or otherwise Secondly by reason that the King of Portugal having discovered the East-Indies in Anno 1500 and diverted the course of Trade driven by the Venetians from Alexandria and the Red-Sea to his Port of Lisbon kept here his Factors and sent hither those Indian Commodities to seek their vent and this first drew the English Merchant-Adventurers from Bruges hither to reside The third was the Wars that fell between the French and Charles the Fifth which brought hither many Gentlemen from Villages and petty Towns for safety sake here to reside and build Now as the causes of her rising have been noted to be three so the causes of the loss of that Trade may be reduced also to three First the Wars here and in general in these Provinces between the Spaniards and the Dutch Nation wherein this City suffered pillaging and indured the command of new Laws Secondly the abrogation of part of those Privileges that were granted here to the English Merchant-Adventurers and others that the new and great Customs imposed upon their Goods and Merchandize Thirdly the Navigation of the English and Dutch to the East-Indies whereby the Portugal Factors decreasing thereby and the City of London in England and Amsterdam in Holland increasing thereby were also sharers in the India Trade and Commodities leaving by this means this City bare and to subsist upon the Traffick of her own Inhabitants in that nature as now the same is found to be Accounts in Antwerp Their Accounts are here kept by Livers Sol and Deniers which they term Pounds Shillings and Pence of grosses 12 grosses making a Sol and 20 Sol a Liver or Pound Flemish which may be accounted 12 Shillings Sterling or by their computation 240 grosses by which Species they do make their Exchanges with all other Cities Coins in Antwerp The Current Moneys here and in general through all the Arch-Duke's Countries are besides the Spanish and Imperial these current are Doits four makes a Stiver and ten Stivers a Shillings Sterling two Blanks makes a Stiver and half Stivers 6 makes a Shilling Flemish Stivers 28 makes a Guilder which is three Shillings four Pence Flemish Shillings 20 makes a Pound which is 6 Guilders Pounds 100 Flemish makes 60 Pound English so that 20 Stivers is or may be computed for two Shillings Sterling and one Pound Flemish for 12 Shillings Sterling and then 20 Shillings Sterling is 33 Shillings 4 Pence Flemish Weights in Antwerp The Weight of this Country is the Pound of 16 Ounces and the 100 l. of that Pound which is their Quintar which rendereth in London 104 l. The conceived original of our Tret in London and thereupon it comes as some imagine that upon Spices the tret of 4 l. upon 104 l. was allowed here to the Buyer for the English being supplyed hence in those days with their Spices found the 100 l. there to give here in the City of London 104 l. and made that allowance here willingly as desiring the 100 l. there would yield them a neat 100 l. here and take the same by the Factory without further allowance or garble which was not then in use Many observations have been made upon the weight and measure of this City which being reduced into a general Table by Mr. Malines and the same being there accorded with all the principal Cities in the World I will refer you thereunto for larger satisfaction and content my self according to my method to insert the same as I find it with some other particular places because I have found some errors in the said Concordance Weights of Antwerp compared with that of other places The Weights then in use in Antwerp being the 160 l. neat have been observed to have rendred thus In London 104 l. Marselia 115¾  Venice sotile 155  Ditto gross 97¾  Sicilia 68  Lisbon 84½  Florence 132½  Lions 110  Sevil 101â…ž  Dantzick 120  Ormus 108 Rot. Aleppo common 228 R. Ditto silk weight 240 R. Tripoly Soria 272 R. Tripoly Barbaria 97 R. Baruti 219 R. Alexandria Zeroi 519 R. Alexandria Forsia 1165 R. Constantinople 92 R. Rhodes 201 R. Acria 181 R. Babylon 156 R. And what other inlargements are here wanting I willingly omit and refer the same to Lex Mercatoria Measures of Antwerp compared with those of other Countries Now in the same manner it will be needful I do calculate the Measures of Antwerp which is the Ell which also by observation hath made in these places Acria 115 pico Aleppo 108 pico Argier 136 covad Alexandria 124 pico Amsterdam 101 ells Barcelona 43 canes Bruges 98â…” ells Candia 108 pico Castile 78 vares Constantinople 113 pico Corfu 116 braces Damasco 111 pico Dantzick 122 ells Florence Cloth 116 ells Ditto for Silk 102½ braces Genoa 122 braces Hamburgh 122 ells Holland 103½ ells Lisbon long 63 vares London for Linnen 60 ells Ditto for Wollen 75 yards Ditto for Frises 59 goads Lucca 120 braces Millan for Silk 141 braces Naples for Silk 33½ can Paris 59 aulns Rouen 58 aulns Sevil 83½ vares Venice for Woollen 101â…” braces Ditto for Silk 108 Valentia 73 canes Urbin 101 braces Note that this is for the common Measure of Antwerp besides which they use another El for Silk and these Ells make of that but 98½ Ells. The other Measure of sundry Commodities here in use are these Of Beer Beer is sold in Antwerp by the Barrel which is accounted throughout Flanders and Brabant to be 54 Stoops the 81 whereof is in Dantzick a Fat and contains there 180 Stoops but 50 Stoops of Antwerp make the Barrel of Lubeck and the English Gallon of Beer is 2 Stoops of Flanders and 1â…” Stoops of Amsterdam Of Corn. Corn is here sold by a Measure called the Vertule and 37½ Vertules is a Last of Corn in Ansterdam and 10¼ Quarters in London vide there further Of Wine Wine is sold by the Ame the Stoop and the But and is found thus to accord together 1 Aâ—… is 50 Stoops and one Stoop is six Pound and a But is 152 Stoops so that by this Rule 6 Ame which is 300 Stoops or 1800 l. is in London 252 Gallons so that the Ame is by this Calculation found to be 42 Gallons and the Stoop is about 3â…“ quarters of London Wine-measure or as some account it about 7 Pints vide London for more certainty Exchanges of Antwerp The Exchanges practised in this place are great and for very great sums of Money especially when as the King of Spain hath any general disbursements in this Country by reason of his continual Armies here in Action maintained against the Dutch the particulars whereof I have inserted in the end of this Tract in the Chapter 289 and in the Chapter 435 and some others following where I have at large declared the Practice and Use among the Machants of that place in the Calculation thereof whereto I refer
confer and treat together concerning Merchandizing Shipping Buying or Selling and the like as is seen to be the Royal Exchange of LONDON the Burse in Antwerp the Piazze in Venetia and the like in other places The Custom-house The second place is it where the Princes Customs and Duties upon all Wares either Imported or Exported by way of Merchandize is seen to be paid and collected where Officers are appointed to attend the same and where all Writs as Cockets Bills of Entry Cetificates and the like are granted both to load and land Goods either going out or coming in and these are called by several names as in most places Custom-houses Dattio Commercios and the like Magazines for Commodities The third place is it where Merchants do keep their Goods and Wares in where Weighers Porters Carmen and Labourers do hourly attend to be set on work where Brokers and Contracters are daily imployed in making of Bargains shewing of Wares transporting of Bills of Debt and such like as is seen in the Besistons and Basars in Turkey Alfondoces in Barbary Pack houses in the Netherlands and as was accustomed to be done in the Stillard in London Kings-Beam The next place is it where the Publick Beam is set up by the Authority of the Magistrate to weigh all ponderous Commodities bought or sold to decide Differences and Controversies arising by Weights and Weighing and where a sworn Weigher with labourers at all hours attendeth upon Merchants occasions and who by his place is to keep a Register