the ruins, a native upon a pack-ox, who had not before perceived us, was so suddenly surprised at our appearance, that, regardless of his beast, he instantly sprung from his back, and in a few seconds was out of sight; naturally concluding that our intentions were not the most pacific. Both here and at Morley, I had met with great kindness from the missionary families; and while riding over the bricks and rubbish of the demolished buildings, bearing evident marks of the conflagration, I felt much for them and for the cause in which they have suffered: it was indeed a melancholy satisfaction we were indulging, and we soon instinctively turned aside from the blackened walls to visit the garden, where an abundance of figs, almonds, and peaches were rapidly advancing to a state of maturity. But what delighted me the most was a luxuriant hedge of roses covered with flowers and in great beauty, the first I had seen since leaving the colony; and the very sight of which almost transported me again to my native country, though not indeed the land of the olive and the vine, still pre-eminently of the jessamine and rose. own. It had been stolen from him by a party of Abasootu, in one of their predatory expeditions across the mountains, and had subsequently been employed by the same people in a late attack upon the Amatembu, in which they were defeated; and this, with several other of their horses, was captured by Ferdána. Had that suspicious chieftain been aware of his real pedigree, he would never have allowed him to have accompanied us on our present journey. Not only is it prohibited during the period of state mourning to renew the thatch of the most dilapidated hut, but even the wholesome influence of the besom is also forbidden; and as this village had been abandoned during the war, the condition of our floor may be better imagined than described. As soon as it was dark I made some attempt at repairing the roof, as it was threatening rain, but the thatch was too scanty and far between to do any thing effectually. In the evening an ox was sent to us to be slaughtered, which proved a very acceptable supply, as our people had been nearly a day without tasting food, and our own stock was almost exhausted. Friday, 26th.-Having last night been promised Leaving this interesting spot, about three miles guides to the Kei, we were anxious to proceed; to the right we reached the present residence of but as none had yet been sent, we repaired to Kheeli-a village containing only nine huts, all in Nomesa's hut, where it was understood that sea most wretched and dilapidated condition, and still veral of the councillors, although at an unusually likely to be occupied for some time without repair, early hour, were assembled. Nomesa was Hinza's as a part of the customary respect paid to the principal wife, and is the mother of Kheeli; and memory of a deceased chief. Shortly after our even during the life-time of her husband is said to arrival, Kheeli made his appearance; it was about have had great influence in the tribe. The hut the time of drinking milk; his councillors and was crowded; and although anxious to see this principal men soon assembled near his mother's political lady, the smoke was so dense that her hut, and, seating themselves on the ground, form- person was entirely concealed; this, however, was ed a semicircle round him, while he sent portions no impediment to a long conversation which soon of milk to each, the baskets being first placed be- commenced. Kheeli, who in her presence seems fore him by two servants, who, strange to say, to have little importance, coming in at this time, wore each a printed cloth round his waist, the first and lolling carelessly in one corner of the hut, she attempt at civilized attire which has yet been thus addressed me, pointing to her son :-" We made by these inveterate sons of nature, and I have no rest. You see that child-he has no trust will not long remain a solitary example. place-he is a baby. I am obliged to carry him Kheeli is a young man of about twenty, tall and about in my teeth-his house is dead, and we are apparently of a mild disposition; somewhat grace- all eaten up! We wish to have a word to be at ful in his actions and of rather a Jewish expression rest, that we may cultivate the ground." I reof countenance. As soon as the important business plied, by reminding her "that they had already of drinking curdled milk was ended, in which, received a word to be at rest; that the English though served late, we had not been neglected, had rested; and they wished to see peace estaKheeli, with a few of his chief councillors, removed blished." The councillors then spoke in confirmato the spot where we had been sitting at a few tion of their great woman's words, and all in the paces from the assembly, which gradually dispers- same strain. They declared that they knew not ed, and commenced a long parley. News was why these troubles had come upon them; that they eagerly inquired, as well from the English camp had taken nothing; and were quiet until they were as from their northern neighbors. Having endea-"eaten up" (a common expression for being imvored to satisfy (for that is scarcely possible) all these various inquiries, a request on our part was made for two horses, and a mounted guide to conduct us across the Kei; but all our endeavors, urged with the promise of a present on reaching our destination, were ineffectual. "Where are horses to come from? We have none"-was the reply. The Amatembu have stolen them-the English have taken them." In short, it had evidently been determined that, at least, we should have none. It was now proposed to