in the towns, and consequently but few of that nation are seen there.
In Cape Town the English are numerous, and are principally of the
military and mercantile classes. Many situations of importance are
filled by the native Dutch, in a manner creditable to themselves and
advantageous to government.
Justice continues to be administered according to the Dutch
law, and causes are pleaded in that language in writing. Trials by
jury, and oral pleading, are as yet unknown in these courts ; although
the introduction of them, together with the English law modified according
to local circumstances, would be no more than a very
natural innovation, in a country now become permanently a British
territory ; and would seem a measure justly due to the habits and
feelings of the British portion of its inhabitants, whose numbers are
now likely to become sufficiently important to claim for them the
privilege of being tried by their own laws.
The Fiscal, being the head of the police and the sitting magistrate,
a great variety of business is daily transacted at his office. The Cape
is also the seat of a Vice-admiralty court. Proclamations, and all
orders and regulations of a civil or financial nature, are issued from
the colonial secretary’s office, and officially made known in the Cape
Town Gazette, published every Saturday.
This paper rarely contains any information, excepting that which
may be derived from proclamations, official notices, and advertisements
of auctions. It might, however, be rendered the vehicle of
valuable knowledge to the colonists ; and it is much to be regretted
that so ready an opportunity should have been hitherto neglected, of
conveying to every part of the country, useful information, in the
way of colonial improvement.
The only money in general circulation, is small printed and
countersigned pieces of paper, bearing value from the trifling
sum of one gchelling, or sixpence currency, upwards to five hundred
rix-dollars each. The only current coin, are English penny-
pieces, which here pass for the value of two pence, and are called
dubbeltjes. Spanish dollars are used in Cape Town, rather as bullion
than as coin; their value varying according to the rate o f exchange.
Accounts are kept in rix-dollars, schellings, and stivers ;
although the value of estates and possessions is often rated in
guilders, three of which make a rix-dollar. Six stivers are equal to
one schelling, and eight schellings to one rix-dollar or four shillings
currency ; but the value of this currency is excessively reduced by
the rate of exchange, which, in 1810, was 33 per cent, in favour of
England; and has, since that time, gradually risen to above 120.
This enormous premium for bills on England, is attributable to the
want of exportable colonial produce; wine being the only staple commodity,
excepting a few hides, some whale-oil, and an inconsiderable
quantity of ivory, ostrich feathers, gum-aloes, argol, and a few other
articles of little weight in the scale of general commerce. The
islands of St. Helena and Mauritius take from the colony constant
and large supplies of live-stock, wine, grain, and various provisions.
The consumption at the Cape, of goods of British manufacture, on
which there is a duty of 3 per cent., is to a considerable amount;
but the high price at which they are sold is the necessary and natural
consequence of the high rate of exchange, nor can it be otherwise,
till the aggregate value of the exports shall approximate, far more
than at present, to that of the imports. The usual mode by which
the merchants effect the sale of their investments, is public auction ;
and in this manner estates also, and property of every description
are sold ; consequently vendues or auctions happen daily, and often
several in a day.
The price of provisions is, comparatively with England, exceedingly
low ; labour, house-rent, and fire-wood, constitute a large proportion
of the expenses of living at Cape Town. Coals are here
unknown, except by small quantities, sometimes landed from the
ships.
The town is plentifully supplied with fish, of which a great
variety are caught in the surrounding sea; fresh-water fish, however,
is so rare, that I do not recollect having seen at table any, except
eels; and these were regarded as a curiosity.
Fruit and vegetables are abundant and cheap; of the former the
most common are oranges, lemons, grapes, melons, apples, pears,