of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope. 25* 



lake away their cattle; but, on the contrary, to gain their 

 confidence by kind and friendly .behaviour. 



That as the main object in establishing this fort, was to 

 obtain a place for refreshment, and to enable vessels to pass 

 St. Helena, it should be particularly observed, what description 

 of fruits could be best cultivated consistently with climate and 

 seasons. 



That the people should be governed according to the 

 General Artikel-Brief,* to which they had sworn. And that 

 they should not be allowed to waste their time in idleness. 



That the Commander should keep a journal ; and endeavour 

 to discover some means for defraying the expenses which 

 might be incurred. 



That as soon as the fort was in a state of defence, 70 men, 

 and the boats, should be taken from the ships to assist in 

 building and other necessary work; particularly in making x 

 wooden beacon, or something of that description, to point out 

 the anchorage to vessels entering the bay. And that they 

 should also plant 4 pieces of cannon upon each point of the 

 fortt. 



The further execution of the plan was left to their own 

 judgment and ability. But they were recommended to be 

 diligent in keeping correct memoranda of every thing that 

 passed ; and in corresponding with the Company. 



Furnished with these instructions, Van Riebeck set out on 

 his undertaking, and arriving in Table Bay on the 7th of 

 April, 1652, he slept on shore the same night. 



In compliance with the above-mentioned directions, he 

 commenced his diary ; and as it was probably kept with the 

 knowledge and approbation of his Council, his principal 

 observations and the several vicissitudes of his fortune cannot 

 be better ascertained than by following that document. J 



The first acts of the Founder of this Settlement, upon 

 whose measures the future happiness or misery of so many 

 thousands of human beings was destined to depend, shew, in a 

 remarkable manner, his restless assiduity and anxious desire 

 to effect the desired end with promptitude. 



Three days after his arrival he superintended the people at 

 work on the ground he had already marked out for his 

 favourite project, the erection of the fort " Good Hope." 



No impediments could weary his inexhaustible patience : 

 no dangers could daunt his determined spirit. Before the 

 expiration of the month, he had, by several excursions, made 



* A collection of Instructions for the Officers and others of the Company's 

 vessels; and various other regulations for the government of their servants, 

 by sea and land. 

 f This is more circumstantially detailed in the diary of Van. Riebeck, 

 ted in the Zuid Afrikaansch Tydschrift, vol. ], p, 114, 

 ^uid Afrikaansch Tydschrift, vol.1, p,103, 



Kk 



