1812. 
FORMER VISITS TO THE BACHAPIN COUNTRY. 
305 
or by an opportunity of viewing the subject on another side. As they 
are the sentiments which belong to that date only ; there are conse- 
quently some subjects, of which a just view cannot be obtained from 
detached portions of the journal. By recording these sentiments in 
their place, the reader is enabled ultimately to gain more correct 
ideas, and to form his judgment upon natural and unpicked evidence. 
From an observation of the sun's meridional altitude, the latitude 
of this station was calculated to be 27° 22' 25' . * 
At the distance of about two miles lower down the river, is the 
spot where stood the chief town of the Bachapins, at the time when it 
was visited by Landdrost Van de Graaff and Dr. Lichtenstein, in 
1805 f ; who were sent by the Dutch government for the purpose of 
ascertaining the true state of the settlement at Klaarwater. This 
business being accomplished, they advanced as far as the Kruman, 
and after remaining there four days, returned to the Colony. — 
In the year 1801 the same tribe was visited by Dr. Somerville and 
Mr. Truter, who, with a large party, were sent thither by the English 
governor for the purpose of obtaining oxen for the supply of Cape 
Town.:]: Having, during a stay of fifteen days, obtained the object of 
their mission, they returned to Cape Town. This party found the chief 
town of the Bachapins not far from the spot where it stood at the time 
I visited this tribe : it then bore the same name of Litaakun. 
These facts serve to prove that the nation has not yet arrived 
at that degree of civilization which is marked by permanently fixed 
abodes ; but that it approaches it very nearly. This permanency of 
abode depends, as remarked on another occasion, on a two-fold cause ; 
on the solidity and perfection of their architecture, and on their pro- 
* At Kruman Station, 30th June 1812. The observed meridional altitude of the 
sun's upper limb, was 39°. 42'. 40". 
f This party consisted of 25 persons. Of these; 12 were Hottentots; 5, slaves; and 
8, white persons, among whom was the unfortunate Jacob Kruger (Krieger). They were 
25 days beyond the boundary of the Colony. 
X This party consisted of 40 persons. Of these ; 1 2 were white men, among which 
number were, Mr. Samuel Daniell the artist, and Mr. Borcherds the present Deputy 
Fiscal at Cape Town. The others were, 24 Hottentots and 4 slaves. They were about 
five months beyond the Colonial boundary. 
VOL. II. R R 
