Arrive at Natal—The Bar—Proposed Harbour of Refuge—Wharves
in the St. Lawrence—Railroad at Natal—D’Urban—Port Natal
Harbour—Verulam—Pieter-Maritzburg—Slave Ship off Port Natal—The
Havannah Slavers—Chamber of Commerce—Natal Waggon—“Daft Jemmy.”
After a remarkably fine passage of five days from Simon’s Town, the
“Hermes” anchored off Port Natal on Wednesday, the 1st July, 1857.
In consequence of its having blown fresh from the northward and the
eastward, the Bar was impassable, and we had no communication with the
shore on that day, excepting by telegraph from the ship to the signal
station on the Bluff; by means of which we informed the Natalians that
there was an officer and thirty-three soldiers on board, and requested
the authorities to send off boats to land this small party as soon as the
Bar was practicable.
On Thursday the port boat, built as a life-boat, came alongside, but the
Coxswain of her declined taking any passengers in consequence of the
unsettled state of the Bar.
During Friday and Saturday the Bar was still impassable; and I was
pleased to have a fair opportunity of seeing the outside of it and the
coast-line at a time when the Bar was pronounced to be in a worse state
than it had been in for many years.
The line of coast to the northward of Port Natal lies nearly N.E. and
S.W. Along this coast-line the gulf stream sets about S.W., at a rate of
from one mile and a half to four miles per hour, according as the stream
is retarded or accelerated by the wind.
When the wind is anything to the southward of east, the southern terminus
of the entrance of the harbour, which is a steep bluff, about a mile
in extent, and running to the N.E., in a line nearly with the coast,
effectually shelters the harbour; and the Bar at the entrance, having
from eight to eleven feet of water on it, is passable, and the sea at
such times does not break on the Bar.
As the wind draws more to the southward, it meets with the usual set
of the current, and deflects it to the eastward from the mouth of the
harbour, so that any detritus in solution is not at such times deposited
at the mouth of the harbour.
On the other hand, when the wind is in that quarter of the compass from
north to east, which it frequently is at Natal, the wind increases the
velocity of the current, sometimes to as much as four miles per hour,
and this accelerated current, setting down the coast, is arrested by the
Bluff already referred to. The consequence is, that to the northward of
this Bluff—which is the direct entrance into the harbour—all the detritus
in solution, carried down by the stream, is deposited there; and, as
the current passes along a sandy shore immediately before arriving at
the Bluff, a great deposit of sand is the natural consequence; and the
filling up of the entrance of the harbour of Port Natal would be the
result. This is prevented by the scoure which takes place on the ebbing
of the tide, augmented by the water of the river Umlas, which runs into
Port Natal.
On the northern shore of the entrance of the harbour a pier has been
commenced, extending seawards, and running somewhat parallel with the
opposite shore of the entrance, which is the inner side of the Bluff.
The object of this pier is to confine the channel, by which means it is
hoped to increase the power of the scourage, and, with the assistance of
a steam dredge, to keep the Bar clear; so as to have on it at all times
twelve feet of water, while at high tides it is expected that there will
be twenty-two feet.
At the time of our visit, Mr. Pilkington, the Engineer of the Cape
colony, and Mr. Skeade, R.N., an able marine surveyor, were at Natal,
examining the Bar and Harbour. What the nature of their report has been
I do not know; but with the harbour before me, and the best admiralty
chart, I came to the conclusion that to make Port Natal what it ought to
be, the following plan should be adopted:—
From Fort Farewell, in a line with the pier now building, run out a
breakwater into four fathoms of water to the eastward, until in a line
with the eastern extreme of the Bluff, after which, curve the breakwater
to the southward and eastward, and continue the Bluff, by means of a
similar pier, leaving a sufficient opening for vessels under canvas to
enter in foul weather. This would form a large horse-shoe Harbour of
Refuge outside of the Bar, having at its entrance, which should face the
south-east, from five to six fathoms of water.
Increase the scoure in Port Natal harbour, by leading into it the river
Umgani in addition to the Umlas, and not only would twenty-two feet of
water be found on the Bar, but in the course of time the sand now forming
the Bar would be washed away and the Bar would entirely disappear, and
the Breakwater to the northward would prevent its ever forming again.
The expense of such an undertaking would be considerable; but the loss
and damage sustained by shipping, at present, for want of a harbour, is
more than the interest of a sum which would easily cover that expense;
while the increased revenue from the formation of such a harbour would
soon enable the colony to liquidate any liability incurred for so
desirable an end.
