16 
compared to those of CafFraria, elucidate 
this fact, and the experiments which the 
farmers have been able to make in the 
more advanced stations of the colonies 
leave no room for controversy on this sub- 
ject. Tobacco has likewise been raised 
in these colonies by such of the farmers as 
could procure a plant ; and although few 
were acquainted with the necessary treat- 
ment, either in its growth or manufacture, 
the produce in some places has been such 
as to exceed their most sanguine expecta- 
tions. Here the barbarous policy of the 
Dutch government interposed, and the 
poor colonists were discouraged from rear- 
ing this indispensable commodity ; they 
were obliged either to send or travel to 
the Cape for their tobacco, as well as most 
other articles, which they obtained by bar- 
ter, and at an expense which seemed to 
exceed all bounds of usurious dealing. 
The sugar-cane, although not native to 
these countries, it is supposed could not 
fail in the southern parts of Africa; the 
soil, the climate, every thing invite the ex- 
periment. On my consulting those people 
