278 TRAVELS IN 
zamblque, was about 850,000 rix dollars^ or 170,000 pounds 
currency. On the articles of European growth and manufac- 
ture, whdfe value might amount to about half of the above 
fum, there muft have been a very confiderable profit to the 
private merchant at the Cape, beyond what would be required 
by the Eaft India Company, and confequently they muft have 
been fold at a high rate. Yet, under thefe difadvantages, the 
trade to the coaft of Brazil might have been extended to many 
times the amounL 
As in the cafe of the Cape becoming a commercial depot in 
the hands of the Eaft India Company, the confumption, in Spa- 
nifli and Portugueze America, of Eaftern produce, would in- 
creafe to a very great extent, for all which they would pay in 
fpecie ; and as the Company feel the greateft want of fpecie for 
their China trade, and ftill more for the neceflary ufes of their 
Indian empire, the fupply of hard money they v/ould thus ob- 
tain, would confiderably leflen, if not entirely put an end to, 
the difficulties under which they now labour on that account. 
And the additional quantities of Indian produce and manufac- 
tures that would be required for this new channel of trade 
might prove, in fome degree, an indemnity to the natives of 
India for what the Company draw from them in the ftiape of 
revenue to be fent to Europe* 
The quantity of European and Indian produce confumed in 
South America is by no means trifling. I obferved in Rio de 
Janeiro a whole ftreet, confifting of fhops, and every Ihop filled 
with Indian muflins and Manchefter goods, which, having 
3 come 
