Researches in South Africa; Illustrating the Civil, Moral, and Religious Condition of the Native Tribes: Including Journals of the Author's Travels In

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1828 edition. Excerpt: ...and more particularly against the kraal of Africaner. The affidavit of Peterson contained answers to between forty and fifty questions, which were put to the accuser before a commission of the worshipful court of justice, by Mr. Lind, his Majesty's deputy fiscal. In Peterson's affidavit, the kraal of Africaner is represented as possessing seventy muskets, the missionaries are accused of supplying it with powder and shot, and the greater part of the men having muskets are represented as deserters from the colony. In a letter from the Colonial Office, accompanying the copy of the affidavit transmitted to me, it is stated, that the robberies and murders committed by this kraal were probably effected by the powder and lead which had been furnished by the missionaries. I was informed at the same time, that it was not the intention of government to prosecute the offending parties in this case, and that it was confidently hoped that things would be better conducted in future. These, however, were very heavy charges to sit quietly under, especially as I did not know but the affidavit might have been sent off by that time to the Colonial Office in Downing Street; but fortunately for the relief of my own mind, Mr. Moftat, who had been nearly two years at the kraal of Africaner, was then at Bethelsdorp along with the deputation. Mr. Moffat had never seen Peterson, but he had Vol. II. K gone to Africaner's kraal shortly after Peterson had left it, and he was intimately acquainted with his character and with the circumstances of a criminating nature referred to in the affidavit, which he was prepared to disprove. In my reply to this communication, I stated to the colonial secretary, that Mr. Moffat was with me at the time I received the affidavit of...