The Reawaheninff : Scientific Exploration 227 



neighbourhood, and within the probable reach of her future commerce, 

 and which were understood to be in danger of oppression from certain 

 British subjects and others who are in no way connected with your 

 [Jonker's] people. Now this specified tract of country includes Damara- 

 land and my instructions are of so general a character that although 

 not framed with a view to oppose Namaqua oppression in particular, 

 yet in so far as it is oppression, carried on in part by British subjects 

 and in this part of South Africa it becomes my immediate duty to 

 act upon them. " [Letter to Captain Jonker Afrikaner from Barmen, 

 Nov. 25, 1850.] Even while Galton was waiting for the answer to 

 this letter to Jonker — which answer the latter sent 300 miles round — 

 the Hottentots burnt eleven of the remaining 15 werfts of Kaitchene 

 and eleven others belonging to other Damara chiefs, corresponding 

 according to Galton's calculations to about 18,000 head of cattle raided. 

 Galton could not possibly go forward through the middle of this ravaging, 

 and with characteristic pluck, and probably disregarding entirely his 

 very nebulous instructions, he determined to frighten Jonker into more 

 orderly behaviour. His fairly stern letters had produced no efiect. 

 Such was the origin of the "red hunting-coat" expedition as described 

 in the above letter. The end might have been very different, but 

 Galton faced the danger, got abject apologies to the missionary Kolbe 

 and to the British Government signed, and laws proclaimed by the 

 Hottentot chiefs to rule their relations to the Damaras. We reproduce 

 Captain Jonker Afrikaner's promise to the British Government: see 

 Plate LVin. Translated freely by Galton it runs : 



I acknowledge that I have done much wrong in this land, hut I pledge my word 

 to the English government that from this day forward I will abstain from all injustice to 

 the Damaras. I promise that I will with all my power keep peace with them and that 

 I will use ray influence as well as I can to persuade the other Captains to do the same. 



[Signed] I am, Jonker Affrikaner. 

 Witnesses to this signature : 

 Francis Galton. 

 TiMOTHEUS Sneewe. 



Interesting are the notes Galton, then aged 29, wrote for the speech 

 he made as first lawgiver to this lawless crew. They run as follows : 



Speak alxjut the signatures, strength of England, could furnish every Damara with 

 a gun, could cut off trade to south. 



(1)' What is "justice," explained by these laws. 15 laws cannot meet every 

 case, but they will lay down a hase on which very many cases may be treated. If 

 ' The numbers refer to the remarks on the special laws which follow this. 



29—2 



