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- 1789-1793 (Creation)
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Manuscript, 426 pages
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Journal of a voyage of inspection made by two ships, 'Zephir' and 'Havik' in the service of the Company to enquire into the state of the defences in the Dutch East Indies and the Cape of Good Hope. Capt. J.O. Vaillant was in command, assisted by Lieut. Col. J.F.L. Greevestein, the writer of the Journal. The voyage began at Amsterdam on 18 Feb.1789 and ended on 16 Jun.1793, pp. i-xiv 'Extracten uit het Register der resolutien van de Hoog Mag (Secreet); pp. 1-372. Journal of the voyage in French; pp.375-426 'Korte en zaakelyken inhoud van de verrigtingen der militaire commissie in Oost Indien'. 17 pages relate to their visit to the Cape from 27 May-Oct. 1789. They find much discontent under Governor van de Graaf, describe the garrison defences and criticise the hospital and the Company's garden. Farmer Cloete of Constantia complained to them about the compulsory sale of wine to the Company at fixed low prices.
On the return journey they call at Algoa Bay and 36 pages describe the journey overland to Cape Town from 1 Aug.-7 Sep. 1792. There are comments on the state of affairs at the Cape, Stellenbosch, Swellendam and Graaff Reinet.
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