of all Commodities weighed to serve if need shall so require and in this nature is the Weight house called The Kings-Beam in London the Domme at Amsterdam the Vicont in Rouen the Romano in Marsilia and such like in other places of Trade Met-house The next and last place is it where the Publick Measures both of length of dry and of liquid Commodities in every City are kept and set up by the Authority of the Magistrate to measure all measurable Commodities bought or sold to decide all Differences and Controversies arising thereabouts and where a sworn Measurer is to give attendance with other necessary helpers at all hours to dispatch Merchants occasions of which he is to keep a Register to serve in time of need as was seen of old to be the Standard of Cheap in London and as is found the like in other places And thus much shall serve to have said of Cities and Towns in general of Trade and of the principal places found therein which have a dependence thereupon which few Cities in the World of Traffick do want or are found to be defective in CHAP. IV. Of Customs Impositions and other Duties in general paid by Merchants upon Commodities in all Cities of Trade Customs payable to Princes TRADE in it self hath ever been found to be not only beneficial to the City and Country where the same is exercised and preserved but also to the Princes and Sovereigns who command the same and though the commodities and benefits that it brings with it be many and great yet the principal are such as accruing to the Princes Coffers come to them by the payments of certain Customs Imposts and Duties that are by them imposed upon all Commodities and Wares which by the way of Merchandize are either Imported out or Exported into their Dominions and for the better raising and collecting of which there is seated as is before remembred by the said Princes and their Authority in every such City and Town where any Trade and concourse of Merchants is found to be certain publick Houses Custom-houses as Offices by the name of Custom-houses where these Duties are collected and where the Traders and Merchants do accordingly pay and satisfie the same Customs not always alike in all places The Duty then of Custom though in all Countries it be generally paid yet it is not always found to be paid alike in all places for it is sometimes found to be more and sometimes less and oft-times in some Countries it is paid according to the will of the Prince who imposeth the same as being partly a Prerogative inherent to their Scepters and partly as they are absolute Commanders in those Cities Ports and Havens where this Traffick is so exercis'd Custom due upon all Commodities and is found to be payable as I said before upon all manner of Commodities used by way of Merchandize either Imported or Exported out or into their Dominions Countries and Cities The original of Customs This Duty then thus called Custom is conceived by some to have its first Original from a safeguard given by those Princes at Sea to their Subjects and Merchants from all Rovers Pirats and Enemies and a Protection for free trading from all such dangers from one Port or City of Trade to another but we see that in these days the payment of the Duty is still continued and is daily paid by all Merchants but the first institution and ground thereof if so it was is by many Princes either totally omitted or at least wise forgotten and therefore it may now be more properly called a Custom than heretofore and the places where the same is paid and collected called thence Custom-houses The Merchant must learn what the Customs are and duly pay them The Merchant then that intendeth to Negociate and Traffick into any City or Kingdom seeing there is a necessity in the payment and discharge thereof ought first diligently and carefully learn and observe the sum and quantity payable upon all Commodities whatsoever and then truly and honestly satisfie the same according to the Ordinances and Proceedings used respectively in those Countries partly to avoid the danger of the loss of the Commodity the non-payment being in many places the forfeiture and partly the better thereby to make his Calculation either to buy or sell or profit and that before he make Entry of any Goods in the said Custom houses or Office thus appointed for the collecting of this Duty he take notice what the true and right custom in it self is Book of Rates to further which knowledge it is often seen that a settled Rate by Book or particular Teriffe either in Print or Writing may easily in every such City of Trade be had and obtained But if as it is sometimes seen in some places that the same cannot be had then the Trader must learn in this case from others what the Duty and Custom of the place is wherein much care and circumspection is to be used for the fraud and poling deceit that is practised in sundry Custom-houses by many Officers where no such Books are publick is excessive when either they collect the same to the immediate use of the Prince or when they collect the same to their own use being let out to farm by contract and yearly Rent unto them by his Authority many Merchants being deceived by their devices and slights many Under-Officers and
considerable though not the biggest being not above six or seven miles long lying in 15 Degrees Latitude it had once a fair Town called Riblera but sackt and burnt by Sir Francis Drake Anno 1585. and afterwards in Anno 1596. by Sir Anthony Sherley it run the same fate it is at present pretty well Inhabited and hath a convenient Harbour called the Pry secured by a Castle where Ships may ride with its leave in safety they have some quantity of Sugar Sweet-meats and Coco-nuts being their chief Commodities which they exchange for such Commodities as they want for Cloathing as Cloth Stuffs of several sorts Linnens Hats and the like They have very large and good Cattel which they sell at easy rates about 25 s. aplece also Horses of excellent shape and metal but they are Contrabando Goods and not to be dealt in without leave from the Governour under no less penalty than forfeiture of Ship and Goods if he get you in his Command but by Graruities and a particular Trade with him small numbers are sometimes admitted to be carried from thence Ocknam's brave attempt If I should silently pass over the attempt of one John Ocknam a follower of Sir Francis Drake in his Worlds Incompassment in this place I should much wrong the honour due to so much worth This Man as Mr. Hackluit hath it with 70 Companions in a Creek a little above these Towns drew on shore his Bark covered the same with boughs and leaves and so leaving it marched over with his Company guided by some Negroes until he came to a River which ran into the South-Sea which by relation and Mercator's Maps may be Tomobonda or the Creek of Ventura where he cut down Timber built him a Frigat entred the South-Seas went to the Isle of Pearls lay there 10 days and there inteicepted in two Spanish Ships 60000 pound weight of Gold and 200000 pound weight of Silver in Ingots with divers other rich Commodities and after that returned safely again to the Main Land where rowing up the same Stream where his Frigat was built he was discovered by some feathers pluckt from certain Fowl they had kill'd for their Provision which swam upon the River down the Current and though by this means he was taken and returned not into his Countrey nor yet his hidden Vessel yet it is an Adventure that deserves a Remembrance from all such as are Lovers of their Countreys Honour and it is held in admiration by the Spanish Writers that have made mention thereof Andalusia Nova Andalusia Nova is the second the chief Cities are Santa Margarita and Santa Sperita Nova Granada Nova Granada is the third the chief City is Jungia a pleasant and strong Town directly seated under the Aequator the next is St. Foy an Archbishops See and a Court of Justice Cartagena Cartagena is the fourth accounted a fruitful Soil but therein is found a Tree that whosoever toucheth doth hardly escape poysoning the