Notes on South African Affairs from 1834 to 1838. With reference to the civil, political, and religious condition of the colonists and aborigines. Few MS. notes

Introduction

. Page. Kaffer Irruption into the Colony, December 1834, - - i Colonel Smith's Official Report of the Distress of the Frontier Inhabitants, - - - - ibid. Public Opinion in England unfavourable to the Colonists, ii Influence of the writings of Barrow and others in the formation of Public Opinion at Home, - - ibid. Mistakes of the British Public in reference to the Colonial Character, partly attributable to the growing conviction of the injustice of the European system of Colonization, &c. - - - - ibid. Popular Charges against the Colonists arranged under three heads, - - - - iii (1 ) Cases of Individual Misconduct quoted as indicative of the character of the Community, - - ibid. Testimonies of unexceptionable Witnesses in favour of the Colonial Character, - - iv Thomas Pringle (Author of African Sketches,) - ibid.

John Fairbairn, (Editor of the South African Commercial Advertiser,) - - ibid. Lord Glenelg, (Her Majesty's Secretary of State for CONTENTS. Page. the Colonies,) - - v Select Committee on Aborigines, - - ibid. (2.) The Commando System, or Militia Force of the Colony, ibid. Mistakes of the Spectator Newspaper, - ibid- Present race of Boers averse to the Commando Service, vii British Settlers have never been employed on Commandos against the Kaffers previous to the War of 1 835, viii (3.) Erroneous Policy of the Colonial Government towards the neighbouring tribes, - - ibid. The Colonists not concerned in this question, - ibid Animadversions on sundry Mis-statements, - - ibid. (1st.) That previous to the War the Kaffers had been driven from their ancient and lawful possessions, ibid. (2d.) That previous to the War the Kaffers had been confined within a comparatively narrow space, &c. x (3d.) That in the War the Kaffers sustained an enormous loss of lives and cattle, - xi (4th.)

That the late War was carried on with unusual and unnecessary severity, - - xiii (5th.) Death of the Chief Hintza, - - xiv The Cape Colonists suffer from not being connected with any of the leading interests of the British Empire, xv The Eastern Province especially comparatively unknown, ibid. Ludicrous mistakes in England respecting its Localities, xvi Unmeasured odium cast upon the moral and christian character of the inhabitants of the Frontier, - ibid. Object of the present Work, - - - xvii NOTE I. CAUSES OF THE KAFFER WAR. Remarks of the Select Committee on Aborigines, - CONTENTS. V Page. Defective and unjust system of Colonization, the source of all the evils resulting from the contact of Europeans and Aborigines, - ' - 1 The Kaffers had no regular Settlement west of the Fish River previous to 1776, - - 2 Propriety of the Colonial Government extending the Boundary to that River, 1780, - - ibid.

Error committed in not reserving the country west of that River for the use of the Hottentot proprietors, after the final expulsion of the Kaffers, 1811,1812, - 3 The fatal error of disregarding the Territorial Rights of the Natives, characterized the Frontier Policy of the Colonial Government previous to the administration of Sir B. D'Urban, 1835, - - ibid. Expulsion of Makomo from the Kat River, one of the principal causes of the Kaffer War, 1835, - 5 Rev. W. Shaw's account of that event, - - 6 The Border Policy not the principal cause of the War, - Note. Capt. Stockenstrom and Rev. Mr. Read the principal parties concerned in the depriving Makomo of the Kat River, for the purpose of forming a Hottentot Settlement there, - - - 7 Col. Somerset generally averse to the expulsion of the Kaffers from their lands, - - Note.

Dr. Philip an applicant for lands for the use of the Hottentots, out of territory originally belonging to the Kaffers, - - - - 9 False position in which the friends of the Hottentots placed themselves by the acceptance of the Kat River for a Settlement, - ibid. Opinions of Messrs. Pringle, Bannister, and ■ Shaw, - 10 Injurious effect of the interference of Dr. Philip and Mr. Fairbairn with the affairs of the Frontier Chiefs of Kafferlandin 1830, - - - 11 Vacillating policy of the Colonial Executive calculated to tempt a Kaffer Invasion, - - \ I CONTENTS. Page. Sir B. D'Urban's Anti-colonial prepossessions and benevolent plans, - - 16 Dr. Philip employed by him as a medium of communication with the Kaffer Chiefs in 1834, - 17 Mistake of Lord Glenelg contradicted by Mr. Buxton, - Note 18 The conciliatory proposals of Sir B. D'Urban misunderstood by the Kaffers, - - ibid.

