SOUTHERN AFRICA. 157 
greater degree of fjcknefs and mortality has prevailed than in 
fhips entirely manned by Europeans ; and under fuch circum- 
ftances it would be highly criminal to attempt to run from Eu- 
rope to India without flopping at fome intermediate port, not 
only to procure refrefliments for the troops and Lafcars, but to 
clean and fumigate the (hips in order to prevent contagious dif- 
eafes. The two Boy regiments, as they are ufually called, the 
22d and 34ih, which it was neceffary to fend to the Cape as a 
reinforcement of the garrifon, after the able and effedlve men 
had been fent away to Madras, who foon after fo materially 
^fted in the conqueft of Seringapatam, arrived in a very fickly 
ftate at the Cape. Yet the fame fliips, after being properly 
wafhed, fcoured, and fumigated, and the crews completely re- 
frefhed, carried on other troops to their deftination without the 
lofs of a fingle man. 
How far the condud of the diredors was compatible with 
the interefts of the Eaft India Company, who have configned 
them to their management, I fhall endeavour to point out in 
the courfe of this and the following chapters ; the defign of 
which is, by general reafoning, grounded on fads, ta appreciate 
the advantages that would have refulted to the Britifh nation 
in general, and to the Eaft India Company in particular, from 
annexing the Cape to the foreign pofTeffions of England ; and 
the ferious confequences that may enfue from its being in the 
poiTefTion of an enemy. Opinions on this fubject, it feems, 
v/idely differ ; on which account a fair and impartial ftatement 
of fuch circumftances as may tend to elucidate a doubtful 
3 pointy 
