The Express.
London, England, 1851-02-07 00:00:00

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

We have received the Graham's TOWS Journal of
Dee. 7. Having referred to the "imminence" of a
Kaffir war, it gives the following on the incite of the
frontier:
From

received by us since our last issue,
there does not apps-ar to be the smallest abatement of the
excitement which then prevailed. On the contrary, so
alarming are the reports from all quarters, and especially
from those most intimately acquainted with the K atfirs and
their movements in Kaffirland, that the farmers along the
whole line from Graham's Town to the Orange River are
adopting every means in their power against surprise, and
to secure their property against a sudden outbreak by the
adjacent tribes. AU the Hocks and herds of the residents of
the Fish River, Konap, and Kat Rivers, have been driven
back, the whole country towards Somerset, Graff-Reinet,and
Cradoek, being in numerous parts literally covered with the
sheep, cattle, waggons, and horses of the retreating inhabi-
tants. The scene is alike instructive, impressive, and affective,
while it is quite certain that the lees will be, even under the
most favourable circumstances, immense. The case is

aggras ated by the fact that this is the commencement of
the shearing n, the very period to which the pains-
taking flock-master looked for the replenishment of his ex-
haustcel finances. Comparatively few have fallen back
towards Uitenhage, the great bulk moving off to the north-
ward, to the districts mentioned. A few of the more
substaatially-built dwelling-houses along the border are still
occupied, and will he defended in the event of attack, but
the greater number have been totally abandoned, many
waggon-loads of furniture, &c., passing into Fort Beaufort
daily, while their gardens and corn lands, in some places
with the standing crops, have been left a prey to the ruth-
less vagabonds by which the country, wheu thus deserted,
in
fested.
This inevitably he
This precipitate movement on the part of the farmers is,
as above stated, attributable to a variety of rumours of an
alarming character, which it bas been our aim to trace to
the foundations ou which they rest. Many of them are
great exaggerations ; but still, after making every deduc-
tion, enough gremains to convince every reasonable person
that matters have reached a crisis, and that war with all its
horrors would he preferable to the state of anxious uncer-
tainty in which the border inhabitants now live. From the
information afforded to us, we gather that the prime agents
in getting up the existing excitement in Kaffirland are San-
/lint and his chief councillor Anta, the latter a man of
athletic frame, and who pixosevies great influeuce over the
mind of his chief. The policy of these two men has been to
unite the different Kaffir tribes in hostility to the white man.
In this they have so far succeeded, as that Kreili, and Ma-
poem, the Tambookie chief, arc fully committed to their
and in the event of war will, it is affirmed, on-
hesitatingly join them, though there are tome of Kreili's
couucillors who do not afford it their countenance. At
present the must Kaffirs under Unshala and l'ato are quiet.
The latter has openly declared his adhesion to the colony,
and there is no reason to doubt his sincerity, but the former
is not so explicit. As yet he is passive, but the slightest
move either way may decide him. His faithful adherence
to the colony at this moment would be most opportune—his
defection in an inverse ratio disastrous. We are glad to re-
mirk, that the report of the British Commissioner residing
with him is favourable, and leaves the hope that Utuliala
sees his true interest, and will not forfeit his allegiance to
the British Crown. _ ..... .

