George McCall Theal

“ Mr. Bresler remained to learn the result of this meeting. The day before it was to take place, a man named Jan Pieter Woyer returned to the village from a tour he had just made through the district. Woyer, who had studied medicine in Europe and was generally well informed, had not been long in South Africa, but had filled the post of district surgeon of Graaff-Reinet since December 1794, and had thus an opportunity of acquiring influence. He was a warm upholder of French principles, and hated England to a corresponding extent. ”

“ But only a century ago it was regarded rather as a meritorious than as a sinful act to remove savages to a country where they would be within the influence of Christianity. Stockenstrom was next appointed bookkeeper of the naval establishment, and performed the duties of that office until the surrender of the colony. In March 1796 he was selected by General Craig to fill the post of secretary of Swellendam. ”

“ The inhabitants of the country districts were invited to send their cattle and farm produce to Capetown for sale in any way that suited them, and were promised that if they desired explanation upon any subject the British commanders would give it to such persons as they might delegate for the purpose. ”

“ Von Manger that he should remain under their government, but he declined, on the ground that he had taken an oath of fidelity to the king of England. On the 20th he and Mr. Bresler left the drostdy to return to Capetown.
On hearing of these proceedings, General Craig sent Major King wdth three hundred men of the eighty-fourth regiment to Stellenbosch, to be in readiness to move forward at short notice. Supplies of ammunition and goods of all kinds were cut off from the district of Graaff-Reinet. A corps of Hottentots was raised for service in the interior. ”

“ Persons owing money in Europe, for instance, could not obtain bills of exchange under twenty to thirty per cent premium, and in common dealings three shillings in silver would purchase as much as a paper rixdollar. ”

“ That the people of Graaff-Reinet would not draw the sword against the English.
4. That their only reason for refusing to take the oath required was that when the states-general of the Netherlands should retake the country they would not he able to justify themselves if they did so. ”

“ Great fire in Capetown. Insurrection of a party of in GraaflF-Reinet. suppression farmers Its by General Vandeleur. Invasion of the colony by a horde of Xosas under the chief Ndlambe. Attack nn British troops by the people of Cungwa.— Massacre of a party of soldiers. ”