chief City is Cartagena which our Country-man Sir Frances Drake in Anno 1585 surprized where besides inestimable sums of Moneys he took with him from hence 240 pieces of Ordnance Guiana second Province Guiana is the second Province directly situated under the Equinoctial Line and is the fruitfullest part of Peruana The Inhabitants in Winter-time dwelling in Trees for fear of Inundations on which they built many pretty Villages and artificial Mansions it is watered with two goodly Rivers the one hath the name of Orinoque or rather Raliana borrowing the same from Sir Walter Rawleigh who first of all to any purpose made a plenary Survey of this Countrey with the Commodities and situation thereof in An. 1595. and found this River navigable for great Ships of burthen 1000 miles and for Boats and Pinnaces 2000 miles The other River is called Orellana or the Amazons discovered 1543. the which is found navigable 6000 miles and 200 miles broad at the entrance into the Sea Manoa the golden City The chief City of this Country and if Spanish Writers may herein be believed the chiefest City of the World is here found and called Manoa or as Diego Ordas the Discoverer called it el Dorado or the golden from the abundance of Gold both in Coin Plate Armour and other Furniture which he there saw This Discoverer or Traveller for by that name the truth of his wondrous Relation may be the better considered is said to have entred into the City at Noon and to have travelled all that day and the next also until night through the Streets hereof before he came to the Kings Palace which peradventure was the policy of those people as I have seen it to be in Constantinople in Anno 1621. when as the Duke of Avarascah coming with a great Train in Embassie from the King of Poland to Sultan Osman the then Great Turk after his unfortunate Expedition to Poland caused him and his whole Train to be led a whole afternoon through the most eminent Streets of that City when he first entred the same and so to his appointed Lodging whereas an hours easie walk to him that bad known the direct way would easily have served the turn perchance imagining this a fit way to demonstrate to the Embassadour the beauty and vastness of that City together with his own Greatness in ostentation and to recover that Honour and Repute which he had a little before lost by the Insolencie and Cowardise of his Souldiers in his said Expedition thither Peru the third Province The third Province is Peru which above all others in America abounds in Gold and Silver the Mine whereof in divers places is better stored with Metals than with Earth the chief City whereof is St. Michael the first Colony the Spaniards placed there and fortified by Piscaro a famous Spanish Captain who subdued the Countrey took the King thereof prisoner and had for a ransom for his Liberty and Life a house piled up on all sides with refined Gold and Silver in estimation about ten millions which when he had received most perfidiously contrary to his Oath and Promise slew him by which appears the wonderful Riches of this Countrey Besides which the Soil is luxuriant in all manner of Grain fortunate in the Civility of her Inhabitants frequency of Cities and salubrity of Air and abundantly stored with that Herb Tobacco from hence brought first into England by Sir Francis Drake's Marriners in Anno 1585. Râ—…la Plâ—ta In this Countrey is also now found that famous River called of Plate being 150 Miles broad at the Embesheur and above 2000 Miles long and on this Stream is found certain Fig-trees the part towards the River bearing Fruit in Winter and the other part thereof towards the Land bearing fruit in Summer Brasilia the 4 Province Brasilia is the fourth affording a Soil fat by nature and always flourishing yielding great store of Sugars and wonderful rich in Mines and hence our Red-wood which
set at liberty and he straight flieth home to his mate when by degrees they are thus perfectly taught the Carriers and Merchants on any accident fasten a Letter about one of their Necks and they being freed without any stay hasten to the place from whence they were brought and such as at home do watch their return climb their hole and take away their Letter are certified of the mind of their friends or any other tydings after a very speedy manner Commodities of Babylon The Commodities of this place are the common Commodities before nominated in Aleppo Coins of Babylon and their Coins current are the same that are found throughout Turkey as subject to one and the same Soveraign but the Coins of Persia are found here likewise to pass current for their value and so doth also their Gold without exception it being a received custom in Trade That frontier Towns of Trade admit the Coins of the bordering Inhabitants and Regions Weights of Babylon The weights of Babylon known amongst us is the Dram Mitigal Rotolo and Cantar Their Rotolo hath been observed to make 1 l. 10 ounces English and our 112 l. English hath made here 68 Rotolo's Their measure in length common in this place is the Pico found to be by trial about 27 inches English To conclude this Countreys Relation from hence came the three Wise men called of the East who worshipped Christ and presented him with gifts and the Inhabitants hereof are said to be the first inventers of Astronomy and Astrology and therefore hence have all such the title of Childeans and for other matter of Trade here is only found the famous Town of Mosull situated on the River Euphrates abounding with the Forests of Galls so much required and requested by divers throughout the World and now to MEDIA CHAP. LXXIII Of Media and the Provinces thereof Media and the Cities thereof MEdia is limited on the East with Parthia on the West with Armenia on the South with Persia on the North with the Caspian Sea being absolutely the greatest Sea of all others that hath no Commerce with the Ocean by some called the Hircanian Sea and by some the Sea Bacchu of a Town of that name thereon bordering Sultania The chief Cities of this Countrey are Sultania famous for the fair Mosque in the East Sumachia the strongest of all the rest taken by the Turks in Anno 1578 and now the seat of 2 Turkish Bashaw Ere 's Ardovile Shervan Bacchu and some others Tauris and lastly the most eminent Tauris of the trade hereof see hereafter Likewise in this Tract is comprehended the Province of Albania now Zairia little beholding to the industry or labour of the Husbandman yet of its own accord yielding for once sowing most times two and sometimes there reapings Derbent the chief City is Caucasiae Portae built hard upon the Hill Caucasus one of the best fortified Towns of the East now called Derbent a strong City invironed with two walls and fortified with Iron Gates yet nevertheless taken it was by the Grand Signior in his last wars against the Persians under whose command it now remaineth being now accounted one of the Keys of this Kingdom and the common entrance into Persia and lastly in this Countrey Phidon an Argive in Anno Mundi 3146. is said to find out the use of weights and measures which knowledge and concordance by this Tract I covet to obtain The weights of Derbent is the Moâ—e which is 3 l. 11 ounces Venice sotile And to conclude a word of the Trade of this Countrey in the general I find that the Moscovia Company were the first that sought the knowledge thereof in these parts for upon their discovery of Moscovia they traded down the River Volga to Astracan and thence in Barks sailed with their English Commodities to Bacchu Derbent and other places on the Caspian Sea and since some of the East-India Company have more narrowly traced it and have observed the same more particularly the principal Commodities proceeding hence is the raw Silk made at Gilan Zahaspa Rastiguan Chiulfal and others now known unto us by the name of Persia Ardasse and Lege Silks and from this last the dealers in Silk here are throughout Asia commonly termed Chiulfallins CHAP. LXXIV Of Tauris and the Trade thereof Tauris and the Trade thereof TAuris is the