450 CAPE OF GOOD II O P E. 



much after the ideas of those who presided for the time being. The 

 government is nominally vested in the governor, and an executive 

 and legislative council, who are all appointed by the crown, or with 

 its approbation and consent. 



Under this system of government it has been the misfortune of the 

 Cape colony to be placed; and the advantages it has possessed under 

 some, have been counterbalanced by others, and not unfrequently the 

 salutary regulations made by one, have, without any apparent reason, 

 in the minds of the colonists, been annulled or set aside by others ; 

 which, of course, has tended to foment discord and produce a feeling 

 of opposition to British rule : this has prevented the advancement 

 of the colony, and retarded its usefulness by giving license to crime 

 that otherwise would not have existed. 



Of late years, however, although the government still remains the 

 same, yet they have been more fortunate in the individuals who have 

 presided over it. In regarding the British colonial system, it appears 

 remarkable that the British nation, generally so mindful of political 

 rights, should place it in the power of distant governors to rule their 

 colonists with almost despotic sway, and their growth and rise to be 

 at the option of any one individual, who may arbitrarily crush or para- 

 lyse the efforts of industry and the developement of resources. Many 

 of the inhabitants of the Cape complain of this polity, but look forward 

 to the adoption, in the course of time, of an elective legislative body, 

 which will give them some share in the government, and prevent not 

 only misrule, but undue taxation and a misapplication of its funds in 

 the various improvements which government may authorize. 



The executive council consists of seven members, including the 

 governor, who is the presiding officer ; and the legislative council of 

 thirteen, composed of the members of the executive council and five 

 additional unofficials, who are themselves residents of the colony, 

 named by the governor, and appointed by the crown. 



The same kind of government may be said to exist now as in New 

 South Wales, of which I have had occasion to speak when treating of 

 that colony ; and it is thought to be equally inefficient, and to require 

 reform. 



One of the circumstances that had agitated the respectable portion 

 of this colony, has been the publication of the authentic Cape 

 records. Many entered warmly into the scheme at first, but it was 

 soon perceived what the developements were likely to be, and that 

 many who had played a conspicuous part in the history of the colony, 



