The Sun.
London, England, 1853-03-30 00:00:00

FRONTIER.

(From the Graham's Town Journal Extra.)
Since our Saturday's issue we have communications
from British Kaffraria to the 11th instant. From these
we learn that Kreli had sent home 90 head of cattle in
further payment of his debt of 1,500 head, two-
thirds of which are still due. These cattle are said
to be of a very inferior description, but on which we
need not remark, as their actual value will be as-
certained when sold, as we are informed they were
to be forthwith. In all matters of this character
it should be kept carefully in mind that the payment or
non-payment of a fine is only regarded so far as it tests
in any degree the true feelings towards the colony of the
party or people from whom it is demanded. In the pre-
sent case the payment of 1,500 head of cattle would be
a very light infliction, and bear no proportion whatever
to the offences given by the Gakas and the property of
British subjects openly pillaged or wantonly destroyed by
them. Kreli has shown himself to be utterly faithless,
and as weak as he is vicious. With such a man any re-
liance we may place on diplomacy is absurd. He is quite
incapable of understanding, neither will he respect, any-
thing save the strong arm, and if this be not extended to
him, then we may depend upon it he will give us no credit
for magnanimity, but will attribute to incapacity and fear
what may actually spring from motives of a very opposite
character. It should never be lost sight of for a moment
that in mistaken dealing with the natives may be found all
our difficulties. Wrapt up in our own fancied superiority,
we enter upon schemes which are utterly incongruous to
the habits and train of thought of those with whom we
have to deal. They look amazed at our folly, but at the
same time are not slow in turning to account our weak-
nesses and our blunders. Who does not perceive that
Kreli is at this moment feeling the pulse of the colony t
Who can be unaware of the duplicity of Umhala, or the
strong bias which that crafty old chief has manifested
during the whole of the present war ? We mayshutoudr
eyes to these facts, and fancy that the Kafirs
are as blind
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us in
documents which have come to hand it
theth long run.
From
seems that his Excellency the Governor has entered upon
the rather delicate and difficult task of reducing the war
establishment. This is no doubt unavoidable, as in fact
o
there is no visible enemy with whom t contend. Amongst
other reductions we remark the discontinuance of the
Albany Rangers, and this is due to that bady of gallant
men, that they should not be disbanded without an ex-
pression of that public commendation of which they are
deserving. The long-protracted character of the war,
and the establishment of the mounted police force, have
impaired their utility of late • but Jet it not be forgotten
that the Rangers were the 'first to take the field—to
stand forth in the common defence—and that amidst
peril of no ordinary character, and under circumstances
of the greatest difficulty, they have approved themselves
men of sterling quality, and doing the colony as hard
and gallant service as any corps in the field during the
I present contest. The second in command, Mr. W.