^■, ■^wF II^.'lvrp^/^ •^^ V A\\EUNIVER5"/^ '^/ ^ o % ^5.\\EUNIVER% ^ x^ ^ O' \x» =0 C «r ^<:/A«vaaii-# '^6>AbVdaiiaS^ %iionv$o)-^^ ■%Ji3Ai[!inavVv .•\n^Avr,Fi;"r. >- \ ^. ,\^~ ^^ -^WF I'VIVFR^ to DC > p. ^.\ % -•> A ^ .*^:" i.iiMrric. ,. ^ "'«!%, ,-i% /> ^"^ o c? — r ft ' 0^ ^LIBs Itol /A vjclOSANCEtfju OS u-i > \f: iRARYo^^ #UBRARY^X^ ,^\\E•UNlVER5•/^ v^lOSANCEl% ^ «T5 ^ SOUTH AFEICA, A SHOET HISTORY OF THE EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS AT THE CAPE. JOHN NOBLE, Ckrii of t^c Ijousb of ^ssimbln of llje €apc Colong. " Land of Good Hopo ! thy Future lies Bright 'fore my vision as thy skies." — Thoiisoit. London : longmans & co. Cape Town, South Africa : J. C. JUTA. 1877. [Bight of Eep'oduction and Translation Eeservcd.'] 11 G(^s To THE Memory of my Broth ei;, EODEKICK XOBLE, This Y o l u >r f is Dedicated. 'pcun iljm tceicgcn iic gcivaltigcn Stuntcn Jli'c^ fufjt icl;'S \vo\]i, taa-i id) in il^m ixrtor." SCHILLEE. ' For the strong hours conquer, Yet still feel I deep what I have lost in him." PEEFACE. Colonial History is apt to be regarded as uneventful. It is usually little more than a plain story of the progress of a new country, from the time of the arrival of the first handful of colonists, who set to work to subdue the earth and multiply and replenish it, until they finally succeed in reproducing around them the social aspects and the institu- tions of the old land whence they came. To this ordinary rule these annals of South Africa may claim to be an exception. Upwards of two centuries of European occupation of the country not only afford mate- rials for a record of colonial progress and prosperity and political development, but also fiu-nish a number of episodes and incidents as diversified and remarkable, it will be seen, as any chronicled in the world's history. VI. PEEFACE Tlip condition of the Cape Settlement in its early stage, when it ^^■a.s simply a Factory of the Dutch East India Company, has alx-eacly been described with a masterly hand by the late Judge Watermeyer. I have contented myself with briefly sketching the main features of that period, and introducing some information respecting the Huguenot emigration, which I originally communicated to the Cape MontJihj Magazine, in 1800. My principal aim in this volume has been to give a continuous narrative of the progress of Em-opean colonization from the close of the past century down to the present time. In attempting to do so, I have endeavoured to avoid anything like a dry chronological detail of events, and have sought to present, in a connected view, all that is most noticeable in the Political History of the Colonies and States of South Africa. These Colonies and States are now approaching a ne\^' and important epoch. The policy of Confederation, or Union of the European communities, recommended by Earl Carnarvon, is at present receiving the earnest attention of both the Imperial and Colonial Legislatures ; and a dis- tinguished officer of the Crown (Sir Eartle Erere, K.C.B., KC.S.I.) has been appointed to the administration of aftairs at the Cape, with tlie declared object of co-operating with PREFACE VU. our foremost colonial statesmen, in removing, if possible, any- local impediments standing in the way of its successfiil accomplishment. I am hopeful that to those who are so engaged iu considering the difficulties and solving the problems con- nected Mith the future government of the country, this resume of the conditions of South Africa, Past and Present, may opportunely be of service ; while to the rising gene- ration of colonists it will supply the long-felt want of a succinct, yet tolerably full and reliable outline of the changes, political, social, and commercial, which have taken place in " the land we live in." J. N. MONTEOSE GrAEDENS, Cape Towk, March, 1877. Since writing the above, the important intelligence has reached England that the Transvaal Eepublic has, on the 12th of April, submitted to British authority, and that the Imperial flag now floats over Pretoria and the gold diggings of Lydenburg, and (may we hope) assuring peace and good- will towards men, to aU the regions south of the Zambezi. London, May, 1877. ERRATA. Page 9, line 2, for " Charl " read Charles. Page 31, line 23, for " Dooru" read Doom. Page 32, line 13, for "Dooru" read Doom. Page 54, line 24, for " Ranstonc " read Eawstornc. Page 69, Dr. Stewart, C.M.R., killed in Booma Pass , Capt. (now Lieut.-Genl.) Bisset, severely wounded. Page 135, line 18, for "Sales" read De Salis. Page 135, add to the officers wounded, Lieut. Palacios, and Lieut Mill, C.M.R. ADDITIONAL ERRATA. Page 4, line 5, insert '■ King Joas II." before the word "changed." Page 134, line 28, for " doeu " read doen. Page 137, line 21, for " Majaliesbci'g " read Magalicsberg. Pago 139, line 28, for " pastures " read partners. Pago 141, line 24, for "councils" read counsels. Page 142, line 9, for " Wajor " read Major. Page 142, line 15, for "Baralongs" Bavolongs, wherever it occurs. Page 163, line 10, for " legally" vcuA formally. Page 167, line 19, for "occupied" read unoccupied. Page 168, line 7, for " Barkley" read Barkly. Page 170, line 12, for "Owen" read Oswell. Page 176, line 26, for " legislative " read legislature. Page 180, lino 12, for " on" read after. Page 182, line 4, for "of their" read to their. Pago 191, line 2, for " Ordinance " read Ordnance. Page 191, line 25, for "their" read there. Pago 245, line 25, for " Colone" read Colonel. Page 293, line 8, for " follows " read followers. CONTENTS. Chapter I. Discovery of the Cape of Good Hope by the Portuguese — Formal possession assumed by an English Fleet — The Dutch East India Company — Settlement for the Refreshment of their Ships — Van Riebeek's arrival — Monopoly of Trade — Purchase of land from the Aborigines — Embryo Colony in\Van der Stell's time — Anti-industrial Pohcy — French Huguenot Refugees — Political troubles — Dispersion of the Settlers — Trekking — Extension of the Colony— Border difficulties — Commando system — Demand for Free-trade —Arrival of English Fleet in 1795— Close of the Dutch East India Company's rule . . . . . . 3-20 Chapter II. The Colony temporarily occupied by England — Restored to the Dutch by Peace of Amiens — Improved Administration under Governor Janssens and Commissary-General De JMist — Renewal of War in Europe — Re-capture of the Cape by English forces — Capitulation and close of the Dutch Batavian Government — Condition of the Country — Expulsion of Kafirs beyond the Fish River — Colonel Graham's Campaign— Massacre of Landdrost Stocken- strom— The ''Slaghtcr's Nek" Rebellion — The Settlement of Albany — Arrival of British Emigrants . . . . 21-37 X. CONTENTS Chapter III. Political condition of the colony in 1820 — Absolute Power of the Governor — Censorship over the Press — Appeal to England and Liberty of the Press secured — The Complaints of the Albany Settlers — Public Meetings Prohibited — Pass Law — Imperial Commission of Enquiry — Ameliorative Mea- sures — Civil and Judicial Reforms — Use of the English Language — Appointment of a Commissioner-General on the Frontier — The Reprisal system — Retrospect of rela- tions with the >'ative Tribes— The Kafir War of 1834 . . 38-54 Chapter IV. House of Commons' Committee on the State of the Aborigines — Lord Glenelg's Policy — Appointment of Mr. Stockenstrom as Lieut. -Governor — Dismissal of Governor Sir B. Durban — The Stockenstrom Treaties — Sir George Napier's and Sir Peregrine Maitland's Alterations — The War of 1846 — Character of Kafir Warfare— Sir H. Pottinger and Sir IL Smilli— The War and Rebellion of 1851-2-3— Sir G. Cathcart — Peace secured — Sir George Grey and his Policy for the Civilization of the Native Tribes. . . . . 55-72 Chapter V. The Voor-treklvers — Condition of the Native Tribes in the Literior — Migrating Colonists — the Great Exodus — Causes of Discontent — The Leaders — Adventures — Contests with Moselekatze — Arrival in Natal — Cliaka and the Zulus — Massacre of the Boers by Dingaan — E.xploits of Maritz, Uys, and Pretorius — Independence claimed — British Sovereignty asserted in Natal — Collision between the Boers and English Troops — Endurance of the Besieged Camp — Tiieir Relief — Dispersion and Submission of the Insurgents — Clemency extended to them— Policy adopted by the English Government — Conditions accepted by the Emigrants — rroclamation of Natal as a British Colony . 73-103 CONTENTS xi. Chapter VI. Pioneers of the Transvaal — Trie-hard and Potgieter — Dispersion of the Emigrants — Disorders in the Orange River Territory — Proclamation hy Judge ilenzies — Governor Napier's Treaties — Hostilities between the Boers and Griquas — The Dragoon Guards at Zwart Koppies — Governor ]\Iaitland's Treaties — Appointment of a British Eesidcnt — Natal AiFairs — New Government — Influx of Zulu Refugees — Apprehended danger from Native loca- tions — Pretorius' Mission to the Cape Colony — His reception by Sir H. Pottinger — Sir Harry Smith's friendly policy — Interview with the Trek Boers — Proclamation of British Sovereignty over the Orange River — Pretorius' Rebellion — Battle of Boomplaats — Resumption of Sovereignty .. .. .. 104-137 Chapter VII. The Sovereignty — Moshesh and the Basutos — Cannibalism — Native Disputes — The Brltisli Resident's Interference — The Engagement at Vier Voct — Refusal of the Boers to pei'form Militar}' c^utj — Distracted Condition of the Country — Earl Grej^'s decision to abandon it — Reversal of former Policy — Removal of Major Warden and Recall of Sir Harry Smitli — Assistant-Commissioners Ilogge and Owen — Policy of Non-interference and Non- encroachment — Convention with the Transvaal Emigrant Farmers — ^loshesh and Sir George Cathcart — The Battle of the Berea — Abandonment of the Sovereignty — Sir George Clerk's ^Mission — Convention with the Free State — The Exodus of the Griquas — Basuto ATars — Assumption of the Basutos as British Subjects — Policy towards the Republics — The Diamond Fields — The Transvaal — Opening up of the Interior — Impotence of Authority on part of Transvaal authorities — Tragedies of Potgieter's Rust, and Makapans Caves — Declaration of Boundaries of Republic — Treaty v.-ith Portuguese — Disputes with Zulu tribes — Character of population of Transvaal undergoing a change — Election of Rev. T. F. Burgers as President . . . . . . . . Io8-170i" XU. CONTE^"TS Chapter VIII. Sir G.Xapicr's support of the first Petition for a Rcprc.«cnt:itive Assembly — Gradual Changes in the form of Government — Character of the Population — Obstacles to be encoun- tcreil — The Reformers of 1842 — Earl Grey's Policy of Self-Govcrnnicnt for the Colony — Sir Ilarrj' Smith's instructions — Mr. Porter's draft Constitution — Joint Kocommendations of the Governor, the Executive and the Judges — The Anti-Convict agitation — The Cape a Penal station — Resistance of the Colonists — The Anti- coTivict Association — The " Pledge," and its operation — The Neptune detained in Simon's Bay — Earl Grey's concession and apology — The Penal Order in Council revoked, and the Convicts sent to Van Diemcn's Land — The result of the contest .. .. .. .. 17-±-l!J8 Chapter IX. RenoTTcd desire for Self-Government — Constitution framed by Committee of the Privy Council — Election of Members to the old Legislative Council — Collision between the Elected Members and the Officials — Appeal to England — Debates in the Imperial Parliament — Distracted State of the Colony in 1851-2. — ProiJOsals for Federation and Separation — Conservative ojtposition to tlie Constilution Ordinances— Discussions on the Parliamentary Franchise — Arrival of Governor Sir G. Cathcart and Lieutenant- Govcnior Darling — Illness and Death of Mr, Montagu — Changes of ^Ministry in England — Revision of the Ordi- nances — The Constitution ratified by Orders in Council — Dissolution of the old Legislature— ^Meeting of the First Parliament .. .. .. .. ., 199-21(5 CONTENTS Xm. Chapter X. Sir George Grey's Plans for the moral subjugation of the Kafir TriLes — Defence of the Frontier — Unexpected Events : — the Cattle Killing Uclusion— Destitution and Famine in Kafirland — Seizure of tlie Chief ^lacomo — Expedition against Kreli — -The work of tlic First Parliament — The Free State Proposal for Alliance, and Sir George Grey's scheme of Federal Union — His Recall and Ke-appoint- ment — Prince Alfred's visit — Sir George Grey's appoint- ment to New Zealand — The general tendency of his Policy in South Africa . . . . . . . . 217-243 Chaptkr XI. Sir P. E.Wodehouse — Withdrawal of Imperial Funds— Letters Patent constituting Kaffraria a separate government — Plan for the Settlement of Europeans in the Transkei abandoned — Concessions to Kreli — Transfer of Natives from the Colony to the Transkei — Relations between the Governor and Parliament — Finance — Responsible G ovcrnment — Separation-Remedial ^Measures -Alternate Parliaments — The Session at Graliam's Town — Imperial Act for the Annexation of British Kaffraria — Collisions between the Governor and the Legislature — The Final Struggle — Appeal to the country — Proposals to Abrogate Parliament rejected — Sir Henry Barkly appointed Go- vcrnor — Equality of Representation — Federation — Responsible Government introduced . . . . 244-283 XIV. CONTENTS Chapter XII. Natal : After its Occupation by Great Britain — Tlio Byrne Emigration Scheme — Sir George Grey's visit — Kepresen- tative Government — The Charter and the Franchise — Commercial crisis — Supplementary Charter — Langaliba- Icle's disturbances — Sir Garnet AVolsoW's Mission — Amendment of the Constitution. — Guiquai.axd AVest : Proclamation of Sovereignty — The Diamond Mines^- Eiots and Lynch-law — Constitution grantetl — Mr. Southcy Lieut.-Governor — Causes of Discontent — Armed Bands — Arrival of Troops — Purchase of the ilinc — Retrenchment — The Land Question — Settlement of Disputes with the Orange Free State — Confederation : Earl Carnarvon's Proposals for Union . . . . 284-308 Conclusion. Past and Present — Population, Revenue, Trade, and Productions of the European Settlements — Tlie Cape Colony and its Annexed Provinces ; its Institutions and Financial Con- dition — Griqualand West — Xatal — The Orange Free Slate and its Government — The Transvaal and its Resources; Gold Fields; Political Constitution ; AdnK- nistration of President Burgers; "War and Financial Ditiiculties ; Union with the British Possessions — Native Races.. .. .. .. .. .. 300- uCG SOUTH AFRICA : HISTORY OF THE EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS The Dutch East India, Company' s Settlement. 1652 to 1795. Discovery of the Cape of Good Hope by the Portuguese — Formal possession assumed by an English Fleet — The Dutch East India Company — Settlement for the refreshment of their ships — Van Riebeek's arrival — Monopoly of trade — Purchase of land from the aborigines — Embryo colony in Van der Stell's time — Anti-industrial policy — French Huguenot refugees — Political troubles — Dispersion of the settlers — Trekking — Extension of the Colony — Border difficulties — Commando system — Demand for free trade — Arrival of English fleet in 1795 — Close of the Dutch East India Company's rule. ^ Although two himdred and twenty-five years have passed since *^ the date of the first European occupation of South Africa, it is only during the last sixty years that colonization has been fairly and freely encouraged in the country. I For nearly a century and a half, it was a mere mercantile settlement of the Dutch East India Company, who held a monopoly of trade and checked and prevented the formation of what is now understood as a " colony .^' It is necessary to bear this fact in mind when instituting com- parisons between the age and progress of the Cape of Good Hope, and the remarkable advancement of the Anglo-Saxon communities in America and Austraha. The latter, from the outset of their career, enjoyed the favourable auspices of political freedom and imfettered industrial enterprise ; y but the early settlers in South Africa found themselves trammelled and repressed by a Govern- 4 HISTOET ment which has been well described as — " in all things political, purely despotic, and in all things commercial, purely monopolist.". The Portuguese were the earliest discoverers of the Cape of Good Hope. Bartholomew Diaz first rounded it in 1486, and changed its name from the stormy one of " Cabo Tonnentoso " to the one it now bears. Vasco de Gama followed in 1497, pi'oceeding as far as Natal and Mozambique. Beyond resorting to the bays along the coast for shelter or refreshment, these voyagers did not make any use of the promontory they had found on this ocean-route to the east. English and Dutch navigators afterwards, on their way to India, visited Saldanha bay and Table bay, and the commanders of one Enghsh fleet (Shilliuge and Fitz-Herbert) landed and took formal possession of " the South African coast and continent " in the name of His Majesty James the First ; but no steps appear to have been taken by the English government to ratify this act. In 1602, a body of Dutch merchants who had successfully engaged in commerce with the East planned a privileged company, and obtained a charter from the States- General of the United Provinces, on the ground among other things of the national ad- vantages which would acci"ue therefrom. The charter delegated to the Company the general powers of government over the ports and other establishments beyond the Cape of Good Hope, " for the advancement of their exclusive rights of trade." Some years afterwards one of their richly-laden homeward bound ships, the Haarlem, was wrecked in Table Bay, where her treasures have been occasionally, even quite recently, recovered by divers. Her crew, on iJnding their way back to Holland, strongly recommended tlie advantages of establishing a rendezvous at the Cape for the refreshment of their fleets, and this idea was afterwards acted upon by the Company, who accordingly ordered possession to be taken of a spot suitable to their object. Jan iVnthony Van Hiebeek, a sm-geon in the employ of the Company, who had previously sailed with outward bound ships VAK HIEBEEK S AEEITAX 5 to India, was the officer chosen as first commander of this new settlement. He was duly commissioned by the Chamber of Seventeen, at Amsterdam, to occupj'- the " Cabo de Boa Esperanea," and to build a fort and lay out gardens in Table Valley. Accompanied by about a hundred souls, he arrived under the shade of Table mountain, on the 5th April, 1652. His followers were officers and servants of the company, a few of whom, after landing, were released from their engagements, and permitted to become "free burghers" or cultivators of the soil. The daily life they led, and the progress made, are minutely detailed in the quaint and interesting "journal" and "despatches" of Van Ptiebeek and his successors, which are still preserved in the archives of the colony. These shew that the settlement was simply regarded as a dependency of the Company, and its affairs administered with no other view than that of protecting and sxipporting the commercial interests of that body. The principal object was to supply its ships cheaply and plentifully — to get as much profit as possible out of the burghers and the natives on whom it was dependent for these supplies — and to prevent them engaging in exchange or barter with any other than the company's officers, — thus monopolising all trade for its own advantage. Van Riebeek was very zealous in carrying out the instractions and policy of his principals, and in his relations with the natives was tolerably just and friendly. The aboriginal tribes had long been in the habit of selling cattle to the shipping, and as it was serviceable for the Company, every endeavour was made to live at peace with them. To prevent any cavilling or discontent in consequence of the appropriation of land by the settlers, an agree- ment for the formal purchase of it was made in 1671, with the Hottentot Prince Manckhagon alias Shacher, "hereditary sovereign of the land of the Cabo de Bona Esperance," by which the district beginning from the Lion Hill and extending along the coast of Table Bay, with the Hout and Saldanha Bays 6 HISTOET inclusive, was made over to the Company. In 1672, a similar contract was made with " the minor Prince D'houw, hereditary sovereign of the country called Hottentots Holland," for the purchase of the land from the Cape district around its coast and Cape False and Bay False. In both instances the price paid was " four thousand reals of eight, in sundry goods and articles of merchandize," delivered to the satisfaction of the contracting natives, who appear to have lived on good terms with the Dutch until some years afterwards they were decimated by small-pox. Among the commanders who succeeded Van Riebeek, the most able and conspicuously -active in impro\ang the settlement was Simon Van der Stell. He was not satisfied with its remaining a mere provision-station for the Dutch ships calling at Table Bay, and suggested to the Company that something more should be made of the country, by growing corn, wine and other products which might yield rich returns. For this purpose he urged that the number of residents should be increased, as there was land of excellent character in abundance, but labourers were required to tiU it. The directors of the Company in Holland, thereupon determined to reinforce their garrison with a number of settlers of tlie agricultural class. Their policy, as set forth in one of their despatches, was prompted by the consideration that " he who would establish a new colony may be justly compared to a good gardener who expends a large