SOUTHERN AFRICA. 213 
Moflcl Bay it migrt, perhaps, receive a fmall fupply of corn, 
but no cattle ; at Plettenberg's bay, neither the one nor the 
other. At Algoa Bay an enemy might, at all times, create a 
great deal of mifchief, by putting arms into the hands of the 
Kaffers and Hottentots, who might very eafily be encouraged 
to drive the whole colony within the limits of the Cape penin- 
fula; a meafare, by which the garrifon and the fettlers would 
immediately be ftarved for want of provifions. It is obvious 
that fuch a ftep would be attended with the prefent ruin of the 
fettlement, and would not, on that account, be reforted to but 
by a defperate or a Machiavelian enemy. 
This bay might, however, be very fairly, and fuccefsfully, 
made ufe of to land about a hundred light dragoons, from 
whence, by marching into Graaf Reynet, they would not only 
find the means of mounting and of fubfifting themfelves, but 
might eftedually cut off the large fupplies of fheep and cattle 
which are principally furniihed by this difl:ri£l for the ufe of the 
town and garrifon. A quantity of Spanifh dollars would enfure 
the party a cordial reception from tlje boors, at leaft as long as 
their money lafted ; nor do I believe, fo long as the memory of 
their laft campaigning is freih in their minds, they will ever be 
induced again to affemble in arms, on any occafion, againft Eu- 
ropeans. The Dutch, I vinderftand, have ftationed at this bay 
near three hundred troops, to keep the peace between the boors, 
the Kaffers, and the Hottentots, but the greater part would, un- 
doubtedly, be withdrawn on receiving intelligence of the pre- 
fent war ; the weaknefs of the garrifon not admitting of fo large 
a detachment being fent off the peninfula, efpecially as in the 
month 
