t 
SOUTHERN AFRICA. 233 
contrary, was attended with confiderable expence ; and, as they 
never applied it to any other ufe themfelves, but that of refrelh- 
ing their fhips, which they could always continue to do, in time 
of peace, when in the hands of another power, il could not be 
fuppofed they would be averfe to part with it ; and, accordingly, 
overtures to this efFedl ivere intended to be made by Eng- 
land about the time when the above unfortunate event took 
place. 
Having (hewn the neceflity that the fhips of moft of the ma- 
ritime powers of Europe find of refrefliing at the Cape, it is 
obvioufly the interefl; of all thefe powers that it fhould remain 
in the hands of that nation which would have the leaft motive 
for impofing reftridions on foreign vifitors ; and it is fcarcely ne- 
ceffary to obferve, that, from the general policy of England, and 
the favourable circumftances in which her commerce and navi- 
gation are now placed, the Cape in her polTeffion would always 
be open to foreign fhipping, and refrefhments fupplied to them 
on equal terms as to her own. 
I have ftated its vaft importance to England in a military point 
of view : it now remains to confider it as a naval ftation. Firft, 
as a port for refrefhing and refitting the fhips of the Eaft India 
Company : fecondly, as a ftation for fhips of war, commanding 
the entrance into the Indian Seas : thirdly, as affording, by its 
geographical pofition, a ready communication with every part 
of the globe. After which, I fhall endeavour to point out the 
difadvantages that may refult to the Eaft India Company, in the 
VOL, II. H H prefent 
