LORD GLENELG ORDERS THE ABANDONMENT OF THE PROVINCE OF QUEEN
ADELAIDE, AND APPOINTS CAPTAIN STOCKENSTROM TO SUCCEED
HARRY SMITH ON THE FRONTIER—GRIEF OF THE KAFIRS AT THE
CHANGE—JOURNEY OF HARRY SMITH AND HIS WIFE TO CAPE TOWN—HE
IS EXONERATED BY LORD GLENELG, AND RECEIVES TESTIMONIALS
FOR HIS SERVICES TO THE COLONY—LEAVES CAPE TOWN JUNE, 1840,
ON BEING APPOINTED ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE QUEEN’S ARMY IN
INDIA.
In the midst, however, of all I had effected, and all my visions of
what I could effect, the most crooked policy ever invented by the most
wicked Machiavellians blasted all my hopes for the benefit of the
100,000 barbarians committed to my rule, and the bright prospect of
peace and tranquillity for the Colony (for the frontier inhabitants
began to be in a state of security which was security indeed).
The Minister for the Colonies, Lord Glenelg, an excellent, worthy, and
able man, but led by a vile party, under the cloak of sanctity and
philanthropy, directed the Province of Queen Adelaide to be restored
to barbarism, the allegiance the Kafirs had sworn to to be shaken
off, and the full plenitude of their barbarity re-established. It
is grievous to reflect that any well-disposed individual like Lord
Glenelg, believing he was doing good, and under the influence and
guidance of others, should have thus blasted the bright prospects of
such rapidly progressing civilization.
But so it was. I was removed from the administration of affairs and
my command, and replaced by a man[118] violently obnoxious to Kafirs
and colonists. Owing to the view Lord Glenelg had taken and the _ton_
given, I was upbraided with every act of violence and oppression
the curse of war can impose, and branded as the murderer of Hintza
throughout the newspapers of the world. Every act of the murderous
Kafirs during the war was regarded as a just retaliation for previous
wrong; everything the colonists said or did or suffered, treated with
contempt, and they themselves believed to be the cause of their own
misfortunes. While our country’s treasury and private contributions
were open to the sufferers of the world from the temperate regions
of Portugal to the snows of Poland, the ears of the public were deaf
to the cries of the widows and orphans in the once happy and rapidly
thriving province of Albany, although its settlers had been induced to
come from England and there lay out their capital, were good subjects,
loyal and true, and regularly paid their taxes, and therefore had a
right to expect protection from the Government. All rule and just and
good government was banished under the influence of the philanthropic
party, who, by perversion of facts, evidently desire to lead others
(this Colony certainly) to the devil for God’s sake.
Do not let it be supposed that a man with a conscience so clear as
mine, with a head and heart so bent on exertion for the benefit of
others, tamely submitted to the opprobrium so cruelly, so unjustly
heaped upon him—I, who, while regarded by the world as a monster
stained with innocent blood, who had waged war contrary to the
tolerated rules and precedents of warfare (which is a scourge in its
mildest and most modified shape), was at the moment regarded by those
I was accused of oppressing as their “Father,” “their Great Chief,”
in whom they implicitly confided and believed contrary to the strong
prejudices of previous habit. No, I wrote a letter to the Minister
explanatory of every procedure—I opened his eyes—and I received from
him the atonement contained in the extracts following:—
_Extract from a dispatch of Lord Glenelg to His Excellency Sir B.
D’Urban, dated May 1st, 1837._
“IV.—I perform a duty highly agreeable to me in declaring that Col.
Smith is entitled to the grateful acknowledgments of His Majesty’s
Government, not only for his Military Services, but for his zealous,
humane, and enlightened administration of the Civil Government of the
Province placed under his charge, and of the adjacent district. I am
especially indebted to him for the very valuable suggestions which
he afforded to Lt. Governor Stockenstrom, who, I have no doubt, will
gladly avail himself of advice founded on so much observation and
experience.
“(Signed) Glenelg.”
_Extract from a dispatch of the Right Honourable Lord Glenelg to his
Excellency Major-General George F. Napier, Governor of the Cape of
Good Hope. Dated 13th November, 1837._
“But I cannot close this communication without adverting to the
high gratification with which I have read the testimony contained
in the voluminous papers before me to the conduct of Col. Smith.
