| Company Journal | On 23 June 1655 in the Company Journal, as translated: [Fair.] Arrived beyond all expectations the interpreter Herry, with 50 armed men, strangers, and a lot of 40 fine cows, of which, through him, we obtained 26, after his request to see the Commander. This having been allowed, and having been well treated, he commenced to apologise for leaving in October, 1653, when all the cattle were stolen, stating that the theft had not been committed by him or with his sanction, but by the Cape men (called by us his allies, and at present living under our protection); that the boy had been murdered by the son of the fat old man now the captain of the gang; had left through fear that he would be hanged, as we might think that he was guilty, and to show his innocence and good feeling he had now returned with these real Saldanhars and their cattle to sell them to us, with the promise that he would obtain for us from them and from others as many animals as we wished; only wished to be forgiven and favourably received. Granted provisionally, and 25 lbs wire, copper plate, tobacco, wine, pipes, a bag of rice, bread, &c., given him to make merry with his comrades. Quite at ease, he told us that he would show us our own cattle among those of the Caepmans, though they had eaten a good many, but if we wished to have service from the Saldanhars we were to destroy the Caepmans (called by us his allies, our cattle thieves, who would never sell us any), for where they were the others dared not come, being such rogues that what they have is stolen, which is self-evident, as they never wished to trade, &c. Proposed to execute the plan to-night, himself and other Saldanhars to remain in the fort as hostages. The Caepmans had no sentries at night their cattle were coupled together 2 and 2, and hence easily obtainable; also the men and their families, who should be sent over sea, so that the Saldanhars would not only be obliged, but would bring as much cattle as we wanted. Afraid in that case that we would sooner run out of copper than they of cattle. As long as these Cape men were here the others would not come, as the former had also spread the report that we intended to kill him and the Saldanhars. To test this, and well knowing our good disposition, he had come with these Saldanhars, assuring us that the others would be well pleased, &c. Assured him of our forgiveness and protection, allowing him as before to eat at the Commander's table, &c. Did not reveal any inclination to adopt his proposal to seize the persons and property of the Cape men, though we saw our cattle among them; had no intention of doing anybody any harm, though they annoyed us daily very much, but were willing to buy what we wanted on friendly terms. He answered that we would not be able to do any business with anybody unless they went, as they were only robbers, and no traders. Urged us to take steps tonight. Did not show him our minds, but gathered that he was not quite wrong, his statements agreeing very much with our suspicions, as we have observed that the rogues were very much annoying those who had come with Herry in order to trade with us, and with great importunity begged tobacco and copper from them plausibly as brokerage, and if we showed signs of dissatisfaction they gave us to understand that they had invited that nation and Herry who would otherwise not have come, though we knew the contrary, as they had for a long time not been away from their camp or past the fort; upon which Herry being alone with us, told us again that as long as these Cape men were about us the natives would not come; nor did he dare to oppose them openly, as they would kill him, so that often he had to dissimulate, as he had done generally before this. And when the Saldanhars objected to this imposition of brokerage they were robbed right and left, which made them dissatisfied and afraid. At night Adriaan van Paver arrived with the canoe from Robben Island; had yesterday seen a ship which had passed on. Two sheep had died on the island, but five lambs were born; total now 98.2 |