sum upon a young orchard, with the prospect of liis labour and capital being repaid in due time." And had such a poUcy in its integrity been acted upon, the subsequent history of the country would have been very different. Although in these and other expressed aims and intentions of the Company, there was much that was good and beneficent ; yet practically, in all that affected the encouragement or even the toleration of trade and industry amongst its subjects, everything was held secondary to immediate profit. Previous to Van der Stell's time, the mode of settling the embryo colony had been by granting discharges to such of the THE IIEST COLONISTS EEMONSTEATE 7 •Company's soldiers or servants as were married, of good character and Protestants — giving them land for cultivation, assisting them with slave labour and binding them to a residence of ten, and (to induce their longer stay) their children to a residence of twenty years; — their faithful services after a while securing for them the rights of free burghership. These people, however, were bound to sell their produce only to the Company, and were denied the privilege of earning a penny by barter with the natives or foreigners. When after expending their labours oir the land, they found that a fair price for their goods was denied them, they addressed to the Company's representative a strong statement of their grievances, which was signed by tlie whole body of colonists, " none excepted " — as their descendants have frequently since, with equal boldness and unanimity, asserted their regard for their own liberties. This remonstrance, however, appeared to the directors " full of sedition and mutiny; " and the burghers were warned not to present such papers in future, or " severe measures would be provided against the same." As the Company and their local representatives exercised the power of pohtical deportation over any person they thought fit to designate " an useless subject," the colonists, at this early period, had no choice between implicit submission and escape from the colony by sea ; and for many years after, several of them, as well as of the garrison, escaped to Holland, by hiding themselves in the company's ships. Governor Van der Stell's suggestions for increasing the popu- lation of the settlement reached Holland at a most opportune period. Louis the Fourteenth had just proclaimed (in October, 1685), the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, which deprived the Protestants of their liberty and drove the best and bravest of his subjects out of France. From Piedmont and the Italian Alps, too, the hurricane of religious persecution had forced the Waldenses to seek elsewhere the freedom their own country denied them. To all of these, the Dutch Republic offered aiL 8 mSTOEY asylum — receiving the fugitives with great kindness, supplying their wants, subscribing to their necessities, and helping them to new homes in oUier parts of the world. The Chamber of Amsterdam and of Delft, in 1GS7, informed Van der Stell that in addition to other freemen a number of these French and Piedmontese refugees were willing to emigrate to the Cape for freedom of conscience. " Among them," says the despatch, " are persons who understand the culture of the vine, who will in time be able to benefit the Company and themselves. We consider that as these people know how to manage with very little, they will without difficulty be able to accommodate themselves to their work at the Cape, also especially as they feel themselves safe under a mild government and freed from the persecution which they suffered. It will be your duty, as they are destitute of everything, on their airival to furnish them with what they may require for their subsistence, until they are settled and can earn their own liveUhood. Fui'ther you will have to deal with them. as we have on former occasions directed you to do in regard to freemen of our nation." The terms upon which the refugees were offered an asylum by the Assembly of Seventeen, who represented the East India Company, were that they should take passage to the Cape single or with their family, and be obliged to continue there for full five years ; that they should settle and maintain themselves by cultiva- tion, tUlage, or handicrafts ; that to those applying themselves to farming should be given as much ground as they could bring under cultivation, and in case of requiring it should be furnished with all implements necessary, and even seed, upon condition that they should afterwards reimburse the Company for such advances in com, wine, or other goods. The records of the colony, still preserved in the public offices in Cape Town, contain a register of the names of some of the emigres who left Holland for South Africa at this time. It was notified by the Chamber of Delft, that by the Langewyk, on the FRENCH UEFUGEES i) 19tli December, 1687, the foUowing families took their departure — Charl Marais of Plessis, in France, with Catherine Taboureux, Ids wife and four children ; Phillipe Fouche, wife and three ■children; Jacques Pinard, Jean Leroux, Gideon Malherbe, Estienne Bruere, Paul Godefroy, Jean Paste, Marguerite Basche. By the ship China, in March, 1688, — Jean Mesnard and his wife, and her mother - in - law Maiie Anthonarde and six children; Jeanne Maithe Jourdan, widow, 60 years old and her cliildren ; Pierre Malan, Pierre Goivaud, and Francoise Rousse liis wife ; Jacques Verdeau, Pierre Grange, Andre Pelanchon, Jean Fiu'et, Anthoine Scaet, Mathieu Fraichasse. By the sliip Osterlandt, in Januaiy, 1688, — Jacques de Savoye, his Avife Maria MagdaJena Le Clercq of Toiirnay and children, and his mother-in-law, Anthoinette Carnoy, and Nortie and Vyton, sci-vants ; also Jean Prieur du Plessy of Poictiers, a surgeon by profession, and Magdalen Menants of Poictiers, his wife ; Izaac Talifer of Chateau Tirry and Brie, with wife and children ; Sara Avied, Jean Cloudon, Jean de Buysse, and Jean Paiiser, farmers. By the Wafer van Alkmald, in July, 1688, forty French refugees brought up to farming took passage but no list of names is annexed. In December, 1688, by the ship Sion, which arrived at the Cape in May, 1689, passage was given from Delft to the following French refugees, — Pierre de Villiers, Abraham de Villiers, and Jacob de Vilhers, all three brothers born in the neighbourhood of La Kochelle, These appear to have been the last body of the refugees sent. Some of the subsequent despatches make enquiry respecting the manner in which they were located, but there is no fui'ther mention of any additional emigration.-- In January, 1689, * Genealogical records preserved by several of the Colonial families, as well as baptismal and mari-iage registers in the country districts, shew tUi.t thero were many other emiyris who settled here either at this or a later period. Thus we have the Therons, the Hugos, Du Toits, Du Priez, Reliefs, i aure, Joubert, and such names as Anthony, Arnold, Bagot, Bahe, Ballot, Basbe, Beslebasque, Bernard, Berthold, Berrangr, tertrand, Biguauit, Bosse, Bottes, Boucher, BovO, Briers, I^roule, De Bruien, Bryant, Buitsine, Labuscagne, Cauvin, (Jithers, DeCerir, Cesar-, Clement, Le Clus, La Cock, Collet, Conradie, Courlois, Crole, Crouge, Crosier, Dalen, Dantie, Drago, Durand, Duvenagie, I'oucher, JTourie, Friei-, 10 HISTOET the Chamber of Amsterdam wrote that arrangements were being made for sending between 200 and 300 fugitives from Savoy and Piedmont, but shortly afterwards it was intimated that these people dreading the sea and the long voyage, had changed their minds and resolved to settle down in Germany. The number of the refugees who arrived was upwards of one hundred and fifty, men, women and children — the largest and most valuable body of emigrants introduced during the whole term of the Dutch Company's occupation. They were placed partly in the Cape and Stellenbosch districts, but principally at Drakenstein, as it was considered they could there best exercise the cultivation of the soil and their special department of industry, A minister of the reformed religion, the Reverend Pierre Simond accompanied them, and arrangements were made for his holding divine service in the French language, on alternate Sundays at Stellenbosch and at Drakenstein — at the former place in the church and at the latter in one of the best situated and most convenient of the freemen's dwellings. The government of India sent a gift of C,000_ rix-doUars for their special aid, and the Company's servants and free inhabitants in Cape Town made a voluntary collection, according to their means, in money and cattle, which was given to their pastor to be distributed among the most necessitous. Aided in this manner they soon prospered and in a few years became a self- supporting community ; and one of their number, Jacques de Savoye, whose virtue and industrious zeal served as a miiTor and example to all, was appointed to the dignity of " Heemraad " or justice. It is difi&cult to reahze that at the very period the States of Crodiei'. Croffray, De Qoudine, Grosse, Le Grange, Haubar, Herriot, Humau, Do Labat, La Querenne, La Porte, Gardiol, Lategoau, Lange, Leonard, De Leur, Lezar, Lourens, Lubbe, De Manille, Mellet, Minnie, Morland, Mouncoy, Niiude, Olivier, Page, Piton, Perry, Higot, Du Plooy, Pouty, Range, Rattray, Robe, Rochicr, De Roubaix, Rouviere, Sandclens, Serrurier, Le Sueur, Pailjard, Terblans, Valentin, Victor, VUlet, Visage, Vosges, Voigt. EEFUGEES' DISSATISFACTION 11 Holland were distinguished for the maintenance of public liberty and their encouragement of industry, their representatives in the colony carried out a policy directly the reverse. The local re- gulations of the Company, which the refugees had on oatJx promised compliance with, stipulated that no one in the colony might sell the produce of their labour on their own terms — that neither could they buy nor dispose of anything except at the Company's store and at the Company's price. The French were not long, however, in imbibing the prejudices of the earlier free burghers in regard to this local rule, and in expressing dissatis- faction at it, but were equally unsuccessful in obtaining redress — the local authorities to whom they appealed ascribing their discontent to " national fickleness of disposition," and adding : " they have been fed by the hand of God in the wilderness, and like the children of Israel, under similar circiunstances, they are already longing for the onion pots of Egyj)t." In their ecclesiastical affairs, likewise they found they were not altogether at perfect liberty. The appointment of elders and deacons — the disposal of the poor fund — the erection or repair of church buildings, — all things in fact, in the colony at tliat time, were subject to the sanction and intervention of the government. "When the French community intimated a desire to have a separate vestry at Drakenstein, they were sternly admonished to remember their oath of allegiance, and conform strictly thereto ; to be careful for the future not to trouble the commander and council with impertinent requests, and to be satisfied with the vestry at Stellenbosch. Although grieved at the treatment they received, they were too weak in number and powerless in means to offer resistance to the authorities then ; moreover their temperate and virtuous character may have prompted them to trust in the over-ruling Providence by which they had hitherto been led. And subsequently the commander seems to have relented in his resentment against them, for on the election of elders at Stellenbosch in 1G90-91, he chose Guilliame du Toit, Claude 12 HISTORY Marais, Louis de Berant, Louis Cordier, Abraham de Villiers^ Pierre TMej'er, Pierre Beneze, and Pierre Russou for these officers. Some time after this, the French pastor, Pierre Simond, returned to Europe, being relieved by another minister, who is referred to (in a despatch dated September 1701, from the Chamber of Seventeen, to the Cape Commander) as " one who according to your proposal and wish understands both Dutch and French — not for the purpose of preaching in the latter tongue, but merely to be able to visit, admonish and comfort those old colonists wha do not know Dutch, so that by this means, French should in time entirely die out, and nothing but Dutch should be taught to the young, to read and write." In 1709, the use of French in addressing the government upon official matters was publicly forbidden ; and in 1724, the reading of the lessons at the church service in the French language took place for the last time. The French astronomer, the Abbe la Caille, who visited the Cape in 1752, in his " Journal " refers to the condition of his fellow- countrymen, and notices the gradual extinction of the language amongst their children. He says — " with respect to the refugees, they have preserved the French language and have taught it to tlieir children ; but the latter, partly because they trade with the Dutch and Germans who speak the Dutch language, and have married or become connected with the Dutch and Germans, have not taught French to their chUdi-en. There are no longer any of the old refugees of IG^O to 1690 at the Cape, only their children remain who speak French, and they are very old. I did not meet any person under forty years of age who spoke French, unless he had just arrived from France. I cannot, however, be sure that this is altogether general; but I have- heard tliose who speak French say that in twenty years there would not be any one in Drakcnstein who would know how to speak it." Le Vaillant, who visited the colony in 1780, states that he found but one old man who understood French. Before the close of last century the language had quite ceased to be spoken. POLITICAL TROUBLES 13 Among those early settlers, there were several who having some knowledge of personal right and freedom were not likely to submit to the arbitrary rule of the Company without a struggle ; and colonial history records the " political troubles," which fol- lowed their attempts to obtain relief from the inflictions under which they suffered. In 1699, Simon Van der Stell retired, to engage in farming pursuits, having previously secured the succession of liis son Wilham Adrian Van der Stell to the office of commander. It appears that the influence of these persons in the country was very great and almost uncontrolled. Then- first consideration of course was the interest of the Company, on whom depended their tenure of power. Their next was the care of their own individual interests, whatever might be the prejudice to the interests of the people they governed. They accordingly were able to avail themselves of means which their position placed at their disposal to take all the domestic trade into their hands — just as their masters (the Comjjany) had possession of the foreign commerce. The governor and his father and his brother were the largest farmers in the colony, and the clergyman of Cape Town was the next greatest. They had the slaves and property of the Company at command — they could, and it was alleged they did, attempt to enrich themselves at the expense alike of the Company and of the colonists ; and they were tolerably secure from inter- ference, considering the means of communication that existed at that time between the Cape and Holland or Batavia. A memorial signed by sixty-one of the burghers, was secretly forwarded to Holland. Tliis set forth a number of charges against the governor, alike for personal persecution and tyranny and for monopolizing every means of private profit. At that period, the revenue of "tithes" assessed on all crops raised and stock pastured, was farmed out; and severe penalties were enacted to enforce their payment, and to secure the delivery of all produce •at an arbitrarily fixed rate. Corn-farmers complained that, imder the regulations enforced, they were compelled to part with their 14 HISTOET grain for half the price at which it was charged to the Company j wine farmers that they had to deliver their vintage at ten to twenty rix-doUars per leagvier, while it was sold to ship captains at 150 rix-doUars; grantees of land, who wanted their title-deeds, that they could not obtain them unless the sohcitation was accom- panied with the necessary douceur, " for the governor listened readily to reasons that jingle ; " and altogether the state of things was ruinous to tlie material as well as the moral well-being of the people. Under such a system, it was said, even the Garden of Eden could not have been successfully colonized. "VVTien WUliam Adriaan Van der Stall discovered that a memorial, setting forth these complaints, had left the Colony, he at once took proceedings against all who were known to have signed it, or whom he supposed disaffected. Among them were several of the refugees. Jacques de Savoye, the " Oude Heemraad," was apprehended and locked up in a cell, described as unfit for a human being ; and his son-iulaw named Meyer, a native of Dauphiny, was some days after introduced into the same place. Some secreted themselves in the inland parts of the country, until the storm flew over. Among them were Guilham and Frangois du Toit, Hercules du Pre, Cornells Van Niekerk, Jacobus Van Brakel, Willem Van Zyl, and Jan and Carl Elbertz. Others were seized, banished to Robben Island, Mauritius, Batavia, or ordered to Holland in the return ships. Three of the burghers thus expelled, Messrs. Van der By], Thessing, and Van der Heiden, were instrumental in obtaining, in Holland, attention to the case of the colonists ; and a despatch was sent out to the Cape in 1707, ordering the recall of young Van der Stell and the principal officers of the govern- ment, and disallowing the sentences of imprisonment and banish- ment against the inhabitants. This, the despatch sets forth, was done "for the restoration of tranquillity;" but no change whatever was made in the policy of the Company, which was avowed to be the enrichment of itself and net of its colonists. ' TEEKKINQ 15 Many of the inhabitants unable to endure the impolitic system of monopoly and restriction which continued to prevail, moved away beyond the reach of the authorities into the Interior, where in imitation of the native mode of life, they obtained a subsistence from killing game and depasturing cattle. Thus began that nomad habit of "trekking" (moving away from one place to another), which in a later period of history notably contributed to the advancement of civilization and European dominion, and is continued along the border settlements at the present day. The dispersion of the European population, however, was in many ways detrimental to them and their descendants. Beyond the mountains they spread over the inland plains and wild karoos, herding cattle or sheep, sometimes attended and assisted by the natives. Dwelling in pathless solitudes and living at great distances from each other, their's was necessarily a miserable unprogressive mode of existence. All industry and energy was cramped by the hazard, if not impossibility of their reaching a market for any pro- duce they might raise. Consequently, pastoral pursuits alone were open to them ; and no sooner did they find any difficulty in carrying on these at one place, than they enlarged their range and moved further into the Interior. Happily the pioneers were remarkable for their religious character and attention to the simple teaching of the Bible and the observances of the Dutch Reformed Church. In the absence of any regular government, these served to maintain good order and morality amongst them. But the condition of the rising generation was by no means satisfactory. Growing up in com- parative ignorance, or with little or no education beyond the elementary truths conveyed to them by their parents, their moral condition was scarcely higher than the Hottentots or slaves who were their household companions. Governor General Imhoff who made a short journey into the interior in 1743, reported the state in which he found them to be most lamentable, and he was apprehensive that they might, if further neglected, relapse into 16 HI8T0ET barbarism. As a remedy a magistracy was, in 1745, established at Swellendam, and a minister appointed to look after the welfare of the people, who by this time liad extended several hundred miles to the north and east. In 178G, again, the burghers having spread still further, Graaff Eeinet was estabhshed as another magistracy, and in 178H the Great Fish River was proclaimed as the extreme boundary of the colony. The government had pre\dous to this found it necessary to regulate the system of " squatting," which resulted from the advance of its colonists. They issued what were termed " loan leases " to all who applied for them, at a small annual rent (twenty-four rix dollars.) Their knowledge of the territorial limits of the lands so leased was quite indefinite ; for all they knew or appeared to care, thej'^ might reach even to Timbuctoo. "What they were more concerned about was, that there should be no trade or barter, however trifling the amount might be, between the colonists and the natives. A beaten wagon-road was found leading out of the district of Swellendam to the haunts of the Kafirs, and there was a suspicion that ilUcit traffic was cai-ried on in that dhection. Proclamations were therefore issued from the Cape Town Castle forbidding anyone to quit his loan-farm on any pretext wliatever, or to proceed into the Interior "on pain of corporal or capital punisliment, aye even to the death, and the confiscation of all property." Notwithstanding this, tlie "Boers" or border farmers moved about from place to place as their fancies led