268 An Historical Account of the Formation,^. 



make cheese, as matters relating to the cattle had so much 

 improved, that he could eat fresh butter daily, leaving his 

 Dutch butter for cookiug and baking bread from his new wheat." 

 He had already taken measures to offer refreshments to the 

 ships expected here ; and hoped thus to evince, that the object 

 of his mission had been attained in so short a time f and that he 

 had, by his diligence and industry, not only succeeded in the 

 outset, in establishing a place for refreshment here, but also it 

 might be confidently expected that the wants of the Company's 

 vessels would in future be better supplied. 



Finally, a favorable report, that about 500 Saldanhians, with 

 a large quantity of cattle, were at Hout Bay, at the back of the 

 Table Mountain, about 12 or 15 miles from the fort, and 

 appeared inclined to continue the trade with him, closed the 

 last day of this memorable year. 



From the various circumstances above related, we may form 

 some idea of the satisfaction with which the *'* Patriarch Van 

 Riebeck," called to mind the events of the past year ; more 

 especially those of the last nine months, since he had com- 

 menced his undertakings at this place; upon the success or 

 failure of Avhich, the fortunes of so many thousands of human 

 beings, were in the great chain of events destined to depend. 

 It was with justice, that the earliest European inhabitants of 

 this country, bestowed upon him the honorable appellation of 

 the '• Patriarch Van Riebeck." * For, notwithstanding the 

 peculiarities of his character, the dropping from the yard into 

 the sea, the floggings, and other punishments, which clearly 

 show he was not infallible, we must admire his prudence, 

 perseverance, and piety ; but above all, his unshaken fidelity 

 in the service of those to whom he had solemnly pledged 

 himself. 



In addition to the occurrences which have been narrated, we 

 find, from the Records, that during the said period, his mind 

 was occupied with other important projects ; the principal of 

 which were, the intention to introduce slavery, as a necessary 

 evil, arising from the want of a labouring class ; \ and different 

 commercial speculations to obtain gold, ambergris, musk, seal 

 skins, whale oil, fins, elephants' teeth, ostrich feathers, salt, and 

 other articles for trade. Also the erection of a small redoubt, 

 called Traanenborg,f at the mouth of the Salt River, where the 

 blubber of the whales were to be melted, may be noticed as not 

 the least remarkable. 



His official letters to Batavia, and more particularly those to 

 the Directors in Holland,! afford as complete and distinct an 



* He was to them what the excellent Penn was to the Pennsylvanians. 

 f Letter to the Directors, dated 14th April, 1653. 



+ Book of Letters despatched from 1652 to 1661. Letters to Batavia 25th 

 and 30th May, 14th October, and 27th Nov. 1652; 3d Feb. and 0th, 15th, and 



