None
We then departed, taking the nearest road to Cape Town, and arrived in the evening at the Modderfountain, situated in the Karoo, where we encamped. Monday April 19th. — We travelled on in the morning, passed the Windheuvel, arrived at noon at the Bloem fountain. While dinner was being prepared a letter was written to the veldcornet in Bokkeveld, Schalk Willem Pienaar, to give him notice that the expedition would arrive in the morning of the 21st instant at the Karoo poort, and that he was to take care that by that time six teams of oxen were in readiness, and to give further notice from veldcornet to veldcornet. With this letter we dispatched one of the brothers Coetzee, who had driven our waggon from Tanquas river, and who with his own three horses made the best of his 430 Records of the Cape Colony. way, promising to deliver the letter before daylight on the next morning, at its direction. After dinner we left the Windheuvel, leaving the Government cattle behind under the care of the herdsmen, with directions to seek the best places for water and pasture, and to drive them on, as they could not follow our daily journeys, which were performed with fresh relays, and principally to travel with them in the coolness of the night until they should arrive at the Government places in Groene kloof, where they were to remain. We passed the Gousbloems fountain and Juk river, and arrived in the night at the Ongeluks river, where we en- camped. Tuesday the 20th. — We left the Ongeluks river in the after- noon, crossed the southern extremity of the Koedoesberg, travelled on the whole night on account of the dryness, and crossed the fords of the Groote and Doom rivers, in both of which we found no water. With daybreak one of the axletrees of the waggon broke, which we left behind under proper care, and arrived with the other waggons on Wednesday April 21st with sunrise at the Karoo poort before Bokkeveld. An express was immediately sent to the next place of Pieter Janssen, with directions to hire a waggon and a team of oxen in order to take the cargo from the damaged waggon over, and to substitute a temporary axletree instead of the one which was broken, to be entirely renewed upon arrival in the Bokkeveld, which was in a few hours performed. In the forenoon arrived in our camp the veldcomet Pienaar with his brother Barend, with all the ordered relays and further appurtenances. We prepared everything for the continuance of our journey, and both the brothers Coetzee took their leave. We expressed our thanks to them for the obliging assistance given to the commission. The veldcomet Pienaar left the conduct of the expedition to his brother, and rode himself to the damaged waggon to superintend the repair. Meanwhile we paid to Pieter Janssen both for vege- tables and for the hire of the waggon and oxen rixdollars 13, and left the poort, arriving in the evening with all the waggons in Koude Bokkeveld at the house of the widow of Pieter Janse van Rensburg, where we remained. Thursday April 22nd. — All possible speed was made to prepare a new axletree from the wood cut on purpose at the Gariep, which was finished before sunset, and all the waggons, being provided Records of the Cape Colons/. 431 with fresh relays, were sent in the night under the care of the overseer Schultze to the Schurfde Berg, as far as to the place of the veldcornet Johannes Hugo. We paid to Van der Merwe for the repair of the axletree 2 rixdollars, and the first mentioned with the secretary and assistant secretary remained at the house of the said widow Van Eensburg (at the instance of Barend Pienaar) to pass the night, and agreed to depart at 2 o'clock in the morning with moonlight. Friday the 23rd. — We rode before daylight with the horse waggon from the place of the widow Van Eensburg, driven by the said Pienaar, passed the place of Joosten, and arrived after a few hours' riding at the place of the veldcornet Johannes Hugo at the Schurfde Berg, where the overseer Schultze was arrived with all the waggons at midnight. We here enjoyed the pleasure of receiving, after six months and 23 days, for the first time intelli- gence from our relations and friends from Cape Town, and were also honoured with a letter from Government of the 19th instant, whereby the first subscriber was authorized to leave the waggons and further appurtenances of the expedition to the care of the overseer Schultze, and that your Honor had been pleased to direct that the first undersigned with the secretary Mr. Daniell and the assistant secretary Mr. Borcherds, on the receipt of this letter would proceed as soon as possible, and in the most convenient manner, to Cape Town. After having made some arrangements, and having paid to Van der Merwe for account of Mrs. Van Eensburg, for lodging and hire of a horse waggon 12 rixdollars, we prepared for our return, taking leave of our friends at this place, and being provided with horses and a guide by the said Hugo, we left them in the forenoon, mounted the most horrible road of the Schurfdeberg, which is hardly to be passed by waggons on account of the many rocks and difficulties which obstruct its passage, and arrived in the afternoon at the place of Jochem Schols. Having dined at this place and refreshed the horses, we departed, and reached after a few hours the foot of the Witzenberg. The road to pass the same is of a similar nature to the Schurfde- berg, and not to be passed without the greatest