horses for the Cape.^^ Owing to the storms the cargo could not be 

 be landed and the horses were put on shore at St. Helena from where 

 they were subsequently fetched and returned to the Cape. In the 

 following year four more specimens arrived, amongst them "a fine 

 stallion — the only one at the Cape, ' ' which unfortunately was torn 

 to pieces by lions one morning when left to graze outside the fort- 

 ress. ^^ In 1655 they succeeded in capturing two of the horses let 

 loose on St. Helena and in the following winter two "fine stallions" 

 were also secured, and taken to the cape leaving behind an older 

 stallion with a mare and foal, which escaped. The following year is 

 notable for the order the captain of the trading vessel Venenburgh 

 had for bringing out some asses from the Cape Verde islands. In 

 1657 the horses left at St. Helena had increased to seven and the 

 reward of twenty rix dollars was promised for their capture. In 

 1661 the commissioner Andries Fusius reported to the Lords Seven- 

 teen (Batavian Eepi^blic), ^^ that "horse breeding is becoming a 

 very profitable occupation, out of 22 horses imported up to date 

 there were 15 foals." Jan van Riebeeck, the governor of the first 

 settlement exerted himself to the utmost to promote the well-fare 

 of the small community and especiallj^ for the importation of horses 

 for agricultural purposes and military service, against the raids of 

 the natives. 



In a letter of his in 1656^^ he is literally praying for a few 

 horses from India and especially mares for breeding purposes. 

 They could send him at least one with every homeward bound fleet 

 he argued. Only three years later was his urgent request complied 

 with to some extent. The government had an interest in the agri- 

 cultural development of the colony, it was stated ; but the trans- 

 portation of horses was too cumbersome and stowage on board the 

 vessels was very limited. They will, however, try to send him at 

 least two horses with every homeward bound fleet especially nov/ 

 that there are troubles with the Hottentots. But it will be a haz- 

 ardous undertaking owing to the long voyage, scarcity of forage and 

 water, and they can only hope that some will reach hime alive.^^ 

 It was also the intention of the council as is learned from a letter 



(22) Freds of the ArcMeves of the Cape of Good Sope. H. C. V. Leibbrandt. 



(23) Jan van Bieheeclc, Dagverhaal 1652-166S- 



(24) ArcMeves of the Gape of Good Hope. 1652-1766. 



(25) ArcMeves of the Cape of Good Hope. 16SS-1766. 



(26, 27 and 28) ArcMeves of the Cape of Good Hope. 165S-1795. 



U 



