The Express.
London, England, 1851-11-22 00:00:00

THE KAFFIR WAR.

A public meeting, called by tho Aborigines Pro-
tection Society, was held last evening, at the Friend's
Meeting House, Peter's-court, St. Martin's lane, the object
being to diffuse information on the subject, and to paw reso- I
lutions condemnatory of the war.
The chair was taken by Mr. C. LUSHINGTON, M.P.,
who had understood that the meeting was a Westminster
meeting, and in all that belonged to the City of Westminster
he was of course immediately interested, consequently he
had accepted the invitation to attend. (Hear, hear.) Ho ,
was not a member of the Aborigines or the Peace Society, !
though he concurred en their objects. They had met to
consider the best means of restoring peace to South Africa, I
and he believed it was intended to pass resolution which
should result in the diffusion of information as to South
Africa, and be might add, without taking a partisan view of
the question, into the wrongs of the Kettles. (Cheers.)
He thought they had not been treated with that humanity
and forbearance which ought to be exercised by a civilised
nation as against barbarians. We had, he thought, carried
On a war of severity; and he feared from what he taw of the
preparations making, we were ate.ut to carry on a war of
extermination against them. (Hear, hear.) Humanity and
Christianity alike called upon the people of this country to
prevent that. (Hear, hear.) We had sent out missionaries
to preach the gospel of peace, and we had followed the pre.
eepts of those missionaries by Shrapnel! shells. (Hear,
bear.)
M. CHAMEROVGOW (the secretary of the Aborigines
Protection Society) proposed the first resolution. He said
the object of the committee in calling the meeting was to
diffuse information which should have the effect, not only
of putting au end to the present war, but all future wars,
against these aboriginal tribes. Without going into the
question of the Ir Urban or the Glenelg policy, all admitted
that we hail ill used the Kaffir'. The present war was a
result of that of 1816, and the war of 1816 was the conse-
quence of that of 1315, which had resulted from aggres-
sions made by us on the Kadin and their territory ; and all
these contests were the consequence of aggression. taunting
from the despatches of Lord Glenelg to Sir B. Te Urban,
Mr. Chamer iegow proceeded to show that, according to
the authority of his lordship, the Kaffir" were justi•
fled in rushing into the war of 1815, by the
aggressions made on their territory, and the rave.
rity and injustice which had been exercised towards
them; that the commando system had freclutntly been out
into operation on light grounds, and unfounded wean-
tions, preferred by the colonists. Lord Glenelg, accord-
ingly, face general directions to try in our relations with
the telex/ a system of forbearance and justice. We bud
taken a large extent of territory from the Kaftirs,
believing that that territory had been wrung from them
by injustice, Lord (Mender said the whole of the territory
between the Keiskanuna river and the Keis should be sur-
rendered. If it were true that in 1831 the Kaffir' were
justified in making war to wrest back from us this terri-
tory, and thet when conciliation :red forbearance were en-
creued, between 1836 and 1816, there was no war, while, on
the resumption of the policy of 1831 or 1811, war broke
out agaiu, chat was the inference ? Why, that justice
and forbearance were the means by which we could most
ess succfully deal with those tribes. In 1816 Sir I'. Malt-

laud was anxious to build a new fort, " Fort Alice," and
fur that purpoic proceeded to mark out the land, which be-
longed to the Kadin; th Kaffir, objected that this was an
infraction of the treaty entered into with them at the close
of the war, and demanded that the soldiers should be with-
drawn, instead of this a reinforcement was sent for. The

Kaffir. complained that we kept uo faith with them, and
were not to be trusted, and at length the aspect of affairs
became so threatening that the governor went and with-
drew the surveying force. But then came the circumstance
of the rubbery of the axe, the severity with which that act
was met, and other matters, which, acting upon a people
already rendered suspicious by our conduct, led to
the war of 1616—a war which had occasioned us
so much expense, and gained us so little credit.
Subsequently Sir Harry Smith went out. Well, he com-
menced by condemning the making of any military demon-
stration in the Kaffir territory,but having summoned Sandilla,
and Sanddla (feeling from past experience how little faith
was to be placed in the British government) relusing to
attend, Sir Harry Smith sent a military lorce into the
Kaffir territory to capture him, thus entering upon the very
system he bad himself condemned. It had been asserted
that the D'Ufball policy had been suece-sl'ul and the
Glenelg policy unsuccessful; but he denied this, and
he was sure if the evidence of the commissioners of the