Metropolis of Media and the Summer seat of the Persian Sophies containing 16 miles in compass and including 100 thousand Inhabitants it hath within late years been three times conquered by the Turks and hath as often again returned to the Persians under whom now it resteth first by Selimus then by Solyman the Magnificent and lastly by Osman General to Amurath the third it is now in the possession of the Persian and strongly fortified and seated in a cold yet wholsome Countrey the Inhabitants more addicted to making of Silk than to the Sword distant six days journey from the Caspian Sea and indeed incompassed by several great Towns of note whose manual labours are famoused over the World as first Ere 's whence came the fine Silk called the Mamodean now out of use Gilan and Bilan the Gilan abounding with Lege Silk Sumachia Sumachia abounding in excellent Carpets whereto the people wholly addict themselves Arasse then Arasse the most eminent and opulent City in the Trade of Merchandize throughout all Servania partly by the abundant growth of Silk there nourished and hence called Arasse vulgarly Ardasse 2000 sums yearly going hence to Aleppo in Syria and partly by the growth thereof Galls Cottons Wooll Allom some Spices Drugs and sundry other Commodities so that to make this place the happy Scale of Merchandize Nature having plaid heâ— part there wanteth only peace between the Kings of Persia and Turkie which at present is denied them the further manner of Trade of that place I am constrained for want of due information to omit and refer what I have thereof collected to Persia CHAP. LXXV Of Persia and the Provinces thereof Persia and the Provinces thereof PErsia is bounded on the East with the River Indus on the West with Tygris and the Persian Gulph on the North with the Caspian Sea and the River Oxus and on the South with the main Ocean the People are much addicted to Hospitality and Poetry in their Complements Lordly in their Apparel phantastical in their Expences magnificent and in their Lives lovers of Learning Nobility and Peace This Empire containeth these several Provinces 1 Persis 2 Susiana 3 Caramania 4 Gedrosia 5 Drangiania 6 Arica 7 Arachosia 8 Parapomisus 9 Saccha 10 Hircania 11 Ormus Of all which in brief and no further than may concern my present purpose Persis Far. In Persis now called Far having the Gulph of Persia to the South limit Caramania for the East Susiana for the West and Media for the North was seated Persepolis the ancient Seat of this Empire
Cleveland The third Province is Cleveland containing the Earldom of Cleve the Dutchies of Gulick and Berge wherein are found the fair Cities of Cleve Calker Wesel Emrick Aken Gulick Dulkins and others which I omit for Brevity Alsatia The fourth Province is Alsatia wherein are found the Towns of Psaltberg Wesenberg Colmar and principally the famous City of Strasburg of which a Word CHAP. CLXXXVI Of Strasburg and the Trade thereof Strasburg and the Trade thereof STraâ—burg is one of the Imperial Cities before-mentioned seated a Musket-shot from the Rhine whereto there is a Channel cut for conveyance of all Commodities There is here also a wooden Bridge over the Rhine but of no great Strength The Circuit of the City may be aboâ—t 8 miles well fortified and is famous for many Rarities the principal being their Clock which cost so many years Labour to perfect and the Steeple of the Cathedral Church is numbred amongst the Seven Miracles of the World for its excellent Structure and Beauty The Courtesie of the Inhabitants to Strangers is not to be forgotten And here they are accustomed at the City's cost to give all Handicrafts entertainment that they may either teach if expert or learn if ignorant by which means they are found to have confluence of Artisans which doth both much further their City's Stock and inrich the Inhabitants Weights of Strasburg In Strasburg are found two Weights gross and suttle and by observation it hath been found that the 100 l. suttle of London hath made here incirca 70 in 71 l. of the gross weight for gross Goods of 16 ounces the Pound and 107 l. suttle weight of 12 ounces the Pound by which they use to weigh all fine Commodities as Drugs and Spices as Sugars Pepper Cloves Mace Cinnamon Almonds Dates and the like Measures of Strasburg The Measure of Length of Strasburg is the Ell which is in London inches The Coins current are the Bohemico gross or Blaphace whichis three Crusters one Cruster is two Pence and one Penny is two Hellers and one Heller is two Orchins by which Coins they keep their Account Vide further Chap. 206. Franconia The fifth Province is Franconia divided into eight Parts the lower Palatine is the first part wherein are found Worms Spiers and Heidelberg the chief City belonging to those Princes Bacarac Bacarac famous for the excellent Rhenish Wines here growing Coub Openham Frankendak and others Wittenberg The second part is Wittenberg the chief Towns are Toubing Stutgard 2 Stutgard the Duke's Seat 3 Marlach and others Auspach The third part is Auspach Haibram and others Baden The fourth is Baden wherein the City Baden Durlach and others Ments The fifth is Mentz wherein Lantsem Beinge and others Bainberg The sixth is Bainberg a fair City and some others Westberg The seventh is Westberg a City Arustine and some others The eighth part belongs to the Emperour Noremberg wherein is found Noremberg the fairest and richest City of Germany and seated in the Centre thereof Frankfort and also here is Frankfort seated on the River Menus famous for the two Book-marts here kept annually in Mid-lent and Mid-September A word of the most eminent of these before I proceed to the next Province CHAP. CLXXXVII Of Worms and the Trade thereof VVorms and the Trade thereof WOrms is a Town of great antiquity and yet wanteth not Magnificence in her Buildings On the West-side thereof grow in great abundance those Wines known to us by the name of Rhenish It is more famous for the many Imperial Parliaments held here of old than it is for Trade therefore I shall not have cause to insist much thereupon Near to this City stands the City of Frankendale a new modern strong fair and beautiful Piece which has made it self famous in the late Wars of these parts these Coasts affording the most excellent Wines above-mentioned here in great plenty abounding and are sound to grow especially on the West-side of the River which is the prime Commodity of the Inhabitants both of the City and Province The Weights and Measures here are found to accord with Spiers to which I refer the Inquirer CHAP. CLXXXVIII Of Spiers and the Trade thereof Spiers and the Trade thereof SPiers is half a mile from the Rhyne seated in a Plain on the west-side of the said River having more Antiquity than Beauty and yet more Beauty than Trade Here the Imperial Chamber is held in which Court the Differences of the Empire are judged and the Electâ—…s themselves may be called hither to Trial of Law The Weights and Measures are these Weights of Spiers First for the Weights of this place the common is the Pound of 16 ounces or 32 loots of which are made two several Quintals one of 100 l. another of 120 l. and the 100 l. here is in London 111 l. and the 100 l. of London is about 88 l. here of 32 loots per pound Measures of Spiers The Measure of Length used is the Ell which is in London inches CHAP. CLXXXIX Of Heidelberg and the Trade thereof Heidelberg and the Trade thereof THE City of Heidelberg is seated in a Plain invironed on three parts with high Mountains the fourth part open and beholding the River from which it is a mile distant and to which it conveyeth all Commodities by a small River that runs by the Walls thereof This is an University and the Seat of the Palsgraves and hath not been much famoused for the Trade thereof The Weights and Measures here in use are these Weights of Heidelberg The Weight common in use here is the Pound of 16 ounces of which are made three several Hundreds or Quintars the first of 100 l. for fine Goods the second of 120 l. for gross Goods and the third of 132 l. for Provision of Food as Butter Flesh c. The 100 l. hath been found to make in London 108 l. and the 100 l. suttle makes then here about 92 or 93 l. Measures of Heidelberg The Measure of Length is an Ell which makes in London inches CHAP. CXC Of Noremberg and the Trade thereof Noremberg and the Trade thereof NOremberg is seated in a barren Soil yet this Defect is supplied by the Industry of the Inhabitants It is absolute and of it self and accounted one of the Imperial Cities of the Empire and the richest of all the rest the Inhabitants by their subtle Inventions in manual Works and cunning Arts with the Encouragement they daily give to Artificers draw thereby the Riches of other Countries to them Every Child tho but seven or eight years old is here put to work and enabled thereby to get his own Livelihood and by this means is all Europe filled with the trivial Commodities of this Town known by the Name of Noremberg Ware which makes this City rich strong and powerful their Trade is not
