Demands to close down the Ostende Company

While still young the Ostende Company has done better than anyone in expected. The Company may lack the financial muscle of the older India Companies but the Ostende Company has still managed to do very well in some areas. Last year half of the tea exported to Europe was transported by Ostende ships.\nThe success of the Company has, however, not made us any friends. The English and Dutch both claim that the Ostende Company is a sham set up by their disloyal subjects masquerading as Austrian/Flemish sailors. They show little understanding for our desire to get in on the India trade and as long as the Company operates they will hold it against us. In some sympathize with them, our country has never been a naval power and this all seems like an unnecessary adventure to them.