ɔast, indeed, I firmly believe that no one ever tried it. 66 The harbor of Natal, owing to the bar, is not safe for a vessel drawing ore than 10 feet of water; but the anchorage in the road is as good, if not etter, (so nautical men tell me,) than that in most of our bays. The port , of course, capable of great improvement. 66 Coal has not yet been found sufficiently near the coast to be available, and much doubt whether it has ever been looked for. That which is brought to ne Pietermaritzburg market, although of good quality, is found on the surce of the ground, about seventy-five miles from the coast." Mr. Chiappini concludes this letter with the following paragraph :— "At the suggestion of our worthy governor-in-chief, Sir Harry Smith, I rew out, about six months ago, as clear a statement as I could in regard to ne capabilities of this settlement, and which statement he did me the honour f forwarding to Earl Grey;† and as Sir Harry Smith's views of Natal are ntirely in unison with my own, I should not be surprised to find that emigraon on an extensive scale will, ere long, set into this beautiful colony, which an boast of as fine a soil and as delightful a climate as any in the world." The preceding letter, written at Natal, seems to have been brought by the riter to Cape Town, for it forms the enclosure of one dated from Cape 'own, the 4th of October, 1848, which originated in the following circumcance:-When the subject of Natal cotton was first broached at the chamer, the president sought out some to test the character of it, and in the early art of the present year, the arrival of a further small supply being commuicated to him, he made a second purchase. On this occasion, Mr. Bazely esired the parties selling to ascertain whether any steps had been taken owards endeavouring to improve the colour of the cotton, and whether such xperiment had been successful; also to what extent we might receive cotton -om that quarter in a few years. The queries seem to have been duly orwarded, and Mr. Chiappini proves to be the gentleman from whom a olution is sought, for he thus replies to them, in his letter of the 4th f October: Having already stated in the enclosed, what I think will satisfy you as to he capabilities of Natal, I can only say, that the supply to be expected from hence in a few years, will be regulated entirely by the current of emigration the right sort thither. "As to any improvement in the colour even having been attempted, I annot speak, but my opinion is, that the cotton indigenous to Natal (of which escription that which we have hitherto shipped is) is naturally of a light ream colour. I, however, enclose a small sample of some from Sea Island * 200 lb. Dutch, equal 213 lb. English. A muid-2-757 bushels. So that if 2-758 shels weigh 213 lb. one bushel will weigh 774 lb. + The statement here mentioned is published in the papers on Natal presented to arliament in 1848, page 216. farms in all parts of the colony, which we should be happy to lease out to respectable emigrants with some little capital, in farms of from 100 to 500 acres, at an annual rental of from 1s. to 3s. 6d. per acre. But what we would prefer would be, that through your influence a company should be formed in Manchester, &c., &c. I trust that the interest attached to the subject of discovering new sources of supply of cotton, will operate as an apology for the large space which this communication will take in your valuable journal. I will only add, that the original documents may be seen at this office by any person who may be desirous of seeing them. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Chamber of Commerce and Manufactures, THOS. BOOTHAM, SECRETARY. EMIGRATION TO NATAL; "Impossible as, from our knowledge of human nature, we know it to be, to find every body of one mind, still, we venture to assert, that there are no two who dissent from our proposition. "That emigration is absolutely necessary; and further, that, in this country, everything is overdone; that, in every department, competition is so great, that remuneration is barely possible, and pauperism much on the increase; that population has progressed far beyond the demand for labour; and that a large portion of all classes might be parted with, to the great benefit of the remainder. Now the only requisite to the accomplishment of so necessary an object, is just what good feeling would dictate; namely, to facilitate to the utmost the operations of those who are emigrating, for whilst serving them, we are benefitting ourselves. It is unnecessary to follow up, in the abstract, the subject of emigration, about the necessity of which all appear to agree; but we will at once proceed, in the second place, to point out the locality most suitable and advantageous to all parties. In a brief statement like the present, it would be quite a work of supererogation to touch upon New South Wales, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States, upon each of which volumes have been written, each holding out inducements, which it is a matter of wonder, that any one of a locomotive disposition could neglect or resist; but in the absence of other information on the subject, I wish to draw attention to Natal, a place I had occasion to visit, some time back, on account of my health; a country, with the beauty of which every one is in raptures, a country suitable, in every particular, for colonization. 