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X.

MADAGAS

CAR.

than the reputation, either of the Count or the Ministry: CHAP. and I fear that their conduct to him cannot be even politically juftified, without impeaching their wifdom.----The American troubles were coeval with the Madagascar colony. The ministry dropped the fubftance, and snatched at the fhadow. Neglecting Madagascar, with her valuable and increasing productions* and her three millions of docile and ingenious people, † they lurked behind the mask of profeffions, for, what they thought, an opportunity of humbling: Great Britain. The confequences to France have been already hinted at. But Britain, difencumbered of her financial burden, and having her ftrength concentrated, rose superior to the blow, and has fince resumed, and, if undisturbed by war, was long likely to maintain, her respectability among the nations. Her aftonishing restoration, I think, ought, in candour, to be partly ascribed to the dif tinguished ability and industry of the statesman who has

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*Having, under the preceding articles, enumerated the most valuable productions of the continent of Africa, it did not feem neceffary to dwell on thofe of Madagascar, which are very much the fame. But, as the natives are far lefs harraffed by the flave-trade, and upon the whole, more civilized; the produce of their labour is proportionably more abundant. This is evident from the great quantities and value of provifions, &c. exported and supplied to fhipping, by the Count. See the statement of charge and discharge above inferted.

A refpectable merchant in London, of great experience in the French Eaft India commerce, affures me, that the cotton of the east coast of Madagascar is fully equal to that of Bourbon; and that a great part of the cotton which comes to Europe, . under the name of Bourbon cotton, is either fmuggled from the East Indies or brought regularly from Madagascar into Bourbon, where it is stored and repacked: for exportation to Europe. For an account of the Bourbon cotton fee § 271..

+ See Memoirs, vol. 2, p. 397. This, however, can be but a vague conjecture refpecting the population.

X.

CHA P. fince conducted her finances.-What should I fay more of ftatesmen and of their abilities or infirmities, but "Alas! poor human nature ?"

DUTCH.

C. OF GOOD
HOPE.

proposes a

colony there.

300. The Dutch Eaft India fhips began to frequent the Cape, about the year 1600; but it was not till 1650, that Van Riebeck Van Riebeck, a furgeon, first discovered the advantages that would result from forming a regular colony there. On returning to Holland, he presented a memorial on the subject, to the directors of the Dutch Eaft India company, who approved of his propofal, and ordered four fhips to be equipped for the Cape, with fome artificers, a few colonists, and the neceffary tools and ftores. Van Riebeck was appointed admiral of this fleet, and governor of the new colony'; trufts which he fulfilled with fuch fidelity and fuccefs, that he well deferves to be recorded, as founder of that important establishment.

Liberality of

India co.

301. In executing this defign, the directors acted with a the Dutch E. degree of wisdom and difinterestedness, too seldom found in the representatives of joint stock companies, and for which, in many other inftances, the conduct of their predeceffors and fucceffors have not been very remarkable. They authorized Van Riebeck, to purchase territory from the natives, which he did, with goods to the amount of

* This sketch of the colony at the Cape is compiled from Mortimer's Dict. of Trade and Comm. 1776.-Menzel's Befchreibung von Cap de Bonne Esper. 1785. -Das merkwurdigfte aus den beften Beschreibungen von Cap 1787.-Tableau de Commerce, 1787.-Forfter's Voy. round the World, 1777, and Sparrman's Voy. to the Cape of Good Hope, Perth edition.

50,000 guilders.-In the choice of colonists, their difcernment and prudence were confpicuous. They fuffered no thieves and ftrumpets to poison the infant fociety with the vices for which they had been expelled from Europe. But, by advantageous promises, faithfully performed, the company induced laborious peasants, and honest artificers to emigrate to the Cape*. They defrayed the expenses of the voyage; and provided the colonists with fubfiftence, tools, implements of agriculture and cattle. To each, they gave a portion of land, on condition that, in three years, he should have cultivated enough to enable him to fupport himself, and to contribute to the defence of the colony t. They also agreed to bring back to Europe, gratis, those to whose conftitutions the climate might be unfavourable, and who had full liberty to dispose of their effects to the best advantage. For the reception of the colonists, the company erected villages, each containing go houses, a church, an hospital, a town-house and a public kitchen-garden. To furnish the colony with females, girls from the orphan-houses in Hol

