0001

                                        Kolobeng 29 Septr 1847

My Dear Father

                            By the arrival of Koulter on his way southwards
we are put in possession of another opportunity to inform
5you how we proceed in this quarter. I need not say
I do so with pleasure I only wish you may enjoy
as much in the perusal as I do in the writing. We
are all at present in tolerable health But the
setting in of the hot season seems to try our
10stamina. Mary is troubled with shooting pains
in the chest. Had sore eyes but not severely & is
now recovered - She got them from the little one
Hope we may through the Divine mercy be
favoured with health - We have so much to do
15it seems desirable we should but we must
be resigned to the will of Him who knows what
is best for us & His cause. We feel it hot now
we have plenty of Hills behind us, sufficient one
would think to screen us from the influence of the
20Southern icebergs - And all burning Africa spread
out before us to the North But we are within
the blessed sound of gurgling waters - they have
nightingales in England but of all the birds
in the world commend me to the merry midnight
25frogs. You cannot concieve yes you can
how delighted we were to hear the sound of
waters at night, irrigateable water too. In
my last I informed you of our removal. Mebaloe
& I built huts & removed into them Paul followed 0002
& is now roofing his. Your tent has done him good
service - Ours is 24 by 12, & a pack house has since
been added 10 by 12 ft, Mebaloe's 16 by 12. Pauls
the same size as ours - the town is still in process
5of building our corner has a touch of the European
for all are square & Mebaloe is thatcher to all.
Even our man Friday alias Morukewelo has
got up one of the four cornered sort & declares
he will never leave it it is so beautiful - our
10plan was to get up temporary houses & a temporary
meeting house as soon as possible in order that
teaching might go on regularly during the time we
we should be occupied in making gardens
We have now got nearly to the point at which we
15can with good consciences begin to labour
for the meat which perisheth - the chief without
any suggestion from me, told me it was his desire
to build a house for God - that I should be at no
expense whatever with it - He even thought that
20we should do nothing in the work but to this ^ latter we
objected as it was for the worsh of the God of all
I think sometimes that he expects God will bless him for
his good work - Yet he expresses himself occasionally
quite in the orthodox style. He wished to build a very
25fine house but we cannot at present spend more
time on it than making it a temporary affair
of pole & reed - He employed all the males in cutting reed
& sent them a good distance to select the straightest
woods they could find - He began it on Saturday
30morning & met in the walls on Sunday. Many
hands make light work here it was not light work
to keep them from doing too much. We made it
40 by 15. We found they had cut the beams too short 0003
for our plans & rather than wait for longer put it up at
15 instead of 20. On tuesday it was finished except the closing
in at the top but the reed being deficient they have been off
cutting it today - We shall probably begin to our water cours
5on Monday next, too late for corn but we may yet have maize
& vegetables - Another proposition of the chief is that we
make an exchange of work - He takes the watercourse
& we build him a European house. We are glad enough
to do this for we are but few in number. I intend
10to give a door, an old one, I may make or sell him
a window - We have lost much time in removing
& we have yet to go & get the door frames & Iron in
the roof - We shall burn both school & house in
order that we may pick out the nails and
15prevent any boor taking up his abode therein
When we returned we found many boors on the
place - Some were rather impudent - dogged Paul's
wife untill she hid herself in Mebaloe's house. The latter
has more firmness than the former - All of the boors
20made off as soon as possible after we came. I did
not shake hands with the fellows as I did when among
them in our Eastern Journey I felt like the "cock on
its ain middenhead". One gave Sechele a bottle of brandy.
their children employed their time in digging license & ran
25among Paul's children as if equals. - When we came
I felt in doubt as whether it was not duty to go immediately
with Paul & settle him with Mokhatla, leaving the
removal ^ of the Bakwains to another year. Since hearing of the above
named conduct I fear it might be improper. We
30were subsequently informed that in our absence, deputies
were sent by the Bakaa & Makalaka to ask our influence
with Sechele to grant them liberty to live in his
country as independent people. Sekhome is now
using them in a very tyrannical manner