them ; and ' ' togt-gangers " or traders contrived to barter goods with the natives around or beyond them. The European colonists, as they advanced, gradually displaced or absorbed the remnants of the weak and scattered Hottentot tribes — the Khoi Klioin, as they termed themselves— many of whom voluntarily accepted servitude, in return for tlie food and protection assured them. But the pioneers encountered savages of a less tractable character, when they came in contact with the Bushmen to the northward, and tlie Kafirs to the eastward. The COMMANDO SYSTEM 17 Bushmen occupying the hills of the Roggeveld, the Nieuwveld, and the Sneeuwbergen were frequently annoying them, murdering their herds, carrying off their cattle, and sometimes attacking their homesteads, and setting fire to their dwellings. The Kafirs also continually levied " black mail" on the residents about Bruintjes Hoogte, Sunday's River, the Bushman's Eiver, and the Zuurveld. The situation of those farmers along the frontier was conse- quently one of difficulty and danger. Like the backwoodsmen of America, they had to be on the watch against hostile attack. Even their wives and children had to assist in the defence of their homes and property ; and there are several instances on record of astonishing female fortitude and bravery. Their isolated position ofi'ered the strongest temptation to the savage aborigines to commit atrocities upon them, which again in turn led to retribution or reprisals by the farmers themselves, until the worst of their enemies were exterminated, or driven into the deserts and moun- tain fastnesses. The colonial system of " commandoes" grew out of the mode of frontier defence which then prevailed. The "veld-cornets," chosen from amongst the most respectable of the inhabitants, in places beyond the immediate supervision of the Landdrost or magistrate, were vested with the power, in cases of sudden irruptions or depredations, to collect a force, repel the attack and pursue the plunderers, with the view of taking them prisoners and dehvering them into the hands of justice, as well as recovering the property carried oflF. By this system a most delicate duty was entrusted to a class of people who could not be expected always to discharge it temperately ; and, it is needless to say, that with the hereditary hatred and prejudices of the parties, as well as the wrongs mutually done, acts of the most sanguinary and revengeful character were inseparable from their contentions. The absence of any power of control by the Government over those armed bodies, and the border population generally, soon 18 HISTOEX produced a state of anarcliy. There was at the time no inilitary force available for the Company's service, outside of Cape Town, for in 1782, war had broken out between Holland and England, and troops could not be spared for the Cape. Even Bupplies of specie from the fatherland were stopped, and a colonial paper- currency was obUged to be issued, to be redeemed afterwards, but which very speedily fell in value. All this contributed to cause great dissatisfaction in the colony, which, in 1795, found vent in openly- expressed discontent. Some of the turbiilent burghers of Graaff Reiuet and Swellendam went the length of dispossessing the Company's landdrosts or magistrates of their offices, "declining to render obedience to any more orders of the honourable Com- pany, much less to pay any recognitian money (quit-rent) or other taxes, for the reason that the country had been defended for 26 or 28 years, solely at burgher cost, and they could not imagine it just, that they should render tribute for the occupation of lands they had themselves to protect from the enemy." The general body of the inhabitants, however, urged the government in a more legitimate manner, by memorials and deputations, for a reform of the evils which were at the root of the Company's unpopularity. They demanded the right to sell their produce to whoever they chose — " that all that commerce intBO- duces into the country shall be freely landed, and all that the country produces shall be freely exported ; it being an established rule that the farmer cannot maintain himself without a sufficient vent for whatever his labour may produce from the land; and a colony like this, composed of farmers alone, can have no durable means of supporting itseK without a steady demand for produce proportioned to its quantity; nor without facilitating internal communication as much as possible, as the difficulties of transport must otherwise neufe-alise all the efforts of the farmers by dimin- ishing their profits." At the very juncture when the disagreement between the people and the government threatened to disturb the peace and tranquihty AHEIVAL OF ENGLISH FLEET 1.9 of the countrj, an unexpected solution of this internal difficulty was brought about by the course of political events in Europe. The United Provinces of Holland had been compelled to yield to the army of tlie French revolutionists, and the Stadtholder (the Prince of Orange) found a refuge in England. There an alliance was made against the common enemy, the French, — and the Cape of Good Hope being an important point, an English fleet was despatched to induce the colony to place itself under Great Britain until peace was restored. Admiral Elphinstone and General Craig were the officers in charge of the fleet and troops, who arrived at the Cape in June, 1795. They also brought a letter from the Prince of Orange to the Cape government, stating that they were sent out to protect the colony against the French, and directing that the troops and ships should be received and considered as in amity and alliance with Holland. The officer in charge of the government. Commissary Sluysken, with his councillors, the "Raad Politique," seem to have looked with suspicion upon this order from a prince in exile ; and as they had no instructions from their own Chamber of SeventeeH, they rejected the proposal to permit the troops on board the fleet, which had anchored at Simon's Bay, to land, and peremp- torily refused to place the settlement under the protection of Great Britain. The Dutch forces, artillery and infantry, did not number much more than 1000 ; but they were supported by the burghers and the native militia, who were called out for service, — altogether about 3000. These troops endeavoured to oppose the landing of the Enghsh, and took up a position at the post of Muizenberg (near Kalk Bay), where the remains of the old battery and encampment are still to be seen. After some active opera- tions, in wliich several of the officers and members of the colonial force distinguished themselves, — especially a Captain Cloete, who commanded a Hottentot corps, and a Mr. Duplessis, who headed a party of burghers, and attracted the English general's notice by his courage, — a cessation of arms for forty-eight hours was called 20 HISTOET for and granted, to consider proposals for entering Cape Town. Terms of capitulation were then agreed to, by which the English were admitted into the forts and castle, and the governor and officers of the Dutch East India Company were permitted to leave the Cape ^vith their personal property on the 12th November, 1795. Thus closed the regime of the great commercial association Avhich for nearly a century and a half controlled the affairs of the Cape of Good Hope. A dozen private gentlemen at home, in a back parlour, around a green table, had ruled an empire abroad, commanding their ships of war, their fortresses, and troops ; but although professing to promote the national advantage, they merely tolerated colonization just so far as they could find an immediate benefit from it to their eastern trade ; and while them- selves glorying in the privileges of repubhcan citizenship, they only permitted "as a matter of grace" any man to have a resi- dence in the land of which they had taken possession in the name of tlie sovereign power. " Some national feeling in favour of the Fatherland may have lingered," says the late Judge Watermeyer ; " but substantially every man in the colony, of every hue, was benefited when the incubus of the Dutch East India Company was removed." II. Temporary occwpation and final possessiorz ty Grea,t Britain. 1795 to 1820. The Colony temporarily occupied by England — Restored to the Dutch by Peace of Amiens — Improved Administration under Governor Janssens and Commissary-General De Mist — Eenewal of War in Europe — Re-capture of the Cape by English forces — Capitu- lation and close of the Dutch Batavian Government — Condition of the Country — Expulsion of Kafirs beyond the T'ish River — Colonel Graham's Campaign — Massacre of Landdrost Stocken- strom— The " Slaghtor's Nek" Rebellion — The Settlement of Albany — Arrival of British Emigrants. " Even as travellers unexpectedly encountering unknown strangers stand in doubt, each gazing at the other, anxious to know what they have to hope or fear, so for the first days after the capitu- lation appeared the intercourse and communication between the colonists and the English." There were some who were much out of humour and dissatisfied with the state of affairs ; but the inhabitants generally accepted the change of government with apparent good will, and several of the former functionaries, adapting themselves to the altered circumstances of the times, became attached to the British authority. General Craig, who assumed the reins of government, assured the colonists of his desire to promote the peace and prosperity of the country ; that all monopoly should cease, and inland trade 2"? HISTOBT be free ; tliat no new taxes would be imposed, and oppressive ones abandoned ; that the paper money wonld retain its value, and the government would pay in specie ; and that in case of misunder- standing, explanations should be given to any one who came into Cape Town. In the remote country districts public disturbances still con- tinued. Many of the burghers of Graaff Reinet refused to take the oath of allegiance to the new government, and shewed as little respect for the magistrates appointed to exercise authority over them, as for the "aristocrats" of the old Company, whom they had previously sent about their business. A detachment of British soldiers was then, for the first time, sent into the country, and their presence served to subdue the refractory, and secure obedience. Mr., afterwards Sir John Barrow, accompanied the magistrate, Mr. Bresler, to instal him in his resumed oflBce, at Graaff Reinet, and the journey gave occasion for the publication of his well-known work, which brought the condition of South Africa to the notice of the literary world of Europe. The restoration of order along the border was not so easy of accomplishment. The Kafirs, and some of the Hottentots, aflfected by the prevailing spirit of rebellion and anarchy, became lawless and daring, attacking the colonists, and spreading terror even as far southward as Outeniqualand, the present district of George. A military party under Major Francis Sherlock, and a commando of farmers under the Commandant Tjart Van der Walt, combined to suppress these plundering bands. Unfortunately, the brave Van der Walt, who inspired confidence into his own people and terror into his opponents, was struck down by a musket ball, when penetrating through the woods near the Garatoos River. Deprived of his services, the commando broke up, ^\dthout finally accomplishing the object of the expedition ; and as intelligence was then received of a preliminary negotiation for restoring the colony to Holland, and hostilities could not be continued, an inglorious peace was concluded with the Kafirs and Hottentots, HESTOEED TO THE DUTCH 23 which gave each side possession of the cattle and booty they had captured. The English government at this time only held the Cape temporarily as a possession by conquest. Their chief reason for doing so was its importance as a military station for themselves, and as the key to their Indian possessions, which they were resolved to defend at all hazards from attacks by the French. A large armed force was therefore maintained, defensive works were constructed, and there was a most profuse expenditure of money. In the seven years of their occupancy, it was estimated that more than a million sterling of English money was spent in the Colony, whose exports at that time did not exceed ^£15,000 per annum, and whose European population of all ages and sexes was not above 25,000 in number. The peace of Europe, which was secured by the Treaty of Amiens in 1802, brought the Colony back to its relationship with Holland. One of the stipulations of that short-lived treaty was " the Restoration of the Cape of Good Hope to the sovereignty of the Bata^-ian republic ;" and in 180-3 the country was evacuated by the English. Mr. De Mist, a member of the Council for the Asiatic Possessions (by which department the former business of the Dutch East India Company was administered), was appointed as Commissary-General fcr the RepubUc, to receive the colony from the English authorities. He had also to instal the new Governor, General Janssens, into office. Upon the arrival of these two functionaries, the first announcement they made to the inhabitants was, that the settlement would be no longer dependent upon any commercial body whatever ; that the new constitution abolished all particular privileges of this nature, and the people would in futiu'e know no other government than that which the Batavians had appointed over themselves. The new regime inaugurated by them furnished a great contrast to the misrule of tlie East India Company. Governor Janssens, and Mr. De Mist afterwards, severally made a journey through 24 HISTOET the colony, visited tlic frontier settlers, and the Kafir and Hottentot chiefs ; and endeavoured to remedy the evils which had excited commotions amongst them. Dr. Henry Lichtenstein, who accom- panied these officials, thus obtained the materials for the very excellent description of the colony and colonists of the past gener- ation given in his volumes of travel. The Commissary-General (De Mist) was chiefly occupied with the organization of the civil government ; and his liberal and benevolent views are set forth in the various measures then prepared by him for the better admi- nistration of public affairs. He divided the countrj- into fiv« districts or "drostdies" — Stellenbosch, SweUendam, Graaff Reinet, Uitenhage and Tulbagh. Each of them was under the supervision of a landdi'ost or magistrate, who was assisted by domiciUated burghers, termed heemraden ; these together constituted a board or council to deUberate and decide upon the concerns of the district. The instructions issued to the landdrosts gave a most detailed account of their duties. Acting upon the principle that " the colony must derive its importance from the quantity and quality of its produce," they were enjoined to use every effort to promote its material progress. They were to pay particular attention to the improvement of the different breeds of cattle ; to encom-age the formation of artificial pastures, and of cattle stalls for the winter ; and especially of the exchange of tlie native Cape sheep for those bearing wool, — which (it was wisely prophesied) would be an inexhaustible soui'ce of prosperity. They were also to make themselves well acquainted with every particular tract of laud in their district, so as to know for what desci'iption of stock each place was best calculated, or what sort of cultivation and what produce would best answer upon it. Independent of the cultivation of grain, they were to encourage the inhabitants to raise all articles of food calculated to save the consumption of graiu and such others as might become articles of export, especi- ally the culture of the vine. The planting of timber and the preservation of the forests was likewise enjoined upon them. IMPEOTED ADMINISTRA.TION 25 Further, to promote the welfare and prosperity of their districts, they Avere to pay attention to the education of children, and facilitate the means of it to every family ; and to encourage the youth to industry, by treating the industrious and laborious farmer with due distinction, — representing to them agricultural pursuits as being particularly honorable to the individual and highly beneficial to the colony. The civiHzation of the aborigines of the Hottentot race was to constitute one of the objects of their care ; they were to be considered and treated as a free people, having a legal right of residence, and therefore to be protected in their persons, property, and possessions. The different tribes on the frontier were also directed to be so dealt with that they could not have any just cause for aggression against the inhabitants ; and in order to prevent as much as possible all cause of dispute with them, no colonist was to go across the border without a written special per- mission from the governor, under pain of prosecution according to law. As long as the use of slaves in the colony was not abandoned, the landdrosts were dii-ected to consider it amongst their most saci'ed duties to watch for the protection of these unfortunate beings, and by their authority and example to accustom the inhabi- tants to consider and treat them as fellow creatures, and not suffer any cruelty to be practised upon them. In addition to these genei'al instructions, laws were made relating to church matters, schools, a militia force, district courts, and the appointment of field-cornets to execute limited magisterial functions in sub- divisions of districts, — some of which are still part of the code of the colony. But the inauguration of these laws, and the future development of the country was destined to be earned out by other hands. The peace of Amiens proved to be of short duration. War was again declared in Europe. Hostilities were resumed betweeen England and France, and the importance of the Cape as a naval and military position being fully recognised by the British government, it was determined to send out a fleet and armed force for its re-capture. 26 HISTOBT This expedition, under General Sir David Baird, reached the Cape of Good Hope, on the 5th January, 1806, and took up a position in the channel between Robben Island and Blueberg, on the northern side of Table Bay, facing Cape Town. The troops effected a landing on the shore, although the sea was breaking with great violence, and one boat with about 40 men of the 9-Srd Higlanders was overset, and every soul lost. The army consist- ing of the 24th, 59th, 7 1st, 72nd, 83rd, and 0;U-d regiments, about four thousand strong, moved oft* in the direction of Cape Town; but on ascending the spur of the Blueberg hill, they found themselves opposed by the Batavian and Colonial forces under General Janssens, consisting of about three thousand men, drawn up in battle array. An engagement ensued, the invading force advancing under a heavy fire of round shot, grape and musketry ; but when they charged, they bore down all opposition, forcing the Batavian troops to a precipitate retreat ; the auxiliary regiments, known as the Waldeker's, being the first to give way, and hurriedly taking fhght to Cape Town. The British were not in the best con- dition to follow them up, as the nature of the country — deep heavy sand covered with sbrubs, and the total privation of water and the effects of a burning sun, had nearly exhausted them. The next day, however, they advanced, and got possession of the capital. General Janssens, who in the engagement had discharged his duty as a brave man at the head of a feeble array, retired with the remainder of his force along the Eerste River valley, to Hottentot's Holland, and Sir Lowry's Pass, where it was supposed he designed to establish himself in such a manner as would cut off the communication of Cape Town with the interior. General Baird treated Janssens with the generosity and distinction due to an intrepid soldier, and forwarded a letter to him urging liim in the presence of the magnitude of the British forces, which left no question as to the issue of any further resist- ance, to surrender at once in order to promote the general tranquility. After a truce, and some preliminary overtures, CONDITION" OF THE COFNTEY 27 honourable and advantageous terms of capitulation were agreed to — one of the conditions being that the Batavian troops should be embarked and sent straight to Holland, at the expense of the British government ; and another, that the burghers and inhabit- ants should preserve all the rights and privileges hitherto enjoyed by them, and that public worship as then in use should also be maintained without alteration. These articles of capitulation, formally agreed to at the foot of Sir Lowry's Pass, were afterwards ratified and confirmed in the Castle of Good Hope, on the 19th January, 1806. This act finally closed the administration of the Dutch government in South Africa.