Indian Antiquary Vol 47

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 89

APRIL, 1918]
AUSTRIA'S COMMERCIAL VENTURE IN INDIA
AUSTRIA'S COMMERCIAL VENTURE IN INDIA IN THE
EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. BY SIR R. C. TEMPLE, Bt.
(Continued from p. 59.)
IV.--The Triestine Society of 1782. Letter from Robert Ritchie to Peter Michell, 18 dated Venice, 21 February 1783.19 NOW transmit the Prospectus of Mr Bolt's scheme, and should have done it some time
ago had I seen any probability of his finding subscribers for the sum wanted; he seems, however, to have some chance now of being able to send out his ship one way or other, though I doubt much whether the subscription will be really, or only nominally, full. The scheme is printed in Italian, which I have translated into English, because some of the Gentlemen who may have the curiosity to peruse it, perhaps do not understand that language. Convention relative to the expedition of the Ship "Cobenzel" by the Trieste Society
from Trieste to the East Indies and China, and back to Trieste 20 It is universally known that the underwritten Lieutenant Colonel William Bolts obtained from the Empress Queen Maria Teresa of glorious memory 21 a Commission or Patent, with very extensive privileges, to establish a direct Commerce with the East Indies, dated the 5th of June 1775.
It is equally notorious that the trials made by him with several ships sent out on that voyage, in company with other persons, yielded on their return, considerable profits, insomuch that, under his co-direction, a Company was formed with a Capital of two millions of florins, divided in Actions (shares) among her Imperial Majesty's subjects in the Low Countries.
It is flattering to him to have been, in this manner, the founder and restorer of this important and lucrative Commerce after it had been abandoned for half an age, and it will give him still greater satisfaction if he can succeed in animating the subjects of these hereditary States with trust and confidence with regard to this trade. To which end he offers the following proposals,
1. The above written Mr Bolts, jointly with the underwritten Codirectors, and for account of the Trieste Society, will set out and dispatch for the East Indies and China, by the ordinary way of the Cape of Good Hope the new Imperial Ship called Cobenzel, of about 600 tons burden, now in this port of Trieste, furnished with experienced Officers, and commanded by Captain John Joseph Bauer, a subject of the Emperour, (Joseph II), and this ship will sail, at the farthest, within the month of March next.
2. Although the above ship, including her rigging, furniture, arms, &c., actually in readiness, cost Mr Bolts more than the sum of 130,000 florins, yet, to the Society now proposed, the ship and furniture shall be valued only at 110,000 florins; and in order to facilitate the ballancing of accounts, he obliges himself to take back the ship, on her
18 Sooretary to the East India Company, 1768-1783. 19 Miscellaneous Letters Received, vol. 72, No. 92. • Miscellaneous Letters Received, vol. 72, No. 94. # Maria Teresa, Empren of Austria, died 29 Nov. 1780.