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THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
RAMBLES
J THEOUGH THE .^liCi-x . .'-^.z.-
OF THE
COLONY OF THE
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE,
1688-1700.
BY
HENDRIK CAREL VOS LEIBBP.AKDT, V.D.M,
Graduate of Utrecht University, Ktcper of the Archives, and Acting
Librarian of the Parliamentary Lilrury.
" Truth is established by scrutiny and deliberation : falsehood
thrives by precipitation and uncertainty." — Tacitcs.
FIRST SERIES.
CAPE TOWN:
J. C. JUTA AND CO.
1887.
All Righti Heservcd.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, Limitbd.
6TAMF0KD STKEET AND CHARIKG CROSS.
TO THE
HONOURABLE JOHN TUDHOPE,
MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY,
COLONIAL SECRETARY OF THE COLONY OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE,
STbis Volume
IS DEDICATED AS A MARK OF THE PERSONAL REGARD
THE AUTHOR.
ly
s
INTRODUCTION.
Many authors have complained that, although their works
are read, the introductions penned by them with so much
pains are generally skipped, and that often the writing of
even a small one is a more difficult task than the treatment
of many portions of the subject to which the volume which
it is intended to introduce, has been devoted. • Be this as
it may, I hope that at least a few of my readers will
peruse this first page. It will explain the reason why I
wrote.
Being Custodian of the Archives of the Colony of the
Cape of Good Hope — a most interesting and valuable
collection of Dutch official papers, covering the period
from the departure from Holland of Commander Johau
van Eiebeeck, in December, 1G51, in order to establish a
factory or refreshment station here, until January, 180G,
when the Cape was taken by England — I considered it
necessary, not only to arrange the documents properly, but
also to draw out their contents in the form of an English
precis, and, at the same time, compile a copious index for
the convenience of reference.
vi Introduction.
In this form many years of Colonial History have
already been completed by me ; and I trust within a very
early period to be able to publish the whole in the same
manner in which the papers of the two first years 1651-53,
have seen the light.
It was, however, suggested to me that, in the mean-
while, a narrative of the most important events of the
period with which I have been busy would not be unac-
ceptable, and, accordingly, I ventured to undertake the task
of writing one ; but having, as it were, to begin in the
middle, and finding it impossible to do justice to my
subject without laying before the reader events which
preceded it, and should be thoroughly known, my story
naturally assumed its present form. Hence I decided to
place it before the public under the name of " Eambles
through the Archives." Should it afi'ord information to
the reader, and likewise a few pleasant moments, my
object will be attained.
J\ly thanks are duo to the Honourable John Tud-
hope, M.L.A., Colonial Secretary, and Ministerial head of
my Department, for the kind interest which he has taken
in my work ; for his words of encouragement ; and for his
indispensable assistance so readily rendered in removing
the most serious difficulties in the way of publication.
I likewise wish to express my sincere thanks to Charles
A. Fairbridge and W. Eawbone, Esquires, both of this
city, for rare volumes kindly lent to me ; to Monsieur^
J. Yan den Bergh, the Venerable Archivist at the Hague,
not only for important extracts from the collection in his
custody, but likewise for his invariable kindness, willing-
Introduction. vii
ness, and readiness to afford me all the information at
his command ; and likewise to his Lordship, the Right
Eeverend Bishop of St. Helena, for valuable extracts from
the St. Helena Records, regarding the Huguenots on that
Island, after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes.
H. C. V. Leibbrandt,
Parliament House, Cape Town.
March, 1886. '
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Introduction. — Form of the Narrative. — Governor Willem Adriaan
van der Stel succeeds his father Simon. — His arrival in the
Colony. — Short account of the origin and constitution of the
Dutch East India Company. — Constantia. — False statements of
Kolbe. — Meaning attached to the word " Cape." — Simon van der
Stel makes a journey of Inspection among the Settlements and
Cattle Stations. — Distribution of New Lauds. — The Church at
Stellenbosch to be enlarged. — Satisfaction of the Chamber of
P )venteen with what he had done. — Colony to be developed as
much as possible. — Agriculture and Viticulture. — Minister for
Stellenboscli. — Instructions drawn ujj by Governor Simon van der
Stel for the guidance of his Son. — Summary of the eftbrts em-
ployed by him to develop the resources of the Colony, plant trees,
and advance the welfare of the Settlers ,. .. Pages 1-17
CHAPTER II.
