35 8 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



though they never were richer in all probability than at pre- 

 fent. No nation can now turn them to any profit, but the 

 Englifh Eaft India Company, more intent on multiplying the 

 number of their enemies, and weakening themfelves by 

 fpreading their inconfiderable force over new conquefts,than 

 creating additional profit by engaging in new articles of 

 commerce. A fettlement upon the river Frat, which never yet 

 has belonged to any one but wandering Arabs, would open 

 them a market both for coarfe and fine goods from the 

 fouthern frontiers of Morocco, to Congo and Angola, and fet 

 the commerce of pearls and tortoife fhell on foot again. All 

 this fection of the Gulf from Suez, as I am told, is in their 

 charter, and twenty mips might be employed on the Red 

 Sea, without any violation of territorial claims. The myrrh, 

 the frankincenfe, fome cinnamon, and variety of drugs, are 

 all in the pofTeffion of the weak king of Adel, an ufurper, 

 tyrant, and Pagan, without protection, and willing to trade 

 with any fuperior power, that only would fecure him a 

 miferable livelihood. 



If this does not take place, I am perfuaded the time is 

 not far off, when thefe countries mall, in fome fhape or 

 other, be fubjecls of a new mailer. Were another Peter, a- 

 nother Elizabeth, or, better than either, another Catharine 

 to fucceed the prefent, in an empire already extended to 

 China; — werefuch a fovereign, unfettered by European poli- 

 tics, to profecute that eafy talk of pufhing thofe mounte- 

 banks of fovereigns and ftatefmen, thefe ftage-players of 

 government, the Turks, into Afia, the inhabitants of the 

 whole country, who in their hearts look upon her already 

 as their fovereign, becaufe Hie is the head of their religion, 

 would, I am perfuaded, fubmit without a blow that in- 



ftant 



