and so the return may be proportionable but if Bills are drawn to pay a Merchant residing in any place where the Coyn is currant and he disposes of it for Commodities of the Growth or Manufacture of the Country then it matters not how the Coyn has been inhaunced above its true value by Reason it is currant tho perhaps should the Coyn be carryed into an other Kingdom it might redound to the loss of the receiver a third part and this equallizing Coyns of divers Nations by Ballance I called a Par by which all Coyns of Silver or Gold especially are reduced to an equal value as for example Placentia exchanges with London one Crown of currant money there for 1 Shilling 6 pence ½ ob Sterling Lyons the Crown currant for 2 Shillings 8 pence Sterling Rome exchanges her Ducat 87 ½ pence Sterling Genoa her Crown of Gold at 83 pence Sterling Millain her Crown of Gold 84 pence ½ ob Sterling Venice her Ducat at 60 pence Sterling Florence her Crown at 80 pence Luca her Ducat at 67 pence Sterling Naples her Ducat at 66 ½ pence Sterling Lechy her Ducat at 6 pence Sterling Bary her Ducat at 62 pence Sterling Palermo her Ducat at 78 pence Sterling Messina her Ducat at 72 pence Sterling Valentia her Ducat at 72 ½ pence Sterling Saragosa her Ducat at 73 pence Sterling Barsalonia her Ducat at 72 pence Sterling Sevil her Ducat at 72 pence Sterling Lisbon her Ducat at 69 pence Sterling Bolonia her Ducat at 67 pence Sterling Bergamo her Ducaton at 67 pence Sterling Frankfort Noremburg Augusta and Viena in all which Cities one and the same Coyn is currant Exchange their Florin at 50 pence Sterling all these Cities and Towns London exchanges within broken numbers that is by pence at the rates aforesaid and so Multiplies into greater Summs as occasion requires but with Antwerp and Collen Amsterdam c in whole number as one pound Sterling for 34 ½ Flemish Shillings and proportionable for greater Summs Again in London and throughout all England Exchangers and Merchants keep their Accounts in Pounds Shillings Pence and cast them up as is done in other places by Solds Livers and Denire viz. 12 pence to the Shilling and 20 Shillings to the pound and are found to exchange with Transmarine Cities thus viz. to allow 64 pence Sterling for the Crown of Placentia 64 pence Sterling for the Crown of Lyons 66 pence Sterling for the Ducat of Rome 65 pence for the Crown of Gold of Genoa 64 2 4 pence for the Crown of Gold of Millain 50 pence for the Ducat in Banco of Venice 61 pence for the Crown of Florence 53 ½ pence for the Ducaton of Luca 50 pence for the Ducat of Naples 50 ½ pence for the Ducat of Lechy 51 pence for the Ducat of Bary 57 ½ for the Ducat of Palermo 56 ½ for which Ducat of Messina one pound Sterling for 34 ½ Shillings Flemish with Antwerp and Collon 57 ½ pence for the Ducat of Valentia 59 pence for the Ducat of Saragosa 64 pence for the Ducat of Barselona 59 ½ pence for the Florin of Frankford 52 pence for the Ducaton of Bergamo 53 â…“ for the Ducaton of Bolonia 53 ½ pence and for the Ducat of Lisbon 53 ½ And thus the currant Exchange is setled and continues unless in times of War when Princes to Inrich their Coffers make an Inhaunsment upon the currant Coyns in their respective Dominions and at other times when the Banker or Exchanger takes the advantage of the Parties necessity upon whose Accounts the exchange is to be made The Terms of paying Bills of exchange in London with other Cities are commonly these To Venice at 3 Months after date and so upon return to Antwerp at one Month after date and so back to Genoa at 3 Months and so back to Lyons for the Fair and so from Fair to Fair as the Custom of that City is to Pisa at 3 Months after date and so back to Placentia from Fair to Fair according to the Custom of the place to Florence at 3 Months after date so upon return to Rouen and Paris at one Month after date and so back and these Bills are currant money insomuch that many Millions are pay'd by Bills without telling any money Merchants passing the Bills to one another by assignment as currant Coyns of which Bills their Presentations Intimations Acceptations Protests and Returns I shall in the following Chapter expose to the View of the Reader CHAP. XCVIII A Discourse of the Forms of Bills of Exchange how they ought to be drawn presented payed or protested in default with a caution against delays and the danger thereof according to the Law and Custom of Merchants A Bill of Exchange in it self is held so excellent a speciallity and carries with it not only as it were a commanding Power to pay but is for the most part observed and satisfyed with all due regard tho drawn by a Servant upon his Master such a high esteem being ever had for the quality thereof that nothing in the way of Trade can be more for upon it depends the reputation of the Drawer Accepter So that those who fail in the payment of accepted Bills wound their credit by suffering Protest to be made which soon gets Wind and spreads wide upon the Exchange and not only so but obliges the Acceptor