Conquest

He saw an unmistakable gleam of interest. ‘This to include the code of law, currency, rights of property – what say you, sir, to a restoration of all the traditional customs and trade practices as have been in place in Cape Town for these centuries past?’

‘All?’

‘Just so.’

‘Then I’d be compelled to describe it as a mistake, sir.’

Renzi was taken aback. This, from the previous first man of government? ‘May I know why?’ he asked, after a space.

‘The Batavian government is recent, a parvenu. Our origins are far in the past as we were founded by the Dutch East Indies Company to be naught but a victualling stop on the way to the Spice Islands. They ruled until a handful of years ago and their motives were selfish, their loyalty only to their shareholders. A polity such as this has no right to rule, still less to be imitated.’

‘Are you then a radical, sir? Do you despise the former ways?’ Renzi asked. If he were, it would instantly disqualify him for any position in the administration they were trying to bring together. A revolution would be a distinct liability in their precarious situation – and where would be their ready-made civil service?

‘Not at all. The Dutch ways are direct, practical and well suited to this land.’

‘Then?’

‘I was fiscal in the previous government. There are regulations I would strike down and there are laws I would strengthen. It’s a small, inward-looking society of many races and beliefs and requires careful nurturing. Do you know that in Cape Town today the slave population exceeds the free by thousands? That the Malay Muslims demand their own burying ground? That the Xhosa people speak by the clicking of tongues?’

It was becoming clearer: Ryneveld was making a bid for power in the new administration on the grounds of indispensability. But would he commit publicly to collaborating with the conquerors?

‘For myself, I’m a newcomer of days only,’ Renzi said neutrally. ‘These curiosities deserve attention, and insights from one of undoubted understanding would be well taken. However, it’s in contemplation to go much further – to entrust the well-running of the settlement to the people of Cape Colony themselves. Do you think it wise to allow the upper reaches of such a governance to be in Dutch hands or would it be prudent to staff it with English appointees?’

‘If you are sincere in your desire to bring forward the natural aspirations and feelings of the inhabitants of the Cape, then only the totality of what exists, the continuation of the known order, will bring the confidence and contentment in its administration that you stand in need of.’

Renzi nodded gravely. ‘If there will be one who stands for the people of Cape Colony, would it not be seen that such would be in the pay of the English and therefore betrayed his countrymen?’

‘No,’ came the firm reply.

‘Come, sir. This land was settled by the Dutch, now another has usurped their ancient rights. Do you not believe this to be injurious to their feelings?’

Ryneveld gave a tiny smile. ‘In turn, I’m astonished you English have not railed against the usurping Dutch – after all, it is you who have the prior claim. Was it not in 1620, a generation before our Jan van Riebeeck, that your Captain Shillinge took formal possession of the Cape in the name of King James?’

‘It had slipped my mind,’ Renzi said smoothly.

‘Then, sir, I think it true to say that should affairs be conducted in the old ways, congenial to the sensitivities of the honest citizens of Cape Town and conducive to the swelling of trade, you shall have a contented colony.’

‘Upon the advice of one of discernment and discretion, intimate with the delicacies of public affairs at the Cape . . .?’

‘Naturally.’

‘Capital!’ Baird said. ‘If he’s willing to serve it means he’s others of like mind behind him. I do believe we have a way forward. Tricky that Janssens is still in the field – two governors, divided loyalties and such.’

‘Never mentioned, sir.’

‘Then he shall be appointed fiscal again.’ Baird laid down his pen and smiled expansively. ‘Excellent! No offence intended to my soldier brothers but a civil complexion to our rule is essential and now we have it. A rather good wheeze I came up with, hey? We may now move forward, I believe.’

‘Shall you wish your cabinet to meet?’ Renzi asked.

‘I’m not intending in the future to conduct my affairs by committee, my dear Mr Colonial Secretary. It shall be informed of the resumption of a civil administration and then dissolved. Any advice I might require I’ll ask for at the time. Now – I do think it about time we made a few proclamations. Let’s see . . . one about allegiance to His Majesty, o’ course, but at the same time a grand one as sets ’em a-twittering, opening the port to trade and such.’

‘Allegiance? Could not this be seen as somewhat presumptive, the Batavians being as yet undefeated?’

‘Then what do you see as standing in its place?’ The tone, however, was pleasant and encouraging.

‘Um, I’d say a stern admonition of sorts from your own good self, urging citizens to abandon General Janssens’s cause as hopeless in the face of garrison reinforcements from England expected daily.’

‘And pointing out the undoubted advantages of settling down to an enlightened domestic rule – yes, that will do. Now, while I summon Ryneveld, see what a fist you can make of the wording, there’s a good chap!’

As Renzi reached his office, a terrified woman escaped with her mops and buckets and a distinguished-looking elderly gentleman presented himself. ‘Sir – Oudtshoorn, chief clerk. I do hope your office will be satisfactory. If there’s anything . . . ?’

‘Thank you, er, Oudtshoorn.’ They entered and a younger man at a small desk to one side rose