* The condition of the Cape, for the first few years after its transference to the British authority, was one of comparative tranquility and plenty. A large military force, entaUing a liberal military expenditure, stimulated agriculture and commerce. The mild and conciliatory measures adopted by Sir David Baird and his successors, the Earl of Caledon, and Sir John Cradock, (afterwards Lord Howden) and their princely hospitality, and personally cordial and frank intercourse with all classes of society, cemented and kept up a very friendly union between the governors and the governed. In and about Cape Town especially, a state of general prosperity and social happiness was enjoyed, such as had not been felt in the colony before. But, beyond the mountain range wliich bounded the horizon, the country did not participate in these advantages in any marked degree. It is true, Graaflf Reinet, the former scene of rebellion and anarchy, was now restored to order ; the firm administration of the new landdrost, * The Cape of Good Hope for some years after this, continued to be regarded by the British government as merely a temporary possession by conquest; but the achievements of the allied forces in Europe having secured a permanent peace, in 1814, a convention was then agreed to between the Prince, Sovereign of the restored and United Netherlands, and His Majesty the King of Great Britain, by which, in consideration of certain charges provided by the latter for the defence of the Low Countries, and their settlement in union with Holland, the colony of the Cape of Good Hope, together with Demarara, Essequibo, and Berbice, was ceded in perpetuity to the British crown. The colony thus definitively became a sharer in the importance of otir mother-country, and in the benefits of her commercial power. 28 niSTOBY Mr. Stockensti'om, had contributed to that. Postal communicatioii, too. was established, — from the capital to the country once a week, and from the farthest stage to the capital, fortnightly. The tenure of land was placed upon a firm basis, by which occupiers of property were enabled to hold the same hereditarily, and do ■with it as they thought proper. Courts of Justice extended their functions to the inland districts, assuring equal protection to all classes. But education and the comforts of civilization were sadly lacking amongst the rural population. Although surrounded by plenty, theu* social condition seems to have been by no means enviable. Theii- hfe was much the same as Sir John Barrow described it a few years before: "Each succeeding day was a repetition of the past, whose sameness was varied only by the accidental call of a traveller, the less welcome visits of Bushmen, or the terror of being put to death by theh* own slaves, or Hottentots in their employ." When, in 1811, a "commission of circuit" was appointed for the first time to administer justice in those remote pai'ts, the President, Mr. Ryneveld, specially brought to the notice of the government the miserable state of instruction and civilization which they met with everywhere. They passed through districts mostly inhabited by rich colonists, owners of places and considerable numbers of catQe, in whose houses were families of twelve or more children the eldest of whom were not able even to read or write their names. At the seats of the landdrosts or magistrates, where there were churches and instructors, there were also schools, but only the villagers or those in the neighbourhood were able to avail themselves of these. Thus there were 3,400 cliildren belonging to the district of Graaff Reinet, of which at the most not more than 100 had an opportunity of instruction ; while the parents of at least 2,000 of those children were well able to afford the necessary expense of their education. In the distiists where there was no church, fixed magistracy or village, the j'oung people had little intercourse or communicatiun with one another, and therefore EXPULSION OF KAFIES. 29 uo development of each, other's ideas. And the young generation which swarmed in many of the houses had no other prospect in life than engaging in the breeding of cattle, and obtaining lands for that purpose. Nothing else was heard of, than of forcing in between other places, in order to obtain new grazing ground and good pasturage — and consequently there was a common inclination to settle themselves even beyond the limits of the colony. When an open country of boundless extent lay before them to the north- ward tliey were not hkely to be confined bj^ the imaginary zig-zag lines which were proclaimed as the boundary. It was different however on the eastern frontier. There the Fish River from its som'ce to the sea, had ever since 1778 been fixed as the barrier between the colonists and the Kafirs. The tribes who were settled to the westward of the line, in what was called the Zuurveld, were considered intruders ; and their expulsion appeared to have been regarded as necessary by the Batavian as well as the English authorities. Had prudent measures been then adopted, the allegiance of these men might have been secured, and 0. series of destructive wars which followed averted. But the policy which obtained favour was one prescribed by Colonel Colhns, who in 1809 made a tour along the border as special commissioner for the settlement of affairs. His recommendations were to oblige all the Kafirs to withdraw to their own country; to oppose insui-mountable obstacles to their return to the colony ; and to remove every inducement to their continuance near the boundary. In accordance with this plan, the necessary steps were taken to drive out those people — many of whom were in the service of the colonists — the men as herdsmen, and the women in domestic occupations. They were ordered to be discharged the same year. The execution of this order occasioned some heart-rending scenes. One farmer told his Kafir servant, who had been with him for several years " I have an instruction from the field-cornet to send you to your own country." " My own country ! This is my own country, Master, I have been 14 years 30 HISTOET in 5'our service ; you are my father ; your wife is my motlier ; I have never been in Kafirland except to bring back your cattle. I will have no other country." The order was repeated by the field-cornet himself, but without effect. " No, do not drive me among the Kafirs ! you may shoot me on this spot. I will not leave it." For some time, in defiance of the cruel regulation which subjected him to death, the Kafir returned to his master every night to beg a little food ; but finding no chance of any relaxation of his sentence, he obeyed the order given him, to return to his former country and never cross the Fish Kiver again. The measures adopted to induce all the Kaffirs to retrace their steps peaceably were only partially successful. The occupants of kraals as far as the Sunday's River were compelled to retire. But beyond that they would not go ; and complaints continued to reach the government of outrages of the most atrocious kind com- mitted by them. It was then resolved to clear the whole of the tract known as the Zuurveld, and an armed force, composed partly of troops and partly of burghers, under the command of Colonel Graham, was sent against them. The order was to " clear the terri- tory," but not to capture any cattle or remove a single article in or near to any of the kraals. And this order the Colonel commanding adhered to. In an early part of the campaign, while a considerable body of Kafirs were seen crossing from one part of the jungle to the other, an artillery officer suggested that as the Kafirs were completely exposed, a good opportunitj' was off'ered for discharging amongst tliem the field pieces which were ready primed and loaded. Colonel Graham replied " Fire not a single shot, until every amicable means be tried," and the Colonel con- tinued his endeavours to carry out his object by forbearance and conciliation. The right division of the force was under the command of Colonel Graham himself, the centre division was under Major Cuyler, and the left division under Mr. Stockenstrom, the land- drost of Graafl" Reinet, as chief commandant of the burghers. MASSACEE OF LAKDDEOST STOCKENSTEOM. 31 Tlie Kafirs were evidently under the control of the chiefs Slambie and Congo; and when Major Cuyler reached the vicinity of Congo's kraal, he found all their followers drawn up in battle array, and ornamented with crane feathers, the emblem of war. The Major rode towards them with twenty-five men, to try and persuade them to retire beyond the Fish River. Old Slambie then came forward, and in apparent great agitation, called out, " Here is no honey, I will eat honey, and to procure it shall cross tlie rivers Sunday, Congo, and Zwartkop." " This country," said he, stamping his foot violently on the ground, " is mine ; I won it in war, and will maintain it." Having finished this pithy, laconic oration, he with one hand shook his spear, and with the other applied a horn to his mouth, and on blowing it, two or three hundred of Ms followers rushed towards Major Cuyler, who, with an interpreter only, was 150 yards in front of his party, upon whom, however, he at once retreated, at the same time ordering them to fire. The Kafirs then sought cover in a dense wood, into which they had driven a number of cattle for their subsistence. After this, orders were sent to Mr. Stockenstrom, who was on the north side of the Zuurberg, to join the right division on the south side ; and on the 29th December, he left his quarters, ac- companied by twenty-four men, chiefly burgher commandants. When more than half-way across, on the top of the Zuurberg mountain, at a spot known as Dooru Nek, where there was open smooth ground, a number of Kafirs met the party, and Mr. Stockenstrom, placing a fatal confidence in their friendly pro- fessions, dismounted and entered into conversation with them. For nearly half an hour the venerable magistrate smoked his pipe with them, and j)assed the tobacco-bag round amongst them, while the subject of the expulsion was discussed. He did all he could to persuade them to leave, and assured them that not a shot should be fired if they went across the Fish River quietly. The Kafirs lu'ged that they had bought the land, and had paid a number of cattle to some Dutch commissioners for it, and that it was not 32 HISTOEY right of the government to expel them. "Wliile the "palaver" was proceeding, some other Kafirs arrived, who reported that blood had been shed. The character of the meeting at once changed. The Kafirs, now upwards of 100 in number, rushed upon Mr. Stockenstrom and those who were next to Jiim, as they were mounting their horses, and instantly murdered the old gentleman, eight of the farmers who were with liim, and a Hottentot. The rest of the party managed to effect their escape. When tidings of the massacre reached the camp, where Mr. Stockenstrom's son was on duty as an ensign in the Cape Corps, he immediately set off with eighteen men, came suddenly uj)on a large body of the murderers, killed sixteen, retook eight horses, and pursued the other Kafirs into the impenetrable woods. At Dooru Nek the mangled remains of the murdered men were found, and interred in one grave. No memorial marks the spot where these worthy colonists were laid, although it is on the main line of communica- tion from Port Elizabeth to Somerset and Cradock, and the locality presents one of the most remarkable picturesque landscapes in Southern Africa. The Kafirs having taken shelter in the woods, and seeming obstinately-determined to remain there, Colonel Graliam divided liis force into companies, and ordered them to enter the bush and remain there while one of the enemy was to be found. This proved eflectuiil. The Kafirs had never been attacked on foot or in a wood before, and in the jungle their assegai proved a miserable weapon, as room is required to throw it with efi"ect. They therefore soon fled from their favourite and hitherto undis- ttirbed retreats, and retired across the Fish River. The services rendered by tlie burgher force diu'ing the campaign were highly spoken of. "I never in my life," said Colonel Graham, "saw more orderly, willing, and obedient men than the Boers ; wherever they have been engaged, they have behaved with much spu-it, and were always most ready and willing to go upon any enterprise." A cordon of troops guarded the exposed parts of the frontier THE " SLAGHTEB's NEK " EEBELLION. 33 boundary until the Kafirs liad finally settled themselves in their own country ; and for some time afterwards the line of the Fish River was strongly defended by forts ten or twelve miles apart, with double forts in the rear ; the present site of Graham's Town being the head-quarters, and the Boschberg (now Somerset East) a government farm or magazine for the supply of the troops. The border continued tranquil for two or three years, until disturbed by an attempted outbreak of some of the farmers — the so-called " rebellion of Slaghtefs Nek." This affair arose out of the passionate and revengeful feelings of a few individuals. A Hottentot had complained of ill-treatment by his master, a boer named Bezuidenhout, residing in Baviaan's river. The field-cornet was directed to enquire into the case and see that justice was done ; but his interference was resented, and the authorities were defiantly tlu*eatened by the master. A military escort then accompanied the civil officer sent for liis arrest; he fired upon them and in return was shot at and kUled. The occurrence created considerable sensation. At the burial of the deceased, liis brother in a state of great excitement, called upon all around him to avenge his death, and from that day he and his family connections seem to have set themselves to mature and carry out plans of retaliation upon the ci\al and mihtarj' authorities. They sought to call in the aid of the Kafirs to extirpate the "tyrants," promising them the Zuurveld and the cattle of those colonists who would not join them against tiie government. Captain Andrews, the officer in command of the nearest mihtary post, obtained information of the movement, and at once arrested one of the most influential of those concerned in it, named Hendrick Prinsloo. This led to an immediate assemblage of an insurgent band demanding Prinsloo's release. Many were intimidated into joining them by a story being circulated that those who did not assist would be given over to the plunder of the Kafirs. But the chief Gaika, who had been appealed to, could not be induced to move ; he gave them 34 HISTOEY clearly to understand that he would not embroil himself in their quarrels. Meanwhile, martial law was proclaimed, and the mihtary were strengthened by the arrival of reinforcements and of many loyal burghers under their field-commandants. In face of the force thus arrayed against them, the rebel leaders fled away ; whUe numbers of their followers came forward and laid down their arms, begging for mercy as they had been misled and deceived. Some were pardoned, but thirty-nine out of the party were taken as prisoners to Uitenhage on a charge of high treason and waging war against the Crown. Five of them were tried by their fellow-countrymen, found guilty and sentenced to be executed ; others were transported and banished ; and the remainder ordered to witness the execution of their comrades and then to be released. This was the first instance of any colonists suffering death for crimes deemed capital in Europe. The friends of the condemned men hoped to the last that the utmost severity of the law would not be enforced ; and the abhon-ent circumstances connected with the execution created an excitement and an ill-feeling which rankled in the minds of the old border colonists for many years after. Great expectations were formed of the benefits the colony would derive from the re-occupation of the Zuurveld territory. The port of Algoa Bay offered facilities for trade with any settlement which might be formed ; a military force was stationed along the Fish Paver ; the payment of the troops and their sup- pUes were made on the spot, and there was thus encouragement for the concentration of an industrious population. But Sir John Cradock refused to allow of the re-occupation of any of the farms which had been abandoned in former years ; he kept the tract between the Bushman's River and the Great Fish River, from west to east, " neutral ground," and forbade any intercourse between the colonists and the Kafirs, on any pretext whatever. This territorial vacuum, however, was not long maintained, — colonists and natives alike abhorred it. THE BKITISn SETTLERS 35 Lord Charles Somerset, who succeeded Sir John Cradock, visited the country himself in 1817. He had a conference with the Kafir chief, Gaika, whom he recognised as the supreme chief of Kafirland, and who pledged liimself to restrain the natives from molesting the colonists, and to procure retribution for any depredations committed. Lord Charles, during this visit, was so favourably impressed with the appearance of the Zuurveld — which he described as "unrivalled in the world for its beauty and fertility," — that he at once issued a proclamation, inviting the inhabitants of the colony to form settlements there and along the borders of the Fish River. With the view of inducing the people to do so, he authorized the landdrost to assign the waste lands eastward of the Bushman's River, to any persons wishing to hold it, free of rent for ten years, the land to be surveyed at the public expense and title thereto issued on perpetual quit-rent — the property, however, to revert to government in case the party ceased to occupy the same. To look for sufficient people within the colony to settle in this territory was useless ; and the introduction of EngUsh emigrants was recommended to the home authorities. The suggestion was made at a most favourable time — shortly after the close of the war with Napoleon the First, when trade was oppressed and emigration was looked to as an outlet for the relief of the unemployed. The British Parliament voted a sum of .£50,000 towards colonizing the country, and in a short time no less than 90,000 applications for passages were sent in, although only 4,000 persons could be accepted. Most of them were landed in Algoa Bay in 1820, and in due course soon afterwards reached their destination. The son of one of these " Pilgrim Fathers " (the Rev. Mr. Dugmore) has preserved to us his recollections of their arrival and the spots where they were located. " Bailies' party," he says, "made their way to the mouth of the Fish River. The Duke of Newcastle's proteges from Nottingham took possession of the beautiful vale of Clumber, naming it in 36 HISTOEY honour of their noble patron. Wilson's party settled between the plains of Waaiplaats and the Kowie Bush, right across the path of tlie elephants, some of which they tried to shoot with fowling-pieces. Sefton's party, after an unceremonious ousting from their first location at Reed Fountain, founded the village of Salem, the religious importance of wliich to the early progress of the settlement is not to be estimated by its present size and population. These four were the 'large' parties. The smaller ones filled up the intervening spaces between them. Behind the thicket-clad sand hills of the Kowie and Green Fountain, and extending over the low plains beyond Bathiu'st, were the locations of Cock's, Thomhill's, Osier's, Smith's and Richardson's parties. Skirting the wooded kloofs from Bathurst towards tlie banks of the Kleinemonden, were ranged the parties of James and Hyman. It was the latter who gravely announced to Captain Trapps, the Bathurst magistrate, the discover}' of 'pre- cious stones ' on his location ; and which the irascible gentleman, jealous of the reserved rights of government, found on farther inquiry were only ' precious big ones.' The rich valley of Lush- ington afforded a resting-place to Dyason's party, and Holder's people called their location New Bristol. Passing on towards the front, tliere were Moimcey's pai-ty, Hayhurst's party, Bradshaw's party, Southcy's party, stretcliing fdong the edge of the wide plains of the Round hiU, and drinking theii* western waters. The post of honour and danger was the line of the Kap river. This was occupied by the party of Scott below Kafir Drift, and by tlie Irish party above it. The Forlorn Hope of the entire settlement was Mahoney's party at the Clay Pits, who had to bear the first brunt of every Kafir depredation in the Lower Albany direction. Names thicken as we proceed from Waai- plaats towards Graham's Town. Passing Greathead's location, we come among the men of Dalgairns at Blauw Krantz. Then those of Livcrsage, about Manley's Flat. John Stanley, ' Head of all Parties,' as he styled himself, belonged to the same THE BKITI8H SETTLERS 37 neighbourhood. Turvey's party were in Grobblaar's Kloof; "William Smith's at Stony Vale ; Dr. Clarke's at Collingham. Howard's, Morgan's and Carlisle's brings us by successive steps to the neighbourhood of Graham's Town ; the suburbs of wliich were indicated by the painted pigeon-house at Brunett's. To the south -westward, the valley of the Kareiga was occupied by Menzies', Mills' and Gardner's parties. The rear-guard of the settlement may be said t& have been formed by the men of Norman's and Captain Butler's parties, who occupied Seven Fountains, and the upper end of Assegai Bush river." The Scotch party under the leadership of Robert Pringle, established themselves at Baviaan's river, where they have well maintained their own. Besides these, there were other com- panies of a more select and exclusive kind. Elderly gentlemen of upper-class connections, and retired officers from various de- partments of the king's service, came with small numbers of men under special conditions, and engaged for a term of years. The names of Bowker, Campbell, Philips, Piggott and others, will suggest themselves ; and such designations as Piggott Park and Barville Park, given to their domains, indicate the social position assumed by their owners. The many vicissitudes wliich befel the immigrants, — from their first encampment on the grassy hills and dales of Albany, when the first tree was cut down, the first wattle-and-daub house commenced, and the first furrow made by the plough in the virgin soil ; the privations and trials which they had to endm'e from floods, from failure of crops, and from Kafir wars ; and the energy with which all these drawbacks were struggled with and surmounted, imtil the country attained its present pros- perity, — are matters wliich colonists in succeeding generations should never forget. " Those British settlers of 1820," said Governor Sir George Grey, in a despatch to Earl Russell, " have succeeded as weU as emigrants have done in any part of the world — better than in very many." III. British Colonization. 