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of the fruits and vegetables of the torrid and temperate zones, with 

 plenty of excellent mutton, beef, and lamb; all of which, when 

 I was there, sold for a halfpenny per pound; I believe the foreign 

 ships paid something more. The medium price of wheat was 

 about two shillings and fourpence the bushel. The settlement 

 of the English at the Cape, and the consequence of a large garri- 

 son established there, have caused many alterations of which I am 

 not competent to judge. 



The governor was then appointed by the Dutch East India 

 company, and had the rank of an edele heer, equal to one of the 

 council of regency at Batavia. Under him was a council, consist- 

 ing of eight members, including the fiscal, and the major who 

 commanded the garrison; these gentlemen held the principal posts 

 in the settlement, and were assisted by junior servants. The co- 

 lonists had nothing to do with the police or government, but 

 seemed to enjoy much comfort and tranquillity under their admi- 

 nistration. 



The Dutch had been in possession of this colony ever since 

 the middle of the seventeenth century; the Hottentots, who, were 

 easily captivated by presents of tobacco, brandy, and cutlery, per- 

 mitted them to extend their territory, establish farms, and, for these 

 trifling considerations, to become masters of their flocks and herds, 

 far distant from the southern rocks where they first settled. In a 

 short lime, when under the pernicious effects of brandy and tobacco, 

 they in a manner pawned themselves and children to the Dutch. 

 Although it may not amount to direct slavery, they have ever since 

 performed all the hard services of agriculture for the colonists. 

 Those Hottentots who preferred the blessings of liberty and a 



