British South Africa

BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA British South Africa A History of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope from its Conquest 1795 to the Settlement of Albany by the British Emigration of 1819 [A.D. 1795— yJ.Z). 1825] WITH NOTICES OF SOME OF THE BRITISH SETTLERS OF 1820 BY COLIN TURING CAMPBELL [Resilient at Gkaham's Town, 184S-1871J WITH MAP OF THE ZUURVELD DIVIDED INTO LOCATIONS JOHN HADDON & CO 6 BELL'S BUILDINGS, SALISBURY SQUARE, LONDON, E.C J. C. JUTA & CO., Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg 1897 AU Rights Reseri'ed — PREFACE THE following pages are the outcome of a long-cherished wish to con- tribute to the stock of information respecting the British Settlement in the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope. What little there is of this portion of the history of the Colony is now antiquated, and no writer has given particulars of the British Settlers themselves, their experiences after arrival, and their troubles and trials before the severe sufferings they had to endure by successive Kafir wars. The history of these wars is full enough, in which the British military forces figure prominently with distinction, while the ruin of the Settlers themselves is hardly alluded to. Many circumstances prevented my attempting anything in this direction whilst resident in Graham's Town. It was not till quite the evening of my life, and retirement from the public service in Griqualand West, that sufficient freedom from the distractions of unceasing labour allowed of my making a commencement of the work, and it has been pursued under difficulties, amidst many cares and anxieties. The work, however, was one of interest to me, and the disadvantage of distance from Graham's Town and Cape Town—where ready access could be obtained to such works as it was necessary to read and consult by way of preparation for my task was lightened by the numerous books on South Africa to be found on the shelves of the Kimberley Public Library within my reach. Kind friends also supplied me with the loan of such other publications relating to the Settler period which were not to be found in that excellent institution. The opportunity also presented itself to me about three years ago to pay a short visit to Cape Town, where, by the kind permission of the authorities, the original records of the past preserved in the archives could be examined, and from which copious notes and extracts were made to serve my purpose. My grateful acknowledgments are hereby expressed ; VI ru'i:FACE for the kindness and encouragement received from the Rev. H. C. V. Lieb- brandt, Keeper of the Archives, and G. M. Theal, Esq., LL.D., Colonial Historiographer, who cheerfully and readily assisted me in my search and lightened my labours by imparting their knowledge of documents, reports and parliamentary papers, and generously allowing me the use of printed works not generally accessible. Nor must I omit to mention J. Templer Home, Esq., the Surveyor-General, who kindly supplied me with a tracing of the Survey of the Zuurveld into locations for the British Settlers. My warm and grateful thanks are also due to the Hon. Sir J. Gordon Sprigg, K.C.M.G., Treasurer-General, who manifested a practical interest in my work by taking the trouble to peruse the manuscript and encourag- ing me to get it printed ; also to the many kind friends and correspondents all over the country who readily responded to my invitation for particulars respecting their families, which has made the " Short Notices of British Settlers of 1820 " highly interesting. It is to the period of the British Settlement of 1820 in the history of the Colony that its progress and development as a part of the British Empire is to be traced. Without this valuable addition to the population the Colony would have remained nominally British by virtue of its conquest its inhabitants, of mixed European origin, drifting away from its boundaries and involving the Government in expenditure for the preservation of the lives of the more peaceable, who were content to remain under British protection and government. Imperfect as this attempt to compile a history of the early years of the past may be thought, it is hoped it will be found interesting to the general reader, and the new material —never before pub- lished, as far as I am aware—especially attractive to the descendants of that band of Colonists who have given the country of their adoption its English character, its English spirit of enterprise, and its English inde- pendence, love of freedom, and attachment to the throne of Great Britain. COLIN T. CAMPBELL. Barbreck, Kimrf.rlev, April, 1896. CONTENTS CHAPTliR PAGE I. Conquest of the Cape, and its Occupation by British Forces, i 795-1 S03 i II. Resumption of the Colony by the Batavian Govern- ment, 1803-1805 10 III. The Conquest of the Colony, 1805-1806 .... 