Tongue which extends it self into two parts 1. An Exchanging of one sort of Moneys for another and 2. An Exchanging from one City or Country to another Rates Terms Fairs and Usances of Exchange in which is also considerable both a Rate and Term wherein and whereby this is brought to perfection which are principally performed by certain Fairs or Usances accustomed in the Art of Exchanging and which are set down by Merchants Bankers and Exchangers at their Assemblies and Meetings in a fair and regular Order by a certain Course of Justice and by peculiar Laws and Ordinances amongst themselves both which Fairs and the Rates and Terms thereof have a constant expiration within certain months as the Usances have that are likewise included within the Rules of the said Fairs which are found to end within certain prefixt days according to the received Custom of those two Cities wherein the said Exchanges are found mutually and respectively to be setled and placed What is observed in Exchanging in the usual manner thereof Moreover in the Practice of Exchanging Bankers and Exchangers are found to observe this Custom amongst themselves in the usual manner of Exchanging from one place to another that is One propounds his Money in a whole Number or Denomination and the Other consequently and necessarily in a Fraction broken Number or lesser Denomination in which Contract or Bargain it is imagined that these two either Persons or Places would negotiate one and the self same thing so that the one would be the Seller and the other the Buyer thereof to perform which it is questionless needful that he that hath the thing makes the Rate and Price the which shall happen without any Contract or difference of much or little and as it chanceth in the sale of any Commodity so falleth it out by the Exchanges of Moneys for of the two places that would exchange the one propounds a gross Sum and the other the Condition and Price in a lesser Sum which may admit either an increase or decrease in estimation or value according as they fall to agreement upon the lesser or greater esteem of the said Sum propounded the use of which is exemplified thus Example If Placmtia would exchange with any other place the said Placentia or as Exchangers term it the said Fair or Fiera propounds and gives always the entire Sum or greater denomination and by consequence the other that would exchange therewith gives the other which is the lesser denomination This Sum which I thus term an entire or whole Denomination falls in some places to be sometimes one Crown and in other places sometimes 100 Crowns Florins or Ducats the same is likewise found to be practised between any two places Exchanging for each place giveth either a Denomination entire of one to another or of one Hundred to another Hundred or else of a lesser Divident than one or than one Hundred which I here term the Fraction broken Number or smallest Denomination as shall be more plainly expressed in the calculated Table following What an Entire Sum in Exchanges is and what a broken Number or Fraction Now as touching the Moneys which are thus given as entire or whole Sums viz. One or one hundred these are either found to be Crowns Ducats Pounds Florins c. according to the received quality of the gross and whole Moneys which that place is found to have current that would give so in like manner it falleth out in the smaller or lesser Denomination in the places that would take which in themselves is also various and consequently of divers sorts as Pence Sols Deniers c as shall also appear by the said Table Liberty of Exchanging to the judicious And though it fall out to be the Custom that one place giveth an Exchange in gross Moneys and another place in small as is before related and that this gross and small Moneys must be of such or such a quality and kind this Observation and Rule prescribed notwithstanding is not always necessary but that Exchangers may though I confess it is seldom seen at their pleasure propound the one or the other differing or contrary hereunto and that the wise and judicious Exchanger may for his Profit Ease or Commodity propound his own intentions and thereby if he can obtain a beneficial Bargain or Issue according to his Design and Plot. As for Example Ignorant Exchangers consure the judicious of varying from the Custom of Exchanging If it should be said that Exchanges may be made in a method differing from this or the common Rule or contrary to that way that hath been received and taken some would soon censure him of folly that should be of that Opinion and conceive such a one to be little versed in exchanging Affairs that should either propound or seek to perform such a thing but yet no great heed is to be taken to the raw Conceits and childish Opinions of such self-will'd Merâ—…nts which may for the most part be said to be either drench'd in ignorance or drown'd in cary because that a skilful Merchant may as I have alledged frame his Exchanges as he sees good and to his own Commodity the which very oftentimes is observed to be done by others and practised daily by those of this City of excellent judgments Example In Example whereof posito I would exchange Genoua with Naples between which two places the use and custom is that Genoua giveth the entire Sum or greater denomination which is the Crown of Gold for the which Naples gives the Grain 135 a little more or less I demand why may not Genoua give that whole Sum which is the Crown of 4 Livres as it is accustomed to give with other places and estimating the same by 120 Grains Naples and thereby the Exchange will prove to be equal with the first manner before mentioned And further why may not the contrary be practised Naples giving the whole Denomination which may be Decats one for Sold. 66 8 d. and so vary in as many forms as they please wherein I confess I never yet found any Exchanges made neither do know any true reason that the common Cuâ—…oms should be altered tho' I have thought good to note the same here that each knowing Merchant may boldly use which he please for to him that truly understands the value and course of both the places Exchanging there will appear no difficulty therein and I wish that those which know no other ways but their own content themselves within the limits of their own manner and understanding and suffer others of better Judgments without their censure to follow their own when it is to their Benefit or Commodity CHAP. CCLXXV The Declaration of the Table of Exchanges following Declaration of the Tables of Exchanges THE Table of Exchanges of the Cities here following are formed and disposed in this nature first in the front thereof there is placed the Name of the Town or
