CAPE OK GOOD HOPE.

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 224, 22 July 1848, Page 1 (Supplement)

CAPE OK GOOD HOPE.

Proclamation issukdbySiu 11. Smith, Governor op the Capb of Good Hope, to the Jsbtixurs BEYOND THBOrANGH RIVUR Whbreas some evil-minded persons, prone to wickedness, to mischief, and to evil wrys, havu been ia the territory beyond the Change River, over which I have proclaimed the Sovereigni'y of her Majesty ; have been calling meetings to pervert the spirit arid moaning of my proclamations of the 3rd and 10th February ; and have been assuming the characters of my agents to gain the will of the people for the purposes ot wicked excitement ; and have been hhowing my signature to the proclamation of the 3rd February, profeising it to be a document containing far different leutiments from the reality ,, — I deem it my duty to publish an explanation of the motives which have induced me to establish a government over deluded, disappointed, and dissatisfied men, who have expatriated themse'vos from the land of their fathers — from the homes which roared them — from relatives mid friends, with whom ihrir sociil intercourse contributes to their happiness, — from their pastors, their churches, and consequently their God. Many of thes« men, indeed the majouty, are personally known to me, — their hospitality I have received in their former comfortable homes and good house 1 ! — their services I have admired when in the field uniier my command against a common enemy. These bonds of effection which originated in 1835— -6, have subsequently been cemented by various events. I was invited from within the colony and from beyond the Orunge River, tp bee the condition of these my

friends ; and to devise some measures to bring them bnck to Micid comforts, to hiirmi>ny and confidence in one another, to their church, and to then" ncgliclvd God, who tenches un to gather togetlur in prayer and , ihanklulni'sa to him. I established, under theblessii). s of Diving Providence, I trust a lo&ti q ponce wuli the Guika and T'Slambie Kuftirs, and m fil'ty-four da}S from my landing I was timong my old (i tends, who had thus mviteJ Colonel Smith to btc their condition nnd to amelioiate it. I was received everywhere witli unmistnkeahle marks oi affection, wilh addresses, rej. 'icings, and firings, and eVerydenioiißtiation ofd< light. Upon one occasion about thirty asM-mblcd neii the Drakenuerg, and after lereivmg me with i very exp'eision of peibOiifil regaid. told mo they had been cndirfvouring t'» establish h hovph mm j ut of their own,|*.md hoped to biiciced. We parted in mnity. I had hoc proceeded two miles when sevctal followed «»e, assutmg me sucli whs not tho voice of half the number. They depicted their suite of misery irom w.wt of chin cues and laws, declared that they hud not seni ;i church Jor ton ye.irs, they could neither marry their duuglueib 1101 hiny their dead, that tbeir ehildien wcie uneducated, and ih.t they shou'd become ignorant burbana s, and slaves to the black natives, who hint mission >nes, schools, and chapels, wLile tiny weie totally uupiovided. Tncy slated, with tiara in then eyes that they L'jied to speak beioie one anotl ci — th t theie wiis no mutuil confidence, no ichance upon one anothci'b iictinnb. I told one of the paily a I ndin* part of what I piopobcd to do. lie bulged me to delay truing thu pioelamution until some meetings in contemplation should have taken place. I 3i.id " Very well, 1 shall not do it until I huvcsicn your i> re.it guide." Upon me seeing him, he urged upon me to iisue it, piomised to explain that lie lccjuuucnded it, us it would btrengthen bis hands to iml ace all to a system of rule ; and the equi'y of the land question was such taht it tamed conviction with it. It he did so|hc has acted up to his vvoid ; if he did not he has deceived both you and me. You have, indeed, had no government for years ; are you happier ? Are you licner ? Are you belter chnstians? You are nusei able — you aic paupers, the half ol you ruined, You aic receding fioin your faith, with no minibttis of ihe Holy Gospel to consult and confide in ; while your brothers, your cousin-, your friends, under a ju»t and free government, are happier and contented, are .shipping wool and corn, selling val« mble hoi&es, sueep, and cattle; and