SOUTHERN AFRICA. - 167 
adopted, the settlement was to be considered as dependent 
on the Crown, and to be administered by the executive power, 
as constitutionally responsible to Parliament. 
Every precaution was also taken that the rights and privi- 
leges of the East India Company should suffer no infringe- 
ment. The exclusive advantage of supplying the Cape with 
India and China goods was immediately and unconditionally 
granted to them. And the regulations adopted in conse- 
quence by the Earl oF Macartney, and the vigilance that 
was constantly employed under his government, prevented 
and defeated every attempt to undermine their interests, and 
were productive of a source of considerable profit to the 
Company. 
It was, in fact, the well known integrity of his Lordship's 
character, and the able and decided measures employed by 
him, on various trying occasions, for promoting and combin- 
ing the interests of the East India Company with the honor 
of the Crown, and the commercial prosperity of the British 
empire, that determined the minister in his choice of him as 
governor for this important acquisition : and his Lordship 
was accordingly nominated, without his knowledge, whilst 
absent on public service in Italy. 
As little doubt was entertained, at that time, either by his 
Majesty's ministers or the public, that ihe Cape would be- 
come, at a general peace, a settlement in perpetuity to Eng- 
land, great pains were employed in drawing up instructions 
