the question at present solely was English or French, and that they had determined to abide for ever with the fate of England. They concluded that this was the universal sentiment of the Dutch Inhabitants of this Colony, and I have every reason to suppose that this is a correct statement of the general feeling since the annexation of the United Provinces to the French Dominion.

The signatures to the Address contain the names of several of the most respectable and approved inhabitants of this Settlement, and are headed by Messrs. Van Ryneveld and Truter, the President of the Court of Justice and His Majesty's Fiscal, two gentlemen eminent beyond a doubt for loyalty, talents, and devoted attachment to the principles of the British Constitution. As the paper is professed to be of the most secret and confidential nature, from apprehension of the consequences of its publicity to their friends and relations in Holland, it may account for the omission of the names of some persons of distinction and influence.

It will naturally be expected that I should venture my opinion to Your Lordship upon the prudence and wisdom of the measure now submitted by the principal Dutch Inhabitants of this Colony to afford an Asylum to their distressed friends in Holland; but it is difficult to give this subject a fair consideration or form correct judgement upon many other circumstances affecting this Settlement, without a supposed knowledge of the general views of His Majesty's Government in respect to the extension of all those advantages it possesses, for it may be safely asserted that if the population is increased and an active and zealous encouragement given, this "country" (and it may justly be so termed) will rise to any degree of prosperity and afford resources of every description that can be required for any purpose in this part of the world.

So anxious must the person be at the head of this Government, when he looks around him and sees what is lost by neglect and the want of cultivation, that he cannot but feel inclined to support any measure that carries with it the prospect of increase of numbers or wealth, however inconsiderable, but still this particular subject must be examined with care, and it must receive a more scrupulous consideration than the generosity of British minds may be disposed to admit.

Your Lordship will observe throughout the whole of this address that in the picture of things here the greatest stress is laid that everything remains Dutch, and that their brethren flying from

their persecutors at home will find upon their arrival at the Cape the same religion, the same language, the same laws, the same customs, &c., &c.

May I be permitted to observe, however natural to escape from them is all this expression, and it even adds unequivocal sincerity to the whole representation, yet that it cannot fail to excite a very serious and extended reflection, where the first question is the permanent security and future prosperity of a great British Colony, subject to all the chances of war.

Circumscribed as this settlement of the Cape of Good Hope is at present, the danger of a controlling Dutch Inhabitancy under the above circumstances is a subject of reasonable distrust and alarm, and of course will gain strength when the same state of things is enlarged, if no countervailing measures are adopted to prevent an ascendancy that will naturally attach to the prevailing system, and which is the right alone of the British nation. The power of Government cannot alone effect this, and it is more produced by the cautious and progressive introduction of the same laws, the same principles, and the same institutions of the parent state. These constitute the essential difference at present, for that between the two religions is of little import.

As all these circumstances have long since pressed on your Lordship's mind it is unnecessary for me to further engage your Lordship's attention, and I shall therefore only submit in humble, but the strongest terms, my persuasion that His Majesty's foreign subjects at the Cape will be found in general to have the most favourable dispositions to loyalty and fidelity, and that nothing is to be apprehended, but the reflection that they may return under the power of their former masters, now members of the French nation.

Whatever may be the measures adopted to banish this notion and identify with England this part of the British Empire, the greater will be the security, the happiness and unanimity of this Settlement.

If His Majesty be pleased to accede to the Petition annexed, the chief object of caution seems to be the prevention of improper persons arriving here, who under the disguise of emigration may be the actual agents of the Enemy, for they cannot long remain ignorant of the present design. I have etc. (Signed)

J. F. CRADOCK.

[Enclosure in the above.]

To HIS EXCELLENCY DU PRÉ, EARL OF CALEDON, Governor and
Commander in Chief of the Cape of Good Hope, &c., &c., &c.

