?:iX5:.'?^ - -11. -I *■ n^ ■ > ■■■- "*■ ■.'** !^' " •«*_.i*. \pigmz4sSyMjQjQipMi^ 77 7 d3^A3 BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME PROM THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OF 1S91 .Ad'^H^j.^ 'k/.^/jp-O... Digitized by Microsoft® p»T -.-., «S-"J" Unlvefslty Library DT 777.C36A3 1857 '^°"'iMMlPffli?!liI!lf.?,.,f2L!!'s'"--<»e"eral the Hon 3 1924 028 697 088 Digitized by Microsoft® This book was digitized by Microsoft Corporation in cooperation witli Cornell University Libraries, 2007. You may use and print this copy in limited quantity for your personal purposes, but may not distribute or provide access to it (or modified or partial versions of it) for revenue-generating or other commercial purposes. Digitized by Microsoft® CORRESPONDENCE LIEUT.-GENERAL THE HON. SIR GEORGE CATHCART, K.C.B., KELATIVE TO HIS MILITAKY OPEEATIONS IN KAFFKAEIA, THE TERMINATION OP THE KAFIR WAR, AND TO HIS MEASURES FOR THE FUTURE MAINTENANCE OF PEACE ON THAT FRONTIER, AND THE PEOIECIIOIT AHD WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA. hcani) (BVitm. LONDON : JOHN MUERAY, ALBEMARLE STREET. IS57. 9 Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® PREFACE. Although the oiEcial Correspondence witli tlie Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, relative to the state of the Kafir tribes, and to the still recent outbreak on the Eastern frontier of the Colony, has already appeared in the form of a Blue Book, pre- sented by Her Majesty^s command to both Houses of Parlia- ment, on the 31st of May, 1853, it may not in that shape have been accessible to the general reader. It is, therefore, considered to be essential to the object of the present work, to reprint, in these pages, Sir George Cathcart's own despatches, omitting those of others which have no direct bearing on its subject, for the purpose of connecting, or explain- ing, the circumstances and events alluded to in the Letters and Papers, some of a more private character, and later despatches, which are now published for the first time ; in order to render as complete as possible the statement of facts which is sub- mitted to the Public in this volume, with a view to the right understanding of the principles and policy which influenced and guided the military and the civil administration of the Governor Lieut. -General Sir George Cathcart, and which re- sulted in the successful termination of the war, by the complete subjection of the rebellious tribes, without any compromise or treaty, which all former experience had shown to be of no avail with these people ; In the restoration of peace to the Colony, and the conse- quent reduction of the heavy expenditure occasioned by the war; And in the wise and provident measures planned and effected by him for the future security and tranquillity of the frontier, which had been so long exposed to the predatory inroads of the hostile Kafirs and rebellious Hottentots, a 3 Digitized by Microsoft® iv PREFACE. That the conduct of the gallant spirit by which results so important were achieved, may be appreciated at its full value, is the sole object for which these Records have been compiled. Posthumous praise cannot reach him who so well merited the approbation of his Sovereign and his country, cut off in the full career of his usefulness, and with the prospect of rising to the highest distinction. Ever foremost in the path of duty, he gloriously fell on the battle-field of Inkermann, and now rests in a soldier's grave in a distant land, where soldiers have, with the cross of Faith, marked and hallowed that spot called by the name of the General they honoured and loved (Cathcart Hill).* His spirit, his noble spirit, " is returned to God who gave it," but it is left to the hand of affection to trace from his own words in this Publication, the portrait of a mind such as few have possessed, enriched as it was with the noblest qualities which form the character of a good man and a brave soldier. Every page testifies to his straightforward singleness of purpose, and to the energy and ability with which he could overcome the difficulties opposed to its accomplishment. The justice and moderation of the principles by which all his actions were regulated, gained for him even the esteem and re- spect of the savage Chiefs who were subdued as much by his clemency as by the force of his arms. Conscious of his own rectitude, he totally disregarded the disparaging doubts and the impatience by which his measures were assailed by interested parties, and steadfastly persevered in his laborious and often ungrateful task, imtil he had patiently and skilfully worked out the plan which he had conceived with so much forethought from the beginning, to the successful issue which lie had himself anticipated, the "benefits of which will be long felt and acknowledged by a grateful people; and the me- mory of Sir George Cathcart, as a benefactor, will be cherished and revered at the Cape of Good Hope, so long as that Colony Tab all endure. * Col. Wiudham, and the other officers and men of the 4th Division, have erected a handsome solid granite monument, witli an inscription in English and liUBsian. Digitized by Microsoft® ALPHABETICAL INDEX. AMATOLA. Amatola Districts, successful clear- ance of the, 16. Proposals for their re-allotment, 38, 45. Object of the tower built there, 66. Ad- vantage of the district in a mili- tary point of view, 213, 214. Sir George Cathcart's views relative to the occupation of the district, " 381-384. Army operations, summary of, 69-73. Basctos, mistaken policy of the British Resident towards the, 10, 194. Movements of their Chief. See Moshesh. " Birkenhead," allusions to the loss of the, 68, 110. Boundaries between tribes, remarks on, 204. Brauder, or Brander, the Hottentot leader, presumed end of, 23. His encounter with the police, 182, 183. British Kaffraria. See Kaffraria. British military pensioners. See Mi- litary pensioners. Burghers, Sir George Cathcart's in- terview with the, 52. Probable extent of their co-operation, 97. Successful results thereof, 117, 198. Their encroaching propensities, 204, 205. Summons to them to fight against Kreili, 228. Cape of Good Hope, acceptance of the Governorship of, by Sir George Cathcart, 1. Outline of the Ordi- nance for a Parliament, 2-4. Points in question relative to the Ordi- nance, 4-7. Ordinance for regu- CATHCART. lating the appropriation of the revenue, 33. Schedule of salaries, &c., 34, 85. Despatch on the state of the remote districts, 48. Gene- ral summary of Cape affairs, 99. Arrival of despatch postponing the Constitution, 135. Advantages of the colony to agricultural emi- grants, 207, 208. Sir George Cath- cart's despatch and enclosure on the government of the Colony, 311-314. Minute relative to the Colonial Parliament, 314-316. Cape Town, Addresses to Sir George Cathcart from inhabitants and commissioners of, 282, 283. " Cape Town, Advertiser," extract from, 348, 349. Carolus Batjee expelled by Moshesh for siding with the British, 169, 170. Cathcart, Lieut.