enjoying all the bleisings a good conscience clleets, and civilization and Chnstiamiy ensuie — going to tbeir church on a Sunday with their elegant spans of horsei and waggons, with their h.ippy wives and children, — while your Sundays are spent in your miserable huts, — not ihe good huusts you were reared in, — » retched and unhappy,— your manly and truclygood hearts desiring a btaie ot things, the wicked endeavour to thruat trom. your grasp, but which they shall not, 1 bball now proieed to lay before you and (he world, the motives which have actuated me, comprised in two words — " your beutiit." You have cal.ed on me to absist you, I lmvo done >>0,-—vtde my Pioclaiuaiious of the 3rd February ana tlie tith ol March, in whiih last I have endeavotmd, clearly, distinctly and unequivocall}, to set forth the government calculated to rcidcc you — what you aie not now — happy. The ill-disposed have endeavoured tn pervert facts — to startle the ciedulotia — to alarm the timid— and to excite all to aid their own .estleas and uncontrollable dispositions. First, liien, let us consider the practical effect of my paternal feelings for your welfaie, lor the i»tihfaction of your friends and relations within the colony, who so desire to see you preserved in civilization, with a home lod^ellin, u school for your children, and a church for you to pray in. By the Treaties and Aiiang ineiiLs entered into ia February, 1815, between Sir Peregiine Maitland and Adam Kok, aul other native chiefs occupying the territonei north ot thn Great Orange Uiver, it was .settled •• that all agreements emcrcd into by Hmish subjico residing in that terriloiy, wiih natives, foi the puichaso of land, should be of non-efFect, or be held to be only the hate ot the said land for foity years, at theexjuration of that peiiod, the laud with all improvements ihould revert to the oiigmal piopiietoia without any reuiuiieraUon to the farmer, for buildings, &i\, and t'.'iit all lands held on leases of shorter daltb, should on tho expiration of the leuso revet t to the natives ou the same conditions." That a certain portion of the land ihen occupied by Bri ish subjects between the Oran;e River and a bran< li of theliiet River, called ihe " Kromeli-mbog Spruit," ihould be termed " unulicnublc territiry," and which, as the leuses fell in, should not be ie»lel, but the on - eupanls quit those p are% nnd retire without the line ot demarcation, the Riet River. That portion of the territory, north and east of the Kiomelembog Spruit, should be termed " a.ienable territory," which the natives might, if they chose, at the termination of thacuireiit 1-ases, re-let at such exorbitant rates as they might fur, so that as leases expned the natives could raise the rents according to the increased value of the property, caused by the labour and expenditure of the farmeis upon it, Wl without making any paymsnt for such labour and expendnuie, notwithstanding the fanner, during the existence ot the leuse, was obliged to pay quit lents, otic hall c( which went to the natives ! A state of things most, unsatisfactoiy to all parties, was thecau-e ot constant quarrels^anil digsentions, and the farmer felt himself an outcast, and subject to the will of uncivilised mm . This state of doubt and uncertainty has immodiatelv changed by my visit ; a fiesh agtecment entered into with Captain Adam Kok, ihe fujmer holds bis lands upon a first and indisputable right fiom her Majesty ot E iglnnd. for winch, you all know, you, at the turn , shed tears ol gratitude, and called down blessings" upon me. I have taken you from your King, Captain Kok, and the great chitfs, whoso bens you were, holding jour land on insecure tenure, and in constant appiehenMoirj of being turned off. Was this uglu for a manly AMcandei ? Have 1 not rescued yon fium &o degrading, so utictitaiu .i hUte ? Thus do you hold your kinds in perpetuity in Cap. tain Adam Kok's count! y. I then entered into engageuieius with ihe great chiclu, Jvio&lubh, Moiokke,