Events preceding the amval of the Huguenots here. — Louis XIY,
founds the Royal Academy at Paris. — Its objects. — Louis XIV.
sends an expedition to Siam. — Pere Tachard. — Constantine Phaul-
con. — Expedition at the Cape. — Tachard's description of his
reception here. — Hendrik Claudius. — The Lord of ]\Iydiecht and
his botanical collecti(ms. — Pere Tachard's return from Siam. —
Another expedition to that country fitted out in France. — Its
anival at the Cape.— Precautions tnken by Simon van der Stel. —
The drawings of Hendrik Claudius. — The insolence of the
French. — Their secret plottings with some of tlie garrison. —
They thank the Governor for his kindness when they depart. —
Death of Captain Hieronymus Cruse. — Lieutenant Dominique
de Chavonnes succeeds him. — Other appointments. — Character of
the garrison. — Its dangemus position at the Cape. — Agricultural
successes achieved. — IMode of calling the burgiicrs to arms. —
Cavalry indispensable. — Number of armed burghers. — Their hard
life. — Agricultural returns. — Number of Residents. — Return of
the Gaillard and Loire from Siam. — The minerals brought from
that country by Pere Tachard .. .. .. Puges 18-28
Contents.
CHAPTEK III.
Arrival of the Orijlamme from France. — Brings tbe portrait of
Louis XIV. as a present to Simon van der Stel. — Invariable
courtesy of the latter towards all foreigners. — Insolent conduct of
the rnnch at Sea. — Condition of the French troops at Siam. —
European war imminent. — Tlie grand alliance. — William III. in
Ireland. — Dangers to be appreliended from the mixed character of
the garrison. — Affairs at Nagapatnam. — Desertion of a number of
slaves. — Their crimes and recapture. — The very weak state of the
garrison. — Dain Majampa — Conspii-acy between some of the
garrison and the officers and men of the captured ships Normcmde
and Coclie. — Tlie large number of sick in Hospital. — Desertions of
the men of tlie gairisou in foreign vessels. — Friendly relations
with the HottenUit tribes. — Attitude of the Namaquas. — The
Bushmen and iheir jmrpose to massacre the Drakensteiu settlers
[Pages 29-36
CHAPTEK IV.
Admiral Du Quesne, junior. — His relation towards the Huguenots. —
Peculiar [losition of Simon van der Stel in consequence. — The
latter's affection for the fugitives. — What he expected from some
of them. — The iSion. — The Rev. Pierre Simond. — Simon van der
Stel requests Batavia to helj) tlie unfortunates. — The result. —
Tayowan. — Distribution of the Batavia donation among the
fugitives Pages 37-40
CHAPTER V.
The Fugitives' settlements. — Their religious services. — More lands
bought from the Hottentots. — The New boundaries. — The price
of wine rai.'^ed. — Simon van der Stel wishes it to be higher. —
Comnnsbioner H. A. van Reede objects to the low taverns near the
Castle and wishes them demolished. — Simon van der Stel's
method for making good wine .. .. .. Pages 41-44
CHAPTER VI.
Simon van der Stel's care for the Huguenots. — His anxiety caused by
the aiTival of the French Squadrons in Table Bay. — News of the
War in Europe. — Capture of the Normunde and Cache. — The
result to the Cupe if they had not been captured. — The Du
Quesnes. — Weiss's narrative. — Tlie journal of Admii-al Du
Quesne, junior. — The difficult position in which all at the Cape
were placed when the War broke out. — The awkward position of
Admiral Du Quesne. — Links wanting in thi.s narrative to come to
a correct conclusion. — Admu'al Abraham Du Quesne. — His sons.