-Gen. the Hon. Sir George, K.C.B. His letter to the Duke of Wellington on his ap-- pointment to the Governorship of the Cape of Good Hope, 1. His arrival in Table Bay, 2. Despatch thereon, with Ordinance for a Par- liament, 2-4. Despatch on the acceptance of the Ordinance by the Legislative Council, 4-7. State of affairs on his arrival, and position and movements of the hostile chiefs at that period, 7-11. Police measures resorted to by him on the occasion, 12, 13. Projected dis- lodgment of the Waterkloof ma- rauders, 13. His patriotic rebuke of the Colonists for their supine- Digitized by Microsoft® CATHCAKT. CATHCART. ness, 14. Kreili's contemptuous return of his letter, and subse- quent friendliness, 14, 15. His clearance of the Amatola districts, 16. His successful proceedings on the Tambookie frontier, 16, 17. His negotiations with Moshesh, 19, 20. His mode of dealing with the Hottentot deserters, 23. His proposed policy for the future, 24-30. His Ordinance for regu- lating the appropriation of the colo- nial revenue, 33-35. Further ex- position of his views, 36-48. His despatch on the state 'of the re- mote districts, 48-53. On the best mode of accomplishing a pa- cification, 63-60. His Swiss loca- tion project, 61. Memoranda and queries .thereon, 62, 63. His pro- clamation on placing British Kaf- fraria under martial law, 64, 65. His tower plan and objects there- with connected, 66, 67. His sum- mary of military events from 20th April to 20th May, 1852, 69-73, His explanatoiy letter on the sub- ject of towers and defensive posts, 85-91. His circular relative to the duty of the Colonists to contribute men and means towards carrying on the war, 102-105. His instruc- tions to Lieut.-Govemor Darling relative to an expected despatch on the subject of the Constitution, 132-134. His instructions on receipt of the said despatch, 136, 136. His views relative to the Orange Eiver territory and Chief Moshesh, 137-144. His reply to Sandilli and Macomo's oiJer to be- tray their confederates, 145. His plan for the militaiy occupation of the Gaika territory, 149-153. His views relative to the allotment of forfeited territory, 166-161. His plan for settling waste lands along the frontier, 161-164. Programme of his intended operations in the Orange Eiver Sovereignty ,and against Moshesh, 164-167. Eesult of his expedition thither, 169- 173. Terms of settlement offered by him to Moshesh, 147, 175. Characteristic conversation be- tween them, 176-178. His views on the establishment of a regular Government in British Kaffraria, 184-186. His letter to Lieut.-Go- vernor Darling, with minute of his proceedings, 187-189. Copy of said minute, 189-215. Appendix of documents accompanying same, 216. Earl Grey's instructions to him relative to the suppression of the war, 216-218. His declaration of war against Kreili, 227-229. His proclamation for the settle- ment of disputes, 229, 230. De- precatory letter to him from Mo- shesh, 230. His General Order after defeating the Basutos, 230- 232. His reply to an address from the Smithfield Burghers, 236-238. His proclamation of pardon to the Tambookies, and re-settlement of their territories, &c., 238-241. His reply to a memorial against them, 242-244. His proclamation on discontinuing martial law, 257, 268. His pardon to and terms of peace with Kreili, 260-262. Simi- lar proclamation with regard to Sandilli, 264-266.. His interview with the humiliated Chiefs, 267, 268. His despatch on the state of Kaffraria at the date of his retiring from the Governorship, 269-273. Addresses to him on that event from Queen's Town, 274. From Kat River district, 275. From King William's Town, 276. From Graham's Town, 277. His answer thereto, 280. From Port Eliza- beth, 281. His answer thereto, i6. From Cape Town, 282. Prom the Cape Town Commissioners, 283. His official recognition of the Pre- sident of the Orange River Free State, 287. His letter to Sir Digitized by Microsoft® CATHCAUT. DAllLING. George Clerk ou Kaffrarian af- faire, 289-299. His despatch on precautions anticipatory of war with Russia, 307. His instructions to the Commander of the Forces thereon 308-310. His despatch and instructions on the subject of governing the Colony, 311-314. His lettei-s ou the appointment of additional judges, 317-319. His request for an indemnity for money granted relative to Orange Eiver, 319. His proclamation for the distribution of bounty there, 320. His General Order against the ma- chinations of disaffected parties in King William's Town, 348. His curt reply to a deprecatory address thereon, 349. Eulogium of the " Graham's Town Journal" on his proceedings, 355, 356. His adieu to the South African army, 359, and note. His farewell letter to Chief Moshesh, 378-381. His letter on the policy to be pursued in occu- pying the Amatolas, 381-384. His policy regarding the government of the Kafir tribes, 385, 386. His letters to Sir Charles Tre- velyan; see Trevelyan. Letters add-resses, &c., of condolence on news of his death reaching the Cape : — From Governor Sir George Grey, 386, 387, 388. From Gra- ham's Town, 388. From T. H. Bowker, Esq., 389. Queen's Town Cathcart Memorial Proceedings, 391-393. Sketch of Sir George's career from the "Montreal He- rald," 394-401. Various despatches from him on the progress of the war, the state of the disturbed districts, remedial measures adopted, &c., 73, 77, 83, 91, 94, 98, 106, 109, 111, 116, 121, 123, 127, 132, 134, 137, 144, 153, 156, 164, 168, 169, 182, 184, 186, 269, 307, 311, 317, 319. Extracts from his private letters : viz. On his arrival and reception by Sir Harry Smith, 336, 336. Ou a Kafir horse-stealer's trick, 337, 338. His mode of living in camp, disregard of public opinion, &c., 339, 340. On his progress with the friendly and hostile Chiefs, 340-342. On the climate, death of the Duke of Wellington, &o., 343. On Colo- nels Eyre and Napier " running wild after cattle," 343-345. On Chief Moshesh and his territory, 345, 346. On the result of his labours and attempts to thwart his measures, 347-349, 350. On the stellar aspects of South Africa, 351. To his daughters on his colo- nial home, 351, 352. His pleasure on receiving the Queen's approval of his conduct, 369. On his ap- proaching relief from duty, &c., 369-371. His wish for home retire- ment 348, 352, 368, 369, 370. Clerk, Sir George, acknowledgment of services of, 271. Provision for his absence on the frontier, 272. Letter from Sir George Cathcart to him, on Kaflfrarian afiairs, 289-299. The Orange Eiver Sovereignty ter- minated by him, 352-379. The Duke of Newcastle's recognition of his services therein, 379, note. Favourable mention of his son, 370. Colonies, Secretary of State for the, despatches, reports, c&c, from Sir George Cathcart to the, 7, 65, 69, 134, 137 144, 153, 169, 182, 184, 186. See also Grey, Earl— Grey, Sir George, Bart. — Newcastle, Duke of ■ — Pakington, Sir John. Gumming, Mr., special merits of, 367. Curzon, Major, promotion and favour- able mention of, 370. Dakling, Lieut.-Govemor, sworn in, 2. Complimentary references to him, 4, 6, 48, 99. Letter to hira from Sir George Cathcart on the latter's interview with the native Chiefs, 371-375. Digitized by Microsoft® VIU D'URBAN. HOTTENTOT. D'Urban, Sir Benjamin, territory ac- quired by, 64. Etke, Lieiit.-Col., hunts up the Hot- tentots, 11. His clearance of the Amatola districts, 16. His suc- cess in the Keiskamma Hoek, 36. Tower named after him, 67. Sur- prises the Hottentot laager, 92, 94. Operations entrusted to his charge^ 124. His satisfactory progress, 125, 127. Eesult of his operations 144, 153. His services in the en- counter with the Basutos, 179-181 Occasion on which his movements were erroneous, 334, 344, 345. Faku's proposed attack on Kreili, 82. Interchange of tokens of friendship between him and Sir George Cathcart, 350. Fingoes, exemplary fidelity of the, 60, 84, 210. Kafir hostility to- ward them, 60. Their motives for keeping large herds of cattle, 60, 61. Their continued loyalty and gallant exertions, 126, 199. Their origin and numbers, 209, 210. Their advances towards civi- lization, 210. Measures taken to attach them to British interests, 210,211. Hate of pay, &c., of the Border Fingoe Corps, 250. Medal- lie recognition of their loyalty, 273. Fortuin, Johannes, statement of, re- lative to the Hottentot rebels and their movements, 219-227. Freeman's " Tour in South Africa," reference to, 345. Gaika chiefs and tribes, character of the, 57. Their entire expulsion, 215. Their delight at the return of peace, 255, 256. Gaika territory. Sir George Cath- cart's plan for the occupation of the, 149-153, 253-255. Gold in South Africa, exaggerations relative to, 358. Goodrich, Captain, artistic skill of, 354. Gore, Captain, killed, 36, 