1820 to 1834. Political condition of the colony in 1820 — Absolute Power of the Governor — Censorship over the Press — Appeal to England, and Liberty of the Press secured — The Complaints of the Albany Settlers — Public Meetings Prohibited — Pass Law — Imperial Commission of Enquiry — Ameliorative Measures — Civil and Judicial Reforms — Use of the English Language — Appointment of a Commissioner-General on the Frontier — The Reprisal System — Retrospect of relations with the 2s^ative Tribes — The Kafir War of 1834. The conquest of the Cape, aud its final cession to Great Britain, lias been termed the " charter of liberty to all inhabitants of the colony who had not high office, or high official connection," Yet, untn 1825, the whole power of the civil and military administra- tion was concentrated in one man. Whosoever filled the office of governor for the time being, exercised the fullest paternal and absolute authority. The wisdom of the measures adopted by bim for the regulation of the afTairs of the country, was seldom questioned or reflected upon. The community generally were influenced by the old feelings of habitual submission and acquies- cence to the representative of sovereignty. At this time too, the pubUc functionaries and theu" assistants — constituting " the coliors stipendiaria, eating the bread of the government" — formed very nearly a tenth part of the free population, and in point of union, exceeded them beyond all proportion. Backed by such adherents, the powers of the rulers were entire, and the submission of the pubUc mind almost unlimited. ERINGLE AND FAIEBAIEN AEEIVB 39 Under the comparatively-equitable administration of sucli men as the Earl of Caledon, Sir John Cradock, and Sir Richard. Bourke, the yoke was light and easy ; but during the time of Lord Charles Somerset, the colonists became sensible of the paralyzing ■- oppressiveness of absolute despotism. Formal complaints, however just and reasonable, often met with neglect, or insult, or with punishments of a more substantial nature, while any expression of discontent was considered as an act of great miprudence, exposing the obnoxious individual to the whole force of government opposition in all his pursuits, — the colony being then in so artificial a state, that the liigher powers could ruin almost any man, merely by withdrawing its favour from him ; and " neither character nor talent was proof against the proud man's contumely, or the insolence of office." This tyrannical and vindictive system, met with little resistance or appeal on the part of the public, until 1820. The population was tlien increased, as ah-ea'dy stated, by the introduction of several thousand British emigrants, who brought with them the characteristic bustle and life of a free people. They were not long content to beaw thek grievances without the Enghsh privilege of grumbUng. In the stream of new-comers at that time, were two gentlemen X — Thomas Pringle and John Fairbairn — who took a foremost part in the deliverance of the colonists from their political thral- dom. Pringle, an able writer and poet, had headed a party of his relations, who were located on the vacant frontier lands of the Baviaan's River, now Glen Lynden. Through the influence of his countrj'man, Sir Walter Scott, with the home government, he obtained from Lord Charles Somerset the post of librarian to the South African Public Library; and he then induced his friend Fairbaii'n, to join him, in order to carry out some educational and literary schemes, which it was thought would be acceptable and useful to the inhabitants. They memoriaHsed the Governor, as then in duty bound, for leave to issue a literary periodical, and 40 HISTORY received a reply, tliat His Excellency had not seen the application in a favourable light. They then opened an academy to educate youth, and endeavoured to form a literary association, to dissem- inate knowledge, and improve the tone of society generally. After a time, however, instructions were received from the colonial minister at home, that the ordinary privilege of the press should be granted to them, provided nothing was to be published detrimental to the peace and safety of the colony. A monthly magazine, and a weekly newspaper were then issued, which supplied the Cape community with a sort of literature to which they had hitherto been strangers. A printing establishment, maintained and controlled by the government, had been in exist- ence previously from 1800, but the annual circle of its duties consisted only in issuing an ahnanac and calendai', and a weekly paper called the Oaxette, — which was a mere list of proclamations and advertisements — the public being rai-ely indulged with a scrap of general intelligence, and then only of matter suited to the submissive state of the colony. The new broad sheet, the Commercial Advertiser, was hailed with delight, as a medium of communicating information of an interesting and instructive character. Its articles, written by Pringle and Fairbairn in turn, have not unfitly been compared to tliose of the " Spectator " of the previous century. But they were regarded as very obnoxious by the Governor and his advisers, who instructed the " Fiscal " (public prosecutor) to assume a censorship over the press. This functionary accordingly made an ofl&cial order upon the printer of the Advertiser, for the production of proof sheets of the paper. The order was comphed mth, in strict loyal obedience to authority; but next morning, tlie editors announced that they disclaimed, as British subjects, to submit to the degradation of a censorship, and were resolved to discontinue their journal, pending an appeal to England. This determination took the Governor by surprise ; it was more than he calculated upon ; and his ire was roused accordingly. He issued a warrant, PEINGLE SUMMONED 41 directing the press to be sealed up, and the printer, Mr. George Greig, to leave the colony ■v\dthin a month, on pain of being arrested and sent out of it by the iirst opportunit3^ At the same time, the "Magazine" was placed under the repressive law, and the editors required to give a pledge that nothing obnoxious or offensive to government, should appear in it. They again adopted the only course open to them, to discon- continue its publication, and this decision was duly notified in the Gazette. These occuiTences produced a considerable sensation in Cape Town, which alarmed, while it enraged the Governor. He sum- moned Mr. Pringle to appear before him at his audience-room in the colonial office. "I found him," says Pringle, "with the chief justice, Sir John Truter, seated on his right hand, and the second number of our South African Journal lying open before him. There was a storm on his brow, and it burst forth at once upon me like a long-gathered south easter from Table Mountain." *' So sir, you are one of those who dare to insult me, and oppose my government," and then the Governor launched forth into a tirade of abuse, reproaching him above all for ingratitude for personal favour's. Pringle calmly but indignantly repelled his charges, and defended his conduct in regard to the press, and asserted his right to petition the King in council on the subject. He denied altogether the personal obligations with wliich he had been upbraided, and siace he would not have his free agency compro- mised by any appointment his lordship could bestow, he then and there resigned his office as government librarian. Lord Charles Somerset, after this conference, openly denounced Piingle and Fairbairn as inveterate " radicals," and their educa- tional se m inary as a school of sedition; and the personal influence of " the powers that be" being then all but omnipotent, the pros- perity of the academy rapidly passed away, and they realised that the governor was determined to oppose and thwart everything, without exception, which emanated from them or in which thej- were concerned. 42 HISTOKY Sucli was the treatment, received hj tlie first men who endea- voured to establish a free press, and to advocate the principles of British justice in the colony. Meanwhile Mr. Greig proceeded to England, and was successful in his appeal to the home government. By order of Earl Bathm-st his press was relieved from the odious incubus of the censorship, and a written authority was given that his hcense to pubhsh should be liable to be cancelled by the governor in council only, and not by the governor alone. Under this guarantee the publica- tion of the newspaper was resumed, Mr. Fairbairn being its sole editor, and aiming in all his writings to soothe and reconcile the feelings of the different classes of the inhabitants, so as to render them one people in heart, and recommending and explaining to them, in the simplest and clearest way, the feature-principles of the British Constitution.* But, unfortunately, a year or two afterwards, the journal again fell under the ban of the govei-nment. Lord Charles Somerset had been compelled to go to England to vindicate himself against the charges brought against his administration ; and while there his influence \vith the Colonial IMinister, Eai-1 Bathui-st, was sufficient to prociu-e a summary order from Downing Street, which reached the colony in 1827, for the suppression of the Advertiser. The ground for this act was not the publication of any obnoxious original article, but of an exti'act copied from the London Times of January 25, 182G, whicli Lord Charles Somerset represented as of a calumnious nature. The Cape community felt the sup- pression of their favourite paper to be an incalculable loss to the ' • Mr. Fairbairn, in describing the condition of the colony in 1827, paid the follow- ing high tribute to tlio character of the Cape Dutch population : — " For industry, loyalty, filial attachment, and all the feature virtues of a risini; community, they would stand high in comparison with any nation on record. Their love of freedom also is strong and unquenchable, and their notion of it is «imple and just. They ^ despise declamation, and seldom, if ever, use the word 'Liberty.' But, speak to ■ them of security for person and property,— of the power of checking a bad or ' foolish governor by a popular assembly,— of aiding the judge in the discovery of truth, and of standing between the accused and the rancour and blindness of a political bench, — of regulating the taxes by the local knowledge of those who have to pay them,— and you will at once perceive that, without having read, they have the law of liberty written in their hearts." PUBLIC MEETINGS PEOHIBITED 43 colonists generally; and as they were denied the liberty of holding a public meeting in the colony to take the circumstances into con- sideration, they resolved upon an appeal to the British Ministry, and faihng that, to the British public. Mr. Fairbairn was dele- gated to perform this mission, and on his arrival in England he was supported by aU the influence of the merchants and others connected with the colony residing in London. A change of ministry had also talien place, and Mr. Huskisson, who held the seals of the Colonial Office, franldy conceded to the expressed wishes of the colonists, and on behalf of the Government intimated his determination that " the Press should be placed under the control and the pi-otection of the laiv, and no arbitrary suppress- sions should take place in future." Upon this independent footing, secured for it by the exertions of Mr. Fau'bairn, the South African Press has been conducted ever since. The settlers located in Albany were not very long in the country before they found reason to complain of the hardship of their interests and prospects being committed to what they termed the ''unlimited control of one individual." A small number of - their principal men desired to consult together upon the best mode of making their wants and requirements known to the government, when, to their astonishment, they found that their intention was met, not only by positive prevention, but by insulting imputations , ,- of disloyalty and disafl'ection. A most high-handed proclamation was issued by Lord Somerset in lhi22, notifying that public meetings for the discussion of pubhc matters and political subjects were contrary to the ancient laws and usages of the colony, and anyone attempting any assemblage of such nature without his sanction, or that of the local magistrate in distant districts, was ; guilty of a high misdemeanour, severely punishable. In other ■ ways, too, they found obstacles placed in their path. Annual fairs for friendly barter with the Kafirs had been appointed, at which 1 the natives obtained the articles they required, in exchange for \ cattle and other produce of their country. In 1823 a proclamation I 44 HISTOET J>^; was issued prohibiting this and all intercourse with the Kafirs, under the severest penalties. The " ancient usages of the settle- ment" under the Dutch East India Company were always quoted as the authority for these restrictions. Thus, a placaat of Governor Plettenberg and council of 1774 , which made bartering with the Kafirs punishable with confiscation, corporal punishment, or death, was now again revived. Similarly an old law o£l'''9''_ existed, by which soldiers, sailors, servants, or deserters were not allowed to go about the country without a certificate or " pass," nnder a penalty of being considered vagabonds. In 1809 the same regulation was applied to Hottentots throughout the colony ; and in 1821, this most obnoxious restriction was extended to the English emigrants. The ground assigned for it was, that many individuals, fno doubt dissatisfied \nth the small grants of 100 acres, in a country where ordinary farms consisted of 4000 to 6000 acres) were disposed to abandon their lands, which, if per- mitted indiscriminately, would tend to defeat the object of the government in colonizing these parts. However reasonable the cause, there was the fact of the degrading public notice, directing the authorities to arrest and put into prison any settlers found wandering about the colony, and not having proper "passes." Being prevented from expressing and discussing their grievances pubUcly in the colony,* the emigrants, in 1823, addressed a memo- • No newspaper was published in Graham's Town until 1834i. Two of the first settlers, Messrs. StringfoHnwand Godlonton, who arrived iu the Chnpmnn in Table Bay, in 1820, brought with them the whole plant for a printing e.-^tabli.'ihment ; but they were not permitted to take it on to AUiany. These gentlemen had before Icaying England been engaged in a branch of the King's Printing Oflicc, at Shacklewell, and the manager of the establishment, Mr. Rntt, an.xious to give them a fair start, had consigned the plant to them, in conjunction with Dr. Robwts, afterwards a medical practitioner in Cape Town, with the distinct under- standing that if they were siiccesslul lie 8ho\ild be paid for his venture, and if not no demand would be made upon them on account of it. " On our arrival in Table Bay," says the Hon. Mr. Godlonton, " it soon became known that a printing press was among the emigrant.M' luggage, and the Government printer, Mr.Van do Sandt, was sent on board to make emiuiry. The result was a prohibition against its going any further, the acting Governor (Lieutenant-Gen. Donkin) remarking, as we were told, that toallowittogoforwar»l would be equal to scattering firebrands along the eastern frontier. We were under fiuarantine at the time, — not that any sickness was on board, but to prevent the emigrants from going ashore and falling in love with Cape Town. But notwithstanding this, for the purpose of BOTAL COMMISSION 45 rial to Earl Bathurst, wliich was laid on the table of the House of Commons. In it they set forth their complaints against the system of government and laws to which they were subject, and especially directed attention to the insecurity of the border, from the pohcy tlien pursued, which threatened, instead of the civilization of the / natives,_a^ war of mutual extermination between the black and white races. The British Parliament before this had had its attention directed to the condition of the colony, and the unpopularity of its govern- ment, and a Commission of Inquiry was appointed to investigate the affairs of the settlement on the spot. The Royal Commissioners, Messrs. Bigge, Colebrooke, and Blair, concluded their labours in 1826, and presented elaborate reports on the various subjects of their inquiry. These documents furnish a most interesting general historical review of the past administration of the Cape govern- ment, its finances and trade, and the condition of the population, including the aborigines. The commissioners recommended the separation of the colony into two provinces, and the appointment of a chief magistrate or lieutenant-governor on the frontier, who would apply some uniform and consistent principle to the inter- course of the colonists with the Kafirs, and unite in his own hands the civil and military authority. !Many other important recom- mendations were made at the same time, and carried into eff'ect. The judicial administration was improved. A supreme court and circuit courts were appointed under royal chaiier. The old monopolies, connected with the collection of some of the revenues, were aboHshed. Civil commissioners were placed in charge of divisions in the room of landdrosts and heemraden, and several districts were subdivided and new magistrates created. And carrying out the arrangement with the Government, Mr. Stringfellow was per- mitted to go on shore, and between him and the Government printer the matter was finally settled. The amount of the invoice was paid, and remitted by Dr . Roberts to Mr. Rutt in England. By a curious chain of circumstances, this identical press came into my possession at Graham's Town, and was used in printing the first newspaper ever published in the Eastern province. A portion of its ' platten ' now stands as a memorial on my libraiy table." 46 HISTOET simultaneously witli these clmnges, the language of the parent countiy Avas, in terras of a previous proclamation, ordered to be exclusively used in all official proceedings and business.