SOUTHERN AFRICA. 315 



forcements from among" those families that were still resid- 

 ing on the Eeit and Modder Eivers, desig-ning- to march at 

 once to the succour of the remnant of the unfortunate 

 parties which had been led by Uys and Eetief. About the 

 beg-inning- of May, field-cornet Gideon Joubert, of New 

 Hantam, proceeded across the colonial boundary to his as- 

 sistance^ and was joined by Michael Oberholster, with nearly 

 one hundred auxiharies from the Reit river. They advanced 

 to Natal; and having- taken possession of the Port in the 

 name of the united emig-rants, left a strong- party for its 

 protection ; bringing- away thence a lon^ train of wag-g'ons, 

 with whichj and a considerable quantity of ammunition, 

 they joined their distressed compatriots, and finally encamped 

 about ten hours' ride from the bay, in an open position free 

 both from jungle and ravines— disposing- themselves in such 

 a manner as to be able to form a junction at the shortest 

 notice, should occasion require. 



The Colonial authorities were in the meantime using- their 

 utmost exertions to stem the torrent of emig-ration, but with- 

 out avail. In a proclamation by the Governor, dated Cape 

 Town, 26th April 1838, " His Excellency earnestly exhorts 

 the civil commissioners, and all public functionaries through- 

 out the Colony, as w^ell as all ministers of relig-ion, and other 

 persons of sound view^s, who cannot but foresee the inevitable 

 result of the prevailing- mania for emigration, to endeavour 

 by every means in their power to dissuade intending emi- 

 grants from the prosecution of their plans, which cannot fail 

 sooner or later to involve themselves and their families, who 

 are prepared to accompany them, in certain and irretrievable 

 ruin." Field-cornet Joubert had been charged by the Govern- 

 ment to report upon the condition of the emigrants, and to 

 demand all the lately manumitted slaves that might not be 

 desirous of remaining with their masters at Natal. He was 

 likewise made the bearer of overtures permitting the return 



