60 PRESIDEXTIAL ADDRESS.— SECTION D. 



includini^- all the territories of this great sub-continent with 

 which what is now the Union has any historical relationships. 



There are also, at least, the beginnings of a similar work in. 

 the Transvaal, and important documents and records are avail- 

 able in Natal and the Orange Free State, although little sys- 

 tematic work has been done upon them. I need not state at 

 length the history of the archives in this Province, nor do I 

 propose to enter upon the discussion of what may be provo- 

 cative of controversy as to the manner in which succes- 

 sive Governments have seen fit to deal with the Archive De- 

 partment. This much, at least, may be stated as a guide tO' 

 those who desire to pursue the enquiry that as long ago as the 

 year 1896 a Commission was appointed by the ( Governor of 

 the Colony to collect, examine, classify and index the records. 

 The Commission consisted of men whose names are still well- 

 known : His Honour John Henry de Villiers, Chief Justice of 

 the Colony, the Honourable John X. Merriman, M.L.A., Com- 

 missioner of Crown Lands and Public Works, Charles Aken; 

 Fairbridge, M.L'.A., William Edward Moore, M.L.A., and 

 Abraham de Smidt, Surveyor-Cieneral. 



The time at which the Commission was appointed so soon 

 after full responsible (lovernment is one more proof that as 

 nations move towards the realisation of their own identity 

 they desire to understand how their development and history 

 manifests itself. 



The Report of the Commission's work is in existence as a 

 Parliamentary Blue Book, issued in 1877, and shows that the 

 members of the Commission had a keen appreciation of the- 

 value and importance of the duties they were called upon to- 

 discharge. 



It is tempting to pursue the history of these archives and 

 the archive work which has been accomplished beyond the 

 seas on behalf of the Government of the Cape of Good Hope, 

 but I must be content to mention two names which will ever 

 be associated with the treasures of South African history, the 

 Rev. H. C. V. Leibbrandt, who recently retired from the post 

 of archivist, and Dr. G. ^I. Theal, whose work is so well- 

 known and so highly-appreciated as to need no commendation 

 from me. 



The volumes published by these indefatigable toilers will 

 suffice to give some indication of the historical treasures of 

 which the Union is now the rich possessor as the results of the 

 foresight of the Government of 35 years ago. 



Without continuing" the historical encjuiry it should be here 

 placed upon record that on the retirement of Mr. Leibl^randt, 

 the Government of the Cape Colony, being desirous of placing 

 the work of the Archives on a broad and permanent basis, 

 appointed a Commission, consisting of Mr. C. L. W. Man- 

 sergh, FS.O., afterwards Chairman, Dr. G. M. Theal, Mr. A. 

 C. (7. Lloyd, B.A., Dr. Godee Molesbergen, Mr. J. G. van 

 der Horst, and the present writer, whose duties were to submit 

 definite proposals for the future control and management of 

 the Archives, and to suggest the lines on which the public 

 usefulness of the department might be enhanced. 



