utmost importance which I have to suggest is the rooted dread that reigns in the minds of the Hottentots in these distant districts to give information against any Boer, as he considers himself endangering his life by exposing himself to the resentment of all the connections of those against whom he is called to bear witness. The truth will never be brought to light till effectual means are taken to protect and encourage those who are able to give information. My reluctance to be absent from our Mission at Bethelsdorp, or to occasion any expense to the Missionary Society is very great; yet nothing would be so gratifying to me as to be honoured with an interview with your Lordship, in order to state my ideas on this subject, which it is almost impossible to do in its full extent by letter. Waiting with all due submission your Excellency's orders, I have &c.

Letter from LANDDROST STOCKENSTROM to the
DEPUTY COLONIAL SECRETARY.

GRAAFF REINET, August 7th 1811.

SIR,-I had lately the honor of addressing you a letter in haste from the Baviaan's River, stating for the information of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, the measures which circumstances had rendered it necessary for me to adopt and which I still intended adopting for the security of those Divisions which were exposed to the depredations of the Kaffres, and for the purpose of setting at ease the minds of the Inhabitants and of the Troops stationed in them. I now feel it my duty to add that although I had no reason to fear any attack on the part of Gyka, notwithstanding many entertained the idea, yet that prudence demanded, with a view to attain the end above alluded to, that each should be enabled to be upon his guard, so that however impossible to prevent the incursions of the Kaffres, I deemed it most expedient to strengthen the principal Posts and to collect the remainder of the Inhabitants here and there in the vicinity. Having likewise given the matter into consideration of Major Lyster, it has been determined to remove the posts stationed at Bezuidenhout's and Botha's, which

only consisted of a Sergeant and 10 men, the former to the place of D. J. Erasmus Jb. son, situated nearest the frontier, where Lieutenant Lynch is stationed, and the latter to Captain Kirby's post at the place of D. J. Erasmus, Senior, with an addition of some few Burghers from the Division of Behind Sneeuberg at each place, exclusive of the inhabitants themselves. These places being situated in a flat country at the distance of 1 hour walking from each other and in sight of each other, have accordingly now the means of making an ample defence, and should it be necessary, of even affording assistance to those Inhabitants who are collected and living together as above mentioned; all the others being protected by the Guards stationed in the Cariga and along the Fish River.

Having left the Division of Baviaan's River and proceeded by the Kromme River and Riet River along the Fish River to behind the Sneeuberg and the Tarka, I found everything in those parts quiet, and that the Kaffres who had been visiting as far as the Brakke River had been sent back by the respective Field Cornets into their own country. They committed no robberies worth mentioning, but were extremely troublesome with constantly begging and promising, if they were suffered to remain, that they would be peaceable and satisfied with mutton. The threats they made use of, when prevented from wandering about any longer, accompanied by the reports of some who had quitted the Bruintjes Hoogte, and the circumstance of cattle being now and then sent from thence, had in some measure excited the attention, but in no wise fear or consternation among the inhabitants of those parts, and I soon succeeded in setting them entirely at ease. None of the fugitives however were to be prevailed upon either by the force of reasoning or by threats, to return and assist those of their fellow inhabitants who had remained. Whether the late orders issued by Major Cuyler to the Field Cornets will have any effect time will show.

On my return to the Baviaan's River I met some who had quitted the Bruintjes Hoogte; I gave them strict orders not to leave the Baviaan's River, as in that Division they were quite safe. Learning from them that there were others about to follow, I immediately took the road to the Hoogte, where I had the pleasure of meeting Major Cuyler, who had arrived but a few moments before.

At a meeting he convened of the inhabitants, some of them having declared that they should be obliged to abandon their places if speedy assistance were not afforded them, I, at his request, agreed to furnish such assistance, which I effected by immediately recalling the Guards which had been posted at the foot of the Bruintjes Hoogte and in the Vogel River Ruggens, in order to be disposed of as Captain Hawkes conjointly with the Field Cornet Nel might deem most expedient.