difficulty and danger. Having arrived at its summit, we had a pleasant pros- pect over the houses and lands of the country of Waveren, de- scended the same, and arrived in the evening at tlie house of Jacobus de Wet at Eoodezand, where we met with the Eev. Mr. 432 Records of the Cape Colony. Kicherer, who delivered a letter from the second subscriber, from which it appeared that the said Mr. Kicherer was authorized by your Excellency to take some of the articles of the cargo of the waggons, as he judged proper, for which he would account to Government. We passed here the night. Saturday April 24th. — We sent during the afternoon to inquire in the neighbourhood whether a waggon or other conveyance was to be obtained to bring us to Cape Town. Meanwhile a letter was written to the veldcornet of Groeneberg, to inform him that the waggons of the expedition were to arrive tomorrow, or the day after, at his place, and that the same expected to find the necessary relays in readiness, that this information was to be circulated from veldcornet to veldcornet as far as in the Cape district, where the waggons were to pass, in order that the necessary provision might be made. And as at noon no waggon was yet obtained, Mr. De Wet kindly offered to take his covered cart with six horses, to proceed therewith to the Eikeboomen, at the widow Louw's, or to cross the Berg river near Burgersdrift and to go to the place of the widow Eoux, which we accepted, and paid for the hire of the cart and a fee to the coachman and leader together 7 rixdoUars. In the afternoon we went from Eoodezand through the kloof, crossed the Kleine Berg river, and arrived in the evening at the Eikeboomen, where the house was shut and the mistress not at home. We went on, crossing the Groote Berg river near Burgers- drift, touched at the place of Mrs. Eoux, but having the same misfortune of not finding her at home, we rode to the Paarl Slot, at the widow Hoppe's, where we arrived late in the evening, and met with a most friendly reception. Sunday April 25th. — This kind woman condescended at our request with the greatest politeness to give us her tent waggon with eight horses, without our being able to make her accept any hire for the same, to bring us to the Tygerbergen. We presented the slaves in the house and those belonging to the waggons with five rixdollars, and left in the morning, arriving at noon at the Phaisante kraal, the place of Adriaan Louw, Jacobsz, at the Tygerbergen, from which place notice was given by a letter to the veldcornet Jan Uys of the approach of the waggons. After dinner we left the Phaisante kraal in the waggon of Mr. Louw, and arrived after an hour at the place of Mr. J. J. Vos, Maestricht. According to agreement, we returned the waggon immediately, Records of the Cape Colony. 433 paying a rixdollar to the coachman. Mr. Vos and his family not being at home, all the horses used to the carriages were taken from the place, but anxious to arrive this evening in town we took from the unbroken horses, and formed a team of six, which were put to the waggon of Mr. Vos, and one Fredrik Mont, a famous coachman, offered to bring us with the same to town. We proceeded very quietly with the same, and without any trouble, until about the distance of an hour from town the horses being frightened turned hastily in an outworn road, and overturned the waggon. Happily no person was hurt, and the waggon being lifted up we proceeded, causing the leader to run before the horses as a measure of prudence. We arrived between 8 and 9 o'clock, and dismissed the leader with a fee of two rixdoUars. God be praised for his gracious assistance and guidance during this our so distant and dangerous journey through deserts and rivers into an unfrequented country. Here we might close as travellers, but as directors of the opened trade we ought to expect the return of the waggons, to notice what has happened since we left them behind. And as the books and the balance of the same, kept of the trade, will shew at large the disposal of the articles entrusted to us, it will be suf&cient shortly to remark : That the six waggons of the expedition on the 6th of May with the remnants of the goods have arrived at Cape Town. That on their arrival the overseer had reported that the Rev. Mr. Kicherer on the 27th of April last at the Eoodezand had received from the goods, both of those designed for barter and for use, the articles specified in the list he had formed thereof, and which he delivered in the mean time to us. That these articles of those designed for barter have been charged according to the invoice, and those for use according to the lessened value of the account of Mr. Kicherer to the amount of rixdollars 677^. That the sheep and goats killed for the use of the expedition in the month of Aprid amounted to 57 sheep and 6 goats. And that at the undermentioned dates have been accounted for as follows : — On the oth of May for a sum of rixdollars 4271^ for the consumed provisions, liquors, &c., the lesser value of the waggons and appurtenances, and articles lost and broken from IV. 2 F 434 Records of the Cape Colony. the departure from till the return of the expedition in Cape Town. On the 29th of May for the amount of eight rixdoUars for the invoice of four shirts for the faithful Boetshoeana arrived with us in the capacity of guide and interpreter, Ruiter Makauta. On the 30th of May for the sum of 182^ rixdollars for seven months hire of a Hottentot, hire for horses for dispatching letters and several expenses paid by the overseer Schultze since the waggons were left behind under his care, as also for the con- sumption of the Hottentots who have watched the cattle, which has amounted in the course of the month to 21 sheep and 2 goats. 