these Caffers, as they are called, were the only labourers procurable, and were found in most instances honest and useful; the wages they demanded moderate, and their diet simple; the latter consists of the maize of their own growing. Large quantities of this corn grown by the Caffers, are annually exported to Cape Town. I think, with judicious arrangement, these Caffers may be made most useful, and continue so until more effective labourers are procurable.

It is my opinion, on the whole, that Natal is the place above all others for Emigrants with small capitals, for it requires, at the present time, a large capital to commence any kind of farming in any other part of the Cape colony. Any further information it may be in my power to give, I shall be happy to afford you at a future period. Yours very truly,

To J. S. Christopher, Esq.

JNO. CAMPBELL,

Capt. Mounted Rifles.

[The following is from the highly respected and Rev. Wm. Shaw, head of the Wesleyan missions in South Africa, the latest report I have received, and the last I need present.]

Graham Town, Jan. 9, 1849.

My dear Sir, As you have requested me to state to you my opinion of the colony of Natal, with reference to its adaptation as a field of emigration or otherwise, I feel pleasure in briefly conveying my views to you on this subject. I visited Natal during the middle of last year. I entered the colony from the interior regions of Africa, having crossed the Dragon's Bergen mountains from the northward, and travelled thence to Pietermaritzburg, thence to D'Urban on the coast,-from D'Urban I travelled westward to the extreme boundary of the colony on the Umzimkulu river, on my way through Kaffraria to the Cape colony; by pursuing these routes, I traversed nearly the whole length and breadth of the Natal territory, and had opportunities by my intercourse with Dutch and English colonists, and also with the various classes of natives, of forming my own opinion as to the country.

The greater part of the colony is extremely well adapted for agricultural purposes. The soil is generally rich, the rivers and other streams are exceedingly numerous, and in almost all parts of the country the fall of the streams is so considerable, that irrigation may be carried on at a very small cost of labour, and by this means, in dry seasons, (which do not occur so frequently or to such an extent as in the Cape colony,) the crops never need to fail from want of moisture. Indeed it is not possible to conceive of a better watered country than the territory of Natal.

The coast country appears to be peculiarly well adapted for the growth of the cotton plant, many varieties of which I saw in full bearing, and there is little doubt but that branch of industry, if carried on by a numerous population, and with spirit, would be found to be highly remunerative.

I do not regard the district within fifty miles of the coast as being adapted for depasturing flocks of sheep, or herds of cattle, that portion of the colony is vastly better adapted to agriculture than for gazing; but the upper districts, lying northward of the capital, (Pietermaritzburg,) and up towards the base of the range of mountains which form the northern boundary of the colony, will in many parts be found adapted for grazing purposes, and for the growth of wheat, which is apt, in the coast district, to be attacked with the blight called in this colony "the rust."

The class of people most wanted and most likely to succeed at Natal, are those who have been more or less accustomed to farming pursuits, and are not

afraid of hard work. Of course, a population of mechanics, as masons, carpenters, blacksmiths, and other useful trades, will readily find employment and good wages. All these classes of persons who go to the country with their minds made up to "rough it" for a year or so, will soon find that they have settled themselves in a country where honest industry, under the blessing of God, will ensure to them and their families a comfortable subsistence, and the progress of years would probably place many of this class of persons in a position which they could never have hoped to reach had they remained in England.

If a large portion of working people should emigrate to Natal, there would of course be room for some capitalists, who may profitally invest their money in land, which, with a proper supply of labour, would be found to give ample returns, if the purchases are judiciously made, and the labour profitably directed.

The natives, (Caffers, or rather Zoolus,) living within the colony, are now all regarded as British subjects. They own no allegiance to the king of the Zoolos, and are not on friendly terms with him. It is their interest to keep on good terms with the Colonial government, as their residence within the colony is their principal means of safety. Many of them will work for wages, and they are a race possessing considerable physical energy, and no small capacity of mind. But all native labour is unavoidably capricious, and will be till Christianity shall have spread its influences among them, in consequence of the various motives which, at different times, influence the great mass of heathen and barbarous races of men. Most of the natives, at Natal, by milking their cows, and raising Indian corn, and other sure crops, which the ground yields abundantly with little effort, are placed beyond the influence of the great stimulus of want or hunger, excepting occasionally as an incentive to labour. The settlers who go to Natal should therefore calculate on doing nearly all for themselves. The climate is fine, rather warm, but the country is considered very healthy by the Europeans who have long resided there.

As to means of religious instruction, there are at present, at Pietermaritzburg, a Dutch Church and Wesleyan Chapel, and there will soon be an English Church. There is also a Wesleyan Chapel at D'Urban. A considerable number of missionaries are at present settled among the natives on the locations assigned by the government. The following Wesleyan Missionaries are at present in the colony;-Rev. Messrs. Davis, Holden, and Allison, with a number of native teachers.

The German Missionaries are,-Revd. Mr. Dohne, now Minister of the Dutch Church; the Rev. Mr. Posselt, Minister of the German setsettlement recently formed. The following are American Missionaries:-Rev. Messrs. Grout, (2.) Lindley, Dr. Adams, and several others recently arrived. It is understood that the Rev. Mr. Green, a Clergyman of the English Church, will proceed immediately from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg.