The southern pier, from the bluff, might be built of the bluff itself;
which is stone of a quality durable but not difficult to work. While the
northern pier, forming the breakwater, might be constructed of timber and
stone. How quickly, easily, and permanently such a breakwater might be
formed, may be learned from the wharves running out into the River St.
Lawrence, at Point Levi, opposite to the city of Quebec.
These wharves are built in compartments of hard durable timber. The
timber compartments are floated out, and placed over the spot where
they are intended to be built in, and they have planks secured in them,
forming a rough bottom. The compartment is put in position by loading
it with stones, when it gradually sinks to its proper place; it is then
loaded with more stones, until permanently fixed. Another compartment is
similarly placed, on top of the former, and piers are thus run out into
forty feet of water. All these compartments are firmly secured to each
other by strong logs of timber at the top, the sides, and transversely.
These piers form docks or basins along the bank of the St. Lawrence,
under the shelter of, and attached to which, ships of the largest tonnage
lie in security at all times, in a river with a great rise and fall,
having a current with a considerable velocity. When the ice in Upper
Canada breaks up, and floats down the St. Lawrence, packing up mountain
on mountain of ice, and crumpling up steamers and vessels in the stream
as if they were made of paper, the ships lying under shelter of the piers
described escape all danger. The stream of the St. Lawrence, carrying on
its bosom the materials for forming icebergs, makes no more impression on
these than on the solid rock.
In proposing to build the northern pier of timber and stone combined, the
objects considered have been:—Firstly, economy, which is everything in
great undertakings of this nature, especially when connected with a young
colony. Secondly, expedition, for the rapid development of the resources
of Natal is crushed by the want of a harbour. Thirdly, the timber
required for such an undertaking is to be found on the third terrace of
the colony, at a distance of from forty to sixty miles from the harbour;
while procuring which, roads would have to be made, thereby providing the
greatest internal want of the colony.
The people of D’Urban have already undertaken the construction of a
railway from the pier now forming to D’Urban, a distance of two or more
miles, and the formation of the proposed Breakwater would cause that
railway to be extended along the fertile sugar, coffee, and indigo
producing valleys, to the timber districts.
I have already alluded to Captain Veitch, R.E., F.R.S., the intelligent
engineer to the Board of Admiralty, as the officer who planned the
Harbour of Refuge at Table Bay. Since my return to England, that
gentleman has done me the honour of consulting me relative to Natal
harbour, and the foregoing is the substance of my communication to him.
I have reason to believe that a plan, similar to that proposed by me, is
now under consideration.
Sunday, the 5th of July, the bar being practicable, Mrs. M’Leod, her
maid, who was an old resident at Natal, Captain Gordon, and myself,
landed in the port boat at about two P.M. Being high water, by means of
a small boat we were able to ascend a creek in the harbour, leading to
the house of Mr. Cato, Vice-Consul for America, Sweden, Norway, &c.,
and, after making the acquaintance of Mr. and Mrs. Cato, we proceeded,
on foot, to Weeden’s (late M’Donald’s) Hotel, where we were made very
comfortable during our visit to D’Urban.
There were a number of small vessels in the harbour, and some of a larger
tonnage than I was prepared to meet with; but I was told that the latter
took advantage of the Bar at certain times, about once a fortnight, when
there were 15 feet of water on it.
The Harbour of Port Natal is a vast circular pond (for, from its
security, I can call it nothing else), three miles in depth, and having
a breadth of about one mile and a half. In it there are three islands,
easy of access at low water; and the Harbour could contain, at present,
about thirty vessels, sheltered from every point of the compass. When the
Harbour of Refuge, outside of the Bar, is constructed, it requires no
prophetic powers to foretell the future of this port. The three islands
will form the foundations of large warehouses, holding the imports
and exports of the colony, and of the neighbouring Orange Free State,
which has no other outlet for its commerce. The creeks, running between
these three islands, will form floating-docks; while, on the sides of
this extensive harbour, dry docks for repairing, and building-yards for
constructing, ships, will find their natural locations. Viewing this
harbour with reference to the wants of the country, there is no doubt
that it will become the Liverpool of South-Eastern Africa; but when we
reflect that between Europe and India, by way of the Cape of Good Hope,
there is only one dry dock to repair disabled ships, and that only at
Port Louis, Mauritius, in the region of hurricanes, which all are anxious
to avoid, it may readily be imagined what numbers of ships will be
attracted to Port Natal with its Harbour of Refuge and dry docks. Many
vessels disabled by the hurricane, now obliged to put into Mauritius,
however distant from it they may be, will resort to Natal, where the gulf
stream, setting along South Eastern Africa, will aid them to reach this
haven of safety.