leave one here which had knocked up on the journey, but in the course of this arrangement, which was agreed to, a singular coincidence occurred-this very horse being recognised by Kheeli as one of his poverished.) To a stranger to their character, and to the real facts of the case, such a pathetic and plausible appeal would doubtless have excited commiseration, and kindled a generous indignation at cruelties apparently so wantonly inflicted by a Christian and civilised nation, on one so unoffending and helpless. But as I had been already suf ficiently initiated into their modes of address and arch duplicity, and was tolerably well acquainted with the causes and leading circumstances of the late war, my high sense of amor patrie was by no means diminished; and had my cheek reddened at the time, it would have been occasioned by the palpable falsehoods they were striving so systema. tically to uphold. The horses being packed, and every thing ready, Keeeli, with several of his people, assembled before our hut to see us go off. The favorable moment was not lost: and I was particularly delighted with the simplicity with which Mr. Davis first gave out a hymn in the native language, and then led all who were willing to join in singing the praises of Jehovah. It was a happy conclusion to our visit; surrounded, as we were, by some of the most determined and ferocious characters in all Kafir-land, it has left an impression on my mind which I shall never forget. As we proceeded the country gradually improved, being more broken and clothed with trees in the ravines. Stopped to rest our horses at a spot called Shaw's Fountain, and within a few paces of the remains of the house in which William Purcell, a trader, was wantonly murdered by a native in July of the past year. As we approached the Kei, the lads watching the cattle took the alarm; and it was amusing to see the rapidity with which several herds on each side of the road were driven off into the wooded ravines. They soon, however, gained confidence; and in spite of the guns came near, and loudly called for a bazella (present.) Mounted and bearing guns across their shoulders, our native escort, for this country, had rather a respectable appearance; but what benefit we were to derive from their weapons, in the event of an attack, I have yet to learn. In defensive warfare their prowess was certainly uncalled for; but on two occasions they all dismounted, drew up in a line, and made a vigorous attack upon a flock of wild geese, which, strange to say, all flew off without leaving them even a feather for a trophy! From the quantity of rain which has recently fallen, and the state of the other rivers, we had little expectation of finding the Kei in a fordable state, and were rejoiced to perceive that it was only moderately high, enabling us to cross without difficulty. The guides could not be induced to accompany us across, but left us on the bank to return home. We were now in the new province of Adelaide (the colonial boundary, since the late war, having been extended to this river;) and as soon as all our party had gained the British side, we knelt down and offered up a prayer of thanksgiving to the God of all our mercies, by whose good providence we have been so mercifully prospered and protected in our journey. We had started this morning at twenty minutes to seven, and reached Fort Warden (the first military post,) about five miles from the river, at a quarter to four where we were kindly received by Captain De Lancey, the officer in command. My business with his excellency the governor being urgent, Captain De Lancey kindly furnished me with an escort to the next post, and an order to be supplied there with fresh horses to King William's Town, the head quarters. My own horse, notwithstanding all his toils (having ridden him almost every day for these two months past,) came in quite fresh, and with the additional weight of saddlebags galloped in front of the whole party. Here, however, I left him to be brought on with the other led horses, my companions intending to sleep here, and proceed by more moderate stages. Being anxious, if possible, to reach Graham's Town some time to-morrow night, I set out again with my interpreter, escorted by two of the Cape corps (Hottentos) at sunset, and reached King William's Town at three in the morning, where, notwithstanding the unseasonable hour, I was kindly welcomed by Mr. T. Shepstone, the government interpreter. Saturday, 28th.-Colonel Smith, who since the termination of the war has commanded the new province, received me with great kindness, and took much interest in the situation of affairs at Port Natal, affording me, in the most handsome manner, a military escort for the remainder of my journey to Graham's Town. Here the changes effected by the late "row with Kafirs," as it was elegantly expressed to me by a colonial farmer, were still more apparent than in the line of posts I had passed on the road. The whole appeared like a dream-the very name of King William's Town was to me a novelty; and what I only remembered as the quiet abode of a missionary of the London Society (Mr. Brownlie) is now metamorphosed into a military cantonment, half urban, half nomadic; here a line of mud huts; there an enclosure of tents; all however well arranged, and apparently in high effective order. That part of the mission-house which has escaped the flames is repaired, and roofing; and one room is already appropriated as an office for the transaction of business: while in the outskirts of the settlement several acres of land have been brought into cultivation, and are yielding good crops of oats, an excellent