DEDICATION. 
from Antwerp, much of it will return, and 
that the French, difFufing the fpirit of com- 
mercial enterprife throughout the whole of 
their republic, may foon induce the Englilli 
to look to Africa, as a new fource of profit- 
able fpcculation. I do not enter into the 
prefent avowed policy of both nations, that 
Fi-ance and England muftbe either both mo- 
narchies, or both republics ; the fword, it 
is faid, muft determine this point ; but to 
whatever fide the fcale may preponderate, 
both France and England muft ilili be trad- 
ing nations, and foreign poflefBons their pe- 
culiar care. 
The Engliih have dependencies, particu- 
larly in the Eaft, of immenfe extent, and 
they enjoy tJie advantages of a confiderable 
population. But who can tell where the 
revolutionary principle that nov/ makes fuch 
gigantic ftrides throughout the continent 
of Europe will flop at laft ? If, from any un- 
forefeen occurrence, the Britifh fettlements 
in India Ihould become independent, their 
pDifeflions in Africa w^ould amply recom- 
pence the misfortune ; and, although fuch 
an event is not confidered in England as 
within the fcope of probability, yet I have 
feen in India what was fufficient to convince 
me that to guard againft fuch a contingen- 
cy, would, at this day, be a prudent mea- 
fure in the Britifh government. 
Perhaps it may be obferved, that when 
the ipirit and difpofition of the prefent times 