1st of June. — The above mentioned six waggons have been delivered by your Honor's order to the Department of the Deputy Quartermaster General. 10th of June. — 150 rixdollars were paid to Willem Wium for account of several inhabitants of Middel Roggeveld for sheep delivered on our departure. 11th of June. — Some of the remainder of the pieces of iron were sold at public auction together with some articles used by the commission and a saddle horse, which after deduction of the expenses rendered 83-,^ rixdollars, which have been duly paid by the venduemaster Mr. Matthiessen on the 19th following. 12th of June. — The value of rixdollars 1207^| on the invoice of the remainder of some articles has been delivered over, agreeable to your Honor's order, to the Secretary of Government. 30th of June. — The following accounts were charged : — Account of Presents with Eds. 49-4, for clothes bought for ready money for the above mentioned interpreter Makauta to the amount of Rdfi. 37-4 and for a musquet given to him Eds. 12. The cash with 1200 rixdollars for the amount received from the Department of the Deputy Quartermaster General, for which the six waggons have been valued. At the charge of cattle has been entered the amount of the articles spent in the transaction Eds. 175-4. The account of expenses has been further charged with rix- dollars 66 ready money paid for hire of horses to Schultze, and the clothes bought for the Bastard Fiool Dikkop in reward of his services in attending the cattle from the Gariep to the Groene Records of the Cape Colony. 435 Kloof, and to Mr. C. J. Gie for account of Wium for the sheep obtained between Bokkevelds poort and Karoo on our outward journey, and also for the consumption of the Hottentots serving with the cattle of 16 sheep. The Government is charged with Eds. 1097|| for the cattle delivered for further care to J, Fles on the 20th instant, agreeable to order, consisting in 50 sheep and 212 head of cattle, viz. 154 old oxen. 36 young oxen. 3 bulls, and 19 cows. And the account of loss with Eds. 321^ for the invoice of 72 head of cattle, consisting in oxen, bulls, cows, and calves, among which are computed the three restored in Eoggeveld and 69 wliich since the 19th of April that the same were left behind in the Karoo on their route to Groene Kloof have died from want of food and water. On the 5th of August Government was charged to the account of the cattle with Eds. 2950|| for the augmentation of the value to which the oxen have been estimated above the original cost, and the same were for the said reason charged with the same amount to the account of gain. And lastly on the 31st of August the following accounts occur : The amount of Eds. 323 for five months hire of six Hottentots from the 1st of May to the last of September, for board, tobacco, wages, &c., and for some trifles to the interpreter Makauta for his return. The account of loss charged with Eds. 25^ for the gain upon the goods delivered in lieu of money at the Koubahas kraal. The Government charged with Eds. 7631|| for the amount of all the expenses of the expedition, and On the other hand credited by balance with Eds. 2309 for the gain, after deduction of the losses sustained, and also the cash for the delivered balance in ready money with Eds. 744-4-3, and the other debtors all charged, to close by balance. The undersigned thankfully expressing their feelings for the generous manner in which your Honor has been pleased to reward their trouble and labor, and that of the secretaries and overseer oi' 436 Records of the Cape Colony. the expedition, which by far exceeded their expectation, presume from this omen to believe that their transactions will be favored with your approval, of which they humbly beg to offer your Honor this report. We have &c. (Signed) P. J. Truter, W. SOMERVILLE. Cape of Good Hope, Augutt 31«< 1802. [Original.] Letter from MESSRS. Benau, Muller, and DiBBETZ to Messrs. Barrow and Maxwell. Caap Stadt den 8 September 1802. MiJNE Heeren, — Hoe zeer de verzekering vervat in UE missive van den 31 1. 1. omtrend de benoodigde graanen voor de verwacht wordende Bataafsche Troupes en Oorlog Scheepen alzints redelijk en voldoende is, is het echter noodzaakelijk eene positive bepaaling dien aangaande te maken, ten einde de voorloopige arrangementen zo van aanbesteeding van brood als anderzints te kunnen bewerk- stelligen ; om op het oogenblik van de aankomst der Scheepen deze distributie te doen aanvang neemen. Ingevolge van dien hebben wij de eer UE : bij deze te verzoeken, om op den 1° October aanstaande, (of zo veel vroeger indien het arrivement van eenig Schip of Scheepen dit noodzaaklijk maakte) aan ons uit het Gouvernements Koom Pakhuis te doen afgeeven 400 mudden Tarwe; zuUende deze quantiteit strekken voor de subsistentie geduurende de eerste twaalf of veerthien dagen der Bataafsche Krijgsmacht, en geene verdere aanvraag voor dezelve gedaan worden dan in derzelver arrivement. Daar het vertrek van een gedeelte der Engelsche Troupes mimte in de Cazemes zal te weeg brengen zoude het ons bijzonder aangenaam zijn dat de geevacueerde Locaalen in dezelve, als mede die thans tot Magazijnen worden gebruikt, onverweild ter onzer dispositie wierden gesteld, ten einde die tot receptie der Troupes te kunnen doen prepareeren. De Gouvernements gebouwen geene ressources voor het Loge- ment der Officieren opleverende, zal het misschien nodig zijn dat dezelve geduurende ten minste de eerste agt dagen bij de In- woonders worden ingequaxtifird, kunnende zij zich in dien tusschen Records of the Cape Colony. 