That officer’s name is never mentioned but to his honour either by
the Governor or the Lt. Governor; and in the superintendence of the
Province of Adelaide under circumstances of the most trying nature, he
appears to have been distinguished alike by the energy with which he
maintained the public tranquillity, and the kindness of heart which
won for him the affectionate gratitude of all classes of the people.
“(Signed) John Bell,
“_Secretary to Government_.”
But although this palliated his error towards me, it in no manner
re-established me in the eyes of the world at large, and Lord Glenelg
was bound, as a man of honour, to have instigated Majesty to have
conferred upon me some mark of distinction, which should have at
once proclaimed my merit and the injury His Lordship’s misconception
had done me. The Colony and the Horse Guards, however, took a far
different [view] of my merits and services, which I must relate
hereafter.
To return to my children. So soon as the Kafirs heard of this change,
the general exclamation was, “Ah, it is ever thus with the English,
always changing towards us. We were never before so happy; never so
protected; never saw such an improvement amongst us; our chiefs will
eat us up as before.” The chiefs again feared their people. Lamentation
and grief throughout the land were excessive. Hundreds of men and women
were around my house and tent, lamenting and praying me not to abandon
them, and, as far as their knowledge went, invoking the protection of
the Great Spirit, to preserve me and my wife to govern and instruct
them.
I will candidly admit, I grieved too, for although at the outset, as
I took stock of my enthusiasm, I was often led into a belief that
my hopes would prove illusive, the consummation of my most sanguine
desires had now been effected; daily I saw improvement progressing,
not only by rapid strides, but on such a broad and firm path as to
ensure its permanency and induce the conviction that ten years would
have brought the Gospel of Christ and all the blessings of civilization
among the thousands of benighted barbarians around me.
It now became my duty, and one which I trust I executed with every
zeal, to do all I could to render the change palatable to the Kafirs
and to disabuse them of their bad opinion of my successor.
The odium with which they regarded him I believe I much mitigated. To
himself I wrote so soon as he arrived at Grahamstown, laying before
him the exact state of the frontier district, and recommending him to
convoke a general meeting of all the chiefs and their councillors at
King William’s Town, to explain to them the new order of things. I
said that I would call such a meeting for any day he would name, and I
was of opinion that it would have a better effect were I present than
otherwise.
My successor was a sensible man, and at once saw the advantage of the
arrangement I proposed, felt my attention and readiness to assist
him, and named a day. I convoked a meeting accordingly, and desired
Kreili, the great chief, to send a deputation. I had been in the
habit of communicating constantly with Kreili and the more distant
chiefs, Fakoo, Vadana, etc., and sending them all the news, thereby
establishing myself the _Great Chief_. I took the usual precaution to
reinforce my post, for when I told old Ganya that I should leave on
the day following the meeting, he exclaimed, “Then we shall have a
row!” A meeting, similar to the one I had convoked on the 7th January,
was accordingly held, and in a long explanation I delivered over the
government to my successor. Nothing could be more orderly than the
conduct of the people, and the expression of their regret. My successor
then explained to them their new position. Tyalie, always a forward
fellow, spoke to him in the most insolent manner; but I gave him such
a dressing, reminding him his bullocks were fat (meaning that he was
rich) under me, thus, if I only said the word, I could “eat” him “up”
in a moment.
I shall never forget that afternoon; never were my feelings or those of
my wife more excited. Our house and tents were surrounded by hundreds;
every chief and every one of the chiefs’ wives took off some of their
various ornaments and put them upon me and her; some wept aloud, others
lay on the ground groaning; and the man whom I had visited more than
others with the weight of power, Umhala, showed more real feeling then,
and even to this day often sends me messages of friendship and regard;
while Gazela and a fine young chief by name Seyolo, who had defended
the rocks on the heights of the Poorts of the Buffalo, declared life
was no longer worth having. The way the women shed tears around my
wife was piteous to behold. Barbarian emotion when over-excited is
uncontrollable, and nothing could exceed this demonstration.
The next morning I and my wife and staff departed from King William’s
Town, the seat of my labour in war and peace, and although every
demonstration of feeling was suppressed, I now admit my heart was full.