37. Graham, Mr., made Civil Commis- sioner of Albany, 346. Graham's Town Address to Sir George Cathcart on his leaving the Cape, 277. Sir George's answer, 280. His private reference thereto, 357. Climate of the locality, 358, 370. Address of the inhabitants on re- ceiving news of his death, 388. " Graham's Town Journal," eulogium of, on Sir George Catheart's Kaf- frarian measures, 355, 356. Green, Henry, Esq., British Eesident, frontier dispute settled by, 234- 236. Merit of a paper by him on the Sovereignty, 363. Grey, Earl, appoints Sir George Cath- cart Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, 1. Despatches from Sir George to him, 2, 4, 32, 36, 43. Extract of despatch from him, 216. Grey, Sir George, Bart., Secretary to the Colonies, letter from Sir George Cathcart to, 319. Grey, Sir George, Governor of the Cape, letters of condolence from, on Sir George Catheart's death, 386, 387, 388. Heaene, Captain, and his followers waylaid and killed, 135. Hoffman, J. P., Esq., letter from, on occasion of the enfranchisement of the Orange River territory, 286. Sir George Catheart's answer, 287. Hottentotlevies,'gallantrj- and loyalty of the, 23, 126, 199. Hottentot rebels put themselves under TJithaalder, 10. Discom- fiture and fate of their leaders, 23. Make common cause with the Kafirs, 30, 74. Their lurking places, 50. Harboured by the Gaika Chiefs, 57. Their laager surprised by Lieut.- Col. Eyre, 92, 94. Continuance of their maraud- ings, 103, 107, 119, 122, 200. Fate Digitized by Microsoft® INGLIS. KREILI. IX of a British officer waylaid by them, 135. Their dispersion, li4. Their desperate encounter with the police, 182, 183. Probability of their total disappearance, 208. Johannes Portuin's detailed state- ment of his connection with the rebels, 219, 227. Inglis, Mr., a good word for, 367. Kappraeia and its proposed erec- tion into a regular government, 184 -186. Its advantages as a field for agricultural emigrants, 207, 208. Its satisfactory state, 212. Sir George Cathcart's letter ex- planatory of its affairs, govern- mental arrangements, &c., 289- 299. Its financial position, 300, 377. Deputy Surveyor-General Robinson's memorandum on the same subject, 301-307. Kafir horse-stealer, story of a, 337, 338. Kafir tribes, presumed origin of the, their polity, &c., 55. Their adher- ence to their engagements, 56. Sir George Cathcart's views rela- tive to their organization, 56, 57. Their motives in keeping enor- mous herds of cattle, 60, 61. Num- ber of Kafir police remaining faithful, 211. Their complement, rate of pay, &c., 251. A finer race than the Colonists, 349. Policy to be pursued in governing them, 385, 386. Tactics, successes, re- verses, &c., of their Chiefs; see Kreili — Macomo — Mapassa — Mo- rosi — Moshesh — Sandilli — Seyolo —Stock. Kafir War, Sir George Cathcart's general report on the, on and shortly after his arrival at the Cape, 7-30. Origin of the war, 57. Its real character, 120. The war prac- tically at an end, 125. Minute and Appendix of documents on the same subject, 189-268. Kama, the Christian Chief, fidelity of, 47, 130. Sir George Cathcart's proposal regarding him, 129. Si- wani's good report of him, 130. Locality allotted to him, 213. Value of the services rendered by him, ih. Benefits promised to him, 374. Kat Eiver District Address to Sir George Cathcart on his leaving the Cape, 275. Keiskamma Hoek encounter and its results, 36, 37. Precautionary measures taken there, 38. King William's Town Address to Sir George Cathcart on his leaving the Cape, 276. General Order on attempts to obstruct the restora- tion of peace, 348. Curt reply of Sir George to a deprecatory ad- dress thereon, 349. Position of the town, 382. Kreili, Kafir Chief, contumacious con- duct of, 9, 14, 193. Successful in- vasion of his territory, 14. His subsequent friendliness, 15-27. His position relative to the British Government, 41. His paramount chiefship over the Kafir race, 55. His continued intrigues against the British, 80. Necessity for hum- bling him, 81. Paku's threatened foray against him, 82. Invasion of his territory resolved on, 96, 110. Sends a flag of truce to Sir George Cathcart, 112. Assembly of a Kafir Council at his " great place," 113. March of the troops upon his kraal, 114. His punishment a lesson to him, 121. His humble attitude, 126. His voluntary tender of restitution for his misdeeds, 141, 146, 201. His earnest desire for peace, 183. Terms offered to him, 186, 187. His complicity with the rebel Chiefs 193, 194. Declaration of war against him, 227. Summons to the Burghers to march into his territories, 228. Evidence of his sincerity in his Digitized by Microsoft® LIDDLE. NAPIER. desire for peace, 256. Further evidences of his submiasioii and friendliness, 268-260. Proclama- tion of pardon to, and terms of peace ■(rith him, 260-262. His astonish- ment at the ease with which re- prisals were made on him, 342. LiDDLE, W. P., Esq., Sir George Cath- cart's private secretary, tributes to the merits of, 361, 364, 368. Maclean, Captain, afterwards Co- lonel (T'Slambie Commissioner), value of the services rendered by and complimentary references to, 38, 58, 78, 101, 108, 185, 199, 366, 367. Appointed Chief Commis- sioner, 115. Message received by him from Sandilli and Macomo, 145. Communications from and to him relative to the desire of those Chiefs to submit, 262, 263. Letters to him on commissariat matters, 365, 376. Mackinnon, Col., Chief Commissioner of British Kaffraria, letter from Sir George Cathcart to, 107. Re- signs his appointment, 115. Macomo, the Kafir Chief, strategic movements of, 8. Compelled to fly, 16. His haunt, 33. Ee-oocu- pies the Kroome Eange, 39. Claims the same as his property, 50. His lurking places, 119, 125, 182, 191, 200. Purport of message sent by him and Sandilli to Capt. Maclean, 145. Conversation between him and the Governor- General, 268, 373. Sir George's estimate of his character, 345. Mapassa, the Tambookie Chief, de- feated and killed, 17. Forfeiture of his lands and re-settlement of his tribe, 239, 354. Michel, Lieut.-Colonel, result of a foray of, 116. Military pensioners, why not good settlers, 45. Eesults of attempts to establish them, 59. Moroko, Kafir Chief, plundered for his adherence to the British, 166. Morosi, Basuto Chief, an active ag- gressor upon the Colonists, 167, 207. Moshesh, the Basuto Chief, and the Sovereignty population, 19. His salutary control over the neigh- bouring Chiefs, 20. Efl^ct of chas- tisement on him and his people, 21. His alleged supply of gunpowder to the rebels, 81. Sir George Cathcart' s intentions regarding him, 97, 110. His connection with the Prench missionaries and its results, 137, 138. His rise to power, 138. His position with re- gard to the British Eesident, 139. Eesult of hostilities between him and the latter, 140. Called to ac- count for reprisals made by him, ib. Misunderstandings attending the same, 140, 141. Sir George Cathcart's intended mode of set- tling the dispute, 142-144. Pro- gramme of operations against him, 164-167. His intentions relative thereto, 168, 169. His treatment of Carolus Batjee, 169, 170. He agrees to recognise the Queen's authority, 170-173. Terms of set- tlement offered to him, 174-175. Characteristic interview between him and Sir George, 176-178. Memorandum relative to cattle re- ceived from him, 178. Eesult of military operations in his territory, 179-181. Penalty levied on him, 203. His deprecatory letter to Sir George Cathcart, 230. Pro- clamation of his full submis- sion, 233. Sir George's estimate of his character, 345. Sir George's valedictory letter to him, 378- 381. Mountain Eidges as boundaries, re- marks on, 204. Napiee, Lieut.