The town of D’Urban is situated on this fine harbour, and is about a mile
distant from the anchorage.
It is of recent construction, well laid out, the streets very wide,
and lined with beautiful trees, which give to it a charmingly healthy
and cheerful appearance. The houses are about 400 in number, built
principally of wood, but giving place to stone edifices. It contains
about 1,200 Europeans, mostly English, who have their Episcopalian Church
and Wesleyan Methodist Chapel.
About twenty miles from Port Natal, Verulam is situated, at present a
small town, but, from its being in the centre of the district where
sugar, arrowroot, and indigo are grown, and from its position on
the right bank of the Umbloti River, it must soon become a place of
importance, although it has sprung into existence since 1850.
The capital of the colony is Pieter-Maritzburg, sometimes already
abbreviated to Maritzburg, and is called after one of the martyred Dutch
farmers who founded the colony, with the early history of which he is
inseparably connected. It is the see of a bishop, the first of whom is
the well-known author of Colenso’s “Ten Weeks in Natal.” It stands on the
second terrace of the colony, is well watered, and built in the Dutch
style. It is the seat of government, and contains about 1,800 Europeans.
On coming from the ship in the port boat, we heard some statements
relative to a suspicious vessel seen off the port some days previous to
our arrival, and which, it appears, must have slipped away just about the
time we were directing our course towards the harbour.
Immediately we reached the shore, we made some inquiries about this
vessel, and learned as follows:—
It appears that, on the Monday previous to our arrival, a vessel
approached Port Natal and anchored far out. This vessel had been seen
for two days from the signal-house on the Bluff, and the day before
she anchored off the harbour, she was at anchor for some hours off the
mouth of the Umlazi River, which is eight miles from Port Natal. She
was believed from her build—long, low, and rakish—to be the “Jessie
Macfarlane,” an iron barque, under English colours, which was expected
about that time from the Cape of Good Hope.
Soon after the stranger anchored, she was boarded by the port boat, and
the captain of her, who spoke English, said that he was in want of water
and refreshments, that he had a cargo of rum, and was bound from Havannah
to Madagascar. The vessel appeared to be very light, and some of the crew
said that she was in ballast. On the Coxswain of the port boat remarking
that the vessel had a large crew, the Captain replied that he had been
fortunate in picking up the crew of a vessel, who had abandoned their
ship when she was sinking.
The crew of the port boat were permitted to ascend her side; and the
pilot who went to her in the port boat had some questions put to him
which made the Natalians acquainted with the voyage upon which the
stranger was bound.
It appears that a boat, with six men in her, had left the vessel on the
previous evening, when off the Umlazi, and the captain of the Slaver was
anxious to know if they would succeed in attaining the object they had
gone in search of, namely, the purchase of a cargo of the natives.
No sooner was this question put to the pilot, than he became greatly
alarmed; the chest lying open on the deck of the stranger immediately
came to his remembrance; glancing round the cabin, he observed it full of
arms, in good condition; and, hurrying on deck, he observed preparations
making for placing guns in the portholes, with which the vessel was
pierced.
The pilot, unfortunately for the cause of humanity, instead of using a
_ruse_ to entrap the man-stealer, thought only of his personal safety,
and therefore stated that there was a British sloop of war in the
Harbour of Natal. This was enough to alarm the Slaver; the port boat was
immediately ordered off; the sails were let fall from the topsails yards,
which had been at the mast head during the whole time that she remained
at anchor; and while the topsails were being sheeted home, the small
warp with which she had brought up was slipped, and, two minutes after
hearing that Natal was a British colony, and that there was a vessel of
war at anchor there, the stranger was off to the northward.
The port boat had hardly arrived in the harbour with the astounding
intelligence that there had been a large slaver at anchor off the
port, endeavouring to obtain some of the natives by purchase, when six
Spaniards made their appearance in D’Urban.