66 Situated on the eastern coast of South Africa, about half way between England New South Wales or New Zealand it is protected on the western "The advantages of such a country, where no labour or expense of clearing e ground is required, but where the plough can at once be set to work, is o obvious to require comment. Indigo, of the description usually cultivated India, grows wild. The coffee plant was full of berries; sugar has been oduced, and the native plants are most delicious and refreshing. A fruit out the size and colour of a large Orleans plumb, particularly attracted our ention: it had no stone, but when bitten in half, being about two mouths, a white, cream-like substance exuded, so that it was observed by one of r party, that Nature had not only provided us with a dessert, but also ch cream to eat with it.' Wheat weighs about sixty-five pounds per bushel, in grinding gives out very little bran; all vegetables and seeds that have en hitherto tried, grow well. Oats yield largely; and a most important commendation is, that Natal possesses one of the best markets in the world, xiously looking out for all its surplus produce-grain, cattle, salted fish, k, beans (then were selling at D'Urban at 9s. to 12s. per bushel,) butter, d, &c. &c., all being required for the Island of Mauritius, about three eks' sail from Natal. Tobacco is quite a perfume, (this, by the bye, is a tter of opinion,) and the leaf extremely broad. From the extreme richss of the soil, the cultivator of it works for many years at a great advantage, t being obliged to incur much expense for carting manure upon the land. en for ploughing cost £3 10s. each. No winter store of turnips or ngelworzel is required, in a country covered all the year round with interrupted verdure; the cattle, when released from the yoke are turned out pasture, to take care of themselves until they are again wanted, and so Il do they appear to understand this part of their duty, or so abundant is eir food, that we never saw but one lean ox in the whole of our travels. was before observed, drought is unknown,-that great scourge of the igrant in many countries, where having, by patience and labour, collected ge flocks or herds, and esteeming himself rich, with, perhaps, an intention revisiting his dear fatherland, which he left poor, his dreams are suddenly turbed, the windows of heaven are shut, he sees his flocks daily die off, til there remains to him a mere wreck of his former wealth; he is at once nged back into poverty. All these are matters which should have the ious consideration of the emigrant, before he takes his final leap; and, ongst many reasons why Natal is so desirable to the agriculturist, may be koned this, that drought is quite unknown, the country being covered with ntains and streams like a net work." ATAL THE KEY OF AFRICA.-FREE LABOUR COTTON. The following letters have been copied from "The Friend." They were erted in that journal by Mr. Sturge; and they will be interesting here t now, when Natal and Cotton Cultivation are engrossing so much atten New Kent Road, Eleventh Month, 9th, 1848. ESTEEMED FRIEND,-The following letter, received by me six months ago, I regret not to have earlier offered for the general information of friends, rather (I acknowledge) as matter of interest in connexion with Free-Labour produce in the article of cotton, than any expectation of the part of Africa named being chosen as a place for emigration; which, if ever selected, should be under a sense of duty. The writer resigned his membership in our religious society in a very riendly spirit. Nearly all his nearest relations had previously done so. Thy friend, SAMUEL STURGE. Port Natal, January 28th, 1848. ESTEEMED FRIEND,-So many years having elapsed since you were acquainted with me, you will perhaps have forgotten the request you made when I was about to leave England for Africa, that I should write and give you any information that lay in my power respecting the "Sons of Africa." The object of my now writing, is to give you and the Society of Friends generally, (if you think the information of any value,) some idea of the vast field that Natal presents to Christian benevolence for the improvement of the human race. Natal is, in my humble opinion, a key designed by the great Giver of every blessing for the opening and civilization of the interior of this vast continent; so few parts, on either the east or west coast of Africa, are sufficiently healthy to offer a reward to European enterprize and industry. With regard to Natal, I can speak from experience, having a large family, all of whom enjoy perfect health: it is decidedly more healthy than Cape Town, and although nearer the Tropic, Europeans find no difficulty in following the plough, or other agricultural work. Natal, unlike