SOUTHERN AFRICA. 209 
has the very great advantage of not being commanded by any 
other point. 
So fully convinced was Sir James Craig of the vaft import- 
ance of this fituation, that he propofed to Government, in the 
event of the Cape remaining in our poffeffion, to ered: a citadel 
upon It, with buildings for every military purpofe, fuch as bar- 
racks for the garrifon, houfes for an hofpital, buildings for the 
ordnance department, for military fiores, and for at leaft twelve 
months' provifions. Such a fortification, when properly com- 
pleted, would, in the opinion of Sir James, be ably defended, 
in time of war, by 1200 men; and would render the town, the 
batteries, and the caftle, untenable by an enemy, all of which 
might be totally deftroyed from this height in four-and-twenty 
hours. The moft intelligent of the officers of the Dutch gar- 
rifon, now at the Cape, were precifely of the fame opinion, and 
immediately pointed out the fituation as the m.oft eligible for 
ereding a citadel. The Government, however, are not in cir- 
cumflances at prefent to undertake a work of fuch magnitude 
and expence, not being able to raife funds adequate to meet the 
fubfiftence of the troops, and the contingent and extraordinary 
expences of the garrifon, confiRing of about two thoufand 
men. 
The greateft difficulty, in employing this fituation for fuch a 
purpofe, would be the want of water ; but it is by no means an 
infurmountable difficulty. Twelve hundred men, at a daily 
allowance of a quart to each man, would confume, in twelve 
months, 109,500 gallons, and a ciftern, capable of containing 
VOL. IT. EE this 
