The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-05-16 00:00:00

CAPE OF GOOD HOPI:.

[From the South Afrtetts Arivrelfscr.l
CAPE Tows, !Walsall.
We have been informed that it is atta a whetter of doubt with
some, whether a change in the value of the rix dollar may noe
yet be made by his Majesty's Govemmint, and two shill-
hogs, it is conjectured, may be the rate at which it may be utti.
!timely fixed. Such doubts can scarcely exist in the mind of any
person acquainted with the nature and history of bur currency, or
with the deplorable effects of a sudden or ..rbitrary alteration in its
talue. Who is to pay the two shillings, and who are to receive
them ? The shopkeepers and small dealers owe a balance, say, of
&00,000 dollars to the English or foreign merchants, for goods to
be disposed of by them in small quantities or by retail. Raise tit,
dollar from one shilling anti sixpence to two shillings, and you in-
create the debt f.-rini 37.500/. to 40,0001. What right has the
cre-
ditor to this ? But grant hint the right, how can the unfortunate
debtor raise the money to satisfy it ? As the dollars ascend in
value, he gets fewer of them for his grinds. Competition soon de-
termines that part •if the Argument. Ilia ruin would be inevitable.

Besides, how is the alteration to be effected ? Is the Foglisis
Government to offer two shillings for each dollar to the present
holders ? There are some men in the colony who would like that
very much. But if England think it just to pay two shillings, we
beg to a.sk her rea.tto for withholding the other two. Four ABA
lings was the original price paid ny the colonists fat these perplex-
ing pieces of pap.s.r. But who can be so blind as to neglect the ob.
vious Injustice of paying two shillings to holders who never Fare
more than the value of Is. 6d. for a dollar in their lives ? Vet
such are many of those who evince the greatest anxiety on the sub-
ject, while others, who have lost by the depreciation, having now
no dollars to dispose of. could receive no redress Whatever.
Government, it is said, may cause the dollars to rise insensibly,
by destroying Is porti In of the currency. How is it to get possession
of that portion ? By taxation. This would be en odd way of set-
tling a debt due to the community. It would be saying, in effect,—
•• Gentlemen, we owe you evrtain sums of money, which we are
now shout to pay you very honestly ; but we cannot create cub,
you conceive. Therefore let us see what you have got in your
pockets. Aye, that one Is mots, he sot ood as turn out the lining
of the other. So ! Now we intend o burn tl•is, in order to in-
crease the value of the remainder, and you will discover, in the
curse of a short time. what a great benefit Isas been twittered on
you." This of comae will never he attempted.
Certain revenues, originally pledged for the dollar, will probably
in the end be employed in redeeming it. They are large, and may
be increased by thermic of the Government farms, and probably
also by an improved method of book-keeping. But this redemp-
tion should not at any time alter the value of the dollar. The eon-
fusion, the loss, and distress, which would most certainly follow
Soy such alteration, as unclosed transactions now exist, in thin Co-
hotly, would be terrible. It is our opinion, that more real tittering
would arise from a sudden advance of the dollar to two shillings or
two and sixpence, then has been experienced by the slow diprecia-
lion from dr. to Is. fld. ; and also that it would fall chiefly on the
same parties. _

NVe are aware that this has not been a popular view of the sub-
ject. But it k the true one. We lament the loss sustained by in-
dividuals as well as that of the community, and we trust that our
claims on the justice and humanity of England will prncure solid
remuneration as far as it is now practicable. But we must remon-
strate against remedies which, however fair in appearance, would
be fats! in their operation. _