I had laboured day and night, God alone knows how I had laboured, and
to be so unkindly treated by the Minister of my country was galling to
a soldier whose good name is his only hope in the world. ’Tis true, a
rectitude of conscience sustained me which nothing could shake, but
human nature is weak enough to desire others should think well of
you, while inwardly and mentally you exclaim, “God is my Judge.” I was
attended by my successor and by the officers. The soldiers whom I had
given such gigantic marches turned out to cheer and bid me farewell,
while thousands of Kafirs followed me and my wife, yelling as if in
despair.
The parting with my old councillor Ganya and some others, as well as my
Kafir messengers at Fort Willshire, cannot be described. Ganya, poor
old fellow, came to me in a state of abject poverty, although a man of
great influence throughout Kafirland. I enriched him most deservedly,
for his assistance to me was invaluable and his attachment to me
faithful, while the most educated and upright man could never more
zealously feel or desire the welfare of his country and countrymen.
This barbarian was a most extraordinary character. He died a few
months later, as he told me he knew he should, having lost his Father,
his friend and benefactor. My messengers were very peculiar fellows,
too; they were all selected by the chiefs themselves, men, therefore,
of their own interest. In a country where writing is not known, all
communications, treaties, rules, laws, etc., are given _viva voce_ and
by message, and these fellows were brought up from infancy in that
department. Their power of memory is not to be believed. I had one
man from Macomo, by name Mani, a handsome fellow who had been shot
through both thighs in the war. My interpreter would read a long list
of orders, etc., addressed to Macomo of eighteen to twenty paragraphs.
He would then say, “Mani, do you understand all?” He would occasionally
ask for some explanation; then he would go to Macomo, 34 miles off. If
the chief did not detain him, he would be back with me after doing 68
miles in 28 hours, apparently not in the least fatigued, and bring me
an answer or comment on each paragraph in the order written down with
a correctness not to be credited. I declare I have been frequently
thunderstruck.
There is a curious law in Kafirland which shows how human nature in
a state of barbarism provides for its own wants. “The secret and
confidential” of our diplomatic and military correspondence is with
messengers provided for in this manner: it is death for any one
entrusted with a communication to divulge its purport to any one but
the chief of whose tribe he is a member. Thus if Mani was entrusted
with a message from me to Macomo, it was as safe in his company as
possible. If Tyalie had met him and demanded its purport, he would have
died ere he divulged it. All messengers would give me the purport of
their messages from one chief to the other if I demanded, being the
Great Chief. Thus, while secrecy is provided for, the supreme authority
reserves to himself the power of discovering plots and conspiracies.
Poor Mani! I see him now at my feet weeping. I do believe that poor
barbarian would have been cut to pieces limb by limb without a groan
if it would have served me, and many others would have done the same.
To this day I remember with gratitude their attachment. It was like
that of the most faithful dog, with this difference—reason told them we
parted for ever.
Upon nearing Grahamstown, the whole of the inhabitants turned out
to meet me, presented me with an address, begged me to name a day
agreeable to me for a public dinner, and if there was any consolation
to the feelings in the sympathy of those whom I had so served in need,
whose trade I had again so brightly re-established, I had a full
measure of it.
I accepted the dinner as an opportunity of thanking the inhabitants for
their assistance, obedience, and desire to meet my wishes, and telling
them, as they regarded me, to render that obedience and respect to my
successor which loyal subjects were bound to render to any one their
King had placed to rule over them.
We accomplished our journey from Grahamstown to Cape Town, I riding,
my wife again in a waggon. On this occasion, I had bought a very nice
light one, and had it fitted up with swing seats, etc., so that she
travelled in comparative luxury. All Grahamstown turned out to take
leave of me, and I could not fail to remark the difference between my
entrance into the beleaguered town and my quitting it, flourishing in
trade and prosperity.
At every town upon my road down dinners were given me in the Town Hall,
and every Boer, or Dutch farmer, came to see me. I never had to deal
with fellows who were more docile, if you took them in the right way,
viz. by kindness, by interesting yourself in their welfare, and by an
inflexible adherence to “Yes” and “No.”
Our journey down was delightful, through a country full of large and
small game, and many is the gallop I had after ostriches, which require
a fleet and right good-bottomed horse to ride down.