Rates of Interest in many other places Rates of Exchange in Lions and may serve for Rates of Interest in many other Cities FIrst at ½ per Cent. take 1 10 of a 1 10 and the ½ of the last 1 10 shall be the Rate and Sum of the Exchange propounded and demanded At ⅓ per Cent. take a 1 10 of a 1 10 and a ⅓ of the last 1 10 is the Exchange At ⅔ per Cent. take a 1 10 of a 1 10 and ⅔ of the last 1 10 is the Exchange At ¼ per Cent. take a 1 10 of a 1 10 and ¼ of the last 1 10 is the Exchange At ¾ per Cent. take ¾ of a 1 10 and the 1 10 shall be the Exchange At ⅕ per Cent. take a ⅕ of the 1 10 of a 1 10 shall be the Exchange At ⅖ per Cent. take a ⅖ of the 1 10 of a 1 10 shall be the Exchange At 1 per Cent. take a 1 10 of a 1 10 shall be the Exchange At 1½ per Cent. take a 1 10 of a 1 10 and ½ of the last 1 10 adding the two last At 1½ per Cent. take a 1 10 of a 1 10 and ⅓ of the last 1 10 adding the ⅓ and 1 10. At 1⅔ per Cent. take a ½ of a 1 10 shall be the Exchange At 1¼ per Cent. take a ⅛ of a 1 10 shall be the Exchange At 1¾ per Cent. take ½ and ¼ of the 1 10 of a 1 10 shall be the Exchange At 1⅜ per Cent. take a 1 10 of a 1 10 and ⅜ of the last 1 10. At 2 per Cent. take a ⅕ of a 1 10 shall be the Exchange At 2⅛ per Cent. take a ⅕ of a 1 10 and ⅙ of the said ⅕ adding the ⅓ and ⅕ At 2⅔ per Cent. take a ⅕ of a 1 10 and ½ of the said ⅕ At 2½ per Cent. take a ¼ of a 1 10 shall be the Exchange At 2¼ per Cent. take a ⅕ of a 1 10 and ⅛ of the said ⅕ adding the ⅕ and ⅛ At 2¾ per Cent. take a ¼ of a 1 10 and the 1 10 of the said ¼ At 3 per Cent. take a ¼ of a 1 10 and ⅓ of the said ¼ adding the ¼ and the ⅕ At 3⅓ per Cent. take a ⅓ of a 1 10. At 3½ per Cent. take a ¼ of a 1 10 and ⅔ of the said ¼ adding the ¼ and ⅖ At 3¾ per Cent. take a ¼ of a 1 10 and ⅓ of the said ¼ adding the ¼ and the ½ At 4 per Cent. take a ⅕ of a ⅕ At 4½ per Cent. take ¼ and ⅕ of At 5 per Cent. take a ½ of a 1 10. At 5½ per Cent. take a ½ of a 1 10 and 1 10 of the said ½ adding the ½ and the 1 10. At 6 per Cent. take a ½ of a 1 10 and ⅕ of the said ½ shall be the Exchange At 6¼ per Cent. take a 1 10 of a ¼ of a ¼ shall be the Exchange At 6⅔ per Cent. take a 1 10 of a ⅓ of one ⅓ At 7⅕ per Cent. take a ½ of 1 10 and ½ of the said ½ At 8⅓ per Cent. take a 1 11. At 10 per Cent. take a 1 10. At 12½ per Cent. take a ⅛ At 15 per Cent. take a 1 10 and ½ of the said 1 10 adding the whole At 16⅔ per Cent. take a 1 10. At 17½ per Cent. 1 10 and twice the ½ the one of the other of the said 1 10. At 20 per Cent. ⅕ At 22½ per Cent. ⅕ and of ⅛ the said ⅕ adding giveth the Exchange At 25 per Cent. taking the ¼ The reason and benefit of these Rules as well in Lions as elsewhere The reason why I have been induced to set down the brief method of calculating the Exchanges here is that as it is to be understood that the rate of the Exchange at the payment is regulated for the next ensuing payment for that day so must it also be understood that the nearer the time is to the day of the next ensuing the lesser consequently is the rate of the Exchange for that payment to be accounted and because in many Contracts that are made there in private Bargains between Merchant and Merchant it is oftentimes found that the time of payment prefixed by agreement is sometimes 2 3 or 4 or more Fairs or Payments to come and succeed and thereto is oftentimes to be considered the remaining time running to the first payment ensuing Therefore in this case I have for the easier and better reckoning of him that sells a Commodity and of him that doth buy the same set down the easiest and briefest way how to make his Account of the time to run which here I have set down to the common term of ten payments which at 2½ per Cent. makes 25 per Cent. CHAP. CCCV Examples of the Exchanges of Lions with the Profit of the Profits thereof Example of Exchange with the Profit of the Profit thereof in the nature of Interest upon Interest THE declaration of these Rules is best demonstrated by Examples which here following my intended method for the better understanding thereof I here purpose to insert the Question being That if a Creditor receiveth not each payment the Exchange that is due to him the Debtor ought to make him good the same as if it were the principal For Example I would know what shall l. 1560. 15 Ounces give for profit at the rate of two ½ per Cent. for three payments valuing the said Exchange with the Principal at the price above-named First it is to be noted That if by the Rules above mentioned the Profits of the said Sum at 2½ per Cent. for one payment comes to l. 39. 0. 4 d. that Sum is to be added to the Principal and then it doth amount unto l. 1599. 15 s. 4 d. out of which must be drawn the Exchange of the second payment and add that likewise to the principal and out of that the Exchange of the third and adding that in the same manner and it giveth 1680. l. 15 s. As by Example following doth appear And in this manner the account of the Profits of the Exchange of Lions may be made for any time whatsoever and forasmuch as the rate of the Exchange for a payment in a continued Sum may alter therefore I will lay down one Example more which pesus may be 7450 put out by the Exchange of Lions for a year or four payments The first payment falling to be at 2¼ the second at 2⅓ the third at 2½ and the fourth payment at ⅜ which accordingly cast up and continued with the Profit of the Profit added to the principal it will amount to 8203 l. 6 s. 6 d. as following shall appear by the Example Interest paid upon Rebate Now forasmuch as these Rules have affinity with the interest used in many Countries continued by the year from one to another
whatsoever Accounts kept in Lions and there likewise it is observed how the Merchants Exchangers do keep their accounts which for the most part is in Livers Tournois Sols and Deniers 12 Deniers making a Sol and 20 Sols a Liver and yet some there be that keep their accounts in Crowns of Exchange called Crowns of the Sun and is as the Liver distinguished into Sols and Deniers of Gold accounted by 12 and 20 as the former this Crown being accounted worth 3 Livers upon which the Exchange of the place is made and marked with Crowns Livers Sols and Deniers the question then upon the Exchange of Lions with Rome is thus 100 Crowns of Gold of 3 l. is given in Lions to have in Rome 85 Crowns of Gold Estampe or de Camera more or less as the Exchange passeth I demand for Crowns 4520. 12. 6 d. of Gold of the Sun how many Crowns of Estampe shall Lions have at Rome To know which you must multiply the said Crowns of the Sun by 85 and from the Product cut the two last figures the which must multiply by 20 to make them Sols and then by 12 to make them Deniers which will come to be 3842. 10. 7 of Gold of Estampe which Lions ought to have in Rome for the said sum of Crowns of Gold which this calculation following maketh more apparent Example Proof The proof of the said account will appear in the same question propounded where Rome Exchangeth at the same terms with Lions CHAP. CCCIX Of the Exchanges of Lions with Florence Exchanges of Lions with Florence LIms Exchangeth with Florence and giveth 100 Crowns to have in the said place 954 Crowns of Gold more or less I demand for Crowns 1324. 15. 0 of Gold of the Sun how many Crowns of Gold I shall have in Florence to know which I multiply the said Crowns of Gold by 95¾ in cutting the two last figures of the Product as I did in the precedent account the which are to be multiplied by 20 and 12 to make the same Sols and Deniers and I find I must have in Florence Crowns 1268. 8. 11 of Gold for the said Crowns of the Sun as in the following Example Proof Facit Crowns 1268 8 11 which shall appear when Florence Exchangeth with Lions CHAP. CCCX Of the Exchange of Lions with Lucca Exchanges of Lions with Lucca LIons Exchangeth with Lucca and taketh Crowns 100 to pay in Lucca posito 103â…™ of Livers 7½ the Crown I demand for Crowns 1234 5 6 of Gold of the Sun how much must I pay in the said City of Lucca To know which I multiply the said sum of Crowns of the Sun by Crowns 103â…™ and from its Product cut off the two last figures the which I multiply by 20 to come to Sols and then by 12 to come to Deniers and it will make Crowns 1273 7 2 which I must pay in the said place of Lucca Example Payment made in Mony Note that if in Lions it be paid in mony there is one per cent given more so that receiving in the said place of Lucca the said Crowns 1273 7 2 in mony of the said place the Debtâ—… shall be bound to pay more Crowns 12. 