Kaffir frontier was forthcoming, it would be seen
that under the Glenelg policy the number of Kaffir
depredations diminished very considerably; and from the
period of the operations of that policy until the Ir Urban
policy was introduced there was no war. No doubt there
were defects in the Glenelg policy, which might have been
remedied, and were these defects removed, and that policy
again resorted to, it would be successful. The question
was how to introduce it. It had been suggested that a com-
mission should be sent out, and that the Katfirs should be
informed that we intended to act justly by them. This
might do some good; but he thought it might Übe
well if some of the outlying tribes who, though hostile
to us, were not so bitterly so as those with whom
we were at war, were employed to act as me-
diators. The Kaffirs had proved their good faith
by the manner in which they had adhered to trea-
ties; and what was wanted was to prove to them
that we could keep faith also. But Sir Harry
Smith said that the Kaffirs were starving, and
ready to lay down their arms. it so, why not take advan•
tage of the oonortunitv ? No doubt if the war were coati-
tined the KNIT, woula be beaten and driven further inward
or exterminated. But were we to cam ou a war of exter-
mination, and, if so, at what cost ? Ile would undertake
to say that every Kaffir killed would cost this country from
0001. to SOO/. (Hear, hear.) But suppose the war at an
end by the conquest Of the tribes, still the question must
come, were we to deal with them hereafter on the D'Urbaa
system, or the more humane one of Lord Glenelx, modified
according to circumstances ? No doubt the Kaffirs were
addicted to cattle-stealing, but he believed the colonists were
far too careless in regard to their cattle, and that they threw
temptation into the way of these savages. But ca•ilixed
men were sometimes thieves—(llear, hear)—and were they
to expect that men who were confessedly barbarians should
be superior. Surely the stealing a few cattle now and then
was not a sufficient ground for plunging us into an inglori-
ous arid expeasiv war. (Hear, hear.) He admitted that
the public were not at present in possession of sufficient in-
formation to pass a judgment upon the whole question ; but
he submitted that they would do much good by strengthen-
ing the hands of the society in their endeavours to restore
peace, and to prevent the recurrence of such wars in future.
Therefore ho, in conclusion, would propose a resolution
commendatory of Lord Glenelg's policy, and expressing an
opinion that our future relations with the Kaffir's should be
based upon it. (Hear.)
'I he resolutiun hating been carried,
Mr. J. BELL, the treasurer of the Aborigines Society,
proposed another resolution, pledging the meeting to pro-
mote a more extensive and correct knowledge of the events
of our colonies, especially of South Africa, by means of the
publications of the society.
The motion having been carried,
A gentleman in the body of the meeting, who said he was
a farmer, who had been out nine years in the colony, and
had been ruined there, observed that &nails had agreed to
the erection of the fort at Block Drift, and Sir I'. Maitland
agreed to pay a rent for it. lie would also observe that the
kaffirs were not the aborigines of the territory between the
Fish River and the Great Sic, but held it by right of
conquest.
The SECRETARY said it was true negotiations were
opened in respect to the erection of the tort, but it was
found that Sandi& had to consult the other chiefs, but be-
fore their decision was come to, Sir I'. Maitland commenced
to stake out the ground.
' The COLONIST read an extract from the blue-book to
L show that Sandia& had himself confessed it was impossible
for the chiefs to prevent the Kaffirs from stealing, and re-
quested that the governor should take military occupation
of the territory. lie, as a farmer, did not wish for war hut
' peace, but it was due to those who had been induced to
colonise the country that they should be protected.
A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceeding..

