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Extracts from a private communication from
GRAHAM, dated Jokamma, N. W. of the

River, 10 miles.

LIEUT. COLONEL

mouth of Sunday

January 2nd 1812.

The whole of the Kaffirs within the limits are evidently under the absolute control of Slambie, and are determined to make an obstinate resistance. On the 27th, when the centre division had reached to near Habana's Kraal on the South side of the Riet Berg, I received a Despatch from Major Cuyler stating that the advance guard of his division had not proceeded 500 yards on this side the Sunday River when three assagais were thrown from behind the bushes, one of which wounded a farmer, but the Kaffirs could not be seen.

The Major proceeded to Kongo's Kraal. The Chief was not visible, but all his troops were drawn up in battle array, and ornamented with Crane feathers, the emblem of war. By the messages Kongo sent, he appeared inclined to follow the advice given to him, of quietly retiring to his own Country, and was therefore allowed till next day to consider of it. Next day however many of Slambie's Kaffirs were observed going towards the wood where Kongo lay, and that evening a number of Kaffirs making their appearance on the side of the wood next to which the Major's division lay, he rode towards them with 25 men to try to persuade them to retire beyond the Fish River, giving up to us all Hottentots, Slaves, horses, stolen cattle, and guns.

Old Slambie's figure was immediately recognized standing up, and advancing a few paces from the rest, when in great apparent agitation he called out "Here is no honey, I will eat honey and to procure it shall cross the rivers Sunday, Couga, and Zwartkops. This Country (stamping his foot violently on the ground) is mine, I won it in war, and shall maintain it." Having finished this pithy laconic oration, he with one hand shook his spear, and with the other applied a horn to his mouth, and on blowing it, his Troops, 200 or 300 in number, rushed towards the Major, who with an Interpreter only had advanced within 50 yards of him unarmed, and the same distance from his own party, on whom he retreated and ordered them to fire. This unfortunately from its

being almost dark had no other effect than making this insolent and daring crew retire to the wood.

It was ascertained that Slambie had arrived that day, and that Kongo's messages were only intended to amuse until that event took place. The Major having also informed me that the main body of the Kaffirs had assembled round Slambie and taken possession of a large wood into which they had driven a number of cattle for their subsistence, and from which the Major's division alone could not possibly drive them, together with my being convinced from all the information I have received that if Slambie was expelled, the rest would follow, I immediately resolved upon uniting as large a force as possible in this quarter, and accordingly on the 27th sent orders for two Companies of the Cape Regiment to join Mr. Stockenstrom from the Hoogte on the North side of Zuur Berg, and for him to cross that mountain and Riet Berg, and join me on the south side of the latter mountain without loss of time after the two Companies had joined his Commando of farmers, who were also to accompany him. Why he did not do so is a secret

which, poor man, died with him. He left his post with 24 men to join me on the 29th. When more than half way a number of Kaffirs came towards the party on an open smooth ground. They (the Boers) all entreated him to canter on and have nothing to say to them, but placing a fatal confidence in their friendly professions, he rode back, and dismounting entered into conversation with them for half an hour, notwithstanding the repeated remonstrances of the Boers. At length, when upwards of a hundred Kaffirs had surrounded him, he mounted his horse, when they (the Kaffirs) rushed upon him and those who were next to him, and instantly murdered the worthy old gentleman, eight farmers, and a Hottentot. The rest, after shooting five or six of the Kaffirs, and four of the farmers being wounded, effected their escape, and brought the melancholy tidings.

Before daybreak the 30th I sent Captain Frazer of the Cape Regiment with 100 farmers to convey the same orders I had previously sent, and on the 31st the two Companies of the Cape Regiment and 50 men under Ensign Stockenstrom joined my division.

Captain Frazer's party had been attacked 3 times by a party of Kaffirs in a narrow defile leading through a wood, the farmers behaved with great bravery, killed about 20 Kaffirs, but three

horses were also killed by assagais. Ensign Stockenstrom's conduct does him much honor. He having heard of his father's death by a Hottentot boy who escaped, immediately set off with 18 men, all that could be spared, came suddenly upon a large body of the murderers, killed 16, and retaking eight horses, pursued the other Kaffirs into the wood. At the same time I must mention his having declined going to Graaff-Reinet, which I sent word to him by Captain Frazer he was at liberty to do.

