To the reader.
This literal Publication of the Resolutions of the Council of ‘The Fort the Good Hope,’ covering the period between December 30, 1651, and April 20, 1658, is the result of an agreement between Dr. Theal and myself, that we were from time to time to issue exact copies of important historical records. Dr. Theal has already published some, and I am glad that they have seen the light, especially the Journal of Governor Joachim von Plettenberg, although I was not aware that that important document was in his possession until he sent me a printed copy of it. He knew that I had for years been trying to recover it. The late President and present Secretary of the Historical Society of Utrecht did everything in their power to assist me in searching for it, but naturally, under the circumstances, without avail, because it now appears that it was the whole time in Dr. Theal's possession. It is not too much to claim that he should have informed me of this, and voluntarily restored the document to the collection.
If I had merely consulted my own inclination, I should have said nothing about this, and I merely mention it now, because it must seem strange to those in Holland, who had helped me in my search, that the document was all the time really at the Cape.
I am also pleased that the Journal of Lieutenant Beutler has been printed, but feel bound to observe that all the extracts preceding it were collected by myself, and are in my handwriting, and that the copy of the Journal, as well as the large chart, were obtained by me from the Hague. This should have been mentioned by Dr. Theal. It was my intention to publish the whole manuscript as I had compiled it, with the chart and an English précis, - in fact, the preliminary steps for the purpose had already been taken, - but the publication as now effected has prevented me from carrying out my object. All this I have deemed necessary that the Public should know.
H.C.V. LEIBBRANDT.
Joint Library of Parliament,
July, 1898.
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