A F R i C A. 273 
glafles of brandy, and a few rolU of tobacco^ 
impoverlfhed and ftripped of every thing, did 
not think of quitting their country ; but ab- 
folutely renouncing their manners, as well as 
their ancient and happy condition, of which 
they have no remembrance at prefent, they 
bafelv fold their fervices to the whites, who 
of fubmiffive ftrangers having fuddenly be^ 
come haughty matters, and enterprifiiig plant- 
ers, have not fufficient hands to turn to ad- 
vantage their immenfe riches ; and who eafe 
themfelves of the painful and multiplied la- 
bours requifite on their plantations, by laying 
them upon thefe unfortunate Hottentots, more 
and more degenerated and corrupted. 
A few paltry and miferable hordes have 
indeed eftablifhed themfelve8,^d live as they 
can, in different cantons of the colony ; but 
they have not even the power of choofing 
their own chief. As they are in the diftrid: 
of government, and under its authority, the 
Hght of naming him belongs entirely to the 
governor. The perfon whom he choofes re- 
pairs to the town, and receives a large cane, 
much like that of our couriers ; but with this 
difference, that the knob of it is only of pure 
copper: after which a crefcent or gorget, 
Vol. I. T form 
