Chapter XI: Part 11

“7. When we shall have attained our object and have arrived at the
place of our destination, we trust to see the whole of our
countrymen assembled together, then by the public voice to proceed
to the election and appointment of our chief rulers and the framing
of proper laws, and in general to consider what is useful both for
the country and the people.

“8. The judicial appointments and laws as now established will not
be noticed by us in the slightest degree, but are considered as of
no value.

“9. We trust that every burgher will participate in these
sentiments, in order to be placed in the situation of a free
citizen.

“10. We purpose to establish our settlement on the same principles
of liberty as those adopted by the United States of America,
carrying into effect, as far as practicable, our burgher laws.
Every person agreeing herewith will therefore attach his signature
for the information of those who are still in doubt on the subject.

“P. L. UYS,
J. J. UYS,
J. P. MOOLMAN,
H. J. POTGIETER,
J. LANDMAN,
And 165 others.”

[Sidenote: Action of Pieter Retief.]

At this time Mr. Retief was preparing to send an expedition against Moselekatse, to follow up the blow struck at Mosega in January 1837 by the commandos under Gerrit Maritz and Hendrik Potgieter. The Matabele had provoked hostilities by the robbery and massacre of a hunting party under Fieldcornet Stephanus Petrus Erasmus, of the Kraai river,[103] and of many emigrant families belonging to the party of Potgieter who had imprudently ventured across the Vaal. But this expedition was not carried out, Mr. Retief’s partisans assigning as a reason that they believed the Griquas under Adam Kok and Andries Waterboer would attack the camps while so many of the men were away, but the real cause probably being the dissensions between the emigrants themselves.

In October 1837 Mr. Retief, having found a pass in the Drakensbergen, with some of his followers went down into Natal, and Messrs. Potgieter and Uys determined to carry out the plan of attacking the Matabele again. Uys had no personal interest in the matter, for he had resolved to settle in Natal, but his sympathy with his countrymen led him to assist them against the barbarians who had done them so much injury. On the 19th of this month he concluded an agreement of friendship with Moroko, chief of the principal section of the Barolong at Thaba Ntshu, and immediately afterwards the two commandos set out from the camps on the border of the Caledon and at Winburg. One of the most important campaigns yet entered upon in South Africa between Europeans and Bantu had commenced.

[Sidenote: Historical Sketches.]

An account of this campaign has been given in my _History of South Africa_, and Dr. J. C. Voigt has entered even more fully into the details of the nine days’ struggle on the Marikwa than I did.[104] The result of this expedition was the flight of the whole Matabele tribe to the country north of the Limpopo, the opening of the territory now comprised in the Transvaal Province and the Orange Free State to European settlers, and the relief of the remnants of the Betshuana tribes from the misery in which they had been existing. It would be difficult to exaggerate the importance of the victory on the Marikwa in November 1837 to civilisation and the happiness of both white and black people in South Africa. And yet Pieter Lavras Uys, one of the leaders of the little band of brave men who risked their lives against terrible odds and won it, is well nigh forgotten in the land he served so well.

On the 21st of July 1837 Mr. Retief had written to Sir Benjamin D’Urban a letter of which the following is a translation:

“The undersigned Pieter Retief, as conductor-in-chief of the united
encampments, most humbly sheweth,

“That we as subjects of the British government during our
distressed circumstances submitted our grievances to his Majesty
the King; but as all our endeavours proved fruitless, we have
ultimately found ourselves compelled to quit the land of our birth
in order that we might not become guilty of opposition or rebellion
against our government.

[Sidenote: Letter of Pieter Retief.]

“That this abandonment of our native country has occasioned us
enormous and incalculable losses, but that notwithstanding this we
on our side will not show any enmity towards the British nation.

“That consequently all trade and commerce between us and the
British merchants will on our part be free and uninterrupted, as
with all other nations, with this understanding that we desire to
be considered as a free and independent people.

“That we have learnt with grief that almost all the native tribes
by whom we are now surrounded have been instigated to attack us;
but although we feel ourselves fully able to resist all our
enemies, we would however beg of your Excellency to prevent, as far
as lies in your power, such hostilities, so that we may not be
compelled to spill human blood, which has already been the case
with Moselekatse.

“That we will prove to the world by our conduct that it never has
been our intention unlawfully to molest any nation or people; but
that on the contrary we have no greater satisfaction than in the
general peace and amity of all mankind.

“That, finally, we confidently trust that the British government
will allow us to receive the amount of all the just claims and
demands which we still have within the colony. I have &c.

RIGHT “P. RETIEF.”

This letter seems to have taken a long time to reach the governor. On the 25th of October 1837 he wrote the following note upon it:

“A little time must be suffered to elapse before any answer be sent
to this, and this of necessity, because there are three contending
chiefs: Retief, Maritz (_sic_, it should be Potgieter), and Uys;
and although Retief has now the greatest influence, yet it does not
extend over the whole of the emigrants, nor is there any positive
certainty that it will continue. Before the government condescends
to treat with them at all, it must at least be certain that it
treats with an acknowledged and undivided authority; this matter
must lay by, therefore, for a while, which also may afford time for
an answer to the dispatch of July last, in which the question is
asked of his Majesty’s government ‘What are the relations to be in
future kept between the emigrants and the colonial government?’ And
in the meanwhile the emigrants are moving far out of contact with
the Colony, to the eastward, so that there can arise in the interim
no collision between them and the colonial authorities or
inhabitants.--B. D’URBAN.”

[Sidenote: Historical Sketches.]

Of Pieter Retief’s negotiations with the Zulu chief Dingan, of the removal to Natal of the whole of the party that adhered to him, and of the terrible massacres of the emigrants by the Zulus, nothing needs to be stated here.[105] These events are fully recorded in my _History of South Africa_ and in Mr. G. S. Preller’s _Piet Retief: Lewenskets van die Grote Voortrekker_, (6de druk), a demi octavo volume of one hundred and ninety-four pages, published at Pretoria in 1909.

[Sidenote: Visit of Pieter Uys to Natal.]

