| Citation |
AWM.737.021
19-26 May 1737:22 (908)
March 8. By a ship arrived at Rotterdam from the Cape of
Good Hope, we have the following extraordinary account, that
there happened a difference between the D[ ] factory, and
the Hottentotts the natives: One of the Factory being up in
the country was kill'd by the Hottentots whereupon the
chiefs of heads of those people were summoned to find the
offender, and bring him to the [Board?] of Trade, and there
to punish him, according to their manner, for so great a
crime, which was done as follows: They made a great
bonfire, and brought the criminal attended by all his
friends and relations, to take their leave of him, in
feasting, dancing, drinking, &c. [ ] after they had
greatly intoxicated him, & made him dance till he was spent,
then they threw him into the fire, [ ] concluded the
execution with a great howl. Some time after it happen'd one
of the Factory kill'd a Hottentot upon which the great men
came to demand justice of the Factory; but the offender was
a person who could be very ill spared, being one of their
best accomptants, however they contriv'd to give
satisfaction, and save the man, which was thus; a day being
appointed, the Hottentotts came to see the execution in
great numbers; a scaffold was erected and the criminal was
brought forth drest all in white, [ ] white night cap, &
a minister attending him; after praying, singing psalms, &c.
the executioner brings to him a porringer of burning brandy
which he receives with all the signs of horror and dread
possible; and after drinking it up falls down, and trembling
in the highest agonies and pain for some time, lies still,
and the executioner throws a blanket over him, and
Hottentotts shout and make great rejoicings; saying, that we
had been more severe than they, for we put our fire into the
criminal, they the criminal into the fire.
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