Anzelm Dzwonkowski’s Short Description of the Dutch Cape Colony (1789, 1793)

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article presents excerpts from the short memoirs of Teodor Anzelm Dzwonkowski, a member of a Mazovian family belonging to the Polish petty nobility, who after his service in the Prussian army decided to enrol with the Prince of Orange, a vessel sailing to Southeast Asia on a voyage which took him nearly five years (1787–1793). During this voyage he twice spent a few months in Cape Town, first, in June to August 1789 and, secondly, from around September 1792 to March 1793 on his return voyage. He left two very short descriptions, less than 11 pages long in total, of his two stays there. Although the description of the first is longer and more elaborate than the much shorter second account, the latter contains some interesting insights. This article provides a short biography of Anzelm Dzwonkowski and the history of his memoirs, both quite important for the overall story behind these historical accounts. Finally, the article comments on certain aspects of these memoirs.