On the morning of the following day, Tuesday, they were examined relative
to the stranger. They denied all knowledge of the vessel being a slaver,
but said that they shipped at Havannah on the 5th of April, the day she
sailed; that they never signed or saw any articles; that they never saw
the hold of the vessel, the hatches having been battened down during the
whole voyage; that the Captain was an American, and the vessel a large
three-masted American clipper; that they were not acquainted with the
name of the Captain, nor that of the owners of the vessel; and that even
the name of the vessel was unknown to them. They declared themselves to
be all Spaniards; that they had been sent on shore with twenty-eight
dollars, to buy provisions; and that, when landing at the mouth of the
Umlazi, their boat was capsized, and with difficulty they reached the
shore. They further stated that, when the Captain saw the boat was
swamped, he approached the surf in another boat, and directed them to
walk round to Natal, and stated that he would call for them there.
The magistrate ordered them rations and lodgings, as shipwrecked seamen,
and directed the Mate to see to their good behaviour, until they could be
forwarded to the Cape.
When the Mate really found that the Slaver had gone, and that there was
no hope of her return, he communicated the fact that the vessel was a
Slaver in ballast, from Havannah, bound to Cape Corrientes for a cargo
of slaves; and having on board 70,000 dollars for the purchase of her
cargo. It appears that the Captain was an American, of the name of John
Ward, and that the vessel’s name was the “Minnetonka.” The Mate, who was
a Spaniard, and the Captain had a quarrel on the passage, and the former
imagined that landing him in the Umlazi was a trick to get rid of him.
By degrees it was learned that twenty-one slavers had been towed out of
the Havannah, in open day, during the space of one month. These vessels
left Cuba openly, with the declared intention of proceeding to Africa for
cargoes of slaves. Fourteen of these vessels were going to make a run
to the West Coast; and the remaining seven, being larger, were going to
the East Coast, to obtain their cargoes in the Mozambique Channel, where
the Emperor of the French had established the Slave Trade, under the
denomination of Free Labour Emigration.
It will hereafter be shown that, by following the motions of this Slave
barque “Minnetonka,” under both American and Spanish colours—for Captain
Ward used both flags whenever it suited his convenience—I discovered the
Slave Trade carried on by the Portuguese authorities in the Province of
Mozambique, from Cape Delgado to Delagoa Bay; and was further enabled
to drag to light, and lay before the world, the whole system of French
free-labour emigration, as carried on by delegated authority;—a system
of so-called emigration, which has caused a renewal of all the horrors
perpetrated by the natives on each other, for the purpose of supplying
that Slave Trade which England has, for more than half a century, been
endeavouring to put an end to by a lavish expenditure of money, and the
continued sacrifice of the most heroic spirits in her peerless Navy.
In confirmation of the statement of the Mate of the “Minnetonka,” that
she was bound for Cape Corrientes, I learned at Natal that four full
cargoes of Africans had been shipped from that locality within the two
last months, while Her Majesty’s Consul for Mozambique was detained at
the Cape of Good Hope; and the Mozambique Channel was left without a
cruiser on the advice of Mr. João de Costa Soares, better known as “John
of the Coast;”—the governor of Inhambane and “John of the Coast’s” aunt
supplying the slaves for those four vessels.
On the morning after landing at D’Urban, a deputation from the Chamber of
Commerce of Natal did me the honour of waiting on me at Weeden’s Hotel,
to lay before me the great difficulties which the Natal merchants had to
encounter in pushing British commerce into Eastern Africa. They stated
that the rates of duty charged by the Portuguese authorities were too
high, and at least fifty per cent. above the tariff established by the
government at Lisbon; that every conceivable difficulty was thrown in the
way of legal traders, and that it was impossible to carry on legitimate
commerce in those parts possessed by the Portuguese; while, on every
other part of the coast, between Cape Delgado and Delagoa Bay, which
did not belong to the Portuguese, they were forbidden to trade with the
natives, under pain of their property being confiscated.
To this I replied:—“That the object of Her Majesty’s government in
appointing a Consul to Mozambique was to establish Legitimate Trade in
those parts, and at the same time to abolish the Slave Trade; and that
it would be my most earnest endeavour to establish commercial relations
on those terms which ought to subsist between the subjects of friendly
sovereigns.”
A member of the deputation next inquired if I could not promote the
supply of Native Labour from Mozambique to Natal, placing this British
Colony on the same terms, as to labour, as the neighbouring French Colony
of Réunion.
To this I replied:—“That if an application of that nature was made to the
Lieutenant-governor of the Colony, no doubt it would receive an immediate
and definite reply.”
Hereupon the deputation withdrew; and Captain Gordon and myself had a
good laugh at the proposal of one member of the deputation to make Her
Majesty’s Consul a Delegate for obtaining free labour from Mozambique.
