Briefwisseling oor Kaapse sake 1778-1792

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XIII. J.A. Baron van Plettenberg to Swellengrebel,
Cabo, 7.3.1780

Though I have a debt of gratitude to pay for all the documents and information you have sent me about events at home, I have not sent a reply yet because of an accumulation of work and because I expect more news from home of concern to the Colony and to me personally in a few days time. I appreciate your interest in the colony, but the remedies which appear so beautiful on paper often encounter unexpected difficulties when put into execution. This would be the case if the plans outlined in your letter of the 9th of July 1779 were put to the test.

The colonists living near the Sneeuwbergen and elsewhere in the far off districts would be very happy if rid of the Bushmen and exempted from doing military service in Stellenbosch and Swellendam. They enjoy living free and roaming about; and, especially for as long as their wethers are sold for 6 schellings and their butter for one schelling per lb. they will be more than satisfied. As these products, however, have been very cheap recently, a number of farmers met me in the home of Prinsloo on the Bosbergen, asking me to look into their affairs and especially to ensure that the butchers contracted to deliver meat to the Company are not allowed cattle-farms of their own. I have done my best for them; and the purchases of French and English naval squadrons for the time being have assured better prices. Harmony on the border is lacking and would improve if a minister and landdrost were sent to the outlying districts, as long as they are men of the right calibre, motivated neither by their self-interest nor by their prejudices; but men who would gain the inhabitants' goodwill and trust through obvious disinterestedness. Where are such men to be found? Hoc opus, hic Labor!

When a I made a boundary treaty with the Xhosa captains, I thought about the treaties made by William Penn with the inhabitants of America, which were concluded without solemn oaths and were the only treaties which were kept by both parties. I flattered myself that since I wished to emulate the Quaker in sincerity the Caffers would follow the example of the American Indians. But in this I was deceived, because Koba with various subterfuges has so far not retreated behind the Great Fish River. I have been forced to authorize Van Jaarsveld to summon a commando, in the presence of which he had first to tell Koba to fulfil his promise and give him copper ornaments if he obeyed. If not, Van Jaarsveld should drive Koba and all his tribe and cattle by force across the border. In fact, I have given orders that no harm should be done to any of them as I doubt whether there are just grounds for extreme measures. Meanwhile I

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have come to the conclusion that Koba never meant to keep his word, and for that reason did not allow his sons to accompany me to the Cape.

A few days ago I let Cloete have my Journal to extract such material as he thought you would like to have; and my land-surveyor, Leijste, is busy making a map to send to the XVII, hoping that it will be published by them, for I have no authority to do so. I shall add large-scale charts of the more important bays, for assistance in navigation, as our coast is quite unknown. In this way I hope the Cape will become better known, though I have no authority to propagate such knowledge.

The presence of English and French squadrons have now for quite a long time kept me busy as I have been at pains to avoid grounds for any accusations of lack of impartiality. The two admirals who were here expressed their satisfaction. If others were not satisfied, I cannot help it as it is impossible to satisfy everybody.

At present it is very quiet and we are looking anxiously forward to news from Holland. Yet, I do not think that this will bring the matter to an end, though I wish it would as some incidents can be cured by prompt action that only get worse with delay.

If I ever obtain my wish and in due course come to enjoy my retirement in the mother country, you and I will be able to make this Colony the subject of our talks, but those times are possibly far off and chimerical.