An historical account of the formation, progress, and present state of the European Colony at the Cape of Good Hope

Abstract

This continuation (see https://doi.org/10.21504/saqj.13.2648) of a historical account details the early development of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) settlement at the Cape of Good Hope under Commander Jan van Riebeeck from January to October 1653. The narrative, derived from Van Riebeeck’s journals and Council Records, focuses on the daily challenges and progress of the nascent colony. Key events include the Commander’s efforts to maintain morale through acts of clemency, the persistent and often tense cattle barter with the local Saldanhians (including a successful expedition led by the chaplain), and early agricultural experiments, such as threshing the first wheat.

The settlement faced immediate external threats and internal difficulties: news of the war between Holland and England prompted urgent fortification efforts, while incidents such as lion attacks, illness, and a major locust plague threatened stability. Relations with the indigenous population are detailed, culminating in the major theft of 42 head of cattle, likely by the interpreter Harry and his associates, leading to increased security measures. The account also records the arrival of French competition in sealing at Saldanha Bay, the formal establishment of a second-in-command (Jacob Ryniersz), and the solemnization of the first lawful marriage at the Fort. Ultimately, the period is characterised by Van Riebeeck’s diligent efforts to extend the colony's plan, achieve self-sufficiency, and defend the settlement against both human and natural challenges.