to pay the charâ—â—â— of the Protestant return and calâ—s into question the credit of the drawer Of bills of exchange there are two sorts as 〈◊〉 and Inland viz. the former drawn upon â— Merchant Banker c. Living beyond the Seas the second upon a Merchant Banker or other Person living in the same Country tho distant from the place where the Bill is drawn as to make a Bill payable at London for money taken up at Bristol each having equal force ought to have due observance alike As to an Exchange four three or two Persons may make it thus 2 at the place where the money is taken up and 2 at the place were it is payable first the deliverer secondly the taket thirdly the Person that is to take the money and fourthly the party upon whom the Bill is drawn 3 Persons thus first the taker secondly the deliverer and thirdly the Person on whom the Bill is drawn 2 Persons first the Drawer and secondly the Party on whom it is drawn the former making his Bill payable to himself or order which may of Exchange is very advantageous as well to Merchants as other Traders There is another sort of Exchange called a dry exchange which is practised thus if a Person have occasion for 100 pound he goes to a Banker who takes a Bill of Exchange of him to be payed at Lyons or Paris at double or treble Usance tho the Drawer has no Correspondence in either of the Cities then the Bill growing due the Banker receives a Protest for non-payment upon which the Drawer in London must pay the
hundred and eight pounds Averdupois and one hundred pound London Suttle Weight makes ninety two of theirs or one hundred and twelve English one hundred and three and a half of Scotch their Measures for Linnen Stuffs Cloath or Silk is the Ell which is wanting of ours insomuch that it differs from our Yard four per cent that is four Yards in a hundred Ells so that seventy five Yards or sixty Ells English make seventy two Scotch but in Tale to every hundred they Reckon six-score In Measure for Corn Coals Salt Wine Beer Ale Oyl and the like they come near at one with ours Their Navigation is but small for the most part Trading with England and Ireland yet are they a People frugal and much bent to improve the growth of their Country And thus having taken a view of Scotland and the Trade thereof I must pass over into Ireland the third Diamond in the British Diadem CHAP. IX A view of Ireland and of the Trade Manners and Present State of that Kingdom IReland is divided into four Provinces viz. Lempster Munster Connought Vlster and Meath and is four hundred Miles in Length and two hundred in Breadth the chief Cities and Towns are Dublin Kinnsail London Derry Limrick Cork Waterford Armah Dungannon Marleburg Phillips-Town Kildare and Tradah This Kingdom abounds in Navigable Rivers store of Fish Cattle and Hides which are Transported into Spain France and Italy Salmon are caught in such abundance in July and August that many Servants in the places of that Fishery Covenant with their Master upon their being hired that they will not feed upon Salmon but only so many days in a Week These they Salt and Barrel up sending them into all the Neighbouring Countries where they are received as good Merchandise the Herring Fishery is likewise used and improved by them as likewise Pilchards which are taken in August September and October and Transported into Spain France and the Streights of Gibraltar they have store likewise of Butter Cheese Calves-Skins and other necessary Commodities Their Corn for the most part is the same with ours yet in value not the same for a pound Sterling Irish is worth according to the Intrinsick value no more then fifteen Shillings English and the Shilling consequently but nine pence Sterling six pence Irish but four pence half penny Sterling The Exchange is practised in the City of Dublin but of little use as to any Transmarine Places unless England and there Principally London and Bristol commonly running at eight pence upon the pound or at most but one Shilling which is but five pound per cent The Weights and Measures are or for the most part consistent to those of England and in fine it is a Country exceeding fertil abounding in all things necessary for the use of man which would turn to great advantage were the Inhabitants but Industrious especially in fitting out Ships for Navigation but they for the most part roave abroad improving other Countries and neglecting their own Their chief Merchandise are in Fish which they send into France Spain England Scotland and other parts of Europe And thus I shall leave this Kingdom and return or rather Sail round Brittain to take a View of the Islands of the Sea or Ocean Islands CHAP. X. A view of the Ocean Islands and of their Trade viz. such as are Subject to his Majesty of great Britain THe Ocean Islands are scattered in the British Sea like so many Pearls to adorn the Imperial Diadem and are first the Orcades or Isles of Orkney thirty two in number The chief of which is Pomonia which abounds in Mines of Tinn and Lead The