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Introduction to the Resolutions
of the Council of Policy of Cape of Good Hope
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Expeditions to other regions of Southern Africa
Any official intention to organise an expedition, be it on land or at sea, had to be announced at a Council meeting. In consecutive meetings progress with the preparations would be reported, as well as who was needed for the journey, how many and what goods were required etc. After completion of such a mission the Council of Policy received a full report on the achievements and problems that had been encountered. The “daghregisters” [diaries] of such expeditions ensured continuous reporting on a daily basis. At present these documents are of great historical importance.
Expeditions to the interior of the country were undertaken for several reasons: to reach agreements with Khoi chiefs, to trade livestock from indigenous tribes, and to explore the unknown regions with a view towards expansion or to determine the viability of such enterprises. Frequent expeditions took place along the African coastline, mainly westward to Loanda in Angola and eastward to Terra de Natal and Rio de la Goa. Visits were frequently undertaken to the islands of Madagascar and Mauritius to trade slaves and other goods.
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