•SOUTHERN AFRICA. 
141 
It alfo appeared, from the condudl of the three commiffioners 
that were fent out to arrange certain points with the Britilli 
government, that French intereft was likely to predominate at 
the Cape. Thefe gentlemen, though calling themielves Dutch, 
made a hard ftruggle, though without fuccefs, that the minutes 
of their joint tranfadions, and correfpondence with the com- 
miffioners that were appointed on the part of the Britifh go- 
vernment, fhould be kept in the French language. In fhort, 
every ftep that was taken by the new government, clearly 
evinced that, although the Batavian flag might be fuffered to 
fly, French influence was likely to prevail. Long, indeed, be- 
fore the peace, it was become pretty evident that Holland was 
not in a condition to make any fuccefsful ftruggle in defence of 
her integrity or exiftence, and that an incorporation with Bel- 
gium, and becoming a department of France, would, in all pro- 
bability, be the final Euthanafia of their High Mightinejfes, the 
United Provinces. 
Thefe and other confiderations produced a gloominefs and 
melancholy on the minds of the greater part of the colonifts that 
bordered on defpondency. When the day of evacuation arrived, 
the caftle and the road to the wharf were lined with fpecStators j 
not drawn together for the fake of expreflJing a boifterous joy 
ufual on fuch occafions, but to take a melancholy farewell of 
their beft friends. As General Dundas pafl'ed along with the 
Commiflfary General de Mift and the Governor Janfens, a dead 
filence prevailed ; not a word nor a murmur was heard. And 
the friendly and aflfeftionate leave the Commanders in Chief of 
the two garrifons took of each other, after the delicate aqd trying 
fituation 