next Hethy and the other there being only three of them of note Shethland bearing Fruit-Trees of strange kinds Especially those whose Blossoms dropping into the Warter become Flying Birds The next are the Islands of the Hebrides in number forty four the chief whereof is Illa abounding with store of Venison And Jona famous for the Sepulchers of the Scottish Kings as likewise Mulla where the Redshanks inhabit once so fearful to England the rest are of little note The Islands called the Sorlings are one hundred forty five The Principal are Armath Agnes Samson and Scilly after which name all the rest are called The Inhabitants thereof Trade in Fishery sow Corn and addict themselves to Manufacture The Isle of Man is a square Island being ten Miles in Length and as many in Breadth the growth of it is Flax Hemp Oats Barly and Wheat having store of Cattle and other Merchandise brought in thither by Shipping the chief Towns are Ballacury Russin or Chasteltown The Isle of Anglesey is accounted a Shire of Wales and by some called the Mother of Wales being twenty four Miles in Length and seventeen Miles over Fruitful it is even beyond report in Corn Fruits Cattle Fowl and Fish improved by several Profitable Manufactures The Inhabitants making great store of Butter and Cheese and send out of it yearly three thousand Head of Cattle It 's chief Town is Beaumaris very Commodious for Shipping Jersey is a fair Island in Compass twenty Miles peopled with Industrious Inhabitants yearly improving their Commodidities and vending them to good advantage Trading with England and France especially famous for the many fine Orchards and Gardens the chief Towns and places of Traffick being St. Mallo and St. Hillary the former being nightly Guarded without the Walls From this Island twenty Miles distant is Guernsey Surrounded with spacious Harbours and in every part Fertile stored with Cattle and lying Commodious for Shipping Facing the Coast of France and hath for it's chief Town St. Peters The last of the Isles Surrounding Britain is the famous Isle of Wight which is twenty Miles long and twelve over and abounds with all things wherewith England is stored divided from Portsmouth but by an Arm of the Sea lying most Commodious for the Reception of Shipping and for it 's chief Towns has Yarmouth New-Port and Bradring And thus much for the Islands of the Sea surrounding Britain And now I shall only take a short Survey of some things further appertaining to the Trade of Britain and so Lanch into the Ocean and take a view of the remotest Parts of the World especially such as are Traded to by the English What more remains is an account of such Commodities of English-growth and Manufacture as are Exported being Staple Commodities and the common Cargo of outward bound Vessels CHAP. XI A further Account of the Measures of England with a true Proportion of the Weight of English Cloths FIrst for the Breadth Measure and Weight of English-Cloath that chief of Staple-Commodities Kent York and Redding Cloaths are six quarters and a half broad and ought to weigh eighty six pounds the Cloath in the Peice are in length thirty and thirty four Yards Suffolk Norfolk and Essex Cloaths of seven quarters wide are eighty pounds Weight twenty nine and thirty two Yards in Length Worcester Coventry
some Spices Casbin is now accounted the chief City of Persia and lately the residency of the Sophies and is adorned with many stately Edifices but chiefly Beautifyed with the Bussars or Exchanges which are many and stored with Rich Commodities as Jewels Drugs Spices Silks either in Damasks Velvets or Raw where likewise the Merchants of several Nations Trading thither meet in the same manner as at London Their Weights Measures and Coyns agree with those of Hisphan of which in order I shall Treat and therefore refer the Reader to View them there Balsara is Seated on the Persian Gulph upon the mouth of Euphrates and contains the Commodities of Arabia Turky India and Persia by Reason of it's commodious Situation and is in Subjection to the Grand Signeour as reduced to his Obedience by force of Armes Anno 1550. And pays Customs to his Intendant or Vizar Bashaw 5 per cent upon Cloaths Silks and the like but to every 100 a Tare or allowance of 3 pound is Customary and their Weights is generally the Wesun accounted 16 of them to the Cantar of Aleppo Casan is frequented by the Merchants of India and the Commodities for the most part consist of the Manufacture of the Citizens as Shashes Turbants Girdles Velvets Sattins Dammask Ormustus Carpets c. and thither are brought Diamonds Pearles Rubies Turquoisies Spices c. and a Law there is that all Persons above the Age of 6 Years shall give up their Names to the Magistrate and with a Satisfactory account by what means he or she get their Livings and if they be found in a false Tale they are either Battooned or put to some Publick slavery for a time Caramania is a Fertile Province as to necessary Provisions and other ways only worthy of note for the Cloath