the Dutch Company, has often induced them to feign a great ſcarcity of proviſions at the Cape, in order to enhance their price. The cultivators are not permitted to enter into a direct bargain with ſtrangers for the produce of their lands; but are obliged to leave them to be diſpoſed of by the Company, who frequently purchaſe them at a price four times leſs than that which they themſelves receive.
The vexatious interference of the ſuperior agents in the concerns of their ſubordinate officers, turns likewiſe to the diſadvantage of ſtrangers, who find it impoſſible to eſcape from the rapacity of ſo many perſons, all combined againſt their intereſt. This avaricious ſpirit gradually undermines the proſperity of this country, as it renders navigators unwilling to touch at the Cape whenever they can avoid it. A ruinous propenſity to extravagance, which has for ſome years paſt prevailed amongſt the women, has produced a great change in the manners of the inhabitants, who are now eagerly intent upon adopting all the faſhions of Europe.
All theſe evils have ariſen from the Dutch government having ſo groſsly miſtaken its own intereſt, as to leave a place of the laſt importance to the navigation of India, under the direction of a company of private merchants. But it
