SOUTHERN 
A F RICA. 
CHAP. V. 
Importance of the Cape of Good Hope, confidercd in a com- 
mercial Point of View, and as a Depot for the Southern 
Whale Fifliery. 
Irdent'ion of the United States In forming the Setthmeiit, — Cofiimera difoaragcd.— 
R'fmg Profperity of the Colony checked. — Confequences of its becoming a Free Port. 
— American Trade Bhips under neutral Flags and BritifJj Capitals.— 'Situation of 
Batavian Republic refpeBing the Cape.— Inter efis of the Eafl India Company. — • 
Cape confidered as an Emporium of Eaflern Produce — Obje&ions to it — attended with 
Lofs to the Crown — and Injury to the London Market. — Remed\\ — Trade from the 
Cape — to the Wefl Indies — to the Brazils — at the Difcretion of the Company. — Ame- 
rica — Holland — France — Advantages of the Cape as furn'fijing Exports — Grain 
and Pulfe — Wine and Brandy — Wool — Hides and Skins — Whale Oil and Bone — 
dried Fruits— fait Pruvifions — Soap and Candles — Aloes — Ivory — Tobacco.— Total 
Value of Exports in four Tears. — Imports from England tvhat — from India and 
China — by foreign Nations.— Table of Imports.— Balance of Imports over E\-ports. 
— State of the Colony. — Relapfe into Poverty.— Commercial Advantages not Im- 
portant to Great Britain— confidered as a Depot for the Southern Whale Fifjery. — 
EJlallifljment of this Fifjery— might be exclifively in our Hands through the Cape 
— Black Whale— Spermaceti. — Bounties. — Seal Fifliery in the Hands of Americans 
•—Inducement for them to difpofe sf their Skins. — Conclufion, 
^HE original intention of the United Provinces, in forming 
a fettlement at the Cape of Good Hope, was that of its 
being a place of refrefhrnent for the fliipping of their Eafl 
India Company, beyond which they thought it not prudent to 
VOL. II. M M extend 