MECHANICS' ISTRIKE AT LEEDS.—The strike at
Messrs. Kitson and Co.'s, locomotive engine makers, at
Leeds, which has been going on for some two months, still
continues. The firm having engaged new hands in the
place of those who have left, frequent fracas have taken
place between some of the two sets of men ; and at present
• charge made against one of the turn-outs is under the
consideration of the Leeds Justices. The charge is against
James Wilkinson, who, as is alleged, on Monday last, so
seriously assaulted Robert Mesterman, as to endanger his
life. The justices were yesterday engaged several hours in
investigating the case, but as 31astermun is still too ill to
I appear in court, the hearing, which had stood over from
last Monday, was again adjourned to Wednesday. Accord-
ing to the statements made to the magistrate., the prosecu-
tor, while going to his work on Monday morning, was set
upon by scverul men, the prisoner being one of them, and
beaten with heavy sticks in such • brutal manner as to
'cause concussion of the brain. Mr. Roberts, solicitor, of
Manchester, who attended on behalf of the prisoner, said
he had • complete answer to give to the charge against his
client, but as the case could not be concluded until next
week, he hoped the justices would, in the meantime, admit
his client to bail. Ihe justices refused the application.
FIRE AT SHOREDITCII.—Yceterday morning, at a
quarter before six o'clock, • fire was discovered on the
premises of Messrs. H. W. Bushell, English and French
hatters, 114, High-street. A policeman endeavoured to
arouse the inmates, but some time elapsed ere he could
accomplish that object, 'and not until the lower door,
together with • portion of the staircase, was in a general
' blaze. Ladders were soon procured, and taken up a pas-
, sage to the back premises, and nearly all the residents
escaped unhurt; but two females, who occupied the adjoin-
, mg milliners' shop, of the name of Bushell, in coming
down the ladder from the second floor by some means
. slipped and both fell to the ground, and were considerably
, its are d . The Royal Society's escapes with the engines soon
attended, and plenty of water having been obtained, they
were worked with vigour, but in spite of the most strenu-
ous exertions of the firemen the flames could not be con- ,
quered until the trading premises were destroyed, together
with their contents. The loss is thus reported!? Mr. Con-
norton, the foreman of the West of England Fire-office :
, " The buildings belonging to Messrs. Bushell nearly de-'
'keyed; insured in the PllCrtliX Fire-office; supposed amount
of lees about 4001. on the premises and stock, and about
2001. on the furniture ; the property of the Misses Bushell,
milliners, also damaged, Insured in the Phoenix Fire-office.
The Misses Bushell much injured in making their
lescape from the fire. The premises of Mr. Peters, in Par-
son's-court, were also damaged by fire and water, and were
not insured."

MIDDLESEX FREEHOLD LAND ASSO-
CUTION.

Yesterday evening a public meeting was held, at
Freemasons' Tavern, Great Queen-street, to form an asso-
ciation, with the oboes title, for the acquisition of freehold
land, to confer on the subscribers the pardamentary fran-
chise. The attendance was very large. The emir was
taken at half-past 7 by Mr. J. WILLIAXS, M.F. for Mae-
, chiliad.

The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said he
bad always felt the deepest interest in the prosperity of the
well-disposed workiug classes, who until recently had been
PO much niglectel Fre,holti land societiel were amongst
the leading Matures of the present time, and nothing else
afforded such facilities for obtaining the suffrage. The
society in Marylebone bad answered beyond all expecta-
tion; and in a county with which he was connected, at a
distance from London, GOO votes had been created during
the past year. (Hear, bear.) lie was no advocate for setting
the working classes against the higher, believing that
the interests of the two were common. The prime
minister had told theta that he intended to bring forward
a comprehensive plan of reform in the ensuing session. Ile
(the chairman) believed the battle for the franchise must
be fought outside the walls of parliament. lie wanted to
see the people fully and fairly represented in the people's
house, and it was in their power to do something towards
obtaining that position. Ile saw no reason why the Mid-
dlesex Land Society should not within two ye sea comprise
2,000 members. He did not want those present to take a
single share, on his recommendation ; they _must all judge
and act for themselves. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. J. BEALE said, the meeting must judge of the
scheme by the character of the men who were connected
with it. (Hear, hear.) Those whom they were asked to
trust bad been trusted by other societies, and had proved
themselves men of integrity. A number of local societies
wore already established ; but it was now proposed to
institute one ou a larger stale, and having a
wider range of operations. (Hear) Other societies had
taken up the social ground; but this society, like the parent
one, would have a wide political object, and would stead-
fastly keen in view the widest extension of the suffrage.
He then gave a short history of freehold land societies and
their proceedings, and stated the process by which land was
obtained by the members. It was no part of the plan that
men who had obtained possession of ground should then
quit their occupation and go and squat upon it. (Hear,
hear.) The first point to be kept in view was the acquisition
of the franchise ; but in a commercial point of view the
society was wry important. In some parts of the country
subscribers had sold their land at a considerable profit ; and
experience showed that there could not be a better invest-
:neat for the savings of working men. When property was
made the basis tit political power, and when political power
was corrupted at its source, it was natural to aim at political
objects by commercial means. Out of 3,77$ qualifications for
county votes, there was ouly one of which tiny could avail
themselves to obtain the county franchise. They had all
heard of the late revelations at St. Albans. (" Hear,
hear," and 1 iuglitcr.) Mr. Coppock had there declared
that he could putt out many other constituencies which
were as corrupt as that of St. Albans. It appeared, there-
tore, that the battle of reform Mid to he fought over again;
and it was fur them, through this movement, to come for-
ward and rescue the hon,t electors in every part of the
country. They had proved their power in the boroughs, and
they were determined to make it feat in the counties.
lie concluded by moving a resolution to the effect that
freehold land societies were of a highly beneficial cha-
racter, and that one should then be formed, to be denomi-
nated "The Middlesex Freehold Laud Association."
Mr. NICIIOLAY seconded the resolution, which was
adopted unanimously.
Mr. CONCANN MN moved and Mr. NASH seconded the