The eo-ealled prophet, tmlanjeni' is another strong fea-
ture in the present tan. We have heard him spoken of in
terms of contempt as a tor, a fool, a madman, a knave. But
no matter what may be fis true appellation, one thing is
quite certain, namely, that at this moment he exercises un-
bounded influences over the Kaffir mind ' • that his word is
implicitly believed, and his commands unhesitatingly
executed. Some are led to believe that he is the mere
puppet of the war party, and if so, then the parties are
certainly entitled to high credit for having hit upon an
expedient, which has been successful to on extent bordering
on the marvellous. There is evinced great method in his
madness, and the most Ruble design in his apparent folly.
The command has gone forth from him, that the Kaffir,
are to slay and cat ; they are to slaughter cattle if they
lose them, but at all events, whether they have them or
not, they arc to slaughter. This command is obeyed with
alacrity. Feasting is the order of the day throughout the
length and breadth of Kattirland ; frantic dances form the
interlude, and in this state of excitement those subject to
it, and especially the young men, are ripe for any mischief,
and at a word would rush into danger and revel in the com-
mission of the greatest camases. We hose had the best
means of ascertaining, that at one small trader's station on
the borders of Kaffirland, no less than 500 cattle hides had
been purchased within the past two mouths, as many as 30
hides having been purchased in one day.
It is suspected too, that Hermann', the Kaffir chief living
within the colony on the Blinkwater, is not merely cogni-
sant of all these doings in Kaffirland, but that he is deeply
involved in the treasonable and treacherous designs upon
the colony. This surmise about,' not be hastily indulged,
and especially as no overt act is brought home to him
i
which can give it warrant. liermauu.s, in the two last wars,
approved himself to be a zealous partisan of the British
forces, and if abuses exist among his people, those abuses
are as clearly attributable to our own remissness as
to any bad feeling or evil design on the side of
the other party. This matter must not be trifled
with, nor is it the moment to indulge in crirnination, which,
after all, may not be based in absolute fact. Hermann,'
may be made the instrument of much good to the colony;
and, if proper countenance he shown, and efficient support
given ham by the government, be of immense service its the
general defence. It is affirmed that he can at present com-
mand the services of 300 fighting men, actually residing on
the lands assigned to him, but at is thought that besides
these he can influence two or three hundred more beyond
the border, and thus bring into the field a force of the
greatest moment, either for good or evil, to all concerned.
In the meantime, pending the return of the governor, the
colonists and the authorities aro not altogether regardless
of needful preparations for the worst. At Alice and Fort
Beaufort a voluntary organisation has taken place, and at
Graham's Town a rifle corps is being funned, besides an
association under Mr. Stubbs, who, during the last war,
commanded the well-known " Sporting Club," which
earned for itself a reputation for courage and activity un-
surpassed by any body of men enrolled at that period. A
large body of F'ingots, now dwelling along the frontier
line, are also, it is said, prepared and willing to take the
field on the first sound of alarm. These will, we doubt
not, do good service in any operations which may take
place across the border, and especially in the moun-
tainous region now occupied by the rebel chiefs. The Rat
River inhabitants will, we may suppose, defend their own
possessions, and will doubtless be found, as heretofore from
their position and habits they always have been, most va-
luable auxiliaries in • frontier war.

etc Court.

WINDSOR, FIB. 6.
Her Majesty the Queen, with the Prince of Wales,
drove out this morning in a pony carriage, in Windsor-
wk, accompanied by his Royal Highness Prince Albert on
horseback. Lord Charles Fitzroy was in attendance. The
younger member of the Royal Family took their usual
airings. Viscount Jocelyn and Professor Sedgwick are
expected to arrive at the Castle to-day on a visit to the
Quern and the Prince. The royal dinner party at the
Castle this evening will include the Duke of Cambridge,
the Princess Mary of Cambridge, the Baroness de Speth,
Viscount Jocelyn, Major-General and Lady Isabella
Wemyss, and Professor Sedgwick. The band of the Gold-
stream Guards will be in attendance and play during
dinner. Her Majesty's private band will attend and per-
, form in the evening.

The Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary left
Kew on Wednesday on a nsit to her Royal Highness the
Duchess of Kent, at Frogmore.
A deputation from the enemies, solicitors, and proctors
of England and Wales, consisting of Mr. Edward White,
Mr. D. S. Beckett, Mr. William Wuodroofe, Mr. John
Clayton, Mr..l. E. Walters, and Mr. M. Claybon, bad an
interview with Sr George Grey at the Home-office yester-
day, to present an address to her Majesty against the recent
papal aggression, signed by upwards of 6,000 members of
the profession.
Major Bl:o-kall, M.P., had an interview with Earl Grey
yesterday at the Colonial-office.
A deputation, headed by Mr. Hodges, M.P., Mr. Fuller,
M.P., and Mr. l'rewcn, M.P., had an interview with the
Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday, at his official resi-
dence in Downing-street.
The Duke of Roxburghe had an interview with Sir
George Grey yesterday, at the llome-office.
The Cambridge University Commission met yesterday
at the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury, in
Downing-street. Present, the Bishop of Chester, Sir J. F.
W. Herschel, the Rev. Professor Sedgwick, and the Rev.
W. 11. Bateaux (Secretary).
Sir Richard Bulkeley had an interview with Sir George
Grey at the Home-office yesterday.
The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England had a
general meeting yesterday at their office in Whitehall-
place.
Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-office,
from the Governors of the NN est India Islands.
The Judicial Conunittee of the Priii Council sat yester-
day. The lords present were Baron Parke, the Chancellor
of the Duchy of Cornwall, the Judge of the Admiralty
Court, and Sir Edward Ryan. An appeal from Canada,
"The Quebec Fire Insurance r. Molson and St. Louis"
(part heard), war resumed and concluded.

