i86 
TRAVELS IN 
the Cape. " By possessing and improving the advantages of 
" seasoning and preparing our troops at the Cape," observer 
Lord Macartney in his letter to Lord Melville on the import- 
ance of the settlement, dated April the 25th, 1801, " I had 
" it in my power, almost at a moment's notice,1 to send to 
" Madras, under the command of Major-General Baird, 
" about two thousand effective men in the highest health, 
" vigor, and discipline, who eminently contributed to the 
" capture of Seringapatam, and the total subversion of the 
" power of Tippoo." 
It did not seem, however, to have made any such impression 
on the East IndiaCompany; at least their conduct and opinions 
did not indicate any change in consequence of it. Nor could 
their inflexible indifference be roused by the multiplied in- 
stances which occurred of the solid advantages, every one of 
which clearly demonstrated the importance, of having a suitable 
station for the seasoning and training of young troops to act, 
on any emergency and at a short notice, in their service, and 
for the protection of their vast possessions in India. Had not 
the very striking instance above recited been considered as 
sufhcient to stamp the value of the Cape, the reinforcement 
of troops that was sent from thence, to accompany the ex- 
pedition of Sir Home Popham to the Red Sea, it might be 
supposed, would have forced conviction of the importance of 
such a station. On this occasion were embarked, at almost 
a moment's warning, twelve hundred effective men, composed 
of detachments of artillery, cavalry, and infantry, who all 
arrived to a man, at Cossir, a port in the lied Sea, from 
whence they were found capable of immediately sustaining 
