23o 
TRAVELS IN 
worth the while of thefe adventurers to make their purchafes 
at the Cape, rather than continue their voyage to India or 
China. 
Such an entrepot might likewife be the means of opening a 
lucrative branch of trade with the Weft Indies ; a trade that 
would not only put a flop to that which, of late years, the Ame- 
ricans have fo fuccefsfully carried on, but might open a new 
fource for colonial produce, efpecially for its wines, which, 
with a little more attention and management in the manufadure, 
might be made to fuperfede thofe of Madeira, that are now 
confumed there to a very confiderable amount, notvvithftanding 
their enormous prices, which limit their confumption to the 
higher ranks of the iflanders. Gk»od Cape Madeira might be 
delivered, at any of the "Weft India iflands, at lefs than one- 
fourth of the expence of real Madeira, • 
A new branch of trade might alfo be opened between the 
Cape and New South Wales, the latter fupplying the former 
with coals, of which they have lately difcovered abundant 
mines, in exchange for wine, cattle, butter, and articles of 
clothing. 
If, however, the Eaft India Company, after making the ex- 
periment, fhould find it injurious to its interefts to continue the 
Cape as an emporium for Indian produce ; it will always be in 
its power to reduce it to the fame ftate in which it remained 
whilft in the hands of the Dutch ; to clog it as much as poflible 
with duties and difficulties, fufficient to deter all Ihips, except 
their 