14 IV. Stormy Days 19 V. The Attack upon Graham's Town 23 VI. CoLONAL Graham 26 VII. Projected Settlement of the Zunsveld and Intro- duction OF British Immigrants 29 VIII. Regulations Introducing Settlers to the Zunsveld . 35 IX. The Zunsveld 40 X. Preparations for Reception and Location of the Settlers 43 XI. Landing of the Settlers—Journey to, and Arrival at, the Locations 47 XII. The Acting-Governor's Visit to Albany .... 52 XIII. Biography of the Leaders 55 XIV. WiLLSON's Party 59 XV. Parker's Party 63 XVI. Sir Rubane Donkin's Administration . .69 XVII. The Kowie River's Mouth 76 XVIII. Religion and Education among the Settlers . 79 XIX. Additional Emigrants 86 XX. Reversal of Lord Charles Somerset's Policy . 89 XXI. Lord Charles Somerset's Government .... 92 XXII. LoRH Charles Somfrcft'^ Report on the SFrnrF« '-• viii CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE XXI II. Alterations in the Laws and Establishment of a Free Press 105 British Settlers who Rose to Distinction . .110 APPENDICES: I. Cape Parliament .... 121 II. Earl Bathurst's Despatch, No. 280 123 III. List of the Settlers of 1820 125 IV. General Campbell's Settlers 183 V. Letters from Settlers . 184 IV. British Settlers of 1820 188 ; I 1 OF THE South Eastern part of the District All COLONY OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE Shewing the situation and exact boundaries of the Lands allotted for the Location of English Settlers, as also Towns. Military and other Establishments. Personal grants of Land &c. Surveyed in the vears ISEO. 21.22, by (S.q"! J Knobel, ^ ^ Sw" Surveyor, BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA — CHAPTER I CONQUEST OF THE CAPE, AND ITS OCCUPATION BY BRITISH FORCES, 1 795-1 803 'T*HE Settlement on the shores of Table Bay founded by Van Rubeck, as representing the Netherlands East India Company in 1652, intended as a trading station for the exclusive benefit of that mercantile association, remained under the direction of that body by a succession of Commanders until 1795, when the importance of Table Bay as the key to India and the East was considered paramount in the struggle for supremacy among the European powers ; it was acquired by conquest by a British fleet, under Admiral Elphinstone, with 5,000 troops under command of General Craig. That was the death-blow of this grasping, mercenary, trading corporation, whose despotic government and rigorous monopoly of all produce raised by the settlers in the country had driven those living outside Cape Town into open rebellion. Apart from the advantage of disciplined troops, more than sufficient to conquer the paltry fort and town of Cape Town and reduce its inhabitants into complete submission, the moment of attack was favourable. Disaffection existed all over the territory claimed to belong to the Company ; open rebellion had been declared against the Government by the Boers, who dwelt inland at remote distances about Swellendam and Graaff Reinet, and who had in fact set up a Government of their own, under their own officers and style of "Nationalists." Even in the extremity of immediate capture these Boers declined to come to the assistance of Sluysken, who had been left in command of the Settlement by the Com- missioners Nederburg and Frykenius, although he was weak in mind and body, and endeavouring to oppose the landing and march to Cape Town of the British forces. There was no help for it but unconditional surrender, and the Cape of Good Hope passed into the possession and occupation of the King of Great Britain. The captured were treated with great leniency; their laws and customs were guaranteed to them, property was to be respected, no new taxes were to be levied, and the Dutch Reformed Church was to keep its rights and privileges. From this date— 1795 *''' 1802— the Settlement at Cape Town and all B - CONQUEST OF THE CAPE, AND ITS OCCUPATJOX 5 of these hostile expeditions." Matters having been arranged as well as circumstances would permit, Mr. Barrow and the Landdrost set out on the expedi- tion to Kafirland. Their tents were pitched on the banks of the Kareiga River, about the centre of the Zunsveld, amidst hundreds of Kafirs, who alleged they had come thither in pursuit of game. It was explained to them that the country had passed into the hands of Britain, that it was necessary the boundaiy should be respected, and that they must recross the Fish River. Proceeding to the place of the great chief Gaika, about 15 miles beyond the Keiskama River, a conference was held, at which Mr. Barrow fully explained ihe wishes of Government, and the reply was satisfactory. The petty chiefs who had been met on the Kareiga were invited to return into Kafirland, and Gaika promised to keep up a friendly intercourse with the Landdrost by sending annually one of his indunas (captains) to Graaff Reinet bearing a brass gorget with the arms of Britain engraved on it.

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