14 8 which is in all Crowns 1286 1 10 as for Example thus cast up The proof of the said Exchange you shall find in the account when Lucca doth Exchange with Lions made by the Rule of Three saying If Crowns 103â…™ give 100 how many shall the abovesaid 1273 7 2 d. give which will be Crowns 1234 5 6. of Gold of the Sun CHAP. CCCXI. Of the Exchanges of Lions with Naples Exchanges of Lions with Naples LIons Exchanges with Naples and giveth Crowns 100 of the Sun to have in that place Duc. 127½ more or less of Taries 5 per Ducate I would know for Crowns 2584. 9. 6. of Gold of the Sun how much Lions shall have credit for in Naples The which to do you must multiply the said sum of Crowns by the said 127½ Duc. cutting the two last figures of the Product the which must be multiplied by 5 to make them Taries and then by 20 to make them Grains because that the Ducate is worth 5 Taries and the Tarie 20 Grains so that it will give in Naples Duc 3295 Tarie 1. The proof of the said Rule shall appear in the Exchange of Naples with Lions CHAP. CCCXII Of the Exchanges of Lions with Palermo or Mesina Exchanges of Lions with Palermo and Mesina LIons exchangeth for Palermo or Messina and giveth 1 Crown of Gold of the Sun to have in the said place posito 38 Carlins I would know for Crowns 4692. 11. 3. of the Sun how many Ounces shall Lions have credit in Palermo or Messina first multiply the said Crown of the Sun by the said 38 Carlins the value of the Crown and taking the rest of the multiplication for parts of 10 because the Carlin is worth 10 Grains and the product shall be Carlins and Grains to make the which Ounces you must take â…™ in cutting the last figure because that 60 Carlins make an Ounce and of that which resteth cut off add with the last figure you must take ½ to make Taries one whereof being 2 Carlins and 30 worth one Ounce and if you find a rest of the said Taries you must take ½ which is 10 Grains because that one Tary is worth 10 Grains and ½ of 20 which is 10 to the which must be added the resting Grains if any be so that the said sum of Carlins will make Ounces 2189 Tar. 25 Grains 17 and so many Ounces will Palermo or Messina give and over and above the said sum of Ounces one Carlin per Ounce is given for to make it good mony and to add the said Carlin per Ounce in the shortest way it is to be considered that for the said Ounces 2189 is given the same sum of Carlins for the Laggio of the monies as they term it which reduced into Ounces cutting the last figure and taking â…™ of the rest as hath been said before will give Ounces 36. resting two 〈◊〉 of Carlins which is twenty to which must be added the last figure cut off and it will be 29 Carlins which is 14 Taries and there will rest 1 Carlin which is 10 Grains to which must be added 8 Grains for 25 Taries which are with the Ounces seeing that for 3 Taries cometh one Grain for Laggio of the said mony and they will be Ounces 2226. 10. 15. and so much will the credit of Lions be in Palermo and because that the said Carlin per Ounce comes to 1â…“ per cent the account may be made in taking 〈◊〉 per cent of the said sum of Ounces and it will make the same sum as Example Proof The proof of the said account shall appear in the Exchange of Palermo and Mesina back to Lions CHAP. CCCXIII. Of the Exchanges of Lions with Genoa Exchanges
Exchanges of Rome with Genoa Exchanges of Rome with Genoa ROme exchangeth with Genoa and giveth posito Crowns 101 of Gold of Estampe to have iâ— the said place Crowns 100 of Gold of Italy I demand for Crowns 4000. 10. of Gold of Estampe what Credit shall Rome have at Genoa You must first reduce the said Crowns of Estampe into Crowns of Gold of Italy at the rate of Crowns 100 of Estampe for Crowns 102½ of Gold and therefore you must multiply by 102½ in cutting the two last figures the which you must multiply by 20 and by 12 and they will make Crowns 4100. 10. 3. of Gold of Italy then say by the Rule of Three If 101 Cro. give 100 Crowns what shall 4100 Crowns 10. 3 give And it will come to Crowns 4059. 18. 3 of Gold in Gold of Italy and for to reduce them into Livers you must multiply them by Livers 4 3 2 the value of a Crown of Gold and in so doing it will come to l. 18269. 12. 1 current money that Rome shall have Credit in Genoa for the said Crowes of Estampe as for Example Proof The proof of the said rule is more apparently demonstrated when Genoa doth Exchange this parcel back with Rome CHAP. CCCXXXIV Of the Exchanges of Rome with Palermo or Mesina Exchanges of Rome with Paelermo and Mesina ROme Exchangeth with Palermo or Mesina and giveth 1 Crown of Gold of Estampe to have in one of the two said places posito Carl. 29â…• I would know then for Crowns 4000. 10. 6 what Credit in Ounces shall Rome have in Palermo or Mesina To do which you must multiply the said Crowns by 29â…“ and the Product will be Carlins 117348. 7. 2. the which must be reduced into Ounces by cutting the last sigure and by taking the â…™ of the rest and the 48 remaining are Caâ—lins of which take the ½ and they shall be Taries and in this working it will make Ounces 1955 Taries 24 Grains 7 and Picolies 2 which Rome must have Credit for in one of the aforesaid places for the above-mentioned Crowns of Estempe as is apparent by the following Example Proof The proof of this account is seen when Palermo or Mesina shall exchange back with Rome CHAP. CCCXXXV Of the Exchanges of Rome with Antwerp Exchanges of Rome with Antwerp ROme Exchangeth with Antwerp and giveth one Crown to have in the said City of Antwerp posito 114 gross I demand then for Crowns 2000. 17. 8 how many pounds in gross or gresses shall Rome have Credit in Antwerp To do this you must multiply the said sum of Crowns by 114 and of the Product will come grosses 228100 the which reduced into Pounds Flemish will make l. 950. 8. 4. and for so much shall Rome have Credit in the said City of Antwerp as for Example Proof The Proof of this account is demonstrated when this parcel is Exchanged back from Antwerp to Rome And Note That when Rome shall Exchange with Frankfort Amsterdam or any other part of the Netherlands the account is made as in the abovesaid manner of Rome with Antwerp CHAP. CCCXXXVI Of the Exchanges of Rome with London Exchanges of Rome with London ROme Exchangeth with London and giveth one Crown there to have in the said City posito 65 pence sterling I demand then for Crowns 4000. 14. 8. of Estamp how many pouads sterling shall Rome have Credit in London which must be wrought as in the precedent account of Rome with Antwerp and it will be found that it will amount unto 1083. 10. 8. den which lought to have in the said City of London for the said sum of Crowns of Estamp as may appear by the Example following Proof The Proof of this Rule will more evidently appear when the sum of 1083 l. 10 s. 8¼ den Sterl is remitted from London to Rome which I hope is not in these days used in England CHAP. CCCXXXVII Of the Exchanges of Rome with the Cities of Valentia Saragosa or Barselona Exchanges of Rome with Valentia Saragosa and Barcelona ROme doth exchange with Valentia Saragosa and Barselona and giveth 1 Crown of Estamâ—… to have in one of the said places Sols posito 25. den 6. I demand then for Crowns 6000 14. 4. of Estampe what Credit shall Rome have in one of the said places To know which you must multiply the said sum of Crowns of Estampe by l. 1. 5. 6. and they will make l. 7650. 18. 