10 
HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
“ Port Bourbon, where the Dutch had formed their settlement, and Port Louis, 
the only one to which the French resort, had not hitherto appeared capable of being 
fortified; the: first on account of its vast extent, the latter on account of the irre¬ 
gular heights which surround it. But the Chevalier d’A^on has proposed a plan 
which has removed all these difficulties, and, after the fullest discussion, has obtained 
the approbation of those who are the best acquainted with the important art of de¬ 
fence. The expences attending the execution of this great project have been rigidly 
calculated, and it is affirmed that they will not be considerable. 
“ But what number of troops will be wanted to defend these fortifications? The 
skilful engineer usually requires but few. He is well aware, that if many were to be 
sent, they would soon become effeminate from the heat of the climate, be corrupted 
by the desire of gain, be ruined by debauchery, and enervated by idleness. Accord¬ 
ingly he has reduced them, in time of peace, to two thousand men, who will be easily 
restrained, exercised, and disciplined. This number appears to him sufficient to 
resist any sudden or unexpected attack that might fall on the colony. If it were 
threatened with extraordinary danger from great preparations, a minister, attentive 
to the storms that are gathering, would have time to send over the forces necessary 
to defend it, or to act in Indostan, according to circumstances. 
“ Some persons still disapprove of these views. The Isle of France is an annual 
expence to the state of eight millions of livres.* This expence, which will scarce 
admit of any reduction, excites the indignation of many good citizens. Their wish 
is that this settlement should be abandoned, as well as Bourbon, which is only a 
burthensome appendage to it. 
" This, indeed, would be the scheme most expedient to be adopted, if we consi¬ 
dered only the languishing trade now carried on by the French in India: but po¬ 
litical speculations reach beyond this object. It is foreseen that if this resolution 
were adopted, the English would drive all foreign nations from the Asiatic seas; that 
they would appropriate to themselves all the riches of these extensive regions; and 
that so many powerful resources united in their hands, would give them a dangerous 
influence in Europe. These considerations ought still more fully to convince the 
court of Versailles of the necessity of fortifying the Isle of France; at the same 
time taking the most effectual precautions not to be imposed upon by the agents 
chosen to carry this point into execution.” 
* £-333>333 6s. 8 d. 
