xxvi 



REPORT ON 



Report, measure of causing the surplus quantity of silk, 

 beyond what the markets could take off in the 

 raw state, to be thrown into Organzine, with a 

 view to its being brought into use as a substitute 

 for part of the thrown silks which were then 

 imported from Italy. 



Accordingly two hundred bales of the best 

 assortment of Bengal silks were delivered to the 

 throwsters, and after being organzined were put 

 up at the Company's sale. Much opposition to this 

 measure occurred at the time^ and the legality of 

 the Company's proceedings was strongly com- 

 bated by buyers interested in the Italian impor- 

 tations. 



The object, however, was too important, and 

 the prospect too flattering to be hastily abandoned. 

 Further trials were made, and in proportion as 

 the article became more known, and the views of 

 the Company better understood, much of the pre- 

 judice that had been excited against the measure 

 subsided. 



In February 1796 the reputation of Bengal 

 organzine silk was so far established, that a con- 

 siderable number of the most eminent houses in 

 the trade united in addressing a memorial to the 

 Court, in which they stated, ''that the Bengal 



raw- silk i 



