^^S tnercantile legislation. April i%. 



To the Editor of the Bee. 

 Sir, 

 The following information will not perhaps be unac- 

 ceptable to many of your readers. The truth of it 

 may be depended upon, and can be attested by those 

 who have visited the part of the world to which this 

 intelligence relates. 



At the Cape of Good Hope, the Dutch East In- 

 dia company, who are the sole masters of that de- 

 lightful country, let, by public auction, every three 

 years, the exclusive privilege of supplying the town 

 with meat. The farmer of this important necefsary 

 of life, is not, however, allowed to demand what 

 price he pleases for it. The price is regulated in the 

 following curious manner . All the company's ser- 

 vants must be supplied in the first place, at the rate 

 of one penny />^r lib. All the other Dutch inhabi- 

 tants on fliore, at twopence ^^r lib. with "the permif- 

 sion of exacting from foreign residents, and foreign 

 fhips, and even from Dutch men of war, fourpence 

 per lib. or more if necefsary. I need not comment, 

 Mr Bee, on this instance of the talents of a commer- 

 cial company, when employed as legislators of their 

 foreign settlements. We have heard that some com- 

 motions have disturbed, of l;Ue, the tranquillity of the 

 Cape of Good Hope, and that the inhabitants grow 

 clamorous in their demands for a better govern- 

 ment. Your readers will be inclined to believe the 

 truth of these reports, and to judge how far the de- 

 mand is reaso:iable. 



Yours, 



Anti-farmer General. 



