The Imperial (Austro) Asiatic Society. 7 



the behoof of such of Her Imperial Majesty's subjects as 

 should purpose tradhig with the Indies. 



It was the wish of the Government that the first expedi- 

 tion should take its departure from Trieste ; Bolts however 

 oj^posed this, for the reason that his vessel must take part of 

 its lading from London, but declared himself prepared to 

 make the most strenuous efforts to found a mercantile house 

 in Trieste, and to take such precautions as should result in 

 the second and all future expeditions being dispatched 

 from Trieste. 



Bolts hereupon first proceeded to Amsterdam with his 

 newly-acquired privileges, and thence to London, as yet 

 without being more fortunate in his attempt to set on foot 

 the proposed association in the one locality than in the other. 

 At last, at Antwerp in the Netherlands, he succeeded in 

 interesting in his project a certain Baron von Proli, and two 

 merchants, by the name of Borrekens and Nageles, and with 

 these three persons he entered into a contract of association, 

 on 20th Sept. 1775. At the same time a fund of £90,000 

 was raised for the armament of a second trading vessel to 

 the East Indies and China, and out of the same amount to 

 establish a mercantile house in Trieste. 



In possession of £25,000 sterling, which he had procured 

 from his associates, Bolts proceeded to London, where he 

 purchased a vessel, which he named the Joseph and The- 

 resa, put a portion of her cargo on board, and on 14th 