It was the intention of Mr. Potgieter to settle on the highlands of the interior and to endeavour to open communication with the outer world if possible through the Portuguese harbour of Delagoa Bay. Mr. Uys, on the other hand, had from the first resolved to make homes for himself and his party in the neighbourhood of Port Natal. But he was not in a hurry to move over the mountains, especially as the pasture around his temporary camp was good, and the cattle, large and small, would be the better of a long rest after their journey from Oliphants Hoek. With a few companions on horseback, however, he rode over to inspect the country again, and on the 15th of December 1837 arrived in the first of the camps under Retief and Maritz on the Bushman’s river in Natal.

There the question of the form and personnel of the government was the topic of discussion again, and it became evident to Mr. Uys that he and his adherents would be in a minority in Natal. He therefore stated that after his party had arrived and settled on farms he would be prepared to abide by the decision of a majority of the whole community, but he could not be induced to sign a document pledging fidelity to Mr. Retief as governor and commandant-general, which was pressed upon him. After a short visit he returned to his camp on the highlands, and was there when the heartrending tidings reached him of the treacherous massacre of Mr. Retief and his companions at Dingan’s kraal on the 6th of February 1838 and of the even more atrocious massacre of men, women, and children alike, near the present village of Weenen on the 17th of the same month.

All political differences disappeared at once on receipt of this sad intelligence, and as soon as possible Uys and his men were on their way to the assistance of their sorely afflicted countrymen and women who were still alive in Natal. So quickly was the commando got together and so rapidly did it ride that it arrived at the camp on the 1st of March 1838. Potgieter also assembled his men as speedily as he could, and went down into Natal with the same intention.

[Sidenote: Historical Sketches.]

The condition of things there was wretched. The survivors of the massacre were huddled together in lagers, each under a commandant, but all close together to ensure their safety, and recognising Mr. Maritz as commandant-general and president of the council of war. Every day they were expecting another attack from Dingan’s army. Constant watch had therefore to be kept, and the men did not venture to move about unarmed, while the women were confined to the precincts of the lagers.

The accession of strength derived from the commandos of Uys and Potgieter made it unnecessary to act solely on the defensive any longer. Offensive operations were decided upon, not only with a view of punishing the Zulus, but of proving to them that the arms and tactics of Europeans were so superior that a prolonged conflict would be averted, and peace based upon the white man’s supremacy be secured. But the emigrants had still much to learn. The heavy firelocks that they carried were indeed more formidable weapons than the Zulu stabbing spears, but were far short of being as efficient as modern rifles. To load them it was necessary to pour a certain quantity of powder from a horn into the barrel, to insert a wad and beat it down with a ramrod, then to put in the slugs or a ball and wad down again, and finally to put priming in the pan and adjust the flint and lock. All this took time, even with the most expert and practised man, and while the gun was being loaded its owner was practically unarmed. The difference between a modern military rifle and a gun used by a South African farmer in 1838 is vastly greater in point of efficiency in conflict than that between such a gun and a Zulu stabbing spear.

Then as to military tactics. The farmer considered himself superior, simply because he was a civilised man. He was accustomed to circumvent game, and used the same methods in war that he used in the chase. But he had yet to learn that many a Zulu induna as well as the wily chief of the mountain, who was even then gathering strength at Thaba Bosigo, was greatly his superior in military skill. The almost naked black man, whose general knowledge was so defective that he might be regarded as intellectually little superior to a child, in all that relates to tactics and strategy was in advance of the ordinary untrained European.

[Sidenote: Arrangements to punish Dingan.]

It was arranged that Uys and Potgieter with all the men they could muster should advance towards Dingan’s residence from the camp on the Bushman’s river, and that the English chiefs with their warriors should cross the Tugela much nearer its mouth and press on towards the same point. It was hoped in this way to divide Dingan’s forces, and it was certain that the black army of Natal, as the English chiefs called their followers, would fight desperately, as their existence depended upon victory over the Zulus. Several hundreds of them were armed with muskets, which their chiefs had imported and paid for with ivory, and their leaders were brave and capable men. But this really formidable force was drawn into an ambush by the strategy of the Zulu commander who was sent to oppose it, and after such a battle as is only fought by men who know that they must conquer or die, it was almost annihilated.[106]

As neither Potgieter nor Uys would serve under Maritz, who may have been wanting in tact and was certainly charged with being overbearing in his manner, though no man could have been more devoted to the public welfare than he, it was resolved that he should remain to protect the camps in case of attack, and that they should lead their respective adherents in separate commandos, but acting in concert with each other, to attack Dingan in his principal kraal Umkungunklovu. The two commandos, when finally mustered, numbered three hundred and forty-seven men, exclusive of a few coloured attendants. Their commissariat and spare ammunition was taken with them on pack horses.

[Sidenote: Historical Sketches.]

Neither of the leaders had a full conception of the hazardous nature of their expedition. A much smaller force than that under their command could have marched anywhere in the Xosa or Tembu country, and by keeping on open plains or ridges have been perfectly safe. They had served in the Kaffir war, and knew this. Then their decisive defeat of the Matabele had inspired them with the belief that they were invincible. They did not reflect that perhaps the field of operations against Dingan might not be so favourable to them as that against Moselekatse had been, and so they rode on in unbounded confidence. For five days they saw hardly any people, as the inhabitants had removed by order of Dingan to places of greater safety.

On the 11th of April 1838 they were close to the spot where eight months and five days later in the same year the battle was fought that gave to the stream from which they drank the name Blood River and to the date of the memorable engagement the name Dingan’s Day. Here for the first time since they left the camp they saw what appeared to them to be a small Zulu army. They drew hastily into battle order, and then dashed forward to charge, Potgieter with his men on one wing of the enemy, and Uys with his on the centre. The Zulus did not wait to meet the shock, but fled as fast as they could, and the farmers pursued them. Uys and his followers were too eager in the chase to act with proper caution, and did not observe that they were riding into a defile between two parallel chains of hills until a great Zulu army, that had been lying there concealed, suddenly showed itself on each side and in front of them. Its horns were even closing in behind before they realised that they were in an ambuscade and in the utmost danger.[107]

[Sidenote: Death of Pieter Uys.]