General desire for war in Kafferland since Makomo's expulsion, - - - - 18 Statements of the Rev. S. Young, and Rev. A. Bonatz, Note. Influence of seditious Hottentots, and the Chief Hinza in urging the War, - - 19 The War on the part of the Kaffers an unjust and unprovoked aggression, in the then state of affairs, - 20 Character ofSirB. D'Urban, the Governor of the Colony, 21 Justification of his measures from the charge of cruelty, &c. 23 The Colonists as a body not involved in the remote or proximate causes of the War, - 26 Extenuation of the conduct of the Kaffers, - 27 Remarks on recent schemes of Colonization, - 28 NOTE II. SIR BENJAMIN d'uRBAn's EXTENSION OF BRITISH JURISDICTION OVER THE BORDER KAFFERS. The extension of the frontier to the Kei, planned by Sir B. D'Urban in Cape Town, as the most effectual means of preventing future collision, and of securing to the Aborigines the protection of British Law, - 30 The expulsion of the bulk of the Kaffer population never contemplated, - ibid.

Explanation of the Proclamation of the 1 0th May to be found CONTENTS. VII Page. in the measures and declarations connected with it, 31 Interference of the Wesleyan Missionaries in procuring Peace for Makomo, Tyalie, &c, and the retention of their lands, - 32 Peace with the Kaffers, Sept. -1835. Their reception as British Subjects, - - - ibid. Great Meeting at King William's Town, 7th January 1836, 34 Consideration of the propriety of the extension of British Jurisdiction to the Kei, - - 48 The Measure did not involve the loss of Territory by the Natives, but simply affected the exercise of an independant Sovereignty by the Chiefs, - 49 Kaffer System of Government unfavourable to the continuance of Peace with the Colony, - - ibid. Difficulty of checking the predatory excursions of an independent pastoral community, in the vicinity of civilization, - - - 50 Injurious tendency of the frequent extension of the Colony by the removal of the Kaffers further back, - 51 The System of Sir B. D'Urban calculated to prevent the evils experienced by both Kaffers and Colonists, - ibid.

Objections to Treaties with the Kaffers as an independent people, - - - - - 53 1st. The Chiefs unassisted cannot compel compliance with any Treaty disagreeable to their people, - ibid. 2nd, The serious consequences resulting from any attempt on the part of the Colonial authorities to enforce compliance, 54 These evils can only be avoided by preventive measures, such as those of Sir B. D'Urban, - - 55 Practical results of the extension of British Jurisdiction over the Kaffers, - 56 Testimony of the Writer to the beneficial working of the new System, - - - 57 Opinion of the Legislative Council, ibid. Observation of Mr. Cloete, - - CONTENTS. Page. Col. Smith's Speech at Graham's Town, Sept. 1836, - 60 Kaffers not incapable of appreciating the advantages of British Rule, - - - - ibid. Sketch of the evils of the Kaffer political System, - 61 Its oppression and immoral tendencies, - - 62 Dislike of intelligent and christian Kaffers to their own Government, and their continued migration into the Colony, - - - - 63 Injurious consequences resulting from the restoration of Kaffer Independence, - 64 Col. Smith's resignation of his authority to Capt. Stockenstrom, Sept. 13, 1836, 65 The Kaffer Chiefs freed from their Allegiance to the British Government by Capt. Stockenstrom, Dec. 5, 1836, 71 NOTE III.

CAPTAIN STOCKENSTROM'S BORDER POLICY. State of feeling in Kafferland, and the Colony, unfavourable to the System of Capt. Stockenstrom, - 72 Unpopularity of the new Lieut.-Governor, and its origin, ibid. Extravagant expectations of the Kaffer Chiefs, - 74 Sketch of the New System adopted by the Lieut -Governor in the Treaties of Dec. 1836, - - 75 These Treaties based in principle, and in many of their details, upon the recommendations of a Letter written by the Author to Sir B. D'Urban, March 1834, .... 76 Defects of the Treaties, 80 (1) Introduction of Local and Fiscal Regulations, which place no small portion of the property of the Colonists beyond the pale of legal protection, - ibid. CONTENTS. IX Page. (2) Restrictions on the pursuit of stolen property, which facilitate the escape of the thief, and appear unnecessary obstacles to its recovery by the owner, 83 Enumeration of the facilities afforded for the escape of the thief, ... 86 (3) Unjust and heavy responsibility imposed upon the Kaffer Chiefs, 91 This has arisen from a total misconception of the power of the Chief, - - - Hid.

The Regulations and responsibility imposed upon the Chief, contrary to the principles and practices of Kaffer international Law. - 92 These are felt to be a serious grievance, - - 93 The treaties can never be properly enforced, - - 94 Practical working of Captain Stockenstrom's system, - 95 Amount of property stolen from the Colony during 1837, valued at £8,000, - 96 Official returns of the balance of losses, during 6 months of the year 1838, amount to about £4,000, - ibid. Opinions of the Cape Capitalists of the general insecurity of property on the Eastern frontier, during Capt. Stockenstrom's administration, - - Note 97 Expensiveness of the new System, - - ibid. Impossibility of enforcing the provisions of Capt. Stockenstrom's treaties without provoking a war, - 98 A proof of this in the attack on the Fingoes at Fort Peddie, August 1837, 99 Injurious effects produced in Kafferland by the vaccilating conduct of the Lieut.-Govemor, - - 100 The continuance of Capt. Stockenstrom's inefficient system, attributable to the want of correct information at home, and to the injurious influence of Colonial slanderers, - - - 101 Fallacious statements of the Editor of the Cape Commercial Advertiser, in support of Capt. Stocken- CONTENTS.