nomination of the committee, which, after a short discus-
shin, was agreed to.
Other formal resolutions were also adopted, and the meet-
ing concluded with a vote of thank., to the Chairman.

NAVAL APPOINTNIENTS.—ADMIRALTY, Nov. 21.
Surgeon W. Robertson, to Hogue. Clerk in Charge J. C.
Pinhorn, to Jaetu. Master Smith A. Ainslie, to Devon-
port Dockyard. loremau of do. H. Devonshire, to Devon-
port Dockyard.
THE GREAT EXIIIIIITION AND THE PRICE OF PRO-
VISIONS.—Icsterday, at the meeting of the board of guar-
dians of St. Marylelsone, held in the beard-room adjoining
the workhouse, J. J. Cohens, Esq., in the chair, the follow-
ing letter was read by Mr. 11w, the secretary :—" Poor-
law Board, London, Nov. 19, 1831.—Sir,—I am directed by
the Poor-law Board to _request that you will till up and
return to them the enclosed form relating to the contract
prices of the several articles mentioned therein, for which
contracts may have been entered into by the directors and
guardians between the Ist April and 3Oth September in the
years 18.50 and 18.51 respectively. The board have been
applied to for this information with reference to a report
which Mr. Redgrave has been instructed to make to the
Royal Commission for the Exhibition of the Works of
Industry of till Nations, showing the general condition of
tlie. metropolis during the coatinuauce of the Exhibition.
The board are desirous of affording any assistance in their
power in furtherance of the proposed inquiry, and they
hope that you may be able to supply the required informa-
tion without any material trouble or inconvenience.—
am, sir, your obedient servant, COIALTENAY, secretary.
To the clerk of the Board of Directors and guardians of
the parish of St. Islarylebone."—Meat, bacon, bread, dour,
milk, cheese, and potatoes, are the articles respecting which
information is requested. Jacob Bell, E-q., movsii
that the request ui the Poor-Law Board be complied with.
Mr. Frewin seconded the motion. Mr. Walters objected
to the denoted of the Poor-Law Board, and moved, as an
amendment, that the letter lay upon the table. Mr. Mar-
riott, in seconding the amendment, remarked that the pre-
sent application was but inserting the small end of the
wedge; the Poor-Law Board would require more from
them. J. Bell, Esg., M.P., remarked that great differences
of opinion emistedin the public mini as to whether the late
Exhibition had proved beneficial or otherwise; the condi-
tion of the poor would prove more or less a criterion, aad it'
the price of provisions increased during the time of the
Exhibition, it would make a material difference in men's
minds as to whether the Great Exhibition had proved ad-
vantageous
or otherwise to this country. Ile considered
it to be the duty of that board, as of all others similarly
constituted, to return an answer to all such questions as
the ono before them ; more especially as it could
be done without any great trouble or inconve-
nience. Sir James Hamilton, Bart—ln the exercise of
our authority, we cannot refuse so reasonable a request.
Mr. Wdters—We have nothing to do with the demand of
the Poor Law Board. Sir James Hamilton thought that
fur ono of the most important parishes in the metro.
polio, which was as extensive as some of the
continental states, to refuse to comply with so cour-
teous and reasonable a request would be exceedingly unbe-
coming. After some fet observations from other members
of the board, the resolution was carried by a large major-
ity. The Secretary was directed to acknowledge the re-
ceipt of the letter, and to state that the desired information
should be furnished.

