HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
549 
is less than two leagues; and that this space cannot be navigable, nor the deep 
water every where at so great a distance from the island as to be out of the reach of 
its batteries, whether erected on the shore, or on artificial projections within the 
sea, if such should be found necessary to the entire command of the passage. 
We have entered thus fully into detail, to shew the importance of taking possession 
of the island of Perim without delay; nor is dispatch alone necessary, but secrecy is 
equally indispensable, as it is not improbable that provisional measures have been 
taken by the French to assemble some vessels of burthen at the port of Suez, to co¬ 
operate in whatever way their services may be wanted, with the primary expedition; 
and if the design were known, they would detach a force, at all hazards, to secure 
the first possession of it. 
Mr. Secretary Dundas has further informed us, that although the commanders of 
his majesty’s fleets in India have already been directed to use every effort in their 
power to frustrate the designs of the French in the expedition under Bonaparte, yet 
special orders will be sent out to the commander in chief of his majesty’s naval 
force in the Indian seas, as soon as possible, to detach to the Straits of Babelmandel 
such a force, as, according to the information he shall have received, he may judge 
sufficient for the service in the instructions to take possession of the island of Perim, 
by whatever power it may be occupied at the time. 
The importance of the measure we have thus pointed out, will insure your most 
cordial endeavours in promoting the same by every means within your power. The 
security of our most valuable possessions in India, if not our very existence there, 
depends upon defeating the present formidable and inveterate design of the French 
against those possessions. 
