We adverted, in our last number, to the unexpected calamity which had
befallen the British possessions to the north-east of the Cape, towards
the end of last year, by a violent irruption of the Caffres. The
measures promptly taken by the governor have, we trust, proved effectual
to the preservation of Graham's Town; but the loss of life and property
in the surrounding district has been very serious. We have been favoured
with a communication, sent from a lady at Graaff Reinet to her mother in
this country, under date of 20th January last, which conveys a striking
picture of the scene; and as many of our readers are interested in that
colony, we avail ourselves of the permission to insert it for their
information.
_Graaff Reinet, January 20, 1835._
My dear Mother,
As I cannot help thinking, that when news from this colony arrives
in England, you will feel some anxiety about our state, I must tell
you that we are plunged into the greatest distress and trouble by
internal war. The Caffres have made an attack on the whole line of
frontier, burning and destroying every thing before them, and
murdering, in the most barbarous manner, the unhappy residents.
They have done incalculable mischief; and should they not soon be
stopped, the destruction of the colony is inevitable.
On the 24th of December, 1834, we were made uneasy by a commando
being called out to assist against the Caffres. But this was soon
followed by the most distressing accounts I ever read. They first
proceeded to murder all the men (and in some cases whole families),
to plunder all the cattle, and burn the dwellings.
On the 26th, news arrived from my dear children in Graham's Town,
viz. A----, my eldest son, and G----, who, with her husband
(Mr. D. Mahoney), were in the utmost anguish, his father and
brother-in-law having been murdered under the following melancholy
circumstances:--Mr. Mahoney, sen., had a fine farm near Graham's
Town. His son-in-law, Mr. Henderson (a truly respectable young
Scotchman, married to Mr. M.'s only daughter), had gone out with
his wife and sweet family to spend the Christmas at the farm, and
were to have been joined by my dear children and Mr. D. Mahoney. On
the Monday preceding Christmas-day, Major O'Reilly advised Mr. M.
sen., rather to bring his family into Graham's Town, as some cattle
had been stolen, and the Caffres appeared in a disturbed state. He
determined to follow this advice, and on Wednesday morning started
for Graham's Town with his wife, their two grandchildren, Mr.
Henderson, and a slave servant, Mr. M. sen. following the waggon
himself on horseback. They had not gone more than a mile, when they
were attacked by about twenty Caffres, who began stabbing poor
Henderson: he had fifty assagais in his body! and the poor father
shared the same fate. The old lady escaped with one child, and the
slave woman with the other; and after wandering about, separately,
thirty-one hours on foot, without food or water, having lost their
way, they at length met at Graham's Town.
This was only the beginning of sorrows; for every day's tidings are
more dreadful. Graham's Town is totally surrounded, and every farm
either destroyed or deserted. The most barbarous murders are
continually committed.
January 2nd. Our tidings are truly appalling. My poor children
cannot come out to us. E---- is now near her confinement. Her dear
little babe, with my son ----, are obliged to sleep in the church,
or in flat-roofed houses near it, as they all concentrate, in order
to be the better protected. All the men are under arms. This
village has been stripped also. The few who remain are formed into
patrols.
The Caffres have extended themselves over the whole line of
frontier from Uitenhage to the Winter Field. Somerset has been also
in the same state of danger. Fort Beaufort, Wiltshire, Caffer's
Drift, Gualana, Bathurst, and Salem, have been left to their mercy,
having remained as long as resistance was of any avail. Those who
are spared have escaped only with life: in short, I can give you no
adequate description of our present distress. The outcry for
provisions is grievous: no supplies can be sent in by the farmers;
they have it not, nor could they send it in if they had. We have
had no market here since December 22. The Bay, I believe, has as
yet escaped. We hear that the governor and troops are on their way
to the frontier. May God grant them success! On Sunday, Jan. 4, all
the places of worship were closed till 9 o'clock at night. In St.
George's church, the galleries being filled with women and
children, and the body with the men (under arms), the minister read
the thirty-seventh of Isaiah, and commented upon the most striking
passages. I assure you my spirits sink within me when I reflect on
the probable consequences. Oh, how much you have to be thankful for
in happy England! Pray for us, that, amidst all the wreck of time
and fortune, our minds may be stayed upon God. Believe me, without
the consolations of religion I should be totally cast down; but
although clouds and darkness are round about us, yet it is the Lord
that reigneth. True, indeed, these dispensations of his providence
are dark and mysterious. Why so many valuable lives are cut off,
and such a dreadful blow is given to our poor countrymen, after
fifteen years' hard labour, we know not. Many of the missionaries
have been in the greatest danger. We have not heard of the murder
of any of them; but all the English who lately traded with the
Caffres have been murdered but one, who came out, and told the fate
of the rest. He states that one who was sitting at breakfast with a
missionary was dragged out and killed before his eyes. They have
told the missionaries they may go if they will: they do not appear
to intend to destroy them.
The cattle they have already captured is beyond all belief. I wish
we could get away as far as Cape Town: I shall never feel at peace
on the frontiers again. My school had been very good, and I fondly
hoped to be a little more comfortable; but we are again reminded
that this is not our rest. The reflection on my last birthday was,
"Hitherto the Lord hath helped me." On the retrospect I have much
to be thankful for, and much cause to be humbled under his mighty
hand. As to _ourselves_, we have not much reason to wish many days
to be added to our lives; but we have still a large family
dependant on our exertions, having yet seven to provide for. At all
events, I trust I shall be resigned to the Lord's will.
Since writing the above, another post has arrived. We have received
news of the arrival of Colonel Smith. The Governor and troops have
embarked for Algea Bay. He has placed us under martial law. Are you
aware what that entails? No lights after 8 o'clock. If any
disregard be paid to orders, or disaffection evinced, you must be
tried by court-martial--flogged--or even shot! Our little village
is as yet unattacked. Our streets are regularly patrolled. No shops
are open but butchers' and bakers'--provisions are dreadfully
dear--no money to be obtained--no courts of law open--no licenses
have been granted this year, so neither beer, nor wine, nor spirits
can be sold--and in the midst of all this distress my dear
husband's health is visibly wasting. If, in addition to all my
other troubles, he is to be removed, I know not how I shall be able
to bear up, as I shall be totally destitute. Oh, that I was near
enough to hear one word of consolation from your lips! I do now
feel bitterly where I am--truly banished.
Farewell, my dearest mother, pray for your afflicted daughter.