diately on the
proclamation of their independence, a slave-hunt was undertaken against
the Bechuanas of Sechele by four hundred Boers, under Mr. Peit Scholz,
and the plan was adopted which had been cherished in their hearts
ever since the emancipation of the Hottentots. Thus, from unfortunate
ignorance of the country he had to govern, an able and sagacious
governor adopted a policy proper and wise had it been in front of our
enemies, but altogether inappropriate for our friends against whom it
has been applied. Such an error could not have been committed by a man
of local knowledge and experience, such as that noble of colonial birth,
Sir Andries Stockenstrom; and such instances of confounding friend and
foe, in the innocent belief of thereby promoting colonial interests,
will probably lead the Cape community, the chief part of which by no
means feels its interest to lie in the degradation of the native tribes,
to assert the right of choosing their own governors. This, with colonial
representation in the Imperial Parliament, in addition to the local
self-government already so liberally conceded, would undoubtedly secure
the perpetual union of the colony to the English crown.

Many hundreds of both Griquas and Bechuanas have become Christians and
partially civilized through the teaching of English missionaries. My
first impressions of the progress made were that the accounts of the
effects of the Gospel among them had been too highly colored. I expected
a higher degree of Christian simplicity and purity than exists either
among them or among ourselves. I was not anxious for a deeper insight
in detecting shams than others, but I expected character, such as
we imagine the primitive disciples had--and was disappointed.* When,
however, I passed on to the true heathen in the countries beyond the
sphere of missionary influence, and could compare the people there with
the Christian natives, I came to the conclusion that, if the question
were examined in the most rigidly severe or scientific way, the change
effected by the missionary movement would be considered unquestionably
great.

* The popular notion, however, of the primitive Church is
perhaps not very accurate. Those societies especially which
consisted of converted Gentiles--men who had been accustomed
to the vices and immoralities of heathenism--were certainly
any thing but pure. In spite of their conversion, some of
them carried the stains and ves