Moletsani, .s7hn~)«l'i, <"•'•« Tlic-y ni<.ic «l in wlnt 1 proposml, antlovnvbiiTlir nmv holiMiis lands on tlio <ailh of In 1 ' Mi-jrsiv, Wi f>«>» "° "'^ivc wiiMcvn ; while prolertion i-. uuoidid to the wluto man as well as to the l>Uk. , „ , My ewri <>et hngheon the smdy of your benefit, the tlof.no t>> pl.wcin vmii own b.miU, to every pr.icuc.nble extent, 1 lit- </>vrt nine: of voui'dvcs hy youiselveH. You jne io choose \our own Field-Commandants, your own Field Cornri", yon me tn have one of yourselves upon the Land Coim»ii','iou, you are to give jour free opi jiion to the M rpstiatCß whom I p'mc fimonr; you, that I may hear youi wnnts desiiCG and wishes with the sole view of supplying them. Evi rj i action of the revenue ausiiv? from the tnfluig quit rents demanded ol you is for your benefit, for your rule, (or youi schools, foi" your Chuu-ho-i— tor ynui GoJ. You :;o to bed at night, rcturtiin;' tlunks to the Omnipotent Pioteotor to R ll — "This is my home, my own undisputed lioiue — homr, sweet horne — my wile will be protected, my children edunnto 1, uny demotion ensured — markcto v.UI he established tor my worldly bou'Ju. 7 ' You blc^p the sleep ot happineax, for God n with you. You rise in the nornim.-, and with de.vot'onal t fl'ii'-ion ot giatiludn, eie yon pioceed to \oui daily Ulior, you see youi wife and children around you without fe.ir or trembling — without dow t cr uncertainty. Excitement is succeeded by content, and the voice at first whispers— " We thank oui « Id tiiend Colonel Smith lor what he lias done!" Rlurtly the voice louuly exclaims— *• Smith is our Govi mor — he it is who has induced us to rub ourhelves under his fobteimg care— we thank him as our Govcruot " Wh.it luve I done for your countrymen in Natal — pnrt of her Majesty's dominion!.? I found thorn wandering tliey \ncw not whither, from thtir homes, the r falandmg ciop-, and their exmllent garden", cu.t.vaiul by their own hands, \hcir wives ml children, and fl -fc< and heids, exposed to the nriseues of a niiny season. I look such steps as to ensure thtir return t) tluir commitab'e homes — and 1 appointed the man who has great influence wiih you one of a land commission, the result ot the labors of which woii'd ensn c Ihe »rcat point— -undisputed light ot possession ol your lud. I'ause, then, X prny yon, my friends, ere you allow wicked agitators to "excite you to permit your well dispost d minds tn d ive peace, happiness, and comfoitu, now within your grasp from your doors. vVhat object had I in wandering, in exile, as it were, among you,when duty commanded me to rppau to the seat of Government, where my services were so much requued, In travelling humheds of miles and living in a waggon, but that of endeavoring to do «;ood to old fi iends who required one t> show himself to them ? On my return your countrymen poured down bleb&ings on my heud for my exertions in your behalf. Arc &uch devoted acts for ycur welfare—are your own interests, to be cast aside! Ts your Into re prospect of happiners— your future hope in etem.-l life, to be, diiven from you by wicked designers and ambitious men, who have their own ends alone to serve ? Are your wives to be kit in tears for your absence- , or to be rendered w idows, and are your children to be uneducated and homeless? Is base mgia'itudc to üburp the seat of reason ? The prosperity of a nation is materially dependent on a just system of novcinment and finance, the leadin;; principles of which are, that every individual shall contribute to the maintenance of a government in proportion to \he prope.ty he posses es, to piotect him fiom domestic tyianny or foicignuugie^sion— and that every individual c< ntin uling a quo ashall have a voice in regulating the scheme of his government, and the disbursement of the levcnuc. 1 have given you this infveiy piac'icible forir. When at \Vinl>> r ;, on the presentation of an ai'dress, T was ns^ed for boldiers— l e.\< Kumt-d— " So diera ! You. mound me, are my <?uld.er;"~meuuini? the pcaceabli' citizens are their own soldion., and n quire Tio mihtaiy aid whatever. Thi3 expression has been perverted, and you h.iVe been taught to believe, not thinking lor tho moment, that I nm to make you all soldiers, For what ? Becuisc I love peace, and re(imie no military in my operations to carry on what I desiie ? In not all Southern Afnca tha seat of peace ? without one drop of blood having been shed by my authority, or me blow t- truck ? A-n I the man to require soldieis tor any ordin uy put pose ? Bit there hie causes 6osaered to the Lord and in the ejes of the world, as to demand military inttrlereuce : hence 1 have