28th instant, in
order to be so continued within the columns, namely : —
The castle of Good Hope, consisting of five
polygons, with its gate, sally port, out-
works, two ravelins with their counter-
scarps, and those of the outworks, like-
wise the battery Imhoff on the sea-side,
which forms a part of these outworks,
and all the profile walls, gates, sally
ports, &c. .....
The lines along the sea-shore, extending
from the battery Imhoff to Fort de
Knokke ......
Fort de Knokke, consisting in a star fort
The dwelling house of the overseer of the
magazines .....
The smith's forge ....
The carpenter's workshop
The waggon-maker's shop
The lodgings of the artillery servants
The bake-house .....
The two guard-houses and the powder
magazines .....
The great water-bason built of stone at
the wharf .....
The conduit-house and the under-sheriff's
house opposite ....
The slaughter-house, with the book-
keeper's dwelling-house annexed thereto
The timber magazine, with the cooper's
shop behind the same
The three thatched wine stores situated
at Rogge Bay . . . • •
The menagery, or the so-called dairy,
situated behind the Company's garden
The pottery .....
The Company's horse stables
The Company's slave lodge .
The military guard-houses, viz. : —
At Rogge Bay ....
Foot of the Devil's Hill
In front of the flank of the Imhoff .
Entrance of the Company's garden
Stone quarries ....
The water-mill behind the menagery
The parsonage-house, at present inhabited
by the Rev. Mr. Serrurier .
The Company's lime-kiln, including its
surrounding walls, and the dwelling-
house of the lime-burner, &c.
Carried forward
/
—
fc ® J J\
vsjd -^ >>
nea
at t
ind
tter
o> ta ~<«
-H> c3 05 o
cj o'C^j
B g's a
\ 02 /
f
400,000 - -
50,000
2,000
40,000 - -
4,000
2,000
200
4,000
2,000
1,000
4,000
10,000
18,000
45,000
20,000
2,000
25,000
50,000
12,200
6,000
20,000
10,000
715,200 - -
Bccords of the Cape Colony.
109
Brought forward .
Some attached buildings along the lines,
with the dwelling of the commanding
officer of that post ....
The new building annexed the preceding,
at present occupied by an officer of artil-
lery, some of the artillery-men, and
some artificers ....
The great powder magazine behind the
lines ......
The small ditto in the Chavonnes Battery
The building in Fort de Knokke .
The small building in the so-called new
battery ......
The great powder magazine near the
Amsterdam Battery
The two small ditto built in said battery
The building at the Chavonnes Battery .
The little powder magazine at said battery
The building in the kloof, between Table
Mountain and the Lion's Head, appro-
priated to a guard-house for the gar-
rison and as a lodging for the signalmen
The place of execution, constructed with
stone, and the small building standing
thereon ......
The marine store-house, built of stone,
separate from the dock-yard, and
situated between the same and Rogge
Bay ......
The ruins of the building formerly called
the Silk Spinnery, which was burnt
down, together with the ground belong-
ing thereto .....
The Company's garden in the Table
Valley, for as far as it is let at present,
with the gardener's dwellings, which
latter are mentioned in the report of
Colonel Gilquin ....
The garden named Rustenburg, or the so-
called Rondebosch ....
The post named Paradise, together with
certain ground, with exception of the
woods on the mountain
The post named Kirstenbosch and the
Palmiet Valley, situated below the
same, with exception of the woods on
the side of the mountain .
The post at Hout Bay, with the exten-
sive uncultivated valley to the so-called
Matroosen Drift (Sailors Ford), not
including the woods on the mountain .
Carried forward
/
715,200 - -
20,000 - -
20,000 - -
20,000 - -
3,000 - -
1,000 - -
1,000 - -
20,000 - -
18,000 - -
6,000 - -
6,000 - -
5,000 - -
1,000 - -
12,000 - -
15,000 - -
60,000 - -
25,000 - -
10,000 - -
15,000 - -
10,000 - -
983,200 - -
110
Records of the Cape Colony.
Brought forward
The post named Witteboomen, with the
adjacent wood-land, for so far as it is
surrounded with pales
The post at Muisenburg; what regards
- U the buildings belonging to the post,
with the fishery accroached thereon .
The post at Vischhoek, for as far as
^gards the buildings and garden be-
longing thereto, and the fishery .
The post named Riet Valley, near Blaauw-
berg, with the outlet for cattle, which
it now has .....
The post at Saldanha Bay, measured with
as many morgens of land as is required
for a freehold place ....
The post named Clapmuts, with the hay-
field, including the ground cultivated
from time to time ....
The post at the River Zonder End, or the
Zoetmelks Valley, with the privileges
for as far as regards the outlet for
cattle, and remaining to the same ; per
balance ......
The post at Oute Niqua's Land, with the
exception of the woods, to be sold for a
grazing place . ....
The post at Mossel Bay
The post at Plettenberg's Bay
The post at Robben Island, with the free
use of the whole island
The place named Paarden Island, with the
pasturage for cattle to the new mouth
The place named Jan Biesjes Kraal, with
the salt-pans along the river to the Riet
Valley, and outlet for the cattle from
the new mouth to the first pale of
demarkation, past the great ford of
the salt-pan .....
The place named Groene Kloof, with the
privileges at present allowed the farmer
of the salt-pans at Groene Kloof during
the time specified in the conditions of
the farm ......
The wharf at Cape Town
The warm bath at Oliphant's River, with
the privilege of allowing the use of it
to those who may require it for a
certain necessary sum
The warm bath at Hottentots Holland
Mountains, with the same privilege as
above mentioned ....
Carried forward . . ,
( What regards \
\ the buildings. /
/
983,200 - -
50,000 - -
6,000 - -
6,000 - -
24,000 - -
12,000 - -
20,000 - -
8,000 - -
5,000 - -
15,000 - -
20,000 - -
40,000 - -
8,000 - -
10,000 - -
16,000
12,000
5,000
10,000
1,250,200 -
Records of the Cape Colony.
Ill
Brought forward .
The new battery at Salt River
From which deduct, according to transfer
The unfinished battery Gohorn, between
the castle and the Devil's Mountain .
The battery in Rogge Bay .
The battery Amsterdam
The battery Chavonnes
To which is to be added according to
report ......
The so-called new dwellings and pack-
houses in the castle, namely :
Government house.
House of the second in command.-
House of the commandant of the militia.
Great powder magazine:
The armoury:
The apartment destined for an armoury
above the powder magazine^
The commercial packhouse:
The large money chest.;
The small ditto.
The offices for the secretaries of policy
and of the court of justice.
The commercial office and office for
military affairs.
The orphan chamber.;
The dispensary.
The lodgings of the military officers:
The ditto for the cooks, gaoler, and the
soldiers barracks.
The well, arsenal and other storehouses
for the artillery and ammunition.;
The prisons, amounting together
To which is to be added, according to
report
The three granaries, each three stories
high, situated at Rogge Bay
To which is to be added, as above men-
tioned ......
The so called New Naval Magazine and
Artificer's Quarters, under which
title are comprehended :
The artificer's yard.;
The dock-yard.
The master attendant's house:
The boatswain's house.
The sailmaker's packhouse:
Carried forward
7,143
5,143
7
7
114,152 6 8
5,847 13 8
/
1,250,200 - -
2,000 -
27,836 11
33,694 5
367,073 18
8
8
8
120,000 - -
49,979 10 8
392,020 9 8
14,759
60,240
6
13
142,000
75,000 - -
2,417,804 15 8
112
Records of the Cape Colony.
Brought forward .
/
/
2,317,804 If
i 8
The court of justice room, with the
cellars underneath
The under-sheriff's and constables
dwellings, and the prisons, amount-
ing together to
24,858 1
8
To which is to be added, as above men-
tioned .....
105,141
4
8
130,000 -
wm
The great wine packhouse and granary-
next the Lutheran Church, purchased
from the burgher F. J. van den Berg for
35,200
-
—
From which deduct, as before mentioned
5,200
-
-
30,000 -
™
Government house, in the Company's
garden, with the ground thereof, left
for the use of the respective governors
8,790
10
8
To which is to be added, as above men-
tioned ......
26,209
9
8
35,000 -
The granary next the Reformed Church,
purchased from the late J. T. Swane-
velder, formerly magistrate at Batavia
19,800
—
-
From which deduct, as before mentioned
4,800
-
-
15,000 -
The new hospital, for as far as it is com-
pleted at present ....
619,262
8
8
To which is to be added, as above men-
tioned ......
180,737
11
8
800,000 -
The water-peeling mill
7,186
5
-
To which is to be added, as above men-
tioned ......
2,813
15
-
10,000 -
The place situated behind the kloof, pur-
chased from Van Camp for
22,000
-
-
From which deduct, as before mentioned
10,000
-
-
12,000 -
™
The new buildings at False Bay, under
which title are to be included :
The dwelling-house of the resident.
The hospital.
The doctor's house, old and ruinous.
The stables.
Different packhouses on the beach, &c.
The slaughter-house.
The Company's garden, and the wharf,
making together ....
10,792 19
-
To which is to be added as above men-
tioned ......
123,207
1
-
134,000 -
3,483,804 15
8
Records of the Cape Colony. 113
(A true extract.)
(Signed) P. G. Brink, Assistant Secretary to Govt.
(A true translation.)
(Signed) Henry Murphy, Sworn Translator.
[Original.]
Letter from the Reverend C. I. Latrobe to Lord Bathurst.
19 Bartlett's Buildings, Holborn, March 1, 1825.
My Lord, — Permit me to request the favour of a letter of
recommendation to His Excellency, the Governor of the Cape
of Good Hope, for Charles Frederic Nowhaus from Saxony,
who is about to proceed thither in the service of the Mission
established by the Church of the Unitas Fratrum, (commonly
called Moravian) among the Hottentots in that colony.
Trusting to your Lordship's condescension and favour towards
the object of that Mission, I remain &c.
(Signed) Christ. Ignas. Latrobe,
Secretary of the Unitas Fratrum.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Downing Street, London, 3 March 1825.
My Lord, — I beg leave to recommend to your Lordship's
protection the bearer of this letter, Charles Frederic Nowhaus,
who proceeds to the Settlements under your Lordship's
Government in the service of the Moravian Mission among the
Hottentots. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
xx.
114 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original.]
Letter from Abraham Borradaile, Esqre., to Lord Bathurst.
No. 25 Rood Lane, 3rd March 1825.
My Lord, — I beg leave most respectfully to request that
your Lordship will allow a Deputation from the Committee of
Merchants and others interested in the Trade to the Cape of
Good Hope, to wait upon you, in order to represent to your
Lordship, the fatal consequences which must ensue to that
Colony, in consequence of the Reduction of the duty on
Foreign Wines, should no corresponding relief be applied to
the wines of the Cape of Good Hope.
As the enclosed copy of a Memorial forwarded to H.M.
Government through His Excellency Lord Charles Somerset,
from the Cape in February 1824, contains a great part of what
it would be our Duty to submit to your Lordship, I have
forwarded it, in the hope of occupying less of your Time,
should you deem it proper to honour us with an Interview.
I have &c.
(Signed) Abraham Borradaile.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Downing Stbeet, London, 4th March 1825.
My Lord, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of your Excellency's dispatch of the 7th of December last
enclosing a correspondence which had passed between you and
the Commissioners of Enquiry with respect to the propriety of
making some encrease to the salary of the Assistant Secretary
to your Excellency's Government.
I received at the same time a communication from the
Commissioners in which they state more at length the reasons
which induced them to recommend that the Assistant Secretary
should in future receive a more adequate remuneration than
his former salary, and I have the honour to acquaint your
Excellency that under all the circumstances of the case I
Records of the Cape Colony. 115
approve the arrangement under which that Officer's Salary is
to be fixed at six hundred (£600) pounds per annum.
I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Downing Street, London, 5th March 1825.
My Lord, — I have the honor to acquaint your Excellency
that it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to propose
to Parliament to renew the Act of 1 George 4, cap. 11 which
authorises His Majesty to regulate the Trade with the Cape of
Good Hope and the Mauritius, and it is also proposed when
the Act in question shall have been renewed to submit to His
Majesty in Council a new Order in lieu of that of the 12th of
July 1820 ; but as it has not yet been determined how far it
may be proper to introduce any alterations or modifications
in such new Order, I have to desire that your Excellency will
take measures for ensuring the observance of the existing
Orders in Council until you shall receive further instructions
for your guidance. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Original.]
Memorial of the Committee of Cape Trade.
5th March 1825.
To the Right Hon'ble F. A. Robinson, Chancellor of the
Exchequer.
The Memorial of the Committee of the Cape of Good Hope
Trade Sheweth,
That in compliance with the wish signified to the deputation
of the Cape Trade Committee which had the honor of an inter-
view with you yesterday, Memorialists proceed to submit a
i 2
116 Records of the Cape Colony.
compressed statement of the effects which the proposed
reduction of duties on Foreign wines will have on the future
welfare of the Colony.
Your Memorialists beg to state that the faith of His
Majesty's Government was pledged in the most unconditional
terms for the protection of the wine of the Colony, the procla-
mation of Sir John Cradock, Governor of the Cape, dated 19th
Dec. 1811, and the subsequent measures of himself, and his
successor Lord Charles Somerset, promising the constant
support of Government, and strongly directing the attention
of the Colonists and British Merchants, towards the production
of wine, for the purpose of being consumed in Great Britain ;
confirmed by the act of the Legislature of July 1813 which
admitted the wine of the Colony at one third of the duty on
Portugal and Spanish wines ; taken altogether, form in the
opinion of your Memorialists the most complete proof of an
unconditional pledge on the part of Government to continue
this protection so long as the trade and state of the Colony
required it ; at least it has been so understood, and acted on
by the Merchants trading to the Cape of Good Hope, and the
Colonists.
In consequence of this pledge of support, and in furtherance
of the views of Government, new capital to the extent of
upwards of ten millions of rixdollars has been invested since
1814 in this branch of colonial industry.
It requires seven years from the first planting of a vineyard
before it can furnish any disposable produce, and three years
more before that produce is fit to be sent to a market for con-
sumption, hence it follows, that scarcely any part of the
capital laid out since 1814 can yet have been replaced, and
also that sufficient time has not yet been afforded for either
remunerating the owners of it, or for ascertaining what the
Cape is really capable of doing, in respect to its producing wine
of a quality fit to enter into competition with wine of a similar
character produced in foreign vineyards which have been
cultivated for centuries.
Memorialists affirm that a very considerable improvement
has taken place in the quality of Cape Wine since its introduc-
tion into this country in 1814, and that still greater improve-
ment will gradually be made, if time and protection are
Records of the Cape Colony. 117
afforded, of which there cannot be a stronger proof than the
fact, that notwithstanding a great variety of unfavourable
circumstances, the consumption of Cape Wine has been
regularly increasing since 1814, and last year it amounted to
about 6000 pipes, being the next in extent to port and sherry..
Besides the pledge from Government your Memorialists
ground a further claim for support on the facts that the
Colony is obliged to take its manufactured goods from England,
into the price of which English taxation has largely entered,
that the casks, staves, iron hoops, and brandy used for pre-
paring their wine, are all carried from this country ; that its
great distance from markets encreases the charges of freight
and insurance ; all these circumstances combined with others
caused by the Colonial regulations, render it impossible for
Cape Wine to be brought to this market at as low a rate as
that from foreign countries which are not subject to such
disadvantages. It is therefore clear that the Cape Colonist
cannot contend on equal terms with the Foreign wine grower,
even supposing the quality of the wines to be as good, and
without a protecting duty his commodity must be driven oub
of the home market altogether, a result which must bring so,
much distress and ruin upon the Colony, that Memorialists are
unwilling to contemplate the possibility of its taking place, but
it may easily be conceived what will be the effects of extin-
guishing suddenly by a revenue regulation a branch of industry
which gives employment to one third of the population of the
Colony, and in which a capital of upwards of twenty millions
of rixdollars is invested, as appears by the accompanying
printed copy of a Memorial to the Right Honorable the Lords
Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, from the wine
growers, Merchants, and Inhabitants of the Cape of Good Hope.
Memorialists proceed to give views of the protection afforded
to Cape Wine as compared with Foreign wines of similar
character, under both the old and new duties, calculated by
the pipe of 110 gallons :
1st. Under the old scale of duties, Value of a pipe of Fayal,
Teneriffe, or Sicilian wine of ordinary quality to the con-
sumer . ......... £15 - -
Duty thereon at Is. Id. per gallon . . . . . 42 - -
£57 - -
118 Records of the Cape Colony.
Value of a pipe of Gape Wine of ordinary quality to the Con-
sumer .......... £18 - -
Duty thereon at 2s; Qd. per gallon . . . . . 14 - -
£32 - -
Difference . . . £25 - -
Being the amount of protection afforded on each pipe of Cape
Wine under the old duty.
Ilnd. Under the new scale of duties, Value of a pipe of Fayal,
Teneriffe, or Sicilian Wine as before ..... £15 - -
Duty thereon at 4s. per gallon . . . • . . 22 - -
Value of a pipe of Cape Wine as before
Duty thereon at 2s. Qd. per gallon
• «
•
•
£37
£18
14
- -
£32
- -
Difference
£5
— —
Being the amount of protection to Cape Wine, under the new
law, placing it in a worse situation than it was by £20 a pipe.
Ill View. Value of a pipe of Fayal, Teneriffe, or Sicilian
Wine as before ........ £15 - -
Duty thereon at 4s. per gallon . . - . . . 22 - -
£37 - -
Value of a pipe of Cape Wine as before . . . . . £18 - -
Duty thereon at the rate of one-third of the new duty on
Foreign Wines, being Is. 4c?. per gallon . . . . 7 6 8
£25 6 8
Difference . . . £11 13 4
Being the amount of protection that would be afforded to
Cape Wine, if the new duty was made one third of the present
duty on Foreign wines, placing Cape Wine in a worse situation
than it was by £13 16s. Sd. per pipe, being less than one half
of the former protection.
That the rate of £5 per pipe as above specified will not be
a sufficient protection to Cape Wine admits of no doubt
Records of the Cape Colony. 119
whatever. Memorialists are confident that if no greater
relief is afforded Cape Wine will be driven almost entirely out
of the market.
Memorialists have no means of computing accurately the
quantity of Cape Wine upon which duty has been paid in
Great Britain, but they have reason for believing that for
several years past it has not been much short of 6,000 pipes or
2,500 tuns annually which at 2s. 6d. per gallon contributed to
the Revenue £78,750.
As Memorialists are of opinion that if the duty on Cape
Wine is continued at 2s. Qd. while Foreign Wine is admitted
at 4s. there will be little or no consumption of the former in
this country, they beg to state that the above-mentioned
sum of £78,750 is the amount of loss which the Revenue will
suffer by the reduction of duties forcing Cape Wine out of
consumption.
Memorialists are of opinion that if a protection is afforded
to Cape Wine by admitting it at the former proportion of one
third of the Foreign Wine duty, or Is. 4c£. per gallon, a limited
consumption may take place to the extent of 3000 to 4000
pipes or about 1600 Tuns, affording a duty to the Revenue of
about £27,000. But if protection to this extent is not given
they are clearly of opinion, that nearly the whole of this sum
will be lost to the revenue.
Memorialists consider it necessary to advert to an argument
that has been urged against Cape Wine being admitted at all
into consumption in this Country. It is said to be applied to
a bad use, being mixed with Foreign Wines, thereby defrauding
the Revenue, and imposing on the consumers. Memorialists
take the liberty to state that if they were afforded a fit oppor-
tunity they could easily refute this charge, by proving that
mixing Cape Wine with other wines is no injury to the Revenue,
or Consumer, but the reverse ; they consider the opinions
generally expressed on this subject as being part of the
erroneous notions formerly held regarding matters of trade,
which have been so successfully combated by His Majesty's
present Ministers. Memorialists are of opinion that no
respectable wine Merchant will expose himself to the injury
which his character and property would suffer from a convic-
tion under the Excise laws at present in force against mixing
120 Records of the Cape Colony.
Foreign Wines, considering the risk of detection he runs from
the survey of the Excise officers, and informations by his
servants, or others, without whose knowledge and assistance
he cannot effect it. Mixing of wine is an old complaint, which
existed long before Cape Wine was brought into this Country.
Foreign Wines of inferior quality, British made wines, and
particularly Cyder, were said to be largely used for that
purpose. It is said Cape Wine has now superseded them, and
if it has done so, it is a manifest improvement. The Consumer
who gets good Cape Wine in place of Cyder has no reason to
complain.
If Cape Wine is to be driven out of consumption by the
new scale of duties, Cyder will come again into use for this
purpose, for it appears no laws, however severe, can entirely
prevent it.
The next object to which Memorialists will call your attention
is a very important one. The stock of Cape Wine on hand in
the Bonded Warehouse in London is nearly . 6,500 pipes
In the outposts and Ireland may be about . . 1,000 ,,
Now on the passage and including the quantity
that will be shipped before information of
the alteration of duty can arrive out at the
Cape, estimated according to the ship-
ments of last year at the same period will
be at least ...... 2,500 ,,
Together ..... 10,000 pipes
which valued at the already estimated price of £18 per pipe
amounts to the large sum of £180,000.
The consideration which presses itself upon the minds of
Memorialists is, what is to be done with this large quantity of
Cape Wine ? If the duty on it is to be continued at the rate
pf 2s. 6d. per gallon, the prospect is appalling.
There will be no consumption for it in this Country, and
Memorialists know of no other market to which it can be sent.
Memorialists can see no other result than its remaining in the
Bonded Warehouse till the time appointed by law expires,
when it must be sold for payment of the duty, warehouse rent
and charges ; in which case it must prove a most ruinous loss
to its unfortunate owners.
Records of the Cape Colony. 121
Memorialists most respectfully submit this statement to
your favorable consideration as containing a faithful repre-
sentation of the matters therein mentioned, according to the
knowledge and means of information possessed by them on the
subject.
Memorialists take the liberty of suggesting that in their
opinion much of the evil which the new scale of duties threatens
to inflict on the Colony, and those connected with it, will be
reversed, if His Majesty's Ministers will confirm the pledge
formerly given by Government, which induced Memorialists,
and the Colonists, to embark so largely in the Cape Wine
Trade, by continuing the former rate of protection in favor of
Cape Wine, being one third of the duty on Portugal and
Spanish Wines, which by the new scale will make it one
shilling and fourpence per gallon.
Memorialists are of opinion that at this rate the trade may
be carried on to a limited extent, but Memorialists beg leave to
submit that if His Majesty's Ministers in their liberality shall
think fit to grant a greater protection to Cape Wine by fixing
a still lower duty, it would have a most favorable effect in
extending the consumption of it, and in all probability the
Revenue at no very distant period would be benefited to the
full extent of the old duty, — at all events His Majesty's
Ministers would thereby confer a boon on the Colony, which
could not have any other than the happiest and most extensive
influence over the affairs of the colonists, and all those con-
nected in trade with them.
And your Memorialists as in duty bound shall ever pray.
Signed in the name and by the order of the Committee.
(Signed) Abraham Borradaile.
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. Thomas Willson to Earl Bathurst.
Stockwell, 5 March 1825.
My Lord, — When I reflect upon the principle of your Lord-
ship's communication of the 14 February Instant, my heart
bleeds with self reproach at the blindness of my confidence in
122 Records of the Cape Colony.
the seductive paper which betrayed me into the labyrinths of
so doubtful and so fearful an enterprise !
I feel the deepest remorse at withstanding the entreaty of
my late revered Father to abandon the specious allurement,
as visionary and delusive, unproductive of everything but
distress, chagrin, and disgust. Still I cannot despair of justice
from the hands of His Majesty's Government, if further evidence
of my right is needful, I pray you to inspect the public vouchers,
and I beseech your Lordship (as the last two years have been
unavailingly consumed in addition, simply in discussing my
right) to relieve the agony of my feelings by at once satisfying
my claims !
Although I by no means specifically engaged to depute an
Agent at all, in case of my absence, I nevertheless considered
it expedient and useful so to do ; thus notwithstanding any
invidious testimony of Mr. Boardman and other of my followers
to disprove my assertion, permit me to ask your Lordship,
do not the public vouchers contradict the allegation of that
Gentleman, and the evidence of my ungrateful and self-
interested party ?
If it is further requisite to support my prayer for justice at
your Lordship's hands, I have copies of the Instructions which
I left in the hands of Mr. Boardman when I deputed him to
further the wishes of Government, as laid down by the Autho-
rities for the maintenance of the Settlers after I had placed
them, in person, upon the banks of a river which runs through
my location ; and be it remembered that it was always my
particular object and foresight to hold myself independent,
to guard against any future entanglement with the Individual
Interests or " fate " of my followers. I carefully specified and
publickly declared in England before we embarked that on our
arrival at my location, our connexion would cease, that my
engagement with the Settlers as Head of the Party would
finally terminate at the instant of our arrival ; it was publicly
declared and fully understood (as the wish of all concerned)
that every Individual from that period henceforward must
depend upon his and their own resources for subsistence, and
upon their mutual support to guard against casualty. In this
I carefully modelled my proceedings upon the precaution of
His Majesty's Government which professed to leave us to our
Records of the Cape Colony. 123
fate immediately on our arrival at Algoa Bay : and notwith-
standing this precaution, still in imitation of the humanity of
Government, to the full extent of my means and ability I
continued to administer to their wants throughout the storm
of Insults, threatenings of murder, and the blackest ingratitude,
which I endured with unmoved patience and forbearance :
wherein then have I failed, My Lord, to fulfil my entire obli-
gation.
If after all this, it is the wish of His Majesty's Government
(as appears to be the case by your Lordship's last Letter) not-
withstanding these services so faithfully, zealously and gra-
tuitously discharged on my part, if it is your wish to seize a
pretext upon the Ipse dixit of my interested and unprincipled
followers, and crush a man who has so well deserved your
protection and honorable reward, so to stifle the clamour
of the many, to the manifest injury of one, so well entitled
as I am, I beseech that your avowal of such intent
may be candidly announced to me, and I will instantly
resign all my pretentions of claim to lands in Africa, relying
upon the honor, integrity and dignity of the Crown to grant
me other means of compensation. I have &c.
(Signed) Thos. Willson.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Downing Stkeet, London, 6th March 1825.
My Lord, — His Majesty's Government having determined
to establish the British currency as the circulating medium
of all the Colonial Possessions of the Crown, your Excellency
will by this opportunity receive Instructions from the Lords
Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury for your guidance
in the arrangements to be adopted for the future payment of
the Troops ; and I have at the same time to signify to your
Excellency His Majesty's Commands that your Excellency
in Council do issue a Proclamation declaring that the British
Silver money shall be a legal tender in the Colony in discharge
of all debts due to Individuals and to the Public, at the rate
124 Records of the Cape Colony.
of one shilling and six pence for each paper Rix Dollar, and so
in proportion for any greater or less sum ; and your Excellency
will take care that this Proclamation be issued simultaneously
with the general Orders which you are instructed to issue to
the Troops.
I have further to desire that your Excellency will take
measures for preparing and for issuing with the Proclamation
aforesaid, a new Schedule of rates, duties, &c, payable to the
Crown, in which Schedule the present rates in Rix Dollars
and the new rates in British money at the proposed fixed rate
of the Rix Dollar, shall be specified ; and your Excellency will
instruct all Collectors and other Civil Servants of your Govern-
ment to render their accounts in British money.
I deem it necessary to add that it is the intention of the
Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury that the opera-
tion of exchanging the Paper Currency of the Colony for the
British Metallic Currency, by which such Paper Money will be
gradually and without any compulsory measures withdrawn
from circulation shall be left exclusively to the management
of the Officer in charge of the Commissariat at the Cape.
I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Copy.]
Letter from R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre., to
Mr. George Greig.
Downing Street, 1th March 1825.
Sir, — I have received and have laid before the Earl Bathurst
your letter of the 17th ult. in which you request some expla-
nation of the arrangements under which you have already
been informed that you would be authorized to resume the
publication of a journal at the Cape of Good Hope.
With respect to the repayment by you of the sum which you
have received as the awarded value of your types, his Lord-
ship will have no objection, in compliance with your request,
to instruct the colonial government to receive that repayment
in fixed instalments to be completed in five years ; but his
Records of the Cape Colony. 125
Lordship thinks it right to apprize you at the same time,
that he cannot undertake to give such peremptory instructions
upon this point as would preclude the colonial government
from enforcing the whole repayment of that sum, if the public
interests should at any time require it.
You are not to commence the publication of a journal until
you shall, upon application to the Governor, have obtained a
licence for that purpose, and the grant of this licence will
entirely depend, as has already been stated to you, on your
undertaking to adhere to the conditions prescribed in your own
prospectus of the 20th December 1823 ; and these conditions
appear to his Lordship to be so defined as to render it unneces-
sary to explain the sense in which, conformably with the
pledge contained in that prospectus, you will restrict yourself
in the selection of topics of public disquisition. It must rest
with the Governor in Council to decide whether you violate
your compact, and if after being warned of your having ex-
ceeded the prescribed limits, you should in the opinion of the
Governor in Council disregard such an admonition, your licence
will be withdrawn.
His Lordship is not aware that there can be any objection to
your pursuing your general business as a printer, independently
of the publication of your journal ; and if your licence should
be eventually withdrawn from you, your business as a printer
would not therefore be suspended, unless you should attempt,
under the pretence of exercising your trade as a printer,
indirectly to defeat the object of interdicting you from
publishing your journal.
In conveying to you this detailed explanation for your accu-
rate understanding of the conditions upon which you are at
liberty to return to the Cape for the purpose of resuming the
publication of your journal, his Lordship directs me to acquaint
you that in thus fully enabling you to attain the object which
you have stated to have in view, he understands that you have
relinquished all attempts to indemnify yourself by other
means, for the disappointment which you have experienced in
undertaking the publication of a journal in the colony without
due authority. I am &c.
(Signed) R. W. Horton.
126 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.]
Return of the Amount raised in each year on account of the Tax
upon Slaves from the period of its first assessment.
Year 1823 Rds. 4644, 1824 Rds. 4198, total Rds. 8842,
placed to the credit of the District Treasury.
(Signed) C. Trappes.
[Copy.]
Statement of the Sums for which the late Drostdy Buildings and
Estate at Tulbagh and the Cattle place at the Witzenberg
were respectively sold.
1. The late Drostdy Buildings and Estate at Tulbagh. Sold
6th March 1823. Purchased by Mr. Thomas Heatlie for the
sum of /35,100. The whole of the Purchase Money will be
allowed to remain at interest for the first five successive
years at 4 per cent per annum, after which period 10 per cent
will be required to be paid annually in diminution of the
Capital, together with the interest due thereon.
2. The Cattle place at the Witzenberg. Sold 6th March
1823. Purchased by Jan Carel Winterbach for the sum of
/20,000. Conditions as in No. 1. Rds. 266 5 sks. 2 sts., being
one year's interest to the 6th March 1824, received and placed
to the credit of the District Treasury.
Worcester, 1th March 1825.
(Signed) C. Trappes.
[Original.]
Letter from the Reverend William Geary to Earl Bathurst.
26 King Street, Westminster, March 1th 1825.
My Lord, — I have the honor to inform your Lordship that
I am just returned per ship Greenock from Graham's Town in
the Settlement of the Cape of Good Hope, from the Chaplaincy
Records of the Cape Colony. 127
of which I have been removed by Your Lordship's Letter of
Instructions to Lord Charles Somerset. Believing however
that no less in Africa than in England my chief attention has
been directed to the conscientious, useful, and zealous prosecu-
tion of my professional duties, I submit to Your Lordship that
I cannot but feel that my late dismissal (without the institution
of any inquiry into my conduct, or even the slightest previous
notice) as a most serious grievance, not only from its having
ruined me in a pecuniary point of view, but as conveying a sad
imputation on my public character, and which I deem it a duty
I owe to myself as a Clergyman of the Established Church to
spare no pains in attempting to remove.
In commencing therefore the execution of so painful yet
necessary a step, I take the earliest opportunity of soliciting
the honor of an interview with your Lordship, not doubting
that when the true statement of mv case is known, I shall
obtain that redress which your Lordship's sense of justice and
well known attachment to the Church of England cannot but
dispose you to afford to a Clergyman of that Establishment
suffering from having honestly discharged his duty in a foreign
Land, and deprived as he now is of every means of providing
for a Wife and an Infant Family. I have &c.
(Signed) Wm. Geary.
[Copy.]
Letter from Mr. George Greig to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre.
32, City Road, 8th March 1825.
Sir, — In answer to your communication of yesterday's date,
I beg to express my satisfaction at the arrangement which
Lord Bathurst proposes for the payment, in five years, of
the sum which may be awarded as the value of my printing
types, &c.
With regard to the terms upon which his Lordship proposes
I should recommence a publication at the Cape of Good Hope,
I have before stated, that one of my chief objects in coming to
England, is to set at rest the dispute which arose between the
128 Records of the Cape Colony.
Governor and myself as to the construction of my prospectus
of December 1823 ; but as his Lordship considers it unnecessary
to explain his view of the restrictions which that prospectus
imposes on the selection of topics for public discussion, as it
was my intention at the time of issuing the prospectus, and is
unquestionably the united desire of the Cape Community, that
the press should be at liberty to examine into the practicability
of laws to the purposes contemplated in their promulgation,
and as his Lordship has vested a power in the Governor in
Council to prevent its abuse, I beg to submit the enclosed
amendment of my prospectus, as an effectual means of pre-
venting a recurrence of the difficulties to which T have been
exposed by the ambiguity of its present wording, and of
removing the principal difficulty I contemplated in returning
to the Cape of Good Hope.
With reference to the " warning " it is proposed I am to
receive before the suspension of my licence, I submit the
following as my view of its meaning : that in adverting to any
public measure, I am liable to an admonition from the Governor
in Council ; but this admonition will of course require to be
renewed, should I subsequently, in the opinion of the Governor
in Council, transgress any prescribed limits. I also, Sir, take
it for granted, as stated by you, in the event of my licence being
withdrawn, the Governor in Council will be specially amenable
to Lord Bathurst for such an act in order to its final decision.
I trust, Sir, when it is Considered the limited population of
the Cape, and various otfyer difficulties attending the establish-
ment of a newspaper, Lord Bathurst will protect me against
the imposition of any stamp duty.
I beg you will acquaint me with his Lordship's opinion upon
these remarks ; and as I am but little apprehensive they will
meet with his Lordship's approbation, I have no hesitation in
expressing myself willing to return to the Cape of Good Hope,
and recommence the publication of a newspaper. In acceding
to Lord Bathurst's arrangement I wish however to take this (I
trust the last) opportunity of stating, that I do it not because I
feel that it fully meets the justice of my case, but in the con-
fident hope that such an amelioration will ere long take place
in the constitution of the Cape government as will secure to its
inhabitants, as t'ar as practicable, the advantages of British
Records of the Cape Colony. 129
laws and British privileges. In saying this, I wish to retract
none of the gratitude I have already expressed for the ample
consideration which my various communications have received,
and the respect personally extended to myself. The reliance
I have throughout placed in his Lordship's equity and justice,
and the heavy losses to which I have been subjected, solely
from my connexion with the conduct of a newspaper at the
Cape, also induce a hope, that I shall not be wholly overlooked
in the dispensation of any advantages in the colony coming
within his Lordship's scope and my capacity.
In conclusion, Sir, I beg to call your attention to that part
of my last communication which had reference to a passage to
the Cape being granted to myself and wife ; and to request
you will be pleased to urge it upon his Lordship's favourable
consideration. I have &c.
(Signed) George Greig.
[Enclosure in the above.]
The Erasures are in Brackets, and the words in small capitals
are the amendments proposed.
Prospectus of the " South African Commercial
Advertiser."
The " South African Commerical Advertiser " is intended
chiefly for the use and accommodation of persons connected
with trade and merchandize. Its columns will be open for
advertisements, at a reasonable charge, in the English and Dutch
languages, announcing sales, arrivals of goods, and such other
matters as the merchant or retail dealer may wish to make
known : also rates of exchange ; arrivals and departures of
vessels ; state of the market ; and any information that may
tend to the advancement of trade and commerce, the improve-
ment of agriculture, or the elucidation of science.
A small portion of the " South African Commercial Adver-
tiser " will be appropriated to original miscellaneous matter, in
which will be discussed subjects at once interesting and
amusing ; — occasional extracts will be made from English
papers and other literary productions ; — an offering to the muses,
or an inoffensive point of humour, may find room in its columns ;
XX. K
130 Records of the Cape Colony.
— and while we shall be happy to receive communications from
intelligent correspondents, [the "' South African Commercial
Advertiser " will ever most rigidly exclude all personal contro-
versy, however disguised, or the remotest discussion of subjects
relating to the policy or administration of the colonial govern-
ment'], IT IS MOST UNEQUIVOCALLY TO BE UNDERSTOOD THAT
IN THE CALM AND TEMPERATE CONSIDERATION OF TOPICS OF
GENERAL INTEREST, ALL " PERSONALITY " WILL BE RIGIDLY
ABJURED AND GUARDED AGAINST.
As we are desirous of obtaining the earliest information tend-
ing to improvements in agriculture, we shall be happy to receive
communications from persons acquainted with this branch of
science.
In submitting to the public a prospectus of the " South
African Commercial Advertiser," we are aware of the diffi-
culties that must, in its onset, attend an enterprize of this
nature. Our promises, therefore, respecting literature, must be
for the present limited. To those whose talents have hitherto
lain dormant for want of an opportunity of exerting them, a
facility is now offered, which we hope will develop genius, and
raise the literary reputation of the colony ; and as a free
diffusion of knowledge is the grand means of giving a tone to
society, by elevating its morals and promoting a taste for litera-
ture, we look to the more enlightened part of the community,
in the confident hope that they will not allow this, the first
attempt to establish a medium of general communication in a
British colony, to fail for want of that support which the well-
informed, the intelligent, and the patriotic are alone able to
afford.
The " South African Commercial Advertiser " will be
published every Wednesday afternoon, and advertisements
received till the Tuesday morning preceding publication.
Communications to be addressed to the Editor " South African
Commercial Advertiser Office," No. 1, Long-market-street ;
if from the country, post paid.
[Terms of subscription, 4 rix dollars per quarter, or a single
number three skillings. Subscriptions to be paid in advance.]
The size of the paper will be enlarged, and conse-
quently THE PRICE ENHANCED.
December 20th, 1823.
Records of the Cape Colony. 131
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. H. W. Wilton to Earl Bathurst.
No. 4 Regent Steeet, Pall Mall, March \0th 1825.
My Lord, — The result of the Interview with your Lordship
on Monday last having, at a meeting held this day, been com-
municated to the Gentlemen interested in the formation of a
South African Company, they desire me respectfully to solicit
the favor of your Lordship granting them another interview
on the subject, when it may suit your Lordship's convenience
to do so. I have &c.
(Signed) H. W. Wilton.
[Original.]
Letter from the Reverend William Geary to Earl Bathurst.
26 King Street, Westminster, lQth March 1825.
My Lord, — Having been honored by no reply to my Official
Document, addressed to your Lordship on the 7th Inst., the
desperate circumstances to which I am now reduced by my late
removal from Africa, involving the fate of a wife and three
children with the near prospect of an increasing family, will
I trust be considered as a sufficient apology for intruding
myself again on your Lordship's attention.
I cannot but believe, My Lord, that even from the Reports
of his Majesty's Commissioners of Inquiry, still at the Cape,
(compared with Documents of theirs which I now hold, and am
ready to produce) that your Lordship must be impressed with
the extreme hardships of my case, and the unjust and cruel
treatment which I have been compelled to endure under the
unfortunate Government of Lord Charles Somerset. I shall
not now trouble your Lordship with a narration of the miseries
to which I have been, and still am exposed, by my removal
from the clerical appointments which I held at Graham's Town.
In a future letter necessity will compel me to detail them.
In the meantime, unversed as I am in the forms of Office,
and unbefriended and unprotected as I feel myself in the
character of a persecuted clergyman of the Church of England,
K 2
132 Records of the Cape Colony.
inviting the strictest scrutiny into my private and public
conduct, I conceive that I possess no other chance of engaging
the notice and compassion of the British Legislature than by
addressing my complaints to your Lordship, in a series of
letters from the public press, in one of the Daily Journals. If
in these public communications to your Lordship, certain pro-
ceedings of the African Colonial Government are brought into
notice, your Lordship's candour must acquit me of every
shadow of blame (while the statement is confined within the
boundaries of truth) connected as such an exposure will be
with the vindication of my own character, and rendered the
more necessary from my having so lately experienced the fruit-
lessness of any less public appeal to your Lordship, in your
official situation as Secretary to the Colonies.
I judge it of importance to apprize your Lordship that I have
been honored with a communication from His Royal Highness
the Commander in Chief in reply to my complaint against
Major Somerset for twice publicly insulting me without the
slightest provocation on the Lord's Day, while engaged in the
exercise of my Ministerial Duties ; as well as against Lord
Charles Somerset for a gross, scandalous and false Libel, which
His Excellency caused to be inserted in the Official Cape Town
Gazette of February, 1824 ; in which His Royal Highness states,
that mine being a Colonial Appointment the case was referred
to your Lordship as Secretary to the Colonies. Will your
Lordship therefore be pleased to inform me if any notice is
intended to be taken of the insult offered to my character as a
Gentleman, and the outrage to my sacred office as a Clergyman
of the Church of England ?
The Commissioners of Inquiry, in a Letter which I hold,
and am ready to furnish, are convinced of the falsehood of
the above named Libel, and approve of my determination " to
rescue my name and sacred character from these aspersions,"
and in the same letter advise me as to the mode of my address-
ing His Excellency on his disgraceful act, and in my complaint
to him " to avoid the introduction of topics that may only have
the effect of diverting His Lordship's mind from the considera-
tion of the falsehood of the imputation with which you have
thus been publicly assailed." I have &c.
(Signed) Wm. Geary.
Records of the Cape Colony. 133
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. B. Burnett to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre.
6 Duke Street, Westminster, March 10th 1825.
Sir, — I beg leave to inform you of my arrival in London
from the Cape of Good Hope, under sentence of five years
banishment from that Colony.
Connected with this sentence and the causes promoting it, I
have sundry documents to lay before Earl Bathurst, requiring a
personal delivery at your Office. I have therefore to request
you will be so obliging as to intimate when it will be your
pleasure that I should wait upon you. I have &c.
(Signed) B. Burnett.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from R. Wilmot Horton, Esquire, to Mr. Bishop
Burnett.
Downing Street, 10 March 1825.
Sir, — In reply to your letter of this day, I have to acquaint
you that I shall be ready to receive you to-morrow at one
o'clock. I am &c.
(Signed) R. W. Horton.
[Copy.]
Letter from R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre., to Mr. George Greig.
Downing Street, 11th March 1825.
Sir, — In answer to your letter of the date of 8th March, I
am directed by Lord Bathurst to inform you that his Lordship
cannot consent to the proposed alteration in your prospectus.
You have been already informed that the Governor and
Council of the Cape of Good Hope will be responsible for any
act of suspension of your licence. I am also directed to
134 Records of the Cape Colony.
explain that your paper will not be subject to any stamp-duty,
except in common with other publications.
I am also directed to inform you, that until your answer on
these points is received, Lord Bathurst does not consider it
necessary to advert to any other. I remain, &c.
(Signed) R. W. Horton.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre., to the Reverend
Wm. Geary.
Downing Street, 11th March 1825.
Sir, — I had received Lord Bathurst's directions to write to
you in the course of this day, to require specific information on
some points with reference to your letter, received here on the
7th Inst., complaining of your being removed from the situation
of Chaplain at Graham's Town. But as you have intimated in
your letter of the 10th Inst, your intention of making an appeal
to the public in another form, I am directed by his Lordship to
state that he must decline all further communication with you
on the subject. I am &c.
(Signed) R. W. Horton.
[Hansard's Parliamentary Debates.]
Army Extraordinaries — Cape of Good Hope — Lord Charles
Somerset.
March 11, 1825. The House resolved itself into a com-
mittee of Supply. On the resolution "That £620,000 be
granted to defray the Extraordinary Expenses of the Army."
Mr. Hume begged to know in what manner a former grant
of a similar kind, in respect of the military establishment at
the Mauritius, the Cape of Good Hope, &c. had been applied.
Mr. Wilmot Horton said, that the commissioners, who were
pursuing their inquiries in the colonies, had taken occasion, in
their report to government, to express their entire satisfaction
Records of the Cape Colony. 135
at the manner in which the grant in question had been dis-
posed of.
Mr. Hume felt the more anxious for explicit information on
this head, because there was no British colony which had so
much reason to complain of its governor, as the Cape of Good
Hope ; none in which the settlers had been more oppressively
or unjustly treated ; and no governor whose arbitrary and
highly improper conduct was more to be reprobated than lord
Charles Somerset (hear). If the statements that had been
published respecting the course adopted by that individual —
(and he had seen a great many such statements) — were true,
lord Charles Somerset ought not to be continued any longer in
his government. His conduct seemed to have been not only
most arbitrary to the colonists, but most hostile to the liberty
of the press. It was to be hoped, therefore, that the report of
the commissioners would be immediately communicated.
Mr. Wilmot Horton assured the hon. gentleman that the
commissioners were as actively engaged in the prosecution of
their important inquiries, as men could be. Whenever their
report should be received, there would be, on the part of the
colonial department every disposition to meet the object
adverted to. But, if the hon. gentleman expected that all the
statements which had met the public eye respecting the
individual in question, and recent transactions at the Cape,
necessarily ex parte as those statements must be, were to
receive an answer from him, the hon. gentleman's expectations
would be disappointed. That hon. member on a former night
had said that all the complaints which had been preferred by
the settlers at the Cape to the Colonial-office were received with
indifference and contempt — that all their applications were un-
attended to. Now this imputation he denied in the strongest
manner ; and he challenged the hon. gentleman to adduce a
single instance, in which such complaints had not been made
the object of careful examination by the Colonial-office.
Mr. Hume desired to repeat his conviction, that the conduct
of lord Charles Somerset had been so very reprehensible — so
entirely contrary to the interests of the settlers, and the welfare
of the colony at the Cape — that the colonial department ought
by no means to have continued him in his government up to
this time. He knew, indeed, that some of the individuals
136 Records of the Cape Colony.
aggrieved had received a partial remuneration for the ill treat-
ment which they had been subjected to. The editor of a
journal published at the Cape had been allowed to return ; but
had been refused any remuneration for the losses he had
suffered ; and he must say, that in continuing lord Charles
Somerset in such a situation, the colonial department had
manifested very little regard for the interests or the feelings of
the colonists.
Mr. Wilmot Horton said, that when the report should have
been communicated to parliament, the colonial department
would be in a condition to meet any specific charge which the
hon. gentleman might bring forward.
The resolution was agreed to.
[Copy.]
Letter from Mr. John Gregory to the Secretary to the
District of Worcester.
Cape Town, 11th March 1825.
Sir, — The Commissioners of Inquiry having had occasion
to refer to the Proclamation of the 7th February 1823, and
having observed that it empowered the Board of Landdrost
and Heemraden of Worcester to levy the Sums of Two Rix-
dollars per head for each Slave above the age of 14 and 4 Skel-
lings for each Slave under that age, I am directed to request
you will acquaint me, for the information of the Commissioners,
whether this rate of assessment has been acted upon, or
whether one Rixdollar only per head has been levied, in pur-
suance of the suggestions of the Board conveyed to Govern-
ment in their letter of the 11th October 1822. I have &c.
(Signed) John Gregory, Secretary.
Records of the Cape Colony. 137
[Original.]
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Cape of Good Hope, 12th March 1825.
My Lord, — I had the honor to receive Your Lordship's
despatch of the 27th September 1824 on the 9th Instant, by
the Ship Patience relative to the trial of William Edwards (alias
Alexander Lowe Kaye, suspected of being a runaway Convict
from New South Wales) and, in reply thereto, have the honor
to state to your Lordship, in reference to the two Letters under
date^22nd and 26th of April 1824, addressed by that Person to
me, that I merely placed them in the Hands of His Majesty's
Fiscal to take such measures regarding them as he considered
his public duty bound him to adopt, as your Lordship will
perceive by a Copy of the Official Letter addressed by the
Assistant Secretary to the Government to His Majesty's Fiscal
on that occasion.
I have the honor to transmit a translation of the proceedings
of the trial of the person styling himself Wm. Edwards.
I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Original.]
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Cape of Good Hope, 12 March 1825.
My Lord, — I had the Honor to receive, on the 9th Instant,
by the Ship Patience Your Lordship's Despatch under date
28th September 1824, No. 125, in reply to mine of the 27th
February 1824, No. 75, and of the 21st May 1824, No. 92, in
which Your Lordship observes that " as I had not stated in
what manner the accusations, by Mr. Launcelot Cooke, against
the Collector, of Customs at this Port, were published, Your
Lordship was at a loss to understand upon what principle the
Prosecution for a libel was directed."
In Reply I have the honor to transmit to Your Lordship, the
138 Records of the Cape Colony.
legal opinion of the Chief Justice (Sir John Truter) on that
Head.
With respect to a prosecution being directed by me, I have
the Honor to state to Your Lordship that I so far yielded to
the solicitation of the Collector of Customs, that the Law
Officer of the Crown might be allowed to proceed against the
Person who defamed his character, as to direct that Officer to
refer to Mr. Blair, in order to obtain every Information for
prosecuting Mr. L. Cooke for defamation, but of course, the
instituting any suit against Mr. Cooke rested entirely upon
the Information His Majesty's Fiscal should receive from
Mr. Blair, and on his being borne out by the Laws of the
Colony in so doing.
The only directions which were given by me on this subject
are contained in Annexure B.
I have to observe that Wm. Edwards (alias Alexander Lowe
Kaye, suspected of being a runaway Convict from New South
Wales) not being legally qualified could not appear before the
Court as Mr. Cooke's legal Adviser.
With regard to any punishment, the Court deemed necessary
to inflict on the above named Person, or any other Individual,
for disrespect or contempt of Court, it is a matter in which I
could not presume to interfere, having ever considered it one
of my first duties in administering the Government of this
Settlement to leave the most entire free Agency in the con-
stituted Courts, and to consider myself, of all His Majesty's
subjects in the Colony, the most scrupulously amenable to its
Laws.
With reference to Wm. Edwards's representation of ill-
treatment in the Prison, I have the Honor to transmit to Your
Lordship the copy of a letter I caused to be written to His
Majesty's Fiscal thereon, and also a Copy of the Proceedings
which took place in consequence.
As Wm. Edwards has introduced the Name of Mr. Richardson
(late an Officer in the Ceylon Civil Service) in his Statement to
Your Lordship, I feel myself called upon to state that Mr.
Richardson waited upon me to inform me that Wm. Edwards
had imposed upon and defrauded him most grossly ; that he
had recently learned that the real name of this man was
Alexander Lowe Kaye, and that he was a runaway convict
Records of the Cape Colony. 139
from New South Wales. Mr. Richardson referred me to the
Person from whom he obtained this Intelligence, and I have
to add that from further Enquiries I have not the slightest
doubt in my mind of its authenticity. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Enclosure 1 in the above.]
Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, 13^ March 1825.
My Lord, — I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of
a Letter from the Assistant Colonial Secretary soliciting my
legal opinion conformable to the Colonial Law on the following
points, viz. 1st. whether a libel is considered as published, if
transmitted to a magistrate or constituted authority, without
having been made known to the Community at large ?
2nd. What is the extent of punishment for libel authorized
by the Colonial Law ?
3rd. Whether a Notary Public not being an Attorney can
appear in, or be acknowledged by the Court of Justice here,
as the legal adviser of a Party before the Court ?
In dutiful compliance with Your Excellency's desire, I beg
leave to submit the following, as my legal opinion, on each of
the proposed queries.
1st. Whether a Libel is considered as published if transmitted
to a Magistrate or constituted authority without having been
made known to the community at large ?
According to the Colonial Law every one is considered guilty
of the crime of defamatory Libel, "who shall have composed,
published, disseminated, communicated, or printed any writing,
relation, theatrical piece, pamphlet, or song, to the contempt,
ridicule or dishonour of anyone, or who mala fide shall have
occasioned anything of all this to take place."
The act of composing a Libel renders the author liable to
prosecution and punishment, as soon as it is followed by any
act of communication, to any other person, either public or
Private.
This constitutes a publication in the Eye of the Law, Literis
injuria fit, si quis libello Principi oblato vel alteri dato famam
alicujus insectatus fuerit. And a Memorial presented to a
140 Records of the Cape Colony.
Magistrate or Constituted Authority is only then exempted
from prosecution, when the Contents are not libellous, and
admit of a construction, that the author has acted either to
defend or protect his own lawful interest, or that of the Public,
and not from any vindictive or other offensive motives.
2nd. What is the extent of punishment for Libel authorised
by the Colonial Law ?
The Crime of composing, publishing, disseminating, com-
municating, or printing libellous writings, is by the Colonial
Law considered as a Crime of a most serious nature, the
punishment of which in most cases attaches infamy on the
Character of the Persons convicted, which regularly renders
him incompetent to give evidence before a Court of Justice,
and deprives him of several civil advantages in Society. This
evidently shows, that the nature of the Crime of Libel, in the
eye of the Colonial Law, is very different from what it is in the
English Law, as may more fully appear from the following
testimony of a Dutch Jurist of great repute : " According to
the Laws practised in our Country (the Netherlands) the
injury, as well verbally as in writing, is restrained by dis-
cretionary punishment, which according to the circumstances
and nature of the facts and persons, can be extended to corporal
punishment and even to death itself," quoting in support of
this testimony a Series of Statute Laws enacted in the Seven
United Provinces of the Netherlands, to which may be added
a Proclamation of the States of Holland dated 7th March 1754.
And in this spirit the Court of Justice passed Sentence of
Banishment for Life or Civil death (mors Civilis) against A.
Krynouw in 1783, and against Dr. Halloran in 1810, neither
of which cases in degree of criminality can be compared to
that of W. Edwards (alluded to in the above query) who at a
moment of public ferment, strives to vilify His Majesty's
Government, and to set at defiance every constituted authority
in the colony.
3rd. Whether a Notary Public not being an Attorney, can
appear in or be acknowledged by the Court of Justice here, as
the legal adviser of a party before the Court.
A Notary Public here is a person admitted by Government
and sworn after due examination by the Court of Justice to
draw up, and to execute in the presence of two witnesses, all
Records of the Cape Colony. 141
sorts of extra-judicial Acts, excepting the transfer of Landed
property, for instance, Testaments, Bonds, Contracts, Protests,
Affidavits, &c, all which Acts are considered as public Acts to
which full credit is due. But a Notary Public has no profes-
sional Character before any Court in the Colony, on the contrary
by the 44th Article of his Instructions is expressly forbidden
to act as an Attorney at Law, whilst no one is allowed to employ
any other legal assistance before the Court, but that of regularly
admitted Advocates and Attorneys. I have &c.
(Signed) J. A. Truter.
His Excellency the Right Honourable General Lord Charles
Henry Somerset.
[Enclosure 2 in the above.]
Colonial Office, ZOth January 1824.
Sir, — I am directed by His Excellency the Governor to
forward to you herewith in original, a Letter transmitted to
His Excellency by Mr. Edwards a Notary in Cape Town,
styling himself the Attorney to Mr. Lancelot Cooke, together
with the Documents therein referred to, and as these Papers
contain assertions injurious to the character of the Collector of
His Majesty's Customs at this Place, His Excellency desires
that you will be pleased to refer to Mr. Blair, in order to obtain
every information for prosecuting Mr. L. Cooke for defamation
of a Public Servant. I have &c.
(Signed) P. G. Brink.
D. Denyssen, Esqre., His Majesty's Fiscal.
[Enclosure 3 in the above.]
Colonial Office, 9 March 1824.
Sir, — I am directed by His Excellency The Governor to
transmit to you, the enclosed Copy of a letter from Mr. W.
Edwards, complaining of his being prevented from speaking
to Persons visiting him except through the Bars of the Prison,
and to request you will be pleased to give immediate orders
142 Records of the Cape Colony.
for correcting the evil complained of, His Excellency conceiving
that Mr. Edwards has undoubtedly a right to communicate
with whomsoever he pleases provided it does not disturb the
good order of the Prison. I have &c.
(Signed) P. G. Brink.
D. Denyssen, Esqre., His Majesty's Fiscal.
[Enclosure 4 in the above.]
Fiscal' s Office, 16th March 1824.
Sir, — Having in compliance with His Excellency the
Governor's directions, communicated to me in Your Letter of
the 9th Instant, repeated my Orders, which I had before
given,' that Mr. W. Edwards's visitors should be allowed a
free access to him, I feel it now incumbent for the information
of His Excellency to state, that the complaint of difficulties
thrown in his way by the means of which he should have been
allowed to be prevented rebutting my charge, appears to be
unfounded, his complaints if ever he has made any having
been attended to by the 1st Under Sheriff and no difficulties
having ever been thrown in his way, as will more fully appear
to His Excellency from the enclosed judicial record containing
the evidence of Mr. Bamberger and Mr. Diddlestone. I cannot
pass observing that Mr. Edwards seems to have aimed at me
when calling himself a FiscaVs Prisoner, for it cannot be un-
known to him, that he has been a Prisoner of the Court and
not a Fiscal's Prisoner, and that he was entitled to immediate
redress from the Court itself should the Fiscal or rather the 1st
Undersheriff under whose management the Prison concerns are
placed have acted improperly towards him. I have &c.
(Signed) D. Denyssen.
P. G. Brink, Esqre., Assistant Colonial Secretary.
Records of the Cape Colony. 14i
[Enclosure 5 in the above.]
Records held before Ralph Rogerson, Esqre., Commissioned
Member of the Worshipful the Court of Justice of this
Government for the purpose of elucidating some complaints
made to His Excellency the Governor in a letter of the
8th Instant.
Friday, the 12th March 1824.
His Majesty's Fiscal having appeared before the sitting
Commissioner stated he had received from the Colonial Office,
Copy of a letter written by the Prisoner W. Edwards to His
Excellency the Governor bearing date the 8th Instant, con-
taining some complaints as to his treatment during his con-
finement in the Prison viz. That two Women who had come
there the day previous to acquaint him with some of Mr.
Blair's unfair dealings, and had been stopped before the gate,
and who had told him to speak with them through the iron
Bars of the Gate where a Constable was sitting who could hear
every word that passed ; That he had declined to do so and
that he had written to the Fiscal on the subject, so that when
one of the Women had departed the other had been allowed
to enter.
Requesting therefore that the following Witnesses might be
examined to elucidate the complaints preferred to His Excel-
lency the Governor, whereupon the following were examined.
1st. Nicholas Bamberg 33 years of age a Native of Fersveld
in Germany, who after having made Oath, deposed as follows :
Did the Prisoner William Edwards meet with any obstacles
in seeing his visitors and if so state the same ?
Yes, the two first days after W. Edwards' confinement, Mr.
Cooke and another person came down to see him, when they
were informed by the 2nd Undersheriff Mills that they could
not go in at once together, but that one at a time had liberty
to enter, Mills having informed me thereof, I immediately
made this known to His Majesty's Fiscal who told me that
said Edwards was at liberty to see as many persons as he
thought proper, when I lost no time to redress the mistake.
Did a Commissioner of the Court visit the Prison last month ?
if so state who it was and when ?
144 Records of the Cape Colony.
Yes, Mr. Hiddingh, it was about the 25th or 26th Feb. last.
Who were present at this visitation on the 25th or 26th
February last ?
Mr. Van der Riet 2nd Head Clerk to the Court of Justice,
Mr. Van Ryneveld and myself.
Did Mr. Edwards make any complaint to the Commissioner
at that occasion as to his not being allowed to see his friends ?
No, not to my knowledge.
Did the Commissioner speak to you as to such a complaint ?
No.
Do you know that two Women have been at the Prison on
the 7th Instant desiring to see Mr. Edwards ?
Yes, the first was Mrs. Diddlestone and the other I do not
know.
What took place with those Women ?
On the 7th Instant two Women came down about 2 or 3
o'Clock to see Mr. Edwards, I was at that moment not at the
prison, the Bookkeeper told them that they could see Mr.
Edwards at the gate, Mr. Edwards was then called and came
down but declined seeing those women in that manner, Mr.
Edwards then went back to his room and wrote a letter to His
Majesty's Fiscal, which letter was delivered to the Bookkeeper
to be forwarded to the Fiscal, the Bookkeeper then communi-
cated to me every circumstance as to the two Women, and
also delivered to me an Open letter addressed to His Majesty's
Fiscal (hereunto annexed and on which the date of its pro-
duction in Court has been noted) when I told the Bookkeeper,
after having previously read the letter, that he was aware that
His Majesty's Fiscal had given directions that any one could
go in, and why he had refused the Women to enter, and ordered
him immediately to do so. I then asked the Bookkeeper why
access had been refused to the two Women, when he told me
that he was well acquainted with Mrs. Diddlestone and that as
long as he had known her she had always kept a Wine and
eating house for sailors and low people and that she was also
a Woman of bad Conduct. After the Bookkeeper had left me
with the orders to allow free access to the Women, the unknown
Woman had gone away, while Mrs. Diddlestone was still
standing at the gate who was immediately allowed to go in to
Mr. Edwards. When I read the letter I did not think it of
Records of the Cape Colony. 145
that consequence to trouble the Fiscal about it,, as it was in
my power to redress the complaint mentioned in the same,
which I immediately did. The Fiscal knew nothing of the
letter, I received it on a Sunday and laid it on my Table and
on Monday morning T was called at the Fiscal's who spoke to
me concerning that letter, when I informed the circumstance
and delivered the letter to him.
Did anything else happen, except the circumstance of the
two Women, of which Mr. Edwards complained ?
On a certain day being on a Saturday without being able to
state the precise date, when said Edwards had made application
to Mr. Van Ryneveld to have his door open till 9 o'Clock in the
evening, Mr. Van Ryneveld spoke to me about it and informed
him that I was bound by my instructions to close all the doors
at sunset.
2. Mary Ann Galloway, widow Diddlestone, being of a
competent age, who after having made Oath, replied to the
undermentioned Queries as follows.
Were you at the Prison on Sunday last ?
Yes, I wanted to see Mr. Edwards.
At what hour of the day was it ?
I cannot exactly state the time.
Did anyone accompany you ?
Yes, a Girl named Peggy who came here with Mr. Ingram
and who is in my service, I took her with me for the sake of
company.
Had that Woman also occasion to see Mr. Edwards ?
No.
Whether she was refused to go in ?
After I had asked to go in and this being refused me, I was
referred to the Bookkeeper who sent me to the Keeper by
whom I was not admitted. Mr. Edwards then wrote a letter
to His Majesty's Fiscal and shortly after the letter was sent, I
was admitted, (stated further) the Girl was in the mean time
sent home by me.
Have you been treated in an unbecoming manner or did
you experience any incivilities while you were at the Prison ?
No, never.
Did you, in visiting Mr. Edwards afterwards meet with any
obstacles ?
XX. L
146 Records of the Cape Colony.
No, I visited him afterwards without any hindrance
whatever.
When you saw Mr. Edwards, could you perceive that he was
aware that the Woman who had accompanied you wanted to
see him ?
No.
At the Cape of Good Hope die et Anno ut Supra.
(Signed) R. Rogerson.
[Original.]
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Cape of Good Hope, \2th March 1825.
My Lord, — I had the honor to receive Your Lordship's
Despatch of the 25th October last No. 128 on the 9th Instant,
by the Ship Patience, in which Your Lordship requires that I
should furnish you with a more explicit Explanation of the
Circumstances which led to the proceedings on the part of this
Government in May last, relative to Mr. Geo. Greig, than in
the Despatch I had the honor to address to Your Lordship on
the 10th May last No. 87 or in the Complainant's own State-
ment to Your Lordship under date 1 1th of that Month. Your
Lordship will, I trust, ere this have received a Despatch from
me on this subject under date 5th December last, which will I
hope supply the greater part of the Information Your Lordship
requires on this Head.
I have to inform Your Lordship that Mr. Geo. Greig is
correct in the answer He states to have received from this
Government under date 14th August 1823; but He is not
correct in stating that he received no Answer to his further
Application in the December following. He presented the
Paper, of which the Enclosure A is the Original, and he was
informed that under the Conditions he had given in, signed by
himself, and herewith transmitted, that he was permitted to
publish.
Upon a reference to the Official Documents in the Colonial
Secretary's Office it appears by some Omission (unknown to
Records of the Cape Colony. 147
me and for which I am at a Loss to account) that my Directions
on this Head were not communicated to Mr. George Greig in
writing, and he has artfully availed himself of this Omission
to assert a base Untruth, of which his own Letter of the 2nd
January relative to the payment of One Rixdollar as a Stamp
duty on each Advertisement, and Mr. Brink's Official Letter
of the 28th January, notifying my acquiescence in a Diminution
of the charge of Postage for his Weekly Publication and his
notification thereof in the 5th number of his Advertiser convey
ample Proof. Vide Annexures B, C, and D.
Mr. Greig cannot, will not I am sure, dare to deny that He
waited upon me to thank me for my acquiescence in his
request to publish under the Conditions he had presented to
me, and that he received from my own Lips on that occasion
an authority to put my name down as a Subscriber to his
Paper. He also wrote to me on the 17th Jany. to solicit in
consequence of my having become a Subscriber that he might
use my name at the Head of the leading Article of his Paper,
signifying that it was edited under my Patronage to which I
gave the Answer contained in Enclosure E.
I have to observe to Your Lordship that the Order for Mr.
Geo. Greig to quit the Colony within a given period was
rescinded long previous to the expiration of that time, and
that his allegation of having suffered Loss by Sums expended
upon Printing Presses and Materials is untrue ; the Materials
having been purchased from him by the Government at a
Valuation to which he unreservedly assented, as Your Lordship
will perceive by the Enclosures F, G, and H, and the press
being the property of the London Missionary Society, as
asserted by Dr. John Philip after the departure of Mr. Geo.
Greig for Europe. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Enclosure A in the above.]
Prospectus of the " South African Commercial Advertiser."
The " South African Commercial Advertiser " is intended
chiefly for the use and accommodation of persons connected
with Trade and Merchandize. Its columns will be open for
L 2
148 Records of the Cape Colony.
Advertisements, at a reasonable charge, in the English and
Dutch languages, announcing Sales, Arrivals of Goods, and
such ooher Matters as the Merchant or Retail Dealer may wish
*° Siake known : Also, Rates of Exchange : — Arrivals and
departures of Vessels : — State of the Market : — and any infor-
mation that may tend to the advancement of Trade and Com-
merce, the Improvement of Agriculture, or the elucidation of
Science.
A small Portion of the " South African Commercial
Advertiser," will be appropriated to Original Miscellaneous
Matter ; in which will be discussed subjects at once interesting
and amusing ; — occasional Extracts will be made from English
Payers, and other Literary Productions ; an offering to the
Muses, or an inoffensive Point of Humour, may find room in
its columns : — and, while we shall be happy to receive Com-
munications from intelligent Correspondents, the " South
African Commercial Advertiser," will ever most rigidly
exclude all Personal Controversy, however disguised, or the
remotest discussion of Subjects relating to the Policy or
Administration of the Colonial Government.
As we are desirous of obtaining the earliest information
tending to improvements in Agriculture, we shall be happy to
receive communications from persons acquainted with this
Branch of Science.
In submitting to the Public a Prospectus of the " South
African Commercial Advertiser," we are aware of the
difficulties that must, in its onset, attend an Enterprise of this
nature. Our promises, therefore, respecting Literature,
must be, for the present, limited. To those, whose talents
have hitherto lain dormant for want of an opportunity of
exerting them, a facility is now offered, which we hope will
develope Genius, and raise the Literary reputation of the
Colony ; and, as a free diffusion of knowledge is the grand
means of giving a tone to Society, by elevating its Morals,
and promoting a taste for Literature, we look to the more
enlightened part of the community ; — in the confident hope
that they will not allow this, the first attempt to establish a
medium of general communication in a British Colony, to fail
for want of that support which the well informed, the intelligent,
and the patriotic, are alone able to afford.
Records of the Cape Colony. 149
The " South African Commercial Advertiser " will be
published on Wednesday Afternoon, and Advertisements
received till the Tuesday Morning preceding publication.
Communications to be addressed to the Editor, ' South
African Commercial Advertiser Office," No. 30 Long-
market Street — if from the Country, Post Paid.
Terms of Subscription — 4 Rds. per Quarter ; or a single
Number, 3 Sks. Subscriptions to be paid in advance.
Jan. 1 1824.
G. Greig.
[Enclosure B in the above.]
January 2, 1824.
My Lord, — In consequence of a communication from Col.
Bird Colonial Secretary, " that Your Excellency has directed
the imposition of One Rixdollar upon every Advertisement
that may appear in my Paper " thereby legalizing it : I have
to request that Your Excellency will give directions for its
transmission to the Country Districts, in the same manner as
the existing Paper is now transmitted.
As I feel confident Your Excellency will at once see the
propriety and justice of this measure, and as the first Number
will be published on Wednesday next, January 7th, I trust
Your Excellency will allow me to urge an early answer.
I have &c.
(Signed) Geo. Greig.
Lord C. H. Somerset, &c, &c, &c.
[Enclosure C in the above.]
Colonial Office, 28th January 1824.
Sir, — I am directed by His Excellency the Governor to
inform you that he has been pleased to fix the rate of Postage
to be paid for the Paper you have established at One Skilling
for each number sent to the Country districts. I have &c.
(Signed) P. G. Brink.
Mr. G. Greig.
150 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Enclosure D in the above.]
Extract from The South African Commercial Advertiser, dated
Wednesday, February Uh, 1824, No. 5. First Column.
Notice. — In consequence of a representation to His Excel-
lency The Governor, the rate of Postage to the Country
Districts is fixed at One Skilling, as will be seen by the sub-
joined Letter. It is therefore respectfully announced, in
answer to numerous inquiries on this subject, that the price to
those resident out of Cape Town will be 20 Rixdollars per
Annum, (Postage included.) The Proprietor thus, sacrificing
profit to a desire to circulate useful information, hopes this
liberal arrangement will be fully appreciated.
It will be regularly forwarded every Post to, and Subscrip-
tions (in advance) received by Mr. Wrankmore, Stellenbosch ;
Mr. E. Evans, Paarl ; Mr. Dunn, Postmaster, Port Elizabeth ;
Messrs. P. Hough & Co., Uitenhage ; Mr. C. Stone, Graham's
Town ; and such other Agents as may be hereafter named.
[Enclosure E in the above.]
Newlands, 19th January 1824.
Sir, — In reply to your letter of the 17th Instant, I have to
say that in signifying to you my Intention to be a Subscriber
to your Publication, I gave no permission to you to make use
of my name and must particularly request that it may not
appear in Print. I am &c.
(Signed) C. H. Somerset.
Mr. G. Greig.
[Enclosure F in the above,]
Cape Town, July 1th 1824.
Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
Letter of to day, in which you inform me, that His Excellency
the Governor will consent only to the nomination of Messrs.
Johnstone and Mollet, to set a valuation upon my Printing
Materials.
I beg to state, in answer, that under these circumstances,
I am willing to abide by their decision.
Records of the Cape Colony. 151
It will be necessary that the seals of the Room be broken.
In making an arrangement for this purpose, and also in ad-
ministering the Oath to the appraisers, I have to request as
much dispatch as is practicable, being on the eve of sailing
for England. I have &c.
(Signed) G. Greig.
P. G. Brink, Esqre., Acting Colonial Secretary.
[Enclosure G in the above.]
I hereby acknowledge to have received from P. G. Brink
Esqre. Acting Chief Secretary to the Colonial Government the
Sum of £ Stg. 848 13. 11 J, at the rate of Rds. 14. 6. 1 per £
Sterling, Rds. 12,535 7 3., being the value of the Printing
Implements, according to the appraisement made by Messrs.
Mollet and Johnstone, which I have surrendered in favor of
Government.
Cape Town, 9th July 1824.
(Signed) George Greig.
[Enclosure H in the above.]
Valuation of the Printing Materials in the Printing Office of
Mr. George Greig, No. 30 Longmarket Street, Cape Town.
[The items are so numerous as to cover ten pages of foolscap,
and need not be given here. The total amount is £647 17s. 3d.
cost price, and £200 16s. 8|c?. charges and expenses of different
kinds, making £848 13s. Hid. in all.]
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. Abraham Borradaile to R. Wilmot
Horton, Esqre.
Fen church Street, 12th March 1826.
Sir, — I have the honour to enclose a Copy of a memorial
from the Committee of Merchants and others trading to the
Cape of Good Hope, which was submitted to the Right Hon'ble
the Chancellor of the Exchequer last week, and to request you
152 Records of the Cape Colony.
will take an early opportunity of laying this document before
the Right Hon'ble Earl Bathurst, soliciting his Lordship's
favourable consideration of the subject, and requesting per-
mission for a Deputation to wait on his Lordship for the
purpose of giving any further explanation which may be re-
quired regarding a measure which if persevered in, will be
productive of incalculable misery and ruin to the Colony.
I have &c.
(Signed) Abraham Borradaile.
[Original.]
Letter from the Reverend William Geary to Earl Bathurst.
26^King Street, Westminster, \2th March 1825.
My Lord, — Apprized by Mr. Wilmot Horton that your
Lordship had instructed him to interrogate me on points
connected with my Letter of the 7th Inst., I most humbly
request that your Lordship will deign to accept my sincerest
and deep felt regret that in my forgetfulness of the more
important business that demanded your attention, I should be
guilty of doing such injustice to your Lordship's disposition
and feelings as to apprehend that I should be condemned
unheard, and that every document in exculpation of my
conduct, would be met with silence and neglect.
Could your Lordship witness my present situation and per-
turbation of mind, excited on viewing myself, a wife, and 3
children, with the early prospect of a 4th, reduced at once
from a state of Independence to that of absolute Penury and
Want, with nothing but famine and imprisonment staring me
in the face, oppressed too by the Stigma which my late and
sudden removal fixes on my character, I am confident that
your Lordship's sympathy and candour would readily induce
you to excuse and forgive any expression of feeling into which
I was inadvertently betrayed in my hasty, but by no means
intentionally disrespectful address to your Lordship. But, my
Lord, until this imputation on my character is removed, my
mind can have no peace, my future usefulness will be pre-
Records of the Cape Colony. 153
vented, and I must abandon the few but highly respectful
clerical connexions which I deemed it once my privilege and
happiness to have formed. Under such circumstances, My
Lord, I felt myself reduced to the alternative of vindicating
my character at every hazard, and of attempting to preserve
that reputation I have hitherto enjoyed, and am unconscious
that I have ever forfeited. Allow me to add, My Lord, that
nothing is more repugnant to my natural habits than to
obtrude myself on the notice of the public, or to intermeddle
with affairs of a political nature. I therefore beg, My Lord,
and earnestly hope that nothing which may have escaped my
pen in a moment of acute feeling will induce your Lordship to
retract your determination of affording me an opportunity of
exculpating my conduct before you, in the humble conviction
that such an explanation will have the effect of restoring me
to your Lordship's good opinion. I have &c.
(Signed) Wm. Geary.
[Original.]
Note from the Reverend Wm. Geary to R. Wilmot
HORTON, ESQRE.
26 King Street, Westminster, \2th March 1825.
Mr. Geary presents his Compliments to Mr. R. Wilmot
Horton, and with reference to his Letter of yesterday evening,
whose receipt Mr. G. has the honor to acknowledge, solicits
the favor of a short interview, promising Mr. R. Wilmot Horton
that the utmost intrusion upon his time shall not exceed a few
minutes.
154 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. Bishop Burnett to R. Wilmot
HORTON, ESQRE.
6 Duke Street, Westminster, 12th March 1825.
Sir, — Your letter appointing to receive me yesterday (the
1 1th) at one o'Clock was not delivered at my lodgings till past
six of the same day. I await the intimation of your further
pleasure. I am Sir &c.
(Signed) B. Burnett.
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. Bishop Burnett to Robert Wilmot
HORTON, ESQRE.
r 6 Duke Street, Westminster, 12th March 1825.
Sir, — Having received no acknowledgment of a Letter I
addressed to you from the Cape of Good Hope, dated 12th
August 1823, I beg leave to enclose you a copy of it, with a
continuation of my history in the Colony from that period,
and sundry documents the narrative refers to.
These I have to request you will be so obliging as to bring
forthwith under the consideration of Earl Bathurst. I am &c.
(Signed) B. Burnett.
[Enclosure No. 1.]
See Volume XVI, Page 182.
[Enclosure No. 2.]
I shall now take up my statement from the period of my
last communication to the Colonial Department, 12th August
1823, premising that from facts developed by myself I am
strictly justified in a suspicion that that communication,
although sent in triplicate, has been suppressed by the colonial
government. What I have established by incontrovertible
Records of the Cape Colony. 155
facts at the Cape, I need have no scruple in promulgating at
home ; I therefore charge the colonial government with
invading the privacy of correspondence, and intercepting
communications between the colony and the mother country,
through the medium of the post, and I am prepared to prove
my charge.
My condition at length becoming absolutely insupportable,
about the period of writing to Mr. Wilmot I determined to
bring matters to issue by laying my cause before the next
commission of circuit, in a legal form, and I accordingly gave
the proper authority instructions to commence actions forth-
with against Robert Hart, his Excellency's confidential steward
at the Somerset farm, and Mr. Van der Riet, the sequestrator.
To explain the grounds of this proceeding I must recapitulate
some circumstances more fully than they are disclosed in my
letter to Mr. Wilmot.
The farm therein alluded to was the property of this Hart,
and hired by me on lease for three years, renewable, at my
option for three years more, giving me the right of purchase
for a sum specified, during any part of the whole period. That
it was my intention to make good the purchase will be at once
manifest, when I state the fact of my having sunk twenty
thousand rixdollars upon it during the first year of my occu-
pancy, and that Mr. Hart's action against me for the recovery
of nine hundred rixdollars (from whence all the legal persecu-
tions I have endured has emanated) could be the result only
of the basest cupidity, must be equally apparent from the
same circumstance, because no man actuated by principles of
common honesty, or regard for public opinion, would think
for a moment of persecuting such a tenant as I had proved ; •
the truth is, that superadded to much personal hostility, there
was an irresistible temptation in the chance of appropriating
to himself the fruits of my capital and industry, which the
known dislike of the government to me rendered far from
improbable, and he well knew, also, that to annoy me in any
way was a sure passport to that government's favour. It is
scarcely necessary to say that this conduct was universally
decried ; every person exclaimed against it as equally cruel
and unprincipled.
All that 1 know of his proceedings in this affair was, that
156 Records of the Cape Colony.
a messenger left, at different periods, three Dutch papers at
my house without translations, purporting to be summons to
Cape Town, until the landdrost sent for me to propound what
he called a sentence, in favour of Robert Hart for nine hundred
rixdollars. It was then explained to me that unless the
money was immediately paid, or property sufficient to cover
this amount was placed in the hands of the sequestrator's
agent, that I should be declared insolvent, and my estate would
be brought to sale. I objected to this, the excessive harshness
and severity of such a proceeding, and also, that as the whole
of my property was mortgaged to the firm of Ebden & Eaton
for a considerable claim that house had upon me, there was no
property to offer, but that I had a claim upon the commissariat
for grass supplied the Cape Corps, which would more than
cover the amount, and this I formally tendered ; Mr. Rivers,
the landdrost, without assigning any reason, peremptorily
declined receiving this claim in payment, and refused even to
allow a .protest I drew up on the occasion to be deposited with
the proceedings : to avoid any future digression, it will be
best to explain here that the mortgage to Messrs. Ebden &
Eaton was given at the suggestion of a number of persons,
some of them government functionaries, and at the express
wish of Mr. Eaton, solely to defeat the manifestly projected
rascality of this Hart.
In the course of a post from this interview with the landdrost,
I was gazetted in the newspaper as insolvent, and my estate
advertised for sale within the customary term. I discharged
all my people in consequence, declined a very profitable
contract I was about undertaking, broke up my establishment
altogether, and began to take measures for my return to
England ; on the day however preceding the sale, it was sus-
pended by public notice, and an intimation to this effect was
dispatched to me by the landdrost ; struck with astonishment
at a proceeding so arbitrary and irregular, one of equal injustice
and cruelty to all parties concerned, I went immediately to the
district secretary to have it explained ; from him I learnt that
Mr. Eaton had undertaken to discharge any claims existing
against me, and that I was free to proceed in my own affairs
as I had hitherto done. I could have no reason to feel other
than the most perfect satisfaction with this official assurance,
\
Records of the Cape Colony. 157
and accordingly I resumed my occupation with my usual
enterprize and spirit.
The suspension however of my operations, and the loss of
the contract, was attended with a serious loss ; this, in strict
equity, should have been made good by the government,
because, as there was no manner of truth in the secretary's
account of Mr. Eaton's interposition, the sale had been stopped
by its own arbitrary act. The publication of my insolvency
was either legal or illegal : if legal, it was unjust to retard the
sale ; if illegal, scarcely any recompence could be an equivalent
for the injury I had sustained. Nevertheless, as all I wanted
was to be left in the peaceable enjoyment of my property, and
to be protected against this scandalous attempt at robbery, I
bore patiently with these losses, and only sought, at the hands
of the government, the revocation of the advertisement by
which I had been illegally declared insolvent.
On the day the second year's rent of the farm became due,
Mr. Hart applied for it, not in the ordinary way, but through
the medium of a messenger of the Court, who called upon me
late in the day at a tradesman's in Graham's Town. It was
not likely I should have six hundred dollars in my pocket
from home, or that I should pay such a sum to a person not
legally authorized to receive it, far from sober when he applied
for it, and that at twilight in the evening ; but as the appli-
cation had been made through an official channel, I repaired
on the following day to the secretary and formally tendered
it ; the secretary declined to receive it, and referred me to
Mr. Hart's general agent in Graham's Town ; the agent like-
wise refused it, so that I had no alternative but to await Mr.
Hart's arrival in Graham's Town.
In less than a month from this period, and before any
opportunity offered for discharging the rent, I was served
with a notice from Hart, sanctioned by the landdrost, to give
up possession of the farm within the ensuing twenty-four
hours, and a formal intimation from the latter, that two
impartial persons would be forthwith sent to assess the value
of such improvements as I had made upon it ; I immediately
sent a protest to the landdrost against these proceedings, and
of sufficient efficacy to prevent any attempt at the threatened
ejectment, though the assessment took place.
158 Records of the Cape Colony.
The conduct of this assessment was such a burlesque upon
consistency that its audacity absolutely staggered the public.
The two impartial persons, chosen in a district mainly English,
were two Dutch boors, both incapable of appreciating the
style of improvement I had effected ; and either of whom, in
the purchase of an estate, would not have allowed a single
stiver for an erection upon it equal to the land or mansion-
house ! They were, moreover, Hart's particular friends ; had
had extensive dealings with him, were under considerable
obligations to him, and in a word, were wholly in his power.
This is, however, so trifling an instance of the oppression I
have experienced, that I should scarcely think it important
enough for the trouble of relation, but that it serves to illustrate
the invariable practice at the Cape, where every subject's
property is at the mercy of the local authorities, and, conse-
quently, at the government's. My expenditure exclusively
upon the farm at this period was upwards of twenty-three
thousand dollars. The improvements were assessed at thirteen
hundred.
Whether owing to the remonstrances I made on this occasion,
or to any compunction in the government, I cannot pretend
to say, but no further measures were pursued until the arrival
of the ensuing commission of circuit, when Mr. Hart brought
his action of ejectment against me, founded on my insolvency
as published in the Cape Gazette, and the nonpayment of the
last year's rent ; whilst I, on the other hand, instituted pro-
ceedings against him for the illegal attempts he had already
made to eject me, and for the recovery of damages thereon.
I have been particular in relating all the foregoing circum-
stances, because they are indispensable to a clear developement
of the iniquitous treatment I have experienced ; and I earnestly
claim attention to the proceedings of this commission of circuit,
so decisive as they were of the charge I have advanced.
The commissioners on this occasion were Messrs. Buissinne
and Bentinck ; Mr. Hart's action was first called, when to his
utter astonishment he was told by the court that it could not
be maintained ; that I was not insolvent ; that the publication
alluded to originated in mistake ; that I was, consequently, as
free to act in my own concerns as any other person ; that as
his interruption of my proceedings on the farm had occasioned
Records of the Cape Colony. 159
it to lie unproductive on my hands, he had no right in equity
to demand rent ; and in answer to his application, that I
should be compelled to restore the title deeds, he was informed
that as they were to all intents and purposes my property till
the expiration of the six years, it could not be complied with.
On the other hand, my action against Hart was declared to be
good, although untenable in its present form from the omission
of Mr. Van der Riet's name, who, as equally culpable, I should
have joined with Mr. Hart in my suit for the recovery of
damages.
What, may I be permitted to ask, could be more conclusive
than these public declarations of the commission ? It was
here announced in open court that I was not insolvent ; that
the publication had arisen from mistake ; in addition to which,
if confirmation had been wanting, I maintained an action at
^e same sessions against a tenant of my own, and cast him.
ould it be even conjectured that two judges of the worshipful
court would pronounce a decision liable to be rescinded by
any but a superior tribunal, or run the remotest risk of leading
me into measures involving no less a consequence than that if
I was a bankrupt, every day of my life I became a fraudulent
3ne ! The payment of a bill, pay the purchase of food for my
family, would become, under such circumstances, acts of
delinquency by the laws of the colony.
The twelve months intervening between this and the ensuing
sommission of circuit were marked with the same spirit of
persecution as the former. Fresh attempts were made to
3Ject me from the farm. I received summons after summons
bo Cape Town, there to answer fresh proceedings against me on
>he part of Hart ; and when I had made preparations for this
'ormidable journey at a considerable expense, it was intimated
o me that the whole mass of dispute between Hart and myself
'as finally referred for legal decision to the commissioners of
ircuit, about proceeding to the frontier.
With the conduct of the last commission in review, and
bsolutely exhausted with anxiety and suspense, I hailed the
vproach of these commissioners with inconceivable pleasure,
tisfied that even if deficient in that manly independence and
partiality so characteristic of Messrs. Bentinck and Buissinne
ey would scarcely dare, in violation of all consistency and
Il60 Records of the Cape Colony.
uniformity of proceeding, to manifest themselves the tools of
the government in the very teeth of the Commissioners of
Inquiry, who had recently arrived at the Cape. In what
degree these hopes were realized I now resume the course of
my narrative to disclose.
The actions I gave instructions to bring against Hart, and
the sequestrator, were two, on the grounds already stated.
These were divided and subdivided by the district clerk into
five, and again as capriciously amalgamated by the court into
three, so that with the nature of their separate or individual
merits I am utterly unacquainted ; the aggregate amount of
damages laid was thirty thousand rixdollars. Mr. Hart also
brought his action against me, which by the same species of
amplification was multiplied into four.
It will be here necessary to point out that as the very basis
of all this litigation was the publication of my insolvency in
the Cape Gazette, the merits of every action resting entirely on
the simple question, Was that publication legal or illegal ? all
matters in dispute between us merging in the issue of this one
question, it was obviously the duty of the court to give my
action against Mr. Van der Riet, the sequestrator, the first
hearing ; indeed with any regard to justice it was their only
course, because the issue of this cause would inevitably settle
the point, and was intended as a preliminary to any of the
suits against Hart ; any other mode was a manifest incon-
gruity, about as absurd as to try a man for high treason on an
assumption of overt acts that never had existence ; but this
extraordinary court of justice thought otherwise ; and to the
utter astonishment of every individual throughout the colony
acquainted with the circumstance, they refused entertaining
this suit altogether, referred it for decision to the full court at
Cape Town, assumed its unfavourable termination for me as a
certain event, and upon this postulate, adjudged all the causes
at issue. The public was absolutely horror-struck at this
monstrous proceeding, so contrary to justice and the universal
expectation ; the very secretary to the commission ejaculated
his surprise, and recommended me to appeal. Several other
functionaries confessed equal astonishment ; one of the
heemraads, notoriously servile to the government, and a man
of singular reserve in his conversation, admitted to me in con-
Records of the Cape Colony. 161
fidence that the whole affair was, without exception, the most
flagrant instance of venality, prostitution and execrable injus-
tice that ever came beneath his observation ; and that no
doubt could exist but that I had been tried by the government
at Cape Town, and that these men were mere vehicles of its
pleasure ; while Mr. Hart himself gave currency to this opinion
by publicly boasting that in answer to a letter he wrote the
Governor, his Excellency had expressed himself in terms very
favourable to him ; that he had sent to Sir John Truter, the
chief justice, had given him instructions on the subject, and
that on the arrival of the commissioners of circuit he should be
put in possession of the farm.
I should be very sorry to encounter my Lord Bathurst's
further reprehension for want of temperance in my language,
but matters have come to too terrible an extremity for me to
temporise. God knows there has been no moderation in the
treatment I have experienced ; and it is not because Messrs.
Borcherds and Truter, or Lord Charles Somerset, are cloathed
with power that I am to submit to their iniquitous oppression
without complaint, or an appropriate use of terms in the
relation of my grievances. I am stating facts known to
thousands, facts that have excited universal disgust and
indignation, and it would be a compromise of integrity to
conceal or qualify them.
In one of the actions brought against me by Hart, the
testimony I adduced in disproval of his charges was so over-
whelming that I left five witnesses uncalled, and the court
could not avoid giving judgment in my favour, but it decided
nevertheless that I should pay the costs ; a decision that
excited an instant burst of indignant laughter in the audience,
and one, I will venture to say, likely to prove incalculably
mischievous in its effects. What greater incitement can be
held forth to vexatious and oppressive litigation than such a
result % A bad neighbour, through the instrumentality of
such men, could at any time crush his victim ; perfectly
indifferent as to the issue, he would have nothing to do but
institute suit after suit, no matter on what pretence, and thus
easily effect his ruin in law charges alone.
The conduct too of these judges, on every occasion connected
with the proceedings before them, was distinguished by the
XX. M
162 Records of the Cape Colony.
grossest partiality. Hart, high in the confidential service of
the Governor, with thousands of the public money constantly
passing through his hands, and possessed of no small share of
local patronage, was surrounded with dependents, whom the
court permitted to become auxiliars to his purpose. Innu-
merable questions to evidence, as insulting to me as they were
irrelevant to the subjects litigated, were publicly written by
these persons in court, and handed over to him in spite of
every remonstrance I could make. One person, to my utter
astonishment, declared that I was not only a bankrupt but a
fraudulent one, in the very teeth of the declarations made by
Messrs. Bentinck and Buissinne at the last commission ; and
the court absolutely ordered the Board of Landdrost and
Heemraaden to make formal inquiry into the merits of this
accusation. Conscious that no action of my life could bear
the imputation of meanness or dishonour, much less of fraud,
I was staggered at this attack, and apprehended some plot for
my destruction, until the grounds of it proved to be not any
specific charge of delinquency, even had I been a bankrupt,
but that I had bought and sold since the publication in the
Gazette. My causes with Mr. Hart, which occupied only a
portion of three separate days, were protracted in their hearing
to eleven, although I resided three miles from Graham's Town,
and was throughout this period so ill as to be scarcely able to
stand, and so hoarse with coughing as to be nearly inaudible.
My only resource now was to appeal from these judgments,
and I certainly took some consolation to myself in the triumph
which awaited me when I should expose them in Cape Town ;
but as I could not by any importunity procure copies of the
recent proceedings, so essential to the prosecution of my appeal,
I thought it necessary to address the Governor at once, to
recount to him the conduct of these judges, and to request,
what surely I was entitled to, that it should be investigated.
I accordingly memorialed him upon the subject.
In the mean time, although appellant in all the actions to
the Court of Appeals, the decisions of the commission of
circuit were immediately acted upon. The farm was forcibly
taken from me at the threat of the Cape Corps bayonets. My
own estate, for which I had refused thirty-two thousand
dollars, was brought to the hammer without regular notice,
Records of the Cape Colony. 163
and with only two bidders present, sold for four thousand six
hundred dollars.
But the determination of the government to persevere in
alienating me from its protection, was visible on every occasion
which brought me before its notice. Just before the arrival
of the commission of circuit we had experienced one of the
heaviest floods ever known in the colony, in which I lost the
whole residue of my property ; a new house I had built on
my own land totally destroyed. The waters rushed in with
such impetuosity that Mrs. Burnett narrowly escaped with
life, with nothing on but her night-clothes ; she was borne
through a sea upon the shoulders of labourers. For three
days, with no access to the town, we had barely food to sustain
life, and no change of clothes. One would have thought that
his Excellency's beneficence might have manifested itself upon
an occasion so powerfully taxing it ; his Excellency, however,
did not even condescend to answer a memorial I sent him on
the subject, in which, after setting forth the deplorable con-
dition we were reduced to, I solicited some temporary relief by
way of loan, but on the contrary ordered His Majesty's fiscal
to commence a prosecution against me forthwith, founded on
my complaint against the commissioners of circuit.
As my claim on the commissariat for grass supplied the
Cape Corps is intimately connected with these judicial pro-
ceedings, I shall here introduce a brief account of the trans-
action. On first taking possession of my land, I found that
this regiment supplied itself from thence with grass and fuel,
without the formality of asking leave, or any apparent con-
sciousness of committing trespass : it became necessary to
check this ; and I accordingly desired the foragers to desist,
with a threat of complaint to their commanding officer should
I find them upon my premises again. This produced a message
from Captain Somerset, that as the troops must have grass,
and there was none other in the neighbourhood, he would
thank me to let the men cut upon my land, and I should be
paid for all that was taken. With a large herd of cattle of my
own, I was particularly solicitous to preserve the grass, but
wishing to be friendly with Captain Somerset, I consented.
The supply was taken exclusively from my land, till Captain
Somerset was about quitting the frontier, when I applied to
M 2
164 Records of the Cape Colony.
him for a certificate of the quantity delivered, as an authority
for its payment by the commissary ; Captain Somerset was at
this time busily engaged attending the sale of his effects, and
could not conveniently give it, but he promised to leave it
with the commissary on the following morning before he left
Graham's Town. I felt so satisfied with this assurance, that
it was late the next day before I went to town, when I dis-
covered, much to my astonishment, that Captain Somerset
had left the frontier without depositing the certificate. I felt
no suspicion of juggle on the occasion, but attributed the
omission to forgetfulness ; and as a Mr. Francis was about
proceeding after him, I dispatched a letter by this gentleman,
reminding him of his promise. He expressed to Mr. Francis
his regret at the neglect he had committed, and promised to
forward me the voucher by the first person of his suite who
should return to Graham's Town, which pledge he also infracted.
All my efforts to obtain payment for the grass proving
fruitless, I summoned the officer commanding the corps before
the commission of circuit at Bathurst, who was ordered to give
me a certificate for what quantity the regiment had taken since
Captain Somerset's departure ; this he stated to be forty-eight
loads, admitting at the same time that even these had been
taken contrary to his positive orders, that neither wood or
forage should be drawn from my land ; and the court referred
me to Captain Somerset for the adjustment of the former claim,
who from that time never answered any application I made to
him on the subject.
When Sir Rufane Donkin paid his second visit to the frontier,
I submitted this grievance to him ; he expressed to me, and also
to Captain Campbell, much indignation at the treatment I had
met, ordered his aid-de-camp to give the D. A. Commissary
General instructions for the immediate liquidation of the claim,
and subsequently sent me a written assurance, through Colonel
Bird, that I should positively be paid. On the arrival of Lord
Charles Somerset I renewed my application, and after a long,
fruitless and evasive negociation, I received the exhibit No. 1.
When Major Somerset reached Graham's Town, I lost no time
in calling his attention to the subject. He told me in the
presence of Mr. Rivers, the landdrost, that the claim should
now be discharged ; that as the accounts which embraced it
Records of the Cape Colony. 165
had been closed more than two years, the commissary could
not now pay it upon his certificate, which otherwise he would
cheerfully give me ; but if I would make oath before the
landdrost of the quantity of grass delivered, he would forward
my attestation to his Excellency by following post, who would
in return transmit him his warrant for the full payment of the
claim with interest, and all this he promised upon his word of
honour.
Repeatedly as I had been deceived by Major Somerset, I
could not permit myself to question his sincerity after a pledge
so solemnly given, and with a confiding frankness, which
merited a different return, I communicated the important
consequence attached to the payment of this money ; that it
established the illegality of the sequestrator's measures, and
all ulterior legal proceedings consequent upon them, and thus
allowed myself to be defeated by my own ingenuousness.
From that hour I heard no more of the grass claim ; and no
doubt exists, but that to shield the sequestrator and the
landdrost, who had refused to receive it in liquidation of
Hart's sentence, the government has not scrupled to make me
the sacrifice, by the commission of as barefaced and disgraceful
a robbery as ever was perpetrated by a burglar or a high-
wayman.
Not to recur again to this claim, I shall here conclude its
history. On my arrival at Cape Town, I renewed my appli-
cation for its settlement to the Governor ; and here, just as I
had anticipated, the obstacle projected was precisely the one
opposed to me at Graham's Town, only converted to the Cape.
As nothing could be done heretofore without communicating
with the commander of the forces, so it became now as necessary
to correspond with the commander of the regiment.
The first intelligence from Major Somerset on the subject,
was a denial of the claim altogether, from the circumstance oi
his finding no vestige of it in the regimental accounts. How
came he, then, twice to promise me a voucher for the liquidation
of a charge which had no existence ? and how came he to
promise upon his honour that his last communications to his
father respecting it, should be of a nature to insure the trans-
mission of his warrant for its payment by return of post,
coupled with an observation (in his own phraseology) that
166 Records of the Cape Colony.
since his return to the frontier he had twice had his knuckles
rapt for not seeing it discharged ? Thus, after three virtual
recognitions of its justice, and the most solemn assurances that
it should be settled, so driven were they for expedients to
defraud me, as to resort to the despicable subterfuge of denying
its existence altogether, from the fact of my confidence in
Major Somerset's honour having induced me to neglect the
precaution of insisting on certificates being given for every
separate load of grass as it was taken from my land ; so that a
compliment to this gentleman's integrity has become at last
the only available weapon in their hands to defraud me of my
right.
But expedients of this sort, founded in trick and falsehood,
are sure to be traversed by an opposition that has truth and
justice for its basis. It fortunately occurred to me that Mr.
Francis was at this time in Cape Town, and to him I applied
for a notarial statement of his delivery of my letter to Major
Somerset, and the answer he received ; and this with my own
notarial declaration also, I lost no time in laying before his
Excellency. I justly argued, that if the point could only be
settled by weight of testimony, surely the attestations of Mr.
Francis and myself, unimpeached in our veracity, would bear
down the single ipse dixit of Major Somerset, who had taken
pains to record himself equal to the utterance of premeditated
deliberate falsehood.
Shortly after I had an interview with his Excellency, in the
presence of his aid-de-camp, Captain Fitzroy, when to my
astonishment his Excellency betrayed the most entire ignorance
on the subject, although the correspondence upon it was
voluminous, and had occupied a period of three years. After
I had stated the case to the Governor, Captain Fitzroy, with
that liberality of mind which I am persuaded is his charac-
teristic, observed in the most handsome manner, that with
submission to his Lordship he thought Mr. Burnett's word of
honour might be allowed to adjust this business without any
further proceeding whatever ; his Lordship, however, thought
proper to dissent from this proposition, observing that the
signature of every officer in the service conveyed a pledge of
equal sanctity with his word of honour, or even his oath, and
that the least he could do would be to consult Major Somerset
Records of the Cape Colony. 167
on the occasion ; to this I objected that Major Somerset could
not consistently deviate from the statement he had already
transmitted, that as it was a matter involving neither inquiry
or research, but resting entirely with his discretion to infract
or fulfil promises repeatedly given, I should consider the case
altogether hopeless, and our discussion of it quite unsatis-
factory, unless his Excellency would be so obliging as to assure
me that the quality of his communication to Major Somerset
should insure me the return of the certificate. His Excellency
smiled at this, and answered, " Well, Mr. Burnett, leave the
case in my hands, and I promise to do the best for you in my
power."
Now I was perfectly satisfied ; I looked upon this virtual
promise of the Governor as tantamount to his order for the
money, not only from a natural reliance upon such authority,
but from my conviction that no doubt had at any period been
entertained of the justice of my claim. To prove this it will be
only necessary to state, that during the course of its investiga-
tion it was made manifest that more than double the number
of loads of grass were taken from my land than I charged for ;
and it was as well known that my conduct towards this regiment
was marked throughout with liberality and forbearance. Fuel
to an enormous value had been taken for which I made no
charge ; my property had been constantly trespassed upon,
my gardens robbed, and my family annoyed by this corps
without retaliation. On one occasion I received the thanks
of the magistracy for my moderation in declining to prosecute
six of the privates whom I had in custody for theft ; and on
another I forbore to proceed against a gang of them who
attempted to assassinate me. Five rapes had been attempted,
and three perpetrated by these miscreants upon settlers' wives,
chiefly upon my premises, which a respect for his Lordship's
feelings prevented my disclosing to the military secretary at
the Horse Guards.
To conclude, Major Somerset's communication was at length
announced to me, which proved a mere echo to the one pre-
ceding it, and the best commentary I can possibly offer upon •
this iniquitous transaction is to add the final result, videlicet :
His Excellency's proposition that I should submit my claim
to the inquiry and adjudication of a board of Cape Corps
168 Records of the Cape Colony.
officers, that is to say, submit an inalienable bona fide right to
the caprice of men smarting under my merited castigation for
conduct disgraceful to them as christians as well as soldiers.
It is barely necessary to add that I spurned this proposal
as became me, merely intimating to his Excellency, through
the medium of his aid-de-camp, that as I found it impossible
to obtain justice at the Cape, I should cease to struggle for it
farther, but look alone to a quarter from whence it had ever
flown freely and unpolluted, His Royal Highness the Com-
mander-in-Chief .
Soon after the justiciary sittings had closed in Graham's
Town, the Commissioners of Inquiry arrived, and I laid my
case before them, but I decline making any allusion to these
gentlemen, both from my ignorance of any steps they took in
my particular, and the inviolable secrecy which I think should
accompany any knowledge or conjecture of their proceedings.
The colonists no doubt look steadfastly as they do anxiously
to the result of their inquiries, with that reliance which talents
and integrity must at all times insure.
In obedience to the fiscal's citation I now proceeded with
my family to Cape Town, where I arrived in the month of
April last. The day of my trial had been protracted two
months at my own request, and now on my representing to
the court that it would be impossible for me to prepare my
defence without copies of the recent causes in Graham's Town,
these papers were ordered me, and the trial was postponed
two months longer.
During this interval a circumstance of the most extraordinary
kind occurred. A paper was said to have been found pasted
on a post in one of the most public parts of the town, accusing
the Governor of having committed the most execrable of all
offences with the physician to his household, and a proclamation
immediately appeared offering a reward for the discovery of
the publisher. Universally unpopular as his Lordship was,
this unmanly attack excited general disgust and indignation.
The merchants and public functionaries took the matter up
with great spirit, and increased the reward to something above
twenty thousand rixdollars. It was at this juncture that,
while walking with a friend on the parade, I was summoned
home by a servant with intelligence that the house where I
Records of the Cape Colony. 1G9
•
lived was beset by officers of justice and myself inquired for ;
I repaired thither on the instant and was received in the hall by
His Majesty's fiscal, and a member of the Court of Justice,
attended by the secretary, who announced their errand by
showing me his Excellency's warrant for the seizure of my
papers to search for a copy of this infamous placard. It is
impossible to express the indignation I felt at this proceeding,
that his Excellency actually suspected me of having any
participation in this business I felt assured was not the case,
and the conduct of the gentlemen delegated to perform so
revolting a duty very soon convinced me that they also thought
me incapable of it, but it required no great depth of penetration
to reconcile this or any other despotic measure with his Excel-
lency's invariable policy. As a persecuted individual who had
manfully opposed every attempt to crush me, I stood high in
public regard, and it was especially piquant to his Lordship to
abate that regard by circulating a probability of my being
implicated in this transaction. I extracted however some
satisfaction from the surprise with which I was taken. I had
manifestly no time for preparation or the secretion of any
paper, so that after the search my innocence would not only
be established in point of form but in essence also. I therefore
conducted these gentlemen to my room, the door of which
from their first arrival had been strictly guarded by police
officers, and delivered to them the key.
As many sheets of my defence, with a list of questions to
evidence in the pending trial were lying on the table, which
would unavoidably fall under the fiscal's inspection, I cannot
avoid pointing out the invidiousness of selecting this gentleman
to effect the search of my papers, while a search was simul-
taneously going on at Mr. Greig's the printer, by the deputy
fiscal, against whom this objection could not lie, as he had
nothing to do with the conduct of the prosecution against me,
but so it is at the Cape.
After the search, which was conducted throughout with the
most scrupulous delicacy, and every manifestation of feeling
and reluctance, these gentlemen acquitted me of having any
improper papers in my possession and took their departure.
As originating in this affair of the supposed placard, an insult
so gross in all its bearings had been passed upon me, I
170 Records of the Cape Colony.
feel myself entitled to express an opinion upon the subject,
especially as that opinion is now the pious belief of the whole
community at the Cape. The placard then in question was
beyond all doubt written and affixed by Oliver the spy, in
conjunction with another miscreant, (whose name it would at
present be injudicious to disclose) and torn down the moment
it had obtained sufficient publicity for their nefarious purpose.
I am prepared to enlarge most satisfactorily upon the subject
should it at any time become expedient. This opinion I had
no scruple in disclosing before the court and the public on my
trial for the libel, and this most dreadful of all the human
species is well aware that I am ready to stand forth his accuser
at any time.