There was no possibility now of carrying out the tactics they had adopted against the Matabele: of firing a volley, riding back and reloading their guns, and then charging again. There were no better horsemen in the world than these farmers, for they had been accustomed from early youth to ride and to hunt the game which then abounded in the country they came from. But the din caused by the Zulus striking their shields with their short spear shafts was so great that the horses became almost unmanageable, and for an instant it seemed as if all was lost. Then realising that there was one chance left, they directed all their fire upon the horns of the Zulu army, that had closed in, shot down hundreds, and dashed through the opening thus made.

Commandant Uys was wounded by a spear thrust, but as he fell from his horse he called out to his followers to leave him and fight their way out, for he must die. All except ten of them escaped by the road that had been opened, but the pack horses, baggage, and spare ammunition had to be left behind. Of the ten who died there, one was Commandant Pieter Lavras Uys. Another was his gallant son Dirk Cornelis Uys, a boy only fifteen years of age, who could have escaped, but seeing his father on the ground and a Zulu raising a spear to stab him, he turned to assist his parent, and fell by his side. The others who lost their lives were David, Jacobus, and Jan Malan, Louis, Pieter, and Theunis Nel, Joseph Kruger, and Frans Labuschagne. Potgieter’s division retreated in time, on finding that it was being drawn into broken ground, and got safely away. The expedition then, being unable to keep the field owing to the loss of all the stores of the division under Uys, fell back to the camp on the Bushman’s river, and Potgieter and his men shortly afterwards returned to Winburg.

[Sidenote: Historical Sketches.]

The aged father of Pieter Uys survived him only three months. He went down into Natal with the other members of the party, and in July died there. Mr. Maritz too, broken in health by anxiety and trouble, died on the 23rd of September of the same year. Thus of the most prominent leaders of the emigration, all had passed away in this short time except Mr. Potgieter, who lived until 1853.

SYNOPTICAL INDEX.

SKETCH I.

Alfonso, son of the Burgundian Count Henrique: assumes the title of king of Portugal, 7; which in A.D. 1143 is confirmed by Pope Innocent II, ib.; in 1147 he obtains possession of Santarem and Lisbon, and extends the boundary of Portugal southward to the Tagus, ib.

Africa: is almost entirely unexplored by Europeans in the early years of the fifteenth century, 4

Alani, the: in the fifth century of our era invade the Iberian peninsula, but most of them are afterwards driven by the Visigoths into Africa, 6

Alexandria: before A.D. 1500 is the chief market in which Europeans obtain Indian products, 3

Alexandrian libraries: destruction of, 11

Algarves, emirate of the: in 1250 is conquered by the Christians, and in 1263 is annexed to Portugal, which thus acquires its present dimensions, 8

America: is entirely unknown to Europeans in the early years of the fifteenth century, 4

Arabs, the: before A.D. 1500 know more than Europeans of the geography of Africa, 11; in the eighth century of our era conquer the whole of the Iberian peninsula except the territory held by the Basques, 6; their rule at first is mild, ib.; in the eleventh century of our era the caliphate is broken into fragments, ib.; when a struggle with the Christian population commences which lasts for centuries, ib.; gradually a number of little independent Christian states come into existence, 7; among which in A.D. 1095 is a county that afterwards expands into the kingdom of Portugal, ib.

Arnold’s _History of Rome_: reference to, 4

[Sidenote: Historical Sketches.]

Australia: in the fifteenth century is entirely unknown to Europeans, 4

d’Azambuja, Diogo: in January 1482 founds São Jorge da Mina, 25

de Barros, João: _Da Asia_, reference to, 14

Basques, the: occupy the Iberian peninsula, 4; are exterminated or driven by the Celts into the Pyrenees, 5

Beazley’s _Prince Henry the Navigator, the Hero of Portugal and of Modern Discovery_: reference to, 14

Belief of seamen at the beginning of the fifteenth century as to the ocean beyond Cape Nun, 13

Bragança: creation of the first duke of by Affonso V, 9

Busk’s _History of Spain and Portugal_: reference to, 4

Cabral, Gonçalo Velho: in 1432 discovers the island Santa Maria in the Azores, 15

Caliph of Cordova: is for a time the supreme authority in the Iberian peninsula, 6

Caliph of Damascus: for a time is ruler of the Iberian peninsula, 6

Cam, Diogo: in 1484 reaches the mouth of the Congo, 16; in 1485 sets up a marble pillar on Cape Cross in latitude 22° S., ib.

Cape Blanco: in 1441 is reached by Nuno Tristão, 15

Cape Bojador: in 1434 is passed by Gil Eannes, 15

Cape Correntes: before A.D. 1500 is the southern terminus of ordinary navigation by the Persians and Arabs, owing to fear of danger beyond it, 11

Cape Nun: belief of seamen as to the ocean beyond, 13

Cape Verde: in 1444 or 1445 is discovered and named by Diniz Dias, 15

Carthaginians: occupy stations in the southern part of the Iberian peninsula, 5; from which in B.C. 206 they are expelled by the Romans, 5

de Castanheda, Fernão Lopes: _Descobrimento e Conquista da India pelos Portuguezes_, reference to, 17

Celts: occupation of the Iberian peninsula by, 5

Ceuta, opposite Gibraltar: in 1415 is taken by the Portuguese from the Moors, 9

de Cinta, Pedro: in 1461 reaches Cape Palmas, 16

[Sidenote: Synoptical Index.]

Commerce between Europe and India before A.D. 1500: mode of conducting, 3

Compass, the: use of in Western Europe in the early years of the fifteenth century, 12

Convicts: use made of by the Portuguese, 18

Cross set up by Bartholomeu Dias at Angra Pequena: destruction of, 20

Dias, Bartholomeu: in August 1486 sails from the Tagus, 17; near the equator leaves his storeship behind, 19; reaches Angra dos Ilheos, now called Angra Pequena, where he sets up a marble pillar, ib.; touches next at Angra das Voltas, 20; passes the Cape of Good Hope without knowing it, 21; and reaches Angra dos Vaqueiros, probably the present Mossel Bay, ib.; where he sees Hottentots with cattle, but cannot communicate with them, as they flee inland in fear, ib.; sails eastward and reaches an island in the bay now called Algoa, on which he erects a cross, 22; visits the mainland and examines it eastward to a prominent rock, which receives the name Penedo das Fontes on account of two springs of water found there, ib.; here the seamen protest against going farther, but he induces them to persevere a little longer, 23; reaches the mouth of a river which he names the Infante, ib.; there the expedition turns back, 24; when returning he discovers the Cape of Good Hope, and erects a cross somewhere on the Cape peninsula, ib.; rejoins his storeship, which he burns, ib.; touches next at Prince’s Island in the bight of Biafra, 25; where he finds some Portuguese in distress, and takes them on board his ship, ib.; visits São Jorge da Mina, where he takes some gold on board, ib.; and in December 1487 reaches Lisbon again, ib.

