ABSTRACT
The idea of selling ships constructed in Russia was served by the probability that the merchandise from these parts would be all of the bulky or heavy kind, besides being in greater quantity than what would be required from England in exchange, and therefore one ship to return may serve for the imports in consequence of the exports carried out in four or five. Exports could include provisions, such as flour or portable soup, from a country where cattle were amazingly cheap. Samuel Bentham (SB) was encouraged to consider these opportunities because the Russian gazette reported the intention of the new government in London was to increase Britain's naval force which he supposed would demand an augmentation of shipping. Under Crown patronage he had travelled widely and had taken serious interest in the empire's industrial and naval resources. He was now fluent in Russian as well as in French and was of increased use to the Russian state.