As this seizure of my papers was professedly in consequence
of private information received by the government, I now
applied to the fiscal to give me up the name of the informer
that I might prosecute him criminally. This gentleman
assured me that my request should be complied with the
moment the investigation then in progress was closed, and
his Excellency in person made me a similar promise. Nothing
however of the kind was ever fulfilled, and this imputation
upon my character remains till now unpunished.
My trial for the libel upon Messrs. Borcherds and Truter
next took place, not only in direct opposition to the wishes of
those persons, but against the better judgment of the fiscal
himself, who confessed to three different gentlemen on separate
occasions that there was no existing law in the colony on
which I could with any propriety be tried, and in short that
he had not a leg to stand upon. It was my intention to have
made a very elaborate defence, and to have disclosed in it a
history of the persecution I had sustained, but as this was
impossible without inculpating the Governor and his son to a
very considerable extent, and as a sample of the consequences
accruing from such a course was then but too manifest in the
case of a Mr. Edwards, who had just been adjudged to seven
years transportation for writing a letter to his Excellency, I
declined making any defence whatever. The document No. 2
is my answer to a two hours speech of the fiscal, rendered to
me in court by the sworn translator in as many minutes, a
circumstance I only mention as accounting for the paucity of
Records of the Cape Colony. 171
my arguments against a speech which I perceive, now I have
a copy of it, should have been more amply discussed.
The result of this trial was, my banishment from the colony
for five years, with imprisonment till the period of embarkation.
Against the latter part of the sentence I appealed to the full
court, my trial having taken place before two of its commis-
sioners only, when the court, after a protraction over the long
vacation, thought proper to reject the appeal and confirm the
original sentence. Before the appeal came on, I met the fiscal
by accident in one of the court lobbies ; we had some conver-
sation together, and sauntered without any apparent design
into his office. By some neglect of my notary in serving the
fiscal's summons I had forfeited my right to appeal, and was
then entirely at his mercy ; he apprised me of this omission,
and inquired what course I meant to pursue ? I told him, in
consideration of my ignorance of legal forms, and the fault
having originated with the notary, the court would doubtless,
on my applying to it, purge the default and entertain the
appeal. He strongly recommended me not to make any
application at all to the court, with an assurance that it was
not his intention to imprison me, provided I was sincere in
my determination to carry the sentence into effect, and quit
the colony by the first convenient opportunity. I very readily
pledged myself to this, and observed that I should at once
adopt his suggestion, provided he would give me such assurance
in writing, otherwise, without at all distrusting his sincerity,
I might, on the first whim of his Excellency, find myself nolens
volens in the tronk. He stated, in reply, that if I would see
him an hour hence, in all probability he should be able to
comply with my wishes. At once perceiving his drift from
this speech, and that it was a renewed attempt to induce an
application from me to his Excellency for grace, I answered
him emphatically — " Mr. Denyssen, I would have no manner
of objection to lay myself under an obligation to you, and be
proud to acknowledge it everywhere ; but if you think I would
receive any thing as a boon at the hands of Lord Charles
Somerset, the Governor of this colony, you are indeed mistaken
nay, if the only morsel of bread with which I could sustain life
was to be the gift of a man who has so remorselessly persecuted
me, and whom I do thoroughly despise, believe me, I would
172 Records of the Cape Colony.
reject it and die." I therefore applied to the court, the appeal
was allowed, but the hearing was postponed over the vacation,
evidently to give me an opportunity of quitting the colony in
the interval.
No expedient for getting rid of a person obnoxious to his
Excellency could be more simple in its conduct than that of
banishing him for five years, through the medium of a court of
justice so constituted as to render any opposition to his wishes
a contingence next to impossible. I do not mean this as a
reflection upon the court, because the most abject obedience
to the will of the Governor is an unavoidable condition of its
tenure, and no man can be expected to innovate upon prece-
dents of a century standing, at the price of his daily bread,
however he may be under the discipline of his conscience. The
Dutch morale too, in this respect, varies materially from the
English ; and as the court is formed entirely of that people,
not remarkably profound in jurisprudence, with the exception
of one Englishmen retired from the commissariat, they may
safely do as their forefathers have done before them without
much imputation of blame. It is true, an Englishman accus-
tomed to independent, learned, upright judges, and honest
juries, is apt to get a little indignant upon such occasions ;
but as the colony is, to all intents and purposes, virtually
Dutch, we may, possibly, have no right to complain. Be this
as it may, it is an hypothesis which cannot extend to England.
Great Britain is not one of Lord Charles Somerset's depen-
dencies, fortunately for humanity, and I do not permit myself
to doubt for a moment that His Majesty's Government will
redress those wrongs inflicted in a quarter where the most
flagitious injustice prevails without remedy or resource.
I must here observe, and what, by the way, will readily
account for the persecution I have suffered, that for the last
three years the colonial government has attributed to my
insignificant pen all the libels and trash with which the colony
has been inundated ; lampoons, satires of attic wit, insipid,
illiterate placards, or unintelligible doggerels, all have been
indiscriminately foisted upon me ; and so confirmed is this
suspicion, that the fiscal, on the hearing of my appeal, made it
an argument for my committal to prison, that several placards
had recently made their appearance. Whether this originated
Records of the Cape Colony. 173
in my having strung together a few couplets, on reading a very
inflated account of the rivers in South Africa, and which was
said to be personal on Mr. Rivers the landdrost, I cannot
pretend to say ; but I can protest most solemnly that this
suspicion is without the slightest foundation, and that I have
neither lampooned, satirized, or attacked the government in
any way.
I now occupied myself in preparations for quitting the
colony, and was still in the enjoyment of my liberty, although
the original sentence of imprisonment was confirmed ; but
while busied in getting ready for my departure, which was to
take place the following week, I was again subjected to the
tyrannic measures of his Excellency. The fiscal, accompanied
by his deputy, a member of the court of justice, and the secre-
tary, once more invaded my dwelling with a warrant from the
Governor to seize my papers, on suspicion of my having libelled
his Excellency. As I knew these gentlemen must perform
their duty, I opposed nothing to the discharge of it, but con-
tented myself with protesting in very strong terms against the
continuance of such intolerable persecution. My papers were
all examined, and nothing found, with the exception of the
little poem upon the rivers, (see Document No. 3.) A con-
siderable ferment was excited by this scandalous proceeding.
A general alarm prevailed as to whose house would be beset
next ; inquiries poured in upon me from every quarter, and I
was not left without very consoling assurances upon the
occasion. The motives for this fresh outrage were developed
on the instant, and universally stated to be his Excellency's
apprehension of my return to England, and that the ceremony
of seizing my papers was only to colour some plot in perfor-
mance for sending me, under a sentence of the Court of Justice,
a very different voyage to the one I was preparing for.
Nothing further transpired during the remainder of the day ;
but early on the following morning intelligence was sent me
that my papers would be forthwith seized altogether, and that
a warrant was then preparing for my committal to the tronk.
I lost no time in availing myself of this information, not with
the remotest intention of evading any proceedings the govern-
ment might meditate against me, but merely to avoid im-
prisonment for the few days which I knew must intervene
174 Records of the Cape Colony.
before the court of justice assembled. It was now Friday,
and Monday was the day appointed for its convention. My
first step was effectually to secure my papers ; I then walked
leisurely to a friend's house in the suburbs, where I proposed
remaining till the Monday, and then surrendering myself in
court. I had scarcely been housed an hour before word was
brought that the fiscal with his posse had again searched the
house for my papers, and that I was summoned to appear
immediately before him. Nothing during these proceedings
could equal the anxiety manifested by all classes for my safety.
" I hope he is not taken," and a hundred other ejaculations of
the sort were heard at every turn, while repeated offers of
service and assistance were sent me from every direction. I
think I may venture to say, that I entertained infinitely less
apprehension from these measures than any one of my friends
in the colony.
I had scarcely received this information, before the sheriff
and a large body of police were seen approaching the house ;
and, upon the spur of the occasion, I was compelled to conceal
myself beneath a bedstead. The worthy family which had
sheltered me felt the most lively concern for my safety ; and,
by the adroit answers which were given to the sheriff's in-
quiries, an apprehended search of the premises was prevented ;
but the house was left beset with police officers, more than
thirty of whom kept their station around it during the night,
the greater part of which I lay concealed on the roof of a hen-
house, partially hidden by its parapet. I had in the evening
dispatched a friend to the fiscal, with a note expressive of my
readiness to surrender to any decent messenger he pleased to
send ; but my friend choosing first to consult some gentlemen
as to the propriety of this measure, very speedily returned to
me with their positive interdiction of the step contemplated,
and assurances that in the universal opinion of the town, his
Excellency entertained so much dread of my return to England,
as to render my transportation to New South Wales, if taken,
a matter of absolute certainty ; that I had specimens enough
of what reliance innocence or a good cause could place in the
court of justice, and that as Oliver the spy was known to be
actively engaged in the business, some plot was to a certainty
in agitation, which might have for its object not only to
Records of the Cape Colony. 175
deprive me of liberty but of life. I was cautioned, if taken,
to eat nothing in the tronk until the arrival of friends to
administer to my wants, and to hold myself in readiness to
follow up a plan then maturing for my escape.
Strong as these arguments were, I still felt a considerable
reluctance to continue my concealment, conscious that the
charge against me, whatever it might prove, was utterly des-
titute of any foundation in truth. I thought it a compromise
of rectitude to assume for a moment, even under such appalling
circumstances, the semblance of guilt ; but when, on the other
hand, I reflected on the vindictive pitiless character of the
Governor, with whom to be suspected was to be convicted,
and that the court of justice, with whatever reluctance, would
inevitably decree as he might be pleased to dictate, I decided
to follow the advice of my friends.
The night passed in the utmost state of solicitude and
apprehension, for such was the vigilance of the police that
escape was rendered impossible ; the premises were completely
circumvallated by thief -takers in every variety of disguise, so
that I was hermetically sealed. The following day was passed
much in the same way, till at length a plan was concerted
which bade fair to be attended with success.
It was ascertained that a search-warrant would to a certainty
be issued on the Monday morning, so that no time was to be
lost. Accordingly, on Sunday evening, a little before gun-fire,
Mrs. Burnett, disguised as a Malay slave, came to the house
through a whole phalanx of the police, carrying in her hand a
large lanthorn, according to the Cape custom, and conducting
a gentleman and lady. I lost not a moment in assuming her
disguise, and boldly sallied forth, re-conducting the same lady
and gentleman into the town. So admirably was this plan
concerted, that not the slightest suspicion was entertained by
any of the officers, all of whom saw me depart, and some of
whom passed within a few yards of my person. In short I
made my escape, got safe to the house of one merchant, where
I put on a fresh disguise, and finally arrived at the house of
another, where a place of effectual concealment had been
provided for me.
The most active exertions were now made to discover me.
His Excellency was said to have offered a private reward of
176 Records of the Cape Colony.
four thousand dollars ; the coast was guarded to prevent my
embarkation, and the masters of such vessels as were about
sailing were interdicted, under a very heavy penalty, from
receiving me on board ; the police, in the mean time, were
exploring every part of the town and suburbs, and were
harassed, night as well as day, in their toilsome but fruitless
search.
I had been a fortnight confined in a room not ten feet
square, inaccessible to a breath of wind, where the ther-
mometer ranged from 90 to 105, when in a total loss of
appetite and an alarming prostration of strength, I had reason
to apprehend the very speedy consummation of his Excellency's
wishes without the formality of trial, and I determined to shift
my dwelling to a situation a little more salubrious, under proper
precautions ; I therefore resumed my former abode in the
suburbs.
In the meantime preparations were making to smuggle me
away. The threatened penalty to the captains was at no
time an impediment, as several merchants offered to become
their security to any amount, and such was the general sym-
pathy in my favour, that some masters of vessels declared
their determination to receive me, if I was prepared, at their
own sole risk. My friends had also circulated a report that I
had sailed in the York, which, from the relaxed exertions of
the police, seemed to have obtained some faith with the
government.
It is here necessary to observe, that in spite of the ridicule
of my friends and a concurrent opinion to the contrary, I
could not divest myself of a belief that the fiscal was not only
anxious for, but had actually been instrumental in my escape,
and this belief in the end has received complete confirmation.
Actuated, however, by it, and a report that Sir John Truter
set his face against these proceedings of his Lordship, I com-
missioned Mrs. Burnett to see both these gentlemen, and in a
private and confidential interview to ascertain, if possible, from
them what was to be the upshot of those violent measures ;
from Sir John Truter she learnt that I had nothing further to
apprehend in any proceedings of the bench of justice, as it had
rejected the fiscal's application for the institution of a criminal
prosecution against me, founded upon the recent suspicions of
Records of the Cape Colony. 177
his Excellency ; he informed her that whenever I was prepared
to sail, on her making application to the fiscal, that officer
would give her a passport to justify the captain of the vessel
in taking me from the colony ; but he recommended that till
the very moment of embarkation I should on no account quit
my concealment. To Mr. Denyssen I wrote a confidential
letter, introductory of Mrs. Burnett, and the nature of the
business which occasioned her to call upon him. This gentle-
man gave her similar assurances with Sir John Truter, and as
strenuously recommended that I should persevere in secreting
myself as long as I continued in the colony. The idea of
meeting with sympathy and even protection from such autho-
rities, in direct opposition to the fell determinations of his
Excellency, was extremely flattering and consolatory, as it
tacitly admitted that I was regarded by the highest function^
aries of his government less a turbulent radical (as his Lordship
had been pleased to call me, and for which I shall have an
opportunity some day of thanking him in person,) than an
aggrieved and persecuted individual whom it was meritorious
to rescue from his vengeance.
I had been in this state of hide and seek for nearly a month,
when the attention of the police was again directed to the
place of my concealment, and positive information was sent
me that a plot, dreadful in its character, was then getting up
by one of the police officers, under the tutelage of Oliver the
spy. This man had formerly been servant to Mr. Edwards,
and was the person suborned to accuse his master of having
composed the placard which occasioned the first seizure of my
papers. This ineffable miscreant, whom I had never seen or
spoken to in my life, professed to be in correspondence with
me, and was imprisoned upon this confession. I began now
to think in good earnest that Lord Charles, from some in-
scrutable motive, was resolved to sacrifice me, and I came to
a corresponding determination of pursuing such measures of
precaution and defence, that I have no scruple in confessing
the police would have had little reason for felicitation should
we at any time have come in contact.
On this last occasion my situation was truly critical ; I had
been seen by the sheriff walking on the terrace in front of the
house, so that no doubt of my retreat any longer existed, and
XX. N
178 Records of the Cape Colony.
escape was now generally supposed to be impracticable. My
good fortune however did not desert me ; in the disguise of a
military officer, and with a well laid plan to render it effectual,
I once more made my escape, and achieved my retreat to a
place of safety.
As the Alacrity was to sail in the course of two days, it now
became necessary to obtain the passport, for which purpose
Mrs. Burnett, accompanied by a gentleman, called upon the
fiscal ; finding him absent, they repaired to Mr. Ryneveld, the
deputy fiscal, when the intervention of a fresh difficulty
excited in us all considerable alarm. This was no less than a
stipulation on his part that I must be actually reported on
board of ship by one of his officers before the passport could
be granted ; as a condition of this kind, so utterly unnecessary,
was calculated to excite suspicions of treachery, these were
very frankly avowed, but Mr. Ryneveld gave the most satis-
factory assurances on this head, not without expressing some
indignation at my supposing him capable of practising any
deception ; " But," added that gentleman, " I am not at all
surprized at it when I reflect how Mr. Burnett has been
treated." The passport was nevertheless sent the same day
to Mrs. Burnett, and on the following one I embarked on
board the Alacrity.
I have now, in terms as concise as the subject would admit,
given a summary of the persecution Earl Bathurst cannot
conceive it possible I should have experienced, and I have
adhered throughout to the most scrupulous and rigid regard
to truth ; independent however of these main accusations
against the colonial government, I could relate a hundred
little petty annoyances, not perhaps so fatal in their effects,
but infinitely more galling in their operation, and more con-
clusive of the charge advanced ; but if what I have already
stated is insufficient to obtain the interposition of His Majesty's
Government between my utter ruin and the unparalleled
oppression of its Governor at the Cape, it would be futile to
adduce any thing further. From the earliest period of my
location as a settler, I have been thwarted and opposed by
every instigation of the most ingenious malice, my credit has
been blasted, and my character defamed by an act of flagitious
illegality, involving in it the sacrifice of my capital, my domestic
Becords of the Gape Colony. 179
happiness, my health, and my peace of mind ; upon a sentence
which has no basis either in law or equity, and for an offence
which the statutes of my own country virtually invite the
subject to commit. I have been banished from the land of
my interests, my hopes, and my best connections, at the
caprice of that Governor's suspicions, or his fears ; the privacy
of my correspondence has been twice violated, and my actions
subjected to political surveillance ; and finally, after inflicting
as complete a ruin as the most insatiable tyranny could propose,
I have been hunted down from covert to covert like a beast of
prey, and compelled to fly the very land from which I have
been so iniquitously banished.
Nothing on my part has contributed to such proceedings. I
am in possession of all my correspondence with the colonial
government, from their outset up to their close, and nothing can
be gleaned from it extenuatory of such treatment ; if at any
time I have used terms of severity, they will invariably be
found justified by the occasion, or I have lived to little purpose
if I have yet to learn that the aggressions of power are not to
be repelled and its tyranny opposed. That Lord Charles
Somerset could have pursued me in this way without some
motive it would be rash to maintain ; on the contrary, he has
been influenced by very powerful ones ; it has been my lot,
very undesignedly, to traverse and circumvent him on many
occasions, and his Excellency is proverbially as indiscriminate
as he is implacable in his resentments. It was sufficient offence
in me that I rescued the character of Captain Stockenstrom,
the landdrost of Craaff Reinet, from opprobrium, and chastised
a military scoundrel. It would have been equally so, that
I exposed the nefarious green forage system, that I conducted
the defence of three settlers, tried for trafficking with the
Caff res, and obtained their acquittal, although they stood
condemned in Earl Bathurst's office without trial ; it would
have proved quite sufficient provocation to his hostility, that
I established the utter inutility and licentious insubordination
of the Cape Corps, and prevented the right of stuprating our
wives and daughters becoming one of its immunities — or that
I have the reputation of detecting in the fractional items
of a sham contract an enormous diversion of public money.
Less than these offences would be sufficient to call forth the
N 2
180 Records of the Cape Colony.
vengeance of a man bearing his faculties with more meekness
than his Excellency Lord Charles Somerset.
With regard to my political principles, I hold it a paramount
duty to disclaim the imputations his Excellency has cast upon
me ; because as he has not scrupled to call me the king of the
radicals, and represent me at the Cape as turbulent and dis-
affected, it is fair to infer, that if he has thought proper to
notice me at all to His Majesty's Government, he has described
me in similar colours. I can solemnly declare that I never
gave a political opinion in my life, that I never interested
myself in any political question, or made the measures of any
government the subject of a moment's reflection. The whole
of my kindred and connections are in their principles what is
termed ministerial, and so far from any actions in my life
impeaching my loyalty or attachment to monarchy, these
principles are so inherent in me, that no persecution or accu-
mulation of injury could ever tempt me to forego the one or
the other. But this species of attack is so common at the
Cape as to become at length quite innoxious : if Lord Charles
has a dispute on a race course, the party at variance is set
down by his minions forthwith as a radical, so that the term
applies to those persons personally obnoxious to his Excellency
rather than his government ; but to show the unwarrantable
uses to which this engine has been applied, his Lordship thought
proper in a private and confidential letter to the Reverend
Mr. Geary, the pastor of Graham's Town, to caution him as to
what society he should keep, and to denounce to him Major
Pigot, Captain Campbell, Mr. Phillips and myself, as disaffected
radicals ! ! It would be superfluous to make any comment
upon this anecdote.
I have likewise throughout this statement sedulously avoided
making any observations upon his Excellency's government
not immediately connected with my own case. It would be
useless to conceal that I am in possession of that vast accumu-
lation of matter which forms the subject of the present official
inquiry at the Cape, and I may venture to add something
beyond it, but I consider my case much too important in its
own elements to require any adventitious aid. If, therefore,
I am fated to join issue with his Lordship, it shall only be at
the Bar of the House of Commons that I will make my dis-
Records of the Cape Colony. 181
closures, and I will confess that I am armed at all points for
the contest.
Upon the whole I have made out a case of the most un-
paralleled injustice and persecution, and I look with unbounded
confidence to His Majesty's Government to do me right. I
found this hope exclusively upon the merits of my case, with
opinions involving no one political speculation, and with views
embracing no sinister dependence upon expediency. I have
been defrauded of my property by Lord Charles Somerset's
injustice, and my pursuits in life have been for the last four
years held in abeyance by his persecution. I can repeat,
without boast, the universal sentiment at the Cape, that not
one man in a million can be found capable of sustaining an
equal weight of oppression with the courage and equanimity I
have manifested throughout ; and it is as generally allowed
that the display of these qualities has especially goaded his
Excellency to the unwarrantable length he has gone, while,
with the moderation of my conduct, His Majesty's Government
must be satisfied, whatever may be the representations of
his Excellency, when they perceive the very grounds of my
banishment, to be an illegal prosecution and a sentence emanat-
ing from that prosecution which, if legal, it would fail to justify.
His Majesty's remission, therefore, of the sentence of banish-
ment by which I can return to my family, my connections,
and the conduct of the important causes in which I am appellant
will, I trust, be the forerunner of that redress I am soliciting,
while in strict proportion to the confidence I have expressed
in the justice of the Government will be my obedience to the
wisdom of its dictates.
(Signed) B. Burnett.
[Copy.]
Return of Ivory 'purchased from Kaffirs.
Fort Willshlre, YMh March 1825.
Amount of Ivory purchased during the period that Sergeant
Bentley 6th Regiment was Market Master, from 18th August
1824 to 11th January 1825, 38,421 lbs.
182 Records of the Cape Colony.
Amount of Ivory during Acting Market Master Syrowens
49th Regiment, from 12th January to 12th March 1825,
12,017 lbs.
Total 50,441 lbs.
During the time that I have been acting Market Master the
Colonists paid on an average for the Ivory per lb. One Rixdollar
to One and a half, according to the price given for Beads,
Buttons, &c. The Beads have varied in price from Four Rix-
dollars and a half to Twenty and upwards the lb., Buttons
from Four Rixdollars to Ten and upwards the gross. The
articles given by the Colonists in general are as follows, for
Ivory : Beads, Buttons, Knives, Tinder Boxes, Axes large and
small, Blankets, and Handkerchiefs. Beads or Buttons are
given for Hides, and Buttons for Gum, Mats, Baskets, Hats,
Skins of Wild Animals, &c. &c. These remarks are principally
from my own observation, and the receipt of Ivory I have
collected from the information of the Colonists who purchase
that Article, having no scales to weigh it myself.
(Signed) W. 0. Wells, Colour Sergeant 49th Regt.,
Acting Market Master.
[Original.]
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathursi-.
Cape of Good Hope, lUh March 1825.
My Lord, — During my absence lately in the Frontier
Districts of this Colony a scurrilous and libellous Paragraph in
the Times Newspaper of the 5th of October last, purporting
to be a report of the proceedings of the trial of William Edwards
here, attracted the notice of His Majesty's Commissioners of
Inquiry, and considering it important to ascertain if an im-
putation of so base a nature had any foundation in truth,
those Gentlemen proceeded to examine such persons as were
immediately connected with the transaction alluded to, and
the result of which was, I am informed, transmitted to your
Lordship in Duplicate, by those Gentlemen, on the 15th and
18th of February last. The same paragraph I understand
appeared in the Morning Chronicle of the 6th October last.
Records of the Cape Colony. 183
As the promulgation of so gross an assault upon my Honor
and Character cannot fail to weaken my authority in the
Execution of the Duties His Majesty has been graciously
pleased to entrust to me, and consequently to impede His
Majesty's Service, I take the liberty of soliciting that your
Lordship may be pleased to authorise His Majesty's Attorney
General to institute legal proceedings against the Printers of
those Papers, the more especially as I am given to understand
that those Paragraphs have been followed by others of a
similar nature. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
P.S. I have the honour to enclose a Copy of the Paragraph
from the Times Newspaper, above alluded to, together with
Copies of the Result of the Investigation relative thereto by
His Majesty's Commissioners of Inquiry.
[Enclosure 1 in the above.]
Extract from the Times Newspaper dated 5th October 1824.
Cape of Good Hope.
We yesterday received Letters from the Cape of Good Hope
dated the 10th July which disclose some curious additional
particulars of the late Events, and of which has arisen so
violent a ferment in that Colony, viz. The Trial of Mr. Edwards
for Libel, the restrictions on the Press followed by the
Suspension of the South African Advertiser and a Magazine
called the South African Journal, and the Anonymous Placard
reflecting on the Character of Lord Charles Somerset.
It is well known that one of the motives for restraining the
Press at the particular period in which the interference took
place was to prevent the publication of the Trial of Mr. Edwards,
of which therefore little has yet transpired, except that he has
been convicted of a Libel against the Governor and sentenced
to Transportation for Seven Years to New South Wales.
Edwards' crime it now appears consisted in having addressed
Letters to Lord Charles Somerset in which he introduced
severe imputations on his character. His Lordship immediately
gave these Letters to the Fiscal or principal Law Ohicer of the
184 Records of the Cape Colony.
Colony, who immediately commenced a prosecution for Libel
against Mr. Edwards, founded on their Contents. Mr. Edwards
on the Trial energetically insisted on his right to be tried
according to the mode of procedure for Libel in England, and
defied the Court to prove either that he was the Author of the
Letters or the publisher of the Libels. "Suppose," said he,
" that any person were to call me a Cockfighter, a Horse
Jockey, a Black Leg, a Swindler, a man that had been Black-
balled and Horsewhipped at Newmarket, that person would
not be guilty of publishing a Libel upon me. But if I myself
were to tell all the World what names had been cast upon me,
I alone should be guilty of publishing a Libel. So in the
present case. His Lordship has been guilty of publishing the
Libel, which is stated to be in a private Communication to
himself." On hearing the List of Witnesses read over, Mr.
Edwards remarked " I observe that the name of One of the
Witnesses is not inscribed, I will acquaint the Court with her
name. It is Catherina formerly Slave to Mr. Van der Riet,
and at present Mistress of His Excellency Lord Charles Henry
Somerset. His Excellency's name as a Witness is also omitted,
but I will dare His Excellency to shew his Face in this Court.
I would prove how many Prize Negroes he gave this Mr. Van
der Riet to purchase the freedom of this Woman." The
Commissioners of the Court, Messrs. Bresler and Borcherds,
before whom he was tried, permitted Mr. Edwards during the
first days of his Trial to proceed in a similar strain, but at
length they absolutely prohibited him from using any Language
of a personal nature. No witnesses were called on the occasion,
either to prove the Libel or the publication of it, yet he was
found guilty, and condemned to Seven Years Transportation,
which Sentence was afterwards confirmed by the full Court.
This conviction it is stated is not under the English, but the
Dutch Law, the provisions of which, it is said, are still allowed
to remain in force in this Colony. As a full report of this
Trial is however on its way to England, where Lord Charles
Somerset fortunately does not possess so much power as at
the Cape of Good Hope, it will soon be ascertained by its
publication on what principles this extraordinary decision has
taken place. Respecting the restrictions on the Press, we find
few new facts in the Letters. Mr. Pringle, the Editor of the
Records of the Cape Colony. 185
Magazine, had indulged in some remarks on the administration
of the Colony, for which he received a reprimand and a requi-
sition to submit his articles previous to publication to the
Censorship of the Fiscal, on which he at once abandoned the
Undertaking, giving up at the same time his appointment of
Librarian at the Public Library. On the affair of the Placard,
the Letters state that it was first seen by Captain John Findlay
one morning early, on his way to the parade to look for Signals.
He did not remove the offensive paper, but it was afterwards,
as reported, taken down by a man on horseback.
Captain Findlay made known the affair at the Government
House, on which an Oath of Secrecy respecting it was ad-
ministered to him by the Fiscal, who immediately advertised
a reward of 5,000 Rixdollars for the discovery of the person
who wrote the placard, and Rds. 1,000 to any person who
would produce the paper itself. A Statement was then drawn,
in which this Placard was described to be of a very horrible
nature, but without any further particulars ; and the principal
residents at the Cape, under the impression of the moment
subscribed an additional reward to that offered by the Govern-
ment to the amount of 15,000 Rixdollars ; still neither the
Author of the placard nor the placard itself had been brought
to light. The Merchants therefore, who had no information of
the precise nature of this placard, nor any proof, in fact, that
it had ever existed, began to feel themselves in an excessively
ridiculous and humiliating Situation. But their Mortification
was not to end with this, for this affair of the Placard had been
made the pretext for many Acts of a very offensive and
arbitrary nature. The houses of several respectable individuals
were searched and their private papers ransacked by virtue of
Search Warrants, to look for this supposed or ideal Placard.
One person was sent to prison on suspicion, but was afterwards
liberated, and even poor Edwards, who was quietly awaiting
there out of harm's way, the execution of his Sentence, was
ordered into close confinement. Reports were also circulated
that Warrants were out for the apprehension of other persons,
among whom Pringle, the Editor of the Magazine, was said to
be included. This report as regarded him, proved to be
without foundation. He waited on the Fiscal to learn whether
any Warrant had really been issued against him, but could
186 Records of the Cape Colony.
obtain no information on the subject. The Fiscal however
insisted on knowing who had told Mr. Pringle that a Warrant
had been issued against him, and on his hesitating to reveal
the name, was taken before the Commissioner Mr. Bentinck
who asked him " if he was aware of a Dutch Law which autho-
rised his being sent to Prison in case he persisted in refusing
to give up the name of his friend, who told him of the Warrant
for his Committal being made out." After a conversation or
examination of two hours by Mr. Bentinck, Mr. Pringle gave
up the name of his informant.
After this period, Loyal Addresses were poured in upon His
Excellency from the Court of Justice, in which the Merchants
were invited to join, but the Committee refused, and said the
subject ought to be consigned to oblivion.
It was understood also that the conduct of the Government
was disapproved of by the Commissioners sent out to enquire
into the Administration of the Colony, who were fortunately
on the spot, during a scene of perhaps the greatest confusion
and disorder that has ever occurred in an English Settlement,
and from whom the Government at home will doubtless receive
a true statement of all that has occurred.
One thing is sufficiently evident, which is, that Lord Charles
Somerset, notwithstanding his powerful Family, cannot much
longer continue as Governor at the Cape of Good Hope.
[Enclosure 2 in the above.]
I do hereby certify upon my word of honor as an Officer and
a Gentleman that some years ago (1819) my Slave girl Carolina
came to ask me if I would sell her for her Freedom. I told
her to ask Mrs. Van der Pviet, which she did. Mrs. Van der
Riet however could not spare her at that time and therefore
declined selling her.
That some time afterwards the mother of said Carolina
applied to me herself and begged of me to persuade Mrs. Van
der Riet to dispose of her daughter Carolina to her for the
purpose of emancipating her. Although it was very incon-
venient to Mrs. Van der Riet at that time, I could not resist
the repeated application of a distressed Mother and sold
Carolina consequently to her Mother for emancipation, which
Records of the Cape Colony. 187
fact (if necessary) or required can be proved by several
Witnesses.
On the 21st August 1819, Regina the Mother of Carolina came
to me with the money to pay for her daughter, but not finding
me at home, left the money with Mr. Smuts, from whom I
received it the next morning as appears from annexure No. 1.
I further beg to state that I never had nor have at this
moment a prize Slave or apprentice of any description in my
possession or belonging to me as will appear from annexure
No. 2, and finally I declare to be willing to take a Solemn
Oath upon this Statement.
(Signed) L. W. van der Riet.
Cape Town, 12th February 1825.
[Enclosure 3 in the above.]
Ontvangen van Regina een Somma van Vier duizend Rijks-
drs. voor de vrijdom van Carolina, Slavin van de Heer W. van
der Riet.
21 August 1819.
(Signed) Smuts.
Translation of the above.
Received from Regina a Sum of Four thousand Rixdollars
for the Freedom of Carolina a Slave of Mr. W. van der Riet.
21 August 1819.
(Signed) Smuts.
These are to certify that no apprentice of whatever colour
or description has to my knowledge or belief ever been inden-
tured or in any other manner assigned to the service of Mr.
L. W. N. van der Riet either by myself or my Predecessors.
Fiscal's Office, the 15th February 1825.
(Signed) D. Denyssen, Fiscal.
I do hereby certify that no Prize Negro or Negress condemned
by the Vice Admiralty Court of this Colony has or ever have
188 Records of the Cape Colony.
been apprenticed to Mr. L. W. N. van der Riet by His Majesty's
Collector of Customs.
Collector absent.
(Signed) W. Wilberforce Bird.
Custom House, Cape Town,
Cape of Good Hope, 15th February 1825.
[Copy.]
Records held before His Honor Sir J. A. Truter, Chief Justice,
and the Members of the Worshipful Court of Justice at the
Cape of Good Hope and the Dependencies thereof, in the
Criminal Case of His Majesty's Fiscal, Prosecutor for
the Crown, versus
1. Galant, formerly a Slave of the late W. N. van der Merwe,
2. Abel, Slave of B. van der Merwe,
3. Isaak Rooy, and 4. Isaak Thys, Hottentots in the service
of the late W. N. van der Merwe,
5. Hendrik, a Hottentot in the service of Jan Dalree,
6. Klaas, Slave of Barend van der Merwe,
7. Achilles, and 8. Antony, formerly Slaves of the late
W. N. van der Merwe,
9. Valentyn, and 10. Vlak, Hottentots formerly in the
service of the late W. N. van der Merwe,
11. Adonis, Slave of J. A. du Plessis,
12. Pamela, formerly a Slave of the late W. N. van der
Merwe, and
13. Petrus Josephus de Campher, Inhabitant, all prisoners
in said case.
Monday the 14th March 1825, Ten o'Clock A. M.
All the Members present.
The Court being opened and the R. 0. Prosecutor having
taken his seat, and the prisoners put to the bar, the usual
prayer is read by the Secretary, on which the Fiscal exhibits
the Act of Accusation with preparatory Informations annexed
Records of .the Cape Colony. 189
thereto, and also a list of the Witnesses as well for the Crown
as for the Prisoners, together with the record of the Act of
Accusation having been duly communicated to the Prisoners,
said record being of the following tenor :
Record held before W. Hiddingh, Esqre., Commissioned
Member from the Worshipful the Court of Justice, on Thursday
the 10th March 1825.
Appears before the Sitting Commissioner aforesaid His
Majesty's Fiscal, as also the undermentioned Prisoners, viz.
1 Galant, 2 Abel, 3 Izaak Rooy, 4 Isaak Thys, 5 Hendrik, C
Klaas, 7 Achilles, 8 Antony, 9 Valentyn, 10 Vlak, 11 Adonis,
12 Pamela, and 13 P. J. de Campher. To all of whom the Act
of Accusation drawn up by His Majesty's Fiscal being clearly
and plainly read and explained as intelligibly as possible in
presence of Advocates Hofmeyr and Faure, as charged with
the prisoners' defence, a copy of the Act is also delivered to the
said advocates.
The Sitting Commissioner having hereupon asked the
prisoners successively for the names of such Witnesses as they
wish should be called in their defence, they all, with the
exception of P. J. de Campher, declare not to have any, while
said Campher requests that the following Witnesses may be
examined : Carel Pretorius, Marthinus, a Hottentot in the
service of Isaak van der Merwe, and Rachel, a Hottentot,
Concubine of Platje Pas. The prisoners are hereupon informed
that their trial will commence on Monday next.
Done at the Cape of Good Hope day and year as above.
(Signed) W. Hiddingh.
In my presence.
(Signed) J. F. Jurgens, Head Clerk.
The R.O. Prosecutor further exhibits the Interrogatories for
the respective examinations of the Prisoners.
The Chief Justice informs the prisoners that they will now
be examined on the Interrogatories exhibited by the R.O.
Prosecutor, and likewise such further questions put to them as
the Court itself may deem proper.
The Act of Accusation is hereupon publicly read to the
prisoners by the Secretary, which Act is as follows :
190 Records of the Cape Colony.
Act of Accusation in the Criminal Case of D. Denyssen, Esqre.,
His Majesty 's Fiscal, acting R.O.by precedence, versus
1. Galant, formerly a slave of the late W. N. van der Merwe,
2. Abel, Slave of B. van der Merwe,
3. Isaak Rooy, and 4. Isaak Thys, Hottentots in the service
of the late W. N. van der Merwe,
5. Hendrik, a Hottentot in the service of Jan Dalree,
6. Klaas, Slave of Barend van der Merwe,
7. Achilles, and 8. Antony, formerly Slaves of the late
W. N. van der Merwe,
9. Valentyn, and 10. Vlak, Hottentots formerly in the
service of the late W. N. van der Merwe,
11. Adonis, Slave of J. A. du Plessis,
12. Pamela, formerly a Slave of the late W. N. van der Merwe,
13. Petrus Josephus de Campher, a Christian Inhabitant,
All prisoners in the common gaol here.
Be it hereby made known that it has appeared to His
Majesty's Fiscal from a report dated the 8th February last
from the Landdrost of Worcester to the Secretary to Govern-
ment, and from the further preparatory Informations obtained
in this case, that the first prisoner Galant, who in one of the
winter months of last year had been guilty of deserting from
his Master, of taking possession of a gun and of threatening
his master with the same on the occasion of his having pursued
and attempted to apprehend him, and in this manner effecting
his escape, but having afterwards voluntarily returned to his
master was excused by him from his well deserved punishment ;
and who further, during the time of the last harvest, which
must have been in the latter end of the month of December
1824, had formed the wicked intention, together with the
other people in his Master's service and with the 1 3th prisoner
Petrus Josephus Campher in the service of Jan Dalree as over-
seer, to provoke his Master, while they were at work at the
land, by complaining of bad victuals, and then should their
Master punish them, to murder him, but which intention they
did not carry into execution, in consequence of their Master
when they told him that they could not eat his victuals having
merely answered that he could not give them better, without
his having said anything further or attempted to punish them,
Records of the Cape Colony. 191
availed himself of the opportunity that offered, by his Master
taking him and his fellow prisoners Isaac Thys and Isaac Rooy
with him when riding round to visit his friends after the
Harvest was got in, to draw into his Interest the people of the
several places where his master stopped and especially those of
J. A. du Plessis, among whom was the prisoner Adonis, slave
of said Plessis, and likewise the people of P. Zwanepoel, from
which time he communicated to and persuaded some of those
people to join in the plan he had framed to attack the places
and effect a general effusion of blood among their masters, and
in this manner to get possession of the places as far as should
be in their power, and finally to repair to Cape Town ; or in
case they might not be safe in Town or within the Colony, to
proceed beyond the boundaries to the Great or Orange river
and join a number of Bastards who had collected there.
That the 1st prisoner Galant, both previous to, and on his
said journey and also after his return to the place of his Master,
got some of the people belonging to other persons to join in
his plan, and in particular those of his own Master, namely
the prisoners Isaak Rooy, Isaak Thys, Achilles, Antony,
Valentyn, and Vlak, likewise Abel, belonging to the place of
Barend van der Merwe, Hendrik, who was in the service of
Jan Dalree and some people belonging to the places of Isaak
van der Merwe, and Rasmus van der Merwe, together with the
people in the Service of Jan Dalree, among whom was the
prisoner P. J. de Campher, and in all probability the convict
named Dollie.
That of all the prisoners whom Galant had persuaded to
join in his said plan, the second prisoner Abel took the most
active part, by using his endeavours to get his fellow slaves to
co-operate therein, and actually persuaded the prisoner Klaas
to take a part.
That the principal cause which seems to have incited the
leaders Galant and Abel to the execution of a plan so hostile
to their masters and the Christian Inhabitants of this Colony,
has been not unintelligibly stated by them, to consist in their
dissatisfaction of their state of slavery and in the idea that
such was prolonged by their masters contrary to the intention
of Government ; through which idea they appear to have
been spurred on to enmity and revenge and finally to the
192 Records of the Cape Colony.
resolution of procuring for themselves by treachery and murder
that which was withheld from them by their masters.
That however this cannot be the only reason which induced
the ringleaders to persuade their accomplices to co-operate in
their plan, because there were a number of Hottentots among
them, who although they lived in the Service and under the
control of the Christian Inhabitants, had nothing to do with the
idea of a release from a state of Slavery, which did not exist ;
and therefore the pretext that they were not well treated by
their masters appears to have been resorted to as their plea,
but which pretext it is evident had no other object than to
conceal the real intention.
That the night between the 1st and 2nd February last having
been fixed as the time for carrying their plan into execution,
the 2nd prisoner Abel on the evening of the 1st set out for the
place of the late W. N. van der Merwe, in order with the people
of that place to commence the execution of their plan ; where
having arrived, he proceeded to the hut of the 1st prisoner
Galant and his Concubine a Hottentot named Betje, and
having found the prisoner Galant already prepared together
with the 3rd, 4th, and 5th prisoners Isaak Rooy, Isaac Thys
and Hendrik, to proceed on horseback to the place of his
Master Barend van der Merwe, he accompanied them, and
having reached the place in the night, he and the 1st prisoner
Galant began their operations by rushing into the house,
while his master was enticed out of doors by the sheep running
out of the Kraal, and where they seized two guns together with
the powder and ball belonging to his master.
That the 1st and 2nd prisoners Galant and Abel, the former
of whom acted as Captain and the latter as Corporal of the
gang, while the others put themselves as Soldiers under their
orders, divided the guns and the powder and ball between
them, and being further joined by the 6th prisoner Klaas, they
each fired a shot at Barend van der Merwe, who in the mean-
time had perceived treachery through the barking of the dogs,
of which shots the one fired by Abel wounded him in the heel,
but the other missed him ; on which Barend van der Merwe
ran into the house, but having shortly afterwards come out
through the back door and taken flight, he was again fired at
by the 1st and 2nd prisoners, but without effect.
Records of the Ccvpe Colony. 193
That the wife and children of Barend van der Merwe having
at the same time availed themselves of the darkness of the
night, made their escape from the place, in which it appears
she was assisted by one of her Slaves named Goliath, who had
not joined the gang, after which the five first prisoners,
augmented in their number by the 6th Prisoner Klaas, rode
back to the place of the late W. N. van der Merwe the 1st
prisoner's master.
That on their way thither, the six first prisoners, although it
was their intention to murder Jan Dalree, who lived at an Erf
situated between the two places and belonging to that of the
late W. N. van der Merwe, and the other masters, they however
did not call at the dwelling of said Jan Dalree, in order that the
late W. N. van der Merwe should not be put on his guard to
defend himself by hearing the shots that they might fire there,
but they nevertheless inquired on passing by if the people,
and especially (as the 1st Prisoner states) if their fellow prisoner
P. J. de Campher and a Hottentot named Platje Pas were at
home, in order to take them with them ; the Slave Dollie who
likewise lived there having deserted a few days before on his
Master's horse.
That on being informed that neither of the two was at home,
the said six first prisoners rode forwards to the place of the
late W. N. van der Merwe, where they arrived in the middle of
the night, and having dismounted and put up their horses,
they proceeded to the 1st prisoner's hut, where it is possible
they were joined by the 7th and 8th prisoners Achilles and
Antony, and where the first prisoner's Concubine the above-
mentioned Hottentot Betje likewise was, who previously to
their departure was bound fast on the orders of the 1st Prisoner,
by the 7th and 8th prisoners, after that she was told what their
intention was, that she should not have the opportunity of
informing her Master thereof, but whom the 1st prisoner then
unbound.
That while they were in the hut, they came to an agreement
to wait there till nearly daybreak, when four of them, namely
the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th prisoners Galant, Abel, Isaac Thys,
and Klaas should place themselves under the peach trees
before the door of the house, and there keep concealed till it
was day, when the late W. N. van der Merwe would go, as
xx. o
194 Records of the Cape Colony.
was his custom, to the Kraal ; and that the 5th prisoner
Hendrik should remain at the stable. It not appearing that
any particular post had been assigned to the 3rd, 7th, and 8th
Prisoners, Isaak Rooy, Achilles, and Antony on the occasion
of that arrangement.
That about break of day the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th prisoners
Galant, Abel, Isaac Thys, and Klaas proceeded to the appointed
place, while the 3rd and 5th prisoners Isaac Rooy and Hendrik
were charged with the care of the horses, and the 7th and 8th
prisoners Achilles and Antony remained at the Cattle Kraal,
where they were to wait their master's coming, the 9th and
10th prisoners Valentyn and Vlak having been hitherto
entirely passive.
That, while they were thus concealed, the late W. N. van
der Merwe, accompanied by J. H. Janse van Rensburg, came
out of the front door of the house and went to the Kraal, on
which the 1st and 2nd, 4th and 6th prisoners Galant, Abel,
Isaak Thys and Klaas, seeing them pretty nearly advanced to
the Kraal, left their hiding place and ran into the house, when
the 1st and 2nd prisoners Galant and Abel immediately pro-
ceeded to the late Van der Merwe's bedroom, where they knew
that he kept his two guns on a rack against the wall, and while
Van der Merwe's wife was still in bed, they each seized a gun.
That the late Van der Merwe's wife on seeing this, leaped
up and got hold of the guns one in each hand, but of which
the one Galant had taken from the rack was immediately
forced from her by him and given to the 4th and 6th prisoners,
who in the interim had remained outside the bedroom, on
which the wife of Van der Merwe having used her utmost
endeavours to force the other gun from the 2nd prisoner Abel,
who it appears was assisted by Isaak Thys, she in this manner
struggling got to the kitchen, when the other people having
called out to the 1st prisoner Galant shoot, the latter actually
fired the gun that he had in his hand, which was loaded with
shot, at the wife of the late W. N. van der Merwe and most
dangerously wounded her in the upper part of the left thigh
near the hip, whereby she fell and was obliged to let go the
gun that she had got possession of, and which Galant thereupon
took up and brought out of the house.
That the 1st prisoner Galant, being thus outside the door,
Records of the Cape Colony. 195
was immediately followed by the 2nd, 4th, and 6th prisoners
Abel, Isaak Thys, and Klaas, and thereupon successively
joined by the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th prisoners, Isaac
Rooy, Hendrik, Achilles, Antony, Valentyn, and Vlak.
That the two guns of the late W. N. van der Merwe, which
had been taken away, one of which was without a lock, were
distributed on that occasion by the 1st Prisoner Galant, the
one to the 6th prisoner Klaas and the other without a lock to
the 8th prisoner Antony, while the 4th prisoner Isaac Thys
was armed with a sabre that had been stolen from the house
of Barend van der Merwe, and Achilles with an assagaay
which his master had purchased for him to take care of the
sheep ; the prisoners having likewise in their possession at that
time the necessary gunpowder and balls, partly made from a
quantity of lead, which together with the bullet mould was
stolen by the 11th prisoner Achilles from his master and given
to Galant, and partly with other balls and slugs made of shot,
all stolen from their masters, the latter having been made by
the 7th and 8th prisoners Achilles and Antony.
That while the prisoners were thus outside the house, the
late W. N. van der Merwe and the late J. H. Janse van
Rensburg, who had heard the shot that wounded the wife
of the former, proceeded to the house, upon which the
2nd prisoner Abel, whose gun was loaded with shot, fired
at the late W. N. van der Merwe and wounded him in the
left arm or shoulder, notwithstanding which however both
Van der Merwe and Janse van Rensburg got into the house.
That after this took place, a short time elapsed, during
which the gang of murderers prepared to attack and again
rush in, which opportunity said Janse van Rensburg availed
himself of to get out of the house, mount a horse, and ride to
the place of J. Dalree, but which the 3rd prisoner Isaak Rooy
having perceived and warned the other prisoners of, he at the
order of Galant brought the horses to the house, and having
mounted, he accompanied by Abel and Isaac Thys pursued the
late J. H. Janse van Rensburg (while Galant and Klaas re-
mained at the house), who was soon overtaken by Abel, who had
a good horse, and driven back to the house of the late W. N.
van der Merwe, into which he rode with the horse, when the
door was shut after him.
o 2
196 Records of the Cape Colony.
That the house having been thereupon surrounded by the
first eight or ten prisoners and each person's post assigned to
him, they waited for the moment that they could execute
their murderous plan against the late W. N. van der Merwe,
J. H. Janse van Rensburg, and J. M. Verlee, the Schoolmaster,
who was also in the house, all of whose deaths they had resolved
on ; but the 1st prisoner Galant, who it seems was driven by
impatience because the master would not open the door, had
more than once resolved to set fire to the house, which however
it appears he was dissuaded from by the 7th and 8th prisoners
Achilles and Antony, because as they said the women and
children would be burnt ; while the 4th prisoner Isaac Thys
made an effort, but without success, to get into the house by
breaking open one of the window sashes.
That the 2nd prisoner Abel however soon found an oppor-
tunity, while he saw the late W. N. van der Merwe endea-
vouring to reconnoitre them through the window, to thrust in
his gun and fire at him, which shot grazed the side of his head ;
upon which Van der Merwe opened the front door a little and
begged and prayed the murderers to spare his life, but in vain,
although the 2nd prisoner Abel, who was within shot of him,
hesitated a little, which caused the 1st Prisoner Galant to call
out to him with a curse Abel fire ; on hearing of which W. N.
van der Merwe having shut the door, the 1st Prisoner placed
himself in such a situation that he could shoot his master
himself when the door should be again opened ; shortly after
which the late W. N. van der Merwe having opened the door,
the 1st prisoner Galant gave him a shot in the head, of which
he immediately fell dead.
That the late J. H. Janse van Rensburg, on seeing this, shut
the front door and went to the kitchen whither the late J. M.
Verlee likewise went, and to which the wounded wife of the
late W. N. van der Merwe also made her escape from her
bedroom, and endeavoured to conceal herself in the oven ;
which the gang of murderers perceiving went round the house
outside to the kitchen, when the prisoner Galant first broke a
hole in the oven with an iron crow and thereupon together
with the other prisoners fired, in consequence of which breaking
of and firing at the oven, the widow of the late W. N. van der
Merwe fell out of the oven on the ground covered with rubbish
Records of the Cape Colony. 197
and clay ; upon which the 1st prisoner Galant, having broken
open the kitchen door with his crow, he and the other prisoners
rushed in, just at the moment that the late J. H. Janse van
Rensburg was employed to extricate the widow Van der
Merwe from under the rubbish.
That the late J. H. van Rensburg, seeing that his life was
also aimed at, advanced towards the murderers and begged
and prayed of them to spare him, to which Abel answered that
no Christian should have pardon, for that the report had been
that the slaves were to have been free at the New Year, but
that it not having been done they would make themselves
free, upon which without any hesitation he presented his gun
at said Janse van Rensburg and gave him a shot in the breast,
the consequence of which was his immediate death.
That about the same time J. M. Verlee, who had laid hold of
the muzzle of Abel's gun after he had fired at Rensburg,
received a shot in the left arm from the 1st prisoner Galant,
through which he fell, and as it would appear left the mur-
derers in the idea that he was also killed, which gave them
time to search round the kitchen and elsewhere, whereby they
got possession of a pair of pistols and some powder and ball
that they found there.
That after the pistols were found, the 6th prisoner Klaas
having perceived and informed the others of the gang that
J. M. Verlee still lived, the 2nd prisoner Abel gave him another
shot in the breast, but Verlee still retaining signs of life, the
1st prisoner Galant gave one of the pistols to the 3rd prisoner
Isaak Rooy with orders to shoot Verlee dead, in these words
shoot him with the pistol that you have right on the head, for he
is not yet dead ; which order the 3rd Prisoner Isaac Rooy
complied with, and accordingly shot said J. M. Verlee.
That while this took place, the widow Van der Merwe found
an opportunity to conceal herself under a table in the hall,
where however being sought for and found by Galant and
Abel, she heard the former give orders to the latter to shoot
her ; on which she came out from under the table and begged
and prayed of Galant to let her live, as she was already severely
wounded, whereby he answered that there was no pardon for
her, and turned the muzzle of the gun towards her breast,
which she having pushed aside, and run up to him and again
198 Record's of the Cape Colony.
begged her life, he desisted ; on which she went into her
bedroom and after many entreaties was at last allowed to shut
the door.
That Galant and his accomplices thereupon left the house,
but returned shortly afterwards, during which intermediate
time the widow Van der Merwe made her escape out of the
bedroom through the kitchen to a loft, where she had placed
her children, and where the widow of the late J. M. Verlee also
concealed herself.
That the 12th prisoner Pamela, who is a concubine of the
1st Prisoner, as well as a Hottentot named Betje, and who,
from the commencement of these murderous acts to the time
that her mistress took refuge in the loft, was in the house,
remained all that time entirely passive, without affording her
mistress any assistance ; but after her mistress made her
escape to the loft, she went to Galant's hut, where she met the
abovementioned Hottentot Betje (who that morning when
Galant had first entered his master's house had likewise come
in), when she found in the kitchen Pamela and Lea, and who
after her mistress was wounded and Galant and his accomplice
had gone out, accompanied her together with the wife of the
late J. M. Verlee to the assistance of her mistress and helped
to bind her wounds, after which however she left the house
and went back to the hut with her children, and having
informed her that all the men were murdered and that the
widow Van der Merwe had made her escape to the rye loft
with her children, said Betje thereupon returned to the house.
That on coming into the kitchen, she found the first prisoner
Galant there again, together with the 4th prisoner Isaac Thys
and the 6th prisoner Klaas, to the last mentioned of whom
Galant having given orders to go and see whether his mistress
and her children were not in the loft, said Betje interfered and
begged of him to spare her, but with no other effect than that
the 1st Prisoner Galant threatened to shoot her because she
spoke for her mistress, in which however he was prevented by
the 6th prisoner Klaas, who thereupon went to the loft, and
seeing the situation in which the widow Van der Merwe already
was, told her not to be alarmed, for that Galant had called for
her not to take her life, but only to frighten her. After which
the said widow heard the 1st prisoner further say in these
Records of the Cape Colony. 199
words, ' ' Whitehead I have already got, but now I must have
Isaak van der Merwe and Jan Abraham du Plessis, my gun is
good and I am likewise good."
That the 4th prisoner Isaac Thys did not scruple on that
occasion to threaten the children of the late W. N. van der
Merwe with his sabre ; while the 1st prisoner Galant threatened
to fire at them, but in which he was opposed by the maids.
That the 1st prisoner Galant previously to leaving the house
of his murdered master, broke open the drawer of the table,
from which he took the lock of the gun that he had found
without one, which having been screwed on, he gave the gun
to the 3rd prisoner Hendrik, and having drunk of his master's
wine with his accomplices, he thereupon accompanied by the
2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th prisoners, Abel, Isaac Rooy, Isaac
Thys, Hendrik, and Klaas, left the place, leaving behind the
7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 12th prisoners, Achilles, Antony,
Valentyn, Vlak, and Pamela, the three latter of whom after
the gang was gone made their escape to the mountains, where
the 1st prisoner was to meet them at the appointed time and
place, while the 7th and 8th prisoners were still at the late
W. N. van der Merwe's place, when the Commando under the
Fieldcornet came there in pursuit of the murderers.
That the first six prisoners, armed with the four stolen guns
and the two pistols, having rode back to the habitation of
Jan Dalree with an intention to murder him also, but not
finding him at home they rode forward to the place of Barend
van der Merwe, which they had left the night before, for the
purpose of murdering him likewise should he come home ;
where having arrived, they found he was not there, but met
two Hottentots named Admiral Slinger and Andries Wildschut,
with a slave named Moses, all in the service of P. van der
Merwe senior, and belonging to a grazing place of his situated
in the neighbourhood of Barend van der Merwe's Place, and
whither the wife of the latter had the night before made her
escape, each of whom was armed with a gun, and who as it
would appear were sent there by the wife of said B. van der
Merwe to assist her husband.
That these three persons however perceiving the superior
strength of the gang were induced to join them, and after
drinking some brandy with the others at Barend van der
0
00 Bccords of the Cape Colony.
Merwe's place, they accompanied them to the grazing place of
G. van der Merwe, where Moses having got away, he was
pursued and found by the gang, together with a slave named
Goliath belonging to Barend van der Merwe, who with his
wife had escaped to this grazing place.
That the 1st prisoner Galant, in discovering said Moses and
Goliath, wanted to shoot them both, but on their promising
to join and assist he was induced to spare their lives.
That about this time a number of the Inhabitants, who had
placed themselves under the command of the Field Cornet
Du Toit, on the report of those wicked deeds having pursued
and overtaken the gang, Admiral Slinger, Andries Wildschut,
Moses, and Goliath immediately separated from them, while
the first six prisoners, Galant, Abel, Isaac Rooy, Isaac Thys,
Hendrik, and Klaas, having mounted their horses, resisted
the Commando, in consequence of which shots fell on both
sides, Galant and Abel in particular having fired at the Com-
mando, but without wounding anyone ; upon which having
taken flight they were pursued and dispersed by the Commando,
and thereupon apprehended, first the 5th and 6th prisoners
Hendrik and Klaas, and afterwards the other prisoners suc-
cessively, and in this manner brought into the hands of Justice.
That the 2nd prisoner Abel at the time of his being appre-
hended by a slave named Carel belonging to P. Muller, which
was in the evening of the 4th February last, near the place of
Hendrik Janse van Rensburg, under the Fieldcornetship of
J. S. Theron, attempted to fire at said Carel with the gun that
he carried and which was loaded with ball, but which however
Carel prevented by first laying hold of the muzzle and there-
upon striking it away, through which it fell and went off in
the fall.
That finally the 2nd prisoner Abel being apprehended con-
fessed in the presence of the said Carel that he had intended
to have gone to the place of Rasmus van der Merwe named
Matjesfontein, for the purpose of first putting himself at the
head of said Van der Merwe's people, who were included in
the gang, and of committing fresh murders, and thereupon to
proceed from the one place to the other in the Warm Bokkeveld
where he expected not to find any other than old people at
home, as all the young men were absent with the Commando.
Becords of the Cape Colony. 201
From all which circumstances the following points of accu-
sation are to be deduced against each of the prisoners :
I. Against the 1st prisoner Galant.
That he has become subject to the following charges.
1st. Of having stirred up and put himself as Captain at the
head of a gang composed of slaves and Hottentots belonging
to different places, with the wicked intention of attacking
their masters' places and those of other Christian Inhabitants,
of murdering their masters and all those who should offer
resistance, and of forming from the slaves and Hottentots in
the service of the Colonists a faction which should assist them
in the execution of their plans, maintain them in the possession
of places they were to attack, and enable them to penetrate to
Cape Town ; but not succeeding, then to take the road to the
Great or Orange River and to join the enemies of the Colony
there ; and thus of the crime of sedition aggravated by the
principal part which the 1st prisoner took therein.
2nd. Of having commenced with the execution of his
wicked intentions by riding with his accomplices to the place
of Barend van der Merwe, treacherously rushing into his
house, making himself master of the guns, powder, and ball,
which were there ; treacherously firing at said Barend van
der Merwe, and causing him to be fired at with the intention
of killing him ; driving the family of Barend van der Merwe
to take flight from their place ; thereupon riding with his
accomplices to the place of the late W. N. van der Merwe,
there likewise treacherously rushing into the house, taking
possession by force of the guns, powder, and ball that were
found there, and dangerously wounding the wife of the late
W. N. van der Merwe by firing at her ; causing the late J. H.
Janse van Rensburg to be driven back to the house when he
had attempted to make his escape ; causing the late W. N.
van der Merwe, who was his master, to be fired at, and shooting
him dead himself, again at the head of his gang storming into
the house by force and violence, where the widow of the
murdered W. N. van der Merwe together with the late J. H.
Janse van Rensburg and J. M. Verlee were, and thus being
the cause of the murder of said Janse van Rensburg, which
followed soon after ; dangerously wounding the late J. M
202 Records of the Cape Colony.
Verlee by firing at him, and afterwards causing him to be shot
by one of his accomplices, threatening the lives of the wife
and children of his murdered master and also of his concubine
a Hottentot named Betje, and causing them to be threatened ;
thereupon riding with his accomplices to the habitation of Jan
Dalree with an intention to murder him also ; then riding back
to the place of Barend van der Merwe in order to murder him
likewise should he have returned home ; and finally proceeding
thence to another place for the purpose of committing similar
murders, and on the road thither threatening the slaves Goliath
and Moses to shoot them because they would not join the gang,
and in this manner compelling them to cooperate ; and thus
of the continued crime of sedition accompanied by violence,
housebreaking, and murder, and
3. Of having with arms and in a gang resisted the Commando
of Inhabitants which was sent out in pursuit of them and of
having fired at the Commando.
II. Against the 2nd prisoner Abel.
That he has become subject to the following charges.
1st. Of having likewise stirred up, and put himself as
second in command at the head of the above-mentioned
gang.
2nd. Of having assisted in the execution of the plan from
the commencement to the dispersion of the gang by the
Commando of the Inhabitants ; of having taken the most
active part, next the 1st prisoner Galant, therein, assisted in
the violence and murders that were committed, wounded his
master Barend van der Merwe in the heel by firing at him ;
first driven back the late J. H. Janse van Rensburg to the
house of the late W. N. van der Merwe, and afterwards shot
him ; likewise mortally wounded the late W. N. van der
Merwe and J. M. Verlee ; and finally taken a part in the
threats to the slaves Goliath and Moses whereby they were
obliged to join the gang, and
3rd. Of having assisted in resisting and firing at the Com-
mando of armed Inhabitants which were sent out in pursuit
of the gang ; and afterwards attempting to shoot Carel a
slave of G. Muller by whom he was apprehended, but in which
he failed.
Records of the Cape Colony. 203
III. Against the 3rd prisoner Isaak RooyJ
That he has become subject to the charges
1st. Of having likewise stirred up and joined the above
mentioned gang.
2nd. Of having taken an active part in the execution of the
plan from the commencement to the dispersion of the gang by
the Commando ; assisted in driving back the late J. H. Janse
van Rensburg to the house of the late W. N. van der Merwe ;
given the last and death wound to the late J. M. Verlee in
compliance with the orders of the 1st prisoner Galant ; and
finally of having especially bound himself to the service of
Galant by acting as his postillion, and
3rd. Of having also assisted in resisting the Commando.
IV, V, and VI. Against the prisoners Isaac Thys, Hendrik,
and Klaas.
That they have become subject to the accusation of having
been accomplices on the above-mentioned three charges, and
especially the 4th prisoner Isaac Thys, by having abetted the
2nd prisoner Abel in forcing the gun from the wife of the late
W. N. van der Merwe and calling to Galant to fire at her ;
assisted in forcibly driving back the late J. H. Janse van
Rensburg to the house of the late W. N. van der Merwe ;
afterwards used endeavours, while the gang were locked out of
the house, to get in by breaking open the sash of the window
of the late W. N. van der Merwe's bedroom ; and finally of
having threatened his children after he was murdered to put
them to death with his sabre ; and the 6th prisoner Klaas of
having given warning after the late J. M. Verlee had received
the first shot, that he was not dead, and thus having been the
cause of the two others that were afterwards fired at him, and
of his consequent death.
VII and VIII. Against the prisoners Achilles and Antony.
That they have become liable to the accusation of having
been accomplices in the above-mentioned first charge, and
lkewise on the second charge in so far as they were the makers
of the slugs with which the gang fired ; and of having taken
part in the violence and murders that were committed at the
place of the late W. N. van der Merwe.
204 Records of the Cape Colony,
IX and X. Against the prisoners Valentyn and Vlak.
That they have likewise become liable to the accusation of
having been accomplices on the above-mentioned first and
second charges, in so far as they allowed themselves to be
employed to take care of the horses of the gang at the place
of their master, the late W. N. van der Merwe.
XI. Against the prisoner Adonis.
That he also has become liable to the accusation of having
been an accomplice of the said first and second charges, in so
far that he suffered himself to be persuaded by the 1st prisoner
Galant to join the gang when they should come to the place of
his master J. A. du Plessis ; and having abetted Galant in the
execution of his plan by giving him powder and ball and a
bullet mould, all belonging to his master.
XII. Against the prisoner Pamela.
That she by her passiveness and silence contributed to the
misfortunes which befel the family of the late W. N. van der
Merwe.
XIII. And against the prisoner Petrus Josephus Campher.
That he has become liable to the following charges.
1st. Of having instigated the people of the late W. N. van
der Merwe to murder their master while he was at the corn
land during the last harvest, under the pretext that they were
not well treated by him.
2nd. Of having taken a part in the subsequently formed
plan to attack all the places and murder all the masters,
although he was prevented assisting in the execution thereof
through his accidental absence from the place of Jan Dalree
where he lived.
All of which crimes, and each of them, in proportion to the
circumstances that have accompanied them, are punishable
corporally and with death, according to the existing laws, as
an example to others ; and therefore require that all the
prisoners in this case should be tried before the full Court con-
formably to the 6th article of the Crown Trial.
Fiscal's Office, 10th March 1825.
(Signed) D. Denyssen, Fiscal.
Records of the Cape Colony. 205
The Court hereupon proceeding to the examination of the
prisoners, the 1st prisoner Galant (the others having been
ordered out) is separately interrogated and answers as follows :
1. What is your name, age, and whose slave are you ?
Answer. Galant, twenty-six years of age ; I was born at
my master's mother's place, I am a slave of the late W. N.
van der Merwe.
The statement of the circumstances given by the 1st prisoner
Galant before Commissioners from the Court on the 23rd
February last is hereupon read to him, which statement is as
follows :
" During the last harvest at my master's place when I and
the other people, namely Isaac, Achilles, Antony, and Platje,
were together, we spoke of the ill-treatment of our master
towards us, and that he did not give us victuals and clothes.
On that occasion one Campher who lives at a little distance
from my master's place was present, who said to us that when
our master should beat us at the Land, we should then seize
and kill him. Shortly after Master came to the Land, on
which we said we could not eat the victuals he gave us. Master
answered that he could not give us better victuals than he had
then given us, and he went away without beating us.
" After the harvest was got in, my master rode to Mr. Jan
Plessis on a visit, taking with him the Hottentots Isaak Thys
and Isaac Rooy and myself. We conversed with the people
there also about our ill usage, when the Hottentot Jochim and
Adonis spoke to us of the ill treatment they experienced from
their master, on which we agreed to murder our masters and
go from the one place to the other where we should be joined
by the people there. When we came home in the evening we
found Mr. Barend van der Merwe at my master's place with
his slave Abel, with whom I also spoke, and who agreed to kill
his Master likewise. The next morning he and his master
went away, but returned shortly afterwards for one of the
reins that he had let fall, on which he departed again and
remained away. The third day, which was on a Tuesday, he
came to me in my hut in the evening and told me that he had
spoken with his master's people and that they were all ready.
I therefore rode with him to his master's place accompanied
by the Hottentots Isaac Thys and Isaac Rooy and also a
206 Records of the Cape Colony.
Hottentot named Hendrik in the service of Jan Dalree who
came that evening to my master's to fetch away a mare, and
he was present when Abel said that his master's people were
ready.
" When we came to the place of Barend van der Merwe, the
slave Klaas was busy driving back the sheep which had got
out of the Kraal, and after Abel had assisted him, he came to
us behind the Kraal. Mr. Barend then came from the house
and asked Klaas the reason of the dogs barking so, to which
he answered that they were barking at the slave Goliath, and
while Mr. Barend was speaking with Klaas, I went with Abel
round the corner of the house and into the kitchen. I remained
at the middle door and Abel went into the room to get the guns,
and came out with two that were loaded and two bandoliers
with shot and horns with powder, of which he gave me one,
and as soon as we went out of the kitchen door Abel fired the
first shot at his master while he stood talking to the Hottentots
Isaac and Hendrik whom he had found behind the house,
but which missed him, on which B. van der Merwe made his
escape into the house, but ran out again through the kitchen
door and got up the hill along the quince hedge. I also fired
a shot on that occasion at a dog, because he bit me in the
trousers, but I did not hit him. The wife of Barend van der
Merwe likewise made her escape, we did not do her any harm.
We, namely Abel, Klaas, the two Isaacs, Hendrik, and I,
thereupon rode to my master's place, while Goliath remained
behind at B. van der Merwe's because he had neither gun nor
horse.
" Before we came to my master's place, we first rode to the
place of Jan Dalree to see whether Master Campher and the
Hottentot Platje were there, but not finding them at home
we proceeded to my master's place, where having arrived we
turned our horses loose and waited till daybreak to murder
the master. When it was day my master came out of the
house and went to the kraal, on which, I, Abel, Isaac Thys,
and Klaas rushed into the house in order to get possession of
the guns and ran to the rack where they hung and took them
away. My mistress then came towards us and laid hold of
the guns, but let one of them fall, and as she held the other
fast and would not give it up, the people called out to me to
Records of the Cape Colony. 207
fire at her, and while I was about to fire the gun on one side
in order to frighten her, during which she was struggling with
the people to keep the gun, she suddenly turned round, through
which she received the shot, and in consequence let the gun
fall out of her hands. I then took up the gun and brought it
out, and while I was standing at the front door, the other
people came up to me, when we ran away together. When we
got to the kraal we heard from the Hottentot Valentyn that
Master Rensburg had mounted a horse and ridden off ; Isaac
Thys and Abel thereupon got before him, so that he was
obliged to return. As my master was going from the kraal to
the house, Abel gave him a shot which grazed him, and when
Master got into the house Abel gave him a second shot through
the window which passed close by his eyes, and thereupon
when he opened the front door I shot him dead.
" After that, Abel came in through the back door and fired
at Master Rensburg on the firehearth, who together with the
schoolmaster Verlee laid hold of the muzzle of the gun, with
which they struggled to the kitchen door, when I gave Verlee
a shot in the arm, with which he walked to the middle door
and then fell. We then went into the house, where we found
a pistol near the table and another in a pot in the kitchen, and
powder and ball on a table in the bedroom ; after we found
the pistols Klaas discovered that Verlee the Schoolmaster still
lived, on which Abel gave him a second shot through the head,
and as he was not yet dead, Isaac Rooy gave him a third shot
with a pistol. We all then rode to the place of Dalree armed
with guns, namely I, Abel, Klaas, and Hendrik, but Klaas and
Hendrik did not fire. When we came to Dalree's, not finding
Piet Campher there, we turned back to my master's place,
the Hottentots Dirk of Swanepoel, Piet Lindes, Coenraad
Lieberveld, old Cobus, little Jonas of Isaac van der Merwe,
and Jochim of Jan Abraham du Plessis, also knew of the plans
and were to wait for us till we should come to their places,
when they were to join us in order to murder their masters
also.
" From Dalree's place we went back to our place, and thence
to that of Barend van der Merwe, where we found Admiral
Slinger, Moses, and Andries, people belonging to Piet van der
Merwe of Lakcn Valley, who were also to have joined us, and
208 Records of the Cape Colony.
who accompanied us to the grazing place of Piet van der Merwe
where we were attacked by a Commando and dispersed, without
our having made any resistance ; we were then armed, namely
Abel, Klaas, Hendrik, and I, with guns belonging to my master
and to B. van der Merwe ; the Hottentots Andries, Admiral
Slinger, and Moses had their own guns."
Questions to the prisoner :
Who was the head of the gang ?
Answer. Admiral Slinger was Captain provisionally, we
were afterwards to have made one of the most clever amongst
us Commandant.
With what intention did you assemble ?
Answer. We meant to murder all the masters that did not
treat their people well, to lay waste the country if we were
strong enough, and then to escape to Caffreland ; and if the
Commando should be too strong, to remain at the places of
the murdered people.
As you say in the beginning of your statement that you had
spoken with Abel and the other people, had you any other
conversation with them than about the ill usage ?
Answer. Abel said he had heard his Master reading the
newspaper about making the slaves free, and that he had
heard his master say he would rather shoot all his slaves than
make them free.
The above statement having been read to the prisoner
Galant, his examination is continued as follows.
2. Do you persist in this statement, and have you anything
to add to or take from it ?
Answer. I have something more to state, namely my master
told me himself that he would shoot me. My master once
when I came from the work also said to me that there was a
newspaper come from another country in which stood that a
black cat had been hatched under a white hen. The next
day my master asked me what I understood by that expression?
to which I answered that I did not know. My master repeated
the question, and I said again, that I did not understand it ;
my Master then asked Achilles and Antony if they also had
an intention of going to their own Country, to which they
answered yes, but said that they could not find the way there,
but that they would go if the Governor would send them,
Records of the Cape Colony. 209
although they were afraid their parents were dead and that
they should not be known by their nation. My master was
thereupon silent, but my mistress said to my wife, a Hottentot
named Betje, that a Newspaper was come from the Cape
which she dare not break open, but that a time would be
prescribed when it might be opened. When the Newspaper
was opened my mistress said that it stood therein that there
was another great nation that was unknown ; that there were
orders come to make the Slaves free, and that if it was not
done the other nation would then come to fight against the
Farmers. My mistress afterwards further told me that it was
also said in the Newspapers that the Slaves must be free, but
if the Farmers would not allow it then it would not take
place, to which I did not say anything. Another Newspaper
came afterwards, when my wife Betje told me that her mistress
had said if we would go to the King for the money and bring
it to her on the table, that then we might be free. I desired
her to keep it quiet, which she did. Some time after, another
Newspaper came, when my wife told me that her Mistress had
said that the first Englishman who came to make the slaves
free should be shot, as well as the slaves ; upon which I again
advised her to be silent, for that if our master should hear of it
he would punish us, and that she must not tell it to anybody
else ; but I desired her to ask the Mistress why the slaves were
to be free, as she spoke so often about it. She told me after-
wards that she had asked her, and that her Mistress had said
it was because there came too many white children among the
black Negroes, and therefore that they must be free. I then
desired her again not to tell it to anyone, and not to talk so
much about it. Another Newspaper then came, when she
informed me that her Mistress had said that the Farmers were
too hardly off, and that they were obliged to put up with too
much from the Blacks. My wife came to me one day to the
land weeping, and on my asking her the reason she said that
while she was in the kitchen she had asked for a piece of bread,
and that her Master was so angry that he said he would shoot
her and all the people in a lump, and leave us to be devoured
by the crows and vultures. I again told her to be quiet, for
that I could not well believe her although she was my wife, as
she could not read or write no more than myself. Once that
xx. p
210 Records of the Gape Colony.
Barend van der Merwe was at my Master's place on his return
from Worcester where he had been to fetch the slave Goliath
who had made a complaint, I was in the stable preparing
forage for the horses. It was dark, so that nobody could see
me in the stable. My master called Barend van der Merwe
out and came with him into the stable without seeing me,
when I heard my master ask him whether he had had his slave
flogged, to which he answered no, for that the black people
had more to say with the Magistrate of late than the Christians ;
further saying but he shall nevertheless not remain without a
flogging, for when I come home he shall have one. I also
heard Barend van der Merwe say to my Master on that occasion
I wish that the Secretaries or Commissioners had died rather
than that they should have come here, for that since that time
they had been obliged to pay so much for the Opgaaf and also
for the Slaves. My master gave for answer I wish that the
first Commissioner who put his foot on the wharf from on
board had broken his neck, for that it was from that time one
was obliged to pay so much for the Slaves, which they were
not worth. My Master likewise said to Barend van der Merwe
that he must keep himself armed in order to shoot the first
Commissioner or Englishman who should come to the Country
to make the Slaves free, together with the Slaves all in one
heap. B. van der Merwe thereupon rode home, some time
after which I again heard my master speaking to Barend
Lubbe who was at my Master's place, when he asked Lubbe
how it was in the upper Country, to which Lubbe answered
he did not know, that he not having any slaves had not once
inquired about it, and that what the gentlemen did was well
done ; my master replied that although he had not any Slaves
he must nevertheless stand up for his Country, further saying
that he would shoot the first Commissioner, Englishman, or
magistrate who should come to his place to make the Slaves
free, but first the Slaves. Lubbe then asked Van der Merwe
whether he was not afraid if he fought against the Magistrates
that the Slaves would attack him from behind, to which my
master answered for that reason the Slaves must be first shot.
Subsequently I heard my master speaking for the third time
with Hans Lubbe and Jan Bothma, whom having asked how
it was in their part of the Country, they answered bad, for the
Records of the Ccqjc Colony. 211
black heathens have more privileges than us, and if the
Christians go to the Landdrost to complain of their slaves, the
Landdrost will not even look at us, but turns his backside to
us, on which my master said the best advice I can give you is
that you remain armed and keep your powder and ball together.
Lubbe replied the first Gentleman that comes to me I will
shoot with all the Slaves in a heap. Again for the fourth
time I heard my Master talking with Schalk Lubbe, likewise
at my master's place, whom he asked how it was here in the
upper Country and if he had heard anything of the Newspaper
and about the Slaves, he answered no, on which my master
said lately we heard every day of new laws. I have asked for
nothing, but I keep myself armed to shoot the first magistrate
who comes to my place and the Blacks likewise.
For the fifth time I heard my Master conversing at his place
with Johannes Jansen and Jan Verlee ; the former had made
an ox sambok which he brought into the house, on which my
master desired me to drive in a pig that had got out, which I
accordingly did. Standing before the door of the pigsty in
order to fasten it, I heard my master say to Jansen, you must
promise me something the same as Verlee has done, namely to
shoot the magistrate when he comes. Jansen answered that
he would do so, for that he would stand up for his mother
Country ; on that my Master said that he should give orders
to all the Slaves, and that if they did not obey them he would
supple the sambok on them the next day, for, said my Master,
if you punish a slave you must do it that he cannot be known
before a magistrate. My Master ordered us to smear the
treading floor and that the floor must be well laid the next
morning when he got up, on that we made the plan to murder
all the farmers ; we did not smear the floor because it was
evening and was dark ; we also told my master this, but he
notwithstanding would have that the floor should be smeared
against the next morning. My master did not say anything
more about it that evening, and we then immediately formed
the plan, as I have already stated.
Questions by the Chief Justice :
Where was the plan laid ?
Answer. At the place of my master.
Who framed the plan ?
p 2
212 Records of the Cape Colony.
Answer. I, Achilles, Antony, Isaac Thys, Isaac Rooy,
Valentyn, and Vlak. Abel came the same evening to us from
his place and joined us.
When did you arrange the plan with the people of Du
Plessis ?
Answer. At the time I rode there with my master.
How long was that before the evening that the plan was
formed at your master's place ?
Answer. Not four days.
Do you not acknowledge to be guilty of the crimes with
which you are charged in the act of accusation, and therefore
to have done evil and deserved punishment ?
Answer. I did not break open the drawer of the table in
the house, neither did I bind my wife nor cry out that I must
have Isaac van der Merwe, Du Toit, and Du Plessis. I only
asked the people to which of the places we should go first, to
Wm. du Toit's or to Isaac van der Merwe's, and also whether
we should go to Plessis's. The people of Plessis and of Isaac
van der Merwe had not arranged with us, and therefore it was
that I asked the question.
Question by the Chief Justice :
How long was it before you proceeded to execute your plan
that you spoke with the people of Plessis and Isaac van der
Merwe ?
Answer. In the month of March last year I spoke with the
people of Isaac van der Merwe about seeking a relief, because
the farmers used us so badly. The agreement was first made
with the people of Van der Merwe, and shortly before it
happened I spoke with Plessis's people. (The prisoner requests
to be allowed to add, and further says) The first time I com-
plained at Tulbagh of my Master was that I one morning went
into the kitchen and asked my wife Betje, who was Cook, how
it came that our victuals were so bad, as we had nothing else
than soup, to which she answered she could not dress better
victuals than her mistress gave her. While I was speaking to
her in this manner, my master, who was in the fore part of the
house, asked who was talking there. I answered it was I, on
which my Master got up and went into the room and brought
out a Sambok and an ox thong with which he bound my arms,
and in this manner hoisted me up to the beam, when he broke
Records of the Cape Colony. 213
a stick to pieces on my body and said that we must eat what
he gave us even if he gave us ordure. When I went to com-
plain to the Landdrost, he was not at home, on which my
master had me made fast to a pole by the undersherift and
flogged. This took place not a year before the last ploughing
time. After I had received my punishment my master took
me home, and when I came into the house he tied me to a
ladder and flogged me again, but of that I did not complain.
Questions by the Fiscal :
How many days was it after you were punished at Worcester
that your master tied you to a ladder, and flogged you ?
Answer. Two days.
Who was Landdrost then ?
Answer. The first time I went to complain it was Landdrost
Fischer, but he was not at home. Seeing that the complaints
did not avail me I remained at home, when my master asked
me if I would do good, and I said yes.
What was the reason of the flogging of which you say you
went to complain to the Landdrost Fischer ?
Answer. It was during the harvest last year that my
master ordered me to bring the wife of Dalree, who was in an
outbuilding at my master's place, from there with a waggon
to the place of Dalree. I remained there that night, and the
next morning when we were about to set out she asked me to
procure a broomstick for her when I had an opportunity ; a
week elapsed without my being able to do so, but a short time
afterwards my master gelded the young bullocks, when one of
them broke his foot under the cutting ; my master thereupon
kept that bullock separate from the others, and put him with
the calves that were still weak and sucking. On a Saturday
evening the dairyman came to say that that bullock was away,
on which my master told all the people to look for him every-
where. As I was obliged to go to look for the bullock just in
the direction where the place of Dalree was, I took the broom
stick with me to give it to the Mistress. I also inquired of
her about the bullock, when she told me that she had seen a
beast the whole day at the other side of the river, but that
she did not know what it was. 1 then said to her, here is the
broomstick that I promised you, on which she gave me a
piece of bread and meat, for she was just at dinner. She also
214 Records of the Cape Colony.
told me to go into the kitchen and see if there was any soup,
for that there must be still some cold soup there, but as it was
already dark I had not any time to remain ; she then offered
me a dram, which I refused, saying it was a pity to drink it
then, but that I would take it with me, which I accordingly
did, having put it into a little canister, and when I came
home I placed it on the rack in the kitchen. The next morning
when my Mistress got up she asked about the canister, which
stood next a bottle of infused herbs that also belonged to me.
My mistress took the canister and brought it into the hall ;
when I came at eight o'clock to fetch my breakfast my master
asked me what I had been doing at Mrs. Sally Dalree's ? I
said that I had been there to look for the 3roung bullock, and
that Mrs. Sally had me brought into the road where the bullock
was ; on which my master said that I had been there to cabal,
and for that my master flogged me. On that occasion my
master beat to pieces a jacket that cost me eight rixdollars,
and I asked him for the money to pay the tailor that I bought
it from, and of that I complained. When I was at Worcester
my Master sent his brother Isaac van der Merwe to fetch me
home, when the Landdrost said that as my jacket was beaten
to pieces and he had heard what I had to say I should not get
a flogging. The Landdrost likewise asked master Isaac in my
presence if he had not seen the newspaper in which it was
forbidden to flog a slave with a sambok. Master Isaac
answered yes I have read it, on which the Landdrost asked him
if his brother then did not know of it and had not read it, to
which he likewise answered yes ; the Landdrost then said
that if they wanted to flog a Negro they must make use of a
quince switch as thick as the undersheriff's ratan, or a thong,
and give as many strokes as they deserved, from twenty-five
to thirty-nine. When I came home after that complaint my
Master punished me again and reproached me with having
stolen and given so much to the people who were there ; that
I had stolen ten muids of wheat, two muids of meal, and two
muids of peas, all of which he said I had given to Platje Pas
and January Kaffer. When my master flogged me for that
also, I told him to let the people come forward in order to
hear from them if I had done so ; that it was not in my power
to give so much, and my master punished me about that
Records of the Cape Colony. 215
charge likewise, and of that I again complained. Platje
Mat j an told my master that I had stolen so much, with which
complaint my master went to the Drostdy and had me flogged
again. I made my complaint to the Landdrost Trappes, to
whom I stated the names of the persons that I was accused of
having given the stolen goods to, but the Fieldcornet said it
was not necessary to hear these witnesses. The Landdrost
then called us in, and my master said that everything I said
was lies. I asked the Landdrost to be allowed to speak, but
he said that he held short proceedings, which consisted in a
flogging. After I was punished the Landdrost sent for me
and asked me if I would willingly return with my master, or
if not that he would have a couple of rings put on my legs, to
which I answered that if I had deserved it from my master
and the Landdrost, that then I was obliged to suffer the
punishment, on which I went to my master after I had asked
pardon of the Landdrost. When I got to a little distance,
with my master following me, the Landdrost sent to call him
back, and I heard the Landdrost say to my master that he
must be cautious how he acted with me, for that my com-
plaints were too great and that if I complained to the Gentle-
men (Court) and that the business went farther, he might
possibly lose me ; for that he the Landdrost had done it only
to satisfy my master. After I had been four days at home,
my master bound me to a tree and flogged me because I had
given a young stallion, which I was obliged to ride, three or
four strokes on the loins which cut him through, and in con-
sequence of his plunging the girth broke. I then intended to
come to Cape Town, and left my master's place the same
evening of the day that he flogged me, with intention to
complain. My master sent Platje Pas and P. Campher after
me the next day ; they found me on the mountain and said
that I must go home, but I said that I would not do so before
I had sought redress and had been to my magistrates. They
told my master what I said, on which he came with Platje
Pas to the same place where I was, but I concealed myself ;
my master having searched round for me, but in vain, he rode
home again. After that, six Christians and six Hottentots
were ordered out ; the Hottentots were to take me and pursue
me even into the ISalt River till they found me, and if I would
216 Records of the Cape Colony.
not surrender they might shoot me. The Christians were at
liberty to turn back if they could not find me, but the Hotten-
tots were to continue the pursuit. I afterwards met two of the
people belonging to Master Isaac van der Merwe who were in
charge of some sheep, and they informed me that my master
had said if they could not take me they might shoot me. I
then told them that I was going to complain. I had been on
that occasion to the grazing place of Piet of Laken Valley
and had taken the gun of the Hottentot Andries Wildschut
who was not at home (but Antony was at home). I had taken
the gun merely to defend myself, but seeing that the Hottentots
were much too strong for me I returned home four days after-
wards and gave the gun to my master and requested pardon.
He said that I should have no pardon, but that I must lay
down on the ground before him, and that he would give me a
flogging, and he gave me twelve strokes with a stick. I
thereupon went to bed, and the next morning after I had
turned out the Cattle, my master came with Achilles and
Antony into the stable and had me bound to the manger
and flogged me with two ox thongs fastened together. I did
not go again to complain of that, but remained at home,
when the freedom of the slaves that I had so frequently heard
of came into my head, because I had complained so often, but
only got flogged.
I wish also to speak against my mistress, she so ill used
Antony's wife, named Lydia. Lydia is still at home, and she
likewise knew of the plan. My mistress made Lydia eat
ordure and drink urine, bound her hand and legs and thrust
her into a sea-cow hole, and when she was half dead dragged
her out again. She is a grown woman, and has three children,
and notwithstanding my mistress stripped her stark naked
and sent her out in the cold to fetch fire wood, and this was
not once, but was always so.
I have still further to speak about my child that is dead,
his name was David, and his mother is the Hottentot Betje.
My master said she must leave that child, which was twelve
months old and began to creep about, at home, as it was too
troublesome, because the mother had to cook and also to
take care of the cattle. Once on coming home she found the
child made fast to a tree and when she laid hold of it, it screamed
Records of the Cape Colony. 217
out ; she then examined the child's body, and found that it
had been cruelly beaten. She asked old Frein, the wife of
Achilles, how the child came so sore, and she said that her
Mistress had ordered her to bind the child to the tree ; she
asked likewise how the child became so beaten, but she said
she did not know and that she (Betje) must go herself and ask
the Mistress how it happened, which Betje accordingly did,
and the Mistress said that Master had done it out of malice.
Betje then took the child away, and after that the sores were
nearly healed, which was about a month and fifteen days
afterwards, and the child began again to creep about and had
gone to its mother at the water ; my master took an ox thong
which he doubled and flogged the child with, after which he
brought it home. When Betje came from the water, my
master beat the child again. The water was far from the house
and Betje had gone there to wash the meat that was to be
dressed. Master beat the child so long till that it was silent,
and the same evening of that day the child died. I was not
at home, for I was out to collect fifty-eight oxen belonging to
my master. I was out twenty-six days at the Carroo for the
cattle. When I came home my wife Betje told me all those
circumstances, on which I said I would go and complain of it,
but she answered that Master had asked her pardon and said
that he had done it in a passion, in consequence of which I did
not complain.
When the child died nobody was sent for, no person examined
the body. This business of the child I think happened about
two years ago, it was before I had made any complaint at
Worcester.
I would not complain of that because my wife said she had
forgiven Master. The business of the gun was also forgiven
me by my master, and it is now again brought against me.
What have you to say in excuse ?
Answer. I refer to what I have already stated.
The above further statement being read over to the prisoner
Galant, he declared that he persists therein.
The 2nd prisoner Abel is called in, and being interrogated,
answers as follows :
1. What is your name and age, where were you born, ami
whose slave are you ?
218 Records of the Cape Colony.
Answer. Abel, I am twenty-six years of age ; I was born
in Bokkeveld, and am a slave of Barend van der Merwe.
The statement of the circumstances given by the 2nd
prisoner Abel before Commissioners from this Court on the
23rd February last is hereupon read to him, and which state-
ment is as follows :
" On a Sunday evening I was with my master at Master
Willem van der Merwe's, and while I was with the people
there, Galant said that we must see and get some guns to kill
the masters. I answered that it was well, and that I would
speak to our people about it, which I accordingly did to Klaas
and Goliath, who consented to it, and on the Tuesday evening
following I went again to the place of Willem van der Merwe,
and when I came there I found that Galant, Isaac Rooy,
Isaac Thys, and Hendrik, a Hottentot in the service of Dalree,
were already come, with whom I then returned to my master's
place, where we arrived in the night. The sheep had broken
out of the kraal, and I assisted Klaas to drive them in again ;
the dogs beginning to bark at the people, my Master asked
Klaas the reason, to which he answered that he did not know ;
on which my Master went to one side of the house to see what
it was, and Galant and I went round to the other side and
rushed into the house, from which we took away the guns with
the powder and shot. I had six balls with me, for I was the
huntsman of the place. My Mistress came out of the house
after us, and begged of us not to fire. Galant and I both
fired random shots at my master, upon which he ran into the
house, when Galant fired a second shot at him, but without
hitting him, and then we did not see anything more of him.
Galant afterwards fired another shot at a dog that attempted
to bite him. The people of Willem van der Merwe whom I
have already mentioned, Klaas, and I then rode back to Wm.
van der Merwe's place. Goliath was to have gone and fetched
a horse for himself, and so he remained away. We rode past
the place of Dalree without having called, and when we arrived
at the place of Wm. van der Merwe we unsaddled the horses,
and went and sat in Galant's hut till that it should be daylight.
We then agreed that four of us, namely I, Galant, Klaas, and
Isaac Thys, should keep ourselves concealed under the peach-
trees before the door of the house till it was day, when the
Records of the Cape Colony. 219
master as usual would go to the kraal, while Hendrik was to
remain at the stable to make the horses loose and Isaac Rooy
at the kraal till daylight. Antony and Achilles of Mr. van der
Merwe remained likewise at the kraal.
" When it was day, and we were all at our said posts, the
master came out of the front door, and when he had got to
near the kraal, we four ran from under the peach trees into
the house. Galant and I went into the bedroom, where Wm.
van der Merwe's wife still was, and took away two guns which
were on a rack there. The woman perceiving our object
sprang towards us and laid hold of both the guns, but Galant
forced one from her and gave it to Klaas and Isaac Thys. I
continued to struggle with the woman to the kitchen, when
Galant gave her a shot in the hip, in consequence of which
she fell and then let the gun go. One of the guns wanted
something on the lock, and therefore we did not take it with
us. On the shot, Wm. van der Merwe and Janse van Rensburg
came running to the house, while we had gone out in order to
fire at them when they should come ; when they came on, I
fired at Van der Merwe, without hitting him. After they got
into the house they locked the door close, but seeing one of the
windows which had a glazed sash before it open I thrust in the
gun and just seeing the head of Van der Merwe, who was
spying at us, I fired at him, which shot grazed his head. Wm.
van der Merwe then opened the front door a little, and asked
me why we fired at him, when he had not done us any harm ?
on which I said I would not fire at him, and while he was
speaking to me, Galant fired, of which shot he fell dead.
Achilles, Antony, Isaac, and Klaas then joined us, when I went
into the house through the back door which was open, and
shot at Janse van Rensburg whom I found there, who in
receiving my shot gave one spring, and when the schoolmaster
Verlee was also discovered, Galant fired at him. I gave
Rensburg a shot, so that he died immediately. Verlee not
being dead, I gave him a shot likewise in the breast, and Isaac
Rooy thereupon gave him the death shot with a pistol that
had been loaded by the people in the house. There were two
pistols in the house, but as we kept at a distance off they could
not shoot at us. The maids Betje, Pamela, and Lea were in
the house and saw everything. We would not do the Mistress
220 Records of the Cape Colony.
any further harm, and as I heard Galant wanted to fire at the
children, but the maids opposed him. We first drank some
brandy, and then took away some powder and balls that we
found on a table in the house. From the place of Willem
van der Merwe, we rode back to my master's and called at
Dalree's in order to shoot him also ; but not finding him at
home, we rode on to my master's place. We likewise wanted
to see at Dalree's if Piet Campher, who lives there, was at
home, because he was the Instigator of the plan, but he was
gone to Tulbagh. When we came to my Master's place, we
found there the Slave Moses, and Andries Wildschut and
Admiral Slinger, two Hottentots, people belonging to Piet van
der Merwe of Laken Valley, all on horseback and armed with
guns, and belonging, as they told me, to a grazing place of said
Piet van der Merwe, whither my mistress had that day made
her escape ; and which people told us that they had come
there to dissuade us ; but when we told them they must help
us, they consented and went with us. Galant was Captain, I
was Corporal, and the others soldiers. Admiral Slinger was to
have been a Corporal also. Having drunk some brandy at my
Master's place, we all rode on to the kraal of said Moses, where
we stopped, and where we saw the maids belonging to our
place. I asked them where my Mistress was ? they answered
that she was already gone, on which I said there she sits with
her little children, but I shall not do her any harm, and after
that a Commando came there, by which we were dispersed.
I left my horse behind, and proceeded on foot, and I was
thereupon apprehended by a Slave belonging to George Muller,
to whom I voluntarily surrendered myself. Galant told me
that two of the people belonging to Isaac van der Merwe, two
of J. A. du Plessis, and an old bastard Hottentot in the service
of Swanepoel were likewise to have assisted us. The reason
of our doing this was because my master aimed at my life two
or three times, and was about to shoot me, because I could
not do his work according to his liking, and he required too
much of me. Galant likewise told me that there were so
many newspapers come from the Fieldcornets that were never
read to him, and that he had heard from other persons that
they were to have been free long ago, but that nothing came
of it ; and therefore that he would make uproar and make
Records of the Cape Colony. 221
himself free ; and I myself heard the late Van der Merwe say-
that he would rather lose the last drop of his blood than give
his slaves their freedom. All the people of Wm. van der
Merwe know that Piet Campher was the Instigator of the plan,
as I heard from Galant. Galant, I, and Isaac Rooy all fired at
the place of Wm. van der Merwe, and all the others were
armed, namely Isaac Thys with a sabre, Achilles with a bayonet,
Antony with a cudgel, and Hendrik was to have a gun."
The above statement having been read to the 2nd prisoner
Abel, his examination is continued as follows.
Do you persist in this statement, and have you anything to
add to, or take from it ?
Answer. I do, and I have nothing to add to, or take from it.
Questions of the Fiscal to the prisoner :
Where was Hendrik when you were employed in forcing the
gun from the wife of the late Van der Merwe ?
Answer. He was still at the kraal.
Did he also lay hold of the gun ?
Answer. No.
Do you not acknowledge to be guilty of the crimes with
which you are charged in the act of accusation, and therefore
to have done evil and deserved punishment ?
Answer. Yes.
What have you to say in excuse ?
Answer. Galant told me to do so ; I had not any other
reason thereto. Whatever I did or did not I could not please
my Master. When we did not do a thing to his fancy, he
threatened to shoot us. I was ill treated the whole of the day
and night. By night I must take care of the sheep, and work
by day also. It was too much for me, I could not support it.
Clothes and victuals were also bad. I was likewise flogged
sometimes, although I have not any outward marks. One
can give one a hundred floggings without seeing a stripe.
Questions by the Chief Justice :
Did you ever make any complaint of your master ?
Answer. Never.
Why not ?
Answer. Because I saw that so many complained, but
that they came off badly.
How were the other people treated ?
222 Records of the Cape Colony.
Answer. My wife Saartje was obliged to be every day in
the fields, and she got only one jacket and one petticoat, and
that she could not support.
The above questions and answers being read over to the
2nd prisoner Abel, he persists therein.
The 3rd prisoner Isaac Rooy being called in, and examined,
answers as follows :
Examination of Isaac Rooy.
What is your name, how old are you, where were you born,
and in whose service were you ?
Answer. Isaac Rooy, I am eighteen years of age ; I was
born at Joseph Fourie's at Zwartberg, and was last in the
service of the late Willem van der Merwe.
The statement given by the 3rd prisoner Isaac Rooy before
Commissioners of this Court on the 25th of February last is
hereupon read to him, which statement is as follows :
" The night we rode to master Barend van der Merwe
Galant with the assistance of the Hottentot Hendrik who was
in the service of Jan Dalree and Isaac Thys saddled the horses
in the stable, after which Abel belonging to Master Barend
van der Merwe came to the straw hut of Galant, where Galant
and the others whom I have mentioned were ; while the
horses had been already brought by them to the kraal. Galant
awakened me from my sleep, and told me that I must ride
with him to the place of Barend van der Merwe, and that I
must ride behind him as his postillion, which I accordingly
did, and Galant, Abel, Isaac Thys, Hendrik, and I, rode there.
When we arrived, we dismounted from our horses at a little
distance from the house where I remained by order of Galant
to hold the horses, while all the other people proceeded to the
house of Barend van der Merwe. After they were gone I
heard two shots, on which Abel and the Hottentot Hendrik
came to me where I was with the horses. Abel thereupon
mounted one of them and rode to the house, while Hendrik
and I on his orders brought the other to the house where the
other people were. I saw the Mistress at a quince hedge, who
begged of her slave Klaas not to fire at her, on which Galant
said that he would not shoot her. We thereupon together
with Klaas, who had also joined the gang, rode from there, at
which time Galant and Abel were provided with guns, intending
Records of the Cape Colony. 223
to go to Master Dalree's, in order as Galant and Abel said to
murder him ; but before we got there Galant said that we
had better ride to my master Willem van der Merwe, because
that when we should fire at Dalree, my master would hear the
shots ; in consequence of which we did not call there, but rode
past to my master's cattle kraal, where Galant asked the
maid Roos who belonged to the place where Platje Pas was,
to which she answered that he was gone to Tulbagh to bring
a rogue there ; on the further question of Galant where that
gun then was, she said she did not know, but she believed
it was at Master Dalree's. We thereupon proceeded to my
master's place, and having gone into Galant's hut, we had
something to eat, and then I went to sleep. Galant awakened
me at daylight and said that I should go to the stable and
turn the horses and the cows loose and drive them to the land.
I heard firing, upon which I ran to the stable, because I|,was
afraid that when the people should fly and fire at us that they
would hit me also ; and on looking out of the stable window,
I saw Galant, Abel, Isaac Thys, Klaas, and Hendrik standing
before the house, the first four of whom were provided with
guns, after which Achilles and Antony came to them. Galant
then ordered me to bring the horses to the house, which I did,
and when I got there I saw Master thrust his head out of the
door to speak with the people, on which Abel fired a shot at,
but missed him. Master attempted a second time to speak
with the people, but as soon as he put his head out of the door
Abel gave him another shot, which hit him on the side of the
head. Some time afterwards Master opened the door for the
third time and asked Abel why they wanted to shoot him, on
which Galant called out " Moerneuker " (an obscene term of
abuse) " do you still prate ? Abel fire," on which Master again
shut the door after him, whereupon Galant went to the other
side of the house in order, when Master should put out his
head again, to shoot him, and when the Master did do so to
speak with the people, Galant gave him a shot in the head, of
which he immediately fell dead. After that they all went into
the kitchen through the back door while I remained with the
horses, during which I heard some shots in the house, when
Galant came and called me into the house, and on coming there
I saw Master Janse and the Schoolmaster lying on the floor,
224 Records of the Cape Colony.
the latter snorted, on which Galant gave me a pistol to shoot
him, and because I would not do so he threatened me and
said that if I did not I should see what he would do with me,
and because I still would not do it he threatened me with a
Sambok, on which I gave the Schoolmaster a shot with the
pistol in the breast. I then went with Abel to fetch the
horses, which we brought to the door. Galant broke open
the drawer of a table in which there was a gun lock, which he
first put to rights and fixed it on a gun, and then they rode to
the place of Dalree in order to murder him, but they did not
find him, as he had made his escape to the mountain ; thence
they proceeded to the place of Barend van der Merwe, where
we found the people belonging to the grazing place of Piet van
der Merwe, named Moses, Andries Wildschut, and Admiral
Slinger, all on horseback and armed with guns, who drank
some spirits with us, and with whom we then rode away,
intending to go to the place of Jan du Plessis to murder him.
Moses then got away from us, and when we had got to within
a short distance of said Plessis's Admiral Slinger said that we
had better turn back and ride to the Warm Bokkeveld to
Rasmus van der Merwe's to murder him likewise, which we
accordingly did, and rode first to the kraal of Moses, where a
Commando having come up to us, I made my escape, but
returned to the kraal the same evening, where I was appre-
hended by a Hottentot named Piet Mankie and brought to
the Fieldcornet by Andries Wildschut."
Questions to the prisoner :
Why did the people shoot your master ?
Answer. Galant said that Master did not treat him well ;
but that is not true, for Master was very fond of him, and
Verlee and Rensburg Galant said he had murdered, that they
should not speak of it.
Who was the head of the gang ?
Answer. Galant was Captain and Abel Corporal, and the
others were soldiers.
Did the gang make resistance against the Commando ?
Answer. Galant fired two shots at them, and Moses, Andries
Wildschut, and Admiral Slinger fired at us, and joined the
Commando when they fired. Admiral Slinger fired a ball
through my hat.
Records of the Cape Colony. 225
What share had Pamela, Vlak, Valentyn, Achilles, and
Antony in the gang ?
Answer. Of Pamela I know nothing. Vlak and Valentyn
did not do anything, Antony stood by my master's house with
a gun without a lock, and Achilles with an assagay.
The above statement having been read to the 3rd prisoner
Isaac Eooy, his examination is continued as follows :
Do you persist in this statement ?
Answer. I do.
Questions by the Chief Justice :
How did your master treat Galant ?
Answer. At first a little badly, and then he complained,
but when he came back again Master did not use him so any
more, but treated him better than the other people.
Has Galant a wife ?
Answer. Yes, her name is Betje.
Has he any children by her ?
Answer. Yes, two alive ; he had more, but how many I do
not know.
Are any of the others alive ?
Answer. No, only the two.
Was there one of them who was called David ?
Answer. Yes, that was the name of the eldest, but how the
others were called I do not know.
Is David alive ?
Answer. No, he died long ago.
How big was he when he died ?
Answer. He was a little boy, but if he had lived he would
be as tall now as I am.
Do you know when David died ?
Answer. No, not exactly, but it is a long while ago, it was
long before the former ploughing time. I think it is three or
four years, he could walk, and the other that is dead could
scarcely creep.
Was there a child of Betje who died last year ?
Answer. No.
Had your master a girl named Lydia ?
Answer. Yes.
How was she treated ?
Answer. Always badly, she was flogged.
xx. Q
226 Records of the Cape Colony.
Who flogged her ?
Answer. Master and the Mistress also.
Was anything else done to her ?
Answer. No.
Did she never fall in the water ?
Answer. I know nothing of that, neither did I ever hear it.
How long have you lived with your master ?
Answer. Three years ago I came there with my mother.
I first lived with her with some people at Tulbagh.
Were you accustomed to cut the corn at your master's
land?
Answer. Yes.
Do you know one Campher, and did he work at the land
with you ?
Answer. Yes.
Did he say anything to the people while he was at work at the
land, and what ?
Answer. Not with me, Valentyn and I went away after
the work, but Galant, Achilles, Antony, Isaac, and old Platje
remained, and he spoke with them, as the people said, but what
I do not know.
Do you not acknowledge to be guilty of the crimes with
which you are charged in the act of accusation, and what
have you to say in excuse ?
Answer. Yes, but my Master treated me badly. He
always beat me, although I never complained of it. He
flogged me with a sambok, not exactly every day, but once in
one day. I generally got about twenty-five when I did
wrong. Had not Galant forced me to it I had never done it.
I did not know of it at first, Galant did not say anything else
to me than that I must be his postillion.
The above questions and answers being read over to the
3rd prisoner Isaac Rooy, he persists therein.
Tuesday the 15th March 1825.
Ten o'clock A.M.
All the Members present except Mr. Bresler.
The 4th prisoner Isaac Thys being called in, is examined,
and answers as follows :
Examination of Isaac Thys.
Records of the Cape Colony. 227
What is your name and your age, where were you born, and
in whose service were you last ?
Answer. Isaac Thys, nineteen years of age, born at Zakriver,
last in the service of the late Willem N. van der Merwe.
The statement given by the 4th prisoner Isaac Thys before
Commissioners from this Court on the 24th February last is
hereupon read to him ; which statement is as follows :
' On a certain night some time ago Galant, a slave of my
Master, said that he would murder my master. Abel belonging
to Master Barend van der Merwe was at my master's place
the same night, who likewise wanted to murder his master
because he did not treat him well. That night we, namely
Galant, Abel, Hendrik, Isaak Rooy, and I proceeded on
horseback to the place of Barend van der Merwe, three of the
horses belonged to my late master and two to Barend van der
Merwe. When we came to the place of the latter, his slave
Klaas was employed driving the sheep back in the kraal,
while Barend van der Merwe came out and went round the
house to see what the dogs were barking for. Abel and
Galant then leaped into the house through the kitchen window,
and came out with two guns, with one of which Abel fired at
Barend van der Merwe, who immediately ran into the house.