Discovery of an ocean route between Europe and India: effect of, 3

Eastern Asia: in the early years of the fifteenth century is very imperfectly known to Europeans, 4

Edrisi: incorrect map of South Africa of, 4

Egypt: before A.D. 1517 is independent, but in that year is reduced to be a Turkish province, 3

English crusaders: assist the Portuguese against the Moslems, 7

Fogaça, João: in 1487 is commander of São Jorge da Mina, 25

Genoese: visit Madeira and even the Canary islands before the Portuguese, 15

[Sidenote: Historical Sketches.]

Geographical ignorance in Europe in the early years of the fifteenth century, 4

Gibbon’s _Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire_: references to, 4 and 11

de Goes, Damião: _Chronica do Felicissimo Rei Dom Emanuel da Gloriosa Memoria_, reference to, 17

Goths: see Visigoths

Greeks: are supposed to have formed trading stations on the coast of Portugal, 5

Habrão, Rabbi: travels of, 26

Henrique, a Burgundian noble, in A.D. 1095 becomes first count of Portugal, 7

Henrique, the Infante Dom, commonly known to Englishmen as Prince Henry the Navigator: is third son of King João I and Philippa of Lancaster, 13; prosecutes maritime exploration as much as possible, ib.; establishes himself at Sagres with this object, 14; in 1460 dies, 16

Indian commerce with Europe: route of before A.D. 1500, 3

Indians: in early times knew more than Europeans of the geography of Africa, 11

_Indice Chronologico das Navegações, Viagens, Descobrimentos, e Conquistas dos Portuguezes nos Paizes Ultramarinos desde o Principio do Seculo XV_: references to, 14 and 26

Jayne, K. G.: _Vasco da Gama and his Successors_: reference to, 32

João I, grand master of the order of Saint Benedict of Avis: in A.D. 1385 is elected by the cortes king of Portugal, 9; is assisted against Castile by John of Gaunt, whose daughter he marries, ib.; enters into a treaty of close friendship with England, ib.

João II: breaks the power of the feudal nobles of Portugal, and becomes an absolute monarch, 10

Josepe, a Portuguese Jew: travels of, 26

Kings of Portugal before A.D. 1500, succession of: Affonso I, Sancho I, Affonso II, Sancho II, Affonso III, Diniz, Affonso IV, Pedro, Fernando, with whom the Burgundian dynasty came to an end; João I, of the dynasty of Avis, Duarte, Affonso V, João II, Emanuel.

[Sidenote: Synoptical Index.]

Legends of vessels having been carried by storms and currents from the Indian to the Atlantic ocean, 12

de Lima, Dom Rodrigo: in 1515 proceeds to Abyssinia as ambassador of the king of Portugal, 27

Lisbon: is supposed by some historians to have been founded by a Hellenic colony, 5

Madeira: in 1420 is visited by Portuguese explorers, 14; in 1425 a commencement in colonising the island is made, 15

Major’s _Discoveries of Prince Henry the Navigator and their Results_: reference to, 14

Maps of South Africa by Ptolemy and Edrisi: incorrectness of, 4

Mozambique current: at Cape Correntes runs southward with great velocity, 11

_Narrative of Voyages to explore the Shores of Africa, Arabia and Madagascar, performed in H.M. Ships Leven and Barracouta under the direction of Captain W. F. W. Owen, R.N._: reference to, 20

Negro slaves: in 1443 the first are brought to Portugal by Nuno Tristão, 15

Ocean route between Europe and India: effect of the discovery of, 3

Ourique: battle of, 7

de Paiva, Affonso: in May 1487 leaves Santarem to search for Prester John, 26; proceeds to Naples, Rhodes, Alexandria, Cairo, Tor, Suakin, and Aden, and then to Abyssinia, ib.; dies in the East, ib.

Palæolithic men in Portugal: relics of, 4

Pereira, Duarte Pacheco: is found by Bartholomeu Dias in distress at Prince’s Island, and is taken by him to Lisbon, 25; is author of a volume termed _Esmeraldo de Situ Orbis_, 31 and 32

Perestrello, Bartholomeu: voyages of, 14

_Periplus of the Erythrean Sea_: reference to, 11

Persians: before A.D. 1500 know more than Europeans of the geography of Africa, 11

Phœnicians: occupy stations in the southern part of the Iberian peninsula, 5

[Sidenote: Historical Sketches.]

Pires, João, of Covilhão: in May 1487 leaves Santarem to search for Prester John, 26; proceeds to Naples, Rhodes, Alexandria, Cairo, Tor, Suakin, and Aden, then crosses the Indian ocean to Cananor, Calicut, and Goa, passes over to Sofala, and back to Aden and Cairo, ib.; where he receives further orders from Portugal, and proceeds to Aden and Ormuz, thence back by way of Aden to Abyssinia, where he is detained till his death, 27

Po, Fernando: in 1471 crosses the equator, 16

Porto Santo: discovery of, 14

Portugal: outline of the early history of, 4; primitive inhabitants of, ib.; is occupied by the Basques, ib.; who are followed by the Celts, 5; the country is conquered by the Romans, ib.; and becomes Romanised in civilisation, religion, and language, ib.; in the fifth century of our era is overrun by the Visigoths, who establish themselves as an aristocracy in the country, 6; in the eighth century the Arabs conquer the whole peninsula except the territory occupied by the Basques, ib.; in A.D. 1095 the northern portion of Portugal becomes independent of the Arabs, 7; and in 1143 is acknowledged by Pope Innocent II as an independent kingdom, ib.; it is called Portugal from o Porto, the port at the mouth of the Douro, ib.; it is gradually enlarged until 1263, when it attains its present dimensions, 8; it is favourably situated for prosecuting discovery by sea, 4; but in the early years of the fifteenth century it has not much shipping, ib.