of Gold made there as for Gedrosia Drangiana Arica Arachosia Parapomisis Saccha and Hircania they are of little note as to Trade and therefore I shall pass them over Ormus the last Province of Persia is exceedingly in request abounding in Commodities of Value and is divided by an Arm of the Sea of 12 Miles over from the Continent and is much frequented by Merchants Trading in those parts The Commodities are chiefly Carpets Tapestry Shashes Grograms Mohairs Turky Camlets Arabian Drugs Indian Gems and Spices it being the Principal Mart or Magazine of all the Eastern Commodities for in April and September the Carravans come thither strongly Guarded from Aleppo Syria and other Countries taking Ship at Balsara and bring all manner of Rich Commodities that are to be found in the Traffick of the Mediterranean The most advantagious Sea-ports in those parts are Jasques and Gombroue where the English Ships Trade for this Kingdom as likewise the Camels and Drommidaries of the Indian and other Merchants that Travel by Land Their Weight is the Dram 96 of which make a pound Averdupois Their Measures are the Coveda short and long the former is accounted 27 and the latter 37 Inches and are used in measuring the proper Manufacture of Persia The Monies currant are the Bessee of Copper which is 4 Cosbags the Shahee of Silver which is 2 ½ Bessees 29 Cosbegs or 4 pence Sterling the Abashee of Silver which is 2 Mamothis 40 Cosbegs or 16 pence Sterling the Mamothis which is 2 Shahees 29 Cosbegs or 8 pence Sterling The Asar of Gold which is 20 Shahees or 6 Shillings 6 pence Sterling The Toman of Gold which is 10 Asars or 3 pound 6 Shillings 8 pence Sterling as also the Larrees which are reckoned at 10 pence Sterling CHAP. XXXIX A View of Hispahan and of the Trade thereof HIspahan formerly called Hecatompolis from it 's 100 Gates is one of the Principal Cities of the Persian Dominions Beautifyed with Red Marble-Walls of prodigious height stately Buildings as Palaces Seraglio's and the like adorned with Ivory Ebony Alabaster and Carpets of Silk and Gold The Inhabitants do all their business on Horseback unless such as are Slaves and the City abounds in the stores of India Arabia Turky Russia and China which for the most part are brought thither upon Dromidaries and again disposed of to such Merchants as Trade thither The price of Carriage is thus 100 Maunds of Wares from Sciras to Hispahan cost 70 Sehids and from Hispahan to Casan 60 Sehids from Hispahan to Ormus by Sciras 120 Sehids and lastly from Hispahan to Tauris 40 Sehids The Weights are the Dram the Mittigal and the Maund or Maundshaw 100 of the first make 66 â…” of the Second and of the second 1200 maketh the third the Measures are the Cavedo long and short and are as in the foregoing Chapter as also the Coyns currant here agree with those of Ormus Silks are found here in abundance both wrought and Raw. And thus much for Persia and the Trade thereof CHAP. XL. A View of Tartaria of the Trade Weights Measures Currant Coyns and Customs thereof TArtary the next division of Asia is bounded on the West with Muscovia on the South with the Caspian Sea and Hill Taurus on the East with the main Ocean and on the North with the Frozen Sea and is divided into 5 Kingdoms or Provinces under the Subjection of the great Cham viz. Precopensis Asiatica Antiqua Zagathai and Cathaia but for as much as the last Province is only abounding in known Trade and yields the Commodities of all the rest I shall only insist upon it and in the Description of the Trade of Cambalu lay down what ever is to be found in that vast Country Cambalu is the Metropolitan of Cathai through which Runs the River Poâ—â—sanga and is in circuit accounted 28 Miles adorned with stately Pallaces and other Edifices being the Seat of the great Cham who maintains 5000 Astrologers or Wizards and 12 or 14000 Horse for his ordinary Guard The Merchants that Trade thither have their Caves or Store-Houses in the Suburbs which are in great number The Commodities of the Country are Rice Grain Ruhbarb Coral Silk Wool Hemp and the like they have likewise Silver Mines and some yielding Gold Ore yet their Coyn for the most part is made of the inmost Bark of a Mulbery Tree cut round stamped with the Princes Seal and upon pain of Death none dare Coyn any other or refuse to take it tho in some places they have pieces of Coral twigs of Gold and Salt Loaves which go at certain rates in Exchange but the money is as aforesaid and those Merchants are obliged to take it for their Richest Commodities and put it away again for such as the Country affords they have Spices Gems and Drugs but not of natural growth but are beholden to the Arabians and Indians for them their Country by Reason of the long continuing cold not being capable of producing them Their Weights are those used generally throughout the Provinces viz. the gross Cantar and the small Cantar the former of which is only used in weighing Gross Goods and is accounted 268 pound English the small