Galant, Abel, Hendrik, and Klaas went to the front door,
which Klaas struck with a hammer. I was not present then,
for I stood at a distance with Isaac Rooy to hold the horses,
and while they were before the front door Barend van der
Merwe made his escape through the back door and ran towards
the mountains. Abel, who saw this, fired at Barend van der
Merwe, and Galant would also have shot at him, but his gun
missed fire. We then went into the house, where the wife of
Barend van der Merwe was, but we did not do her any harm,
because she so begged and prayed of us, after which she also
left the house. We then all mounted our horses again, together
with Klaas, who likewise joined us. Goliath would also have
rode with us, but Abel said that he must remain to drive out
the sheep the next day. We then rode to the place of my
Master Willem van der Merwe, where we went and sat down
in Galant's straw hut and had something to eat, and there we
were joined by my master's other slaves, namely Achilles and
Antony. We first slept a little till nearly daybreak, when we,
Q 2
228 Records of the Cape Colony.
namely Galant, Abel, Klaas, and I, went to the front door of
the house to wait till my master came out as usual to go to the
Kraal, and then to rush in, in order to get possession of the
guns, while the other people remained at the kraal. After my
master went to the kraal, we four, that were posted at the
front door, ran into the house. Abel and Galant brought two
guns out of the bed room, one of which the Mistress held fast
and would not give to Abel, and as Abel could not get it out
of her hands, he called out to Galant to fire, which Galant did,
and gave her a shot in the left thigh, through which she let
the gun loose. We thereupon went out of the house in order
to load the guns. I had then a sabre in my hand, which
Galant had brought from Master Barend van der Merwe's.
My master Willem van der Merwe and Janse van Rensburg
then came running from the kraal to the house, but before
they got in Abel fired at my Master and hit him, as he said,
behind in the shoulder. We then all went to the kraal to
saddle our horses, and when we came there my old mammy
named Frein who knew of the plan said ' there rides Master
Janse.' Abel, Isaac Rooy and I thereupon rode after Master
Janse, and Abel who had a good horse overtook and drove
him back again, on which he made his escape into the house
on the horse. Having then rode round the house two or
three times, we dismounted, when Abel seeing my master
through one of the windows gave him a shot which grazed the
side of his head. He fired another shot through the window,
but that missed. Master then came out of the door to look,
when Galant gave him a third shot, of which he fell dead.
Abel and Galant then ran into the house to the kitchen, where
Abel went in to shoot Master Janse, which he accordingly did.
Janse however on receiving the shot ran up to Abel to lay hold
of the gun, but he fell down dead. The schoolmaster Verlee,
who likewise sprang towards Abel to seize the gun, received a
shot in the arm on that occasion from Galant, on which he fell.
We then all went into the house and searched round about,
when the Schoolmaster got up again and went and sat down
on a chair, which Abel seeing gave him a second shot in the
head, of which he fell, but as he still snorted, Isaac Rooy gave
him a shot in the breast with a pistol that we had found in the
house loaded, which killed him.
Records of the Cape Colony. 229
" The Mistress sat on a loft, and we did not do her any further
harm. I threatened the children to beat them with my sabre,
but I did not do it. Galant then gave us some brandy to
drink out of a jar, after which we rode to the place of Master
Dalree, but not finding him at home, we proceeded again to
the place of Barend van der Merwe, to see if he had not returned
home in order to shoot him also.
" We did not discover him however, but we found there a
Slave named Moses and two Hottentots named Andries
Wildschut and Admiral Slinger belonging to Piet van der
Merwe of Laken Valley and to his grazing place which is
situated in the neighbourhood of Barend van der Merwe' s
Place. They told us that they had come there to join us,
and they were all provided with horses and guns. We drank
some brandy there also, and then rode to the said grazing
place, of which the Slave Moses had the charge, but when we
arrived there a Commando came up, which fired at and dis-
persed us. Galant fired at the Commando, and I left the gang
there and made my escape to the Carroo, but having returned
to Bokkeveld I met Galant with whom I wandered about for
some days, and was afterwards taken by a Commando."
Questions to the Prisoner :
What share had the prisoners Adonis, Valentyn, Vlak, and
Pamela in the Plot ?
Answer. Pamela ran round about the house with the
Mistress. Adonis gave Galant powder at the place of J. A.
du Plessis when I was there with my master, and Valentyn
and Vlak were little Hottentots and held our horses but did
not go with us.
What was your object in forming the gang ?
Answer. We intended to go to the Great River and not to
kill any more people. Galant wanted to murder all the
masters, because as he said they had wronged him and taken
away his Cattle.
Are there any others who had a share in the plot and who
are not yet apprehended ?
Answer. We were once sitting at dinner on my master's
land at the time we were reaping the corn, on which occasion
one Piet Campher was with us who said that we must stand
by one another and kill our Master and his Master Mr. Dalree,
230
Records of the Cape Colony.
because he treated us so badly. Our people were then present,
namely Galant, Achilles, Antony, Valentyn, Vlak, Isaac Rooy,
and old Platje Pas.
The above statement having been read over to the 4th
prisoner Isaac Thys, his examination is continued as follows :
Do you persist in this Statement ?
Answer. Yes, I do.
Questions by the Chief Justice :
How long have you lived with your Master ?
Answer. Four years.
Has Galant a wife ?
Answer. Yes, Betje.
Has he any children by this wife ?
Answer. Yes, two alive, but how many he has had I do
not know.
How old are these Children ?
Answer. One of them is so big ; (the prisoner describes a
child of two or three years), the other is still at the breast ;
the one is called Galant, the other Lys.
What were the names of the children who are dead ?
Answer. David, Betje, and Jantje.
[ How big would David be now, if he had lived ?
Answer. As big as I am.
When did David die ?
Answer. Last year, the day after his birth day.
What did he die of ?
Answer. That I do not know.
How did your master treat Galant ?
Answer. Master treated him well, at least for as far as I
saw, he once went to complain of a flogging that he had got.
For what was he flogged ?
Answer. Because he had not worked, but had gone to sleep
before his work was done.
Is there a slave girl of the name of Lydia ?
Answer. Yes.
How is she treated by your Master and Mistress.
Answer. Of her I neither heard nor saw anything particular.
Who of the people belonging to the gang were in the house
at the time Barend van der Merwe's wife returned from the
mountains whither she had escaped ?
Records of the Cape Colony. 231
Answer. None of us, when she came out she begged for
mercy.
How long did she remain in the house ?
Answer. A short time.
How are you treated ?
Answer. Well, but the things that my Master once gave
me he took away again.
Do you not acknowledge to be guilty of the crimes with
which you are charged in the act of accusation, and therefore
to have done evil and deserved punishment ?
Answer. Yes, I have done evil, but Galant said that I must
do it, that we must support him, and that if we did not do so
he would shoot us.
Questions by the Chief Justice :
Were you present when Isaac Rooy fired at Verlee ?
Answer. Yes, he gave him the last shot.
Did he do so of his own accord ?
Answer. Galant forced him to do it ; he stood behind him
with his gun cocked.
The above questions and answers being read over to the
prisoner, he persists therein.
The 5th prisoner Hendrik is brought in, and being inter-
rogated, answers as follows :
Examination of Hendrik.
1. What is your name and age, where were you born, and
in whose service were you last ?
Answer. Hendrik, I don't know my age, (supposed to be
about twenty-four), born at the place of the late Nicolaas
Janssen, and last in the service of Jan Dalree.
The statement given by the 5th prisoner Hendrik before
Commissioners from this Court on the 25th February last is
hereupon read to him, and which statement is as follows :
" The evening before the night that we rode to Master
Barend van der Merwe's I was at the place of the late Willem
van der Merwe to fetch a horse belonging to my master ; on
which occasion Galant asked me if I would accompany him to
the place of Barend van der Merwe. I asked him for what
purpose, but he did not tell me his intention, and on my
saying that I had no horse, Galant answered that he would
give me a horse belonging to his Master, and thereupon I went
232 Records of the Cape Colony.
with him, together with Abel Slave of Barend van der Merwe,
Isaac Rooy, and Isaac Thys, all on horseback to said Van der
Merwe' s place. Having arrived there, we dismounted, when we
saw that Klaas, one of his slaves, was employed to drive the
sheep that had broken out of the kraal in again, while Master
Bar/end stood outside the house. The dogs beginning to bark,
Mpt,ster Barend asked Klaas the reason, and on his answering
that he did not know, Barend van der Merwe with Klaas went
round the house to see what it was, when he came up to me and
Isaac Rooy who stood at the back of the house and asked us
what we were doing there, to which we said that we came there
with the people. While Barend van der Merwe was speaking
with us, Galant and Abel, who in the meantime had got into
the house through a window to procure the arms, came out
with two guns, when Abel fired a shot at Barend van der
Merwe, but missed him, on which Master Barend immediately
ran into the house, and while we were standing by the kitchen
door he ran out again and made his escape along the Quince
hedge to the mountain. Abel fired two shots after him, but
they both missed. I then went to the horses which were at a
little distance from the house under the care of Isaac Rooy and
brought them to the other people who were at the house, on
which we all mounted and rode to the place of the late Willem
van der Merwe, where having dismounted and unsaddled the
horses, we went to Galant's straw hut and remained there till
nearly daylight, when Galant, Abel, Isaac Rooy, and Isaac
Thys, which latter had come with us from the place of Barend
van der Merwe, went out and concealed themselves under the
peach trees before the house of Willem van der Merwe, till
that he should, as usual, come out to go to the kraal, and then
to rush into the house in order to get possession of the guns.
I remained in Galant's hut, because I had the headache, where
the little Hottentots Valentyn and Vlak also were, and when
it was day, Master Willem van der Merwe and Master Janso
van Rensburg went to the kraal. The Slaves Achilles and
Antony came to me to help me to catch my master's horse,
and while I was about it I heard a shot in the house, on which
Master Willem and Master Janse immediately ran off to the
house, while I remained at the kraal. Achilles and Antony
followed them a little way, but turned back again to the kraal
Records of the Cape Colony. 233
to drive the cattle in. After I had remained a long time at the
kraal with the horse that I had been sent for, I heard some
shots in the house, when having gone there, I saw Master
Willem van der Merwe, Master Janse, and the schoolmaster
lying dead ; but I did not see the Mistress nor the children,
they were, as I heard from the people, on the loft, and the
Mistress, as Galant said, had also got a shot. Galant then
gave each of us a dram and a gun to me ; upon which we rode
to the place of Master Dalree to kill him also, as the people
said, and likewise to get a horse there, but not rinding him at
home, as he had made his escape to the Mountains, we rode on,
after having procured a horse there, to the place of Barend
van der Merwe to see if he had not yet returned i ome ; but
he was not come back ; however we found there a sK, re named
Moses, a Hottentot named Slinger, and another \ ^ttentot
whom I did not know, all on horseback and proving 1 with
guns ; they were people of old Piet van der Merwe o\ ^ken
Valley and belonged to a grazing place of their Master, 'ch
is situated close to the place of Barend van der Merwe, aiiv ~>
which grazing place the wife of Master Barend had made hi.
escape that night ; but with what intention those people came
there I do not know. We drank some spirits with the people
whom we met there, and then rode with them to the grazing
place of which Moses was in charge, but we had scarcely got
there when a Christian Commando came upon us, which fired
at us and made me and Klaas prisoners, while the others took
flight. I heard that Galant had also fired at the Commando,
but I was so tipsy from the brandy which I had drunk that I
know nothing of it."
Questions to the Prisoner :
Who was the head of the gang ?
Answer. Galant was the Captain.
What share had the prisoners Pamela, Valentyn, Vlak, and
Adonis in the plot ?
Answer. Valentyn and Vlak were likewise in Galant' s hut,,
but they did not ride with us. Neither were Pamela nor
Adonis with us, and what they did I do not know.
Were you in the habit of going to the place of the late
Willem van der Merwe ?
Answer. No, I was never there but once before.
/
234 Records of the Cape Colony.
The above statement being read over to the 5th prisoner
Hendrik, his examination is continued as follows.
Do you persist in this statement ?
Answer. Yes.
Questions by the Chief Justice :
Did not Galant tell you for what purpose he was going to
Barend van der Merwe's ?
Answer. I asked him, and he said that he had promised
Abel before that we should come there, but he did not say for
what purpose. The people were to have been there the
evening before. Of what they were to do there I know nothing,
I knew nothing of the mischief.
When Barend van der Merwe made his escape to the moun-
tains, where was his wife ?
Answer. The Mistress was in the house, she stopped a long
time there. She was still there when we rode away.
Were you not present when Abel fired at Barend van der
Merwe ?
Answer. When Abel fired the first shot, I turned round to
the horses. I afterwards went to Willem van der Merwe's.
I could not get away from the people. Galant had said that if
one of us went away he would shoot him, and therefore I was
afraid to go. I did not fire.
Do you not acknowledge to be guilty of the crimes with
which you are charged in the act of accusation, and^therefore
to have done evil and deserved punishment ?
Answer. Yes, but Galant would have it so.
The above questions and answers being read over to the 5th
prisoner Hendrik, he persists therein.
The 6th prisoner Klaas being brought in, is interrogated,
and answers as follows :
Examination of Klaas.
What is your name, how old are you, where were you born,
and in whose service were you last ?
Answer. Klaas, I don't know my age, (supposed to be about
thirty-five), I was born at Arnoldus Bothma's at the Berg
Valley, and am a slave of Barend van der Merwe.
The Statement given by the 6th prisoner Klaas before
Commissioners from this Court on the 24th February last is
hereupon read to him, which statement is as follows :
Records of the Cape Colony. 235
" On a certain Sunday my Master rode out to his Mother-in-
Law, the widow Hugo, taking with him his Slave Abel, while I
remained at home in charge of the place. About eight o'clock
on Monday Morning my Master came home without Abel,
whom he had sent back in search of one of the reins that had
been left behind. Abel did not come home that Monday, but
the following evening, when he spoke to me and said that there
was a plan among the slaves to shoot their masters, for that
Galant had said that Dalree had read from the Newspapers
that when the harvest was got in the Christians would shoot
all their slaves, which however I did not believe.
" The same Tuesday night, the sheep broke out of the Kraal,
and my Master called me, as I usually slept in the house, to
drive them in again. I accordingly went to the kraal to do
so, and there I found Galant, Abel, Isaac Thys, and Isaac
Rooy (alias Monk), all on horseback. Galant said that if I
assisted my Master he would shoot me, but if I would join him
they would lay waste the Country and murder all the Christians,
and as I loved my life I followed him."
The prisoner having hereupon asked if Galant and Abel were
then armed, further states as follows :
" When I went to the kraal my Master followed me, at which
time Galant and Abel were going to the kitchen window,
through which they leaped into the house ; they then came
out with my Master's guns, at which moment my Master came
from behind the waggon house, and while I stood by him he
received a shot in the lower part of his leg from Abel, of which
he fell. My Master however soon got up again and ran into
the house saying ' Klaas help me,' to which I answered ' how
•can I help, Master, I have no gun.' The gang then came to
me and said what I have above stated. On that, I joined the
gang, and we then went to the front door of the house, at
which Isaac Thys knocked with stones to have it opened, but
not succeeding, my master in the meantime got out of the back
door, which I and some of the others seeing, Isaac Thys in
particular called out ' there he goes,' upon which Abel ran
after him and fired, but did not hit him, and so my master got
away among the rocks. When Abel fired, Galant attempted
to fire also, but the gun did not go off. When my master ran
out of the back door, my Mistress with the children and the
236 Records of the Cape Colony.
two maids Jannetje and Stein followed him, on which occasion
my Mistress said I must not kill her, to which I answered that
I would not for that I had not a gun and that I loved my own
life likewise. Abel also said that he would not murder her,
for that he only wanted the Masters. We then all mounted,
I on my Master's horse, with the intention of riding to the
place of Dalree whom the gang meant to murder also ; but we
did not call there because Galant said that if we should begin
there his Master would hear the shots, and therefore it was
better to begin with his Master ; whither we then rode, and
remained till it should be daylight to get possession of the two
guns. When Van der Merwe went as usual to the kraal with
Master Rensburg, Galant, Abel, Isaac Thys, and I ran into the
house. I remained standing at the kitchen door, while the
three others went into the room where the guns were in order
to get hold of them. Abel and Isaac Thys came struggling
with the Mistress, who held fast one of the guns, to the kitchen
door, when Galant gave her a shot in the left thigh, in con-
sequence of which she let the gun go. Galant then went into
the bedroom, and came out with the other gun of Van der
Merwe, and gave the one with which he had fired at the mistress
to me and kept the other. The other gun of Willem van der
Merwe that was without a lock they gave to Antony, who with
Isaac Rooy came and joined us in the house. Achilles and
the Hottentot Hendrik belonging to Jan Dalree who both
shared in the plot, and who in the meantime had remained in
the kraal, both came into the house after the shot was fired.
We then all went out of the house to load our guns, and while
we were about it Willem van der Merwe andJanse van Rensburg
on hearing the shot came running from the kraal to the house,
but before they could get in, Abel gave Van der Merwe a shot
in the left side of his arm ; the door was then shut. Rensburg
afterwards came out and mounted a horse to ride to Dalree.
Isaac Rooy seeing him told the other people of it, on which
Galant, Abel, Isaac Thys, and I sprang on our horses to pursue
him. I did not follow him, but the three others did, and drove
him back with his horse into the house, on which the doors
were locked. Master Willem then opened the door a little to
speak to us, when Abel gave him a second shot which grazed
the side of his head, and he likewise fired another shot at him
Records of the Cape Colony. 237
through the window. Isaac Thys was going to break open the
window with a crowbar, on which the Master again opened the
front door, and as soon as he attempted to put his head out
Abel gave him the death shot.
" After Willem van der Merwe was shot we fired at the front
door into the house, but as there was not anybody there, we
went round to the back of the house to look after the School-
master and Rensburg who we supposed had crept into the
oven ; on which Galant beat open the kitchen door and broke
a hole in the oven with a crowbar, into which he fired ; but as
there was not anybody there we then went into the house
through the kitchen, when Galant gave the Schoolmaster, who
endeavoured to escape into the hall, a shot of which he fell ;
on that shot Rensburg made his appearance, and gave Abel a
blow with a cudgel, on which Abel gave him a shot in the
breast, of which he fell dead. Abel gave the schoolmaster
another shot on perceiving that he was not dead, but being
still alive Isaac Rooy gave him a third shot, of which he died
immediately. Galant wanted to shoot the Mistress likewise,
but I advised him against it, because she prayed of me to spare
her life.
" Isaac Thys beat the children with a sabre, Achilles stood
there with an assagaay. Antony had the gun without a lock,
and stood there with a burning match to fire it off, but he did
not make use of it. Galant broke open a cupboard in the
house, out of which he took master's wine, of which we all
drank. We then rode to the place of Dalree, to search for and
murder him also, but not finding him, we rode back to my
master's place, where we met a Slave named Moses and two
Hottentots named Andries Wildschut and Admiral Slinger in
the service of old Piet van der Merwe and belonging to his
grazing place, who knew of the plan, and were waiting there
for us ; they were each provided with a horse and gun. Having
drunk some brandy there, we thereupon rode to the said grazing
place, where we found the Slave Goliath, who had made his
escape there with his mistress that night. Moses got away
there, and we all rode in search of him, and having found him
and Goliath, Galant wanted to shoot them both, but he did
not do so as they begged their lives and promised to assist.
Galant then wanted to ride to the place of Jan Abraham du
238 Records of the Cape Colony.
Plessis, whose people he said had taken a part in the plan to
murder all the Masters, and from there to the places of Barend
Janse van Rensburg and Isaac van der Merwe, whose people
likewise had a share in the plan to murder their Masters, all of
which I heard from Galant, who had some time before rode
with his Master to Buffelshoek, and on which journey he had
framed the plan. From Isaac van der Merwe's we were to
have proceeded to Willem du Toit's ; thence to Daniel Erasmus
van der Merwe, thence to Roelof van Eerden's ; thence to the
Widow Hans Hugo, who is my Master's mother-in-law, and
from there to all the places in the Warm Bokkeveld ; and
when all those Masters were dead, then we were to have gone
to the place of Rasmus van der Merwe, whose slave David was
likewise included in the plot, and when we had laid waste that
place also, we were then to have proceeded to Cape Town, and
at every place we came we were to ask the people to join us,
and to shoot those who refused ; according to all that I heard
from Galant."
Questions to the prisoner :
Did not one Dollie, a slave of Jan Dalree, run away about
that time ?
Answer. Yes, I heard from my master about three days
before we began that Dollie had run away with a horse of his
master. The place of Dalree is about half an hour's distance
from that of Willem van der Merwe, and there I think Dollie
and Galant must have been almost every evening together ;
but I never heard that he had any part in the plot, but that
Piet Campher, the Overseer of Dalree, knew of it. We could
not execute our intention, because a Commando came upon us
at the abovementioned grazing place, at which Galant and
Abel fired, but I did not. Galant nearly hit Roelof van Eerden.
The gang were then dispersed, and after I had rode off a little
way, I leaped from my horse and surrendered myself to the
Commando.
Do you know Adonis, a slave of J. A. du Plessis ?
Answer. Yes, he was brought up together with us ; but he
did not help ; they said however that he gave powder, ball,
and a bullet mould to Galant, but Galant said it was not so,
for that he had taken the powder and bullet mould himself at
J. A. du Plessis's place.
Records of the Cape Colony. 239
Do you know the prisoners Pamela, Valentyn, and Vlak,
and what do you know of them ?
Answer. Pamela is a slave who belonged to the late Willem
van der Merwe. Valentyn and Vlak are Hottentots who were
in his service, but they did not do anything.
What was the reason of forming the gang, and why did you
join them ?
Answer. Because that my Master punished me outside and
inside. I also heard that my master had read from the News-
paper that everyone must give his Slaves their freedom, and
on which he had said that he would rather shoot his last slave
dead than make them free, because he had paid for them.
Did you ever complain of having been illtreated by your
Master ?
Answer. No, I was afraid if I did so that when I came home
again I should be punished, the same as happened to my fellow
slave Goliath, who having once complained was flogged again
when he returned home ; and because my master told me not
to go to complain.
The above statement being read over to the 6th prisoner
Klaas, his examination is continued as follows :
Do you persist in this statement ?
Answer. Yes.
Questions by the Chief Justice :
After your Master escaped to the hill, where did your
Mistress remain ?
Answer. On the hill till the master got among the rocks,
and then she begged to have her life spared ; on which Abel
said we shall not do you any harm. But on a certain evening
my master was going to shoot me, and therefore I wanted to
shoot him.
How long did your Mistress remain on the hill ?
Answer. That I don't know, but when we rode away she
was still there. Galant told me that if I stood by his Master
he would shoot me.
Did you not remain some time longer at the house ?
Answer. No, we rode away immediately after the master
made his escape.
When you came the second time to the place of Barend van
der Merwe, where was your Mistress then ?
240 Records of the Cape Colony.
Answer. She was with Moses at the grazing place. I saw
her there. I turned my horse loose there, and I was appre-
hended there. My Master punished me inside and outside.
What do you mean by being punished inside and outside ?
Answer. I got no victuals, but floggings.
Why were you flogged ?
Answer. Master said I did not work enough, there were
only three of us, and we were obliged to reap the whole harvest.
One evening my master flogged me because my Mistress had
told him that I had threatened to strike her ; he beat Abel
also ; and then went to the house to fetch his gun and shoot
us, on which I ran away. My master was going to flog us
because we had not finished the sawing of a block of wood.
Abel with whom I had to do the work is a bad sawyer, and
therefore I who am a tradesman could not get on so well with
the work. My Master then said " I shall go and fetch my gun
and shoot you till the smoke comes out of your throat," upon
which I ran away.
Were you present when Verlee was shot ?
Answer. Yes.
Who shot him ?
Answer. Galant first, then Abel, and afterwards Isaac
Rooy.
Did Isaac Rooy fire of his own accord at Verlee ?
Answer. Galant said that he must take the pistol and
shoot him, and so he did. Galant did not threaten him,
Galant it is true had the gun in his hands when he desired
Isaac Rooy to fire at him.
In what part of the body did Isaac Rooy shoot Verlee ?
Answer. Just here (pointing to his breast bone).
Did you not on that occasion hear one of the gang say that
Verlee still snorted ?
Answer. Yes, they all said so, but I said no, for he had had
two shots. They say that I said he still snorted, but it is
untrue.
Do you not acknowledge to be guilty of the crimes with
which you are charged in the act of accusation, and therefore
to have done evil and to have deserved punishment ?
Answer. Yes, but I am not so guilty. Galant was the
cause. He said to me when we came to Breede River " I am
Records of the Cape Colony. 241
sorry that I did not shoot you " because I would not fire at
the Commando.
The above questions and answers being read over to the 6th
prisoner Klaas, he persists therein.
The 7th prisoner Achilles is brought in and being interrogated
answers as follows :
Examination of Achilles.
What is your name, how old are you, where were you born,
and whose slave are you ?
Answer. Achilles, I don't know my age (supposed to be
about forty), I was born at Mozambique, and was a Slave of
the late Wm. van der Merwe.
The Statement given by the 7th prisoner Achilles before
Commissioners from this Court on the 25th February last is
hereupon read to him, which Statement is as follows :
' I know nothing of the murder of my master. Galant
must know of it. I only stood by the door with an assagaay
that my Master bought for me to take care of the sheep,
because Galant told me I must stand there and keep watch in
order to shoot Master when he came out, but I would not do
so. I brought the Cattle to the fields, and had my assagaay
with me, and on my return Galant said that he had killed my
Master. Master Rensburg and the Schoolmaster were not yet
dead then, when I saw Galant give the Schoolmaster a shot in
the arm and Isaac Rooy gave him one in the breast. Abel
shot Rensburg dead, Galant and the other people then rode
away. Antony and I remained with my Mistress, who was
wounded in the thigh. Afterwards a Christian Commando
came, who joined us at the place, and to whom my Mistress
said that we had not done anything. We were taken by the
Commando to the place of Isaac van der Merwe at the same
time that my Mistress was brought there."
The above Statement being read over to the 7th prisoner
Achilles, his examination is continued as follows :
Do you persist in this Statement ?
Answer. I do.
Questions by the Chief Justice :
Did Galant say why he wanted to shoot Barend van der
Merwe ?
Answer. No.
xx. e
242 Records of the Cape Colony.
Did he not tell you before that it was his intention ?
Answer. No.
Did you not chop some shot to make slugs 1
Answer. No, nothing.
Why did you not separate from the other people instead of
going with them ?
Answer. I could not get away.
Were you present when the Schoolmaster Verlee was shot ?
Answer. I was outside, but I heard that Galant fired first
at him and afterwards the Hottentot Isaac Rooy.
Did Isaac Rooy fire at Verlee of his own accord ?
Answer. I don't know whether anyone desired him.
How were you treated by your master ?
Answer. Well.
How was Galant always treated by your Master and Mistress?
Answer. Also well.
Did you reap the Corn at your Master's place ?
Answer. Yes.
Was Campher present on that occasion ?
Answer. Yes.
Had Campher had conversation with the people at that
time ?
Answer. No.
Has Galant a wife ?
Answer. Yes, Betje.
Has he any children by her ?
Answer. Betje has two alive, she had more, but they are
dead.
Was there among those children one of the name of
David ?
Answer. Yes, but he was young when he died. He has
been dead these three or four years and even longer.
What was the cause of his death ?
Answer. That I don't know ; he was sick, but whether he
was a long time sick or not I do not know.
Do you know of a girl named Lydia ?
Answer. Yes, she is Antony's wife.
How did your master and mistress treat her ?
Answer. Well.
Do you not acknowledge to be guilty of the crimes with
Records of the Cape Colony. 243
which you are charged in the act of accusation, and therefore
to have done evil and deserved punishment ?
Answer. Yes, I have done much evil, but I cannot say why
I have done it.
The above questions and answers being read over to the 7th
prisoner, he persists therein.
The 8th prisoner Antony is brought in, and being interro-
gated answers as follows :
Examination of Antony.
What is your name, how old are you, where were you born,
and whose slave are you ?
Answer. Antony, I don't know my age (supposed to be
about forty), I was a slave of the late Willem van der Merwe.
The Statement given by the 8th prisoner Antony before
Commissioners from this Court on the 25th February last is
hereupon read to him, which Statement is as follows :
' The day before my Master was murdered, a Hottentot
named Hendrik in the service of Jan Dalree came to our place
to fetch a mare for his master. My master told me and
Achilles to assist the Hottentot the next morning to catch the
mare. Achilles and I had worked very late that evening, and
after we had gone from the kraal to our huts and eaten our
suppers, Abel came there on horseback and went to Galant in
his straw hut. Not long afterwards they took the horses out
of the stable, namely Galant, Abel, Isaac Thys, and Isaac
Rooy, together with said Hottentot, with which they rode
away, but I did not know where. I supposed somewhere in
the neighbourhood to steal fruit. Achilles and I then went to
sleep, and the next morning at daybreak we went to the kraal
to catch the mare that Hendrik came for, but as she was very
wild it was a long time before we got her. Galant and the
other people returned in the meantime, and went to Galant's
hut where his wife Betje was, and Hendrik came to us in the
kraal to help us to catch the mare. While we were about it
Janse van Rensburg came to the kraal to us, when we heard a
shot, on which the two Masters ran to the house, when 1 heard
another shot, which as Abel told me was a shot that he had
fired at my master. My master having told us when he heard
the first shot that we must go to the house on the other side
we accordingly ran there, when we found all the doors locked,
E 2
244 Records of the Cape Colony.
as my master would not open the door. Galant wanted to set
fire to the house, but Achilles and I prevented him and said that
he must not do it, for that the women and children and all the
goods would be burned, wherefore he desisted. My Master
afterwards opened the front door to speak with the people,
when Abel fired at him twice, and when he was about to open
the door for the third time Galant shot him dead. Galant
then went with the other people to the kitchen door, when
Galant broke a hole in the oven in order to fire through it,
after which he knocked the back door open with a crow bar,
through which he went into the house where he shot Master
Janse and the Schoolmaster. Galant gave me a gun without
a lock to hold, but which he took away from me again, and
having taken a lock from the drawer of a table, he fixed it on
the gun and gave it as I believe to the Slave Klaas. Galant
fetched my mistress and the children from a loft to do them a
mischief, but which Achilles and I prevented. They then
rode away, while Achilles and I remained with our Mistress
till the Commando came, when we were taken together with
my Mistress to Isaac van der Merwe."
The above Statement being read over to the 8th prisoner
Antony, his examination is continued as follows :
Do you persist in this Statement ?
Answer. Yes, I do.
Questions by the Chief Justice :
Were you present when Verlee the Schoolmaster was shot ?
Answer. Yes, I saw it.
Who shot him ?
Answer. Galant and Isaac Rooy (or Monk), Galant gave
him two shots.
Did Isaac Rooy fire of his own accord ?
Answer. Galant commanded him to do it.
Did Galant say for what reason he shot your Master ?
Answer. No.
How long before the business happened did Galant inform
you of it ?
Answer. I am a shepherd, and when I come home in the
evening I go to my straw hut, so that I know nothing of it.
Has Galant a wife ?
Answer. Yes, Betje.
Records of the Cape Colony. 245
Has she children ?
Answer. Two alive, Galant and Lys, the others are dead.
Had she a child of the name of David ?
Answer. Yes, he was the eldest, he has been dead a couple
of years ; he died young.
Did he die of any disorder ?
Answer. Yes, but of what sickness I do not know, I lay
in the Carroo with cattle and heard afterwards that he was
dead.
How were you treated by your Master and Mistress ?
Answer. Sometimes I was flogged.
For what ?
Answer. If I did wrong.
With what were you flogged ?
Answer. With a bamboo stick.
How did your Master and Mistress treat Galant ?
Answer. Very well, sometimes he got a scolding and also a
flogging. Achilles and I had the most work to do, and therefore
we were the most scolded and flogged. Galant had not much
to do ; he accompanied Master when he rode out or went on
messages.
Had your master a girl named Lydia ?
Answer. Yes, she is my wife.
How did your Master and Mistress treat her ?
Answer. Badly.
In what did the bad treatment consist ?
Answer. She looked after the cattle, and when she brought
them home in the evening and put them up for the night, she
was obliged to come and work in the house.
Was she ill used ?
Answer. She got plenty of flogging, the other girls got two
suits of clothes, but she got but one jacket and one petticoat.
With what was she flogged ?
Answer. With a sambok and likewise with a bamboo stick,
sometimes my master beat her and sometimes my mistress.
Did you or Lydia ever complain about it ?
Answer. No.
Why not ?
Answer. Merely so.
Must you not acknowledge to be guilty of the crimes with
246 Records of the Cape Colony.
which you are charged in the act of accusation, and therefore
to have done evil, and deserved punishment ?
Answer. It is bad, but Galant said that he would shoot
those who did not help him, I was only present, but did not
do any harm whatsoever.
Question by the Chief Justice :
Why did you not warn your Master when the people were
gone to Barend van der Merwe's ?
Answer. I was quite tired and went to sleep. Achilles and
I remained at the place when the others rode away. Mistress
begged of us to stay with her to take care of her, and that
Galant should not come in. She said that if she got over it,
she would give us a paper that we might shew to the great
gentlemen and that she would give us our bread without
working for it. We took care of her till Master Isaac came
there with the Commando. The next day we fetched the
bodies with three waggons and buried them, and when we came
home the evening after, Achilles and I were bound and sent
away with the other people.
The above questions and answers being read over to the 8th
prisoner Antony, he persists therein.
The 9th prisoner Valentyn is brought in, and being interro-
gated answers as follows :
Examination of Valentyn.
What is your name, how old are you, where were you born,
and in whose service were you last ?
Answer. Valentyn, I am sixteen years of age. I was born
at the place of Carel van der Merwe, and was last in the Service
of the late Willem van der Merwe.
The Statement given by the 9th prisoner Valentyn before
Commissioners from this Court on the 25th February last is
hereupon read to him, which Statement is as follows :
' When my Master and the two other men were murdered,
I by orders of Galant held their horses before the Stable, and
after they rode away I went into the house where I saw the
three bodies on the floor, and when Galant rode off he told me
that I must go to the mountain in order that no harm might
be done to me in case the Commando should come. I therefore
fetched my victuals from the house and went to the mountain
where I was apprehended by the Commando."
Records of the Cape Colony. 247
The above Statement being read over to the prisoner, his
examination is continued as follows :
Do you persist in this Statement ?
Answer. Yes, I do.
Questions by the Chief Justice :
Has Galant a wife ?
Answer. Yes, Pamela, and another named Betje.
How many children has Betje ?
Answer. Two, one is still at the breast and the other is
about three or four years old.
Had she any more children ?
Answer. Yes, they died when very young of convulsions.
Was one of the Children who died called David ?
Answer. Yes.
How long were you in the service of the late Willem van der
Merwe ?
Answer. A long time, since his late mother died.
What are the names of Betje' s children who are still alive ?
Answer. Lys and Galant.
How did your Master and Mistress treat their people ?
Answer. Badly.
In what did that bad treatment consist ?
Answer. They were flogged when they did wrong.
Do you know the girl Lydia ?
Answer. Yes, she is Antony's wife.
Is she flogged more than the others ?
Answer. No.
Did your Mistress do anything bad to her ?
Answer. No.
Was she not once thrown in the water ?
Answer. No.
What work do you do with a farmer ?
Answer. I was leader, I also dug, and I looked after the
cattle.
Where were you when Galant rode to Barend van der
Merwe' s ?
Answer. In the straw hut, he said he should ride, to Abel.
Abel was there, he wanted to go with Abel to get guns to
shoot his Master. When Galant said so, my brothers Vlak and
Isaac were present and likewise Betje, but nobody else.
248 Becords of the Cape Colony.
Why did you not inform your Master of it ?
Answer. Mammy Betje told master of it that evening,
but he would not believe it.
Must you not acknowledge to be guilty of the crimes with
which you are charged in the act of accusation, and therefore
to have done evil and deserved punishment ?
Answer. Galant would have shot me, otherwise I would not
have done it.
The above questions and answers being read over to the
9th prisoner Valentyn, he persists therein.
The 10th prisoner Vlak is brought in, and being interro-
gated, answers as follows :
Examination of Vlak.
What is your name, how old are you, where were you born,
and in whose service were you last ?
Answer. Vlak, I am eleven years of age. I was born at
Carel van der Merwe's, and was last in the service of the late
Wm. van der Merwe.
The statement given by the 10th Prisoner Vlak before
Commissioners from this Court on the 25th February last is
hereupon read over to him, which statement is as follows :
" When my master was murdered, Galant said that I must
keep watch at the kraal to see if any Commando should come,
which I accordingly did, and remained there till that the people
murdered the masters, when Galant told me to go to the
mountains and remain there, which I did, and there I was
apprehended by the Commando."
The above Statement being read over to the 10th prisoner
Vlak, his examination is continued as follows :
Do you persist in this statement ?
Answer. Yes.
Do you not acknowledge to be guilty of the crimes with
which you are charged in the act of accusation ?
Answer. Yes, but Galant threatened to shoot me if I did
not do so.
The above questions and answers being read over to the
10th prisoner Vlak, he persists therein.
The 1 1th prisoner Adonis is brought in, and being interro-
gated, answers as follows :
Examination of Adonis.
Records of the Cape Colony. 249
What is your name, how old are you, where were you born,
and whose slave are you ?
Answer. Adonis, I don't know my age, (supposed to be
about thirty-five), born at Uithoek. I am a slave of Jan
Abraham du Plessis, who lives at the Wagenboom's river before
the Elands Kloof. He has two places, the other is called
Lange river.
The Statement given by the 11th prisoner Adonis before
Commissioners from this Court on the 25th February last is
hereupon read over to him, which Statement is as follows :
" I was not with the gang of murderers, and I do not know
anything about bullet moulds and shot that it is said I gave to
Galant. I only know that at my Master's place the Wagen-
boom's river, where I was not, a bullet mould and some lead
was lost about three, days before Master Willem van der Merwe
was murdered."
The above Statement being read over to the 11th prisoner
Adonis, his examination is continued as follows :
Do you persist in this statement ?
Answer. Yes, I do.
Questions by the Chief Justice :
Was not Galant at your Master's place with his Master
some days before the murder of the late Wm. van der
Merwe ?
Answer. Yes, he was at Wagenboom's river, but I was
then at the other place where Galant passed by.
Who more were at the place Wagenboom's river ?
Answer. Pedro the Herdsman and his wife Rachel, the
latter lives there.
When Galant was at your Master's place the Wagenboom's
river with his Master, was he not at the other place the Lange
river also ?
Answer. No, they only passed over the place and did not
stop. (Further) They will have that I gave them powder and
ball and bullet moulds ; but when we were all brought here
as prisoners Galant said himself to Dantje Malan at the place
Eikenboom, on his asking him about it, that it was not so, and
that I had not given them anything.
The above questions and answers being read over to the
1 1th prisoner Adonis, he persists therein.
250 Records of the Cape Colony.
The 12th prisoner Pamela is brought in, and being interro-
gated answers as follows :
What is your name, how old are you, where were you born,
and whose slave are you ?
Answer. Pamela, I don't know my age, (supposed to be
about twenty-five years of age), born at the Breede river, I am
a slave who was in the service of the late Willem van der
Merwe.
The Statement given by the 12th prisoner Pamela before
Commissioners from this Court on the 25th February last is
hereupon read to her, which Statement is as follows :
" Galant is my husband, but I sleep every night in my
master's room, where I also slept the day my master was
murdered. I was in the house all the time till that my master
and the other people were murdered, upon which I made my
escape to the mountains with the Children. Galant beat me,
and then Lea likewise, and hit one of my children in such a
manner that he was carried away for dead. After I had been
some time on the Mountain, I went back to the house, when I
found that my Mistress, whom I had left behind, was gone."
The above Statement being read over to the 12th prisoner
Pamela, her examination is continued as follows :
Do you persist in this Statement ?
Answer. Yes.
Questions by the Chief Justice :
Did not Galant acquaint you previously of his intention ?
Answer. He did not say anything to me, besides he is my
husband, but I have not any children by him.
Where were you when the people in the house were shot ?
Answer. I was in the house, but Janse and Verlee were not
yet in the house when I went away. I was there when my
Master was shot and my mistress wounded.
Where did you remain all that time ?
Answer. With my Master and Mistress.
Where was your Mistress ?
Answer. She was wounded and lay on the bed.
What did you do all the time that the business was going
on ?
Answer. I stood by my Master and Mistress. After she
was wounded I took a piece of old linen out of the wardrobe
Records of the Cape Colony. 251
by her orders and bound up the wound and washed it with
some vinegar, bugoe, and water.
Where were you when your Master was shot ?
Answer. In the room with my mistress, my Master was
looking out of the front door to see where the people were.
Did your Master say anything when Galant and Abel fired
at him ?
Answer. My master said, take everything you please, but
spare my life.
What did they answer ?
Answer. Nothing, but I could not hear properly, for I was
in the room and my Master was before at the window.
When did you leave the house ?
Answer. When the people broke open the window in the
back room Lea and I made our escape. My Mistress was in
the kitchen, where I stopped at first, till that they broke open
the oven, on which I ran out of the kitchen door with my two
children. My Mistress had previously placed her children
above on the loft ; my Mistress concealed herself afterwards
under the table.
Where were you when they came in to take the guns ?
Answer. In the fire hearth, I was boiling water for coffee.
When did you first see your Mistress after she was wounded ?
Answer. Outside at the back door where they had fired at
her.
Has Galant another wife ?
Answer. Yes, Betje.
How many children has Betje ?
Answer. Two alive, Galant and Lys.
How many more children has she had, and what were their
names ?
Answer. I don't know how many, but they all died very
young and had not as yet names excepting the oldest who was
called David, but she had him by another Hottentot.
How long were you at the place of the late Wm. van der
Merwe ?
Answer. Three years.
How did the late Willem van der Merwe and his wife treat
the people ?
Answer. Severely. They got plenty of flogging. I Mas
252 Records of the Cape Colony.
always flogged, and I had hard work to do. I also com-
plained of it to young Master Du Plessis, who is Field Cornet.
I am still a Slave of old Mistress Du Plessis, and was placed
with the late Wm. van der Merwe only for a time. I was
going to complain again, but my young master said that I
must remain there till my Master should come. I wanted to
complain that my Master had bound me with three thongs
and flogged me with straps. Master came to the place of
Du Plessis, but he would not give me up. I was with Van
der Merwe on trial. I was not as yet sold to him.
Do you know a girl called Lydia ?
Answer. Yes, a slave girl.
Where was Lydia when the business happened ?
Answer. She looked after the cattle, and was already gone
to the fields.
How was she treated ?
Answer. She was flogged when she did not come home
early with the cattle.
How was she flogged ?
Answer. Master always beat her at the kraal, so that I do
not know.
Was she not once thrust into the water ?
Answer. She herself and her husband Antony told me so.
What was the reason of that ?
Answer. She was not right well, she was crazy through
work, master let her drown and then had her hauled out
again.
How was Galant treated ?
" Answer. My late Master treated him badly ; when I was
at the place he always went to complain.
The above questions and answers being read over to the
12th prisoner Pamela, she persists therein.
The 13th prisoner Petrus Josephus de Campher is brought
in, and being interrogated answers as follows :
Examination of Petrus Josephus de Campher.
What is your name, how old are you, where were you born,
where did you live last, and what is your calling ?
Answer. Petrus Josephus de Campher. I am thirty-four
years of age. I was born in Brabant. I lived last with Dalree
in the Cold Bokkeveld, where I did all kinds of farmer's work.
Records of the Cape Colony. 253
The Interrogatories answered by the 13th prisoner Petrus
Josephus de Campher before Commissioners from this Court on
the 3rd instant are hereupon read to him, which Interrogatories
and answers are as follows :
1. Did you cut corn at the late Willem van der Merwe's
place during the last harvest ?
Answer. Yes. I live with Dalree on a piece of ground not
far from the place of the late Van der Merwe, and I had an
agreement with him that when he had pressing work I should
assist him, and which I did, as I helped to cut the corn there
with all his people, namely Galant, Achilles, Antony, Big
Isaac, Isaak Monk, Valentyn, and Platje that lives at our place.
2. Did any of the late Van der Merwe's people speak to you
on any of these occasions respecting the bad treatment they
received from their master ?
Answer. They did not complain of bad treatment, but I
heard them frequently complain of getting bad meat. In the
harvest they got wine four times a day, and I also got wine
out of the same calabash.
3. What kind of meat, and how much did each of the people
get ?
Answer. Mutton and goat's flesh, but only a small piece.
I did not get as much meat as the people, and always ate
enough. Bread they got in abundance, and even so much
that they could not consume it. They also got soup twice a
day and at night, sometimes pea soup and sometimes bean
soup ; I also got the same soup.
4. Do you recollect the people of the late Willem van der
Merwe having complained to their master at the land during
the last harvest about bad victuals ?
Answer. No, not that I heard to their Master Willem van
der Merwe.
5. To whom then did they complain ?
Answer. They talked about it among themselves, but I
did not hear them complain of it to anyone else.
6. Did you never hear any mumbling among the people
that they would murder their master on account of the bad
victuals ?
Answer. No, I never heard a single word of any such thing,
and if I had heard it, I would have immediately given infor-
254 Records of the Cape Colony.
mation of it. The 12th of this month, it is exactly a year
since I lived there.
7. Did you not tell the people of the late Willem van der
Merwe what they must do when their Master should flog
them ?
Answer. I did not say anything to them of what they must
do ; and during the whole harvest only Achilles and Antony
were flogged, and then I was not present.
8. Was Galant flogged with your knowledge ?
Answer. I do not know of his having been flogged as long
as I lived at the place.
9. Do you know a certain slave named Dollie belonging to
Dalree ?
Answer. I became acquainted with him since he has lived
with Dalree, but I never knew him before. It was about ten
or twelve days before the uproar that he came to Dalree's, as
far as I can recollect.
10. Where was Dollie when the murders in the Bokkeveld
were committed ?
Answer. The Sunday before Van der Merwe was murdered,
Dollie was missed with a horse. Dalree not being at home, I
took another horse and followed the track to the Schurfteberg,
where I found the horse with which Dollie rode away. I then
brought the horse to old Sanna Joosten's. Dollie was appre-
hended the next day by two Hottentots and taken to the
Fieldcornet, where I also came, and after that Dollie had been
with the Fieldcornet, the latter ordered me to take him to the
prison at Tulbagh, which I accordingly did, and where I
arrived on the Tuesday evening.
11. What places are situated between the habitation of
Dalree and the Schurfteberg ?
Answer. Several places, there is Isaac van der Merwe's
which Dollie rode over in the night as I heard from a Hottentot.
From there one comes to the place of the Fieldcornet Du Toit,
which one need not ride over. A little further lies the place
of Erasmus van der Merwe, I was at the last mentioned place,
but they told me that they had not seen Dollie there. Then
comes the place of Roelof van der Merwe, which lays a little out
of the road, and where I did not call. Next is the place of Piet
Corporal, and then that of Jan Hugo, which is also a little out
Records of the Cape Colony. 255
of the road, and then one comes to the Schurfteberg. I dis-
covered Dollie in the Schurfteberg. I heard a noise behind
me, and looking back I perceived him, on which he made his
escape behind some stones. I could not pursue him, because
my horse could not go through the stones. Dollie had the
rings still on his legs, but the chain was loose.
12. Was Galant at the place of Dalree while Dollie was
there ?
Answer. Yes, he was there once when he spoke to Dollie,
but I went to sleep and do not know what they said, neither
when they separated. That was the Thursday before the
Saturday that Dollie got away, and the next day Friday the
late Willem van der Merwe rode out a visiting with Dalree, but
before he rode away I reported to him that Galant had been
with Dollie the evening before.
13. How did the late Willem van der Merwe treat his people ?
Answer. He treated his Slaves very well, but if there was
pressing work he was somewhat hasty, for he could not manage
his people otherwise. He instructed his Slaves twice a week,
and also taught them to sing Psalms, but I never heard this
myself.
The above Interrogatories and answers being read over to
the 1 3th prisoner Petrus Josephus de Campher, his Examination
is continued as follows :
Do you persist in the answers you have given to these
Interrogatories ?
Answer. Yes, I do.
Questions by the Chief Justice :
Were religious exercises performed at the house of the late
Willem van der Merwe ?
Answer. Yes, sometimes twice a week, but always Satur-
days, or the old man must be unwell.
Do you acknowledge to be guilty of the crimes with which
you are charged in the act of accusation, and therefore to have
done evil and deserved to be punished ?
Answer. The accusation is false, had I known of it before-
hand the business would never have happened so.
The above questions and answers being read over to the
13th prisoner, he persists therein.
The examination of all the prisoners being concluded, the
256 Records of the Cape Colony.
Court proceeds to the hearing of Evidence ; upon which the
following witnesses are successively called in and examined in
presence of the prisoners.
Evidence for the prosecution.
I. Willem Francois du Toit, who having been made
acquainted with the reasons of his appearance and duly sworn,
states to be thirty years of age, born in this Colony, and
residing at the Wagendrift in the Cold Bokkeveld, and there-
upon deposes as follows :
On the morning of the 2nd February last the Hottentot
Lieberveld in the service of Isaac van der Merwe came to me
with a message that murder was committing below at the place
of Willem van der Merwe. I immediately assembled as many
people in the neighbourhood as I could collect, namely Isaac
van der Merwe, Pieter Erasmus van der Merwe, Jan Dalree,
William Pearson, Roelof van Eerden, Charles du Toit, Petrus
Ludovicus du Toit, another Du Toit, a cousin of his, whose
name I do not recollect, Nicolaas Jacobus Janssen, and
Jacobus Joosten, with whom I rode to the place of the
late Wm. van der Merwe. On coming there we found the
said Willem van der Merwe, Johannes Hendrik Janse van
Rensburg, and Johannes Verlee lying dead on the ground.
Van der Merwe lay in the front door of the house, and the
two others in the kitchen. We immediately examined the
bodies, and found on that of Van der Merwe three wounds,
one through the back of the shoulder, one on the right eye,
and one through the head, but the one on the eye only grazed
it. The wound on the head was evidently occasioned by a
ball. On the body of Verlee a wound in the left arm, a wound
in the left side, and one through the left hip, likewise evidently
occasioned by balls. The left arm was almost entirely broken
to pieces, so that one could scarcely see anything more ; he
had also received a shot in the stomach. On the body of
Rensburg a wound in a slanting direction along the left breast,
and one in the left side, but if they were both occasioned by
one and the same shot or by two different shots I cannot say.
The wife of Willem van der Merwe was also wounded, and lay
on the bed in a room ; the wound was in her left hip, and was
Jlceords of the Cape Colony. 257
occasioned according to her statement by a charge of shot.
In the house we found two slaves of Willem van der Merwe,
named Achilles and Antony, and a female Hottentot of the
name of Betje. We rode thence to the place of Barend van
der Merwe, but before we came there we got sight of the
murderers at about three quarters of an hour's distance of the
place, taking the course towards the grazing place of old Piet
van der Merwe. They then dismounted from their horses,
and when they got out of sight we pursued them. Before we
arrived at the kraal we met a shepherd belonging to old Piet
van der Merwe, whom we took with us because we were un-
acquainted at the kraal, and when the murderers perceived us
they remounted their horses. Two of the Commando fired at
them, and they also fired two shots at us, without however
anyone having been wounded on either side. I saw Galant
turn his horse round, stop, and fire. He was the first who
mounted his horse, and had a blood flag tied to his hat. When
we came to the Kraal we found a horse there which we were
informed was the horse of Klaas which had got away from
him. Hendrik had also fallen from his horse. Klaas remained
at the Kraal, and was there apprehended ; and according to
what the people of the kraal said, they had called him to come
back, otherwise he had also run away. After Hendrik had
fallen from his horse he proceeded a little way on foot when he
was likewise apprehended. The same evening little Isaac (the
witness points out Isaac Rooy) was apprehended there by the
people. The next day Lea, Valentyn, and Vlak were taken
at Dalree's place, but I was not present. Pamela was not
apprehended till six days afterwards. Abel was apprehended
on the 4th of February in the fieldcornetship of Jan Theron
by a slave belonging to George Muller. I immediately the
first day or evening sent a report to the special Heemraad,
and the bodies were buried on the 4th February, after which
I received a letter from the special Heemraad to hold an
Inquest on the bodies, but they were then buried. I then
examined the four prisoners. Klaas, Hendrik, and Abel said
that Galant had told them that the Slaves had been promised
their freedom a long time ago, but that it did not take place,
and therefore that they must now make themselves free.
Whether Isaac said the same, I am not certain, but I know
XX. s
258 Records of the Cape Colony.
well that Klaas said so. I then sent the prisoners away with
a report to the Special Heemraad. The Landdrost met the
prisoners at the Goudini, where he received my report, and
then sent them on to Worcester. I think that it was on the
13th day that I sent a report to the Landdrost that Galant
and Abel were apprehended. Galant and Isaac were both
apprehended at the Schurfteberg between the places of Jan
du Plessis and Barend van der Merwe. After we had dispersed
the gang at the kraal, Isaac Thys proceeded to the Carroo, on
which I sent four Hottentots after his track, but they came
back without having discovered him. The 5th or 6th day Isaac
was again seen with Galant between the places of the late
Wm. van der Merwe and Isaac van der Merwe.
According to what the people at the place of Jan du Plessis
said, Galant was there a few days afterwards and took a sheep
from the kraal and fired a shot at the door. As soon as that
was made known the Hottentots pursued him and apprehended
him on the mountain between the places of Jan du Plessis and
Barend van der Merwe. Among the Hottentots who went in
pursuit of him were, if I recollect rightly, Lieberveld, Coenraad
Lieberveld, Platje Pas, Piet, and Saul.
Questions by the Chief Justice to the witness :
What reasons did the prisoners give when they were appre-
hended for their having so assembled in a gang ?
Answer. In order to obtain their freedom.
Were there any such reports current in your Fieldcornetship
before the business at the late Willem van der Merwe took
place ?
Answer. Previously to my being Fieldcornet there was an
order issued that no female Hottentots or Slaves should be
punished by flogging.
What became of that order ?
Answer. It was rescinded again, but not in the same
manner that it was made known. It was made known by the
Fieldcornets to the Slaves themselves and other domestics,
but the rescinding of the order was only made known with the
sending round of the newspaper.
Do you know what share Pamela the prisoner had in the
business ?
Answer. I reported that, according to what her Mistress
Records of the Cape Colony. 259
said, she stood in the kitchen when the business happened,
and that she ran away afterwards and was six days absent,
living on a little piece of bread that she took with her.
Did not the widow Van der Merwe say that Pamela had
assisted them ?
Answer. She told me that Pamela had not done anything.
The Prisoner Pamela denies the truth of the above Statement.
The witness further deposes : The widow Van der Merwe
declared to me that two or three days before the business
happened Pamela sought an opportunity to steal the guns
out of the window in the evening, and that (the widow Van
der Merwe) had put a lock on the window, which had been
formerly provided with a bolt ; and when I came to the place
I actually found a lock on one of the windows which was
broken to pieces, it lay upon the window seat.
The prisoner Pamela says I was always with my mistress,
and bound her wounds. I took refuge with her in the kitchen.
Questions by the Fiscal to the witness :
Was there nothing reported about the breaking open of a
cupboard in the house in order to get brandy for the murderers ?
Answer. The widow Van der Merwe told me that she did
not see Pamela break open the cupboard or give the keys to
Galant, but that Galant had opened a drawer in which there
was the lock of a gun. I am not certain whether the widow
Van der Merwe did not likewise say to me that Galant had
broken open a chest.
Did you hear what the prisoner Adonis did ?
Answer. Klaas told me that Galant had said to him that
Adonis had given him (Galant) a bullet mould and some lead,
and likewise that Adonis had given him his word to assist.
Abel also told the Fieldcornet Jan Stein when he was appre-
hended the same thing of Adonis, and I reported it to the
Landdrost.
What do you know of the Prisoner Achilles ?
Answer. According to what Dalree told me, some clothes
were found in the possession of Achilles belonging to his
deceased Master two or three days after the business happened,
and I believe he said his hat also.
The 1st prisoner Galant denies having broken open a table
drawer, and says to the witness : Master deserves more
s 2
260 Records of the Cape Colony.
punishment than I, you know that you had to do with a pig
and that I held the pig fast ; and my Master threatened to
twist our necks.
The Witness says : It is hard to hear such an accusation
made with impunity, and says to the prisoner : Why then did
you never before speak of it, when you have been so frequently
before the gentlemen ?
The prisoner says : It is a long time ago.
Questions by the prisoner Abel to the Witness :
How can master say that I fired at the Commando ?
Answer. I cannot say it positively.
What did I say to you the day that I was apprehended ?
Answer. The Sunday before the business happened you
were with your master at my place and in the kitchen, and
where I heard you say, " if the time was but a little farther,"
but to what that alluded I did not know.
The prisoner Klaas says : I did not fire at anybody, neither
did I say anything about making free, although the others did.
The Witness says : All the other people say that Galant
said so.
Question by the Chief Justice to the prisoner Klaas :
Did you tell the witness that Adonis had given Galant a
bullet mould and some powder and lead 1
Answer. Yes, but I heard it from Galant. I do not know
it myself.
The prisoner Galant says : I did not get the mould and the
lead from Adonis, but I found them in a chaff sack that I had
brought from Isaac van der Merwe's.
The prisoner Hendrik says : I fell from the horse because I
was so tipsy. I then ran a little way, but Master Olof appre-
hended me.
Question by the prisoner Hendrik to the witness :
Did I fire ?
Answer. No, but you had a gun with you.
The prisoner acknowledges that he was armed with a gun.
Questions by the Chief Justice to the Witness :
How long have you been fieldcornet ?
Answer. Almost a year.
How did the late Willem van der Merwe treat his people ?
Answer. I cannot say otherwise than well, Galant in
Bccords of the Cape Colony. 261,
particular. He had more to say than his master. He had
likewise two wives, although it was contrary to the wish and
the orders of his Master.
Were religious exercises performed at the place of the late
Willem van der Merwe ?
Answer. Yes, of that I was many times a witness. I was
once with him in the Carroo for three months.
At what times were such religious meetings held ?
Answer. In the evenings more than once a week, and all
the people who thought proper were present.
In what did those religious exercises consist 1
Answer. In singing and reading, and whatever he knew he
declared to the people.
Which of the people attended on these occasions ?
Answer. I don't know otherwise than the Hottentots and
Slaves. I was frequently present when the youngest of the
people's children were there.
How do Barend van der Merwe and his wife treat their
people ?
Answer. As far as I know well. At least no complaint was
ever made to me against them.
Is the order observed that no Hottentot may be buried
without a permission ?
Answer. It is an old order, which I have always observed
since I have been Fieldcornet, and the Landdrost continually
writes to us to observe that order.
The Court adjourns till tomorrow forenoon at Ten o'clock.
Wednesday, 16th March 1825.
Ten o'clock A.M.
All the Members present excepting Mr. Bresler through
indisposition.
Continuation of the Evidence for the Prosecution.
Barend Petrus van der Merwe, who having been made
acquainted with the reasons of his appearance and duly sworn,
states to be thirty years of age, born in this Colony, a farmer
residing at the Riet River situated in the Cold Bokkeveld in
the district of Worcester, and thereupon deposes as follows :
On a certain Monday in the month of February last my
Slave named Abel (the 2nd prisoner) ran away from me. On
262 Records of the Cape Colony.
Sunday night while I was lying in my bed I heard a noise of the
Sheep breaking out of the kraal. I got up and called my slave
Klaas (the 6th prisoner), who slept in the kitchen, and desired
him to go and see what it was, which he accordingly did, while
I went out and stood on the stoep. When Klaas came back I
asked him what the dogs were barking for, to which he answered
that it was nothing. I then went to the stable, and found
Klaas with two Hottentots, namely Hendrik and Isaak,
standing behind the stables. I asked them (the 4th and 5th
prisoners) what they were doing there ; they both answered
" nothing." I thereupon saw Galant and Abel with my wife
run out of the house ; my wife called to me that they had got
the guns. Abel then fired at me with shot, and hit me in the
right foot, but the wound is now nearly well. On receiving
the shot I fell, but having got up again I made my escape into
the house with my wife, where the two maids named Jannetje
and Stein were, together with my two children and a child
belonging to Stein. Galant fired a shot first through the
window, and then another through the back door into the
house, and they fired incessantly at the house. I ran off with
my wife and the two maids with the children out of the back
door, and went round the Quince Hedge, when they fired again >
but who did it I do not know. I then got away from my wife
and the maids with the children, and made my escape into a
rocky eminence, out of which I came again when I heard that
everything was quiet. I was concealed there for three or four
hours. I then went to the kraal near my house and took a
horse and rode to the mountain where I had concealed myself,
and there I remained till the following day, when I rode to
Dalree's, where I gave information of what had happened to
me. I found there Dalree and one Pearson ; we then con-
sulted on the best means of making it known in the neigh-
bourhood. We sent Pearson to Isaac van der Merwe, and I
rode back to my place to look after my wife, but I did not find
anybody there. Having searched round about, I proceeded to
the place of Isaac van der Merwe ; and when I got near that of
the late Willem van der Merwe, I met a commando of Burghers
under the Fieldcornet Du Toit, with whom I rode to said
Willem van der Merwe' s place. When we arrived, we found
three men lying there dead ; they were Willem van der Merwe,
Records of the Cape Colony. 263
Janse van Rensburg, and Verlee ; the wife of Willem van der
Merwe lay wounded in her bed. The body of Van der Merwe
lay in the front door of the house, but I am not now certain
whether the two other bodies lay at the front door or at the
back door. I was too shocked to examine the bodies. The
wounded woman was brought by two of the Commando, but
I do not remember which of them it was, to the place of Isaac
van der Merwe, and I accompanied the Commando in pursuit
of the murderers. When we came to the height between Wm.
van der Merwe's place and mine, we saw the villains riding
over my land in the direction to the place of my uncle Petrus
van der Merwe. We then rode up to them, upon which
Galant and Abel fired at the Commando, but as it appeared
to me without taking aim at any particular person. Some of
the Commando also fired at them, but no person was wounded
on either side. I saw Galant and Abel leave the grazing place
of Piet van der Merwe. The prisoner Hendrik had fallen from
his horse, and was following the others on foot, but we caught
him, and then searched round in the neighbourhood for Galant
and the other people, but we could not find them.
We thereupon rode back to the kraal, when we found the
6th prisoner Klaas with the two maids Stein and Jannetje and
my man slave Goliath, who had made his escape with my wife ;
we apprehended Klaas, and there for the first time I saw my
wife, with whom and the Commando I went to the place of
Isaac van der Merwe, where I stopped with my wife till the
following day, and then proceeded together with the children,
the two maids, and my slave Goliath to my mother-in-law,
the widow Hugo, where we remained.
Question by the Chief Justice to the witness :
Do you know the slave Moses ?
Answer. Yes, he is the postholder at the grazing place of
P. van der Merwe. He was at the kraal with Slinger and
Andries Wildschut. My wife had sent them both to look for
me. They said they remained at the kraal with the Commando,
but I do not know ; I saw them then for the first time.
Questions by Advocate Hofmeyr for the prisoners :
As you say you were with the Commando at the place of
the late Willem van der Merwe, can you state anything
respecting the prisoners Achilles and Antony ?
2 04 Records of the Cape Colony.
Answer. I merely saw them.
Did you see Isaac Rooy make any resistance at the time he
was apprehended ?
Answer. I was not present when he was apprehended.
Question by the Chief Justice :
Do you know when Pamela came back to her Mistress ?
Answer. No.
Question by the prisoner Abel :
Where is my wife and child ?
Answer. At home at my house.
The prisoner Abel says :
My master always provided me badly with clothes, and
punished me inside and outside my body. Six years I have
been under him, and I have always been badly treated. My
master likewise aimed at my life, and therefore I was brought
so far that I wanted also to shoot my master. My master not
only once, but three times, aimed at my life. I might do
whatever I could, but never could please, although I did
everything he ordered me. I however never complained,
because I saw that all the people who went to complain were
flogged to pieces ; there were six people at the place, and now
there are but three. The others ran away, one after the other,
in consequence of the bad treatment ; they were all Hottentots
excepting one, and he was a slave.
Question by the Chief Justice to the prisoner Abel :
State the three times that you say your master aimed at
your life ; and on what occasions did he do so ?
Answer. The first time it was while we were cutting the
corn a year ago. We reaped the whole of the day, and still
we could not please him. It was just one day at noon that my
master had his gun with him ; he presented it at me, and
threatened to shoot me and all the people. The second time
was in the month of January last ; it was about some skins
which we had to dress, and of which the dogs had gnawed the
edges. For that my Master was going to beat me, and I asked
him the reason why he wanted to beat me ; he answered " who
says that," but I could feel it on my body, and the other people
said my master would flog me. He then ordered me to go to
the stable and sweep it out ; that was always his way to get
us in there, and therefore I did not go in, but remained outside
Records of the Cupc Colony. 2Go
at a distance, so that my master could not get me in ; on
which he said he would go to the house for his gun and shoot
me till the smoke came out at my throat. He went to the
house, and I went behind the kraal and looked towards the
house, but my Master did not come back. The third time is
also a year ago, but I do not know rightly ; I believe it was
this year ; it was after sawing the timber with Klaas. We
must saw thirteen feet of a day, and besides from time to time
drive the cattle from the land. My master had been out that
day, and on coming home in the evening he asked Klaas the
reason why he had sawed so little, and he answered that he
could not take care of the cattle and saw at the same time. My
mistress had told my master that Klaas had attempted to
strike her, on which my master threw at us with stones all
round the place ; we then ran off, namely Klaas and I, and
remained below near the stable, when Master said he would
shoot us, and as I saw him go to the house, I thought he would
do so.
The Witness says :
Everything which the prisoner states is false. I treat my
people well, and if I did not do so they would no doubt have
complained. Goliath once did so, but could not shew any
mark as was noted down. Another of my Slaves, named
Cupido, I sold because he always vexed me. The Landdrost
would have given him a flogging, but I did not wish it, because
he was not right well, besides I believed that he had been
instigated. I had only one Hottentot, of the name of Uit-
haalder, who made a complaint to the Landdrost, and the
Landdrost sent him away, but he did not come back to me.
One of the children may perhaps have run away from me, but
I never took any trouble to go in search of him, because it was
too troublesome and cost me too much time. Once, I think
it is about three years ago, the prisoner Abel, the above-
mentioned Cupido, and three others ran away through mere
wantonness ; they were not far off, but would not come near
the house, on which I frightened them with my gun that I just
then had with me, in order to make them come back, but I did
not take aim at them. They had reaped the corn badly that
day, and because I reproved them for it, they would not come
to the house.
266 Records of the Cape Colony.
Question by th*/ Chief Justice to the Witness :
When Galant'Vith Abel and the other people were at your
place, and fir/ed, was there any conversation between them
previously ?
Answer. Nothing whatever.
T'he prisoner Klaas says : I have been a year and a month
under my master, and never gave any reason to complain of
my work. When my master went from the place I had the
direction, and then I was the same as Master himself. One
evening that my Master came home from a Hottentot Com-
mando, he complained that there had not been enough sawed.
My Mistress had also told my master that I had threatened
to strike her. At the stable my Master asked about the
timber that was to be sawed, on which I said that Abel was
too ignorant to work at the saw, but my Master said that I
would not saw, and he flogged me. I ran away because
Master said he would go and fetch his gun and shoot me till
the smoke came out of my throat, further adding, " you
always say you will complain, do so now." I did intend to
go and complain to the Landdrost that my master had
threatened to shoot me, but my Mistress came out of the room,
and my wife Stein told her I was going to run away, upon
which my Mistress went out and sent Abel and Goliath to
search for me ; they found me near the place, and my mistress
said, your Master will not shoot you, give yourself up. I then
went into the room and promised my Master that I would not
do so again ; since which time my Master never did anything
to me, and that is the only thing of which I have to complain.
The Witness says : I was always satisfied with Klaas. It
was only for his not having sawed enough that I threatened
to flog him, and nothing else ; and this threat was more to
frighten him than anything else, for he otherwise always
behaved well. Neither did I see him do anything with the
murderers, but I heard that the others had threatened to
shoot him ; he never was unfaithful to me.
Question by the Chief Justice to the Witness :
How did Abel always behave himself ?
Answer. Always unfaithfully. In his work he never
did anything good, and therefore I was never satisfied
with him.
Records of the Cape Colony. 267
The above evidence being read over to the Witness, he
persists therein.
Hester Johanna Hugo, who having been made acquainted
with the reasons of her appearance and duly sworn, states to
be the wife of Barend van der Merwe, twenty-three years of
age, born in this Colony, and residing in the Bokkeveld ; and
thereupon deposes as follows :
I think that it was on Wednesday night the 2nd February
last that I was awakened by the noise of the sheep getting out
of the kraal. I called mv husband, and told him what I had
heard, on which he got up immediately and went out to see
what it was, having previously awakened Klaas, who slept
with his wife Stein in the kitchen, and desired him to go and
see what the matter was. When my husband went out he
asked Klaas what it was, and Klaas said " nothing." Imme-
diately after which Galant and Abel came into the house
through the back door, while I was still in bed, and rushed into
my bed room where I was alone, from which they took away
two guns that stood in the corner of the room. It was dark
in the room, and I asked who was there, but received no
answer. I did not then know that it was them, but when I
came out I knew them by the moonlight, for I had got up
immediately and went out ; on coming to the stoep my husband
ran towards me, and the people were then firing at him. I then
saw Galant and Abel whom I knew. After I left the house the
maid Jannetje brought the children out, but when they fired
at my husband we all ran in again, upon which they began to
fire at the doors and windows, and which they knocked to
pieces. We then all made our escape out of the back door,
my husband to the mountains, while I remained standing at
the back of the house for a little while with the two maids
Jannetje and Stein and the children. The people thereupon
rushed into the house, but what they did there I do not know.
Goliath accompanied me in our flight to the grazing place of
my father-in-law Pieter van der Merwe, where I remained till
the following day at noon, when I went with the Commando
to the place of Isaac van der Merwe, and thence to my mother's
the widow Hugo.
Questions by the Chief Justice to the Witness :
Did youspeak with the prisoner Klaas before youleftthe place ?
268 Records of the Cape Colon]/.
Answer. Yes, I said that he must assist me, but he said
that he could not help me for that he had not anything in his
hand. He did not do me any harm, but Galant wanted to
shoot me, when I stood outside just before the boy Goliath
came to tell me to fly, on which occasion the maids interceded
that they should not shoot me.
Did Klaas come back after his master had sent him to see
what the matter was with the sheep ?
Answer. I do not know whether he brought any message
back, but when I came out of the door he stood there, and on
my asking him to assist me he answered that he had not
anything with him.
The prisoner Klaas says :
As long as I have been under my mistress I have never
given any reason of complaint. I always did my work
well.
The witness says : That is true.
Goliath, who having been made acquainted with the reasons
of his appearance and thereupon promised to declare the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, states to be twenty
years of age, born in this Colony, at the place of old Pieter
van der Merwe, slave of Barend van der Merwe ; and further
deposes as follows :
It is now I think about a month ago that I as shepherd boy
was asleep as usual in the kraal, when I heard a noise at the
house, without knowing what it was I heard firing and screams.
I looked over the wall of the kraal to see if I could discover
what it was, but although it was moonlight I could not see,
for the noise was in the house. I thereupon went towards the
house and ran off a little distance, and when I perceived that
the people were leaving the place I went to the house where I
found my mistress standing before the door, whom I advised
to fly, on which she, accompanied by the maids, the children,
and myself, made our escape. I carried one of the children, and
Jannetje the other, and in this manner we proceeded to the
kraal of Moses, where we remained. Moses gave me a horse,
with which I rode to another place of Piet van der Merwe to
call the Hottentots Slinger and Andries Wildschut to protect
my mistress. I fetched them to the kraal of Moses, and they
remained there. We afterwards went with the Commando to
Records of the Cape Colon]/. 269
the place of Isaac van der Merwe, and thence to my Mistress's
mother.
Questions by the Chief Justice to the Witness :
Before the business happened at your Master's place, were
you informed or did you hear anything of their intention ?
Answer. No, nothing.
How are you treated by your master and mistress ?
Answer. Well,
How is Abel treated ?
Answer. Both Abel and Klaas are unfaithful to their
master, but Klaas however is better than Abel.
Did Klaas do your Master any harm before the business
happened ?
Answer. No, I did not see anything, nor do I know
anything.
The prisoners say they have no questions to ask.
Jannetje, who having been made acquainted with the
reasons of her appearance and thereupon promised to declare
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, states
herself to be a female slave of Barend van der Merwe, about
twenty-five years of age, born in this colony, and further
deposes as follows :
On a certain night, I think it is now about a month ago, I
lay asleep in the hall in my usual place, when I was awakened
and heard my mistress call out " what is that ? ' on which I
got up and went to my mistress's room. On coming there, I
met Galant and Abel coming out of the room, each with a gun.
I then went out on the stoep with my mistress, when we saw
Galant and Abel fire at my master. My master was at a little
distance from the house, and while they were firing at my
master Galant called to us, on which we ran into the house.
They then began to thump at the door and windows, on which
we made our escape out of the back door and through the
garden, when Galant fired again at my Master.
We then returned to the front of the house, and while
standing on the stoep I saw them coming out of the house with
powder and shot. When they came out Galant put the
powder in a horn, but Abel fetched the powder out of the
house ; they then rode away. While we were standing at a
little distance from the house, Galant came back to my Mistress
270 Records of the Cape Colony.
and wanted to shoot her ; I spoke a good word for her, and he
listened to me.
Galant then rode to the other people, and my mistress and I
together with the Children, one of whom I carried, made our
escape to the place of old Piet van der Merwe, but what had
become of my master I did not know, for they shot him from
the place. I afterwards saw him when the Commando came
to the grazing place where we had remained. We were brought
by the Commando to the place of Isaac van der Merwe, where
we stopped one day, and then went to the Widow Hugo's, my
master's mother-in-law. Goliath escaped with us, and always
remained with us.
Questions by the Fiscal to the Witness :
When the murderers were at the kraal of Moses, did not he
and Goliath conceal themselves from them ?
Answer. Yes.
What happened further with Moses and Goliath ?
Answer. That I don't know.
How are you treated by your Master and Mistress ?
Answer. Well treated, plenty of clothes and victuals. I
cannot complain.
How are the other people treated ?
Answer. Just the same. But it is through their own
villainy that they did it.
Betje, who having been made acquainted with the reasons
of her appearance and thereupon promised to declare the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, states
herself to be a Hottentot, last in the service of the late Willem
van der Merwe, about twenty-eight years of age, born at
Bruyntjes Hoogte, and further deposes as follows :
About a month before my Master was murdered Galant
asked me if I would follow him, for that he would make himself
free and fight for his freedom, to which I answered that he was
a slave and I was free, and that I could not follow him. I
told my Mistress one evening that Galant had said he intended
to murder them. When he said to me that he would make
himself free, I told my mistress that he was now going to begin ;
he asked me to get him a gun, but I told him that I could not
help him to a gun, on which he said, let it stand then, I shall
get a gun myself. Galant said to me that when Master and
Records of the Cape Colony. 271
Mistress should ride to Jan du Plessis's he would break open
the house and take a gun, of which I informed my Master and
Mistress likewise. Master thereupon said that when he went
from home, he would take Galant and the powder and shot
with him and take off the cock of the gun and lock it up. My
Master and Mistress rode to Du Plessis's place and took Galant
with them, and when they came back Galant would absolutely
shoot my Master. I told this likewise to my Mistress. She
told it to my Master, and said that I must tell him of it also,
which I did, but my Master said that I must not frighten my
Mistress so, and would not believe it, he said that he knew
Galant would not do so, for that he had brought him up
himself. The last evening before the business happened I was
standing with my Mistress in the kitchen, when he called to
me to go with him to his sleeping place, on which I told the
cook to give me my victuals. Galant said it is now supper
time, and I went with him to his apartment, shortly after
which he came out again and took me to the kraal near where
we sleep and bound me fast with a thong to a pole there, with
my hands behind my back. Galant thereupon with Isaac
Thys, Abel, and Isaac Rooy rode to the place of Barend van
der Merwe with the horses which they had taken from the
stable. Abel had come the same evening on horseback from
his Master's to our place, and remained with Galant in his
straw hut. After they came back from Barend van der
Merwe's place Galant untied me ; they were not long away.
A fire was then made before Galant's hut, and there I sat with
them, namely Galant, Abel, Klaas, Hendrik, Isaac Thys,
Isaac Rooy, Valentyn, Vlak, Achilles, and Antony. Towards
sunrise my late Master went with Hannes Janse to the kraal,
on which Galant, Abel, Klaas, and Isaac Thys ran to the
house and went into the kitchen, where having laid their hats
on the table, they stormed into the bed room where my mistress
lay. Galant, Abel, Klaas, and Isaac Thys rushed into the
room, Hendrik remained in the hut, Galant took me with him
to the house in order that I should not meet my Master and
tell him of it. I was in the kitchen when Galant rushed into
the house, on which I ran to the hall. Galant took away two
guns, but I do not know that rightly, for I ran to the hall in
the hurry. The people were all in a heap, so that I could not
272 Records of the Cape Colony.
properly distinguish them. They held fast the guns together
with my mistress. My mistress had the guns fast by the
muzzles, and in this manner they dragged her forwards ; when
she got to the hall she had but one of the guns in her hand, by
which they dragged her to the kitchen, when Galant who had
the one gun was going to fire at my Mistress, but I laid hold
of the gun behind, and just as I did so Galant fired and hit
her in the thigh. I lifted up my Mistress, and brought her
into the room, and Galant went to the front door where the
other people stood. After I had brought my Mistress into the
room I went out to see after my master. I met him at the
back door, and he asked me where my Mistress was ; I told
him that she was severely wounded, on which he went round
to the front door, when they fired at him, but did not hit him ;
he then ran into the house through the front door, and locked
it after him. Harmes Janse was outside when they fired at
my Master, and he ran after them to the treading floor, when
he went to the stable and took a horse in order to ride to
Dalree's, but they pursued and drove him back. Abel was
one of them, and it was in fact he who drove him back again.
Janse cried out, on which my Master opened the door, when
Janse was driven into the house on the horse, and my Master
then locked the door again. All the people were there on
horseback in front of the house, when my Master opened the
door a little, and asked Abel what he had done to them that
they wanted to shoot him. Abel answered because the
Governor will give us our freedom and you will not have it,
and now we will make ourselves free. My Master then said,
you have got my horses and saddles, take them away, and
go away, but leave me my life.
After I had brought my Mistress into her room, I was not in
the house again, for the whole of the morning Galant would
not have that I should go there. I then went to my straw
hut, where I heard from Antony that my Master was murdered,
on which I went towards the house and concealed myself
behind the peach trees, from where I heard the uproar in the
house.
They broke the doors and windows to pieces, and then got in.
Pamela came and told me that Janse still lived, but that
Master was dead. I then went in, and found my Mistress
Records of the Cape Colony. 273
with her little children and the wife of Jan Verlee on the loft,
but Janse and Verlee were. then both dead. While I was in
the house Galant came in and called me, and wanted me to
get the Mistress and the children to come down from the loft,
which I did, and then spoke a good word for them with Galant
and gave him fair words, but he said that at least all the boys
must be killed, on which I again spoke fair to him, for I had
suckled all the children, and he at last listened to me. They
then talked together about getting ready to leave the place,
for that probably a Commando would soon be after them, and
they rode away. I then washed my Mistress and spread a
plaister for her wound, and I remained there till the Commando
came, after which I accompanied my mistress to the place of
Isaac van der Merwe.
Questions by the Chief Justice to the Witness :
Did you know of the plan they had previously formed ?
Answer. I only knew that Galant had run away, and that
he wanted to take a gun with him to shoot my master, but a
month after he came from the Carroo he spoke about it, and
I told both my Master and Mistress of it, but they would not
believe me.
What conversation had they that evening before they went
to Barend van der Merwe's ?
Answer. Nothing that I heard, nothing that I was present
at.
Were Achilles and Antony there when they went to Barend
van der Merwe's ?
Answer. Achilles was by the apartment where I was bound,
and Antony also. Achilles had an assagaay and Antony a
thick stick ; they walked round about the kraal, Isaak Thys
said that I had brought it out that they wanted to steal guns,
and therefore Galant bound me that I should not tell.
When Achilles and Antony were walking about in that
manner by the kraal and you were bound, did they know any-
thing of Galant's intention to murder your master ?
Answer. Yes, they all knew of it except Lea, from whom
they always kept it concealed.
Did the prisoner Pamela know anything of it ?
Answer. Yes, Galant her husband asked her as well as me
to get him a gun.
XX. T
274 Records of the Cape Colony.
What part did the prisoner Pamela take in the business ?
Answer. That I don't know, but Galant asked her for the
gun ; whether she gave it to him or not I do not know.
Did Pamela inform your master and Mistress of it before
the business happened ?
Answer. I told her to do so, for that as she was a slave they
would believe her sooner than me.
When your Mistress was wounded did Pamela also assist
her ?
Answer. No, she had made her escape with Lea out of the
house.
When Galant informed you of his intention to murder your
master, did he say anything about the prisoner Campher ?
Answer. No, but I once heard a talk among the people
that Campher and the people wanted to beat Master at the
corn land, but I did not hear it myself.
Was Galant good friends with Campher ?
Answer. Yes, he was very fond of him.
Have you any children by Galant ?
Answer. Yes, I have had six by him, two are still alive,
but the others all died young of convulsions.
Was there not one of those children named David ?
Answer. Yes.
Of what did he die ?
Answer. That I do not know. About eight days before
he went with us to the Carroo, he was all at once blue round
the mouth ; my mistress said she thought he would die, on
which my master brought him out, he then got better and was
afterwards quite well again. While we were in the Carroo my
master beat him with an ox thong because master was angry
with his wife. In about a week and a half after that beating
he died.
Do you think the child died in consequence of that beating ?
Answer. That I cannot accuse my master of, for the child
was healthy and well afterwards.
Do you know whether there are any of the prisoners who
were obliged through threats to act with Galant ?
Answer. That I do not know.
Do you know Lydia ?
Answer. She is Antony's wife.
Records of the Cape Colony. 275
What work did she do ?
Answer. Before that Pamela came she did housework, but
she was afterwards shepherdess.
How was she treated ?
Answer. The same as myself ; but she was a little naughty,
she stole continually, for which master flogged her, but mode-
rately, and when she promised to behave better master did not
beat her, but only when it happened too often.
Was Lydia not once thrust into the water ?
Answer. That I know nothing of. If so, it must have
been before my time.
How did your master and mistress treat their people in
general ?
Answer. I cannot say otherwise than well. Master frequently
pardoned them ; but if he was angry, then he punished
severely.
Do you recollect your master having once flogged your
child David because he wanted to follow you to the water ?
Answer. The child crept after me. I gave it a piece of
bread, and then went in with him to my mistress, and in the
house my master beat the child.
How long ago is that ?
Answer. It is eight years. I have been ten years with my
Master, I was then two years there.
How many times did your master beat the child on that
occasion ?
Answer. But once, and excepting that once and the time
in the Carroo, he never beat him.
You do not then think that your child died in consequence
of the beating ?
Answer. If I recollect rightly, the child lived a month
after that beating ; and besides the child was afterwards well
and healthy, and it would be a falsehood were I to accuse
Master of his having so beaten the child that it caused his
death.
Questions by the prisoner Galant to the witness :
What did you tell me last year at the Muishond river about
what your Mistress said to you respecting the strange nation ?
Answer. That I know nothing of. I never heard any-
thing about it. I only know that you told me the people
t 2
276 Records of the Cape Colony.
would fight themselves free, and that that had happened
before.
What did you say to me once about a newspaper that your
Mistress said must not be opened ?
Answer. My mistress never said anything of the kind to
me, she said nothing to me about a newspaper.
Did you not tell me that you, old Stein, Lea, and Rachel
(the wife of Platje Pas) were in the kitchen, and when you
asked for victuals that master had said he would shoot all the
people in a heap ?
Answer. I did ask for victuals once in the kitchen, on
which my master asked the cook if the victuals were not
sufficient, and said that his head was so full of vexation that
he would shoot them all and then hang himself, and that was
on Galant's account, because my master could not bear that
he always quarrelled with me.
What did you also say to me of an evening that I sat with
you on the bed after I came from the corn land, about a news-
paper which Mistress said had come, and in which it was
mentioned that the farmers were very much oppressed.
Answer. Every thing that you say is false. I am an out-
door servant, and do not know what happens in the house. I
never said anything of the kind.
The prisoner Galant says : I can call God to witness that
everything I have said is true.
The witness says : you call upon God falsely.
Further questions by Galant to the Witness :
Did I not once tell you to ask the Mistress why that all the
slaves were to be free, and what answer did you give me
thereto ?
Answer. Galant is my husband, but all what he says is
false ; he declares false things.
Did you not tell me that your mistress said that it was
because there came so many white children among the black
slaves ?
Answer. It is not so, it is false.
What did your mistress's little daughter named Saartje
say to you at the time that you and old Stein were
dressing a sheep skin blanket, and in the presence of your
mistress ?
Records of the Cape Colony. 277
Answer. That you must know, for if there was anything
spoken you must know it as you were present.
Did not the little daughter say that if all the farmers were
like your Master, not one of the slaves would be free ?
Answer. No, but that master had said it should never take
place as long as the Heavens were blue, because the people
spoke so much about such things. She also said to me, if
Galant then becomes free he can bring you away to your
parents.
What did you say to me about a letter that your master
and master Barend van der Merwe had signed and that had
been brought there by a little boy belonging to Master Isaac ?
Answer. I do not know of anything that was spoken about
a letter. If it was so, and that Galant heard it, he must know
it himself. The prisoner Pamela said something to me about
a letter which the farmers had signed, but I do not know what
it contained.
The prisoner Galant says : She told me first that the
farmers had signed not to make us free, and afterwards Pamela
told it to me likewise.
The witness says : Pamela told it to me.
Galant says : The letter was brought in the afternoon, and
in the evening the witness told it to me.
The Witness says : Galant came from Cape Town with
these things, and conversed with the people about it, and now
he wants to lay it to my charge ; he speaks to-day entirely
too falsely. He said that it must happen between Christmas
and New Year's day, and that if it did not happen he would
kill his master. Galant came from Cape Town with all these
stories.
The prisoner Galant says : Yes, that I did say, and that I
had heard it from the people at Tulbagh ; I will not deny
what I have said, although you will what you have said, I
heard it from the people of David Theron and Piet Joosten at
Tulbagh last October when I returned from Cape Town ; and
then we were all to stand up for our lives.
The Witness says : You die on your lies.
The prisoner says : you told me that you had heard your
Mistress say it three times when you helped to wash and dress
her.
278 Records of the Cape Colony.
The Witness denies it.
Further questions by Galant to the Witness :
Did you not tell me yourself about the flogging of the child
David in the Carroo, and that he was buried without anyone
having seen the body ; and did I not want to go and complain
about it ?
Answer. It is all false.
Did you not also tell me that the child was bound ?
Answer. The child was cross and pettish, on which my
Master made him fast with a little string, but not to harm
him. It is a long time ago, and the child was notwithstanding
well and healthy. He speaks of a thing that is of no conse-
quence, one could see that the child had been beaten, but the
skin was not broken ; but he suffered much cold and wet in
the Carroo and that I believe did the child the mischief.
The prisoner says : She told me that she was going herself
to dash the child against the ground, but that her master and
mistress prevented her.
The witness says : That is true, I did say that through
heartsore, because my Master beat the child, although it was
not so much, and it is true that when I was so angry Master
and Mistress prevented me.
Question by the Prisoner Pamela to the Witness :
When did Galant ask me to get him guns ?
Answer. The same evening that Master was murdered
Galant and Isaac Thys asked you for the guns, and you
answered that there was a lock on the window.
The prisoner Pamela says : That is false. Galant never
asked me for a gun. He never said anything of the kind to
me ; and that Galant knew there was a lock on the window,
he could just as well have been informed of from the witness
as from me, for she is his wife also.
Question by the Witness to the prisoner Pamela :
Did I not say to you at Louw's place, " Why do you not tell
the truth 1 " and did you not answer me saying : " Yes, but
I have a child by Galant, and therefore I will not bear hard
upon him ? "
Answer. No.
The Witness says : Galant asked me in Pamela's presence
if I would remain at the place or go away with him ; on which
Records of the Cape Colony. 279
Pamela immediately said I will not stop at the place, but will
go with you.
The prisoner Pamela denies this.
The Witness says : It is as true as God and men all what
I say. They all knew of the business except Lea. I also told
Pamela that she must tell it to the Christians, to Master and
mistress, and not say anything to Galant.
The Prisoner Galant denies having bound the Witness Betje,
and asks her the following questions :
Where were we sitting when we formed the plan as you say
before that Abel came to us ?
Answer. You spoke of it in your straw hut and everywhere,
but you made the plan that evening by the hut of Achilles.
Who were present ?
Answer. •All the people excepting the wife of Antony,
Valentyn, and Vlak. Lea and Pamela were not present then,
they were in the house.
What did we do that evening before we formed the plan ?
Answer. That I don't know, but Achilles said, what will
you do, presently comes a Commando and then you will all
be sorry. Achilles said to me, Galant will have it so, and I
said yes, he wants me to say yes too. Galant thereupon said
to Achilles you are afraid, I'll take it all upon myself. I shall
settle it with the Fiscal and the Gentlemen. I take it upon
myself.
The prisoner Galant says : Yes that I certainly did say to
Achilles.
Further questions by Galant to the Witness :
What did we do and take before we went away from the
place and before we sat down to arrange the plan ?
Answer. You took a sheep out of the kraal, but who did
it I do not know.
The prisoner Galant says : Valentyn and Vlak asked old
Stein who took care of the sheep for it, I gave them my knife
to kill it, and after that we made the plan.
Who came to me at the stable to say that Abel was come to
my straw hut ?
Answer. I was going to the house to tell my master that
Galant was in the stable, and coming to the front door I saw
Abel, when Galant meeting me asked me what I came there
280 Records of the Cape Colony.
for, to which I answered that I had seen Abel come. They
then took the horses, and Galant bound me, and so he
began.
If I had bound you, how could I then have said to you as
cook when I left the place to take care that the victuals were
ready when we should return from Barend van der Merwe's ?
Answer. That you did not say to me ; it is false. If I had
not been bound you should not so easily have murdered my
master. Achilles and Antony dressed the victuals.
Did I not desire you to kill the sheep ?
Answer. No.
Where did you place your bedding the evening that we
made the plan ?
Answer. At the back of the gable end of the house. I
made my bed out of doors. *
Where were you when we returned from Barend van der
Merwe's, and why did I awaken you ?
Answer. You unbound me from the pole, and that you call
awakening me. You placed Achilles and Antony as sentries
over me.
The prisoner Galant says : Betje took bread out of the
cupboard and gave it to us. She must say who was asleep
with her when I awakened her.
The witness says : That I don't know.
The prisoner Galant says : When we came back from
Barend van der Merwe's we had something to eat. After we
had done, I, Abel, Klaas, Isaac Thys, Isaac Rooy, Vlak, and
Valentyn were sitting together. Achilles came and asked if
we had killed Barend van der Merwe. Abel answered he has
escaped, upon which Achilles said you have gone to work
badly, and went to his straw hut. I then went and lay down
with Betje while Isaac Rooy and Hendrik fell asleep by the
fire and Isaac Thys also. Vlak, Valentyn, Klaas, and Abel
remained awake sitting by the fire. When day began to break
Klaas said it was time, on which we went out. Abel, Klaas,
Isaac Rooy, and I went to the peach orchard behind the
kitchen, where we remained. Isaac Rooy went into the
house to fetch the milk pails, which he brought out with him
and put under the peach trees. I went to the stable and
made the horses loose and fed Hannes Janse's horse. Abel,
Records of the Cape Colon//. 281
Klaas, and Isaac Rooy stopped there, on which occasion
Valentyn came to me to the stable when I told him to take
away the horses that were loose, and then I left the stable.
The Master was the first that came out of the house and asked
whether I had laid the treading floor, and desired me to make
loose the sick cow and bring her to the kraal. I accordingly
did so, and gave the cow to Valentyn. I then went round
through the back hedge and was joined by Abel, Klaas, and
Isaac Thys, on which I went with Abel with the two guns to
the corner of the hedge to see whether Master was at the kraal,
he was then at the quince hedge, and when he went round by
the kraal, and seeing that he was not within shot, we went to
Klaas and Isaac Thys and told them that Master was too far
off, and then proceeded to the back door, and just as we four
got into the back door, the master also ran in. Betje stood in
the firehearth with Lea and Pamela. We went into the room,
and took away the guns, and after I had fired at the Mistress
outside the room door she ran out of the house. Master then
ran among the peach trees, when I fired at him, the gun that
was without a lock was not loaded. Pamela just at that
moment came running in with her child, and Abel fired at
Master as he was passing by. We then ran off. Klaas and
Valentyn called out there goes Master Janse, on which we
went to the kraal where the horses were. I could not get my
horse speedily enough, but Abel and Isaac Thys pursued him
first to Dalree's and then drove him back again to Van der
Merwe's. We had the horses held by the children, at which
time I was still at the kraal and Antony also. We called out
that we should ride away, in order to induce Master to come
out, and when we perceived he would not come we dismounted.
Abel fired through the windows, Isaac Rooy broke the window ;
we heard somebody inside say, open the window that I can
fire with the pistol. On that I went to the oak trees, and
Abel told me what Master had said to him, and that he made
him a present of the horse. After that I broke open the oven,
and found two pistols in the house, which I took away. 1 did
not want to remain long there. Abel pulled the horse of
Janse out of the house. After Janse and Verlee were dead, I
searched round for the lock of the gun, which I found in the
tabic drawer. Bctjc gave us the key of it.
282 Records of the Cape Colony.
The Witness Betje says : That Pamela has told them to say.
Everything was open when I came into the house.
The prisoner Galant says : I asked Betje for some drink,
on which she said, Pamela was the last who had to do with
the liquor. She drank with us out of a cup. The shot pouch
and flints lay on the table, I held the gun before the table,
being employed to put the lock on, I did not know that
my mistress sat under the table, she laid hold of the
muzzle of the gun and begged of me not to shoot her. I
answered that it was the people's fault that she was wounded,
and I even told Betje to assist her Mistress and the children.
We then went out, and spoke together about where we should
go to, and whether we should not go to Dalree's to look after
Campher, as there were too many people at Isaac van der
Merwe's. We had spoken before with Isaac van der Merwe's
people, but they did not know when we should come. We
took a horse away from Dalree's, and then rode towards the
place of Barend van der Merwe.
The prisoner Achilles says : Everything that Galant says is
true, this pretty business has happened because they would
not listen to me. It is true I was there, but if they had
followed my advice all this would not have happened, for I
said what harm had master done us ? Master was good
enough. If a slave will not work he must be flogged ; for
what do we get victuals ? is it not to work ? Must not Master
himself work to get his living ? But Galant said, you * * *
yourself, you dare not, bring some grass and stop * * *
I said, now you will begin and to-morrow we shall all stand
with our hands tied and be taken to Cape Town. Hendrik
knows all what I said. Galant said, let the Commando come ;
the whole Bokkeveld will begin, and we will shoot at them to
the upper Country. I will stand with my gun on the Lion's
head at the Cape and face the gentlemen. The people killed
a sheep, but I did not dress any victuals. I am called here to
speak the truth. Why did not you Galant listen to me, and why
did not you Betje persuade him against it ? It is true I helped
to kill the sheep, but the other people took away the meat.
Question by the Chief Justice to the prisoner Achilles :
Did not you and Antony keep watch over Betje when she
was bound ?
Records of the Cajjc Colony. 283
Answer. That I know nothing of. After Galant and the
people went away I and Antony went to sleep. I know
nothing about binding fast.
The prisoners Isaac Rooy and Isaac Thys being asked if
they know anything of the maid Betje having been bound ?
Isaac Rooy says : Everything that Achilles says is true, I
know nothing of binding of Betje.
Isaac Thys confirms the statement of Isaac Rooy.
The prisoner Antony says : All what Achilles says is the
truth.
The Court adjourns till Friday next at ten o'clock.
Friday, the 18th March 1825.
Ten o'clock A.M.
All the members present.
Previously to the Court being opened, His Honour the
Chief Justice states that the reports which were circulated at
the beginning of the trial respecting the wife of Barend van
der Merwe having been ravished have been so far corroborated
by some of the prisoners, that it has become the duty of the
Court to waive all delicacy and investigate into this circum-
stance ; and proposes in order first to ascertain the truth
thereof to hear Barend van der Merwe and his wife on the
subject, but with closed doors ; and should the fact appear
from their examination then to make this circumstance a
point of serious inquiry. Which proposal being agreed to,
Barend van der Merwe is first called in and interrogated by
the Chief Justice as follows :
Was there any violence committed on your wife by the
gang or any of them, and if so in what did that violence
consist ?
Answer. That I know nothing of, neither did I hear of
any such thing.
Did you not yourself tell others of it ?
Answer. No, Botha asked me if it was true, and I said
that I knew nothing of it, that it was not true.
Have you given your answer under the impression of the
oath that you took at the beginning, to declare the whole
truth without reserve ?
Answer. Yes, I know that I am on my oath and that I
284 Records of the Cape Colony.
must speak the truth ; but I know not as much about it as the
black of my nail. There are more of the Van der Merwes who
know, which of them repeated such a thing from hearsay.
What led Botha to ask you that question ?
Answer. We were speaking of the murderers, when Botha
asked me if they had done anything to my wife ? on which I
gave him that answer. I cannot surely say a thing which I
do not know. I asked my wife about it, and she denied it.
Barend van der Merwe being withdrawn from the Court,
his wife is called in and interrogated by the Chief Justice as
follows :
As public report says that violence had been committed by
Galant and the gang on you, was there actually any violence
done to you by him or any of them, and if so in what did it
consist ?
Answer. No, nothing else than that Galant wanted to
shoot me. He presented the gun at me, but the maids inter-
ceded for me and pushed away the gun. After he came back
on horseback, he said, it is your good luck, woman, that the
maids spoke for you. Galant offered no other violence to me.
Roos, who having been made acquainted with the reasons
of her appearance and thereupon promised to speak the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, states herself to be
forty-one years of age, born at the place of Piet Theron at the
Breede river, last in the service of the late Willem van der
Merwe, and further deposes as follows :
On a Wednesday morning about a month ago I came from
Tulbagh to the place of the late Willem van der Merwe, when
I saw the people named, Galant, Abel, Klaas, a parcel of little
Hottentots, Achilles, Antony, and Isaac Thys, on horseback.
I saw Galant, Abel, and Isaac Thys ride, the others were on
foot. They rode round the house. I went into the Garden,
where Betje, Galant's wife, came to me, and wanted that I
should go immediately to Dalree's and tell him that the Master
and Mistress were wounded and that the people must come to
their assistance. I did so, and told Dalree of it in presence of
the schoolmaster Pearson, on which Dalree immediately sent
said Pearson to Isaac van der Merwe's to fetch some people,
and I remained at Dalree's by the garden till the following day.
When the people came for the dead bodies, I rode with the
Records of the Cape Colony. 285
waggons to the place of Isaac van der Merwe. In the month
of October I went from the late Willem van der Merwe's place
to Tulbagh. I live separately on the land of the late Willem
van der Merwe close to Dalree. I had gone that morning to
Van der Merwe's dwelling place to ask for a pass, in order to
fetch my child from Jan de Waal's.
Questions by the Chief Justice to the Witness :
Did you know before the business happened that such a
thing was about to take place ?
Answer. No, I did not hear anything of it.
Did you see the people commit anything when you were at
the place ?
Answer. I was in the garden where I heard two shots,
they came from the side of the dwelling house.
Did any of the people speak with you ?
Answer. No, neither did I to any of them.
Do you recollect whether Isaac Rooy said anything to you ?
Answer. No.
Do you know Campher who lives at Dalree's ?
Answer. Yes.
Where was he on that occasion ?
Answer. He was gone with Platje to Tulbagh to fetch
away a slave boy belonging to Dalree who was confined there
with rings on his legs. He rode away before us on Tuesday
morning. I keep at the same place with Campher and Platje ;
they had not been at home for two days when it happened.
Did you tell the people or any of them that Platje and
Campher were away ?
Answer. No, but they knew it. Platje had been there the
Monday morning before to ask my late Master for a pass for
the purpose.
Questions by the prisoner Galant to the witness :
Where were you when we came that evening from Barend
van der Merwe's ?
Answer. I was asleep in my hut.
Did I not ask you if Platje was at home ?
Answer. You awoke me and asked me ; and I answered
that he was not at home.
Where were you the next day when we came from the place
of my Master ?
28G Records of the Cape Colony.
Answer. In the fields with the oxen of my late Master, far
from the house.
Did I not then ask you where Master Dalree was ?
Answer. Yes, and I said that he was at home.
As you are cook, what victuals do the people get at the
land?
Answer. In the morning I dress a pot of meat, and at
noon also. In the evening my late master caused peas to be
boiled.
How much meat used you to put in the pot ?
Answer. My late master made me dress a shoulder and the
ribs.
Did we not take sheep out of the kraal through hunger ?
Answer. That you must know, I dressed what my Master
ordered me. You complained of it at the land, and I told you
to say so to your master.
Questions by the Fiscal to the witness :
Did the people get bread also ?
Answer. Yes, Galant himself cut the bread.
How much bread did they get ?
Answer. He was the cutter, a reasonable quantity.
Further questions by Galant to the witness :
What did your master once say to you, when you dressed
more meat of your own accord, in consequence of our
complaint ?
Answer. My master scolded me for it.
Who more ate of the sheep that I took near the house ?
Answer. All the people. Galant dressed the meat himself,
and awakened me and gave me a piece of it.
Who dressed the meat of the sheep that I and Isaac Thys
took the following day by the house ?
Answer. You with all your comrades.
Who dressed the remainder of that sheep the next day, after
Master had rode away from the place ?
Answer. You put it into the pot yourself and cooked it.
When Master leaves the Land, Galant goes away also.
What did you do with the peas that were left in the pot ?
Answer. You and all the other people ate them.
Question by the Chief Justice to Galant :
To whom did the sheep belong which you stole ?
Records of the Cape Colon//. 287
Answer. To my Master, I took them through hunger.
Further questions by Galant to the Witness :
Did you not know how we came by the sheep ?
Answer. I know nothing of what you did in the night. I
was obliged to dress the victuals, as they were given to me.
Who took the meat away on Christmas morning ?
Answer. You and all the people. I am but a woman, and
had nothing to say to you.
The prisoner Galant says : I now wish that Antony would
speak, and asks him :
Did we not take four sheep ?
Answer. Yes, that is true, we all as good as stole them
together. Roos also assisted to kill and dress them, and we
all ate of the meat.
The Witness Roos denies this, and says : If you did not
get victuals enough why then did you not complain to your
master instead of always quarrelling with me at the land ?
The prisoner Galant says : I now wish to speak with Achilles ;
and asks him the following questions :
What did we say the first day about the victuals which were
full of dirt, and likewise afterwards at the treading floor ?
Answer. Nothing that I know. The victuals it is true
were very dirty, but I ate of them notwithstanding, without
saying anything about it.
When we were talking at the floor about killing our Master,
did you not say : you are always prating about it, but I see
nothing come of it ?
Answer. Yes, but it was not my meaning that you should
do it.
When I said to you, what can you do to protect yourself as
you cannot shoot, what answer did you give me ?
Answer. I will stab with the assagaay.
Question by the Chief Justice to the prisoner Achilles :
Why did you not inform your Master of the people's intention ?
Answer. Galant said, you must not go and tell I Avanted
to do so.
The prisoner Galant says : I now wish to speak with Isaac
Rooy ; and asks him :
When we were talking at the floor about killing our Master,
what did Achilles say ?
238 Records of the Cape Colony.
Answer. That he would stab the master with the assagaay.
The prisoner Achilles acknowledges to have said so, and
further says :
Galant said, although you cannot shoot, you however have
an assagaay, and with that you can assist us.
Martha Elisabeth Swanepoel, who having been made
acquainted with the reasons of her appearance and duly
sworn, states herself to be twenty years of age, born in this
Colony, widow of the late Johannes Verlee, and residing with
her mother Swanepoel, and thereupon deposes as follows :
I lived with my late husband who was Schoolmaster at the
place of the late Willem van der Merwe. On the morning of
the 2nd February last at daybreak I heard two shots while I
was still in bed, on the front side of the house, on which I
awakened my husband to go and see what it was. He got up
immediately, and went out, but came speedily back again,
saying that I must rise and dress myself and go to the assistance
of Van der Merwe's wife, for that she was severely wounded.
My husband and I slept in an outdoor apartment, and going
to the house I met Janse van Rensburg and the late Willem
van der Merwe. Van der Merwe said to Janse that he must
take a horse and go and give information that the people were
committing murder. I thereupon went into the house and
found Van der Merwe's wife in the hall wounded. I bound
her wound and brought her into the bed room where I remained
with her. After being a little time in the room I came out,
when I saw the people drive Janse van Rensburg into the
house on his horse, on which my husband locked the door.
