THE GOVERNMENT OF CAFFRARIA. (From the South African Advertiser.)

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 196, 15 April 1848, Page 3

THE GOVERNMENT OF CAFFRARIA. (From the South African Advertiser.)

Sofar as the system on which CafferJand is to be governed, is explained in tbe Governor'! proclamations and notices, it appears that tbe people are to be managed through their chiefs, and the chiefs are to hold their place and authority, directly from the governor of the colony, The whole country is regarded as conquered, and the complete sovereignty of it invested in the Queen. Districts or locations, are to be granted to chiefs with their people, in such a manner as may be judged most beneficial for them, and most likely to promote peace and good order. The tenure of these districts or locations, by the chiefs, mil depend on I their loyalty to the Queen. Disobedience will be sedition ; resistance, rebellion; and the punishment with other penalties, will be forfeiture, as it is in England and other civiin ed countries. Seven forts and posts arc enumerated, within British Cnffraria, where a sufficient force will overlook the progress of settlrment alter the recent stormi, and hold in check all restless spirits, till society has struck its roots more i firmly into fixed property and just lawi, Thirteen posts are to ba maintained within the colony, chiefly near the border. His Excellency also invitei the able-bodied inhabitants of the frontier districts to enrol their names in the different towns and villages as ready to serve, or to find subititutes to serve, in defence of the colony in case of any future inroad. Under this comprehensive scheme of organization forj security and defence, the agencies of civilisation are to be again set to work, and if it be possible, and in the designs of Providence, to convert, civilize, and save the Caffer nation, taking into account all the circumstances of the case, with the present state of feeling on all sides, hopes may fait Jy be entertained of a large measure of success. That such hopea have been often blasted, should not generate despair, as disappointment may, in every instance, be traced entirely to incidental causes, which experience foresight, energy, prudence, may easily avoid ;—that ii, prudence on the side of ihe people and government of this colony* a reasonable support to reasonable measures, on the part of the people, and firmness and consistency on the part of Goyernment. With these, compensation will be found for imperfections, if therbe auy in the system; without them, no system, however wise in its principles and complete in its maf chinery, will ever pioduce the peaceable fruits oe nghteousnets. « In the " General Orders" there are some admirabl' provisions that have evidently a prudential and re. Irospective aspect, particularly the 3rd ia No. 121, whereby " all officers are prevented holding any inter, course whatever |with the chiefs, involving any ques c tion, however remote, as to their future prospect 3 AU such matters are at once to be referred to tt e High Commissioner, or to the officer who may b_ hereafter appointed." In a notice dated 23rd Det cember, thue it also a very proper intimation, no enacting, but simply " making it known, that all camp followers whatsoever, and every perion who is not a soldier, la equally amenable to Martial Law for all petty offences." The prohibition of fire-arms, gunpowder, and spirituous liquors from British Caffi'dria, is albo for the preient a most judicious regulation. Sir H. Smith* Intertikw with Sandilla.— After these proceedings Sir H. Smith proceeded to his quarters (the residence of (he late Lieutenant-Go-vernor) where he had Sandilla and his fourteen councillors paraded before him. Tiie following is thp Bub* stance what passed : —He called for a gun, One was brought to him. He struck it with vehemence on the ground) and asked Sandilla who was paramount chief of Kaffirland. Sandilla said Kreli was. Sir H. Smith said he (Smith) was. Sir H. Smith asked vehemently whether Sandilla knew him. The chief replied in the affirmative. Sir Harry told him that Smith had come back again a« Governor of the country, and that tbe Kafirs were his dogs. Did he not leave the Kafus happy, prosperous, with plenty of cattle ? Yes replied Sandilla. He then reproached them with their treachery and ingratitude. But, continued Sir H. Smith, 1 have come to take you out of the bush, and to make you again a prosperous and happy people, and turning to Sandilla said, you with your councillors shall be free—you shall return to your country on condition that you shall exert yourself to give up every musket in Kafirlaiid,—and if you fail in doing so, I will certainly hunt you up. They should have an escort to convey them safely to their own country. Sandilla wished to BhaUe hauds, but Sir H. Smith refused, offering him his foot as a substitute, (which was received as such by the chief, and subsequently by hie followers.) telling him that the privilege of shaking hands would depend upon his future good behaviour.