Prester John, a mythical potentate: reference to, 18

Ptolemy: incorrect map of South Africa of, 4 and 24

Ravenstein, E. G.: paper in the _Geographical Journal_ by, entitled _The Voyages of Diogo Cão and Bartholomeu Dias_, 1482-88, 28 _et seq._

Romans: establish their authority in the Iberian peninsula, 5

São Jorge da Mina: is established in January 1482, and is the first permanent settlement of the Portuguese on the western coast of Africa. It is now called Elmina, and is a British possession, 25

Ships of the fifteenth century: description of, 12

Slave trade: is ruinous to Portugal, 16

Stephens’ _History of Portugal_: reference to, 4

Stone implements: are found in Portugal of very crude workmanship, 4

Suevi, the: in the fifth century of our era invade the Iberian peninsula, where their descendants still remain, 6

[Sidenote: Synoptical Index.]

Tangier: in 1437 the Portuguese are repulsed in an attack upon, 9

Toro: battle of, 10

Vandals: in the fifth century of our era invade the Iberian peninsula, but are afterwards driven by the Visigoths into Africa, 6

Vas, Tristão: voyage of, 14

Venetians: before A.D. 1500 are the distributors of Indian products over Europe, 3

Vidal, Captain: reference to, 20

Visigoths, the: in the fifth century of our era occupy the Iberian peninsula, where their descendants still remain, 6

_Voyage of Nearchus_: reference to, 11

Zarco, João Gonçalves: voyage of, 14

SKETCH II.

Adolf of Nassau, brother of William prince of Orange: death of in battle, 58

Agoada de São Bras of the Portuguese: is now called Mossel Bay, 122

Albert, Cardinal Archduke: in January 1596 becomes governor-general of the submissive Netherlands, 110; administration of, ib. et seq.; in 1621 dies, 152

Alkmaar: unsuccessful siege of by the Spaniards, 68

Alva, duke of: in 1567 is sent by Philippe II to the Netherlands with a strong Spanish army, 56; murderous administration of, 56 to 70; in December 1573 leaves the Netherlands, 70

Amsterdam, city of: on the 8th of February 1578 is gained by the patriots, 87; in later years has a preponderating influence in the government of the East India Company, 133

Ango, Jean: in 1527 sends three ships from Dieppe to India, 36; but they are all lost, ib.; in 1529 assists in sending two others to India, 37; but this venture is also unfortunate, ib.

Anjou, duke of: in 1581 is elected their sovereign by twelve of the Netherland provinces, 93; on the 17th of February 1582 is inaugurated at Antwerp, 94; acts in a perfidious and violent manner, 95; is obliged to flee from Antwerp, ib.; returns to Paris, and in June 1584 dies, 96

[Sidenote: Historical Sketches.]

Antwerp: description of the city, 80; in November 1576 it is pillaged by Spanish troops, ib.; it is besieged by the duke of Parma, and on the 17th of August 1585 is obliged to capitulate, 100

Antwerp cathedral: in August 1566 is greatly injured by a party of fanatics, 55

Antwerp citadel: is constructed by the duke of Alva to overawe the townspeople, 57

Artois, count of: before 1544 admits the precedence in rank of the kings of France, 44

Artois, province of: in 1544 comes under the government of the emperor Charles V, 48; after taking part in the resistance to Spanish tyranny, on the 17th of May 1579, with Hainaut and Lille, is reconciled to Philippe II, and for ever lost to the patriot cause, 88

d’Ataide, Dom Estevão: in 1607 successfully defends Fort São Sebastião at Mozambique against the Dutch under Paulus van Caerden, 139; and also in 1608 against a stronger Dutch force under Pieter Willemszoon Verhoeff, 146

_Atlas of Mercator and Hondius_: reference to, 50

_Atlas_ of Ortelius: reference to, 50

d’Avila, Don Juan Alvarez, Spanish admiral: on the 25th of April 1607 is killed in the great battle in Gibraltar Bay, 151

Azores, the: in 1466 are presented by Affonso V of Portugal to his aunt the duchess of Burgundy, 46; they are thereafter termed the Flemish islands until 1640, when they revert to Portugal, ib.

Baffin, William, the famous Arctic navigator: in 1620 visits Table Valley, 159

Bali: is visited by the first Dutch expedition to India, 123

Bantam: is visited by the first Dutch expedition to India, 123

Barendszoon, Willem: in 1594 explores the polar seas in search of a passage to China, but finds the way blocked by ice, 116; in 1595 makes another attempt, but again without success, 117; in 1596 tries again, passes the winter in Nova Zembla, and dies when attempting to return home, 117 and 118

Batavi, the, a Nether Teuton tribe: about a century before the Christian era take possession of the territory between the extreme forks of the Rhine, 42

Beggars: in 1566 the title is adopted by the patriot party in the Netherlands, 55

[Sidenote: Synoptical Index.]

_Begin ende Voortgangh van de Vereenighde Nederlantsche Geoctroyeerde Oost Indische Compagnie_: references to, 117 and 122

Belgium: in 1624, after the death of the archduchess Isabella, passes again under the direct rule of Spain, 152; successive diminutions of territory since that date, ib.; on the 7th of September 1714 it is ceded to the emperor Charles VI, ib.