Willem van der Merwe then went into the room to his wife,
and having prayed for her he came out again and went to the
front door which he opened, and asked Abel what he had done
to them that they had wounded his wife so severely ? that
they already had his horses and guns, and that they could keep
them and take all he had ; to which Galant said we do not
want anything but Master. Van der Merwe then went into
the room again and said another prayer for his wife, and took
leave of her. He then went to the front door and opened it
again in order to speak kindly with the people, on which they
shot him dead through the door. My husband pulled the
deceased in, and locked the door.
Records of the Cape Colony. 289
Van der Merwe's wife then got out of bed and said : Man
what have you done, what do you venture for me and my
children ? and said to Rensburg " you are two men, defend
yourselves bravely," at which the people outside laughed loud
and began to break and chop the windows and doors to pieces,
on which I and my child and Van der Merwe's wife with her
children made our escape to a loft, where we remained till all
the men were murdered. Galant came up to the loft and
made us come down ; he said that we must come down,
and that he would murder us. Van der Merwe's wife had
at first crept into the oven, out of which Janse van Rensburg
took her ; she then concealed herself in the firehearth, then
under a table, and from that she came to us on the loft.
The people forced into the back door. Galant made a
mockery of the men, saying, " ask now for pardon, but
no, with God is mercy, but not with us, beg and pray now
to the ground." All this I heard while I was on the loft.
Galant said, " The Landdrost read to us that we were all to
be free with the new year, but the farmers were against it, and
therefore we will fight ourselves free, and now we are all free."
After we came down from the loft, Galant beat me with a
Sambok and pushed me out of the door, on which I went and
sat down with my child on the grass, not knowing whither to
fly. Galant ordered Abel to take the child from me and
knock its head against the wall. Galant himself stood with
his gun behind me. Klaas then interfered that the women
and children should be spared, to which they at last listened.
I then went back into the house with my child, where I remained
till twelve o'clock. Van der Merwe's wife was then likewise
in the house on her bed. Thereupon the Commando came
and took me and my child with Van der Merwe's wife and
her children to Isaac van der Merwe's. The bodies of my
husband and of Janse van Rensburg I saw lying in the kitchen.
Janse had a shot under the left arm, through the right side.
My husband had a shot in the left hip, he received three wounds
almost at the same time, the people threw stones at him
likewise ; he did not die immediately when they shot at him.
I heard him cry out dreadfully.
Questions by the Chief Justice to the Witness :
Was the widow Van der Merwe assisted by her maids ?
xx. u
290 Records of the Cape Colony.
Answer. Lea helped to bind her wound, and she also ran
with us to the loft.
Who was the widow Van der Merwe's maid ?
Answer. Lea. She was the cook and housemaid.
What was Pamela's work ?
Answer. She was also housemaid.
How did Pamela behave under those circumstances ?
Answer. At first she assisted to bind her mistress's wound,
but afterwards she got away with the others. Lea was the
only one that remained.
How did Betje behave ?
Answer. She also assisted at the beginning, but afterwards
she got away likewise. After the men were murdered she also
spoke a good word that our lives might be spared.
How long had you lived with the late Willem van der Merwe ?
Answer. We were then but two days there.
Where did you live before ?
Answer. At Willem Joosten's in the Bokkeveld, far from
the late Van der Merwe's place.
Was there any conversation between your late husband and
the gang ?
Answer. Not that I know.
Were there any religious exercises performed at the late
Van der Merwe's ?
Answer. Yes, in the evening, the man and wife and all the
people.
Did Achilles and Antony assist their Mistress ?
Answer. That I cannot say.
The prisoners Galant and Abel say they have not any
questions to ask the witness.
Lea, who having been made acquainted with the reasons of
her appearance and thereupon promised to speak the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, states herself to
be between twenty-four and five years of age, born in this
Colony at the place of Abraham du Plessis at the Oliphants
berg, and to have resided with the late Willem van der Merwe
for the last ten years, and further deposes as follows :
Some time ago, but I cannot remember exactly when, in the
morning early just as the sun began to shine on the top of the
mountains, my mistress the wife of the late Willem van der
Records of the Cape Colony. 291
Merwe, in whose bedroom I slept, awakened me and desired
me to go and hang the pot on the fire. While I was doing so,
Galant and Abel came running into the kitchen through the
back door that was open, and as soon as they got in, all the
other people rushed in after them. I ran to the kraal to look
for my master in order to tell him that there were murderers
in the house, for they had already shot at and wounded my
mistress. I found him at the kraal, and told it to him. Janse
van Rensburg was with him. Master did not say anything,
but ran to the house. I stopped a little while at the kraal,
and then went to the house where I helped my Mistress to put
on a dry petticoat and remained with her till it was all over.
While I was in the room I heard a great deal of firing. Master
Van der Merwe came into the room to see after his wife, and
then went out again. Martha Swanepoel was likewise in the
room with my Mistress. Janse lay dead by the back door,
Verlee at the middle door, and Master by the front door. We
afterwards made our escape to the kitchen, and thence to the
loft, but we did not remain there long. Betje came to fetch us
down.
Questions by the Chief Justice to the Witness :
Was anyone of the gang on the loft where you and your
Mistress with the wife of Verlee had concealed yourselves ?
Answer. No.
How were you always treated by your Master ?
Answer. Not well and not badly.
How were the other people treated ?
Answer. If they deserved it, they were flogged.
How was it with respect to victuals ?
Answer. It was not so bad.
Who besides you assisted your Mistress ?
Answer. Betje and I. Pamela was also in the room for a
moment, but did not remain.
Were religious exercises performed at your late Master's
place ?
Answer. Yes, Sunday and Wednesday evenings, Master
made the people sing psalms and he also talked to them.
Did you know beforehand of the plan ?
Answer. No.
Helena Elisabeth van der Merwe, daughter of the late
u 2
292 Records of the Cape Colony.
Willem van der Merwe, states herself to be eleven years
of age.
Questions by the Chief Justice to the Witness :
Did any of the people do you any harm ?
Answer. No.
Who interceded for you that the people should not murder
you ?
Answer. Betje, Galant's wife.
Did Isaac Thys do anything to you ?
Answer. No, but he beat my sister Hester with the flat of
a naked sabre.
William Pearson, who having been made acquainted with
the reasons of his appearance and duly sworn, states himself
to be thirty-four years of age, born in Prussia, Schoolmaster
with Jan du Plessis since the 8th of last month ; formerly
resided at Drakenstein, and thereupon deposes as follows :
On the evening of the 1st of February last I was at the place
of the late Willem van der Merwe in consequence of a letter I
received from him. On going away he and Verlee accompanied
me as far as the garden, and on our way there he requested me
to return the same night in order to go with him early the next
morning to shoot wild ducks, and by the same opportunity to
draw up a Statement for him to the Landdrost of Worcester,
but I did not ask him on what subject. I then proceeded to
Dalree's, and asked if there was a horse for me there, and
Dalree said no. I remained and slept there that night, and as
the house was small, and it was very warm, I asked Dalree's
wife, when it was time to go to sleep, to have my bed made
out of doors, which she did, and where I slept. I was awakened
in the night by the barking of the dogs, on which I sat up in
my bed, but could not see anything ; the dogs however came
and lay at my feet. On the morning of the 2nd February I
was awake before sunrise, but it was clear day. I heard a
shot, and informed Dalree of it, who just came out of the house
with his watch in his hand. I looked round, but could not
see any smoke of the powder, so that we could not discover
whence the shot came.
Dalree's wife then came out and we talked together about
it, when I said to Dalree " Van der Merwe asked me to go
duck shooting with him, is he so early at work ? " While we
Records of the Cope Colony. 293
were speaking, Dalree's wife said the coffee was ready, on
which we went in to drink it. I then saw three persons on
horseback riding at full speed in the direction towards the
place of Isaac van der Merwe ; from the manner in which they
rode, it appeared to us as if they had wounded some game and
were in pursuit of it. One was already before the other two,
from which I supposed his horse to be the best. They then
turned in a half circle towards the front of the place where the
river, which I believe is called the Zand river, runs. I then
saw smoke in front of the place, and heard a shot, but saw no
horsemen there. Neither could I see them, for the trees that
were before me. I thereupon went with Dalree to his house,
when we heard cries, or some persons calling out, and having
followed the sound, we met Barend van der Merwe, who told
us that the evening before everyone at his place had been
murdered. He had nothing else on but his drawers and his
shirt, and sat on a bare horse without a saddle.
Dalree gave him a pair of pantaloons to put on. We had
met him at the Zand river, and he went with us to the house
of Dalree, where he repeated that everyone at his place was
murdered. I was frightened, and asked him when it happened,
and he said in the evening or night before. I then asked him
if Willem van der Merwe had made his escape, and he said he
did not know, but that he had seen him riding with all speed.
Barend van der Merwe requested me to go and look after his
wife, for that he did not know what was become of her, to
which I answered that it was no time then to look after the
women, but that we must endeavour to give speedy notice of
it, and that if Dalree would give me powder and balls I would
go down myself, but Dalree had not any in the house. I
wanted to go to Willem van der Merwe's place, which is about
half an hour's walk from Dalree's, but Dalree said that Roos
a Hottentot maid was gone there, and he also sent two other
maids whom I did not know to see what was the matter.
These two maids had got about five hundred yards when they
met Roos, which I saw myself, for I kept my eye upon them.
One of Dalree's maids then came back and said that Willem
van der Merwe's wife was wounded and her husband also, that
the people had got possession of all the guns, and that the
house was strongly invested. On that I resolved, as I had no
294 Records of the Cape Colony.
powder and ball, to proceed to the nearest neighbour and to
the Fieldcornet for immediate assistance, for which purpose I
went to Isaac van der Merwe's. Dalree went with me a little
way to show me the road. After I had proceeded about eight
hundred paces on the waggon road two horsemen rode before
me to cut me off. They came from below, from Van der
Murwe's. They were far off from me, but I could see that they
were black people on horseback. When they got nearer, and
that I saw more people I went into the mountains named
Schurfteberg, still however keeping the course towards Isaac
van der Merwe's. After climbing over the rocks, I at last got
on level ground near a large stone. Below the stone I heard
the sound of horses, it was a large rock laying upon the stones.
I got on the top of it, when I saw three horsemen riding from
Van der Merwe's house. I then went in again among the
rocks, where I continued my way to the end of the mountains,
till I got into the waggon road by Barend van der Merwe, when
I saw two persons riding down the road to Barend van der
Merwe's. I beckoned to them with my hand, I did not know
what it was, for those who were behind me stopped their
horses. I then walked into a morass, because they could not
follow me there so speedily, for those who were before me
would not stop, I then thought that probably they were all at
the other place. When I came back into the road, I saw that
it was Miss Van der Merwe on horseback, with a slave boy also
on horseback with her. I asked her where she was riding to ?
and she said to Willem van der Merwe's. I advised her to
turn back immediately, briefly informed her of what had
happened at Barend van der Merwe's, and to tell Isaac van
der Merwe that he must get his guns in readiness and keep his
powder and ball at hand. I accompanied her to Isaac van der
Merwe's, but as I was on foot she got there before me and sent
a horse back for me. I briefly related everything to Isaac van
der Merwe, on which the guns were got ready and the powder
and ball taken out. Isaac van der Merwe sent the Hottentot
Coenraad Lieberveld on horseback with me to the Fieldcornet,
to whom I told the business. I had asked Isaac van der
Merwe to give me three people to go and assist at the place of
Willem van der Merwe, but he was afraid to do so, and thereby
leave his own place defenceless. Isaac van der Merwe caused
Records of the Cape Colony. 295
all the horses to be turned into the kraal, in order to prevent
their getting any more horses. About ten or eleven o'clock
the Fieldcornet arrived, and I joined him to assist in appre-
hending the gang.
Question by the prisoner Klaas to the Witness :
Was not I at the kraal of Moses when the Commando came
there ?
Answer. No, I saw you level your gun at the Commando
from behind a stone ; you had on a pair of cloth trousers
belonging to your master, and the Hottentot Slinger prevented
you from firing. I myself took six balls out of your pocket ;
you had also a pipe in your pocket, which the Fieldcornet knew
belonged to your master.
The prisoner Klaas says : It is true I had the six balls with
me, but I did not fire. The trousers I took in the house where
I saw them lying about. One of the pipes was my own, and
the other belonged to my master. I took it when Master was
murdered, but I dismounted and remained at the kraal of
Moses, and there I was apprehended.
Johannes Dalree, who having been made acquainted with
the reason of his appearance and duly sworn, states himself to
be fifty-two years of age, born in Italy, residing on a part of
the place of the late Willem van der Merwe in the Bokkeveld,
and a tailor by trade, and thereupon deposes as follows :
In the morning early of the 2nd February last about five
o'clock I heard a shot. Pearson, who had slept that night
before my door, also heard it ; shortly after we heard another
shot, and not long afterwards we saw a horseman coming from
the place of Willem van der Merwe, and two others behind the
land riding as hard as they could after the other that was
coming towards me, whom they intercepted and drove to near
the road towards Isaac van der Merwe, and then again to the
river. When the three came near the house I heard another
shot, soon after which Barend van der Merwe accompanied by
Pearson came to me. Barend van der Merwe had his drawers
and shirt on and a night cap ; he was on horseback, but without
a saddle. My wife called to me to take a pair of breeches to
the river because Barend van der Merwe was ashamed to come
to the house. When I came to him he told me that everyone
at his place was murdered ; he was wounded in the leg, to
296 Records of the Cape Colony.
which my wife applied boegue ; he said that the people had
fired eight shots at his place, he wanted me to ride to his place
to see after his wife. I told him that was unnecessary, because
according to his account all the people were murdered ; he
however pressed me, and I would have done it had I not been
withheld. We consulted together on what was best to be done,
and I sent Pearson to my next neighbour Isaac van der Merwe
and went with him myself a little way to shew him the road.
While we were speaking, a Hottentot maid named Roos came
from the place of Willem van der Merwe and told us that both
her Master and Mistress were severely wounded ; she could not
tell me how many people were there, but she said they were
black people. Wlien Pearson was gone to Isaac van der
Merwe's, I and my wife made our escape to the mountains,
because the old Hottentot woman named Prein, who was with
the sheep in the field, told me that Galant had said he would
murder me and my wife. We went through the mountains to
the place of Isaac van der Merwe, where I joined the Com-
mando when it arrived. It was about half past ten o'clock
when the Commando rode away in pursuit of the gang, two of
whom we apprehended, namely Hendrik and Klaas. Little
Isaac came himself to the kraal of Piet van der Merwe.
Questions by the Chief Justice to the Witness :
Did the prisoner Campher live with you ?
Answer. Yes.
What work did he do with you ?
Answer. We had an agreement to work for our joint
account on the piece of ground which I occupied, and he was
to assist in all the farmer's work.
How did he always conduct himself ?
Answer. He lived with me upwards of ten months, during
which time he always behaved well. I never saw him drunk
in all that time.
Had you a man slave named Dollie ?
Answer. Yes, I had him on trial from A. Wilson, and if he
behaved well I was to have purchased him, but he ran away
the seventh day after he came to me.
Did Campher tell you that Galant and. Dollie had been with
him in his hut ?
Answer. On Thursday Willem van der Merwe asked me to
Records of the Cape Colony. 291
ride with him to fetch Jan Verlee and his wife ; Verlee was to
have been his Schoolmaster. The next morning going to fetch
my thick jacket, I saw fresh horse dung before the door, on
which I asked Campher who had been there, when he told
me that Galant had been there on horseback the night before
about eleven o'clock, but that he did not know anything of
what he did there, as he (Campher) and his wife were gone
to bed.
Did Campher ever say anything to you respecting the treat-
ment of the late Wm. van der Merwe's people ?
Answer. He told me that they had complained at the land
about their victuals, and that they were dissatisfied, on which
I said how can they throw away the bread % for I found bread
laying there on the stones twice, which was not of mine. I
have not got bread in such abundance to waste it in that
manner. I know that the people get beans, peas, and meat ;
but Campher told me that the people had once said, " who will
eat such victuals ? "
How long have you lived at the place ?
Answer. It will be two years the 19th of next July.
Were religious exercises performed at the place of the late
Wm. van der Merwe ?
Answer. A month before the murder Mr. Vos the clergyman
held a meeting there. In the evenings Van der Merwe himself
held meetings and instructed such of the people as chose to
learn ; some of the people availed themselves of it, and others
said that they were too much fatigued.
Do you know anything particular respecting the manner in
which the late Willem van der Merwe treated his people %
Answer. No, I only know this, that Galant had more to
say there than his master himself, he never answered his
master with Sir or Master, but merely yes, without even
looking at him ; but that came from his Master having always
looked over so many things, and because he was too indulgent
to him, that made him so.
Did the gang fire at the Commando ?
Answer. Yes, Galant and Abel, a shot also came from the
side of Moses's kraal, the ball whistled over our heads.
Questions by Advocate Hofmeyr for the prisoners to the
Witness :
298 Records of the Cape Colony.
How far were Galant and Abel from the Commando when
they fired ?
Answer. I think about a hundred paces. I did not see
Abel fire before that time.
Where was Klaas ?
Answer. When I came to the kraal Klaas was apprehended.
Did you see the firing yourself ?
Answer. Yes, I saw both Galant and Abel fire from a large
stone.
Moses, who having been made acquainted with the reasons
of his appearance and thereupon promised to speak the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, states that he does
not know his age (supposed to be about fifty), born in this
Colony, and a Slave of Piet van der Merwe of Laken Valley,
and further deposes as follows :
I was in charge at a grazing place belonging to my Master
in the Bokkeveld. Mistress Barend van der Merwe came there,
and told us that Galant and Abel had been shooting, and
requested me to go and see where her husband was, on which
I accompanied by the Hottentots Slinger and Andries Wildschut
all on horseback and armed with guns, rode to the place of
Barend van der Merwe.
When we came there we put our horses in the stable ; and
just as we were going to ride away the murderers arrived,
namely Galant, Abel, Isaac Rooy, Isaac Thys, Hendrik, and
Klaas ; they were all on horseback ; they pressed us, and
broke into Barend van der Merwe's house, and while they were
so employed I went away alone. The two Hottentots who
went with me remained there. Galant and Isaac Thys came
after me to shoot me, but Abel called out to them not to do so.
At the Kraal they asked me where the Mistress was, to which
I answered that she was away. I had concealed her among
the stones. They then wanted to compel me to go with them,
but I would not do so. Just as I mounted my horse, when I
saw they were going to shoot at me, the Commando came, and
Klaas and then Hendrik were apprehended.
Questions by the Chief Justice to the witness :
Were there any shots fired from your kraal at the Commando?
Answer. No, but Galant fired at the Christians,
What became of Slinger and Uithaalder ?
Records of the Cape Colony. 299
Answer. They came with Galant and Abel to the kraal.
How was Klaas apprehended ?
Answer. I don't know ; he kept always with Galant among
the stones, but Slinger and Uithaalder must know.
Question by the Prisoner Klaas to the Witness :
Did you not see me go to the kraal when the Commando
came ?
Answer. I did not, I saw you with Galant.
Admiral Slinger, who having been made acquainted with the
reasons of his appearance and thereupon promised to speak
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, states
himself to be twenty years of age, born at the place of Piet van
der Merwe in the Bokkeveld, and further deposes as follows :
I lay at my Master's grazing place named the Winkelhaale
with Andries Wildschut. Goliath came there and called me
and Uithaalder to go to the place of Barend van der Merwe to
see what was become of him. His wife was at Moses's kraal,
and she did not know whether he was wounded or not. We
thereupon rode with Moses, each of us armed with a gun, to
the place of Barend van der Merwe, and searched round
everywhere for the Master, but could not find him ; we found
his track, but there was not any blood near it. We then took
our horses and rode away, but we had got only a hundred paces
from the place when we saw Galant, Abel, Klaas, Isaac Thys,
Hendrik, and little Isaac ; they were all on horseback and
armed, they were all well dressed ; they pursued us and called
out good-willing, good-willing, stand ! We were frightened.
They drove us to the house of Barend van der Merwe, where
they sought for powder and ball ; we were also in the house,
and they gave us some brandy to drink there. We then turned
back to the kraal of Moses. Moses made his escape to a heap
of stones, I saw him run off. I had said that as soon as one of
us could get out of their hands, he should give immediate
notice, but however when I came back I fired a shot to warn
the Mistress that there was danger and that they were coming.
As soon as I got to the top of the hill I saw Moses and Goliath
run off. Galant and his people pursued, and also caught them,
what they did with them I do not know. The Commando
then came, and the people made off. When they had got a
little distance from the place Klaas did his best to get away,
300 Records of the Cape Colony.
but I got before and intercepted him. Klaas had a gun with
him, which he levelled at the foremost man of the Commando,
on which I called out and asked him what he was about, and
then he withdrew his gun. I brought Klaas to the kraal,
Moses and An dries were behind the stones. Hendrik was then
apprehended, and little Isaac also. I sent him the same
evening under charge of Wildschut to Isaac van der Merwe.
Questions by the prisoner Klaas to the witness :
Did I not go immediately to the kraal when they called out
to me, " come here ? "
Answer. No, I brought you there.
Did you see me level my gun ?
Answer. Yes.
The prisoner Klaas says : I was just dismounting from my
horse, and had the gun in my hand in the position as if I was
levelling it, and the gun appeared so because I was dismounting
with it.
Question by the Chief Justice to the Witness :
How far was Klaas from you when he levelled his gun ?
Answer. About fifty paces ; he was behind a rock, and I
called out to him and asked him what he was about there.
The prisoner says : I must speak the truth.
The witness says : His horse flew from under him, and after
he was a long time off the horse, and was behind the stone, he
levelled his gun.
The prisoner Klaas says : " It is not so," the truth is in the
Bible and the lies are on the ground.
Andries Wildschut, who having been made acquainted with
the reasons of his appearance and thereupon promised to speak
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, states
himself to be twenty years of age, a bastard Hottentot in the
service of Piet van der Merwe of Laken Valley, and further
deposes as follows :
I am employed as Herdsman at the grazing place of Piet
van der Merwe named the Winkelhaale. Mistress Van der
Merwe was at the kraal of Moses, and sent Goliath to call me
and Slinger. Moses, Slinger, and I, each on horseback and
armed with a gun, rode to the place of Barend van der Merwe
to seek after the Master ; for he had made his escape in the
night, but we did not find him.
Records of the Cape, Colon t/. 301
The people then came and caught us, there was Galant,
Abel, Klaas, Isaac Thys, little Isaac, and a Hottentot named
Hendrik, and they made us join them. They afterwards took
us to Moses's kraal, where the Mistress was, but she was
concealed among the stones. The people were in Barend van
der Merwe's house, but we were not ; they searched round for
powder and ball, but got nothing ; shortly after which the
Fieldcornet came with the Commando. Klaas remained
standing near the kraal, all the others fled. The Hottentot
Hendrik was afterwards apprehended. I was frightened and
saw nothing more. The Commando fired, but whether the
gang fired at the Commando I do not know.
Questions by the Chief Justice to the witness :
What became of Moses when you rode away from Barend
van der Merwe's ?
Answer. He had made his escape.
Which of the gang were apprehended at the kraal ?
Answer. Slinger and I remained with Galant and the gang
a little while at the kraal. When the Commando arrived Klaas
remained near the house, his horse had got away from him.
The prisoner Klaas says : He speaks the truth.
Karel, who having been made acquainted with the reasons
of his appearance and thereupon promised to speak the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, states himself to
be twenty-six years of age, born in this Colony, and a slave of
George Muller, and further deposes as follows :
I was with some sheep belonging to my Master at the Paarde
Kop at the other side of Hendrik Janse van Rensburg's place
in the Bokkeveld district. Being at Rasmus van der Merwe's
I heard a letter had been received there, that a murder had
been committed, and that Barend van der Merwe had been
wounded in the leg, but that it was not known whether his
wife was wounded. Having separated my lambs from the
sheep, I rode away. When I was going I told the Hottentot
who was with me to be cautious if anybody should come
there. Shortly after Abel came with some butcher's people,
and on my asking him where he was going to, he said to see
his wife. I said to him, " what a nice gun you have got there,
let me see it." I thereupon laid hold of the muzzle of the gun,
and gave him a push in the breast so that he fell down, on
302 Records of the Cafe Colony.
which with the assistance of the other people I bound him.
He said that he could die but once, and asked me if he had
treated me so at his Master's place that I should act with him
in that manner.
The prisoner Abel says : It is not so ; my gun lay on the
ground, and I was sitting on the ground ; they came behind
me while I was sitting and bound me. I did not threaten to
fire, but gave myself willingly up.
Question by the Fiscal to the Witness :
Did Abel tell you what his intention was in case he had not
been apprehended by you ?
Answer. Yes, he was to have gone to the place of Rasmus
van der Merwe, where the people were also to have helped.
The prisoner Campher is hereupon confronted with the
undermentioned prisoners.
Galant says, Campher talked to us at the land, and said to
us to murder our Master when we should complain at the land
about the victuals. Campher also said that there were farmers
in other Countries, but that they had no slaves, and were
obliged to work themselves, but that the farmers here were
rich gentlemen, and this the other people heard likewise.
The prisoner Campher says : See how falsely he accuses me ;
but he is a murderer, and what can be believed, of him ?
The prisoner Galant persists, and says : " First he said that
the people must be free, that the King had written it from
another Country, that the Commissioners were come here to
make us free. Campher had been at Tulbagh with sheep, and
he said this the next morning when he was at the well."
The prisoner Campher says : Because he did not find me at
home to murder me, now he wants to murder me here.
Galant says : Campher likewise ate of the meat of the stolen
sheep.
Campher says : You once gave me some meat, but how could
I know that you stole it ?
The prisoner Achilles says : It is not so as Galant says, but
I did not well understand him. If he will say it again, I shall
listen attentively.
The prisoner Isaac Thys says : Campher said at the land
that we must give our master a beating, and Galant thereupon
said yes.
Records of the Cape Colony. 303
The prisoner Galant says : Master Campher said that we
must murder our Master, he said so at the land when we were
cutting the corn. Isaac Rooy was likewise present.
Isaac Rooy says : "I did not hear Master Campher say so
at the land, and I work together with the other people."
Galant says : Yes, but he was not always with us, and as
he is so little, he was always much behind with the work.
Besides we spoke softly.
The prisoner Campher says : It is all a lie.
The prisoner Antony says : I work at the land together with
the other people, but notwithstanding, I did not hear anything ;
perhaps they spoke softly, I know that I must not tell a lie.
The Fiscal states to the Court, that agreeably to the summons
and a letter from the Landdrost of Worcester dated the 19th
ultimo the widow of the late Willem van der Merwe has been
duly summoned, but that he has been subsequently informed
verbally she could not appear in consequence of her wound.
The undermentioned documents are publicly read by the
Secretary :
(1) Attest given by Doctor Liesching of an examination
made by him on the body of the prisoner Galant, being of the
following tenor :
Examined in the Town Prison Galant, a slave of the late
Willem van der Merwe, and found as follows : 1st several old
marks and seams on and between the shoulders and on the
back, 2nd several old marks and seams on the posteriors,
3rd several dark coloured stripes round the upper parts of both
arms, 4th a healed wound near the left wrist, 5th a lately healed
scratch on the lower part of the left arm, 6th two old marks
near the left knee, 7th a large and old seam on the back of the
right thigh, 8th a scarcely healed wound on the left shin bone
a little above the foot, 9th a seam on the back part of the head,
10th an old seam on the left cheek, 11th five small and old
seams on different parts of the forehead, 12th three old marks
on the right shin bone, 13th a seam on the calf of the right leg,
14th three marks on the left shin bone, all of which marks,
seams, and stripes were occasioned, according to Galant's
statement, as follows :
No. 1. By flogging with ratans in the prison at Worcester.
304 Records of the Cape Colony.
2. By flogging with a rope's end in the prison at Tulbagh.
3. By binding him with cords when he was apprehended.
4. By being handcuffed on his way to Cape Town.
5. By a stroke of a stick at the time of his apprehension.
6. By the kicks of an ox.
7. By a flogging from his master with a sambok.
8. By a shot which grazed him at the time he was
apprehended.
9. By a blow of a stick from the Fieldcornet.
10. By the horn of an ox.
11. By strokes of sticks at different times from his master.
12. By the strokes of a stick at different times.
13. By a sore which came of itself.
14. By different floggings with sticks from his Master.
Judicium Medicum.
It is impossible to say whether the abovementioned marks
and seams have been occasioned as Galant states, or not, it is
however not improbable.
15th March 1825.
(Signed) C. L. W. Liesching, M.D.
(2) Report from the Fieldcornet W. F. du Toit to the special
Heemraad Mr. P. J. Theron, dated the 2nd February last,
being of the following tenor :
To Mr. P. J. Theron,
Special Heemraad Tulbagh.
Bokkeveld, 2nd February 1825.
I this morning received a message by a Hottentot from
Isaac van der Merwe that everybody at the place of Willem
van der Merwe was murdered. I immediately and with all
speed, accompanied by some armed Burghers, proceeded to
the place, where I found my brother Willem van der Merwe,
Hannes Janse van Rensburg, and J. M. Verlee all shot in a
most bloodthirsty manner, and my brother's wife severely
wounded. The preceding night they had also attacked the
Burgher Barend van der Merwe, but he and his family escaped.
I immediately went in pursuit from the place where the
murder was committed, and overtook them at the grazing
Records of the Cape Colony. 305
place of Pieter van der Merwe, Senior, situated at the Zwarte
Ruggens, where having engaged them, we took two of the
murderers prisoners and four escaped.
I give you the necessary information hereof, and remain &c.
(Signed) W. F. du Toit.
(3) Act of Inquest held on the bodies of the late Willem van
der Merwe, J. H. Janse van Rensburg, and Johannes Verlee,
and on the wound inflicted on the wife of the late W. van der
Merwe, dated the 2nd February 1825, being of the following
tenor :
On this day, the 2nd February 1825, I the undersigned
having received information that murder had been committed
at the place of Willem Nicolaas van der Merwe, proceeded there
immediately duly assisted, and held an Inquest on the bodies
of said Van der Merwe, Johannes Hendrik Janse van Rensburg,
and Johannes Marthinus Verlee, and likewise on the wound
inflicted on the wife of the said Van der Merwe.
1st. On the body of the late W. N. van der Merwe the
following wounds were found :
A wound through the head and coming out below the ear.
A wound through the right shoulder, and another through
the right eye.
2nd. On the body of Johannes Hendrik Janse van Rensburg
the following wounds : A wound through the breast. A
wound through the left arm. The head bruised, and as it
appeared occasioned by stones or sticks.
3rd. On the body of Johannes Marthinus Verlee the following
wounds :
A wound through the stomach.
A do. under the shoulder blade and through the arm.
A do. through the side, and a do. through the hip.
The head of this corpse likewise bruised, and as it appeared
occasioned also by stones or sticks.
(4) On Elsje Cecilia du Plessis, wife of the late Willem
Nicolaas van der Merwe, found
A wound in her j osteriors extending to her hip bone, about
eight inches in diameter, and from an inch and a half to two
inches in depth.
XX. X
?>06 Records of the Cape, Colony.
Of all which an act has been formed, and which is this
Instrument.
Done at the abovementioned place, day and year as above.
[(Signed) W. F. du Toit, Fieldcornet.
Witnesses J. C. Erasmus,
J. Dalree.
(4) A copy of a letter from the special Heemraad of Tulbagh
to the Landdrost of Worcester, forwarding the report of Field-
cornet Du Toit, being of the following tenor :
Tulbagh, 2nd February 1825.
C. Trappes, Esq., Landdrost.
Sir, — I have the honor to enclose you a report from the
Fieldcornet W. F. du Toit for your information, having the
honor &c.
(Signed) P. J. Theron, Special Heemraad.
(5) Report from the Fieldcornet J. S. Theron to the Field-
cornet W. F. du Toit, dated the 4th of February 1825, being
of the following tenor :
To the Fieldcornet W. F. du Toit.
Bokkeveld, 4th February 1825.
The Fieldcornet J. S. Theron reports that a slave of the
Burgher Barend van der Merwe named Abel, who committed
the murder at the place of the late Willem van der Merwe, has
been apprehended here by a slave belonging to George Muller
named Karel, and against whom he strongly defended himself.
I therefore send you the murderer Abel and the gun which
belonged to the late W. van der Merwe. Of the slave Galant
he knows nothing. Abel also says that a man slave belonging
to the Burgher J. A. du Plessis, named Adonis, gave two bullet
moulds to Galant, with so much lead that he cast thirty balls,
and likewise that Galant instigated a great number of the
farmers' people thereto, as you can hear yourself.
Be pleased to send the report further to the Landdrost.
I am in haste &c.
(Signed) J. S. Theron, Fieldcornet.
Records of the Cape Colony. 307
(6) Further report from the fieldcornet W. F. du Toit to
the Special Heemraad at Tulbagh, dated the 4th February
last, being of the following tenor :
Bokkeveld, 4th February 1825.
Mr. P. J. Theron,— After my report of the 2nd Instant, the
Hottentots Isaak, Valentyn, and Vlak were apprehended on
the 3rd, and this day Abel a slave of Barend van der Merwe
was sent to me by the Fieldcornet J. S. Theron with the
enclosed report. Having asked Abel if he assisted at the
murders that were committed at the place of the late Willem
van der Merwe, he answered yes.
Question : Whom he murdered ?
Answer. Hans Janse.
How many shots he fired at Janse ?
Answer. One in his breast.
If he had also fired at Willem van der Merwe ?
Answer. Yes, two shots, one behind in the shoulder, and
one in the eye.
Who more fired at him ?
Answer. Galant.
Where Galant hit him ?
Answer. Through the head.
Who gave him the fourth shot ?
Answer. I don't know.
Who shot Verlee ?
Answer. Galant, from behind in his right side.
Who fired the second shot ?
Answer. I did, in his left arm.
Who gave him the third shot ?
Answer. Isaac, underneath his breast.
Who gave him the fourth shot ?
Answer. I don't know.
Who fired at the woman ?
Answer. Galant, behind in the thigh.
If he Abel also assisted at the place of Barend van der
Merwe ?
Answer. Yes.
Who more were there ?
Answer. Galant, Klaas, Hendrik, and two Isaacs.
x 2
308 Records of the Cape Colony.
What did he Abel do ?
Answer. I fired a shot at my master, and Galant also a shot.
What did Klaas do ?
Answer. He kept my master in his eye, and helped to load
the guns and said fire.
What did Hendrik do ?
Answer. Nothing.
What did the two Isaacs do ?
Answer. One of them held the horses, and the other went
round the place and in the house with a sabre in his hand.
What did he Abel do to his Mistress ?
Answer. Nothing.
What did Klaas do at the place of Willem van der Merwe ?
Answer. He stood at the corner of the house as sentry to
see if anyone came.
What did Hendrik do at the place of Wm. van der Merwe ?
Answer. He was there with a gun.
What did the slaves Antony and Achilles do ?
Answer. Achilles stood before the door with a bayonet in
order to kill his Master when he should come out, and Antony
stood there with a stick for the same purpose.
What did big Isaac do ?
Answer. He stood there with the sabre before the window,
and broke open the window with a crowbar.
What was the reason of your committing those murders ?
Answer. Galant said because no one would read the news-
paper to him, and there came so many newspapers in which it
was said that the slaves were free and that the farmers would
not let them go, and that he would now press on with the
people whom he had stirred up to the Salt River at Cape
Town, and that if the Commando should prove too strong for
him, he would then proceed to the Great River and fetch a
Commando thence.
All the above being distinctly read over to the Slave Klaas,
he declared it all to be the truth, and further added that
Hendrik broke into the place of Willem van der Merwe and
took a gun from the rack, and that the wife of Wm. van der
Merwe endeavoured to force it from him, on which Galant
fired at her, and that Hendrik also fired two shots into the
door ; but the si ave Klaas denied that he kept his eye on his
Records of the Cape Colony. 30(J
Master, neither did he help to load the guns, nor did he call
out fire.
The above being read over to the Hottentot Hendrik, there
was a little difference in his statement, but he agreed in the
principal points and said that he had been instigated and was
willing to assist.
The people unanimously declared that Janse van Rensburg
had attempted to make his escape on horseback, and that he
was brought back by the slaves Galant, Abel, Klaas, and the
Hottentot Isaac, all on horseback ; and the Hottentot Isaac
declared that Achilles and Antony were the makers of the
slugs.
The Fieldcornet and witnesses certify to have investigated
the above business, and hereby give the necessary information
thereof to the Special Heemraad Mr. P. J. Theron at Tulbagh.
(Signed) W. F. du Toit, Fieldcornet.
Witnesses P. T. du Toit,
R. J. Verster,
W. J. JOOSTE,
J. C. Erasmus.
(7) Surgical Attest respecting the wound inflicted on the
widow of the late Willem van der Merwe, dated the 5th
February last, being of the following tenor :
" I do hereby certify that I have this day examined Elsie
Cecilia, wife of the late Wm. van der Merwe, and find she has
received a large nearly round gun shot wound, in diameter
about eight inches, situated on the outside and over the left
hip joint, a considerable portion of the integument, the whole
extent of the wound, has been completely blown away to the
depth of an inch and a half and two inches, lacerating also a
portion of the tensor vagina femoris muscle and exposing
others.
" From the nature of the injury it is my opinion she is in a
dangerous state.
(Signed) " H. H. Gird, District Surgeon.
" 5th February 1825."
310 Records of the Cape Colony.
(8) Deposition of the widow of the late Willem van der
Merwe, dated 6th February last, being of the following tenor :
On this day the 6th February 1825, Elsje Cecilia du Plessis,
widow of the late Willem Nicolaas van der Merwe, at the
requisition of Charles Trappes, Esqre., Landdrost of Worcester,
and in his presence and in that of the undersigned witnesses,
deposed as follows :
That early in the morning of the 2nd February last after
her husband had risen and gone to the kraal, and while she
was still in bed, Galant, a slave of her late husband, and
Hendrik, a Hottentot in the service of Jan Dalree, stormed
into her room and proceeded directly to the gun rack that
hung over her head, from which they took away two guns.
That deponent having immediately jumped out of bed, laid
hold of the two guns by the muzzles, and held them fast till
she got to the hall, when Galant succeeded in getting possession
of one of them, while she continued to struggle with Hendrik
in order to get the other from him, till coming to the kitchen
door where she received a shot from Galant behind, through
which she instantly fell. That after lying there for a little
time, she with the assistance of her Hottentot maid servant
named Betje got back to her room ; shortly after which her
husband came in and informed her that Abel, a Slave belonging
to Barend Petrus van der Merwe, had fired at, and wounded
him in the right eye. That during the time her husband was
in the room, several shots were fired with balls at the windows
and doors, which were locked. That deponent's late husband
having thereupon opened the front door, they on perceiving
him fired at and shot him dead, so that he instantly fell.
That after her husband was shot deponent made her escape
out of her room, and took refuge in the oven, but that they
having discovered it, began to fire so violently at the oven that
she fell out of the same covered with clay and rubbish. That
while Johannes Hendrik Janse van Rensburg was employed to
extricate deponent from under the rubbish, some of them,
among whom were Galant and Abel (deponent not being able
to recollect the others in consequence of the fright and con-
fusion in which she then was), came into the kitchen door and
shot him dead before her face and in her hands, notwithstanding
Records of the Cape Colony. 311
that he begged and prayed of them to spare his life ; Abel
saying on that occasion that no Christian should have pardon,
for that the report was that they should be free at New Year
and that, that not having taken place, they would make them-
selves free. That deponent having thereupon made her escape
to and concealed herself under the dining table, heard them,
while she sat there, shoot Johannes Martinus Verlee in the
kitchen, who was engaged at the place as schoolmaster by her
late husband.
That after they had murdered said Verlee, they came to
search for deponent in the hall, and having discovered her,
Galant ordered Abel to shoot her, on which she immediately
came out from under the table and begged and prayed of
Galant to spare her life, for that he had already wounded her
severely ; but that Galant said there was no pardon for her,
and laid the muzzle of the gun upon her breast, which having
pushed aside she went up to him and again begged her life,
upon which he desisted. That deponent having thereupon
gone to her bedroom, and attempting to shut the door, she
was prevented by Galant, but that after she had given him and
Abel many fair words she was at last permitted to lock the
door, shortly after which they all left the house.
That as soon as deponent found they were gone she made
her escape up to a little loft above the kitchen, where she had
concealed her children ; but that she had been scarcely there
when she heard Galant give orders to Klaas, a slave of Barend
van der Merwe, to go and see if deponent and her children
were on said loft. That the Hottentot maid Betje, on hearing
this, prayed Galant for pardon, on which Galant threatened
said Betje to shoot her if she spoke for deponent's life, but
that Klaas prevented Galant from doing so. That the
Hottentot Betje, on hearing Klaas intercede for her life,
requested him to go up the ladder and see in what situation
deponent was, which Klaas having done, he on that occasion
told deponent not to be afraid that her life should be taken,
for that Galant had merely called her to frighten, but not to
kill her. That deponent then heard Galant say " Whitehead
I have got already, but now I must have Isaac van der Merwe
and Jan Abraham du Plessis, my gun is good and I am also
good."
312 Records of the Cafe Colony.
The above deposition having been read over to the deponent,
she declared the same to be the truth, and that she persisted
therein.
Done in the Cold Bokkekeld, day and year as above.
(Signed) Elsie Cec. du Plessis,
Widow of Wm. van dee, Merwe.
Witnesses,
(Signed) B. J. van Rensburg,
J. Dalree.
In my presence
(Signed) P. Poggenpoel, Senior.
The accusation against the prisoner P. J. Campher being
found groundless, the Court consider it unnecessary to examine
his Witnesses.
The Court declares the Investigation of this case closed,
and releases the prisoner P. J. Campher from all further
prosecution on the charges contained in the act of accusation,
and therefore discharges him from his Confinement. And with
respect to the other prisoners orders the R. O. Prosecutor to
make his claim on Monday next the 21st Instant, at ten o'clock
in the forenoon, with such conclusion as he may deem advisable,
according to the nature of the case and the laws of the land.
Monday the 21st March 1825.
Ten o'clock A.M.
All the Members present excepting Mr. F. R. Bresler through
indisposition.
The Court being opened, and the prisoners brought in, and
His Majesty's Fiscal together with the Advocates Hofmeyr
and Faure as Counsel for the prisoners having been admitted,
the Fiscal, pursuant to the Court's order of last Friday the
18th Instant, makes the following claim :
Fiscal's claim.
Worshipful Gentlemen, — It is a lamentable truth which
experience has taught us, that when once the idea of being
oppressed has entered into and taken root in the human mind,
Records of the Cape Colony. 313
whether groundless or not, it will oftentimes carry men to
unthought of extremities.
As long as every man is satisfied with his station in life,
peace and contentment reign in the mind, and no rupture of
the existing tranquillity is to be feared, however unequal the
situation of the one may be from that of the other ; but
scarcely does man feel that his inequality with those whom
fortune has placed in more favorable circumstances affords
him reason of discontent, and that he conceives he has to bear
a burden which is unjustly imposed on him, than his passions
begin to work, peace is banished from his mind, and he will
leave nothing undone to find an opportunity to throw off his
load.
The Country in which we live has alas ! already in our time
afforded more than one proof of this truth, and Heaven protect
us from witnessing any more.
We live in a Colony where from its first establishment
slavery has been introduced under the eye and with the
sanction of its several successive Governments.
Can a greater inequality of human station exist than that
between the Freeman and the Slave ? The latter bound,
without his consent, to appropriate the entire portion of his
life to the service of his free Master ; and yet I have not found
in the whole history of the Colony a single instance, previously
to the year 1808, of the Slaves having ever cherished or enter-
tained the least idea of breaking their bounds by force.
Taught by the moral lessons of our Holy Religion to obey
their masters, they did not withdraw themselves from this
obedience without well knowing to have failed in their duty ;
and the punishment of their offence left no other impression
on their minds than that they had brought it on themselves
by their own bad conduct. This impression was necessary as
tending to preserve order and tranquillity in the Land.
I by no means speak here as an advocate for slavery in the
abstract, but I speak under the circumstances of the Colony
as they actually exist, a Country which is cultivated by the
labour of the slaves, and of which the free Inhabitants, or
Colonists properly so called, have been allowed by the laws
from the earliest period of its colonization, and encouraged by
the example of their own Magistrates, to invest a very important
314 Records of the Cape Colony.
part of their means and their welfare in the purchase of Slaves.
Under such circumstances that impression by which Slaves are
bound to obey their masters was, and is absolutely necessary
for the good order and well being of the state.
In the year 1808 however some evil disposed and wicked
persons, whose evident object was to involve the whole Country
in Anarchy and Confusion and hence to derive great advantages
to themselves, found means to remove that impression from the
minds of many of the Slaves here, whom by a most culpable
and criminal perversion of the benevolent object of the British
Legislature to abolish, not slavery, but the slave trade, they
made believe that they were kept in Slavery contrary to the
will of our Sovereign in England, where no Slaves are.
It is not yet effaced from the memories of the Colonists,
what a dark cloud hovered over their heads when the pernicious
poison of strife and discontent was infused into the minds of
the slaves by those wicked men, and how easily it penetrated
and corroded their bitter feelings. I allude to the conspiracy
of James Hooper, Louis, and others, which broke out on the
27th October 1808, and which had nothing less for its object
than to stir up the slaves to a general Rebellion, and for this
purpose to assemble as many of them as possible, to arm them
with the weapons of their masters, to march to Cape Town,
storm the Batteries, break open the prisons, propose a general
emancipation to Government, and, if refused, fight themselves
free.
For such purposes did they collect, in the short space of two
days, a number of no less than between three and four hundred
persons, mostly consisting of Slaves and Hottentots, of whom
by far the greatest part knew nothing of the plan before the
moment they joined the gang and plundered the houses of the
Inhabitants, seized the guns, powder, and ball, made prisoners
of the proprietors of the places, bound and carried away all
those who resisted, till that at last through the assistance of
a Corps of Dragoons, which was then in garrison here, the
undisciplined rabble were stopped in their progress, and with
the exception of a few who escaped, taken prisoners.
The example which was made of the ringleaders of those
Criminals, and the inability to execute such a plan, withheld
the Slaves from again attempting a similar entcrprize, but
Records of the Cape Colony. 315
whether the spirit of discontentment at their situation which
then began to reign among them was quelled is a point which
one has much reason to doubt. At least since that time the
complaints of slaves against their masters for ill-treatment
have considerably augmented ; and notwithstanding that
much has been done on the part of Government to ameliorate
considerably the state of Slavery in this Colony, still however
the fire of discontent at the frustrated hope of a general freedom
appears to have been smothering under the ashes, so that the
smallest blast of wind is but necessary to make the flame
burst out again more violently than ever.
This disappointed hope was the cause in the year 1808 of
the rebellion among the Slaves which we then witnessed, but
then the lives of the Christian Inhabitants were spared. It
was but a short time since the cause of those disasters which
befel one of our American Colonies of Slaves ; and now your
Worships we hear for the first time in this Colony also the cry
of murder at the disappointed hope of freedom, raised by a
slave, who speedily collected a gang of adherents, and who,
had he not been timely stopped in his career, would perhaps at
the very moment I now speak have plunged this Country in
the deepest mourning and sorrow.
Three victims of his fatal rage were already felled when he
was stopped in the progress of the murderous tragedy which
he had but then commenced.
It is necessary that I should take a nearer view of the
causes that have led to the crimes of which the prisoners have
been guilty, not only because they may be considered to have
an influence on the culpability of their acts, but also that I
may not be thought to have been mistaken in my judgment
of the case.
I shall begin with the head of the gang, namely the slave
Galant. When we hear his statement, one will be easily led to
suppose that he had been obliged to sigh under a continued
chain of successive ill usage, that his child, who could scarcely
walk, had died in consequence of the repeated floggings he had
received from his master, and this for no other reason than
because he was displeased with his own wife ; that he himself
had been hoisted up by the arms and in this manner flogged
by his master, that he had been incessantly maltreated by his
316 Accords of the Cape Colony.
Master in tnesame way5 an(j that he scarcely received either
sufficient clfaea or victuals.
How Ufortunate it is for the impartial investigation of the
truth tat the man, whom all these accusations regard, now
lies \ and cannot refute them, and that his widow, who is
lilwise implicated in the charges, although she still lives,
^annot possibly appear here without suffering too much under
the consequences of the wound so cruelly inflicted on her.
In the meantime if it be considered worth the trouble to
stop the mouth of the prisoner Galant of his foul charges, I
believe there exist proofs enough which can be adduced with
success.
We have already seen in the investigation of these charges,
for as far as we could ascertain the truth, that the foulest
slander constitutes their principal feature. For, in the first
place, the death of the child David, who Galant says was so
cruelly ill treated, did not take place about a year ago as he
asserts, but happened upwards of eight years past, and as he
was not present he could not have known the cause of the
child's death otherwise than from his concubine Betje, who
states that although it is true her Master had undeservedly
punished the child who died about eight years since, the child
however not only lived, but was a long time healthy and well
after that punishment, and finally that she considered the whole
case of such a nature as not to require any reparation on the
part of her master. And that she was convinced that her master
did not ill treat the people who were in his service is sufficiently
proved by her having remained with him to the day of his
death, whom she as a free person would have most certainly
left in case any of her children had been cruelly treated by
him. Of this we have a further proof, in as much that not a
single one of the prisoners, eight of whom belonged to the
family of the late Willem van der Merwe, with the exception of
Galant only, knows anything whatsoever of any ill treatment
having been exercised on a child of Galant. Of the other bad
usage to which Galant says he was subject, nothing, not even
a vestige, has appeared in the investigation. The Landdrost
to whom he complained found him in the wrong, his fellow
prisoners declare that he was favored above them all by his
Master, and who, when warned that Galant had laid a plan
Records of the Cape Colony. 317
against his life, paid no regard to the information because he
could not conceive it possible that such a dreadfully wicked
thought could enter into the heart of a slave whom he so
favored, whom he considered as it were a member of his family,
for whom he felt an attachment in his own heart because he
was brought up and had grown up with him, and to whose
irregularities he had even shewn indulgence by allowing him
to have two instead of one Concubine. Of victuals and drink
the other prisoners complain nothing, although they signify
that it would have been by no means disagreeable to them if
they had got more than they were actually allowed. But let
us hear what P. J. Campher says, a free man and a European,
who worked with them during the Harvest, the time to which
Galant confines this part of his complaint. He says that in
harvest time the slaves got wine four times a day and more
bread than they could consume, besides soup with peas and
beans twice, and a little meat. Is that your Worships want
of victuals and drink ? How many thousands are there among
the fortunate Inhabitants of free Europe who would not thank
the Almighty on their bare knees had it fallen to their lot to
suffer the same kind of want ? It is this part of Galant's
complaint that I feel myself especially obliged to expatiate on.
He was the man himself who was charged by his Master with
the distribution of the bread among his fellow slaves and the
Hottentots.
But this food was too mean for him, the pieces of bread
were found which had been thrown away by the slaves of the
late Willem van der Merwe, they would have meat only with
their wine, and because they were not allowed during the
Harvest as much meat as would satisfy their appetites without
bread, Galant stole no less in the short space of six days (during
which the harvest lasted as can be shewn if necessary) than
four sheep, and certainly not the poorest, from his master's
flock, which he and the other people belonging to the place
consumed by night. More than eight persons could not have
shared in their nightly gluttonies, so that counting each sheep
at no more than even 30lbs., each person had for his supper per
night two pounds and a half of meat. This could only satisfy
their voracity, so that it is no wonder that Galant complained
of the insufficiency of meat allowed them by their Master. It
318 Records of the Cape Colony.
appears to me your Worships that the late Willem van der
Merwe did remark that the number of his sheep unusually
diminished, but that he did not punish a single one of his
slaves either for losing or stealing them, for if he had, Galant
would no doubt have stated it, and I cannot let this circum-
stance escape me, because it too plainly proves that the late
Willem van der Merwe was not a severe master to his Slaves
or Hottentots.
But it was not the ill treatment which Galant alleges to
have suffered that brought him to the step, as he calls it, of
fighting himself free ; no, it was his disappointed hopes of
freedom that induced him to it. I take his own words. When
in his confrontation with the Witness Betje she says that
Galant told her before the commencement of the present year
he should wait till new year, and that if he were not made free
then he would begin to murder, what else did Galant do than
to acknowledge the truth of what Betje said, and to name the
persons from whom he had heard last year that at the com-
mencement of the new one a general freedom of the slaves
should take place.
See there your Worships the ringleader's own confession,
see there the pivot upon which the whole machine guided by
his hand turned.
Such like false reports appear to have prevailed for some
time, it is impossible to say how long they have been in
circulation, but they have been communicated not only to the
slaves but to the owners of slaves. No wonder then if some
credulous and misled masters, imagining that their right of
property to their slaves, which next to their lives they con-
sidered as most sacred, would be disputed, now and then
expressed themselves in language characteristic of the bitter-
ness of their internal feelings ; and that the slaves, in whose
presence such subjects were imprudently talked of, or who
listened at such discourses or found an opportunity of getting
a knowledge of them from the children of their masters, should
on their part become exasperated against theirjDwners from
the opposition to their freedom which they supposed they met
with at their hands.
No wonder if in this manner an enmity hitherto unknown
arose and was cherished in the minds of slaves against their
Records of the Cape Col out/. 319
masters, and that the ruinous distrust of their masters, which
so evidently appears in the statements of Galant, gained
ground and produced those extremities to which they naturally
must lead. It is in this point of view that I consider the
statement of Galant with regard to the backwardness of the
Masters to communicate to their slaves the news contained in
the papers which they received from time to time, or the
written orders which they received from the Landdrost
respecting their slaves, and also with respect to his fishing out
and listening to the discourses which he says were held between
his master and others, and again those discourses themselves,
which he states to have consisted in threats against his slaves
and all others who should undertake to proclaim their freedom.
For why should we doubt of the truth of what Galant says
in this regard, that such discourses have been actually held by
weak and credulous slave owners, who supposing that they
were at once to be deprived of all their slaves, were driven by
such an idea to the very borders of rage and despair.
It is not my task in the present prosecution to endeavour
to trace out the authors of such evil and pernicious reports,
this belongs to an investigation hereafter to be made by me.
It is sufficient in the present instance if such reports did
prevail, and if they were the leading cause, as Galant states
them to have been, of his undertaking.
The second of the gang, namely the prisoner Abel, who
says that he was the Corporal while Galant acted as Captain,
although he chiefly screens himself behind the information
which he received from Galant and therefore knows of no other
propagators of such reports, or does not think proper to name
them, he however did not hesitate to say (as appears from the
deposition of the widow Van der Merwe in the preparatory
information) at the moment he was about to give the death
shot to Janse van Rensburg, that no Christian should have
pardon, for that the report was that the slaves were to be free
at new year and that this not having taken place they would
make themselves free. Nothing more is necessary for me to
advance to prove that this prisoner was also led by the same
cause to take a principal part in the tragedy.
It is true, he states other reasons also, such as ill usage and
that his master had frequently threatened to shoot him ; but
320 Records of the Cape Colony.
as he was apprehensive that his body would be examined and
his lies thus detected, he cunningly adds that his master flogged
the slaves in such a manner that no marks were left ; and all
the threats of shooting come down to one occasion when his
master in a moment of passion threatened to fire at him,
merely to frighten him into obedience, without having ever
thought of realizing it, and which Abel never entertained the
least apprehension that his master would realize.
For otherwise he would have applied to the magistrate for
protection, which he could the more easily have done as,
shortly before the bursting out of his Conspiracy with Galant,
he had been at Worcester to give evidence. Many a free
Servant has heard a similar threat from his Master in a moment
of anger, without attaching the smallest weight thereto,
because they well knew it was not meant.
How much less can the hasty expression to a Slave from
his master, whose property he is, and with whose loss he must
lose a part of his means, awaken any fear or anxiety. I do not
say that Slaves have never been killed by their masters ; but
there are also examples of fathers having murdered their
children, and yet where can a child be safer than in the arms
of his father ? Or how can a father be better protected than
by the love of his own offspring ?
If we compare the examples of murders committed on slaves
by their masters with the number of those committed on and
by others, we shall soon see that the slave here is almost as
safe under the protection of his Master as the child under
that of the father ; and especially those slaves who are born in
the house, of which description both Abel and Galant are, with
respect to whom the natural feeling of affection combines with
self interest to make them find true friends and protectors in
their masters.
With regard to the other prisoners from the 3rd to the 10th,
and also the 12th prisoner Pamela, I need not say much. They
were all seduced. The Hottentots among the gang, namely
Isaac Rooy, Isaac Thys, Hendrik, Valentyn, and Vlak, could
not have been driven to their crimes by a sigh after freedom,
for they were already free. No desire of revenge for long
protracted emancipation could have actuated them, for that
was no case of theirs. It is true they were under the subordi-
Records of the Cape Colony. 321
nation of masters, and tickled by the hope of being Masters in
their turn, might have been induced, by the craft and subtlety
of their leader Galant, to become the enemies of their masters,
from whom they undoubtedly enjoyed fewer privileges than
are allowed to slaves in general. The hope of plunder and
booty may also have had some influence on their minds, but I
still consider them as the instruments only of which the
principal ringleaders Galant and Abel availed themselves to
attain their object.
In the year 1808 also there were Hottentots in the gang,
and even free Europeans at the head of it, notwithstanding
the avowed object of the plot was the emancipation of the
slaves.
The 6th, 7th, and 8th prisoners, Klaas, Achilles, and Antony,
as being slaves, shared in the same interest with the two first
prisoners Galant and Abel. It appears also that the two latter
with perplexed hearts acquiesced in the plan to fight themselves
free, although they foresaw all the danger of the enterprize
and were backward to join the others without having polluted
their hands in the blood of their master or of the other two
murdered persons, or without having followed the others to
the place of Jan Dalree on the road to Barend van der Merwe,
where it was intended to shed more blood.
It is unnecessary for me to say much on the several circum-
stances set forth in my act of accusation, for if I am not
deceived the principal part of them are not only proved but
acknowledged by the prisoners. I find it my duty however to
remark that the 7th and 8th prisoners, Achilles and Antony,
have not been proved to have made slugs for the gang, as I
have charged them with in the act of accusation ; although it
appears that they shared in the deliberations which preceded
the execution of the plan and took a part in the execution
itself at their master's place.
It also appears that the 9th, 10th, and 12th prisoners knew
of the plan formed by the gang previously to their proceeding
to carry it into effect, even the 12th prisoner Pamela seems to
have had the will to have provided Galant with one or more
of the guns belonging to her master, which she as being house-
maid and sleeping in the house had more than one opportunity
of procuring ; but the late Willem van der Merwe, who had
XX. V
322 Records of the Cape Colony.
been informed by the Hottentot maid Betje of the plan against
his life, had secured the window of his bedroom, where the guns
were kept, with a lock, by which she was prevented of assisting
Galant with these arms. She therefore by a careful silence
when the storm was approaching, although she was in the
house and had slept there the whole of the night, wilfully and
knowingly exposed her master and his family to the danger
that threatened them, and consequently contributed as well to
his death and that of the other two persons as to the wounding
of her mistress.
Proceeding now to the grounds of my claim relative to the
criminality and punishableness of the several points of accu-
sation, I remark that the most heinous species of high treason
consists in taking up arms against the state, and that all those
are justly considered as guilty of this crime who combine to
oppose the existing order of public affairs with violence and
arms.
In Van Leeuwen's Commentaries on the Roman Dutch Law,
Book 41, Chap. 33, § 1 we find this crime thus described in the
English Translation : " Crime against the supreme power and
Government is crimen Icesce majestatis or a violation of the
supreme power, and it is the greatest crime which can be com-
mitted by any person. It comprehends not only the murder
of Kings and princes (which according to the circumstances of
the crime cannot be punished with too great severity) ; but
also all sorts of conspiracies, treasons, and whatever else is
done or committed in defiance and to the prejudice of the
prince of the country or the public, out of anger ; so that here
the will is taken for the deed, although it be not actually
executed."
In a Country where slavery exists, a rising of the slaves to
fight themselves free is nothing else than a state of war, and
therefore to such a rising the name of war has been given more
than once in the Roman history, and justly, for hence states
can be, and we know have been, totally overthrown ; and this
remark which I have read somewhere Nullum esse genus
hominum unde periculum non sit etiam validissimis imperiis can
be here very properly applied.
One of the prisoners themselves, I believe Galant, called his
act here in Court making war. According to the laws it is
Records of the Cape Colony. 323
sufficient that the plan of such a rising and the junction of the
partakers therein, is prepared, to consider the crime of sedition,
properly called Perduellis (High treason) as consummated.
Majestatis crimen Mud est quod adversus populum Ro7nanum,
says the Roman law, (but which I omit as not being applicable
to the present circumstances) vel adversus securitatem ejus
committitur, quo tenitur is, cujus opera dolor e malo consilium
initum erit, quo re quove coetus conventus que fiat nominesse ad
seditionem convocentur.
This is taught us in the Roman law. See also Mattheus de
Criminibus Lib. 48, Tit. 2, Chap. 2, § 5 ; and should be applied
in the present instance, because that in the ordinance on the
style of proceeding in criminal cases dated the 9th July 1570,
which in this respect is by no means abolished, and which the
Fiscals in this Colony are instructed to follow in their criminal
proceedings, the common written laws (that is the Roman Law)
are prescribed as the laws of the land to be observed by prose-
cutors and Judges where the modern law is silent.
The ten first prisoners, as having all shared in the arrange-
ment of the plan previously to its being carried into effect,
cannot be considered otherwise than guilty of this most heinous
of all other crimes ; and next to them the 11th prisoner, in
case he shall be judged to have supplied the 1st Prisoner Galant
with powder, balls, and a bullet mould, to enable him to carry
into effect his hostile intentions ejus opera enim factum est quo
coserint armati. He is a Coadjutor.
There are some however among the prisoners who endea-
voured to excuse themselves under the pretext that they were
compelled through fear to join the gang. Vain and fruitless,
your Worships, is this excuse. When Galant consulted with
his fellow servants about the execution of their plan, not one
of them had any arms. Not only the two guns, but the two
pistols also, were in the possession of his master ; who of them
could at that period have prevented any one of the gang from
throwing himself on his master for protection, informing him
of what was going forward, and in this manner preventing all
that has happened ? When five of them, among whom were
three Hottentots, were on the road to Barend van der Merwe's,
all on horseback and unharmed, who could have prevented
the Hottentots or any one of them taking the first favorable
v 2
324 Records of the Cape Colony.
moment to separate from the others, and favored by the
darkness of the night, concealing themselves in the Fields or
in the mountains ?
How did the slave Goliath withdraw himself from the gang,
after that Galant and Abel had got possession of his master's
guns, powder, and ball, and even fired at him ?
The 7th prisoner Achilles has with much emphasis maintained
that he used his endeavours to dissuade Galant from his pur-
pose ; that he represented to him the danger to which he was
about to expose himself ; he has told this Worshipful Court
that his first question to Galant when he returned from his
expedition to the place of Barend van der Merwe without
having succeeded in taking his life, was, " well have you now
murdered Barend van der Merwe ? " And that he on that
occasion told Galant that this his first ill luck should open his
eyes to the danger into which he was going to plunge, and that
it was perhaps still time to retract and to throw themselves
on their master's protection and pray forgiveness. But when
Galant persisted in his intention, what did Achilles do then ?
He sat down to supper with the gang, every one of them went
to rest for a time, not one of the many opportunities which he
had of informing his Master of the threatened danger, or if he
could not or would not do so, of making his escape while the
others were gone to the place of Barend van der Merwe, or
while they slept after their return, did he or Antony avail
themselves of.
He went and lay down with the others, he got up again, he
went and joined his master when he went to the kraal. Then
even he left his master in ignorance of the danger that at that
very moment hovered over his head. When his master flew
into the house, he, armed with an assagaay, and Antony with
a gun without a lock, stood sentry at the house. It was not
his abhorrence of the crime which his accomplices were about
to commit, but the fear and dread of the danger into which he
was going to plunge, that made him hesitate for a time, which
induced him to try and persuade Galant to give up the execution
of his plan ; but for the rest he cared but little whether the
slaves found the road to their freedom over the dead bodies of
their masters or in any other manner. He wanted, the same
as Galant and Abel, to be free, and who can doubt if his Master
Records of the Cape Colony. 325
had come within the reach of his assagaay but that he, instead
of Galant, would have been his murderer ?
The same remarks, your Worships, are applicable to the
8th prisoner Antony. Although they both may have been
seduced, they saw the danger they were exposed to, and they
voluntarily entered into it. They both acquiesced in the plan
framed by Galant, yes even one of them Achilles is reproached
by one of his accomplices (and he does not contradict it) with
saying that he was tired of the delay in the execution of the
plan, so that he did not scruple to express himself in a manner
as if they were continually talking about killing their Master
without however coming to the point.
The prisoner Klaas can just as little as the others screen
himself behind the pretext that he was compelled by fear to
join the gang. If this were the case, to what purpose then is
his excuse that he was punished both inside and outside by his
Master ? For surely the alleging of such an excuse indirectly
implies that it was not the fear of his accomplices, but the
behaviour of his Master of which he complains, that brought
him to the act. Add to this that his Master, who was awakened
about ten o'clock at night by the barking of the dogs, having
sent him out to see what it was, he by keeping silence enticed
his master to come out of the house, and thereby afforded
Galant and Abel an opportunity to rush in and seize the guns
and ammunition. The situation of the place as laying in the
mountains, and the darkness of the night, would have no less
afforded him than his master an opportunity to escape, in case
it were not his will and wish to co-operate ; he could just as
well as Goliath have remained with his Mistress, but no, he
belonged to the gang, and the active part that he took with
them sufficiently proves, were proof necessary in so clear a
case, that he not only participated in framing but in executing
the plan, and that he was a voluntary and wilful accomplice in
the whole business ; wherefore after having played a most
treacherous part with his master, and after having appro-
priated to himself and put on a pair of trousers belonging to
his master, he mounted a horse with the others, proceeded to
the place of the late Willem van der Merwe, and did everything
there with which he is charged in the act of accusation, and
finally attempted to fire at the Commando of Inhabitants by
326 Records of the Cape Colony.
whom they were pursued, but in which he was prevented by
the Hottentot Admiral Slinger.
With respect to the Prisoners Valentyn and Vlak, it deserves
remark that they are still very young, the former at the
most not more than fifteen and the latter about twelve, and
that they were not absent from the place of the late Willem
van der Merwe, although they ran away with the 12th prisoner
Pamela to the mountains after the departure of the murderers,
to wait there till they should return.
The share which these two prisoners took in the crimes
committed by their accomplices consists principally in their
having held the horses and keeping watch to see if a Commando
came. They therefore appear to me to belong to those respect-
ing whom the Law says that youthful age gives the liberty to
the Judge to substitute a more lenient punishment in the place
of the ordinary one ; because it cannot be said of them that a
high degree of judgment or acuteness, or the peculiar atrocity
of the acts of which they have been guilty, supplied the place
of their want of years.
Entirely different do I think of the prisoner Isaac Rooy, for
the uncommonly active part which he took in everything that
was done by the gang, from the very commencement to the
final termination of the tragedy even in the most bloody
scenes of it, compared with his apparent youth, must freeze
with astonishment the blood of any feeling man, and cause him
to ask how is it possible that such consummate villainy could
be concealed in such a youthful heart.
Mere insolent wantonness and nothing else brought him to
be an accomplice in the crimes, from which, if he had chosen,
he could have excused himself, even on account of his inability
to perform anything of consequence.
He, just as little as Achilles, Antony, Valentyn, and Vlak,
could have been forced by the gang of rebels, which then con-
sisted of only five persons besides him, to ride at night to the
place of Barend van der Merwe, in order to begin the first act
of the tragedy there. Who desired him to go into the smoke
of Galant's and Abel's guns when they were employed murder-
ing Rensburg and Verlee ? It was nothing more than his own
bloodthirsty curiosity to be a near spectator of the murderous
scene that afforded Galant the opportunity of putting a loaded
Records of the Cape Colony. 327
pistol into his hand and obliging him to give the last and death
shot to the already mangled body of the dying Verlee. And
this was not his only act, he was also one of those who stopped
Rensburg in his flight. If ever therefore the great wickedness
of the act, and the high degree of wilfulness which accompanied
it, must supply the want of years in awarding the punishment
of a culprit's crime, then certainly it is in the case of this
prisoner, who if he has not attained the age of eighteen, which
he states himself to be, has evinced however sufficient proofs of
understanding and judgment to shew that he is ripe enough to
suffer the punishment that awaits his villainous crimes. See
in this respect Carpzovius Tract. Crim., part 3, Quart. 143,
N. 64 and Legg Lex 37, § 1 D, de minoribus, and Bohmer in
Obs : 3 ad Carpz. L. C.
I likewise feel it my duty to say a few words respecting the
prisoner Pamela, who, it is true, did not take an active part in
all the crimes that were committed by the gang, but she knew
of the plan and she concealed it, and she gave the clearest
proof of her confederacy by taking the road to the mountains
after everything was over, for the evident purpose of there
waiting the return of Galant, whose concubine she had become,
notwithstanding he already had another at his master's place,
and by whom she acknowledges to have had a child.
I do not speak here of the suspected endeavours of this
prisoner, or at least of the willingness which she evinced to
steal her Master's guns for Galant, or to assist him with powder
and ball. These points I allow are not fully proved, but they
are sufficiently so to render her highly punishable. Such
female Slaves, your Worships, are not unfrequently the instru-
ments that are made use of to assist in premeditated treason ;
of this we have another example in the Town prison, in the
female slave Seina, concubine of the slave Richter, whom she
supplied with the gun, powder and shot of her master with
which he deserted, because through the greater access which
she had in the house and the greater degree of indulgence
which she experienced from her Master, she had a better
opportunity of doing so. Justly therefore we find applied to
slaves in general what the law teaches us respecting the obliga-
tion of slaves to make known to their owners the danger they
may (be) threatened with either from their inmates or others.
328 Records of the Cape Colony.
No owner of a slave is any longer safe in his house if a slave
can conceal with impunity from his master any danger with
which he may be threatened. Pamela, who knew of the
danger which hovered over her master and the whole of his
family, was, and remained the whole of the night between the
1st and 2nd February last, in his house, and yet she was silent.
She, the same as her accomplices, is subject to the punishment
of death according to the existing laws, for the Roman law,
which according to the express tenor of the Statutes of India,
(title Slaves last article) must decide her lot, requires this
punishment of her, and of all those slaves who have not used
their endeavours, were it even at the risk of their own lives, to
protect and defend their masters in existing danger. So that
even if Achilles, Antony, and Klaas were not guilty of anything
else than this crime, they the same as Pamela would have
forfeited their lives, vide the Lex 1, § 28 D, de 8. C. Sylaniano.
I shall not expatiate on the degree of punishment for each
particular crime of which the prisoners have severally been
guilty ; for this purpose days instead of hours would be neces-
sary ; but I conceive I have said sufficient to lead the Court
in awarding the punishment of the principals. Who does not
know that death is what the law enacts for High treason and
murder ? The crimes of Achilles, Antony, and Pamela, each
of whom had the means of preventing the murders that were
committed, although they did not assist notwithstanding that
they could have assisted, and the latter of whom slept under
the same roof with her master at the time that death approached
him, are all considered by me as accomplices of the murderers.
I have spoken of the youth of Valentyn and Vlak as the only
circumstance which can plead in extenuation of the share they
had in the guilt ; but this can avail the 3rd prisoner Isaac
Rooy nothing.
With respect to the prisoner Adonis, it has appeared to me,
with due submission, that the part which he is charged by the
act of accusation to have taken in the crimes of the others
has not been proved.
And now, your Worships, as it has fallen to my lot to claim
the punishment of death against so many culprits who now
stand before you, it only remains for me to see whether I am
at liberty to recommend any mitigation to the Court. There
Records of the Cape Colony. 329
exists a right of mitigation that the law gives to the Judge,
namely when legal reasons can be adduced why the Judge is
allowed to mitigate the ordinary punishment. But among
these reasons I certainly do not find that of having been led
away by Galant ; for all of them have attained that age, and
possess that portion of understanding and judgment, which
could prevent them having been so seduced.
The eagerness to shake off the yoke of slavery, which had
never before led to such excesses here, cannot be considered in
any other light than as a desire to withdraw themselves from
the laws of the land and from obedience to Government ; a
desire for blood, war and confusion leading to the most disas-
trous anarchy, the desire of freedom thus directed is a reason
for the aggravation of the punishment. But perhaps it will
be said, when so many are to suffer, humanity requires that
the example to deter should extend to all, but the punishment
to only few. Of this we find instances in history where great
crimes have been committed by many persons. But this
belongs to the rights reserved to the Sovereign. As Judges I
am humbly of opinion that this court cannot go farther than
the right with which judicial authority is vested with regard
to crimes and punishments. The reasons which might induce
His Excellency the Governor to spare any of those who may
appear to have been led away are not within the pale of that
authority, and they cannot constitute a subject of discussion
at the present moment.
I therefore claim and conclude that the first ten prisoners,
Galant, Abel, Isaac Rooy, Isaac Thys, Hendrik, Klaas, Achilles,
Antony, Valentyn, and Vlak, and the 12th prisoner Pamela
shall be declared by your Worships guilty of the crimes with
which they are charged in the act of accusation ; and the
last mentioned prisoner Pamela in particular of not rendering
any the least assistance to her Master and Mistress, but on the
contrary deserting them, when she slept under the same roof
and could have afforded help by warning them of the approach-
ing evil and assisting them in their danger, whereby she has
incurred the punishment of the S.C. turn Sylanianum ; and
therefore that they shall be condemned by sentence of your
Worships to be brought to the usual place of execution here,
and being there all with the exception of the 10th prisoner
330 Records of the Cape Colony.
Vlak, delivered over to the executioner, the first eight prisoners,
Galant, Abel, Isaac Rooy, Isaac Thys, Hendrik, Klaas, Achilles,
and Antony, to be hanged by the necks till they are dead ;
the 12th prisoner Pamela to be strangled, and the 9th prisoner
Valentyn to be tied to a stake and severely scourged with rods
on the bare back, then branded, and thereupon confined to
labour on the public works here for such term as this Worshipful
Court shall deem requisite, that the bodies of the first six
prisoners shall be afterwards taken down from the gallows and
their heads separated therefrom with an axe at the public
place of execution, and then thrown into sacks in order to be
conveyed to Bokkeveld and there exposed to public view on
separate poles to be erected on the most conspicuous places
near the road, with a board over each, on which shall be
painted in legible letters The punishment of Rebels ; thus to
remain till consumed by time and the birds of the air ; and
the 10th prisoner Vlak, after having witnessed the execution,
to be severely flogged in the town prison by the black constables,
with further condemnation of all the prisoners in the costs and
expenses of the prosecution, or to such other &c.
While with respect to the 11th prisoner Adonis I declare to
have no objection to his being discharged under promise of
hand and word, or such other disposition given in his case as
the Court may deem meet, in consequence of the want of proof
of the charges preferred against him in the act of accusation.
Mr. Advocate Hofmeyr, as Counsel for the Prisoners, here-
upon proceeds to their defence and says : —
Worshipful Gentlemen, — Now again do we see a number of
human beings brought before your tribunal and accused of the
most horrid crimes that one can conceive, or even scarcely
expect man to be guilty of because we bear the name of man.
We see here a number of our fellow creatures charged with
conspiring to attack and lay waste the places of their masters
and all other Christian Inhabitants, to murder their masters
and all who should oppose them, to form a gang among the
slaves and Hottentots in the service of the Colonists to assist
them in the execution of their enterprize, and in keeping
possession of the places they should attack, and further to
Records of the Cape Colony. 331
penetrate here to Cape Town ; they are thus accused of the
crime of sedition.
We see here slaves as well as free persons charged with having
attacked their masters' places, and what is more, slaves of
having murdered their own masters and of having attempted
to murder them. We see at the head of them a slave who has
been brought up as it were hand in hand with, and as the
playmate of his master, accused of having laid the whole plan
and instigated the gang to commit the most murderous and
bloody scenes, and to make a beginning with his own master,
the playfellow of his early years, and whose life he has now
brought to a termination in the most cruel manner.
It is however, your Worships, far from us to deny these
charges entirely. We have too great an interest in the main-
tenance of Justice, and are too well aware of the necessity of
establishing and preserving good order in Society, not to know
that those who do evil must be punished, the same as the good
rewarded !
We feel it too well, ever to have entertained the idea of
denying the charges with which the gang now standing before
this Court are accused, and especially not because each of the
prisoners has so circumstantially stated the crimes he has
committed and his conduct with the gang that it would cost
but little trouble to award to each a punishment proportionable
to his guilt, or to acquit him should he be found innocent.
But it shall be my task to investigate, as far as is in my
power, the motives which appear to have led them to the
commission of such enormities, in order thereby to be enabled
to judge in how far all these culprits can be punished ordinario
modo in proportion to their crimes.
Although it would be a difficult and nearly impossible task,
and I should almost consider I burthened my conscience,
should I use my endeavours to acquit them of the charge of
wilful murder, still however I am not at liberty to be silent on
the motives which appear to me to have led to the dreadful
acts they have committed, in order to see whether there be
anything, and if so what, I can say in their defence. We find
then in the first place, your Worships, Galant himself assign as
a motive the idea that he and his fellow prisoner Abel cherished
respecting the personal state in which they were kept by their
332 Records of the Cape Colony.
masters, when they supposed they ought to have been emanci-
pated by their masters at new year. We find him brought
into a labyrinth about some newspapers, which as he says his
Master received from time to time from the fieldcornet, the
contents of which were continually communicated to him
either by his master or mistress, or by his concubine the
Hottentot Betje, so as she had been told by her master or
mistress. We find in the statement given by this prisoner an
account of some conversations between his late master and his
neighbour Barend van der Merwe, Barend Johannes Lubbe,
Jan Bothma, and others, the subject of which discourses seems
to have been the state or condition of the slaves. We further
find in his statement that he some time ago told his concubine
Betje that he had heard from the slaves, or as he terms them
the people of David Theron and Piet Joosten, that they were
all to be free between last Christmas and New Year's day ; and
that if he was not free then, he with all the slaves would
endeavour to make himself free. We find this and other
circumstances alleged by the first prisoner as the motives
which led him to the commission of the cruelties he has been
guilty of, and we hear him confirm his account by saying that
everything he stated was the truth, and that he would die upon
it. Verily, a confession and persistence which cannot fail to
make an impression on the minds of the Court, especially when
we reflect that he was led by erroneous ideas into a maze of
confusion, from which he is extricated only now that it is too
late ; for he now discovers that he has committed a crime for
which he confesses to be punishable, although he hears of so
many circumstances which without his fault libidine Itbertatis
motus et quasi addictus contributed to form the plan which he
has partly executed, so that he has become a victim to his own
wrong ideas and errors, into which he has been led by the
frequent reports respecting his state, and for which he must
now pay the penalty. On behalf of this prisoner, your
Worships, we shall not say more, the records are before you,
which contain so many circumstances stated by Galant that
everything for and against him can be deduced therefrom.
The same motives may be also alleged with respect to the
2nd prisoner Abel, with this difference only, that the plan for
the commission of their crimes was proposed to him by the 1st
Records of the Cape Colony. 333
prisoner Galant, for which reason we shall say nothing more on
behalf of the 2nd prisoner than that he on two occasions
evinced a lesser degree of wickedness in the perpetration of his
crimes, the first time when Galant wanted to shoot the wife of
Barend van der Merwe, which was prevented by his inter-
ference, so that he was the cause of her life being preserved,
and the second time when he stood before the door of the late
Willem van der Merwe by Galant's directions in order to shoot
him when he should open it, when on Van der Merwe praying
for his life he desisted from his purpose, and at least appeared
to be unwilling to commit further cruelties.
But it is entirely different with the case of the third
prisoner Isaac Rooy, who really deserves more pity than
contempt for the acts which he has committed, and which he
has not only openly and frankly, but even with a childish fear
and anxiety, confessed.
This prisoner it is true states himself in his simplicity to be
eighteen years of age, and that he perpetrated his crime by
order of Galant, but in the first place I beg leave to remark,
and I take the liberty to ask your Worships, can we suppose
(as far as one can judge from external appearance) this prisoner
to be the villain and murderer which we could call him if he
was more advanced in years and appeared less innocent of the
crime he has committed than at present ?
But also your Worships where is the proof that he is
eighteen ? Or should we trust to the mere statement of this
prisoner (who was born in the Interior and scarcely knows an
A from a B) and positively prescribe his age to be eighteen ?
It is a most doubtful statement, your Worships, and cannot
this prisoner make a mistake, as we are convinced the prisoner
Adonis has done, when on being asked he says positively that
he is eighteen ? It would surely be absurd to suppose for a
moment that the 3rd prisoner Isaac Rooy and the 1 1th prisoner
Adonis are both of the same age. Should we not therefore, as
we are obliged in rebus dubiis, in primis in criminalibus ad
admittendam benigniorem sententiam, much rather and with
more safety prescribe his age at under fourteen, or at all events
much nearer 14 than 18 ? And can we not with confidence
class him among those who in consequence of their youth and
unripeness of years merit the particular indulgence of the
334 Records of the Cape Colony.
Judge, and who cannot be punished or dinar io modo in propor-
tion to their crimes ; but who, as one cannot suppose any
premeditated wickedness in them, are only chastised with an
extraordinary or moderate punishment or correction. Could
we not much more safely place this third prisoner (even were it
proved that he has attained the age of eighteen) in the same
situation as those for whom the Lex 37 ff. de minor pleads ?
And should he have committed a premeditated crime, even
then apply to him what we find taught in the same law in
these words. " In delictis autem minor annis vigintiquinque
non meritur in integrum restitutionem, utique atrocioribus ; nisi
quatenus interdum miseratio cetatis ad mediocrem poznam
judicem produxerit ? Could we not, your Worships, answer
these questions and considerations with more safety in the
affirmation and in favour of this third prisoner, than in the
negative ? Certainly we can ; for then we have nothing to
reproach ourselves with afterwards, should his real age be
ascertained, for example should he be found to be no more
than fourteen.
Besides this, your Worships, we have seen how this
prisoner Isaac Rooy from the very beginning was obliged and
compelled by the prisoner Galant to ride after him as his
postillion, as he calls it, and to take a part in the crimes
committed by the others. I imagine I can now hear the
threatening voice of the prisoner Galant to the third prisoner
Isaac Rooy, I can almost feel how his voice sounded in his
ears, and the fear that seized upon him when Galant, (after
that he had already wounded his mistress, shot his master, and
likewise wounded Janse and Verlee) put a pistol in his hand
and called out to him, shoot him with the pistol you have in your
hand right on the head, for he is not yet dead, and if you do not,
you shall see what I will do with you. And who will for a
moment doubt of what would have been the lot of this prisoner,
{whom we may well call a child) had he not complied with the
order of Galant, who had already threatened to beat him, and
even to shoot his concubine Betje, when she interceded for and
begged the life of her mistress ? For ourselves, your Worships,
we do not doubt a moment, nay we are almost certain, that
the 3rd prisoner was obliged to obey the order he received ;
and therefore that he is less culpable than him who gave it, as
Records of the Cape Colony. 335
we find taught by Boehmer ad Caust. Grim. Carol, ad Art. 177,
§ 4, where he says : " Soepe mandatario contra regulam succur-
rendum, quo referant vitiosam executionem ad jus summus,
cui reveventia vel obsequium non absolutum quidem, ast tenax
debitur, quales sunt parentes, intuitio liberorum, domini
intuitii servorum, magistri, intuitii alumnorum ; (cui non
adeo repugno) cum talis jussus fortius ardet, et stimulum
obsequendi temerimam facile provocare possit, praesertim si
aetas juvenilis vel alia imbecillitatis ac infirmitatis ratio con-
currit, quae efficit, ut mandanti facinus plus, obsequenti (vel
mandatario) minus imputetur."
This opinion is fully corroborated by what we find laid
down as a rule to be observed in judging of criminal cases in
the Lex 108 ff de R. J., where it is said : " Fere in omnibus
poenalibus judiciis, et cetati et imprudentiae succurnitur ! And
in Lege 16, § 3 ff de poen, where we read "Persona dupliciter
spectatur, ejus qui fecit, et ejus qui passus est : Aliter enim
pumuatur, ex eisdem facinoribus serir, quam liberi ; aliter qui
quid in dominum parentenave ausus est, quam qui in extranum,
in magistram, vel in privatum. In ejus rei consideratione
setatis quoque ratio habeatur."
And should not then, your Worships, the youth of this 3rd
prisoner be taken into consideration, when he is accused of
such an atrocious crime ? Should not the language of this
prisoner on his examination (where he speaks as a mere child)
" that his master was never severe to him, that he had been
always well treated by his master ; that he had more than once
been flogged by his master but never without having deserved
it ; that he had been led away by Galant ; and that he did
not know that the act he had committed was so great a crime,"
should not this language I say meet with the same indulgence
to which a child non dum doli capax makes claim ? Most
certainly, if not wholly, at least in so far that he should not be
punished in proportion to his crime, but extraordinarily as we
have seen in the L. 108 ff de R. j. and in the L 16, § de poenis,
already quoted ; namely that although a minor is liable in
consequence of his crime, still the usual punishment is remitted
him by the Judge because his minority affords legal reasons for
a mitigation of the punishment.
For example, see what Carpzovius says, as translated by
336 Records of the Cape Colony
Hogendorp, on crimes liable to corporal punishment Chap.
135, § 22.
With more confidence in the indulgence of the legislator,
can we submit to the consideration of the Court the cases of
the 9th and 10th prisoners Valentyn and Vlak, because they
being infra pubertatem, below the age of fourteen, (which we
can safely depend on in as far as one can prescribe from
appearances) are fully entitled not only by the indulgence of
the laws, but even to forgiveness for the acts they have been
guilty of, vide * * * In which last mentioned law it is
said, " Impubus servus, vel ancilla nondum veripotens, non in
eadem causa erunt (nimpe inqua pubus &c. majorem) setas
enim excusationem meretus. And how much the more when
these two prisoners did not do anything else than hold the
horses of the two first prisoners, and this even with threats
that if they did not do so, they should be shot.
With respect now to the 4th, 5th, and 6th prisoners, Isaac
Thys, Hendrik, and Klaas, although they have confessed the
share they took in the plot, we must nevertheless not forget
that they were forced to do so, with threats of being shot if
they did not comply. We must especially with regard to the
prisoner Klaas place ourselves for a moment in his situation,
at the time when Galant and Abel were at his Master's place
Barend van der Merwe, and look into the deposition given by
this Van der Merwe before your Worships (in which he says
that he did not see Klaas do anything with the murderers that
evening, but that he had heard the others threaten to shoot
him, probably because he would not assist them) to be con-
vinced that the prisoner Klaas knew nothing of the plot
previously, and that it was fear and dread by which he was
carried away to join the gang and afterwards remain with
them. We do not find either that the prisoner Klaas played
any principal part in the crimes committed by the gang, but
conducted himself passively, which in fact he was obliged to do
as his life was so frequently threatened. We therefore do not
believe that he ought to suffer the same punishment as the two
first prisoners Galant and Abel, although he is considered as
an accomplice in their crimes, for one must distinguish well
between the accomplices whether they be equally guilty,
and punish them also, in proportion to the greater or lesser
Records of the Cape Colony. 337
share they have had in the crime. Putman most clearly
expresses himself in this regard in his Elementis Juris Crim.
Lib. 1, § 89, when he says "quod ad complices &c." And
this we also respectfully submit to the consideration of the
Court with regard to the other prisoners.
We will now dwell for a moment on the 7th and 8th
prisoners Achilles and Antony. These two are accused of being
accomplices in and promoters of the crimes committed by the
gang, as having assisted them therein ; but with regard to this
point of accusation, we must remark that the share which
these two took in the business was not so serious and great as
has been laid to their charge.
For at all events it is true (and this they have both acknow-
ledged) that Achilles and Antony were posted at the door of
the late Willem van der Merwe's house by orders of Galant, the
one with an assagaay and the other with a stick ; but who
says, your Worships, that when it came to the point and that
their master came out, they would have remained more
faithful to Galant than to their Master ? Who can say to a
certainty that they would have executed the orders they had
received ? And what reason have we to suppose that they
would have attacked or murdered their Master, when they
neither before the moment they were obliged by Galant to
post themselves there, nor at any period afterwards, evinced
that they had the smallest evil designs, on the contrary, the
instant the gang left the place of the late Willem van der
Merwe they joined their Mistress, and remained with her till
the Commando came to the place, by whom they were appre-
hended without the least resistance. These two prisoners
therefore especially deserve the consideration and discretion
of the Court.
It is not necessary to say anything in defence of the
Prisoner Adonis, as the Prosecutor has declared himself that
the charges against him are not sufficiently proved.
We must now say a few words .in defence of the 12th
prisoner Pamela. She is accused, your Worships, of having by
her passiveness and silence cooperated towards the disasters
which befel the family of the late Willem van der Merwe. Bat
let us ask ourselves who is this prisoner Pamela, and in what
relation does she stand with the prisoner Galant ? And the
XX. z
338 Records of the Cape Colony.
answer that she is the wife of Galant, and that she has had a
child by him will impress us all with a very different feeling for
her. She could not, your Worships, smother the feelings of
nature (if she really had been told previously of the plot by
her husband). She felt too sensibly the relation in which she
stood with the prisoner Galant, to accuse him (had she known
his intention) of a crime through which she should in all pro-
bability be separated from him for ever. She could not have
concealed the crime he meditated (had she been acquainted
with it) from any other motive than from the feeling of her
connection with him. Who is there that will not be convinced
of this, when he considers the answer which this Prisoner gave
the Hottentot maid Betje (according to the deposition of the
latter) when she advised her at the Fieldcornet Louw's to tell
the truth, " / have a child by Galant and will not make him
unfortunate ; " an answer in which the voice of nature speaks.
But it is enough with respect to the prisoner Pamela, even if
she had heard of the intention of Galant, that she never
expressed herself or evinced her acquiescence therein to any
person.
With regard now to the passiveness of Pamela at the time
that the crimes were committed, if ever one may venture to
acquit a person of guilt for passiveness during the commission
of a crime, then certainly it is Pamela, for she already knew
the passionate nature of Galant, and that it would perhaps
cost her her life if she endeavoured in the least to interfere. Of
this we have a proof in Galant's threats to shoot his concubine
Betje when she attempted to intercede for her mistress, so that
we believe that there existed with Pamela also a well grounded
fear which deterred her from offering the smallest opposition
to Galant in the commission of his crimes.
We shall now further add three circumstances which like-
wise plead in Pamela's favour. The first is that according to
the deposition of the widow of the late Verlee Pamela assisted
her Mistress when she was wounded, and brought her into her
room.
The second that according to the statement of the prisoner
Galant, she was in the house and seems to have held the
window shutter close, that the gang should not see her master
and fire at him through the window, for Galant says : 'I
Records of the Cape Colony. 339
listened at the window and heard Master say, Pamela let go the
window, I want to see where they are <£c." And the third is that
she immediately, when Galant, Abel, and the others rushed
into the house, (after the late Willem van der Merwe was
killed) made her escape out of the house with Lea, according
to the deposition of the Hottentot Betje.
We shall not say any more, your Worships, in defence of
this prisoner or of the others than what we have already
advanced above, confidently trusting that in deciding the lot
of those unhappy persons, which is now in your hands, your
Worships will proceed with your well known prudence and
justice, and that you will judge them not only secundum acta
et probata, but also secundum conscientiam. For if ever there
was a case which required the caution of the judge to accom-
pany his severity, then certainly it is the present one.
On all of which grounds we have no hesitation to conclude
for the rejection of the claim made by the R.O. Prosecutor ;
with the costs, or otherwise do justice, &c.
The Court being about to be cleared, the prisoner Pamela
requested to be allowed to say a few words, which being
granted she says :
The punishment that has been claimed against me is too
severe, and I pray that it may be mitigated. I assisted to
bind my Mistress when she was wounded ; I remained with
my Mistress, and did not run away till I saw the maliciousness
of Galant, who gave the child at my breast, and which is his
child, such a blow on the head that I thought it was dead.
I knew nothing more of the business than Betje, who is
also Galant 's wife. She warned my mistress of it before,
but Mistress would not believe her, I therefore pray for
mercy.
The Court after due investigation having heard the claim
of the R.O. Prosecutor together with the prisoners' defence,
and having taken everything into consideration which deserved
attention or could move the Court, administering Justice in
the name and on behalf of His Britannic Majesty, declares the
ten first prisoners in this case guilty, the 1st and 2nd prisoners
Galant and Abel of conspiring to commit and of actually
committing the crimes of High Treason, Murder, and armed
violence ; the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, Oth. and 10th
/ 2
340 Records of the Cape Colony.
prisoners, Isaac Rooy, Isaac Thys, Hendrik, Klaas, Achilles,
Antony, Valentyn, and Vlak, of being accomplices in the
execution of the plan previously framed by the 1st and 2nd
prisoners, aggravated with respect to the 3rd and 4th prisoners
Isaac Rooy and Isaac Thys, on the part of Isaac Rooy by
having assisted in the murder of the late Johannes Verlee, and
on that of Isaac Thys by the particularly active part which he
took in all the acts of violence that were committed ; taking
into consideration however the youth of the 3rd prisoner and
the circumstances under which he fired at the late Verlee ; and
therefore condemns all the said prisoners to be brought to the
usual place of execution at the Drostdy of Worcester, and being
there delivered over to the Executioner, the 1st, 2nd, and 4th
prisoners, Galant, Abel, and Isaac Thys, to be hanged by the
necks till they are dead ; the heads of the two first prisoners,
Galant and Abel, to be then struck off from their bodies and
thereupon stuck upon iron spikes affixed to separate poles to
be erected in the most conspicuous places in the Bokkeveld,
there to remain till consumed by time and the birds of the air ;
the 3rd, 5th, and 6th prisoners, Isaac Rooy, Hendrik, and
Klaas to be exposed to public view made fast to the gallows
by ropes round their necks, and together with the 7th and 8th
prisoners Achilles and Antony tied to a stake and severely
scourged with rods on the bare backs, to be then branded, and
thereupon confined to labour in irons without wages on the
public works at the Drostdy of Worcester ; the 3rd, 5th, and
6th prisoners, Isaac Rooy, Hendrik, and Klaas for life, and the
7th and 8th prisoners, Achilles and Antony for the term of
fifteen years ; and the 9th and 10th prisoners, Valentyn and
Vlak, after having witnessed the public execution to be
severely flogged in the prison at Worcester in presence of
Commissioned Heemraden ; while the Court acquiesces in the
declaration made by the prosecutor with respect to the 11th
prisoner Adonis, and absolves the 12th prisoner Pamela from
this instance, with rejection of the greater or other claim and
conclusion made against the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th,
10th, and 12th prisoners in this case, and condemnation of all
in the costs and expences of the prosecution.
Thus done and decreed in the Court of Justice at the Cape
Records of the Cape Colony. 341
of Good Hope day and year as above, and pronounced the
same day.
(Signed) J. A. Truter,
W. HlDDINGH,
Walter Bentinck,
J. H. Neethling,
J. C. Fleck,
P. J. Truter,
P. B. Borcherds,
R. RoGERSON.
In my presence.
(Signed) D. F. Berrange, Secretary.
[Original.]
Letter from Sir Rufane Donkin to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre.
88 Park Street, Grosvenor Square, March 15, 1825.
Sir, — I beg leave to transmit to you the Paper which I
shewed you a few days ago from the Office of Colonial Audit
here, containing a List of certain Items of my public Expendi-
ture at the Cape of Good Hope for which Earl Bathurst's
sanction is necessary to enable the auditors to audit my
account, and which sanction I now solicit.
In making this request I owe it to myself to complain of
the manner in which my public accounts at the Cape have
been made up and passed through the Audit Office in the
Colony, to which I have had occasion to advert in my answers
and explanations to the Commissioners of Colonial Audit here.
Amongst other neglects the proper officer in the Colony
omitted calling my attention to the Regulation which requires
Earl Bathurst's sanction to even the smallest expenditure
beyond the Sanctioned Ordinaries. It is this neglect which
now obliges me to trouble Earl Bathurst for his Sanction for
Expenditure, which, had I been apprized in time of its necessity,
I could have obtained long ago on the documents and state-
ments I should have made from the Colony, for I well know
342 Records of the Cape Colony.
that every item of my public Extraordinary Expenditure there
was caused by some urgent and palpable necessity on the
occasion.
Under the circumstances connected with the Explanations
I have annexed to the enclosed paper, I request the favour of
you to call Earl Bathurst's notice to the subject, and to obtain
from His Lordship that sanction which is necessary for the
final passing of my accounts, for which I must naturally be
very anxious. I have &c.
(Signed) R. S. Donkin.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre., to the Reverend
Wm. Geary.
Downing Street, 15*7* March 1825.
Sir, — I am directed by Earl Bathurst to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 12th Inst., and to request that
you will transmit to his Lordship in writing the exculpation
which vou are desirous to submit to him of your conduct ; and
his Lordship will afterwards appoint a time for seeing you, if
that should be necessary. I am &c.
(Signed) R. W. Horton.
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. W. A. Hankey to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre.
Fenchurch Street, 15 March 1825.
Dear Sir, — The Directors of the Society are desirous to send
a Printing Press to the Cape of Good Hope for the purpose
of printing those works which are necessary for the religious
instruction and education of the persons under the care of their
Missionaries, and I have to beg the favour of the sanction of
Earl Bathurst in sending it.
Records of the Cape Colony. 343
I can assure his Lordship of the sincerity of their intention
to restrict the application of the press to the object stated, and
I beg leave to inclose for his Lordship's information, a copy of
the instructions intended to be sent with it. I am &c.
Signed) W. Alers Hankey,
Treasurer of the London Missionary Society.
[Enclosure in the above.]
Copy of Instructions of the Directors of the London Mis-
sionary Society to Revd. Dr. Philip, Superintendent of
its Missions in South Africa, relative to Printing Presses
belonging to the Society employed for the use of the said
Missions.
" I am instructed by the Board of Directors to acquaint
you that the Printing Press which we send out by the present
opportunity in the Ship , and all Printing Presses
belonging to the Society already in South Africa, are to be
employed exclusively for Missionary purposes (viz. in the
printing of School Books and Lessons, books of moral and
religious instruction, books of history and science, &c, &c),
under your sole control and direction, as the accredited Super-
intendant of its African Missions, and are on no account
whatsoever to be placed under the control, management, or
direction of any person or persons, not being Agents or Mission-
aries in immediate connexion with the Society ; and in all
cases where such subordinate control and direction shall be
delegated, the Directors require that you should give to every
such agent or missionary, so employed, written instructions
enjoining them to confine the use of the Press exclusively to
missionary purposes as before mentioned, and that such agent
or missionary on no account whatsoever grant the control or
use thereof to any other person or persons."
344 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original.]
Letter from the Reverend Wm. Geary to R. Wilmot
HORTON, ESQRE.
26 King Street, Westminster, 15th March 1825.
Sir, — I hasten to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter
of this date, in reply to one which I had the honor of addressing
to Earl Bathurst on the 12th Instant, requesting his Lordship's
permission to exculpate my conduct before him, in allusion to
those charges preferred against me by Lord Charles Somerset
to the Home Government, and which appear to have been the
cause of my removal from the Clerical Appointments I held
in Africa. Having however never been favored with the
slightest information respecting the nature of His Excellency's
complaints against me, I feel some difficulty in complying with
the requisition contained in your letter, and of framing an
Exculpation as systematic as I could wish to put into the
hands of the Noble Secretary to the Colonies.
But possessing one of His Excellency's Letters, wherein I
am threatened with a dismissal from my situation, I may
perhaps be allowed to infer that one accusation of a prominent
character is to be gathered from that Communication, a Copy
of which I have the honor to enclose for Earl Bathurst's
perusal, preceded by Copies of my Correspondence with Mr.
Rivers, the late Landdrost of Albany, which was the cause of
Lord Charles addressing me. I have also enclosed that con-
cluding part of a discourse which I delivered from the pulpit
at Graham's Town, (the subject of a complaint of Mr. Rivers
to the Commissioners) pleading the sanction of those sacred
Writings which summoned me to reprove, and rebuke " as well
as to exhort." Another Correspondence to which His Excel-
lency alludes in his Letter of the 1st of October as having taken
place between Mr. Rivers and myself, I shall have the honor
of submitting to you for the perusal of Earl Bathurst, as soon
as it can be transcribed, that His Lordship may judge how far
I am implicated in His Excellency's charge of treating the
Landdrost of Albany with disrespect, or withholding any
reparation he could in justice claim from me. I have &c.
(Signed) Wm. Geary.
Records of the Cape Colon//. 345
[Copy.]
Letter from D. Campbell, Esqre., to the Commissioners op
Enquiry.
Graham's Town, March 15, 1825.
Gentlemen, — I have the honor to return you herewith your
interrogatories with my replies thereto.
I transmit you at the same time the Copy of a letter from
Mr. Francis, of one from Mr. White, and of one which I
addressed to Mr. Parker, relating to the subject upon which
you have done me the honor of addressing me.
As my communication to Mr. Parker goes fully into detail,
it is unnecessary for me to trouble you with any observations
upon it further than to state that he never made any reply to
it, and that I ascertained afterwards through Mr. Francis that
he had received it. I have &c.
(Signed) Dun. Campbell.
[Copy.]
Letter from Mr. George Greig to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre.
32, City Road, March 15, 1825.
Sir, — In your communication of March 11th, I deeply regret
to find it stated that Lord Bathurst cannot consent to the
proposed alteration in my prospectus ; and as I have before
stated that my chief aim in coming to England is to get from
his Lordship a definition of that prospectus, I must express an
equal regret that his Lordship's non-consent is accompanied
by no reason for such determination. It is impossible not to
be impressed with Lord Bathurst's liberal intentions, and had
I these only to depend upon I should be under no apprehension.
I cannot, however, conceal from his Lordship my conviction
that the ambiguous wording of the prospectus will be pro-
ductive of fresh difficulties in the way of publication on the
first discussion of any general measure affecting the colony.
This it is I seek to obviate, and with this view I implore his
346 Records of the Cape Colony.
Lordship to favour me with an answer to the following
question :
As the prospectus, by which it is proposed I shall be
guided, has been construed by the Cape authorities to prohibit
any discussion whatever of colonial measures, will my licence
be liable to suspension in the event of any such topics being
adverted to in the paper, supposing an absence of all
intemperance and personality ?
You will oblige me, Sir, by procuring Lord Bathurst's early,
and I trust favourable, answer to the above ; on receipt of
which I will forthwith give in a final answer. I have &c.
(Signed) Geo. Greig.
[Copy.]
Letter from Mr. F. R. Bresler to P. G. Brink, Esqre.
Cape Town, 15th March 1825.
Sir, — I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of
yesterday, and have the honor to state for the information of
His Excellency the Governor, that when I was Deputy
Receiver General it was the custom, when there was not
sufficient money for the payment of the Warrants, then, with
the knowledge of the Receiver General to apply to the Discount
Bank for a temporary loan, for which a receipt was given
according to the form which accompanies your Letter, differing
from those more in detail, which the several Collectors usually
received when they paid in their respective receipts, when
these temporary Warrants were repaid the receipt was
returned and nothing more took place, and without either the
one or the other being entered into the Books of the Receiver
General ; probably owing to the multiplicity of business or
otherwise, this receipt was not returned.
To this alone can I ascribe the cause that a receipt which
was given ten or eleven years ago now only is forthcoming ;
which surely appears strange to me, not being able at this
time to bring anything further respecting it to my recollection.
I am &c.
(Signed) F. R. Bresler.
Records of the Cape Colony. 347
[Copy.]
Letter from P. G. Brink, Esqre., to the Commissioners of
Enquiry.
Colonial Office, 16th March 1825.
Gentlemen, — I have had the honor to receive your Letter
of the 3rd Instant, and in reply thereto I beg to transmit to
you a copy of the Account that was made out in this Office of
the Amount and value of Rations, for which the sum of
Rds.3502 4sks. 2|sts. was ordered to be paid on account of
Mr. W. Parker and his family to Captain Edward Horrie from
the Military Chest.
In enclosing at the same time a Copy of the Letter addressed
to Mr. Parker by the Colonial Secretary on the 27th September
1822, immediately previous to his departure from the Colony,
it may be necessary to observe that Mr. Parker's claim to
Rations was never admitted by the Government, the act of
abandoning his original location being considered to have
disentitled him thereto ; and the compensation that was
allowed to Mr. Parker was made in consideration of the failure
of his undertaking, to enable him and his family to effect their
return to Europe. I have &c.
(Signed) P. G. Brink.
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. H. W. Wilton to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre.
No. 4 Regent Street, Pall Mall,
March 16th, 1825.
Sir, — In reply to your letter of yesterday, and for the pur-
pose of an early compliance with the wishes of Earl Bathurst,
I have the honor, without waiting for a communication with
the whole body of the gentlemen interested in the proposed
South African Company, to state that the main purpose of the
requested interview with Earl Bathurst, as decided upon at
our last general meeting, was to submit to His Lordship
whether, as the intended reference to the Commissioners of
348 Records of the Cape Colony.
Enquiry was understood to be directed rather to local details
than to the general principle of the measure, His Lordship
might not think fit to sanction a grant of two hundred thousand
acres of land in the frontier Districts of Albany, Uitenhage
and Graaffreynet, being those to which the Emigration was
directed in 1820-21, leaving the remainder of the solicited
Grant to be regulated on receipt of the report from the Com-
missioners, or at such further period as may seem most fitting
to His Lordship.
