The Brooke letters, No. 4050 IV in the Oppenheimer Library, were written by Robert Brooke, Governor of St. Helena, to Earl Macartney, Governor of the Cape of Good Hope.

The letters show that Brooke felt feelings of warm friendship for Earl Macartney, to whom he acknowledged a debt of gratitude for the interest he had shown in his affairs.

As governors of neighbouring territories both men had problems in common and were able to assist each other. When Macartney was very short of specie at the Cape, Brooke was able to raise a private loan of 2500 to help him out of his difficulties.

Amongst the subjects discussed in the letters were the taking and future government of the Cape, the plan to attack Spanish South America, the progress of the war against the French, the convoying of East India Company ships and the seizure of neutral ships which are trading illegally.

From the Cape from Mr. Pringle, Major-General Francis Dundas, Captains Losack and Alexander and a copy of an intercepted letter from the Committee for the East to the Batavian East India Company.

Gives news of shipping and that the great stores in the barracks have been burnt down. The intercepted letter relates to trading with De Connick & Co. and to general trading conditions. Enclosed in 557.

Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, 1799-1801

Letter, Stratford Place, to Monsieur le Viscomte de Vaux, declaring that Yonge knows nothing about an Abbé Young, whose name is not even the same as his own. He returns papers on Mauritius, with which the government of the Cape of Good Hope is not at all concerned and feels that there is no need for him to enter a subscription as he can purchase the book when it comes up for public sale. Hopes that the Comte de Fouchécour (Courtenay) has a passport as otherwise he will not be allowed to land at the Cape of Good Hope.

This bound volume, No. 4050 (III) in the Oppenheimer Library, comes from the Phillips Mss 1896. It contains a diary, copies of proclamations and copies of circulars and letters to officials, which cover 64 un-numbered pages in the volume.

The details are as follows:

Diary of official business at the Cape 1798 November 1-20, 24 pages: it is concerned with a variety of subjects including burgher petitions, government contracts, Land revenue, customs, taxation and extorts. At the end is a copy of an oath sworn by Lord Macartney, 1798 November 19, that he has accepted no bribes and that he has not abused his office in any way.

Proclamations: 4 items 1798 November 3-19, 8 items: they relate to defaced currency, the prohibition of the distillation of spirits from grain, the assessment of districts for repair of roads avid the appointment of General Dundas as Macartney's successor.

Circulars and letters to officials; 33 items 1798 October 28-November 20, 31 pages: subjects covered included the sale of wine and provisions to passing ships, wharfage dues, prize goods, the examination of the Vendue Masters' accounts, the maintenance of the Opgaaf Rolls and the establishment of the Customs Department.

The names of correspondents included W.A. Ackerman, A. Barnard, J.Baumgardt, F.R. Bresler, A.de Waal, J. H.Greene, J. Holland, P. Leyns,A Maxwell, J. Pringle and H. Ross.

At the end of the volume is the draft of a letter, 1p probably in Macartney's own hand, 1799 Jan, 29, written on board the "Stately" on his homeward journey and addressed to Evan Nepean, the Admiralty, London, enclosing a packet from Admiral Christian at the Cape.

Research notes, copies of correspondence and maps.

The first file relates to attempts by 19th century pioneers to link Transvaal with Delagoa Bay by means of roads and refers to J. Albasini, J.P. Fitzpatrick, G.P. Moodie, A.H. Nellmapius, A.H. Potgieter and C. Trichardt. The second file relates to Colonel Villebois-Mareuil, a French volunteer with the Boer forces during the South African War, and includes press clippings and his correspondence with General Joubert and F.W. Reitz. The third is South African War material, including a translation of the day-book of David E. Malan, written at Colenso 12 Nov. 1899 - 16 Feb. 1900. The fourth contains notes from Sir C.J. Brand's papers on the part he
played in 1854-1855 in helping to draft a constitution for the Boer republic and also notes from G.S. Preller's papers on the Afrikaans language movement.

Explorer and naturalist, listing flora.

Including:
A1.1 Extracts regarding life & career of B. G. Verselewel de Witt Hamer born in 1855 - 1930
A1.2 BORGACTE - 1885
A1.3 B.G. Verselewel De Witt Hamer information from : 1886 - 1897
A1.4 Marriage certificate of Boudewyn Gerrit Verselewel De Witt Hamer to Gladys Disteli on the 10th April 1897
A1.5 Government - Office in Pretoria 27th November 1894
A1.6 Restaurant Riche Amsterdam Menu 31 March 1896
A1.7 Parcel to be send to Museum in Barberton 1898
A1.8 Department van Buitenlandsche Zaken 1st October 1898
A1.9 Diary of Commandant B.G. de Witt Hamer later vesion written in Russia 5th November 1899
A1.10 Telegram 18th January 1900
A1.11 Camp Simon Town 9th February 1900
A1.12 Letter from A.G.Mawatle captain for Staff Officer for Prisoners Warder to B.G.De Witt Hamer 26th April 1900
A1.13 Passport for Mrs. Hamer 18th May 1900
A1.14 Cheque from Gladys Verselewel De Witt Hamer 28th September 1900
A1.15 Permission is granded to Captain de Witt Hamer to visit General L. Cronje at Kamp Cottages 13th January 1901
A1.16 A letter to Miss Disdelli 28th March 1901
A1.17 A cheque received by Gladys de Witt Hamer 25th April 1901
A1.18 Train ticket was received by Miss Distelli from B.G. De Witt Hamer 25th April 1901
A1.19 Permission is granded to Captain de Witt Hamer to visit General L. Cronje at Kamp Cottages 7th May 1901
A1.20 Special Pass for Wickel Gate 11th January 1902
A1.21 Meeting of Captain de Witt Hamer with General Cronje at Kamp Cottages 2nd April 1902
A1.22 Draft message of P.O.Ws St. Helena to be sent to the King & Queen Allendse,England 15th April 1902
A1.23 Letter to Honourable Colonel Commanding Troops Deadwood Camp 15 April 1902
A1.24 Donors are specially requested not to send clothing from houses where there has been illness 28th July 1902
A1.25 Prisoner of War St. Helena 29 August 1902
A1.26 The fruits of our sacrifices 20th October 1902
A1.27 Permit to enter and reside in the Transvaal and Orange river colony 24th December 1902

John Hanning Speke (1827-1864), Explorer

Rejoices that Brun agrees with him that the Nyanza Lake is the true source of the White Nile and announces his intention to embark on a third expedition to Africa to settle the source of the Nile.

Inventory of the estate of the late J.C. de Bruyn and his widow, Cornelis Regina, effected by the notary Jan Bernhard Hoffman.

Bears the crest of the Dutch East India Company and the seal of 'J.B.H. notaris a Cabo'.