Contents. ' xi
— Their residence. — Tlieir efforts on behalf of the Huguenots. —
The Piedmontese or Yaudois. — St. Helena. — Capthin Poirier.— The
advantages secured to the fugitives at the Cape. — Tlie injudicious
conduct of Kev. Pierre Simoud. — His quarrels with Jac(iucs de
Savoye. — The possible results on the community, after V\'ar had
broken out between the Netherlands and France. — The real
meaning of the Huguenot petition. — Futile efforts to bring about
a reconciliation between Rev. Simond and Jacques de Savoye. — ■
Eev. Simeud's inconvenient habit of interfering with every-
thing. — The impression caused on Simon van der Stel'e mind in
consequence. — The peace of Ryswyk removes the causes of his
anxiety. — Before tliat he is continually disquieted by news regard-
ing the heavy naval armaments in France. — He locates the
Huguencts as near to each other as possible, and as far as he can
from the Cape. — His reception of the Huguenot deputation. — His
intention to create a line of homesteads and farms from Cape
Town and along the Berg River to Saldanha Bay. — He discovers
Simon's Bay. — The very small number of Huguenots at Stellen-
bosch and Drakenstein. — Tlie Huguenots in Brandenburg and the
Netherlands. — King William III. as their friend. — Their privi-
leges in England. — The fugitives here in no worse position than
those in Europe . . . . . . , . . . Pages 44-57
CHAPTER VII.
Wandering life of some of the fugitives here. — Their illicit cattle-irade
with the natives. — C.tptain Doreas, alias Claas. — The I'laccaten
issued against this traffic. — The reason why. — The "Polish
Nobleman " and others.^ — The illicit traders profe»s to have been
sent out by the Governcjr. — They ill-use the Natives. — Simon van
der Stel represents all these matters to the Directors. — List of
Placcaten on the Subject. — Free cattle baiter with the Hottentots
ordered by the Directors. — All Agricultural and Pastoral pursuits
henceforth to be left in the haiuls of the Burghers. — Strict Plac-
caat to be issued against tliose ill-treating the Hottentots. — The
Company's stations to be gradually dispensed with, and si LI. —
Willem van der Stel submits the same state of affairs to the
Dircctors.^Chars^e In'ought agidnst the illicit dealer Jacobus van
der Heiden in IT'iH by Rev. I'etius van Aken and tlie Drakeii-
fctein Church Council. — Arrival of Coiumissiouer Wouter Yalckc-
nier.— Cancellation uf Placcaat forbidding free cattle trade with
the Natives .. .. .. .. .. .. Pages 58-65
CHAPTER VIII.
Black sheep. — Simon van der Stel describes them. — Selection of
Emigrants not always judiciously made. — No French cadets re-
quired. — Servants of the Company w ith means of their own would
Contents.
be acceptable. — Infirm and old fugitives sent to the Cape. —
Zealand farmers wanted. — Simon van der Stel speaks highly of
Jacques de Savoye. — Crotchety temper of the latter. — The " ficsh-
pots of Egypt" Pages GG-68
CHArTER IX.
Jacqncs de Savoye. — A. Pacts. — Flemish or Walloon Emigrants for the
Cape. — Names given to Congregation suffering persecution. —
Testimonials in favour of Jacques de Savoye. — Their contents. —
Rotterdam Chamber thinks that kind treatment will improve
Savoye's temper. — Ho conducts himself well as an iiuinigrant. —
Short History of the Walloon Cliurch. — Origin of the Name. —
Fictitious names of the dill'erent congregations. — The Walloons
settle in Holland and Zealand. — Their men of learning. — The
relation of the Walloons to the Dutch, and of the Walloon Church
to that of the Dutch Reformed. — Cliaracter of the latter Church
in consequence. — Prosperity of the Walloon Churches. — They are
largely strengthened by the arrival of French fugitives after the
Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. — The Huguenot Medal
[Pages 69-80
CHAPTER X.
