The Sun.
London, England, 1825-11-25 00:00:00

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

Files of Papers from the Cape of Good Hope
to the 211 st September, ‘rere received yesterday,
and amongst the number The South African Com-
mercial Advertiser, which is conducted by Mr.
GREIG, the gentleman so scandalously and ille-
gally treated by the Government at the Cape, and
who came to England to obtain redress during the
'last Session of Parliament. The redress he ob-
i billed was an order for the restitution of his pro-
perty, n hich was not obeyed, and leave of absence
for the Governor, who if he likes it may now re-
turn home. The disobedience of the orders of the
Colonial Department has been productive of much
inconvenience to Mr. GKEIG ; but having par-
tially supplied himself with type, &c. before his
departure, he has been, we are happy to say, en-
abled to re-establish himself with every prospect
of success.

In the meantime the prospect of a new Go-
vernor inspires the colonists with new hopes, and
as a series of splendid balls and entertainments
were going forward at the Government House,
the departure of his Excellency, it was expected,
would take place on board a ship of war ap-
pointed to sail on the 30th.

\Ye find it stated as an opinion in the Commer.
cial Advertiser of the 14th of September, that by
fixing the exchange of the rix-dollar at is. 6d.,
Ministers have arrested the progress of a great
evil, but that indemnity ought to be awarded to
those who are the greatest sufferers by the mea-
sure. An inquiry had been instituted into the
loss of the Mulgrave Castle East I►►diania!l, but
had not terminated. The Coilowing extract from
a private letter supplies an interesting detail of
the state of the colony :

CAPE-TOWN, SEPT. 21.

The contrast betwem the state of the colony now and in De-
cember, 1823, is greatly in its favour. The Commissioners
have not given satisfaction, but their presence has prevented
much of the mischief which such a " family man" as Lord
Charles Somerset was able and willing to inflict on all those
who would not fall down and worship at his shrine. The
" Council" are, at present, only on their probation ; but, if we
may judge by the sanction they are understood to have lately
given to the Governor's disobeying the order of his :Majesty's
Government to restore the property of Mr. Greig, it would ap-
pear that they consent to act the part of mere automatons.—
Our late Colonial Secretary, Colonel Bird, was a man of busi-
ness, and effected much good for the colony; but he decided
too hastily on measures which caused discontent ; and he pre-
maturely tried his strength with Lord Charles Somerset. his
successor, Sir R. Plaskett, had difficult ground to walk upon,
and at first was much disliked : experience, however, has
ahewn that he is disposed to act honestly, as fur as his connexion
with the Governor permits him.

The accounts by the last vessels from England give no reason
to hope that the present system of governing this colony is
nearly at an end; no one here believed for a moment that Mr.
Greig would ever return. The influence of the Governor's fa-
mily, it was supposed, would shelter him even in that most
alarming stretch of power, the seizing and sealing up the presses
of Mr. Greig. The power of the Governor here is such, that
men who regard their wives and connexions are afraid to openly
recognize those who have fallen under his displeasure. An in-
stance occurred in the case of the Rev. Mr. Wright, a worthy
and clever man, who, being incessantly annoyed, was for a long
time at a loss to conceive in what he had given offence, until his
indignation and conscious innocence forced him into an inquiry
as to the cause of such unmerited persecution, when he was in_
sultingly told, by a dependent of the Governor, that " not..
withstanding ".11r. Pringle., Mr. Fairburn, and Mr. Greig, were
obnoxious to the Governor, he ( Wright) had the audacity to
preserve his intimacy with them." You will thus see what a
state we are in. Mr. NVright has actually been driven to reside
among the Caffres beyond the boundaries of the colony, merely
to avoid the annoyances to which he was subjected. After the
foregoing, you will easily conceive the sensation produced
here on the receipt of the English journals, containing the ac-
counts of the proceedings in Parliament respecting our Go-
vernor. Every face was lighted up with joy and satisfaction ;
even the " dependents" could not conceal their feeling.
" Will he avail himself of the leave of absence ?" was the
universal inquiry. " Will he ever come back ?" was inter-
rogated with a significance that seemed to answer itself. I
have not time just now to comment on the proceedings in Par-
liament in regard to this afildr. What could Mr. Horton
mean by the assertion " that the charges against Lord Charles
were the effect of a conspiracy ?" If he mean the conspiracy
of oppressed, and injured, and innocent individuals, against
the overbearing tyranny of a Governor, then a conspiracy does
exist. Lord E. Somerset is reported to have said, that " his
noble relation was anxious to afford the commissionei.s every
facility in the investigation of the charges against him." Yes,
among other facilities, the Governor sent his aid-de-camp,
Mr. Whiteford, to be present at the investigation of the
" chief horse case ;" the consequence of which " facility" was,
that no one could afterwards be found who knew any thing of
the matter. Pr. Bailey gave up the anir, and has gone house

to pursue it.

The Governor's friends count much on his known adroitness.
Certainly he is no common antagonist, and in cunning he is
equal to Machiavel himself, and he will have great advantages
over his accusers, from the distance hence, and want of evi-
dence. I pray Heaven that Lord Charles may not be victo-
rious : if he he, we shall have a " life interest" in his despo-
tism. Wo to the suspected and disaffected" (as he terms those
who do not fall in with every thing he does) ! If he ever re-
turn, may the Almighty step in to our deliverance. These are,
I will venture to assert, the wishes of 9-lOths of the commu-
nity. The Home Government have done much for the colony
lately, and will do more on proper information ; we do not
want a Governor of " good intentions :" this is th. cant of the
day ;we want an active Governor—a man of business, one
who has his character to depend upon, no exibiscsd family in-
fluence, no train of impoverished followers elk enriched at
the expence of the colonists.

The news last received from England has, it should seem,
put Colonel Bird on the alert; he has suddenly taken his pas-
sage in the Espiegle ship of war, and it is supposed that he
will not be idle on his arrival. Certainly no man knows so
much of the delinquencies of the Governor ; and unless his
pension keep him quiet, he will unfold a tale to the confusion
of Lord Charles Somerset.

I send you, by this conveyance, the three numbers of Mr.
Greig's journal, the South 4friran Advertuer, published here
since his arrival. His (Mr. Greig's) business as a printer and
publisher is quite at a stand, but having (contrary to Earl
Bathurst's advice) brought out with him a small quantity of
type, he has been enabled to re-commence his journal. Judg-
ing from present appearances, lie is likely, eventually, to reap
the reward of his independent exertions.