precaution where forage of this description is so difficult to be procured. After breakfasting in the colonel's markee, I resumed my journey at half-past ten. As the chain of posts, and consequently the relays of horses, were nearer together on the Fort Wiltshire road than on that which I had formerly travelled, by Trompeter's and Committee's Drift, I had an opportunity of crossing the Fish and Keiskamma rivers considerably higher up, and traversing in a fresh direction that extensive line of jungle and forest, which occupies a considerable part of the country which is intersected by the Fish river, and known throughout its whole extent (about seventy miles) by the general appellation of the "Fish River Bush." To the skirts of this forest the country is comparatively open, covered chiefly by patches of the thorny mimosa, and affording in every part most desirable sites for agricultural locations: all beyond is wild and rugged, and, I may add, sombre in the extreme. There are no relieving cliffs and plashing cataracts to cheer the monotony-no curling smoke marks the approach to a single habitation; all wears a savage mournful aspect; and although the traveller is often reminded by the steepness of the route, and the sudden abruptness of the neighboring ravines, that he is traversing hills of no ordinary character: so unbroken and impervious is the green mantle which is cast over all, that he searches in vain for an object to guide his bewildered judgmennt, and at last reverts to himself and his horse as the only approximate means of fathoming the heights and chasms by which he is surrounded. To say that this was once the frontier of the colony would scarcely be credited by any military man; and the very knowledge of such a fact would at once prepare him for much of the consequent disasters which have occurred. Had the "ceded territory" comprised between the Fish and the Keiskamma rivers been thickly lined with military posts, it might at a considerable expense have been tenable, though always liable to surprise; but as this was not the case, nothing could have been more encouraging to the pilfering propensities of the Kafir, or more advantageous to his nightly attacks. By the late most just and unavoidable war two essential benefits appear likely to accrue: the permanent security of the colony from future aggression, and the eventual amelioration of the condition of the bordering tribes. Both the labor of the missionary and the industry of the trader will meet with that degree of protection from the local government which will render them less liable to interruption, and thereby an intercourse will be established with the natives, both within and without our boundary, upon a far more permanent footing, tending, under the blessing of God, to conciliate their friendship -to elevate their character, and to win them from habits of barbarism and cruelty-to embrace not merely the outward customs of a civilised community, but the far higher blessings of Christianity and true religion. From the Kei river to Graham's Town, about one hundred and sixteen miles, there are now seven military posts-four of these have been lately constructed in the new district; they are all trenched, well protected by high mud walls, and capable of repelling any Kafir force that could be opposed. It was two o'clock on Sunday morning before I reached Ayton's Hotel at Graham's Town, having ridden eighty-four miles since leaving King William's Town. Sunday, 29th. Beneath the cross we'll constant cling- Nothing can our union sever Still the same unchanging Friend; Oh! for grace by faith to live To Him whose blood my ransom bought, Consecrate each word and thought. Having transacted my business at Graham's Town, and ascertained that his excellency, Sir Benjamin D'Urban, was still at Port Elizabeth, I set out on Wednesday, December 2nd, for that place, at three in the afternoon, and, riding through part of the night, reached Algoa Bay soon after five o'clock on the following day--the distance is one hundred and one miles. For the personal kindness which I received from his excellency, but especially for the minute consideration which he paid to the subject of my communication, and the anxiety he evinced to promote, with all his influence, the observance of the treaty entered into with Dingarn, and the general welfare, religious as well as commercial, of the Zoolu nation and the British settlement of Port Natal, I feel deeply indebted; and trust that it may please God "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."--(1 Sam. vii. 12.) to make him an instrument of conferring the last How our lives with mercies teem, Till our hearts are drawn above- With ransomed souls in realms of light! Had we but faith that could descry Why have I so long been spared, A worthless cumberer of the ground! Why have I so seldom shared The gifts which others feel around? "Tis grace-and sovereign grace alone, Such base ingratitude could own! Not unto us, may sinners say, To us no power belongs; Or uttered one of Zion's songs, ing benefits of civilization, and the unspeakable Diessings of Christianity to the remotest parts of this vast and benighted continent. A vessel (the Dove) being then in the bay, and bound for Port Natal, his excellency sent by her, to be forwarded immediately to Dingarn, the following document, which is the first official communication which has ever been transmitted to any of the native powers beyond the immediate frontier of the colony:- "COPY. "His Britannic Majesty's Governor of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope to the Chief of the Zoolus, Dingarn. "I REJOICE to hear of the