SOUTHERN AFRICA. 185 
peace, to propofe that the Cape of Good Hope fliould be re- 
ftored to the Dutch, or be declared a free port. The latter, 
however, happened to be juft what France could have wifhed^ 
and it was, therefore, on further confideration, reftored in full 
foverelgnty to its ancient poflefibrs. France, finding that her 
purpofe would be completely anfwered when once it was refcued 
out of the hands of the Englifh, made no objedion to this ar- 
rangement. Ceylon flie confidered as a lefs important facrifice, 
although fhe knew it to be a much greater to Holland than that 
of the Cape. The latter has always been an expenfive fettle- 
ment to the Dutch, whilfh from the former they derived a con- 
fiderable revenue. Had the Cape been demanded on the part 
of England, there can be little doubt the French would have, 
been no lefs tenacious in rejeding the propofal than they were 
with regard to Malta ; being well convinced that thefe two pof- 
felTions, in the hands of England, would be two grand points 
of fecurity to her Indian empire, of which they have long been 
fo jealous. 
I have no intention to difcufs the comparative importance of 
thefe two ftations to England, confidering them both to be 
effentially neceflary to her independence as well as to the pro- 
tection of her commerce and fettlements, fo long as the reftlefs 
and aggrandizing fpirit of the French Government fliall con- 
tinue to difturb the peace of Europe. It may not, however, 
be improper to endeavour to point out, and to compare fome 
of the inconveniences that would necelTarily have refulted to 
our trade and fettlements in the Eaft Indies during the late war, 
VOL. II. B B from 