As there is abundance of land within the colony, without interfering with the ample reserves made by the local government for the locations of the natives, I cannot but express a hope that a considerable emigration may take take place, of those who cannot secure their personal and family comforts in England, as I am one of those who believe that, if the government maintain just and equitable arrangements between the European colonists and the Aborigines, the good which will result to all classes will greatly preponderate over evils, which are perhaps unavoidably incident to the early stages of colonization in a country circumstanced as Natal is at present.

Believe me, my dear Sir, your's very truly,
W. SHAW.

J. S. Christopher, Esq.

To complete the series of corroborating evidence respecting Natal, I will adduce several public official documents.

GOVERNMENT REPORT RESPECTING THE LANDS IN NATAL, VILLAGES, &c., &c.

༩་

"Pietermaritzburg, December 29th, 1847.

SIR,- With reference to that part of our instructions, dated 8th December, 1846, which directs us to divide the districts into magistracies, and recommend sites for towns and villages in each, and to which you call our attention in your letter of the 22nd November last,—

We have the honor to submit, for the information of His Honour the Lieutenant-governor, the following magistracies, into which we have thought it most convenient and desirable to divide the District, accompanied by a Sketch-Map, framed by the Surveyor-general, in which each division is marked off and coloured, viz. :

"Our knowledge of that portion of the country to the southward of the River Umkomanzi, is not yet sufficient to warrant us in entering upon its division into magistracies, or recommending sites for towns and villages. We apprehend, however, it will be necessary to divide it into two additional magistracies, making a total of eight divisions or magistracies in the district.

In selecting the boundaries, we have kept in view, as far as possible, the facility of communication between the several portions of each division, and especially with the site proposed for the residence of its magistrate.

We have divided the magistracies without reference to the boundaries of the locations for the natives that have already been or still remain to be proposed, conceiving it will be necessary, for some time to come, to keep the Government of the natives distinct from the general Government of the district, under laws so modified and adapted as will best suit their circumstances and prejudices.

We now proceed to trace the boundaries of the several divisions, and to offer a few observations on the general or peculiar capabilities of each as we describe it, so far as we have been able to ascertain or observe them.

In naming the divisions we have chiefly been guided by the native name of the principal river running through it. We conceive it desirable on many grounds to adhere to this plan, as far as practicable. We have, however, omitted giving any particular names to the sites proposed for townships and villages, there being no native name denoting the several localities.

"I. DIVISION OF D'URBAN.

Bounded, south-east by the Indian Ocean; south-west, by the Umkomanzi River, from the sea to a point upon said river, twenty miles from the mouth; north-west, by a line from said point to the summit of the lesser Noodsberg; north, by the crest of the lesser and greater Noodsberg, and by the dividing`ridge between the rivers Umhlali and Umvoti, and running from the greater Noodsberg to the sea.

"1st.

On Tongati River, above Wagon Drift.

"2nd. On the Umhloti River, above and below Wagon Ford.

3rd. On a stream flowing into the Sterk Spruit, below the farm of that

name.

This division is well adapted to sustain a dense population; it includes the Bay of Natal, and the township of D'Urban, the port of the district. Cotton has been planted in the vicinity of the bay, and yields superior and abundant produce. Sugar-cane and indigo-plants thrive there, as well as elsewhere in the district, and the coffee-tree has lately been introduced and grows well; but what success will attend its cultivation, will require time to show. The soil is rich, and favorable to the growth of barley, oats, &c., as well as beans, and most descriptions of vegetables. (Beans form a valuable article of export to the Mauritius.) It is, throughout, well supplied with water; being in its present state unfit for pasture ground. It appears to us desirable that the land should be laid out in small lots, in order to encourage the settler, as much as possible, to cultivate it. At present only the small Zulu cattle can be kept there, and those not with advantage.

"With the exception of Mangrove, scarcely any timber adapted for building purposes is found in this division: in a few localities valuable waggonwood is obtained.

46

A considerable part of this division is occupied by natives, inhabiting the ground apportioned for them in the Umlazi and Inanda locations, and the majority of white colonists will necessarily be north of the Umgeni River, where a few are already located. It is of great and immediate importance that a bridge should be constructed over this river, separating, as it does, the seat of magistracy and the port, not only from the most populous part of the division, but from the whole of that of the Umvoti.

"The sites above-mentioned are desirable spots for laying out villages, in and around which colonists may establish themselves.

"II. DIVISION OF PIETERMARITZBURG.

Bounded, south-east, by north-west boundary of D'Urban; south-west, by the River Umkomanzi, from the point twenty miles from the mouth above described to its source in the Kahlamba mountains or Draakenberg; north, by dividing ridge between the Impafane or Mooi river, and Umgani, to a point on this ridge above the farm, Middel Hoek;' thence by a line to the lesser Noodsberg.

"1st.

Above the Umgani Waterval, near Alleman's Drift,

"2nd. On the Umlazi river, near Van der Schyff's Farm.

This division includes Pietermaritzburg, the seat of government, and head-quarters of the military.

"It is a good grazing and a superior agricultural division; it is abundantly watered, and capable of irrigation to almost any extent. Vegetation is very