One of the Transports is at present preparing to proceed to Plettenberg's Bay on the East Coast of Africa, to ship a Cargo of Timber and Spars for the use of the Naval Yard at this place, and of His Majesty's Dock Yards in England.

This timber called Stinkwood or African Oak has been found to be in many respects equal to the English Oak for all purposes of Ship Building; it abounds in the forests in the Neighbourhood of Plettenberg's Bay, from which abundance of Crooked timber of this wood can be procured.

This Cargo, which I am about to send for, is the last of the timber Contracted for by Government. Having suggested to Commissioner Shield the propriety of renewing the Contract, in order to procure a further supply, I transmit for their Lordships' Information the Commissioner's answer, and I beg leave to propose that their Lordships will be pleased to give directions for the renewal of the Contract in the manner specified in Commissioner Shield's Letter.

In the event of their Lordships approving the measure of a person being Sent out to Superintend the execution of the contract, I think it necessary to state that as the distance of Plettenberg's Bay from Cape Town makes it impossible for the resident Commissioner to Controul the proceedings there, that the person selected should be one of trust and confidence, with Salary sufficient to insure the faithful discharge of his Duty.

It is necessary that I should acquaint their Lordships that the principal inconvenience attending the procuring Timber at Plettenberg's Bay arises from the want of a Secure anchorage, and the difficulty of communicating with the Shore in consequence of a perpetual high Surf upon the Beach. I have etc.

(Signed) ROBERT STOPFORD, Rear Admiral.

[Copy.]

Return of Cattle Stolen by the Caffers, and recovered or still absent ; as also of Inhabitants or Caffers killed in the District of Uitenhage from the 1st of January to the last of March 1811.

Memorandum.-Davel and a Hottentot were found dead by the Field Commandant Stolz, Two days afterwards a little Hottentot returned, who stated that the Caffres left them at the Zondags River, supposing them to be dead, that he however having shortly afterwards recovered, saw a female Hottentot, who had accompanied them from Davel's place laying dead and that he then took the Waggon Road, on which he in the course of a little time met a Waggon, which conveyed him to the Field Commandant Stolz.

(Signed)

J. G. CUYLER, Pro. Land'.

UITENHAGE, 2nd April 1811.

[Copy.]

Extract from a Letter written by MAJOR CUYLER, Prov. Landdrost of Uitenhage, to MAJOR BIRD, Deputy Colonial Secretary.

UITENHAGE, 2nd April 1811.

SIR,-I have the honor herewith to transmit to you the Kafir depredation return for the last quarter and to state that the Inhabitant Jan Davel was attacked and murdered at his own place of an hour's ride from the Commandant Stolz's, he has left an old widow much distressed. Scheepers of Zwartkops District, from whom 130 head of cattle have been stolen, is also in the greatest distress. I have the honor to transmit a copy of their opgaaf taken last week, which will show all these people have left, and I humbly beg to recommend them to His Excellency the Governor's most humane consideration for some gratuity.

Gerrit Scheepers, Coenraad son: 1 male slave, 2 female slaves, 34 bullocks, 40 sheep, one waggon.

Widow Johannes Esaias Davel: 1 horse, 14 bullocks, 800 sheep.

[Office Copy.]

Instructions to SIR JOHN FRANCIS CRADOCK.

Instructions to Our Trusty and Well beloved Sir John Francis Cradock Knight of the most Honorable Order of the Bath and of the Turkish Order of the Crescent and Lieutenant General in Our Army Our Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Settlement of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa Given at Our Court at Carleton House the 10th day of April One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eleven in the Fifty first Year of Our Reign.

First. With these Our Instructions you will receive Our Commission under Our Great Seal of Our United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland constituting you Our Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Settlement of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa now in Our Possession In the execution therefore of Our said Commission you are to take upon you the Administration of the Government of the said Settlement and to do and execute all things belonging to your Command according