0004

Although living in their land, since he has got guns he
compells them to pay him tribute. (I shall return to him
again) Finding us absent they did not disclose their
object in coming publicly but informed the chiefs brother
5in private, they passed on to the Bakhatla & when there
were told that I should never return, that I had fled from
Sechele &c &c. The messengers told what the Bakhatla said
& on leaving stated they would come again if the Sekoa
returned - One of the messengers is the son of Shue the chief of
10the Bakaa, I knew him very well. Shue's wife knows
you. The prospect of these two tribes coming nearer
made me think of forming a sort of circuit north
them & Mokhatla & keeping one of our number always
engaged among them. but present engagements
15prevent us from doing anything but at home.
We cannot part with Mebaloe - He works so hard
he is our right hand. Paul has never been accustomed
to work but is the best theologian by far. We sent
a message to Mokhatla anent your present but he
20has not yet made his appearance - It has been
Hurry scurry ever since we came & will be for some
time to come. I forgot to mention above that Sechele is
favourable to the approach of these tribes because they are
manufacturers in wood & iron. Sekhomi monopolize
25all the trade in front of him - He will not allow any
one to pass him Southwards - There is a good way
to the Lake but he keeps it shut as you will hear
by the Griquas. If any one went past him & opened
up the way he would be conferring a benefit on
30the tribes beyond. When will you go to the Lake?
If you dont next season I may as a relaxation
take a trip in that direction. I should like you
to go as you have become in a manner pledged
to it - I think it would be well if first visited by 0005
a missionary. The Griquas will certainly reach it next
season. Kañkashi is the name for the pole with
which they shove off the canoe. I cannot get the word
for the paddle whch is used after they have got into deep
5water to Row is to hurua go hurua Mokhoro or
Mokoro - go hurua ka likañkashi may perhaps do
the i final is distinctly sounded. Bara means to swim
the people on the Lake are great swimmers - Lekaoe
is the name given to a sort of skiff plaited together
10& made of Reed - Licobobo & Litugiuana mean thicket very dense
of both large & small trees - Mopakoana a curtain - a Kaross hung
up to act as such - A dreamer of dreams is called Tlorolimpe
ki gore torolimpe. Will that do for Prognosticator - Island is
in Sekwaina Sekiri - Setlapized Seori Setlaka sa gare has always
15reed in it but a piece of land with trees on it in a stream is
always sekiri or seori - seori can be applied to a promontory
& so can setlaka sa gare but sekiri never. Koñkoñ an ignoramus
(pelu pahu, I forget at present) Matlurra rough, so is Maguata
Leposa to drawl in singing or go largely in walking But I
20must leave words. I am glad however of the opportunity
to send out Kañkashi - As likewise a riding ox which had I
been at home I should have sent by Boe. I have had it three
years & it has grown large in my possession - It is very tame &
is easy in riding so I think will just sent you It has some objection
25in its own mind to the stick being put into its nose but
that operation over it is as docile as possible - the boys
here chirp to him & he comes out of the kraal very familiarly turning
his tail to them in order to enjoy what learned folks call titillation
I hope you will be kind enough to accept it instead of your old one
30and whatever you may say think or do with it never think of
returning it - A dear brother to whom I gave one returned it
after it had got its thigh bone broken by telling his herd that ox
belongs to Livingston - I have got a horse said to have been Mr
Oswel's Of this I have doubts but it serves to get us eilands 0006
if it dies I can get another ox. So you need not imagine I put myself
about by begging you to accept this - We had horns &c for you
but all have been left at the Letlotleñ - It is now too late for
seeds - Your melons will be grown before Koulter comes

5

We concieve Mr Hume is done for here - Mr Evans sold a dog trap which
I think I have seen in your garden for 30 or 40 lbs of ivory - He called
it a wolf trap - The first time a wolf got into it the animal shakedshook it
to pieces - I suspect Evans did not tell this when mentioning
how Sechele tried to cheat him. We try to obviate the objections
10which rise up in the heathen mind by such deeds by admitting
that there are bad ones among us - At present they have a
high opinion of the integrity of missionaries & we hope we
my be assisted to walk so as to maintain a consistency of
character. The pans you gave me have furnished us
15with sheep since we came. We have had eilands too and being
very fat tried to salt for you but all went bad so you
must take the veill instead of good Sehuba - Buffaloes
come occasionally into the town. Two came down our
way one morning & we soon made them our own
20We took a claw hammer of yours by mistake & in using it
a few days ago knocked its head off. This is the only article
I know of which should not have come. The reason I used
it after knowing it was yours was it had a smoother face than
mine & did not cause the nails to bend so as the others

25

I find on application to Koulter that he has no loose oxen
And Apie's party have so we shall send the ox with the
latter. The party with whom Apie now is will probably
be here next week. Sechele has been down to desire me
to send you many humerishos - Also to all his Friends among
30whom he considers Mr Ashton - He is anxious for some
one to make gun stocks for him, many of the guns of his
people being much damaged & split - Some one he calls
Taote esiũ moreki has sent messages to him to the effect 0007
that he wishes employment in that line - He offers an ox & Kaross for
each - Our people say it is one David Dickop at Likatlong
I promised to mention it to you and that you would mention it
to the individual if at Kuruman

