176 
TRAVELS IN 
which total amount, divided by feven, gives 25*5,597/. 1^' 
for the annual average expence incurred in the military depart- 
ment at the Cape of Good Hope. But it would be the height 
of abfurdity to fay, that even this fum, moderate as it is, was 
an additional expence to Government in confequence of the 
capture of this fettlement.; fmce it is not only compofed of the 
expences of maintai-ning the garrifon, and the contingencies and 
extraordinaries of the army, but it includes, likewife, the pay, 
the fubfiftencc, and the clothing of an army of five thoufand 
men. Now as thefe troops mull have been fed, clothed, and 
cpaid in any other place, as well as at the Cape of Good Hope, 
and as I have fhewn, at a much greater expence, it is certainly 
not fair to charge this fum to the account of the garrifon of the 
(Ilape. Even in peace the cOmmiflioned officers would have re- 
.ceived their half pay, which alone would amount to a fum 
from 100,000/. to 150,000/. 
There is little reafon, therefore, in reality, for confidering the 
Cape in the light ot an expenfive fettlement. In fad, the fums 
4Df money, that have been expended there, dwindle into nothing 
^upon a comparifon with fome of th^ Weft India iflands, whofe 
importance are a feather when weighed againftthat of the Cape 
of Good Hope. Viewing it only as a point of fecurity to our 
Indian poffeffions, and as a nurfery for maturing raw recruits 
into complete foldiers, the queftion of expence falls to the 
ground. Of the feveral millions that are annually raifed for 
the fupport of government at home, and its dependencies abroad, 
Ijiiall fradion of one of thefe millions may furely be allowed 
for 