EXtrit.'t of a letter from Albany, dated February 21, 11326.
" An unfortunate affray took place last Thursday morningait the
Coffer Fuse. A Caller writhing to pass the boundary of the meeker,
in the direction of the barracks, was struck by a soldier; the Cater
immediately returned it, by throwing a stone, upon which the,eol.
dier caught hold of the beads round the neck of the Coffer. Other
Coffers began immediately to interfere. Lieutenant De Lisle went
to the assistance of the soldier. and the Callers began thrashing
both the officer and man. The'Caffer picquets and guard were int.
ntediately turned out, and came running up to the Market, fol.
lowed by most of the men in the garrison, in their fatigue dresses,
armed with sticks and stones. The Coffer*, on seeing this, made
off to the bush behind the place where the market is held. The
officer commandink them gave orders to surround about 20 or 30 of
the most peaceable Caffers, the majority of whom were Chiefs, fur
the purpose, as this officer asserts, of obliging them to remain and
consult with him what was to be done with the Caller that had
struck Mr. De Lisle. The soldiers not being able to effect their
purpose by surrounding them, the Caffers being so much on the
alert, were thrown into such confusion that th iey mmediately made
a charge with their bayonets (separating at the same time from
each other), and followed by the men who had come nut with their
stick* and stones. The Coffers immediately made a rush, and used
their weapons in apiost desperate manner, leaving the marks of
their dexterity pretty thickly distributed amongst the soldiers.
NVhat the Callers suffered I am not yet able to ascertain. Ons
poor woman came forward to show a wound some ut feeling fellow
had inflicted with his bayonet in her arm.
" I am sorry to say there are few weeks pass without some. dl..
turbance happening; and it is solely occasioned by bad manage-
ment. This, market being so considerable, and so beneficial to the
Colony generally, I am surprised to see it so neglected.
" I should feel obliged if any of your Correspondents can Inform
me under whose jurisdiction this market lies. In one instance the
Landdrost suspended a trader's license for two weeks ; the Com-
mandant bas also suspended a trader's license for two weeks. If
we apply to the Landdrost about the market, directly or indirectly,
we are referred to the Commandant ; and it' we apply to the Coin.
mandant, we are referred to the Landdrost."

CAPE TOWN, FEE. 13.
it haying been understood that the Hon. General Bourke, the
Lieutenant-Governor. was to be sworn into office yesterday morn-
ing, at eleven o'clock, a numerous assemblage of persons, includ-
ing the heads of departments. and other civil and military functio-
naries, ,was collected at Government House, to witness the
ceremony. Some mistake having taken place in the appoint-
ment of the hour, it yeas deferred till two o'clock, at which time
the same persons being in attendance, the accustomed oaths were
read to the Lieutenant-Governor by Sir Richard Placket. The
Cotninissionets of Inquiry were nresenr.

BOLTON PE TT S 1:48102VS.
A poor child, named R. Horrocks, aged apparently abotit six
years, was produced in Court under the fidlowing circumstances :
Wednesday week, Mr. Moscrop, overseer of Little Bolton, was
requested to visit th.: infant, who had been placed by the overseer
of the township of Ainsworth, in the care of J. Haslam, of Turton.
street, Little Bolton. who received Hid. per week for that purpose.
On going to his residence, Mr. Moscrop found the miserable little
sufferer in such a state, from usage of the most barbarous descrip-
tion, that he was induced to take him directly away, and place him
in the keeping of Mr. Howarth, the deputy constable. He then
prnured a warrant for the apprehension of Haslam, who absconded.
The unfortunate little fellow had the mark of a cord deeply im-
pressed upon his neck, as if he had either been actually hung up,
or so tightly confined as to inflict a most galling entrance into the
very flesh ; and he appeared to hold his head on one side, as if
severely injured by some sudden wrench ! His back, and indeed
the whole aids person, was lacerated in a shocking manner ; and
his appearance altogether, though naturally a fine child, was truly
deplorable.
The Migistrate directed the overseer of Ainsworth to receive the
child ag tin Into his care ; and said that he should be bound over to
prosecute, the nofatent Ilaslam could he discovered.
The father of this wretched little outcast was transported ; and
the mother recently abandoned it to its fate.

BilOT HERTA' ArrEcTioN.—diary Jury, on the informs.
tiou of her brother, If. Jury, was convicted of selling
blacking, without a license, was fined 101. and in default
of payment was, as directed by the Statute, committed to
the county gaol. Jury is himself a blacking meroival.—
Plyinoutit Herald.