all others not expressed therein shall pay the same rates according to the true value All private Bulks of eight Inches square are by the third Article annexed to the Book of rates reputed Timber and valued at 3 pence the Foot 50 Foot being accounted the Load valued at 12 Shillings 6 pence and the duty for one Load is one half penny and half a Farthing Package is another duty which is likewise â—itted and â—ted in a Table called 〈…〉 of Paâ— Duties and all the 〈◊〉 â—ies theâ— mentioned pay one 〈…〉 â—ording as they are 〈…〉 Majesties Book of â—â—tes 〈◊〉 â—ers not mentioned therein shall 〈◊〉 the rate of one penny in the pound according to their true value For every Entry in the Packers Book and for Writing Bills of each Entry outwards they pay 12 pence All Strangers are to pay the Labouring Porters for making up their Goods according to Custom Strangers must also pay the Water-side Porters belonging to the Package-Office such Fees for Shipping and Lading as for several Years past they have done The Packers and Waterside-Porters have Tables expressing the Duties payable and such Goods as are not mentioned therein must pay according to their true value so much in the Pound as aforesaid for Package and Porterage-duties over and above Another Ancient duty there is called Water-Bailage which for many Years past the City of London have claimed and received for all Goods and Merchandise imported from any part in the Realm or out of the Realm into the Port of London and so the like duties with a little alteration for all Goods exported out of the Port of London unless the Goods or Merchandise of Freemen who are exempted from paying this Duty tho many Freemen for Reason best known to themselves notwithstanding do voluntarily pay it but of late there has been considerable Debates whether the same be due or not tho no Clause in the Act of Tonnage or Poundage does any ways Bar those duties All Lighters Wherries Fisher-Boats c. occupying the River of Thames within the Limits of the Cities Jurisdiction confirmed by their Charter pay Summs of Acknowledgement or Duty for the same which amounts annually to a considerable value All Markets within the Precincts of the City pay the Duty of Toll to the behoof of the City The Citizens of London viz. those that are Resident are exempted from the Custom or Impost called Prizage which is that out of ten Tuns of Wine the King is to have one paying for it 20 Shillings but Citizens must not own any Wines so imported under Colour to secure Strangers from paying Prisage If a Freeman live in another City and send Wines to unlade at the Port of London he shall not be capable of this Priviledge but must be resident as aforesaid for by a private Act in the 24 of Hen. 6 complaint was made that the Lord Major would make Strangers Citizens whereupon it was there declared that this Benefit to be discharged from payment of Prisage extended not to such Citizens as were made so by Gift but such as were Legally Citizens according to the true intent and meaning thereof by Service or Adoption and resident in the said City and 't is further observed that if any Merchant not a Citizen break Bulk tho he deliver but part of his Cargo yet the Duty is to be levyed upon all as if all had been unladen And this Priviledge likewise enjoy the Inhabitants resident in the Cinque-Ports Butherage as I have before said is 2 Shillings per Tun upon Wines imported by Strangers but the English are exempted from that Duty And thus much for the Priviledges Customs c of the City of London in relation to Trade CHAP. CXXII A Survey of the remaining Ports of England their Members Creeks c. with a relation of their Legalities touching Exportation and Importation together with what Commodities may be Exported when sold at the Port where they shall be laded at certain rates THe other Legal Ports of England their Members and Creeks are these Ipswick has Members Malden and Colchester Creeks Leigh-Burnham West-Mersy East-Mersy Brickly Wivenhoe Maintree and Harwich The Port of Yarmouth has Members Woodbridge Alborough Sowold Blacking and Creeks Orford Dunwick Walderswick and Lestoffe The port of Lynn has Member Wells only Creeks Burnham Hitcham Croskeys and Wisbich The Port of Boston has Creeks Spolding Tosdick Wainefleet Numby-Chaple Thethethorp and Salt-Fleet The Port of Hull has Members Grimsby Bridlington and Scarâ—â—â—â—â—gh and one Creek â—â—ly viz. Sainthorp The Port of New-Castle has Members Whitby Stockton Harâ—lepool Sunderland and yields Creeks Middleborough Seatondelaval and Blith-Nook The Port of Barwick has Creeks Aylemouth Warnewater Holy-Island and the East-Marches containing the Coast of Northumberland bordering upon Scotland The Port of Carlisle has for Member Whitehaven for Creeks the West-Marches containing the Coast of Cumberland bordering on Scotland Workington Raving-Glass and Milinthorp The Port of Chester has Members Lancaster Boulton Liverpool Aberconway Bewmaris and Carnarvan Creeks Pit of Towdrey Graung Wyrewater Preston Riblewater Sankey-Bridge