-Col., starts on a foray against the Kafirs, 116. Its suc- cessful results, 117. His incorrect Digitized by Microsoft® NEWCASTLE. SANDILLI. moTements on one occasion, 343, 344, 345. Newcastle, Duke of. Despatches from Sir George Catlicart to, 269, 307, 311, 317. Extract from confiden- tial letter to Sir George from his Grace, 320. Nonesi, or Nonebi, mother of and Kegent for Siwani, 17. Fidelity of herself and followers to British rule, ib. Her family connections, 128. Eesult of Sir George Cath- cart's interview with her and her son, 129. Proclamation conferring territory on her, 239. Sir George's favourable opinion of her, 341. English blood in her veins, 372. Present made to her by Sir George, 374. Oeauge River Sovereignty, mistaken policy of the British Resident in the, 9, 10. State of petty warfare there, 19. Question as to the main- tenance of the Sovereignty, 137. Narrative of state of affairs, and intended operations there, 137- 144, 154, 201. Programme of same, 164-167. Official letter to Sir 6. Cathcart on the territory becoming a Free State, 286. Sir George's reply, 287. "An end of the bubble," 352. "The foolish farce," 358. Character of the loca- lity as an emigration field, 363. "A great gaming table" to English speculators, 376. Ordnance property and regulations, Sir George Cathcart's letter rela- tive to, 149-153. Ostrich, capture of an, 354. Owen, Assistant. Commissioner, pur- port of protest of, 148. Pakingtoit, Sir J. S., despatches to, 48, 53, 73, 77, 83, 91, 94, 98, 106 109, 111, 116, 121, 123, 127, 132, 156, 164, 168. Pato, a loyal Kafir Chief, meeting convened in the territory of, 127. Object of the meeting, 128. Acts as messenger of peace from the hostile Chiefs, 262, 263. Takes luncheon with Sir George Cathcart, 371. His gratitude for an accept- able gift, 374. Pensioners. See Military Pensioners. Police views and arrangements of Sir G. Cathcart, 12, 13, 75, 76, 100. Efficiency, numbers, cost, &c.,of the various corps, 209, and 7iote, 250, 251. Reports, diaries, &c., of the Albany Mounted Police, 246-249. General Order relative to the effec- tive services rendered by them, 249. Port Elizabeth Address to Sir George Cathcart on his leaving the Cape, 281. His answer, ib. Pringle family, good services ren- dered by the, 351. Success of their farming adventures, 353. Queen's Town, Address from the inhabitants of, to Sir George Cath- cart, on his leaving the Cape, 274. Satisfactory settlement of the dis- trict, 301. Its rapid progress, 353, 354. Proceedings relative to the erection of the Cathcart Library, 391-393. Quesha, the Tambook Chief, 8. Com- pelled to fly, 16. Depredations committed by him and his confe- derates, 191. Revendb of the Colony, Ordinance for regulating the appropriation of, 33-35. Elver boundaries, inconvenience and inefficiency of, 204. Robinson, M. R., Esq., Deputy Surveyor-General, value of the services of, 273, and note. Me- moranda by him on Kaffrarian af- fairs, 301-307, 321-327, 331-335. Recommended to favourable notice. Sandilli, the Gaika Chief, 7. Com- Digitized by Microsoft® xu SEYMOUR. polled to fly, 16. Injunction to him and his associates, 38. His intended expulsion, 44. Aided by Kreili, 55. His adherent Seyolo, 67. Gradual expulsion of his tribe, 77- Abandoned by the Kafirs, 107. His place of conceal- ment, 123, 125, 200. Purport of message indirectly sent by him, 145. Position of himself and con- federates at Sir George Catheart's arrival, 190. His solicitations for peace, 262, 263. Proclamation and terms of submission dictated to him, 264-266. Interesting inter- view between him and Sir George Cathcart, 372-374. Seymour, Lieut.-Col. Charles, Mili- tary Secretaiy, talents and assi- duity of, 101. His fate, 363, note*. Seyolo, the T'Slambie Chief, and his followers, 8. His surrender and imprisonment, 12, 21, 128. His activity in Sandilli's cause, 67. " ISo word for him on this side of the Kei," 108. His parentage, 128. His territory granted to Si- wani, 129. Tried by Court-Mar- tial, 148. His sentence, 371- Siwani (head of the Umtiara or Um- tirara branch of the Tambookies), arrangements made with him and his Regent, 17, 108. His parentage and ancestry, 128. Interview of Sir George Cathcart with him and his mother, 129, 372. His good report of the Chief Kama, 130. His exemplary conduct, 212, 213. Appropriate bearing and costume of his brother, 372. Sir George's gift to him, 374. Skipwith, Lieut.-Col., satisfactory services rendered by, 124. Smith, Lieut.-Gen. Sir Harry, re- called from the Cape, 1. Sir George Catheart's interview with him, 36, 37. His hospitable re- ception of Sir George, 336. Somerset, Major-Geueral, hesitation of Sir George Cathcart to assume T'SLAMBIE. command over, 1. Merit due to him, 68. Sovereignty. See Orange River. Stock, the rebel Chief, and his con- federates, 8. Proposed disposal of his territory, 129. Swiss emigrants, proposed location of, 45, 46. Project relative thereto, 61. Memoranda and queries on the subject, 62, 63. Switzerland, similarity of parts of South Africa to, 61. Tambookieland, Mr. Robinson's me- morandum relative to the allot- ment of, 321-327. See Waste lands. Tambookie tribes, ravages of the, 9. Fate of their Chief Mapassa, 17. Disposal of their forfeited terri- tory, 21. Their dispersion and lo- ' cation under a new Chief, 17, 22. Their exemplary conduct after this settlement, 205. Proclama- tion of pardon to them, 238-240. Definition of the boundaries of their new territory, 240. Memorial of complaint against them, 241, 242. Sir George Catheart's reply thereto, 242-244. Temacha Post, establishment and usefulness of the, 12, 58, 197. Tigers, sheep stolen by, 354. Toise, the T'Slambie Chief, conse- quences of the loyalty of, 26. New territory allotted to him, 26, 27. His gay waistcoat, 372. Towers of defence, Sir George Cath- eart's plans relative to, 66, 67, 85- 91. Trevelyan, Sir Charles, letters from Sir George Cathcart to : On finan- cial matters, 360. On Highland emigration to South Africa, &c., 361. On the progress of affairs, 364, 375. On the same subject, and favourably noticing certain ofBcers, 366-368. T'Slambie tribes, continued fidelity of the, 78, 146. Unjust imputa- Digitized by Microsoft® TYLDEN. YORKB. Xlll tions against them, 128. Probabi- lities of their romainins; loyal, 213. Tylden, Capt., gallant and able exer- tions of, 9. Good service rendered by him and by his levies, 97, 112. TJiTHAALBEE, William, the Hottentot leader, 10. His control over his foUoivere, and successful tactics, 10, 11, 195. His reverses and flight, 23, 124, 125. Price set upon his head, 122. Dispersion of his band, 144. Sandilli and Ma- como's offer to betray him, 145. Detailed statement made by one of his " magistrates," 219-227. Umhala's alleged sympathy with the rebels, 41. His subsequent loy- alty, 146, 147. Takes luncheon with the Governor-General, 371. Umlaiijeni, the Kafir Prophet, mi- racle claimed by, 8. Decline of his influence, 30. Sandilli and Macomo's offer to betray him, 145. His death, 371. "A good rid- dance," 375. Umtiara (or Umtirara) branch of the Tamboolde people, arrangements made with the head of the, 17. See Nonesi — Siwani. Waknek, Joseph Cox, Esq., appointed Agent for the Tambookies, 240. Waste lands, north-eastern frontier, proposed plan for settlement of the, 161-164. Government notices relative thereto, 251-255, 327. Memoranda on the same subject, 301-307, 321-327, 331-336. Con- ditions of grants, 329, 330. Waterkloof districts, position of the rebels in the, 13, 84, 94, 95. Mili- tary operations there, 118. Com- plete clearance of the district, 122. Satisfactory state of things brought about thereby, 123, 134. Physical character of the locality, 191. Wellesley, Major, 353. Wellington, Field Marshal the Duke of, letter from Sir George Cathcart to, 1. YoEKE,Major-General, military move- ments of, 92, 94, 111, 153. Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® COREESPONDENCE OF LIEUT.