A Cabinet Council was held yesterday afternoon
at the Foreign-office. The ministers present were—
Lord John Russell, the Lord Chancellor, the Mar-
quis of Lansdowne, the Earl of .11into, Sir George
Grey, Viscount l'ulmerston, Earl Grey, the Chancel-
lor of the Exchequer, Sir Francis Baring, Sir John
Hobhou.se, the hurl of Carlisle, the Bight Hon.
Henry Labouchcre, the Marquis of Clannearde, and
the Hight lion. Fox Maule. The council at one
hour and a half.

REPEAL OF THE WINDOW TAX.

DEPUTATION TO THE CHANCELLOR OF

THE EXCHEQUER.

Yesterday the delegates selected by the various
parishes in London, in which meetings have been held fur
the purpose of promoting the repeal of the window tax,
assembled at the Marylebone Court-house, previous to wait-
ing, according to appointment, as a deputation, on the
Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mr. J. A. NICHOLAY, the
chairman of the committee, presided.
Mr. J. WILLIAMS, M.P., said he hoped that in their
interview with the Chancellor they would not digress into
other matter, and that they would not propose any other tax
as a substitute, but would insist ou an unconditional repeal.
(Hear, hear)
Mr. WYLD, M.P., said he understood it was to be com-
municated to the Chancellor that if this tax were not re-
peakd they should atop the supplies. (Hear)
Some preliminaries were then arranged, after which the
mi mliers of the deputation got into cabs and other vehicles,
which were waiting to convey them to their destination.
There were altogether fifty or sixty vehicles, and on the
outside of many of them large placards had been affixed,
bearing the inscription--" Unconditional Repeal of the
Window Tax." The procession, which reached from Re-
gent-cirrus to Maryleboneslanc, then slowly wended its way
down Oxford-street, Regent-street, and Whitehall, to Down-
ing-strect, where the deputation was reinforced by the addi-
tion of another body of delegates from Lands th. The
Chancellor of the Exchequer being engaged with another
deputation on another subject, the delegates were
shown into the official residence of the First Lord of
the Treasury, where Sir Charles Wood joined them shortly
after their arrival. Altogether the deputation consisted of
more than two hundred persons, who inconveniently crowded
the very large room into which they were shown, and as
they could not all obtain a view of the speakers, some of
them stood upon chairs. Besides the delegates there were
also present Lord Duncan, M.l'. ; Sir B. Hall, M.P.; Mr. J.
S. Buncombe, M.P.; Mr. Wakley, M.P.• Mr. Wyld,
M.P.; Sir W. Molesworth, M.P.; Mr. W. Williams, M.P.;
land Mr. J. Williams, M.P..

Lord DUNCAN, addressing the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, said he had been nquested to introduce one of
the most numerous, and he believed one of the most
respectable deputations that had ever waited upon
any Chancellor of the Exchequer; and the reason why he
had been selected to introduce them was that it had gene-
rally fallen to his lot to bring forward in the House of
Commons the motion for the repeal of the window tax. Ile
believed that the gentlemen in this room had,
many of them, been elected as delegates, and that
they represented & wide-spread feeling against the window
tax. lie believed that that feeling was not confined to the
metropolis alone : he believed that it pervaded other dis-
tricts. He would not take up the time of the right bun.
baronet by now entering at length into the arguments far
the repeal of this tax. lie had often brought forward this
i subject n the House of Commons, and he had given notice
of bringing it forward again on the 15th last. He should
therefore not go into the arguments now ; he did not con-
sider it necessary. It had given him and others the greatest
satisfaction to see that government had reduced taxation,
and to the liberal policy they were pursuing he believed the
excellent state of the finances was in a great measure to be
attributed. It had given them the greatest pleasure to find
that the abolition of the duty on bricks and the reduction
of the duty on stamps last session, had not that
effect in diminishing the revenue which might have
been expected ; and they did not think that the
government could apply the surplus better than in repealing
the window tax, which would relieve almost all classes of the
community. He did not know whether the right hon.
baronet had directed his attention to the crystal palace, but
he was quite certain that if it were assessed to the window
tax, the amount charged in respect of it would be enor-
mous. (A laugh.) He saw a proposition in the newspapers
that very day to cover the Royal Exchange with glass.
They might rely upon it if that was put in operation while
the window tax existed, it would be found to be rather
more expensive than had been calculated upon. lie was
really much encouraged by the manner in which the right
hon. baronet met his motion last year for the re-
peal of this tax. He believed it was the unani-
mous opinion of them all, that no sanitary measure could
possibly have any effect till this odious tax was taken off.
(Hear, hear.) It would give them the greatest satisfaction
to find that the government, of which he was an old sup-
porter, had determined to take off this tax, and that the
right hon. baronet should be the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer who should have the honour of relieving the country
of a tax which was laid on in barbarous times, and which
ought no longer to he continued. The noble lord concluded
by placing in the hands of the right hon. baronet a list of
the speakers who it had been agreed upon were to address
him.

