Page:George McCall Theal, History of South Africa since September 1795, Volume 1 (1908).pdf/215

1811] sixteen pence a hundred on sheep was to be increased to two pence on every one of African breed, and the rent of a farm on which African sheep were kept was to be raised from £4 16s. to £9 12s. a year. The breeders were warned that the leases of their ground would be cancelled if they were obstinate in resistance, and were informed that it was to be a fixed condition in all future grants of land that no African sheep were to be kept. But without the coöperation of the people the order to substitute Spanish for African rams could not be enforced, and the farmers, while using respectful language, found means to defeat the governor's intention. They continued to prefer the hardy native sheep, and after a while the order, with all the penalties attached to its neglect, was allowed to fall out of remembrance.

Between the earl of Caledon and Lieutenant General Grey there were conflicting opinions as to their respective powers in military matters, though like sensible men they did not allow these differences to affect either the interests of the public service or their friendly conduct towards each other. On one occasion the question in dispute was regarded by the governor as of such importance that he sent Mr. Alexander, the colonial secretary, to England to represent his views and to endeavour to obtain more explicit instructions on the subject than had previously been issued. The imperial authorities decided that the civil governor, though entitled commander in chief, had no military authority except over purely local forces, such as burghers on commando, and the Hottentot regiment, which was maintained at the cost of the colonial treasury. Still, it was recognised that circumstances might arise in which this decision would be detrimental to the public interests, so it was resolved that for the future the office of civil governor should be held by a military officer of high rank who should also be commander of the forces.

The earl of Caledon was well disposed towards the colonists, and in return they thought highly of him. In March and April 1811 he made a tour as far as Plettenberg's Bay,