* Viscount Godericli was Secretary of State for the Colonies in 1827, and acting in the spirit of the recommendation of the Royal Commission, he gave instructions to provide for the residence on the frontier of a superior magistrate under the denomination of " Commissioner- General " to whom he proposed to delegate the duty of generally superintending the affairs of the eastern division, of controlling the proceedings of its civil commis- sioners and inferior magistrates in all cases of inquiry, in which the delay of a reference to Cape To-\ati would be prejudicial to the public interests, and of exercising a special superintendence over the affairs of the border. General Bourke, who was then adminis- tering the government, appointed a native of the colony, Mr. Andries Stockenstrom (afterwards Sir Andries Stockenstrom) to fill this situation. Mr. Stockensti'om had been officially connected wiih. the affairs of the frontier from his boyhood upwards. In 1808 he was an assistant clerk in his father's office at Graaff Reinet. In 1809 he accompanied Lieutenant-Colonel Collins, and acted as interpreter, in his excursions beyond the frontier, to enquire into and report upon the condition of the native ti'ibes. In 1811 he joined the Cape Regiment as an ensign, and was engaged with that corps on the frontier, when his father was massacred by the Kafirs in the Zuui'berg. In 181Q he was appointed deputy-landdrost — and afterwards, in 1815, to his father's former office of landdrost of Graaff Reinet. In his latter capacity, which he occupied until the aboUtion of landdrosts in 1827, ho had acquired an intimate acquaintance with the government of the border colonists and the natives. He knew the Boers — their likes and dislikes, their •From the Ist Januarj-, 1823. all documents iFsned from the Colonial Office were in the English Inngiinge; nnd from iy25 all oflicinl notices were promulgated in that language, but the order for its exclusive use in judicial acta and proceedings only took effect from 1S27. EETEOSPECT OF NATIVE AFFAIES 47 prejudices and their many admirable qualities. He knew the Kafirs also, and their marauding propensities ; and tliey knew him as one ever ready to put down with a strong arm any acts of depredation or aggression against the colony. His large ex- perience, his determined yet just and beneficent character, and his known talent and irrepressible activity, were all qualities wliich admirably fitted him for the duties which he was delegated to discharge. But a short time sufficed to prove that his position as Com- missioner-General was an anomalous one, and those who expected from it the dawn of a new order of things were doomed to dissappointment. The instructions of Lord Goderich set forth that the commissioner was to be strictly subject to the authority of the governor. Sir Lowry Cole, who assumed the administration of the government towards the close of 1828, when he came to look into the matter, was very much puzzled about the situation ; he found it difiicult to aiTange the sphere of duty of an ofiicer who _was to do everything and meddle with anything, without giving him any sort of power. It seemed inevitable that the military and civil authorities must come into collision, if the former was to be checked or controlled by the commissioner ; more especially as Mr. Stockensti'om had officially expressed his disapproval of the system of military patrols and reprisals which had then for a number of years been in operation. -0 to 100,000. These have since increaBed and multiplied to lietween 300,000 and 400,000 in 1876. INFLUX OF 7XLV EEFUOEES 115 About one hundred tlunisand natives were spread over the country, and their nnmbers were being continually augmented. The emigrant farmers, on the contrarj-, were daily dmiinishing, the disposition to "trek" once more becoming general ; and of those who remained, some were obstinately disaffected, and others aggrieved, because no provision was made in the new constitution for representative government, while very extensive discontent prevailed in consequence of the inisatisfactory settlement of land claims and the long delay in issuing titles. To meet the political cu-cumstances of the couutrj', Mr. West urged the increase of its defensive and protective force ; which ISir Peregrine Maitland promised, but imfortunately the Kafir war, in which the Cape colony soon after was engaged, prevented the promise being fulfilled . Meanwhile, to check the Boer migi'ation, which threatened to allow the settlement to lapse again to the undisputed possession of the savage, — the regulations respecting the gi-ants of land under the proclamation of 1843 were relaxed, and discretionary power given to the Lieutenant-Governor to issue titles to any desii'able claimants ; to enlarge the size of the farms from 2000 to 6000 acres ; and if the applicants had not the means, to advance the expenses of survey in certain cases. These concessions were only partially successful. The difficulty of protection against the increasing black population still remained; and the feeling of insecurity was intensified by the report of a commission appointed to consider plans for bringing the natives under proper manage- ment and control. The commission consisted of Mr. T. (now Sir Theophilus) Shep- stone, who had for several years before had sole control of the Fingoes on the Cape frontier; Dr. Stanger, Surveyor-General; Lieutenant Gibb, R.E.; and the American nussionaries, the Rev. Messrs. Adams and Lindley. The plan reconmiended bj' them was in accordance with the suggestion pre%-iously made by Mr. Cloete, that the natives should be placed on reserves, each to comprise fi-om 10,000 to 12,000, in different parts of the district. But its essential 116 IIISTOEY feature was to establish at once among these communities qualified European functionaries to control and guide them tlu'ough the serious ordeal incidental to their progress from barbarism to civi- lization. Upon this depended all the success of the scheme, and the safety of the colony. The cai'rying out of it, however, required money, and no money was to be had. The ruling policy of the Government, — said Earl Grey, who was then Secretary of State,— was to regard the question of expense ; and the local autliorities were clearly given to imderstand that it was absolutely necessary they should confine their views to the accomplishment of such gradual improvements in the social state of the district as might be introduced, •without looking to the mother country for pecuniary assistance to more than a very moderate amount. This settled the matter. The natives were left to themselves in their locations in the enjo>nnent of their laws, customs and usages, with none of the restraints of civilization bej'ond what the teaching of Christian missionaries induced them to accept, or the single efibrts of Mr. Shcpstone, as the head and centre of native admi- nistration, was able to accomplish. The result has been such troubles as the recent Laugahbalelo outbreak, and the Secretary for Native Affairs' bitter retrospect in 1875 : " By neglecting to invest money in the profitable occupation of improving, we have been forced to lavish it in the vmproductive, miserable, melancholy work of repression ; and the necessity for this last kind of expen- diture win increase in the exact proportion in which we continue to neglect the first." The emigrant farmers still remaining in Natal in 1847, looked upon the formation of these native locations as disastrous and dangerous in the highest degree. They regarded the destruction of the scattered white population as inevitable, the moment the natives were unanimous in determining it. They therefore made preparations for abandoning the colony, and joining their brethren beyond the Vaal River, or moving further into the interior. But before finally carr} ing out tlieir intention, it was decided by a PEETOEIUS' MISSION 117 number of them to make an ax^peal to the new Governor of the Cape Colony, who had come out armed with special authority as Her Majesty's High Commissioner for the settlement and adjust- ment of affiiirs in the territories adjacent to the frontier. Mr. Andries Pretorius, then- former commandant and represen- tative in the Vollisraad, was deputed to proceed on this mission. He travelled on horseback overland through the Orange River territory to the colony. On his way he met the disaffected emigi-ants, who, under the leadership of Commandant Kok, had their head-quarters at Winbiu-g; and one of their number, C. du Plooy, was commissioned to accompany him, to give the High Commissioner information respecting the condition of that part of the country. The state of the weather and flooded rivers made their journey a long and fatiguing one ; but they arrived at Graham's Town about the middle of October. Su- Henry Pottinger, who had succeeded Sir Peregrine Maitland as Governor, was there, and they at once apphed to liim to grant them an interview, and to give his patient attention and consideration to the subject of the commiuiications they had to make. The answer they received through the Governor's Secretary was cruelly disappointing. His Excellency refused to see them personally. Mr. Pretorius again requested an inter\dew, urging the necessity of his case, the great distance he had travelled for the purpose of seeing Her Majesty's High Commissioner, and the bad effect which would be produced upon the minds of the emigrant farmers if he retiu'ned to Natal without having accom- plished the object of his visit. To wliich it was replied, tliat it was unreasonable to exjpect His Excellency to enter into any verbal discussion upon such important questions, and that what- ever Mr. Pretorius had to say must be reduced to \mtmg. The delegates then prepared written statements of then* griev- ances, which were handed in. The first complaint was, the injustice of the rejection of the claims of many of the emigrants to farms granted them by the Volksraad of Natal, and title to 118 HISTORY which liad been assured them by the proclamation of May 1843. The second was, the wholesale and indiscriminate admission of Kafirs, who were forcing the whites out of the country, and com- pelling them to abandon even the fanns which had been given them. " The inhabitants," said Pretorius, '"have in vain from time to tune represented the growing evil, and sought protection from the local government; they have lost all that is or can be valuable to a farmer, — the sense of security for life and property and their lands ; and they now await the result of tliis application to your Excellency \\'ith the deepest anxiety." The grievances of the inhabitants over the Orange river were also stated. Their dis- satisfaction, whether justly or not, was said to have been caused by an attack made upon them by the British Resident at Bloem- fontein, wlio had disarmed many of the emigrants innocent of any share in the recent poUtical disi)utes, and thus deprived them of their chief means of support, shooting the large game with which the country abounded. " Enquiry' into these matters," Pretorius added, "is loudly called for, but it must not be a one-sided enquuy. The emigrants must have fair-j)lay, — they ask for nothing more ; and facilities must be given, not only to disprove the allegations brought against them, but to substantiate whatever they may have to advance, and ^vhich they never had an oppor- tunity of doing." To these communicatiuns Sir Henr}- Pottinger sent a written memorandum in reply. The perusal of Mr. Pretorius' letter and its accompaniments only strengthened the resolution he had pre- viously formed, of not attempting to investigate the matters to which tliey related : it would be perfect mockery for him to do so on the eve of his leaving the culony. and he left the duty to his successor. "I see Mr. Pretorius complains of my declining to see liim," said Ids Excellency. " I think he will be convinced when he sees this paper, that my doing so would have been of no use. I cannot devote time to personal interviews ; and besides, it has been a rule witli me, tlnuugh a lung pubhc Ufe, that -written communica- INDIGNATION OF PBETOEIITS 119 tions are to be preferred, as utterly obviating misunderstandings. In no part of the globe is that rule more necessar}^ than in the colony of the Cape of Good Hope. With respect to the complaints, of the emigrant Boers, and other persons beyond the north-east frontier, I may remark, that I had long determiaed to visit, the moment my other duties would allow me, that part of the country, for the purpose of enquiring personally into the conflicting accoimts and contradictory statements which are contained in the voluminous papers transmitted to me from Cape To\vn, forming a very large volume ; but of course tliis determination is no longer possible, and aU I can do is to recommend the matter to the early attention of my successor." Disheartened and mortified at the refusal of the High Com- missioner to grant a personal interview, Mr. Pretorius placed Ida. grievances before the public through the press. The bitter tone of his letters was very significant. " He took up his pen," he said, '"to appeal to liis fellow men, trusting they would be better able to understand his remarks than salaried officials, with whom questions became too difficult when they came to matters in- volving responsibilities." "Where," he asked, "was the Govern- ment, with its power, when, surrounded -with miseries and bloodshed, we found ourselves suddenly in the midst of cruel barbarians ? when upwards of 400 men, women, and cliildren were miirdered by these wretches. Yes, murdered, — uihumanly murdered. Were we then not its subjects, when we were com- pelled from oppression to quit the land of our birth, and plunge unprotected into the wilderness ? And did we leave the country before every means had been resorted to by memorials, petitions, &G., to obtaiia redress ? Methinks I hear a voice exclaiming : ' It was your own choice.' True it was so ; and had the emigrant farmers been left to themselves, they never would have regretted that choice, as they could then have chosen for themselves a Protector, with whom the word Protection has a veritable meaning. How is it that since the arrival of the British soldier at Natal 120 HISTOEY our inimber has not ho.cn increased by a single Dutch Boer, although tlie country invited them with open arms bj' its beautiful fields and fertile soil. Place against this the discomforts wliich they must sxiflfer in the mlderness, and the question presents itself— AVliat can the reason be ? Nothing else, Sir, but that Her Majesty has extended her gracious Protection to Natal ; and Protection, by the great majority who have bought experience in the old colony, is interpreted Alienation. Oppression, Extermina- tion ; and here you have tlie answer .... I resume my journey to Natal to morrow with a heavy heart. The object for which I braved every difficulty, and left my wife and family almost improtected for a considerable period, I have not attained. I have thus perfonned a long journey to no purpose ; and I go back to my constituents to inform them that I have neither seen nor spoken to the Lion of the Colony, Sir Henry Pottingcr ; that I have not received a proper answer to my \mtten representa- tions, — the document purporting to be such appearing to me unsuitable, and the remarks contained in it so irrelevant, that it is impossible for me even to conjecture what bad results may be the consequence, when it becomes knowii amongst us. I return, I saj', to abide the time when I shall surely see realized all I have said about murder, robber}-, and the firebrand, perhaps to sacrifice my life. But I have the satisfaction of knowing that I raised my voice against ' misrule," the fruits whereof will be clearly seen when it shall be too late to go back." Pretorius thus gave expression to the elements of discontent wliich had long rankled in tlie minds of the expatriated Boers. On his way buck to Natal he received the marked sympathy of his countrymen, and found wild and reckless men ready enough to m-ge him on to more desperate proceedings. • His friends and foUowcrs, immediately upon receiving tidings of the failure of his mission, prepared to " trek ! " Meanwliile tlie new Governor and High Commissioner, Sir Harry Smitli, arrived in Cape Town. He had formerly been AEEITAL OF SIR 11. SMITH 121 well known to colonists as Colonel Sniith, chief of the staff uuder Sir Benjamin Durban. His rapid, prompt, and decisive action, and his famous ride on horseback Irom Cape Town to Graham's Town ui six days, on the outbreak of the war iia 1834-, had gained hmi the acUniration of the farmers. Ten years of Indian service since then had added to his fame as a soldier ; and his return was hailed as the harbinger of bright and happy days. He entered Table Bay on the 1st of December, 184.7, and before the month was over he visited Kafirland, fixed the eastern fifontier boundaries, concluded treaties of peace, and astonished the natives by placing his foot on Macomo's neck and brandishing the sword of victory over him, while he compelled the rebeUious Sandilli to kneel and kiss his toe. "Men actually laughed, as awaking from a gro- tesquely horrid dream, when they saw the Kons that had tlu-eatened to tear out the heart of the colony thus converted into dogs licking the feet of its governor." Leaving the frontier in the enjoyment of peace. Sir Harry turned to the task of settling the confusion and anarchy prevailing in the extra-colonial territories. He resolved to visit them ; to mix Auth the people, hear then- grievances, and, if possible, devise measures to make them contented and happy. Everywhere along his roiite to Bloemfonteiu he was received most cordially by the colonists. Many of the emigrant farmers knew him as their fonuer leader in 1834. They paid their respects to hmi, presented addresses, and discussed the state of the country and its futnre prospects. He told them that he visited them as a friend, not as a governor ; and that if thej^ came forward as a body, or at least a majority of four in five, and expressed their msh to Live under the British Government, he would endeavour to aid them. He then declared his intention to proclaim the Queen's authority as paramount in the country, m order to secure and maintain peace, harmony, and tranquility there. He proposed that tlie Govern- ment, by its magistrates, should investigate and settle all com- plaints or disputes respecting land , that the cliiefs should be 122 HISTOET indemnified for all just claims to any ground occupied by the emigrants ; and that all tho farmers on such ground should pay an iinnual quit-rent, and give- their services in defence of Her Majesty or her allies when required by the magistrate. The revenue raised from the annual quit-rents on lands, he proposed should be appropriated. — first, for the fair remuneration of the native cliiefs, in lieu of any existing contracts or leases made with the farmers ; secondly, for the expenses of the government ; and any surplus to be expended for tlie exclusive benefit of those who contributed to it. or in the erection of chm-ches and schools, or in provision for ministers, the constrxiction of roads, and other improvements. These proposals were also communicated to the various chiefs. Griquas. Basutos, Barolongs. and others, who were told that His ExceUenc3''s object was to maintain inviolate the hereditary rights of the natives, and to restrain the formers wdtliin the limits of the lands tliey possessed. Moshesh gave liis assent to and approval of the poli(-y, and was complimented by Sir Harry, who declared to him, "he was unable to express himself as to wliich he admired most, his feelings as a man or his magnanimity as a chief." Moroko also agreed to the measure, and received the parting counsel : " Moroko, you and Moshesh are two of the gi'eatest chiefs under Her Majest}'. Keep peace, attend to your missionaries ; then your cattle will get fat, and you wiU get to Heaven." With the Griqua chief, Adam Kok. an arrangemojit was amicably agreed to respecting the " inalienable" territory, b}' which the farmers holding leases there were bound to quit at the termination of them, on receiving from the Griquas the value of the buildings and im- provements made by them ; and in tlie event of the Griquas being unable to pay such valuation, the lessee was to be entitled to remain, on paying a rental to be fixed by the land commission. But a further condition was proposed by his Excellency, — viz., tliat the cliief should cede tlie right in i)crpctuity to all the leased property in the " alienable " territory for an annuity of i*300 a-year. INTERVIEW WITH THE TBEK BOERS 1 23 To this the chief demurred, as he possessed no power to dispose of the lands of his people, who had rights in tlie soil as individuals. His Excellency, in liis tempestuous fashion, turned chief and council out of liis presence, and told them that unless the agree- ment was signed before sunset, the chief would hang from the nearest beam. Intunidated by this outburst, which was perfectly natural to Sir Harry, Adam Kok entered into the arrangement' vesting the control of his lands in the Government for ever, much to the dissatisfaction of the Griquas. The Boer occupiers, however, were thus secured by the Government in permanent possession of their holdings, instead of liaving a doubtful and precarious tenure. Both Europeans and natives, as well as their missionaries, having given a favourable response to his proposal for establishing a formal and regular government, his Excellency, as High Com- missioner, issued a proclamation on the 3rd February, 1848, declaiing the sovereignty of Her Majesty the Queen over the tenitories north of the Orange river, including those of Moshesh, Moroko, MoUtsani, Sikonyella, Adam Kok, Gert Taybosch, and other minor chiefs, so far north as to the Vaal river, and east to the Drakensberg or Quathlamba moiiiitains. This, and a subse- quent proclamation of March, 1848, contained regulations for the government of the assumed sovereignty, securing to all British subjects sojourning among the natives, the rights, institutions and laws possessed by citizens in the colony ; and declaring that, as U> the natives, Her Majesty's authority was paramount in all international disputes as. to territory, but that the hereditary rights of the chiefs and people should be maintained, as well as then- own laws, according to their customs and usages. From the Orange River territory, the High Commissioner travelled on over the Drakensberg mountains to Natal. It was the wet season m that region, scarcely a day passed without rain, and the rivers were flooded. At the Tugela diift, he found the encampment of Pretorius and his followers, who were trekking 124 HISTOET with their flocks and herds, intending to cross tlie Vaal River. Men, Avonien and children of all ages were crowded together in tents and wagons, not more than half- sheltered from the wot. Their miserable position moved the generous feelings of the experienced soldier, accustomed although he had been to scenes of war ; and describing their condition in an official despatch, he said, " These families were exposed to a state of misery which I never before saw equalled, except in Massena's invasion of Portugal, when the whole of the population of that part of the seat of war abandoned their homes and lied. The scene here was truly heart-rending. I assembled all the men near me, through the means of a Mr. Pi'etorius, a shrewd, sensible man, who has recently been into the colony to lay the subject of dissatisfaction of liis coimtrymeu before the Governor, where he was unfor- tunately refused an audience, and returned after so long a journey expressing luinself as the feelings of a proud and injured man would naturally promj)t. At tliis meeting I was received as if among my own family. I lieard the various causes of com- plaint — some I regard as weU-grounded, others as imaginary, but all expressive of a Avant of confidence and liberality as to land on the part of Goverment. I exerted my influence among them to induce them to remain for the moment wliere they were with their families, which they consented to do. The scene exhibited by about 300 or 400 fathers of large families assembled and shedding tears when representing their position was more, I admit, than I could observe umnoved, each exclaiming, " Our friend Colonel Smith, we were living quietly under a government ivbich we were ever attached to ; our loj-alty has been suspected, our lands have been spai-ingly given or refused — we were not even allowed to purchase. Kafirs have been located on our lands and intermixed mth us. These are the causes which have led us to abandon our houses, our crops standing, and the gardens which we planted ■with our ovm hands, aboimduig in fruit and produce. We arc seeking a home in the wilderness." THE GOVEENOE's KINDLY MEASUEE3. 