John Bailie was born in Madras (India) but educated in England. He came to the Cape Colony at the head of a large party of 1820 Settlers. When his property was destroyed at the start of the War of 1834 (6th Frontier War), he joined the military and was promoted quickly to the rank of captain in the 1st Battalion, Provisional Infantry. In this capacity, he came to the Buffalo River mouth in May 1835 and was responsible for surveying of the river in January 1836.

In November 1836 Bailie returned to the Buffalo River mouth in the company of Captain Thomas Biddulph to supervise the off-loading of the Knysna which had brought a cargo of military supplies for the remnant of troops still stationed in the Province of Queen Adelaide (the so-called "Port Rex" story). It should be noted, however, that he was not in charge of this expedition despite claims to the contrary on the John Bailie Memorial at the East London harbour.

There is an interesting sequel to the "Port Rex" story. John Bailie claimed that he returned to the Buffalo River mouth early in 1837 and bought a piece of land from the local Xhosa community, on the eastern bank of the river. It was extensive, he said, and stretched along the coast from the Buffalo River to the Blind River (where Marina Glen is today). There he built a house, planted fruit and oak trees, and prepared to sow cotton and tobacco. Dysentery had then overtaken him and he was forced to seek medical assistance in the Colony. The War of the Axe (1846-7) erupted before he could return, however, and so he journeyed to Trans-Orangia instead. There he was convicted of murdering a Boer farmer and was sentenced to death, later to be commuted to life imprisonment.

Bailie's story is unsubstantiated, however, and can probably be taken with a pinch of salt. It was stated in a memorial to Sir Harry Smith, Bailie's friend of yore, when he was appointed Governor and High Commissioner of the Cape Colony in 1847. On hearing of Smith's promotion, Bailie wasted no time in imploring a pardon for his crime of murder, a request that was duly granted.

Bailie thereupon sent another petition for possession of the land, knowing that the Buffalo mouth was at that very moment already serving once more as a port for a new territory called British Kaffraria. A village was even then forming on the western bank where the military camp of "Port Rex" had been. Indeed, reports hinted that it would rival even Port Elizabeth in the not-too-distant future. If Bailie could acquire the land on the eastern bank, therefore, his fortune would be made.

Nothing came of the request because the Governor had no intention of allowing the new port to expand across the river to the eastern bank. Although he was desperate for traders to settle at the village

See also: John Bailie Memorial Ownership of the river mouth The Knysna The Port Rex Cybertrail

which he was now calling "London", they were to be allowed land only in close proximity to the military base on the western bank. Friend or no friend, Governor Sir Harry Smith was certainly not going to give away the land so easily.

Dr Keith Tankard

Have a look at the amazing monument to John Bailie on Signal Hill at the East London harbour. It is inscribed with the words: ON THIS SPOT THE BRITISH FLAG WAS FIRST HOISTED BY LIEUT. JOHN BAILIE. R.N. NOVEMBER, 1836. Historian Dee Nash has correctly pointed out that Bailie was not a lieutenant but a captain, he was never a member of the Royal Navy but belonged to the 1st Battalion, Provisional Infantry, and it was not he who hoisted the British flag at that spot. That service was done by Captain Thomas Biddulph, who was in charge of the military camp there.

Dr Keith Tankard

May it please your Excellency

I take the liberty of reminding your Excellency that I was employed in January 1836, to survey the mouth of the Buffalo River, for the report on which I had the honor to receive the approbation of His Excellency Sir Benjamin D'Urban, conveyed to me by your Excellency in highly flattering terms. In Novr. and Decr. of the same year I went by order of Col. England, at the request of Commissary Genl. Palmer, to the same River to superintend the landing of a Cargo of Stores from the Brig Knysna. During this latter service the Province was restored to the Kafirs and consequently that Port was abandoned.

Early in 1837, the Chiefs Pato, Kama and Cobus, by a Notarial Deed passed before Noty. J.B. Barnes of Graham's Town, applied to the late Asst. Com. Genl. Sandford and Mr. T. Shepstone, their Commissioners for commercial purposes within their territories, most particularly for the establishment of a Town at Port Rex, mouth of the Buffalo, so named by Lieut. Govr. Stockenstrom. I was consulted by all the parties as to the land required for a township, arrangement of the town, measurement of the Erven &c. and proceeded to the spot in March 1837. I stopt at a place called Gooleen within four miles of the sea, built a hut, planted a garden and made all my dispositions for a permanent residence. In a few weeks I received intelligence from Mr. Sandford that nothing further would be done towards the Port as it was contrary to the desire of the then paramount authority on the frontier. My all was embarked in the undertaking, I could not recede.

I purchased ground from three brothers residing at the mouth of the River on the East or left bank, with the concurrence of the presiding great Umpakati of Pato. The three families moved and left me entirely in possession of the ground from the Buffalo R. east to the Ingangeza distant about a mile and quarter, and from the source of the latter in a line parallel to the sea back to the Buffalo R. forming nearly a square.

I removed to this, built a house, a garden and planted many kinds of fruit trees and 150 acorns, fenced a field in which I intended to commence a plantation of Cotton and American tobacco. In the midst of my work, I was seized with Dysentry and compelled to fly back to the Colony for medical assistance. I left my place in charge of one of the brothers, who is since dead. I left ten Cows and a mare and foal in charge of different natives, adopting the Kafir plan of dividing my stock for fear of "eating up".

In January 1846, I for the last time heard tidings of my property. I had then three orange trees in bearing, numberless peach and apricot trees long in bearing, my oaks quite a grove, my cattle increased to 25, and my horses to 8. This war broke out and I was then a Prisoner. I cannot expect that I have either cattle or horses left, but the land of course remains. I pray that your Excellence will be pleased to grant me possession of the land I have now described that I may now, under the expectation of a permanent peace under the auspices of your Excellency, proceed in my project of introducing civilization into Kaffraria by diverting the energies of that nation from their predatory habits into a legitimate spirit of commercial enterprize.

I pray that your Excellency will be pleased to give my request your favourable consideration.

Dr Keith Tankard