5

In riding over here from Chonuane I had the misfortune to
lose the stopper of my powder horn - could you lend me an
old one till I get one of my own.? I am now without any.
When we came here. Sechele has all his powder (about 100lbs)
in his tent. The tent was smeared with fat to make it impervious
10the floor was covered with dried grass and as he always
uses candles in the evenings. The candle stick usually
stood at the head of his bed - After drinking beer one evening
he & all his attendants got up and went with the Kotla leaving
the candle burning. The wind blew it over on to the grass.
15& when the flame ran up the tent it was observed - One of my
guns being in the tent. S. ran in & snatched it up - as he pushed
back the flaming tent with one hand it was severely burned
The tent was completely consumed but the powder remained
untouched it being covered over by some paties. All agreed
20it was a great deliverance ᅳ We do not know when
we shall attain a supply of that article. We do not look for Cumming
although he has left some ivory with us. He has a Hottentot
woman with him. Got two Bakwains to accompany him
one of these having gone out to hunt with him was threatened
25with being shot if he did not find a buffaloes spoor - the
man becoming afraid pointed out the direction in
which he believed the animal went but Cumming
insisted it had gone another way. He then shot one of
his own dogs. told the man he should do so to him - the
30latter again pointed out the direction in which the buffalo
went Cumming seized him by the throat - beat him with
his fists - kicked him on the abdomen & then knocked him
down with the but end of his gun - this made the blood spout
out from his nose & mouth. The two were alone in the field 0008
A few days afterwards he ordered the Bakwains to let his horses & cattle
alone. He then ordered one of his Hottentots to tend them - a horse
very soon fell into a lemena - Cumming seized a molala
in the belief that he had digged the pit, one of his Hottentots held
5him by the feet and another by the head & Cumming beat him
till he expired - I asked the man particularly whether he saw
the man was actually gonogile - He said it was midday when
the deed was done. The corpse lay there till the evening and then
some of the man's friends came & took it away to bury it.
10All the people fled when they saw the man actually dead - the
Bakwains fled after nightfall - Cumming has gone on telling
the natives he is going to his friend Mosilikatze - the boors
have lately attacked some of his outposts and having found he
the Matibele of a different metal from the Bechuana fought
15and ran away - hoping no doubt to live and fight another day
they say they are returning to ipakauya so say the natives
Cumming does not know of this - If he comes near the
Matibele ten to one if he returns - If he should it will be a
marvel to me - Donovan's party died at the
20Macapo or Bacapo - Cumming was South East of them
when they (the Bakwains) left him. He seems driven away in
his wickedness.

We have been to measure our watercourse today. Had we
time we could irrigate a large tract of land but we should
25require to go along a mar of boulders about 200 feet - We
prefer to make an effort for a smaller piece because it
can be accomplished soon. And if spared & find that too
small we shall try the larger on a future occasion
Immense tracts may be irrigated down below easily - We
30hope the Bakwains may irrigate for themselves - and
they profer willing enough to try when they see how
we succeed

0009

3d sheet

completely disgusting the Motloa a small white ant very troublesome
If the climb up a wall or tree a little of the compound put on
the path - they never think of going that way again we
5have not yet tried the white ant Masetlaoka with it
I shall enclose leaves of it & the Mehetolo