Bergen-op-Zoom: is besieged by Alexander Farnese, but in November 1588 the siege is raised, 108

Biesbosch, the: in 1421 is formed, 43

Bilderdyk’s _Geschiedenis des Vaderlands_: reference to, 41

Bishops: are greatly increased in number in the Netherlands by Philippe II of Spain, in order to extend the inquisition, 52

Blok’s _History of the People of the Netherlands_: references to, 41, 50, 52, and 71

Boisot, Louis, admiral of Zeeland: in January 1574 destroys a Spanish flotilla in the Schelde, 72; and part of another Spanish flotilla at Antwerp, 74; commands the flotilla that relieves Leyden, 75 and 76; in June 1575 loses his life in attempting to relieve Zierikzee, 78

_Bom Jesus_, Portuguese galleon: in August 1608 is captured by the Dutch near Mozambique, 147

Bossu, count of, admiral of a Spanish fleet: in October 1573 is defeated by the Sea Beggars in a desperate battle in the Zuyder Zee, 69

Both, Pieter: in 1599 commands an expedition sent to India, 125; in November 1609 is appointed first governor-general of Netherlands India, 149; and in December 1610 assumes the duty at Bantam, 150

Boulger’s _History of Belgium_: reference to, 42

Breda, town of: on the 4th of March 1590 is gained by the patriots, 108

Brill, town of: in 1572 is seized by the Sea Beggars under William de la Marck, 62; when revolting cruelties are perpetrated upon their opponents, 63; the town is thereafter held by the patriots, ib.; from 1585 to 1616 it is occupied by English troops as security for the payment of money lent to the patriots by Queen Elizabeth, 101 and 115

Bruges: before A.D. 1500 is the emporium of the Italian merchants for Indian products, 45; in May 1584 it is betrayed to the Spaniards, 96

Brussels: on the 13th of March 1585 capitulates to the Spaniards, 100

[Sidenote: Historical Sketches.]

Cabires: the horde of Bantu so called by the Portuguese invade the territory of the monomotapa and lay it waste, 136; the Portuguese go to the assistance of the Kalanga chief, but are defeated and obliged to retire, ib.

van Caerden, Paulus: in 1601 gives Mossel Bay its present name, 126; in March 1607 with a strong force attacks Mozambique, 139; but in May is obliged to give up the attempt to get possession of it, 143

Cæsar: conquers the Celtic portion of the Netherlands and also compels the Frisians to pay tribute, but admits the Batavi to an alliance with Rome, 43

Calais: is taken by the French from the English in the reign of Queen Mary, 51

Candish, Thomas: in 1586-1588 sails round the world, 40

Charlemagne: in the eighth century of our era becomes sovereign of the Netherlands, 44

Charles V, Emperor: from his Burgundian ancestors inherits the sovereignty of all the Netherlands except Gelderland, Utrecht, the Frisian provinces, Liege, Artois, and Flanders, 48; in 1524 he adds Friesland to his dominions, in 1528 Overyssel and Utrecht, in 1536 Groningen and Drenthe, in 1543 Gelderland, and in 1544 Flanders and Artois, ib.; so that in and after 1544 the whole country, with the exception of the bishopric of Liege, is united under one monarch with Spain, 49; character of his government, ib.; in October 1555 he abdicates, and his son Philippe II of Spain becomes sovereign of all the Netherland provinces except Liege, 51

Churches in the Southern Netherlands: violation of, 55

Coligny, Admiral: murder of, 65

Commencement of the struggle of the Netherlands against Spain, 58

Convicts sent from England to South Africa: account of, 165

_Corbin_, the: in 1601 sails from St. Malo to India, but in July 1602 is lost at the Maldives, 37

Cory, a Hottentot taken to England and made much of there: account of, 163 and 164

Council of Blood: is established at Brussels by the duke of Alva, 57

de Couto’s _Da Asia_: references to, 122 and 128

_Croissant_, the: in 1601 sails from St. Malo to India, but is lost on her homeward passage, 37

Crusades, the: have a beneficial effect upon the Netherlands, 45

[Sidenote: Synoptical Index.]

Danish ships: in 1619 first visit Table Bay, 168

Dassen (Conies) Island: in 1605 receives its name, 156

Davis, John: in 1598 sails to India in the Dutch service, 123; in 1601 visits Table Bay on his second voyage to India, 155; and again in 1605 on his third outward passage, ib.; in December of this year he is killed by Japanese pirates, ib.

Dendermonde: on the 17th of August 1584 is reconciled to Philippe II, and is thereafter lost to the patriot cause, 98

Deventer: on the 29th of January 1587 is betrayed by Sir William Stanley to Spain, 104; on the 10th of June 1591 is recovered by the patriots, 109

Dias, Estevão: career of, 36 and 37

Dirkszoon, Cornelis: in October 1573 gains a great victory in a naval battle with a Spanish fleet, 69

Disastrous encounters with Hottentots in Table Valley, 163

Dollart, the: in 1277 is formed, 43

Don John of Austria: in 1576 is appointed by Philippe II governor-general of the Netherlands, 82; on the 3rd of May 1577 takes the oaths of office at Brussels, 84; administration of, 84 to 88; on the 1st of October 1578 dies, 88

Drake, Sir Francis: in 1577-1580 makes his celebrated voyage round the world, 38 and 39; in April 1587 destroys a great Spanish fleet in the harbour of Cadiz and another in the Tagus, 106

Drenthe: particulars concerning the province of, 90

Dutch East India Company: causes of the formation of, 130; in March 1602 comes into existence, ib.; conditions of the charter granted by the states-general, ib.; capital of the Company, 132; its advantage to the State, 132; later modifications of the charter, 133

Dutch ships in Spanish ports: in 1598 are seized and confiscated, 116

Egmont, count of: wins the great battles of St. Quentin and Gravelines for Philippe II, 51; execution of, 59

English convicts sent to South Africa: account of, 165

English ships: in 1591 for the first time visit Table Bay, 40

Ernest, archduke: in January 1594 becomes governor-general of the submissive Netherlands, 109; on the 20th of February 1595 dies, 110

[Sidenote: Historical Sketches.]

Farnese, Alexander, prince of Parma: on the 31st of January 1578 annihilates the patriot army at Gemblours, 86; in October 1578 becomes governor-general of the Netherlands, 88; administration of, 88 to 109; in 1590 goes to France with a strong army to assist the duke of Mayenne against Henry of Navarre, 108; but after breaking the blockade of Paris returns to the Netherlands, ib.; on the 3rd of December 1592 dies, 109

Fitch, Ralph: travels of, 39 and 40

Fitzherbert and Shillinge, two English commodores: in 1620 in Table Valley proclaim the sovereignty of James I of England over Africa to the dominions of another Christian prince, 159 and 160; but this is not confirmed in England, 160

Flanders, count of: before 1544 admits the precedence in rank of the kings of France, 44; in that year the province becomes subject to the emperor Charles V, 48

Flushing: is the second town in the Netherlands to be seized and permanently held by the patriots, 63; which event is followed by other important successes, 64; from 1585 to 1616 it is occupied by English troops as security for the payment of debt to England, 101 and 115

French, the: are the first to follow the Portuguese by sea to India, 36

French East India Company: in 1604 is established on paper, but gets no further, 37; in 1615 it is reorganised, and in 1617 sends an expedition to India, which is successful, ib.