The French fugitives in Holland. — Their reception and privileges. —
Their connection with the Walloons as members of the same
Church. — The fugitive ministers. — They receive appointments in
Holland. — Others receive pensions and gratuities. — Their widows
amply provided for. — Female fugitives in general supported from
liberal donations. — Gratitude of the Exiles. — Fugitive divines
who took refuge in the Netherlands — The Doctrinal definitions
of the Walloon Church. — Wale Stuaat .. .. Pages 81-84
CHAPTER XL
*
The Vaudois — Reports of Rykloff van Goens, his son, and the Lord of
Mydreeht. — Decision to colonize Mauritius. — More Emigrants
required for the Cape. — Negoriations opened with the representa-
tives of the Yaudois. — The conditions oifcred tliem by the Com-
pany. — The oath to be taken by them and all other Emigrants. —
No Catholics to be accepted. — Rev. I'ierre Simond appointed
Minister. — The Equijiment and i)assage of the Emigrants. — The
fugitives at Nuremburg. — Steps taken to treat with them. — The
States-general on the sid>ject. — The Elector of Brandenburg. —
Great poverty of the fugitives. — Collections made for them. —
Further arrangements. — The Alkiriaar ready to take them on
board. — They suddenly decline to go .. .. Pages 84-93
Contents. xiii
CHAPTER XII.
Reasons why the Vaudois dechucd to proceed to the Cape. — Narrative
of Heuri Arnaud. — The Valleys of Piedmont. — Victor Ama-
deus II. — His cruel persecutions of the Vaudois. — The reception
of the survivors in different parts of Europe. — Conduct of those of
Bern and Zurich. — The Vaudois compelled to sign a document
promising to go wherever they were ordered. — Departure of 800
to Brandenburg. — Their flight thence. — They refuse to go to
Wurlemburg. — They return to Switzerland. — They unite in a
forest in the Pays de Vaud, return to their valleys and retake
them with the sword. — William and Mary of England. — History
of the Vaudois Church. — The persecutions it suffered. — Sir
Samuel Morlund, Ambassador of Oliver Cromwell at the Court of
Savoy. — His addre,-.s to the Duke. — The lines of Milton. — The
opinion of a Romanist. — Jean Leger. — The bock of Henri
Arnaud Pages 9i-l 03
CHAPTER XIII.
The war of Orleans. — Heavy French armaments for India. — The Cape
to be fortified. — Abraham van Riebeeck. — The plans of the French
in Siam. — Their successes in the Indies. — Their Indian squadron
to be commanded by Admiral Dn Que.sne. — The mifcbief expected
from them at Surat. — The names of the vessels. — Father Tachard
on board. — His instructions to the King of Siam. — The Squadron
to lie off the Cape and capture Dutch Vessels. — The Ziiarte
Leeuw sent out to defend Table Bay. — The instructions given to
Admiral Du Quesne. — Ordered to return home by the Island of
Bourbon Pages 104-108
CHAPTER XIV.
The Marquis Du Quesne and his brother. — Their intention to colonize
Mascurenhas. — Assistance rendered by the Dutch East India
Company. — The Island occupied by the French. — How the
Marquis was to be assisted after leaving the Cape. — Sixteen
vessels fitted out by the Company. — Massacre of tiie French at
Siam. — The Du Qucsnes arc prevented from leaving. — They sell
their largo ship to the Company. — She is renamed the Zicarte
Leeuw, and sent out to the Cape. — The Hiroitdelle. — Adventures
of this vessel, and some of her crew. — Agreement between the
Du Quesnes and tlie Company. — Comjdaiuts of the Officers of tliC
Zwarte Leeuw. — Commander S. van ck^r Stel censured for his
kindness to the French. — The Smlwra Xoi^tra elc log Milaqros. —
Reply of the Commander to the charges against him. — Description
of the great abundance of everything at the Cape. — Commander
xiv Contents.