Fradsham the South shore of the River Mersy to the Red-Stone Hilbree Dawpool Neston Burtonhead Baghill Mosten Holy-Head Amlogh Pulhelly and Barmouth The Port of Milford has Members Aberdony Cardigan and Pembrook Creeks Aberustha New-Port Fiscard Haverford West-Tenby Carmarthen Lanelthy and North-Burys The Port of Cardif has for Member Swansey Creeks South-Berrys Nealth or Briton-Terry Newton Alberthaw Penarth New-Port and Chepstow The Port of Glocester has for Creeks the River Severn from the Bridge North to Kings-Road The Port of Bristol has Creeks Pill and Vphill The Port of Bridg-Water has for Member Minhead The Port of Plimouth has for Members Padstow St. Jues Pensance Helford Falmouth Fowey and Lowe Creeks Penrin St. Maures Fruro Salt-ash and Cowsland The Port of Exeter has Members Ilfracomb Barustable and Dartmouth Creeks Clovelly Appledore Biddiford Tincomb Star-Cross Bear and Seaton Topsham Pouldram Sydmouth Lympson Exmouth Aylemouth Saltcomb Brixham Torbay and Totnes The Port of Pool has Members Lyme and Weymouth Creeks Bridgport Charmouth Portland and Lulworth The Port of Southampton has Members Corves and Portsmouth Creeks Swaridge Wareham Christ-Church Hinington Yarmouth New-Port and Emsworth The Port of Chichester has Members Arundel Shorham Lewis Pemsey Hawing Rye and Hyth Creeks Pagham-Point Selsey Brighthemston New-Haven Seaford Winchelsea Lyd and Rumny The Port of Sandwich has Members Dover Feversham Milton and Rochester Creeks Deal Rumsgate Margate Whitestable and Quinbâ—rough These Ports or Publick places are those to which the Officers of the Customs are appropriated which contain and include the Guidances and Privileges of all the Members and Creeks to them appertaining being the places appointed for the Lading and unlading Merchandise The Members are such places as formerly enjoyed Custom-Houses and have yet Offices or their Deputies attending they being accounted Lawful places of Lading or unlading all Commodities unless such as are prohibited The Creeks are places where Officers do or formerly have
price of Victuals then it plainly follows that till then three Acres improved as it may be will serve the turn and consequently that four will Suffice abundantly I could here set down the very number of Acres that would bear Bread and Drink Corn together with Flesh Butter and Cheese sufficient to Victual nine Millions of Persons as they are Victualled in Ships and regular Families but I shall only say in general that 12,000,00 will do it with supposing that Roots Fruits Fish and Fowl and the ordinary profit of Lead Tin Iron-Mines and Woods would piece up any defect that may be found As to the second I say that the Land and Housing of Ireland and Highlands of Scotland at the present Merchant-Rates are not worth ten Millions of money nor would the actual charge of making the Transplantation amount to two Millions more so then the question will be whether the benefit expected from this Transplantation will exceed two Millions To which I say that the advantage will probably be six times the last mentioned Summ or about seventy two Millions For if the rent of England and Wales and the low Land of Scotland be above nine Millions per Annum and if this fifth part of the people be Superadded unto the present inhabitants of these Countries then the rent will amount to 10,800,000 and the number of Years purchase will rise from seventeen ½ to ⅕ more which is twenty one so that the Land which is worth but nine Millions at seventeen ½ Years purchase making an hundred fifty seven Millions and a half will then be worth 10,800,000 at one and twenty Years purchase viz. 226,800,000 that is 69,300,000 more then was before and if any Prince willing to enlarge his Territories will give three Millions for the said relinquished Land and Housing which were estimated to be worth ten Millions then the whole profit will be above 72,000,000 or six times the value as the same was above computed but if any man should object that will be dangerous unto England to be put into the Lands of any other Nations I answer in short that that Nation who ever shall purchase it being divided by means of the said purchase shall not be more able to enjoy England then now in it's united condition Now if any man shall desire a more clear explanation how and by what means the Rents of Lands shall rise by this closer cohabitation of people above described I answer that the advantage will arise in Transplanting about eighteen thousand people from the Poor and Miserable Trade of Husbandry to more Beneficial Handicraft for which the Superaddition is to be made a very little addition of Husbandry to the same Lands will produce a fifth part more Food consequently the additional Hands earning but forty Shillings per Annum more as they may very well to eight pound per Annum at some other Trade the superlucration will be above 3,600,000 pound which at twenty Years purchase is seventy two Millions Moreover as the Inhabitants of Cities and Towns spend more Commodities