During the course of that morning I had a visit from Mr. G. V. Duncan,
who had been up to Delagoa Bay, in a small Cutter called the “Herald,” of
Natal, endeavouring to establish commercial relations with the natives on
the south part of that Bay, which is British territory; and he complained
to me of the obstacles thrown in his way by the Portuguese authorities at
Lourenço Marques, situated in that Bay, in preventing him from trading
with persons who were willing to do so; and also of their preventing
him trading with the Zulus in the British territory on the south part
of Delagoa Bay, unless he first paid duties to the custom-house at
Lourenço Marques. To give me some further insight into the conduct of the
authorities at the above-named place, he placed in my hands a copy of the
following letter, which will be again referred to in these pages:—
“DELAGOA BAY AND THE SLAVE TRADE ON THE EAST AFRICAN COAST.
“To the Editor of the _Natal Mercury_.
“SIR,
“During my stay at Lourenço Marques, Delagoa Bay, I usually
visited, after business hours, persons there considered of
high standing; and, being in quest of knowledge that might in
future prove advantageous, I generally introduced such subjects
as would best lead to the information I was most desirous of
gaining.
“Their commercial policy is not to deal in trifles. Specimens
illustrative of natural history, which excite the admiration of
the civilized portion of the world, have with them no charm.
Ivory and Negroes appear to be the only articles of commerce
to which they aspire, and they succeed in obtaining them to an
astonishing extent, at comparatively small cost.
“With regard to ivory, each merchant has several negro hunters,
who kill a number of elephants during the season; besides which
they purchase ivory in barter, on the banks of the Manakusi, or
King George’s River, which river offers great advantages, being
navigable for craft of light draught.
“This river is monopolized by the Portuguese, who will not
allow foreigners to penetrate. In proof, I need but mention
that, having a strong desire to make as many discoveries as I
could, for the advancement of trade and commerce, I intimated
to the authorities my intention of entering the said river,
but was forbidden to do so, with an earnest caution as to the
consequence, which, I was told, would be the seizure of the
cutter and cargo; that, though their jurisdiction did not
extend so far, yet I should expose myself, if I attempted the
passage of the river, both in going in and in coming out.
“But there are, doubtless, other motives than those of monopoly
in the ivory trade, which I will leave your readers to
conjecture from the following information which I gathered as
to the manner in which the abominable practice of slave dealing
is carried on.
“It does not unfrequently happen that irruptions take place
between neighbouring tribes, with a view to the number of
prisoners they may be fortunate in taking, as a means of
obtaining articles of home consumption, such as beads,
blankets, &c., which are obtained in exchange for the
unfortunate captives. Those of the age of eighteen years are
most suitable; all above that age, I was told, are put to
death. The women are distributed among the conquering warriors,
and the young men sold into slavery. Slaves in any number can
thus be procured; the only difficulty traders have to contend
with is to secure them; and, happily, that difficulty does
exist, else, I imagine, it would be beyond human power to
depict the misery which would ensue.
“In spite of all difficulties, however, the trade is carried
on with comparative impunity, and with considerable success.
Agents are established on the East Coast of Africa, by slave
merchants, to purchase slaves of those who obtain them in
barter. Those agents act under instructions, particularly as
to signs, and signals, and places of embarkation; and also
establish relations with those already engaged in the traffic,
from whom and through whom large numbers of negroes are
collected, and chained in small groups, some by the neck, and
others by the hand, and are then marched, at the time, and to
the place appointed, to await the arrival of the vessel that is
to carry them to their destiny.
“A trial was made, not long since, to establish a ‘legitimate’
trade, if in any way it can be called legitimate. Not many
months ago, four or five vessels, carrying the French flag,
called at Killimane, for the purpose of establishing a Free
Emigration.
“Negotiations were entered into between the Governor and the
Agent. The former, it was said, was well ‘palmed,’ and offered
opportunity to all large slaveholders to supply the agent with
a large number of so-called ‘free emigrants.’ The system upon
which it was carried out, I am told, was similar to that which
is practised for procuring coolies, with this difference, that
the Africans were purchased and sold into hopeless bondage.
The truth of this statement can easily be ascertained by
a reference to the Cabinet at Lisbon, under whose notice,
I learned, the affair has been brought. Such an atrocity,
practised almost within call of a British port, is horrible to
contemplate, more especially when there is safe anchorage at
this port for a man-of-war cruiser; besides which, from what I
learn, the south side of Delagoa Bay, having been ceded to the
British Government, can be made available, not only for the
suppression of slavery, but for the advancement of trade and
commerce. It is to all appearance very desirable, and no doubt
very fertile, as considerable traffic is carried on between the
Portuguese and the queen of the island, who is a tributary of
our Zulu neighbour, Panda.