X Page . strom's measures, - - - 102 Capt. Stockenshom's departure from the Colony on leave of absence, August 1838. - - 106 NOTE IV. HINTS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF BORDER POLICY. How can the present system be rendered efficient ? - 107 Two preliminary measures would facilitate the carrying into effect the amendment desirable, - ibid. (1st.) The appointing a Military officer as Lieut.-Govemor, 108 (2d.) The reception of the Gonokwabie Tribe, under Pato and Kama, as British subjects, - ibid. This tribe, the faithful allies and peaceful neighbours of the Colony have been systematically neglected by the Colonial Government, - - ibid. Policy of the Colonial Government to conciliate and court its enemies and neglect its friends, - 109 Reason of this policy to be found in the peculiar position of the Governor of the Cape, - ibid.

Symptoms of a return to a more manly and honest policy by General Napier, - - ibid. Treaty with the Gonokwabie tribe and the Fingoes by General Napier, June 1838, - ibid. Good effects of this decisive measure, - - 110 Advantages which would result from the reception of these tribes as British subjects, - ibid. Alterations in the Treaties recommended, - 111 (1.) Dismissal of the expensive and useless Kaffer Police, - . 2j^_ CONTENTS. XI Page. (2.) Some modification of the regulations respecting Thefts, - ibid. These alterations in the Treaties, if enforced by a vigorous execution may, for a time preserve the peace of the Frontier, - - 113 No solid peace, no stable security, to be expected from any plan which merely contemplates the regulation of our external relationships with the Kaffer tribes, - - ibid.

Miscellaneous recommendations, - ibid. Encouragement should be given to the re-occupation of the Farms on the Frontier, - ibid. Proposal for rendering the present line of Boundary impassable by cattle, - - - 114 Recommendation of regular official communication with the Tambookie and Amaponda Chiefs, - 115 Injurious effects of our neglect of this, experienced by our Tambookie allies, - - -NoTEiiid. Large military force requisite for the present on the Frontier, - - - - 116 Prospective measures recommended, - - ibid. The Colony to be prepared by degrees for self-government, - - - ibid. To be divided into two Governments, with a Legislative Council and Representative Assembly for each, - ibid. The expenses of the defence of the Frontier to be divided between the two divisions, - - 117 Natural advantages of South Africa are such, that with self-government the Colonists would soon be able to pay all requisite expenses, - - ibid.

So long as the British Government choose to think and act for the Cape Colony, ignorant of its wants and interests, the British nation must be content to bear the enormous expense, 113 B CONTENTS. NOTE V. VAGRANCY AND ITS REMEDIES. Page. Supposed number of Vagrants in the Cape Colony, ■ - 119 Difficulty of guarding against the depredations of Vagrants arising from the nature of the Colony, ibid. Imperfection in the administration of the Criminal Law of the Colony, - - 120 Inconveniencies arising to the Colonial Farmer from Vagrancy, - - ibid. Injurious effect of Vagrancy upon the industrious portion of the coloured classes, - ibid. Difficulty of the subject, - 121 Its bearing upon the welfare of the coloured classes, - 122 A Vagrant Act objectionable, and why ? ibid. Much may be done towards remedying the evils of Vagrancy, without interfering with the liberties of the coloured classes, - - - 123 Remedies suggested, - ibid.

(1st.) The appointment of an additional number of Magistrates, and the extension of the power and jurisdiction of the Magistracy, - - ibid. (2d.) The establishment of an efficient system of local police or constabulary force, - ibid. Each Field-cornetcy may be formed into a parish or municipality, and be authorised and required to provide for self-governed and local police, - 124 (3d.) Improved prison discipline, - - 125 The chief remedy the elevation of the social, civil, and moral condition of the black and coloured population of the Colony, ... 126 Defects of the 50th Ordinance in its imperfection as a measure of justice, - ibid. Its failure from its being a half-measure, and the CONTENTS. XIII Page. injurious consequences experienced by Hottentots and Colonists, - - - - 127 Increased mental cultivation, and discontent of the Hottentot population, one of the signs of the times, - 128 Duty of the Colonial Government in the present emergency, - ibid.

