942 A P P E N D I X T o Vol. 111.. 



in full fecurUy, againft foreign or domeftic enemies. In fuch advan- 

 tages we are glaringly defedive ; yet we need not deplore the want of 

 them, fo long as we are provident for our internal fafety, and our 

 marine force continues, beyond comparifon, fuperior to any otlicr in 

 Europe. , It is however not, nninllru6\ive to remark the aclivity and 

 folicitude with which France has perfevered in ftrengthening her colo- 

 nies, by thole inftruments wherein her ability and power have moft 

 conlifled; and which are evidently employed to fuftainthem againft that 

 counterpoife of naval power, which flie is fenfible we poffefs. In fome 

 foregoing paflages I. incidentally touched upon her plan of fortifying 

 Cape -Nicola mole,, as a reftraint upon our navigation and trade. Some 

 authentic materials, obligingly put into my hands by a friend, have 

 enabled me to difclofe her progrefs lince the late war, in that important 

 imdertaking. :_ It cannot be, without very well-grounded reafons, that 

 the French government has been, and ftill continues, at an enormous 

 expenditure, fo earneftly bent upon the completion of this objeft. It 

 is doubtlefs intended to fecond, in future time, fome very capital ma- 

 chination againft our commerce in this part of America. So deliberate 

 a preparation for offending us in a future war ought not to be (lightly 

 regarded. 'It calls on us, in the moft articulate terras, to ftand on our 

 guard ; that, whilft the French are ftrenuoufly occupied in erefting a 

 fecond J)««/(7>/^ at Hifpaniola, we may not too long negleft the fame 

 peaceful interval, to counteraft their favourite fcheme, by forming a 

 receptacle for . our own ftiips of war, at Port Antmilo^ In Jamaica, 

 which is fo happily circumftanced to ferve as a curb upon their forti- 

 fied port, and a proteftion for our homeward-bound veffels, In time 

 . of war. 



When we fee our competitors fo bent on a fcheme, which can have 

 no poffible nor adequate obje£l, except that of giving us annoyance, 

 it would be downright folly, if we fhould continue fuplne, and not 

 catch the alarm. Whoever meditates ferioufly on the probable iffue 

 of their defign, cannot believe that It forebodes any other than mif- 

 chief to Great Britain. But, although tills ominous meafure was very 

 early efpoufed after the commencement of peace, and fo publicly dlf- 

 courfed of among merchants of the firft eminence In Jamaica, as to 

 leave no room for queftlon but that their friends at home were leafon- 

 ably apprized of it, yet we do not find, that any ftep has been taken 



on 