The parties interested conceived that the detailed informa-
tion applicable to those districts had at that period received
the consideration of His Lordship, and that a decision in this
Country might probably be taken as to the disposal of any
tracts of land not granted to the Emigrants of 1820-21.
I beg leave to add that the General Meeting contemplated
the submission of this modified proposition, in the hope of
obtaining from Earl Bathurst a direct sanction to the principle
of the undertaking, for they cannot but feel that the delay
which must arise, if no decision be taken until the receipt of a
specific report from the Commissioners, will operate as very
serious discouragement to the whole proceeding ; the more so
as His Majesty's Government appears to entertain more
favourable sentiments towards Companies recently established
for improving the agriculture and trade of other transatlantic
possessions of His Majesty.
The Deputation respectfully await the determination of His
Lordship as to the interview solicited in my letter of the 10th
Instant. I have &c.
(Signed) H. W. Wilton.
[Original.]
Letter from Me. Jacobus Theron to R. W. Horton, Esqre.
20 Anderson's Buildings, City Road,
16 March 1825.
Sir, — I am honored with your reply dated 26th February,
but only received per post yesterday, stating that Lord
Bathurst could not pronounce any opinion on my memorial
Records of the Cape Colony. 349
because I had not adduced any proof to the truth of my
statement.
In answer thereto I beg to state that my means are so
effectually crippled by the Cape Government, as detailed in
my memorial, as to put it out of my power to bring over
witnesses to substantiate my charges. In vain I applied to
Mr. Brink the Colonial Secretary, also to the Secretary of the
Court of Justice, to have my papers delivered over to me, and
which papers would have enabled me to prove my charges.
The only answer I received to my repeated applications, I now
annex a Copy taken from the Original in my possession.
It happens that there now is in London a Cape Merchant of
the highest respectability who can and is willing to prove the
chief part of my charges.
To the above testimony I am willing to add my solemn oath
to the truth of all and every part of my memorial and abide
the consequences of such an awful procedure.
I court the strictest scrutiny into my conduct and implore
that Lord Bathurst will enable me to return to the Colony and
there before the Commissioners or other competent authority,
have the opportunity of substantiating my charges.
In Conclusion I entreat his Lordship's early answer as I am
here in a strange country (reduced by the vilest oppression
from a comfortable situation in life) entirely destitute of the
means of support. I have &c.
(Signed) Jacobus Theron.
[Copy.]
Note from the Commissioners of Enquiry to Lieutenant-
Colonel Bird.
Cape Town, 11th March 1825.
Sir, — The Commissioners of Enquiry transmit herewith to
Lieutenant Colonel Bird the accompanying Interrogatories (17)
upon the subject of Government Slaves, and request he will be
so good as to return the same with his answers affixed at his
earliest convenience, together with the documents referred to
in the questions.
350 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Enclosure in the above.]
Interrogatories proposed by the Commissioners of Enquiry to
Lieutenant-Colonel Bird.
nth March 1825.
1. Are you aware that the Government Slaves at the Cape
were taken and admitted prize at the Surrender of the Colony
in 1806, and that they were paid for by the Commissariat to
the Captors on account of His Majesty's Government in the
sum of 150 Rds. each ?
Answer. I have understood that to be the case.
2. Was it in consequence of this payment having been
made from His Majesty's Treasury that the charge for their
clothing and maintenance has been borne by the Commis-
sariat ?
Answer. I don't know ; I was not in the Colony when
these arrangements were made.
3. Have any Instructions been received at any time from
the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury authorizing
the transfer of Government Slaves to Individuals, and if so
upon what terms ?
Answer. I am not aware of any such, or of any corre-
spondence with the Treasury on this head ; a reference to the
official Papers will give a more satisfactory answer to this
query.
4. With reference to the contents of your letter to the
Director of the Government Slave Lodge, dated 28th October
1817, and its Enclosure dated Colonial Office 17th October
1817, was the sum of Rds. 300 (ordered to be refunded to the
Commissariat by Mr. Donough) understood to be the repay-
ment of sums paid by the captors on account of His Majesty's
Treasury at the rate of Rds. 150 for each slave ?
Answer. I understand the sum of Rds. 300 to have been
refunded to the Commissariat as a repayment for two slaves
which the Commissariat had purchased, at the average of
Rds. 150 each. I am not aware that the Captors paid for the
Slaves as stated in the query.
5. Were the other payments of Rds. 150 that have been
made for Government Slaves transferred to Individuals con-
sidered in the same light as a refund to the Treasury ?
Records of the Cape Colony. 351
Answer. Certainly.
6. Is it to be understood that any sums were due to the
Treasury on account of advances for children born in the
Government Slave Lodge, or subsequent to the Payment being
made by the Treasury for the mothers of such children ?
Answer. I am not aware that any such suggestion was ever
proposed.
7. What was the consideration that induced the Colonial
Government to direct that Rds. 1,000 should be paid by Mr.
Donough to the Fund of the Free School, and that he should
be required to give security for the emancipation of the Slaves
Flora and Eliza ?
Answer. I don't know the circumstances of this case
precisely, it was one of the many which were arranged at
Government House and only sent to the office to go thro'
certain forms. I believe Donough, who had been servant to
one of the Governors, cohabited with the woman Flora, and
that Eliza was his child by her. But Flora, being a house
servant of Government House, was called in, and then this
arrangement took place. I have this only by hearsay, but I
believe it to be correct.
8. Was the sum of Rds. 1,300, that was ordered to be paid
by Mr. Donough, considered to be the current value in 1817 of
the Female Slaves Flora and Eliza ?
Answer. I never saw the Slaves, and am no judge of their
value.
9. With reference to the contents of the two letters
addressed by you to the Director of the Slave Lodge on the
13th July 1818, what was the nature of the " usual conditions "
upon which the Government Slaves Michael and Stoffel were
transferred to Major Rogers and Mr. Stoll ?
Answer. The repayment of Rds. 150 each to the Com-
missariat.
10. Did these conditions include any pledge or engagement
that the Slaves should be emancipated, or that they should
not be sold ?
Answer. No, they did not.
1 1 . With reference to the receipts of Assistant Commissary
General Rogerson, did the sum of Rds. 150 constitute the
entire consideration that was required either from Major
352 Records of the Cape Colony.
Rogers or Mr. Stoll for the transfer to them of the Government
Slaves Michael and Stoffel ?
Answer. It did.
12. Was the repayment of Rds. 150 to the Commissariat
considered to give to these Gentlemen an unreserved right of
property in the slaves transferred, so as to enable them to sell
them ?
Answer. Certainly. Such sales have frequently taken place,
without their having been considered irregular.
13. If the right of selling the Slaves was not withheld, are
you acquainted with the considerations that may have induced
the Colonial Government to transfer them on the payment of
Rds. 150 only, at a period in which the Slaves at the Cape had
so greatly exceeded that amount ?
Answer. It appears to me that precedent has been
implicitly followed in these cases : that the cession of a
Government Slave to an Individual was considered as an act
of great favor to that Individual, and was thought to amelio-
rate the condition of the Slave, in as much as such Slaves were
uniformly of the class of domestic Slaves, and were better fed
and better clothed in private families than in the Government
Lodge, which used to be a sink of filth and vice, and that the
price was not enhanced under the supposition that the British
Government could not wish to profit by the sale of such
Slaves. The transfer of Government Slaves to Individuals
had been a practice under the Dutch and English administra-
tions ; the late director of the Slave Lodge, Mr. Hohne,
informed me that the Dutch Government had ceded many
slaves to Mr., now Sir J., Truter, and that he himself has had
several. I also know that the late Mr. Ryneveld obtained
many very valuable slaves from the British Administration
which closed in 1803. These were almost all sold.
14. With reference to Mr. Alexander's letter to the Director
of the Government Slave Lodge, dated 13th November 1819,
directing that the Slave Louis should be transferred to your-
self on paying 150 Rds. on account of His Majesty's Govern-
ment, was this payment intended to be made for the freedom
of the Slave Louis as stated in the receipt of Acting Deputy
Commissary General Hill, dated 17th November 1809 ?
Answer. Certainly not. The Slave Louis was transferred
Records of the Cape Colon]/. 353
to me as other Government Slaves were ceded to other Indi-
viduals, and he remains in my service at this moment.
15. Referring to your letters addressed to the Director of
the Government Slave Lodge, dated 26th June and 2nd July
1811, was any restriction imposed upon the sale of the Slaves
by the Gentlemen named in those letters, or any stipulation
made for the freedom of the children of the female Slaves ?
Answer. There was not. The female Slave Mecatze, ceded
to me, was very old. I applied for her at her own request,
and she died very shortly afterwards.
16. What may have been the consideration that influenced
the Colonial Government in transferring the Government
Slaves in some instances on a condition of Emancipation and
in other instances without any such condition, altho' the pay-
ment of 150 Rds. was alone required in the former cases as in
the latter %
Answer. I believe that when the Parties applied to be
allowed to emancipate such or such a Slave, the clause was
introduced into the letter authorizing the transfer. This
sometimes had its rise from feelings of gratitude in the appli-
cants towards the slaves, who had antecedently been in their
service, sometimes in consequence of the applicant having had
connexion with the female slaves and offspring by them, as in
the instance (I believe) of Donough and Venus.
17. What may have been the circumstances that induced
the Colonial Government not to have directed the repayment
of 150 Rds. by the Burgher Senate on the transfer to them of
the Slave Mamoudie pursuant to your letter of the 9th Sep-
tember 1807 ?
Answer. It is so long since this occurred that I am not
very clear on the subject. I believe that it was in consequence
of Mamoudie's transfer being considered as a removal from one
part of the Government Service to another. The effect was
that Mamoudie was no longer shut up in the Lodge at night,
but slept near the Fire engines ready to attend to the aque-
ducts in case of fire.
19th March 1825.
(Signed) C. Bird.
xx. 2 A
354 Becords of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.]
Proclamation by Lord Charles Somerset.
Whereas by my Proclamation bearing date the 4th day
of October, 1822, the Landdrost of the Albany District was
directed to cause a select proportion of the Inhabitants of that
District to be enrolled, armed, and supplied with Ammunition,
under such restrictions and regulations as are therein laid down,
and those that have subsequently been framed and approved
by me, with the view of giving a more systematic form of
enrolment than what had, up to that period, been the practice
in this Colony, to enable the Landdrost of the District to avail
himself of their combined aid, in cases of emergency, in the
most efficient manner :
And whereas it has appeared to me, that the present state
of the Albany District does no longer render that measure
necessary, — I do therefore hereby order and direct the Land-
drost of the aforesaid District to cause the Inhabitants, com-
posing the Albany Levy, to assemble at the places of General
Muster, and formally disband the said Levy :
And I do hereby further direct the said Landdrost to call
upon all those to whom Arms have been issued, to deliver up
the same to such Persons as the Landdrost shall appoint, on
or before the 1st day of May next, on pain of rendering them-
selves liable to be proceeded against according to Law, should
they, or any of them, neglect so to do. But as some of the
Inhabitants may be desirous to reserve their Arms for their
personal defence, I do, in that case, empower the Landdrost of
Albany to allow such Inhabitants to purchase the same, at
37 Shillings and 6 Pence, Sterling, each, (Rds. 26 2.) (being the
Price at which they are charged by H.M. Board of Ordnance),
provided they notify to him their wish and intention to that
effect on or before the day above named.
And that no Person may plead Ignorance hereof, this shall
be published and affixed as usual.
God save the King !
Given under my Hand and Seal, at the Cape of Good Hope,
this 18th Day of March, 1825.
(Signed) C. H. Somerset.
Records of the Cape Colony. 355
[Copy.]
Letter from R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre., to Mr. George Greig.
Downing Street, ]8th March 1825.
Sir, — I am directed by Lord Bathurst to inform you, with
reference to your letter of the 15th instant, that his Lordship
cannot be responsible for the ambiguous wording of a pro-
spectus which you yourself drew up ; and that in granting
you permission to continue your duties as editor, under a
prospectus framed by yourself, his Lordship could not but
consider that the decision would be satisfactory to you.
You inqure whether your licence will be liable to suspension
in the event of your discussing colonial measures without
intemperance and personality ; you have been informed that
it will be left to the Governor in Council to decide on your
adherence to your prospectus, and that they will incur the
responsibility of an erroneous decision. If, therefore, your
licence were to be suspended in consequence of your discussion
of colonial measures, although that discussion was not attended
with ;' intemperance and personality," in the fair spirit of
those expressions, such suspension could only take place under
the responsibility to which I have alluded ; and this would
equally be the case, if the Governor in Council were to deem
it necessary to suspend your licence in consequence of your
discussion of subjects, such for example as the state of slavery,
in a manner, although temperate and unattended with per-
sonality, that in their judgment endangered the peace or
safety of the colony. I am &c.
(Signed) R. W. Horton.
[Copy.]
Letter from R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre., to Mr. Bishop
Burnett.
Downing Street, \8th March 1825.
Sir, — With reference to the Statement which accompanied
your letter of the 12th instant, and in which you allege that
2 a 2
356 Records of the Cape Colony.
you are strictly justified in suspecting that a communication
which you state that you addressed to the Colonial Depart-
ment, under date of the 12th of August 1823, and which has
never reached its destination, although sent in triplicate, has
been suppressed by the government of the Cape of Good Hope ;
I am directed by Earl Bathurst to request that you will
acquaint me, for his Lordship's information, with the grounds
upon which you feel yourself justified in entertaining such a
suspicion. I am &c.
(Signed) R. W. Horton.
[Copy.]
Letter from Mr. Bishop Burnett to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre.
March \§th, 1825.
Sir, — In reply to your request of yesterday, I beg to com-
municate for Earl Bathurst's information, the grounds of my
suspicion that my letter to Downing Street, under date the
12th August 1823, has been suppressed by the Cape Colonial
Government.
A concurrent opinion entertained by the colonists that this
practice is common with their government, would naturally
infuse itself into the mind of any person who found his corre-
spondence subject to perpetual interruption, by the failure
of letters reaching their destination, without the super-addition
of the fact, that after persevering remonstrance on the subject,
a letter from me to Mr. Eaton of Cape Town, which had been
strenuously denied by the postmaster to have passed through
his department, was, eight months subsequent to its entry
in the Graham's Town bag, traced to that department and
ultimately delivered ; while it so happened that the contents
of that letter (making every admission for casualty, and the
singular circumstance of the Commissioners of Inquiry having
no advices referable to it) might, from its address, and the
period of its transmission, have been naturally suspected to
be an important acquisition on the part of the government
against me.
But the circumstance itself of a letter, not altogether unim-
Becords of the Cape Colony. 357
portant in its nature, remaining unanswered by your depart-
ment for so long a period, although sent in triplicate, might
well justify the suspicion entertained, without any corollary
from the premises, or the additional contingence of any suspi-
cions that might arise from my relative situation with the
government.
If this statement is not sufficiently confirmatory of the
charge I have advanced, I am prepared to corroborate it ; and
if Earl Bathurst has the least desire to see my correspondence
with Mr. Crozier, the post-master, upon the subject, it is much
at his service. I am &c.
(Signed) B. Burnett.
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. Daniel Dixon to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre.
35 Mark Lane, 19 March 1825.
Sir, — In compliance with your wishes, I beg to enclose you
a statement of the current value of labour at the Cape of Good
Hope on the 31 October 1824.
I can further observe should the duties on Cape Wine be
reduced to even Is. 4d per gallon, labour will fall below the
prices stated full 20 per cent. If continued at 2s. Qd. per
gallon and Portugal and Spanish Wine at 4s. per gallon, it will
be a total stagnation to labour. Last week I wrote to my
young men left in charge of our concerns there, immediately to
discharge twenty people from our employ. I remain &c.
(Signed) Daniel Dixon.
[Enclosure in the above.]
Statement of the price of labour at the Cape of Good Hope in the
year 1824.
In Cape Town.
Carpenters, good workmen, European or Gape Dutch . 3 Rds. per day
Do. ordinary, free blacks or slaves . . . . . 2 „ „
Waggon makers and Smiths, same wages as Carpenters . 3 „ „
358 Records of the Cape Colony.
Coopers, good workmen, European or Cape Dutch . . 2| Rds. per day
Do. ordinary workmen of whatever nation . . . 1J „ „
Masons & Bricklayers, good workmen of whatever nation 2 „ „
Do., ordinary workmen . . . . . . . \\ „ „
Labourers to attend Bricklayers . . . . . 1 „ „
Tailors and Shoemakers same wages as Masons.
N.B. The above Tradesmen and Labourers are always
hired by the day, and can and are liable to be discharged
without notice.
Cooks, Coachmen, good slaves or native . . .30 Rds. per month
Labourers . . . . . . . . . 20 „ „
Do. Mozambique . . . . . . . 16 „ „
English or other Europeans are rarely employed in Cape
Town on account of their irregular habits, when they are never
at higher wages than the men of colour.
Country Districts. •
Tradesmen or Mechanics in the country districts are the
same in wages as Cape Town, only they receive in addition
their victuals which are looked on as no value in the present
state of the Colony.
Laborers of colour for field labour in the Cape and Stellen-
bosch, according to strength Rds. 18 and 20 per month.
Do. Europeans are not so good for field labour and are at
Rds. 15 to 18 per month.
Slaves get for themselves from their Employers as a premium
for good behaviour in addition to the above
If a Mechanic . . . . . . . 1\ Rds. per week
If a Labourer . . . . . . . \ „ per do.
The Colonial Government have on hand several Public
Works, particularly in the Frontier Districts, and are paying
perhaps 20 per Cent higher than the preceding prices, that
will be of short duration, when the same labour will again
return to its old Channels.
Hottentots are not included in the above, they are mostly
employed as herdsmen, and receive their wages in clothes and
tobacco at about Rds. 8 per month.
Field labour has always been considered high at the Cape to
Records of the Cape Colony. 359
the buyer of it, but certainly not to the seller of it. Thin
Population and want of a division of it is the cause.
A farmer must have hands to put his crops in the ground,
and hands to harvest it again, for the six months actual work
to do that he must hire and pay twelve months wages excepting
a little in the immediate neighbourhood of the Wine Country
where the Wine Farmer gives or parts with a portion of his
labour to the Corn Farmer, during the harvesting season, and
receives his wages in kind.
It is to this, small as it is, division of labour, the Colony is
enabled in good years to export Corn.
I can only add, any further detailed information I can give,
I shall be glad to do it at any time. I have &c.
(Signed) Daniel Dixon.
[Original.]
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Cape of Good Hope, 20 March 1825.
My Lord, — Referring to your Lordship's Despatch of the
14 March 1823, No. 58, relative to the case of Mr. Murray and
the indemnification to be made to that gentleman for the
Buildings on Robben Island relinquished by him in favor of
the Colonial Government, I have the honor to acquaint Your
Lordship that, after conferring with His Majesty's Commis-
sioners of Inquiry, according to Your Lordship's directions, as
to the amount of indemnification for the value of the Buildings
in question, and the Sum agreed upon had been paid to Mr.
Murray, and the Buildings duly transferred to the Government,
I considered it essential for the better security of Prisoners
confined on the Island, or under sentence of banishment, and
in order to obviate further deterioration, to direct an examina-
tion into the state of the Premises evacuated by Mr. Murray,
and of the other Buildings on the Island.
It was not my intention to put them into that entire repair
which they might appear to require, but to effect what was
immediately requisite to be done, so that no apprehension
360 Records of the Cape Colony.
might remain of their being injured by the weather. I have
the honor to enclose copies of the report and Estimates of the
Government Inspector of Buildings hereon, from which your
Lordship will perceive that the expence of executing these
repairs has been computed at Four thousand eight hundred
and Six Rixdollars, four Skillings, (about Three hundred and
forty three Pounds and five Shillings Sterling). The assistance
rendered by the convicts on Robben Island having been
availed of, the hire of Labourers was dispensed with, which
materially reduced the Expenditure.
I embrace this occasion of also informing your Lordship
that the repairs of the Reservoirs and Watercourses in the
Slave Lodge having become indispensable I authorised tenders
for the work to be called for ; the lowest of which amounting
to Four thousand and Fifty Rixdollars (about Two hundred
and eighty nine Pounds, five Shillings Sterling) I request your
Lordship's permission to accept.
In soliciting Your Lordship's sanction to these repairs, and
to Your causing the same to be notified to the Commissioners
of Colonial Audit, I trust Your Lordship will see that, con-
sistent with the Interests of the Public, it was not in my power
to delay the execution of them until I could receive Your
Lordship's authority. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Enclosure 1 in the above.]
Cape Town, 22nd March 1825.
Sir, — In compliance with your request, I repaired to Robben
Island and inspected the state of the whole of the Buildings
thereon.
For the information of His Excellency the Governor I have
made out the particulars of what is at this time actually
necessary to be done to the separate Buildings previous to the
ensuing Winter, to preserve them from total destruction, accom-
panied with estimates of the expense they will require, amount-
ing on the whole to the sum of Four thousand eight hundred
and six Rix Dollars and four Skillings, exclusive of two
hundred half aums of lime to be supplied from Buckbay, not
Records of the Cape Colony. 361
being aware for what purposes the late residence of Mr. Murray
may be converted into. I have only provided for the external
necessary reparis required for the preservation of the Buildings,
avoiding every internal decoration whatever, which will be
seen by the particulars of each of the separate Buildings,
should His Excellency be pleased to approve of the whole being
done, or any part thereof.
In the enclosed estimates I have taken into consideration the
converting of the spare materials, now at the late Fishery as
useless at that place for the improvement and necessary
repairs required to be done to the Barrack guard Room, and
Officers' Quarters, also the assistance that can be afforded from
the Convicts as Laborers, waiting your further Commands on
the subject. I have &c.
(Signed) Wm. Jones, Inspector of Buildings.
P. G. Brink, Esqre.
[Enclosure 2 in the above.]
Estimate and particulars of the Repairs required to be done at the
House (late Murray's Fishery) Robben Island.
The Items need not be given. The whole amount is Rds.
3,054 4 sks.
(Signed) W. Jones, Inspector of Buildings.
Estimate and particulars of the repairs required at the Com-
mandant''s House, Robben Island.
The whole amount is Rds. 552.
(Signed) W. Jones, Inspector of Buildings.
Estimates and Particulars of the repairs required to be done at the
Prison, Soldiers' Barracks, and Officers' Quarters, Robben
Island.
The whole amount is Rds. 1200.
(Signed) W. Jones, Inspector of Buildings.
362 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original.]
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Cape of Good Hope, 20th March 1825.
My Lord, — I have the honor to transmit to your Lordship
a List of Items causing small additions in the public Expendi-
ture of this Government, which I have felt myself compelled
to sanction, for the reasons stated opposite to them, consider-
ing that the public Service would have been materially incon-
venienced and impeded had I deferred to approve them, until
I could have been honoured with Your Lordship's authority.
Your Lordship will, I am sure, readily enter into the
necessity of authorizing every necessary assistance to promote
internal communication as well as the successful Establish-
ment of Sea Ports along the line of Coast, the prosperity of the
Colony mainly depending thereon.
I trust therefore that I shall be honored with Your Lord-
ship's sanction to these Items, and that you will be pleased to
cause the same to be notified to the Commissioners of Colonial
Audit. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[The list comprises several postholders, post carriers, boat-
men, and a parish clerk. — G. M. T.]
[Original.]
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to R. Wilmot
HORTON, ESQRE.
Cape of Good Hope, 20th March 1825.
Sir, — In reply to your letter of the 7th October last, relative
to the small Distribution of Constantia Wine to persons
holding particular Offices here I have the honor to state that
I know of no Instance in which such distribution has been
considered in the light of a perquisite except in the case of
Lieut. Colonel Bird alluded to in your letter ; on the contrary
it has ever been received, and acknowledged, as a compliment
from the Government and in every Instance I believe (except
Records of the Cape Colony. 363
with the person above named) a Letter of thanks has been
written on receiving it ; the quantity thus disposed of is very
trifling, exclusive of the Secretary to the Government, One
half aum is presented to the Chief Justice, the Fiscal, the Naval
Commander on the Station, and the Military Commandants,
and some few others. The supply not having been regularly
transmitted to England arises from two causes, 1st that
nothing is more rare than a good vintage of Constantia Wine ;
some years not more than five Leaguers are made upon the
estate ; in those cases I have been compelled to waive or post-
pone the claim of Government. 2ndly, the very few oppor-
tunities of sending it home freight free. If the Government at
home will be at the Expence of the Freight, whatever there is
may be sent home punctually at one particular Period every
year. On this subject you will perhaps have the goodness to
take Lord Bathurst's pleasure and honor me with his Direc-
tions.
By the Borodino Transport (the last opportunity I had of
sending it free) Sixty Half Aums were forwarded, there are
now ready to be sent rather more than double that Quantity,
which, or any part thereof, I shall forward by the first oppor-
tunity. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Original.]
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to R. Wilmot
HORTON, ESQRE.
Cape of Good Hope, 20 March 1825.
Sir, — With reference to your letter of the 30th September
1823 I have the honor to transmit to you herewith a Brief
Summary of the separate points contained in the Despatches
that I have addressed to the Earl Bathurst and yourself during
the year ending 31 December 1824. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[As every Despatch has been printed, it cannot be necessary
to copy this enclosure.]
364 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.]
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to the Commissioners of
Enquiry.
Newlands, 21st March 1825.
Gentlemen, — In reply to the Letter you did me the honor
to address to me on the 15th Inst., requesting to be informed
if it was my intention to avail myself to any further extent
(either with a view to the accommodation of Individuals or
the execution of public works) of the Sum (£125,000 Sterling)
for which I was authorized by Earl Bathurst's Despatch of the
15th November 1822 to draw on His Majesty's Treasury, I do
myself the honor to state that I desisted from drawing under
that authority on the receipt of Earl Bathurst's despatch of
the 31st January 1824, No. 83, Copy of which I have already
had the honor to transmit to you.
It would, there can be no doubt, contribute most extensively
to the improvement and prosperity of this Settlement were I
allowed to draw for the remaining sum of (£89,902.9.5) for
the execution of public works, particularly for such as it might
be expected would after their completion yield an annual profit
adequate to an Interest of 5 per cent on the Capital expended.
With this view I addressed a Despatch to Earl Bathurst on the
27th January last (of which the enclosed is a Copy) relative to
the erection of an English Church, a work which appeared to
me to be the most pressing. There are however various other
works of great utility which could be effected upon this
principle.
The minute enquiries you are making into every Department
of this Government cannot fail to enable you to form a very
just opinion relative to the first objects upon which it would be
most beneficial to employ this Capital, and I should therefore
be happy to confer with you thereon at any time that may
suit your convenience. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
Records of the Cape Colony. 365
[Copy.]
Letter from Mr. George Greig to R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre.
32, City Road, March 2\st, 1825.
Sir, — I am honoured by your communication of the 18th,
by which I am apprised that Earl Bathurst grants me permis-
sion to resume the publication of a journal at the Cape of
Good Hope, under a prospectus framed by myself ; and that
his Lordship considers that decision will be satisfactory to me.
In answer to my inquiry, as to the liability of my licence to
suspension, in case of discussing, " without intemperance and
personality, colonial measures," I learn also, that the Governor
in Council will be specially amenable to Lord Bathurst for any
suspension under such circumstances.
It is, I think, much to be regretted, bearing in mind the
great preponderance of wThite population in the colony, and
the humane and praiseworthy measures of the government in
promoting education there, that the range of the press should
be bounded by any thing save the salutary check of the laws,
and to this desideratum I look forward at no distant period.
I had hoped that my losses of some thousands of pounds,
and other grievances of which I complained, would have met
with redress of a more direct character. To me it appeared
past doubt that Earl Bathurst would have viewed in reproba-
tion the vindictive spirit which dictated not alone the suppres-
sion of my paper, but the entire annihilation of my business
and prospects. Unwilling however not to avail myself of his
Lordship's liberal intentions, and the opportunity they hold
out (under an impartial construction of my motives) usefully
to employ myself at the Cape, I beg to express my acquiescence
in his Lordship's arrangement for my return thither. It is
most satisfactory to find that in any discussion of colonial
measures, even to the extent of the slave question, " the cause
for interference on the part of the Governor in Council will
only arise out of such discussions endangering, in their
judgment, the peace and safety of the colony." Under this
conviction, I hasten to inform his Lordship of my anxiety to
return and resume my professional calling, and of the perfect
reliance with which I look forward to protection, should any
366 Records of the Cape Colony.
vexatious obstacles be thrown in the way of his Lordship's
liberal views, or of my otherwise unproblematical success.
It now, Sir, therefore only remains for me to solicit Earl
Bathurst's early and favourable consideration of those deferred
parts of my former communications, in which, for reasons
there given, I prayed to be furnished with a free passage for
myself and wife, and suggested to his Lordship my eligibility
to any colonial advantages within his Lordship's dispensation.
To you, Sir, I beg to offer my warmest acknowledgments of
the urbanity and gentlemanly mildness which has characterised
every interview I have been honoured with during the progress
of this grievous case. I have &c.
(Signed) Geo. Greig.
[Copy.]
Letter from J. B. Ebden, Esqre., to J. C. Herries, Esqre.
King's Arms Yard, 2\st March 1825.
Sir, — In reference to the correspondence submitted through
you to the consideration of the Lords of His Majesty's Treasury
on the subject of the Currency and the establishment of a
Bank at the Cape of Good Hope, I have the honor to acknow-
ledge Mr. Harrison's letter of the 14th Inst, stating that " what-
ever advantages might result from the establishment of a Bank
upon fair and equitable principles at the Cape of Good Hope,
their Lordships do not think they should be warranted in
recommending to His Majesty to grant any exclusive privileges
to such Bank, and still less to grant any exemption from
Individual responsibility." Adverting to the depressed state
of public credit at the Cape arising from a delusive currency,
the parties desirous of forming a Bank in that Colony were led
to hope that similar encouragement would have been extended
to them as to the Bank of Montreal established by Royal
Charter and the Act of the Legislature.
However Monopolies in general may be deprecated, the
peculiar situation of the Cape in reference to its finances, its
distance from the mother country, the want of Capital to
Records of the Cape Colony. 367
which it has been so long exposed, with many other circum-
stances, might be adduced to shew the necessity of the privi-
leges of exemption sought for, as the best and most effectual
means of re-establishing public and private credit in that
Colony.
The great benefit likely to arise to the Colony from the
establishment of a Bank with an adequate Capital not liable
to be withdrawn, is admitted on all sides, nor is it less obvious
that it would be equally useful to the Government as to the
Public. But as the decision of the Lords of the Treasury
involves the question of individual responsibility, having
presented a petition to the House of Commons for leave to
bring in a Bill for authority to sue and be sued in the names of
the officers of the Bank, before proceeding any further with
the arrangements incidental to the object in view, it becomes
important to learn how far His Majesty's Government may be
disposed to countenance the undertaking by its sanction and
support, and I therefore beg leave, as absolutely necessary for
the Government of the Bank at its very inception, to request
through you that the Lords of the Treasury will be pleased to
afford me such certain information in answer to the following
queries as they may think proper, viz. :
1. What in future is to form the legal currency of the
Colony ? whether rixdollars as heretofore, or the currency of
Great Britain ? (Query Gold or Silver).
2. Whether upon sufficient security being given, His
Majesty's Government would be pleased to issue an order to
the Executive Government at the Cape, and to their Commis-
saries and Collectors resident there, directing the notes of the
Bank to be received in payment of the Colonial Revenues, &c,
such notes being at all times convertible, if required, either
into the currency of the Colony, or into sterling money by
Bills of Exchange on the Company in London ?
3. Whether the Executive Government at the Cape has
been restrained from any further issue of paper money ?
I trust that it will be obvious to His Majesty's Government
that the proposed undertaking is not so speculative on the
part of those with whom it has originated and by whom it will
be conducted, as to be proceeded in without the utmost pro-
bability of insuring solid advantages to the Colony, and to
368 Records of the Cape Colony.
effect that object not less than their own individual interests,
it appears necessary that the formation of the Company should
be preceded by the information requested, and the sanction of
Government so far as I have here ventured to solicit it.
I have &c.
(Signed) J. B. Ebden.
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. Thomas Willson to Earl Bathurst.
Stockwell, 21 March 1825.
My Lord, — Nothing can be more cruel than the return
which I have hitherto experienced for my labours and devoted-
ness to the service of Government, confiding in the promises
issued by your Lordship, nothing more vexatious than the
restless suspense with which I wait your Lordship's answers
and decision upon my claims so painfully derived. If in the
effusion and fervency of my feelings (so strangely and strongly
excited) I have perchance deviated from the suavity and
accuracy of expression which is due to your Lordship, I would
crave that excuse which is inseparable from a gracious and
liberal appreciation of the homely freedom of truth : but it is
not to be endured after the very great pains I have taken,
after all the perils that I have encountered, confiding in the
integrity of your Lordship, abandoning all my hopes and
prospects in England, after giving up all, to follow the word of
honor promulgated by your Lordship in the name of the King ;
after the pangs of tearing myself from kindred and acquaintance
at home to bear the drudgery of so hard a service abroad, it is
not to be endured that I am at length to be told, with a total
disregard of all honorable pledge, and an utter contempt for
my feelings, that for my reward, I may take my labour for my
pain, what can be more taunting my Lord 1 what more dis-
graceful to the Government at the Cape, or more ungenerous
or unjust of the Government at home ?
I am told that my followers have been examined on the
spot ; surely the very calling upon the settlers, in any way,
Records of the Cape Colony. 369
to identify my claim upon Government, (so well defined as it
is in itself) was in effect inviting these persons to tergiversation,
their own immediate interests would naturally suggest it : my
only reason for engaging the Clergyman, whose tergiversation
is quoted by your Lordship, was to check, and not to sanction
falsehood, and to ensure if possible, moral decorum, rectitude
and stability among the Settlers, and a moral obligation on his
part to represent me in my absence, and to assist in promoting
my Interests upon every occasion. How far he has been
actuated by that obligation or by feelings of rectitude on his
part towards me, is a question which I am sorry to say cannot
be to his advantage to discuss. It is unhappily to me another
appalling instance of man's ingratitude ! but God forbid that
in addition I should at last have to complain of ill treatment
and a breach of faith on the part of Government as well ! I
had carefully studied at the outset the several difficulties
which might naturally arise from such an undertaking, in order
to fence against them, and a good providence enabled me so
to do ; but I deemed it treason to anticipate any breach of
faith on the part of His Majesty's Government ! the fountain
of honor, whence truth and justice should flow a pure source,
and when they cease so to flow, nothing is sacred, nothing is
holy, life itself not worth possessing within its influence.
Still I remain anxious to ascertain the certainty, if so many
days, months, and years as I have consumed in the very prime
of my life, have been usefully employed for the future benefit
of my children, or if I have criminally robbed my family of
those years which ought to have been devoted to their service
and preferment ? or whether by a woful fatality I have
embraced the fiction of courtly promise, and still pursue a
shadow merely, or whether I am at length to have the boon of
my labour, the lawful reward of my enterprise ? a reward
which your Lordship must be quite sensible of, cannot be with-
held from me without deeply wounding the honor, integrity
and dignity of His Majesty's Government.
I have not thought it requisite to apply to your Lordship
through any other medium or influence than by Letter, from
a due sense that the merit of my case needs no other influence
than that of your own dispassionate reason ; of this I feel
conscious, by whatever test your Lordship may be pleased to
xx 2 b
370 Records of the Cape Colony.
try the justice of my claims, I shall not be found deficient in
having lawfully and truly fulfilled my utmost promise and en-
gagement, hence notwithstanding any slanderous insinuations,
I cannot be, and assuredly am not in any way unworthy of
your high protection, liberal consideration, and a just reward.
I have &c.
(Signed) Thos. Willson.
[Copy.]
Letter from the Secretary of Worcester to John
Gregory, Esqre.
Secretary's Office, Worcester, 22nd March 1825.
Sir, — In reply to your Letter of the 11th Instant I have the
Honor to acquaint you, for the information of His Majesty's
Commissioners of Inquiry, that Landdrost and Heemraden of
this District levied the Sums of Two Rix Dollars per head for
each Male above the age of 14 and One Rix Dollar for each
Female above that age, and four Skillings for each Slave under
that age, being in conformity to the suggestion of the Board
conveyed to Government in their Letter of the 11th October
1822. I have &c.
(Signed) P. Poggenpoel.
[Original.]
Letter from the Reverend Wm. Geary to R. Wilmot
Horton, Esqre.
26 King Street, Westminster, 22nd March 1825.
Sir, — Agreeably to the intention expressed in my letter of
the 15th Instant, containing papers which I had the honor of
submitting to you, for the inspection of Earl Bathurst, I beg
leave to transmit to you the remaining Copies of a Corre-
spondence with the late Landdrost of Albany, on which Lord
Records of the Cape Colony. 371
Charles Somerset grounds the necessity of his dismissing me
from the service of his Government.
This will close my exculpation from one of the charges,
which I am left to presume His Lordship has preferred against
me, namely " Conducting myself with disrespect towards the
Landdrost of Albany." Upon the character of that Gentle-
man, whom His Excellency has complimented with being
" The best Civil Servant in the Colony," it is my intention to
offer no remarks. I shall only take the liberty of soliciting
Earl Bathurst's perusal of the two Pamphlets enclosed, merely
adding that the publication of the Second was immediately
followed by that Gentleman's Resignation !
I have not judged it expedient to enter into any further
Exculpation of my Conduct towards His Excellency's son
Major (now Colonel) Somerset, than what is conveyed in the
letter which I addressed to him, for which Lord Charles
Somerset inserted my name in the Public Orders of the Army,
announcing my dismissal from the situation which I held as
Chaplain to the Forces, and (as stated in those Orders) " for no
other cause whatever."
I have closed my papers with Complaints against His
Excellency for the treatment which I have been compelled to
endure under His Lordship's Government, followed up by a
Libel which appeared in the Cape Town Official Gazette,
reflecting on my Conduct as a Gentleman and a Clergyman.
In these, and my former Papers, are comprized the whole of
the communications with which it is my intention to trouble
the Noble Secretary of State to the Colonies, humbly soliciting
His Lordship's attention to my present destitute and forlorn
circumstances, absolutely deprived by want of means from
procuring the small quantity of luggage I brought on my
voyage from the East India Docks !
I cannot but hope His Lordship will feel that if my conduct
has not been faultless, under those difficult and trying circum-
stances which necessarily produced much irritation of mind ;
yet, that it has not deserved so severe a visitation as removal
from my situation, followed as it has been, by such distressing
calamities to myself and family ! I submit to His Lordship,
that in England even a temporary suspension from the duties
of the Clerical Office never occurs but under conviction of some
2 b 2
372 Records of the Cape Colony.
scandalous offence ! If, however, only the shadow of Immo-
rality can be detected either in my public or private life, (my
enemies themselves being Judges) I willingly consent to forfeit
every claim, which I humbly presume I have on His Lordship's
sympathy and kindness.
May I also be allowed to submit to the Noble Secretary of
State, the probable difficulty of finding Clergymen of any
respectability of Character and honesty of principle, belonging
to the Establishment, to fill Colonial Appointments, if from
any peculiarity of feature in the Local Administration of those
Governments under which they exist revolting to the feelings
and habits of English Divines, they learn that they are to be
placed under such cruel circumstances, as to leave them no
other alternative than to make a Compromise of their Principles
or lose their Situation ? Under the views suggested by the
contemplation of my own case, I am induced to invite His
Lordship's attention to the pecuniary losses which I have
sustained by my late Appointments (saying nothing of the
fatigue, anxiety, misery and charges of having encountered
4 voyages and 2 Inland Journies over the wilds of Africa, with
a wife and a family of young Children), leaving the nature of
my future provision to His Lordship's wisdom and humane
consideration ; requesting that my present distressed and
truly alarming situation will form my apology for urgently
craving the very early notice of His Lordship to my pitiable
case. I have &c.
(Signed) Wm. Geary.
[Copy.]
Order in Council.
At the Court at Carlton House, — 23rd March 1825 :
Present, the King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council.
Whereas it has been represented to His Majesty at this
Board, by the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury,
that they have given directions that His Majesty's Troops
serving in the several British colonies and possessions abroad,
Records of the Cape Colony, 373
should in certain cases be paid in British silver and copper
money ; and that with a view of securing the circulation of
such money in those colonies, it would be expedient that an
Order in Council should be issued, declaring, that in all those
colonies where the Spanish dollar is now, either by law, fact,
or practice, considered as a legal tender for the discharge of
debts, or where the duties to the government are rated or
collected, or the individuals have a right to pay in that descrip-
tion of coin, that a tender and payment of British silver money
to the amount of four shillings and four pence, should be con-
sidered as equivalent to the tender or payment of one Spanish
dollar, and so in proportion for any greater or less amount of
debt : And whereas it has been further represented by the
Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, that with
respect to the Cape of Good Hope, where there are not any
Spanish dollars in circulation, but where the circulation
consists entirely of paper rix dollars and its proportions ; and
with respect to Ceylon, where the circulation consists of silver
and paper rix dollars, as well as of a variety of other coins
which are generally received and paid with relation to their
value as compared with rix dollars, it would be expedient
that a tender and payment of Is. Qd. in British silver money
should be considered as equivalent to a tender and payment
of one such rix dollar so current at the Cape of Good Hope
and Ceylon respectively, and so in proportion for any greater
or less sum ; and also that British copper money should be
made a legal tender in all the British colonies, for its due and
proper proportions of British silver money, as by law estab-
lished in Great Britain, but that no person should bs com-
pelled to take more than I2d. in copper money at any one
payment : — His Majesty, having taken the said representation
into consideration, is pleased, by and with the advice of His
Privy Council, to approve of what is therein proposed ; and
the Right honourable the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's
Treasury, and the Right honourable Earl Bathurst, one of
His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, are to give the
necessary directions herein, as to them may respectively
appertain.
(Signed) C. C. Grevillb.
374 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original.]
Letter from the Commissioners of Enquiry to Earl Bathurst.
Cape Town, 23rd March 1825.
My Lord, — We have been informed by His Excellency
Lord Charles Somerset that your Lordship has expressed a
wish to be possessed of further information respecting the
nature and contents of the libels for the composition and
publication of which William Edwards was tried and convicted
by Commissioners of the Court of Justice last year, and having
observed that these proceedings have been noticed in the
English newspapers, we hasten to transmit to your Lordship
the additional evidence and information that we have received
since we had the honor of addressing you on the 11th of last
October.
We then stated that the doubts we entertained of the legality
of Edwards's conviction arose from the nature and effect of
the acknowledgements that he was said to have made in Court
on pleading his exceptions to its competence and in arguing
that the writing of the letters in question constituted no
offence.
Upon further consideration of the proceedings we were
equally induced to question the legality of the proof upon
which the decree of the Court for the arrest of Edwards was
issued, and being desirous of receiving explanations upon these
and one or two other points arising out of the proceedings,
we addressed certain queries to the President and Members of
the Court of Justice, a copy of which with their answers we
have the honor to enclose.
Your Lordship will observe that the points that are likely
to attract notice and excite surprise in England consist of the
nature of the proof upon which Edwards was found guilty of
writing and publishing the two letters, the nature of the proof
upon which the order for his arrest and imprisonment was
issued, and the very slender foundation upon which the
similarity of the signature to the libels and to other documents
was taken as proof.
From a perusal of the enclosed letter signed " Civilis," that
was written and delivered to us by Mr. Blair (a gentleman in
Records of the Cape Colony. 375
the civil Service of the East India Company, and resident in
the Colony for the benefit of his health), your Lordship will be
enabled to collect the sentiments of a considerable portion of
the English Inhabitants on the subject of Edwards's acknow-
ledgement, and the foundation of the alarm that was excited
by the adoption of a principle by the Court of Justice that
seemed to impart to an hypothetical argument the force and
effect of a judicial confession and acknowledgement of guilt.
Upon further conversation with Mr. Blair we found that he
was not able to afford us any positive testimony of the
particular expressions that were imputed to Edwards in the
report of the proceedings, though his impression of their
general import was that they were invariably hypothetical.
The avowed object of Edwards in making the exception of
want of jurisdiction was to prove to the Court that as the
letters in question contained no libellous matter, no offence
could have been committed in writing them. In entering upon
this line of argument previous to the formal denial of having
written or published them, we do not find that any of the
witnesses whom we examined excepting Mr. Blair recollected
that Edwards guarded it with the general caution that it
would seem to require, but we find that Mr. Advocate Cloete,
a perfectly disinterested witness and well acquainted with the
English language and the proceedings of the Colonial Courts,
does remember that Edwards frequently repeated " that he
never acknowledged himself to be the author of the letters."
At the same time Mr. Cloete adds that on several occasions
" he expressed himself so unguardedly that he made frequent
admissions which if strictly taken might be considered as
tantamount to such acknowledgement."
This opinion has received some confirmation from the
evidence of the Clerk of the Court who took notes of the
proceedings and from that of the judicial Interpreter.
From the answer of the President and Members of the Court
of Justice to our fourth query, it appears that " involuntary
acknowledgements made in the course of a trial ought not to
be taken advantage of against the accused party." But refer-
ring to the case of Edwards, the President and Members add
" that they should be wanting to their own feelings if they even
admitted a belief that he suffered a single word to drop inad-
376 Becords of the Cape Colony.
vertently in the course of his pleading." Without venturing to
impugn the belief thus entertained by the President and
Members of the Court in the import and phraseology that not
all were able to comprehend (for it was uttered in a very hurried
manner in the English language), we feel it our duty to state
to your Lordship that the grounds upon which it rested were
not in our opinion of such a nature as to justify them in coming
to such a conclusion.
One only of the two Commissioners of the Court before whom
Edwards first appeared, and by whom he was convicted, under-
stood the English language or was capable of collecting the
import of his expressions, and the report of the proceedings
upon which alone the full Court afterwards came to the resolu-
tion of confirming the sentence of the commissioners was
drawn up by one of the witnesses whom we examined and
from notes taken at the trial by himself assisted by the judicial
Interpreter.
It is admitted that Edwards delivered himself in a hurried
manner and under the influence of great excitement, and altho'
we have little doubt of the conscientious conviction by which
the Members of the Court were guided in pronouncing him
guilty of writing and publishing the libellous letters, yet we do
not think that the acknowledgement made by him in the
course of his pleading was of that unequivocal and deliberate
kind that ought to have superseded the necessity of other
proof or to have induced the consequences of conviction.
Referring to the second point that we have noticed, we have
to observe that the preliminary decree of the Court for the
arrest and imprisonment of Edwards rested upon an official
communication that had been made to His Majesty's Fiscal by
Mr. Brink, the Assistant Secretary to Government, announcing
that the two letters which he enclosed had been addressed
to His Excellency the Governor by Edwards, and upon the
internal evidence that they contained of having been composed
by him.
We have not been able to discover that any other evidence
documentary or oral was submitted to the Court when they
issued their decree for his arrest, and altho' the Fiscal in the
course of the trial describes the signature to the two letters as
the well known handwriting of Edwards and considers that
Records of the Cape Colony. 377
point to be so satisfactorily established as to render all other
proof nugatory, yet it appears that on the first trial and in the
course of his speech he did produce two letters which he said
he had received on some other occasion from Edwards, and
which without being identified as his handwriting were handed
to the two Commissioners of the Court for the purpose of com-
parison with the signature to the libels. Edwards objected to
this mode of proof, and we do not find that is entered in the
report of the proceedings.
The President and Members of the Court of Justice, in
answer to our first query, declare, that official communications
from the Colonial Secretary are considered as public documents,
and that " his signature to them carries full credit or gives
faith to everything contained therein, without requiring any
further proof."
They however state in answer to the second query, that this
document in itself could only serve as an official communication
of the Governor's wishes to the Fiscal, but could afford no
grounds of prosecution to that officer if the contents of the two
letters transmitted with it had not justified the commencement
of the prosecution. The decree of the Court (it is added) for
the arrest was founded on the libellous contents of the two
letters signed by the name of Edwards and on the conscientious
belief of the Court that both of them had been written by him
and in all probability had been sent by himself to His Excel-
lency the Governor.
It is further stated that the name and handwriting of
Edwards were by no means unknown to the Court, and that
one of the letters was signed by him as a Notary, " in which
capacity agreeably to law his notarial documents are fully
entitled to credit."
We certainly are aware that allusions were made in the first
letter to facts that had judicially come to the knowledge of
two Members of the Court in another criminal prosecution in
which Edwards was tried and convicted. The President and
Members had probably had the means of acquiring a know-
ledge of his handwriting, or at least had had opportunity of
seeing it, but we do not find it anywhere asserted that a com-
parison of the signatures which were affixed to the letters with
that which was to be found in his protocol ever took place at
378 Records of the Cape Colony.
any period of the trial, and altho' the signature of a Notary is
allowed in Courts of civil law to give faith to documents and
entitles them to be received without proof of his handwriting,
yet the signature of Edwards to the second letter is not accom-
panied by any official or public designation, and we have the
authority of the President of the Court of Justice for stating
that a Notary public as such cannot and ought not to act as a
Solicitor in law suits or in preparing documents for parties
engaged in litigation, and that consequently his signature to
such papers ought not to be received without proof.
Upon consideration of these circumstances and with all
deference to the conscientious belief entertained by the Court
of the guilt of Edwards, we conceive that the evidence upon
which he was convicted was in its nature presumptive, and
that it did not constitute that legal and conclusive proof which
is required by the civil law to establish the guilt of an accused
person, and more especially in the Courts of this Colony where
the Members who are constituted the judges both of the law
and the facts are not in the habit of giving reasons upon which
their decisions are founded.
Before we conclude our observations we beg leave to advert
to the punishment to which Edwards has been condemned, of
transportation to New South Wales for the term of seven years.
In the sentence of the Commissioners of the Court of Justice it
is stated that the two letters constitute a libel under the most
aggravated circumstances, and they add with great truth that
the guilt of writing them was much increased by the wilful and
public repetition of the most offensive passages in the presence
of a crowded court, and in contempt of frequent and serious
warning from the Commissioners that such conduct would be
considered as an aggravation of his crime and consequently of
his punishment.
While we beg leave to express our doubts upon the applica-
tion of this principle, we cannot but regret that a more effectual
interruption had not been given by the Commissioners of the
Court to the wilful and contemptuous neglect of their injunc-
tions by committing Edwards to prison, a measure that had
been resorted to on a former occasion when a violent attack
had been made by him upon the character of the Fiscal. We
were informed by one of the Commissioners of the Court that
Records of the Cape Colony. 379
this forbearance was dictated by the fear of protracting the
proceedings and of occasioning a greater degree of excitement
than they had already produced in the community.
With every allowance for these aggravations and the circum-
stances under which they were made, we cannot but consider
that the punishment was one of great severity, and taking into
consideration the practice of the Court, that it was also of
unusual occurrence. We have &c.
(Signed) John Thomas Bigge,
William M. G. Colebrooke.
[Original.]
Letter from Abraham Borradaile, Esqre., to Earl Bathurst.
25 Rood Lane, 23rd March 1825.
My Lord, — I beg most respectfully to call your Lordship's
attention to the total inadequacy of the protection proposed
to be given to Cape Wine in the Bill now passing through the
House of Commons, and to request your Lordship will allow a
deputation of the Merchants interested in that Trade to wait
upon your Lordship to explain the situation in which they
and the Colony will be placed should it pass into a law, and to
intreat your Lordship's interference in their behalf.
I have &c.
(Signed) Abraham Borradaile,
Chairman of the Cape of Good Hope Trade Committee.
[Copy.]
Letter from Mr. Maasdorp to the Commissioners of Enquiry.
Mr. Maasdorp returns his compliments to the Commissioners
of Enquiry, and has the honor to inform them that President
and Directors of the Discount Bank did not receive from the
380 Records of the Cape Colony.
Colonial Government in the year 1822, any authority for
making an advance of Rds. 3,500 to Mr. William Parker, but
Mr. Maasdorp perfectly recollects that Mr. Parker had made
an application to Government for the Sum in question on
Security of Messrs. Brath and Durr, and that His Excellency
the Governor having inquired from Mr. Maasdorp whether the
Securities offered by Mr. Parker were good, and whether the
Bank was not likely to become a loser if the advance was made
to Mr. Parker, and being satisfied with his answer His Excel-
lency said that he saw no objection to the advance being
made to Mr. Parker accordingly ; Mr. Maasdorp further takes
the liberty to inform the Commissioners of Inquiry that Mr.
Durr was at that time a man of considerable property, and
that he became insolvent a long time afterwards, and that
Mr. Brath paid off in part of the Advance, at two Successive
periods, the sum of Rds. 1,200, and that the Directors of the
Bank subsequently consented to Mr. Brath's taking over the
remainder, viz. 2,300 Rds., on his own Account by a Notarial
Bond, under security of Slaves, which the Estate of said Mr.
Brath is still indebted to the Bank, so that Mr. Parker cannot
in any way be considered to be any longer a Debtor to the
Bank.
Bank, 23d March 1825.
[Original.]
Letter from T. P. Courtenay, Esqre., to R. Wilmot
Horton, Esqre.
Abingdon Street, March 24, 1825.
Sir, — Although I am aware that Lord Bathurst, as well as
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has received from Merchants
and others connected with the Cape of Good Hope several
representations on the subject of the duties on Wine, I think
it my duty in consequence of former Instructions from the
Governor of the Cape, to address you upon the subject.
Every communication which I have had from the Cape
Records of the Cape Colony. 381
Government respecting its Trade and Resources represents
the Export of Wine as the only ground of that small degree of
prosperity which the Colony enjoys, and as furnishing the only
means of paying for the considerable quantity of British
manufactures now consumed therein. It is the only return
for the Imports upon which an annual duty of £70,000 or
£80,000 is supplied to the Colonial Treasury.
The Interests of the Merchants have doubtless been urged
by the Merchants themselves, more forcibly than I can state
them ; but I would humbly represent that the permanent
welfare of the Colony at large is not less intimately concerned
in the preservation of the Wine Trade than the Interests of
the Merchants.
Of this, Lord Bathurst and the Lords of the Committee for
Trade were formerly sensible, as will particularly appear from
Mr. Goulburn's letter to me of the 9th of February 1816,
enclosing one from Mr. Lack of the 6th of that month.
The reduction in the duty now proposed, namely 6d. per
gallon upon 2.9. Qd. will afford a protection totally inadequate.
Even were the duty to retain its former proportion to the duty
upon Foreign Wines, with which view it ought to be reduced
to Is. 4cZ., the difference in price would be diminished by more
than one half.
The rate proposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer will
reduce that difference by about four-fifths.
Under these circumstances I venture, on the part of the
Cape Government, humbly to solicit Lord Bathurst's inter-
ference with a view to a reduction of the duty to Is. 4d. (being
one-third of the new duty upon Foreign wines), at least until
the bearing of the proposed measure upon the Interests of the
Settlement can be considered in communication with the
Government there and the Commissioners of Enquiry.
I have &c.
(Signed) Thos. Per. Courtenay.
382 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Copy.]
Letter from Mr. S. E. Shawe to John Gregory, Esqre.
Kleine Valley, 2Uh March 1825.
Sir, — Owing to indisposition I am sorry I have not been
able to return your paper sooner, however I have now the
Honor to transmit it, and as I think documentary Testimony
most satisfactory, I enclose some papers that appear to me to
give the best answers to some of the questions proposed, and
I beg to state that I have not only laid out the entire of the
2500 Rix Dollars in the purchase of Land in the Valley, but
that I have actually expended 1000 Rds. of my own for the
same purpose,
The place seems to me to be adapted for the breeding and
rearing of Cattle, altho' an epidemic prevailed last year which
carried off 1 6 of my best young Cattle. Should I have mistaken
the true purport of any of the questions I will be most happy
to give any further information in my power. I have &c.
(Signed) S. E. Shawe.
P.S. I beg to remark in 1821 the Crops entirely failed, and
also in 1822.
[Original.]
Letter from the Commissioners of Enquiry to Earl Bathurst.
Cape Town, 25th March 1825.
My Lord, — From the interval that has elapsed since the
receipt of your Lordship's instructions to report upon the
grant of land that was conferred by Sir Rufane Donkin upon
Mr. Henry Nourse in the Albany District, we had been led to
consider that as the result of the personal inspection which we
made of the Estate did not induce us to regard the grant of
that tract to Mr. Nourse as involving any material objection
at the time it was made, and that on the other hand with the
views entertained by Mr. Nourse in the acquirement of it and
the objects that he had exerted himself to promote, conceiving
Records of the Cape Colony. 383
that it might prove in his possession an eventual benefit to
the new Settlements, we did not consider that it would be of
importance to make it a subject of special report to your
Lordship.
Under the recent arrangements that have been made by the
direction of His Excellency the Governor for the navigation of
the River Kowie and for the establishment of a port at its
mouth that has received the name of " Port Frances," we have
the honor to report to your Lordship that the land in question
was granted to Mr. Nourse on the 20th November 1821 by the
Acting Governor Sir Rufane Donkin, after having been partially
occupied by some Settlers belonging to Sephton's party who
were established on a tract of land from which they were
afterwards removed to make way for Major General Campbell
and a party of Highlanders who were expected, but never did
arrive. The land granted to Mr. Nourse is situated on the
right bank and near the mouth of the Kowie River, and
consists of 1884 morgen and 400 square roods, but immediately
on the bank of the River, and between Mr. Nourse's land and
the sea shore land for a fishing village has been reserved. The
Port Office and Custom House are situated on the left bank of
the River and immediately opposite to the estate of Mr.
Nourse.
The inconsiderable supply of fresh water in the Summer
Season and the obstacles to any attempt to irrigate the land
from the River rendered it but ill adapted for the separate
location of any party of Settlers, and the principal object of
Mr. Nourse in possessing a tract of pasturage in that situation
was to enable him to form an establishment for curing and
exporting beef or pork, in which he had so far succeeded as to
have obtained for his samples the approval of a naval board of
survey that was appointed by the late Commodore Nourse to
report upon it.
In a correspondence that we held with Mr. Nourse on this
subject during our residence in the Albany District we were
induced to state to him that altho' we were not sanguine in our
expectations that the beef of Albany could readily be prepared
of a quality that would admit of its substitution for Irish beef
in the supply of His Majesty's ships, yet we did conceive that
it might be made an available export for the Eastern Markets,
384 Eecords of the Cape Colony.
and especially for that of Mauritius, now chiefly supplied with
beef of an inferior quality from Madagascar, and that the
establishment of a direct trade from the Ports of Albany,
should your Lordship be disposed to accede to it, would not
only obviate in future the delays and heavy expenses of tran-
shipment occasioned to the impoverished Settler by the trade
being confined to the circuitous channel of Cape Town, but
would at the same time facilitate the attainment of his views
in an undertaking calculated to promote the general interests
of the Settlements at large, being satisfied that the existence of
such an Establishment where the Settlers would find a ready
and convenient market for their produce could not fail to
stimulate their exertions and to relieve them from the most
pressing of the difficulties and privations incidental to their
situation.
Mr. Nourse however represented to us that the expenses
which he had already incurred under circumstances of much
discouragement had exhausted his resources, and having a
large family dependent upon him he conceived that he would
not be justified in prosecuting further speculation upon credit
without some prospect of relief from the impediments that
were opposed to the success of his undertaking, and altho' he
has continued to maintain a small establishment at Bathurst
he has abstained from augmenting it or of conducting the
speculation upon a scale that could hold out any prospect of
realising his views for the eventual benefit of the new Settle-
ment.
By Mr. Nourse himself, as well as by Lieutenant-Colonel
Bird, we have been informed that he came to this Colony with
recommendations to the special favor of the Colonial Govern-
ment in consequence of his having afforded information in
England that materially assisted its views, and it is known to
us that he contributed by his personal exertions to the discovery
of the entrance of the Kowie River, which though in our
opinion not susceptible of such improvement as to render it
either safe or accessible to vessels of larger draft than 50 tons
burthen, is still capable of giving facility to the export of the
products of the District and to the importation of articles of
consumption, the carriage of which by land from Algoa Bay is
very expensive.
Records of the Cafe Colony. 385
Mr. Nourse has not hitherto applied himself to the cultiva-
tion of the Soil, to which it was the object of His Majesty's
Government that the labour of the Emigrants should be more
especially directed, but as he obtained this grant for the
avowed purpose of carrying on a speculation that was under-
stood at the time and may certainly contribute to the advantage
of the District if pursued, we can only recommend that he
should receive all the encouragement that it may be consistent
with the views of His Majesty's Government to give to such an
undertaking, and that on the other hand as the land is of a
good quality and would form a very desirable addition to the
lands of many neighbouring Settlers whose locations are too
confined for the support of their cattle, we further recommend
that in case Mr. Nourse should not find it expedient to continue
the speculation in consideration of which the grant was made
to him, after two years notice it should be resumable by the
Crown. We have &c.
(Signed) John Thomas Bigge,
William M. G. Colebrooke.
[Copy.]
Letter from the Chief Justice and Members of the Court to
Lord Charles Somerset.
Cape Town, 25th March 1825.
My Lord ! — The Court of Justice stands in too close a
connection with the public Government of this Colony, and
has too fully experienced your Excellency's protection during
the period of Your Lordship's administration, not to consider
it one of its first and most sacred duties frankly to acquaint
Your Excellency of the critical circumstances under which the
Colony at present labours, for as far as they have come to the
knowledge of the Court in the course of the proceedings held
before it.
It has appeared to the Court from the lately terminated
trial of Galant, formerly a Slave of the late W. N. van der
Merwe, C.s., and from subsequent informations received in the
Fiscal's Office, that an idea and expectation of a general
xx. 2 c
386 Records of the Cape Colony.
emancipation has spread itself among the Slaves in different
parts of the Country, connected with Cape Town itself ; from
which, besides the Victims that have been already sacrificed
by Galant and his gang, the terrible prospect of a general
disturbance of tranquillity and good order is with reason to be
apprehended.
The Slaves, misled by evil designing persons, as if a general
emancipation was intended by Government, consider them-
selves as having already actually acquired a just claim thereto
and look upon their Masters as the obstacles in the way of
their freedom. This naturally engenders an animosity against
them, whereof the consequences are incalculable, as leading
to insubordination, dissoluteness and actual resistance. The
Inhabitants, My Lord, have already learned too much from
former occurrences and from what has lately happened, not to
prepare themselves in their turn against the consequences.
But such a state of things can produce no other effect than
enmity between Master and Slave ; and as this enmity is
cherished and nourished under one roof, they the more readily
take up against one another the most trifling thing that occurs,
which under other circumstances would not have been noticed.
This, My Lord, we must not conceal, is the general spirit
which at present prevails, unknown during the many years that
this Colony has been under the benevolent Government of His
Majesty, but which has now risen to such a height that without
the immediate and most efficacious Interference of Your
Excellency the whole Colony is in danger of being involved in
confusion and calamity.
To prevent such a dreadful state of things it is highly
necessary that the Slaves should be brought back by the
Government itself from the error, if they really are in good
faith of their being hereafter free, which they have been led
into by so called Philanthropists and evil minded persons
hoping to gain something in the general confusion.
This measure alone, My Lord, and which cannot be too
speedily adopted before the flame bursts forth, will be able to
bring back those misled people and their followers, who are so
amply protected by the laws of the Colony and the inclinations
of the Inhabitants, to a sense of their duty to satisfy the Slave
again with his Master, and in this manner to restore the
Records of (lie Cape Colony. 387
general tranquillity and contentment, which has hitherto con-
stituted the steadfast object of all Classes of the Inhabitants
under Your Excellency's paternal care and administration.
We confidently trust, that we do not need any apology for
stepping forward on this occasion, as it concerns the dearest
Interests of the whole Colony and consequently must be
considered to constitute one of our most sacred duties. The
well thinking Inhabitants look up to Your Excellency at this
momentous crisis, and they expect from Your Fatherly care
such wise and prompt measures as will be found best adapted
to put a stop to, and avert the dreaded evil.
We trust, My Lord, that you will appreciate what we have
said as proceeding from the purest motives, and that you will
continue to consider us as we trust we have always shewn
ourselves to be, My Lord, &c.
The Chief Justice and Members of the Court.
(Signed) J. A. Truter.
By order of the Court,
(Signed) D. F. Berrange, Secretary.
[Original.]
Letter from T. P. Courtenay, Esqre., to R. Wilmot
Horton, Esqre.
Abingdon Street, March 25th 1825.
Sir, — I have formerly had the honor, by direction of the
Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, to represent to Lord
Bathurst the claims of that settlement to be placed on the
same footing with the North American Colonies, in respect of
the importation of Corn into the United Kingdom. As it is
now in contemplation to give entire freedom to the importation
of corn from those Colonies, I trust that I may be pardoned
for suggesting, that if the same principle be not extended to
the Cape, that settlement may at least be placed upon the
footing upon which the Canadas now stand ; namely, that
2 C 2
388 Records of the Cape Colony.
importations from the Cape may be subjected to an inter-
mediate scale of duty, between that which is applicable to
Foreign Countries, and the perfect freedom which is to be
allowed to other Colonies. I have &c.
(Signed) T. P. Courtenay.
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. P. G. Brink to John Gregory, Esqre.
Colonial Office, 25th March 1825.
Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter dated the 23rd Instant, and, in reply thereto, to acquaint
you, for the information of His Majesty's Commissioners of
Inquiry, that, upon reference to the books kept in this Office,
it does not appear that any Instructions were ever issued to
the President and Directors of the Discount Bank directing
them to pay into the hands of His Majesty's Receiver General
the Sum of Rds. 36,277 2 2 being, as stated by you, the nett
amount of Discounts for the year 1813. I have &c.
(Signed) P. G. Brink.
[Copy.]
Letter from Mr. J. W. Stoll to the Commissioners or Enquiry.
Receiver General's Office, March 25, 1825.
Gentlemen, — I have the honor to inform you, in answer to
your letter of the 16th Inst., that on finding that no credit
was given to Government in the Books of this Office, for dis-
counts received at the Bank between the 1st of January and
31st December 1813, I made the necessary inquiry at the Bank
and learnt that a sum equal to the discounts for the above
period according to the Bank Books, amounting to Rds.
36,277 2sks. 2sts. was paid into the hands of Mr. Bresler, then
Deputy Receiver General, for which sum Mr. Bresler granted
a receipt on the 17th of January 1814, and which payment of
Records of the Cape Colony. 380
lids. 36,277 2sks. 2sts. has been regularly entered in the
several Books kept in the Discount Bank. I am however at a
loss to state the reason why no credit for said amount has been
given to His Majesty's Government. I have &c.
(Signed) J. W. Stoll.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Downing Street, London, 2Qth March 1825.
My Lord, — I transmit to you enclosed copies of several
representations which have been addressed to my Under
Secretary of State by Mr. Bishop Burnett, complaining of
various grievances which he alleges to have sustained by the
Acts of the Civil and Judicial Authorities of your Excellency's
Government.
I also enclose for your Excellency's information a copy of a
communication which I have directed my Under Secretary of
State to address to that Individual.
These Papers being extremely voluminous, I have to desire
that your Excellency will after you shall have perused them,
deliver them over to the Commissioners of Enquiry with the
accompanying Instruction in which I have desired them to
report to me upon those points which it appears that Mr.
Burnett has already submitted to their consideration.
The subjects of complaint to which I have to call your
Excellency's more immediate attention are comprehended
under the following heads ; viz :
1. — The suppression by the Colonial Authorities of Mr.
Burnett's communications with this Department.
2. — The non-liquidation of his claim for the value of forage
supplied to the Cape Cavalry.
3. — The prosecution for libel which terminated in Mr.
Burnett's banishment.
Upon the first topic, your Excellency will observe that
although Mr. Burnett was called upon to produce what proofs
he had to offer in support of his general charge against the
390 Records of the Cape Colony.
Colonial Government, yet that he has stated only one solitary
circumstance which could give a colour to his complaint. You
will have no difficulty, therefore, in instituting such enquiries
as will fully enable you to appreciate any irregularity which
may have marked the proceedings of the Officers of the Colonial
Post Office on the occasion pointed out by Mr. Burnett.
With respect to Mr. Burnett's claim for the value of his
forage, your Excellency will call upon Lieutenant Colonel
Somerset to answer the imputation of voluntary neglect in
having omitted to furnish Mr. Burnett with a certificate of the
quantity of forage supplied by him for the use of the Cape
Cavalry, and you will transmit to me that Officer's report in
replication to Mr. Burnett's statements upon this head. .And
you will submit to the consideration of the Council of your
Government all the Papers which you may deem necessary to
enable that Board to assist you with their opinion as to the
validity of Mr. Burnett's claim, and the measures which it
may be proper to adopt for its immediate liquidation.
With regard to Mr. Burnett's Banishment from the Colony
I have only to express my desire that you will transmit to me :
1 . A Copy of the Memorial which is stated to have been the
ground of his prosecution.
2. Copies of the Judicial Proceedings and of the sentence in
which they terminated, together with such explanation as you
may consider due to the Law Officers of your Government of
the incidental circumstances which Mr. Burnett represents to
have taken place previously to his embarkation, and which
will strike your Excellency as deserving of enquiry.
I have &c,
(Signed) Bathurst,
[Copy.]
Letter from Earl Bathurst to the Commissioners of Enquiry.
Downing Stbeet, London, 2&th March 1825.
Gentlemen, — I transmit enclosed for your consideration
copies of representations which have been addressed to my
Records of the Cape Colony. 391
Under Secretary of State by Mr. Bishop Burnett, who emigrated
to the Cape of Good Hope in the year 1819, complaining of
various grievances which he alleges to have sustained by the
acts of the Colonial Tribunals ; and I also enclose for your
information a copy of a communication which I have directed
my Under Secretary of State to address to that individual.
Mr. Burnett having stated that he had already represented
his grievances to you on your arrival at Graham's Town, I
should have thought it unnecessary to call your special atten-
tion to the statements which have been received from him, if
it did not appear to me that that part of his narrative which
relates to his controversy with an individual named Hart, and
to the judicial proceedings which arose out of it, rendered it
desirable that I should receive from you an early intimation of
the result of the inquiries which you will have instituted into
the merits of Mr. Burnett's case.
Unless, therefore, you shall, before the receipt of this
instruction, have transmitted to me a full report upon the case,
I have to desire that you will lose no time in completing such
observations upon the subject as you may have intended for
my consideration, to which you will add any further informa-
tion which the perusal of the enclosed papers may appear to
you to render desirable and necessary. I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Original.]
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Cape of Good Hope, March 26, 1825.
My Lord, — I have the honor to transmit to Your Lordship
a memorial from Mr. H. E. Faure (who will have the honor to
present this to Your Lordship). He is a member of a Family
of great influence and respectability here. He has a brother a
minister of the Dutch Reformed Church in Cape Town, much
looked up to by his countrymen, and I have very strong
reasons for soliciting your Lordship's acquiescence in Mr.
392 Records of the Cape Colony.
Faure's request, " that Your Lordship will afford the same
pecuniary assistance to him to obtain ordination in Holland,
as Your Lordship authorizes to be made to the members of the
Calvinistic Church of Scotland for the purpose of defraying
their expenses to Holland in order to acquire the Dutch
language." The fact is that members of the Scottish clergy
have of late years poured into the Colony so abundantly that
a feeling has been excited amongst the colonists which I lament
to see arise, and which Your Lordship's acquiescence in Mr.
H. E. Faure's request will tend greatly to allay. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Enclosure in the above.]
To His Excellency the Right Honorable General Lord Charles
Henry Somerset, Governor and Commander in Chief of
the Cape of Good Hope, &c, &c, &c.
The Memorial of Hendrik Emanuel Faure humbly sheweth
That Memorialist being on the point of proceeding to Holland
to receive ordination in the Dutch Reformed Church, would
with pleasure return to this Colony, as a Minister of the
Reformed Church, if Memorialist may enjoy, as a Native of
this Colony, the same privileges which are granted to the
clergy of the Church of Scotland, who have been, and are
appointed, as Ministers of the Reformed church for this Colony ;
and most humbly solicits that Your Excellency may be pleased
to recommend Memorialist's case to His Majesty's Secretary of
State for the Colonial Department, assured that a recommen-
dation from Your Excellency can not fail procuring for him the
desired effect.
Memorialist as in duty bound shall ever pray &c, &c, &c.
(Signed) H. E. Faure.
Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope,
23rd March 1825.
Records of the Cape Colony. 393
[Original.]
Letter from George Harrison, Esqre., to R. W.
Horton, Esqre.
Treasury Chambers, 2§th March 1825.
Sir, — I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of His
Majesty's Treasury to transmit to you the Copy of a Letter
from Mr. Ebden dated 21st Inst, stating the intention of a
certain number of Individuals to establish a Bank at the Cape
of Good Hope, and I am to acquaint you for the information
of Earl Bathurst that my Lords propose to return the following
answer to Mr. Ebden, but before they do so, they request to be
favoured with His Lordship's opinion thereon, viz. :
With respect to the first query contained in his letter of 21st
instant " What in future is to be the legal currency of the
Colony ? Whether Rix Dollars as heretofore, or the Currency
of Great Britain, and whether gold or silver ? "
That my Lords have recently shipped for the Cape of Good
Hope a quantity of British silver and copper money, and an
order in Council has been issued declaring that the tender and
payment of Is. Qd. of that money shall be equivalent to the
payment of one Rix Dollar of the present currency, and with
a view of preventing any future depreciation either of the Rix
Dollar or Silver money, My Lords have sent Instructions to the
Commissary to grant his Bills upon this Board at any times
and for any amount (not less than £100) of Rix Dollars or
British silver money which may be tendered to him, at the
rate of a Bill for £100 for every £103 of British silver money or
Rix Dollars which may be tendered to him, computing the
latter at Is. Qd. each.
With respect to the second Query :
" Whether upon sufficient security being given His Majesty's
Government would be pleased to issue an Order to the Execu-
tive Government at the Cape and to their Commissaries and
Collectors resident there, directing the notes of the Bank to be
received in payment of the Colonial Revenues &c, such notes
being at all times convertible, if required, either into the
currency of the Colony, or into Sterling Money for Bills of
Exchange upon the Company in London ? "
Q
94 Records of the Cape Colony.
That My Lords cannot give any assurance upon this point,
nor determine hypothetically, and beforehand, what course
they should adopt with respect to the paper of any private
Bank, not yet actually established, the degree in which they
might find it expedient for the Public Service to facilitate the
circulation of the paper of such an Establishment by receiving
it in payment of the Public Contributions must depend upon
the nature of its transactions and the circumstances of the
time ; but my Lords could probably under no circumstances
so far adopt the notes of any such private Bank as to reissue
them in payments of its own.
In answer to the third question : " Whether the Executive
Government of the Cape has been restrained from any further
issue of paper money ? "
That the Government cannot give any distinct pledge upon
this subject. They certainly have no present intention of
increasing the quantity of paper money in circulation at the
Cape of Good Hope, and the orders which they have given for
sending British silver money to the Cape of Good Hope, and
for making that silver money as well as the paper money
exchangeable at the wish of the Holder for Bills upon this
Board at a fixed rate, must have a tendency to reduce the
amount of Paper Money now in circulation. I am &c.
(Signed) Geo. Harrison.
[Copy.]
Letter from R. Wilmot Horton, Esqre., to Mr. Bishop
Burnett.
Downing Stbeet, 26th March, 1825.
Sir,— Having laid before Earl Bathurst the papers which
you delivered to me in explanation of the grievances which
you represent yourself to have suffered by the acts of certain
civil and judicial authorities of the government of the Cape of
Good Hope ; and having also submitted to his Lordship your
letter of the 12th instant, I have been directed to convey to
you the following reply : —
Records of the Cape Colony. 395
His Lordship collects that your complaints may be com-
prehended under the following heads ; viz.
1st. The suppression by the colonial authorities, of the
communications which you state that you addressed to this
department :
2nd. The neglect of the late colonial secretary, Lieutenant
Colonel Bird, and of the magisterial officers of the district of
Albany, to fulfil the intentions and orders of His Majesty's
Government with respect to the settlers :
3rd. The non-liquidation of your claim upon the colonial
government for forage supplied to the Cape Cavalry, which
you attribute to the neglect of Lieutenant Colonel Somerset :
4th. The proceedings at law adopted against you, at the
suit of a person named Hart, by the judicial authorities of
Cape Town, but principally by the commissioners of circuit,
Messrs. Borcherds and Truter :
5th. Your judicial banishment from the Cape of Good Hope.
Upon the first point Earl Bathurst reserves to himself to
adopt such measures as the case may require, so soon as he
shall have obtained the result of the inquiries which he proposes
to institute into the particulars of the solitary circumstance
which you have adduced in support of your charge against the
colonial government.
With respect to the second, third and fourth points, as it
appears from your own statement that you have had an
opportunity of submitting an explanation of your grievances
to the Commissioners of Inquiry at Graham's Town, where
they had every means of access to persons and documents to
enable them to appreciate the merits of your case, as bearing
both upon the conduct of the local authorities and upon the
administration of justice, topics which form leading features of
their general inquiry, every thing would seem to have been
already accomplished in the nature of inquiry that you yourself
could wish, or that His Majesty's Government could, under
any circumstances, direct ; and his Lordship cannot doubt
but that the Commissioners will fully report to him on all
these points, both as they relate to your grievances, and affect
the conduct of other persons. Nevertheless, and although you
appear to have declined the proposed reference to a board of
officers, of your claim for the value of forage supplied to the
396 Records of the Cape Colony.
Cape Cavalry, his Lordship will immediately call the attention
of the Governor in Council to the subject ; and if you should
judge it essential to offer any documents in explanation of that
claim, which may not be easily obtained in the colony, his
Lordship will readily forward it with his instructions upon this
subject.
Upon the last point, his Lordship has directed me to acquaint
you, that under no circumstances could His Majesty be advised
to remit the final sentence of a court of justice without any
previous consideration of the nature of the offence with which
the party convicted was charged, and of the judicial proceedings
to which the prosecution of such offence had given rise ; and
although, from the circumstances under which you left the
colony, you may not have found it either convenient or prac-
ticable to provide yourself with copies of these proceedings,
yet you must be sensible that without being informed of the
nature of the offence, or of the proceedings upon which you
have been sentenced to be banished from the colony, it would
be impossible for his Lordship to decide whether you are
entitled to any or what degree of redress.
I am, however, directed to add, that although (as I have
already explained to you) the report of the commissioners on
your case may be expected at an early period, Lord Bathurst
has directed the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope to transmit
to his Lordship copies of the whole proceedings which have
occurred in your recent trial at Cape Town, that his Lordship
may be enabled to exercise his judgment on the merits of the
case under which you consider yourself entitled to his inter-
ference and redress. I am &c.
(Signed) R. W. Horton.
[Office Copy.]
Letter from Earl Bathurst to Lord Charles Somerset.
Downing Street, London, 27 March 1825.
My Lord, — Since I had the honor of addressing your
Excellency on the 14th ultimo some further correspondence
has taken place between my Under Secretary of State and
Mr. George Greig in explanation of the conditions upon which
Records of the Cape Colony.
397
he is to receive your Excellency's licence to publish a public
journal ; and I now beg leave to enclose copies of that corre-
spondence for your Excellency's information and guidance.
I have &c.
(Signed) Bathurst.
[Copy.]
Return of the number of Erven in the Town of Worcester on
which Houses or Cottages have been built, and which are at
present occupied by the Proprietors or their Tenants.
Erven.
8
Proprietors' Names.
{
J. Meiring
J. du Toit .
W. de Wet .
do.
J. G. Aspeling
S. Hemming .
J. Herbert
H. H. Gird .
J. B. Qulch .
fW. Ruthven .
\W. Brogden and Littlefield
W. Viljoen
J. Meiring
H. Combrinck
J. Swaarveld
R. Meiring
Church Property
Do.
J. Turner
W. de Jongh
B. de Vries .
G. Parker
By whom Occupied.
By Proprietor
By Tenant
By Proprietor
By Tenant
By Proprietor
By Tenant
By Proprietor
Do.
Do.
Do.
By Tenants
By Proprietor
By Tenant
By Proprietor
Do.
By Tenant
By Sexton
By Tenant
By Proprietor
Do.
By Tenant
By Proprietor
28th March 1825.
(Signed) C. Trappes.
398 Records of the Cape Colony.
[Original.]
Letter from Mr. Thomas Willson to R. Wilmot
HORTON, ESQRE.
Stockwell, 30 March 1825.
Sir, — I have this morning been summoned by the enclosed
letter to attend my Solicitor in Town to take his advice upon
the subject of my correspondence with the Right Honorable
the Secretary of State ! a subject that I had never yet thought
it requisite to advise with my Solicitor upon at all. It must be
obvious that such advice and communications through the
medium of a Solicitor must encrease the Item of Law Expences,
if continued, to a fearful amount, which already is an Item of
considerable extent and grievance ; therefore I trust that it
will not be deemed requisite in future.
With respect to Mr. Croft's oral communication, of which I
retain but a very feeble impression, there is nothing I would
regret so much as personally " to harass and pester his Lordship
Earl Bathurst." God only knows how little I am disposed to
trespass upon a Nobleman situated as the Noble Earl is in a
public capacity and responsibility. No man can have a greater
respect for the virtues of Earl Bathurst than myself ; but
with every respect and admiration of Earl Bathurst, that
Nobleman must doubtless have the feelings that would become
a man, his Lordship must be very sensible that I have great
cause of grief, I will not say complaint, because that is a matter
that I would by no means intrude upon his Lordship if I can
avoid it. My griefs, my abortive expedition, my credulity,
the miseries which my family have so long endured, the waste
of expence, the loss of so much time at the very best part of
my life, and the folly which must ever attach to myself for
confiding in the Court Circular issued by his Lordship in the
year 1819 ! these are what I would hope to reach his Lordship
upon ! trusting to the feelings and generosity of his Lordship
to afford me that relief or alleviation which is within his
power. It is not to offend his Lordship that I have written
so earnestly, but to solicit a due attention to these griefs ; in
doing this I trust that I have shewn a liberal and a grateful
Records of the Cape Colon)/. 399
disposition to meet any proposal that might emanate from his
Lordship ; wherefore then am I advised " to bring the affair
before Parliament that you may reply to it in your proper
place ! "
Sir, much as I have reason to feel aggrieved, I am perhaps
the last man in the world disposed to intrude myself upon
public notice, much more to become an accuser, to impeach
the Government with a perfidious design to betray me into
the labyrinths of misery which I have toiled through ; however
painful it is to me to see you disposed rather to communicate
your censure than to afford me your protection, preferring to
attach more importance to the ipse dixit of my followers than
searching for truths from the official papers which would
confirm the accuracy of my statements. Such acts are indeed
most galling and afflicting to me, they are painfully calculated
to destroy the best energies of the mind, and but too frequently
destroy the best principles of the heart ! Yet Sir, such is my
attachment and devotion to His Majesty's Government that
even this oppression will not betray me into that wretched
intemperance which you would find it to be your duty to be
the first to execrate.
After a correspondence of upwards of five years Earl Bathurst
must surely know enough of me to judge how very painful it
is to my feelings to write such letters to his Lordship, to become
at this period a supplicant for my right, when I ought to be in
the full enjoyment of it ! What can be more distressing to a
man of mind than to have to impeach the good faith of the
Crown ? I am quite aware of the Public Interest which my
Narrative would excite, there are parts of the Tale, yet untold,
that would harrow up the feelings of the public and create the
utmost indignation and disgust : all of which I have been
repeatedly urged by the disaffected " to publish," but I little
expected to be tauntingly advised so to do by any person
officially attached to the affairs of State ! I who have always
been one of the most devoted and zealous of His Majesty's
subjects, I who passed the best, the juvenile days of my life in
the service of the Crown, with honor and eclat for my early
studies, that I feel it a kind of fratricide to be now ejected from
the bosom of its protection, much more to be cited as opposed
to its wishes ! I must pray Sir to be spared this awful alter-
400 Records of the Cape Colony.
native, and that a merciful decision upon my case may restore
me to that peace of heart which ought to be the interest of all
parties to cultivate. I have &c.
(Signed) Thos. Willson.
[Original.]
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Cape of Good Hope, 31s* March, 1825.
My Lord, — In a Despatch which I addressed to your
Lordship No. 147, under date the 18th of January last, I had
the honor to inform you of my intention to visit the District
of Albany.
I arrived at Graham's Town on the 6th of February and was
received by the Community there with every mark of attention
and respect. After having visited the chief part of the Loca-
tions and taken into consideration the Several Reports of Mr.
Commissioner Hayward on the petitions for Land, I made,
under the authority of Your Lordship's Despatch No. 61 of
the 31st of March 1823, such Extensions of Grants to the
British Settlers as I conceived most equitable, and as the
Industry evinced by the Grantees entitled them to. Some
Individuals who had petitioned for Lands which are reserved
for public purposes, were excepted from this general Extension ;
but they have since applied for other places and their Memorials
will meet with due attention.
The principal drawback to the prosperity of the British
Settlers is the want of Labourers, a want that is indispensable
and should be supplied as soon as possible.
With this view I have the honor to enclose to your Lordship
two proposals for attaining this desirable object, one of which
was drawn up by Mr. Currie, a Settler, the other by myself
and which I trust may be found practicable, or at all events
may serve for a ground work for effecting this very necessary
measure.
Without some assistance of this kind it is quite impracticable
that the Settlers can succeed. The want of Labour and the
Records of the Cape Colony. 401
high wages which, from its scarcity, are demanded in the
Albany District (and indeed all over the Colony) put a stop
to every undertaking, whether agricultural or of any other
nature. The lowest price at which a very indifferent Labourer
can be obtained is Two Rixdollars (three Shillings Sterling)
per diem, with food and a bottle of wine, for a Mechanic five
and even Six Rixdollars (from Is. Q>d. to 9s. Sterling per diem)
with the same allowance of food. Your Lordship will easily
perceive that nothing which the Earth can be made to produce
will repay such an expence in cultivation, exclusive of which
it places the labouring class out of its proper sphere and
demoralizes it, almost all the Artificers and many of the
Labourers devoting two or three days of each week to drinking,
and working only the remaining ones.
Connected with the Subject of a Supply of Labour, I have
also to acquaint Your Lordship that while at Graham's Town,
the Settlers expressed the utmost solicitude that I should
submit to Your Lordship their earnest request that Govern-
ment would take upon itself to send out free of Expence their
Wives and Families. I have required a List to be sent of the
Numbers thereof with their respective places of Residence in
Great Britain and Ireland which I shall forward to your
Lordship as soon as I receive it.
One of the first anxieties of the population of Albany is the
Establishment of a Port at the mouth of the Kowie. Con-
curring entirely with them relative to the advantages that
must necessarily accrue therefrom, I have taken upon myself
to promote it, by affording every aid in my power, the expences
arising from it will, I trust, therefore receive Your Lordship's
confirmation.
Your Lordship will perceive by the enclosed Address which
was presented to me on the Spot, that a wish is expressed for
the Establishment of a Magistrate at that Place, and also at
Bathurst, and further that I would authorize the erection of a
Pier at the Kowie (now called Port Frances), and allow a direct
Trade to be carried on between that Port and Foreign Countries.
To the first request (the Establishment of a Magistrate at
Port Frances) I readily acceded, as it must be of infinite
benefit to the whole of the Southern part of the District, by
enabling the Inhabitants to refer petty cases for adjustment
xx. 2 D
402 Becords of the Cape Colony.
on the spot, exclusive of the frequent necessity of the inter-
ference of a Police at a Sea Port. For this office I have
selected Mr. Donald Moodie, one of the most respectable of
the Settlers, possessing the advantages of a good education
and who, from being a Half Pay Lieutenant in the Royal
Navy, is peculiarly fitted to preside at a Sea Port. I have
fixed his Salary for the present at the moderate rate of Twelve
Hundred Rixdollars per annum, and as it is necessary, accord-
ing to the Forms of the Dutch Law, that there should be a
public prosecutor in all criminal cases brought before the
Constituted Courts, I have appointed a Secretary at Six
Hundred Rixdollars and a Messenger to the Court at Three
Hundred Rixdollars per annum.
I have deemed it necessary also to constitute a Similar Court
of Magistracy at Algoa Bay, where an English population
is rapidly encreasing, and have appointed the Government
Resident and Commandant, Capt. Evatt, to preside therein,
with a Secretary and Messenger at the same rates of Salary
as at Port Frances. There will however be no increase of Salary
to the Commandant, which was fixed at Twelve Hundred Rix-
dollars per annum in the year 1820.
The Establishment of a Magistrate at Bathurst will also be
desirable, but I have done nothing at present on that Head as
there are not more than four or five families resident there. I
have however given encouragement to extend that place by
establishing a Grammar School there and by having notified
my intention of granting Lots of Ground (gratis) upon an
obligation to build to a specified extent, and with stable
Materials.
In regard to the second request contained in the address,
namely the erection of a Pier at the Kowie, I should not
venture to recommend any undertaking of that nature unless
Your Lordship should deem it advisable to send out a Civil
Engineer for the purpose of ascertaining the capabilities of
this Port, as well as of the other Ports in this Colony, and of
forming an Estimate of the Expence of any work which might
be projected for the permanent improvement thereof, an object
which I think of very great importance, and which it appears
to me would be well worth the expence attendant upon such
an appointment. I have also to solicit Your Lordship's
Records of the Cape Colony. 403
sanction for incurring an expence of Seven Thousand Eight
Hundred and Twenty Rixdollars (£560 Sterling) in the erection
of three Houses for the authorities at Port Frances.
With respect to the permission to trade direct with Foreign
Countries and for which I received a Similar Application from
the Inhabitants of Algoa Bay, I have answered them by assent-
ing to grant a Licence to any particular Vessel to trade direct
with any Specific Foreign Port ; but have rejected the general
permission so to do, until the Commerce of these Ports should
encrease so as to warrant the Establishment of a regular
Customs Department.
I have also to inform Your Lordship that I have considered
that a Town of considerable Importance might be formed
where the Government Farm (called the Somerset Farm) has
hitherto been established. It is a beautiful Spot, and the
Land of a most fertile description and so situated that the
whole can be irrigated.
I have therefore had the plan of a Town made out, and
nearly three hundred Erven (or building Lots) consisting of
150 feet in front and 450 in depth have already been measured.
Ninety-four of these are to be offered for sale on the 13th and
14th of next month, and it is expected they will fetch on an
average Five Hundred Rixdollars each. They will be sold
under an obligation to erect dwellings of certain dimensions
within a given time, and composed of burnt brick or Stone.
The ov-her Erven will be put up for Sale from time to time, in
such proportions as the demand for them may dictate.
In order to give encouragement to this new Town, I have
removed the Establishment of the Deputy Drostdy of Cradock
(a miserable place which never could advance) including also
a portion of the Northern Side of the Albany District, which
was inconveniently extensive, to Somerset which I have
established as a Drostdy. It is not intended at the present
moment to go to any but a very inconsiderable Expence in
converting the Buildings of the Farm to the purposes of a
Seat of Magistracy. With a very slight alteration a large
Store may be converted into a very commodious temporary
Church, a Tan House into a very good School, and a strong
built Waggon House into a Prison. Other Dwellings will
accommodate the officers attached to a Drostdy.
2 d 2
404 Records of the Cape Colony.
I have the honor to enclose to your Lordship a statement
of comparative Expence of the arrangements I have lately-
made in the Albany and Somerset Districts and that which
has hitherto existed, by which your Lordship will perceive
that a Saving of Eight Thousand Eight Hundred and four
Rixdollars per annum is made exclusive of the annual interest
that will arise from the Sale of Erven, which will encrease as
the place flourishes and as fresh demands for Erven are made.
In this Estimate Your Lordship will perceive that I have
given credit for the expences of the Albany Levy, which I
have ventured to abolish, considering that the happy state of
Security in which Lieut. Colonel Somerset's able system of
defence of the Frontier has placed the Settlers with regard to
the Kaffers, has rendered it no longer necessary.
I have great pleasure in announcing to your Lordship the
unprecedented Success of the weekly Fairs held with the
Kaffers at Fort Willshire. The Articles received in barter
from them, consisting of 40,000 lbs. of Ivory, a like quantity
of Gum, &c. within 5 months amount in value to Ninety Six
thousand Rixdollars.
For originating as well as carrying into execution this most
advantageous measure I am entirely indebted to Lieut. Colonel
Somerset, whose intimate acquaintance with the disposition of
the Kaffers and their respective Chiefs has enabled him to
induce them to enter warmly into the measure ; and I con-
sider it as the greatest boon that His Majesty's Government
could have bestowed on the Kaffer Nation. In proof of this
there never has existed anything but the most complete good
order, regularity and strict observance to the conditions on the
part of the Kaffers since its first establishment in June last.
I project establishing another Fair more to the Southward,
as Fort Willshire is rather too distant from the best affected
Kaffer Tribes.
I have further the honor to report to your Lordship that
having received many pressing applications from Mr. Rivers
to be employed in any other Department under Government,
I removed him from Albany to the Landdrostship of Swellen-
dam, and have appointed W. B. Dundas Esqre. Captain of the
Royal Artillery and Brevet Major in the Army, an Officer who
has been highly recommended to me, and who I learn with
Records of the Cape Colony. 405
pleasure is much respected and has been cordially received by
the English population in the District.
Before I conclude my Report on the District of Albany, I
feel it my duty to report to your Lordship that the expence
of all the Establishments within that District must for a long
time be a dead burthen upon the Revenue of the Colony, as the
District Chest will be unable for many years to come to provide
for the necessary Disbursements.
Your Lordship is aware that no Tax on the Lands granted to
the Settlers is payable until the year 1830 nor have they yet
been called upon for the payment of the usual Taxes on their
Families, Cattle, &c.
They are at present in debt to Government for the amount
of the Rations issued to them by the Commissariat Depart-
ment, and should it not be the intention of His Majesty's
Government to enforce the payment of tins debt, which without
a single exception I may say they possess not the means to
discharge, I shall, with your Lordship's Authority, take the
opportunity of making known to them the beneficial intentions
of Government on that Head, and direct that at the com-
mencement of the year 1826 they be called upon to pay their
Quota of the established Taxes annually at the Opgaaf .
I have much pleasure in assuring Your Lordship, that all my
Communications with the Settlers during my Stay in Albany
led me to the gratifying conclusion that they retained the
best feeling towards His Majesty's Government and towards
myself, and that should they shortly be supplied with that
indispensable Requisite, Labour, they will ultimately succeed
beyond the Expectation even of the Projectors of the measure
of Emigration.
I have only one more subject to add to this long Recital,
which is, that about a year since an immense Tribe called
Mantatees were impelled by Famine into the Territories of the
Inhabitants North or North East of this Colony, the Griequas.
Being defeated by the latter, they retreated, but left numbers
of their women and children in a state bordering on Starvation
behind them. Many of these have since wandered into the
Graaff Reinet District, and it became a question how to dispose
of them. I have therefore taken upon me to direct that they
should be apprenticed to the English Settlers in Albany tor
406
Records of the Cape Colony.
Terms (none exceeding Seven years) according to their ages,
under very strict conditions as to good treatment &c.
I have decided upon this measure as the best means of dis-
posing of these unfortunate beings, because the British Settlers
are prohibited from employing Slaves, which renders it impos-
sible that any of them can merge into that state or be substi-
tuted for them.
I I have directed a Register of these persons to be kept, and
will not allow any transfer without the authority of the
Magistrate, and a previous Enregisterment thereof ; and I
trust your Lordship will approve of this measure. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Copy.]
Comparative Statement of the expense of the Arrangements lately
made in the Albany and Somerset Districts and that which
has hitherto existed.
Increase:
Rds.
Establishment at Port Frances 2,100
Do. at Algoa Bay . . . 900
Pension to Mr. Hart, late Sup-
erintendent of the Govern-
ment farm called Somerset . 1,000
Difference of Expence between
a Full Drostdy and a Sub
Drostdy ....
Decrease.'
Rds.
Reduction of Albany Levy "". 5,950
Do. of Government Officers and
Labourers on the Somerset
Farm, and Agent to the Farm 11,854
Total Decrease
Total Increase
17,804
9,000
Difference
5,000
Total Encrease . . 9,000
Cape of Good Hope, 31st March 1825.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
8,804
[Copy.]
Letter from the Secretary to Government to R. Wilmot
HORTON, ESQRE.
Cape Town, 3lst March 1825.
My dear Sir, — You will in all probability hear exaggerated
accounts of the horrible Murders Avhich were committed about
Records of the Cape Colony. 407
a month since by the Slaves of a Barend van der Merwe and
his Brother, in the Worcester District, on their Master and
Family. This intelligence was received by Lord Charles in
Albany while I was with him, accompanied by letters from two
or three persons in Cape Town in his confidence, (the Chief
Justice among the rest) all begging and praying him to take
immediate steps for putting a stop to what they called a
conspiracy on the part of the Slaves to murder the whole of
the White Population in the Colony, and attributing their
object to the ideas the Slaves entertained that Government
had the intention of making them free, but were prevented by
their Masters.
Lord Charles, who I think rather lends too willing an ear to
these kind of representations, and who has expressed his con-
viction that nothing more should ever be done for the Slaves
beyond what is granted to them under the Proclamation, was
inclined to take active measures, and to call out the Burgher
Militia, but I persuaded him not to act until at all events he
had some facts to go upon, instead of the opinions of persons
who being all Slave holders must be interested in the subject,
and he waited until the arrival of the next week's post, and as
that brought nothing new, he entirely agreed with me that the
Law should be allowed to take its course in the instance of
these Murders, and that Government should remain quiet.
This was done, — the greater part of the Culprits were taken
immediately, and the two principal Ringleaders in a few days
afterwards (which would not have been the case had there been
any general feeling in the District). They have all been tried
and found guilty. Three have been sentenced to be hanged,
and the remaining five or six to be branded and imprisoned in
Irons, some for life, others for shorter periods. And this
sentence will immediately be carried into execution. Some of
the Culprits were Hottentots, and the two Ringleaders (one of
whom was a Hottentot) were taken by Hottentots.
The Chief Justice in the name of himself and the Members
of the Court of Justice has, however, since written a strong
representation to the Governor relative to the state of the
Slaves generally, in Cape Town as well as in the Country, a
state which they say endangers in the highest degree the Peace
and tranquillity of the Country; and they ground their asser-
408 Records of the Cape Colony.
tion upon the examinations which were taken on the trial.
These examinations I have not yet seen, as they are not yet
translated, but I have requested Lord Charles not to act
without some positive facts to bear him out in adopting a
measure which cannot fail to create a great sensation in
England, and I really believe without any foundation. He
has desired me to see the Chief Justice, and to enquire more
closely into the grounds of the apprehensions of the Court,
which I shall do this day or to-morrow.
It is not above a week since I passed thro' the district in
which these Murders took place, and within a few hours ride
of the spot ; and I made a point of conversing on the subject
with the Dutch Local Authorities and the principal Inhabitants
I met with. They all concurred in stating that they had no
fear of any similar rising among the Slaves in their parts of the
District. At the same time they all acknowledged that within
the last two years there had been an evident change in the
conduct and behaviour of their Slaves, which shewed itself in
dissatisfaction and in a greater degree of insolence when found
fault with or punished. They attributed it to some ideas that
had been instilled into the minds of the Slaves by evil disposed
Persons and by bad characters among the Slaves themselves ;
and the general wish they expressed was that whatever
regulations were made by Government should be carefully and
fully explained to the Slaves by the Chief Magistrate of the
District instead of by the Field Cornets as at present practised,
who themselves do not perhaps understand the Intentions of
Government, or if they do, being interested as Slave-holders,
do not wish to explain them properly, and that the Chief
Magistrate should fully explain before Masters and Slaves the
relative duties of both. The Order for prohibiting the punish-
ment of female Slaves was what they laid most stress upon. It
has certainly created a great sensation among the Slave-
holders. It is understood to mean that the Masters or Mis-
tresses are not allowed to make use of the smallest domestic
correction, however trivial. They state invariably that it will
be quite impossible to keep their slaves in any order should
such a Decree be enforced. You are perhaps aware that tins
Order has been hitherto made public only to the Court of
Justice and to the Courts of Landdrost and Heemraden. We
Records of the Cape Colony. 409
stand therefore in this peculiar situation, that the Courts of
Justice are prohibited from punishing Females by flogging for
crimes of a higher nature, while the Proprietors are allowed to
do so in their own houses for idleness &c.
In the District of Worcester when the Landdrost Captain
Trappes received the official order from Government enclosing
Lord Bathurst's circular, he conceived it was meant to be
published to both Inhabitants and Slaves ; and he sent orders
to the several Field Cornets so to do. Captain Trappes was so
far wrong that he had misinterpreted the intentions of Govern-
ment, but the consequences of what he did shew the feeling
existing among the Field Cornets. All of them with one
exception kept back the communication from the Slaves,
because they thought it would create a great sensation among
them. One of them, however, at Tulbagh published it to
both Proprietors and Slaves. When this was made known to
Government Captain Trappes was reprimanded ; and he then
did what was worse than publishing the order ; for he recalled
it, and it was recalled in the presence of the Proprietors only,
whereas it had been published in presence of both Proprietors
and Slaves.
This publication of the Circular letter by Captain Trappes is
now held out by some Individuals as the cause or one of the
causes of the late Murders, but in my opinion without the
smallest foundation. For my own part I cannot understand
why it should not have been published at once and explained
to all parties concerned. It appears hard that a decree made
expressly for the advantage of the Slaves should be kept from
their knowledge. And certainly it never could have been the
intention of Government to prohibit the flogging of females in
the Courts of Justice, and to allow it to go on in private houses.
As to the Order itself I do not know whether under the term
flogging or whipping, it is meant that female Slaves should
never be punished at all, even with a cane or rather on the
shoulders. If this be the case and no other punishment sub-
stituted beyond confinement, which they like, and which
deprives the Owners of their Services, I really do think it will
be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to manage them, that
is the refractory part of them. The Proprietors of Slaves in
the Interior of this Colony live generally at a distance of from
410 Records of the Cape Colony.
five to ten Miles of each other, and fifty or a hundred from the
Seat of Magistracy. They must have some controul over their
Slaves, so long as Slavery is suffered to exist. And the Slaves
are now so much accustomed to seek redress in case of excess of
punishment, that I really think the Proprietors ought to
possess the power of slight domestic correction over the females,
otherwise they will find some other mode of annoying them
which may prove more prejudicial to their health.
The worst of the business here is that the Judges to whom
the Slaves apply for redress are, as Slave holders, prejudiced
against them. This I trust will not last long. And one of my
greatest objections to the common practice here of giving all
the Landdrosts great Farms is that it tends to prevent the only
remedy we should naturally look to for this abuse, viz. the
appointment of Englishmen to those situations, by making
their Interests as farmers lead them to the same illiberal
feelings as are imbibed by the Dutch with regard to the Slave
and Hottentot labour. I have &c.
(Signed) Richard Plaskett.
3rd April 1825.
Lord Charles has been very unwell for the last three days
with a cold and Fever. He will write officially upon this
subject when the Examinations have been translated. I have
seen the Chief Justice, and have impressed upon him the
propriety of not publishing any Proclamation on the occasion,
but merely to print an abstract of the present Laws and
Regulations relative to the Slaves, to be distributed for general
information thro' the interior Districts. The Chief Justice has
at last made his remarks on the proposed order in Council,
which I drew up while on board Ship, similar to that published
in Trinidad, but adapted to local circumstances. This will be
sent to you by Lord Charles as soon as he is well enough to
transact business. The Chief Justice told me that a Memorial
to His Majesty on the subject of the Slaves was drawing up
among the Inhabitants of Cape Town, but we have as yet seen
nothing of it. R. P.
Records of the Cape Colony. 411
[Original.]
Letter from Lord Charles Somerset to Earl Bathurst.
Cape of Good Hope, 2nd April 1825. ^f
My Lord, — I have the honor to enclose to Your Lordship
three Memorials which have been transmitted to me_for the
purpose of being forwarded to your Lordship.
The very near connection between the Officer to whom they
relate and myself will, I trust, excuse me to Your Lordship for
not entering fully into this subject. I feel it however my duty
to state that during my late visit to the Frontier I was pressed
with the most earnest Solicitations on this subject by the
whole Community upon the Border both Dutch and English.
I have to observe also that the Persons whose signatures are
attached to the Dutch Memorial (a translation of which I have
had made and enclose with it) are the most wealthy and
powerful in the Country, and many of them are or belong to
the Families of Persons who were connected with the Insurrec-
tion in 1814, but who have subsequently evinced their Loyalty
and attachment to His Majesty's Government by having
accompanied Lieut. Colonel Somerset in almost all his Expedi-
tions against the Kaffers, on which occasions they have armed,
mounted and fed themselves, and have suffered the severest
privations with the greatest cheerfulness. I have &c.
(Signed) Charles Henry Somerset.
[Enclosure 1 in the above.]
To His Excellency Lord Charles Henry Somerset, Governor
and Commander in Chief of the Cape of Good Hope,
&c, &c, &c.
We the undersigned Settlers residing on our locations in the
District of Albany do beg leave with all due respect to approach
Your Excellency on the following Subject, viz. — Having heard
with deep concern and regret that Lieut. Col. Somerset is
about to retire from the command of the Frontier we feel it a
duty due to Candor and Honesty to state our entire approba-
tion of His conduct during His Command. Active, zealous
and persevering, Having a perfect knowledge of the manners
412 Records of the Cape Colony.
and customs of the Caffers from long experience and also a
thoro' knowledge of the very intricate passes on this Frontier,
We fear much it will be long (if ever) another Commg. Officer
will be found so efficient to the duty. We therefore with the
most profound respect entreat Your Excellency to Continue
Lieut. Col. Somerset in the Command of the Frontier, which
we are fully convinced will give general Satisfaction to both
Civil and Military.
Signed at our several Locations the 28th day of January
1825.