125 His Excellency at once resolved to make an eflfort to rescue these unfortunate people lirom the course they were taking. •'Strong cases," he said, "demand strong remedies." And he forthwith issued a series of proclamations, having for their object the satisfaction of the emigrants, which lie hoped would induce them to remain in the country. He invited them to return to the lands they previously held, assuring them that all would receive possession and title of good and extensive farms mtliout delay. He appointed a land commission, composed of Lieut. Col. Boyes, D. Moodie, Esq., Captain Kyle and Mr. J. N. Boshoflf (one of the emigrants) and their own leader, Andries Pretorius, to receive claims and applications for such farms, Avith instructions to deal liberally with every individual. To remove the dissatis- laction arising from Kafir locations being intermixed mth the original occupants of land, he declared that the coloured popula- tion who had free locations given them must be removed, and a distant line established between the two races. To put a stop to the complaints of robberies by the Bushmen on the Drakensberg, he authorised the formation of a Kafir police. And confidmg in the good will and loyalty of all the emigrants, he directed the Crown prosecutor to abstain fi'om mstituting any proceedings for offences of a poUtical nature previously committed within the district. Nor was this aU. Knowing how attached the farmers were to reUgious worship, his Excellency informed them it was the desire of Her Majesty to promote the erection of churches and schools, and to moke provision for ministers and school- masters. And as he ascertained that during the wanderings of the emigrants -without any duly authorized minister in their midst, marriages had been contracted amongst them, which were not in conformity mth aU the requirements of law, a special proclamation was afterwards issued legalising these marriages, and thus conferring upon those who desired it, the important advantage of establishing their children's legitunacy in the courts of the Cape Colony, where by family tics many of these were 126 HISTOET interested in the descent of colonial property. What more could have been done ? Security, good faith, peace and happiness were assured them; and contentedness, gi-atitude, loyalty, devotion and attaclnncnt to tlie Government were fully expectedto develope themselves. By tlie 1st of March. Sir Harry Smith was back at the seat of government in Cape Toato, welcomed as a successful pacificator and benefactor, with pceans of praise from all classes of the inhabitants. "Fearless through Kafir bands On mortal roiitiict bent. The hero spilt no savage blood. Yet ' conquered as he went.' " " Throughout tlie Boers' lone camps, Discord and strife now end ; From furthest peak of Drakensberg, They hail ' the Farmers' Friend.' "* His meteoric progress over the length and breadth of the country, all at once dispelling the idea of the unwieldiness of the settle- ment and its dependencies, and the generous character of the mission he had so triumphantly concluded — by clemency and generosity restoring the blessings of peace and civihzation to the sojourners on its remote borders,— were regarded as the most signally-happy events South Africa had ever witnessed. His Excellency's praise was on every lip, and his virtues were to be symboUzed to future generations by an equestrian statue. But the joy which enlivened the colony at large, from the new policy adopted -nith regard to the emigrant farmers beyond the Orange River, was of brief diu'ation. Within a month, news was received that the High Commissioner's measures, however well intended, had not been accepted in that spirit, and that some evil-disposed persons were endeavouring to pervert their true intent and meaning. Pretorius, it was stated, was at the head of * LincB written by George French Angas. siK H. smith's manifesto 127 these proceedings. At tlic interview held at the Tugela Drift, he had impressed Sir Harry Smith with being loyal and honest, although considerably excited by the refusal of an audience with His Excellency's predecessor at Graham's Town. He had not, however, accepted the appointment on the land commission, nor returned to Natal with those who availed themselves of the privileges offered by the High Commissioner's Hberal proclama- tions. He threw in his lot -nith the more violently-disaffected who were prepared to seek a home in the interior rather than come under the British rule. At the Vaal Kiver he found others determined to decline British sovereignty and to secure for themselves the freedom of self-government. He held meetings there, where their grievances and sufferings, and the short- comings of the Colonial authorities, were strongly commented upon. The people were persuaded to believe that they were strong enough, if they were only united, to resist any interference with them. They were told tliat the High Commissioner had said " unless four out of five of the people desired British rule, he would have nothing to do wdth them,'' and they were called upon to sign addresses, and join in a plebiscite demonstration against it. Some individuals even circulated a statement that if the farmers were unanimous Panda and Moshesh would join them, and Pretorius would restore Natal to his countrymen. By such means the wavering were perverted, the timid were over-awed, and even some of the well-disposed were induced to join the stream from fear that an expression of feeling in favour of British sovereignty, would bring vengeance upon their heads. This unexpected turn of affairs created equal surprise and regret among the colonial friends of the emigrants, who were sensible of the misfortunes wliich such foUy and madness would entail. A commission from the S^-nod of the Dutch Church was deputed to visit them and administer such advice as was calcu- lated to give happmess both temporal and eternal to themselves and their offspring. This was followed soon after by a 128 HISTOET •'maiiit'esto" from the Governor — a most remarkable melo- dramatic proclamation, in which Sir Harr}' addressed tlu; mal-contcnts as '• my Mends — my half lost friends and waverinfj Christians," and after enmnerating all the benefits he had lately confen-od npon them, asked them to contrast their miserable condition in the wilderness, with the position of their cousins and friends living imder the Colonial government — " happy and contented, shipping wool and corn, selling horses, sheep and cattle— enjoying aU the blessings of civilization and Christianity — going to church on a Sunday witli their elegant spans of horses and wagons, and their happy wives and cliildren."' Then warning them against the consequences of any rebellious acts, he wound up with the following exordium : — " Oh ! how I hate and detest the name of war and commotion ! The many battle scenes I have witnessed arise like phantoms to my iraagmation. But as I abhor war, so will I terribly ^^^eld its power if you drive me fi'om your affection. If you compel me to wield the fatal sword, after all I have attempted for you, the crime be upon your own heads ; and while my troops shall exult in victorj-, I will weep, as you have seen me do, over the fallen, the defeated, the deluded ; your lands shall be wrested from you, 5'our houses destroyed, your herds swept off, your owii hearts blackened b}' wicked ingratitude, and your faithful, your generous friend, who has exerted himself for your exclusive benefit, turned into the Avenger of Evil ! There are Limits to the extent of the most virtuous feelings in this worldly and uncertain trial of life. Aid me, as I desire you, to preserve them to us, and as in generous and uncorrupted minds the superiority of religion carries us through the calamities of this transient life, let us together thus pray : — Lord of all power and might, disposer of all things, good and evil, deign to look upon us frail and sinful creatures ; teach us ivho are our true friends — preserve and strengthen us in all the trials of temptation ; defend us from all the evil practices of wicked mm; teach us to worsliip Then with our hearts, our PBETOKIUS' IlEBELLION 129 minds, our soiUs, devoted imto thee through Jesus Christ ; direct our hearts aud our actions towards our neighbour ; teach us so to live that our course in this hfe may lead us to Life eternal ; teach us to forgive our enemies and to love our friends ; teach us after a peaceable Life to look forward to that reunion in Heaven, the fountain of our hopes on earth, the happy place of rest for our inunortal souls. When we must put off the mortal garment, and lie down on the bed of death, let us be at peace with thee, O Lord, at peace mth tlie world, and at peace with our own hearts ! ! ! This grant us, O Lord, oiu- God Almighty, through Jesus Christ. Amen. — H. G. Smith." Since the days of the Ironsides rarely had the Bible and the broadsword been wielded in this fashion. The circulation of the " manifesto," which was widely distributed among the emigrants, had tlie good effect of restoring confidence in the greater part of the Sovereignty ; and the appointment of magistrates to the new districts into which the coimtry was divided — Bloemfontein, Caledon, and Winburg, — strengthened the weU- disposed and cooled the tm-bivlent. It was chiefly in the north, between the Vet and the Vaal Rivers, that the disaft'ected Boers, the "harde emigranten" were most numerous; and they were borne up by the sympathy and support of tlieir brethren living bej^ond the Vaal River. They clauned the territory from the Vet to the Vaal, as having been pm-chased by Potgieter in 1838 irom the Chief Makwana, for a few cows. "When the proclamation of Sii' Harry Smith reached them, and they heard of the appointment of the new magistrates, they held a meeting at Potchefstrom. Their leading men were present — Pretorius, Kruger, Potgieter, Kok, Botha, Delport, Spies, Prinsloo, Steyn, Lindeque and others, and they adopted certam resolutions to be forwarded to the High Commissioner. These were to the effect that scarcely one-eighth of tlie inhabitants fi-om the Vet to the Vaal desii'ed to have a magistrate ; that thej' hoped tlie Governor would desist fi-om the threatened militaiy operations against them; that any hostile 130 IIISTOKY measures would cause them to embark iu far more dangerous exploits ; that all diifereiiees which might exist could be much better redressed by the pen than the sword ; and they trusted that liis Excellency, after mature consideration of the laud ques- tion, would acknowledge the right of the occupants. Not satisfied with tliis protest and appeal, some of the more violent of their number endeavored to excite afresh the feelings of the people to take iimnediate measures to " drive the magistrates out of the country, and sweep Natal clean." A counter-raamfesto was issued b}' Pretorius, setting forth that no faith could be put in Sir Harry Smith's proclamation ; that the Government was extending its ndc to convert them into soldiers for its own pur- poses ; that it was useless for the emigrants to fly further into the country, where fevers had killed so many of their fathers and cliildren. and destroyed their stock, and where death was inevi- table; — appealing to the women to send their husbands and sons, and not to forget to offer up prayers for the coming struggle for freedom ;— that having God before them, and the sword in their hand, they must be successful ; and concluding with a threat that those who did not jom would forfeit their lands and be subject to l)unishnKiit by tlie war-council. The same persons also attempted to form a combination with tlie native chiefs against British authority. Major Wai-deu, the resident of Bloemfontein, represented the threatening aspect of afiairs ; but Sii- Harry Smith could not believe there was any danger, or that the emigrants would assume; a hostile attitude. Even in the middle of July, when Sir Audries Stockenstrom comnmnicated to the Government a letter, pur- porting to come from Pretorius, and revealing tlie deep and well- laid conspiracy which liad been formed, his Excellency's reply was: 'It is melancholy to see reaUy good people so deluded. Their improving condition, I admit, is next to my heart, as I hope all my acts towards tliem have demonstrated ; and notwithstanding Pretorius' opposition, I am of opinion order advances rapidly, and LETTER TO THE EE3IDENT 131 agitation is on the wane." Wliile these words were being written in Cape Town, the insurgent Boers were actually engaged in expelling aU the British officers and loyal inhabitants from the territory north of the Orange River. Pretorius had raised the standard of rebellion in the neighbour- iiood of Winburg. The action of the Sovereignty Land Commission in defining the boundaries of districts and the limits of farms, was the alleged occasion of it. For weeks previouslj-, however, emissaries had been incessantly employed moving about amongst the farmers, stirring them up to make a bold demonstration. Taking advantage of recent intelligence of the disturbed state of Europe, they were told extravagant stories of the weakness of the English, and urged that now was the tune to free themselves, or they would presently be called upon to go in ships and fight for England in other countries. Two hundred men were collected from amongst the settlers beyond the Vaal river, — Potgieter himself, however, kept aloof from the movement. As they advanced towards Winburg their numbers were swelled by others assembling from various quarters, — some who were peaceably-disposed joining in order to save their properties from destruction or confiscation. A great many of them were led to beheve there would be no fighting ; that if they showed a goodly number opposed to the Government, the British officials would withdraw. On the 17th July, Pretorius appeared before Bloemfontein at the head of 400 mounted men ; formed his camp at a distance of about two miles from the village, and despatched the following letter to the Resident ; — " To Major Warden, British Resident, — As we have been true and sincere friends to each other, and that for five years, and whereas Sir H. Smith is obstinate as regards the majority being on our side, I consider it my duty to shed as little blood as possible. I shall therefore give you one hour to consider whether you will give up tliis country, or whether I am to take it from you by force. Many parts of the country have been purchased by the 132 UISTOET emigrant farmers from natives, and wliicli natives do not feel at all disposed to come under British rule. I have for the accom- plisliracnt of this object brought with me into the field only 1000 of the many thousands of my ready and willing people. " A. W. Pretorius, Comm. -General." Major Warden's whole force consisted onl\- of 57 men, including 10 reci'uits, with 42 others, civilians, leaders and drivers of wagons, and 8 deserters who had been amongst the Boers, but ihiding they were determined on open rebellion had surrendered themselves and were pardoned. He was also encumbered with 200 women and children, and natives who had fled to the village for protection. For some days before, efforts had been made to throw up some kind of defensive work, but they were not considered in a condi- tion to stand a siege from an overpowering enemy. Under these circumstances, Major Warden, instead of holding his own or attempting to maintain his position until relief came, accepted the terms of capitulation offered him, — which were that the British troops and inhabitants should evacuate the village within two days, taking with them all their property, and proceed t(j Coles- berg, Pretorius himself furnishing live or six wagons, or as many more as might be required, for the purpose of conveying them there. The civil functionaries at "Winburg and Calcdon were also forced by bands of the rebels to retire in the same way ; and they were accompanied by numbers of the respectable inhabitants, who disapproved of Pretoiius' proceedings, and sought refuge in the colony from tlie disorde)- and rum with which the country was liireatoned When tidings of those events readied Cape Town, no tunc was lost in making military arrangements, suitable to the exigency. The Governor, — likened to a thunder-bolt in presence of an enemy, — acted wiih ciuirai-teristic promptness, and witliin an hour or two after the news was icceiveii, orders were on tlie waj' to the frontier for the march of troops to the Orange Piivi^-, wJiiie he prepared to proceed overland himself to join them and t Assistant Commis>iioni'r< guar.intee in tlio fullest manner, on the part of tlie British CTOvornnient, to the emigrant farmers heyond tlie Vaal River, the rigiit to nianaLfe tiieir own affairs, and to govern tliem- solves aceorchng to their own laws, without any interference on the part of tin; British (iovernment ; and that no encroachment shall he made by the said Government on the territory heyond, to the north of the Vaal River: with the further assurance that tlie warmest wish of the British Government is, to promote peace, free trade, and friendly intercourse with the emigrant fivrmors now inhabiting, or who hereatler may inhabit th it country ; it being understood that this system of non-intorferonce is binding upon both parties, 2. — Should any misunderstanding heroafler arise as to the true meaning of the words '' The Vaal River," this question, in so far as regards the lino from the source of that river over the Drakenberg, shall be settled and adjusted by Commissioners chosen by both parties, 3. — Her Majesty's Assistant Commissioners hereby disclaim all alliances whatever and with whomsoever of the coloured nations to the north of the Vaal River. 4. — It is agreed that no slavery is or shall be permitted or practised in the country to the north of fhe Vaal River, by the emigrant farmers. 5. — Mutual facilities .ind liberty sliall be afforded to traders and travellers on both sides of tli(> Vaal River; it being understood that every wagon containing ammunition and tire-arms, coming from the south side of the Vaal River, shall i)r (luce a certificate signed by a British Magistrati- or otiier funetionary duly authorized to grant such: and wliicli shall state the quantities of such articles containi-d in 'jaid wagon, to the nearest Magistrate north of the Vaal Rivi'r, who shall act in the case as the regulations of the emigrant farmers direct. It is agreed, that no objection shall be made by any British authority against the emigrant boers purchasing their supplies of ammunition in any of the British colonies and possessions of South Africa; it being mutually understood thiitail trade in ammunition with the native tribes is pro- hibited both by the British Government and the emigrant farmers, on both sides of the Vaal River. G. — It is agrued, that so far as possible, all criminals and other guilty parlies who may Hy from justice, either way across the Vaal River, shall be mutually (Ulivered up, if such should be required, and that the British Courts, as well as those of the emigrant farmers, shall be mutually open to each other for all legitimate processes, and that summonses for OPERATIONS AGAIKKT THE BASUTOS 149 ■witnesses sent cithei- way across the Yaal Kiver, shall bo backeil l)y the Magistrates on each side of the same respectively, to compel the attend- ance of such witnesses when required. 7. — It is agreed, that certificates of marriage issued by the proper authoritie; of the emigrant farmers, shall be held valid and sufficient to entitle children of such marriages to receive portions accruing to them in any British colony or possession in South Africa. 