-GENEEAL THE HON. SIR GEORGE CATHCART, K.C.B. To His Grace Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington. London, January 9, 1852, 10 p.m. My Lokd Duelb, — I am this moment returned from an in- terview with Lord Grey, according to his appointment. On the overture being made me to accept the appointment of the Government and command of the forces at the Cape of Good Hope, I did not fail to point out my own inferiority, in respect of the advantage of experience, to Sir Harry Smith, as well as the circumstance of my being junior to General Somer- set, whose practical experience and local knowledge must be valuable, and would probably be lost by my appointment; I therefore requested, under these circumstances, to be allowed to consult your Grace before giving my answer. Lord Grey, however, told me the recall of Sir Harry Smith had been finally settled with his colleagues this day, and that it was not the intention of Her Majesty's Government to name General Somerset as his successor. His Lordship then read to me a passage respecting my eligibility, by which I under- stood your Grace was pleased to consider me fit for the duty in the event of the appointment becoming vacant ; Lord Grey having also told me that he desired to lay the matter before the Digitized by Microsoft® 2 THE HON. SIR GEORGE CATHCART'S Queen to-morrow, I could only say that my humble services are at Her Majesty's command. This appointment comes upon me by surprise, and in many respects is far from desirable ; but as it is not of my own seek- ing, and accepted only because I consider it an imperative call for duty, which it would be culpable and disgraceful in me to refuse, I trust your Grace will approve of my conduct in accept- ing it without further hesitation. As to the undertaking, I am aware of the many difficulties, both in civU and military affairs, I shall have to encounter; but I entertain the hope with sufficient confidence to make the attempt, that with energy, combined with patience, I may be able to perform my duty in a manner which may accord with the views of Her Majesty's Government, and prove beneficial to the colony. I have the honour, &c., (Signed) George Cathcart, Major-General. Copy of Despatch from Governor Lieut. -General the Hon. G. Cathcart to Earl Grey. Government House, March 31, 1852. My Lord, — I have the honour to acquaint you, — 1. That I arrived in Table Bay, in Her Majesty's ship " Hydra," last night, and this morning, having assembled the Executive Coun- cil, I took the accustomed oaths in the usual manner. 2. Lieutenant-Governor Darling, who had arrived by the packet ship "Harbinger" before me, was also sworn in on this occasion as Lieutenant-Governor and Member of the Executive Council. 3. As the mail starts to-morrow it will be impossible for me to offer any opinions, or even enter upon public business, further than to enclose the printed copy of the Ordinance for constituting a Parliament for this colony, as it has passed the Legislative Council, by which you will observe important altera- tions of the original draft Ordinance have been effected. Digitized by Microsoft® CORRESPONDENCE ON KAEFEAEIA, ETC. 3 4. Of these the most prominent are, — 1st. The substitution of an elective franchise, for the election both of Members of the Council and Members of Assembly, of ownership with occupancy of premises, being either separately or jointly with land occupied therewith of the value of i650 sterling, or the rental of premises for which a yearly rent of not less than £10 is payable ; or the receipt of a salary at the rate of not less than £50 per annum, or £25 with board and lodg- ing, for the simple occupancy of premises of the value of £25, as originally determined upon by the Legislative Council. 2nd. The increase of qualification of Members of the Legis- lative Council from the ownership of immovable property of the clear value of £1000 sterling, or of immovable encumbered property which would be of the value of £1000 sterling if it were unencumbered, and at the same time of property movable and immovable to the value of £2000 above all just debts, to £2000 and £4000 in each case respectively. 3rd. The exclusion from voting at elections of persons hold- ing offices of profit under the Crown has been abandoned ; and 4th. The quorum in the Council and Assembly has been altered from three in the former and seven in the latter, as proposed in the draft Ordinance, to five and twelve in those bodies respectively. 5. Your Lordship will readily understand that alterations of so extensive a nature in the leading features of the proposed parliamentary constitution of the colony will require serious consideration before determining upon the course which it will be my duty to adopt ; and that, however anxious I may be to put an end to public anxiety upon this protracted question, I could not, under any circumstances, have reported in detail upon the subject by the present mail. 6. This unavoidable delay on my part is, however, to be less regretted, inasmuch as the Legislative Council has yet to com- plete some formalities connected with the Constitution and Civil List Ordinances (a copy of the latter of which is also B 3 Digitized by Microsoft® 4 THE HON. SIR GEORGE CATHCART'S enclosed for your Lordship's information), and the members of that body, who will require to be re-sworn under my Commis- sion before they can resume their legislative functions, cannot be convened until after the departure of the packet. I have, &c., (Signed) Geo. Cathcart. Despatch from Governor Lieut. -General the Hon. George Cathcart to Earl Grey. Government House, Cape of Good Hope, April 5, 1852. My Lord, — When I wrote to your Lordship within four- and- twenty hours after my landing on the 31st March, which I was obliged to do, as the mail was on the point of departure, and the formal completion of the Ordinance could not be accomplished in any event in sufficient time to warrant the detention of the packet, I was principally influenced, necessarily, by the opinions of Lieut. -Governor Darling, who had arrived a week before me,* and had consequently an advantage in point of time for gaining information. 2. The necessity for caution, under existing circumstances, even at the expense of further delay, in the course I should adopt with reference to giving my sanction to the Ordinance which had passed the Legislative Council, in consequence of certain material alterations which had been made in it, were strongly urged by him. 3. I, however, lost no time, and spared no pains in personally investigating the subject, in all its bearings, to the best of my abilities. 4. I found that, after much angry debating and some change of opinion, the clauses, in which the qualification and franchise were raised to higher rates than had been contemplated, have • Having sailed in the " Harbinger " a week after the " Hydra " with Gene- ral Cathcart. Digitized by Microsoft® COREESPONDENCE ON KAFFRAEIA, ETC. 5 been agreed to by a majority, and that the Ordinance had been thus passed by the Legislative Council. 5. I found that some serious doubts had been started by the members of the Council, as to the effect of my arrival in that stage of the business, and whether it would be good in point of law if I were to give my assent to an Ordinance which had been matured and brought to its last stage, as far as they were concerned, by a Council constituted under the patent and in- structions addressed to my predecessor. 6. On consulting the Attorney-General on this point, although he expressed his own opinion that the objection would not be valid, he knew of no precedent, and thought the question might admit of debate. 