Page:George McCall Theal, History of South Africa since September 1795, Volume 1 (1908).pdf/216

188 for the purpose of becoming personally acquainted with the interior of the country, that he might be better able to give the secretary of state accurate information. Previous to setting out he had requested permission to resign the government and return to England, as he was about to be married. His resignation was accepted, and on the 4th of July he embarked in the ship of war Curaçoa in Simon's Bay and sailed that afternoon.

Next morning Lieutenant-General Grey took the oaths of office as acting governor. During the few weeks that he was at the head of affairs nothing of importance transpired, and he merely carried out the routine duties, without initiating new measures of any kind.