437 tijd voor hmme rekening verdere inwooning bezorgen. Ten dien einde solliciteere wij minzaamst door de regeering dezer plaats de noodige Logements billetten voor het volgend getal officieren te doen vervaardigen, op de wijze als zulks in Europa gebruikelijk is, en deze Billetten aan ons te willen doen ter hand steUen, namelijk voor 9 Colonels of Lieut : Colonels, 4 Majors, 44 Capitains, 98 Lieutenants. Het verstaat van zich zelve dat voorn : getal Officieren op ten minste | gedeelte getrouwde moet worden gereekend. Eindelijk, Mijne Heeren, solliciteeren wij nog een Somma van Vijf Duizend Eijxdaalders in de loop van deze week uit de Gouvernements Cas aan ons te doen uitbetaalen. Met de meeste consideratie hebben wij de eer te zijn &c., (Geteekend) A. Muller, E. De Klekk Dibbetz, J. F. Benaij. [Original.] Letter from MESSRS. Benaij, Muller, atid Dibbetz to Messrs. Barrow and Maxwell. Mijne Heeren, — Wij verzoeken UE bij deze dat aan ons binnen de tijd van agt dagen mag worden ter hand gesteld, een somma van Tien duizend Eijxdaalders, uit zodanige montant van pen- ningen, op welke wij ingevolge UE veel geeerde missive in dato 30 Augustus 1.1, gunstige toezegging hebben gekreegen. Insgelijks neemen wij de vrijheid UE gedienstig te verzoeken, of hot niet moogelijk is, dat aan ons behalve het vergunde getal van Slaaven, nog wordt geaccordeert een getal van Tien Jongens doordien het grootste gedeelte der slaaven aan ons geleend, tot het in order brengen van de Thuijn en het huis aan het Konde Bosje gebruikt worden. Wij hebben &c. (Geteekend) A. Muller, J. F. Benaij. Caap Stad, den 18 September 1802. 438 Records of the Cape Colony. [Original.] Letter from Messrs. Benaij, Muller, and Dibbetz to Messrs. Barrow and Maxwell. MlJNE Heeren, — Daar wij bij UE missive van den 10 deezer toesegging hebben ontfangen van op den 1 October aanstaanden uit Gouvememeijts Magazijnen de quantiteit van Vier Hondert Mudden Tarwe te zullen bekomen ; verzoeken wij UE thands ons nader te willen bedeelen, op welke wijze de afievering zal plaats hebben. Het pakhnis welke wij tot dat einde ingehuurd onder opzicht van de Heer Carel David Wentzel gesteld hebben, is gelegen in de Leeuwen Straat, UE antwoord te gemoed ziende, hebben wij de eer met de meeste hoogachting te zijn &c. (Geteekend) A. Muller, E. De Klerk Dibbetz, J. F. Benaij. Cabo de Goede Hoop den 25 Sept&mber 1802. [Copy.] Government Advertisement. The unfavourable Weather during the month of September having prevented the Farmers of the District of the Cape, of Stellenbosch and Drakenstein, from fully complying with the orders issued in the proclamation of the 27th of August last. His Honor the Lieut. & acting Governor has been pleased to extend the term for the several Farmers completing the remainder of the respective quantities of Corn as determined by the Com- missioners until the end of the present month of October. At the same time His Honor warns all the said Farmers that such as shall at that period not have compleated the delivery of the Corn stipulated, will immediately have the penalty expressed in the said proclamation enforced upon them. Castle of Good Hope, 4th October 1802. (Signed) H. Boss, Deputy Secretary. Records of the Cape Colony, 439 [Original.] Letter from Messrs. Benaij, Muller, arid Dibbetz to Messrs. Barrow and Maxwell. MiJNE Heeren, — Wij hebben de eer UE te commuiiiceeren de ontfangst van uwen brief van den 30 1.1. met het daar bij gean- nexeerde paket met hondert en Tachtig billetten, welk tot huisvesting voor de vervvagt wordende Bataafsche Officieren zijn ingericht: Wij bedanken UE voor de moeite die UE ten dien aanzien hebt geUeven te neemen. Wij maken van dezen gelegenheid gebrnik UE voor te dragen, dat daar onze uitgaaven daagelijks meerder worden, en wij tot heden maar Vijfthien Duizend Eijxdaalers ontfangen hebben, of men aan ons iagevolge de gunstige dispositie van zijn Excellentie den Heer Gouverneur Dundas op de door onze Committenten verzochte Som van Een hondert duizent guldens hoUandsche valuatie, alhier uit 's Gouvernements kas te kunnen erlangen, geliefden te accordeeren, Dat binnen zekere bepaalde termijn de nog ontbreekende penningen zoude kunnen worden uitgereikt, ten einde wij onze mesures daar na kunnen neemen. Insgelijks neemen wij de vrijheid te proposeren dat dewijl tegenwoordig veel Graanen in de Stad aan gebracht wordt, en wij gaame de bakker die de leverantie van brood voor de verwacht wordende Bataafsche troepen heeft aangenomen, willen faciliteren, dat aan ons behalven de toegezeide quantiteit van Vier hondert Mudden, nog successivelijk zo veel koorn worde afgestaan, als na aftrek der ordinaire consumptien in voorraad overblijft. Wij verzoeken UE aantenemen de vemieuwde blijken van hoogachting waarmeede wij de eer habben te zijn &c. (Geteekend) A. Muller, J. F. Benaij, E. De Klerk Dibbetz. Caap StAPT den 4 October 1802. 