me, and prevented me from receiving the highest "reward I could receive as a subject and an officer; "namely, the King's clearly expressed and entire "approbation both of my administration in general, "and of the manner in which I had conducted the "settlement of the large body of British subjects "who came out to the Colony in 1819.

"I am not without fear that your Lordship may, "in this long interval, have imputed my not ac"knowledging your Lordship's despatch to either

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negligence or to a want of a due sense and grati"tude for so distinguished an honour; but having "taken this opportunity of showing to your Lordship the real cause of my silence, it only re"mains for me to say, that as soon as your Lord

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ship comes to town, I shall, with permission,

pay my respects personally to your Lordship, "and assure you with what entire respect

"I have the honor to be,

"Your Lordship's most obliged
" and obedient Servant,

"R. S. DONKIN."

Some time after this your Lordship came to town, and I took an opportunity of seeing your Under Secretary, Mr. Hay, and of stating to him the objects I had in view, in soliciting an audience of your Lordship, which were two: First, to offer my most grateful and dutiful thanks to my Sovereign for the despatch of which I have been speaking; and secondly, to ask your Lordship to submit to his Majesty my name, with your recommen

dation, that I should receive some mark of his Royal favour for service done and acknowledged under you, and which I had particular reasons for wishing to receive, after all that had occurred at the Cape, and the change which I thought I perceived in your Lordship's disposition towards me, but which I distinctly disclaimed all intention or wish to obtain with the remotest idea of conveying censure or disapprobation towards another.

This was the message left to be conveyed to your Lordship, and when, by Mr. Hay's desire, I called two days after, to know your Lordship's pleasure, I received, instead of admission, a letter from you, which having read, had the effect of convincing me that I was labouring under some mistake, and I retired with feelings to which your Lordship's high station can never have exposed you, and of which you therefore can have no idea, but I can assure you they were by no means of an agreeable nature; and after a deliberation of four months, they have produced this address to your Lordship.

I will confess, my Lord, that there was a third subject on which I did expect, and hope to have had some conversation with your Lordship, but I could not touch on this to Mr. Hay, because the mention of it would be contingent on your Lordship's first introducing it; I mean the real state and history of the Settlers in Albany, the causes of their numerous distresses, and other matters connected with a subject with which I am, or ought to be, intimately acquainted; but the repulse

B

I met with extinguished all expectations of that sort, and I must therefore have recourse to this mode of laying before your Lordship's eyes some truths and some information which I had rather have conveyed in another way, had the opportunity been afforded to me.

Your Lordship will recollect, that when Lord Charles Somerset returned to the Cape, and relieved me in the government, I had occasion to make a Report* to your Lordship of some remarkable circumstances which took place at the time, and to which I allude here, only for the purpose of mentioning that the consequence was, Lord Charles Somerset neither saw me, nor had any communication with me, either relative to the new settlement in Albany, or to the colony at large, the government of which was about to pass from my hands to his. How he could reconcile this to a proper and faithful discharge of his public duty, it is neither my business nor my inclination to inquire; but such was the fact we never met nor exchanged a word together.

He appears to have landed highly dissatisfied about something, and with expressions and feelings very hostile to me: with his satisfaction or dissatisfaction with his hostility, or friendly feeling towards me, I have nothing to do. They were alike indifferent to me then and now; but when he came forth with the formidable and incredible declaration, that, "He would undo all that had

*This Report will be found in the Appendix, marked A.

been done in his absence;" that, "all was wrong;" I began myself to share, on this account, in the alarms of the Colonists, who, as they had been happy for two years under my government, wanted no violent changes; and they heard with terror of the deracinating process which was threatened, and the sensation produced in Albany was beyond description.

When I say that the Colonists had been happy under my government, I say so without fear of contradiction; for in the midst of those menaces and demonstrations, the public functionaries, the merchants, and other inhabitants, had the courage to wait on me when out of office, with two addresses, not only wholly unsolicited, but wholly unlooked for by me, and which I have transcribed for your Lordship's information; and thus your Lordship will see that the first opinion you were pleased to form of me, was in unison with the feelings of all that was most respectable and dignified in the Colony. I shall just remark here in passing, that having intimated to the Secretary of the Colony, my wish that notice should be taken of these honourable testimonials in the Cape Official Gazette, he brought me for answer, that "Lord Charles Somerset would allow of no such thing." They appear, however, now before you, and therefore, in a more important and dignified station; and I cannot help hoping, and indeed almost believing, that your Lordship will read them with satisfaction on my account-for

towards me, personally, your Lordship cannot have the slightest cause of displeasure.

ADDRESS OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE.

"SIR RUFANE DONKIN,-In the name of the Court of Justice, in that of his Majesty's Fiscal, and in that of the President and Members of the Burgher Senate, and other Public Boards and Functionaries here present, I beg to express to your Excellency, as his Majesty's late acting Governor in this Colony, our sense of sincere gratitude for your active and benevolent administration, which, under circumstances of some difficulty, has been productive of concord and tranquillity throughout this Colony.

"The Court of Justice, in particular, in conjunction with his Majesty's Fiscal, and other Officers connected with that part of the public administration of this Colony, have to acknowledge your protection and support in the discharge of their arduous duties; which, added to the tenor of your general conduct amongst us, claims our best wishes for your future welfare and happiness; and, whilst the recollection of your administration will call forth sentiments of respect and esteem from the inhabitants of this Colony, they cherish a confident hope, that you will not cease to be their well-wisher, and that you will warmly join our colonial friends in Great Britain, in promoting our interests at home, whenever, and wherever, an opportunity may offer to do so."

ADDRESS OF MR. T. C. CADOGAN.

"SIR, The Merchants of this his Majesty's Settlement of the Cape of Good Hope, warmly appreciating the high-minded principles of justice, integrity, and active benevolence, that have conspicuously marked, in their humble judgment, your truly meritorious administration of the Government of this Colony, during the period his Majesty was pleased to repose the trust in your hands, as late acting Governor, now respectfully beg leave to wait on you with this sincere homage of their grateful esteem, previously to your approaching departure for England.