Holland was now under the domination of France.

Might not events bring about the establishment of French power at the Cape?
"I cannot help feeling much concerned at the rapid progress of the French in Holland," he wrote, "and I own shall not be surprised if in consequence of their success in that country they make a sudden dash at the Cape of Good Hope, if we do not anticipate them in such an attempt.
They are so very active a people that it will be done before we know anything of it, and I think it a post of too much importance to be neglected by them.

I hope earnestly, therefore, that it will be prevented by our sending a squadron and some troops as early as possible.

If the Republicans once get a footing there, we shall probably find it difficult to dislodge them.

Such a circumstance would be a sad stroke for our young colony." The course which Hunter then advised was that which the British Government followed, though more because the Cape was the "half way house" to India, than for the protection of Australian interests.