Upon the whole, then, deeply as we must regret the ne-
cessity for hostilities, there is nothing to occasion dismay at
the present aspect of our affairs. What we most fear is a
protracted warfare; but if the colonists come forward
promptly and enter upon the task imposed upon theta with
the cool courage of men who arc determined to succeed, the
object may be speedily attained, and a lesson taught to the
disturbers of our repose, the salutary influence of which
will be felt, not merely on the borders of the colony, but
throughout the wide regions of South Africa.
The same paper says :
It may be satisfatory to know that every possible exertion
is making by the officer commanding Fort Beaufort, Lieute-
nant-Colonel Sutton, for the defence of that locality, and
for the keeping open the communication between that point
and Graham's Town. Patrols are ordered by him to tra-
verse the whole line of road, and we are persuaded that
nothing will be wanting by him which unwearied teal can
effect to guard against surprise and afford the inhabitants
support and defence in the event of need. At present, with
the exception of a few petty thefts, there are no overt acts
that can be construed into open hostilities, or which are cal-
culated to make an impression that the line of road in ques-
tion may not be travelled as usual.
A court-martial had been sitting at Graham's
Town, during the week preceding the departure of
our present advises, on Capt. Wemyas, late paymaster
of the Cape Mounted Rifles, who stands charged
with fraudulent defalcation to a serious amount in
his public accounts. "The charges (says the paper
already quoted) are of so grave a character, and the
evidence at present so crushing, that it is not thought
desirable until the close of the ease, and the defence
is made, to enter upon detail."
The Port Elizabeth papers give an account of the
death of Dr. Chalmers, long a much respected resi-
dent of that locality.

Mr. GREEN said be had the honour to be deputed by a
large and influential parish, namely, the parish of St. Mary,
Islington, which paid a large sum of money to the window-'
tax. They did not complain of it, however, only as a mat-
ter of pounds, shillin and pence, but became it was the
parent of disease, and engendered crime.
Mr. W. WILLIAMS—If you will promise to repeal th
tax, you will save yourself the hearing of 200 speeches.
Mr. J. WILLIAMS—ShaII we make that a condition and
Pay no more about it ? (" Hear, hear." and a laugh.)
'The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER.—You know
perfectly well that if I intended to do so I could not say it.
I hope the gentlemen will be as brief as they can, fa I ought
to be in the Cabinet at this moment, and there is really
nothing to be said upon it that has not been already said by
Lord Duncan in the House of Commons.

CffILD POISONZD WITH On. of Antoxpe.—Yes-
terday an inquest was held by Mr. Carter on the body of a
child, sped 2 years, lately living in Princes-street, Vauxhall.
Its mother had kept essential oil of almonds in the house for
the purpose of scenting pomatum. The infant obtained
metes to it accidentally. and swallowing a small quantity,
died in a short time. The jury retuned a verdict of acci-
dente/ death.

Mr. GLEESON, who w•s deputed from St. James's
dwelt on the inequality of the tan, saying that houses inha-
bited by the poor paid window tar to the amount of 26 per
cent. on the rental, while the houses of the nobility paid
only 1 per cent.
Mr. NICHOLAT, the chairman of the delegates, re-
marked that government had stated times out of number
that the tax was indefensible in principle, and the people
considered that the time had now arrived when they ought,
in fairness and justice to be relieved of it. This movement,
which originated in Marylebone, had spread like wild-fire
through the metropolis.
Mr. FRASER, churchwarden of St. Pancras, urged the
importance, in • sanitary point of view, of abolishing the
tar. lie was glad to admit that the present govern-
ment had shewn themselves desirous of improving
the sanitary condition of the people, but as- long as
I the window tax remained unrepealed, ho should
doubt their sincerity.
Mr. WHITMORE, also a medical practitioner, followed,
corroborating Mr. Framer's statements as to the injurious
effect on health of shutting out the light.
Mr. FREETH, one of the Marylebone delegates, spoke
of the
Cli=tio;)fththe e tax
Eseheirli' lga
er trialteire. He-
-
gined that, after this interview with him they should re-
turn to their homes and lot the matter teat, he we. much
mistaken.
Ni. JAMES NELSON (from St. James's) mid they had
came there to state that they. would no longer submit to
this tax. It was an unjust tax, seeing that of tho
1,800,0001: which was raised by it only 300,0001. was
paid by the aristocracy, and that out of 3} millions of
houses only 480,000 were taxed. And it was •
wicked tax, because it shut out light and air. They had
ono than also to state that they would not submit to a

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 7, 1851.