French ships: towards the middle of the seventeenth century occasionally visit the islands in and near Saldanha Bay to procure sealskins and oil, 38

Frisians, the: in A.D. 750 accept Christianity, 44

Gemblours: battle of, 86

_General Collection of Treatys, Manifesto’s, Contracts of Marriage, Renunciations, and other Publick Papers, from the year 1495 to the year 1712_: references to, 101, 102, 106, 111, 113, 115, 153, and 161

Ghent: atrocious conduct of the fanatical party in the city, 88; on the 17th of September 1584 it is reconciled to Philippe II, and is thereafter lost to the patriot cause, 98

Giedde, Ove, Danish admiral: in 1619 and again in 1621 visits Table Bay, 168

[Sidenote: Synoptical Index.]

Granvelle, Cardinal: is agent of Philippe II in the Netherlands, 52; is detested by the people, 53; in 1564 leaves the Netherlands, ib.

Grave: in September 1602 is gained by the patriots, 114

Groen van Prinsterer’s _Handboek der Geschiedenis van het Vaderland_: reference to, 42

Groningen, town of: in March 1580 is betrayed to the Spaniards, 92; on the 22nd of July 1594 is recovered by the patriots, 110

Haarlem, siege of, 67; on the 12th of July 1573 the city is taken by the Spaniards, ib.

van der Hagen, Steven: in 1599 commands an expedition sent to India, 125; in December 1603 leaves Holland for India as admiral of a powerful fleet, 136; in June 1604 attacks Mozambique, ib.; but in August is obliged to retire without success, 137; in February 1605 gets possession of the Portuguese fort on Amboina, ib.

Hainaut, Artois, and Lille, provinces of: on the 17th of May 1579 are reconciled to Philippe II, and for ever lost to the patriot cause, 88

van Heemskerk, Jacob: in 1595 accompanies Willem Barendszoom on his second polar expedition, 117; and again in 1596 on his third and last, ib.; in 1598 goes to India in the fleet under Jacob van Nek, 124; in April 1601 leaves Holland on his second voyage to India as admiral of a fleet of eight ships, 129; captures a very richly laden carrack, ib.; on the 25th of April 1607 with a greatly inferior force attacks a powerful Spanish fleet in Gibraltar Bay, and utterly destroys it, 151; but is killed in the engagement, ib.

Hendrik of Nassau, brother of William prince of Orange: death of in battle, 74

Hermanszoon, Wolfert: in 1601 commands a fleet sent to India, 128; attacks a large Portuguese fleet under André Furtado de Mendoça besieging Bantam, ib.; and compels Mendoça to retire, 129; enters into a commercial treaty with the ruler of Bantam, ib.; and with the ruler of Banda, ib.

Holland and Zeeland, provinces of: in June 1575 unite in a kind of loose confederation, 77; in October 1575 renounce allegiance to Philippe II, 79

Hoorn, Count: execution of, 59

Hottentots: dealings with by the first English visitors to South Africa, 40; are seen and described by the first Dutch voyagers to India, 122; disgusting food of, 157

[Sidenote: Historical Sketches.]

Houtman, Cornelis: in 1595 is in command of the first Dutch expedition to India, 121; in 1598 commands another expedition to India, 123; and is murdered at Atchin, 124

Hunebedden: description of, 42

Indian trade: number of Dutch ships engaged in before 1602, 129

Inquisition in the Netherlands: particulars concerning, 49, 53, and 54

Inundation: in 1570 causes terrible loss of life and property in the Northern Netherlands, 60

Invincible Spanish Armada: in 1588 is destroyed, 107

Isabella, Archduchess, daughter of Philippe II: in May 1598 becomes sovereign of the submissive Netherlands, and in April 1599 marries the archduke Albert, 113; on the 30th of November 1623 dies, 152

James I, king of England: for a short time after his accession favours the Dutch, but in 1604 he enters into a treaty of peace and alliance with Spain, 115

de Jonge’s _De Opkomst van het Nederlandsch Gezag in Oost Indie_: reference to, 122

Jourdain, John: gives an account of his visits to Table Valley in 1608 and 1617, 156, 157, and 164

Lancaster, Captain James: in 1591 visits Table Bay, 41; as admiral of the first fleet fitted out by the English East India Company in September 1601 again calls at Table Bay, 155

Leades, William: travels of, 39

_Leeven en Daden der Doorlughtige Zee-Helden_: reference to, 78

Leicester, earl of: is appointed by Queen Elizabeth lieutenant-general of the English forces in the Netherlands, and on the 19th of December 1585 arrives and assumes duty, 102; conduct of, 102 to 106; in December 1587 leaves the Netherlands, 106

Lepanto: battle of, 82

Leyden: first siege of, 73; second siege and heroic defence of from the 26th of May to the 3rd of October 1574, when the city is relieved by Admiral Boisot, 74, 75, and 76

Liege, province of: particulars concerning, 51, 52, and 154

Lille, with Douai and Orchies, Artois, and Hainaut, provinces of: on the 17th of May 1579 are reconciled to Philippe II, and for ever lost to the patriot cause, 88

[Sidenote: Synoptical Index.]

van Linschoten, Jan Huyghen: in 1583 goes to India in the service of the archbishop of Goa, 118; and remains there until January 1589, 119; after his return to Holland publishes sailing directions, a description of the Indies, &c., which serve as guides for his countrymen, ib.; in 1594 accompanies Willem Barendszoon in his first polar voyage, 117

Louis of Nassau, brother of William prince of Orange: death of in battle, 74

Maastricht: siege and destruction of by Alexander Farnese, 91

Madura: is visited by the first Dutch expedition to India, 123

le Maire, Isaac: in May 1611 visits Table Bay, 154

Mandeville, Sir John: note on, 38

Manufactures: are driven from the Netherlands by persecution, 54

de la Marck, William: exploits of, 62

Margaret of Parma: in 1559 becomes regent of the Netherlands, 52; administration of, 52 to 58