CHARGE OF SIIEEP STEALING, NEAR BRISTOL,—
The magistrates for the Bedminster district of the county
of Somerset, were engaged on Thursday in hearing a charge
of sheep stealing, which, owing to the extent to which de-
predations of the kind have been committed upon the flocks
of the farmers of Somenetshire,exeited a very unusual

amount of interest. Edwin Richards, the prisoner, wee
stated to be a person who had until within the last few
years moved in a highly respectable sphere of society, and
the specific charge against him was for having, on the night
of the 26th of October, feloniously stolen from a field at
Ban Nell eighteen sheep, the property of a farmer named
Cottle. It appeared from the evidence, which was volu-
minous, that for several months past an extensive system of
sheep stealing has been carried on, net only in Somerset,
but among the sheepfolds on the Gloucestershire side of the
city of Bristol. Sometimes the animals would be killed
upon the ground, their carcases carried off, and the skim,
heads, and entrails either left upon the field or soak at
some pond ; and at other times the sheep would be drills
off bodily, so as to leave it doubtful for a time
whether they had been stolen or had broken bounds
and strayed. On the evening of the 26th of October
Mr. Cottle's sheep were seen safe in the field, an&
at an early hour on the following morning it
was found that they had either gone or bees
driven: away,. Inquiries were promptly set on foot, and a
no trace of the missing sheep could be discovered, it became
soon evident that so large a number could not have strayed '
without some traces of their being discoverable, and that
consequently they must have been stolen. Information was
at once given to the police, but ell efforts to detect the de-
predator proved unavailing until a few days since, when
the prisoner fell into the hands of the Bristol police force
upon another charge. One of the officers, upon searching
hint, found in his pocket a cheque drawn by a butcher in
London, and this fact, coupled with some others that had
previously come to his knowledge, led the constable to sus-
speet that he had been concerned in Mr. Cattle's robbery.
He immediately set inquiries on foot, and learning from the
drawer of the cheque that it had been given in payment
for some sheep, his suspicions were strengthened, and his
diligence increased. At length he obtained some important
evidence from a railway porter in the employ of the Great
Western Railway Company. That witness, who is employed at
the Bath station, identified the prisoner as having on the day
of the rubbery brought IS sheep (the precise number stolen)
to the railway, where be booked the sheep for conveyance
to Paddington station, stating that they would be called for
there by a Mr. Brown, a drover, who would take charge of
them, and convey them to their destination. In accordance
with these directions the sheep were placed on a Buck
and sent off, as directed, to Paddington, where a man
received them. Further evidence was adduced, to show
that the prisoner himself afterwards proceeded to London ;
that he presented himself at the Paddington station and
asked for the sheep, which were given to him; and that he
then drove them to Smithfield market, and sold them to a
butcher, whose cheque was found upon him. These facts hay-
ing_been proved, the magistrates committed him for trial.
FATAL ACCIDENT AT THE LONDON GASWORKS.—
Yesterday, Mr. Carter, the coroner, held an inquest at the
White Lion Tavern, High-street, Vauxhall, on the body of
Henry Grady, aged 49. The deceased was a coke raker in
the service of the London Gas Company, Vauxhall, and on
Tuesday morning last was employed in the discharging of
coals into the premises by means of trucks, which were
pushed along a tramway from the ;waterside, when one of
the vehicles by some means was forced over the iron stage
at the end, and before deceased could get out of the way
the truck, weighing nearly a ton, fell upon him, ad
crushed him quite flat on the ground. Assistance was po-
cured, and he was extricated, but life seemed extinct. Me-
dical aid was called in, but all efforts to restore life were
useless. The accident was caused by the Iron brake giving
way at the end of the stage. Verdict—" Accidental death.