7. I found that there was, alleged to be much dissatisfaction, and some mischievous agitation on foot, with reference to the question of an increased scale of franchise and qualification, which procrastination and suspense might render dangerous j it appeared also that two members, who reside on the eastern frontier, were on the point of taking their departure, and that the general feeling was, that the session was virtually at an end. 8. Under these circumstances I reflected that, with regard to the objectionable clauses of the Ordinance, it would be still practicable, and a measure tending rather to remove than occasion any risk of permanent inconvenience and general dis- satisfaction, were they to be lowered, if, when finally consi- dered by Her Majesty in Council, they should be deemed too high ; or even subsequently by Act of the future Colonial Par- liament, with Her Majesty's confirmation, it would always be practicable to lower them, whilst it would be difficult, if not impossible, in either case, to raise the franchise or qualification, if once finally enacted on too low a scale. 9. Further, I duly considered the 34th clause of your Lord- ship's Letter of Instruction to my predecessor, dated 15th Sep- tember, 1851, in which it is positively enjoined that when these Ordinances have been passed by the Legislative Council they shall be transmitted to your Lordship, with a view to their Digitized by Microsoft® 6 THE HON. SIR GEOKGB CATHCART'S being altered where necessaryj and then finally confirmed by an Order in Council. With these views^ therefore, I determined to make no hin- drance to the progress of the Ordinance, but, on the contrary, to endeavour to remove any obstacle that might be thrown in its way. Accordingly, after having, on the 2nd instant, assem- bled the Legislative Council for the purpose of swearing in the members, including his Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, and for other necessary business of routine, I again called them to- gether the following day for the purpose of going through the several stages of the Ordinance de novo at one sitting, with a view to removing all possibility of doubt as to the point of form in respect of my signature, and thereby place these Ordi- nances in the same relation towards me which they previously bore to my predecessor ; and in doing so, I had ascertained that this was in accordance with the views of all the- members of the Legislative Council, and had been so expressed by them before my arrival. 10. Lieutenant-Governor Darling, for reasons which he will no doubt himself explain, in the propriety of which I fully concur, did not attend this Council; but the business intro- duced, on my authority, by the Honourable Mr. Montague, who presided as Chairman, was carried through without any altera- tion at one sitting without difficulty, and in a satisfactory manner. 11. As I intend to embark this afternoon on board Her Ma- jesty's steam ship " Styx," to proceed to the Bufialo, and thence to King William's Town, where Sir H. Smith awaits my arrival, I trust to Lieutenant-Governor Darling to give your Lordship all further details, together with the debates and minutes, and explain his own views relative to this subject. Although, imme- diately on landing, Mr. Darling's views and arguments were so strongly in support of a necessity for an attempt to obtain a modification of the Ordinance, as to cause me for a moment to hesitate; he now, on more mature consideration, coincides with me as to its propriety ; and it is a further satisfaction to me, that no delay was occasioned by the impossibility of my ob- Digitized by Microsoft® CORRESPONDENCE ON KAFFRARIA, ETC. 7 taining sufficient data to form my own judgment, and act upon it with confidence, before the departure of the mail on the 1st instant, as the Ordinances were not in a sufficient state of com- pletion, from not being reprinted, to have sent them home by that opportunity, even had the packet been detained to any warrantable time. I have, &c., (Signed) Geo. Cathcart, Governor. Report to the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, prepared, according to Earl Grey's instruc- tions, hy the Hon. Lieut. -General G. Cathcart,* for the information of Her Majesty's Government and Par- liament. . King William's Town, February 11, 1853. Sir, — In the report I now make of the affairs and conduct of the frontier war of rebellion in Her Majesty's South African possessions, from the time I assumed the command, on the 9th April last, to this date, I will first advert to — 1st. The state of things as I found them. 2nd. The course pursued for the gradual but systematic, and, I trust, effectual removal of all obstacles, as far as in my power, to a restoration of a permanent state of peace. 3rd. The actual state of things ; and Lastly. My own views, founded on recent experience and careful consideration of the best measures calculated to prevent recurrence of the evils with which we have had to contend. First, then, in April, 1852, when I assumed the command, the real state of things as I found them was as follows : — The Gaika Chief Sandilli, and his associate chieftains, with their numerous followers, though somewhat disheartened by re- cent active and successful 'operations, and less well provided with ammunition than they had been at the beginning of the war, were all still in occupation of their several locations, and * See Earl Grey's Despatch in Appendix to Minute, presented to Legisla- tive Council, Letter A. Digitized by Microsoft® 8 THE -HON.- SIR 6E0KGB CATHCART'S though repeated patrols had passed through them, the rebels had been chased about from one haunt to another, but had never been driven out of their forest haunts ; their gardens and crops of Indian corn had been partially destroyed, but so early in the season that a second crop, it appears, had sprung up, which natural consequence was artfully taken advantage of by the Prophet Umlanjeni, who claimed the fact as a miracle worked by his power, and by which ruse his influence was greatly enhanced. In like manner, although the well-known mountain district of the Kroome range, in which the "Waterkloof is only one of six or seven deeply and densely wooded concentric ravines, each several miles in length, radiating to all points of the compass, had been several times gallantly patrolled through, with more or less effect and loss on each occasion, the obsti- nate Chief Macomo and his two or three thousand Kafir fol- lowers had never been expelled from the district, but had dodged from one kloof to another, and re-occupied their former posi- tions as soon as the troops had been withdrawn. At the time the command was delivered over to me, that ob- stinate and crafty chief had associated with him the Tambook Chief Quesha, with numerous followers, as well as a very con- siderable body of rebel Hottentots, well mounted and armed, who were the terror of the colony far within the boundary. These, in mixed bands of from 50 to 100 Kafirs and Hotten- tots, issuing forth from their secure haunts on marauding forays, plundered the flocks and herds of the surrounding dis- tricts to a great amount ; and in spite of all precautions, and not without severe encounters and loss of life on both sides, too often carried off their booty and lodged it in security, be- yond the possibility of rescue, in their vimpenetrable recepta- cles for such stolen property. At the same time, further south, and also within the colony, the petty Chiefs Seyolo, Stock, and Botman, each at the head of daring followers — among whom were many rebel Hottentots — were lurking in the Keiskamma kloofs and Fish Eiver bush. Digitized by Microsoft® COREESPONDENCE ON KAFFRARIA, ETC. 9 and not only tad since the commencement of the war effec- tually cut off all communication by the direct line between King William's Town and Graham's Town by Line Drift, but carried devastation into the colony to the suburbs of Graham's Town, and far beyond it. One hundred miles north of this, the rebellious Tambookie tribes were still engaged in acts of spoliation and destruction of the property of the farmers of the districts of North Victoria, Albert, and Cradock. Although this war may have been at its commencement ag- gravated, if not