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THE SOUTH AFRICAN COMPANY. 



I HAVE received so many letters asking for informa- 

 tion about the above company, that I take this means 

 of answering them. 



The South African Company has a charter from 

 the Crown, which grants it very similar powers to 

 those that were possessed by the old East India 

 Company. I believe mining for precious metals will 

 be — at least, at present — its principal occupation. 

 However, when organization and experience have 

 shaken down matters into their proper grooves, 

 stock-raising and agricultural farming will certainly 

 be practised. Indigo, cotton, coffee, sugar, rice, and 

 tobacco will all doubtlessly be cultivated in Mashona- 

 land. Opium could unquestionably be produced in that 

 favoured country in remunerative quantities. As to 

 growing tea in the possessions of the company, my 

 own impression is thnt the table-lands are not 

 sufficiently elevated for that purpose., 



Labour is abundant, and consequently cheap, for 

 the native population now existing are disposed to be 

 industrious, are easy of control, and the reverse of 

 warlike. 



For years they have been noted throughout South 

 Africa for their skill as blacksmiths. A Mashona 

 assega*, or hoe, although Birmingham has tried to 

 compete with them, still arc esteemed by the adjoin- 

 ing races far superior to anything that has hitherto 

 been imported. Their tools are naturally of the 

 most primitive kind, yetMashonas have made repairs 



