Briefwisseling oor Kaapse sake 1778-1792

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XXV Swellengrebel to H. Cloete,
Schoonoort, 7.8.1783

Although your true friends are trying to help you, they are handicapped in their attempts to draw attention to the gravity of the situation by the present prosperity of the colony and the fact that too many personal attacks on the officials are made whereas, if it were truly grave, personalities would be laid aside. Your true friends cannot provide answers to such arguments, since it is difficult to grasp how it comes about that the most prominent burghers do not help us to find out what is really necessary to advance the prosperity of the colony.

I have drawn up a plan of action which I have given to Mr. Boon on the ship Brederode. In that sketch I have tried to show what measures are necessary to ensure a steady market for Cape products. The most prominent burghers should sign this request and send it in their name to the Governor in Council. A second copy is sent by the ship Draak. A few elucidations will help you to understand what we have in mind:

We are of opinion that a small number of the most prominent burghers, who have not been involved in the burgher-strife, should sign this petition and send it through the proper channels to the XVII. To name only a few: Mr. Ecksteen in the Tijgerbergen, your uncle van der Bijl in the Swartland and others in different districts - yet recognised as such, and as responsible and level-headed - might take the lead.

You should make this request before the departure of the first returnfleet in order to ensure that it has been examined and draft proposals have been framed in time for the meeting of the XVII in the autumn. As the Governor of the Cape is probably leaving in 1784, it will be well if you can get his promise of adding his verbal support. As you yourself have not taken part in the recent disturbances, we have concentrated only on the shortcomings which were bound to arise in time in the original constitution. We were not certain of the date when there was a surplus during the governorship of Rijk Tulbagh, but you can fill that in. We were also not certain whether the word privileged butchers was correct. We know that these butchers have many farms and that the Overberg farmers complain about this fact. Perhaps the word contractual butchers would be better? Your son Pieter will be able to confirm how eagerly men eat Rhinoceros and what we were told about the eating of the flesh of vermin.

Governor Van Plettenberg will possibly not believe such stories, but he travelled as governor and saw the inhabitants only on their Sundaybest behaviour.

Sometimes the question is asked: why do people not go into service

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as at home, or why do men not become soldiers, or sailors or go to the East in the service of the Company? We have tried to answer these questions and have also tried to show why the present state of prosperity will not last. When the war is over, the results will be dire. Luxury and too much prosperity are apt to make men lazy. Some buy slaves, teach them a trade and stop working themselves. We have seen this happen before.

As long as the colonists did not produce more than they needed themselves and enough for the passing ships, the state of the colony was healthy, but now a larger population produces a surplus. New ways and means must be found to keep the colony in a civilised state. The petitioners ought not to dictate methods of reform. The XVII ought to know better than they what concessions the Company can afford to make. Do not suggest ways and means yourself, because the Cape Government may think otherwise: and the difference in opinion will cause delays. If concessions are made in the Netherlands, they will come into force immediately, and, even if incomplete, the burghers cannot lose; they will always gain something.

We hope that you will agree with our plans, or at least in some other way work out something that will improve conditions in your colony.

I remain in all sincerity your friend who wants to serve your cause.