provoked, by unjustifiable aggression on the part of certain individuals of the burgher population of the north-eastern districts, it no doubt had become a part of the general war of races, and had it not been checked by the gal- lant and able exertions of Captain Tylden,* of the Koyal En- gineers, who was sent thither by my predecessor to command, and who had organised a powerful force of native levies and burghers, of which he had made good use, it might have proved at least as formidable asthat on the Kaffrarian frontier. This war, although much subdued, was not extinguished, and a system of captures and reprisals still prevailed, leaving the frontier in a state of insecurity and alarm, and obliging the abandonment of all border farms. The paramount Chief Kreili, who resides beyond the Kei, but whose hereditary and patriarchal influence is acknowledged, and extends over the whole of the Kafir tribes, was, notwith- standing a recent invasion of his territory, still decidedly aiding and abetting in the war of races, and contumaciously refused to comply with an injunction imposed by my predecessor to pay a fine .of 1500 head of cattle i6v damage done to certain missionary and trading property within his territory. In the Sovereignty, 400 miles removed from my base of ope- rations, and with which, from the nature of the intervening country, the course of postal communication often occupied a * See page 90. j Digitized by Microsoft® 10 THE HON. SIR GEORGE CATHCART'S fortnight or three weeks' interval^ although no open hostilities had occurred, a mistaken policy on the part of the Resident had provoked a system of petty warfare between the burgher population and the powerful Basuto people, along their whole extensive frontier; and although both parties had abstained from destruction of property, captures of cattle and reprisals, with loss of life on both sides, were of frequent occurrence ; and the Resident, who adopted the cause of the burghers with- out, as it appears to me, taking the course of investigation and mediation in cases where justice not only warranted but de- manded it, having no military force to support his authority, had, on a former occasion, called in to his aid certain petty na- tive chieftains and their bands, whom he still openly instigated to vex and annoy the Basutos, whose powerful, and by no means ill-disposed, chief, he denounced as an enemy to the Queen. Although there did not appear to be any immediate danger in that quarter, reports led me to think that if this state of things were long suffered to continue, and the authority of the British Resident to be held in contempt, a war more difficult to manage and more expensive, because more remote, than the Kaffrarian war, must inevitably result, and one in which it is very questionable whether justice and good faith would be found to be on the side supported by the British Government. Added to these difficulties which remained for me to dispose of, a new feature in the border warfare had recently sprung up ; this was an organised system among all the rebel Hottentots in arms, who, though separated in various laagers or camps under their respective commanders, had acknowledged the supreme authority of an able and influential Hottentot leader, of the name of William Uithaalder,* a pensioner from the Cape corps, who exercised the most arbitrary control over them; the force obedient to his command, when all concen- trated at his bidding, might amount to about 400 well-armed * See Appendix to Minute presented to Legislative Council, Letter B. Digitized by Microsoft® CORRESPONDENCE ON KAPFEARIA, ETC. 11 and well-mounted men, many of whom were trained and dis- ciplined deserters : the advantage of secret infoi'mation, derived from unsuspected confederates in the colony, and the facilities of sudden concentration, and, when the deed was done, of equally sudden dispersion among the hostile Kafirs, rendered these enemies difficult to deal with, so that on one occasion, at the Koonap, they proved but too successful ; and once only, by the indefatigable exertions of Lieutenant-Colonel Eyre* and the gallant troops under his command, was it found possible to hunt them up or surprise them with any real effect, by any movement of regular troops. This is the true state of things as I found them in the month of April and beginning of May. At that time the army at my disposal had been employed in most active and harassing expeditions or patrols, without intermission, for fifteen months, and they were not in a state to resume active operations without a short repose ; especially the cavalry, whose horses, from hard service, scanty forage, and most unfavourable weather, I found reduced to a state almost of inanition, and for the time incapable of active service. I do not adduce these facts to lay claim to any merit in ultimately surmounting the difficulties they presented, but to justify a delay of nine months in the accomplishment of the task imposed upon me in my instructions, which popular error and too sanguine expectations seem to have led to a belief in England, at the time I assumed the command, might be ac- complished in the short space of two or three months. Secondly. Having now stated the true state of things on the northern and eastern frontier as I found them, I proceed to advert to the measures I adopted to meet them ; and as my official series of reports are already in your possession, I need not enter into details, but merely recapitulate the leading facts. In my first military despatch,t and, indeed, previously, when « See page 86. t See page 36. Digitized by Microsoft® 12 THE HON. SIR GEORGE CATHCART'S I first undertook this command, before my departure from England, I enunciated tlie principle upon which I intended to act, which was to commence systematically and proceed pro- gressively to make good and maintain all advantages already gained, or which I might he able to gain, commencing first with the colony itself, and working outwards, and to this course I have steadily adhered. ■* The first measure was, by means of a post at the Temacha,* and the renewal of the post at Line Drift, to re-open the direct communication with Graham's Town, most essential for commissariat supplies as well as military operations, but which had been cut off since the commencement of the war ; this was attended with complete success, and has continued available ever since, without a single interruption of the com- munication, besides enabling me to extend a friendly tribe along the frontier, and displace a most troublesome enemy, the Chief Seyolo, who, from the constant annoyance occa- sioned to him by patrols from the post situated in the centre of his location, at length surrendered, and is now a prisoner at Cape Town. 3. To provide against the invasion of the colony by the for- midable and lawless marauders to whom I have above adverted, a mounted policef was forthwith organised, as the only means of coping with enemies of that peculiar description ; the emergency required that this force should be immediately efifec- tive, and although in its organisation I studied its ready adap- tation to civil purposes, and future transfer to colonial charge, I could only raise it in time to be of use under martial law, and as a military levy. It may, no doubt, be considered expensive in its first organi- sation, but a cheap thing would have been a certain failiire, and a bad thing would have been of no use. It was very satisfactory to me that it met with your sanction and ap- proval. * See page 68. t See page 50. Digitized by Microsoft® COEEESPONDENCE ON KAFFEAEIA, ETC. 13 The success of this measure in protecting the colony from marauding inroads has surpassed my most sanguine expecta- tions ; the energies of the colonists have been called into full activity in their ovra defence, and the gallantry and zeal evinced by this police has mainly contributed to the extinction of a system of guerilla warfare, which promised to become most troublesome, -and most difficult to be dealt with by regular troops, and, if not checked at once, most likely to resuscitate the rebellion within the colony in its full force. This establishment, though large and expensive at the outset, has in a great measure done its work, and is no longer required to the same extent ; it has already been much reduced. Owing to the improved circumstances, advantages gained by the troops, and their own good services, by the end of the quarter, will not, I hope, entail a permanent expense of more than at the rate of 30,000Z. per annum, pay lodging, rations, horses, in short, everything included, and must become a colonial charge as soon as the Colonial Government may be settled so as to venture upon the provision and appropriation of colo- nial money for a new object. 