XL. Swellengrebel to C. van der Oudermeulen,
Schoonoord 20.9.1789
The contents of your letter yesterday surprised me as I could not imagine that so ineffective a plan would be adopted, especially for the Indies. Then, as regards the Cape, like you I feel that the job should be done by Commissioners, but, as I told you last time we talked about it, two should be sent from the Netherlands. The object of the plan must be to remedy shortcomings and frame new arrangements as speedily as possible. For this men should be appointed, of similar outlook and quite disinterested. Can this be found in two men, one of whom already holds the position which, in particular, must be considered in a plan of reform? It would be necessary to be very sure that he has no financial ambitions, places no value on the capacity to distribute favours, is moderate enough in his desire for power. Can one expect all this from the man who is intended? I thought we were at one in our assessment. It appears that he was not content with what his predecessors drew, and has been given several thousand guilders more. He takes pleasure in distributing favours. How could someone from here, even with the best of intentions, make much progress with such a colleague, particularly when the aim must be to economize, and to provide regular means of livelihood for the inhabitants, so as to maintain order and quiet? The excessive bureaucracy, Company estates and business interests which the Company maintains is a great obstacle which, nevertheless, must be done away with in opposition to the views of a man on the spot. Heavy expenses are squandered on the maintenance of Company farms - or outposts - such as ceased to be necessary when private farming expanded, but which still provide perquisites for the Governor, a good living for a Commissioner of Outposts and jobs for many minor officials who serve as superintendents. At present the Governor's own son has a position as Outpost Commissioner. Do you expect the Governor to retrench him? And what other post would be available
for him when the total number of Company's servants is being reduced? The man who is to be sent from here will be opposed at every step by someone who is actually at the head of the Government, and whose own interests lie in maintaining the status quo.
Your plan rests on the assumption that it is less of an affront for the man in charge if he is made joint-Commissioner. I agree, but only on condition that he has no intention of clinging to his post - or he must possess the rare virtue of managing to renounce all enticing prospects. I am afraid, my friend, that you expect too much. I cannot believe that the job will be well done unless two men are sent from the Netherlands, of whose disinterested-
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