§ii ' TRAVELS m 
plan they now piirfue does anfwer their expedations, may "bd 
inferred from the number of their {hips, progreffively increafing, 
which navigate the Indian Seas. 
Some few of their Ihlps refort to the bays within the limits 
of the Cape colony to take the black whale ; but as thof^ 
bays are acceffible only at certain feafons of the year, it would 
be no difficult matter, if an exclufive fifhery could be deemed 
politic, with a fmgle frigate, to clear the coafl: of all fifliers 
except our own. They fometimes, alfo, run into Saint Helena 
Bay to the northward, or into Algoa Bay to the eaftward, to 
complete their cargocsj a privilege that policy would require; 
to be allowed only with moderation even to our own fhips j 
for it has been obferved that conftant fifhing in any one place, 
never fails to chace the fifh entirely away. 
There can be little doubt, therefore, that the Cape of Good 
Hope might be rendered effentially ufeful to the Southern 
Whale Fifliery, fo important to the commeree and navigation 
of Great Britain ; but that during the war, the fame place in 
the pofleffion of an enemy, may be the means of obftrudting 
this valuable branch of trade, and muft, at all events, render it 
forced and precarious. 
Having thus endeavoured to ftate the different points t>f view 
in which the Cape of Good Hope may be confidered of im- 
portance to the Britilh nation, as a military and naval ftation^ 
as a feat of commerce, and a depot for the Southern Whale 
Fifliery^ 