(Signed) Thos. Butler, for self and party
Edward Gardner
T. Dugmore
Murtaghy Byrne
John Byrne
Robert Dickason
Frederick Dickason
Alfred Dickason
Henry Dickason
Jonathan Shelvers
William Norman
William Mageor
Thomas Mageor
Samuel Smith
Jas. Devine
Chas. Hill
James Hill
Wm. Devine
T. L. Butler
[Enclosure 2 in the above.]
Deputy Landdrost's Office,
Cradock, \Uh February 1825.
His Excellency the Right Honorable General Lord Charles
Henry Somerset, Governor and Commander in Chief, &c,
&c, &c.
May it please Your Excellency.
We the Deputy Landdrost and Heemraden of Cradock
having learned with the utmost regret that we are likely to be
Records of the Cape Colony. 413
deprived of the support and protection of our present Military
Commandant Lieut. Colonel Somerset, and actuated by a
sense of duty to the Inhabitants of the division over which we
preside, we take the liberty to enclose a Memorial addressed
by us to the Right Honorable Earl Bathurst, His Majesty's
Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, and which we
humbly request Your Excellency may be pleased to transmit
with such recommendation as may appear to Your Excellency
best calculated to strengthen and support the anxious wish of
His Majesty's Subjects within this Division. We have &c.
(Signed) W. McDonald Mackay, Deputy Landdrost.
C. Hattingh, Heemraad.
A. G. van Brath, Secretary.
[Enclosure 3 in the above.]
To the Right Honorable Earl Bathurst, One of the Principal
Secretaries of State.
My Lord, — With all due respect, we have the Honor to
acquaint your Lordship, that we have been informed that we
will lose Lt. Colonel Somerset, and as we have during his
Commandantship on the Frontier lived peacefully, and through
his activity and perseverance, been prevented from depreda-
tions of Caffres, and as he is acquainted with the Dutch
language, which gives us an opportunity of speaking with him,
and also as he is well acquainted with the position of the
Caffres ;
It is in consequence of the above that we beg leave of you to
represent to His Britannic Majesty our benevolent King the
loss which we would sustain by the removal of such a brave,
respectable and active Commandant, as we are convinced that
we not only now do live in tranquillity, but for the future
entirely without any depredations of Caffres.
Being persuaded that this our request will not be refused, We
have the Honor to be, My Lord, &c.
(Signed) J. J. Durand, Veld Commandant
W. A. de Klerk, Veld Cornet
P. W. Bouwer, Veld Cornet
W. C. Bouwer de oude
414 Becords of the Cape Colony.
F. H. C. VAN DER VYVER
PlETER TOTJSSAIN
W. Durand, J. J. zoon
J. J. Durand, J. J. zoon
Jeremias J. Bouwer
Petrus Christiaan Massyn
Jan Rynier Petrus van Rooyen
G. J. Viktor
Gideon Roux
Barend Jacobus de Klerk, oud Heemraad
Willem Abraham de Klerk
Jan de Klerk
Barend Jacobus de Klerk, Barend zoon
Frans Johannes de Klerk
Theunis Christian de Klerk
Willem Christiaan Abraham de Klerk
W. A. de Klerk, W. zoon
Theunis Christiaan de Klerk
Carolus Jonannes van Aardt
Frans Johannes Durand
Hendrik Fredrik Prinsloo, W.z.
Barend Jacobus Bester
Barend Daniel Bouwer
l. s. van der vyver
Jan Christoffel Buys
R. J. de Waal
Johannes Lodewyk Bouwer
Isaak Serk Bouwer
Willem Christiaan Bouwer
Cornelis Engelbregt de oude
Gert Engelbregt
Johannes Engelbregt
L. J. Nel, oud Veld Cornet
P. R. Nel, L. zoon
J. P. Nel, L. zoon
S. P. Buys, J. zoon
Doris Botha
martinus van der merwe
Cornelis Johannes van der Merwe
Gysbert van ioo (?)
Records of the Cape Colony. 41;
A. C. Lombard
Dirk Bouwer
H. Petrus Lombard
Jacobus Delport
Petrus Stephanus Erasmus
W. F. Bouwer
P. Barendse Bouwer
Christoffel Bouwer, P. zoon
Johannes Lodewyk Bouwer
J. J. Bouwer
His [Enclosure 4 in the above.]
Co
Excellency Lord Charles Henry Somerset, Governor and
Mamander in Chief of the Cape of Good Hope, &c, &c, &c.
Alba
langf Lord, — We the Undersigned Dutch Inhabitants of
Wny> take the liberty to address your Lordship in the Dutch
Comiage, relative to a case of the utmost importance to us.
situa* have been informed with deep regret, that our worthy
relucnandant Lt. Col. Somerset will be soon relieved from his
livedti°n> a case which all of us have learnt with the greatest
Wtance, as we know by experience that we never have
man in such tranquillity, and which increases daily,
tt " e therefore beg your Lordship to retain the said Com-
ir tdant permanently amongst us, as we are all convinced
0- a we never shall obtain another more suitable for such an
LG 3>rtant situation, and with whom we can converse in our
Caffi language ; we also consider it our duty to assure your
immship, if we either by day or night lodge our Complaint of
W"e depredations, he never spared his own Person, and
■fcermediately sent to our assistance his cavalry.
\ye conclude by praying your Lordship in the most serious
estef's to keep amongst us such an excellent Protector.
,e have the honor to subscribe ourselves with the greatest
em.
(Signed) C. Meyer, Veld Cornet
A. J. Espach
J. P. Dreyer
S. van Dyk
416 Records of the Cape Colony.
S. V. d. Merwe
FRANS J. VAN DYK
W. A. Bester
L. J. Meyer
J. C. Greyling
B. W. Bouwer L
Gysbert van Rooyen n
J. P. Nel *
C. A. Botma
J. Nel
J. Mynhart
Jan Nel
MlCHIEL DE LANGE
J. J. Durand, Commandant
W. J. Durand
J. J. Durand, J. zoon
Jan de Klerk
Jan Rynier Petrus van Roc_n
Jan Nel, Jan z.
C. J. Dreyer
L. J. Klopper
J. H. POTGIETER
L. R. Botha
A. J. Nel
P. H. S. van der Merwe
W. van der Merwe
Johannes Hendrik Botha
Pieter Barend Botha
D. H. van Rooyen
Hermanus Lombard
Barend Jacobus de Lange
W. A. de Klerk, Heemraad
P. W. Bouwer, Veld Cornet.
INDEX.
Vol. XVI, May 1823 to January 182-1 ; Vol. XVII. January to June
1824; Vol. XVIII, June to October 1824; Vol. XIX, October
1824 to February 1825 ; Vol. XX, February to April 1825.
van Aarde, Mr. : opinion of, on land at Clanwilliam, xvi 4 and 315, xviii 275
Abel, slave of B. van der Merwe : trial of, for joining in conspiracy to murder
masters, xx 188 et seq. ; active part taken by, xx 191, 195, and 202; seizes
a gun and fires at his master, xx 192, 202, 206, 218, 227, 232, 235, 262:
and 310 ; shoots at W. N. van der Merwe, xx 196, 202, 207, 219, 223, 228
236, and 307 ; also at J. van Rensburg and J. M. Verlee, xx 197, 202, 207
219, 228, 237, 241, and 307 ; fires at the commando and is captured by
the slave Carel, xx 200, 202, 257, and 306 ; charges made against, xx 202
examination and statement of, xx 217 to 222 and 307 ; complains of ill
treatment, xx 221 and 264 ; sentence of death is passed upon, xx 340
further mention of, xx 260, 266, 269, 291, 301, 319, and 332
Abercrombie, James, surgeon : xvii 241, xix 336
Accounts : of Groote Post government farm, showing a deficit, xvi 43 and 44 ;
to be kept by burgher senators, xvi 248 ; between the commissariat
department and Mr. Willson's party, xvi 335, xvii 213 ; with settlers, xvi
378 ; of Tulbagh district, showing a surplus, xvii 337 ; of church funds,
xix 231
Accounts, public : for 1822, are transmitted by the Menai, xvi 108 and 109 ;
for 1823, by the Neptune, xvii 311 ; abstracts of, for 1.823. xvi 485 to 487 ;
for 1824, xix 382 to 385 ; further particulars concerning, xvi 231, xviii 327,
xx 341
Achilles, slave of W. X. van der Merwe : trial of, xx 188 et seq. ; charges made
against, xx 203 ; examination and statement of, xx 241 to 243 : sentence
passed upon, xx 340 ; further mention of, xx 259, 273, 282, 287, 302, 308,
321, 324, and 337
Acts of Parliament : concerning the tonnage <>!' vessels trading between Greal
Britain and the limits of the Eas1 India Company, repeal of, xvi 135;
for the abolition of the slave trade, xvi 142 ; for the registering of vessels,
xvii 452
XX. 2 E
418 Index. ■
Adams, Thomas Price, settler : distress of people of. xvi 284 ; money advanced
to, by the government, xvii 88, xviii 235 and 396
Addy. Doctor, settler of Mr. Parkers pf.rty : xix 27
Adelaide, a government slave : sale of, xvi 39G
Admiral Slinger, a Hottentot : part taken by, in slaves' attack on their
masters, xx 207, 220, 224, 229, 233, and 237 ; deposition of,
xx 299
Adonis, slave of J. A. du Plessis : trial of. xx 188 et seq. ; charges against,
xx 204 ; examination and statement of, xx 249 ; acquittal of, xx 340 ;
further mention of, xx 259, 328, and 333
Advertisements : in Mr. Greig"s paper, duty levied on, xvi 490
Agriculture : implements of, xvi 248 ; difficulties of, in Albany, xvii 120 ;
state of, in the George district, xix 350 et seq. ; machinery is required for,
xix 355 ; prosecution of, is proposed by the South African Company,
xx 95
Aitchison, Captain R* S-, of the Cape Corps Infantry : describes the system
of defence on the frontier, xvii 152 to 154 ; purchase of premises of, xix
175 and 176
Alacrity, the : Mr. Burnett embarks on, xx 17S
Albany, district of: successive failures of harvests in, xvi 11 ; address from
settlers in, expressing their appreciation of Lord Charles Somerset's
government, xvi 11 to 13 and 95. xviii 300 ; return of settlers in May 1823,
xvi 37 to 40 ; in February 1824, xvii 94 ; lands granted and occupied in,
xvi 113, 329. 331, 414, and 421, xix 96, 97, 137, 138, and 155 ; is to be
cultivated by free labour only, xvi 326. xix 161 ; was the only settlement
offered in England to emigrants, xvi 350 and 357 : visit of the commis-
sioners of enquiry to, xvi 420, xviii 150 ; depredations in, owing to
breaches of regulations, xvi 449 ; introduction of the English language
into the courts of, xvii 24 and 482 ; sufferings and complaints of settlers
in, xvii 79, xviii 150 and 301 to 310 ; description of state of, in 1824, xvii
103 and 119 ; claims of settlers in, are to be investigated by a commission,
wii 340 ; removal of settlers to, from Clanwilliam. xvii 347 : public
buildings in, xvii 484. xix 164; appointment of magistrates in, by Sir
Rufane Donkin, xviii 27 ; proposed emigration of labourers to, xviii 43
and 194 ; inhabitants of, desire Major Somerset's permanent appointment
as commandant, xviii 209, 211, and 330 ; visits of the governor to, xviii
303, xx 400 ; wages and prices in, xix 6 ; list of perpetual quitrent and
freehold grants made in, by Sir Rufane Donkin, in 1821, xix 35 ; by
Lord Charles Somerset, from 1821 to 1824. xix 37 to 39 ; list of officers
in, with salaries, xix 71 ; in October 1820 is separated from Uitenhage,
xix 161 and lf>7 ; annual expense of, xix 345 ; map showing boundaries
of, is sent to the commissioners, xix 393 ; sums advanced to settlers in,
suffering from storms, xix 462 ; inhabitants of, address the governor, xx
54 and 55 ; no longer requires the services of the Albany levy, xx 354 ;
beef of, xx 383
Albany Levy : advantages of, xvi 12 ; establishment of, and allowances to,
xvi 49, 396, and 440 ; xix 127 ; oath prescribed for, xvi 62, 102, 31S, and
320, xviii 308 ; information is requested concerning, xvii 486 ; grievances
Irvdi . 419
of the settlers in connection with, xviii 155 and 308 ; in March 1S25 is
di>banded as no longer required, xx 354, 40-1, and 406
Alberti, Brigadier General : xx 44
Albert yn, Casparus : loan place of, is purchased by Mr. Buissinne for the
location of settlers, xviii 53, 54, 55, and 129, xix 257 and 308
Albrecht, Johan Christiaan, late Moravian missionary : estate of, xviii 282,
283, and 311, xix 87
Albrecht, Maedalena Susannah, niece of the above : sum left to, xix 87
Aldermen of wards : appointment of, xvi 249
Alexander, Henry, colonial secretary : death of, xviii 14 : grants of land made
to, xviii 24. xix 101 ; recommends the establishment of a joint stock
banking company at the Cape, xx 61
Algoa Bay : settlers land and obtain stores at, xvi 351 and 357 ; court of
magistracy is appointed at, xx 402. See Port Elizabeth
Alldridge. Anthony, apprentice : evidence of, xviii 84
America : colonization of, xvi 272
Amsterdam. Dutch ship : value of, xvii 487
Anderson, George : complains against a sentence of the court of justice, xvi
27 and 34
Anderson, Reverend John, of Fochabers : letter from, concerning Mr. Rannie,
xviii 412
Anderson, W., settler : land granted to, xvii 84
Andrews, Captain C^sar, settler : relief granted to, from government loan,
xviii 253
Andries Wildschut. a Hottentot : part taken by, in the slaves' attack on their
masters, xx 207, 220, 224, 229, and 237 ; deposition of, xx 300
van Andringa, Mr., landdrost of Stellenbosch : xix 437
Andromache, -His Majesty's ship : salt beef is prepared for, xvii 33
Anton37. slave of W. X. van der Merwe : trial of, xx 188 ei seq. ; charges against,
xx 203 ; examination and statement of, xx 243 to 246 ; sentence passed
upon, xx 340 ; further mention of, xx 273, 287, 303, 308, 321, 324, and
337
Appeals : of Mr. Whiskin, xvi 113 ; from the action of a vestry in the Dutch
Reformed church to the district direction, xix 204 ; to the general
assembly, xix 208 ; of Jacobus Theron, xx 85 and 89 ; of Mr. Burnett,
from the decisions of the commission of circuit, xx 162 : from his sentence
for libel, xx 171. See Courts
Appraisement : of the territorial possessions of the Dutch East India Company
at the time of the capitulation, xx 100 d seq.
Apprentices: Mantatees placed as. with English settlers, xvi 223, xx 405;
boy and girl, scheme for transport of, and regulations for. xx 50 to 53, 58,
and 59 ; of Mr. Ingram, treatment of, xx 73
Apprentices, negro : neglect and desertion of, by Mr. Corbitt. xvi 141 and 142 ;
treatment of, by Mr. Blair, xvii 74. xix 273 it seq., and 493 : laws con-
cerning, xvii 109, 167 to 1<>9. and iss. .- 272: condition of. is inquired
into by Mr. Denyssen, xvii 157 >t seq. : successive disappearances of. xvii
158, 159. 160, and 162 : are hired out and sold as slaves, xvii 160 and 161 ;
are rescued by -Mr. Denyssen, xvii ltil and 162; little pi is made
■J. i: 2
420 Index.
by, in Christianity, xvii 166 ; frequently embrace Mohamedanism, xvii
167 ; condition of, is to be investigated by the commissioners of enquiry,
xix 493
Arethusa. coasting vessel : xvii 104
Ariadne, the : intelligence concerning loan is sent by, xviii 60
Arms and ammunition : barter in, with Kaffirs, is prohibited, xviii 180 ;
purchase of, for personal defence, xx 354
Armstrong, Catherine : land granted to, xvi 35
Armstrong, J., settler : land granted to, xvii 84
Artificers : building lots at Grahamstown are granted to, xvii 85
Artillery : buildings are erected for, at Grahamstown, xvi 450, xvii 231
Assagai : use of, by Kaffirs, xvi 128
Assagai Bush : location of settlers at, xvi 1 and 456 ; arrival of Mr. Francis
at. xvi 150
Atherstone, J., Fellow of the Eoyal College of Surgeons : xvii 241
Atkins, Ann : applies for marriage, xviii 316
Atwell, Richard, settler ; land granted to. xvi 476
Auction, public : sale of slaves by, xvi 65 ; of Mr. Ingram's property, amount
realised by, xviii 194 ; credit given at, xix 6 ; disposal of building allot-
ments by, xix 341 ; return of sales by, from 1808 to 1824, xix 390 ; pur-
chase of Paarden Island at, xix 398
Auditors, Colonial : remark on the governor's unauthorised expenditure, xvi
50 ; are to report concerning the securities to be required from civil
officers, xvii 479 ; statement sent by, xix 160
Auditor General : detects Mr. Buissinne's embezzlement of public money,
xvi 445
Auditor General's Department : list of officers of, with dates of appointment
and salaries, xix 49
Auret, P., chief clerk in the fiscal' s office : attack made upon, by Mr. Edwards,
xvii 269, 270, and 389 ; is named by him as a witness, xvii 376
Aurora, transport conveying settlers : xvii 88
Austin, William, heemraad of Albany : reports Mr. Geary's conduct, xviii 316 ;
testifies to Mr. Rivers' attention to settlers, xviii 383
Auteniqualand : productions of, xix 350
Bagot, Robert Wood, captain of the 47th regiment : testifies to the relief
afforded by Mr. Rivers to suffering settlers, xviii 387
Bailey, Samuel, surgeon royal navy : mention of, xvi 270, xvii 241 ; objects
to Mr. Liesching as a chemist and druggist, xviii 320 ; evidence given by,
to the commissioners of enquiry, xviii 470
Bailie, Ann, mother of John Bailie : presents his memorial, xvii 298 and 321
Bailie. John : idleness and distress of party under, xvi 37 and 284 ; additional
grant made to, xvi 477, xvii 84 ; requests a further extension of grant,
xvii 298 ; advances money to distressed settlers, xviii 374 ; testifies to
the relief afforded by Mr. Rivers to suffering settlers, xviii 396 ; further
mention of, xvi 409 and 422
Baird, Sir David : action of, regarding the colonial currency, xix 395, 401, 402,
and 441
Index. 421
Baird, General : xix 436 and 437
Baird, J., deputy landdrost of Beaufort : xx 84
Baker, George, settler : remains at Kleine Valley, xviii 203
Bakwena tribe: is reported to have joined the Mantatees, xvi 503
Bamberger, Nicolaas, first undersheriff : evidence given by, xvii 148, xviii 112,
xx 143
Bankruptcy : forced, of Mr. Burnett, xvi 188, xx 156
Banks : proposal of Mr. Ebden to establish a joint stock company at the Cape,
xix 492 and 504, xx 366 and 393. See Discount and Lombard
Baptism : of slaves and slave children, xvi 181, xvii 38 ; of negro apprentices,
xvii 168 ; fees for, xix 216 and 232 ; registration of, xix 230 ; of natives,
xix 472 and 475
Barclay, Reverend Archibald : pamphlet by, concerning Dr. Philip, xviii
346 and 402 ; is admitted as a candidate for the pastorate of the
Scotch church, London Wall, xviii 405 ; letter from, to Dr. Nicol,
xviii 433
Barker, Arthur, settler : little cultivation accomplished by, xvi 37 ; loss of
cattle by, xvi 287 ; grant of location to, xvi 424 and 475, xvii 3
Barker, J. : xviii 81
Barnard, Mr., colonial secretary : death of, xviii 14 ; land granted to, xviii 24
Barrack : necessity of erecting at Grahamstown, for the officers of the Cape
Corps ; probable cost of, xix 174 to 177
Barrosa, the : survey of, xvi 64 ; conveys Mr. Ingram's party from Cork to
the Cape, xvi 64, 69, and 296, xviii 186, 198, and 217
Barrow, John, secretary of the Admiralty : selects books for the public
librarj'' at Capetown, xviii 164 ; testimony of, to natives, xix 392 ; recom-
mends Mr. Pringle, xix 443
Barry, Dr. James, colonial medical inspector : question of authority of,
over Mr. Leitner, xvi 69 and 106 ; visits the prison, and complains of
neglect of the prisoners, xvii 245 and 280; powers entrusted to, xvii 331
and 357 ; allows lower fees .than the regulations impose, xvii 382; on
patent medicines, xvii 475 ; Bibel is published against, xviii 83, 86, and
103 f~~proposes queries to" be put to Messrs. Greig and Edwards, xviii 71 ;
objects to Mr. Liesching's admission as a chemist and druggist, and
deelmes to examine him, xviii 214. 215, 228, 230, and 320, xix 131. 312,
and 381 ; further mention of. xvii :23s and 281, xriii 65 and 79
Barter with Kaffirs : for ivory, xvi 72 and 73 ; is prohibited, xvi 449 ; regula-
tions for, xviii 179 to 181. See Commerce
Bathurst, Earl : admirable instructions of, for the colonization of South
Africa, xvi 131 ; is requested to preside at a meeting on behalf of dis-
tressed settlers, xvii 79
Bathurst, town of : destruction of, by Lord Charles Somerset, xvi 1 •'>•">. xvii 32 ;
losses and inconvenience occasioned by the removal of the seat of magis-
tracy from, to Grahamstown, xvi 178, 206, and 332, xvii 16 and 34, xviii
152; grazing land is taken away from, xvii 17 ; list of inhabitants of,
xvii 18; promising condition of, in 1821, xvii 29 and 31 : return of
settlers at. residing on their locations in February 1S24, xvii 9S ; Captain
Trappes is appointed provisional magistrate at, xviii -J7 ; alleged unfitness
422 Index.
of, as a seat of magistracy, xviii 302, 304, and 306 ; allotments sold at, in
1821, xix 94 ; grammar school is established at, xx 402
Baulcomb, W. H., director of the government slave lodge : xix 268
Bauragardt, G. D., clerk : leave of absence is granted to, in order to return
to Europe, xvi 146
Baviaan's River : condition of the Scotch settlers on, xvi 287, xviii 334 ;
hostility of the Kaffirs at, xvi 312 ; return of settlers on, xvi 321 ; tran-
quillity of, xviii 328 and 329 ; further mention of, xix 162 and 166
Beads : are used in illicit traffic with Kaffirs, xvi 73, xx 91 and 93 ; price of,
xx 182
Beaufort, district of : list of officers in, with salaries, xix 66 ; annual fair is to
be held at, xx 84
Beaufort, duchess of : private letter from, to Mr. Geary, xvii 54 to 58 ; recom-
mends him for the Cape, xvii 248
Bechuanas : assemble at Latakoo and discuss the expected attack by the
Mantatees, xvi 497 et seq.
Beck, Reinier, notary : acts as agent of Mr. De Sousa, xvii 160 and 161 ;
further mention of, xviii 204 and 205
Beef : is supplied to Mr. Ingram at Cork for his party, xvi 202 ; is salted by
Mr. Nourse for His Majesty's service, xvii 33, xx 383
Bell, Lieutenant-Colonel : is appointed a member of the council, xx 8
Bell, Reverend Dr. : educational system of, xvi 12, xvii 289
Bendall, Mr. : evidence of, xvii 187
Bengal wheat : issue of, to settlers, for sowing purposes, xvi 265
Bennie, John, missionary of the Glasgow Society : is at the Chumie institution,
xvi 200
Bentinck, Walter, LL.D., auditor general and commissioner of the court of
justice : commits Mr. Edwards to prison, xvii 145 ; appearance of the
fiscal and Mr. Pringle before, xvii 480 ; evidence taken before, concerning
the libel against the governor and Dr. Barry, xviii 72, 83, 88, 95, 100, and
108 ; is appointed a member of the council, xx 8
Bentley, James, A.M., professor of oriental languages, King's College, Aber-
deen : recommends Mr. Morgan, xvi 449, 458, and 494 ; further mention
of, xvii 298
Bentley, Sergeant, of the 6th regiment: is market master, xx 181
Beresford, General : xix 436 and 437
Berg River : is well suited for the breeding of horses, xvii 488
Bergeon, Jacques Zacharias, soldier : death of, xvii 2
Bergh, A. V., director of the Lombard bank : age and infirmities of, xix 428
Bergh, E., clerk of the court of justice : assists in the search for defamatory
papers, xviii 100
Bergh, Olof Martinus, deputy landdrost of Clanwilham : opinion of, on the
locations of settlers, xvi 4, 98, 148, and 315, xviii 274 ; Colonel Bird's
letter to, xvi 36 and 99, xviii 19 ; decides the dispute between Messrs.
Parker and Woodcock, xviii 20 and 206, xix 134 ; reports on Mr. Rede-
linghuys's memorial, xviii 451 ; further mention of, xviii 463, 466, 487,
and 490
Berrange, D. F., LL.D., secretary of the court of justice : signature of, xvi 395
Index. 423
and 447 ; part taken by, in the trial of Mr. Edwards, xvii 411, 413, 414,
415, 416, 423, 424, and 425, xviii 116 ; assists in the search for defamatory
papers against the governor, xviii 80 and 82
Berrange, Reverend Jan Christoffel, president of the general assembly : xix
188, 209, 212, 215, 216 to 222, and 336
Bertram, Mr. : is in Mr. Gosling's service, xvi 66, xix 184
Bethelsdorp, missionary settlement at : establishment of, xvi 215 ; barren
situation of, xviii 498 and 506, xix 286 ; progress made at, xviii 499 and
507, xix 287 and 289 ; need of extension of land at, xviii 500, 502, and 504,
xix 41, 287, 289, and 362
Betje, a Hottentot, wife of Galant : intercedes on behalf of her mistress, Mrs.
Van der Merwe, xx 198 and 311 ; deposition of, xx 270 : further mention
of, xx 209, 212, 216, 242, 244, 247, 251, 290, 316, and 338
Bible and School Commission : see Commissions
Bibles : distribution and sale of, xviii 165, xix 85
Bible Union Society : formation and work of, xviii 20 and 165, xix 85
Bichner, R., fieldcornet : xviii 504
Biddulph, Lieutenant Edward, royal navy: complains of injuries inflicted on
his father, xvi 209 and 292
Biddulph, Mr., settler : heavy charge made upon, for poundage of strayed
cattle ; trial of, and imprisonment for contempt of court, xvi 210 and 292
to 295 ; alleged defiant conduct of, xvi 327 ; grant of land made to, xvii
84 ; offers to convey the mail from Uitenhage to Grahamstown, xix 357
Biggar, Alexander, settler : work done by, xvi 37 ; loss of cattle by. xvi 287 ;
land granted to, xvi 423 and 441. xvii 78 and 83 ; was paymaster in the
85th regiment, and cashiered by a court martial for malversation ;
emigrates to the Cape, xviii 131 ; is arrested and charged with insulting
Major Somerset, xviii 132, 135, and 137 ; complains of slander and
injustice, xviii 133 and 137 ; offers a reward for the conviction of the
author, xviii 140 ; further mention of, xviii 142 and 143
Bigge, John Thomas, His Majesty's Commissioner : application to, xvi 76 ;
cannot advise Mr. Geary, xvii 52 ; opinion of, respecting Wathall, xvii
255 ; subject of land tenure is pressed upon, by Mr. D'Escury, xvii 457 ;
report of, on New South Wales, xvii 462 ; is quoted incorrectly by Mr.
Geary, xvii 499 and 500 ; approves the construction of the road over the
Franscbe Hoek Kloof, xix 252. See Commissioners of Enquiry
Bird, Lieutenant -Colonel Christopher, colonial secretary : charges made
against, by Mr. Parker ; is said to be a Roman Catholic and a Jesuit, and
to seek to undermine Protestantism at the Cape, xvi 1 to 6, 77, 98 to 101,
296, 397, 399, and 410 to 414, xvii 9 and 492, xviii 11, 182, and 201, xix
23 and 491 ; oaths of office taken and refused by, xvi 72, 105, 299, 301,
and 405, xviii 192; is defended by Sir Rufane Donkin, and his high
character attested, xvi 87, 114, 122 et seq., and 143 ; illness of, xvi 145 and
147, xvii 59, 296, and 453 ; letter from, to Captain Somerset, xvi 171 : is
said to be hostile to settlers, and dominant in the colony, xvi 191 ; gives
information to the commissioners, xvi 206 ; charges againsl by Mr. Parker,
are to be investigated by the commissioners, xvi 477 and 478, xvii 453, 459,
and 460 ; dismissal of, from office, xvii 143 and 470, xix 39!) and 406 ;
424 Index.
requests a pension ; long and arduous services of, xvii 472, xviii 13 to 15 ;
reply of, to Mr. Parker's charges, xviii 12 to 16, 17 to 34, 63, and 129 ;
lands granted to, in Hout Bay and Capetown, and advance made to, by
the Lombard Bank, on their security, xviii 23, 236, 244 to 246, and 247,
xix 1, 21, 88, 98, 426, and 431 ; establishes a public library in Capetown,
xviii 31 and 163 ; furthers the proposal to build an English church in
Capetown by subscription, xviii 33, 144, 147, and 162 ; encourages the
religious instruction of slaves, xviii 161 ; assertion of, respecting appoint-
ments made by the governor, xviii 238 ; allowance and pension to be
granted to, xviii 254, xix 406 ; cannot furnish documents respecting Mr.
Parkers location, xix 26 ; attitude of, towards Bible societies, xix 86 ;
alleged persecution of, by Lord Charles Somerset, xix 100 ; objects to Mr.
Morkel's claim, xix 257 ; protests against his treatment by the commis-
sioners, xix 400, 439, and 475 ; courts every inquiry, xix 475 ; answers
given by, concerning government slaves, xx 350 to 353 ; further mention
of, xvi 148, 155, 156, 158, 315, 434, and 437, xviii 449 and 450, xix 135,
159, 165, 179, 303, 306, 317, 339, 340, 341, 356, and 363, xx 3, 4, 68, 70.
71, 72, 79, 80, 362, and 395
Bird, Major E. M., brother of Colonel Bird : solicits aid for five sisters, xix 400
Bird, Reverend John, brother of Colonel Bird : is a Jesuit priest, xvi 100 and
405 ; remittances made to, xvi 100 and 406
Bird, Miss, sister of Colonel Bird : xvi 100
Bird, William Wilberforce, comptroller of customs : is a member of the com-
mittee for the relief of distressed settlers, xvi 264 and 269 ; work published
by, xvii 295 ; advice of, to Dr. Philip, xviii 357 ; resolution is proposed
by, for the increase of the sub-committee in Albany, xviii 364, 366, 368,
369, and 385 ; evidence given by, to the commissioners, xix 20 ; explains
his action concerning La Seine, xix 128 ; obtains a pledge from Dr. Philip
to withdraw presses from Mr. Greig, xix 466 ; further mention of, xvii
183, 189, 190, 234, 383, 389, and 392, xviii 56, 350, and 352, xix 273 and
279
Bird Islands : sealing and fishing on, xix 105
Bishops : opinions of, concerning Colonel Bird and Roman Catholicism, xvi 411
Bisset, Alexander, settler : land granted to, xvii 84 ; testifies to the relief
afforded by Mr. Rivers to distressed settlers, xviii 379
Black beard, Constable : xvii 500
Blackstone, W. : citations from, xvii 181, 182, 199, 205, and 406
Blackwood, Sir Henry, commander of His Majesty's ship Leander : xvi 377
Blair, Charles, collector of customs : conduct of, towards negro apprentices,
xvi 141 and 142, xvii 109, 192, 212, 214, and 498, xviii 216, xix 273 et seq. ;
has not given security, and objects to demand, xvi 490 and 491 ; charges
made against, by Mr. Cooke, xvii 45, 51, 74, 75, 77, 137, 138, 139, 140,
145, 210, and 232, xviii 322, xix 27 let seq., 331, and 493, xx 137, 138, and
141 ; alleged libel on, by Messrs. Cooke and Edwards, proceedings con-
cerning, xvii 177 to 209 ; illness of, xvii 184 ; is accused of tampering
with witnesses, xvii 186 ; alleged violence of, towards Mr. Cooke, xvii 190
and 194. xix 274 ; temporary suspension of, xix 272 ; further mention of,
xvii 10, 20, and 24, xviii 56, xx 374
Index. 425
Blair, W. T. : is a member of the committee for the relief of distressed settlers,
xvi 264 and 2G9 ; speech of, xvi 277, xviii 368 ; signs the memorial for a
free press, xviii 58 ; is chairman at the first meeting of the South African
literary society, xviii 178 ; consults the acting secretary, xviii 286 ;
letters from, to the governor, laying papers before him, xviii 288 and 291 ;
associates himself with Dr. Philip, xviii 345
Blake, Major M. G. : mention of, xvii 86 ; conveys Mr. Edwards' apology to
the governor, xviii 317 and 494
Blakeman, Captain Richard, of the 54th regiment : reports massacre of
natives on the frontier in 1821, xix 392
Bletterman, Mr. : builds the drostdy house and secretary's house at Tulbagh,
xvii 335
Blight: re- appearance of, in 1823, xvii 142; injury to harvests caused by,
xvii 229, 230, and 338, xviii 156, 253, and 327 ; successive visitations of,
xix 140, 343, 349, 351, and 356
Blomfield. Archdeacon, D.D. : is requested to select a clergyman as classical
schoolmaster for the Cape, xvi 415 and 418
van Blommestein, P. C, secretary at Stellenbosch : xviii 149
Bloomfield, Sir Benjamin : befriends Mr. Parker, xvi 98, 397, and 443
Board of landdrost and heemraden : impose a fine for refusal to take oath,
xvi 62 ; case of Mr. Biddulph is brought before, xvi 293 ; issue of relief by,
to distressed settlers, xviii 252 ; question of security is submitted to, xix
462 ; taxes levied by, on slaves, xx 136 and 370
Board of ordnance : charges borne by, xvii 230 and 231
Board of orphan chamber : report made by, xvii 2 ; papers from Switzerland
are forwarded to, xvii 175 ; money due to, xvii 337 ; administers the
estate of C. Albrecht, xviii 282 and 283 ; list of officers of, with dates of
appointment and salaries, xix 55 ; regulations of, respecting foreign heirs,
xix 87 ; work of, xix 95 and 184 ; widows' fund is placed in charge of,
xix 213 and 501
Boardman, Reverend William, chaplain to Mr. Willson's party : is left to
represent Mr. Willson on his location, xvi 9 ; question of agency of, is
disputed, xvi 16, xviii 213, xix 24, 121, 122, and 124, xx 40, 43, and 122 ;
services of, in locating settlers, and various duties of, xvi 338, 347, 359,
360, and 363, xix 117 and 125 ; stipend of, xvi 347 and 358 ; glebe set
apart for, xvi 359 ; is appointed head of the party, xvi 373, xix 79 and 80 ;
land granted to, xvi 409 and 422, xvii 85 ; testifies to the relief given by
Mr. Rivers to distressed settlers, and rebuts calumny, xviii 378 and 394 ;
defends himself from Mr. Willson's charges, xix 82 and 119 ; has repaid
money advanced, and exhibits receipt, xx 41 ; further mention of, xvi
334 and 335
Boats : construction of, for service at the Kowie river, xvii 482
Boers: extent of farms of, xvi 430 ; houses of, xvii 122 ; animosity of, towards
Kaffirs, xvii 222; incursion of, into Kaffir territory, to recover stolen
cattle, xviii 41 and 15S ; on Baviaans River, petition for the retention of
Major Somerset as commandant, xviii 305 and 32!)
Bohmer, J. W., elder of the Roman Catholic church in Capetown: xix
141
426 Index.
Bokkeveld, the : grievances of the inhabitants of, regarding the removal of
the drostdy, xviii 51
Bond, W., settler : land granted to, xvii 84
Bonds : to be given for registered vessels, xvii 452 ; entered into by Mr.
Ingram with the government, xviii 185, xix 256, xx 94 ; given by settlers
for the repayment of sums advanced in relief, xviii 235, xix 462
Bonteberg Farm : grant of, to Mr. Proctor, and rent asked for, xvi 169, xvi i
369, xviii 248
Books : selection of, for the public library in Capetown, xviii 164 and 172 ;
lending and return of, xviii 174 ; required for the public classical school,
xix 142 and 330
Bore herds, P. B., member of the court of justice : trial of Mr. Edwards is held
before, xvii 373 and 387 ; visits him in prison, xvii 415 ; further mention
of, xvii 394, 411, and 423
Borcherds, Reverend M., minister at Stellenbosch : sermon preached by,
xvii 50 ; age and infirmity of, xviii 328 ; is secretary to the general
assembly, xix 188, 209, 212, and 215 ; further mention of, xix 213
Borcherds and Truter, Messrs., commissioners of circuit : xx 170 and 395
Borodino, transport : is to take men from the Royal African Corps to Sierra
Leone, xvi 180
Borradaile, Abraham, chairman of the committee of Cape trade : requests
reduction of duty on Cape wine, xx 114, 116 et seq., 151, and 379
Bosch, I. Jacob : xviii 282 and 283
Boshoff, A. : application of, for land, xvi 507
Bosjesmen : returns of expeditions against, with numbers killed, wounded,
and taken prisoners, in the district of Worcester, xvi 484 ; in Graaff-
Reinet, xvii 507 ; in Stellenbosch, xviii 148 ; at the Cape since 1797, xix
19 ; taken prisoners, live with farmers as servants, xvii 508 ; grants of
land made to, xix 18 and 75 ; treatment of, xix 484
Bosman, Maria Elizabeth : xviii 54
Botha, Philip Rudolph, farmer : xix 128
Botumane, Xosa chief : gives up a Kaffir who has murdered an English boy,
xix 477
Boundaries of locations : disputes concerning, xvii 148 and 344
Bourne, Sturges, president of the committee on the poor laws : xvii 28
Bouvin, S. : land solicited by, xix 116
Bower, B. D., settler : removal of, is ordered, xvii 90
Bowker, Miles : industry of, xvi 37 ; grants of land made to, xvi 423 and 441,
xvii 78 and 83 ; reports the nourishing state of his settlement at Olive-
town, xvii 102 ; is senior heemraad of Albany, xvii 103, xviii 316
Boys : value of labour of, xx 51 ; wages of, xx 59
Braddon, W. : is one of the committee for the relief of distressed settlers, xvi
264, 269, and 270
Bradford, Mr. : land granted to, xvii 84
Bradshaw, Richard : land granted to, xvi 179, xvii 83
Bradshaw, Samuel : industry of party of, xvi 37 ; distress of party of, xvi 288 ;
is to have his location confirmed, xvi 423
Brand, C. T., advocate : is nominated to act for Mr. Edwards, xvii 187 ; argu-
Index. 427
nient of, xvii 188 ; speeches of, xvii 201 and 427 ; acts for 'Sir. Edwards
on appeal, in forma pauperis, xvii 424 and 425 ; letter to, from Mr.
Edwards, xvii 426 and 432
Brand, Joseph H. : xix 158
Brandy : manufacture of, at the Cape, xvii 130 ; imported into the Cape, duty
levied on, xvii 144, xviii 56
Brath, Mr. : becomes security for an advance to Mr. Parker, xx 380
Bread : high price of, xvii 250
van Breda, M., president of the burgher senate : sheep breeding by, xix 353 ;
further mention of, xx 3, 17, and 30
Breede River : is the boundary of the district of Tulbagh, xvii 355
Breeze, Charles, settler: loss of cattle by, xvii 156; asks for an additional
grant, xvii 157
Brenton, Sir Jahleel : opinion of, on the value of the lighthouse at Sea Point,
xvi 61, 63, and 103 ; recommends the erection of one at Cape Point, xvi
61 ; returns Mr. Parker's papers, xvi 121 ; opinion of, on the extension
of the wharf at Simonstown, xvi 291 and 298, xvii 105 ; recommends the
establishment of a joint stock banking company at the Cape, xx 46 ;
further mention of, xvi 270 and 401
Brereton, Colonel : establishes a system of defence on the frontier, xvii 153
Bresler, F. R., member of the court of justice : inquest held by, xvi 380 ; trial
of Mr. Edwards is held before, xvii 373 and 387 ; visits him in prison,
xvii 415 ; was deputy receiver general, xx 346 and 388 ; further mention
of, xvi 382, 384, 388, 390, 392, 395, and 447, xvii 376, 377, 394, 411, and 423
Briant, Widow : xviii 380
Bridekirk, William : information given by, xviii 85 and 86 ; evidence of,
xviii 100 and 101
Brink, Cornells : xvi 386
Brink, Johannes Matthias : is master of Hester, xvi 380 ; evidence of, xvi 388 ;
is appointed secretary to committee, xvii 139
Brink, P. G., assistant secretary : defends Mr. Denyssen, xvii 75 ; acts as
colonial secretary, xvii 330, 374, 470, and 471, xviii 207, 229, 244, 286, 289,
295, 315, 348, 358, 361, 362, 364, 371, 394, and 401, xix 36, 39, 101, 132,
138, 141, 160, and 305, xx 349 ; increase of salary is recommended for,
xix 140, 160, 240, 303, and 306 ; is granted to, xx 114 ; high qualifications
of, xix 304 ; gives evidence before the commissioners, xx 78 and 80 ;
further mention of, xvi 154 and 440, xvii 275, xviii 80, xx 32, 69, 79, 80,
89, 101, 107. 113, 141, 142, 376, and 388
Brisbane, Sir Thomas, governor of New South Wales : xviii 442 and 494
British and Indian Observer, the : paragraph from, concerning the condition
of settlers, xix 4, 5, and 9
Brits, Willem and Gert, farmers : xx 81
Bromella, brother-in-law of Mateebe : speech of, xvi 501
Brooks, Frederick : introduction of, xvi 492
Brooks, Henry, settler : land to be granted to, xvi 477, xvii 3
Brouwerstraat : return of erven and population in, in 1S:24, xvii 334
Brown, Reverend Principal: testifies to Mr. Rannie's character and ability,
xviii 433
428 Index.
Brown, Thomas, settler : no cultivation done by, xvi 37 ; land to be granted
to, xvi 424 and 475 ; is engaged in illicit traffic with Kaffirs, xx 93
Brownlee, Reverend John, late missionary of the London Society : is enjoined
to prevent traffic in slaves, xvi 207 ; settlement of, at the Chumie institu-
tion, xix 47 1
Brownrigg, Captain, of the Cumbrian : xvi 23
de Bruin, Jacob : complains of the removal of the drostdy from Tulbagh to
Worcester, xvii 351 ; further mention of, xvi 226 and 228
Brumfield, John, clerk : deposition of, xviii 87 ; examination of, xviii 109 to
111 ; visits Mr. Edwards in prison, xviii 112
Buchenroder, W. L. : supports the request for more land at Bethelsdorp, xix
289 and 290
Buckbay Farm : list of officers at, xix 62
Buckbay Packet, government schooner : wreck of, xix 139, xx 72
Buckton, Mr. : xviii 366
Buffaloes : herds of, in the Zuurveld, xvii 119
Buildings : are constructed of wood under Mr. Willson's direction, xvi 366 ;
advantage of, in towns, xviii 25 : on Robben Island, repair of, xx 359 to
361
Buildings, public : necessary repairs of, are undertaken by the governor, xvi
50, 51, 332, and 495, xvii 175 and 488. xix 348 ; at Tulbagh, list of, xvi
227 ; repair of, xvi 229, xx 67 ; sale of, xvi 230 ; damage done to, by
storms, xvi 229, xvii 313 and 319, xviii 127, xix 346 and 348 ; construction
of, by the commissaries of the court of justice, xvi 234 ; by burgher
senators, xvi 243 ; on the frontier and in Albany, expense of, xvi 207, xvii
484, xix 164 ; for the commissariat department, erection and repair of,
xviii 184, xix 328, xx 4 ; in the Worcester district, erection of, xviii 256,
xix 239, xx 15 and 66 ; funds are required for the erection of, xx 364
Buissinne, Petrus Stephanus, receiver of land revenue : report of, on lands at
Clanwilliam, xvi 4, 98, 119, 121, 315, and 317, xviii 18, 128, 129, 146, and
274, xix 96 ; is a brother-in-law of Colonel Bird, xvi 119 and 413 ; em-
bezzlement of public money by, xvi 445 ; offices held by ; triad and sen-
tence of, xvi 446 ; purchases the Wolvegat on account of government,
xviii 53 to 55 ; confidence reposed in, by the governor and Sir Rufane
Donkin ; has betrayed his trust, xix 113; further mention of, xvi 148,
395, and 429
Buissinne and Bentinck, Messrs., commissioners : vindicate Mr. Burnett's
conduct, xx 158 and 162
Burchell, W. J. : gives information to the committee on the poor laws respect-
ing the Cape, xvii 28
Burder, Reverend George, secretary of the London Missionary Society : xvi
223
Burger, B. F., fieldcornet : complains of the removal of the drostdy from
Tulbagh, and of the increase of taxes, xvii 353 and 354
Burghers of Cape Colony : military spirit shown by, xvi 462 and 463 ; claim
of soldiers of Dutch garrison to become, xvi 483 and 508 ; terms of
admission of foreigners to rights of, xvi 508, xvii 8 and 23
Burgher Senate : taxes levied by, xvi 194
Index. 429
Burgher Senators : instruction for ; board of, is to take over the duties of the
commissioners of the court of justice, xvi 242 ; duties of, xvi 243 et seq. ;
respect and obedience to be paid to, xvi 250 ; oath to be taken by, xvi 251
Burke, Captain Edmond, of the 38th regiment : reports cruel treatment of
Kaffirs, xvi 47 and 403
Burnett, Bishop, settler : complaints and grievances of, against the colonial
government, xvi 182 et seq., xx 154 to 181. and 356 ; claim of, for forage
supplied to the Cape Corps, xvi 262, xx 163 ; claims and grievances of,
are to be investigated, xvi 262, xx 389, 391, and 395 ; money is advanced
to, by the government, xvii 88 ; signs the memorial for a free press, xviii
58 ; is suspected of taking part in the libel against the governor, xviii 66,
89 et seq., and 117 ; dwelling of, is searched for defamatory papers, xviii
80 to 82 ; a decree of apprehension of, is applied for, xviii 118 ; is refused,
xviii 119 ; gives an account of the disturbance in Grahamstown, xviii 140
to 143 ; is sentenced to five years' banishment from the Cape, xx 133, 395,
and 396 ; trial of, for libel against Messrs. Borcherds and Truter, xx 170 ;
escapes in disguise, xx 175 and 178 ; embarks on the Alacrity, xx 178 ;
offences of, in the eyes of the governor, xx 179 ; political opinions of ;
documents in the possession of, xx 180
Burnett, Mrs. : assists her husband to escape, xx 175
Bush : beating of, is ordered, to drive out Kaffirs, xvi 311
Bushman's River : xix 162
Butler, Charles : xviii 22
Butler, Captain Thomas, settler : industry of, xvi 37 ; land granted to, xvi
423, xvii 84 ; is located at Clanwilliam, but removes thence to Albany,
xviii 45, 144, and 145 ; testifies to the attention and humanity of Mr.
Rivers, xviii 382
Buyskes, Egbert Andries ; is appointed commissary of vendues, xvii 267
Byng, Mr., colonial paymaster : xix 442
Cadle, Widow : sum advanced to, xviii 235
Cadogan, George : xvi 270
Caledon, earl of : mention of, xvii 238, xviii 14
Caledon : list of officers in, with salaries, xix 64
Callahan, Daniel, and Co. : xvi 202
Cambrian, transport : xvi 366
Campbell, Major-General 0. C. : no cultivation done by, xvi 37 ; land to be-
granted to and reserved for, xvi 424 and 475, xvii 89 and 90
Campbell, Captain Duncan, heemraad of Albany: land is granted to, at
Grahamstown, xvi 177, xvii 84 ; is removed from the magistracy, xvi 191 ;
asks an explanation of Major Somerset's words to Mr. Biggar, xviii 134 ;
is offered a location at the Zonder End, but prefers going to Albany, xix
112, 309, and 310; decides the dispute between Messrs. Fournier and
Shaw, xix 319 ; letter from, to Mr. Parker, remains unanswered, xx 345
Campbell, Keverend Dr. John : work of, m selecting ministers for the Oape,
xvi 214, 458, and 494 ; visits of. to South Africa, xvi 215 and 216
Campbell, Peter, district surgeon in Albany : testifies to (be relief afforded by
Mr. Rivers to suffering settlers, xviii 380
430 Index.
de Campher, Petrus Josephus : trial of, for aiding in the conspiracy of slaves
and Hottentots to murder masters, xx 188 et seq. ; charges made against,
xx 204 ; examination of, xx 253 to 255 ; denies the charge, xx 255 ; is
released, xx 312 ; further mention of, xx 215, 220, 229, 242, 274, 296, 302,
and 317
Campkin, Thomas, settler : grant of land made to, xvi 477, xvii 3
Cape Corps : see Garrison
Cape District : list of officers in, with salaries, xix 62
Cape Point : a lighthouse on, is desirable^ xvi 61
Capetown : trade at, xvi 208 ; proposed erection of a Scottish Presbyterian
church in, xix 331, 332, and 334 ; need of an English episcopal church in,
xix 480
Capetown Gazette : alleged libel in, against Mr. Geary, xvii 111, 112, 124, 134,
and 259, xviii 207, 215, and 242, xx 132 and 371 ; letter published in,
concerning the disturbance in Grahamstown, xviii 135 and 140 ; extra
attendance is required for the printing of, xviii 199 ; is said to have pub-
lished a libel against Mr. Theron, xx 83 ; publication of Mr. Burnett's
insolvency in, xx 156 and 160
Capital sentences : reference of, to the home government, xix 84
Capitulation : articles of, xvi 508
Carbines : are requested for the Albany levy, xvi 49
Cardon, Thomas : xvii 60
Carel, a slave of G. Muller : captures the murderer Abel, xx 200 and 306 ;
deposition of, xx 301
Carlisle, Frederick : industry of party of, xvi 37 ; correspondence with, xvi
330 ; is to have his location confirmed, xvi 423 ; proposes a scheme for
bringing labourers to Albany, xviii 43
Carlisle, John : is to have his location confirmed, xvi 441
Carnall, Captain John : visits Mr. Edwards in prison, xviii 112 ; assists him
to escape, xix 299 to 302 ; sentence passed upon, of transportation, is
commuted to banishment, xix 302
Carolina, a government slave : sale of, xvi 396
Carolina, a slave of Mr. Van der Riet : purchase of, for emancipation, xx 184,
186, and 187
Carwardine, Reverend J. : is brother-in-law to Mr. D. P. Francis, xvi 53
Cassey, Reverend Mr. : is ready to go to Holland with a view to proceeding
to the Cape, xvii 209
Catechism, Heidelberg : translation of, is requested to be printed, for use in
schools, xix 187 and 498 ; instruction in, xix 193
Caterpillar : ravages of, on crops, xvi 282, 283, and 286
Cats, Petrus Johannes : sum advanced to, for losses sustained by fire, xviii 298
Cattle : stolen by Kaffirs, recapture and restoration of, xvi 128, 324, 462, and
463, xvii 156 and 218, xviii 38, 45, 152, 158, 159, and 209, xix 112, 128,
324, and 476, xx 91 ; proposed loan of, by the government, to distressed
settlers in the Zuurveld, xvi 59 ; breeding of, by settlers, xvi 431, xvii 17
and 491, xviii 156, xix 353, xx 382 ; grazing of, land required for, xvi 431,
xvii 348, xx 95 ; return of, in the Cape Colony, for 1823, xvi 488 and 489 ;
for 1824, xix 386 and 387 ; as a circulating medium, xvii 29 ; supply of,
Index. 431
for St. Helena, xvii 32 ; loss of, by Messrs. Wilmot, xvii 278 ; barter for,
with Kaffirs, xviii 42, 159, and 181, xx 93 and 94
Cavalry, Cape : augmentation of a squadron of, expense of, xvi 419 ; services
of, against the Kaffirs, xvi 462, xviii 42 ; duties of, on the frontier, xvii
218 ; proposed strength of troops of, xvii 219
Ceres, the : is wrecked in Table Bay for want of a light, xvi 61
Certificate : of leave of absence, xix 479
Ceylon : intended visit of the commissioners to, xvi 495 ; regulations con-
cerning the currency at, xx 28 and 373
Chabaud, J. A. : is appointed treasurer for the subscriptions for a church at
Port Elizabeth, xvii 360
Chaplain, colonial : house appropriated for, xix 396
Chapman, transport conveying settlers to the Cape : sails in 1819, xvii 12
Chapman, Captain : in 1823 commands His Majesty's Ship Espiegle, xvi 420 ;
in 1819 conveys the governor from Algoa Bay in His Majesty's ship
Nautilus, xix 455
Charles M ills, ship : xviii 314
Charter : is requested for a joint stock banking company at the Cape, xx 42 ;
is requested for the South African Company, xx 96
Chase, John Centlivres, settler : additional land is granted to, xvii 83
Cheeka, Kaffir chief : drives the Mantatees from Hambona, xvi 503 *
Chemists and Druggists : regulations for practising as, and certificates re-
quired by, xviii 121, 249, and 320, xix 183 and 312
Chiappini, Antonio : applies for a loan from the bank, xix 141
Children : employment and wages of, xviii 256 ; number of, in the colony,
xviii 333
Christian, Mr., brother-in-law of Mr. Nourse : xvii 26
Christopher, Captain, of the ship Charles Mills : horses purchased from, xvii
490, xviii 314
Chumie River : a detachment is sent to, in order to seize Gaika, xviii 39 ; a
conference is held at, on the 2nd August 1823, which restores confidence
in Gaika ; fair is promised at, xviii 40
Chumie settlement : Kaffir depredations upon, xvii 154, xviii 158 ; list of
officers in, with salaries, xix 72 ; is situated in neutral territory, xix 171 ;
population of, xix 471 ; work carried on at, xix 472 to 474
Church : for slaves and slave children, is opened at Stellenbosch, xvii 50 ; at
Tulbagh, losses of, from the removal of the drostdy, xvii 355 ; is required
at Port Elizabeth, xvii 359 ; meeting is held to further the erection of,
xvii 360 ; subscriptions are received for, xvii 361 ; in Albany, expense of,
xvii 484 ; at Simonstown, is destroyed by storms ; rebuilding of, xviii
340, xix 348 ; erection of, in Capetown, for members of the established
church of Scotland, xix 331, 332, and 334 ; raising of funds for, xix 337 ;
need of English episcopal, in Capetown, xix 480
*2Hambon;i is a corruption of Embo, that is the Bantu name of tho
country of the Abambo, which wo call Natal. Very few of the inhabitants
of Natal were in the horde under .Ma Ntati and others, which was set in
motion by tribes fleeing from Tshaka (Cheeka as given here). — (!. M. T.
432 Index.
Church Missionary Society : aid is granted by, for the erection of a church in
Albany, xvii 484
Church Ordinance : establishment and authority of, xix 495 to 497
Circuit Court : declines to hear Mr. Wilmot's case, xvii 62, 65, 273, and 274 ;
judgment given by, against Mr. Burnett, xx 160
Civil Establishment at the Cape : contingencies of, xvii 144
Civil Officers : vacancies for, and provisional appointments of, are to be
notified to the secretary of state immediately, xvi 480 ; security required
from, in positions of trust, xvi 490, 491, and 492, xvii 479 ; increase in
salaries of, xvii 14 and 210 ; new appointments of, xvii 485 ; grants of
land made to, xviii 24
Clancarty, earl of : xvii 231
Clanwilliam : land at, is allotted to Mr. Parker, xvi 98, xviii 17 and 18 ; is
inspected by Messrs. Parker and Francis, and found to be inadequate and
unsuitable, xvi 148, and 315 to 317 ; Mr. Francis is located at, and re-
moves from, xvii 467 ; limited resources and unfavourable climate of ;
settlers withdraw from, xvii 4 and 347, xviii 145 and 274 to 279 ; cultiva-
tion of grain at, xix 34 ; list of officers in, with salaries, xix 69 ; expense
of settlement at, xix 345
Clarke, Captain : visits distressed settlers, xviii 396
Clarke, Dr. : purchase of premises of, xix 175 and 176
Clarke, Mrs., widow of W. Clarke : land to be granted to, xvi 477, xvii 3
Clarke, William, settler : industry of party of, xvi 37 ; location of, is to be
divided, xvi 409, 422, and 477, xvii 3 ; further mention of, xix 14
Clay : use of, for mortar or cement, xvii 122
de Clerck, J. : complains of the removal of the drostdy from Tulbagh, xvii 353
and 354
Clergymen : need of a third, in Capetown, xvi 110 ; land to be reserved for
the support of, xvi 213 ; as master of the public grammar school, salary of,
xviii 183 ; number of, required in the colony, xviii 333
Clerical Establishment : list of officers of, with dates of appointment and
salaries, xix 58
Clerk of the Council : salary of, xx 5 ; duties of, xx 10 and 14
Climate : of Clanwilliam, great heat of, xviii 211 and 278
Cloete, Major A. J. : mention of, xvi 358 ; obtains a loan from England, to
relieve distressed settlers, xviii 60, xix 346 ; in May 1823 returns to the
colony, xviii 61
Cloete, Daniel J., secretary of the district of Albany : is brother-in-law to Mr.
Rivers, xvii 263 ; farm granted to, xvii 283 ; salary of, xvii 284 and 291 ;
is secretary of the matrimonial court, and gives information of fees
charged, xvii 302
Cloete, Hendrik, advocate : memoranda required for, xvi 428 ; acts for Mr.
Cooke, xvii 181 ; reads his memorial to the court, xvii 188 ; speech of,
xvii 194 ; complains of the fiscal' s irregular proceedings, xvii 207 ; solicits
the governor's sanction and patronage of the literary society, xviii 286,
xix 447 ; testifies to Mr. Edwards' declarations, xx 375
Cloete, Laurence : horse purchased from, xvii 489 ; grants of land made to,
xviii 312
Index. 433
Clothing : want of, by settlers, xvi 284 to 286
Cock, William, settler : has not resided on his location ; industry of party of,
xvi 38 ; distress of party of, xvi 285 and 288 ; location of, is to be divided,
xvi 409, 422, and 477, xvii 3 ; further mention of, xx 82
Cockburn, His Majesty's schooner : loss of, xvii 33
Colebrooke, H. P. : bids against Mr. Parker for land on Saldanha Bay, xvi
145, 473, and 474 ; solicits a reduction of rent for his unproductive lands,
xvi 474
Colebrooke, Major William M. G. : interview of, with Mr. Francis, xvii 467 ;
with Mr. Pringle, xix 452 ; letter from, to the fiscal, is shown to Mr.
Edwards in prison, xviii 68. See Commissioners of Enquiry
Collector of Tithes' Office : list of officers of, with dates of appointment and
salaries, xix 52
Collis, James, settler : owns a mill, xvi 289 ; money is advanced to, by the
government, xvii 88 ; testifies to the relief afforded by Mr. Rivers to dis-
tressed settlers, xviii 383
Collison, Francis, member of the committee of the commercial exchange :
xviii 497
Collison, Reverend Henry : is appointed military chaplain at Capetown, xix 44
Colonial chest : payments from, by commissaries, xvi 237
Colonial Office : list of officers of, with dates of appointment and salaries, xix 46
Colonization of the Cape : plans for, are said to be overturned, xvi 131 ;
suffering is inseparable from, xvi 272 ; to be successful, requires capital
and free government, xvii 229 and 466
Colthurst, Sir Nicholas Conway, M.P. for Cork : is referred to by Mr. Parker
to corroborate his statements, xvi 46, 78, 296, 402, and 404, xvii 74, xviii
183
Commerce : between Great Britain and France, xix 130 ; with the East Indies,
protection of vessels engaged in, xix 159
Commerce of the Cape Colony : regulations concerning, xvi 136, xvii 26 ; with
the island of Mauritius, xvi 208 and 457, xx 115 ; restriction on, by limiting
the size of vessels, is removed, xvii 91 to 93 ; in wine, importance of, to
the colony, xvii 116, 129, and 131, xx 114 and 115 to 121 ; difficulties in
the establishment of, xvii 132 ; in medicines, restrictions on, xvii 238,
331, and 358 ; with the natives of the south-eastern coast, Mr. Farewell's
scheme for, xvii 281, 292, and 305 ; from the ports of Albany, should be
encouraged, xviii 157, xx 384 ; restrictions on, impede agriculture, xviii
263 ; is injured by local restrictions, and free trade in foreign imports
xviii 495 ; statement of imports and exports of the Cape from 1816 to
1824, xix 389 ; condition of, in the colony, xix 411 to 413 ; with natives,
at the annual fair at Beaufort, xx 84 ; illicit, with Kaffirs, xx 91 to 94 ;
extension of, is proposed by the South African Company, xx 95 ; direct
with foreign countries, is solicited by colonial ports, xx 401 and 403
Commercial Exchange : memorial from the committee of, xviii 495
Commissariat Department: expenses of, xvii 277; occupancy of public
buildings by, xviii 184 ; buildings to be erected for, xix 328, xx 5 ;
premises are ordered to be given up to, without compensation, though
required for grammar school, xix 359 and 300
XX. 2 F
434 Index.
Commissions : for investigating the claims of the settlers in Albany, appoint-
ment of, xvii 340 and 356, xviii 319 ; of inquiry, appointment of in the
Dutch Reformed church, xix 205 ; to examine the route for projected
roads, institution of, in 1822, xix 250
Commission, Bible and School : work of, xviii 165 and 166, xix 85
Commissioners of the Court of Justice : instructions for, xvi 232 ; duties of,
xvi 233 et seq. ; respect due to, xvi 238 ; in case of grievance, may address
themselves to the governor, to the administration, and to the council of
XVII, xvi 241 ; board of, is dissolved in January 1796, and duties of, are
entrusted to the burgher senators, xvi 242
Commissioners of Enquiry : on the 12th of July 1823 arrive at Simonstown,
xvi 126 ; take oaths of office, and open their commission, xvi 145 and 147 ;
request the attendance of Colonel Bird, and receive from him information
and opinions, xvi 206 ; investigations of : into Mr. Parker's charges
against Colonel Bird, and his case generally, xvi 77, 477, 478, and 479,
xvii 453, 459, and 460 ; into the proposed increase of salary of the assistant-
secretary and other civil officers, xvi 93, xix 303, xx 114 ; into the com-
plaints and distresses of settlers in Albany, and the measures taken for
their relief, xvi 95, xvii 35 and 36, xviii 150 ; into Mr. D'Escury's charge
of corruption against the governor, respecting the grant of land made to
Mr. Redelinghuys, and the sale of a horse, xvi 139 and 140, xvii 459, xviii
342, 442, and 489 to 493, xix 15 and 103 ; into the state of the land
reserved for the English church establishment, xvi 175 ; into the
grievances at Bethelsdorp, xvi 222, xviii 502 and 508 ; into Mr. Geary's
character and conduct, xvii 54, 72, and 134 ; into Mr. Ingram's emigra-
tion scheme, xvii 73, xviii 217 and 222 ; into the locations at Clanwilliam,
xviii 144, 203, and 274 ; into Colonel Bird's religious attitude in the
colony, xviii 160 ; into the case and character of William Edwards, and
his trial for libel, xviii 239 and 440, xx 374 and 379 ; into the value of the
land in Hout Bay Valley, xviii 241 ; into the condition of labourers,
xviii 255, 259, and 264 ; into the grants of land made to Colonel Bird,
xix 88 and 109 ; into the location of Lieutenant Griffith at Zonder End,
and Mr. Morkel's claim, xix 257 ; into the granting of allotments at Port
Elizabeth, xix 339 ; into the appropriation of the land between the Fish
River and the Keiskama, xix 341 ; into the state of the colonial currency,
xix 395, 400, and 406 ; into Wesleyan mission work in Kaffraria, xix 457 ;
into Dr. Philip's assertions, xix 485 and 489 ; into the appointment of
Captain Trappes and other Roman Catholic officers, xix 491 ; into the
granting of land to Roman Catholics for a chapel and school, xx 3, 17, and
30 ; into the appropriation of money advanced for the relief of settlers
suffering from storms, xx 15 ; into the conduct of the Lombard and
Discount banks, xx 32 to 37 ; into Mr. Ingram's treatment of his appren-
tices, xx 73 ; into the condition of government slaves, xx 349 ; into the
case of Mr. Burnett, xx 389, 391, and 395 ; documents are sent to, xvi 231 ;
conveyance of baggage of, to Capetown, xvi 328 ; visit the Albany district,
to inquire into the condition of the settlers, xvi 420 and 452 ; postpone
their voyage to Mauritius and Ceylon, xvi 420, 452, and 495 ; visit the
drostdy house in Tulbagh, xvii 327 ; complete their investigations in
Index. 435
Albany ; agree to the appointment of a commissioner to examine the
claims of the settlers, xvii 339 ; illuminations and rejoicings at the arrival
of, in Grahamstown, xvii 125, xviii 132 ; recommend the permanent
appointment of Major Somerset as commandant, xviii 331 ; evidence
given to : by Mr. W. W. Bird, xix 20 ; by Mr. D. J. van Ryneveld, xix 32 ;
by Major Rogers, xix 75 ; by the reverend Mr. Kauffman, xix 84 ; by
Mr. Woodcock, xix 132 ; by Lieutenant Rutherford, xix 312 ; by Mr.
Dashwood, xx 32 ; vindicate their conduct towards Colonel Bird, xix 407
and 470 ; practice of, with regard to personal claims, xix 452
Commissioner, political, for church affairs : duties of, xx 4
Committee : on the employment of the poor in Ireland, evidence given before,
xvii 73 ; on behalf of the distressed settlers at the Cape, is formed in
London, xvii 108 ; for protecting the interests of the wine trade at the
Cape, appointment of, xvii 117 ; memorial drawn up by, xvii 128 ; to
investigate Mr. Cooke's charges against Mr. Blair, appointment of, xvii
138 and 232, xviii 216 ; meeting of, xvii 210 ; report of, xvii 214 ; cannot
agree to Mr. Cooke's conditions, xvii 215 ; Mr. Cooke's refusal to attend,
is justified, xviii 323 ; to promote the erection of a. church at Port Eliza-
beth, appointment of, xvii 361 ; appointed to draw up regulations for
the South African literary society, report of, xviii 169 ; of management of
the literary society, duties of, xviii 175 ; of the commercial exchange,
memorial of, xviii 495 ; for the erection of a Scottish presbyterian church
in Capetown, formation of, xix 336
Committee of Cape Trade : memorial of, concerning Cape wine, xx 115 and 151
Compositors : extra attendance of, to publish the Capetoivn Gazette, xviii 199 ;
payment of, xviii 200
Conference : held by Lord Charles Somerset with Kaffir chiefs in 1819, result
arrived at, xix 341, 357, and 394
Congo : see Cungwa
Constantia, Portuguese slave-ship : xvii 158
Cooke, Lancelot : charges brought by, against Mr. Blair, xvii 10, 21, 45, 51,
74, 75, 77, 110, 137, 138 to 140, 145, 210, and 232, xviii 322, xix 271 et sea.,
and 493, xx 137 and 141 ; prosecution of, by His Majesty's fiscal, for an
alleged libel on Mr. Blair, xvii 21, 24, 46, 48, 51, 110, 137, 177 et seq., 269,
and 434, xviii 323, xix 281 ; desires to go to England, but is denied a
passport, xvii 45, 51, 66, and 195 ; conduct of, in hiring negro apprentice,
xvii 109 ; takes exception to the incompetency of the court, xvii 179 ;
examination of, xvii 181 ; memorials of, xvii 188 and 195, xix 272, 278,
281, and 331 ; defence of, xvii 195 ; is condemned in costs, xvii 206 ; is
acquitted, xvii 208, xix 282 ; refuses to give information before the com-
mittee, xvii 212, 214, and 232, xviii 217 ; is justified in his refusal, xviii
323 ; solicits redress, xix 282
Cooper, Mr., tutor of St. John's College, Cambridge : is recommended as
master of a public grammar school in Capetown, xviii 346
Copper money : coinage of, is proposed for the Cape, xvi 221 ; payment for,
xvi 225 ; is made a legal tender in British colonies, xx 373 ; shipment of,
to the < 'ape, xx 393
Corbitt, William : neglect of negro apprentices by, xvi 141 and 142
■1 p 2
436 Index.
Cork : emigrants from, to the Cape, xvi 136
Corn : cultivation of, xviii 327, xix 350, xx 95 ; importation of, for food, in
1821 and 1822, xix 344 ; mills are required for, in the George district,
xix 351 ; price of, xix 352 ; freedom of importation of, into Great Britain,
xt 387
Corney, James : land granted to, xvii 85
Cornwallis, the : passage taken in by Mr. Fraser, xviii 239
Correspondence : of the governor with the colonial office, directions for, xvi
252 and 314
Corvell, Mrs. George, of Fitzroy Square : xvi 377
Council : creation of, for the assistance of the governor, xx 5 ; suspension of
members of, xx 6 and 9 ; constitution of, xx 7 ; functions of, xx 8 to 11,
and 13
Court of Appeals : is held in public by Sir Rufane Donkin, xvi 83 ; practice of,
in cases of poverty, xvi 114 ; rejects the case of the fiscal versus Messrs.
Cooke and Edwards, xvii 206 ; case of Mr. Stone before, xvii 276 ; pro-
ceedings of, in the case of Mr. Edwards, xvii 424 and 494 ; confirms his
sentence, xvii 451 ; Mr. Cooke reserves evidence for, xviii 323 ; list of
officers of, with dates of appointment and salaries, xix 47
Court of Justice : action brought before, for confiscation of the Nostra Senhora
da Quia and cargo ; inquiry held by, into the cause of Mr. Macfarlane's
death, xvi 19 ; report of, on the complaint of Mr. Anderson, xvi 27 ;
explains and defends decision, xvi 28 to 30 ; statement of, is satisfactory,
xvi 34 ; instructions for commissioners of, xvi 232 ; trial of Mr. Buissinne
before, and sentence passed by, xvi 446 ; directions given to, concerning
the punishment of slaves, xvi 493 ; is the only court in Capetown, xvii 43 ;
proceedings held before, in the case of the fiscal versus Messrs. Cooke,
Edwards, and Hoffman, xvii 177 to 209 ; proceedings of, in Mr. Edwards'
case, xvii 351, 493, and 494, xx 374 ; resolution passed by, granting a
decree of apprehension against Mr. Edwards, and suspending him from
office, xvii 374, xviii 269 ; question of the competency of, xvii 378 et sea.,
386, and 399, xviii 240 ; further resolutions passed by, xvii 417, xviii 118
and 119 ; approves of the commitment of Benjamin Wilmot, xviii 114 ;
is convened to consider the cases of Messrs. Edwards and Wilmot, xviii
115 ; justifies its procedure in the case of Mr. Edwards, xviii 267 ; list of
officers of, with dates of appointment and salaries, xix 47 ; sentence
passed by, on John Carnall, xix 299 ; trial of Mr. Therons case before,
xx 83 and 87 ; proceedings held before, in the trial of slaves and
Hottentots for conspiracy and murder of their masters, xx 188 et seq. ;
sentences passed by, xx 339 ; acquaint the governor with the widespread
disaffection among slaves, and fear of a general rising, xx 385 and 407
Court of Justice (petty): is established at Simonstown, xix 262
Courts of Landdrost and Heemraden : defiant conduct of Mr. Biddulph
towards, xvi 327 ; are the only courts in the country districts, xvii 43 ;
unfitness of, to try Mr. Wilmot's case, xvii 63 and 64 ; question of com-
petency of, to try cases of defamation, xvii 256 and 290
Court Martial : dismissal of Mr. Biggar from office by, xviii 131 ; execution
of sentences of, xix 181
Index). 437
Courtenay, Thomas Peregrine, agent for the Cape : requests an advance from
government, on account of the governor's draft, xvi 496 ; zeal of, in
furthering beneficial trade laws, xvii 27 ; requests a reduction of duties
upon Cape wine and corn, xx 380 and 387
Cousins, William, a negro apprentice: treatment of, by Mr. Blair, xvii 110,
178, and 193
Cowie, Alexander, district surgeon of Albany : testifies to the relief afforded by
Mr. Rivers to suffering settlers, xviii 383
Cradock, Sir John : measures adopted by, respecting the tenure of land, xviii
455 and 476
Cradock, town of : list of officers at, with salaries, xix 67 ; drostdy is removed
from, to Somerset, xx 403
Craig, General Sir James Henry : instructions given by, xvi 241 ; further
mention of, xix 436
Craig, Mr., assistant commissary general at Port Elizabeth : certificate from,
to Mr. Willson, xvi 24 and 45 ; further mention of, xvi 367, 368, and 371
Crause, Lieutenant Charles : additional land is granted to, xvii 84 ; money is
advanced to, by the government, xvii 88 ; testifies to the relief afforded
to distressed settlers, by Mr. Rivers, xviii 379
Crause, Captain Henry : additional land is granted to, xvii 83 ; testimony of,
to Mr. Rivers, xviii 389
Crause, Lieutenant John : additional land is granted to, xvii 83 ; testimony
of, to Mr. Rivers, xviii 389
Criminals : proceedings at trials of, to be sent home, when commutation of
sentence is desired, xvi 68
Croft, Faithful : acts as solicitor to Mr. Willson, xix 178, xx 398
Crowcher, William : wages of, xvi 51
Crowley, Malachy, Irish emigrant : xviii 225
Crozier, R., postmaster : is treasurer of the society for the relief of distressed
settlers, xvi 264 and 269 ; denies the receipt of Mr. Burnett's letter, xx
356 and 357
Cruden, David, D.D., minister of Nigg : xvi 449
Cumbrian, the : brings timber to Algoa Bay, xvi 23
Cungwa, Gunukwebe chief : xvi 199 and 200. See Pato
Cupido Cobus, sergeant of the Cape Infantry : captures Hottentot and
articles employed in illicit traffic with Kaffirs, xx 90 to 94
Currency, colonial : questions of, and rate of exchange, xviii 453, xix 344, 395,
401 to 403, 408 to 412, 459, 460, 470, and 492, xx 18 to 23, 75 to 77, 123,
367, and 393 ; regulations for, in various colonies, xx 23 to 30 ; at the
Cape and Ceylon, xx 373. See Paper Money
Currie, Mrs. : xvi 286
Currie, Walter : additional land is granted to, xvii 83 ; is lieldcornet of
Bathurst, xvii 98 ; testifies to the relief afforded by Mr. Rivers to dis-
tressed settlers, xviii 380 ; replies to calumny on female settlers, xix 4 and
5 ; proposes a scheme for introducing boy and girl apprentices from
England, xx 49 ; proposal of, for the supply of labourers in Albany, xx 400
Custom House : will be requisite in Albany, xviii 157 : position and removal
of, xix 20 ; question of additional land required by, for storehouses, fi.e
438 Index.
21, 22, 88, and 99 ; list of officers of, with dates of appointment and
salaries, xix 50 ; authority of, over prize negroes, xix 27 1 and 275
Customs Duties : proposal to make them reciprocal, between the Cape and
Mauritius, xvi 457
Customs, officers of : appointment of, at the Knysna, xvii 485 ; security
required from, xvii 486
Cuyler, Lieutenant]Colonel Jacob Glen, landdrost of Uitenhage : location of
settlers by, xvii 19 and 88, xviii 339 ; attitude of, towards the missionary
institution at Bethelsdorp, xviii 506 ; land granted to, xix 162 and 166 ;
exemption from fines granted by, xix 339 and 340 ; recommends the case
of Mr. Lange, xx 44 ; further mention of, xviii 501 and 503, xix 135, 288,
289, 291, and 292
Dakins, Reverend William, assistant chaplain general : receives Mr. Geary's
complaint, xvii 282
Dalgairns, Charles, settler : industry of party of, xvi 38 ; location is con-
firmed to, xvi 423 and 441
Dalree, Johannes : slaves of, join in a conspiracy against their masters, xx
191 ; deposition of, xx 295 ; further mention of, xx 206, 220, 229, 238,
252, 254, 284, and 292
Damant, Edward, settler : resigns his location at Waay Plaats, xix 115
Damant, John : part taken by, in the erection of a church at Port Elizabeth,
xvii 360 and 361
Danimes, Joseph, constable : deposition of, xvi 381
Daniels, Lieutenant Joseph, royal navy : industry of party of, xvi 38 ; addi-
tional land is granted to, xvi 409 and 422 ; location is confirmed to,
xvi 424 ; has paid his passage expenses, xvii 347
Daniels, Richard, settler : additional land is granted to, xvii 83
Dashwood, Francis, collector of customs at Simon's Bay : recommends a
wharfage duty, xvii 234 ; leave of absence is granted to, xx 3 ; gives
evidence before the commissioners, xx 32 to 37
Deane, Thomas Kift : evidence given by, xviii 72 ; further mention of, xvii
229
Delbet, J. A., translator : xvii 376
Dell, W. : land granted to, xvii 84
Deneys, Miss : marriage of, xvii 124
Dennis, Reverend N. R., chaplain to the forces : assertions of, regarding
Colonel Bird's Roman Catholicism, xvi 99 and 398, xvii 9, xviii 20, 21,
and 193
Denyssen, Daniel, His Majesty's fiscal : prosecutes the slave Hester, for the
murder of her children, xvi 380 ; speech of, on the case, xvi 393 ; prose-
cutes Mr. Buissinne for embezzlement, xvi 446 ; prosecutes Messrs. Cooke,
Edwards, and Hoffman, for libel against Mr. Blair, xvii 46, 48, 51, 115,
145, and 177 to 209, xix 281 ; refuses passports to Messrs. Cooke and
Edwards, xvii 75, 77, and 203 ; charges made against, by Mr. Edwards,
xvii 76, 77, 145, and 178 ; defends himself against Mr. Edwards' imputa-
tions, xvii 113 and 182, xx 142 ; requests an extension of the charge
against Mr. Edwards, xvii 184 ; application of, is refused ; gives a list o
Index. 439
his witnesses, xvii 185 ; replies to Mr. Cloete, xvii 200 ; to Mr. Brand,
xvii 205 ; alleged irregular proceedings of, xvii 207 ; desires to call
witnesses to prove publication, xvii 207 ; application of, is rejected,
xvii 208 ; inquires into the condition of negroes indentured to Mr. Ten-
nant, and rescues some from slavery, xvii 159 to 162 ; refuses relief to
sick prisoners, xvii 246 ; is instructed respecting the care of sick prisoners,
xvii 280 ; cautions Mr. Greig regarding the conduct of his paper, and
demands security, xvii 293 ; disclaims expressions attributed to him by
Mr. Greig, xvii 296 ; suppresses the publication of Mr. Greig' s paper by
the governor's order, and seals up his presses, xvii 301, 305, and 306, xix
146 and 148 ; warns Mr. Pringle concerning passages in the South African
Journal, xvii 312 and 461 ; assumes the right of interference and control,
xvii 462 and 463 ; civility of, xvii 464 ; summons Mr. Pringle to appear
and state the name of his informer, xvii 480 ; petition against, by Mr.
Edwards, xvii 350 ; prosecutes Mr. Edwards on a charge of libel against
the governor, xvii 350 and 373 ; answers Mr. Edwards' exception, xvii
384 ; objects to the calling of witnesses for the defence, xvii 387 ; speech
of, against the prisoner, xvii 395 ; letter from, to Mr. Berrange, respecting
the translation of his claim, xvii 414 ; appears as respondent on appeal,
xvii 424 and 425 ; answer of, to Mr. Brand's plea, xvii 447 ; investigation
by, concerning the libellous placard against the governor, xviii 65 et seq. ;
appears before Mr. Bentinck, with witnesses, xviii 72, 88, 95, and 108 ;
searches the dwellings of Messrs. Burnett and Greig for defamatory
papers, xviii 80 to 83, xx 169 and 173 ; obtains authority to search Mr.
Wilmot's dwelling, xviii 99 ; brings records and documents before the
court of justice, xviii 117 ; requests the apprehension of Messrs. Burnett
and Greig, xviii 118 ; reports on Mr. Ingram's conduct with regard to
settlers, xviii 185 ; declines to prosecute Captain Fitzroy for libel, xviii,
215 and 242 ; solicits land in the Hout Bay valley ; offers to pay arrears
and quitrent, xviii 236, 241, 243, and 247 ; considers Mr. Liesching's
certificate sufficient for his admission as a chemist and druggist, xix 183 ;
case of, against John Carnall, xix 299 ; alleged enmity of, towards Mr.
Theron, xx 84 to 88 ; prosecutes Mr. Burnett for libel, xx 170 ; friendli-
ness of, towards Mr. Burnett, xx 171, 176, and 177 ; advertises a reward
for the discovery of the author of the libellous placard, xx 185 ; certificate
given by, xx 187 ; prosecutes slaves and Hottentots for conspiracy to
murder their masters, xx 188 and 190 ; claim made by, xx 312
Deputies : to be appointed by burgher senators, xvi 244
Derry, bishop of : xvi 18
D'Escury, Charles, inspector of government lands and woods : memorandum
by, concerning losses on Groote Post, xvi 41 ; integrity and industry of ;
partiality evinced by, xvi 89 and 90, xviii 492 ; lays a grave charge of
corruption against Lord Charles Somerset, xvi 138, 139, 163, 179, 215,
and 452, xix 2 ; advises a revision of the distribution of land in Albany
before further grants are made, xvi 329 ; submits the claims of the
Albany settlers to lands, xvi 421 ; is disappointed of a seat in the court
of justice, xvi 455, xviii 311 and 4~i'A ; disclaims Laving made a charge of
corruption against the governor, xvii 369 et "/., and 502, xviii 443, 162,
440 Index.
and 455 ; deprecates the charge of personal motives, xvii 454 ; objects
to the governor's decisions in granting lands, and urges a check upon his
power, xvii 457?and 458, xviii 454 and 472; is examined before the
commissioners of enquiry, xvii 503, xviii 444 ; objects to Mr. Whiteford's
attendance, xvii 503, xviii 444 ; alleged hostility of, to the governor, and
mis-statements of, xviii 312 to 314 ; inspects and reports on the land in
Hout Bay valley, xviii 244 ; calculation of quitrent by, xviii 245 and 250 ;
returns furnished by, xviii 326, xix 375 ; reports on the applications of
Mr. Redelinghuvs for grants of land, xviii 449 ; knows little of the value
of horses, xviii 461 ; acts as translator to the colonial office, xviii 472 ;
absence of, from the colony, xviii 478 ; impresses his view upon Captain
Synnot, xviii 485
Despatches from the Cape : delivery of, xix 461
van Dessin, Mr. : collection of books left by, xviii 165
Devenish, Lieutenant J., settler: relief granted to, from government loan,
and security given by, xviii 253 ; is appointed ranger of government
woods and forests in Graaff-Reinet, xix 478
Dickson, Mr. : xix 336 and 338
Diddlestone, Mrs. : visits Mr. Edwards in prison, xx 144 and 145 ; evidence
of, xx 145
Diets, A. B., heemraad of Albany : mention of, xvii 111 and 172
Diplock, John : petition of, xx 1
Discount Bank : transactions of, xix 413 to 433, xx 33 to 37 ; establishment
and object of, xx 33 ; temporary loans granted by, xx 346 ; advance made
by, to Mr. Parker, xx 380 ; further particulars concerning, xix 492, xx 388
Dittlestone, Mr. : xvii 148
Dixon, Daniel : apprehends stagnation of labour, xx 357
Dixon, John Henry, settler : industry of, xvi 38 ; location is confirmed to,
xvi 424 and 441, xvii 78 ; sum advanced to, xviii 235 ; dispute of, with
Mr. Erith, xviii 281
Dixon, W. T., settler : land solicited by, xix 116
Dleeloqua, Betshuana chief : speech of, xvi 501
Dobie, Mr., secretary of the Scots church at London Wall : declines taking
part in the inquiries concerning Mr. Rannie, xviii 407, 408, and 427 ; acts
as doorkeeper, xviii 430
Dogs, wild : ravages of, on cattle, xvi 282
Doig, Reverend Robert, minister of Aberdeen : xvi 448
Dold, W. : land granted to, xvii 85
Donkin, Sir Rufane Shawe, K.C.B. : complaints against, by Mr. Parker, xvi 1,
4, 5, 46, 398, 401, and 402 ; orderslthe erection of a lighthouse at Sea Point,
xvi 63 and 103 ; authorises the repair of wharf, xvi 66 ; laments the dis-
approval of Earl Bathurst, and begs to be allowed to explain his conduct,
xvi 67 ; is requested to explain more fully his reasons for making grants
of land at the Cape, xvi 76 ; is directed to substantiate or withdraw his
charges against Lord Charles Somerset, xvi 77, 107, 134, and 146 ; desires
to withdraw expressions, and to make no charges against the governor,
xvi 79, 129, and 130 ; explains and defends his conduct as acting governor,
xvi 80 et seq. ; reduces expenditure, xvi 82 ; puts down espionage and
Index, 441
holds the court of appeal in public, xvi 83 ; discontinues fortifications on
the frontier for want of funds, xvi 84 ; restores the garden to the govern-
ment house, and forwards the interests of merchants, xvi 85 ; takes no
part in racing, xvi 86 ; addresses are presented to, by the chief justice and
the merchants, xvi 87 ; lands granted by, for public services, xvi 88 and
94; alleged appointments by, of Roman Catholics, xvi 114 and 115;
defends Colonel Bird against Mr. Parker's charges, xvi 114, 117, 119, and
122 ; dealings of, with Mr. Parker, xvi 122, 125, and 126 ; considers him-
self treated with undue severity by the secretary of state, xvi 132 ;
promises grant of land to Mr. Francis, xvi 154 ; receives papers from Mr.
D'Escury, xvi 163 ; has never attacked Lord Charles Somerset, xvi 164 ;
policy of, towards the settlers in Albany, is completely reversed by the
governor, xvi 165 ; differs from him on agricultural matters, xvi 167 ;
good feeling of, towards Captain Somerset, xvi 173 ; correspondence of,
xvi 176 ; need make no disclosures respecting Lord Charles Somerset, xvi
215 ; action of, regarding the extension of lands in Albany, xvi 433, xviii
155, xix 97 ; fixes the seat of magistracy at Bathurst, and intends to
make it the chief frontier town, xvii 16 ; offers to attest the government's
liberality and care for the settlers at the Cape, xvii 22 ; grants land on
the Kowie to Mr. Nourse, xvii 25 and 30, xx 382 ; orders given by, respect-
ing the removal of settlers, xvii 88 and 89 ; defends his policy towards
the Kaffirs, as humane, xvii 149 to 151 ; land granted by, to half-pay
officers, xvii 349 ; jealousy felt towards, by Lord Charles Somerset, xviii
13 ; appointments made by, in Albany, xviii 27 ; policy of, towards
settlers in Albany, xviii 130, 147, 153, and 155 ; list of perpetual quitrent
and freehold grants made by, in Albany, in 1821, xix 35 ; objections to
grants made by, xix 98 ; confidence placed by, in Mr. Buissinne, xix 113 ;
inspects the land at Zonder End, and purchases Wolvegat, xix 308 ;
allotments made by, at Zonder End and Port Elizabeth, xix 309, 339, and
340 ; interview of, with Gaika, xix 357 ; further mention of, xvi 432,
xviii 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, 26, 29, and 30, xix 21, 23, 27, 29, 34, 75, 88, 95,
96, 109, 135, 162, 307, 363, 393, and 394, xx 39, 63, 79, 80, 84, and 164
Donnithorne, J. : xvi 270
Donough, Mr., director of the government slave lodge : xx 350 and 351
Douglass, Reverend Dr. John, Vicar Apostolic : solicits government support
for Roman Catholic clergyman, xviii 233
Dreyer, T., farmer : need of labourers by, xviii 257
Dukinfield, Captain, of the Madras cavalry : claim of, for bringing despatches,
xix 461
Duncan, Kenneth, agent of Mr. Nourse : death of, in 1815, and involved
affairs of, xvii 26 ; further mention of, xviii 430
Dundas, Major W. B. : is appointed landdrost of Albany, xx 404
Dunn, Mr. : assists Mr. Nourse, xvii 29, 30, 32, and 33 ; is custom-master at
Algoa Bay, and applies for a loan, xix 428
Dupreez, Peter John : sends a memorial for leave to emancipate slaves, xvi 451
and 482 ; memorial of, is granted, xvi 466
Durr, Mr. : becomes security for an advance to Mr. Parker ; subsequent
insolvency of, xx 380. iSee Veyll
442 Index.
Dutch, the : partiality shown to, xvi 188 ; in Albany loyalty of, xx 411 ; beg
Lieutenant Colonel Somerset's retention as commandant, xx 415
Dutch church at the Cape : meeting of synod of, xix 186 ; regulations for the
direction of, xix 189 to 222 ; funds for the support of, xix 232 ; is formed
on the same model as the Scottish presbyterian, xix 333 ; relations of,
with the reformed churches in the Netherlands and Scotland, xix 495 ;
question of supremacy over, xix 496 ; government of, xix 497
Dutch colonists in South Africa : condition of, xvi 305, xvii 225 to 227,
and 229
Dutch colonization of South Africa : expense of, xvi 273
Dutch consistory : request a third permanent minister in Capetown, xvi 110
Dutch East India Company : cost to, of colonization, xvi 273 ; monopolizing
system of, xvii 227 ; territorial possessions of, xx 100 et seq. ; appraised
value of property of, xx 108 to 113
Dutch farmers : capture of Kaffir cattle by, xvi 324
Dutch government : favour shown by, to Catholic mission, xviii 233 ; policy
of, in granting land, xviii 476
Dutch language : is studied by Scotch clergymen before proceeding to the
Cape, xvi 7, 133, and 214, xviii 11, xix 102, xx 392 ; is used in the court
of justice at Mr. Edwards' trial, xvii 493 ; domestic use of ; fear of pro-
scription of, xix 500
Dutch laws : continuance of, at the Cape, xvii 399 and 463, xviii 305 and 309,
xx 184 and 186 ; concerning libels, xvii 444, 449, and 451 ; imperfect
administration of, and want of information concerning, in Albany, xviii
160 ; imperfections of, xx 172
Duties : on advertisements in Mr. Greig's paper, xvi 490 ; on Cape and foreign
wines imported into the United Kingdom, xvii 116, xx 114, 116 et seq.,
357, 380, and 381 ; on foreign brandies imported into the Cape, xvii 144,
xviii 55 and 56 ; wharfage, are imposed at Simonstown, xvii 233 ; are
not enforced on French goods landed at the Cape, xviii 496 ; on corn
imported from colonies into England, xx 387. See Customs
Dyason, George : great industry of, xvi 38 ; is appointed adjutant of the
Albany levy, xvi 49 ; location is confirmed to, xvi 424 and 441, xvii 78 ;
additional grant is made to, xvii 84 ; is fieldcornet of Grahamstown, xvii
97 ; is secretary to the settlers' fund, xviii 375 ; testifies to the relief
afforded by Mr. Rivers to suffering settlers, xviii 382 ; further mention of,
xvii 469, xix 319 and 321
Dyason, Isaac, settler : money advanced to, by the government, xvii 88
Dyball, Thomas : non-performance of contract by, xvii 216
Eaton, R. W., chairman to the commercial committee : is a member of the
committee for the relief of distressed settlers, xvi 264 and 269 ; letter is
written to by Mr. Burnett, xx 356 ; further mention of, xviii 497, xix 130
Eatwell, W. : land solicited by, xix 116
Ebden, John Bardwell, merchant : proposes to establish a joint stock banking
company at the Cape, xix 459, 492, and 504, xx 41, 46, 56, 57, 60, 74, and
393 ; inquiries of, concerning the currency at the Cape, xx 367 ; reply to
be given to, xx 393
Index. 443
Ebden and Eaton, Messrs. : mortgage held by, on Mr. Burnett's property,
xx 156
Eckard, C. S., member of the bank : death of, xvii 267
Education : of the children in Mr. Ingram's party, provision for, xvi 71 ;
interest taken in, by Lord Charles Somerset, xvi 417
Edwards, William, notary at Capetown : declares his loyalty to the govern-
ment, xvii 10 ; desires to accompany Mr. Cooke to England, xvii 45 and
115 ; is refused permission to leave until the proceedings are terminated,
xvii 46, 48, 75, 203, and 205 ; petitions of, to the House of Commons,
xvii 47, 51, 74, and 122 ; is prosecuted by the fiscal for libel against Mr.
Blair, xvii 115, 177 et seq., and 434 ; is committed to prison for contempt
of court, xvii 110, 115, 145, 179, 201' et seq., 409, and 434 ; charges made
by, against the fiscal, xvii 113, 178, 181, 184, and 207 ; complains of his
treatment in prison, and solicits redress, xvii 136, 146, and 147, xx 138, 141,
and 143 ; is tried for an attack on Mr. Venables, and condemned in a fine
of 300 rixdollars, xvii 114, 115, 270, 403, 409, and 434; charge imposed
on parliamentary letters of, xvii 171 ; exceptions taken by, are over-ruled,
xvii 183 ; examination of, xvii 183 ; objects to evidence, xvii 185 ;
acquittal of, xvii 208 ; attacks of, on the governor, xvii 268 and 276 ;
letters of, are sent to the fiscal, xvii 278 ; trial of, is not to be published in
Mr. Greig's paper, xvii 293 ; is prosecuted by the fiscal for a libel
against the governor ; trial of, xvii 350, 373 et seq., xviii 239 and 267, xix
147 and 281, xx 137 et seq., and 374 ; act of accusation against, xvii 373 ;
a decree of apprehension is granted against, xvii 375, xviii 269 ; is sus-
pended from office ; list of witnesses given in by, xvii 375 ; questions
for the examination of, xvii 377 ; proposes an exception to the com-
petency of the court, xvii 377 ; examination of, xvii 386 ; denies the
authorship of the letters, xvii 386 and 405 ; replies to the fiscal's objection
to call witnesses, xvii 391 ; declines to employ an advocate, xvii 395 ;
well-known handwriting of, xvii 404, xviii 269 ; requests and receives a
translation of the fiscal's claim, xvii 410 and 416 ; complains of close con-
finement before trial, xvii 412, 413, and 415, xviii 115 ; complains of the
conduct of his case, xvii 412, xviii 98 ; visitors of, in prison, xvii 415,
xviii 112 ; defence of, xvii 418 ; is considered to have acknowledged his
crime, xviii 270, 271, and 441 ; is found guilty of libel and slander,
dismissed as a notary public, and transported for seven years to New
South Wales, xvii 350 and 423, xviii 324 and 440, xx 184 and 378;
appeals to the full court, xvii 351 and 423 ; case of, in appeal ; Mr. Brand
acts for. xvii 424 and 425 ; letter from, to Mr. Brand, xvii 426 and 432 ;
suspects another of writing the letters, but cannot charge him, xvii 428
and 429 : denies having written them himself, xvii 430 ; alleged proofs
of his authorship, xvii 447 ; sentence on, is confirmed, xvii 451 : petitions
of, to the king, xvii 493 and 495 ; begs for an impartial rehearing, xvii 493
to 495 ; complains of losses through the depreciation of currency, and
solicits indemnification, xvii 495 to 498, and 499 ; signs the memorial for
a free press, xviii 58 ; is suspected of taking pari in the libellous placard
against the governor, xviii 65, 77, 89, et so/. . apologises for his attack
upon the governor, xviii 317 and 495 ; real name and piw ious history of.
444 Index.
xviii 442 and 494 ; escapes, but is re-taken, xviii 494, xix 301 ; attempts
to commit suicide, xviii 494 ; report of the trial of, in London papers,
xx 182 ; evidence against, is insufficient, xx 376 and 378 ; further mention
of, xviii 9, 59, 68, 69, 70, 77, 78, 79, 104 to 107, and 190
Edwards, W,. master of His Majesty's ship Neptune : xvii 311
van Eerten, Casparus, bookkeeper : xx 103 and 107
Elders, presbyterian : opposition of, to Mr. Rannie, xviii 410, 415, 428, 433,
and 437 ; powers of, in the election of a minister, xviii 434 to 436
Elephants : are found in Albany, xvii 104 ; retreat of, to the forests, xvii 119
Elisabeth, the : petition sent by, xvii 46
Elizabeth, trading schooner : wreck of, xvii 31
Elle, Jean, negro apprentice : is taken prisoner on Le Victor, xvii 20, xix 273 ;
good conduct of, xvii 191 ; treatment of, by Mr. Cooke and Mr. Blair,
xvii 20, 109, 189, 191, and 193, xix 273 et seq., 279, and 493 ; further
mention of, xvii 185 and 186
Ellenborough, Lord : judgment of, xvii 402
Elliot, Jacob, a prisoner in the tronk : shocking state of, xvii 245
Ellis, Henry, deputy colonial secretary : advice given by, to Mr. Parker, xvi
120 and 123 ; helps to found the society for the relief of distressed settlers,
in 1820, xvi 281 ; grant of the Riet Valley farm to, xviii 24 and 238 ; list
of grants made to, xix 101 ; advises the formation of the South African
company, xix 284 ; approves of the proposed banking establishment at
the Cape, xix 504 ; further mention of, xvi 26, xviii 18, xx 80
Emigrants : selection of, and proposed regulations for the transport of, xviii
46 to 50
Emigration to the Cape : is best left to individuals, rather than undertaken by
government, xvi 17 ; expense of, per head, in 1819, xvi 21 ; from the
south of Ireland, project of, by Mr. Ingram, xvi 31 and 136, xvii 73 and
492 ; estimated expense of, xvi 31 ; sum voted for, in the House of
Commons, xvi 136, xvii 28 ; need of, on account of the scarcity of labour,
xvi 137, xviii 43, 46 et seq. ; further expense of, will not be undertaken by
government, xvi 138, xviii 194 ; proposals for, by Mr. Nourse, xvii 27 ;
evidence on, is sent to the commissioners, with instructions to report on
Mr. Ingram's statement, xvii 73 ; discussion of methods pursued, and
results, xvii 220 et seq. ; objects aimed at by, xvii 222 ; advantages anti-
cipated from ; errors committed in scheme of, xvii 223 ; causes of failure
of, xvii 229 and 230 ; original scheme and conditions of, xvii 341 ; is
checked by false reports concerning distress, xix 7 ; of whole families,
is preferable, xix 294 ; regulations suggested for, xix 297 ; expenses on
account of, xix 342 to 345 ; proposal to take young persons from the
workhouse, and employ them at Algoa Bay, xix 434 ; of boys and girls
as indentured apprentices, scheme for, xx 50 to 53, 58, and 59
Engela, government slave : sale of, xvi 396
Engels, F., apothecary : mention of, xvii 241, xviii 299 and 321
English episcopal church : erection of, in Capetown, is hindered by lack of
funds, xvi 115 ; lands reserved for, xvi 175 ; great need of, xvi 413, xviii
144 and 162, xix 480, xx 364 ; erection of, by subscription, is advocated
by Colonel Bird, xviii 33, 144, 147, and 162 ; is discouraged by the
Index. 44.".
governor, xviii 33, 147, and 163 ; is sanctioned by the secretary of state,
xviii 34 ; plan for meeting the expense of, xix 480
English language : is to be used in all judicial acts and proceedings in Albany
from the 1st March 1824, xvii 24, 44, and 482 ; Mr. Brink's accurate
knowledge of, xix 304 ; is the language of the state, xix 499 ; cannot be
introduced at present into Dutch churches, xix 499
Ennismore, Lord : mention of, xvi 3 and 78, xvii 74
Eno. See Nqeno
Enon, Moravian missionary institution : attack upon, by Kaffirs, in 1819, xix
169
Erith, James Thomas : dissolution of party of, xvi 38 ; deserts his location,
xvi 409 and 422, xix 115 ; desires to prosecute Captain Trappes and Mr.
Rivers, xvii 171, xviii 241 ; affidavit of, xvii 172 ; dispute of, with Mr.
Dixon, xviii 281, xix 115 ; claim of, for stolen cattle, xix 115 ; charge
against, for stores and provisions, xix 116
Erith, Mrs. Jane : memorial of, xviii 241, xix 114 and 115 ; distress of, xviii 281
Esbracht, Abraham, farmer : xix 136
Espiegle, His Majesty's ship : commissioners return in, from Algoa Bay, xvi
452
Espionage : is put down by Sir Rufane Donkin, xvi 83
Estimates : for transporting Irish emigrants to the Cape, xvi 25 and 31 ; for
the extension of the wharf and the construction of a reservoir at Simons-
town, xvi 112, xvii 106 and 242 ; of profits and expenditure of the pro-
posed classical school at the Cape, xvi 416 ; of the expense of augmenting
a squadron of colonial cavalry, xvi 419 ; of the cost of erecting officers'
barracks at Grahamstown, xvi 451, xix 176 ; of the expense of erecting
and maintaining schools for slave children, xvii 41 ; of the revenue
derivable from the adoption of wharf dues at Simonstown, xvii 235 ; of
the expense of constructing a road over the Fransche Hoek Kloof, xviii 7
and 8, xx 65 ; of the cost of needful repairs on Government House in
Capetown, xviii 340 ; for commissariat buildings, xix 328 ; of the cost of
erecting the landdrost's house and offices at Worcester, xx 66 ; of repairs
necessary to the buildings on Robben Island, xx 360 and 361
Eva, James, settler : grant recommended to, xvi 476
Evans, Mrs. Dorothy, widow of the Reverend John Evans : memorial of,
praying for an increased pension, xvi 460 and 461 ; pension of, cannot be
augmented, xvii 143
Evans, Reverend John, minister at Cradock : work of, xvi 461
Evatt, Captain Francis, commandant at Algoa Bay : aid rendered to, by Mr.
Willson, xvi 23 ; charges against, by Mr. Willson, xvi 342 and 371, xix
325 to 327 ; is appointed magistrate, xx 402 ; further mention of, xvi 150,
xvii 360 and 361, xviii 96, 97, and 98
Evidence : given by slaves, xvi 181 ; law of, xvii 435, 438, and 440
Executioner, public : appointment of, for the Worcester district, xix 270
Expenditure, public : for repairs of public buildings, in 1818, xvi ."">(>; in 1823,
xvi 51 ; at the Knysna, for naval establishment and mole, xvi 51 ; reduc-
tion of, by Sir Rufane Donkin, xvi 82 ; transmission of returns of, xvi 108
and 109 ; is said to be too lavish, xvi 207 ; augmentations and additional
44b' Index,
items of, incurred by Lord Charles Somerset, xvi 298, xvii 485, xix 154,
358, and 479, xx 362 ; returns of, in 1823, xvi 485 to 487 ; in 1824, xix
383 to 385 ; for stationery, and for repair of public offices in Capetown,
xvii 488 ; saving in, by payments in coin instead of paper, xvii 497 ; for
the erection and maintenance of schools, with expense of teachers, xix 376
to 379 j of Sir Rufane Donkin, xx 341 ; further particulars concerning,
xvi 424, xvii 144, xviii 246 and 331, xix 160 and 164, xx 62
Expenses : of extending the wharf at Simonstown, provision for, xvii 105 to
107 ; of lime for house-building, xvii 122 ; of erecting public buildings in
Albany, xvii 484 ; of government banks, xvii 497 ; of forming a road
over the Fransche Hoek Kloof, statement of, xviii 7 and 8 ; of providing
for the religious instruction of the whole population, xviii 333 ; of main-
taining government slaves, from 1815 to 1823, xix 269 ; incurred by the
colony for British settlers, xix 342 to 345 ; of erecting an English church
in Capetown, plan for meeting, xix 480 ; of the establishments in the
Albany and Somerset districts, xx 406
Exports : See Commerce
Exter, Messrs. : inquiries concerning, xvii 151
Fagel, Baron: xviii 10
Fairbairn, John : discontinues the publication of the South African Journal,
xvii 312 and 464 ; alleged disaffection and republican sentiments of, xviii
57 and 347 ; furthers the memorial for a free press, xviii 58 ; assists in
establishing the South African Literary Society, xviii 285 and 288 ; is
interrogated by the fiscal, xviii 290 ; joins Mr. Pringle in carrying on a
school and a journal, xix 445 ; letter from, to Mr. Pringle, xix 482 and 488
Fairs : held for barter with the Kaffirs, near the Chumie, xviii 40 ; at Fort
Willshire, xix 315, xx 404 ; at Beaufort, xx 84 ; advantages and success of,
xix 315, xx 404
Farewell, F. G. : project of, for establishing a trade with natives on the south-
eastern coast, xvii 281, 292, and 305, xviii 318
Farmers : loss of slaves and want of labourers by, xviii 256
Faure, Reverend A. : speech made by, xvii 50 ; assists in publishing the
South African Journal, xvii 307 ; acts as secretary to the synod of the
Dutch Reformed church, xix 216 to 222 ; further mention of, xix 336
Faure, Advocate : defends slaves and Hottentots charged with conspiracy and
murder, xx 189
Faure, Hendrik Emanuel : is proceeding to Holland to obtain ordination ;
requests pecuniary assistance, xx 392
Faure, J. G. : land granted to, xviii 238
Faure, P. H., secretary's clerk at Stellenbosch : increase of salary is solicited
for, xvii 100 and 101
Fees : tariff of, for medical practitioners, xvi 310, xvii 270 ; of Mr. Geary,
reduction of, xvii 54 and 57 ; surplice, allowed to clergymen, xvii 248, 249,
254, 260, and 288 ; for marriages, xvii 288, 302, and 303, xviii 316, xix 213 ;
for religious ordinances, xix 216 and 232
Ferriar, Mr. : is proposed as sub-librarian, xviii 32
Field, Samuel, Chelsea pensioner : in 1821 emigrates to the Cape, xix 235 ; is
Index. 447
obliged to return home for pension certificates ; asks passage out and
grant of land, xix 236
Findlay, Captain John, owner of the Alacrity : discovers and reports the
libellous placard against the governor, xviii 12, 73, 84, 87, and 101, xx 185 ;
evidence of, xviii 74 ; charges made by, for Mr. Geary's passage, xix 260 ;
further mention of, xix 336
Fines : payable by aliens for admission to the rights of burghership, xvii 8 and
23 ; inflicted on a mulatto, xviii 325 ; for allotments, exemption from, xix
339 and 340
Fire : precautions against, xvi 249 and 250
Fiscal' s Department : list of officers of, with dates of appointment and
salaries, xix 48
Fischer, Johannes Henricus, landdrost of Tulbagh : alleged indebtedness of,
to the district treasury, xvii 316 ; land of, xvii 327 and 336 ; is appointed
secretary to the district of Tulbagh, and afterwards landdrost, xvii 335
and 337 ; denies indebtedness, xvii 337 ; applications of Mr. Redelinghuys
are referred to, xviii 449, 473, and 477 ; report of, xviii 474, 477, 481, and
488 ; age and infirmities of, xviii 478 ; correspondence with, respecting
the purchase of places to form a new sub-drostdy at Worcester, xx 68 to
72 ; complaints made to, by slaves, xx 213
Fitzroy, Captain Charles Augustus, military secretary : conveys Mr. Geary's
dismissal, xvii 87 ; is appointed commissary of vendues, xvii 267 ; is
editor of the Capetown Gazette, xviii 133 and 143 ; prosecution of, for
libel, is requested by Mr. Geary, xviii 207, 214, and 242 ; liberality of, xx
166 ; further mention of, xviii 3 and 9, xix 360
Flax : proposed culture of, xx 95
Fleck, J. C, secretary to the Cape district : mention of, xvi 395 and 447, xvii
505
Fleming, Becher, magistrate of the county of Cork : mention of, xvi 397, 407,
410, and 414
Fleming, Mr. : xviii 140
Flight and Robson, Messrs. : case of, against the Reverend Mr. Sturt, xvii 141
Forage : for the supply of cavalry, purchase and expense of, xvi 185 and 207 ;
cultivation of, and supply of, by Mr. Burnett, claim for, xvi 187, xx 389,
390, and 395
Ford, Edward : industry of party of, xvi 38 ; distress of party of, xvi 285 ;
location is confirmed to, and additional land granted to, xvi 409, 422,
424, and 441, xvii 78 and 84 ; removal of, is ordered, xvii 90
Forgery : of paper notes, xix 432
Fort Beaufort : erection of, xvii 154 ; Kaffir women visit, for barter, xvii 211
Fort Willshire : building of, xvii 153 ; expedition from, to capture Gaika, xvii
154 ; is the only military post on the frontier, xvii 211 ; fairs are success-
fully held at. with Kaffirs, xx 404
Fouche, Hermanus Hendrik, farmer: losses and distress of; relief granted to,
xviii 249, 279, 280, and 319, xix 349
Foulger, John : efforts of, in London, on behalf of the distressed settlers at
the Cape, xvii 79 and 108
Fourniei*, John, settler : grant recommended to, xvi 47<> : dispute of, with -Mr.
