The Hippopotamus or fea-cow is now no longer within the*
limits of the colony; and, though the teeth of this animal are
eonfidered as the bell ivory, yet the quantity of it procured was
always comparatively fmall with that of the elephant. We may
fafely conclude then, that ivory is not to be reckoned among
the valuable exports which the Cape can fupply for the markets;
©f Europe.
T o b a c c o .
I mention this article not fo much on account of the quantity
exported, which, indeed, is very trifling, as of the great abundance
the colony is capable of producing. It is impoflible the-
plant can thrive better in any part of the world than in this
climate, or require lefs attention j and I have underdood from
perfons, qualified to give an opinion on the fubjeft, that the
Cape tobacco, with a little art in the preparation, is as good in.
every refpedt as that of Virginia. As all male perfons, old and
young, fmoke in the Cape, from the higheft to the lowed, and as-
American tobacco generally bears a high price, the confumption.
of that of native growth is confiderable. The inferior fort is
ufed by flaves and Hottentots.
I have now enumerated the mod material articles of export
which the Cape either does, or eafily might, furnifh for foreign
markets. There dill remain a few trifling things, as preferred
fruits, garden feeds, fait, vinegar, &c., which, though valuable
as refrefhments for fhips calling there, are of no csnfequence as
exports. The total value of every kind of colonial produce collectively,
ledlively, that has actually been exported from the ports of the
Cape in four years, is as follows:
Value.
In 1799 R,D. 108,160 o
1800 — 85.049 2
1801 50,519 6
1802 -— 57.196 o
In four years R. D. 300,925 o
or 60,185 0 Currency.
The obvious conclufion to be drawn from the view now taken
o f the amount of exports in colonial produce is, that the Cape
o f Good Hope, in its prefent condition, is o f very little importance
to any nation, eonfidered as to the articles of commerce it
iupplies for exportation to foreign markets. The furplus
produce, beyond the fupply of its own inhabitants, a garrifon,
and navy of eight or ten thoufand men, and the refreihments
furnilhed to (hips trading and cafually calling there, is fo trifling
as to merit no confideration, But that, by a new fyftem of
things, it is fufceptible of great improvement; and'the fupply
o f the mod important articles of being extended to an almoft
indefinite amount.
The next point that comes under confideration is the advantages
that may refult to the Britifli Empire by the increafed
confumption of goods, the growth and produce of Great Britain
R R 2 an(j