and make greater consumption then those who live in wild thin Peopled Countries so when England shall be thicker Peopled in manner before described the very same people shall then spend more then when they lived more sordidly inurbantly and further asunder and more out of the sight observation and Emulation of each other every man desiring to put on better Apparel when he appears in company then when he has no occasion to be seen I further add to the charge of the government Civil Military and Ecclesiastical would be more cheap safe and effectual in this condition of close habitation then otherwise as not only Reason but the example of the united Provinces do demonstrate But let this whole digression pass from a meer Dream I suppose will serve to prove that in case the King of Englands Territories should be a little less then those of the French King that forasmuch as neither of them are over Peopled that the difference is not material to the question in Hand wherefore supposing the French Kings advantages to be little or nothing in point of Territory we come next to examine and compare the number of Subjects which each of those Monarchs do govern The Book called the State of France makes the Kingdom consist of twenty seven Parishes and another Book written by a Substantial Author who profoundly enquires into the State of the Church and Church-men of France sets down as an extraordinary case that a Parish in France should have six hundred Souls where I suppose the said Author who has so well examined the matter is not of opinion that every Parish one with another has above five hundred by which reckoning the whole people of France are about thirteen Millions 500,000 Now the people of England Scotland and Ireland with the Islands adjoyning by computation from the number of Parishes which commonly have more people in Protestant Churches then in Popish Countries as also from the Hearth-money Post-money and Excise do amount to above nine Millions there are in new England about fifty thousand men mustered in Arms about eighty thousand able to bear Arms and consequently about five hundred thousand in all but this last I leave to every man's conjecture and I see no Reason why in all the rest of the Plantations there should not be five hundred thousand more and consequently I suppose the King of England hath above ten Millions of Subjests ubivis terrarum orbis Altho it be very material to know the number of Subjects belonging to each Prince yet when the question is concerning their Wealth and Strength it is also material to examine how many of 'em do get more then they spend and how many less in order whereunto it is to be considered that in the King of Englands dominions there are twenty thousand Church-men but in France as the aforementioned Author of theirs does aver who sets down the particular number of each Religious order there are about 270000. viz. 250000. more then we think are necessary that is to say two hundred and fifty thousand with-drawn out of the World now the said number of adult and able-Bodyed Persons are equivalent to about double the same number of the Promiscuous Mass of Mankind and the same Author affirms that the said Religious Persons do spend one with another above eighteen pence per diem which is Triple to what a Labouring man requires Wherefore the said two hundred fifty thousand Church-men living as they do make the French King 13,500 thousand to be really no better then twelve Millions or thereabouts In the next place it is to be considered that the inhabitants of the inner parts of France remote from the Sea can't be probably Superlucrators Now if there be two Millions in the King of England's Dominions more then in the French Kings who earn more then they spend or if ten men in England earn more then twelve in France then the
of the Earth being the residence of the Merchants and Factors of all Trading Nations abounding in the Riches of France Spain Holland Denmark Sweedland Russia Italy Turky Arabia China Persia Egypt both the Indias and of all other Places where any Commerce is had or from whence any Commodities are brought For an instance of the greatness of her Trade and Traffick I shall only insist upon the Levant Merchants who yearly imploy four or five thousand Sailers besides Porters Weighers Bargemen Lightermen Carmen Shipwrights Cankers and others which cannot amount to less then three thousand more and are not adjudged to pay less than five thousand pound per Annum for Customs The Goods they export is Cloth Tin c. for which they import Silks Cottons Galls Grograms Spices Drugs Currans c. The general Traders in this City are the Companies in the _____ Chapter who Trade for ready money by Bills of Exchange Verbal credit and some Trades deal one with another by Exchange of Commodities by mutual allowance at such prices as the Commodity bears The general way of buying valuable Merchandise as to Inland Trade is by keeping Factors in the Country or by holding Correspondence with those that make it