448 Index.
Morton and Mr. Shaw, as to location ; decision is given in favour of, xviii
258 ; grievances and sufferings of, xix 316 to 321 ; further mention of,
xvii 60
Fraenkel, S. : xvii 241
de Fraet, Joseph Maria : widow of, xx 99
Francis, David Polley : grant of land is requested by, xvi 1 ; has abandoned
his location, xvi 38 ; is an excellent farmer, but in pecuniary difficulty,
xvi 53 ; remarks on the settlement in the Zuurveld by, xvi 54 ; suggestions
by, for improving the condition of the settlers in the Zuurveld, xvi 58 to
60 ; statement of losses and disappointments of, xvi 147 et seq., 314 et seq. ;
arrives in 1820 with Mr. Parker's party, xvi 148, xix 27 ; is located at
Clanwilliam, upon inadequate lands, and removes to the Zuurveld, xvi
148 and 149, xvii 467 and 468 ; proceeds to Assagai Bush to find location,
xvi 150 ; cannot obtain rations, and appeals to Captain Somerset, xvi 151 ;
is uncertain of his location, and prepares to leave the colony, xvi 152 and
153, xvii 469 ; buildings erected by ; presents his case to Sir Rufane
Donkin, and applies for waste land, xvi 153 ; land is promised to, xvi 154 ;
cannot obtain grant, and presents memorials to the governor, xvi 155, 156,
and 157 ; petition of, is refused, xvi 156 and 157 ; explains and defends
his conduct, xvi 160 ; is not entitled to grant, xvi 475 ; directions for
settlement given to, xvii 19 ; additional grant made to, xvii 84 ; removes
from his location to Capetown, xvii 170 ; conversation of, with Major
Colebrooke, xvii 467 ; liberal treatment of men by, and losses of, xvii
468 ; claim of, must be submitted to the commissioner appointed to
adjust the claims of settlers, xvii 473 ; proposes a plan for the regular
supply of free labourers to the Cape, xviii 46 et seq., xix 40 ; signs the
memorial for a free press, xviii 58 ; returns to England, xix 139 ; further
mention of, xvi 424, xviii 112, xx 164 and 166
Franks, Mr. : xvi 297
Fransche Hoek Kloof : advantages of the road over, xviii 1, 6, and 256, xix
81, 241, 243, 247, 251, and 253 to 255, xx 65 ; expense of constructing and
completing the road over, xix 252, 253, and 254
Fraser, Reverend Colin : is ready to go to Holland to acquire the Dutch lan-
guage before proceeding to the Cape, xvi 133 ; is studying at a Dutch
university, xvii 209 ; has obtained a licence and requests an appointment,
xvii 297, xviii 11 ; accepts appointment in the colony, xviii 44; sums
advanced to, for proceeding to the Cape, xviii 214 ; engages a passage on
the Cornwallis, xviii 239 ; arrival of, is expected ; vacancy for, xviii 328
Fraser, Colonel George Sackville : treatment of, by the governor, xvii 393 ;
death of, in 1823, xviii 41 and 304 ; in 1819 obtains leave of absence to
return to Europe, xx 72
Fredericksburg : establishment of a military post at, by Sir Rufane Donkin,
and subsequent abandonment of, xvi 206, xvii 150, xviii 125 and 126,
xix 73 and 95 ; unwisdom of the establishment at, xviii 159, 302, 304, and
309, xix 394 ; illicit traffic is carried on at, with Kaffirs, xviii 42
Freemantle, Mrs. : distress and relief of, xvi 266
French cotton goods : free importation of, xviii 496
Frontier, the : fortifications on, are discontinued by Sir Rufane Donkin, but
Index. 441)
recommenced by Lord Charles Somerset, xvi 84 ; great cost of defending,
xvi 207 ; defence of, by military posts and patrolling, xvii 152 to 154, 211,
212, 217 et seq., 230, 324, and 466, xviii 38, 43, 152, 155, 157, 306, and 308,
xix 167 and 313 ; tranquillity of, brought about by Lieutenant Colonel
Somerset, xviii 328, xx 404, 413, and 415 ; free labour only is permitted
in the cultivation of grants on, xix 165 ; inducements to the settlement of,
xix 168 and 169
Frykenius, Commissary-General : mention of, xvi 231, xx 100 and 102
Futter, G., settler : land granted to, xvii 83
Fynn, F. : sum advanced to, xviii 235
Gaika, chief of the Rarabe branch of the Xosa tribe : authority of, xvi 102,
xix 314 and 365 ; is jealous of the colonial influence, xvi 199 ; amiable
disposition of, xvi 207 ; conferences are held with, by Lord Charles
Somerset in 1819, and by Sir Rufane Donkin in 1820, concerning the occu-
pation of territory between the Fish and Keiskama rivers, xvii 149, 150,
and 153, xix 342, 356, and 357 ; delays the restoration of stolen cattle,
and an attack is made upon, to seize him, xvii 154 and 155, xviii 39, 158,
305, and 309 ; escape of, xvii 156, xviii 158 ; is induced to attend a con-
ference with Lieutenant Colonel Scott near the Chumie in 1823, and agrees
to abstain from depredations, xviii 40 and 158 ; acknowledgment of the
supremacy of, by the colonial government, xix 361, 362, and 364 ; good
faith of, is doubtful, xix 365 ; is compelled to execute a Kaffir guilty of
the murder of an English boy, xix 391, 477, and 478
Galant, slave of W. N. van der Merwe : heads a gang of slaves and Hottentots
for the murder of their masters, xx 188, 190, 192, 201, 224, 233, and 306 ;
trial of, xx 188 et seq. ; seizes a gun and fires at B. van der Merwe, xx 192,
206, 218, and 235 ; shoots Mrs. Van der Merwe, xx 194, 207, 219, 228,
236, 272, 307, and 310 ; shoots and kills his master, W. N. van der
Merwe. xx 196, 207, 219, 223, 228, 244, and 307 ; shoots J. M. Verlee, xx
197, 207, 219, 237, 244, and 307 ; fires at the commando, xx 200, 202, 224,
229, and 257 ; charges made against, xx 201 ; examination and state-
ment of, xx 205 to 217 ; complains of ill-treatment, xx 205, 208, 212 to
217, and 315 ; wounds and marks found upon, xx 303 ; sentence of death
is passed upon, xx 340 ; further mention of, xx 259, 269, 270, 275, 280,
282, 285, 291, 297, 302, 316, 331, and 385
Gardeners, Government : list of, xix 58
Gardner, Edward, settler: attends to grazing rather than agriculture, xvi 38 ;
location is confirmed to, xvi ¥2A and 441, xvii 78
Garrison of the Cape Colony from 1823 to 1825 :
Royal African Corps : two companies formed from, are to be conveyed
to Sierra Leone, xvi 180 ; defence of Grahamstown by, in 1819 ; reduc-
tion of, xviii 125 ; service rendered by men of, at Fredericksburg,
xix 95 ; are employed in constructing the road over 1 lie Fransche Hoek
while waiting for embarkation, xix 251
Cape Corps : is augmented by another (mop of cavalry in March 1823, xvi
419 ; sums of money due to deceased soldiers of, xvi 455, xviii 8 ;
march to Grahamstown to suppress tiring, xviii 132, 137, and 141;
XX. 2 G
450 Index.
support Major Somerset, xviii 138 ; are commended by the governor
and landdrost, xviii 139 ; accommodation is required for, on the
frontier, xix 173 to 177 ; muster rolls and returns of, are to be trans-
mitted monthly, xx 98 ; forage is supplied to, by Mr. Burnett, xx 163,
389, 390, and 395 ; alleged infamous conduct of, xx 167 and 179
Gaugain, Mr., settler : grant recommended to, xvi 476
Geary, Mrs. : xvii 68
Geary, Reverend William, military chaplain at Grahamstown : is dismissed
from office, xvii 52, 86, 87, 253, 258, and 368, xviii 139, 199, and 347, xix
43, xx 371 ; complains of Major Somerset's insulting conduct, xvii 52, 53,
72, and 258 ; reveals a private letter from the duchess of Beaufort, who
recommended him, xvii 54 to 58, and 248 ; defends his conduct and com-
plains of his treatment, xvii 68, 69, 251, 256, 284 to 291, 303, and 304, xx
131 and 152 ; complains of being libelled in the Capetown Gazette, xvii
111, 112, and 124; requires an apology from the editor, and his prose-
cution for libel, xvii 125, xviii 207, 214, and 242 ; requests that the reason
for his dismissal may be stated in the general orders, xvii 126 ; is desired
not to make complaints in England, xvii 134 ; fees demanded by, xvii
244, 249, 260, 261, and 262, xviii 316 ; memorial of, with comments by
Lord Charles Somerset, xvii 247 ; is summoned to Capetown to answer for
contempt of court, xvii 257 ; want of suitable house for, xvii 262 to 264,
285, 286, and 291, xviii 284 ; desires to return to England, and solicits a free
passage, xvii 264, xix 93 ; position and privileges of, in the colony, xvii
283, 292, and 307 ; mis-statements and reprehensible conduct of. xviii 37 ;
requests remuneration for expenses incurred, xix 172 : expenses cannot
be refunded to, nor passage paid, without authority from home, xix 182
and 237 ; solicits a loan to be repaid by instalments ; destitution of, xix
238 ; loan of £100 is granted to, on certain conditions, xix 259 and 270 ;
begs for a larger loan, xix 260 and 322 ; accepts the loan offered, xix 283 ;
on his arrival in England, requests an interview with the secretary of
state, xx 126 and 153 ; further communication with, is declined, xx 134 ;
apologises for inadvertent expressions, xx 152 ; must communicate in
writing, xx 342 ; is ignorant of the charges against him, but forwards
documents, xx 344 ; further mention of, xvii 265, 282, 499, and 500, xviii
300 and 375, xx 180
Gebhardt, J. W. L., son of the Reverend W. Gebhardt : trial of, for excessive
punishment of a slave, xvii 39 ; sentence of death is inflicted on, xvii 44
Gemerkte Carreehoute Boom estate : is sold by Mr. Van Reenen to Mr. Louw,
xviii 445 ; conversion of tenure to perpetual quitrent is solicited, xviii
445, 448, and 473
Genadendal : missionary establishment at, xix 306
General Assembly : of the Dutch Reformed church, duties of, xix 190, 197,
and 208 ; constitution of, xix 233. See Synod
General Orders : —
19 February 1824. Concerning the prompt and soldier-like conduct of the
officers and men at Grahamstown during a tumult, and the dismissal
of the Reverend William Geary, xvii 86 ; conveying the dismissal of
Mr. Geary, insinuate his implication in a riot, xvii 126 and 135
Index. 145
George, district of : list of officers in, with salaries, xix 70 ; state of agri-
culture in, xix 350 et seq.
George, town of : visit of Lord Charles Somerset to, xvi 507 ; need of market
at, xix 351 and 352
Gerard, Reverend Dr. Gilbert, of Aberdeen : inquiries are addressed to, con-
cerning Mr. Rannie, xviii 405 and 409 ; letter from, in reply, xviii 416
Gilbert, author of Law of Evidence : references to, xvii 435, 438, 440, and 449
Gilquin, Colonel : report of, xx 103 and 106
Gird, H. H., district surgeon : examines Mrs. Van der Merwe, xx 309
Girls : scarcity of, at the Cape ; value of labour of, xx 52 ; wages of, xx 59 ;
bush, are placed with Mr. Theron, xx 81 ; are taken from him, xx 82
Glaeser, George, surgeon to the Cape Regiment : recommends Captain
Harding for retirement, xvi 465
Glasgow Missionary Society : particulars concerning work of, in South Africa,
xvi 133 and 199 ; must act in conjunction with the government, xvi 134
Glebe : land to be reserved for, xvii 350
Glennie, Arthur : is chairman of the meeting of the Scots church at London
Wall, xviii 402 and 418 ; requests co-operation in the inquiries concerning
Mr. Rannie, xviii 406, 407, and 408 ; letters from, to Dr. Philip, concerning
his charge against Mr. Rannie, xviii 418 and 419
Godlonton, R. : obtains relief for the Hardens, suffering settlers, xviii 375 and
376 ; testifies to the assistance given by Mr. Rivers to needy settlers,
xviii 389
Goliath, slave of B. van der Merwe : deposition of, xx 268 ; further mention of,
xx 324
Gonaquas : are driven out by the Boers, xix 171 ; desire to remain as servants
to colonists, xix 171 ; are mixed with other tribes, xix 458 ; at the Chumie
institution, xix 471 and 474
Good Intent, coasting schooner : carries provisions between the Kowie mouth
and Table Bay, xvi 288 and 464
Goodwin, F. : is appointed clerk of the court at Simonstown, xix 262
Goodwin, J., settler : meeting of with Mr. Francis, xvi 152 ; additional land is
granted to, xvii 83
Gordon, Reverend Abercrombie, of Banff : inquiries are made of, concerning
Mr. Rannie, xviii 405 and 409 ; letter from, in reply, xviii 415
Gosling, James, farmer at Hottentots Holland : mention of, xvi 66, xix 184
Goulburn, Major : oath taken by, xvi 405
Goulburn, Henry, under-secretary of state : complaints against, by Mr.
Parker, xvi 443
Government Advertisement : —
20 February 1824. Publishing the order in council of the 19th September
1823, xvii 91
Government House : in Capetown, dilapidated condition of, xriii 339 ;
repairs needed by, xviii 340 and 341
Governor, the: authority of; alleged errors committed by, through lack of
information, xviii 153 ; list of offices tilled by, xix 45, and 46 to 72 ;
household of, xix 46 ; uniform to be worn by, xix 153 ; duties and autho-
rity of, in military affairs, xix 179 to 181 ; [lowers of, in ecclesiastical
2 g 2
452 Index.
concerns, xix 230 ; is to be assisted by a council, xx 5 ; may suspend
members, if necessary, xx 6 and 9 ; incurs the responsibility of his
decisions, xx 355
Gower, Mary : free passage home is requested for, xx 1
Gower, Richard, settler : misfortunes and death of, xx 1
van de Graaff, J. F. : charges against, xvii 200 ; is appointed landdrost of
Tulbagh in 1804, xvii 316 and 335 ; lands acquired by, xvii 327 and 336
Graaff Reinet, district of : land tenure in, is irregular, xvii 296 ; petitions are
filed for land in, xvii 297 ; commandos from, against Bosjesmen, xix 19 ;
list of officers in, with salaries, xix 64 ; abstract of returns for, xix 249 ;
ranger is appointed for woods and forests in ; additional fieldcornetcy in,
xix 478
Graham, Mrs., widow of Colonel Graham : needs assistance from government,
xviii 196
Grahamstown : repairs to clergyman's house at, xvi 51 ; lands granted at,
xvi 178 ; seat of magistracy is removed to, from Bathurst, xvi 178, xvii
16, xviii 152 ; purchase of a house in, for the secretary of Albany, xvi 325,
xvii 36 ; damage done at, by storms, xvi 407 ; erection of barracks at,
for artillery, xvi 450, xvii 231 ; building lots at, are granted to artificers,
xvii 85 ; disturbance in, on the occasion of the arrival of the commis-
sioners ; Mr. Geary is accused of taking part in, xvii 86 and 126, xviii 132
et seq. ; attack of Kaffirs upon, in 1819, xvii 152, xix 168 ; is the most
eligible military station, xvii 153 ; high rate of living at, xvii 250 ; regu-
lations for the use of the water in, xvii 292 ; object of projected meeting at,
in May 1822, xviii 154 ; magistracy has been established at, from 1812,
xviii 302; erection of officers' barracks at, is requisite, xix 73, and 173 to
177 ; visit of the governor to, in February 1825, xx 400
Grant, P. W. : part taken by, in furthering the proposal to erect a presby-
terian church in Capetown, xix 334, 336, and 338
Gray, Lieutenant Governor H. G. : xvii 238
Great Fish River : is the boundary between the colonial territory and Kaf-
fraria, xvi 450, xix 170 ; lime-stone is found near ; navigation of, xvii 122
Great Partridge Valley : is well watered, xviii 129 ; is assigned to Mr. Ingram,
xviii 274
Greathead, James Henry, settler : industry of, xvi 38 ; location is confirmed
to, xvi 424 and 441
Green, Benjamin : is secretary to the committee for erecting a church at Port
Elizabeth, xvii 361
Green, Joseph, clerk of Mr. Greig : is suspected of taking part in the libel
against the governor, xviii 65 ; examination of, xviii 76 and 77 ; further
mention of, xviii 78, 82, 86, 90, and 92
Green well, Mr. : sells his location to Mr. Shaw, xvi 318
Gregory, John, secretary to the commissioners of enquiry ; carries a despatch
to Lord Charles Somerset, xvi 127 ; signs various documents, xvii 220, 330,
333, and 356, xviii 199, xix 388 and 389
Greig, George, printer and stationer : desires to establish a printing press in
the colony, and to publish a literary and commercial magazine, xvi 161
and 469 ; issues prospectus of the South African Commercial Advertiser,
Index. 453
xvi 470 ; requests its transmission to the country districts, xvi 490 ; rate
of postage is fixed for paper of, xvii 19 ; papers are published by, concern-
ing the trial of William Edwards, xvii 177 ; transmits the South African
Commercial Advertiser to the secretary of state, and requests a reduction
of postage, xvii 236 and 237 ; directions are given to, concerning the
conduct of his paper, and security is demanded from, xvii 293 and 294 ;
discontinues the publication of his paper, to seek redress, xvii 295 ; pro-
poses to publish a paper containing advertisements only, and facts con-
nected with the press censorship, xvii 299 ; is warned against issuing his
notices, but refuses to obey, xvii 300 ; journal of, is suppressed by the
governor, and presses sealed up ; is ordered to quit the colony within a
month, xvii 301 and 305, xviii 56 and 315, xix 42 ; signs the memorial for
a free press, xviii 58 ; has not adhered to conditions imposed, or given
security, xvii 306 ; appeals to the secretary of state, xvii 310, xix 42 ;
desires a speedy valuation of his printing materials, befoie sailing for
England, xviii 63 ; is suspected of taking part in the libel against the
governor, xviii 65, 66, 89 et sec/., and 117 ; examination of, xviii 76 ;
house of, is searched for defamatory papers, xviii 82 and 83, xx 169 ; a
decree of criminal apprehension of, is requested, but refused, xviii 118 and
119 ; claim laid to presses of, after he has left the colony, xviii 345, xix
482 ; is said to have received them from the London Missionary Society,
xviii 347 and 351 ; represented them to the governor as his own property,
xviii 348 and 352, xix 365 and 366 ; receipt given by, for printing presses,
xviii 354 ; states his case and appeals for redress, xix 144 to 152 ; explains
his claims to printing materials and presses, xix 463 et seq. ; declares
himself ruined by Lord Charles Somerset, xix 467 and 468 ; proposes to
publish the South African Times, and issues prospectus, xix 502 ; receives
permission to return to the colony, and to publish a journal under certain
conditions, xx 38, 40, 125, and 396, must repay sum received for printing
materials, xx 38 ; requests time for payment, and advocates some freedom
in discussing public questions, xx 47 and 345 ; solicits a free passage, xx
49 and 366 ; may have time for payment, xx 124 ; discusses terms of
publication, and submits an amended prospectus, xx 127 and 128 ;
amendments submitted by, cannot be accepted ; must adhere to his
prospectus, xx 133 and 355 ; treatment of, by the government, xx 146
el se(/. ; hoped for further redress ; intends to return to the colony, xx
365 ; further mention of, xix 143 and 405, xx 16
Grey, Reverend Henry : xvi 214, 458, and 494
Grey, James Borrowmen : evidence of, xviii K'S to 111
de Grey, Lord Chief Justice : opinion of, xviii 22
Greyling, Abraham Carel : declines relief from government loan, xviii 253
Gritfen, William : examination of, xviii 113
Griffith, Lieutenants Charles and Valentine, settlers: an- offered a Location
at the Zondei End river, but decline it. and rel urn tot lapetow a, xix I 1 2,
257, and 'M)(.) ; Old Posl farm is leased by, xix 310
Griffiths, Ellen, settler: money advanced to, by the government, >■/.. s>
Griffiths, William : is master of the Good Intent, xvi Oil ; land granted to,
xvii 85
454 Index.
Griquas : assist the Betshuanas against the Mantatees, and defeat them, xvi
497 et seq., 503, and 504, xx 405
Griquatown : Mr. Moffat visits Mr. Melville at, xvi 497
Grobbelaars Kloof : land allotted at, xvi 225
Grocus, H., bookkeeper of Lombard Bank : xix 186
Groenekloof government farm : visit of the commissioners to, xvi 453
de Groot, Hugo, lawyer : references to, xvii 400, 401, 402, 406, and 449
Groote Post, government farm : advisability of breaking up the establish-
ment, xvi 41, xvii 370 and 502 ; losses in carrying it on ; accounts of,
showing deficit, xvi 42 to 44 ; further mention of, xvi 208, xviii 454
Groote Vlakte estate : sale of, by Mr. Van Reenen to Willem Louw, xviii 445,
469, 483, and 489 ; conversion of tenure to perpetual quitrent, is solicited,
xviii 445, 448, and 473
Grosvenor, East Indiaman : wreck of, xvi 504, xviii 123 ; descendants of crew
of, are supposed to be among the Mantatees, xvi 504
Gum : collection of, for exportation, xix 287 ; is received in barter from
Kaffirs, xx 404
Gunning, B. : land granted to, xvii 85
Habana, Xosa chief : mention of, xvi 200, xix 168
Hallier, J., printer : xix 299
Halloran, Dr. : case of, xvii 379 ; sentence passed upon, xx 140
Hammond, Thomas, compositor : evidence given by, xviii 102 ; further
mention of, xviii 85, 86, and 101
Hankey, William Alers, treasurer of the London Missionary Society : signs
memorials of the directors concerning Bethelsdorp, xvi 223, xix 290 ;
forwards Dr. Philip's memorial to the secretary of state, xviii 498 ;
requests permission to send a printing press to the Cape, xx 342
Hansard's Parliamentary Debates : —
11 March 1825. On army extraordinaries at the Cape, and Lord Charles
Somerset, xx 134
Hanson, Mr. : appointment of, as sub-librarian, xviii 164
Hantam Mountain : reservation of, for horses suffering from distemper, xvi
467, xvii 11, xviii 445 and 481 ; grant of, to Mr. Redelinghuys and Mrs.
Louw, xvii 369, xviii 208, 342 to 344, and 443, xix 106 and 109 ; question
of right to exclusive pasturage on, xviii 445, 449, 457, 472, and 480 to
490 ; is refused to Mr. Redelinghuys, and ordered to be retained as
commonage for all the inhabitants, xviii 450, xix 2 and 16
Harbours : lack of, on the south-eastern coast, xviii 122 ; spot recommended
as, by Mr. King, xviii 123
Harden, W., settler : distress of, and relief afforded to, xviii 372, 374 to 377,
396, and 401 ; indifferent character of, xviii 375 ; death of, xviii
377
Harding, Captain W. W., deputy landdrost of Cradock : commends Scotch
settlers, xvi 321 ; ill-health of, xvi 464 ; desires to resign his situation with
a pension ; military services of, xvi 465 ; pension cannot be granted to,
xvii 143 ; locates Mr. Pringle's party, xix 444 ; appointment of, xx 72
Hare, John, settler : belongs to Mr. Parker's party, xix 27
Index. 455
Harker, Captain R. C, of the 15th Foot: desires to emigrate to the Cape, and
requests a passage, xvi 201
Harmse, Mr. : appointment of, as sub-librarian, xviii 32
Harrington, Captain : land granted to, in Capetown, for building, xviii 25 and
237, xix 110
Harris, Mr. : xvii 308 and 309
Harris, Thomas, clerk to Mr. Ingram : gives evidence to the commissioners.
xviii 222
Harrison, Mr., assistant barrack master : appointment of, as sub-librarian,
xviii 32
Hart, Robert, superintendent of Somerset Farm : accounts kept by, xvi 169 ;
may take Mr. Willson's winnowing machine, xvi 372 ; is to take wheat
tendered by Mr. Pringle, xvii 91 ; complaints made against, by Mr.
Burnett, xx 155 to 161, 391, and 395 ; pension allowed to, xx 406
Hart, William, settler : losses and distressed condition of, xvii 242, 272, and
473 ; sohcits a grant of land and loan of capital, xvii 243 ; military ser-
vices of, xvii 244 and 272 ; solicits a free passage for his family to the
Cape, xvii 473 ; desires to return to England to join his family, xviii 62
Hartley, T. : land granted to, xvii 85
Harvest: successive failures of, from blight and drought, xvi 11, 128, 274,
282, 283, 288, 289, 306, 452, and 464, xvii 13, 79, 142, 229, 230, and 250,
xviii 301, xx 382
Hawkins, William, agent of the East India Company : signs the memorial for
a free press, xviii 58 ; is a member of the committee of the commercial
exchange, xviii 497
Hayhurst, Richard, settler : industry of party of, xvi 38 ; location is con-
firmed to, xvi 424 and 441, xvii 78
Hayman, Mr., settler : removal of, is ordered, xvii 90
Haynes, Robert : can give evidence on behalf of William Edwards, xvii 425,
426, and 432
Hayward, William : is appointed special commissioner to investigate and
adjust the claims of settlers in Albany, xvii 340 and 356, xviii 35 and 97 ;
instructions and correspondence are forwarded to, xvii 356 ; salary of,
xvii 357 ; claim of Mr. Francis must be submitted to, xvii 473 ; decides
the dispute between Messrs. Fournier and Morton in Mr. Fournier's
favour, xviii 258, xix 318 and 321 ; will settle the question of boundary
between Messrs. Dixon and Erith, xviii 281 ; efforts of, to satisfy the
claims of settlers, xviii 346 and 362, xix 454 ; testifies to the attention
paid by Mr. Rivers to distressed settlers, xviii 384 ; inquiries concerning
Mr. Willson and his party, xix 77 ; reports on Mr. Erith' s claims, xix 115 ;
also on Mr. Willson's, xix 117 ; reports on petitions for land in Albany,
zx400
Head, Mr., deputy assistant commissary general : xvi 363
Heatlie, Thomas : purchases drostdy buildings and estate at Tulbagh, xvi 230,
xvii :!I8, 320, and 329, XX L26 ; complaints of, concerning the results of
his evidence before the commissioners, xvi 426; resentment of, against
the governor, and charges made by, xri 4.">;5 : grievances Buffered by,
and violent language of, xvi 454 ; information given by, xviii 469
45 G Index.
Heemraad, Special : appointment of, for Tulbagh, xvi 260
Heemraden. See Board
Hemp : proposed culture of, xx 95
Henderson, Mr. : is appointed to receive subscriptions for a church at Port
Elizabeth, xvii 360
Hendrik, a Hottentot : trial of, xx 188 et seq. ; charges made against, xx 203 ;
examination and statement of, xx 231 to 234 ; pleads coercion by Galant,
xx 234 ; sentence passed upon, xx 340 ; further mention of, xx 260, 263,
308, and 336
Hertzog, Mr. : road traced by, xviii 4
Hesse, Reverend G. : claim of, for expenses in returning to Europe, cannot be
granted, xvii 476, xix 114
Hester, a female slave of J. M. Brink : case of, xvi 379 ; trial of, for the murder
of her three children, xvi 380 et seq. ; examinations of, xvi 384 and 392 ;
sentence of death is pronounced upon, xvi 395
Heurtley, Richard, M.D., surgeon : xvii 240
Hewetson, W., assistant commissary general : statements and correspondence
of, xvii 277, xviii 184 ; plans and estimates transmitted by, for commis-
sariat buildings, xix 327 ; further mention of, xvi 468
Hewson, Joseph : land granted to, xvii 84
Hex River : road over, to Worcester, xvi 425 ; places on, are purchased by
the government, for the new sub-drostdy of Worcester, xx 68 to 72
Hiddingh, W., LL.D. : is a member of the court of justice, xvi 395 and 447,
xviii 82 ; assists in the search for defamatory papers, xviii 80 ; visits Mr.
Edwards in prison, xx 144 ; record held before, xx 189
Hiles, William, settler : land to be granted to, xvi 477, xvii 3
Hintsa, Kaffir chief: authority of, xix 314
Hippopotami: are found in Albany, xvii 104 ; abundance of, xviii 123
Hobson, Mr. : xix 476
Hodgkinson, G. : marriage of, xvii 289 and 304, xviii 316
Hoffman, John Bernard : is prosecuted by His Majesty's fiscal, for an alleged
libel against Mr. Blair, xvii 177 et seq., xix 281 ; examination of, xvii 183 ;
evidence concerning, xvii 187 ; is acquitted, xvii 188 ; visits Mr. Edwards
in prison, xviii 112
Hofmeyr, Hendrik, advocate : refuses to defend Mr. Theron, xx 87 ; defends
slaves and Hottentots charged with the murder of their masters, xx 189,
263, 297, and 330
van Hogendorp, Baron G. K. : relinquishes land offered to him at Hout Bay,
xviii 24, 236, 243, 244, 246, 250, and 251 ; in 1804 sends out labourers
from Holland to the Cape, xviii 255
Hohne, Mr., director of the government slave lodge : xx 352
Holder, William, settler : industry of, xvi 38 ; distress of party of, xvi 288 ;
allotment of, is to be divided, xvi 409 and 422, xvii 3 ; grant recom-
mended to, xvi 477 ; business conducted by, xviii 96
Holditch, Dr. : belongs to Mr. Parker's party, and has part of his location,
xviii 276, xix 27
Holloway, Major W. C, of the Royal Engineers : is on the committee for the
relief of distressed settlers, xvi 264 and 269 ; is in England in ill health,
Index. 457
xviii 2 ; work of, on the road over the Fransche Hoek mountain, xviii
2 and 4, xix 81 ; reports on the roads at the Cape, and recommends their
extension, xix 241 to 255, xx 65 ; suggests improvements on Mr. Hewet-
son's plan for commissariat buildings, xix 327 ; further mention of, xvi
430, 436, and 438, xvii 231
Holt : on the law of libel, references to and citations from, xvii 391, 400,-402,
404, 406, 433, 435, 436, and 437
Honey, Jeremiah, settler : land to be granted to, xvi 477, xvii 3
Honey, wild : is plentiful in Albany, xvii 104
Hooper, James : rebellion fomented by, xx 314
Hope, Captain John, land surveyor in Albany, and inspector of signal posts :
conducts the investigation of Mr. Geary's complaint against Wathall, xvii
255 ; sub-divides land among settlers, xviii 281 ; decides the dispute
between Messrs. Fournier and Shaw in Mr. Fournier's favour, xix 319 and
321
Horde, Captain Edward : sum paid to, on account of rations for Mr. Parker,
xx 347
Horses : importation and sale of, by Lord Charles Somerset, xvi 42, 168, and
170, xvii 368, 370, 502, and 505, xviii 343, 344, 443, 446, 454, 459, and 460,
xix 106 and 107 ; are seen in the possession of Kaffirs, xvi 200 ; purchase
of, for Cape cavalry and troops on the frontier, xvi 419, xvii 219, xix 107 ;
retreat of, to the Hantam mountain, in times of distemper, xvi 467, xvii 11,
xviii 445, 450, 451, 472, 480, 481, 482, 484, and 487 ; breeding and sale of ;
prices paid for, xvii 488, 489, and 490, xviii 313, 314, 460, 461, and 491,
xix 353 ; exportation of, to India, xvii 491 ; importation of, into the
colony, xviii 272
Horse-sickness : the Hantam mountain is a refuge from, xvi 467, xviii 445, 450,
451, 472, 480, 481, 482, 484, and 487 ; prevails only occasionally, xvii 11,
xviii 487
van der Horst, H. : . sale of slave to, xvi 396
van Horstok, Dr. H. B. : xvii 240
Horticulture : pursuit of, is profitable, xvii 102
Horton, R. Wilmot : evidence given by, on emigration, xvii 73
Hottentots: schools for, xvi 12, xvii 289 ; children of, xvi 174 ; mission work
among, xvi 215, xviii 498 et seq., xix 224, xx 113; at Bethelsdorp,
restrictions imposed upon, and grievances of, xvi 216 to 221 : employ-
ment of, in cattle-tending and agricultural labour, .rri 230, xvii 226, 317,
and 318, xviii 263 ; return of, in Kerkstiaat, Brouwerstraat, and Tulbagh,
in 1824, xvii 334; indolence of, .mii 202; contributions made by,
towards mission farm, xix 12; grants of land made to, xix Is and 7-"> :
at Bethelsdorp, loyalty and industry of, .ri.r 286 and 289; condition
of, in Graaff Reinet, xix 486 ; join in the conspiracy of slaves to murder
their masters, xx 188 and 192 ; are captured, xx 107
Hottentots Holland Range: roads over, difficulty of, xix 242 and 243 ; rivers
rising in, crossing of, .ri.r 246
Hough, Reverend George: is a member of the committee for the relief of
distressed settlers, .rri 264 and 269 : lias prize negroes, xvii ■_>;>.!; is chap-
lain of Capetown, xvii 261 : becomes honorary librarian, xviii .')! : in
458 Index.
September 1813 arrives at the Cape ; in March 1817 becomes principal
chaplain ; relations of, with Colonel Bird, xviii 161 ; becomes rector of
the grammar school in Capetown, xviii 162 ; premises occupied by, xix
360 ; further mention of, xviii 144 and 147
Houses : erected by settlers in Albany, materials used for, xvii 121 and 122 ;
of Boers, xvii 122
Hout Bay : farm at, is requested by Mr. Parker, xvi 48 ; land at, relinquished
by Baron van Hogendorp, is granted to Colonel Bird, xvi 100 and 116,
xviii 23, 236, 241, 243, and 245 ; is solicited by Mr. Denyssen, in 1821,
xviii 236, 241, and 243 ; value of, xviii 241 and 248 ; is inspected by Mr.
D'Escury, xviii 244
Howard, William, settler : party under, is fairly industrious, xvi 38 ; addi-
tional grant is to be made to, xvi 409 and 422 ; location is confirmed to,
xvi 424 and 441, xvii 78
Howard, Mr., district schoolmaster and clerk to Mr. Geary : need of residence
for, xvii 265 ; further mention of, xvii 289 and 290
Howden, General Lord : opinion of, on Colonel Bird, xvi 405, xviii 14 ; pro-
clamation of, xvi 450
Howe, John, servant of Mr. Theron : assault on, by his master, xx 85
Hugo, Hester Johanna, wife of Barend van der Merwe : deposition of, xx 267 ;
examination of, xx 284
Hume, Captain, of the Redwing : in September 1819 takes the governor to
Algoa Bay, xix 455
Hume, Mr. : speeches of, on Lord Charles Somerset, xx 135
Humphreys, Quartermaster : purchase of premises of, xix 175 and 176
Hutchinson, Honourable Christopher Hely : mention of, xvi 78 and 404
Hyena : ravages of, in the Zuurveld, xvii 119
Hyman, Charles, settler : industry of party under, xvi 38 ; distress of party
of, xvi 285 ; additional land is to be granted to, xvi 409 and 422, xvii 84 ;
location is confirmed to, xvi 424 and 441, xvii 78
Immelman, J. L. : sale of slave to, xvi 396
Imports. See Commerce
Incha, a Morolong : speech of, xvi 499
Indentures : entered into with Mr. Ingram by emigrant settlers, proceeding
from Cork to the Cape, xvi 204, xviii 187, 188, 219, 223, 225, and
264
India : relief from, for distressed settlers in South Africa, xvi 280 ; restrictions
on the freedom of the press in, xvii 363 ; horses exported to, xvii 491
Indian corn : cultivation of, by settlers, xvi 360, 363, and 364
Infantry, Cape : proposed strength of companies of, xvii 219 ; special use of,
xviii 42
Ingram, John : has discharged his people, and returned to Ireland for his
family, xvi 6 ; asks aid from government to take out more emigrants,
xvi 7 ; advocates assistance to individuals rather than government emi-
gration schemes, xvi 17 ; cost of emigrants taken out by, xvi 25 and 31 ;
is taking a party of 400 persons from Cork to the Cape on the Barrosa ;
assistance given to, xvi 64 and 136, xvii 492 ; bond is entered into by, with
Index. 459
the Treasury commissioners, xvi 69, xix"Q,5§, xx 94 ; provides instructors
for the children, xvi 71; provisions ordered by, xvi 202; indentures
entered into by, with his articled servants, xvi 204, xviii 185 to 188, 218,
219, 223, 225, 227, and 264 ; on the 21st September 1823 sails in the
Barrosa, xvi 296 ; high recommendations of, xvii 74 ; sums charged by,
for release from service, xvii 215, xviii 265 to 267 ; location of, at Clan-
william, in the Partridge and Kleine valleys, xviii 46, 144, 205, and 274.
xix 134 ; signs the memorial for a free press, xviii 58 ; treatment of
Daniel Lee by, xviii 67 and 190 ; removal of, xviii 145 ; slave purchased
by, xviii 146 ; amount realised by auction, xviii 194 ; complains of the
desertion of his servants, xviii 197, 198, 219, and 223 ; return of persons
brought to the Cape by, xviii 198 ; cultivation by, xviii 203 and 278 ; in
December 1823 arrives with party at the Cape, xviii 217 ; provision made
by, for emigrants, xviii 225 ; assignment by, of people, on landing, xviii
226 ; ready employment and success of party brought out by, xviii 255
and 262 ; accommodation provided by, for his apprentices in Capetown,
xx 73 ; further mention of, xvi 36, xvii 73, xviii 91
Injury, crime of : xvii 405, 408, and 410
Inns : need of, for travellers, xix 354
Inquest : held on the bodies of men murdered by slaves and Hottentots,
xz 305
Inspector of Lands and Woods Office : list of officers of, with dates of appoint-
ment and salaries, xix 57
Instructions : to the governors of the West Indies respecting slavery, xvi 141
and 445, xvii 37 ; issued by Major-General Craig to the burgher senate.
on the 31st January 1796, xvi 231 and 241 ; to the commissaries of the
court of justice at the Cape, dated 13th July 1792, xvi 232; to Mr.
Hayward, commissioner for investigating the claims of the settlers in
Albany, xvii 340 and 356 ; to Sir Rufane Donkin respecting free labour,
are adhered to, xvii 485 ; to the directors of the Lombard Bank, con-
cerning mortgages, xix 1 ; to Lord Charles Somerset, concerning
the respective duties and authority of civil governors and military
officers, xix 179 to 181 ; to the governor respecting the creation and
functions of a council, xx 5, and 6 to 11.
Ionian Islands : grant of land in, is requested by Mr. Willson, xvii 247
Ireland : emigration from, to the Cape, xvi 17
Ireland, Reverend Thomas, military chaplain al Capetown: mention of, xvii
283 ; is appointed to the chaplaincy at Grahamstown ; commendation of.
xix 44
Irish labourers: as settlers, distribution of, xvii 309
Irvine, Captain, paymaster of the 72nd regiment: mention of, xvi 401,
xviii 182
Issite, a young Betshuana chief : speech of. xri .~>oo
Ivory: trade in, with Kaffirs, xvi 72 and 1'A, xviii 40, xx 181, 182, and 404 ;
return of, XX 181 ; articles given in exchange for, r.r 182
Jackson, J. I>. : xix 261
Jackson, Major T. S. : knows of cruelty to Kaffirs, xvi IT
460 Index.
James, Samuel, settler : industry of party under, xvi 39 ; additional land is
granted to, xvi 179, xvii 83 ; location is confirmed to, xvi 424 and 441
Jan Dissel's Valley : capabilities of, for the location of settlers, xviii 128, xix
96 ; name is given to the drostdy, xix 33. See Clanwilliam
Jannetje, a female slave of Barend van der Merwe : deposition of, xx 269
Janssens, General : mention of, xvi 227, 228, and 440
Jardine, A. Johnstone : informs Mr. Pringle of a warrant to search his papers,
xvii 481 ; part taken by, in the proposal to erect a Scottish presbyterian
church in Capetown, xix 334, 336, and 338
Jarman, J. : land granted to, xvii 85
Jarvis, G. : land granted to, xvii 85
Jesuits, the : alleged machinations of, in Ireland, xvi 297 ; remittances are
said to be forwarded to, from the Cape, xvi 406 and 407 ; circulation of
defence of, xvi 412 ; alleged secret practices of, xvi 413
Jesuits, the, Unmasked : printed pamphlet by Mr. Parker, xvii 9
Jetty: proposed building of, in Capetown, xix 110
John, negro apprentice : is taken into Mr. Blair's family, xvi 142
Johnson, John, lieutenant royal navy : is appointed harbour master at the
mouth of the Kowie, xviii 273
Johnson. J. L., elder of the Scots church at London Wall : reports on un-
favourable letter concerning Mr. Rannie, xviii 402 ; declines to take part
in inquiries concerning him, xviii 409 and 427 ; letter from, to Mr. Liddle,
xviii 428 ; acts as secretary, xviii 430
Johnstone, Mr., deputy assistant commissary general at Grahamstown : xvi
262
Johnstone and Mollet, Messrs., appraisers : are nominated to value Mr.
Greig's printing materials, xviii 63, xx 150 and 151
Joint Stock Banking Company : proposal to establish at the Cape, xix 459,
492, and 504 ; a royal charter is requested for, xx 41, 46, and 74 ; advan-
tages of, xx 57 and 61
Jones, George, coachman of Major Colebrooke : evidence given by, xviii 75
Jones, Maj or James : appointment of, as landdrost of Albany, by Sir Ruf ane
Donkin, xvi 100, 166, and 412, xviii 28 ; Roman Catholicism of, xvi 100
and 412 ; dismissal of, xvi 166 and 412, xviii 28 and 238 ; heavy losses
of, xvi 167 ; treatment of Mr. Biddulph by, xvi 209 ; commits him to
prison, xvi 210 ; justifies his action towards Mr. Biddulph, xvi 292 to
295 ; land allotted to, xix 135 ; further mention of, xvi 154 and 155, xvii
153, xix 391 and 476
Jones, Reverend Dr. Robert, colonial chaplain : efforts of, to obtain an
English church in Capetown, xvi 101 and 413 ; resignation of, xvi 404,
xviii 193
Jones, R. J. : is a member of the committee for the relief of distressed settlers,
xvi 264, 269, and 270
Jones, Stephen, settler : belongs to Mr. Ingram's party, xviii 187
Jones, William, inspector of government buildings : report of, on the extension
of the wharf and construction of a reservoir at Simonstown, xvi 111 ; on
the repairs necessary to Government House in Capetown, xviii 342 ; on
the value of land granted to Colonel Bird, xix 104 ; on the value of the
Index. 4G1
premises occupied by the reverend Gieorge Hough, xix 361 ; on the value
of the premises purchased for the colonial chaplain, xix 396 and 397 ; is
examined before the commissioners, xx 16 ; reports on and estimates the
repairs necessary to the buildings on Robben Island, xx 361 ; further
mention of, xx 66
Jonk, F. : memorial of, requesting a grant of land, xvi 480 and 506 ; case of,
still remains open, xvi 507
Joosten, Pieter : complains of the removal of the drostdy from Tulbagh 1 1 1
Worcester, xvii 351
Joosten, Willem J. : complains of the removal of the drostdy from Tulbagh
to Worcester, xvii 352
Joubert, Jacob, advocate : joins the literary society, xviii 287
Joubert, Mr. : land purchased from, xvii 337
Judge, Reverend Edward : is appointed master of the public classical school
at the Cape ; advance made to, xix 142 and 330
Jurgens, J. F., second clerk of the court of justice : mention of, xvi 380, 382,
384, 386, 388, 390, 391, 392, and 393
Jurgens, J. T. : is head clerk to the court of justice, xvii 377, 394, 415, and
416 ; assists in the search for defamatory papers, xviii 82 ; commits
Benjamin Wilmot to prison, xviii 114
Justice : see Courts
Justinian's Institutes : citation from, xvii 182
Kaffirs : humane and conciliatory policy is adopted towards, by Lord Charles
Somerset, xvi 13, xviii 41, 42, and 193 ; mission work among, xvi 52 :
trade and intercourse with, regulations for, xvi 72 and 449, xvii 149,
xviii 179 to 181, xix 315, xx 91 to 94, 181, 182, and 404 ; settler is
murdered by, xvi 73 and 102 ; incursions and depredations of, xvi 128,
261, 306, 311, 312, 452, and 462, xvii 6, 102, 142, 154 to 156, 221, 230, 272,
324, 465, and 466, xviii 36, 37, 39, 41, 152, 155, 158, 304, and 309, xix 91,
92, 168 to 170, 258, 313, and 365 ; peaceful relations of, with the colonists,
and tranquillity of, xvi 207, xviii 40, xx 404, 413, and 415 ; cattle stolen by,
from settlers, xvi 283, 288, and 289, xvii 156 and 218, xix 136 ; cattle of,
are captured by the Dutch farmers, and retaliation by, xvi ."524 : alleged
cruel treatment of, xvi 403, xvii 151, xix 392 ; are brought to submission
by Major Somerset, xvi 462 and 463, xvii 102 and 142 ; inroads of, art-
checked by Sir Rufane Donkin's methods, xvii 150 and 152 ; attack on
Grahamstown by, and war against, in 1819, xvii 152 and 153, xix 168 to
17<>, and 343; questions of policy to be adopted towards, xvii 211, xviii
152, 155, 158, 302, 304, and 306 ; kindness shown by, to Mr. King's party.
xviii 122 and 124 ; respect and confidence fell by, towards Major
Somerset, xviii 331 ; expulsion of, in 1812, xix It is and .'itil ; arc fired
upon by Fieldcornet Van der Nest, and one killed, xix 324 and 380;
execution of, at the Chumie, for the murder of an English boy, xix 391
and 17<> to 478 ; conference held with, in 1819. xix 394 ; are favourably
disposed towards missionaries, xix 458; are superior to (ionaquas, xix
474
Karroo-land: barrenness of, xix _'IS
462 Indev.
Kasa, Kaffir chief: xix 168
Kauffman, Reverend Frederic, Lutheran clergyman : becomes honorary-
librarian, xviii 31 ; evidence of, before the commissioners, xix 84 ;
grants the use of his church for the meeting of Scottish presbyterians,
xix 338
Kay, Reverend S., Wesleyan missionary : Sunday school of, xvii 290 ; testi-
mony of, to Mr. Rivers, xviii 389
Kaye, Alexander Lowe : is the real name of William Edwards, xviii 442 and
494, xx 137 and 138
van der Keetel, Professor : citation from, xvii 445
Keevey, Mr., settler : distress and relief of, xvi 265
Keiskama River : annual fair is to be held on the banks of, xvi 73, xviii 179 ;
conditions of crossing, xviii 180 ; advantages of, as boundary, xix 170
Kekewich, George, judge of the vice admiralty court: is appointed on the com-
mittee to investigate the charges brought by Mr. Cooke against Mr.
Blair, xvii 138, 140, 214, and 232 ; visits the prison, xvii 245 ; describes
Mr. Parker's conduct towards Mr. Watney, xx 62 ; further mention of,
~~ xvii 375, 389, and 392
Keller, Mr., third under sheriff : xvi 382
Kenyon, Lord : mention of, xvi 46, 47, and 297
Kerkstraat : return of erven and population in, in 1824, xvii 334
Kettledorse, Peter, Hottentot servant of Mr. Mahoney : is taken prisoner,
xx 91 ; deposition of, xx 93
Kidd, Professor : mention of, xviii 404, 417, 419, 420, 424, and 425
Kidson, William : is not permitted to quit his location, xvii 174
Kidwell, Alexander, settler : land to be granted to, xvi 477, xvii 3
Kimmersley, William : xvii 157
King, James Saunders : trading expedition of, on the south-eastern coast of
Africa, xviii 122 ; recommends a spot with harbour, for settlement, xviii
123 ; requests permission to seal and fish on the Bird and St. Croix
islands, xix 105, 258, and 284 ; further mention of, xviii 318, xix 235
Kinnenbergh, D., undersheriff of Stellenbosch : duties and salary of, xviii 247
Kinnersley Castle, transport : in 1820 conveys settlers to the Cape, xvi
127
Kinniberg, David : evidence given by, concerning the sale of a horse by the
governor, xviii 465
Kitchingman, James, missionary of the London Society : is the director at
Bethelsdorp, and solicits further grants of land for that institution, xviii
502, 504, and 508, xix 42, 287, 289, 291, and 292
Klaarwater : see Griquatown
Klaas, slave of Barend van der Merwe : trial of, for share in conspiracy to
murder masters, xx 188 et seq. ; charges made against, xx 203 ; examina-
tion and statement of, xx 234 to 241, and 266 ; pleads coercion by Galant,
xx 235 and 240 ; complains of ill-treatment, xx 239 ; sentence passed
upon, xx 340 ; further mention of, xx 260, 263, 265, 268, 295, 300, 308,
311, 321, 325, and 336
Kleine Valley : location of Mr. Parker's party at ; want of water, and entire
inadequacy of, xvi 4 and 474, xviii 275, xix 27, 28, and_32 ; settlers
Index. 463
remaining at, xviii 46 and 203; partition of among settlers, by Mr.
Parker, xviii 206 and 276 ; state of settlement in, xx 382
Klerck, Mr. : xvi 169
Klopper, Coenraad B. : xix 136
Klopper, Hendrik : evidence of, xix 324
Knobel, J., government surveyor : lands measured by, xvi 156 and 159 ; plan
of locations drawn by, xvi 330 ; had not time to survey all the locations
for settlers, xvii 19 ; alleged error of, xvii 20 ; boundaries are pointed
out by, xvii 148 ; instructions given to, xviii 339
Knysna River : naval establishment at ; timber procured at, xvi 51, xviii 17 ;
a location on, is desired by Mr. Parker, but is not available, xvi 443, xriii
17 ; appointment of a custom officer at, xvii 485 ; list of Mr. Rex's
estates on, xviii 17 and 34
Kogman's Kloof : advantages of a road over, xviii 2 and 3
Kongo : see Cungwa and Pato
Korsten, Mr. : possession of islands is granted to, for sealing and fishing, xix
105
Kotze, Mr. : sale of the horse Sorcerer to, xix 108
Kowie River : a port is established at the mouth of, by Lord Charles Somerset^
xvi 11 and 464, xvii 99 and 103, xviii 304, xix 454, xx 383 and 401 ; navi-
gation of, is practicable, xvi 206, xvii 17 ; a schooner and two boats are
stationed at, xvi 299, xvii 81, 100, and 482 ; land on, is granted to Mr.
Nourse, xvii 30, xx 383 ; is solicited by Mr. Bailie, xvii 298 and 321 ;
appointment of harbourmaster for port at the mouth of, xviii 273, xix-
330 ; pier at, is requested, xx 54 and 401
Kowie River Establishment : list of officers in, with salaries, xix 72
Krier, Jan, a prisoner in the tronk : shocking state of, xvii 240
Krynouw, A. : sentence passed upon, xx 140
Kuchler, Captain G. C, of the artillery : mention of, xx 103, 105, and 107
Kuckles, Mrs. A. A. J., widow of J. H. Pfeil : xviii 322
Kuys, Reverend Mr. : xvi 110
La Belle Alliance : conveys Mr. Willson's party to the Cape, xvi '■>'■)'•}, :>4(>, ;>I7.
348, and 370; has measles on board, xvi 357; on the 2nd May 1820
arrives, xvi 358
Labourers: want of, in Albany and the country districts, xviii 34, 4.'!, lit I,
256, and 262, xix 40, xx 57 and 40(1 ; proposals for the introduction of,
into the colony : by .Mr. < '.u lisle, xviii 43 ; by Messrs. Moodieand Francis,
xviii 46, xix 40; by Mr. Phillips, xviii 325; by a general association,
xix 293; by Mr. Clinic, xx 50; by Mr. Wilton, XX !K> : BUperioritj oi
European to native, xriii •_'(>•_' ; bind wa^es of, at the ( ape, in 1S24, xx ."..">7
Lady Campbell : on the L2th July \ss.\ arrives at Simonstown with the com-
missioners on board, xvi 126
Laing, Dr. John : memorial of, concerning the sale of medicines, xvii 238
Lambert, Bear Admiral Roberl : xvii 32
Land: grants of, made by Sir Rufane Donkin, explanation and lisl of, xv\ v"
xix 35 and L35 ; returns of -rants and cultivation of, are to be B6n1 to
England, xvi 92 ; in Albany, applications for, xvi 1 1 '■'• ; reservation of, 'at
464 Index.
the Cape, as glebe, xvi 213 and 359, xvii 349 ; in Albany, redistribution
of, to settlers, is advisable, xvi 329 ; grants of, are to be left to the dis-
cretion of the landdrost, xvi 331 ; is requested by Mr. Willson as a free-
hold grant, xvi 369 ; tenure of, by settlers, regulations for, xvi 371 and
378 ; prohibition of slave labour on, xvi 378 ; xvii 486 ; valuable grants
of, made to Colonel Bird, xvi 406, xviii 23, 25, and 236, xix 21, 22, and
104 ; titles to, are to be delivered to the heads of parties, where the con-
ditions are fulfilled, xvi 408 and 441, xvii 78 ; inspection and measure-
ment of, xvi 414 ; allotted to settlers in Albany, is too limited ; in-
creased and additional grants of, xvi 430, xvii 82 and 157, xviii 155, 304,
and 307, xx 400 : in possession and cultivation, returns of : for 1823, xvi
488 and 489 ; for 1824, xix 386 and 387 ; at Bathurst, high price of, at
public sale, xvii 16 ; is not to be acquired by Mr. Farewell without the
governor's sanction, xvii 293 ; in Graaff Reinet, tenure of is irregular,
xvii 296 ; many petitions for, xvii 297 ; grant of, is solicited by Mr.
Bailie, xvii 298 and 321 ; regulations for the granting of, to emigrant
settlers, xvii 341, xviii 476 and 478 ; allotments of, to be made to servants,
and to disappointed settlers, xvii 342 and 343 ; titles to, must be charge-
able with debts, xvii 346 and 347 ; is to be used in common for pasture,
xvii 348 ; claim to, made by half-pay officers, xvii 349 ; grants of, made
to the widow Louw and Mr. Redelinghuys, -xvii 369 and 502, xviii 457 to
459, 472, 475, 478, and 489 ; at the Groote Post farm, misapplication of,
xvii 370 and 502 ; improper and irregular distribution of, is exposed by
Mr. D'Escury, xvii 456 ; question of tenure of, is pressed upon Mr. Bigge,
xvii 457 ; extensive grants of, made to previous secretaries and other
civil servants, xviii 24, xix 101 ; for a Roman Catholic chapel, is granted
by the burgher senate, xviii 29 ; proposed agency for the sale of, xviii 48 ;
change effected in the tenure of, in 1813, by the conversion of loan places
into quit-rent, xviii 237 and 455, xix 367 to 375 ; adjoining clergyman's
residence at Grahamstown, is for sale, xviii 283 ; new, brought into
cultivation from 1814 to 1823, xviii 326 ; grants of, made to Hottentots
and Bosjesmen, xix 18 ; list of grants of, made by Lord Charles Somerset
in Albany, from 1821 to 1824, xix 37 to 39 ; in Albany, distribution and
occupation of, xix 96 ; depreciation in value of, at the Cape, xix 113 ;
granted in Albany, returns of, xix 138 and 155 ; belonging to government,
is used by individuals until wanted, xix 307 ; between the Great Fish
river and the Keiskama, question of occupation of, xix 341, 357, and 394 ;
upon the Kat river, survey of, xix 394 ; proposed terms of granting, to
the South African Company, xx 97 and 348
Land Revenue Office : list of officers of, with dates of appointment and
salaries, xix 52
Landdrosts, powers and duties of: in granting lands to settlers, xvi 331,
xviii 208 ; respecting religious services, xix 229 ; concerning church
funds, xix 231. See Boards and Courts
Landman, C. P. and J. A. : memorials of, xvii 6 and 23
Landsinck, Johannes, Roman catholic priest : salary of, xx 31
de Lange, Adriaan : complains of extortionate marriage fee, xvii 244
Lange, H. O. : Mr. Potgieter's land is given to, xvii 6 and 22
Index. 40.",
Lange, Johannes Henricus, district clerk of Uitenhage : letter from, xix 291
and 292 ; services of ; desires to retire on a pension, xx 44 and 45
de Lange, Mr., special heemraad of Tulbagh : death of, xvii 317 ; land
purchased by, in Tulbagh, xvii 336 and 339
La Seine, French merchant ship : goods sold from, xviii 496, xix 128 and 130
Latakoo : Betshuana assembly is held at, to prepare for war with the Man-
tatees, xvi 497 ; engagement and defeat of the Mantatees at, xvi 503
Latham, Joseph, settler : claim of, to location, xvi 39 and 424 ; industry of ;
location to be granted to, xvi 475 ; additional grant is made to, xvii 83
Laws and Ordinances : promulgated at the Cape, compilation of, to be made,
xx 12 ; regulations concerning, xx 13 to 15 ; of high treason, xx 322
Leah, female slave of Mrs. Van der Merwe : conspiracy is concealed from,
xx 273 and 279 ; assists her mistress, xx 290 ; deposition of, xx 290
Leander, His Majesty's ship : Mr. Willson solicits a passage home in, xvi 377
Leather : preparation of, in the colony, xviii 266
Lee, Daniel, servant of Mr. Edwards : is suspected of posting a libellous
placard against the governor ; house of, is to be searched, xvii 474 ;
examinations of, xviii 65, 88, and 95 ; ill-treatment of, by Mr. Ingram,
xviii 67, and 189 to 191 ; is released from his detention, xviii 118 ; is
accused of perjury, xviii 119 ; no grounds for the prosecution of, xviii 120
Leech, Benjamin, settler : location is granted to, xvi 477, xvii 3 and 78
Leitner, J. M., superintendent of the leper institution : disclaims the authority
of Dr. Barry, xvi 69 and 106 ; directions given to, xvi 70 ; self-sacrifice
of, xvi 106
Leper Institution : regulations for, xvi 69 and 105 ; proposed location of, on
Paarden Island, xix 398
Le Sueur, Mr., secretary of the pound : xvii 60
Lethbridge, Sir Thomas Buckler, M.P. : presents petitions to the House of
Commons for Mr. Parker, xvi 3 and 402
de Lettre, Mr. : xvi 390
Le Victor, French packet : capture of, by the Racehorse, xvii 189, xix 273
and 279
Lewis, Mr., government agent at Cork : inspects provisions and musters
people of Mr. Ingram before sailing, xvi 202, xviii 224 and 265
Libel: laws concerning, xvii 197 to 200, 391, 400, 402, 404, 406, 419, 433,
435 to 438, and 443, xx 139 ; alleged, against Mr. Geary, in the Capetown
Gazette, xvii 259, xviii 207, 215, and 242; penalties for. xvii 444. 445,
450, and 451, xx 140; against Mr. Blair, prosecution <>f .Messrs. Cooke,
Edwards, and Hoffman for, xvii 177 et seq., xviii 323, xx .'>74 ; against t lie
governor, trial of William Ivluanls tor, .rrii 'M'A it .«</., xviii 239, XX L83
and 377 ; against .Messrs. Borcherds and Truter, trial of Mr. Burnett for,
xx 170 and 389
Library, public: establishmenl of, m Capetown, and management of. xviii
30, 31, 163, and 164, xix 145 ; appointment of officers for. xviii '.12 and
164 ; in connection with the South African Literary Society, establish-
ment of, is recommended, xviii 168 and I7<>; selection of books for,
xviii 172; proposed regulations for, Xviii 174
Licenses: for various trades, xvi 2'M ; for the practice of medicine, or as a
XX. -1 II
466 Index.
chemist and druggist, xvi 308, xviii 121, xix 130 ; for crossing the Great
Fish river, xvi 450 ; for trading with Kaffirs, xviii 180 ; taken out by
Mr. Theron, xx 84 ; to be obtained by Mr. Greig for the publication of a
journal, apprehended suspension of, xx 125, 128, 355, and 365
Liddle, John : is chairman of the committee of the Scots church at London
^- Wall, xviii 407, 409, 412, 430, and 431 ; letters from, xviii 409 and 427
Liesching, Charles Frederik : requests permission to practise as an apothecary,
chemist and druggist ; qualifications of, xvii 237, 241, 326, and 367, xviii
121, 207, 249, 298, and 299, xix 131, 182, and 183 ; has had no professional
education, and is not qualified to practise, xviii 214, 215, and 320, xix
381 ; memorial of, concerning Dr. Barry's report of him, xviii 228 ; is to
be examined as to his qualifications, xviii 315, xix 312 and 361
Liesching, C. L. W., M.D. : inquest held, and report given by, xvi 380 ; efforts
of, on behalf of prisoners, xvii 246 ; examines into William Edwards'
complaints, xvii 415 ; report of, on the examination of the body of
Galant, xx 303 ; further mention of, xvi 346, xvii 241
Liesching, F. L., M.D. : xvii 241
Lighthouse : erected by Sir Rufane Donkin at Sea Point, utility of, xvi 61,
63, and 85 ; expense of, xvi 103 ; erection of, on Cape Point, is desirable,
xvi 61 ; on Noah's Ark Rock, conditions of erecting, xvi 101
Lime : scarcity and expense of, at the Cape, xvii 122
Lind, J. J. deputy fiscal : exhibits the act of accusation against Mr. Edwards,
xvii 376 ; assists in the search for defamatory papers, xviii 82 ; appears
before Mr. Bentinck with witnesses, xviii 84 and 100 ; joins the literary
society, xviii 287 and 291
Lind, Mr., clerk to Mr. Hoffman : evidence given by, xvii 187
van der Linden, Dutch lawyer : references to, xvii 435, 436, and 451
Lindner, Ludwich, constable : xvi 381
Linton, Mr., secretary of the committee of the Scots church at London Wall :
exclusion of, xvni 430
Lion, the : disappearance of, xvii 119
Liquor : trade in, with Kaffirs, is prohibited, xviii 180
Listowel, earl of : friendship of, towards Mr. Parker, xvi 397, 442, and 443
Literary Society : see South African
Liversage, Samuel, settler : idleness of party under, xvi 39 ; location is
confirmed to, xvi 424 and 476, xvii 3
Lloyd, Henry, settler : prepares a statement concerning Mr. Willson's disputes,
xvi 339 and 373 ; sum advanced to, xviii 235 ; relief granted to, xviii
374 and 396
Loan : is solicited by Lord Charles Somerset from England, to relieve the
distress caused by storms in 1822, xviii 59 ; is granted, xviii 60 ; advanced
by the government for the relief of distressed settlers, distribution of,
xviii 127, 253, and 297, xix 102, and 346 to 348 ; interest paid on, xviii
253 and 327, xix 348 ; on buildings at Bathurst, not applied for, xix 94 ;
is solicited by the reverend Mr. Geary for his passage home, xix 238 ;
conditions of granting, xix 259 and 270 ; is insufficient for passage, xix
260 and 322 ; cannot be augmented, xix 261 and 323 ; is accepted by
Mr. Geary, xix 283 ; made by the bank to individuals, xix 414, 419 to
Index. 461
421, and 426 to 433 ; for public buildings, xix 421 ; advanced to Stellen-
bosch for losses sustained by fire, xix 425 ; is solicited for the erection of
an English church in Capetown, xix 480
Loan Places : conversion of, into grants on perpetual quitrent, xviii 456, xix
370, 371, and 373 ; privileges attached to, xviii 485 ; return of, in
October 1814, xix 367 ; in Decemb?r 1824, xix 368
Lockhart, Dr., minister of Glasgow, xvi 458
Locusts : injure crops at Baviaan's River, xviii 338
Loira, Antonio, native of Madeira : conceals himself on the Barossa, xviii 186
Lombard Bank : expense caused by, xvii 497, xix 492 ; money advanced by,
for building a Roman Catholic chapel, xviii 166 ; increase of salaries to
officers of, xviii 191 ; sum advanced by, to Colonel Bird, on the security
of lands, xviii 236, 244, and 248, xix 1 ; list of officials of, with dates of
appointment and salaries, xix 49 ; statement of the funds of, from 1793
to 1824, xix 184 to 186 ; deviations of, from original instructions ;
growth and progress of, xix 404 and 438 ; loans made by, xix 410, 415,
and 427 ; change in the constitution of, xx 32
London Missionary Society : particulars concerning the work of, in South
Africa, xvi 215 et seq., and 260, xviii 356 and 498, xix 12, 41, 285, and
362, xx 342 ; printing presses are claimed by, xviii 347 and 352, xix 366,
xx 147
Loudon, Mr. : xviii 110, xix 336
Louw, Jacobus: purchases estates and stock from Mr. Van Reenen, in 1814 ;
death of, in 1817, xviii 445 and 460
Louw, Mrs., widow of Jacobus Louw : extensive grants of land made to, and
purchase of a horse by, from the governor, xvi 453 and 454, xvii 369,
xviii 343, 344, 457, 473, 475, and 489 ; property held by, at the death of
her first husband ; in November 1818 marries J. N. Redelinghuys, xviii
444 and 448 ; consults Mr. Van Reenen, and leaves her interests in his
hands, xviii 447, 448, and 458
Louw, Willem, father of the widow Louw : recommends the purchase of the
" Sorcerer " colt, xviii 447 and 468 ; agrees to purchase the Groote
Vlakte estate, xviii 469, 475, 483, and 489
Lowe, Dr., minister of Anderson : xvi 458
Lucas, P. : Mr. Burnett lodges with, xriii 80 and 89 ; hire of house From, for
officers of the Cape Corps, xix 176 and 177
Luttringhausser, David, Moravian missionary: is proceeding to the Cape,
xviii 316
Lydia, slave of W. N. van der Merwe : treatment of, xx 216, 225, 246, 247,
252, and 27 f>
Lys, Dr. : libel concerning, xviii 84 and 110
Maartens, J. J. F. : petitions of, for a granl of land to Graaff Retoet, xvii
268 and 296
Maasdorp. G. II., director of the Lombard Bank : gives information concerning
the advance made for the building of a Roman Catholic chapel, xviii 1<>»>.
xix 142: concerning the advance made to Colonel Bird, xix I. xx .".7:1 ;
concerning the condud of the bank, xix K)5 ; further mention of, xix 128
•J ii -1
468 Index.
Macartney, earl of : proclamation by, xvi 440 and 449
McCleland, Reverend Francis : complains of hardships at Clanwilliam, and
requests removal or relief, xvii 4, xviii 10 ; came out with Mr. Parker's
party, xviii 144, xix 27 and 30 ; purchases a slave, xviii 146 ; remains at
Kleine Valley, on Mr. Parker's abandoned location, xviii 203 and 276 ;
quarrel of Mr. Parker with, xix 133
Macdonald, A. : presides at the meeting of the Scottish presbyterians in
Capetown, xix 334, 336, and 338 ; speech of, xix 335
Macfarlane, Alexander, senior : sends a memorial to the secretary of state
respecting his son's death, xvi 18
Macfarlane, Alexander, junior : inquiry into the cause of death of, on board
the Nostra Senhora da Guia, xvi 19 and 35 ; suspected murder of, xvi 19
and 34
McGill, Dr., professor of theology in the university of Glasgow : xvi 458
Mackay, C, harbour master at the Kowie mouth : report from, xvi 464
Mackay, William, deputy landdrost of Cradock : excuses Fieldcornet Van der
Nest, xix 258
McKenny, J. : land granted to, xvi 35
Mackenzie, Mr. : xix 336
McMann, Dr. : xvi 344
Macooas : name given by the Betshuana to white people, xvi 499, 501, and
502
Macquarie, Colonel, governor of New South Wales : xvii 462
Madagascar : Dutch embassy to, xix 397 ; proposed trade with, xx 95 ; beef
from, xx 384
Madeira, island of : xvi 126
Mader, H., M.D. : xvii 240
Magazine, commercial : publication of, is projected by Mr. Greig, xvi 161
Mahony, Daniel : is engaged in illicit traffic with Kaffirs, xx 91 to 94
Mahony, Margaret, servant of Mr. Edwards : examination of, xviii 87
Mahony, Thomas : is occupied in other pursuits besides agriculture, xvi 39 ;
servants of, are murdered by Kaffirs, xvi 73 ; location is confirmed, and
additional land granted to, xvi 424 and 441, xvii 84 ; is engaged in illicit
traffic with Kaffirs, xx 91 to 94
Mail : conveyance of, from Uitenhage to Grahamstown, xix 357
Mair, Mr., medical officer at Kaffir Drift Post : xviii 396
Makaba, chief of the Bangwaketsi tribe : falls upon the Mantatees and defeats
them, xvi 503 and 504
Makoma, son of Gaika : is attacked by Major Somerset, and makes submis-
sion, xvi 462 and 463 ; activity of, xviii 38 ; cattle stolen and retained
by, xviii 209, xix 137 ; consultation with, xix 477
Malan, D. J., deacon of Tulbagh : xvi 226
Malatie, a government slave : sale of, xvi 396
Malta, the : is wrecked in Table Bay for want of a light, xvi 61
Mai thus, Mr. : principles of, xvi 271
Mandy, John : industry of party under, xvi 39 ; location is confirmed and
additional land granted to, xvi 424 and 441, xvii 78 and 84 ; further
mention of, xvi 284, xix 172
Ldex. 469
von Manger, Reverend J. H. : appointment of, to succeed Mr. Kuys in Cape-
town, xvi 110 ; age and infirmity of, xviii 328 ; further mention of, xix
338
Mantatees : women of, are rescued by Mr. Melville, xvi 223 ; invade the
Betshuana territory, xvi 497, xx 405 ; fear of, xvi 498 and 500 ; over-
whelming numbers of, xvi 503 and 504 ; chiefs of, are slain at Lattakoo ;
description of, xvi 504 ; women of, wander into Graaff Reinet ; are to be
apprenticed to settlers, xx 405
Manuel, Reverend Dr. William : efforts of, to obtain young Scottish clergy-
men for the Cape, xvi 7, 133, 213, 458, and 494, xvii 235
Maps : of the settlements and districts are to be transmitted to England, xvii
483
Maputas, tribe of : join the Mantatees, xvi 503
Mare, P. : land granted to, xix 162 and 166
Maree, Thomas : land is to be measured for, xix 291 and 292
Market : want of, for produce of settlers, xviii 156 ; need of, at George,
xix 351 and 352. See Fairs
Markward, Mr., missionary at Clanwilliam : xvi 317
Marquee : loan of, to Mr. Boardman, for a chapel and schoolroom, xvi 360 and
363
Marr, Mr., undersheriff : suspension of, xvii 60
Marriages : of baptized freed slaves, xvi 175 ; of Colonel Robinson with Miss
Deneys, xvi 212, xvii 124 ; of settlers, xvi 363 ; of slaves, encouragement
given to, xvii 43 ; fees charged for the performance of, xvii 244, 249, 260,
288, 289, 302, and 303, xviii 316, xix 213 and 232 ; have often been per-
formed gratuitously, xvii 289 ; registration of, xix 230
Marsden, Mr., settler : industry of, xvi 38
Marsh, George : is appointed secretary to the commission for investigating
the claims of settlers, xvii 340 and 356 ; salary of, xvii 357
Marshall, Henry, settler : land to be granted to, xvi 477, xvii 3
Marshall, John, settler : land to be granted to, xvi 477, xvii 3
Marshall, John, president of the Lombard and Discount banks : reports the
advance made for the erection of a Roman Catholic chapel, xviii 166, xix
142 ; to Colonel Bird, xix 1 ; examination of, before the commissioners,
xix 405, and 410 to 433 ; leave of absence is granted to, xix 479 ; further
mention of, xix 438
Massey, Captain : xix 128
Masters, Gilbert : xvi 270
Masters : of negro apprentices, regulations to be observed by, xvii 167 to 169 ;
agreements made by, with their servants, xvii 342 ; conspiracy to
murder, by slaves and Hottentots, xx 190 et seq.
Matabele, Kaffir chief : drives the Mantatees from Hambona, xvi 503 *
Mateebe, Betshuana chief : summons a general assembly to prepare for war
with the Mantatees, xvi 497 ; speech of, xvi 498
Matrimonial Court : fees charged by, xvii 302 and 303
Mattliiessen, Clement, senior member of the court of justice: retires upon a
* Matabele is the name of a tribe, not of a chief. They did not drive the
people under Ma Ntati from Natal. (1. M. T.
470 In,],,,;
pension ; meritorious services of, xvi 104 ; is appointed president of the
committee for protecting the interests of the wine trade, xvii 117 ; further
mention of, xvi 395
Matthiessen, M., apothecary : xvii 241
Maude, Mr. : mention of, xvi 359 and 360
Maule, Mr., solicitor : xvi 69
Mauritius, island of : trade with, xvi 208 and 457, xviii 157, xx 384 ; intended
visit of the commissioners to, xvi 305, 420, and 495 ; William Edwards
at, xvii 495 ; degraded condition of, xviii 297 ; directions concerning the
currency of, xx 25
Maynard, J. M. : signs the memorial for a free press, xviii 58
Meade, General : allowance made to, on removal, xvii 472
Measles : on the Belle Alliance, xvi 357
Medical Board : list of officers of, with salaries, xix 56
Medical education : must be obtained in Europe, xviii 320, xix 381
Medical practitioners : regulations for, xvi 308 et seq. ; xvii 476 ; fees allowed
to be charged by, xvi 310
Medicines : preparation of, xvi 308 ; restrictions on the sale of, xvi 309, xvii
239, 330 to 332, 358, and 474 to 476, xviii 52 ; price of compounding, xvi
310 ; inspection of, xvii 357
Meetings, public : to discuss political matters, prohibition of, xvi 438, xviii
303 and 307
Meiring, Mr., surveyor: xviii 474
Melk, Martinus : information given by, concerning land in the Kleine Valley,
xvi 4, xviii 275 ; evidence given by, to the commissioners of enquiry, xvii
488 ; breeds horses and cattle, xvii 489, 490, and 491, xviii 461 ; exports
horses to India, xvii 491 ; land granted to, xvii 491 ; further mention of,
xvi 315
Melville, Mr., missionary to the Griquas : ammunition for ; rescues Mantatee
women, xvi 223 ; is visited by Mr. Moffat, at Klaar Water, xvi 497 and
501 ; mission of, to the interior, xx 80
Menzies, Mr., settler : location of, is deserted, xvi 39, 409, and 422 ; removal
of, by Sir Rufane Donkin's orders, xvii 67 and 90
Merrington, S., notary public : xvi 21
van der Merwe, Barend : slaves of, join in the conspiracy to murder their
masters, xx 188 et seq. ; is fired at and wounded, xx 192, 201, 202, 206, 218,
227, 232, 235, and 262 ; wife and children of, escape, xx 193 and 236 ;
deposition of, xx 261 ; examination of, xx 283 ; further mention of, xx
293, 295, and 304
van der Merwe, C. J., provisional fieldcornet : xviii 51
van der Merwe, Daniel Erasmus : servants of, join in the conspiracy to
murder their masters, xx 191 and 238
van der Merwe, Helena Elisabeth, daughter of W. N. van der Merwe : exami-
nation of, xx 291
van der Merwe, Isaak : servants of, join in the conspiracy to murder their
masters, xx 191, 212, and 238 ; further mention of, xx 294
van der Merwe, Mr., fieldcornet : horse is left with, xviii 447 ; sale of horse to,
xix 108
Index. 471
van der Merwe, Mrs., -wife of W. N. van der Merwe : struggles with slaves for
guns and is shot, xx 194, 207, 219, 228, 236, 272, 288, and 310 ; begs for
her life and is spared, xx 197, 239, and 311 ; escapes with her children to
a loft, xx 198, 251, 273, 289, and 311. See du Plessis
van der Merwe, Petrus, provisional fieldcornet : xviii 51
van der Merwe, Willem Nicolaas : conspiracy to murder, is formed by his
slaves, xx 190, 193, 205, and 218 ; is fired at and wounded, xx 195, 202,
and 236 ; is killed by Galant, xx 196, 201, 207, 219, 223, 228, 244, 288,
. 291, and 310 ; treatment of slaves by, xx 208, 213, 217, 226, 230, 242, 245,
247, 251, 253, 255, 260, 291, 297, and 316 ; inquest is held upon, xx 305
Mess House : erection of, at Grahamstown, for officers on the frontier, xix 73
Meyer, Mr. : damage to house of, by storm, xvii 339
Michiel, slave of Mr. De Lettre : evidence of, xvi 390
Military artificers : are required from England, xix 174
Military authority : of the governor and the officer in command of His
Majesty's land forces respectively, xix 179 to 181
Military defence : relaxation of, on the frontier, xvi 306
Military establishment : grant to, is satisfactorily disposed of, xx 134
Military expenditure : transmission of returns of, xvi 109 ; is defrayed jointly
by the British government and from colonial funds, xvii 231 ; incurred
by the commissariat department, since 1817, xvii '211
Military guard : stationed at the Beka river, removal of, xix 95
Military instructions : drawn up by Sir Rufane Donkin, xvi 125
Military labour : employment of, in constructing roads, xviii 1 and 5
Military order : directing Kaffirs found over the boundary to be shot, reasons
for, xvii 149
Military posts : for the defence of the frontier, xviii 38, xix 169, 171, and 313
Military survey : is made by Lieutenant White, xvi 430
Militia, Cape : enrolment and discipline of, xvi 440
Millington, Richard, carpenter : evidence of, concerning the repair of the
drostdy house at Tulbagh, xvii 312 to 315
Mills, Daniel, settler : has left his location, xvi 39 ; land to be granted to, xvi
424 and 476, xvii 3
Mills, Thomas, senior : memorial of, soliciting permission for his son to return
to England, xvii 12
Mills, Thomas, junior : sails for the Cape in Mr. Bailie's party, xvii 12 ; losses
of, through failures of crops ; cannot obtain leave to return, xvii 13
Mills, William, assistant messenger and 2nd undersheriff : carries a letter from
.Major Colebrooke to William Edwards in prison, xviii 68 ; evidence of,
xviii 87 ; further mention of, xx 143
Mills : for grinding corn, need of in the colony, xix 351
Milne, Reverend Alexander, of Boinde : letter from, concerning Mr. I tannic,
xviii 414
Minerva, convict transport bound to New South Walefl : William Kdwardsis
embarked on, xviii 442 and 494
Ministers : of the Dutch Reformed church, duties of. xix 193, 1!».">. 196, 227, and
228 ; contributions of, to widows' hind, xix 212 to 215, and ."»<H ; salaries
of, xix 226 and 501
472 Index.
Missionaries : restrictions imposed upon, by the colonial government, xvi 221 ;
Roman Catholic, supported by the Dutch government, xviii 233 ; of the
Dutch Reformed church, xix 196 and 218 ; deserve government support
and encouragement, xix 224
Missions : see Church, London, Moravian, Wesleyan
de Mist, Commissioner-General J. A. : buildings erected at Tulbagh by, xvi
227, xvii 335 ; draws up the charter of constitution of the burgher senate,
xvi 232; church regulations framed by, xix 216, 218, 222 to 234, 495, and
496, xx 79 ; power of, xix 496
Moffat, Reverend Robert, missionary of the London Society : is stationed
among the Betshuana ; discovers the intended attack by the Mantatees,
and obtains help from the Griquas, xvi 497
Mohamedanism : is embraced by negro apprentices, xvii 167
Mohr, J. D., wardmaster of Tulbagh : presents a memorial against the
removal of the drostdy, xvii 353
Mole : at the Knysna, xvi 51
Mollet, Mr., appraiser : xx 150 and 151
Monckton, Carleton, captain of the 24th regiment : commands at Kaffir Drift
post, xviii 377 and 378
Money, H. W. : is a member of the committee for the relief of distressed
settlers, xvi 264 and 269 ; speeches of, xvi 270 and 281
Money, Mr. : assertions of, in the House of Commons, xvi 379
Mongual, a Motshuana : speech of, xvi 501
Monteath, Mr. : xix 336
Moodie, Benjamin : joins Mr. Nourse in his enterprise, xvii 29 ; charge made
by, to servants for their freedom, xvii 216 ; proposes a plan for the
regular supply of labourers to the Cape, xviii 46 et seq. ; in 1817 brings out
the first emigrant settlers, xviii 255 and 259, xix 40
Moodie, Lieutenant Donald : joins Mr. Nourse in his enterprise, xvii 29 ; is
appointed magistrate at Port Frances ; salary of, xx 401
Moodie, Mr., master of a vessel from Leith : xvi 66
Moolman, Jacobus Philippus : grant of land is solicited by, xvi 479 and 505
Moore, William : xix 300
Moorsom, Commodore C. R. : declines to provide a passage for the governor
from Algoa Bay, xix 455 and 456
Moravian Missionary Society : particulars concerning the work of, in South
Africa, xix 306, xx 113
Moresby, Captain Fairfax, commander of His Majesty's ship Menai : founds
the society for the relief of distressed settlers in South Africa, in 1820,
xvi 281
Morgan, Reverend George, presbyterian minister : is recommended for the
Cape, and prepares to go, xvi 448, 459, and 494, xvii 1 and 209 ; expected
arrival of, xviii 328 ; is proceeding to Holland, xix 102
Morgan, Mr., medical officer at Kaffir Drift post : xviii 396
Morgan, Nathaniel, settler : idleness of party under, xvi 39 ; location is con-
firmed to, xvi 424, xvii 3 and 78
Morkel, P. M. : complains of the loss of his land at Zonder End, xix 257
and 306
Index. 473
Morning Chronicle, the : article in, on the distress of settlers at the Cape, xvii
14 ; report in, of the trial of William Edwards, xx 182
Morrieson, R. : mention of, xix 334 and 338
Mortgages : instructions concerning, xix 1
Morton, John ; settler : no cultivation done by, xvi 39 ; location of, xvi 424 ;
has quitted the colony, xvi 476 ; dispute of, with Mr. Fournier ; decision
is given against, xviii 258, xix 316 ; sells his location to Mr. Shaw, xviii
258, xix 317
Moses, a slave of Pieter van der Merwe : part taken by, in the slaves' attack
on their masters, xx 207, 220, 224, 229, 233, 237, and 268 ; deposition
of, xx 298
Moshume, a Motshuana : speech of, xvi 499
Mossel Bay : allowance made to the resident at, xvii 176 and 488 ; govern-
ment store at, xix 350
Mostert, Ockert Christiaan: crime of; death of, at Batavia, xvii 494, xviii 10
Mouncey, Charles, settler : industry of party under, xvi 39 ; location is to be
confirmed to, xvi 424 and 441
Mudge, Lieutenant J., royal engineers : report and estimate by, on the road
over the Fransche Hoek mountain, xviii 3 and 4, xx 65
Mulder, Hendrik F., elder of Tulbagh : complains of the removal of the
drostdy from Tulbagh to Worcester, xvi 226, xvii 351
Muller, A. G., translator : mention of, xviii 72, 74, 75, 76, and 78
Muller, Commandant : rescues missionaries at Enon from Kaffirs, xix 169
Muller, Hillegard : emancipation of slaves of, xvi 451 and 466
Muller, Mr. : land granted to, xix 162 and 166
Muller, P. : xx 200
Munster, Count : xvii 476, xix 114
Murphy, Henry, translator : mention of, xvi 227, xviii 88, xx 102, 107, and
113
Murray, Reverend A. : part taken by, in the meeting of Scottish presbyterians,
xix 336 and 338 ; is chaplain of Graaff Reinet, xix 481 ; interview of,
with Dr. Philip, xix 483 to 485 ; letter from, to Dr. Philip, xix 487 ;
repudiates Dr. Philip's assertions, xix 487 and 488
Murray, Reverend John, A.M., minister of Aberdeen : mention of, xvi 449,
xvii 298
Murray, John : indemnification to be made to, for the relinquishment of
buildings on Robben Island, xx 359
Murray, Samuel : hires prize negro to Mr. Cooke, xvii 20 and 189 ; death of,
xvii 20, xix 273 and 278
Murray, T., bailiff of Mr. Parker: disputes of, with Mr. Woodcock, .rriii 20
and -J<h;
Museum : establishment of, at the Cape, is recommended, .rriii L68 and 170 ;
furnishing of, xviii 172
Napier, Colonel Mark, commandant of the garrison of Capetown : is on the
committee appointed to investigate the charges brought by Mr. Cooke
against Mr. Blair, xvii 138, 1 I", -ill, and 232
Nautilus, transport : xvi 375
474 Index.
Naval Department : question of expense to be borne by, of extending the
wharf and constructing a reservoir at Simonstown, xvi 111 and 112, xvii
105 to 107, and 242 ; should be instructed to provide conveyance for the
governor, xix 455
Naval establishment : at the Knysna, xvi 51, xviii 17
Naval settlers : claim to land made by, xvii 349
Ndlambe, Xosa chief : authority of, xvi 199, xix 314 ; expulsion of, from the
Zuurveld in 1812, xix 168, 362, and 364
Neave, Joseph, settler : location of, near the Wolvegat, xix 112
Nederburgh, Commissary-General S. C. : mention of, xvi 231 and 241, xx 100
and 102
Neethling, J. H., LL.D. : is a member of the court of justice, xvi 395 and 447,
xvii 305
Neethling, R. L., heemraad of Stellenbosch : xvii 101
Negroes, prize : children of, xvi 174 ; indenture of, as apprentices, xvii 109,
158, 165, 166, 188, and 189 ; returns concerning, are sent home, xvii 136 ;
distribution and treatment of, by Mr. Blair, xvii 138, 140, 178, 180, 192,
193, 212, and 214, xviii 216, xix 271, 276, and 277 ; hiring of, xvii 211 ;
alleged barter of, xx 184 and 187
Nelessen, Reverend Jacob, Roman Catholic chaplain : salary of, xx 31
Nelson, G. : sum advanced to, xviii 235
van der Nest, C. J., fieldcornet : assistance is denied to, xvi 311 ; invades
Kaffir territory to recovery stolen cattle, xvi 324, xviii 41 and 209, xix
128 ; kills a Kaffir, xix 136, 166, 258, 324, and 380 ; is censured, xix 380
New Holland : colonization of, xvi 272
Newlands : preservation of woods at, xvi 94 and 169 ; cultivation of, xvi 173 ;
lavish expenditure on, xvi 207 ; repair of, xix 155
New South Wales : transportation of William Edwards to, xvii 350, 423, and
493, xix 299 and 302, xx 378 ; Mr. Bigge's report on, xvii 462 ; directions
concerning the currency at, xx 23 ; apprehended transportation of Mr.
Burnett to, xx 174
Nicol, Andrew : is appointed agent of Mr. Nourse at Port Elizabeth, xvii 31 ;
is on the committee for the erection of a church at Port Elizabeth, xvii
360 and 361
Nicol, Reverend Dr. : part taken by, in the investigation concerning Mr.
Rannie, xviii 403, 407, 410, 416, 418, 421, 425, 430, 431, and 432
Nicolls, Major W. B., of the 72nd regiment: correspondence of, with Mr.
Parker, xvi 46, 399, and 400, xviii 182 ; friendship of, towards Mr. Parker,
xix 75 and 76
Nieuwoudt, John H. : rents land from Mr. Ingram, xviii 204
Nisbet, James : is a member of the committee for erecting a presbyterian
church in Capetown, xix 334, 336, and 338
Noah's Ark Rock : utility of erecting a lighthouse upon ; survey of, is ordered,
xvi 101
Nolte, John Hendrik : complains of the removal of the drostdy from Tulbagh
to Worcester, xvii 352
Nostra Senhora da Guia, Portuguese brig : death of Mr. Macfarlane on ; con-
fiscation of cargo of, xvi 19 and 20
Index. 475
Notary public : standing and functions of, xx 140 ; signature of, xx 377 and
378
Nottingham party of settlers : location is to be confirmed to, xvi 424 and 441,
xvii 78
Nourse, Henry : land is granted to, on the Kowie river, by Sir Rufane Donkin,
xvii 25, xx 382 ; was a London merchant, and commenced trading with
the Cape in 1806 ; came out in 1820 to wind up affairs ; efforts of,
to promote good trade legislation, xvii 26 ; proposes the sending of
labourers as emigrants to the Cape, xvii 27 ; in 1821 travels from Cape-
town to Bathurst, and projects communication by the Kowie, xvii 29 ;
visits Port Elizabeth, and establishes communication with the Kowie ;
loses the schooner Elizabeth, xvii 31 ; project and trials of, in salting meat
for export, xvii 33, xx 383 ; services of, xx 384 ; deserves encouragement,
xx 385
Nourse, Commodore Joseph : letter is received from, xvi 106 ; is unable to
afford suitable conveyance of the commissioners' baggage to Capetown,
xvi 328 ; leaves one ship of war at the Cape station, xvi 420 ; visits the
Kowie, xvii 100 ; advocates the extension of the wharf at Simonstown,
and part payment by the naval department, xvii 105 to 107
Nowhaus, Charles Frederic, Moravian missionary : is proceeding to the Cape,
xx 113
Nqeno, Kaffir chief : friendly spirit of, xviii 42 ; missionary settlement is
formed in the territory of, xix 472
Oaths : prescribed for those enrolled in the Albany levy, xvi 62, 74, 102, 318,
and 320, xviii 308 ; of office, taken and refused by Colonel Bird, xvi 72,
100, 299, 301, 302, 303, and 405, xviii 15, 22, and 192 ; required from
colonists, or persons appointed from England, xvi 105 ; are taken by the
commissioners of enquiry, xvi 145 and 147 ; to be taken by commissaries
of the court of justice, xvi 239 ; for the burgher senators, xvi 251 ; of
allegiance, form of, xvi 319 ; to be administered to members of the
council, xx 8 ; of secrecy, is imposed on Captain Findlay by the fiscal,
xx 185
Obermeyr, Mr. : death of, and money left by, xvii 483, xix 95
Ockhuyzen, Dirk Cornelis : memorial of, xviii 208, 450, and 464 ; indifferent
character of, xviii 344 ; proposes to purchase the " Sorcerer " colt, but
fails to do so, xviii 446, 465, and 467 ; intrudes on Mrs. Louw's estate,
xviii 447 and 463 ; opposes the claim of Mr. Redelinghuys to the Bantam
mountain, xviii 450, 464, and 483 ; evidence given by, to the commis-
sioners of enquiry ; has charge of Mr. Van Reenen's stock, and afterwards
of Mr. Louw's, xviii 463 ; dam is claimed by, xviii 477
Officers, public : documents signed by, are taken as evidence', xviii 268 ; list
of, appointed by the governor, with dads and salaries, xix 46 I" 72
O' Grady, R. : xviii 94
Old Post government farm: purchase of, by Mr. Parker, xvi I I 1. xix 1 L3 :
is leased to Lieutenant Griffith, xix 310 ; and afterwards granted in p i
petuity, xix 311
Oliphants River : pasture lands on the banks of, xix 28
476 Index.
Olive, the : proposed culture of, xx 95
Oliver, called the spy : is suspected of writing and affixing a libellous
placard, xx 170 ; further mention of, xx 174 and 177
Olivetown : condition of Mr. Bowker's settlement at, xvii 102
Omlao, elder brother of Gaika : death of, xix 364 *
Onkruydt, Mr., district clerk in Albany : refuses a summons to Mr. Wilmot,
xvii 61, 62, and 273
Onkruydt, Mrs. : disclosures of Mr. Geary to, xvii 55 and 68 ; statement by,
xvii 57
van Oosterzee, Dr. J. Knockers : xvii 240
Orders in Council : —
of 19 September 1823, revoking the order which prohibits the importation
of eastern goods from the Cape in vessels under 350 tons' burden, xvii
91; concerning the treatment of slaves in Trinidad, mention of, xx 2;
of 12 July 1820, proposed alterations in, xx 115; of 23 March 1825,
regulating the payment of British silver money equivalent to Spanish
or paper rixdollars, and making copper money a legal tender in colonies,
xx 372
Ordnance, Board of : charges borne by, for the artillery, xvi 450, xvii 231
O'Reilly, Brigade Major A. A. : brings a message that the troops in Grahams-
town are not to attend divine service, xvii 53 ; information is requested
from, xix 391 and 476
Orphan Chamber : see Boards
Osier, Samuel, settler : has abandoned his location, xvi 39 ; further mention
of, xvi 424 and 476
Otter, His Majesty's ship : captures the Portuguese slave-ship Rosalia in 1808,
xvii 164
Ottley, Sir Richard : is a member of the committee for the relief of distressed
settlers, xvi 264, 269, and 270 ; speech of, on the sufferings of settlers,
xvi 278, xviii 35, xix 10
Oudtshoorn, Baron : family of, at the Cape, xvii 232
Overberg, the : description of, xix 247 ; towns established in, xix 249
Owen, Captain W., of His Majesty's ship Leven : xvii 33
Owen, William S., settler : little cultivation done by, xvi 39 ; land to be
granted to, xvi 476, xvii 3 ; sum advanced to, xviii 235 ; testifies to the
benevolence of Mr. Rivers, xviii 399 and 400
Oxen : loss of, by Mr. Wilmot, xvii 59 to 61
Paarden Island : purchase of, for the government, xix 398
Pacquet Real, Portuguese slave-ship : wreck of, xvii 158 and 166
Pallas and Polemann, Messrs., druggists, chemists, and apothecaries : xvii 240
Palmer, T. : sum advanced to, xviii 235
Pamela, a female slave of Willem van der Merwe : trial of, xx 188 et seq. ;
gives no assistance against the murderers, xx 198, 204, 327, and 329 ;
examination and statement of, xx 250 to 252 ; evidence of, xx 259 ; is
the wife of Galant, xx 337 ; defends herself, xx 339 ; is acquitted, xx 340 ;
further mention of, xx 273, 278, 290, and 321
* Umlawu was Gaika's father, not his elder brother. — G. M. T.
Index. 477
Paper money : order for the destruction of, xvi 468, xix 424 ; depreciation in
the value of, xvii 496, xix 412, 443, and 460, xx 25, 26, 56, and 75 to 77 ;
creation of, for the relief of distressed settlers, xviii 60, xix 347 ; amount
of, in circulation on the 1st of January 1825, xix 390 ; value of, xix 395,
402, 412, and 418 ; issue of, xix 408, 412, and 441, xx 367 and 394 ;
perishable nature of, xix 426 and 432 ; proposed redemption of, xix 492,
xx 41, 46, 56, 75 to 77, 124, and 393 ; gradual reduction of, is advisable,
xx 23, and 26 to 29 ; security for, xx 100 and 101 ; in Ceylon,
xx 373
Parker, William : charges brought by, against Colonel Bird, of personal
hostility, and of attempts to establish popery at the Cape, xvi 1 to 6, 36,
46, 47, 98 to 101, 296, 397, 405, 406, and 410 to 414, xvii 9 and 492, xviii
12, 13, 15, 17, 63, 129, 182, and 201, xix 23 and 491 ; grievances, losses,
and sufferings of, xvi 4 to 6, 96, 97, 398, and 474 ; complains of his letters
being tampered with, and of cruel treatment of natives, xvi 33, 36, 169,
and 403, xix 392 ; desires to be sent by the government to the Cape to
aid the commissioners of enquiry ; requests grant of farms and passage
for servants, with compensation for losses, xvi 48 ; directions to, for
obtaining an investigation by the commissioners, xvi 77 and 323 ; favours
shown to, and public expense caused by, xvi 118, 144, 168, and 192, xix
113, xx 347 ; arrival of, and location of, at Clanwilliam ; dissatisfaction of,
xvi 148, 315, and 316, xviii 18, 144, and 275, xix 132 ; correspondence of,
with Major Nicolls, xvi 399 to 402 ; is accused of sedition, xvi 401 ; de-
clines to take his party to the Zuurveld, xvi 403 ; desires a location on the
Knysna, xvi 443, xviii 17 ; withdraws to Saldanha Bay, purchases land
there, and obtains a building allotment, xvi 471 and 473, xviii 19 and 276 ;
relinquishes land at Clanwilliam, xviii 45 ; case of, is to be investigated
by the commissioners, xvi 411 to 479, xvii 453, 459, and 460 ; corroborated
Mr. Ingram's statement, but now denounces his scheme, xvii 73 ; disputes
of, with Mr. McCleland and Mr. Woodcock, xviii 20, 206, and 276, xix
133 ; charges of, against the local government, xviii 192 ; persons in-
cluded in the party of, xix 27 ; regulations drawn up by, for settlers, xix
133 ; refusal of, to vacate Mr. Watney's premises, xx 62 to 64 ; gives no
answer to Captain Campbell's letter, xx 345 ; advance made to, from the
discount bank, xx 380 ; further mention of, xix 75, xx 78 and 80
Parr, Thomas William: is said to have forged Mr. Edwards' letters to the
governor, xvii 431, 433, and 442 ; visits Mr. Edwards in prison, xviii 1 L2
Passes, colonial : are required for Hottentots, .cri 220 ; for settlers desirini: to
remove to another district, xvii 141 ; arc withheld from .Missis. White.
