§ Mr. Fowell Buxtonrose to move, that an Address be presented to His Majesty representing, "That this House has observed with great satisfaction, that the original Natives of South Africa have always been recognized by the British government as a free people, having a lawful abode in the Colony; and that the British government has promised to protect their persons, property, and possessions, the same as those of other free people:—That this House humbly solicits His Majesty to cause such instructions to be sent to the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope, as shall most effectually secure to all the Natives of South Africa, the same freedom and protection as are enjoyed by other free people of that Colony, 1694 whether English or Dutch:—That this House further humbly requests His Majesty to order Copies of Extracts of the Special Reports of the Commissioners at the Cape of Good Hope, relative to the condition of the Hottentots and Bushmen; together with the Papers given in to the Commissioners by Dr. Philip, and the Memorials addressed to the Colonial Office by the Directors of the London Missionary Society, to be laid before this House." He had intended to have entered into the details of the grievances to which the Hottentots were exposed, at the hands of their Christian neighbours; but he abstained from this course, as the Secretary of State for the Colonies, did not intend to oppose his motion. He should merely observe, that although the Hottentots were perfectly free by law, they were treated entirely as slaves. Lord Caledon, when governor of the Cape, had declared them to be, in every respect, a free people, and had directed that they should be so treated. Another governor, when applied to by the colonists to compel the Hottentots to forced services, had replied, that "they had no more right to compel the Hottentots to serve the settlers, than the Hottentots had to compel the settlers to serve them." Something ought to be done without delay, to remedy the treatment under, which these people were suffering. He referred gentlemen who wished to be acquainted with the subject, to Dr. Philip's
Researches in Southern Africa;" a work which contained more information on the subject, than any book he had ever read.
§ Sir G. Murraysaid, he concurred generally in the views of the hon. member.: He had nothing more at heart than to make all classes in the colonies sensible, that his majesty was desirous to extend to them protection equal to that enjoyed by his subjects in any other part of his dominions.—The motion was agreed to.