New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-07-23
The KaGir War.

In another column will be found months
later news from the Cape Of Good Hope con-
tanning an account OF the progress OF the kafilr
War. In spite Of the successes claimed by the
British troops. the general tone of the news IS
gloomy and discouTaging. The kaffirs have
become wary enough not to try their strength
with the Government forces IN open field, but
they none the less hold their ground, to the
great detIiment of all the settlers OF the east
ern frontier. They are fierce, hardy and IN
domitable race, Ike the Camanches and Apaches
which this country obtained IN her bargain with
Mexico, and Will most probably cost the British
Government large outlay before they are COM
pletely subdued, or extermlnated
The seat OF war, at present, IS the district be-
tween Algoa and Port Natal, the southeastern
part of the Cape Colony. The Kei River, the
scene of Col Macklnnon's and MAJOR Wlmots
sortes. is the boundary between Caffrarla and
the Colonial provinces. This district. whose
capital is Grahamstown, Is overrun by the kaf-
frs, who in many localities have beenJolned by
the native and subject Hottentots. With the
exception of the Cape, this is the richest and
most fourishine part of the Colony, and was set
tied as far to the North as the upper branches OF
the Great Orange River. Now, however, II pre-
sents a melancholy spectacle OF houses burned.
farms laid waste and all the stock driven of, and
toofrequently, the settlers themselves massacred.
The available force at the disposal OF the Gov
ernor, Sir Harry Smith, is inadequate TO protect
the frontier, and he remains almost inactive at
King Williams Town, waiting the arrival OF re-
Inducements. The movements OF the troops
have thus far been defensive rather than aggres-
slve. though some relief Is expected from an ex-
petition which has left Port Natal TO attack the
Kaffirs in the rear. The boers, or descendants OF
the old Dutch Coonsts, VINO constitute nearly
the entire farming population, are also showing
signs of dsafection, and as they carry many OF
the Hottentot tribes with them. the difficulties
which beset the Colony are alarmlngly increased.
As if there were at this time a conjunction OF
malignant aspects the public sentiment OF the
Colonists is violently excited IN an important po-
ltical question 1t is well known that they
have for some time past earnestly demanded OF
the Home Government Constitutional organl-
cation. When the present Governor was ap-
pointed lie had orders to draw up such an lnstru-
ment, adapted to the wants OF the ColonlSts -
He associated with him in the work several of
the most intelligent and influential CoonlstS,
but disagreement soon occurring both parties
prepared draft Of Constitution. That of the
Colonists was received with great favor by the
people and obtained the sanction of public meet
ngs in nearly all the provinces Both drafts
have been sent to the Home Government for ac-
ceptance, the COlOnists proposing, however, that
the Government should select and combine the
best portions of both
So stand matters al present, IN state OF pain
ful uncertainty. which, we regret to say, there
seems no prospect OF speedily relieving. The
British Government which appeared sngularly
Indifferent to or ignorant of the true condition OF
affairs. in the outset Is now about sending out
new reniorcements, by whose aid the war will
probably be brought TO a close In three or four
months more. Lett act promptly and Justly In
the granting Of a liberal Constitution to the Col
onv, and South Africa may yet attain the power
and Importance which have been predicted for
l,r