CHAPTER XXXIX - JOHAN CORNELIS D'ABLEING, SECUNDE, ACTING GOVERNOR, 3RD JUNE 1707 TO 1ST FEBRUARY 1708: LOUIS VAN ASSENBURGH, GOVERNOR, INSTALLED 1ST FEBRUARY 1708, DIED 27TH DECEMBER 1711: WILLEM HELOT, SECUNDE, ACTING GOVERNOR, 28TH DECEMBER 1711 TO 28TH MARCH 1714

Summary

The only circumstance deserving note during the few months that the secunde D'Ableing was at the head of the government was the violent conduct of the reverend Mr. Le Boucq, which caused much disquiet in the community. That clergyman had arrived at the Cape at a time of clamour and strife, and instead of preaching peace, at once became a promoter of further discord. He took side with the colonists, though there was no good object to be gained by his entering into the question of party politics, since all that the burghers had contended for was secured. He was conversant with the Portuguese language, and could therefore have been of greater service in India than here, but as he was of quarrelsome disposition the authorities at Batavia were glad to get rid of him.

Upon Mr. Le Boucq's arrival at the Cape, the reverend Mr. Bek removed to Stellenbosch, that the new clergyman might enter upon his duties; but as soon as he ascertained that there was neither church nor parsonage at Drakenstein, he declined to take up the work. Before any pressure could be put upon him, the reverend Mr. Kalden was suspended, and the government then decided that Messrs. Bek and Le Boucq should conduct the services at the Cape on alternate Sundays. After a little, the two ministers arranged between themselves that Mr. Le Boucq should take all the services at the Cape, Mr. Bek going occasionally to Drakenstein; and to this the government made no objection.