8. — It is agreed, that any and every person now in possession of land and residing in British Territory, shall have free right and power to sell his said property and remove unmolested across the Vaal River, and vice versa ; it being distinctly understood that this arrangement does not comprehend criminals, or debtors, without providing for the payment of their just and lawful debts. The Kafir war having been brought to a termination by the submission of the chiefs, towards the close of 1852 Sir G. Catli- cart turned his attention to the Orange River Territory. Whatever might be the policy ultimately adopted with respect to retaining or abandoning the country, he thought it was necessary to assert the strong arm of autliority there. The new Resident, Mr. Green, who succeeded ]\Iajor Warden, represented the continuanc^e of petty warfare and reprisals on the part of the Basutos against the Baralongs and the burghers. Moshesh had been called to account, and positively engaged to make restitution of the cattle taken by his people, but he had only partially fulfilled his promise and evaded a final settlement. Many of his acts were reported to be ominous of war. His Excellency therefore decided to move into the Sovereignty without delay, and there, according to the disposition shown bj' Moshesh, to decide whether to regard him as a friend or an enemy. By the beginning of December, 1852, a force of 2000 men — of which 450 were cavalry, and the remainder infantry, with a battery of artillery — crossed the Orange River and moved in the direction of Moshesh's residence. The country through which they passed was more or less a great undulating plain, out of "W'hich, at some miles from each other, up started the most extra- ordinary mountains with perpendicular rocky sides — some pointed, some wth table laud, and some broken into various fantastic .shapes. No inhabitants of any sort were to be seen until they 150 HISTOET arrived at Platberg, where the native chiefs were suinmoned to assemble. The Governor at once made a demand upon Moshesh for 10,000 head of cattle, and 1000 horses to be delivered over to the British Resident within three day's time, in order to be restored to those from whom they had been stolen. The next day the chief came liimself to talk. He spoke of peace : " Peace," he eloquently said. '• is like the rain from heaven which nourishes the land and makes the corn grow ; but war is as the hot wind, wliich dries up the earth, and blasts the fniit of the soil." He pleaded that the fine of cattle imposed on him was heavy, and the time for collecting them short ; but the Governor reminded him that ample time had already been given him, and that he had failed to fulfil what he had promised. If the cattle was not at once collected, then there would be war. " Do not talk of war," replied the cliief, " for however anxious I may be to avoid it, you know that a dog when beaten will shew his teeth I will go at once and do my best, and perhaps God wiU help me." On the day appointed for the delivery of the cattle by Moshesh,. only 3,500 head were sent in, and as there were no signs of any more approaching, his Excellency resolved on the 20th December to move forward and chastise the Basuto chief. Between tlie camp and Thaba Bossigo, there lay the Berea mountain — an extensive table land with irregular precipitous edges — upon which armed bodies of Basutos and droves of cattle were seen. His Excellency ordered his force to march in three columns. One, under his own personal observation, and consist- ing of two companies of the 4:!rd Ilegiment, some guns, and a small escort of the 12th Lancers and Cape Corps men — was to move along the western base of the mountain. Another, under Colonel Ejtc, was sent to sweep its summit ; whilst a third, under Colonel Napier, with tlie cavalry, was to reconnoitre round the east side, and afterwards meet and join the other two on the plains of Thaba Bossigo, in sight of the chief's residence. The B;isutos were evidently- prepared for defence; the full SKIBMISn ON THE BEREA 151 strength of tlae fighting men of the tribe, under their captains, was assembled. They were chiefly centred about Thaba Bossigo,. but groups of them, well mounted, were visible closely watching the Governor's movements, as the first column rounded the southern angle of the Berea. Approaching one of these parties^ His Excellency advanced in person to give them an opportunity of a parley, but he was answered by a shot, and it was only after a couple of rounds of shrapnel were fired into them that they rethed.. Noon was the appointed time for the junction of the forces before Thaba Bossigo, but it was evening ere Colonel Eyre's, detachment appeared, and Colonel Napier's never came at all. The cause of this was not known until afterwards. The cavalry force imder Colonel Napier consisted of 114 of tlie l2th Lancers,, and 11!) of the Cape Mounted Eifles. They had a guide to lead them along the valley on the northern side of the Berea, but as they were proceeding they were attracted by a drove of cattle going up a steep path of the mountain. They went in pursuit, and got possession of a number. "When retiring with them, a large body of the enemy suddenly fell upon them, cutting off many of the rear-guard — the casualties reported being 4 non-commis- sioned officers and 23 privates of the Lancers killed. With the cattle captured, (some 4000 head,) Col. Napier and his men at once returned back to the camp. Sir G. Cathcart, in his official despatches, made no mention of the error committed, but in a private letter to his brother, Earl Cathcart, he thus described the afi'air: — " It was madness for Napier to take his cavalry up a moimtain five or six himdred feet high, faced like Salisbury crags all round a table surface of some three or four square miles, and up which there are not above two or three passes practicable for horses. They seem to have run wild after cattle, and the Lancers who were rear-guard got into a mess by trying to get down tlie mountain side by a water course, which they mistook for a path, while the Basutos got down the right path before them and met them in a fix." 152 IIISTOBY Colonel Eyre, with 470 infantry and ."K) cavalry, took the centre of the mountain, where the Basutos ])resented a herd of cattle in view as if to entice him on. Tlie ascent was made in the most spu'ited manner, up gi'ound all but inaccessible, and though opposed and fired upon by the enemy above. Once on the top. they saw great troops of cattle, of which they captured about ;iO, 000 head; but they found that 1,500 was as many as they could manage to drive, and the remainder were abandoned. The enemy did not oppose them in the least ; they seemed to have fled out of sight. Suddenly, however, a number of mounted men, some with white caps on their heads and bearing lances — which caused them to be mistaken for the Governor's escort— appeared in front. These were Basutos who had appropriated the uniform of Napier's rear-guard, killed in retiring from the mountain. Before the mistake was discovered several soldiers fell into their hands, and amongst them a distinguished officer. Captain Faunce, of the 7;3rd Eegiment.- The Basuto force rapidly increased until it mustered 1 00 or 800 mounted men, who drew up in line iu excellent order, and several times attempted to attack tlie column, but daunted by the steadiness of the troops, and their coolness iu Ij'ing down to receive them, tliey dared not approacli near. Colonel Eyre, however, had hard v.-urk in lighting his way through, and in descending from the heights, driving his cattle before him towards the plain below, where his instructions requii-ed him to proceed. While these proceedings were taking place upon tlie mountain, the Governor with his division, under Colonel Cloete, was anxiously awaiting the junction of the columns apj)ointed to meet liim at noon. Masses of the enemy's horsemen were observed moving from the Thaba Bossigo poort, and extending along his •"He behaved like a noble soldier and christian, handed his eword to the enemy, and made signs to them to allow him to pray first, and then to kill him, and knelt down, desiring to be killed in that position. They were speaking of taking him to Moshcsh, when a crooked-leg wTetch came up, and saying ' they wre killing our wives,' killed him with one blow."— Tide "Histoiy of the BasutoB, (J. M. Orpcn, Esq.) SUBMISSION OF UtOSIIESIT 153: front. His Excellency was truly in a most critical situation. Tli-i main body of the Basutog, some 10,000 men, were close by ill the rugged ground under the mountain ; and the old chief looking down upon the General and his little troop, exclaimed in Sesuto, "IMorena a ka ! Morena a ka ! ga u tsebe ka mo u etsang kateng" (My chief! My chief! you know not where you are going). On the clearing away of a passing thunderstorm, the whole force of the enemy was suddenly displayed ; but at the moment happily Colonel Eyre's detachment approached and joined that of the Governor. The Basiitos. chiefly cavalry, advanced with remarkable boldness, essaying to surround the troops on all sides ; but the admirable discipline of the British infantry, and rounds of canister from the artillery, repulsed and overcame them — and at 8 p.m. they retired with considerable loss. Eyre's soldiers- shewed great courage and endurance m this engagement. During the long and arduous day, from early dawn, they had not been able once to halt for refreshment ; and the enemy never ceased tiring upon them until long after dark. Their casualities were eleven killed and eleven wounded. The Governor and the army bivouaced upon the field, and when morning broke, as no enemy was to be seen, they marched back, with their guns and captured cattle, to the camp on the Caledon Eiver, a distance of fourteen miles — intending to resume operations on the chief's residence in the course of a day or two. But Moshesh on the previous mid-night had held a council at Thaba Bossigo, and dictated the following letter to the Governor : " Thaba Bossigo, Midnight, December 20, 1852. Your Excellency, " This day you have fought against my peoi)le, and taken much cattle. As the object for which you have come is to have a compensation for boers, I beg you will be satisfied with what you have taken. I entreat peace from you. You have shewn your power ; you have chastised ; kt it be enough I pray you, and let 154 HISTOET me no longer be considered an enemy of the Queen. I will try all I can to keep my people in order for the future. " Your humble servant, '* MOSHESH." The bearer of this, with a flag of truce, followed the Governor to the camp on the Caledon. The letter was in the handwriting of the chiefs son Nehemjah, who had been educated at Cape Town, and spoke and wrote English perfectly. " On receiving this document," says Sir George Cathcart, " I recognised an important ■crisis, in which one false step might involve the nation in a Basuto war, and embarras the Government by perhaps irretrievably compromising the free option as to their future policy in respect to the retention or abandonment of the sovereign rights and obligations of this territory, and at the same time leaving a state of irritation and excitement which might aggravate and perpetuate the evils I came to allay, and requiring an army of occupation to -counteract the consequences ; whereas the abject and complete submission of the enemy, the sincerity of wliich I have no cause to doubt, and the forced payment of the penalty which had been accompUshed and admitted, were all the solid advantages I could ever hope to gain. Under these circumstances I thought it my duty to accept the chief's submission without further prosecution of the war." His Excellency accordingly returned the following reply; — " Camp, Caledon River, "December 21, 1852. " Chief Moshesh, " I have received your letter. The words are those of a great chief, and of one who has the interests of his people at heart. But I care Little for words. I judge men by their actions. I told you if you did not pay the line I must go and take it; I am a man who never breaks his word, otherwise the Queen would not have sent me here. I have taken the fine by force, and I am satisfied. PEACE RESTOEED 155 " I am not angry with your people for fighting in defence of their property, for those who fought, and fought well, were not all of thorn thieves, and I am sorry that many are killed. " This is your fault, for if you had paid the fine it would not have happened. I now desire, not to consider you, chief, as an enemy of the Queen, but I must proclaim martial law in the Sovereignty, to give to commandants and field-cornets power to make commandos in a regular manner, and with the consent of the resident, enter your country in search of plundered horses and cattle that may be stolen after this time. And I expect you to assist them, for though you are a great chief, it seems that you either do not or cannot keep your own people from stealing ; and among the cattle you sent as part of your fine, there were three oxen the property of Mr. Brain, of Bloemfontein, stolen since I crossed the Caledon River. Now, therefore. Chief Moshesh, I consider your past obhgations fulfilled, and I hope that you will take measures for preventing such abuses in futiire. In the mean time, as the Queen's representative, I subscribe myself, " Your friend, (Signed,) " Geo. Cathcart, " Governor." " P.S. — Chief, I shall be glad to see either yourself or your sons in the same friendly manner, and in the same good faith as before the fight at Platberg, to-morrow or next day ; but I shall now send away the army, and go back to the colony in a few day's time. " G. C." A proclamation was immediately issued by Sir G. Cathcart declaring peace with the Basutos, repudiating for the future any interference on the part of Government in native quarrels, and giving the European population full licence to protect, secure and recover their property according to the old colonial " commando " system. The British camp at Platberg was broken up before the end of the year, and within a fortnight afterwards the troops were back in the colony. His Excellency's expedition beyond 156 IIISTOUY tlic Oiange River had convinced him that, to obviate the risk of serious consequences, Her Majesty's Government should come to a decision either to abandon the Sovereignty or put in loroc the letters patent granted by the Queen for its government under a Lieutenant-Governor, and with a necessary force of at least 2,000 men to support his authority and keep in check not only the burghers of questionable loyalty, but also the petty native tribes, the Transvaal emigrants, and the jiowerful chiefs of the Zulus and Basutos — Panda and Moshcsli. In either case His Excellency ^asked that some professed and able statesman of experience should be sent out from J^ngland, at anj' expense, to relieve him of tlie political duties connected with the accoinplishment of whatever course might be determined upon. These circumstances strengthened Her Majesty's advisers in the determination to rid themselves of what appeared to be a •costly and troublesome i)ossession. The project of maintaining the country by a force of 2,000 men was at once pronounced to l>e inadmissible. The abandonment of it was deliberately and finally resolved upon; and to Sir George Russell Clerk, a distiH- guished civil officer in the I'^ast India Comjiany's Service, and former Governor of Bom1)ay. was entrusted the duty of carrying the measure into elFect. The announcement of tlie intended relinquishment of the terji- tory was received in the colcny with regi-et and dismay. There was no Parliament as yet in existence, through which the feelings and wshcs of tlie people could be expressed ; but from the metro- polis and the principal towns sevei"al memorials of the inhabitants were iorwarded to the Secretary of State, praying that the step should be delayed until more ample informati )n on the subject could be furnished. Those mIio Avere acquainted witli tlie nature and resources of the country were salislied that iiikU-i- a piojier administration it would soon \iold a revenue fully adequate to all the requirements of its government ; and that the character of tlie people was such that, if they were only permitted the free control AEKANCJEMENTS FOE SEPARATION 157 of their own affairs, without stripping them of their allegiance, no community in the world could be more easily managed. Others regarded the retrograde step of dis-Britishing this portion of Her Majesty's possessions as calculated to destroy confidence in the stability of British rule in all parts of South Africa. And not a few were apprehensive that the disastroiis consequences would be a resumption of cruel and intenninable wars between the natives and Europeans beyond the Orange River, which might endanger the peace and security of the colonial border. In the meantime the Special Commissioner, Sir George Clerk , reached Bloemfontein early in August, 1853, and at once invited the inhabitants to elect delegates or representatives, to meet in convention in order to arrange the bases of separation and the future form of their relations with the British Government. All the English residents, and a number of the farmers forming this assembly, opposed the ai'rangements for abandonment by every I)ossible means. They clung to the hope that the memorials and representations sent from the colony would induce the home government to reconsider its decision. With this view, two gentlemen acquainted with all the beai-ings of the subject, — Dr. Eraser and the Rev. A. Murray, the minister of Bloemfontein, — were sent to England to urge upon the Secretary of State the impolicy and injustice of the proposed measm*e. But their mission, as well as the representations of the colonists, proved ineffectual. The despatches of Sir George Cathcart and the Special Commissioner weighed against them. These represented the Sovereignty as a great gaming-table, in which the merchants of the Colony were interested; that the Government officials, with only one or two exceptions, had eagerly engaged in land jobbery, and the whole thing was a bubble and a farce. " The more I consider the position of the territorj'," said Sir George Clerk, "the more I feel assured of its inutility as an acquisition. It unquestionably has some attractions; its climate is very- superior ; the herds of game are abundant ; the Dutch settlers 158 HISTOEY nnd tJieir families rarely live upon anytliing else whatever, — lience, owing to this almost universal practice, and other most thrifty habits, they are enabled in some instances to accumulate tlocks and money to an extent wliich in a community of this kind is considered wealthiucss. But it is nevertheless a vast territory, possessing nothing that can sanction its being permanently added to a frontier already inconveniently extended. It secures no genuine interests; it is recommended by no prudent or justifiable motive ; it answers no really beneficial purpose ; it imparts no strength to the British Government, — no credit to its character, no lustre to its crown." The agitation respecting the withdrawal of British authority, and the declaration of Sir G. Clerk that it was finally resolved upon, encouraged those who desired to be freed from its conti'ol, to come forward and declare for an independent republic. Standers, Groenendal, and otlier leaders, held meetings, at which the doings of the first assembly of delegates, and the deputation to England, were repudiated. This party placed itself in communication witli the Special Commissioner, otiering to co-operate with him in carrying out tlie impending change, — "Not," they said, "because they regarded tlie British Crown with any antipathy ; their dis- content arose with the mis-government of Her Majesty's servants." The Commissioner thereupon dissolved the first assembly of delegates, and summoned those of the inhabitants who were pre- pared to take over the Territory, to meet him and arrange the conditions of the cession. They assembled at Bloemfontein on the 23rd February, 1854, and Sir George Clerk resigned to them the government of the country, aclcnowledging their independence in terms of a convention agreed to, simUar to that which had been previously concluded with the emigrant fanners of the Trani?vaal. The legal abandonment of the Sovereignty was more formallj'- effected by the publication, on the 8th April, 1854, of a Koyal Order in Council, and a Proclamation in which Iler Majesty the Queen did "declare and make known the abandonment and re- CONVENTION WITH THE TREE STATE 159 nunciation of our dominion over the said territory and the inhabi- tants thereof." The convention, which was confirmed and approved by Her Majesty's Government, consisted of the following nine articles : — 1. Her Majesty's Special Commissioner, in entering into a Con- vention for finally transferring the Government of the Orange River Territory to the representatives delegated by the inhabitants to receive it, guarantees on the part of Her Majesty's Government, the future independence of that country and its government; and that after the necessary preliminary arrangements for making over the same between Her Majesty's Special Commissioner and the said representatives shall have been completed, the inhabitants of the country shall then be free. And that this independence shall, without unnecessary delay, be confirmed and ratified by an instrument, promulgated in such form and substance as Her Majesty may approve, finally freeing them from their allegiance to the British Crown, and declaring them, to all intents and purposes, a free and independent people, and their Government to be treated and con- sidered thenceforth a free and independent Government. 2. The British Government has no alliance whatever with any native chiefs or tribes to the northward of the Orange River, with the exception of the Griqua chief. Captain Adam Kok ; and Her Majesty's Government has no wish or intention to enter hereafter into any treaties which may bo injurious or prejudicial to the interests of the Orange River Government. 3. With regard to the treaty existing between the British Government and the chief Captain Adam Kok, some modification of it is indispensable. Contrary to the provisions of that treaty, the sale of lands in the Inalienable Territory has l>een of frequent occurrence, and the principal object of the treaty thus disregarded. Her Majesty's Government therefore intends to remove all restrictions preventing Griquas from selling their lands ; and measures are in progress for the purpose of affording every facility for such transactions,— the chief Adam Kok having, for himself, concurred in and sanctioned the same. And with regard to those further alterations arising out of the proposed revision of relations with Captain Adam Kok, in consequence of the aforesaid sales of land having from time to time been effected in the Inalienable Territory, contrary to the stipulations of the Maltland Treaty, it is the intention of Her Majesty's Special Com- missioner, personally, without any unnecessary loss of time, to estabhsh the affairs in Griqualand on a footing suitable to the just expectations of