VII. C. van der Oudermeulen to Swellengrebel,
Amsterdam 16.10.1779
I have not answered your last letter, because I expected you during the past 10 or 12 days in Amsterdam, and it is better to deal with the Cape matters by word of mouth than on paper.
Last Wednesday on the Hon. Boers' request, my wife asked you to join me and meet the Cape Burghers for a discussion, which could be directed along the lines we had planned. On Thursday I informed Van Rhenen who seemed to be satisfied, but this morning he informed me that his colleagues were opposed to such a discussion and that the request was to be handed in to the XVII. I am now informing you of this matter. Now you and I can become tranquil spectators, but it is a pity because, if the plans we had worked out, could have been carried out, it would have been fortunate for the Cape burghers, and for the Republic also. So the impatience of one individual may wreck all and the results may be dire.
Amsterdam, Oct. the 16th 1779
C.v. Oudermeulen
My wife handed me your letter of the 15th. I can only say that everything now depends on the Kaapenaars - because from B (Boers or Bewindhebbers, i.e. XVII?) one can now expect anything. If the Kaapenaars want to proceed, I cannot stop them. If you had only been here to-day one could perhaps have done something.
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