I conceived I might do this with the less risk to my district, as Habana has removed with his Kraal to the other side of the Fish River, as I mentioned in my last, in consequence of having been repeatedly baffled in his attempts, with the loss of some people as appears in my report of the 15th inst. To make those however quite easy who have returned to these parts whence the Guards have been removed, I have ordered a small force from the vicinity of the Drostdy to proceed thither.

That I had ground to expect no hostilities on the part of Gyka, or that at least if such disposition were evinced, the measures which have been taken would be sufficient to counteract them, a proof has just been given. Major Lyster has this moment received a report from Captain Kirby, stating that Gyka has sent out with one of his chiefs, Foena, and some men and women Kaffres 127 head of cattle and the gun which belonged to one Van Deventer, who was murdered, asking at the same time what punishment it is wished should be inflicted on the murderer or murderers. I am in expectation of a more circumstantial report from the Veld Cornet, but in the meantime have written to him to desire he will ask Gyka to deliver up one or more of the parties guilty in order that he or they may be punished according to our laws, which possibly might create greater terror among them than if Gyka were to torture them to death and take away their cattle to the prejudice of their families. We might express to him our thanks in some other manner. In the hope of this meeting His Excellency's approbation, I have &c.

(Signed) A. STOCKENSTROM, Landdrost.

[Office Copy.]

Letter from the EARL OF LIVERPOOL to SIR JOHN CRADOCK. DOWNING STREET, 9th August 1811.

SIR, I have received the enclosed paper containing Extracts from the Letters and Journals of a Missionary of the name of James Read, and I have taken the earliest opportunity of transmitting it to You.

It is needless for me to recommend the subject of it to your most serious attention, or to point out to You (should these statements upon enquiry prove correct) that the Interests of Humanity and Justice and the Honor of the British Name demand the immediate adoption of the most effectual measures to secure the exemplary punishment of such atrocious crimes and to shield the injured Natives from the Barbarity of their oppressors in future.

Letter from R. WHARTON, ESQRE., to ROBERT PEEL, ESQRE.

TREASURY CHAMBERS, 10th August 1811.

SIR,-Having laid before the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury a Letter from Lord Liverpool of the 18th June last, requesting that the sum of £2000 may be impressed to Mr. Robt. Willimott, appointed to act as Agent for the Cape of Good Hope, in consequence of the Death of Mr. Agar, to enable him to pay Bills drawn for Pay due to the Officers of the Cape Regiment, or any other Expences arising out of the Cape Government which he may be authorized to defray; I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaint you for the Information of the Earl of Liverpool that they have directed a Warrant to be prepared for that purpose. I am etc.

[Copy.]

Memorial to His Excellency the HONOURABLE LIEUTENANT GENERAL GREY, Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of the Cape of Good Hope, &c., &c., &c.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, August 21st 1811. The Memorial of the undersigned British Inhabitants most respectfully sheweth

That your Memorialists are in the habit of annually importing from Great Britain considerable quantities of British and other Goods for the consumption of this Settlement, that owing to the present enormous price and difficulty of obtaining Bills, Memorialists are prevented from making their remittances in due Season, which to them and their Creditors in England is productive of the most ruinous consequences.

Memorialists beg leave to represent to Your Excellency that independent of the difficulties sustained by them and their Creditors there, Government at home Suffers a considerable diminution in Revenue owing to the circumstances already Stated, for Your Memorialists confidently assert that in the latter part of the year 1809 and the whole of 1810, no less than five Hundred thousand pounds worth of Goods were cleared out at the Custom Houses in England for this Colony, whereas they are Confident that in the present year not one fourth of the quantity will be Shipped.

This enormous diminution is not alone productive of a loss of Revenue to Government, but it causes an equal (and probably a more Severe felt loss) to the Manufacturer, the Ship Owner, and the Merchant at Home.

Your Memorialists are aware that it is difficult for Your Excellency to remove the Grievances at present, but they respectfully request Your Excellency will use Your Authority in mitigating them by directing the whole of Government Bills to be issued to such Individuals as have Remittances to make to England, which will prevent a System at present established by Individuals of purchasing up and monopolizing Bills for the purpose of extorting a higher premium for them. It will also give the British Merchant a preference which in the present distressed times we hope Your Excellency will deem him entitled to,