1314 Sechele sent his brother ^ today with the request that I
should give him assistance to establish an evening prayer
meeting in his house - thinking he meant a private
10one ^ with himself I said he ought to pray himself in secret But going
up this afternoon in order to encourage him to do so He
took me aside and told me he wished to have a social
prayer meeting in his own house of his children and
all connected with them He added he knew he was living
15in sin but though he had not given up those with whom
he sinned he wished to pray in his family & hoped that
some of his people would be brought to believe - As he told
me before that he always prays in secret he said I do not
give up that. I pray alone in secret - in the field & in the
20town. Paul & I began & we have arranged that one
of us go every evening - always when affected His eyes glisten
We wish it ^ may be the beginning of conversion - His eyes glistened
- tonight I suppose you remember when you caught it
such little things as these. It will be a hard trial to part with
25his wives - Three of them are decidedly the best scholars - the most
friendly. the best in everything of all the people of women in the Town
His love for reading is really striking He has read all our
books twice - He is now in the Psalms - the second
reading of the testament No one ever goes up without
30being requested to give him a lesson & he never tires
of either reading or explaination|-When Malhuire or
Macuire was here - he & his party spoke in the most 0010
bitter manner against the gospel. "Why have you a house of
instruction in your town?" that is a dwelling house said I. But
I have heard you built a school. "You heard truly -" Then your
town is done for. We shall get all your people to be servants
5& you will be left with your book in a leshupi, Metse o sengogele
nure. Is the town gone send Ra chose. Ecoa o sengegele gale, o sencoe
o phatlalaricoe ki mekhoa ca bagologolu ba roua - Yana ga gona
metse. Sechele told me that the words of Macuire were more
bitter than anything he could have concieved but he was only
10concerned lest some of his people should believe them
some said he who do not understand. He soundly denied the
existence of God. We had been on our previous picture
night on the Magicians of Pharoah throughthrowing down their rods
as it is rather a familiar meeting. We were assailed by the
15question "How could they do that?" I related a story you may
remember as having happened at the time of the reformation
at St. Andrews or perhaps Melrose Abbey - of a pretended cure
of a blind man, & asked how could they do that? It was
of course a poser, the explanation of that & a few other
20tricks of jugglery awakened breatheless attention on
succeeding sabbath our attention was directed to the characteristics gospel
of which Paul spoke so positively - If we as an angel & and
then in the evening the Baruti of tsieco - After Macuire
came Sechele said to me Here is a mopero feti oa tsieco
25and after telling some of his foolish sayings asked me in
the hearing of a great number of his people "If
Macuire had been alive when Jesus was in the world
would he not have been Juda Isekanota? the party
came in a very suspicious manner - We believed they
30came for plunder - they wished to remain on the opposite
side of the stream but Sechele insisted on their coming
into the town - their horses were becoming sick
dying yet they lingered always appointing a day for 0011
departure & yet remaining. then came your packet and
as the report you sent agreed exactly with appearances I
went up though it was night & put the Bakwains on guard
About 80 guns were washed in the morning. the discharging
5of these frightened Macuire's people sadly Sechele then sent
for Macuire & asked what harm he had done him that he
had come waiting for an opportunity to steal his cattle. Adding
if you want to do it - begin now. Macuire of course denied
any evil intention, except that of going on to some tribe
10beyond the Bamangwato & stealing what he could get
He was then asked & what evil have the tribes beyond the
Bamangwato, done you. You are still eating Sebegoes cattle
He replied he wished to buy a wagon & live independant of
game flesh entirely - Plunder was evidently his object
15but fear operated to prevent him getting any. the Mauketse
wished to surround him & his party at night & cut them
off But Fosiencu prevented that - He who went out
to plunder was within a little of leaving his bones among us
We thank him who watched over us & shielded us from
20harm. Very probably the fear which prevented the accomplish
ment of their purposes was imparted by Him whose existence
they denied

Sorry to hear Robert comes out without finishing
his course of study at College But we hope almost against
25hope that he may have been permitted to remain - Pity
he listens to the foolish advice of Dr Anandale - No
degree is ever granted by University college of M D unless
the candidate is a graduate in medicine or surgery of some
other college (recognized by them) and has passed two years
30subsquently to the taking of that degree in an hospital
or in public practice of his profession

0012

If his head is affected by the racking of a winter session - the
summer ought to be spent in preparation for the next one
or two medical classes might be attended for profitable exercise
but the main attention ought to be directed to lessening the
5labour of the coming session - the books to be read
are well known so there is no difficulty in preparation
However it may all turn out for the best yet
Sechele desires me to write for a testament of the minutation Russia
a brownish colour. Perhaps a few of the finer testaments
10may be sent by the next opportunity - We have more of any
sort & may need them before very long. We were quite
in need of the selections before Boe came. and are glad
of them Sechele wishes me to mention a testament
& selection bound together but I have the impression
15that you parted with all these - Also to ask if you have
forgotten the umbrella of which you spoke by Siloishoe
We left a tripod intended for him - Also all the pictures
we selected from your stock Isaiah is certainly
an improvement on Proverbs - I feel sorry in reading
20the prophet that you did not spend more time on the Proverbs
Isia has many new words at least new to me
I have not yet tried them but will do so in my Eastern
trip - Potlaka is so common here it seems preferrable
to akotsa in He that believeth shall not make haste - It
25means to hurry one or be in a hurry - Perhaps my love for it
arises from the meaning they attached to akohu
To Bakwains it means "come hither" again & again have
I called to a man working akoha be quick as I thought
but he would leave off immediately & run to me
30I have not the smallest doubt but your Isaiah will bear
comparison with any one in the country - the fewness of
the typographical errors makes me think you do not

