Page:George McCall Theal, History of South Africa from 1795 to 1872, Volume 1 (4th ed, 1915).djvu/28

4 he was getting old and was not in good health. His resignation was accepted, and on the 7th of November he was succeeded by Mr. Ryno Johannes van der Riet, a staunch adherent of the Orange party. In the district no opposition was made to the new authorities.

Swellendam also was induced to submit without a struggle. Fieldcornet Daniel du Plessis was made much of by the British officers, and was quite won over for the time. Two days after the capitulation, when he desired to return home, a document was given to him, with the request that he would make its contents known to every one whom he should meet. It announced that the first wish of the British commanders was to adopt every measure which might appear proper to promote the prosperity of the settlement and the happiness of the inhabitants; that the monopolies and oppressions practised for the benefit of the India Company were at an end; that internal trade was free from that day; that every man might buy of whom he pleased, sell to whom he pleased, employ whom he pleased, and come and go where he chose by land or water; that no new taxes should be levied, but those then existing which were found after consideration to be burdensome to the people should be abolished; and that the paper money was to retain its value, but that the British would make their payments in hard coin. The inhabitants of the country districts were invited to send their cattle and farm produce to Capetown for sale in any way that suited them, and were promised that if they desired explanation upon any subject the British commanders would give it to such persons as they might delegate for the purpose.

Du Plessis was further informed that Mr. Faure would be sent back as landdrost, and that the past acts of the nationals would be buried in oblivion if they would submit to the British authorities. This mode of proceeding had the desired effect. Mr, Faure called a special meeting of