of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope. 233 



Records and other documents, that the design of forming a 

 Settlement at this place had its rise from two memorials ; * 

 the first of which, dated 26th June, 1649, was signed by 

 Leeudert Jansz and M. Proost ; and the second, referring to 

 the former, was writen by Jan van Riebeck, in June, 1651. 



Both these documents are too prolix to be inserted here ; 

 although they contain several remarkable passages, and shew 

 the real cause for establishing a fort and garden at this place ; 

 besides other circumstances connected with the history of that 

 period. t 



The memorialists represented to the Directors of the General 

 Chartered Dutch East India Company, the benefits and ad- 

 vantages which their outward and homeward bound vessels 

 might derive from such an establishment, more particularly 

 with regard to the health of the crews. They contain remarks 

 on the climate, situation, shape, and appearance of the Table- 

 valley ;t and describe it as a waste plain overrun with brush- 

 wood. 



The first memorialists, who, being wrecked in the Haerlem, 

 East Indiaman, had spent several months here,§ gave a 

 favorable account of the character of the natives, and refuted 

 the notion of their being cannibals ; but Van Riebeck himself, 

 had a less favorable opinion. Both memorials, however, 

 expressed hopes, that, in addition to the temporal advantages 

 which might arise from forming a Settlement, the moral im- 

 provement of the Aborigines || would be promoted by the 

 diffusion of Christian principles. 



manner, by the loss of his rank and pay, and be sent home without salarj . 

 situation, or any thing else ; and the cattle so bartered or traded for, bV 

 forfeited to the Company, the which in this respect is of the greatest 

 importance. 



" We therefore desire all officers holding or who may hold any high or 

 inferior command over the soldiers or sailors, for the fulfilment of our 

 orders, as well on board as on shore, to take proper care that this our 

 Ordinance be promptly obeyed and put in force in such manner as shall be 

 found serviceable to the Company ; and whosoever is negligent or idle therein, 

 shall be declared incapable of holding any situation, and shall be punished 

 further in such manner as the exigency of the case may require, therefore 

 let every one guard against loss and dishonour. 



" Whosoever may act improperly in other matters not herein provided for, 

 shall be punished as circumstances may require, according to the General 

 Artikel-brief. 



" And that no one may have reason to plead ignorance hereof, we have 

 ordered this, together with some Sections out of the General Artikel-brief, to 

 be read to the people on board of all the ships, and also to be affixed to a 

 post at the most convenient place. 



" Thus done by the General Council, on board the ship Dromedary, on 

 the 9th April, 1632. 



(Signed) « JAN VAN RIEBECK." 



* Book of Letters received 1652—1660. 



t Their description of St. Helena also deserves notice. 



X In which Cape Town is now situated. 



4 Or according to Van Riebeck a whole season. 



|i Now known hy the name of Hottentots. 