Massacre of Saint Bartholomew in August 1572: has disastrous effects on the patriot cause in the Netherlands, 65

Matelief, Cornelis: in May 1605 leaves Holland for India as admiral of a fleet, 138; attempts to get possession of Malacca, but without success, ib.; builds Fort Orange on the island of Ternate, and places a garrison in it, ib.; in April 1608 calls at Table Bay on his homeward passage, and remains there till June, 139

Matthias of Hapsburg: in January 1578 becomes nominally governor-general of the Netherlands provinces on the invitation of a party of nobles, but has no real power, 86; in 1581 returns to Germany, 93

Maurits of Nassau, second son of William prince of Orange: in 1584 commences his career, 98

Mechlin: a court of appeal for all the provinces is established here by the duke of Burgundy, 46; ferocious treatment of the city by the duke of Alva, 65; on the 19th of July 1585 it capitulates to the Spaniards, 100

de Mendoça, André Furtado: in 1601 is in command of a large Portuguese fleet besieging Bantam, 128; when he is attacked by a puny Dutch fleet under Wolfert Hermanszoon, ib.; which forces him to raise the blockade, 129; he causes great destruction at Amboina, ib.; successfully defends Malacca against Cornelis Matelief, 138

[Sidenote: Historical Sketches.]

Michelburne, Sir Edward: in 1605 visits Table Bay, 155

Middelburg: in February 1574 after a long siege is surrendered to the patriots by Colonel Christopher Mondragon, 73

Mondragon, a French corsair: in 1507 seizes a Portuguese ship in the Mozambique channel, 36; in 1509 he is captured by the Portuguese and is taken as a prisoner to Lisbon, ib.; where he manages to make his peace with the king, ib.

Montigny, Baron; murder of, 60

Mookerheyde: disastrous battle of in April 1574, 74

Mossel Bay: is touched at by the first Dutch expedition to India, 122; in 1601 receives its present name from Paulus van Caerden, 126

Motley’s _Rise of the Dutch Republic_, and _History of the United Netherlands to the Twelve Years’ Truce, 1609_: references to, 41 and 78

Mozambique: description of in 1583, 120; is coveted by the Dutch, owing to rumours of the great quantity of gold to be had on the mainland, 135; in June 1604 is attacked by Steven van der Hagen, 136; but in August he is obliged to leave without success, 137; in March 1607 is attacked by Paulus van Caerden, 139; Fort São Sebastião is bravely defended by Dom Estevão d’Ataide, 141; and in May Van Caerden is obliged to abandon the effort to take it, 143; in July 1608 it is attacked for the third time by the Dutch under Pieter Willemszoon Verhoeff, 144; but in August the siege is abandoned, 147

Municipal Charters: in A.D. 1217 the first of these in the Northern Netherlands is obtained by the town of Middelburg in Zeeland, 45

Mutinies of Spanish troops: account of, 79 to 81, and 111

Naarden: in 1572 is destroyed by the Spaniards, 66

Negotiations for the alliance of the Dutch and English East India Companies: particulars concerning, 161 and 162

van Nek, Jacob: successful voyage to India of, 124

Netherlands: the territory of the Northern Provinces is the last occupied on the continent of Europe, 42; no traces of palæolithic men are found there, ib.; the Celts are the earliest known inhabitants, ib.; the Batavi, a Nether Teuton tribe, come next, ib.; the Frisians occupy the territory farther north, 43; palæolithic implements in great abundance are found in the southern provinces, 42; which in the earliest historical times are occupied by Celts, 43; at the time of the Roman invasion the extreme north is occupied by Teutons, the extreme south by Celts, and the centre by the two races intermingled, ib.; the country is conquered by Cæsar and the Frisians are compelled to pay tribute, but the Batavi are admitted to an alliance with Rome, ib.; some centuries later on the fall of the Roman empire, other Teutonic tribes enter the country, 44; when the Franks conquer the Romanised Celtic territory in the south, ib.; in A.D. 785 the conquest of the whole country is completed by Charlemagne, ib.; under his feeble successors it is broken up into a number of petty states independent of each other, ib.; which in course of time become prosperous through manufactures, commerce, and the fisheries, 45; the towns are able to obtain, mostly by purchase from their sovereigns, charters conferring extensive powers of self government, ib.; in 1437 through various causes many of the provinces or separate states come under the dominion of Philippe duke of Burgundy, 46; in 1477 the “Great Privilege” is granted by Mary of Burgundy, 47; who marries Maximilian of Hapsburg, and leaves a son, Philippe by name, as sovereign of the Burgundian Netherlands, 48; this Philippe marries the eldest daughter of the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile, and in 1500 has a son born to him, who becomes the emperor Charles V, ib.; Charles inherits the sovereignty of all the Netherland provinces except Gelderland, Utrecht, the Frisian provinces, Liege, Flanders, and Artois, ib.; by 1544 all of the provinces except Liege are under his rule, 49; enumeration of the provinces, 50; in 1555 on the abdication of Charles V all of the provinces except Liege come under the sovereignty of his son Philippe II of Spain, 51; under whose rule they are treated with such cruelty that they rise in rebellion against him, 51 et seq.

[Sidenote: Synoptical Index.]

Newbery, John: travels of, 39

Nieuwpoort: battle of, 113

van Noort, Olivier: in 1598-1601 is the first Netherlander to sail round the world, 124 and 125

Nymegen: on the 21st of October 1591 surrenders to the patriots, 109

Ostend: on the 5th of July 1601 is besieged by the archduke Albert, but holds out till the 20th of September 1604, when it is taken by the marquis Ambrose Spinola, 114

Oudewater: in July 1575 is destroyed by the Spaniards, 77

Pacification of Ghent: particulars regarding the, 81

Parmentier, Jean: in 1529 commands a French ship sent to India, 37

Parmentier, Raoul: in 1529 commands a French ship sent to India, 37

[Sidenote: Historical Sketches.]

Pereira, Duarte Pacheco: in 1509 captures the French corsair Mondragon, 36