New Light at the Cape of Good Hope. William Porter: The Father of Cape Liberalism by McCracken, J. L

(Belfast: The Ulster Historical Foundation, 1993) 0901905542. 210 x 148 mm; laminated pictorial wrappers; pp. 160; maps and plates. Light bump to bottom fore-corner of lower cover. Very good condition. "Porter came to the colony, he said, with an unspeakable hatred of oppression of every kind. As attorney general he insisted on equal justice for all, blacks and whites, masters and servants. He also used his ex-officio political role to promote, and win acceptability for, his liberal convictions. The constitution he drew up in 1854 provided for a parliament elected by blacks and whites on equal terms. After retiring in 1865 he was elected to parliament and worked for responsible government, for religious freedom and for the propagation of such advanced ideas as the abolition of capital punishment and the higher education of women. Porter declined all offers of honours and promotions - a knighthood, the chief justiceship, the prime ministership. ... His will reflected his devotion to the Cape in the large donations he made to public institutions there." .