440 Records of the Cape Colony. [Original.] Letter from Messks. Benaij, Muller, arid Dibbetz to Messrs. Barrow and Maxwell. MiJNE Heeren! — Ingevolge onze laatst gehouden conferentie hebben wij de eer TIE bij dezen te proponeren. Dat zodanige goederen, ustensiles gereedschappeu en andere benodighedens meer, welke het Engelsch Gouvernement ten behoeve van het Bataafshe zouden willen cederen, en waarvan de waarde voorlopig is geevalueerd, doch welke wij liefst aan de finaale decisie van de verwacht wordende Commissaris Generaal gedefereerd laten, aan ons, onder behoorlijke repus mogen worden afgegeeven. Wij betronwen, daar wij tot heden de eqniteit van alle UE handelingen in zo eene groote maate hebben ondervonden, ten opzichte van deeze ovemaame en de kleine differentie die er bij de wederzijdsche taxatien plaats greepen, dat dezelve in de toekomst geen zwaarigheid zuUen ontmoeten. Wij verzoeken &c. (Geteekend) A. Muller, E. De Klerk Dibbetz. Caap Stadt den 5 October 1802. [Original.] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqre. Lancaster, Table Bat, Cape of Good Hope, Uh October 1802. Sir, — This Letter will contain for the information of their Lordships a detail of the occurrences here since my two letters of the 21st and one of the 25th August. In one of my Letters of the 21st of August, above alluded to, I set forth the probable number of persons there would be to be carried to England upon the evacuation of the Colony, and also how many of them could be conveyed home in the Ships of the Squadron. Lieutenant General Dundas being extremely desirous Records of the Cape Colony. 441 of securmg the means of carrying away the remainder, strongly urged to me the necessity of providing Ships for the purpose, if practicable. In my Letter to you abovementioned I stated that there were here three Merchant Ships that might possibly be ■attained, but according to the suspicions I therein expressed, the demands of those who had the disposal of them were of the most exorbitant nature. Two of them, however, were afterwards taken up by the Agent of the East India Company, to carry Troops to India, and at no unreasonable price, because the owners counted upon the advantages which would result to them from their carrying upon Freight a Cargo from India to England. The owners of the third Ship before alluded to, called the Begona, having come to such terms as I deemed fair and reasonable, she was conformably to the rules of the Service in such cases, hired as a Transport and fitted accordingly, under the superintendence of Lieutenant Street of the Lancaster whom I appointed Agent for Transports, it being indispensibly necessary to appoint an Officer for that Service, and the resident Agent having pursuant to orders from the Transport Office returned to England in the Imperieuse. The Transport before mentioned left Simons Bay, where she was taken up, with the Ships of the Squadron on the 30th ultimo in order to remove to Table Bay, but meeting with a strong S E Gale at the entrance of it on the 1st instant, bore up as is usual in such cases, to Anchor in the road of Eoben Island, but unfortunately during the ensuing night got on the rocks and was entirely lost. Lieutenant General Dundas being extremely solicitous another Ship should be hired for the same purpose as the one lost was engaged, and there being one now in this Bay suitable for the occasion, it is my intention to cause her to be taken up, if it can be done on any reasonable terms. Indeed the procuring, if possible, conveyance for the Troops that are to return to England is absolutely indispensible, for were any to be left behind, every means would be underhandedly taken to induce them to Desert and remain in the Colony. In my other Letter of the 21st August before alluded to, I mentioned an arrangement in contemplation, for removing the Troops posted on the Eastern extremity of the Settlement; but the Dutch Officers declined the proposal. Upon which Lieutenant General Dundas determined to go to the Frontiers himself, in order to see the state of things there, and to adopt the necessary 442 Records of tJie Cape Colony^ measures for withdrawing the Troops, if possible; and I ac- cordingly sent the Rattlesnake to carry him to Algoa Bay. He returned in her on the 1st instant, and in that SMp, and in the Penguin, and in a Ship in the Service of the Colony, he brought away the chief part of the Troops, the remainder stationed in the Country about 150 Miles from Algoa Bay, marched towards the Cape by Land. All the Ships and Vessels of the Squadron except the Ewphrosyne Armed Brig are now in this Bay. The Officer left with the Command at the Cape in the absence of Lieutenant General Dundas, being extremely desirous of sending to the Lieutenant General a dispatch, and it being deemed impracticable to send a messenger to Algoa Bay by land, owing to the present hostile disposition of the Skellam Hottentots, who have been joined by some Caffres, I sent the Euphrosyne with the Dispatch; She passed the Rattlesnake when the Lieutenant General was on the passage, without seeing her, and the Euphrosyne is not yet returned. The Dutch Squadron and the Transports, mentioned in my Letter of the 25th of August as having arrived in Simon's Bay a few days preceding, did not leave that Bay in prosecution of their voyage to Batavia until the 21st ultimo. I have much satisfaction in assuring their Lordships the utmost cordiality between them and all the English here subsisted during their stay ; and upon their departure the Commodore wrote me a most