144 
TRAVELS IN 
at the IJle of France — in fending Troops expedit'wifly to India. — Opportunities of doing 
this in Englifj or neutral Ships. — General Advantagei. — Importance of the Caps 
fated in comparifon with that of Malta. — Views of the French on India— feen in 
the Publication of Anquetil Duperron. — Difadvantages of Malta being in the 
Hands of the French. — Difficulties that would attend an Expedition by Sea from 
S/.'CZ. — I/Iand of Perim. — Difficulties that would occur by Land— 'not infurmount^ 
able. — De la Croix's Opinion cf the Cape.— Defences of the Cape.^Table Bay and 
Site of the Town — Works —Citadel — Lines — Craig s Battery and Tower — Fort 
Knocke—Rogge Bay, Amferdani, and Chavonne Batteries--^the Mouille — Camp's 
Bay and Batteries — Importance of the Lion's Rump — ObjeEiions againfl it. — Chap, 
man and Hout Bays. — Sltnon's Bay.—Garrifon of the Cape, Strength of. — Unpro- 
tested Coaf and Bass. — Algoa Bay. — Means to be employed by an Enemy for dif- 
treffmg the Garrifon — taken by a Coup de Main. — Garrifon of the Dutch.— 
Difpoftion of the Hottentot Corps.— State of the Batavian Ships of War in the 
Eaferu Seas. — Ammunition and Stores at the Cape. 
"^^HEN the Prince of Orange had departed from Holland, 
and the fubfequent affairs of that nation had rendered it 
fufficiently obvious that the majority of the inhabitants of the 
United Provinces were inclined to adopt the revolutionary prin- 
ciples of France, it became a meafure of precaution, in our gO'- 
vernment, to take immediate poffefTion of the Dutch colonies. 
Among thefe the Cape of Good Hope claimed the earlieft at- 
tention, being confidered as a fettlement of too great import- 
ance to be trufted in the hands of the Dutch colonifts, although 
it w^as well known the principal and greateft number of the mi- 
litary ofiicers, as well as many of thofe who held civil appoint- 
ments there, were indebted to their Prince for the fituations they 
enjoyed in that colonial government. 
An expedition was accordingly fent out to take poflefKon of 
the Cape, not however in a hoftile manner, but to hold it in de- 
fence 
/ 
