A VOYAGE TO 
482 
1780. far as related to the French, we had fufficient reafon to 
, A ^ nL , think true; as Mr. Brandt had already delivered to Captain 
Gore, a letter from Mr. Stephens, incloling a copy of Monf. 
de Sartine’s orders, taken on board the Licorne. With re- 
fpedt to the Americans, the matter hill relied on report; bat 
•Baron Plettenberg allured ns, that he had been exprefsly 
told, by the Commander of a Spanilh Ihip, which had 
touched at the Cape, that he, and all the officers of his na¬ 
tion, had received orders to the fame effeSt. Thefe affur- 
ances confirmed Captain Gore in the refolution he had 
taken of maintaining, on his part, a neutral condu6t; and 
accordingly, when, on the arrival of the Sybil, to convoy 
the India ffiips home, it was propofed to him to accompany 
them on their paffiage, he thought proper to decline an offer, 
the acceptance of which might, in cafe we had fallen in 
with any of the enemies ffiips, have brought him into a 
very difficult and embarraffing fituation. 
During our Hay at the Cape, we met with every proof of 
the moll: friendly difpofition towards us, both in the Gover¬ 
nor and principal perfons of the place, as well Africans as 
Europeans. At our firft arrival, Colonel Gordon, the Com¬ 
mander of the Dutch forces, with whom I had the happi- 
nefs of being on a footing of intimacy and friendffiip, was 
abfent on a journey into the interior parts of Africa, but 
returned before our departure. He had, on this occafion, 
penetrated farther up the country than any other traveller 
had done before him, and made great additions to the va¬ 
luable collection of natural curiofities with which he has 
enriched the Mufeum of the Prince of Orange. Indeed, a 
long refidence at the Cape, and the powerful affillance he 
has derived from his rank and fituation there, joined to an 
aCtive and indefatigable fpirit, and an eager thirft after 
knowledge, 