0013

4 Sheet

regret parting with your old assistant. I mean he of captivity
notoriety - Perhaps I too shall be honoured with "diversive vile"
but I feel in the path of duty when I devote a week or two
5of relaxation to the Eastern tribes. I hope Jesus is my shield
and with that hope & the path of duty before me I am not
the metal to cower or turn tail at a boerish storm. I should
like Mary to come too but she is sick of waggon life. It has
been hurry scurry ever since we came. I feel very languid & think
10a trip will do good. I have longed to visit the Eastern tribes
for a long time but have been bound hand & foot here - It is
reported we shall have a visit from Potgeiter - perhaps I may
induce him to stay where he is. Robert is rather a consequential
sort of gentleman, He wont even bestow a look on the chief
15and if any of the people presume to salute him ^ by touching him he either walks
past ^ scornfully or lifts up a stick to keep them at a distance - you might
see him lifting up a stick to those he could not strike above
the knee; yet he roars out murder if a kid looks at him.
Seems to like English better than Sichuana and is very fond
20of his little sister. She is equally delighted with him - Both are
favoured with good health - When we ask where Grandpapa is
he points southward but I think he has but little recollection
of Kuruman now.

My Brother Charles will have finished at Oberlin by next year
25Is desirous I should to write the Directors & introduce him as a
candidate for China - Is "engaged" to a young New Englander
who is very anxious to go as a missionary. He does not
like the American board on account of its connection
with slavery - Another society has sprung up which
30does not recieve slaveholders money this he would
join but it will not be strong enough by the time he
has completed his course - I never advised him to
become a missionary, but when I recieved a letter
which I sent you I proposed to him to think of China
35If I had that letter I should send that as an introduction but
it has gone out of the way. All I can do now is give
the Directors a little of his history and if they like they
may proceed to examine him as to capability &c as
in any other case. But poor fellow He is unmercifully
40poor, and how can he come to London as a candidate
He writes us from Lafayette where he was keeping a
school during the vacation & lodging in a baptist minister's
house - It is to be hoped our good folks will send 0014
him our £80 since they do not emigrate themselves but
probably the dearth has eaten it up.

Did your australian seeds vegetate? none of my English
seeds have come up except Canteloupe & prize melons &
5Prickly cucumber. Some of Jeffrie's have come to the
surface. We have sandy soil on the surface but
a peculiar sort of clay forms a stratum which lies about
a foot below and in some places is at the surface
The water from the canal runs through the sand along
10the clay & in several parts comes up to the surface -
Where the sand is a foot in depth everything grows
beautifully but where the clay appears grass chokes
other vegetation & water stands for some time after
every shower. It needs but little irrigation - I intend
15to try what boring a hole through the clay to perhaps
a lower stratum of sand will do. This lower
stratum does exist in some parts I do not know
whether it is universal - We gave a small room
door to the Town house - It gave so much satisfaction
20that a novel idea was originated Rhinoceros not
infrequently come by mistake rushing through the
town two came lately & an attempt was made to
skin one entire & stretch it out for a front door
but it would not do.

25

Manyetsa If I have taken anything by false accusation
as Gachecus said - It seems a compound of mano &
ya. eat bread of devet - Have you got this word out
your way Ga ki rue Khoma manyetsa is the way
it is used as if one should say I do not live by devet
30Ñaro is past the thing But I am now very
sleepy. If I have forgot anything you mentioned
I shall advert to it again on reperusal of your
letter Kind love to Mamary when she comes
also to Mr Hamilton & Ashton's We remember
35them all kindly though we do not write at
present All here are well

0015

I shall try & find a little Strychnia for Andries tomorrow
morning before Boe goes. We send nothing now
because our own waggon will soon go -
16th the Strychnia ⅛ of a grain once or twice a day untill
5he feels the muscles of his back twitching - If this
effect is not produced in a week three times a day
will be the dose. If Boe remains half an hour
I shall mark it up in pills ⅛ in each - I know
you have no time.

10

the leaves of the Ant medicine are dry &
crumble now - the enclosed is Mehetolo - There is
another plant which dyes the teeth black.

              Affectionately yours

                    D Livingston

0016

Livingston 29 Sept
                /47
Contains some words
to be referred to

5

Revd R. Moffat
            Kuruman