The Sun.
London, England, 1858-10-29 00:00:00

THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

We take the following. from the monthly sum-
mary of the Cape Town Mail :
" The first question on the arrival of the Cape September
mail in England will be, What has been done for India ?'
From the first intelligence of the Indian troubles the Gover-
nor and people of the Cape have exerted themselves to the
utmost of their ability for her Majesty's service in the
East. Every sailor that could be spared in the critica
circumstances of the colony was forwarded without delay,
specie was transmitted from the Treasury, and liberal
contributions were raised for the relief of the sufferers.
For the artillery and cavalry also a large supply of
horses fit for immediate service was readily obtained at
the Cape. As affairs became more tranquil en the fron-
tier fresh draughts were made from the forces, and at
this moment the 31st
_Regiment, the remainder of the 2d
Queen's, the 60th Rifles, with artillery, and 1,400 or 1,500
volunteers from the German Legion in British Caffraria,
are embarking or preparing to embark for Bombay. The
news of the sepoy revolt reached the Cape at the time
when Caffraria was passing through an unprecedented re-
volution. The whole population was uprooted as it were
and detached from the soil by the impolitic slaughter of
their cattle and the destruction of their crops, and ready
at a word to be precipitated on the colony. Had the mili-
tary force been suddenly reduced at that moment, as it
was in 1849, so far from being able to assist India as we
have done, and are now doing, several additional regiments
would have been required to save the colony from massacre
and devastation. It is now manifest that Sir Geo. Grey's
proceedings in this case have the merit of prudence, fore-
sight, and firmness. The revolt in India was known in
Caffraria, and was proclaimed by the hostile chiefs and
native tribes of the interior, to promote a general combina-
tion against British power. The example of a rebellion in
Africa, and its temporary success, could not have failed to
add fuel to the Indian insurrection. The maintenance of
British authority and the tranquillity thus secured must
have a contrary effect.
" With regard to South Africa itself, Sir George Grey's
general policy and administration continue to operate ben.fs-
ficially for the colonists and the native tribes with whom
we are most intimately connected. British authority has
been finally established supreme in Caffraria, not only with-
out a crime, but in the exercise of undoubted and undeni-
able benevolence. The chiefs have lost the power which.
they so grossly abused, and the people in starving thousands
have been received into the bosom of the colony, supplied
with everything necessary for life, and guarded by just and
equitable laws, which provide suitable employment for
each, and secure to every one of them the due reward
of his industry for any term not exceeding five years. The
number thus admitted and located; not in masses, but dif-
fused, individually or in families, among our industrious
population exceeds 30,000. The effects of civilised habits
On their minds, and especially on the minds of the young,
during that time must be great and permanent,•even should
they return to their own corner of the country afterwards.
They will be free to return when they prefer it, and lands
have been reserved for their location ; but the time is evi-
dently approaching when Caffraria and the colony will be
equally open to natives and colonists, and men of all races
will settle in either according to their inclinations. This
would have appearnd impossible not many years ago, and
could not have been brought. about by force or the wisdom
of man. It is the fruit of events which could neither be
foreseen nor controlled.
" On a strip of land in British Caffraria, along the course
of the Buffalo River between King William's Town and
the port of East London, Sir G. Grey is forming a line of

agricultural farms, to be offered chiefly to colonial farmers
or such as have experience in South African agriculture.
Cultivation is also encouraged everywhere among the
natives, for which large tracts of that country are favour
able. It is by agriculture alone that the barbarous tribes.
of Africa can be civilised, or saved from expulsion or exter-
mination in the neighbourhood of European settlements.,
Shepherd kings have been warriors, aggressors, and con-
querors from the beginning of time, in Europe and Asia,
as well as in Africa. A migration even of civilised herds-
men into the interior of this country is a practical declara-
tion of war. They may wish for peace—we hope they
do—but they seek it where it never yet was found. It
is from agricultural and commercial settlements on the
sea toast and on the banks of rivers, the birth-place
and natural inheritance of industry and the arts,
that civilisation extends its transforming influences
over hunting and pastoral tribes ; and it is there
that such settlements can be established without encroach-
ing violently on grounds of any value to the natives. Such
to a certain extent is the British settlement at Port Natal.