The Memorial of the undersigned Inhabitants of this Colony humbly sheweth:

That the numerous calamities which have for these some years past befallen the Republic of the United Provinces, but in which the inhabitants of this Colony have happily not partaken, have at length by a Coincidence of Events risen to that pitch that Holland, wanting in power to defend herself with any prospect of success, and wanting also possibly a head or Leader to enable her by the Force of Arms to secure herself that Liberty and Independence which used to be the Patrimony of her Ancestors, has now received the last Blow which could be struck, her Incorporation with the French Empire, the fatal consequences of which cannot but be too well known to every one, partly from private accounts, which have from time to time been received, and partly from the Intelligence contained in the public Newspapers, than that it can be necessary for the Memorialists to enter into more minute Details upon the point, which consequence, it is natural to suppose, must certainly create an Inclination among the Inhabitants of that once flourishing Country to abandon it and take up their Abode in a Place where during the Remainder of their Days they may enjoy Tranquillity and Contentment, where their Families may live in Safety, what little they still possess be secure, and where, by not having daily before their Eyes the sad Scene of fallen greatness, the wounds of their Hearts may not daily be torn open.

That in the mean time however, such desire of removing to another Country cannot be gratified unless there be some other Part of the World which comes forward to afford aid and receive into its arms an unfortunate and oppressed Nation, in order to afford such Nation an opportunity, by bringing into that Society where it finds a Refuge bodily and mental qualifications, of being of advantage to both.

That Memorialists feeling for the Fate of their Mother Country, it has struck them that no Place in the World could be better calculated to afford a secure Shelter to its unfortunate Inhabitants, who are circumstanced as above described, and entertain the

!

Feelings above supposed, than the Cape of Good Hope, situated in a temperate Climate, producing every necessary, nay, even more than every necessary of Life, enjoying by the Blessing of Heaven constant and external Tranquillity, in Nation, Religion, Language, Laws and Customs, similar to ancient Holland, where under the Influence of a mild Government everyone is Master of the Fruits of his Labour, and where, in a word, the Law protects all, and the Sword of the Law is alone unsheathed to punish the Wicked.

That however this Transmigration, to resolve on which Necessity alone can be the Cause, many may be desirous but few have the means of effecting, unless those means be supplied to them, and which means in a Colony like this neither can or ought to be wanting, when it be considered that it was by Holland this Colony was founded, that it was out of Dutch Money it rose to Eminence, and that therefore like a grateful Child, who when its Mother is advanced in years is oppressed and poor, will contribute everything in its Power to support her in this unfortunate State, and unable to live longer alone will cheerfully receive her into its Arms, pay this last Tribute to Love and Gratitude; should such an Endeavour succeed, at the same time that it would be an Act of Benevolence, it might also be productive of the most beneficial Effects to this Colony, by increasing its Population, would consist of Persons of civilised Manners, possessed of different Kinds of Knowledge, and who would bring with them either the Remainder of their Property or at least their Heads and Hands, and thereby give new Life to this Colony, its Welfare would by this means no doubt be greatly promoted, consequently also the Interest of the Sovereign, and as long as England is in that fortunate situation of being able to secure to her Inhabitants Bread, Liberty, and Glory, the attainment of the same Ends by an Increase of Population from England cannot be expected.

That what has been above set forth has induced Memorialists to believe that towards the accomplishment of the above Views it might not be impossible to form a Fund in this Colony for the facilitating of an Emigration from Holland to this Place of such Persons as in consideration of the above Circumstances and upon those Principles might be inclined to undertake it, and as might, without endangering the Peace of the Colony or the public Interest, be admitted.

That to carry this Plan into effect, however, a vigorous co-opera

tion on the part of the British Government, and in the first place of the Government of this Colony, is absolutely requisite, and which co-operation and support Memorialists on the ground of the object they have in view being the Interest of the Colony, and on the ground of the old Connection which has so long subsisted between the Kingdom of Great Britain and Holland, they presume to flatter themselves they may expect.

Memorialists for these Reasons have conceived it might be permitted them to frame and lay before Your Excellency the Plan of a Subscription for raising a Fund for the Encouragement of such Natives of Holland as may be desirous of quitting their oppressed Country and of settling with the previous Permission of the British Government with what little Fortune they may have left at the Cape of Good Hope, and humbly to request that Your Excellency may be pleased to support this Plan by Your Excellency's powerful Influence in the Recommendation of it to His Majesty's Government in England, where, should it be approved, they would further request Your Excellency's strongest co-operation in the forwarding of it here, subject to such conditions and precautions as to His Majesty's Government may seem consistent with the public Interest and the Peace of this Colony.

And Memorialists as in duty bound shall ever pray.

This Memorial was signed by the following Inhabitants :