3. The next step was an attempt to restrain, if not expel, the marauding tenants of the Waterkloof,* with such force as I could then withdraw with safety from Kaffraria and the southern extremity of the colonial frontier ; but though the available force then at my disposal was not sufficient immedi- ately to accomplish that object, three or four days' active opera- tions caused the dispersion of a large portion of the enemy, and the establishment of a post in the centre, garrisoned by a battalion, and a closer investment by surrounding posts, held them sufficiently under control to complete satisfactory arrange- ments for leaving the colony in a sufficient state of security during my absence, to enable me to attend to another duty which I considered immediate and indispensable to the accom- ; * See page 88. Digitized by Microsoft® 14 THE HON. SIR GEORGE CATHCART'S plishment of the great end in view — ^the termination of the war. 4. This was an invasion * of the territory of the paramount Chief Kreilij and the infliction of a sufficient chastisement to deter him from aiding and abetting the Gaika rebelUon. A fine had been imposed by my predecessor of 1500 head of cattle, which was left unpaid ; when, after the capture of some 30,000 head of cattle, the army, after a former expedition, had crossed the Kei. On a demand for the payment of this fine, and an acknow- ledgment of good faith and peaceable intentions being made by me to the Chief Kreili, my letter had been contemptuously returned. The expedition, therefore, became indispensable; and in the course of the month of August it was accomplished, with a c^ture of 10,000 head of cattle. In order to stimulate the energies of the colony, and show to the Chief Kreili that, independent of Her Majesty's forces, there was a power in the colony capable of protecting itself; and with a view also to the ulterior establishment of a sufficient burgher population in the extensive plains north of the Ama- tolas, to serve hereafter as a barrier sufficient for the future garrison of that salient J)ut at present vulnerable portion of the country, independent of military aid, I called out the burgher force of the frontier districts ; but, finding some symptoms of supineness in some quarters where their own private interests were not immediately concerned, I addressed a circular f to the Civil Commissioners, and gave it publicity, in which I took occasion to place the circumstances and obligations of the colonists, as well as those of the Government, in their true light, and without disguise ; and in doing so in plain terms, — for I value neither popularity nor unpopularity when actuated and supported by a sense of duty, — I only called their attention to principles and truths which had been laid down by Her • See page 89. t See page 102. Digitized by Microsoft® CORRESPONDENCE ON KAFFRARIA, ETC. 15 Majesty's Government, already before the public^ and of which they were cognisant. This address was characterised as severe, but not unkind, and was received, as I expected it would be, in good part ; and I had every reason to be well satisfied with the patriotic exer- tions which it called forth. The result of this expedition has also satisfied my most sanguine expectations, for from that time to this not only has the Chief Kreili ceased to aid and abet hostilities, but has on several occasions used his influence to endeavour to put a stop to them ; and although I was satisfied with the penalty inflicted, and never made any further demand, the chief has since, of his own accord, paid up instalments of the original fine to the amount of 700 head of cattle, is now collecting more, and is desirous of peace. On my return from the Kei, I held a meeting of the friendly chiefs,* and pointed out to them the blessings of peace, and the vast comparative advantages they enjoyed from their faithful conduct : and they have continued to do their utmost to evince their loyalty and attachment, and to obey the injunctions of the Chief Commissioner. Meanwhile, during my absence, the precautions I had adopted previously to my departure had sufficed to keep the frontier of the colony in a greatly improved state of security and peace, which, though not entirely undis- turbed by occasional robberies, was far more satisfactory and promising than any state of things which had been experienced since the war first broke out. 5. Having returned to Fort Beaufort, and as soon as a sufficient force could be assembled, which advantages gained and secured now enabled me to do, on the 15th September I resumed operations, in good earnest, for the clearance of the Kroome fastnesses, and final extinction of that great nuisance and principal obstacle to the restoration of peace within the colonial frontier.f * See page 127. t See page 118. Digitized by Microsoft® 16 THE HON. SIR GBOEGE CATHCART'S Three days' unparalleled exertions of the troopSj I might say days and nights^ for they lay on the ground where they left off at night, and resumed operations at daybreak the following morningj sufficed for this purpose ; the whole district was cleared. Macomo and Quesha at length were compelled to fly, and the establishment of two additional small entrenched field posts, one at the entrance, and the other in the centre of the Waterkloof, with that already erected at the commanding apex of the whole range, have sufficed for the final accomplish- ment of this most important object; since which time, (five months have elapsed,) not a single Kafir or rebel Hottentot has attempted to harbour there, and scarcely an instance of cattle- stealing has occuiTed in the neighbouring districts, which had so long and severely suffered from this nuisance. The next measure which immediately followed, was a thorough clearance of the still more extensive and difficult Amatola* districts, by the indefatigable exertions of Lieutenant- Colonel Eyre, to whom I was able to give sufficient force for the pur- pose ; and the system of the establishment of temporary posts in the right places, from which constant patrols could be carried on, has also kept it now for some months entirely untenanted except by the troops ; the Chiefs Sandilli and Macomo, with some ten or twelve attached followers, pertinaciously lurked for some weeks in its recesses, but were constantly hunted about, frequently narrowly escaping capture, until they too have fled to the banks of the Kei, where they now are.f 6. These things having been accomplished, I turned my attention to the war, which, though languishing, was far from being extinguished, on the Tambookie frontier. A previous commission of inquiry into the cause and circumstances of that war having convinced me that the time was now come when it might and ought to be put an end to, and that the hostile chiefs were ready and desired to make submission on any terms, and obtain pardon and peace, I received their * See page 123. t See page 144. Digitized by Microsoft® .*/*'* ft ifcd.'! f ^a7tpc