xviii 



REPORT ON 



Repoit. new or Italian method of winding silk in Bengal 

 should have all possible encouragement, continu- 

 ing unabated, they in the year 1779 sent out as 

 superintendents Mr. J. L. Baumgartner, Mr. J. 

 Brigante, and Mr. James Frushard, of whose 

 competency and skill ample testimonials had been 

 received. 



These gentlemen were captured by the French 

 and Spaniards in August 1780; they however 

 were permitted to return to England, and pro- 

 ceeded to Bengal in 1781. 



The unfortunate temper of Mr. Baumgartner 

 rendered him unable to conform to the regula- 

 tions, and meeting with opposition in consequence 

 from the servants employed at the filatures, he 

 discontinued his services to the Company and re- 

 turned to Europe in 1783. Messrs. Brigante and 

 Frushard remained, and the latter gentleman 

 continued till the time of his death an active 

 and zealous promoter of the improvement of raw- 

 silk. 



Hitherto the silk, as well as other portions of 

 the Indian investment, had been provided by the 

 Company by the system of contracts, a system 

 long in practice but open to great abuses. It was 

 at length deemed expedient that a change should 



be 



