The authority of the baron was extremely absolute over all the members of his family; because they entirely depended upon him for subsistence.He obliged his slaves to labour at pleasure, and allowed them such recompense only as he thought proper.His kindred were under the necessity of following his banner in all his military expeditions.He exercised over both a supreme jurisdiction, in punishing their offences, as well as in deciding their differences; and he subjected them to such regulations as he judged convenient, for removing disorders, or preventing future disputes.
These barons, though in a great measure independent, were early united in a larger society, under circumstances which gave rise to a very peculiar set of institutions.The effect of that union, whence proceeded the system of feudal government in Europe, will fall to be considered in a subsequent part of this discourse.
NOTES:
1.Mr Kolben relates, that one of the Dutch governors at the Cape of Good Hope brought up a Hottentot according to the fashions and customs of the Europeans, teaching him several languages, and instructing him fully in the principles of the Christian religion, at the same time clothing him handsomely, and treating him in all respects as a person for whom he had an high esteem, and whom he desired for some beneficial and honourable employment.The governor afterwards sent him to Batavia where he was employed under the commissary for some time, till that gentleman died; and then he returned to the Cape of Good Hope.
But having paid a visit to the Hottentots of his acquaintance, he threw off all his fine clothes, bundled them up, laid them at the governor's feet and desired he might be allowed to renounce his Christianity, and to live and die in the religion and customs of his ancestors; only requesting that he might be permitted to keep the hanger and collar which he wore, in token of his regard to his benefactor.While the governor was deliberating upon this, scarce believing the fellow to be in earnest, the young Hottentot took the opportunity of running away, and never afterwards came near the Cape, thinking himself happy that he had ex- changed his European dress for a sheep-skin, and that he had abandoned the hopes of preferment for the society of his relations and countrymen.
The English East-India Company made the like experiment upon two young Hottentots, but with no better success.
2.'Whenever they went to war, and a captain had to be elected among them.they took a large beam and put it on their shoulders one by one, and the one who carried it for the longest time was made their commander.Many of them carried it for 4, 5, and 6hours; but one of them finally carried it for 24 hours; and that one was recognized as their leader.' Voyage d'Olivier de Noort.
Recueil de voy.qui ont servi a l'etab.de la comp.Dans les Indes Orient.des Pais Bas.
3.Montaigne's essays, p.169.Paris 1604, 8vo.
It has been remarked, that all animals which live in herds or flocks are apt to fall under the authority of a single leader of superior strength or courage.Of this a curious instance is mentioned by the author of Commodore Anson's voyage.'The largest sea-lion,' says he, 'was the master of the flock; and, from the number of females he kept to himself, and his driving off the males, was styled by the seamen the bashaw.As they are of a very lethargic disposition, and are not easily awakened, it is observed, that each herd places some of their males at a distance in the manner of sentinels, who always give the alarm whenever any attempt is made either to molest or approach them, by making a loud grunting noise like a hog, or snorting like a horse in full vigour.The males had often furious battles with each other, chiefly about the females; and the bashaw just mentioned, who was commonly surrounded by his females, to which no other male dared to approach, had acquired that distinguished pre-eminence by many bloody contests, as was evident from the numerous scars visible in all parts of his body.'
In a herd of deer, the authority of the master-buck, founded upon his superior strength, is not less conspicuous.
4.Judges, chap.x, ver.18 chap.xi, ver.1, etc.
5.1 Samuel, chap.x, ver.23, 24.
6.1 Samuel, chap.xviii, ver.6, 7.
7.The admiration and respect derived from the possession of superior fortune, is very fully beautiful illustrated by the eloquent and ingenious author of the Theory of Moral Sentiments.
8.Genesis, chap.xx, ver.9.-- We read, however, of Abraham's buying a field for the particular purpose of a burying place, and of his having weighed, as the price, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.
9.That land is appropriated by tribes before it becomes the property of individuals, has been observed by Dr Stuart, in his acute dissertation concerning the antiquity of the English constitution.
10.Tactitus, de mor.Germ.
11.Caesar, de bell.Gall.lib.4, cap.1.
12.Obtorto collo.
13.This is particularly the case among the Hurons and Natchez.
Journal historique d'un voyage de l'Amerique, par Charlevoix, let.30.Nouveaux voyages aux Indes orientales, tom.1,, p.42.
14.'The authority of the Chiefs properly extends only over those members of their tribe whom they look upon as their children....
