In 1832 they paid taxes to the Government to the amount of 2300 rix dollars. In 1833 Colonel Bell (the Government Secretary for the colony) stated that,

"As to that large proportion of the Hottentots who remained in the service of the colonists as free labourers, their character and condition are every day improving. Those settled at the Kat River, as small farmers, have made a very surprising progress. A large portion of them, from being an indolent, intemperate, and improvident class, have, since a field was opened for virtuous ambition, become industrious, sober, and prudent in their conduct."

*

In the same year Captain Stockenstrom (Chief Civil Commissioner of the Eastern Province) writes.* "The Hottentots at the Kat River have cultivated an extent of country which has surprised every body who has visited the location. Instead of apathy or indifference about property, they have become (now that they have property to contend for) as covetous and litigious about land and water as any other set of colonists. They have displayed the utmost anxiety to have schools established among them. They travel considerable distances to attend divine service regularly. Their spiritual guides speak with delight of the fruit of their labours. No where have Temperance Societies succeeded half so well as among this people. They have repulsed all the attacks of the Caffres. They pay every tax like the rest of the colonists. They have rendered the Kat River by far the safest part of the frontier. As far as the land is arable they have made a garden of it from one end to the other."

*

*

*

According to Colonel Wade,†

66

They had, in 1833, completed 55 canals for irrigatior, 44 of which measured 24 miles! Their works," said he,

*To T. Pringle, Esq.

† Evidence before Aborigines Committee.

1828.

HAPPY RESULTS.

219

"give the best evidence that the Hottentots can be industrious, and are as capable of contending with ordinary difficulties as their fellowmen."

as

Dr. Philip had described the Hottentots in bondage,

"In a more degraded and imbruted state than they were in a state of nature; trampled upon by their masters; held as a perquisite of office by the Colonial Governor; regarded by the Negro slaves as only fit to be their drudges; despised by the Caffres, and by all the natives in a state of freedom: and represented by travellers as scarcely possessing the human form, as the most filthy, stupid beings in the world; as scarcely to be considered belonging to the human race.”

He thus describes them after their settlement at the Kat River:

"The Kat River now presents a scene of industry, sobriety, and decency, not surpassed by the peasantry of any country in Europe. They are building themselves good houses; they are very decently clothed; their industry is admitted, even by their enemies."

In 1839, Mr. Backhouse mentions his having visited the Hottentots, and found them "dressed like decent, plain people of the labouring class in England. In the sixteen schools of the Kat River district, they had about 1,200 scholars, and an attendance of about 1000."

CHAPTER XIV.

1829.

CATHOLIC EMANCIPATION.-REFLECTIONS.-THE MAURITIUS SLAVE

TRADE.

AGREEABLE NEWS.

LETTER ΤΟ MR. TWISS.

THE MAURITIUS CASE REVIVED. THE GOVERNMENT ADMIT THE

EXISTENCE OF THE SLAVE TRADE. ITS COMPLETE EXTINCTION. MR. GEORGE STEPHEN. MR. JEREMIE.

DURING the session of 1829, Parliament was chiefly occupied by the discussions on the question of Catholic Emancipation. Mr. Buxton's constituents at Weymouth were opposed to the measure; and the knowledge of this opposition, combined with his own doubts, made him for a considerable time unwilling to vote at all on the question. With this neutrality, however, he could not long remain satisfied. After serious deliberation he became thoroughly convinced of the justice and expediency of the measure, and thenceforward gave it his support; a step which much offended many of his friends, and seriously endangered his seat for Weymouth.

To a Friend.

"House of Commons, March 5. "Here I am waiting for the Catholic debate, and you will be sorry to hear, no, you will not, you are too valiant, - that I am going to secure my non-election next Parliament by voting for the Catholics to-night. I really must vote, the peace and safety of Ireland depend on our vote. I spent yesterday with Macaulay and Wilberforce very pleasantly. I am full of business, but not overworked; this is just what I like."

1829.

REFLECTIONS.

221

On the 29th of March, he gives a kind of summary of the preceding twelve months.

"Wednesday next is my birthday, I shall then be fortythree. That day I have engaged to spend with my admirable friend Wilberforce, who, having devoted his life to the purpose of conferring upon Africa the greatest blessing which man can bestow on man, is now passing the remnant of his days in retirement and repose. I wish, according to my usual practice, to review the proceedings of the past year. In public life I have taken but little part; Brougham's illness prevented, during last session, the proposed discussion on slavery; and during this session nothing has been thought of but the Catholic question. I assisted, however, in one great work, which, although it passed almost in silence, is likely to be attended with the most important and happy consequences, - the liberation of the Hottentots.

"It is recorded of Paul that he thanked God and took courage; and with thankfulness to God that I was entrusted with this easy and honourable task, I hope to gather from it confidence and encouragement in those other works of humanity in which I am engaged. Another work of a public nature which has engaged me, is the state of the Church Missionary Society. I attended in February a meeting of the Society, and felt it my duty to say that I thought it desirable a close and sifting inquiry should be instituted into its circumstances; in that I am now engaged."

After mentioning other events of the year, he continues:

"Within the bounds of my own immediate family I have been peculiarly prosperous. Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. And peculiarly happy am I also in the next circle that of my chosen friends. I have often thought that there is no one so rich in friends as I; but this is a large topic, so

"In my public capacity it has pleased God, in depriving me of strong health, to deprive me of the power of much exertion. My public reputation has, I think, considerably fallen. If I could be sure that I have done as much as my reduced strength would admit, this would give me no concern; and, to speak the truth, it does give me no concern.

"In my outward affairs I have had, as I have said, many trials in some particulars; in others, I have been equally successful. But I do believe, I recognise both misfortune and success, as coming from the same divine and fatherly hand."

After other prayers and thanksgivings, he thus concludes:

"I pray also that I may evermore be helped of Thee in my public pursuits: that in the cause of the oppressed Negro, I may not be a negligent or a useless advocate. Be thy blessing there, O Lord!

"That particularly with regard to the oppressed Negro at the Mauritius, I may have thy help. For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy; now will I arise, saith the Lord.' O may this be verified, and that speedily. "That thy help may attend me in my present labours on the missionary question.

"I do thank thee, O Lord, that I have not now, as heretofore, to address prayer to thee with regard to the Hottentot question, but praises and thanksgivings.”

*

"And now for those dear to me, for my friends, I pray that every blessing I have asked for myself, may attend them. I feel especially prompted to pray for some of them; especially for poor dear Macaulay, who I know is in much sorrow. Let me plead, O Lord, his sacrifices in the slave question, his many trials, his unparalleled labours; the services he has rendered, and the reward he receives at the hand of man, — reproach, calumny, and insult. Be pleased, O Lord, thyself to reward him; smooth away every difficulty; grant him prosperity; and grant him to grow in grace: enrich him