As I approached Cape Town, my many friends came out in shoals to meet
us, and I was received in the metropolis of the Cape by every public
demonstration of affection—ever so gratifying to the soldier who has
worked hard to serve his country—from the noble Governor, Sir Benjamin
D’Urban, to the mendicant.
I may, without any degree of mock modesty, say I worked hard, and
assert that from the period I left Cape Town, the 1st January, 1835,
to 18th October, 1836 (22 months), no man ever rode more miles, made
more night marches or such long ones, or wrote more letters than I did.
My correspondence was immense from the number of posts, and having to
carry on a war over a vast extent of thinly populated country, and in
peace to defend a frontier of 140 miles.
Soon after my arrival at Cape Town, a despatch was received from Lord
Glenelg, which was highly complimentary to me.[119]
A public meeting having been convened under the sanction of the
Government, this communication was made to me:—
“At a meeting of the inhabitants of Cape Town and its vicinity, held
in the Commercial Room on the 18th September, 1837, the Hon^{ble}
Hamilton Ross in the chair, it was resolved—
“That as the zealous, humane, and enlightened administration of
Colonel Smith, during the time he commanded on the frontier, merits
the gratitude and thanks of the colonists at large, the following
gentlemen, as a mark of their esteem, have concluded to invite him to
a public dinner.”
Of course I accepted the compliment, which afforded me a good
opportunity publicly to record my procedure, my gratitude to many
distinguished individuals and to the colony at large, my regret at
the system established among the Kafirs having been abolished, and
my everlasting feelings of respect and veneration for the Governor,
Sir Benjamin D’Urban, whose instrument alone I was, and whose support
and approbation of all I did or proposed enabled me to effect all I
had done; and, lastly, though I was far from being a man addicted
to view things darkly, my foreboding, based on a knowledge of every
circumstance on the frontier and the conflicting interests of the
colonists and Kafirs, that chaos would again be re-established.
Unfortunately, my prediction has been but too truly verified. Such was
the disgust of hundreds of valuable members of the Dutch population and
wealthy farmers, they emigrated in masses and seized the country of
the Zoolus, and have been a thorn in the government of the Cape until
lately, when matters have been adjusted and Port Natal added to the
British possessions.
Had my system been persisted in, and the order of things so firmly
planted and rapidly growing into maturity been allowed to continue, not
a Boer would have migrated. I am proud to say I had as much influence
over the Boers as over the Kafirs, and by a kind and persuasive manner
in expostulation, had they meditated such a step, I could at once have
deterred them.
The whole colony being desirous of substantially exhibiting their
gratitude towards me, subscriptions were opened for the purpose of
presenting me with plate in demonstration thereof. Although each
subscription was limited to half a guinea, £500 was very speedily
subscribed.
Upon the articles of plate is this inscription:
“Presented to Colonel Henry George Wakelyn Smith, C.B., by his
numerous friends at the Cape of Good Hope, as a token of their
admiration of his distinguished military and civil services in that
colony and in Kaffraria, 1835-6. Palmam qui meruit ferat!”
The two Hottentot battalions, officers and men, had previously set this
example, and by their 800 men a magnificent candelabra was presented to
me, like the other plate, manufactured by one of the first workmen in
London.
This substantial mark of their consideration bore the inscription:
“Presented to Colonel Harry George Smith, C.B., as a testimonial of
respect for his distinguished military services during the late Kafir
War, and the consummate skill and benevolence subsequently displayed
in the civil administration of the conquered province of Queen
Adelaide, which so eminently contributed to the peace and security of
the colony and the amelioration of the condition of the barbarian thus
brought within the pale of civilization.”
The plate presented by the zealous officers is inscribed:
“Presented by the officers of the Cape of Good Hope Provisional
Infantry to Colonel Henry George Wakelyn Smith, in testimony of their
high sense of the eminent services rendered to the colony by his
skill, gallantry, and unwearied activity in the field against the
Kafirs in the year 1835, and by his subsequent, able, humane, and
zealous exertions for the promoting the civilization of the native
tribes as the best means of establishing with them a secure and
lasting peace.”
Lord Hill being desirous to mark his approbation and that of my
Sovereign for the services above recorded, was kind enough to appoint
me to the responsible, important, and elevated post of Adjutant-General
to H.M.’s Forces in India; and in the very ship which brought
the newspaper gazette of my appointment did I embark for my new
destination, the ship waiting from Saturday until Thursday for me.
