The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-07-24
LETTER FROM SOUTH AFRICA.
PoRr NATAr, Scum AFRICA,
ELLnnLu Do 1871

foRI NATAt, SCUM AFRICA,
F1rualy 20, 1851.
To the Editor fths National Era:
The state Of this Colony, for some five weeks
hack, has been and is still somewhat alarming
Last year, for the first time the Government
levied a tax Of seven shillings sterling on each
native hut, and by this realized a revenue Of
about eight thousand pounds The Ka6rs have
always been accustomed occasionally TO make
presents to their rulers and last year the tax was
paid with considerable alacrity. This year the
same tax was again imposed, and the collection Of
il commenced. The opposition 10 the collection
has been very general, some have fused TO pay,
and others paid while they muttered revenge In
order TO understand bow hard il falls on many,
you should know that polygamy is common, and
that each wife has a separate hut. Bot, besides
the huts Of his wives, almost every man has on
his hands number Of relatives who are too old
or in some other way disabled, so that they can
not take care ofthemselves and each one Of these
has q hut on which the master Of the family must
pay tax Of seven shillings The ordinary wages
Of a Kafr is five shillings per month. Hence you
can easily that the taxes on ten huts which is
not an unusual number owned by one man, will
exceed what 1t is possible for a man to earn by
his labor Besides in order to find labor for which
he can get money, he must, in most instances
leave his family aud 20 a distance Of from IS to
100 miles to the ports This Of itself is enough
to awaken his opposition to a tax which oompels
him TO do il, but this taken with the abuse aud
slsvish treatment he often receives at the hands
Of the white men for whom he labors, is driving
the whole native population to desperation. At
the breaking out Of the WARM Kafrland Of which
| told you ia former letter the whole Southern
part Of this district WAS declared under martial
law, and the whole male population summoned to
take arms and march against their brethren OF
Kahrland This order filled 10 overlooking the
cup of their wrongs. Most positively refused TO
obey; others assembled, and together with the
native police, in whom great confidence has been
repOsed, planned the massacre Of the Government
officers and 10 fall back on this Colony and drive
out their white oppressors The natives south Of
the Umkomazi river secreted their wives, and
children, and cattle, in the bush, and prepared
themselves for self-defence should the Govern
ment attempt to enforce obedience. Dumisa, az
influential chief sent to the adjoining tribes Ia
unite the whole native population against the
Government Of the English. In this state OF
things, the orders to march to Kafrland were
countermanded on the plea that there was no Ion
ger need Of their assistance and the further col
lection of taxes is for the present suspended The
| Government is too weak to execute the orders il
has issued, and there is practical acknOwleds.
: soy.lc-Ofi5 ts6seCsSGy.
III there is an attempt made now to enforce ODE
dience bloodshed must be the result lfnothing
: is done to punish the rebelliOoA n, -l, ~ NIN
probably be quiet for the present but the authori
ty Of the British Government in this Colony il
PROSTATE Already the natives profess to hav,
thrown off allegiance to MIR Shipstone, tn
Diplomatic Agent whom they have heretofore &C
knowledged to be their great chisf, and who hai
been very popular among them.
Country settlers are arriving at Durham, oul
seaport town, driven thither with their families
! from their farms through fear Of the natives
who, they say, are securing the country in armed
bands In most Of the settlements Of whites, bar
ricedes have been erected, and patrols are main
tanned at night
In the mean time our Governor raves and
storms, and threatens the ladies, and issues brave
prOclamatiOns, but does nothing efectual, because
| suppose he has no power
The latest news from the frontier of the Old
Colony is anything but cheering No decisive
blow has yet been struck by Sir Harry Smith.
| He is waiting for reGnforcements while the Ks6rs
are uniting and concentrating. The HottentOts
have risen, expelled their masters from their
farms, taken possession of their property, aud
declared themselves independent Many Of the
farmers have been murdered.
Since commenced this letter, have received
note from Mr. Grout, at Muooti missionary sta
ton, in which he remarks after stating some facts
concerning the insubordination Of the natives IN
this Colony "There is q new AMI strange spirit
getting up among the people and | fear as to
what the end will be certainly the beginning
looks bad" chief near MIR Lindley has lately
put TO death man accused Of witchcraft. The
resident maglstrate has reported him to Mr.. Ship
.tay.., anu he mas sunlmOhed MN 10 Hnswef 80
his conduct but the chief refuses to acknowledge
the authority of our Diplomatic Agent. Tn,
end is not yet II A. w.
True the Kafr may sell his cattle for money TO pay hi
tax but You touch these you have taken his goods whs
has he left