XVI PREJACE. 



induced its former masters to repossess it, and to for- 

 tify it likewise, notwithstanding the aforementioned 

 inconvenience. The building here no less than seven 

 forts, to cover and command three harbours, in the 

 largest of w hich there is a garrison of a thousand re- 

 gular troops, relieved constantly once in six months 

 from Fernambuca, plainly proves, that either the force 

 of the Portuguese is much greater in those parts than 

 ■we commonly apprehend in Europe : or, which is 

 more probably the truth, that they are to the last 

 degree jealous and suspicious of that enterprizing- 

 nation, who, in virtue of the great law of conveni- 

 ence, are for appropriating to their own use what- 

 ever they find themselves in a condition to seize and 

 to secure. This gives us the true cause of that surprize 

 and uneasiness which the Portuguese, during the last 

 war, expressed, when a French squadron, with a body 

 of land-troops on board, intended against our settle- 

 ments in the East Indies, touched there, on account 

 of an epidemic disease among their troops ; which, 

 it seems, the Portuguese mistook for the epidemic 

 thirst of gold ; and were so apprehensive of their 

 making a visit to their mines, that though they could 

 Dot well refuse them relief in their distress, yet they 

 took almost the same precautions as if declared ene- 

 mies had lanTled in their country. 



Another point of great utilit}^ that will result 

 from the perusal of this work, is the obtaining a clear 

 and candid account of the flourishing state of the 

 French colonies in St, Domingo; which, considering 

 that the gentleman from wiiom we have it is a Spa- 

 niard, and consequently unexceptionable in his tes- 

 timony, will suffice to give us a just idea of the pro- 

 digious advantages derived to France from their co- 

 lonies in that island. He observes, with great ta-ir- 

 ncss and freedom, that the French arc well entitled to 



the 



