6 
duct is not warranted by the laws of na- 
tions. I shall admit (but for the purpose 
only of elucidating the matter in question) 
that successful violence gives a title to the 
possessor, and that the colonistvS, as far as 
they have penetrated, are lawfully entitled 
to those estates : still this argument does 
not apply so as to exclude an American, 
or any other foreigner, who settles at a 
distance (suppose 100 miles) from the most 
advanced colony belonging to the govern- 
ment of the Cape. It has never been un- 
derstood, when the Dutch took possession 
of the Cape of Storms, as it was originally 
styled by the Portuguese, that they also 
claimed a title to the whole of the southern 
part of Africa ; such an undefined and 
unlimited claim must at once appear not 
only presumptuous, but preposterous ; and 
on this ground I argue, that the people of 
any nation have an unquestionable right 
(provided the natives give their assent) to 
settle on such parts of the southern con- 
tinent of Africa, as do not interpose with 
the lands already in possession of the co- 
lonists.'* 