flattering Official Letter, to express his acknowledgements for the attention that had been shewn him and his people, and for the assistance he had received. It being hardly possible the Squadron will again return tO' Simon's Bay, every thing is brought away from thence, and the Hindostan is completely full. Some unserviceable Naval Stores^ and a few other Articles not worth sending home, and for which indeed there is no conveyance, have been sold by public Auction. There remain some Spars which we shall be unable to bring away, and which shall be disposed of in the manner the most advantageous to His Majesty. There are also a quantity of Dutch Anchors found here when the place was taken, and are upon the charge of the Naval Storekeeper. The most of them are old, and none of them suitable for the King's Service, and by no means worth the transporting to England, I am hopeful of being able, Eecm'ds of tJie Cape Colony. 443 upon tiie arrival of the Dutch Government, to induce them to enter into some suitable arrangement in regard to the Anchors. I am &c. (Signed) EOGER CUBTIS. [Original.] Letter from Messrs. Benaij, Muller, and Dibbetz to Messrs. Barrow and Maxwell. Caap Stad den 11 October 1802. MiJNE Heeren ! — Op den Sen dezer maand hebben wij ont- fangen UE missive van den 6 October, dienende tot antwoord op de onze van den 4en bevorens rakende liet avanceeren der aan ons toegezegde gelden ; benevens het afstaan van eenig over- schot van Kooru, iiidien er eene genoegzaame quantitiet wierd aangevoerd. Op het eerste gedeelte van UE antwoord hebben wij de eer te rescribeeren, dat wij zeer wel overtuigd zijn van de genegenheid van Zijn Excellentie den Heer Gouverneur Dundas om de wenschen •onzer zenders te gemoed te komen, dat wij ontevreden op ons zelven zouden zijn, wanneer wij immer een oogenblik getwijffeld hadden aan het toen gegeeven woord van Zijn Excellentie, en dat wij ons wel verzekerd houden dat wanneer de staat der Cassa ^ulks toelaat, Zijn Excellentie aan ons niet zal weigeren de door ons verzogte gelden wanneer wij dezelven benodigd zijn te doen avanceeren, ten minsten ter concurrentie van de somma van 100,000 guldens hollandsche courant ingevolge het door den Asiatischen Kaad gedaan verzoek, maar de reden waarom wij in onze missive van den 4 dezer verzogt hebben het bepalen van <}en zekere tijd binnen welke het resterende aan ons zoude mogen worden uitbetaald, is omdat wij onderscheidene engagementen hebben aangegaan, tot vervulling van welken wij het dienstig oordeelden ons zeker te stellen van den tijd op welken wij daar aan zouden kunnen voldoen, en daar wij ons (onder correctie) nog zeer wel rapelleeren dat in eene onzer eerste conferentien UE op u genomeu hebt, zo veel mogelijk uw best te zuUen doen, dat de geheele som binnen den tijd van Ses weeken aan ons zoude worden uitbetaald, zijn wij zoo vrij van te geloven dat dit ons 444 Records of the Cape Colony. gedaan verzoek juist zoo niet ten eenemaalen kan beschouwd worden huiten de questie te zijn. In alien gevallen Mijne Heeren! is ons verzoek, gelijk van zelf spreekt, voorwaardelijh geweest, dewijl "wij zeer wel weeten, dat aan ons geene penningen kunnen worden verstrekt, wanneer de Gas van het Gouvemement zulks niet toelaat. Dewijl dit dan nu niet anders kan, en het in der daad ook weinig onderscheid maakt of wij de toegestaaae som in eens ont- fangen of onze toevlugt tot Zijne Excellentie de Heer Gouverneur kunnen neemen wanneer wij gelden benodigd zijn, (wel te verstaan niet te bovengaande de toegestaane somma) zo willen wij overgaan om het tweede gedeelte van UE missive te beantwoorden. Het smert ons mijne Heeren! dat ons laatst gedaan verzoek om van het overschot van het aangevoerd wordend& koorn een gedeelte voor de verwagt wordende Bataafsche troepen te mogen hebben, eenige aandoening by UE schijnt verwekt te hebben, Wij herinneren ons zeer wel, dat, in den tijd toen de uitzichtea op eene genoegzame aanvoer van koorn op verre na zoo gunstig niet waren als nu, wij ons vergenoegd hebben met slegts om eene quantiteit van 400 mudden te verzoeken, en dat wij ook zeer zeker, wanneer die uitzigten zoo ongunstig gebleven waxen, ons wel zouden gewagt hebben, van om eene meerdere quantiteit aanvraag te doen, maar mijne Heeren ! daar de omstandigheeden eene zaak veranderen en wij het voor beweezen houden dat er een zeer aanzienlijke quantiteit graanen in deeze stad is opgebragt, en nog verwagt wordt ; hebben wij er althans. geene onbillijkheid gelijk UE het noemt ingezien, dat wij op nieuween zeer betamelijk verzoek deeden, dat aan ons van het overschot van aangevoerd graan eene geevenredigde hoeveelheid wierd afgestaan, daar wij zo veel als iemand overtuigd zijn van de noodzakelijkheid, om de verwagt wordende scheepen onzer Natie voor hunne verdere reis naar de Indische wateren van genoegzaamen voorraad van meel en andere eetwaaren te voorzien. Ons verzoek moge dan in \]^ oogen ongesaissonneerd schijnen, zeker is het dat wij niet kunnen begrijpen dat het onbillijk zij, dat wij eene pooging gedaan hebben om ons bij tijds van zodanig eene geevenredigde hoeveelheid koorn te verzekeren, als de oorlogscheepen onzer Natie bij het vervorderen hunner reis zullen mogen nodig hebben. Ook zoude het ons in onze ziel smerten dat het Engelsch Gouverne- ment vooral Zijne Excellentie den Heer Gouverneur, van wien Records of the Cape Colony. 