Van dcr Stel promoted to the rank of Governor. — The English
suspected of liavinjj an eye on some of the neighbouring regions. —
Information imparted by Guillaume de Bauw .. Pages 109-121
CHAPTER XV.
Operations of Admiral Du Qucsne in India. — Is beaten otF by Dutch
and English ships in Madras harbour. — Description of the
battle. — Admiral Du Quesne supposed to have been killed. —
The news contradicted. — He arrives safely in France witli liis six
ships Pages 122-125
CHAPTER XVI.
The despatch of the Rirondelle to Mascarenhas or Eden. — The quarrels
of those on board, with difficulty settled by the Commander Van
der Stel. — Her return to the Cape. — Narrative of her adven-
tures. — Had left some men on the Island Diego Rodrigues. —
Narrative of Athanas Garcl. — The Hirondelle said to have been
taken by the French on her homeward voyage. — Some of her men
arrive at Mauritius in a boat made by tiiemselves at Diego
Rodrigues. — Give oflence and are made prisoners tiiere. — They
are finally sent to Batavia (For the rest of their adventiu'es, see
the narrative of Francois Leguat, one of their number, and
referred to in the Appendix). — Defence of Roelof Deodati the
Commander of Mauritius. — Directors justified in not promiscuously
accepting every one applying for a passage to the Cape, in order
to settle there. — Object of the Van der Stels, to make the Colony
a self-supporting and exporting community. — Some of the Fugi-
tives sent out, too old for work. — The second expedition towards
the Valleys of Piedmont. — Reason of its failure Pages 126-137
CHAPTER XVII.
Results of the " Rambles through the Archives " hitherto. — Summary
of wliat Simon van der Stel did in his time. — Extract from the
Minutes of Commissioner General de Mist .. I'agcs 138-141
CHAPTER XVIII.
Willem Adriaan van der Stel. — Commissioner Daniel Heyns. — False
Bay examined. — Tiie journey tliither of the Commissioner, and
his report. — The wine lease dividid iuti four j)ans and offered
under new conditions. — Amount of revenue derived from I^iijuor
Licences. — Profit of the Comi)any on each Icnguer of wine. — The
smugglers. — The low taverns near the Castle. — The smallness
Contents. xv
of the population compared with the liquor revenue. — The
victuallers depreciate the value of Dutch coin. — Steps taken to
prevent this. — First success of the new form of kase. — Expecta-
tion that a permanent source of revenue had been secured, but
frustrated by the lessees themselves and the smugglers. — The
junior members of the Civil Service. — Provision made for their
proper maintenance. — Eules for their conduct at dinner. — Receive
Wine rations regularly twice a week. — Departure of the Cna-
missioner .. .. .. .. .. •• Pages 142-150
CHAPTER XIX.
Death of Rev. Petrus Hulsenaar.— The old garden of Juhan van
Riebeeck selected as a new graveyard. — No corpses any longer to
be buried in the Castle.— Hulsenaar buried in the centre of the
new plot. — A new churc'.i likewi.se to be built there. — Cemetery
in Somerset Road. — Grave street. — Rev. Kaklen urges upon Com-
missioner Heyns the want of a new churcli. — Council agrees to
assist the Consistory. — First stone laid by Governor W. A. van der
Stel. — The wreck of tlie Huis te Cmyemtein. — The heavy punisli-
ment inflicted on the Ofiicers by the Court of Justice at
Batavia. — The Hospital.^ — Its regulations — Efforts of the Van dor
Stels for its good Government. — Cdmmi.-siouer C.J.Simons. — The
new outlet for the Salt River. — Intention of Simon van der Stel
to let it serve as a place of refuge for sliips. — The idea of A'an
Goens, senior.— Dangerous state of Table Bay until lately. —
Protection of all kinds of Game. — The many plagues at the Cape
destroying the crops. — Willem van der Stel's measure to prevent
a bread famine. — His success. — Distillation of brandy from grain
forljidilen. — Approval of Directors. — Anxiety of the latter to add
to the number of the residents. — The Ship Eidderschap. — Her
misfortunes. — Comelis van der Stel one of her passenger.^. —
Supposed to have been wrecked at Madagascar. — Rumours regard-
ing the survival of Cornells. — Steps taken by his Father and
Brother to obtain tidings of him. — Captain Kidd. — Letter of
W. A. van der Stel to King Cin-Cive. — Narrative of Jan Coin,
Skipper of the Tamhoer. — King Samuel. — How he obtained his
" throne." -—How the slave traders were provided with slaves. —
Little King Welch. — The piiales. — Description of Madagascar. —
Recall of Willem A. van der Stel ends the sad story of his
brother Comelis .. Pages 151-170
CHAPTER XX.
