CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 96, 6 November 1852, Page 4

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

A characteristic despatch has been published in the Gazette from Sir Harry Smith, iv reply to Earl Grey's petulant and querulous recall. The following is the generous spirit in which the gallant General acknowledges his degradation, and states his intention of proceeding with his duties while awaiting the arrival of his successor:— "My Lord, —I had the honour to receive on the Ist Auril, at King William's Town, your Lordship's* despatch, No. 732, of the 14th of January last, intimating to me that Her Majesty's Government had deemed it an unavoidable duty to relieve me from my present position ; that my Sovereign had approved of the measure; and that my successor was immediately to leave England. At that period, however, such were the prospects of this war, and so rapid the progression towards that state of things which can alone perpetuate peace (best shown by the proclamation issued by me on the 6th of February, and again enclosed), that a sense of the duty which has guided me in the service of my Sovereign and country for so many years induced me to persevere in the preparatory steps I had taken for the expulsion from certain strongholds within the colony of the rebel Gaikas and Hottentots under the wily chief Macomo, a renegade from the authority of his paramount chief, Sandilli ; and also for expelling the'Gaika tribes from British Caffraria, and driving them , over the Great Kei," After giving official reports of the successful operations against Macomo, Sir Harry replies to the criticisms on the inflated style of his despatches. On this point he says,— " I am fully aware that I have been accused, during the progress of this campaign, of using the language of hyperbole in describing the numerous rencounters which have occurred, and in giving praise to the gallant officers and troops as well as burghers. Possessing, however, some experience in war, I must maintain that such is not the case. Troops acting in the open field expect not the stimulus of praise; the soldier sees his foe. and his British courage vises at each step; but he who, after perhaps a.night march of great length, has to ascend mountains or penetrate (hmse bush and ravines, filled probably with a daring and intrepid enemy,as resolute as athletic, ready to murder any one who may fall into his hands, and whose warfare is of the most stealthy and enterprising kind, appreciates the praise of his commander, because when his acts are conspicuously dariug be is conscious he deserves it. He does his duty ; but human nature

renders even the soldier's intrepid heart sensible of the approbation of his superior, which lie is proud to know may reach the eye of his paretic and friends."