SOUTHERN AFRICA. 31 
fliall attempt to point out its value as a port and naval ftation ; 
and, in the laft place, as a commercial emporium and territorial 
acquifition. Thefe confiderations will lead me to enquire into 
its real intrinfic value as a colony, In its prefent ftate, and to 
what extent it feems capable of further improvement. And, as 
the information on this head is moft deficient, and opinions 
various and contradidory, it may not be unacceptable, and It 
certainly is not unimportant, to draw up, from authentic docu- 
ments, a ftatiftlcal fketch of the fettlement, which will enable 
the reader to form a competent judgment of its value, as a 
country capable of fupplying provifions, at a cheap rate, for 
the army and navy ; of producing articles of export for Europe 
and America, in exchange for Britifh produce and manufadlures; 
and as a general depot or central point for the fouthern whale 
fifhery, which has now become fo great an obje(f^ of Britifli 
trade and navigation. 
If any of the hints thrown out in this volume lliould prove 
beneficial to my country, by fuggefting fuch meafures as may 
avert the evils which now threaten our trade and fettlements in 
the Eaft, I fhall confider the labour and application of three 
months not to have been beftowed in vain. 