3 d. which Rome shall have in Credit in one of the said places for the said sum of Crowns of Estampe as shall appear by this Example Proof The Proof this Rule is best seen when this sum shall be remitted back from these Cities to Rome and because that the Calculation to all these three places is made in one and the same manner I have put them thus together the price only giving the alteration in Exchange more or less in each City CHAP. CCCXXXVIII Of the Exchanges of Rome with Sevil. Exchanges of Rome with Sevil ROme Exchangeth with Sevil and giveth 1 Crown of Estampe to have in Sevil posito 456 Marvedes I demand then for 400 Crowns of Estampe how many Marvedes shall Roâ—… have in Sevil To do which you must multiply the said sum of Crowns of Estampe by 456 Mâ—…evedes and they make 182400 which Rome must have Credit in the said Place And it is hereto be noted That throughout all Castilia the Exchanges are made in the same manner as at Sevâ—l and they likewise keep their accounts in the denomination of Marvedes and when as they amount to a million they term it in Spanish a Quintos Proof At Alcala and other places in Spain the Account is as above made and the further Proof thereof is seen when that Sevil shall Exchange with Rome CHAP. CCCXXXIX Of the Exchanges of Rome with Lisbon Exchanges of Rome with Lisbon ROme doth Exchange with Lisbon and delivereth one Crown of Estampe to have in the said place posito 513 Raes I demand what Credit in Raes shall Rome have in Lisbon for 325 Crowns 9. 6. d. this question is to be wrought as in the precedent account is shewed and it 〈◊〉 appear that Rome shall have Credit in Lisbon for Raes 166968 as shall be seen by the worâ—ing thereof following Proof The proof of this Account is apparent when that Lisbon shall Exchange back Raes 166968 with Rome at 513 Raes per Ducat CHAP. CCCXL Of the Terms of Payment of Bills of Exchange in Rome Terms of payment of Bills of Exchange in Rome From Rome the Terms are To Naples at 8 days sight and from thence back at 10 days To Bruges and Antwerp at 8 days sight To Palermo at 15 days sight and from thence back at 10 days To Florence at 10 days sight and so back To Venice at 10 days sight and so back To Avignon at 45 days sight and thence at 10
the Crown of Mark there will remain Sol. 134â…” and at that price should Placentia Exchange with or for Millan Question for Genoa Again at Millan is Exchange made for Placentia in expedition of a Fair there at Sol 133½ and for Genoa at Sol 118â…” I demand by the said Exchanges at what price should Placentia Exchange for Genoa I say by the Rule of Three If Sols 118â…” of Millan the price of the Crown of 4 l. of Genoa give Sols 80 what will Sols 133½ give the price of the Crown of Mark in money of Millan and it will be 90 Sols of current money the which without making the reduction into money of Gold seeing it hath been already said that 90 Sols of current money is worth 68 Sol. of Gold and at this price should Placentia exchange with and for Genoa Question for Lions Again at Venice is Exchange made for Placentia in expedition of a Fair there at Duc. 141. and for Lions at 116½ I demand by the said Exchanges at what price should Placentia exchange for Lions I say by the Rule of Three If Duc. 141. of l. 6. â…“ of Venice give in Placentia Crow 100. how many will Duc. 116½ give the value of the Crow 100 of Gold of the Sun of Lions and it will be Crow 82â… or circa and at that price should Placcntia exchange with Lions Another At Placentia there is Exchange made for Lions at Crow 83½ and for Florence at Crow 113 and from that place we have advice that they exchange for Lions at Crow 95â…“ I would know by the said Exchanges if it be beneficial to remit from Placentia to Lions and to draw from Florence by inordering my Factors at Florence to prevail upon Lions at the said price of Crow 95â…“ To know which you must multiply the said Crow 83½ of Mark being the price of Crow 100 of the Sun of Gold by Crow 113. of Gold per cent seeing that the said Crowns of Gold are the value of 100 Crowns of Mark and from the product cut off the two last figures and there will remain Crow 94. 7. 1. to which adding â…– per cent for the provisions which are paid the one at Florence the other at Lions and they will be Crow 94. 19. 8. so that it will be profitable to draw and to remit according to the abovesaid order and manner because that at Florence may be taken by Exchange for Lions at Crow 95 or circa and finding Crow 95½ upon which consideration is to be had what the moneys of Florence may do by Exchange for Lions which thus I work by Example Now for the terms of payments of Bills of Exchanges in Placentia it is expressed in the Trade of that City in Chapter 383. And this shall suffice to have said of the Exchanges practised at Placentia where by reason of the great and continued practises here daily made for vast sums I have somewhat more than ordinarily inlarged my self and so I proceed to the next place of Exchanges which is Florence CHAP. CCCC Examples of Exchanges practised at Florence and how the same are to be calculated Exchanges practised in Florence I Have shewed in the general Exchanges of Florence with how many other places the said City is found to Exchange with and there also shewed the common rates how the same is observed to rule which every day is so subject to alter that no set price can be peremptorily set down for the same yet in it self it is so beneficial that thereby the ignorant may be furthered to make his Accounts either in Draughts or Remittances The way of making which Accounts upon this place now remaineth here to be handled observing the same with so many other places as may make a man capable to understand the same with any of the rest here omitted Accounts kept in Florence And by the way it is observable here That all Exchangers here do keep their Accounts in Crowns Sols and Deniers of Gold or Lire or Livers 7½ of that money per Crown the which are cast up by 20 and by 12 because that 20 Sols of Gold do make one Crown and 12 Den. one Sol. CHAP. CCCCI Of the Exchanges of Florence with Lions Exchanges of Florence with Lions FLorence then is found to Exchange with Lions and giveth posito Crow 95¾ of Gold to have in Lions 100 Crowns of the Sun of Gold I demand for Crow 1268. 9. of Gold how many Crowns of the Sun shall I have in Lions I say by the Rule of Three If Crow 95¾ give Crowns 100 what will Crowns 1268. 9. give And it comes to Crowns 1324 and the remainder of the division being multiplied by 20 and by 12 to bring them into Sols and Deniers of Gold they will make in all Crowns 1324. 15. of Gold of the Sun which I should have Credit in Lions for the said sum of Crowns of Florence The calculation thereof here followeth Proof The proof of this Rule is seen when Lions doth Exchange with Florence CHAP. CCCCII. Of the Exchanges of Florence with Placentia Exchanges of Florence with Placentia FLorence doth Exchange with Placentia and giveth posito 110½ Crowns of Gold to have there 100 Crowns of Mark I demand then for Crowns 4973. 1. 0. of Gold how many Crowns of Mark is due to me First reduce the said Crowns 110½ into Sols of Gold multiplying them by 20 adding to the multiplication 10 Sols for the half Crown and they make Sol. 2210 likewise reduce the said sum of Crowns of Gold into Sols and it will be 99461 Then say by the Rule of Three If Sols 2210 give Crow 100 of Mark what will Sol. 99461 give To which adding two cyphers for the 100 and then dividing it will come to Crowns of Mark and multiplying the rest of the division by 20 and then by 12 to make the same Sols and Deniers of Gold and they will make Crowns 4500. 9. 11. of Mark and so much must I have Credit in Placentia for the said Crow 4973. 1. 0. of Gold of Florence as by Example calculated Proof The proof of this Account is seen when the Exchange is made from Placentia to Florence c. CHAP. CCCCIII Of the Exchanges of Florence with Venetia Exchanges of Florence with Venice FLorence doth Exchange with Venice and giveth posito Crow 81½ of Gold to have Duc. in Banco 100 of Livers 6â…“ I demand then for Crow 2037. 10. of Gold how many Duc. shall Florence have credit in Venice To do which bring the Crow 81½ into half Crowns multiplying them by 2 and so in the same manner the said sum of Crow of Gold adding half a Crown for the 10 Sols then say by the Rule of Three If the half Crowns produced of the price of the Exchange give at Venice Duc. 100 what will the half Crowns give proceeding from the said sum of Crow of Gold and so by adding two cyphers for the