proc'aioicd that you hold your lando uubject to militaiy seiviee, and 1 do so for the sole purpose of providing for the time ot need. But it you never load your firelock until I ask you, it may be turned into what all aims me best luted for— I'lough shares. Now, my fiicnds, my hiH lobt friend* and wavering Christians I have ndditssed you as Colonel Smith, I have appealed lo yo 1 v feelings as men, .is ialhers of families, a>j ica^omiig human beingb possessing lninoortul soul-. I have cxeitcd myself to the t\tcnt of my abiliticb and my cnen-itd. I now turn from Colonel Sroi h to the Governor of thU Colony — and I proclaim to you that I will cany out, or die in the r-ttempt, the piovistons of the proclamations I have framed for your exclusive- benefit and by youi own deMre, and the faclioiib dcmjigogue s.h ill Ucmllc at that name which he even now respects, and for which you also fai and wide, and loudly proclaimed your love. You well "know I nevci forfeited my woid. You well know, lor many oi you huve served v/iih me in the Held, the velocity with which I wield the sword. Do not suppose that I have stripped niyselt of the means by sending home troops I tell you, and tell y«u truly and honestly, I hold in readiness a foice of guns, cavalry and tiied Biitish soldiers, who in fifteen days should be among you, men capable of causing stouter hearts than youiß lo quail. When I commanded, you were brave; now 1 you have no head you dure confide in, your hearts aye in the wrong place, your cause bung unjust— an ignorant, disconted few, endeavoui ing to excite the many. Do you talk of resistance and assemblages— you, whom two years ago a few dragoons rode over like sheep ? Do you presume to imagine that you are able to do what no masa oi demagogues has ever yet done— the undisciplined to rftbistj'and successfully maintain a protracted resist* ancc against the'di-ciplwed iorce of a regular Government. Lut oh ! how 1 hate and detest the name of wai and ooimnotun! The many battle Rcene I hate witneshed mi&ehkc phantornß to my irii.ifr.inutn.il. Hut aa I abhor war. so will I tcnibly wield in power if you drive me from jour <uTw:ti<n. If y«" compel me to wield tiie f.Ual swoid, afier s.ll I have attpmpted foi you, the crime be upon your own heads ; and while my tioops hhall exult in vicioiy, I will weep, as you have Been me do, over the {alien, the defeated, tho d lnded ; your linciH/filinllbe wres'cd fiom you, voui houses debtroyed, yoiir herds. B«cpt off, your own hearts blackened by wicked ingratitude, am, your faithful, youi gencw>us friend, w'.io Ins exerted himself for youi <T.eiosive benefit, turned into trc> Avenger of Evil 1 You ,/iall Ufccorne like the Lhraaelttcb oi old, " yoxir h.ind u\\n\\ be ae;aintt cicsy i an, ,md every man's hand tlwll be fcainsfc you." " Vcn(,c>pce h wiui," tho oid; and in, liib n.uae, and for the beniln cf Hi. •atuioi, would I smite those I '010-e, ondto t hora I have so endeavoured to piov- 1 tl nt I Ao so. There arc lauits to the ixtent of tlw; raos 1 . vittuom

Mings in ihn, woililly ami uncertain t>ial of lifeAid wr, ns T desire you, to preserve thru) u> us ; an 11 mm ecnerous and nnconuptcil minds tin- su[u>riouiy (.ficligion curies u> thiougli the calamities of this Uim&ient life, let ub loffi'thcr thus pray :■— Lord of all Powe r .mil Mn ht, Disposer of all Thmeq, good and evil, deign to look down upon us fi ail and sinful creatuus; teach us who arc our tiuo friends, prrseiveand utipngthen us in all ttialg and ttern«.n n«. taiions, defend in fiom the wicked prnctici'S of m<n, teach us to worship Thee with our iieait», our minds, our somlk, devoted unt.) Thee through Jesus Christ ; direct our hearts and our nciions towuids our neighboir; tracli us to live thnl our course in this life m.iy iead u« to life eternal ; uach us to forgive our < neuiies »nd lovo our friends ; (each us after a peacable litV to lock foiwaid for that r. union in heaven, the fountain of our hopes on earth, the happy place of lest foi our immortil souls. When we must put o(F llib n-ortal garment find lie down on the Ihd of death, let us he at peace with thee () Lord, at peace with the world, and at pence with our own hearts. This grant ns, O Lord, our God Altni^hLy, through Jesus Chnst. Amm. (Sigre 1 ) 11. G. SMITH. Government House, Capo Town-, 2!hh March, 1848.