LETTER FROM DR. PHILIP. THE ORDER IN COUNCIL SENT OUT.

ALTHOUGH unable to take much part in public affairs during this session, yet, at the instance of the Rev. Dr. Philip of the Cape of Good Hope, Mr. Buxton made an effort in behalf of the Hottentots, which was crowned with easy and complete success.

Eight years before, Dr. Philip had been sent out by the London Missionary Society, on a deputation appointed to inquire into the state of their missions in South Africa. In the course of these investigations he had become acquainted with the grievous state of degradation in which the Hottentots were held by the inhabitants of the colony, and especially by the Dutch boors. One hundred and seventy years before, they had been the undisturbed possessors of that fertile tract of country which is now comprehended under the name of the "Cape Colony." In 1652, the first Dutch settlement was formed, and the curse of Christian neighbours fell upon the hapless owners of the land.

1828.

THE HOTTENTOTS.

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The first germ of the treatment they met with. may be seen in the following extracts from the journal of Van Riebech, the Dutch governor.

"December 13. 1652.

"To-day the Hottentots came with thousands of cattle and sheep close to our fort, so that their cattle nearly mixed with ours. We feel vexed to see so many fine head of cattle, and not to be able to buy to any considerable extent. If it had been indeed allowed, we had opportunity to-day to deprive them of 10,000 head, which, however, if we obtain orders to that effect, can be done at any time, and even more conveniently, because they will have greater confidence in us. With 150 men, 10,000 or 11,000 head of black cattle. might be obtained without danger of losing one man; and many savages might be taken without resistance, in order to be sent as slaves to India, as they still always come to us unarmed."

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A day or two later we find him "wondering at the of Providence, which permitted such noble animals to remain in the possession of heathens." It was not long before he thought it best to thwart the ways of Providence instead of wondering at them; and the system which he began was carried out by the Dutch, and afterwards by the English, until the Hottentots had sunk to the lowest depths of misery. Nothing can be more painful than the accounts given of them at the time of Dr. Philip's first visit to the Cape. They were not like the Negro slaves, the legal property of certain individuals; they were at the mercy of all who chose to oppress them and compel their services: not even possessing that degree of protection which the hateful system of slave ownership affords. Their tribes were public property, and any one might seize as many of them as he pleased for

his private use. Their rich lands and vast herds of cattle had long since become the spoiler's prey.

At

the caprice of the Dutch boors they were subjected to the heaviest labours, to every species of harassing annoyance, to every kind of revolting punishment. Beneath this grinding misery their numbers had dwindled, their persons had become dwarfed, and their minds brutalized, till the very Negro slaves looked down on them as lower and baser drudges, far below the level of mankind.

In 1822 Dr. Philip returned for a short time to England, and communicated this information to Mr. Wilberforce, Dr. Lushington, and Mr. Buxton, who agreed that the former should move in the House for a commission of inquiry to proceed to the Cape; as also to the Mauritius, and to Ceylon: this was accordingly done, and in 1824 we find Mr. Buxton moving for the reports received from these commissioners; which afforded some information of value. In 1826 Dr. Philip again came back to England, and after a time published his "Researches in South Africa," which excited much attention; and he urged Mr. Buxton to bring the case of the Hottentots before Parliament. Although feeling great interest in the subject, Mr. Buxton was too deeply engrossed by the Mauritius question to turn aside at that time. In 1828, however, he was able to make himself master of the subject, and gave notice of a motion for an address to the King on behalf of the natives of South Africa.

He writes, July 1828,

"I have not yet determined what I shall say about the Hottentots. I shall take as the foundation of my argument

1828.

MR. BUXTON'S MOTION.

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their legal freedom, prove that they are practically slaves, and demand that we act up to our engagement and make them free; but it is doubtful if I shall speak. Government will probably give way to my motion, on condition that I abstain from speaking. Terms not to be rejected I think."

To this compromise the government agreed. Mr. Buxton brought forward his motion without a single comment; and Sir George Murray, (Secretary for the Colonies,) then rose and briefly expressed the concurrence of the government. The address was unanimously agreed to, and the Hottentots were free! Mr. Buxton walked up to Dr. Philip, after the motion had been carried, and said, "Ah, these men do not know the good they have done!"

In a hasty note to Mrs. Upcher, he thus announced the triumph:

:

"July 17. 1828.

"I have only time to say, that we have recorded a resolution of the House of Commons, with regard to the Hottentots, which is their Magna Charta; and which will spread liberty, and, with liberty, a thousand other blessings over that great and growing territory."

"July 16. 1828.

The Rev. Dr. Philip to T. F. Buxton, Esq. "My dear Sir, "The more I reflect upon the decision of Parliament on Tuesday evening, the more I am struck with its importance. It is intimately connected with all the great questions now before the public, which have for their object the amelioration. of the coloured population in every region of the globe; it is one of the principal stones in the foundation of that temple which Mr. Wilberforce has been so long labouring to rear, for the protection of the oppressed; and it has given a strength and an elevation to the building, which will render the whole more secure, and its future progress more easy. I

wish you could be present at our missionary stations when the glad tidings shall be announced; you would see many a sparkling eye, many a cheek furrowed with tears of joy, and hear your name associated with many a thanksgiving to God for this unexpected deliverance."

It was a singular coincidence that, only two days after this motion had passed in Parliament, Major General Bourke, the just and humane Governor of the Cape, promulgated an ordinance (well known afterwards as the fiftieth ordinance), by which the Hottentots were placed on the same footing as the other inhabitants of the colony. As soon as Sir George Murray heard of this step, an order in council was issued (January 15, 1829), ratifying the ordinance, and, moreover, prohibiting any future alteration of it by any colonial authority. When Mr. Buxton, who had spent the autumn and winter at Northrepps, came back to London for the session of 1829, he found the business thus happily concluded.

He sent this intelligence to Mr. J. J. Gurney; but begins his letter by alluding to the excitement which prevailed on account of the Duke of Wellington's expressed intention, to take into consideration the removal of the Catholic disabilities.

"February 9. 1829.

"We had a slave meeting at Brougham's yesterday; and Sam. Gurney would go with me, to prevent them from putting too much upon me. Brougham, Mackintosh, Denman, Spring Rice, Wm. Smith, Macaulay, were the party. They were all in the highest glee about the Catholics; Brougham particularly. They seemed exquisitely delighted with the vexation of the Tories, who are, and have reason to be, they say, bitterly affronted; and the great ones among them vow they will have an apology,