VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA. 
125 
that ease and comfort, which we enjoyed during a journey of such 
length, attended frequently with great difficulties and dangers. 
The same letter was addressed to the landdrosts of the districts of 
Zwellendam, George, and Uitenhagen. 
Sir, 
I am directed by his Excellency, the Governor, to beg 
your attention to the bearer, the Rev. Mr. Latrobe. 
Mr, Latrobe's object in visiting your drosty, is to ascertain, 
whether there is any unoccupied Government-land in your dis- 
trict, which would be suitable for establishing an institution of 
Hottentots under the superintendency of the Moravian Brethren. 
It is his Excellency's desire, therefore, that you may be pleased to 
afford to this gentleman the fullest information in your power on 
the subject, and his Excellency will esteem any civility you may 
show Mr. Latrobe, as a favour done to himself. 
I have the honour to be 
Sir, 
Your most obedient servant, 
Colonial Office, C. BIRD. 
February 18, 181 G. 
The landdrost, after perusing this letter, expressed his great rea- 
diness to lend every assistance in promoting an object, to which he 
had always shown the most favourable disposition, and was glad to 
be thus authorized to act consistently with his own inclinations, in 
affording every facility to our undertaking. He immediately pro- 
posed to give me a letter to the Veldcornets and others in his district, 
to be valid as far as George, requiring them to furnish us with two 
spanns of oxen at every station, and with as many drivers, leaders, 
and guides, as we might want. 
Though I not only felt grateful for such an indulgence, but was con- 
vinced, that we could not proceed far with our own oxen, as they al- 
ready showed symptoms of great weariness, yet at first I was not 
