of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope. 255 



greatest capabilities for carrying the Company's, intentions 

 into effect ; to erect signs of having taken possession, and 

 afterwards form a chart as a proof thereof. It Avas likewise 

 directed, that the ships Dromedary and Heron should, as 

 speedily as possible, continue their voyage to Batavia, leaving 

 only the yacht Good Hope with the Commander Van Riebeck. 



Thus prepared, this enterprising man undertook his in- 

 teresting voyage to this country; and on the 23d Dec. 1651, 

 left the Texel*. He assembled his Council three times 

 during the voyage; namely, on the 30th December, 1651 ; on 

 the 20th January, 1652, in 18° 30' north; and on the 29th 

 March, in 34° south latitude ; and, by their advice, he de- 

 termined to touch at this promontory"!". The records of the 

 last Meeting conclude with the following concise and pious 

 wish ; " In which may the Almighty grant us His holy 

 " guidance and prosperity. Amen." 



It may not be deemed irrelevant to remark, that it was his 

 constant practice, and appears to have formed a prominent 

 feature in his character, never to enter upon business at any 

 Meeting, without imploring the Divine blessing; and in the 

 first page of the Records of Council we find the following 

 Prayer. 



" O merciful and gracious God, our Heavenly Father, since 

 " it has pleased Thee to call us to the Government of the 

 " affairs of the General Chartered East India Company, at the 

 " Cape of Good Hope ; and as we have assembled in Council 

 " to advise and take such measures as may best tend to 

 " promote the interests of the Company; to maintain Justice ; 

 " and, if possible, to plant and propagate the true Reformed 

 " Christian doctrine amongst those wild and savage people, 

 " for the praise and honor of thy holy name, and for the 

 " benefit of our employers ; and being, without thy gracious 

 " assistance, unable to effect these purposes, we pray, O most 

 " merciful Father, that it may please Thee to preside at this 

 " Assembly, and with thy heavenly wisdom, so to enlighten 

 " our hearts, that all perverse passions, misunderstandings, 

 " and other similar defects, may be removed from amongst us; 

 " our hearts cleansed from all human weakness, and our 

 •• minds so composed, that we in our deliberations, may not 

 '• propose nor resolve any thing which will not tend to the 

 " praise and glory of thy most holy name, and to the service 

 " of our master ; without considering in the least our own 

 H personal advantage or profit. These and such other 

 " blessings as may be necessary to promote the service. 



lee Zuid Afrikaansch Tydschrift, vol. 1, page 105. 

 t It had been merely decided to form a Settlement at the Cape, tin 

 lion of the spot, and the mode of carrying the plan into execution; was lefl 

 ■ \ an liiebcck and his Council. 



