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Exclusive of the plantations and villas in the Cape territory, 

 many gentlemen had estates at a great distance in the interior 

 districts, particularly round Mussul-bay, four hundred miles on 

 the eastern shore, where their planters cultivate corn, wine, fruit, 

 aloes, and other drugs; but I believe there were no manufactories 

 at the capital, or throughout the colony. Some of the principal 

 farmers, we were told, employed two hundred slaves and Hotten- 

 tots in agriculture and breeding cattle: the former were either 

 born in slavery at the Cape, or brought from India, Madagascar, 

 and the Comorro isles; the latter, whether they in reality enjoy 

 their liberty or not, are considered to be a free people. 



I heard of many farms situated a month's journey from Cape- 

 town, among the friendly Hottentots. Those farmers are mostly 

 descended from the Dutch, French, and German protestants, who, 

 on various occasions, rather chose to encounter the dangers of a 

 foreign country than endure the cruelty they experienced in their 

 own. They generally speak the Dutch language, and retain the 

 European complexion. Scattered throughout those extensive 

 wilds, they have little communication with each other, but many 

 of them accompany their wives and children once a year to Cape- 

 town, in large waggons, loaded with wine, grain, butter, dried 

 fruits, hides, and other articles. With the produce they purchase 

 wearing-apparel, furniture, utensils, and necessaries for a family. 

 Some of those planters are men of amiable manners; honest, in- 

 dustrious, and hospitable, but ignorant of every thing beyond the 

 extent of their farm: the want of books and social intercourse 

 renders them credulous and inquisitive, characteristics usual among 



