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 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 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 



