justified by the fairest consideration of the case, and every preten sion to favor. To perfect the system we are to enter upon, I would, as far as practicable, proceed to a general settlement of all claims and disputed property between individuals and Government, and to attain so desirable an end it might be prudent to make a favorable impression on the public mind, to relax somewhat of the exercise of rigid right whenever the claimant had reasonable pretension from industry, or actual cultivation. In short, while we pursue the interests of the Crown, and augment the Revenue, I should wish that every proprietor of land should look upon it as his own estate, as a provision for himself and family, and that no future event can injure him,, or render it unproductive, but the want of industry or his own mismanagement. This is the situation of England, and how abundantly is it proved that the State does not condescend to the exercise of any but general principles, by the Acts of Parliament daily passed to enclose and cultivate waste lands and commons, which are given without payment to individuals to exercise upon them their own industry and enjoy the advantage and future profit of their exertions. It is my further intention when this subject has passed through the consideration of the immediate servants of the Government to consult the President of the Court of Justice and His Majesty's Fiscal, Messrs. Ryneveld and Truter, who from their local experience, enlightened understandings, and approved attachment to the British Government will give the best assistance. The necessity of immediate determination upon some of the applications before Government is so required, and so considerably affects the Revenue, that I do not conceive it would be justifiable to delay altogether the decisions; but it will be my duty to take the earliest opportunity to submit the general statement, and receive the instructions of His Majesty's Government. It will then be the proper moment to express in the most forcible manner the value it would give to every transaction at the Cape of Good Hope to let the inhabitants feel that it is to England alone they are to direct their views, and that whatever have been the relations with Holland, now that the consideration is become simply English or French the plainest policy seems to direct on our part that no act should lead to strengthen any opinion that they can ever return to the dominion of their old masters. The general sentiment here may be of great good will, or what is like attachment, but certainly cannot be expected to be proof against reflections of that nature. I therefore anxiously hope that in whatever direction we may receive from home on this important subject, there will appear the desire to assimilate the institutions of this country to those of England, as I conceive that a prudent introduction of every British principle and practice, besides an allowable confidence in their excellence, forms precisely so many steps towards the attainment of belief in inseparable English connection. It will also be my duty to submit to what an extent the natural resources of this country may be carried, if encouragement be not withheld, and how exclusively valuable would this station be for the supply of a force to any amount in the hands of the enemy, if he ever meditate the restoration of his power in the East. I shall conclude by adverting to the office of Surveyor of the Crown Lands now vacant by the resignation of Mr. Baumgardt. Its importance at this moment is peculiarly striking, and no time should be lost in the selection of a person, eminent in character, ability, and inflexible integrity. The emolument attached to the appointment is far below its importance, and if a person can be found to fulfil the duty with advantage to the public, it cannot be improper to adequately reward the faithful discharge of so arduous a task. I have &c. A similar letter was sent to the Deputy Colonial Secretary, Mr. Bird. [Original.] Letter from the REV. DR. HALLORAN to the EARL OF LIVERPOOL. LONDON, 6th December 1811. MY LORD, I have now the Honor to submit to your Lordship, officially, as His Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonial Department, a publication comprising the whole of the Proceedings in detail carried on against me at the Cape of Good Hope, as extracted from the public records, and duly authenticated. And, as Lord Caledon and Lieut. Genl. Grey have arrived in England, I beg leave respectfully to repeat my request to your Lordship for a public investigation into the Conduct of those Officers in my Regard, Agreeably to the implied Engagement conveyed by Mr. Peel's letter of the 10th May last, and addressed to me by your Lordship's Order. After which, I confidently anticipate from the Justice and honorable feelings of Your Lordship, that prompt and effectual redress for the Injuries and Oppression I have sustained, which I trust, it will appear, is most unquestionably and equitably due, from His Majesty's Minister, to my Services and Sufferings. Letter from SIR JOHN CRADOCK to the EARL OF LIVERPOOL. GOVERNMENT HOUSE, CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, December 13th 1811. MY LORD, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Lordship's Dispatch No. 8 enclosing Instructions from the Board of Treasury that as far as possible the supply of Provisions for His Majesty's Forces at this Station should be drawn from the resources of the Colony, and stating how contrary it was to policy and economy to send any article of subsistence to so distant a settlement as the Cape of Good Hope. Whatever may have been the necessities heretofore, when the situation of things could not have been so well considered as at present, I may venture to assure Your Lordship that in future I do not entertain any apprehension unless from causes to which all countries are alike subject, that the Colony will not prove equal to the maintenance of any number of Troops that might be sent here for either a temporary or more permanent purpose. I might state this in the most general terms and without any condition as to notice or previous preparation, were the severe restrictions upon the Trade released; but as the case stands at present it would not be safe for the cultivator or farmer to extend his agricultural operations beyond the confined view of local consumption, as he cannot look with any degree of assurance to foreign exportation. As a further satisfaction upon this point of Your Lordship's instructions I have the honor to submit a statement of the prices of the last and present year in the ration of the soldier, and that of forage; and it cannot fail to make the strongest impression in favor of the capabilities of this Settlement that the charge is perhaps not one half of what is paid in any other part of His Majesty's Dominions, it would even be less, could all the encouragement be given to agriculture of which the territory is susceptible. In 1811 the ration cost 428d., in 1812 317d. Forage 1811 1s. 3d., not ascertained for 1812. In extension of the Instructions now received, I have issued the annexed advertisement to receive proposals for the supply of salt provisions, and I have every reason to hope that the proposition will succeed to a very great degree. There may be doubts as to equal excellence in the provision and its power of preservation from the influence of a warm climate at the time of preparation, but if they are removed, the opportunity of supply here to any extent for the navy and army for at least half of what it would cost in England must afford means, if it be judged proper in other respects to adopt them, of a very great reduction of expense, should the harvest turn out as favorable as I have reason to suppose. I cannot, however, for some time pursue this part of the subject with much effect, as there is a very considerable stock in the possession of the Navy, and the great supplies of salt provisions transferred to the Cape upon the failure of the expedition to South America give no opportunity to enlarge the demand, but as I am obliged to order a gradual consumption to prevent the total loss through its decay, in a certain time the value of the measure may be experienced. I have &c. [Enclosure.] CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, 6th December 1811. Statement of the actual cost of the undermentioned articles of Provisions, Forage, Fuel and Candles issued to the Army during the year 1811 and of the prices fixed by contract for the year 1812, estimated in Sterling money at an exchange for Bills of 41 per cent premium. Letter from SIR JOHN CRADOCK to the EARL OF LIVERPOOL. GOVERNMENT HOUSE, CAPE TOWN, MY LORD, I have the honor to report to Your Lordship the death of Mr. Truter, by whose decease the situation of Searcher of the Customs is become vacant. It is an appointment that requires VIII. P |