21 
writer) that on my arrival at the Cape, I 
found that settlement in the hands of the 
English ; and as it is not improbable but 
when the happy period arrives (Captain 
Stout "wrote when we were at war with the 
French republic) when the European na- 
tions shall close the present scene of human 
butchery, this settlement may become a 
part of the British empire, I shall venture 
to describe the good consequences that in 
all probability will arise to England from 
the possession of this settlement and its 
dependencies. 
The British at this time receive their 
tobacco from America ; but they are so 
wealthy and enterprising a people, and 
so intent on making settlements abroad, 
especially such as have a tendency to im- 
prove their commerce, that it would be 
ridiculous to imagine so great a benefit as 
the cultivation of this article in the south 
of Africa could escape their notice. The 
inhabitants of the Cape, and the colonists 
in general, entertain a strong predilection 
in favour of the British; and the sagacity 
of the English government will soon point 
out the means of perpetuating their friend- 