good word which has passed between the Chief and Captain Gardiner, and of the treaty concluded between them for the town and people of Port Natal. "An officer on the part of the King of England, my master, shall speedily be sent to Port Natal, to be in authority there in the place of Captain Gardiner, until his return, and to communicate with the Chief, Dingarn, upon all matters concerning the people of Natal. By him I will send to the Chief presents, in token of friendship and good understanding, of which I hereby assure the (Signed) "Given at the Cape of Good Hope, the 5th day of December, 1835." furnished by Captain Campbell (the civil commissioner of the district) with an order on the different field cornets for relays of horses to Cape Town, an occasion never once occurred in which I found it necessary to produce it. Having ridden eighty-four miles, the latter part of which, over the Cape Flats, being loose sand, is the most tedious, I reached Cape Town at five o'clock, and took up my former quarters at Miss Rabe's boarding house in the Heeregracht. While at Port Elizabeth I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Adams, and Messrs. Grout and Champion, American Missionaries, about to proOn Saturday, the 19th, in the afternoon, I emceed also in the Dove to Port Natal. His Excel-barked on board the Liverpool, a teak-built 74, lency proceeded to Uitenhage on the 5th, and on sent from the Imaum of Muscat, in charge of Monday the 7th I set out for Cape Town, stop- Captain Cogan of the Indian Navy, as a present ping three hours at Mr. Vandereit's, the civil com- to his Britanic Majesty, At nine o'clock the next missioner at Uitenhage, where I received the morning we were underweigh; anchored at St. governor's despatches for England. During the Helena on the 2d of January; sailed early the folremainder of the journey to Cape Town, I aver-lowing morning; and made the English coast off aged eighty miles each day, taking my chance of Falmouth on the 20th of February, where I landthe farmers' horses upon the road. They are un-ed in the pilot boat in the course of the evening. shod, generally sure-footed, and well adapted for such journeys. Three horses I found requisite the guide leading one carrying the saddle-bags; DOCUMENTS CONNECTED WITH PORT but the contents of these were so frequently subNATAL. merged, every stream and rivulet being unusually December 3rd, 1835. swollen, that, although I commenced by occasion- Extracted from the Graham's Town Journal of ally spreading them out to dry while the horses were changing, I soon grew tired of the operation, and the greater part were mildewed on my arrival A TREATY CONCLUDED BETWEEN DINGARN, KING on Saturday night at Genadenthal. Before daylight, on Monday 14th, I was again on route. În point of scenery this was by far the most interesting day during the whole journey from Graham's Town. OF THE ZOOLUS, AND THE BRITISH RESIDENTS Dingarn from this period consents to waive all claim to the persons and property of every individual now residing at Port Natal, in consequence of their having deserted from him, and accords them his full pardon. He still, however, regards them as his subjects, liable to be sent for whenever he may think proper. The British residents at Port Natal, on their part, engage for the future never to receive or harbor any deserter from the Zoolu country, or any of its dependencies; and to use every endeavor to secure and return to the king every such individual endeavoring to find an asylum among them. Any infringment of this treaty on either part invalidates the whole. The approach to the town of George over the mountain, which divides that district from the Lange Kloof, is fine; but I think the Fransche Hoek Pass is superior; and from this point to Stellenbosch, a distance of not more than thirty miles, the ride is quite beautiful,-exhibiting throughout some of the wildest and grandest characteristics of African scenery, in striking relief, with cultivated farms and vineyards, embosomed in oak plantations, and enlivened with hedges of geranium and rose, luxuriant to the very base of those natural buttresses which, on Should a case arise in which this is found to be either side, occasionally protrude their rugged out-impracticable, immediate intelligence, stating the line far into the bosom of this beautiful valley. particulars of the circumstance, is to be forwarded Among the Dutch farmers, throughout the country, to Dingarn. I have invariably met with the greatest civility: they will not be driven, but address them civilly, and you are quite sure of a cordial welcome. A hearty shake of the hand by the good man and his sturdy vrow at once makes you at home. The tea-water is always ready; and scarcely have the encouraging words "sit mynheer" been uttered, than it is duly administered; and I pity the fastidiousness of that traveller who rises from a clean rubbed table, spread out with coffee, excellent bread, butter, and eggs, and (if he chooses to ask for it) most delicious butter-milk, and not feel he has not only been refreshed, but abundantly satisfied. For a cup of tea or coffee they will receive nothing; but for a repast, such as I have described, and even where a tough chop are added, although no charge is formally made, a rix dollar (1s. 6d.) is considered as a liberal equivalent. As a further proof of their willingness to oblige, although on leaving Graham's Town, I was kindly Done at Congella this 6th day of May, 1835, in presence of UMTHLELLA, Chief Indoonas and head coun- Signed on behalf of the British residents at ALLEN F. Gardiner. REGULATIONS OF THE TOWN OF "D'URBAN," PORT NATAL. PORT