The left and centre divisions I marched into this position yesterday, and altogether 4 Companies Cape Regiment with the Artillery and 20 dragoons, forming a Corps of 800 effective men. The wood in which the Kaffirs are lies close to us. Several parties from Major Cuyler's division have had skirmishes with them, killed about 20, and driven 400 head of cattle out of the wood.

My intention is now to attack the savages in a way which I confidently hope will leave a lasting impression on their memories, and shew them our vast superiority in all situations. I have ordered 500 men to enter the wood on foot tomorrow morning, divided into 6 Companies, and with orders to continue in the wood while a Kaffir remains alive, and to bring off all their cattle, which when they choose to quit our Country shall again be restored to them.

They never were attacked on foot, or in a wood before, and in woods the assagai is a miserable weapon, as much room is required to throw it with effect.

I never in my life saw more orderly, willing, and obedient men than the Boers, and whenever they have been engaged have behaved with much spirit, and always most ready and willing to go upon any enterprize.

(Signed)

J. GRAHAM, Lt. Col.

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Letter from REAR ADMIRAL STOPFORD to J. W. CROKER, ESQRE. Scipion, TABLE BAY, 2nd January 1812.

SIR,―Their Lordships having in your Letter of the 8th June 1811 directed me to turn my attention to the Forests of the Island of Madagascar and to point out whether timber of equal quality

and inferior expence to that of Plettenberg's Bay may not be procured from thence, I have to request that you will acquaint their Lordships that although there is abundance of good Timber upon that Island, it is mostly of a very heavy nature, and from the extreme unhealthiness of the Climate for Six Months of the Year, I do not think the waste of Europeans who must be employed on many occasions in procuring this Timber would be compensated by its acquisition. I have etc.

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Proclamation by SIR JOHN CRADOCK.

Concerning the destruction of worn out and defaced paper money. Similar to many preceding.

2nd of January 1812.

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Government Advertisement.

Notice is hereby given to all persons intending to export Cape wines from this settlement that, previous to their obtaining permits from the Custom House for the shipment thereof, it will be necessary for them to have certificates from the wine taster of the wine about to be exported being of a good quality, and in good sound casks. The instructions for the wine taster in so far as it is necessary for exporters to be acquainted with them, will be made public in the ensuing Gazette. In the meantime the wine taster is to charge at the rate of two Rds. per leager for all wines he shall be required to taste.

Castle of Good Hope, 3rd January 1812.

By command of His Excellency the Governor.

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Government Advertisement.

Notice is hereby given that His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint Mr. W. Caldwell Wine Taster for all Cape Wines to be exported from this Settlement.

Castle of Good Hope, 3rd of January 1811.

By Command of His Excellency the Governor.

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Letter from LIEUTENANT COLONEL GRAHAM to
LIEUTENANT COLONEL REYNELL.

JOKAMMA, 10 MILES N.E. OF SUNDAY RIVER MOUTH,

8th January 1812.

SIR, The right division of the force under my Command having proved inadequate to the duty of expelling the Kafirs from an immense and almost impenetrable wood at this place, of which they with their flocks had taken possession and seemed obstinately determined to remain in, I judged it expedient to collect as large a force as possible for the purpose of driving them out. Having on the 1st inst. formed a junction of the right and centre divisions, the latter previously reinforced by 2 Companies of the Cape Regiment and 50 farmers from the left division which I had ordered from Bruintjes Hoogte for that purpose, I on the 2nd inst. directed 6 Companies of dismounted farmers, each 60 strong, and 20 men Cape Regiment attached to it, to enter the North side of the wood, to fire at all men Kafirs, and drive out all the cattle they could find. This detachment returned yesterday morning, but from the thickness and extent of the wood they have not met with that success which it was supposed such a measure would produce. Twelve or 14 of the savages have fallen victims to their obstinacy, amongst whom is Conga the Chief of this Horde. 2,500 head of cattle, chiefly milch cows, have been brought out. I have to regret the death of Veld Cornet Nortje, who was killed. by an assagai.

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