[June, 1840.]
Little was the time thus afforded for me to prepare for embarcation,
but a soldier must be ever ready, and my wife’s cheerful exertion soon
prepared everything, although our hearts were full at leaving so many
valuable, dear, and faithful friends and a country in which we had
spent eleven years of happiness and some excitement, and ever received
as much kindness and hospitality as the most sanguine could desire.
So short was the time that my friends in Cape Town who were desirous to
pay me some mark of their respect could do no more than present me on
the morning of my embarcation with the following address:—
“_To_ Col. H. G. Smith, C.B., etc.
“Sir,
“We, the undersigned inhabitants of Cape Town, do ourselves the
pleasure of offering you our sincere congratulations on your recent
appointment to serve in a country which can, better than this Colony,
reward its brave and zealous defenders. But, cordial as our wishes
are for your welfare and advancement, we deeply regret that the very
circumstances which open brighter prospects to you must terminate your
residence amongst us, and deprive this Colony of the services of one,
whose well-known and long-tried courage and abilities have been once
more tested in the performance of most difficult and important duties
within our own observation.
“The few years which have elapsed since the most brilliant of your
services to this Colony were achieved have not dimmed our recollection
of them, and on quitting our shores be assured you leave a name
behind you which will never be forgotten by the present, and will be
made known to, and remembered by, succeeding generations of the Cape
Colonists.
“The suddenness of your departure prevents very many from joining in
this expression of our feelings towards you; but to whatever quarter
of the world your well-earned promotion may lead you, South Africa
will learn with deep interest the history of your future career, and
rejoice in the tidings of your prosperity.
“We have, etc.”
To which I replied—
“Cape Castle, 4th June, 1840.
“Gentlemen,
“I thank you most cordially for your congratulations on the mark of
distinction which Her Majesty has been pleased to confer upon me, by
appointing me Adjutant-General to the Queen’s troops in India.
“On my return from the frontiers, you received me with warm
congratulations—the services of which you were thus pleased, in a
manner so gratifying to me, to express your approbation were of
recent occurrence—but the feelings expressed by you in the address
with which you have this day honoured me, prove that the recollection
and appreciation of a soldier’s services may outlive the excitement
produced at the moment by success, and I pray you to believe that the
recollection of the feelings so warmly and kindly expressed will never
cease to dwell in my memory, and will be matter of exultation to me in
whatever clime or quarter of the globe it may be my lot to serve.
“During a residence of eleven years, I have met with invariable
kindness from all classes in the Colony—I may say, from the community
at large; and although I cannot but feel that an honour of no ordinary
class has been conferred upon me by Her Majesty, yet I say from my
heart that I now quit your shores with deep regret.
“I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
“Your most obedient, humble servant,
“H. G. Smith, Colonel.”
And the Governor of the Cape, Sir George Napier,[120] issued the
following General Order:—
“Headquarters, Cape Town, 1st June, 1840.
“In consequence of the promotion of Colonel Smith to be
Adjutant-General to the Army in India, the Commander-in-Chief takes
this opportunity to express his high approbation of that officer’s
services during his residence in this Colony, and he feels confident
the officers and soldiers of this command will be highly gratified by
so distinguished a mark of Her Majesty’s favour and approbation being
bestowed on an officer of such long and gallant services in nearly
every part of Her Majesty’s Dominions.
“As one of his companions, and as an old Comrade in Arms, the
Major-General offers Colonel Smith his warmest congratulations and
best wishes for his health and happiness.
“The Orders of the Garrison of Cape Town, and of the guards and
sentries, etc., as established by Colonel Smith, C.B., are to be
considered as Standing Orders for this Garrison, and will be strictly
observed accordingly.”
However gratified we were by this distinguished mark of Her Majesty’s
approbation, we left the Cape of Good Hope as if we were leaving for
ever our native land, and in that patriotic expression “My native
land, good night” is comprised all the most feeling heart of man can
participate in.
Ah, Cape of Good Hope, notwithstanding your terrific south-easters in
the summer, your dreadful north-westers in the winter, your burning
sun, your awful sands, I and my wife will ever remember you with an
affection yielding alone to that of the “Land of our Sires!”