The locations of the Hottentots on suitable sites at the expense of the Colonial Government, 129 The justice of the claims of the Hottentots upon the Colonial Government, - - - 132 Policy of also locating the (late) Slaves, Kaffers, Bechuannas, &c. domiciled in the Colony, - ibid, Advantages resulting from the location of the coloured population on suitable sites, - 133 Objections considered, - - 134 Abortive attempt of the Colonial Government to locate parties of Hottentots along the Fish River, 137 Forced and unsuccessful experiment of locating a party of Fingoes on the Zietsikamma, - - 139 Cautions against the interference of the Colonial authorities in the execution of any plan for the location of Aborigines, - 140 NOTE VI. EMIGRATION OF LARGE PARTIES OF COLONISTS BEYOND THE COLONIAL BOUNDARY.

Occasional temporary migrations previous to 1836, - 141 Extent of the migration of the Boers, &c. since 1836, - ibid. Motives which induced the emigration, . - ibid. Letter of P. Retief to the Governor of the Cape Colony, ' CONTENTS. XIV Page. Grievances complained of by the Boers, - - 143 Progress of the Emigrants from the Colony towards Natal, - - - - 145 Attacked by Matzilikatzi, and their subsequent punish ment of that Chief, - - - 146 Mistake ofthe Aborigines' Protection Society in reference to the event, - - - - Note ibid. Visit of P. Retief to Dingaan, the Chief of the Zulus, - 147 Narrative of subsequent events from Mr. Boshoffs account, - ibid. Account of the murder of P. Retief and his party by Dingaan, February 6, 1838, by the Rev. Mr. Owen, an eye witness, - - - 152 Journey of Mr. Boshoff across the Drakenberg range to Natal, April, 1838 - - 155 Intended occupation of Port Natal by the Colonial Government, (October 1838) - - - 164 Important effects for good or for evil will result from this emigration of the Boers beyond the Colonial boundary, - - - - ibid.

NOTE VII. BRITISH CONTROL OVER EMIGRATION BEYOND THE COLONIAL BOUNDARY, INDISPENSABLE FOR THE SECURITY OF THE ABORIGINES. Extract from a Letter of Captain Stockenstrom to the Colonial Secretary, containing a fair statement of the case of the Emigrant Boers, and suggesting the only efficient mode of meeting the exigencies of the case, - - - - CONTENTS. XV Page. Facts established by this document, - - 168 Abundance of unoccupied land in the interior of South Africa, - - - 169 This land might be settled without injuring a single native, 171 The settlement of these tracts forced upon the serious consideration of the Colonial Government, 172 The Colonial Government has a choice of two evils, - ibid. Benefits which might result to the Aborigines from the settlement of Colonies under legal control, and on a well regulated plan in their vicinity, - 173 Opinions of the Aborigines Protection Society, - 177 Question of most difficult solution stated by Rev. J. Beecham, - - - - - 178 This question does not interfere with the location of waste and unoccupied lands, - ' - - 179 Extreme necessity existing for the interference of the British Government, - ... ibid.

NOTE VIII. PRINCIPLES OF COLONIZATION ALIKE BENEFICIAL TO THE MOTHER COUNTRY, THE COLOM8TS, AMD THE ABORIGINES. First principle, that the pecuniary obligations of the New Colony should be entirely borne by its own resources, - - - - - 180 Second principle, that an ample provision for the civilization and christianization of the neighbouring nations, form part of the pecuniary obligations imposed upon the New Colony, - - 181 Third principle, that the rights of the Natives be conscientiously respected, - - - 18.3 CONTENTS. XVI Page. Preliminary measures to be adopted previous to the legal settlement of Dutch Emigrants, or the reception of other Colonists, - - - 184 Desirable to commence settlements in three different quarters, - - - - - 188 Advantages of a settlement at Natal, . - 189 Duties of a complex nature, — the result of our position on a vast continent, are incumbent upon us, 193 Quotation from Dr. Philip in reference to the possible exercise of a beneficial inflnence on the part of the Cape Government over the whole of South Africa, .... 194 Proclamation of General Napier announcing the intended occupancy of Port Natal, November, 1838. . 195 NOTE IX.

CASE AND CLAIMS OF THE BRITISH COLONISTS OF ALBANY. Claims of the British Colonists of Albany upon the Home Government undeniable, ... 195 No attempt made to controvert their statement, - ibid. Petitions of the Inhabitants of Albany to House of Commons, 1836. .... ibid. Statements in reply to the charges of aggression on the Kaffers, ... . - 205 Denial of the statement of Captain Stockenstrom, - 206 Congratulatory address to the Queen, October, 1837, - ibid. Alteration of the constitution of the Legislative Conncil,. - 207 Lord Glenelg's reply to the address of January, 1836, - 209 Sir George Grey's speech, July, 1838, - - 211 Napoleon's remarks on Colonial affairs, - - 213 Alison's remarks on the British Colonies, - - CONTENTS. XVII