Slowman, and Kidson, xvii 174 ; use of, to prevent desertion of servants,
xviii 151
Pasturage: regulations concerning, xviii 362; right of, on the Eantam
mountain, xviii 445, 449, 450, 451, 472. 480, 481, is:i. 4S4. 4S7. and 490
Pato, Gunukwebe chief: residence of Mr. Shau with, xvi 133 and 199; further
mention of, xix 168, 314, 357, 364, and 4.~>7
Paton, ( aorge : xix 334 and 336
Patrols: of cavalry, methods of, for the defence of the frontier, xvii 211. 212,
and 217, xviii 37 ; aid of, in the recovery ol stolen cattlt . xviii 38
478 Index.
Pawle, J., settler : money advanced to, by the government, xvii 88 ; testifies
to the relief afforded by Mr. Rivers to distressed settlers, xviii 380
Payment : proposed, for emigrant labourers proceeding to the Cape, xviii
50 ; of British troops abroad, xx 18 to 22, and 372 ; of the governor and
civil servants, in sterling money, xx 76 ; for government slaves, xx 350
to 353
Payne, James : xvii 276
Pearse, Richard : land granted to, xvii 84
Pearse, Stewart P., solicitor : acts for Mr. Cooke, xix 283
Pearson, William, schoolmaster : deposition of, xx 292 ; further mention of,.
xx 295
Peclu, son of Matteebe : accompanies Mr. Moffat to Capetown, xvi 497 and
505
Pegou, H. M., son-in-law of Mr. Wilberforce Bird : services of Jean Elie are
promised to, xvii 20, 189, and 190, xix 274 and 280
Pensions : granted to Mr. Matthiessen, xvi 104 ; method of payment of, to
settlers on half-pay, xvi 354, 355, and 356 ; increase of, is solicited by
Mrs. Evans, xvi 460 and 461 ; cannot be granted to Mr. Hardinge, or
increased to Mrs. Evans, xvii 143 ; requested by Colonel Bird, and
granted, xvii 472, xviii 254, xix 406 ; for clergymen's widows of the
Dutch Reformed church, xix 229 and 501 ; cannot be paid without
certificates, xix 236 ; solicited for Mr. P. J. Truter on retirement, xix-
397 ; usually granted to retired members of the court of justice, xix 398 ;
solicited for Mr. R. J. van der Riet, xix 435 ; requested for Mr. Lange,
xx 44 ; allowed to Mr. Hart, xx 406
Perkins, Mr., settler : mention of, xvi 39, 409, and 422
Perseverance, the : is wrecked in Table Bay for want of a light, xvi 61
Pfeil, P. H. : xviii 322
Philip, Reverend John, D.D. : work of, as superintendent of the London
Society's missions in Africa, xvi 216 ; is a member of the committee for
the relief of distressed settlers, xvi 264, 269, and 270 ; speeches of, xvi
270 and 280 : opinion of, on land in the Zuurveld, xvi 403 ; kindness of,
to Mr. Parker, xvii 9 ; charges the authorities of Albany with indifference
to the sufferings of settlers, xviii 345, 363, 364, 366, 369, 377, 384, and
400 ; claims the printing presses used by Mr. Greig as the property of
the London Missionary Society, xviii 345 and 349, xix 365, 366, and 465,
xx 147 ; is said to interfere in political affairs, xviii 345 ; removal of, is
desired by the governor, xviii 346 ; requests the return of presses sealed
and removed, xviii 348 and 358 ; obj ects to giving security for their use,
xviii 349 ; endeavours to control Mr. Greig in the use of them, xviii 350
and 351 ; disclaims want of respect towards the governor, xviii 355 ;
explains and defends his conduct, xviii 355 to 358 ; objects to receiving
the presses sealed, xviii 359 ; undertakes not to use them for printing on
political subjects, xviii 361 ; endeavours to take no part in political
agitation, xviii 367 ; declines to give names with reference to the distress
in Albany, xviii 368, 371, and 398 ; writes an unfavourable letter con-
cerning Mr. Rannie, xviii 403, 410, 413, 415, 416, 418, and 437 ; letters;
from, to Mr. Glennie, concerning his charge against Mr. Rannie, xviii
Index. 479
419 and 420 ; memorial of, concerning the missionary establishment at
Bethelsdorp, xviii 498 ; solicits additional land for the institution, xviii
507, xix 41, 288, and 292 ; is the head of the Scottish Independents at
the Cape, xix 332 ; pledges himself to Mr. Bird to withdraw the presses
from Mr. Greig, xix 466 ; character and antecedents of, xix 481 to 483 ;
interview of, with Messrs. Murray and Smith, xix 483 to 485 ; assertions
of, concerning presses, are at variance with those of Mr. Greig, xx 38 ;
instructions given to, concerning the use of printing presses, xx 343 ;
further mention of, xix 487 to 491
Philipps, Thomas, settler : servants of, have left him, xvi 39 ; in 1820 emigrates
to the Cape and receives land in the Zuurveld, xvi 127 ; has exhausted
his capital, and fears Kaffir attacks and famine, xvi 128 ; requests an
allotment in Van Diemen's Land, with passage thither, xvi 129 ; has
received an allotment in Grahamstown, xvi 177 ; cannot be removed to
Van Diemen's Land, xvi 261 ; location is confirmed to, xvi 424, 441, and
476, xvii 3 and 78 ; additional land is granted to, xvii 84 ; labours and
disappointments of ; requests a further grant of land, xvii 308 ; work of,
in relieving settlers, xviii 35 ; alleged attack of, on Major Somerset, xviii
136, 140, and 142; intention of, in projecting the public meeting at
Grahamstown, xviii 154 ; proposal of, to import Irish labourers into the
colony, xviii 325 ; further mention of, xviii 316
Philipps, Thomas Lampeter : little cultivation is done by, xvi 39
Pietersen, Constable: xviii 113
Pigot, Major George : is the head of a party in Albany, xvi 39 ; deprecates
inviting Kaffirs into the settlement for barter, xvi 72 ; requests a grant
of land at Grahamstown ; services of, as heemraad, xvi 177 ; resigns his
magistracy, xvi 191 ; additional land is granted to, and location is con-
firmed to, xvi 212, 424, and 441, xvii 78 and 83 ; is offered an advance
upon mortgage of his premises at Bathurst, xvi 332
Pillans, Charles Stuart : is warned against illegal meetings of the literary
society, xviii 290 ; is a member of the committee for the erection of a
Presbyterian church in Capetown, xix 336 ; further mention of, xviii 294,
xix 338
Pilot, transport : Mr. Willson requests a passage home in, xvi 375 and 376
Pitman, Lieutenant Colonel : is a member of the committee for the relief of
distressed settlers, xvi 264 and 269
Plasket, Sir Richard, secretary to government at the Cape : is appointed to
succeed Colonel Bird ; salary of, xviii 206 ; on the 22nd November 1824
arrives, xix 172 ; signifies the governor's approval of resolutions passed
by the synod, xix 220 and 221 ; is appointed a member of the council,
xx 7 ; inquires into the conduct of slaves, xx 408 ; further mention of,
xix 304, 305, 312, 323, 361, and 380, xx 91
du Plessis, Elsje Cecilia, wife of Willem van der Merwe ; wound inflicted on.
xx 305 and 309 ; deposition of, xx 301. See van drv Merwe
du Plessis, .Ian Abraham : slaves of, join in a conspiracy against their masters,
XX 191 and 238
van Plettenberg, Governor: xvi 449
Poggenpocl, Mr. P., agent of Lord Charles Somerset Eor the sale of horses:
480 Index.
endeavours to sell the " Sorcerer " colt to Mr. Okhuyzen, xviii 446, and
464 to 467 ; takes the colt to the Hantam district for sale, xviii 446 ;
sells him to Mrs. Louw, xviii 458, and 468 to 471 ; want of discretion and
delicacy of, xviii 471 and 493; (secretary to the district of Worcester):
mention of, xix 240, xx 370
Pohl, C. F. : tender of, for erecting a mess house, is accepted, xix 74
Poleman, P. H. : xviii 320
Police : system of, is needed in Albany, xx 54
Political commissioners : religion of, xix 491 and 500
Polygamy : among Kaffirs, xix 471
Population, returns of : in 1823, xvi 488 and 489 ; in 1824, xix 386 and 387 ;
in Kerkstraat, Brouwerstraat, and the drostdy of Tulbagh, in May 1824,
xvii 334 ; from 1807 to 1882, xix 17 ; at the Chumie settlement in 1824,
xix 471 ; influx of, should not precede that of capital, xvii 227 and 229 ;
little increase of, in Tulbagh, xvii 336 ; growth of, in the Overberg, xix 248
Port Elizabeth : trade of, xvi 208 ; proposal for the erection of a church at,
and collection of funds, xvii 359 to 362, xviii 321 ; school is to be built at,
xvii 360 ; allotments granted in, by Sir Rufane Donkin, xix 339 and 340
Port Frances : name given to the port at the mouth of the Kowie river, xx
54 and 383 ; establishment of a magistrate at, xx 401 ; proposed erection
of a pier at, xx 402 ; houses built at, xx 403
Port Office : list of officers of, with dates of appointment and salaries, xix 53
Ports, sea : necessary establishment of, along the coast, xx 362
Post Office, General : list of officers of, with dates of appointment and salaries,
xix 54 ; for the district of Worcester, carrier is added to, xix 262
Postage : rate of, charged on the South African Commercial Advertiser ;
reduction of, is solicited, xvii 19, 236, and 237, xviii 9, xx 147 and 149
Potgieter, J. J. : prays for land in compensation for his lost estate, xvii 6, 22,
and 259
Poundage : for strayed cattle, charge made for, xvi 210 and 293
Powell, James, settler : grant of land to be made to, xvi 477, xvii 3
du Preez, Mr. : damage done to property of, in Tulbagh, by storm, xvii 339
Presbyterian : see Scottish
Press, the, in South Africa : censorship of, is said to be assumed by the fiscal ;
restrictions on the freedom of, xvii 295, 299, and 463, xviii 56 and 296,
xix 149 and 445, xx 183 and 365 ; memorial praying for the freedom of,.
xvii 323, 325, and 362, xviii 58, xix 285 and 445, xx 47 ; history of, by
Mr. Pringle, xvii 461 ; alleged hostility of the governor towards, xix 151
Price, Reverend Thomas : offers employment at the Cape to English poor,
xix 434
Prince, John, Hottentot servant : xx 94
Pringle, John, settler : is located at Baviaans River, xvi 321 ; is absent on
government service, xvi 322
Pringle, Robert, settler : is located at Baviaans River, xvi 321
Pringle, Thomas : project of, for establishing a periodical publication, xvi
203 ; exertions of, on behalf of settlers ; success and prosperity of party
of, xvi 287 and 322, xix 444, xx 60 ; supplies Somerset Farm with wheat
and barley, xvii 85, 87, 90, and 91 ; publishes the South African Journal,
Index. 481
xvii 307 ; xix 445 ; discontinues its publication, xvii 312, 325, and 464,
xix 150 ; xx 185 ; is charged by the governor with disaffection, insolence»
and republican sentiments, xvii 322, xviii 57 and 347 ; defends himself
from imputations, xvii 323 ; is sub-librarian in Capetown, but resigns his
appointment, xvii 324 and 325, xviii 164, xix 446, xx 185 ; statement
made by, respecting the history of the press in South Africa, xvii 461 ; is
summoned by the fiscal, and warned concerning passages in the South
African Journal, xvii 461 ; requests a statement of the extent of liberty
allowed, xvii 463 ; has been informed of a warrant to seize his papers,
and inquires of the fiscal whether such is the case, xvii 477 ; is summoned
to appear and give the name of his informer, xvii 480 ; under a threat of
imprisonment states the name to be Jardine, xvii 481 ; horse purchased
from, xvii 489 ; furthers the memorial for a free press, xviii 58 ; acts as
secretary of the South African Literary Society, xviii 111, 179, and 285 ;
sohcits the governor's sanction of the society, xviii 293 ; requests the
remission of debt to the government for the Scotch settlers at Baviaans
River, xviii 334 and 336 ; letter from, concerning the distress in Albany,
xix 8 ; complains of the governor's hostility towards him, xix 446 to 450 ;
is gradually ruined, and solicits compensation, xix 448 to 452 ; requests a
grant of land, xix 453 ; letter to, from Mr. Fairbairn, xix 482 and 488 ;
further mention of, xvi 269, xviii 300
Pringle, William, brother of Thomas Pringle : location of, at Baviaans River,
xvi 321 ; in 1822 becomes head of the party of Scotch settlers, xviii 337
Prinsloo, Johannes, farmer : stolen cattle restored to, xix 128
Printing : abuses of, and regulations concerning, xviii 11 ; of documents for
the Dutch Reformed church, is requested, xix 187
Printing department : list of officers of, with dates of appointment and
salaries, xix 53
Printing materials : belonging to Mr. Greig, purchase and use of, by the
government, xix 463 and 468 ; value of, xix 467 and 469, xx 150 and 151
Printing presses : used by Mr. Greig, question of the ownership of, xviii 347,
348, 352, 353, and 357, xix 365, and 463 to 469, xx 147 ; security is
demanded for the use of, xviii 348, 349, 356, and 358 ; importation and
landing of, xviii 348, 353, and 354 ; are advertised for sale, xviii 351, 355,
and 357 ; value of, xix 467 and 469 : to be sent to the Cape by the London
Missionary Society, xx 342 ; directions for the use of, xx 343
Prison: in Capetown, erection of a treadmill in, xvii 81 ; arrangements for
divine service and religious instruction in, xvii 320 ; in Albany, expense of,
xvii 484
Prisoners : treatment of, xvii SI ; in the tronk, neglect of ; care to be given to
sick, xvii 280 ; Bosjesman, treatment of, xix 19
Proclamations : —
1 August 1823. By Lord Charles Somerset. Concerning the privileges to
be enjoyed by the children el' Hottentots and prize negroes, and the
marriages of baptized freed slave-;. » 174
26 September 1823. By Lord Charles Somerset Issuing regulations for
medical practice in the eolony, together with a tariff of lees allowed, xvi
307
xx. 2 i
482 Index.
28 November 1823. By Lord Charles Somerset. Recalling the various
prohibitions of intercourse and barter with the Kaffirs, and the penalties
attached thereto, xvi 449
19 December 1823. By Lord Charles Somerset. Ordering the destruction
of 200,000 rixdollars of paper currency issued for the relief of agriculturists
suffering through storms, xvi 468
30 January 1824. By Lord Charles Somerset. Repealing the proclamation
of the 5th July 1822 as far as regards Albany, and ordering that all judicial
acts and proceedings in the Albany district shall be carried on after the
first of March in the English language, xvii 24
11 June 1824. By Lord Charles Somerset. Ordering the name and address
of the printer to be affixed to every printed book or paper, xviii 1 1
23 July 1824. By Lord Charles Somerset. Issuing regulations for traffic
between the Kaffirs and the colonists at Willshire Barracks, xviii 179
18 March 1825. By Lord Charles Somerset. Ordering the disbandment of
the Albany levy, and the surrender or purchase of arms, xx 354
Proclamations : issued in England, are not usually published in the colony,
xvi 116 ; issued offering a reward for discovering the author of the libel
on the governor and Dr. Barry, xviii 11, 78, 85 et seq. ; copies of, are for-
warded by the governor to the secretary of state, xix 75
Proctor, William : alleged corrupt dealings with, xvi 169, xvii 369 ; purchase
of horses by, xvii 489, xviii 313 ; grant of the Bonteberg farm to, xviii
248 ; agriculture carried on by, xviii 314
Provisions : issue of, to settlers, xvi 124 ; to be issued by Mr. Ingram to his
articled servants, xvi 204 and 205 ; supply of, by the commissaries of the
court of justice, xvi 237
Prussia : a sum of money is claimed from the Cape by the minister of,
xvii 478
Public worship : number of buildings for, and attendance at, in the colony,
xviii 332
Pugh, H. : attacks Dr. Philip, xix 490
Pullen, Thomas : is a member of the committee for erecting a church at Port
Elizabeth, xvii 360 and 361 ; grant made to, xviii 504
Quitrent : paid by Boers, xvi 74 ; is rated too high for British settlers, xvi 74 ;
amount of, on lands granted to heads of parties, xvi 409 ; objection to
uniform rate of, xvi 423 ; offered by Mr. Dennysen for land at Hout Bay,
and paid by Colonel Bird, xviii 236, 243, and 248 ; conversion of loan
places to, xviii 237 and 456, xix 370, 371, 373, and 374 ; proposed for land
at Hout Bay, error in, xviii 245 and 250 ; method of calculating, xviii
250 ; is solicited for Mrs. Louw's estates, xviii 448 ; perpetual, lands
granted and held on, xix 369 to 371, 373, and 374 ; fifteen years, lands
held on, xix 371 and 372
Racehorse, English brig : captures the French packet Le Victor, xvii 189, xix
273 and 279
Rachel, a female slave : xix 136
Radicalism : charge of, is brought against settlers, xvi 273 and 275
Index. 483
Rain : heavy and destructive, at Grahamstown, xvi 407 ; damage done by, in
1822, in the districts of Stellenbosch, Tulbagh, and the Cape, xviii 59
Randall, Mr. : xvi 357
Rankin, Mr. : is a member of the committee for erecting a Presbyterian
church in Capetown, xix 336
Rannie, Reverend William : is proposed as a candidate for the pastorate of the
Scots church at London Wall ; unfavourable letter concerning, xviii 403 ;
inquiries to be made concerning, xviii 405, 406, 407, 409, 411, and 438 ;
opposition of elders to, xviii 410, 415, 428, 433, and 437 ; testimonies to
the character of, xviii 412, 414, 415, 416, and 433 ; charges made against
by Dr. Philip, xviii 421 to 426 ; is voted upon, and declared a candidate
for the pastorate, xviii 432, 433, and 439
Ranyouve, a Motshuana : speech of, xvi 499
Rarabe, grandfather of Gaika : death of, xix 364
Rations : are promised to Mr. Francis, but not supplied, xvi 151 ; refusal of,
to Mr. Burnett, xvi 184 ; issue of, to settlers, xvi 337 and 346, xvii 102,
345 to 347, 467, and 468 ; xviii 130, 147, 151, 301, 306, and 334 ; unex-
pended on shipboard, claim for, by Mr. Willson, xvi 352 and 353 ; for Mr.
Willson's party, are drawn by Mr. Boardman, xvi 337, xix 125 and 127 ;
amount and value of, allowed to Mr. Parker, xx 347 ; supplied to settlers
in Albany, are not paid for, xx 405
Receiver General's Department : list of officers of, with dates of appointment
and salaries, xix 49
Redelinghuys, Jacobus Nicolaas : extensive grants of land in the Hantam
district are made to, by the governor, xvi 139, 140, 452, and 453, xvii 369,
459, and 502, xviii 208, 312, 342, 443, 450, 478, 489, and 492, xix 15, 103,
and 106 ; sale of a horse to, by Lord Charles Somerset, xvi 139, 140, and
452, xvii 502, xviii 443 ; is to withdraw his stock from the Hantam
mountain, xvi 467 ; letters written and enclosed by, to the commissioners
of enquiry, xviii 343 ; in November 1818 marries Mrs. Louw, xviii 444
and 448 ; claim of, to the right of pasturage on the Hantam mountain,
xviii 449, 481, 482, and 483, xix 15 and 107 ; protests against the governor's
decision to make the Hantam mountain public, xviii 451 and 485 ;
arrangement made with, by Mr. Poggenpoel, xviii 468 ; stock of, dimi-
nishes ; sells the " Sorcerer " colt, xviii 486 ; no favour is shewn to, in
granting land, xix 2
Redmond, Laurence : is discharged from the 6th Foot, xix 164
van Reenen, Dirk : price given by, for a horse, xvii 490, xviii 461 ; extensive
grant is made to, xviii 312
van Reenen, Jacob : land of Newlands is given to, xvi 169 : horses purchased
from, xvii 489 ; part taken by, in obtaining for Mrs. Louw the grant of
land at the Hantam, and the " Sorcerer" colt, xviii 343, .*>14. 4 47. L68
and 470 ; sells estates and Spanish sheep to Mr. Louw in 1 S 14 ; righl of,
to pasturage on the Hantam mountain, xviii 444. 446, and 480 : breeding
of horses and sheep by, xviii 460 : death of, xviii 169
van Reenen, Sebastian : xviii 257
Reeves, William : arrives in 1823 with Mr. Ingrain's party, .rriii 264 : employ-
ment of, and payments made by, itWM 266 to 267
o . .>
48-4 Index.
Registration : of vessels, xvii 452 ; of births and baptisms &c, xix 230
Regulations : for the direction of the Dutch Reformed church in South Africa,
drawn up in 1824, xix 189 to 222
Reitz, J. F., commissary of vendues : death of, xvii 267
Religious instruction at the Cape : opinion of Colonel Bird on, xviii 21 ;
statistics concerning, xviii 332 ; in the Dutch Reformed church, regu-
lations for, xix 193 to 196 ; holding of meetings for, xix 210 to 212, and
223 ; need and method of, xix 497
Rennie, George, John, and Peter, Scotch settlers : are located at Baviaans
River, xvi 321
Rens, Bernardus : application of, for grant of land, xvii 18
van Rensburg, Johannes Hendrik Janse : is with Willem van der Merwe, xx
194, 195, 196, 272, and 288 ; is shot dead by Abel, xx 197, 201, 202, 207,
219, 228, 237, 289, 291, 307, and 310 ; inquest held upon, xx 305
Rent : for stores bonded at the custom-house, xix 22
Reports : of the committee of the society for the relief of distressed settlers in
South Africa, xvi 264 ; of the repairs needed by Government House in
Capetown, xviii 341
Reservoir : need of, at Simonstown, xvi 111 ; cost of formation of, cannot be
borne by the naval department, xvii 242
Resolutions : passed in March 1793 by the commissaries-general of Netherlands
India at the Cape, extracts from, xvi 239 ; passed by the synod of the
Dutch Reformed church in South Africa, in 1824, xix 188, and 216 to 222 ;
passed at a public meeting of the presbyterian community at the Cape,
in November 1824, xix 336
Retief, Pieter : is suspected of having some of Mr. Wilmot's oxen, xvii 60
Returns : of officers and troops serving in the colony in May 1823, xvi 32 ; of
settlers located in 1820 in the Albany district, and state in May 1823, xvi 37;
transmission of, to the secretary of state, xvi 92, 108, 109, and 113, xvii
80, 136, 217, 275, and 484, xviii 56 and 326, xix 75 and 263, xx 98 ; of the
taxes collected by the burgher senate, and the purposes to which they are
applied, xvi 194 and 195 ; of the taxes levied on the inhabitants of Cape-
town, from 1815 to 1823, xvi 196 to 198 ; of the Scotch settlers located at
Baviaans River, xvi 321 ; made annually, of the inhabitants of the colony,
xvi 440 ; of expeditions against the Bosjesmen, undertaken in the district
of Worcester, from 1805 to 1823, xvi 484 ; in the district of Graaff-
Reinet, from 1813 to 1824, xvii 507 ; in the district of Stellenbosch, from
1797, xviii 148 ; of population, cattle, and land in cultivation, for 1823,
xvi 488 and 489 ; for 1824, xix 386 and 387 ; of troops on the frontier in
March 1824, xvii 123 ; of settlers in Albany residing on their locations on
the 21st February 1824, xvii 94 ; of settlers in Bathurst residing on their
locations on the 23rd February 1824, xvii 98 ; of the population and erven
in Kerkstraat, Brouwerstraat, and the drostdy of Tulbagh, in May 1824,
xvii 334 ; of estates on the Knysna belonging to Mr. Rex, xviii 34 ; of
cattle stolen by Kaffirs and recovered between the years 1817 and 1824,
xviii 45 ; of persons brought to the Cape by Mr. Ingram in 1823, xviii
198 ; shewing the extent of new ground brought into cultivation from 1814
to 1823, xviii 326 ; of the population of the Cape, from 1807 to 1822, xix
Index. 485
extciof grants of land made to Hottentots and Bosjesmen, xix 18 ; of per-
ofsuj. quitrent and freehold grants made by Sir Rufane Donkin in
Roberts, W in 1821, xix 35 ; of perpetual quitrent and freehold grants made
iobertsojrd Charles Somerset in Albany, from 1821 to 1824, xix 37 to 39 ; of
■lobertsoi to which the governor has appointed hitherto, with dates and
Robinson^ xix 46 ; of erven sold in Bathurst in 1821, xix 94 ; of lands
Rogers, Jied. in Albany prior to 181 7, xix 95 ; of grants of land made to certain
sioifiduals, xix 101 ; of lands granted in Albany under the proclamations
47§12 and 1814, xix 138 ; of quitrent places and lands in Albany, xix
Rogers/; Gf the amount of the funds of the Lombard Bank, from 1793 to 1824,
s« 184 to 186 ; of the government slaves, xix 264 to 268 ; of the expense
RogeTmaintaining ditto, from 1815 to 1823, xix 269 ; of expenses incurred by
Rogeje colony on account of British settlers, xix 345 ; of loan places held in
October 1814, xix 367 ; of lands granted and held on perpetual quitrent
Ro'in December 1824, xix 369, 371, and 374 ; of lands held on fifteen years
Rc quitrent in December 1824, xix 372 ; of expenses incurred by the govern-
ment since 1822, for the erection of schools at the Cape, and on account of
teachers &c, xix 376 to 379 ; of the number of slaves at the Cape in
December 1824, xix 382 ; of the annual prices of Cape wine in Capetown
from 1813 to 1824, xix 388 ; of the imports and exports of the Gape in
each year from 1816 to 1824, xix 389 ; of sales by public auction in Cape-
town, the Cape district, and Simonstown, from 1808 to 1824, xix 390 ;
of the amount of paper money in circulation on the 1st January 1825, xix
390; of the population at the Chumie settlement in 1824, xix 471; of
the property of the Dutch East India Company, with its appraised
value, at the time of the capitulation, xx 108 to 113; of the amount
raised in each year by the tax upon slaves, xx 126 ; of ivory purchased
from Kaffirs, xx 181 ; of erven in Worcester on which dwellings have been
built, with the names of their owners, xx 397
Revenue of the Colony : transmission of returns of, xvi 108 and 109 ; in
1823, xvi 485 ; in 1824, xix 382 ; sources of, xvii 131, 234, and 235 ;
increase in, from the conversion of loan places into perpetual quitrent,
xix 370
Rex, George : estates belonging to, on the Knysna river, xviii 17 and 34
Rhenius, Johannes Izaak, acting governor : xx 103
Rice : cultivation of, in the Kleine valley, xviii 203 ; supply of, to settlers,
xviii 235
Richardson, Lieutenant James, settler : industry of, xvi 39 ; location is con-
firmed to, xvi 424 and 441, xvii 78
Richardson, Mr. : attempts to visit Mr. Edwards in prison, xvii 146, xviii
112; trial of, xvii 270; line imposed upon, xvii 271; gives a bill to
Mr. Edwards, xvii 495 ; further mention of, xviii 78 and 104, xix 301,
xx 138
de Richemont, Baron : xvi 169
Richert, A., of the colonial printing department : requests extra remuneration
for the compositors, xviii 200
Ridgard, Ezra, settler : is located at Baviaans River, xvi 321
van der Riet, L. W. : sells his slave girl Carolina, xx 186 and 187
486 Index.
van der Riet, Mr., landdrost of the George district : reports on F. J 01^30
cation for land, and recommends another grant, xvi 506 and ftth Africa,
van der Riet, Mr., 2nd head clerk to the court of justice : xx 144
van der Riet, Ryno Johannes, sequestrator : is called as a witn
Edwards, xvii 376 and 389 ; applies for payment for the Wolv xviii 21 ;
53 to 55 ; retirement of, xix 434 ; services of, and pension solid rch, regu-
435 and 436 ; charges against, by Mr. Burnett, xx 155, 159, 212, and
further mention of, xvii 392
Riet Flat : farm at, is requested by Mr. Parker, xvi 48 3aviaans
Riet Fontein : confirmation of grant of, is solicited by Mrs. Louw, a
Riet Valley Farm : grant of, to Mr. Ellis, xviii 238
Rimrod, C, apothecary : signs memorial, xvii 241 ; qualifications of, £ we, xx
and 321 \ 207,
Rivers, Harry, landdrost of Albany : measures taken by, concerning
Albany levy, xvi 49, 62, and 64 ; complaints against, by Mr. Franck
157, 158, and 159 ; reports of, concerning the location of settlers, xvi ? in
434, 456, and 475, xvii 173 and 176 ; concerning destructive storms jn
Grahamstown, xvi 407 ; extensive powers given to, in the granting of
lands, xvi 421, xviii 153 ; complaints against, by Lieutenant White, xvi
434 and 456 ; reports Major Somerset's successful attack on Kaffirs, xvi
463 ; charges brought against, by Mr. Geary, xvii 54, 55, 57, 69, 70, 253 to
256, 285, 288, 289, 290, and 303 ; complaints against, by Mr. Wilmot, xvii
59, 61, and 273 ; proposed investigation of the judicial administration of,
xvii 71 ; charges against, by Mr. Erith, xvii 171 ; complaints against, by
Mr. Wait, xvii 172 to 174 ; recommends compensation to be paid to
Messrs. Wilmot, xvii 274 and 278 ; grants of land made to, xviii 24, xix
101 ; orders the arrest of Mr. Biggar, xviii 132 and 137 ; requests Mr.
Geary to marry a poor couple gratis, xviii 317 ; charges made against, by
Dr. Philip and Mr. Rutherfoord, xviii 345, 363, 364, 384, 387, 390, 396,
397, and 400 ; defends his conduct against their aspersions ; relief afforded
by, to distressed settlers, xviii 372 to 401 ; complaints against, by Mr.
Fournier, xix 317, 319, and 321 ; removal or resignation of, xix 340 ; xx
371 ; complaints against, by Mr. Burnett, xx 164 and 165 ; correspon-
dence of, with Mr. Geary, xx 344 ; is appointed landdrost of Swellendam,
xx 404 ; further mention of, xvi 330, 412, and 414, xix 172 and 462,
xx 173
Rivers of Cape Colony : character of, xvii 118, xix 245
Roads : through Stellenbosch over the Fransche Hoek kloof into the interior,
advantages of and cost of constructing ; need of completing, xvi 263,
xvii 7, xviii 1 to 7, xix 81 and 251, xx 65 ; office of inspector or surveyor
of, xvi 367 ; from Cold Bokkeveld to Worcester, is very bad, xvi 425 ;
report on, at the Cape, xix 241 et seq. ; need of, across the Cape Flats, and
into the interior, xix 247, 250, and 254 ; examination of, by commissions,
xix 250 ; expense of, xix 254 ; necessity of improving, xix 354
Robben Island : Mr. Edwards is condemned to confinement on, xvii 423 ;
confinement of Mr. Theron on, xx 89 and 90 ; buildings on, are relin-
quished by Mr. Murray, xx 359
Roberts, Dr. Edward, surgeon : signs memorial, xvii 241 ; indulgence is
?*„
\
Index. 487
extended to, by Sir Rufane Donkin, xvii 270 ; combines the two callings
of surgeon and apothecary, xvii 382 ; further mention of, xvii 392, xviii 81
Roberts, Mr., clerk : xix 274 and 275
Robertson, Archibald Shaw : deposition of, xviii 84
Robertson, J. : mention of, xviii 66, 93, 95, 97, 100, and 112
Robinson, Colonel : marriage of, xvi 212, xvii 124
Rogers, Major G. J., of the 6th Regiment : evidence of, before the commis-
sioners, xix 75 ; premises of, xix 396 ; commands at Grahamstown, xix
476 ; government slaves are transferred to, xx 351
Rogers, Lieutenant W. H., of the Cape cavalry : describes the expedition to
seize Gaika, in May 1822, xvii 154 ; letter from, to Mr. Biggar, xviii 136
Rogerson, Mr., assistant commissary general : mention of, xvi 401, xx 351
Rogerson, Ralph : is a member of the court of justice, xvi 447 ; records held
before, respecting Mr. Edwards' complaints, xx 143
Rolfe, Captain, of La Belle Alliance : xvi 347
Roman Catholic chapel at the Cape : raising of funds for, xvi 100 and 115,
xviii 29 and 165 ; sums advanced for, by the Lombard Bank, xviii 166,
xix 141
Roman Catholic clergymen : duties performed by, and salaries paid to, xviii
30, xx 31 ; are ordered to depart, on British occupation ; restoration of,
is solicited, xviii 233
Roman Catholics : question of appointment of, to public offices, xvi 100 and
410 ; xviii 22 and 26 ; provision of chapel for, in Capetown, xvi 100, 115,
and 413, xviii 29 and 165 ; Mr. Parker expresses his antipathy to, xvi 411,
xviii 63 and 64 ; land granted to, for the erection of a chapel, school, and
priest's dwelling, xx 3, 17, and 30
Roman Catholicism : alleged ascendancy of, at the Cape, xvi 2, 3, and 410 to
414
Roman Law : is in force at the Cape, xvi 439 ; is the common source of Dutch
and English law, xvii 399, 401, and 434 ; references to, xvii 406, 408, 410,
and 434
Roos, a servant of Willem van der Merwe : deposition of, xx 284 ; further
mention of, xx 293 and 296
Rooy, Isaak, a Hottentot : trial of, for joining in the conspiracy to murder
masters, xx 188 et seq. ; shoots and kills J. M. Verlee, xx 197, 203, 207, 224,
228, 231, 237, 240, 241, and 244 ; charges made against, xx 203 ; examina-
tion and statement of, xx 222 to 226, and 283 ; complains of ill-treatment,
xx 226 ; sentence passed upon, xx 340 ; further mention of, xx 283, 287,
303, 326, and 333
Rosalia, Portuguese slave-ship : is captured by the Otter and forfeited in 1808,
xvii 163 and 164
Rosaline, a Hottentot servant of J. M. Brink : evidence of, xvi 387
Rosalyn, a female slave : pardon is granted to, xvi 481, xvii 81
Rose, Lieutenant Cowper, royal engineers : opinion of, on the repairs necessary
to the Government House in Capetown, xviii 340 and 341
Ross, Hamilton : horse purchased from, xvii 489
Ross, Reverend James, D.D., of Aberdeen : efforts of to obtain young Scottish
clergymen for the Cape, xvi 448, xvii 1 and 298
488 Index.
Ross, Reverend J., A.M. : is a missionary of the Glasgow Society, xvi 200 ;
forms a settlement in Nqeno's territory, xix 472
Rousseau, Mr. : xviii 275
Rowles, J. : sum advanced to, xviii 235
Rowles, Thomas, settler : has not resided on his location, xvi 40; location is
to be confirmed to, xvi 424 and 476
Rowles, Thomas : is secretary to the court of appeals, xvi 83, xvii 389 ; is
called as a witness by Mr. Edwards, xvii 376, 389, and 392
Royal African Corps : -jmployment of men from, in constructing a road over
the Fransche Hoek mountain, xviii 1. See Garrison
Rubridge, Lieutenant, royal navy : complaint of regarding grant of land, xvi
225 and 325 ; debt of, to government, for rations, xvii 347
Rumshort, Mr. : mention of, xviii 105 and 114
Russell, author of Crimes and Misdemeanors : references to, xvii 435, 443, and
445
Rust : see Blight
Rutherfoord, H. E. : is secretary to the society for the relief of distressed
settlers, xvi 264 and 269 ; speech of, on being re-elected, xvi 278 ; signs
and transmits the memorial for freedom of the press, xviii 58, xix 285 ;
charges made by, against Mr. Rivers, xviii 345, 363, 368, 369, 373, 382,
385, 386, 395, and 399
Rutherfurd, Lieutenant James H., royal engineers : recommends the erection
of barracks at Grahamstown, xix 175 and 176 ; evidence of, concerning the
state of the frontier, xix 312
Ruysch, Mr., attorney : institutes law charges against Mr. Anderson, xvi 27
and 34 ; opposes the exception of prescription, xvi 28 ; contends against
the prayer for an amended summons, xvi 29
van Ryneveld, Daniel Johannes, landdrost of Stellenbosch : addition to the
salary of, is requested and allowed, xvi 25 and 312, xviii 338 ; opinion of,
on the land at Jan Dissels Valley, xvi 98, xviii 128 ; evidence given by,
to the commissioners of enquiry, xix 32 ; further mention of, xvii 101 and
117, xviii 247, xix 476
van Ryneveld, Willem Cornells, deputy fiscal : report sent to, of the state of
prisoners in the tronk, xvii 246 ; visits Mr. Edwards in prison, xvii 4 15 ,
xx 144 ; kind attention shown by, to Mr. Ingram's party, xviii 197, 217,
and 218 ; offers Mr. Theron freedom to remain in the colony, xx 90 ;
sends a passport for Mr. Burnett, xx 178 ; further mention of, xx 145
van Ryneveld, Willem Stephanus, His Majesty's fiscal : indentures prize
negroes as apprentices to Mr. Tennant and others, xvii 158 and 165 ;
musters and marks them, xvii 159
Sabbath, the : observance of, xix 187 and 221
St. Croix Island : sealing and fishing on, xix 105
St. Jago, island of : commissioners touch at, xvi 126
Salaries : of landdrosts, are inadequate, xvi 26 ; of the receiver-general, and
of the commandant of the Albany levy, xvi 26 ; of the assistant colonial
secretary, increase of, xvi 93 and 112, xix 140, 160, 240, and 303, xx 114 ;
of the sequestrator, increase of is requisite, xvi 93, xix 240 and 435 ; 1st
Index. 489
assistant in the fiscal' s department, xvi 93 and 94 ; of civil officers, increase
in, xvi 298, xvii 14, xx 62 ; of the deputy landdrosts of Worcester and
Caledon, xvi 298 ; of the landdrost of Stellenbosch, proposed increase in,
xvi 312, xviii 338, xx 67 ; of the reverend William Boardman, xvi 347,
356, and 358 ; of the classical schoolmaster and his assistant, xvi 418 ; of
Mr. Faure, increase in is requested, xvii 100 and 101 ; of the resident at
Mossel Bay, lowness of. xvii 176 ; of civil officers, are not to be increased
without the sanction of the home government, xvii 210, xix 154 ; of the
wharfmaster at Simonstown, xvii 233 ; of the reverend William Geary,
xvii 248 and 292 ; of the bank officers and of the commissaries of vendues,
xvii 267, xviii 191, xix 411 ; of the secretary of the district of Albany, xvii
284 and 291 ; of Mr. Theron, xvii 317 ; of Messrs. Hayward and Marsh,
xvii 340 and 357 ; of the secretary to the district of Stellenbosch, increase
of, xvii 482 ; of the custom officer at the Knysna, xvii 485 ; mode of
payment of, xvii 497, xix 442 ; of the Roman Catholic clergyman, xviii
30 ; of the master of the public grammar school, xviii 183 ; of com-
positors for extra duty, xviii 200, xix 329 ; of Sir Richard Plasket as
colonial secretary, xviii 206 ; of the under sheriff of Stellenbosch, increase
of, xviii 246, xix 329 ; of the harbour master at the mouth of the Kowie,
xviii 273, xix 330 ; of clergymen, reduction of, when glebe is added, xviii
284 ; of officers appointed by the governor, list of, xix 46 ; of the officers
of the Albany levy, xix 127 ; of clergymen of the Dutch Reformed church,
xix 226 ; of Mr. Goodwin, clerk of the court at Simonstown, xix 262 ; of
the executioner in the district of Worcester, xix 270 ; increase of, to
several minor officials, xix 329 ; of the clergyman at Worcester, xix 345 ; of
teachers in government schools, xix 376 to 379 ; of the sub-librarian, xix
445 ; of Lieutenant Devenish as ranger of woods and forests, xix 478 ; of
an additional heldcornet in the district of Graaff Reinet, and a ship car-
penter at the Kowie mouth, xix 479 ; of the clerk of the council, xx 5 ; of
Roman Catholic clergymen previous to 1806, xx 31 ; of magistrates
and other officers at Port Frances and Algoa Bay. xx 402
Saldanha Bay : land at, is refused to Mr. Parker, but afterwards granted for
stores, xvi 4, 5, and 99, xviii 19 ; value of land at. xii 473 and 474
Saldanha Bay Residency : list of officers at, xix 62
de Salis, Mr. : alters the plan of buildings at Tulbagh, xvii 339
Salmon, W. O. : xvi 270
van der Sandt, Bernardus Josephus, compositor: reports the posting of a
libellous placard against the governor, xviii 77 ; evidence of, xviii 85 ;
further mention of, xviii 101, 102, and 103
Satchwell, Mr., settler : grant recommended to, xvi 476
Saunders, John, senior: memorial of, soliciting permission for liis son to
return to England, xvii 12
Saunders, John, settler in Mr. Bailie's party: voyage of, !<> the Cape, xvii 12 :
losses of, through failures of crops; is not permitted l<> return home,
xvii 13
Saunders, Mr. : mention of, xviii 102, xix 336
Savings Bank : establishment of, by Lord Charles Somerset, xvii 40
Scaleby Castle, tin; : xviii 237
490 Index.
Scanlen, William, settler : party of, suffers from Kaffir depredations, xvi 40
and 284 ; is to have his location confirmed, xvi 424 and 441 ; belongs to
Mr. Parker's party, xix 27
Scheler, S., minister of St. Gall : xviii 282 and 283
Schmidt, Philip, fieldcornet : land granted to, xvii 318
Schonnberg, P. A., landdrost of Swellendam : appointment of, xviii 28 ;
letter from, xviii 279
Schools : for the children of slaves and Hottentots, xvi 12 and 417, xvii 41 ;
opening of, by Mr. Boardman and his daughter, xvi 363 ; public classical,
need of, and establishment of, in Capetown, xvi 414 and 417, xviii 183
and 347, xix 142, 330, and 358 ; estimate of profits upon, xvi 416 ; books
required for, xix 142 ; purchase of premises for, xix 358 ; number of, in
the colony, xvii 104, xviii 333 ; establishment of, in Albany, by Mr.
Rivers, xvii 289 ; to be built at Port Elizabeth, xvii 360 ; use of the
Heidelberg catechism in, xix 187 ; public, are unsectarian, xix 225 ;
premises occupied by the commissariat department are required for, xix
359 and 360 ; expenses incurred for the erection and maintenance of,
since 1822, xix 376 to 379 ; private, is established by Mr. Pringle,
xix 445 and 448 ; theological, establishment of, is proposed to train boys
for the Dutch Reformed church, xix 498 ; establishment of, at Bathurst,
xx 402
Schoolmasters : need of, for public classical school at the Cape, xvi 415, xviii
346 ; estimated profits and expenditure of, xvi 416 ; should be able to
teach both the English and Dutch languages, xix 498
Schooners: construction of, to be stationed at the Kowie, for unloading
government vessels, xvi 299, xvii 81 ; wreck of, and expense of replacing,
xx 12
Schutte, H., land surveyor : measurements of, xix 306 and 309
Scotch church, London Wall : meeting of, held on the 31st October 1814,
xviii 402 ; inquiries to be made by, concerning Mr. Rannie, xviii 405
et seq. ; meeting of, held on the 2nd December 1814, xviii 430
Scotch presbyterian church : proposed union of, with the Dutch Reformed
church at the Cape, xix 495 and 496
Scotch presbyterian clergymen : proceed to the Cape to serve in Dutch
Reformed churches after studying in Holland, xvii 209, xix 102, xx 392
Scotch presbyterians : desire the erection of a church in Capetown, and
solicit aid from the government, xix 331 to 338 ; meeting held by, xix
332 and 334
Scott, George, settler : nothing done by, xvi 40 ; location for, xvi 424 ; death
of, xvi 476
Scott, Lieutenant-Colonel H. Maurice, of the 6th regiment : conciliatory
policy of, towards Kaffirs, xvii 153 and 154, xviii 41, 42, 308, and 309 ;
new measures adopted by, for defending the frontier, xvii 211, xviii 37
et seq. ; on the 1st December 1821 is appointed commandant of the
frontier, xviii 37 ; sends a detachment to seize Gaika, which fails, xviii
39 and 309 ; meets Gaika at a conference near the Chumie, xviii 40 ;
reports unfavourably on the establishment at Fredericksburg ; recom-
mends an increase in the Cape cavalry, xviii 42 ; in October 1823 resigns
Index. 491
command of the frontier, xviii 208 ; commands and reports the execution
of a Kaffir for murder, xix 391, and 476 to 478
Scott, Mr., clerk : dealings of, with Mr. Wilmot, xviii 96 ; visits Mr. Edwards
in prison, xviii 112
Scott, Sir Walter : recommends Mr. Pringle, xix 443
Scully, Reverend P. Hurst, Roman catholic priest : alleged appointment of
as public librarian, xvi 116, xviii 30 and 165 ; land granted and money
advanced to, for building a Roman catholic chapel, xviii 29 and 166,
xix 141 ; salary of, xviii 30 ; mission of, xviii 232
Scutt Kraal : oxen impounded in, are lost, xvii 59 et seq.
Sea Cow River : fieldcornetcy of, is divided, xix 478
Sea Point : lighthouse erected on, utility of, xvi 61, 63, and 103
Sealing and fishing : on the Bird and St. Croix islands, applications for, xix 105
Secretary of the burgher senators : office of, xvi 246
Securities : are to be given by all civil officers holding appointments of
pecuniary trust in the colonies, xvi 490 to 492, xvii 479 and 486
Seed corn : want of, by settlers, xvi 288 ; supply of, xviii 235
Semeeno, a Motshuana : speech of, xvi 501
Sephton, Hezekiah, settler : industry of party under, xvi 40 ; location is
confirmed to, and additional land granted to, xvi 441, xvii 78 and 84 ;
orders for the location and removal of party of, xvii 88 to 90
Sequestrator's Department : list of officers of, with dates of appointment and
salaries, xix 52
Settlers : of Mr. Parker's party, are maintained by him, provisions being
refused to, by the government, xvi 5 and 36 ; of Mr. Ingram's party,
conduct and treatment of, xvi 6, xviii 185 to 191, and 218 to 228 ; in
Albany, memorial of, expressing appreciation of Lord Charles Somerset's
government, xvi 10 to 15 ; expense of conveyance of, to the Cape, per
head, xvi 21 ; from Nottingham, idleness of, xvi 39 ; in the Zuurvcld,
difficulties and hardships of, from failures of crops and dread of Kaffir
attacks, xvi 54, 56 to 60, and 128 ; alarm of, at Kaffirs being brought into
the settlement for trade, xvi 72 and 73 ; are driven out of Albany by an
obnoxious oath ; high quitrent demanded of, xvi 74 ; memorial of, to
the secretary of state, is referred to the commissioners of inquiry, xvi 95
and 420 ; of Mr. Philipps' party, request a grant of land in Van Piemen's
Land, with passage thither, xvi 129 ; of Mr. Francis' party, are removed
from Clanwilliam to the Zuurvcld, xvi 149; at Bathurst, injury to. by
the removal of the magistracy to Grahamstown, xvi 166 and 206 : at
Grahamstown, distress of, through storms; request a visit from the
commissioners, xvi 178 and 407 ; are said to have been obnoxious to
Colonel Bird, xvi 191 ; discontent of, and alleged harshness towards, xvi
208 ; at Tulbagh, present memorials against the removal of the drOBtd]
to Worcester, and offer to repair the buildings, xri 263, 266, and 267 . in
Albany, locations of, are too restricted; continuation and additional
grants of land are made to, with rights of commonage, rri 261, 329, 331,
378, 408, 414, 421, 441, and 475, xvii :5, 78, 82 to 86, 341, and 348, xviii
362, xix 97, xx 400; society for the relief of, is formed in Capetown ;
report of the committee of, xvi 264 ; distribution of money to, xvi —«!."">,
492 Index.
xviii 394 ; sufferings of, in America, Sierra Leone, and New Holland, xvi
272 ; in the first colonization of South Africa ; general good character
of, xvi 273 ; in Albany, distresses, complaints and grievances of, xvi 275
to 289, and 452, xvii 79, xviii 150 et seq., 301 to 310, 364, 369, 377, 384,
396, and 400, xix 5, 8 to 14, and 293 to 296 ; various classes of, xvi 279,
xvii 341 ; in Albany, are forbidden to employ slave labour in cultivation,
xvi 305 and 326 ; inquiry into the condition of, by the commissioners, xvi
305 ; Scotch, at Baviaans River, return of ; diligence and good conduct
of, xvi 321, xviii 336 ; in Albany, issue of rations to ; question of repay-
ment of deposits, and of indebtedness to the government, xvi 346, xvii
345 to 347, xviii 130, 147, and 304, xx 405 ; of Mr. Willson's party,
disappointment of, and difficulty in locating, xvi 355 and 359 ; unsettled
claims of; consider themselves defrauded by him, xvi 362, xix 23, 117,
118, and 123 ; present an address to Sir Rufane Donkin, xvi 372 ; in the
Zuurveld, English receive far less land than Boers, xvi 430 ; losses and
difficulties of, xvi 432 ; are furnishing supplies for export from the Kowie
mouth ; losses of, through blight, xvi 464, xvii 142 ; arrived too rapidly
for Mr. Knobel to survey all their locations, xvii 19 ; liberality and care
of the home government towards, xvii 22 ; of Mr. Menzies' party, removal
of, by Sir Rufane Donkin's orders, xvii 67 ; issue of relief to, by the
government, xvii 87 and 88, xviii 235 and 252 ; of Mr. Sephton's party,
orders for the location and removal of, xvii 88 to 90 ; in Albany in
February 1824, return of, xvii 94 ; in Bathurst in February 1824, return
of, xvii 98 ; a committee is formed in London for the relief of, and a
public subscription opened, xvii 108, xviii 35 ; in the Zuurveld, efforts of
English and Scotch compared, xvii 120 ; houses built by, description
of, xvii 121 ; are required to obtain passes before moving from one
district to another, xvii 141 ; condition of, in 1824, xvii 220 et seq. ;
restrictions imposed upon, xvii 224, 225, 229, and 466 ; difficulty of
English, in competing with Dutch, xvii 227 ; probable effects of greater
freedom granted to, xvii 228 ; brightening prospects of, xvii 308 ; from
Ireland, distribution of, xvii 309 ; article published upon, in the South
African Journal, xvii 322 and 325 ; in Albany, claims of, are investigated
by a special commission, xvii 340, 356, and 460 ; are to be treated liberally,
xvii 343 and 357 ; errors said to have been committed by the government
in the settlement of, xvii 465 ; of Mr. Parker's party, location of, at
Clanwilliam, and removal of, to Albany, xviii 17 and 26, xix 27 and 29 ;
of other parties, removal of, from Clanwilliam, xviii 45, 144, 145, and 278 ;
causes of the distress suffered by, xviii 47 ; difficulties and losses of,
xviii 61 ; at Stellenbosch, loans made to, by the government, xviii 127
and 297 ; at Zonder End, complaints made by, xviii 129 ; in Albany,
require labourers, if brought free of expense, xviii 195 ; brought out by
Mr. Moody and Mr. Ingram, ready employment found by, xviii 255, 259,
and 262 ; Scotch and Irish, do better than English, xviii 362 ; in Albany,
express their satisfaction with Mr. Hopes division of land, xviii 281; address
of, to the secretary of state, is commented upon by Lord Charles Somerset,
xviii 300 et seq. ; at Baviaans River, remission of debt to government is
asked for ; poverty of. xviii 334, 336, and 337 ; in Albany, claims of, are
Index. 493
likely to be satisfactorily adjusted, xviii 346 ; relief afforded to, when in
distress, by Mr. Rivers, and testimony borne by, xviii 372 to 401 ; mis-
representations concerning the relief of, xix 4, 5 to 8, and 14 ; of Mr.
Willson's party, information given by, xix 11 ; appoint Mr. Boardman
as their head, when deserted, xix 79 ; turbulent character of, xix 83 and
120 ; arrangements for the location of parties of, near the Wolvegat, xix
112 ; expenses incurred by the colony on account of, xix 342 and 345 ;
of Mr. Pringle's party, order and diligence of, xix 444 and 453 ; on the
frontier, efforts on behalf of, xix 454 ; governor's alleged indifference to
the welfare of, xx 135 ; advantage to, of a direct trade from Albany, xx
384 ; desire a free passage for their wives and families, xx 401 ; solicit
the continuance of Lieutenant Colonel Somerset as commandant, xx 411
Settlers' Fund Society : see Society for the relief of distressed settlers
Shaw, J., settler : grant recommended to, xvi 476 ; dispute of, with Mr.
Fournier, respecting location ; decision is given against, xviii 258, xix
317 to 321
Shaw, Reverend William, Wesleyan missionary : is permitted to evangelize
the natives in Kaffraria on certain conditions, xvi 52 and 53 ; accepts the
conditions imposed, xvi 133 ; visits Pato's kraal and neighbourhood with
Mr. Thomson, and fixes upon a site for his establishment, xvi 199 ; relieves
distressed settlers from funds remitted to him by the society, xvi 265 ; is
consulted by Mr. Rivers respecting a school, xvii 289 ; testifies to the
relief afforded by Mr. Rivers to suffering settlers, xviii 387 ; reports
concerning the mission work in Kaffraria, xix 457
Shawe, Mr., purser of His Majesty's ship Menai : helps to found the society
for the relief of distressed settlers in South Africa in 1820, xvi 281
Shawe, Samuel Edward, settler : comes out with Mr. Parker's party, and
remains alone at the location, xvi 317, xviii 144 and 145, xix 27 and 30 ;
land retained and purchased by, in the Kleine Valley, xviii 46, 203, and
205, xix 134, xx 382
Sheep: proposed loan of, by the government, to distressed settlers in the
Zuurveld, xvi 59 and 60 ; rearing of, for wool, xvi 75, xix 352, xx 95 ;
disease among, xviii 278 ; Spanish, purchase of, from Mrs. Louw. xviii
344 ; by Mr. Louw, in 1814, xviii 444 ; various breeds of, xix '.'•'-
Ships of War on the Cape Station : —
Lcven : on the 7th April 1823 arrives at the Cape, xvi 106
Menai : in July 1823 leaves for England, xvi 108
Madagascar, frigate : in July 1823 leaves for England, xri 12i".
Termagant : cm the 6th July 1823 reaches England, xvi 163 ; on the 6th May
L823 sails from the Cape, xvi 167
Jupiter : in October 1823 sails for England, xvi 417
Espiegle : is the only ship of war left on the station in October 1S23, tvi 120
Neptune : in May 1824 leaves for England, xvii 311
Redwing : in September 1819 takes the governor to Algoa Bay. xix 455
Naiitiht<: in November 1819 conveys tin- governor from Algoa Bay to
Capetown, xix 4."..")
Andromache : in January 1825 is not available bo bring the governor back
from Algoa Bay, xix 456
494 Index.
Shipwrecks : of the Buclcbay Packet, xix 139 ; of government schooners, xx 72
Shortt, Francis : is employed to represent Mr. Anderson, and pleads the
exception of prescription, xvi 28 ; on appeal, prays to be allowed to
amend his summons ; prayer of, is rejected, xvi 29 ; testimony of, to the
confidence felt in Sir Rufane Donkin, xvi 84
Siegriihn, P. F. : xix 95
Sierra Leone : conveyance to, of two companies formed from the Royal
African Corps, xvi 180 ; first settlement at, xvi 272 ; directions concerning
the currency at, xx 24
Silkworm, the : proposed culture of, xx 95
Silver money : transmission of, to colonies, as the fittest medium for circu-
lation, xx 20 et seq., and 99 ; is to be a legal tender at the Cape, xx 123 ;
payment of, for Spanish, or paper rixdollars, xx 373 ; shipment of, to the
Cape, xx 393
Simonstown : repairs to public buildings at, xvi 51 ; proposed extension of
wharf and formation of a reservoir at, xvi 110, 111, 291, 297, and 313, xvii
105 and 242 ; wharfage duties are imposed at, xvii 233 ; appointment of
a wharf master and storekeeper at, xvii 233, xviii 191 ; establishment of a
court at, and appointment of an additional clerk, xix 262 ; destruction of
church and injury to custom-house at, by storms, xix 348
Simonstown Residency : list of officers at, with dates of appointment and
salaries, xix 61
Simpson, Geddes M. : reports to the Scots Church at London Wall an un-
favourable letter concerning Mr. Rannie, xviii 402 and 406 ; defends Mr.
Linton's father, xviii 431
Simpson, J. P., member of the committee of the commercial exchange : xviii
497
Sinclair, Thomas : copies the placard libelling the governor, xviii 105 ; exami-
nation of, xviii 111
Slambie, Xosa chief : see Ndlambe
Slater, Thomas, settler : distress and relief of, xvi 265
Slave Lodge : proposal to break up, xvii 279 ; list of officers of, with dates of
appointment and salaries, xix 57 ; condition of, xx 352 ; repairs necessary
to, xx 360
Slave Register Department : list of officers of, with dates of appointment and
salaries, xix 57
Slaves : schools for, xvi 12, xvii 41 ; proceedings at trials of, xvi 65 and 379 ;
apprenticeship of, to settlers, xvi 75 ; marriages of, xvi 175, xvii 39 and 43 ;
regulations concerning evidence, baptism, punishment, and religious
instruction of, xvi 180 and 181, xvii 37 to 40, -and 42, xviii 161, xx 2 ;
traffic in, by Kaffirs with settlers, to be put down, xvi 207 ; employment
of, in agricultural labour, by British settlers in Albany, prohibition of, xvi
305, 326, and 378 ; xviii 202, xix 165 ; emancipation of, xvi 451, 465, and
482, xvii 39, 49, and 50 ; copies of regulations concerning, are sent home,
xvi 460 ; females are not to be flogged, xvi 493, xx 408 and 409 ; church
for, is opened at Stellenbosch, xvii 50 ; labour of, on farms, enquiry into,
xvii 99, 127, 225, and 226 ; tax levied on, in Tulbagh and Worcester, xvii 315,
319, and 352, xx 66, 126, 136, and 370 ; return of, in Kerkstraat, Brouwer-
Index. 495
straat and the drostdy of Tulbagh, in 1824, xvii 334 ; efforts of Colonel
Bird on behalf of, xviii 15 ; purchased by settlers at Clanvvilliam, xviii
146 ; employment of, on public works, xviii 160 ; hire of, by farmers for
harvesting, xviii 257 ; comfortable condition of, xviii 310 ; attendance of,
at public worship, xviii 332 ; return of, at the Cape, in December 1824,
xix 382 ; of Willem and Barend van der Merwe, trial of, for conspiracy and
murder, xx 188 et seq., and 407 ; capture of, by commando, xx 200 ; sub-
missive conduct of, xx 313 ; incitement of, to rebellion, xx 314 ; insur-
rection of, is high treason, xx 322 ; entertain a general expectation of
emancipation, xx 386 ; general rising of, is apprehended, xx 407 ; change
in behaviour of, xx 408 ; difficulty of, in obtaining redress, xx 410 ; farther
particulars concerning, xvi 74 and 220, xvii 80, 158, 160, 161, 163, 164,
167, 188, 191, 192, and 363, xviii 263, xix 75
Slaves, government : sale of, by auction, xvi 65, 379, and 396 ; information is
desired concerning, xvi 140 ; measures to be adopted towards, xvi 141 ;
condition of, at the Cape, xvii 279 ; return of, in 1824, xix 263, and 264 to
268 ; expense of maintenance of, from 1815 to 1823, xix 269 ; interro-
gatories concerning, proposed by the commissioners of enquiry to Colonel
Bird, xx 349 to 353
Slave trade : abolition of, xix 272 and 279
Slavery : resolutions respecting, adopted in the House of Commons, xvi 445 ;
amelioration of, is desired, xvi 493 ; might be destroyed by the intro-
duction of more white labourers, xviii 35 and 47 ; is forbidden in Albany,
xix 161 ; institution of, xx 313
Slowman, Morris : colonial pass is withheld from, xvii 174
Small-pox : outbreak of, in 1812, xix 399
de Smidt, A.: xix 340
Smith, Reverend Alexander : is ready to proceed to the Cape as a clergyman,
xvi 7 ; requests passage and advance of salary, xvi 8 ; speech delivered by,
xix 335 ; is a member of the committee for the erection of a Presbyterian
church in Capetown, xix 336 and 338 ; interview of, with Dr. Philip, xix
483 to 485
Smith, George, settler: has been generally absent from his location, xvi in ;
distress of party of, xvi 285 and 288 ; location is confirmed to, xvi 1 1 1 .
xvii 78
Smith, John, settler : grant recommended to, xvi 476
Smith, Mr., commissary of justice at Mauritius : death of. xvi 420
Smith, Mr. : offers to procure horses for Cape cavalry, xix 1"T : is a member
of the committee for erecting a Presbyterian church in Capetown, xix 336
Smith, William, settlor: industry of party under, xvi 40 J Location is con-
firmed, and additional grant is made to, xvi 441, xvii 78 and s|
Smuts, J. J. L., secretary to the < Irphan Board : xviii 283, xix '.•">
Sober Island : proposed extension of wharf to, .rri 291, xvii 1 < >« >
Society for the encouragement of arts, manufactures, and commerce : premiums
offered by, aw 290
Society for the propagation of the gospel in foreign parts: work of. at the
Cape, xvi 175
Society for the relief of distressed Bottlers in Soutb Africa: report of the
496 Index.
committee of, xvi 264 ; aid given by, xvi 265 to 267 ; accounts of receipts
and expenditure of, xvi 268, xviii 402 : annual meeting of, held on the
17th September 1823, xvi 269 ; on the 18th August 1824, xviii 345, 363,
369, and 372 ; help afforded to, by friends from India, xvi 280 ; origin
of, in 1820, xvi 281 ; objects of, are not political, xviii 367 ; further
particulars concerning, xvii 79, xix 9, 10, and 40
Soil : in the Zuurveld and in Albany, and at the Cape generally, is poor, arid-
and saline, xvi 57 and 60, xvii 119, xx 96 ; is productive on the south-
eastern coast, xviii 123
Soldiers : employment of, in civil duties, xvi 86, xviii 1, xix 251 ; payment of
balances due to, on their demise, xvi 455, xviii 8 : of the Dutch East
India Company, claim of, to right of burghership, xvi 483 and 508, xvii 8,
See Garrison
,'Somerset, Lieutenant-General Lord Charles Henry, governor of Cape Colony :
measures of, in Albany, are highly approved by some of the settlers ;
attack upon, by others, xvi 11 to 13, xviii 300 ; supports Mr. Ryneveld's
request for extra allowance, xvi 26 ; importation and sale of horses by,
xvi 42 and 170, xvii 368, 370, 489, 490, 502, and 505, xviii 343, 344, 443,
446, 454, 459, and 460 ; urges the necessity of repairs to public buildings,
xvi 50 and 332 ; charges brought against, by Sir Rufane Donkin, xvi 77,
107, 134, and 146 ; complains of the mal-administration of Sir Rufane
Donkin, xvi 87 ; requests an explanation of his instructions as to oaths
of office, xvi 105 ; favour shown by, to Mr. Parker, explanation of, xvi
117, 118, 192, and 471 to 475 ; expresses his satisfaction at the arrival
of the commissioners, xvi 127 ; is accused of corruptly making an excessive
grant of land to Mr. Redelinghuys, in conjunction with the sale of a
horse, xvi 139 and 452, xviii 342, 443, 457, 459, and 475, xix 2, 15 to 17,
103, and 106; complaints made against, by Mr. D'Escury, xvi 163, 179,
and 215, xvii 457, 458, and 459, xviii 311 to 314, xix 2 ; alleged hostile
feeling of, towards persons and measures approved by Sir Rufane Donkin,
xvi 208, xviii 13 ; proposes a copper coinage for the Cape, xvi 225 ;
constructs a schooner for unloading government vessels at the Kowie,
xvi 299 ; requires Colonel Bird to take the oaths prescribed in his instruc-
tions, xvi 299 to 304 ; purchases a house in Grahamstown for the secretary
of Albany, xvi 325, xvii 36 ; projects a public classical school at the
Cape, xvi 415 and 417 ; refuses to confirm an extension of grant to Lieu-
tenant White, xvi 433 et seq. ; supports Mrs. Evans' request for an
increase of pension, xvi 460 ; bills drawn by, xvi 496, xvii 35 ; visits
the Knysna and George, and promises a grant of land to F. Jonk, xvi
507 ; incurs unauthorised increase in public expenditure, xvii 7 and 210,
xix 154, xx 362 ; removes the seat of magistracy from Bathurst to
Grahamstown, xvii 16 ; explains and defends his proclamation con-
cerning the treatment of slaves, xvii 42 ; charge of irreligion is brought
against, xvii 54, 56, and 58 ; measures of, for repressing the depredations
of Kaffirs, are approved, xvii 142 ; makes an allowance for houserent to
the resident at Mossel Bay, xvii 176 ; returns to be transmitted by, xvii
217 ; imposes a wharfage duty at Sinionstown, and appoints a wharf
master, xvii 233; comments upon Mr. Geary's memorial, xvii 247 et seq.
Index. 497
and 291 ; refuses a grant of land to Mr. Geary, xvii 251 ; comments upon
Mr. Edwards' letters, xvii 268 et seq., and 276 ; desires Mr. Geary to make
reparation to Mr. Rivers for his indecorous conduct, xvii 287 and 292 ;
issues a warrant for the suppression of the South African Commercial
Advertiser, xvii 300 and 306 ; charges Mr. Pringle with insolence and
disaffection, xvii 322, xviii 57 ; requests him to continue the publication
of the Sotdh African Journal, xvii 325 ; imputations against, by Mr.
Edwards, xvii 383, 393, and 398 ; is relieved by the removal of Colonel
Bird, xvii 470 ; forwards his letter to the secretary of state, xvii 47 1 ; solicit a
sanction to the expense of public buildings erected in Albany, xvii 484 ;
explains the advantages of constructing roads into the interior, xviii 1 ;
has repeatedly offered land to Colonel Bird, but now objects, xviii 23 ;
discourages the erection of an English church in Capetown by subscription,
xviii 33, 147, and 163 ; objects to the establishment of many posts on
the frontier, xviii 39 ; defamatory placard is published against, on the
1st June 1824, xviii 65 et seq., xix 151, xx 168, and 183 to 185 ; issues an
order to search the dwellings of Messrs. Burnett, Greig, and Lee for defa-
matory papers, xviii 80 and 81 ; replies to Mr. Parker's charges against
the government, xviii 192 ; denies knowledge of Colonel Bird's Roman
Catholicism previous to 1822, xviii 192 ; is requested to become the
patron of the South African literary society, xviii 179 and 289 ; declines
to countenance or sanction the society, fearing political discussion, xviii
289, 293, and 295 ; land granted by, and change of tenure effected by,
xviii 237 ; observations made by, on the complaints of Albany settlers,
xviii 301 to 310 ; aids and encourages Scottish settlers, xviii 335 ; charges
Dr. Philip with duplicity and disaffection, xviii 345 et seq., xix 481 et seq. ;
kindness and liberality of, towards distressed settlers, xviii 388, xix 351 ;
visit of, to England, in 1820, xviii 450 ; decision of, respecting the
pasturage on the Hantam mountain, xviii 450, 451, 482, and 484 ; insists
on the separation of public from private business, xviii 465, xix 108 and
109 ; objections to grants of land made by, xviii 472 et seq. ; want of
discretion shown by, xviii 493 ; refuses to grant additional lands to the
missionary institution at Bethelsdorp, .rriii 500 and 505, xix 287 ; list of
perpetual quitrent and freehold grants made by, in Albany, from 1821
to 1824, xix 37 to 39 ; is requested to explain his proceedings towards
Mr. Greig, and to send legal opinion, xix 42 and 43 ; injuries said to have
been inflicted by, on Mr. Greig, xix 467 and 468 ; alleged hostility of, to
Colonel Bird, xix 100 and 399 ; refuses the possession of the Bird and St.
Croix islands to Mr. King, but grants it to Mr. Korsten, xix lo."> ; purchases
premises for officers of the Cape Corps, on the frontier, xix IT.'! ; advocate*
the erection of barracks, it < Irahamstown, xix 171 : directs t lie construction
of a road over the Fransche Hoek, xix 251 ; investigation by, of Mr.
Blair's conduct, xix 272 ; conference held by, with Kaffir chiefs, m 1819,
xix 341, :r>o, and 394; treats of the expenses incurred on sooounl oi
British settlers, xix 342; purchases a house for the use of the colonial
chaplain, xix 395 and 396 ; purohasea Paarden Island for public cue, xix
398; alleged hostility of, towards Mr. Pringle, xix 140 to 150; in 1825
visits the district of Albany, and reports on itfl condition, xix 164, i • i"1*
XX. 2 K
498 Index.
to 406 ; requests a return passage from Algoa Bay on the Andromache,
xix 455 ; submits a proposal for the erection of an English church in
Capetown, xix 480 ; instructions to, respecting the constitution and
functions of a council, xx 6 to 11 ; alleged hostility of, to all freedom of
discussion, xx 48 ; in February 1825 arrives at the Kowie, and receives
an address from the inhabitants, xx 54 ; is said to have caused the
publication of a libel against Mr. Geary, xx 132 ; reprehensible conduct
of, xx 135 ; is appealed to by Mr. Burnett, xx 166 ; alleged enmity of,
towards Mr. Burnett, xx 171, and 179 to 181 ; complains of a libellous
paragraph in the Times and Morning Chronicle, xx 182 ; illness of,
xx 410
Somerset, Captain H., son of Lord Charles Somerset : application of Mr.
Francis to, xvi 151 to 153 ; commends his building, but neglects to
locate him, xvi 153 and 158, xvii 469 ; forbearance of Sir Rufane Donkin
towards, xvi 171 ; insulting conduct of, to Sir Rufane Donkin, xvi 172 ;
sale of land by, xvi 186 ; treatment of Mr. Burnett by ; is said to have
taken his forage for the Cape Corps, and evaded payment, xvi 186, 187,
190, and 262, xx 163 to 165, 390, and 395 ; is Major of the Cape Cavalry,
xvi 206, xviii 9 ; large grant of land is made to, by his father, xvi 206 ;
successful expedition of, against marauding Kaffirs, xvi 462 and 463, xvii
102 ; is charged with insulting the reverend William Geary, xvii 53, 258,
and 259, xx 132 ; discharges Mr. Wait's servants, xvii 174 ; in October
1823 succeeds to the command of the frontier on the death of Lieutenant
Colonel Fraser, xviii 41 and 304 ; declines to explain his language to Mr.
Biggar, xviii 134 ; is said to have been insulted by him, xviii 135 and
137 ; recommends a personal deputation to the governor from the
settlers in Albany, xviii 154 ; allegations against the conduct of, xviii
199 ; zeal and activity of, in the defence of the frontier ; judicious
measures of, xviii 209, 211, and 328, xix 454, xx 404, 411, 413, and 415 ;
reported retirement and supersession of, as commandant, xviii 209 and
211, xx 411 ; memorials praying for the retention of, xviii 209, 211, 305,
and 329, xx 411 to 416 ; inspires Kaffirs with confidence and respect,
xviii 331 ; is Lieutenant-Colonel, xix 454 ; further mention of, xx 72
and 371
Somerset, Lord R. Edward H., brother of Lord Charles Somerset : hopes
that Sir Rufane Donkin will be compelled to withdraw or make good his
charges, xvi 146
Somerset Farm : animals sold to, xvi 168 ; purchase of grain by, from the
settlers at Baviaans River, xvii 85, 90, and 91 ; alleged danger of com-
petition by, xviii 156 and 308 ; town is planned at, and drostdy established,
xx 403
Somerset Hospital : is to be visited and reported upon by Dr. Barry, xvii
280 and 281
Somerville, Mr. : journey of, to Latakoo, xix 397
Sorcerer, colt : is imported by Lord Charles Somerset, xviii 446 ; sale of, to
Mrs. and Willem Louw, xvii 490, 502, and 505, xviii 343, 448, 458, and
470 ; value of, xvii 490, xviii 461 ; is sold to Mr. Kotze, xix 108
de Sousa, Vincente Guedes, master of the Constantia : imports negroes, xvii
Index. 490
158 ; hires negro apprentices from Mr. Tennant, and sells them as slaves,
xvii 160 and 161
South African Chronicle and Mercantile Advertiser : extracts from, xix 4, 5, and 8.
South African Commercial Advertiser, newspaper published by Mr. Greig :
prospectus of, xvi 469 and 470 ; numbers of, are forwarded to the secretary
of state, xvii 236 and 310 ; reduced rate of postage is solicited for, xvii
237, xviii 9, xx 149 ; conditions of publication of, xvii 293 and 306 ; trial
of Mr. Edwards is not to be published in, xvii 293, xix 146 ; proof-sheets
of, are forwarded to the governor, xvii 294 ; publication of, is discon-
tinued for the present, xvii 295 ; warrant for the suppression of, xvii
300, xix 148 ; establishment of, and suppression of, by the governor, xvii
306 and 363, xix 42, 144, 146, and 147, xx 183 ; object and success of,
xix 145 ; amended prospectus of, xx 129 and 147 ; price of, in country
districts, xx 150
South African Company : proposal to form, and objects of, xix 284, xx 95
to 98 ; grant of land requested for, in the frontier districts, xx 97 and
348 ; proposed constitution of, xx 98
South African Journal, or Magazine : prospectus of, xvi 322-; is published
bi-monthly, by Messrs. Pringle and Faure, xvii 307, xviii 57 ; publica-
tion of, is discontinued, xvii 312, 325, 363, and 464, xix 150, xx 183 ;
article in, excites the displeasure of the governor, xvii 322 ; passages in,
and tone of, are severely commented on by the fiscal, xvii 461, xviii 57 ;
passages considered obnoxious in, xvii 465 ; management of, xviii 296
South African Literary Society : proposal for the institution of, xviii 167 ;
objects and advantages of, xviii 167 to 169 ; subjects to be discussed by,
xviii 171 and 173 ; regulations for, xviii 173 and 285 ; formation of, in
August 1824, xviii 178 and 285 ; Lord Charles Somerset is requested to
become the patron of, xviii 287 and 289 ; is disapproved by the governor,
and its meetings declared illegal, xviii 288, 289, 290, and 295
South African Times : prospectus of, xix 502
Southey, George, settler : industry of, xvi 40 ; distress of party of, xvi 2S8 ;
location is confirmed to, xvi 424 and 441, xvii 78
de Souza : see de Sousa
Spanish dollars : value of, xvii 495 and 496, xx 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24. 26, and
373 ; payment of troops in, xx 18, 21, 22, 24, and 25
Sparks, Anna, widow of Captain Sparks: solicits compensation for losses
sustained at Fredericksburg, xviii 125, xix 73
Sparks, Captain, of the Royal African Corps : military services of. xviii 126
and 126; losses of, in the attempt to form a settlement at Frederioksb
xviii 126, xix 73
Springboks : in the Zuurveld, xvii 119
Stage coach : proposal to run, in Albany, xix 236
Stanley, John, settler : industry of , xvi 40 ; Loss of oattle by, xw 287 ; looation
is confirmed to, and additional land granted t<>. xvi 424 and 441,
78 and 83 ; question of boundary of, xvii I 48
Stanley versus Mullegan : case of, xvii 290
Stanton, W. : land granted to, xvii 86
Stationery: expenditure for, xvii 488
500 Index.
Stegman, J. C. : xviii 86
van der Stel, Governor : complaint against, xvii 200
Stellenbosch : expense incurred by, in making a road across the mountains,
xvi 263 ; consecration of church for slaves at, xvii 50 ; damage done at,
by storms, in 1822, xviii 59, 60, and 127 : loan made by government to
the distressed inhabitants of, xviii 127 and 297 ; expeditions from,
against Bosjesmen, xviii 148, xix 19 ; list of officers in, with salaries,
xix 63 ; advance made to, for losses by fire, xix 425 ; sum granted to
missionary society at, for injury through storms, xix 476
Stevenson, Mr. : xviii 430
Stockenstrom, Captain Andries, landdrost of Graaff-Reinet : visits' the
settlers at Baviaans River, and commends Mr. Pringle's exertions and
conduct, xvi 322, xx 60 ; applications for land received by, xvii 297 ;
return signed by, xvii 508 ; attention of, to settlers, xviii 335 and 336 ;
conducts the conference with the Kaffir chiefs, in 1819, xix 357 ; testi-
mony to, by Mr. Murray, xix 484, 485, and 486 ; removes bush girls
from Mr. Theron, xx 82 ; is vindicated by Mr. Burnett, xx 179
Stoel, Pieter, 1st undersheriff : deposition of, xvi 383
Stoll, J. W., landdrost of the Cape district : is a member of the committee
for the relief of distressed settlers, xvi 264 and 269 ; is His Majesty's
receiver-general, xvi 468, 486, and 487, xix 383 and 385 ; is appointed to
receive subscriptions for a church at Port Elizabeth, xvii 360 ; is surety
for the sum advanced to Colonel Bird, xviii 244 ; as acting president of
the Lombard Bank makes an advance on the security of the Roman
Catholic chapel, xix 141 ; inspects Mr. Willson's accounts, and is satisfied
that he has discharged all claims, xix 255 ; is appointed a member of
the council, xx 8 ; government slaves are transferred to, xx 351, further
mention of, xvi 316 and 428, xvii 117, xix 103
Stone, Richard : alleged illegal sentence of, xvii 276 and 399
Storehouses : question of building for government purposes, xix 99
Storms : damage and loss occasioned by, in 1822, at Tulbagh, xvi 254 and
257 ; in Albany and Graaff-Reinet, xvi 424 and 452 ; at Stellenbosch,
xviii 127, xix 476 ; throughout the colony, xix 343, 344, and 346
Streets : construction and preservation of, xvi 234, 243, and 245
Stretch, R. A. : evidence given by, xix 323
Strutt, Colonel : forwards to government an account of the Zuurveld by
Mr. Francis, xvi 53
Stuart, Captain : commands the expedition to capture Gaika, xvii 154
Stubbs, Mr., settler : activity of, xvi 40 ; murder of, by Kaffirs, xvi 73
Sturt, Reverend George W., colonial chaplain : educates Mr. Willson's sons,
xvi 9 ; charge preferred against, by Messrs. Flight and Robson, xvii 141
Surman, George, settler ; grant recommended to, xvi 476
Surveys : of Noah's Ark Rock is ordered for a lighthouse, xvi 101 ; of lands
for the location of settlers, xvii 344 and 349, xviii 339 ; of the frontier
districts, xvii 483 ; of the Hantam mountain, xviii 449 and 482 ; of Mr.
Woodcock's location, xix 134 ; of roads, is desirable, xix 354 ; of premises
for classical school, xix 360 ; of land upon the Kat river, in 1820, xix 394
Sutherland, Reverend Henry : is ready for ordination ; an appointment is
Index. 501
requested for, xvi 213 and 224, xvii 236 ; studies the Dutch language in
Holland, and returns, xvi 214, xvii 209 and 235 ; is ready to proceed to
the Cape, xvii 235 ; is a member of the committee for the erection of a
Presbyterian church in Capetown, xix 336
Swan, Mr., government surveyor :, xvi 154, xix 341
Swanepoel, Martha Elisabeth, widow of Johannes Verlee : deposition of, xx
288 ; further mention of, xx 291
Swanepoel, P. : xx 191
Swellendam : Mr. Schonnberg is appointed landdrost of, xviii 28 ; list of
officers in, with dates of appointment and salaries, xix 63
Sydserff, C. J. B. : is located at Baviaans River, xvi 321
Synnot, Captain Walter, deputy landdrost of Clanwilliam : is located at
Clanwilliam, xviii 45, 144, and 276 ; location of, cannot be cultivated by
Europeans only, xviii 202 ; queries proposed to, by the commissioners
of enquiry, xviii 203 ; additional land is granted to, xviii 277 ; part
taken by, in the question of Mr. Redelinghuys' claim to the Hantam
mountain, xviii 484, 485, and 486, xix 16 ; right of, to the use of govern-
ment grazing land, xix 135
Synod : of the Dutch Reformed churches in the colony, session of, in Novem-
ber 1824, xix 186 and 494 ; regulations suggested by, xix 187, 189 et
seqj ; resolutions passed by, xix 188, and 216 to 222 ; times of meeting
of, xix 209, 218, and 233 ; proceedings and deliberations of, xix 495
to 501
Syrowens, Sergeant, of the 49th regiment : acts as market-master, xx 182
Taaybosch Kraal : Captain Butler is located at, xviii 144 ; land and produce
at, xviii 204
Table Bay : dangers of, to approaching ships, and need of a light, xvi 61 and
103 ; wrecks in, xvi 62
Tait, Peter : locates a party of settlers from Scotland in the George district,
xix 140 ; reports upon the state of agriculture there, xix 350 ; solicits
an appointment at the Cape, xix 356
Tancred, king of Sicily : xvi 115
Taxes : collected by the burgher senate, and purposes of, return of, xvi 194 ;
levied on the inhabitants of Capetown from 1815 to 1823, return of, xvi
196 to 198 ; levied on houses, stores, and cellars, for the water-leading,
xvi 198 ; increase of, in Tulbagh, xvi 230, xvii 352 to 356 ; lists of, to be
made by commissaries, xvi 235 ; lists of, to be drawn up by burgher
senators, xvi 243 and 245; levied on settlers, impede agriculture, xvii
225, xviii 263, xx 405 ; increase of, in Worcester, in 1823, xvii 315 ;
levied upon slaves, xvii 315 and 319, xx 126, 136, and 37<> ; arc not im-
posed by the governor of New Soul h Wales, xvii 462 ; on wine, supports
the library, xviii 163
Taylor, Captain : commands the Cape cavalry, xviii 135 and 137
Taylor, Major, of the 6th Regiment : refuses a detachment to recover stolen
cattle, xviii 209
Tea: brought to the Cape on the Nostra Sinlu>ra da Guia, confiscation of,
xvi 19 and 20
502 ' Index.
Teachers, public : list of, with dates of appointment and salaries, xix 61 ;
expenses incurred on account of, xix 376 to 379
Teachers, religious : in the Dutch Reformed church, regulations concerning,.
xix 193 to 195, 223, 224, 226, and 498
Tennant, Alexander : negroes are indentured to, as apprentices, xvii 158 ;
neglectful conduct of, death of, xvii 159 ; apprentices hired out by, are
sold as slaves, xvii 160 and 162
Teysho, aged Betshuana chief : accompanies Mr. Moffat to Capetown, xvi
497 ; speech of, xvi 500
Thackwray, W. : additional land is granted to, xvii 83
Theron, D. J. : fieldcornet at Tulbagh : sends a return of houses and in-
habitants, xvii 333
Theron, Jacobus : grievances of ; case of, is to be investigated, xx 81 ;
memorial of, xx 81 to 90 ; complains of want of means, and of inability
to procure documents, xx 349
Theron, Johannes Stephanus, fieldcornet of Worcester : objects to the removal
of the drostdy from Tulbagh to Worcester, and requests its restoration,
xvi 425, xviii 51 ; reports the capture of Abel, xx 200 and 306
Theron, Pieter F., deacon of Tulbagh : objects to the removal of the drostdy
from Tulbagh to Worcester, xvi 226, xvii 351
Theron, Pieter J., acting landdrost of Tulbagh : complains of the removal of
the drostdy from Tulbagh to Worcester, xvi 226, xvii 351 ; statement by,
xvii 316 ; salary and duties of, as special heemraad, xvii 317 ; accom-
panies the commissioner to the old drostdy house, xvii 327 ; further
mention of, xx 304 and 306
Thiebault, Captain L. M., of the engineers : assists the commissioners of the
court of justice to appraise the territorial possessions of the Dutch East
India Company, xx 103, 105, and 108 ; draws a plan for the drostdy
house in Tulbagh, and designs the verandah, xvi 227, xvii 327
and 335
Thorn, Alexander, A. M., master of the Royal Gordon Hospital at Aberdeen :
xvi 449
Thorn, Reverend Doctor George : efforts of, to obtain ministers and mission-
aries for the Cape, xvi 7, 133, and 448 ; proposal made by, for the religious
instruction of slaves, xviii 161 ; is a member of the committee for the
erection of a Presbyterian church in Capetown, xix 336
Thomas, James, settler : industry of, xvi 40
Thomas Durham, the : takes Indian corn for settlers to Algoa Bay, xvi 364
Thompson, George : account by, of the Betshuana assembly at Latakoo, xvi
497 ; is named by the fiscal as a witness, xvii 207
Thomson, Reverend William Ritchie, government missionary : is to be kept
informed of Mr. Shaw's proceedings, xvi 53 ; visits Pato's kraal with
Mr. Shaw, and fixes upon a site for the new missionary settlement, xvi
199 ; reports the temper and movements of Kaffirs, xvi 207, xviii 38
Thornhill, Christopher T., settler : industry of, xvi 40 ; distress of party of,
xvi 288 ; location is to be confirmed to, and additional land to be granted
to, xvi 409, 422, 424, and 441, xvii 78 and 84 ; testifies to the relief
afforded by Mr. Rivers to distressed settlers, xviii 397
Index. 503
Thwaits, Thomas, brewer: dealings of, with Mr. Edwards, xviii 78 and 91 ;
evidence given by, xviii 103 to 108
Thys, Isaak, Hottentot servant of Willem van der Merwe; trial of, for joining
in the conspiracy of slaves to murder their masters, xx 188 et seq. ; charges
made against, xx 203 ; examination and statement of, xx 226 to 231 ;
pleads coercion by Galant, xx 231 ; sentence of death is passed upon,
xx 340 ; further mention of, xx 292, 302, 320, and 336
Tier, J., messenger of the colonial office: burghership is issued gratis to, xvii 23
Timber : cargo of, is brought to Algoa Bay for building houses, xvi 23 ; is
procured at the Knysna for the naval service, xvi 51 ; excellence of, on the
south-eastern coast, xviii 123 ; abundance of, in the George district, xix
350 and 351
Times, the jc report in, of the trial of William Edwards, xx 182 and 183
Tobacco : proposed culture of, xx 95
Tod, A. B. : is a member of the committee for the relief of distressed settlers,
xvi 264 and 269
du Toit, Gert : complains of the removal of the drostdy from Tulbagh to
Worcester, xvii 352
du Toit, J. F., fieldcornet : complains of the removal of the drostdy from
Tulbagh, and of the heavy taxation, xvii 355
du Toit, Stephanus J. : takes charge of Mr. Ingram's cattle, xviii 204
du Toit, Willem Francois, fieldcornet : leads a commando against a gang of
slaves and Hottentots, and takes them prisoners, xx 200, 257, and 304 ;
deposition of, xx 256 ; reports given by, xx 304 and 307
Toils : levy of, xvii 336, xviii 2, xix 245, 253, and 254 ; exemption from,
xvii 337
Trade. See Barter and Commerce
Trappes, Captain Charles, of the 72nd Regiment : appointments and land are
said to have been given to, on account of his being a Roman Catholic,
xvi 3, 100, 115, 411, and 412 ; sale of houses by, xvi 3 and 186 ; returns
made by, xvi 484, xx 126; removes settlers by Sir Rufane Donkin's
orders, xvii 67; is charged with injustice and oppression by Mr. Erith,
xvii 171; becomes landdrost of Tulbagh, xvii 316, xviii 29; appoint-
ment of, as provisional magistrate at Bathurst, xviii 27, xix 90 ;
facilities afforded by, to servants to leave their masters, xviii 151, xix
92 ; appointment of, as landdrost of Worcester, xviii 238 ; gives infor-
mation to the commissioners respecting public buildings, xix 239, XX * » « > ;
is asked whether he is a Roman Catholic and a Jesuit, xix 491 ; is a Roman
Catholic, but has not sought to introduce that faith into the colony,
xx 4; complaints made to, by slaves, xx 215; commands government
order to be published to masters and slaves, but afterwards reoalls it.
xx 409 ; further mention of, xvi 360 and 362, xvii 313
Treadmill : erection of, in tin < lapetown prison, xvi 299, xvii 81
Tredgold, J. H., apothecary : mention of, .rriii .'{'JO. xix 183
Trinidad : treatment of slaves in, XX 2
Tronk, the : wretched state of prisoners in, xvii 246 and 280
Trotter, John: is a member (if the committee tor the relief of distressed
settlers, xvi 264, 269, and 270
504 Index.
Truter, Sir John Andreas, Knight, LL.D., chief justice: is a member of the
committee for the relief of distressed settlers, xvi 264, 269, and 270 ;
administers oaths to Colonel Bird, xvi 301 ; takes the chair at the meeting
of wine growers and merchants, xvii 116; investigates and reports on
the charges brought by Mr. Cooke against Mr. Blair, xvii 138, 139, 140,
214, and 232 ; commits Mr. Edwards to prison, xvii 145 ; urges his
prosecution upon the governor, xvii 350 ; proceedings held before, in the
case of William Edwards, xvii 424 et seq., xviii 99 ; approves of the
removal of Colonel Bird from office, xvii 470 ; opinion of, on the restriction
of the sale of patent medicines, xvii 475 ; grants of land made to, xviii
24 and 238, xix 101 ; nattering tribute of, to Sir Rufane Donkin, xviii
26 ; brings Mr. Edwards' letters before the court of justice, xviii 98 and
115; considers Mr. Liesching qualified to practice as a chemist and
druggist, xviii 121, 229, 299, and 315 ; joins the South African literary
society, but afterwards withdraws, though approving its objects, xviii
287, 289, 290, and 291 ; is not entitled to legislate for the medical pro-
fession, xviii 320 ; attends the synod of the Dutch Reformed churches
as political commissioner, xix 209, 212, 215, 216 to 222, and 494 ; is
appointed a member of the council, xx 7 ; is to consider and report upon
all new laws proposed, xx 13 ; decides the case of his son, xx 83 ; legal
opinion of, concerning the law of libel, xx 139 ; opinion of, on Mr. Burnett's
case, xx 176 ; proceedings held before, in the trial of slaves and Hottentots
for murder, xx 188 ; cession of government slaves to, xx 352 ; statement
by, on the state of slaves in the colony, xx 385 and 407 ; further mention
of, xvi 395 and 447, xvii 171, 188, 305, 322, 324, and 325, xviii 80, 114,
and 228, xix 446, xx 161 and 410
Truter, Johannes Andries, advocate, son of the chief justice : acts as counsel
for his brother, xx 83
Truter, Olof Johannes, son of the chief justice : refuses to pay or return
draft to Mr. Theron, xx 82 ; appeals to the court of justice, xx 83
Truter, Petrus Johannes, senior, political commissioner for church affairs
long services of, retirement of, with a pension is solicited, xix 397
attends the synod of the Dutch Reformed churches in November 1824
subsequent illness of, xix 494 ; on the 31st January 1825 dies, xx 32
Truter, Petrus Johannes, junior : is secretary to the burgher senate, xvi 195
and 198 ; is a member of the court of justice, xvi 395 ; assists in the
search for defamatory papers against the governor, xviii 82 and 99
Tslambie : see Ndlambe
Tulbagh : removal of the drostdy from, to Worcester, objections to, xvi 226,
253, 256, 257, and 425, xvii 315, 318, 320, and 351 to 356, xviii 51 ;
drostdy house and other public buildings erected at, xvi 227, xvii 317, 329,
and 335 ; good wheat is grown at, xvi 228 ; sale of land and buildings at,
and depreciation of property, xvi 230, xvii 333, 336, and 339, xx 126 ;
lists of inhabitants of, xvi 255, 257, and 259 ; unsuitability of, for a
drostdy ; special heemraad is appointed for, xvi 260 ; damage done at,
by storms in 1822, xvii 313, 314, and 339, xviii 59 and 60 ; Captain
Trappes is appointed landdrost of, xvii 316, xviii 29 ; drostdy house at,
is visited by the commissioner ; description of, xvii 327 ; return of erven
Index. 505
and population at, in May 1824, xvii 334 ; list of officers in, with dates
of appointment and salaries, xix 69 ; repair of public buildings at, xx 67
Tulleken, T., land surveyor : error made by, in pointing out boundary to
Mr. Parker, xvi 4 ; further mention of, xvi 148 and 315, xix 134, xx 70
and 71
Tullock, John, A. M., professor of mathematics at King's College : xvi 449
Turvey, Edward, settler : nothing is done by, xvi 40 ; is referred to the
landdrost, xvi 424 ; party of, is broken up, xvi 477 ; location of, is given
to another, xvii 83
Twycross, Stephen : letter is written to, by Mr. Edwards, xviii 69 ; is a
member of the committee of the commercial exchange, xviii 497
Ubsdale, George, settler : grant recommended to. xvi 476
Uitenhage, district of: granting of lands in, and question of cultivation of,
by free or slave labour, xvi 326, xix 135, 161, and 166 ; list of officers in,
with dates of appointment and salaries, xix 67
Umlawu, elder brother (error, really father) of Gaika : death of, xix 364
Underwood, Captain : xvii 505
Uniform : to be worn by governors and superior officers, xix 153
Union Society : see Bible
Usher, Mrs. : libel concerning, xviii 84 and 110
Usher, Mr. : xviii 87
Vaccine Institution : list of officex^s of, with dates of appointment and 6alaries,
xix 56 ; hire of office for, xix 330
Valentyn, Hottentot : trial of, for joining in the conspiracy of slaves to
murder their masters, xx 188 et seq. ; charges made against, xx, 204 ;
examination and statement of, xx 246 to 248 ; pleads coercion, xx 248 ;
sentence passed upon, xx 340 ; further mention of, xx 326, 330, and 336
Van Diemen's Land : a passage to, and grant of land in, is desired by Mr.
Philipps and other settlers at the Cape, xvi 129 and 289, xvii 308 ; request
for removal to, cannot be granted, xvi 261
Vanderkemp, Reverend Doctor T. F. : work of, among the Hottentots ;
establishes the missionary institution at Bethelsdorp, xvi 215, xviii 498,
xix 286 ; death of, in 1811, xvi 215, xix 286
Venables, W. F. : attack upon, in his own house, by Mr. Edwards, xvii 114,
116, and 403
Vendue Department: list of officers of, with dates of appointment and
salaries, xix 51
Vendue rolls : discount of, by the bank, xix 413
Vendues, commissary of: office is required lor, xviii 272
Verlee, Johannes Marthinus, schoolmaster: is shot by slaves and killed,
xx 197, 202, 203, 207, 219, 228, 231, 237, 240. 241, 244. 289, and 291 ;
inquest is held upon, XX 306
Vessels : registering of, xvii 452
Vestry: powers and duties (if, in a Dutch Reformed congregation, xix 191,
195, 197, 201 to 206, 2Ki, 219, 230, and 234
Veyll, Mr. : sale of a horse to, by Lord Charles Somerset, xvii 606
506 Index.
Vice, James : land granted to, xvii 84
Vice, Robert : land granted to, xvii 84
Vigo, His Majesty's ship : Mr. Nourse embarks on, in 1820, xvii 29
Villnagel, F. C, apothecary : xvii 241 2
Vine, the : culture of, at the Cape, xvii 129 and 130, xx 95 and 116
Vlak, Hottentot : trial of, for joining in the conspiracy of slaves to murder
their masters, xx 188 et seq. ; charges made against, xx 204 ; examination
and statement of, xx 248 ; pleads coercion, xx 248 ; sentence passed upon,
xx 340 ; further mention of, xx 326, 330, and 336
Voet : citations from, xvii 435 and 440
Volunteer Corps : proposal to enrol settlers in, xvi 353
Vos, Reverend Mr. : resides at Tulbagh, xvii 318 ; is visited by the com-
missioner, xvii 333 ; damage done to house of, by storms, xvii 339
de Waal, Mr. : money lent by, for erecting public buildings at Tulbagh,
xvii 337
Wages: high rate of, in the colony, xvi 6, 50, 74, 137, and 306, xvii 222, 309,
and 343, xviii 35, 36, 43, 48, 195, 220, 222, 256, 261, 301, and 310, xix 6,
9, 294, and 296, xx 53, 357, 358, and 401 ; minimum, of Mr. Ingram's
articled servants, xvi~ 204 ; earned by Hottentots and slaves, xvi 217, xx
358 ; of negro apprentices, xvii 167 ; in the south of Ireland, xviii 227 ;
proposed, for boy and girl apprentices, xx 59
Waggons : difficulties of, in traversing mountain passes, xix 242, 244, and
245 ; for the conveyance of mail, xix 357
Waggon-hire : is charged to Mr^ Willson, though remitted to other settlers,
xix 326
Wainwright, Jonathan, settler : industry of, xvi 40 ; location is confirmed to,
xvi 424 and 441
Wait, William, settler: additional land is requested by and granted to, xvi
32, 179, and 424, xvii 83 ; little cultivation is done by, xvi 40 and 477 ;
complains respecting his location, of delay and loss, xvii 172 to 174,
and 176 ; money advanced to, xviii 235 ; testifies to the kindness of Mr.
Rivers, xviii 389
Wakefield, the : conveys Mr. Willson to Capetown, xvi 366
Walker, J., settler : money advanced to, by the government, xvii 88, xviii 235
van der Walt, Mr. : xix 484
Walters, Mr., settler : belongs to Mr. Parker's party, xix 27
Ward, Mr. : xvii 61
Warrants : —
31 December 1823. For His Majesty's pardon, granted to the slave Rosalyn,
xvi 481
10 March 1824. Issued by Lord Charles Somerset, appointing a committee
to investigate the charges brought by Mr. Cooke against Mr. Blair,
xvii 138
8 May 1824. Issued by Lord Charles Somerset, for the suppression of the
South African Commercial Advertiser, xvii 300 and 305
Warrants : issue of, by governors, to committees of inquiry, xvii 232 ; execu-
tion of, xvii 305 ; mode of payment of, xx 3*46
Index. 507
Watchmen : appointment of, by commissaries of the court of justice, xvi 236 ;
by burgher senators, xvi 243 and 247
Water : scarcity of, in the Zuurveld, xvi 54 and 55 ; is cut off from the
location of Mr. Francis, xvi 156 ; taxes levied for the leading of, upon
houses, stores, and cellars, xvi 198 ; supply of, for the navy, at Simons-
town, xvii 106 ; use of, in Grahamstown, regulations for, xvii 292 ; want
of, in Albany, xvii 298, xix 91 ; supply of, in the Kleine valley, xix 28
and 33 ; on the allotment of Mr. Shaw, xix 319 and 320 ; is plentiful in
the George district, xix 351 ; for washing wool, xix 353
Water communication : difficulties of, in the colony, xix 246 and 255
Wathall, Mr., undersheriff of Grahamstown : has charge of the Scutt Kraal,
xvii 60 ; alleged bad character of, xvii 68, 290, and 499 ; abuses per-
mitted by, in the prison, xvii 254 ; trial of, for using insulting language
to Mr. Geary, xvii 255 ; acquittal of, xvii 257 ; is appointed first messenger
in the landdrost's office, xvii 258
Watney, John Pigott, settler : gives prolonged shelter to Mr. Parker, xx 62 ;
is at last compelled to eject him, xx 63
Weeks, James, settler : returns to Mr. Osier's location, xvi 39 ; grant recom-
mended to, xvi 476
Wehr, Doctor T. H. F. C. L. ; inquest held, and report given by, xri 381 ; is
allowed to prolong his stay in Europe, xix 469
Weights and Measures : in use at the Cape, sets of, are transmitted to England,
xvi 417
Wells, Sergeant W. O., of the 49th regiment : acts as market -master, xx 182
Wentworth, William, settler : land to be granted to, xvi 477, xvii 3 ; solicits
a loan for the purchase of stock, xix 14
Wentzel, W. A. : xix 103
Wesleyan Missionary Society : work of, in South Africa, xix 457
Wesleyville, missionary institution : progress of, xix 457
West India Islands : instructions to the governors of, xvi 44.~>
de Wet, F. W., clerk in the fiscal's department : xvii 162
de Wet, Henricus, advocate: is appointed to plead Mr. Theron's case, but
neglects it, xx 88 and 89
Whale and Seal Fisheries : proposed development of, xx 95
Wharf : in Table Bay, repair of, xvi 66 ; at Simonstown. extension of is
necessary, xvi 111, 291, 297, and 313, xvii 105 to 107 ; cost of extension
of, cannot be borne by the naval department, .rrii 242
Wharf Department : list of officers of, with dates of appointment and salaries,
xix 51
Wharfmaster : appointment of, at Simonstown. xvii 233, xviii 191
Wheat : price of, xvi 431, xviii 205, xix 409 and 442 ; tender of, to Somerset
farm, by Mr. Pringle, xvii 87, 90, and 91 ; cultivation of. in the Kleine
valley, xviii 203
Whiskin, John: appeal of, before His .Majesty in Council, xvi LIS
Whiston, J. H. : is cited as a w itness by the fiscal, xvii 207 i signs the memorial
for a free press, xviii 68 ; is a friend of Mr. Edwards, and visits liim m
prison, xviii 91 and 1 12
Whitaker, Doctor: xvi 9
508 Index.
White, General : recommends the case of Mr. Hart, xvii 473
White, Richard, settler : land to be granted to, xvi 4*11, xvii 3 ; complains
that he is not allowed to remove, xvii 141 and 174
White, Lieutenant T. C, settler : statement of grievances of, xvi 428 ; removes
from his first location at Zonder End to the Zuurveld, xvi 429, xix 112,
309, and 310 ; engages in a military survey, xvi 430 ; receives a promise
of extension of grant from Sir Rufane Donkin, but cannot obtain it from
Lord Charles Somerset, xvi 433, 456, and 457 ; appeals to the commis-
sioners of enquiry, and finally returns to England, xvii 5 and 15, xviii
61, xix 137
Whiteford, Mr., aide de camp and private secretary to the governor; com-
plaints against, by Mr. Edwards, xvii 269 and 392 ; is cited by him as a
witness, xvii 376 and 389 ; is present at the inquiry concerning Mr.
D'Escury's charge against the governor, xviii 444
Whitham, Mr. : mention of, xviii 91 and 112
Whitshed, Mr. : is appointed agent of the East India Company at the Cape,
xvi 201
Whittle, T. : land solicited by, xix 116
Widows : of Dutch Reformed ministers, fund for, xix 212 and 501 ; govern-
ment pension for, xix 229
Wiggle, Mr., settler : distress and relief of, xviii 380
Wilkinson, George, settler : death of, xvi 476
Williams, Lieutenant : is agent on La Belle Alliance, xvi 347
Williams, Mr., missionary : death of, xix 364 and 471
Williamson, Thomas : is a member of the committee for erecting a church at
Port Elizabeth, xvii 360 and 361
Willis, Mr. : clerk to Mr. Rivers, xviii 317
Willshire, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas : policy of, subdues the Kaffirs, xvii
153, xix 313 ; supersession of, xviii 302 and 306 ; further mention of,
xviii 125
Willshire Barracks : traffic with Kaffirs at, xviii 179
Willson, Mrs. : illness of, xvi 344 and 375 ; consideration is solicited for, xvi
350 ; may remain in Capetown, xvi 352 ; is taken to Simon's Bay and
detained on board, xvi 354 ; begs for an order to return to England, xvi
361 ; family connections of, xvi 377
Willson, Thomas : claims of, to the return of money deposited and papers,
and to title deeds of land in Albany, xvi 8, 9, 22, 23, 45, 345, 352, and
353, xvii 213 and 246, xviii 497, xix 25, 86, and 122, xx 121, 368, and
398 ; disputes and difficulties of with his party ; abandons them on
arrival, leaving them in charge of Mr. Boardman, xvi 10, 40, 334, 336,
337, 338, 339, 355, 359, 361, 362, 373, 409, and 422, xvii 214, xix 24, 77,
121, 123, and 124 ; land and documents are granted to, but money
refused, xvi 16 ; pleads his public services at Algoa Bay, and requests
payment, xvi 23, 24, and 366 ; claims of, are unfounded, xvi 333, xix 80,
117, and 126, xx 40 ; account of, with the commissariat department, xvi
335 ; requests a freehold grant of 1000 acres in Albany, xvi 339 and 369 ;
is censured by the governor, xvi 340 ; defends his conduct, xvi 341 et seq. ;
is disappointed at the position of his location, xvi 348 ; requests a com-
Index. r>00
mission of the peace, or other office, xvi 347 and 350 ; on his arrival in
Capetown in 1821 desires to land his goods without wharfage dues, xvi
365 ; requests the return of his winnowing machine, xvi 368 ; requests
an appointment as wharf master, xvi 374 ; desires a passage home for his
family, xvi 374 to 377 ; solicits a grant of land in the Ionian islands, with
appointment as consul, xvii 247 ; is accused of defrauding his party,
xix 23, 26, and 122 ; treatment of Mr. Boardman by, xix 82, xx 41 and
122 ; is arrested in England by returned settlers ; sufferings of, xix 163,
256, and 325 to 327 ; requests the services of the Solicitor General for
his defence, xix 178 ; has submitted his accounts to the landdrost, xix
255 ; urges his claim to compensation, xx 42
Wilmot, Benjamin : solicits compensation for the loss of his oxen from the
Scutt Kraal, xvii 59 and 273 ; difficulties of, in obtaining a hearing for
his case, xvii 62 to 65, and 274 ; memorial of, to the circuit court, xvii 64 ;
desires to return to England, xvii 65 and 275 ; is recommended for com-
pensation by the landdrost of Albany, xvii 274 and 278 ; complaint of,
regarding rations, xvii 279 ; signs the memorial for a free press, xviii
58 ; is suspected of having posted the libellous placard against the
governor, xviii 66, 67, 93, 95, and 117 ; denies the charge, xviii 96 ;
dealings of, with Messrs. Scott, Holder, and Edwards, x%iii 96 and 97 ;
dwelling of, is searched for defamatory papers, xviii 99 and 100 ; visits
Mr. Edwards in prison, xviii 113; is committed to prison, xviii 114;
complains of illegal confinement, and asks for papers and a public trial,
xviii 116 ; is released from his detention, xviii 118 ; charges Daniel Lee
with perjury, xviii 119; is not cleared of suspicion, xviii 120; joins
Mr. Willsons party, xix 89 ; cannot obtain tools or return of deposit ;
unsuitable location, losses and grievances of, xix 90 to 92
Wilmot, James, brother of Benjamin Wilmot: is recommended for com-
pensation for the loss of cattle, xvii 278 ; complaint of, regarding rations,
xvii 279 ; losses and grievances of, xix 89 to 92
Wilmott, Mr. : xvi 343
Wilson, John : settler, grant recommended to, xvi 476
Wilton, H. W. : proposes to form a South African Company for agricultural
and commercial purposes, xix 284, xx 95 to 98 ; requests another interview
with the secretary of state, xx 131 ; solicits a grant of land in the frontier
districts for the company, xx 347
Windmills : farming of, xvi 236, 243, and 247
Wine, Cape: additional duties on, are deprecated, xvii 116, 128, 131, and
133 ; manufacture of, and capital embarked in, xvii 129, l.'>i>. and III.
xx 120; suggested improvements in, xvii 487, xix •*)•"> 1 ami .'5.")."), xx 1 1<» :
carriage of, from the interior to Capetown, xix 265 : annual prioes of,
from 1813 to 1824, xix 388 ; protection needed by ; further reduotioa of
duty on, is requested, xx 114, 116 to 121, 357, .*$7l». 380, and 381 ; export
of, is a chief source of prosperity, xx 38 1
Wine, Constantia : distribution of, to officers, xx 362 ; transport of, to
England, xx 363
Wine, foreign : trade in, is less advantageous to Britain than in Cape produce,
xvii 131 and 132 ; reduction of duty on. XX III. 1 L6, and 381
510 Index.
Wine Growers and Merchants : meeting held by, to protest against additional
duties on Cape wines, xvii 116 ; memorial from, xvii 128 ; small profits
of, xvii 226
Wine Taster : appointment of,, xvii 129
Wine Taster's Office : list of officers of, with dates of appointment and
salaries, xix 55
Winnowing machine : belonging to Mr. Willson, apprehended loss of, xvi
368 and 371
Winterbach, Jan Carel : xx 126
Witzenberg Pass : making of, xvii 336
Wium, W., heemraad of Stellenbosch : xvii 101
Wolvegat farm : purchase of, by Mr. Buissinne, xviii 53 ; payment is requested
for, xviii 54 and 55 ; location of settlers on, xix 111 ; is to be paid for
by them in instalments, xix 112 ; purchase of, by government, xix 308
and 363, xx 39 ; disposal of, is recommended, xx 39
Wood : growth of, for fuel, xvi 237
Woodcock, Robert, settler : obtains possession of Mr. Parker's house and
land in Kleine Valley, xvi 99 ; dispute of, with Mr. Parker, xviii 20, 206,
and 276, xix 133 ; gives an account of the settlement of Mr. Parker's
party, xix 27 ; declines to go to Albany, also unsuitable grant in the
Kleine valley, xix 30, 132, and 134 ; has obtained no redress in four
years ; losses and sufferings of, xix 31
Woods and Forests : ranger is appointed for, in Graaff Reinet, xix 478
Wool : cultivation of, xix 353
Worcester: removal of the drostdy from Tulbagh to, objections to, xvi 226,
254, 256, 257, and 425, xvii 315, 338, and 351 to 356 ; is inaccessible in
winter from rivers, xvi 228 ; first commission of circuit sits at, in 1822 ;
small population at, xvi 229 and 230 ; expeditions from, against Bosjes-
men, xvi 484, xix 19 ; list of officers in, with dates of appointment and
salaries, xix 68 ; erection of public buildings at, xix 239, xx 15 and 66 ;
post carrier is appointed for, xix 262 ; public executioner is appointed
for, xix 270 ; particulars concerning the establishment of the sub-drostdy
at, xx 68 to 72 ; tax upon slaves in, xx 136 and 370 ; return of erven in,
on which dwellings have been built, xx 397
Wrankmore, Miss : slaves sold to, xvi 396
Wright, Reverend William : is a member of the committee for the relief of
distressed settlers, xvi 264, 269, and 270 ; speech of, thanking the friends
of the society in India, xvi 281
Yan, a Chinaman : evidence of, xvi 19
Yonge, Sir George, governor of the Cape Colony : proclamation of, concerning
unauthorised societies and meetings, xvi 439, xviii 286, 287, 290, and 296
Younker Band, corporal of the Cape Infantry : captures a Hottentot and
articles used in illicit traffic with Kaffirs, xx 90 to 94
Zastron, C. M., clerk in the colonial secretary's office : xvi 468
Ziervogel, C. E., first messenger of the court of justice : certificate from,
xvii 416
Indi x. 5 1 1
Zonder End River : inadequacy of land on, to maintain settlers ; Lieutenant
White removes from, to the Zuurveld, xvi 429, xix 112 and 309 ; attempt
to form settlement on, and location of parties, xviii 129, xix 112, 257,
309, and 363 ; land on, is abandoned by Lieutenant Griffith, xix 2.~>7
and 309 ; capabilities of land on, xix 308
Zuurveld, the : Mr. Parker declines to proceed to, xvi 5 and 403 ; account of,
by Mr. Francis ; climate and soil of, xvi 54 to 60 ; is unsuitable for an
agricultural settlement, xvi 55, 56, 60, and 431 ; removal of Mr. Francis
to, xvi 149, xvii 468 ; failure of settlements in, xvi 403 and 404, xvii 222,
xviii 47 ; removal of Lieutenant White to, xvi 429 ; description of, from
the South African Journal, xvii 117 to 122; reduced population in;
plan for the re-settlement of, xix 139 ; slave labour is prohibited on
grants made in, xix 165; projected occupation of, by English settlers,
xix 357 ; expulsion of Kaffirs from, in 1812, xix 361
Zwellengrebel, Governor : publication of, respecting militia at the Cape,
xvi 439
LONDON :
PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,
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