* Since I wrote § 128 and 129, I have heard it objected, that, in time of war, it would be improper to encourage colonization; as the people who might be expected to become colonifts, are wanted for the armies.-The objectors, however, would do well to recollect, that, of all people, those who are difposed to become foldiers are, generally speaking, the moft unfit for any new colonial undertaking; and that fuch being taken off by the war, a greater proportion of fober and industrious perfons will be left, from among whom to make a prudent selection. Befides, that the war itfelf, and the general pofture of public affairs, have difpofed many worthy people, throughout Europe, to embark in any undertaking, likely to afford them more peace and security than they expect to enjoy in their respective countries.

+ The company, however, at prefent, never part with the property of the land; but rent it at the annual rate of about 25 dollars, for every 60 acres.

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land,

X.

CHA P. land, were fent out, with fuperintendants to educate them at the Cape; and, on their marriage, the company affigned them fmall dowries.

C. OF GOOD

HOPE. Expense very

great.

Difficulties very difcouraging.

Climate.

302. The expense incurred by the company, in establishing this colony, has been immense-not lefs, it hath been computed, than a million of guilders annually, for the first 20 years; and in, 1713, above fixty years after it's first settlement, it still continued to be chargeable. But seldom has the property of a joint-stock company been fo beneficially employed; for all difficulties are now furmounted, and the colony amply repays the expenses of it's establishment.

303. Those difficulties were of a kind which nothing short of cool, Dutch perseverance could have overcome. This extremity of Africa confifts of black and barren mountains of granite, without any volcanic productions. The cultivated spots near the town, are of ftiff clay, with a little fand and small stones; but towards Falfe Bay, the arable foil is almost entirely fandy. The colony of Stellenbosh is said to have the best foil of any at the Cape, but even that produces no very extraordinary proofs of natural fertility*.—Lions, leopards, tyger-cats, hyænas, jackals, and several other wild beasts, infest the Cape, now and then, even to this day.

304. Yet this country is not without it's advantages.— The air and water, as in most other mountainous tracts, are good, in the same proportion as the foil is bad. Though the fummer heats are fometimes exceffive, the winters are so mild that ice is scarcely ever seen about the town. But,

* The Dutch have, ftri&tly speaking, four colonies in this part of Africa, namely the Cape, properly fo called, Stellenbosh, Drakenstein and Waveren. The farms in many places are very much scattered.

on

X.

C. OF GOOD
HOPE.

on the mountains, especially far inland, there are hard CHA P. frofts, with fnow and hail ftorms. The climate, however, upon the whole, is fo falubrious, that the inhabitants are rarely troubled with any disorders more ferious than colds, caused by the fudden changes of air, from the strong winds, to which the Cape is expofed at all seasons; and strangers foon recover from the fcurvy and other complaints.-The support of so many wild beasts, implies the existence of nu- Animals. merous tribes of milder animals; and accordingly an aftonishing variety, from the mighty buffalo and camelopard, to the least of the beautiful genus of antelopes, and many smaller quadrupeds, are common, in this part of Africa. The elephant, rhinoceros and hippopotamus, formerly came within a fhort distance of the Cape; but they have been fo much hunted, and are fo feldom feen at present, that the government have issued an order against killing them, within many miles of the town*.-The neighbouring feas and bays abound with excellent fish.-I know not Metals. whether the metallic ores of the interior mountains ought to be mentioned as an advantage; as it does not appear, that the colonists can work them with profit, on account of their remote and rugged fituation. Some tribes of Hottentots, however, extract both copper and iron from the ores they find in their native mountains. See § 71, 287. But the grand advantage of the Cape, at least that which appeared fuch in the eyes of the Dutch East India company, was it's convenient situation, as a place of refreshment for their ships; and, in this view, the bare inspection of a map of Africa, shows

* The flesh of the hippopotamus, is eaten at the Cape. In Mr For fter's opinion, it's taste is that of coarse beef, but the fat rather resembles marrow. It's tulks are the best of ivory.

A ftation for
Dutch Eart

India fhips.

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