“Direct slavery is not countenanced by the Portuguese
authorities. So far they act in union with their government;
but it is my belief, from information gathered, that they aid
and abet all concerned in it.
“It is well known that the government of Delagoa have taken
negro prisoners, and sold them to persons residing in the town.
Moreover, almost all Moorish sloops, trading between Delagoa
Bay and the Mozambique, are slavers in a modified form. Limited
numbers of slaves are occasionally shipped on board of them,
to and from Mozambique, with passports as passengers, to evade
detection if overhauled by a cruiser.
“Considering, sir, your space valuable, I have much curtailed
this subject. I could, by dwelling lengthily upon it, have
established beyond a doubt the certainty of slave-trading on
this coast; but forbear, hoping that you will pardon me for
having already encroached at great length, and that what I have
said will be sufficient to awaken those whose duty it is to
notice such startling facts; and to endeavour, by all possible
means, to put an end to these appalling outrages upon our
common humanity.—I am, sir, your obedient servant,
“G. W. DUNCAN.
“D’Urban, June, 1857.”
The information obtained at Port Natal, relative to slaving carried on in
the Mozambique Channel, induced Captain Gordon and myself to hasten our
movements, and, by the time the deputation had retired, our party were
ready to return to the harbour.
The tide being out, we proceeded along the margin of the bay in the usual
conveyance employed in this colony. It consisted of a large lumbering
four-wheeled waggon, drawn by eight oxen. In the waggon, chairs were
placed to sit upon; and it was driven by a Zulu Kaffir, who flourished
a long whip, with which at one moment he would tickle the ear of one of
the leaders, and then, in quick succession, distribute his favours on the
remainder of the team in such a way as to drive them furious. This Kaffir
was a good type of his class, his hair being done up in the “married men
style.” On a Kaffir being married, it is usual for the wife to do up the
hair of her lord and master in the following manner:—A ring fitting tight
on the top of the head is provided; sometimes the ring is made of iron,
occasionally of brass, but more generally of some elastic climber. The
hair is drawn up over this ring, and retained in its place by gum from
the mimosa, or any glutinous matter. In the course of time it becomes as
hard as iron, and will resist, not only a severe blow, but the rays of an
African sun, affording a protection against fever and the tomahawk.
Our Kaffir Jehu had a name for every one of his oxen. He appeared to be
particularly down upon “Sir Harry Smith,” while “Sir George Grey” was
a prime favourite. Occasionally the Kaffir would stand up, and after
flourishing his whip in the air, accompanied with, to us, unintelligible
jargon, he would come down with terrific violence on “Aliwal,” and then
make a furious dig with the handle of his whip at “Sobraon,” who was one
of the wheelers. All went pretty well until we came nearly to the end
of the journey, when “Sir George Grey,” who up to this time had been
deservedly, from the way in which he worked, a great favourite, happened
to stumble. Down jumped the Kaffir, and laid into poor “Sir George Grey”
with as much reason and sense of justice as if he had been a Colonial
Minister.
After our party were seated in the port boat, an extraordinary looking
individual, with a profusion of red locks oh his head, making one quite
warm to look at him, presented me with a small note, requesting that “His
Excellency would settle that small account before he left the harbour.”
On opening the note, I found it was a formal document demanding the small
amount of three pounds, five shillings, for the use of the small boat
which had taken us up the creek on the previous day, after getting out
of the port boat. This, of course, I refused to pay, especially as I had
given what I considered a sufficient amount to the two men who had rowed
us up the creek. I found the stranger was called “Daft Jemmy,” and that
he obtained a living in this manner by imposing upon all persons arriving
at Port Natal. I informed him that I had no intention of paying for a
boat twice, and told the port boat to shove off. Nothing daunted, “Daft
Jemmy” hailed the coxswain to “accept any amount which ‘His Excellency’
might think proper to offer, on account, as no doubt he would settle the
balance next time he came to Natal.”
We crossed the bar in safety; reached the “Hermes;” and I closed my
dispatches for England, and wrote to the Admiral and Mr. Frere, urging
them to send all the disposable steam force up the Mozambique Channel
for the purpose of seizing vessels carrying on the slave trade in those
waters. These matters being finished, Captain Gordon started in chase of
the “Minnetonka,” now supposed to be about loading her cargo of slaves.