424 
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 
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 anyone 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 per¬ 
ceived what the developements were likely to be, and that many who 
had played a conspicuous part in the history of the colony, were about 
to have all their public as well as private acts brought to light; and 
this has raised a strong opposition to the continuance of the publica¬ 
tion. The editor, Donald Moodie, Esq., in the year previous to our 
visit, made an appeal, stating the difficulties that he had encountered, 
and adding, that he would in consequence be obliged to give up the 
task. Some of the numbers were sent me by a friend, which I took 
the more interest in perusing, as exhibiting the history of the tribe of 
Hottentots, which may be now deemed almost extinct, so far as the 
civilized and settled portions of the colony extend. Many disreputable 
actions on the part of all those who have been engaged were here 
exposed, and I am not at all surprised that the official incumbent, as 
well as others, should exert all their interest to effect its suppression; 
however, as many of these statements are now before the public, it 
would be desirable that they should be gone through with, that there 
may be a full understanding of the transactions that have now come 
to light, in order to have a full knowledge of the state of the affairs 
of the colony, as well in relation to the governor as to those who have 
