TRAVELS IN 
Conclusion. 
Having now taken a view of the importance and value of 
Cape of Good Hope, as a military and naval ftation, as a feat 
of commerce, as a central depot for the Southern Whale Fifliery, 
and as a territorial pofleflion, I fhall only add, by way of con- 
clufion, that under the prefent implacable difpofition of France 
towards this country, and the infatiable ambition of its Go- 
vernment, Great Britain never can relinquifh the pofTeffion of 
this colony, for any length of time, without ferioufly endanger- 
ing the fafety of her Indian trade and the exiftence of her em- 
pire in the Eaft ; both of which were effedually fecured, at 
leaft from external attack, by the occupation of this important 
outwork. 
The facility it affords, at all times, of throwing into India a 
fpeedy reinforcement of well feafoned troops, which never can be 
fupplied effectually from England how much fo ever they may 
be required, muft always ftamp an indelible value on the Cape. 
How defireable would it be, at the prefent momentous crifis, to 
have the ufual garrifon there of 5000 effed:ive men, to reinforce 
our fmall but a£tive army in India, inftead of fending troops from 
England, of whom, judging from paft experience, two-thirds of 
thofe who may furvive the voyage, will be totally unfit, on their 
arrival there, for any kind of fervice. It is to be hoped then, 
that the Directors of the Eaft India Company are at length 
become fenfible of their error with regard to this important co- 
lony 