many, or most parts of the old colony, is well watered. Rivers that are flowing throughout the year intersect the country in every direction; both the hills and valleys are always covered with thick grass. Although the Society of Friends do not send out missionaries, yet, I have thought for some time past that if a small body of them were in this country, forming cotton and indigo plantations, where schools could be established for the instructions of the natives who would be living on the plantations at their own kraals, a system of this kind might be more advantageous, and perhaps, more successful than many or most of the missionary institutions have proved. I have observed, that industry does not appear to be, in general, sufficiently inculcated. If Friends were to come here, they might make it (as it were,) a mercantile speculation. Agriculturists might come with the express object of cultivating the land, and the Friends as a body defray the expense of having schools established, say one to six or eight plantations, so as to be central; a moderate degree of labor, and attending the school, might go hand in hand. Cotton and indigo are particularly well-adapted to the climate; both are indigenous. Of indigo there are many varieties; one or two appear superior to that generally cultivated in India. Mr. Lindley, one of our American missionaries, who was brought up on a cotton plantation, his father being a cotton-planter in America, has often told me that he believes the cotton here to be 50 per cent. more productive than in America, where it is sown every year; here it lasts many years, being a perennial. He has said that he never saw anything like it, and it is his opinion, that Natal is the finest country in the whole world for cotton. If such is the case, could not a death-blow be struck at American slavery? Here we have thousands of blacks willing to work for three or four shillings per month; and these people when guided by proper management work well. There is no question that Natal could supply the greater part of the cotton required; we only want English enterprize; of capital, it wants but little. One reason why this colony offers a more favorable field than many others is, that there would be no interference with the rights of any other tribe. The present natives are nearly all emigrants or refugees from interior tribes; the Aborigines were exterminated some years since, by a Zooloo chief. Fingoes on the frontier of the Cape colony were a remnant that escaped. The The In conclusion, I would remark, that the government are desirous of affording every facility to emigration. A Cotton Company has lately been established in Cape Town with a capital of twenty thousand pounds. government have granted to the company, land for every British emigrant brought into the district of Natal, in the proportion of two shillings per acre; and valuing each emigrant at ten ponnds, that is 100 acres for every emigrant. I do not feel myself competent to do this subject justice, but I have written from a sense of duty, feeling that the Society of Friends would be conferring incalculably more benefit on the sons of Africa, by forming a settlement here, than by anything else they could do. The natives here are an agricultural race, and make good servants. Owing to cotton thriving so remarkably well, a farm two hours' ride from the bay, that was sold for three hundred pounds only a few months ago, and thought then to be a good price, was purchased to-day for fifteen hundred pounds; the purchaser is daily expecting one hundred and sixty German emigrants to put on it. Any information I can furnish will be done with the greatest pleasure. (Signed,) RALPH CLARENCE. The above valuable statements are confirmed in a paper recently printed at Gateshead, under the title of Cotton Cultivation in Natal.-ED. [The following letter from John Bird, Esq., a Government Land Surveyor, at Natal, and Resident Magistrate at Klip River, speaks for itself, and embraces every subject with which the emigrant would desire to be acquainted; may success attend this active, intelligent, and judicious public officer.] Tugela, Natal, 23rd December, 1848. My dear Sir, I fear I have been very dilatory in fufilling my promise to commit to paper the notes on Natal" that you were desirous to have. I must plead in excuse the press of urgent business, which I believe you are aware has lately occupied every instant of my time. Before leaving Pietermaritzburg, I had commenced writing on a scale, which I have since found myself obliged to reduce, for a pamphlet of too great length to invite any general perusal, would not have been what you required. General appointment of Natal.—If you were pleased with the appearance of Natal, during your visit, which occurred at the end of a season of unusual drought, when the trees, except the evergreens, were leafless, and the grass was withered or burnt away, you will easily imagine how beautiful the scenery must be, where every tint of foliage and flowers and the most luxuriant verdure beautify the landscape. The general aspect of the country |