445 ■wij zoo menigvuldige blijken van heuschheid en openhartigheid ondervonden hebben, eenige de minste reden zoude kunnen hebben van zich over de onMUijkheid onzer aanzocken te beklagen, en door- drongen van deze gevoelens verzoeken wij UE mijne Heeren ! met al den ernst die wij aan het Caracter het welk wij bekleeden verschuldigd zijn, dat GijL: ons gelieft te ontheffen van den blaam als of wij in staat waren een onhillijk aanzoek bij het Engelsch Gouvernement te doen, hoe zeer wij overtuigd zijn dat wij kunnen dwaalen, zijn wij verwaand genoeg te geloven dat niemand gereder kan zijn dan wij om van onze d waling terug te komen wanneer wij er van overtuigd worden. Even zeer heeft ons gegriefd UE aanmerking " dat wij door het weigeren van de overname eener quantiteit Eijst (800,000 ponden belopende) niet alleen geene genegenheid hebben getoond om het met de oogmerken van het Engelsch Gouvernement eens te zijn, maar dat wij door het inkoopen van andere rijst omdat dezelve .eenige daalders beter hoop konde worden verkregen de lagere classe van Ingezetenen zeer wezentlijk in verlegenheid hebben gebragt omdat wij de eenigste quantiteit Eijst zouden hebben opgekogt die ten gerieve der armen bij de kleine maat mo»t worden uitgekogt" Wij verklaren echter dat deze Uwe aanmerking ons meer zoude grieven, indien ze niet van zelve onze ontschuldiging met zich bragt, het kan ons immers nimmer ten kwaden geduid worden wanneer wij tot voordeel van ons Gouvernement daar onze eetwaaren inkoopen waar wij ze het beste koop kunnen bekomen, en dit geeft UE zelve op als de reeden van deze onze demarche. Ofsclioon het tot de questie niet doet, neemen wij echter de vrijheid aan den Heer Barrow ter dezer plaatze te herinneren dat in eene onzer conferentien die Heer zelf zeer goed gekeurd heeft dat wij de quantiteit rijst die de heer Cruijwagen leggen had van dien heer zouden koopen, en in dien zin zelf met ons over de zaak heeft gesproken. Wij willen bier ook niet ongemeld laaten dat wij van de door ons aangekogte quantiteit Eijst die in het geheel 36,000 ponden beloopt, bereids 10,000 ponden aan het escader van den Heer Melissen op aanvraage der drie Bataafsche zee Capiteinen hebben afgestaan ; dat dus de geheele quantiteit Eijst welk wij in ons Magazijn hebben, slegts 26,000 ponden bedraagt, eene quantiteit waarlijk zoo gering dat mij moeite hebben om te gelooven dat wij daar door de geringere Classe der ingezeetenen 446 Records of the Cape Colony. in dezen tijd in verlegenheid zonden brengen, en welke quantiteit wij volvaardig ten dienste der Ingezeetenen willen afstaan, zo dm wij slegts mogen weeten dat Zijn Excellentie den Heer Goiive?neur Dundas zulks zoude begeeren. Wij vertrouwen dus dat wij ook van deeze beschnldiging on» ten voUen hebben gedisculpeerd. Wat aangaat de bronnen van onze informatie dat er eene aanzienlijke quantiteit koom in deze stad word opgebragt, aan de egtheid dier informatien hebben wij gemeend niet te mogen twijffelen en verkeere nog in dat zelfde gevoelen. Dan daar UE ons declareert dat een verondersteld overschot van Tarwe, zelf» als er een was, ons niet kan worden toegestaan, zoude het nuttelooze moeijte zijn aan UE de gronden van deze onze sustenue te ontvouwen. Eindelijk, mijne Heeren! erkennen wij dankbaar de menig- vuldige blijken van gereedheid en bereidwilligheid die wij van uwen kant in het waarneemen van uwe Commissie zo dikwerf hebben ontwaard, — het zoude ons ter liefde van ons Vaderland smerten indien er na deze onze gedaane explicatie de geringste verdenking bij het Engelsch Gouvernement konde plaats hebben als waren wij in staat om eenig onUllijk aanzoek te doen, of door het inkoopen van eetwaaren der eerste noodzakelijkheid de geringere classe der Ingezeetenen in wezentlijke verlegenheid te brengen. Neen Mijne Heeren ! wij hebben slegts naar onze beste geweeten aan den letter van den vijfden Artikel onzer Instructie willen voldoen, en indien wij niet getreeden zijn in de overnaame der bewuste 800,000 ponden rijst gelieft dan overtuigd te weezen dat wij om gegrondde redenen ons daar toe niet hebben geregtigd geoordeeld. Na dit alles vermeenen wij van UE te mogen verwagten, dat, indien onze missive van den 4 October eenigen nadeeligen indruk ten onzen opzichte bij Zijn Excellentie den Heer Gouverneur Dundas mogte gegeeven hebben, UE in dat geval na deeze onze gegeevene explicatie wel de goedheid zult willen hebben dezelve uit te wisschen. Wij verzoeken UE aan te neemen de verschuldigde gevoelens van achting waar mede wij de eer hebben ons te noemen etc. (Geteekend) A. Muller, E. De Klerk Dibbetz, J. F. Benaij. Records of the Cape Colony. 447 [Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Hobart to Lieutenant General Dundas. Most Secret. Downing Street, October 17, 1802. Sir, — Circumstances having recently occurred which render it advisable to delay the Eestitution of the Cape of Good Hope to the Batavian Government, I am to signify to you His Majesty's Commands, that you should retain possession thereof until further orders. Tt is however extremely desirable that in the Execution of this Instruction every circumstance should be avoided which may be calculated to excite Jealousy in the Batavian Government, or to create an apprehension of its arising from an Hostile motive. Orders are herewith sent for the Ships which had been directed to convey such of the Troops at the Cape as were intended for India to proceed immediately on their Voyage ; and you will take care to have it understood, that the Commercial Concerns of the Company having rendered this arrangement necessary for their accommodation, other Ships have been substituted, which are actually on their passage to the Cape, upon which the Troops will ombark for India. In the mean time you will consider the orders for the departure of any part of the Forces under your Command super- seded. And in the Event of the arrival of any Troops belonging to the Batavian Government in the Expectation of your immediate Evacuation of the Colony, you will either prevent their disem- barking, or, if you should be induced to suffer them to land, you will so station them, as not to admit of any interference whatever with your authority as Lieutenant Governor of the Colony. I have &c. (Signed) Hobart. 