Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 3.djvu/295

 EUROPEAN NATIONS. 279 have been performed, that, out of 97 ships, one only has been lost. As to touching at interme- diate ports, the expedition with which the voyages are at present performed, and the skill with which the health of the crews is managed, renders this unnecessary. In the outward bound voyage, there is indeed no port in the direct tract. In the re- turning voyage St Helena is so, and the Cape of Good Hope has been considered so. It is, how- ever, very absurd to consider the latter as a half- way station or house, as it has been called. Therc is no going into Table-bay, or any other of the dangerous road-steads of the Cape, (harbour it has none,) without infringing greatly upon the expedi- tion of the voyage, and adding to its risks. No American or free trader ever goes near it, unless oc- casionally to supply that necessitous colony with the necessaries of life. St Helena is in the direct route home, and it may be occasionally found con- venient to touch at it for a little fresh water. The cheapness with which the Indian voyages have been performed, has verified the boldest spe- culations in favour of free trade. It is now consider- ed that the freight of the most distant Indian voy- age will never exceed L. 10 a ton of 50 cubic feet. They have indeed been of late a great deal lower, but that sum, it is considered, will afford the ship- owner always a reasonable profit. We may there- fore reckon L. 10 a ton the legitimate freight from