The Sun.
London, England, 1858-09-24 00:00:00

SIR GEORGE GREY'S VISIT. TO THE FREE
STATES.

BEAUFORT (WEST), Auc. 7.
The post which reached this on Tuesday the 27th of
July, having brought intelligence of the probable departure
of the Governor on the Monday morning following, the-in-
habitants immediately set about making preparations for
welcoming him on his arrival, which it was generally ex-
pected would be about Monday the 2d inst. A mounted
messenger was sent off to wait at a place about 30 miles
on the road with instructions to bring the earliest
possible notice of the approach of the Governor. Mr.
Pritchard, Field Commandant of the Burghers of this
division, gave notice to those burghers residing in the
town and within a moderate distance, .requesting them to,
assemble on Monday for the purpose of escorting the Go-
vernor into the town. The Beaufort Royal Rifles received
the necessary orders. and the inhabitants generally evinced
the utmost anxiety to get horses and vehicles in readiness.
Adaddress was. drawn up by a committee on the part of
the inhabitants, and placed for signature. On Monday
morning the Port Elizabeth mail brought a bag of
despatches for the Governor from Cape Town, sent off by
the frontier post from Cape Town, which left on Tuesday,
at half-past 11 o'clock ; also positive information of the
Governor having left on Monday. This is the first instance
of letters having been received from Cape Town via Port
Elizabeth, and the time occupied—viz., from Tuesday
morning until the following Monday at 3p.m., is certainly
very short. On Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning,
by the post via Riversdale and through the Karoo, further
news was received as to the Governor's progress up to
about 50 miles from the town, and all fully expected arid-
were in readiness to receive him on the Tuesday afternoon,
bet towards evening learnt, on the return of some parties
who went a long way on the road, that he would not arrive
before the next day. The Governor'sdespatches, which had
arrived by the several posts, and which they had voluuteered
o take out, were sent en by a messenger, so that he got
them that evening. This tmexpected delay caused some per-
sons from the country-who had beenwaitmg since Saturday
to leave, as they could not remain front home longer. Mr.
Pritchard, however, availed himself of the delay to drill
his Burghers daily, and also liberally entertained them on
':fuesday at Hulme's Hotel.
On Wednesday morning early, the weather, which had
der} fin . a few days previous.vei y favourable, blowing a gale
from N,W„ cleared up, the sun shining brightly, Every•
preparation for a start was now made ; nap were to be
Peen at various points, and the greatest activity and bustle'
were visible. Between 9 and 10 o'clock the Burghers,
together with a large number of the inhabitants, in waggons,
elate, &e„ the Civil Cenunissioner, ex-Civil Commissioner,
and Clerk of the Peace, in a carriage, left the town, and
proceeded for about six miles on the Cape Town road, when
they met the Governor and his aide-de-eamp, Mr. • Rivers,
on horseback in advance of the travelling waggons,. The
Governor dismounted and shook hands in the most friendly
manner, with the officials, Commandant of the Burghers,
ex-members of Parliament, and several others, acknowledg-
lug the salutations on all sides. The Burghers fired a volley,
and after sonic cheering formed on each side of the Go-
vernor, the vehicles all following, and thus proceeded
towards the town. on entering there the Rifles were drawn
,
p near the market, and formed a line in front of the Go-
vernor. The whole proceeded in this order up the principal
street. At the same time a salute of 21 gusts was tired at
the top of the to n.
On aniving opposite the house pre-
pared fer the Governor the Rifles drew up in line, and the
Burghers in two divisions on each side. After the Rifles
lied presented arms, and the Govern_ or had addressed a fe
w
words to the offic,er commanding, he rode run aTdlin-
spected both the Rifles and the Burghers, expressing
him-
self very fevourablV to the commanding officers. A volley
was then fired by the Burghers, after
_which the Governor
disinounted and entered the hotel, together with theetii-__
cials and several of the inhabitants.
At half-past two p.M., his Excellency having signified
that he would• be prepared at that hour, a large number of
the inhabitants waited upon him with the address, which
was read by Mr. Monello as follows :
"To ins EXCELLENCY, Slit GEORGE GREY,