Such we expect to see at more than one point between the
colony and that port, or beyond it, where at present the
coast for miles inward is either vacant, being unfit for pas-
ture as conducted by ignorant natives, or where the natives
would willingly in a short time unite with the agriculturist
and the merchant. Settlements of this sort are always
under the control of British law, being within the reach of
British power. It is far otherwise with settlements in the
interior, as we found to our cost when we assumed the
sovereignty beyond the Orange River, where we were en-
tangled in perpetual broils, in which defeat was disgraceful
and victory without fruit.
" Sir George Grey is still engaged in mediating between
the Free State, a settlement of Europeans, chiefly pastoral,
and the native chief Moshesh. Is peace impossible there ?,
They have just breathed from a fierce war; but, in the
meantime, the forces of the Free State and the Transvaal '
Republic, . another European settlement, have been aveng-
ing injuries upon some tribes beyond them, with consider-
able slaughter and much booty. We say nothing at present
of right or wrong. We speak of the genius of the position,
of the force of circumstances, of natural causes and effects•
It is the old history of Abraham and Lot—' Thy herdsmen
and my herdsmen cannot agree.' There are, however, some
grounds of hope even in this quarter. Agriculture has made
considerable progress, not only in the Free State, but in three
conterminous native States—Griqua Town, Philippolist
and among the Basutas, or Moshesh's people. Christianity
is professed by many, and Christian missionaries are gene-
rally respected. There is a good deal of industry, trades or
division of labour; and shops. They have also gunpowder
and guns, and are fast learning how to use them. U
mutual respect and prudence keep them from blows for II
few years longer, a solid peace may be raised on the founda,
tion.
"In the colony itself we are perfectly peaceful, and in all
things prosperous and progressive. The revenue, notwith-
standing some reduction of imposts, is increasing constantly/
and will considerably exceed the estimated expenditure/
though that will, or should be, unusually large, on account
of the numerous public works authorized by last Parlia-
ment. These were roads, bridges, goals, and hospitals,some
of which are in hand, and all in a fair way. The contract
for the first railway, 50 miles In length, from Cape Town to
Wellington, has also been completed ; and preparations are
in progress for commencing the great breakwater or har-
bour in Table Bay; not so great a work as Cherbourg, but
not inferior to Plymouth barrier against the waves of
deep and stormy sea.

‘;•Of immigrants, we have now received 1,749 ; and so far,
the colonists appear well satisfied with the selection made
by the agents. Most of them have found suitable employ'
ment in various parts of the country.
" Her Majesty's steamer Megwra left Table Bay on Sa-
turday last, the 18th inst., for East London, where she will
embark the left wing of the 60th Rifles, and then leave for
Bombay. She has embarked from, Cape Town about 30
invalids, who arrived here some time agy from India, but
have since recovered. They belong to the 6th, 73d, 90th,
32d (Lucknow), and other regiments.
" Her Majesty's steamer Simoom will convey to India
the 31st Regiment, which has only recently arrived in the
colony from England.
" The whole number of reinforcements despatched to
the seat of war by these steamers is close upon 3,000 men.
The removal of these troops will leave an exposed frontier,
which 12 months ago was garrisoned by about 10,000
men,' with only a portion of the 45th, the 85th, the Cape
Mounted Rifles, and the remnant of the German Legion.
These are distributed in numerous distant posts, on and
beyond the eastern frontier, and in British Caffraria and
Natal ; leaving in the Western Province only a small de-
taclunent of the Cape Corps (about 40) and three artillery-
men to garrison her Majesty's Castle of Good Hope' any
the adjacent batteries.

" It is satisfactory to record that during the winter, now
over, not a single shipping accident has occurred in Table
Bay.

" Three Cares, charged with the murder of the Rev
Mr. Wilson, English Church minister in British Caffratiao
have been found guilty, and condemned to death.
" The shipping of horses by the East India Comp_allY
remount agents is still carried on, chiefly from Algoa
whence several vessels have lately sailed from BombaY
with about (SOO horses.
" The ship Edward Oliver arrived in Table Bay on the
12th of Seeptember from Liverpool, with 473 immigrants
for this colony, reporting seven births and 15 births during
the voyage.
" On Sunday, the 12th of September, the ship Merchant-
man, having on board a number of troops for India, put
into 'Table Bay to land the officers, crew, and passengers of
the Eastern City, one of the Black Ball line, which had
been burnt at sea on the 23d and 24th of August, in lat. 31
S., long. 32 W., when on her way from Liverpool to Mel-
bourne. The Merchantman fortunately hove in sight it,
time to save all on board, with the exception of one
man, who is supposed to have been suffocated in his
berth. After landing these people here, the Mer-
chantman proceeded on her voyage. A subscription 10-5
been opened and everything done for the relief of the
passengers, most of whom have lost all they possessed:
Under the direction of Government, the Emigration Boara
has called for tenders for a vessel to convey them to their
destination.

" Intelligence has been received here of the loss of Messrs'
Dunbar's ship Rodney, on the 7th of June, on a reed
Torres Straits ; the captain and crew saved. Capt. Bisee"
and lady have arrived at the Cape.
" The Royal mail steamer Celt arrived in Table Bay on
the 14th inst. with the English mails of the 6th ult.—.ius
within her contract time, notwithstanding an accident to
her screw, which compelled her to sail part of the way. ,„
" The only vessels of war now at the Cape are
steamers Hermes and Simoom, the flag-ship Boscaivou being
on a cruise to Mauritius, &c.

A DEAR Kiss.—The Cheltenhitm ;Magistrate:
have fined a young farmer, named Charles , Cdok, £2, 0
costs, for kissing a girl, named Mary'Anit',A.yres, Oil
th
Alstone-road.—Bath Chronicle.