204 
HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
thwarted in his designs, which would inevitably happen, when, among those to whom 
he was accountable for the execution of his office, and who possessed the power to 
command the details, there were several who, from motives which they dared 
not to avow, were strongly disposed to trouble the repose, and disconcert the mea^ 
sures, of his government. He had, therefore, determined to resign his situation ; but 
the ministers to whom he communicated this resolution, would not permit him to 
execute it. 
The wish to retire, however, still occupied his mind; when the preparations that 
were making in the several ports of France, announced a rupture with Great Britain 
and Holland. He accordingly formed a plan, to arm a certain number of ships to 
attack the commerce of those two countries; and his friends formed such san¬ 
guine expectations of his project, that, in order to facilitate its completion, they 
proposed to advance five millions of livres, on condition that he would take a tenth 
share in the armament. T his proposition was no sooner made, than he hastened to 
Fontainbleau, to communicate his plan of operations to the Count de Maurepas, 
and to demand his permission to carry it into immediate execution. 
His plan was as follows : To equip six vessels and two frigates, and to set sail 
for India. If war should be declared, he would be ready to attack the commerce 
of Great Britain, and to undertake expeditions against its colonies. He then en¬ 
gaged to apply whatever money he should take, to the service of the Company, 
which would render it unnecessary for them to send any specie out of the kingdom; 
and, in order that he might not interfere with their privileges, he would dispose of 
the merchandize which he might possess himself, in the South Seas. His next 
object would be to return to China; and having exchanged the money for which 
he had sold his cargoes, into gold, to touch at-the Isles of France and Bourbon, 
in order to supply the Company with whatever funds it might require, and to bring 
the rest to France. If, however, war should not be declared, he then engaged to 
freight his ships for the benefit of the Company. 
This project was highly approved by the ministers ; and M. de la Bourdonnais 
was informed, that the government would furnish him with two frigates, that the East 
India Company would add four vessels, and that the king would appoint him to 
the command of the squadron : at the same time he was ordered to execute for the 
Company, the plan he had formed for himself, with the assurance, that his Majesty 
would take care of him and his fortune. 