448 Becords of the Cape Cdony. [Original,} Letter from Messrs, Benaij, Muller, and Dibbetz to Messes. Barrow and Maxwell. Caapstab den 25 October 1802. Mijne Heeren, — Daar wij om de verwagt wordende troupen en schepen van het Bataafsch Esquader behoorlijk van levens- middelen zo geduiirende hun verblijf alhier als voor hunne verdere reijze naar de Indische Wateren te voorzien^ en wij ten dien einde nog eene aanzienlijke qnantiteit koora zuUen benodigd zijn, en daar er thans eene groote hoeveelheid koom in de maga- zijnen van het Engelsch gouvemement wordt aangebragt, en het zich laat aanzien dat er geene vrees althans voor gebrek aan dit artikel behoeft plaats te hebben, neemen wij de vrijheid UWEd'^"^^ te verzoeken, dat bij het begin der maand November nog zes honderd mudden koorn tot onze dispositie mogen worden gesteld. Ook verzoeken wij UWEd'®"^ de goedLeid te willen hebben van het daar been te dirigeeren, dat aan ons tegen het einde dezer maand nog vijf duijzend Eijxdaalders uit 's Gouveine- ments kas mogen worden afgegeeven. "Wij hebben &c, (Geteekend) A. Muller, J. F. Benaij, E. De Klerk Dibbetz. [Original,] Letter from Messrs. Benaij, Muller, and Dibbetz to Messrs. Barrow and Maxwell. Cabo de Goede Hoop den 9 November 1802, Wel Edele Heeren, — Wij neemen de vrijheid UEd. te ver- zoeken, of het niet mogelijk zoude zijn, om nog vier of nog liever ses slaaven meiden, zijnde naaisters, aan ons te kunnen afstaan, ten einde het benoodigde werk te kunnen maaken, dat voor de ligging der verwagt wordende Bataafsche troupes thans word in Records of the Cape Colony. 449 gereedheid gebragt. UEd. suit ons ten hoogsten verpligten met, so mogelijk, aan dit ons verzoek te voldoen. Terwijl wij voorts de eer hebben met hoogachting te zijn &c. (Geteekend) A. Muller, R. De Klerk Dibbbtz, J. F. Benaij. [Original] Letter from Vice Admiral Curtis to Evan Nepean, Esqrk Lancaster, Table Bat, Cape of Good Hope, 11th November 1802. Sir, — I avail myself of an opportunity which presents itself for sending to England, that their Lordships may be informed, relative to the Naval concerns here since my Letter of the 8th ultimo. In my Letter aforesaid, I acquainted their Lordships of the Begona Transport being wrecked on Eoben Island ; but having ordered the Diomede down to the Island, to save as much as possible of the Stores the Begona had on board, I have the satis- faction to inform their Lordships that very little has been lost. In my Letter abovementioned I also informed their Lordships of my intentions, for the reasons therein set forth, to hire another Ship then in this Bay, which has been done, on what are deemed here very reasonable terms, the particulars of which have been communicated to the Transport Office. This Ship will be ready to sail for England in about Ten days, and there is already embarked in her all the Cannon to be sent home, amounting to between 160 and 170 Tons; and she will take on board besides about 250 persons composed of some Officers and Invalid Soldiers. Nearly the like number of the same description of persons the General has hired a passage for on board a Danish Ship. The Euphrosyne is returned from Algoa Bay. I am &c. (Signed) Eoger Curtis. IV. 2 G 460 Records of the Cape Colony. [Office Copy.] Letter from Lord Hobaet to Lieutenant General Dundas. Secret. Downing Stbeet, l&ih Nov. 1802. Sir, — I have the honor to acquaint you that, notwithstanding the instructions which by the Eling's Commands I communicated to you on the 17th ultimo, it is His Majesty's pleasure, in the Event of the East India Ships originally destined for the convey- ance of the Troops being at the Cape when you receive this Despatch, that you do give directions for their immediate em- Ibarkation, with orders for their departure for India without delay. Under an impression however of the probability of those Ships having sailed without the Troops, I am to acquaint you that other ' Ships have been substituted for that service, but that I am appre- hensive it will be at least one month before they can leave this ■ Country. I am also to signify to you His Majesty's pleasure that you do proceed forthwith to the execution of your former Instructions for the complete evacuation of the Cape. The utmost cordiality subsisting between His Majesty's Govern- ment and that of the Batavian Eepublic, you will observe the most conciliatory conduct in all your proceedings with the officers .belonging to that Eepublic, and you wiU especially exert yourself .to prevent any misunderstanding that may arise in consequence of my Instructions of the 17th ultimo. I have &c. (Signed) Hobart. [Original.] Letter from Lieutenant General Dundas to Lord Hobart. Cape of Good Hope, Nwemher 21th 1802. 