NATAL, June 23rd, 1835. A meeting of the residents of Port Natal, especially convened for the purpose, was this day held at the residence of F. Berkin, Esq.; thereon two English miles westward from its point, be considered as town land, and reserved for the use of the town for building purposes, and that every individual cutting timber on the town lands do pay into the treasurer's hands the sum of one shilling and sixpence per wagon load. 9th That a body of householders, not exceeding thirteen nor less than five, be elected annually, on the first day of July (except such day fall on a Sunday,) by a vote from the whole body of householders, to form a committee, to be called the When the following resolutions were unanimously Town Committee; proxies to he admitted for agreed to: 1st. That an eligible and commodious site be immediately selected for the purpose of erecting a town, and alotting a sufficient township for its inhabitants' use. such householders as may be absent at the time of election. 10th. That the town committee meet for business as often as may be necessary, but always on the first Wednesday in every month; they are chargeable with the enforcement of the town re2nd. That after a minute survey, we do una-gulations, which are hereafter to remain unalternimously agree, that the said town be situate be- able. Five members duly elected, to constitute a tween the river Avon and the Buffalo Spring; board; but they are invested with no power to that it be bounded on the west by the river Avon, enact new regulations without the consent of the on the east by a line drawn from the bay in a whole body of householders duly convened by right angle, and touching the Buffalo Spring, near public notice. the residence of F. Berkin, Esq., and that the town lands extend four miles inland, and include Salisbury island in the bay. 3rd. That the town now about to be erected be called D'Urban, in honor of his Excellency the Governor of the Cape Colony. 4th. That each of the present inhabitants of Natal be entitled to a building plot of ground in the said town, and Messrs. Berkin, Hogle, and Collis be entitled to an extra allotment each, in consideration of lands conceded by them to the town and township. 5th. That every person taking an allotment do engage to erect a house, conformable to the plan now adopted, within eighteen months from this date; the street-front of which is not to be less than twenty-four feet within its walls; the breadth not less than ten feet; and the walls not less than eight feet high. Such building not being completed within the said term of eighteen months, to be declared forfeited, and to be sold to the highest bidder by the town committee, and the proceeds added to the town fund. 6th. That no Kafir hut, or any straw hut or building be erected in the township; but a temporary residence, not less than one hundred feet from the street, may be erected for the accommodation of laborers on the allotments in which they are employed while erecting the residence of their employer. 7th. That every individual now at Natal, on taking possession of his allotment, do pay into the hands of the treasurer the sum of seven shillings and sixpence, and that those who may arrive after this date do apply to the Town Committee, who will dispose of by public auction the number of allotments required, at a sum not less than three pounds fifteen shillings sterling each, and that the proceeds of such sales and other moneys collected, be paid into the hands of the treasurer, who shall be elected by a majority of householders, and applied only to public purposes under the regulation of a committee appointed annually. 8th. That the Bluff point, extending between the sea and the bay, with the wood growing 11th. That the president, members, treasurer, and secretary be renumerated in the sum of one shilling and sixpence per diem, when transacting public business, out of the town fund. 12th. That the following gentlemen do compose the town committee for the ensuing year, viz. Captain Gardiner, R. N., J. Collis, Esq., F. Berkin, Esq., Mr. J. Cane, Mr. H. Hogle. 13th. That for the endowment of a clergyman of the church of England for the parish of D'Urban, three thousand acres of land, situate on the river Avon, and bounded by the lands of James Collis, Esq., be reserved as church lands, to be held in trust by the proper authorities, and never to be alienated from that purpose; and that the clergyman be also entitled to a building allotment for a town residence. a the parish of D'Urban is to rest with the Church 14. That the appointment of a clergyman for Missionary Society, but subject to the approval of majority of not less than two-thirds of the whole body of householders, six months after his arrival. 15th. That a convenient site be selected ir the township for the erection of a free-school, and that two thousand acres of land be reserved for its support; and that the said land be reserved on the right bank of the Umlass river, at the foot of the Munyabic. 16th. That a reserve of three thousand acres of land be appropriated as a fund for the endowment of a public hospital; and such reserved lands be on the right bank of the river Incomaas, below the drift, and under the control of the town committee. 17th. That a plot of ground within the township be set apart as a burial ground for the natives. 18th. That in the event of the town being removed beyond the limits of the present township, the whole of the land forming the township be equally shared among those at present residing at Natal, and become the property of their heirs of successors. 19th. That every person be at liberty to dispose |