Jan van Riebeeck

"[T]hat our prosperity may never forget God's mercies shown to us, but always keep them in grateful memory."

"Hollanders are not a nation to rob another of its property, but desire to live in friendship with all people, and trade with them."

"Be careful in always having a good beacon fire, as the signals entirely depend upon it, that the ships may enter the bay in safety"."

"You shall also keep your fires burning if the ships are blown back by contrary winds, but if the ships are foreign or not Dutch (onduitsch) you shall at once extinguish your fire."

"And as we are making our position stronger every day, it is to be hoped that they (Khoisan) will feel less inclined to disturb us, provided, however, that a strict watch be kept on everything and we remain on our guard in every direction, continuing with diligence at the fences and other defensive forts..."

"All the trouble began in 1652 when Jan van Riebeeck landed in the Cape."