Travels in India (Tavernier) 85.1.1

85.1.1

Concerning the Methods to be observed for establishing a new Commercial Company in the East Indies. Should any nation desire to establish a Commercial Company in the East Indies, before all things it ought to secure a good station in the country in order to be in a position to refit its ships, and to lay them by during the seasons when one is unable to go to sea. This want of a good harbour is the reason why the English Company has not progressed so well as it might have done, because it is impossible that a vessel can last for two years without being refitted, being subject to be eaten by worms. But since the journey from Europe to the East Indies is long, it is desirable that the Company should have some place at the Cape of Good Hope for watering and obtaining supplies of food, both when going and returning from the Indies, but especially when returning, because, as the vessels are then loaded, they are unable to carry a supply of water sufficient for a long time. In the meantime the Dutch have removed this advantage from the [reach of] other nations, by means of the fort which they have built at the Cape, and the English have done the same thing at St.