Bellamont was charmed with this plan, and recommended it to the King.

The King referred it to the Admiralty.

The Admiralty raised difficulties, such as are perpetually raised by public boards when any deviation, whether for the better or for the worse, from the established course of proceeding is proposed.

It then occurred to Bellamont that his favourite scheme might be carried into effect without any cost to the state.

A few public spirited men might easily fit out a privateer which would soon make the Arabian Gulph and the Bay of Bengal secure highways for trade.