Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- List of abbreviations
- List of sources
- Terminology
- Preface
- Introduction
- PART ONE The incorporation of the Khoesan into the colonial body politic
- Chapter 1 From the earlier history
- Chapter 2 In the aftermath of Ordinance
- Chapter 3 The beginnings of the Kat River Settlement
- Chapter 4 The politics of vagrancy
- Chapter 5 Stoffels in London
- Chapter 6 The Interbellum
- Chapter 7 The War of the Axe
- Chapter 8 The business of life
- Chapter 9 The Kat River Settlement under strain
- Chapter 10 Madolo and his people
- Chapter 11 Freeman and the church
- PART TWO Colonial crisis and the establishment of a new order, 1848–1853
- PART THREE Post-rebellion politics
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
Chapter 2 - In the aftermath of Ordinance
from PART ONE - The incorporation of the Khoesan into the colonial body politic
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 April 2018
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- List of abbreviations
- List of sources
- Terminology
- Preface
- Introduction
- PART ONE The incorporation of the Khoesan into the colonial body politic
- Chapter 1 From the earlier history
- Chapter 2 In the aftermath of Ordinance
- Chapter 3 The beginnings of the Kat River Settlement
- Chapter 4 The politics of vagrancy
- Chapter 5 Stoffels in London
- Chapter 6 The Interbellum
- Chapter 7 The War of the Axe
- Chapter 8 The business of life
- Chapter 9 The Kat River Settlement under strain
- Chapter 10 Madolo and his people
- Chapter 11 Freeman and the church
- PART TWO Colonial crisis and the establishment of a new order, 1848–1853
- PART THREE Post-rebellion politics
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
Document 4: The inhabitants of Bethelsdorp
These two petitions, both dated January 1829, were presented by the inhabitants of Bethelsdorp, the London Missionary Society station on the outskirts of what became Port Elizabeth. They had seized the moment immediately after the promulgation of Ordinance 50 in order to make claims to land. The petitions were presented in Cape Town by Saxe Bannister, a former attorney-general of New South Wales, who was visiting the Eastern Cape during his return from Australia. He was a prominent supporter of the rights of those who in the twentieth century would become known as ‘indigenous peoples’.
The Memorial of divers inhabitants of the district of Uitenhage, sprung principally from the Gona and other Hottentot tribes,
Humbly Sheweth
That Memorialists have long been members of Bethelsdorp and can appeal confidently to their Missionaries and neighbours for testimony of their conduct as mechanics; and in their various pursuits.
That hitherto want of land has checked the natural increase of their cattle, and deprived memorialists of the just reward of industry; nevertheless, under great disadvantages, some of them have acquired waggons, oxen, cows, goats, sheep and other property; and all possess competent skill in husbandry and as mechanics.
That they wish to obtain grants upon certain tracts situated near the sea, between the Bosjesman and Sunday rivers, together with the Gora and lands adjacent in Uitenhage, at about half-way from Bethelsdorp to Theopolis and to settle there.
That they have been informed of applications being recently made for the said lands; but they submit their own claims to be superior to those of any other persons whatever, and especially to the claims of individuals already possessing extensive farms.
That memorialists know the value of instruction for their children, and of suitable means of religious communion for themselves; and trust to obtain the benefit of the provision recommended by His Majesty's Commissioners of Inquiry in that behalf; to which they doubt not they may be able, hereafter, in a reasonable time to contribute.
That it may be right to impose certain conditions upon memorialists, in order to secure these grants to their children.
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- These Oppressions Won't CeaseAn Anthology of the Political Thought of the Cape Khoesan, 1777–1879, pp. 6 - 15Publisher: Wits University PressPrint publication year: 2017