Cape wool very good. — Growth should be encourngrd. — As much to be
sent to Europe as possible.— Higii )>ricc in Holland. — Eflbrts of
Willem van der Stel to collect wool sliccp for breeding purposes. —
Establishes a breeding farm at Vergelegen. — Disinclination of
xvi Contents.
tlic Farmers to take kindly to Merinos. — The reason why. — These
wool shefj) ill tlie end Ijceame a 80i:rec of great trouble to the
Governor. — Wool in Governor van Assenburg's time. — The same
un\villingno.s.s to n ar Merinos. — Wool a large source of revenue. —
Fiscal lilesins. — 'Jardine.ss of the Englisli Company to refund
ailvaiices made to their shijis at tiie Cape — The efforts of the
Mauritius Settlers. — llave excellent customers in the English. —
I'recautions taken by Commander Deodati when an English
Vessel arrives. — He finds him.self outwitted. — The pirates at the
Zicarte liiriir. — Tlie farm Zandvliet. — The Kramnt. — Slieik
Joseph. — His misfortunes, banishment and death. — His family
return to India. — The Cape tiovernment ceaselessly request to be
no longer burdened with the maintenance of Indian Exiles and
Convicts. — Cape Convicts sent to India . . .. Pages 170-179
Appendix — p. 4. The old Stelknbosch Cemetery.
„ pp. 45 and 47. Admiral Du Quesne, junior.
„ p. 135. The IMarquis Du Quesne, and Jean Leguat.
„ p. 49. Monsieur I'oiiier. — St. Helena Records. — Cupc
affairs in 1795.
„ p. 128. C. Frikius. — Life on board an East Indiaman
200 years ago.
Addenda — Germany geographically in 1G80.
„ Old name of Switzerland " eidgenossenschaft," supposed
to be the original of Hurjueiiot.
RAMBLES
THROUGH THE ARCHIVES
OP THE
COLONY OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.
CHAPTEE I.
I HAVE purposed to lay before the reader in plain, nn-
varnished language some of the most remarkable events
embraced within the period of the administration of
Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel, a man hitherto
considered as the embodiment of tyranny, cruel ty, and
oppression, because judged only from the description of
his enemies, and without the light of evidence which
})laces him in a more favourable view, and shows that
" lilack 's not bo black ; — nor white so very white."
But, to do so satisfiictorily, it will likewise bo necessary
to depart somewhat from the usual form, and introduce
into the text copious extracts from the archives, in order
that every statement adduced may at once be confirmed
by indisputable evidence, and the reader have before his
eyes, as clearly as possible, in one unbroken narrative, a
faithful and impartial description of the public career of a
much-abused man.
it must, however, not be understood that I intend t/j
produce a laboured defence on his behalf, or to ])re.sont
him in a saint-like character, without spot or blemisli. I
wish it to appear as that of a man, erriiig like liis fellows —
yea, like the best of them — in many tilings, but at tlie same
time revealing a character wliich wins our admiration, and,
in the midst of its surrounding dilliculties and troubles,
B
Bamhies through the Archives of
stands, according to fact, far removed from the spot whore
tradition and calumny liave placed it.
On the Gth of Se])teml)er, lOltG, tlie Board of Seventeen,