n Trrhe of Caff as on the Edit of the Cape Colony. 9 



"ttiay in this state almost with propriety be deemed indepeiidont 

 agents, rather than a people uuited together in the bonds of a 

 regular society. 



The chiefs are not so despotic, nor are they so tyrannical in 

 the exercise of their power as has been long and generally sup- 

 posed. It is consideicd quite proper to arm and resist his 

 power, when the chief attempts to punish the people of any 

 kraal; and many of these communiiies being united to each 

 other by relationship or other ties, they fly to the assistance of 

 the one in distress ; so that, in perhaps eight cases out of ten, 

 the chief's party is successfully repelled : in these circum- 

 stances a treaty is commenced, and a small fine generally 

 satisfies the chief for this resistance to his authority ; but even 

 this is often refused. No aft'air of conseqftence can be entered 

 into by the chief without the consent of his council, which is 

 never given if they think the act will be contrary to established 

 custom, or injurious to the nation at lar^e ; there is in fact no 

 chief in Cafferland whose power approaches in any degree to 

 despotism ; they cannot act against long established usage ; 

 and the minor chiefs and people are very jealous of their rights, 

 and are daily encroaching on those of their chiefs. At this 

 time the power of every chief is so nugatory that no dependance 

 can be placed upon any promise or treaty they may make. 

 The people would laugh at it, and they would, if for their in- 

 terest, break it immediately. 



These observations are supported by the opinion of the 

 Missionaries, who have long resided among them, and are thus 

 capable of judging in their affairs with greater accuracy than 

 any traveller or casual observer. One of them says, " Many 

 of the actions and proceedings of the chiefs and 'jreat men of 

 this country shock every feeling of humanity. Yet the power 

 exercised by them in these acts does not flow so much from any 

 absolute authority that the chiefs possess, as from iyrant cus- 

 toms. Most of the cruelties 'practised can plead the use and 

 wont of the people, which are considered as law, or the rule 

 by which the chiefs act." And again, " The actings of the 

 chief are more frequently the carrying into execution the ad- 

 vice of these men (that is his council) than the gratification of 

 his own desires." Another writes me, " However disposed a 

 chief may be to enter into a treaty,— and however disposed he 

 might be to keep inviolate his engagements, yet his own de- 

 pendance on the tribe would totally incai)acitale him from ful- 

 filling it ; for if not satisfied with liis government, they would 

 revolt, .and be received with open arms by a rival chief." 



The following brief account of the state of society in Caffer- 

 land will make this apparent, and show in some measure the 

 state in which the Callers exist as a nation : — 