their business to improve Manufacture or keep Fairs and Marts there to buy up Commodities of all sorts when advantage offers As for Merchandise imported from other Countries the Royal Exchange is the place most proper for Bargains where every day Sunday and other high days excepted between the Hours of 11. and 1. Merchants of all Nations meet and discourse of their affairs The way of payment is either to draw a Bill upon some Shop-Keeper Merchant of London or other Wealthy Person Or upon some Correspondent beyond Sea which Bill specifies payment upon sight or the time in which it is to be Payed which shall be more at large demonstrated when I come to Treat about Bills of Exchange or to take the Parties word for 3.6.9.12 Months or a Bill under his Hand for performance for which there is no certain rule but as those who Trade can agree There are likewise several Persons imployed that are called Change-Broakers who are usually imployed to buy up Commodities for Shopkeepers as they see advantage also to make returns of money viz. for so much money received in London or any adjacent City Town or Village you shall have a Bill to receive to the value of it in the Currant Coyn of France Spain Holland or any other Neighbouring Country where your Occasions require it There is likewise an Office that if any Person delay to pay a Bill he has accepted and Trifle with him that is to receive the money or refuse to accept of a Legal Bill you may protest against the Party or Bill which is entered and may at any time be seen that so men may be cautious in accepting Bills drawn upon any such Persons If a Merchant fail in the World it is no sooner known but notice is given upon the Change These and many more are the ways and Customs of Managing Trade in the City of London but these are the Principal and what remains shall be hereafter touched as I shall see Convenient CHAP. VI. Of the currant Coyns of England as they have been setled by the Tower Standard c. MOney being the Life of Commerce it will not be amiss to set down the several currant Coyns of Gold and Silver according to their true Value and as they go currant at this day especially Silver but Gold not unless full Weight by Reason old Gold is sometimes diminished by keeping carelesly The old Gold Coyns now currant are pieces of Twenty two Shillings Sterling but currant at one pound five Shilling six pence Pieces of eleven Shillings Sterling currant at twelve Shillings six pence Pieces of twenty Shillings Sterling currant at one pound three Shillings six pence Pieces of Ten Shillings Sterling currant at eleven Shillings six pence Pieces of five Shillings Sterling currant at five Shillings nine pence Pieces of two Shillings nine pence the 1 â— part twenty two Shillings Pieces of two Shillings six pence the 1 â— part of twenty Shillings The currant new Milled Gold Pieces of five pound currant at five pound seven Shillings six pence Double Guinnies currant at two pound three Shillings sometimes more Guinnies currant at one pound one Shilling six pence Half Guinnies currant at Ten Shillings nine pence The Silver currant Coyns are pieces of Five Shillings Sterling Pieces of two Shillings six pence Sterling Pieces of twelve pence called Shillings Pieces of six pence Sterling Pieces of thirteen pence half penny Sterling Pieces of nine pence Sterling Pieces of four pence half penny Sterling Pieces of four pence Sterling Pieces of three pence Sterling Pieces of two pence Sterling Pieces of one penny Sterling Pieces of a half penny Sterling Piece of a half penny of Copper Pieces of one farthing of Copper The Account thus four Farthings make a Penny Sterling twelve Pence make a Shilling Sterling five Shillings make a Crown four Crowns make twenty Shillings or one Pound tho some there be that Reckon by Marks Nobles and Angels which is only in the remote parts of the Kingdom A Noble is six Shillings and eight pence a Mark thirteen Shillings and four pence an Angel is two Crowns or Ten Shillings CHAP. VI. A view of the Weights and Measures used in England as they are Established by Standard and confirmed by the Laws of the Nation and by Parliament THe usual Weights that pass throughout England are Troy Weight and Averdupois-Weights the former consisting of twelve Ounces each Ounce to consist of twenty Penny Weight the Penny Weight to consist or twenty four Grains and this Weight is commonly used in Weighing of Bread Gold Silver all Physical matters as Electuaries Powders and the like eight pounds of this Weight being reckoned to Weigh a Gallon and from thence Multiplyed to any greater Measure four Gallons making a Peck four Pecks a Bushel and _____ Bushels a Quarter Wet Measures are likewise derived from this Weight both at Land and Sea viz. twelve Troy Ounces is a Pint of Liquids eight Pints a Gallon which of either Wine Beer or Ale is eight pounds Troy according to the Standard of the Exchequer and Acts of Parliament of the XI and XII of Henry the seventh And by this Rule the Coopers make their Casks for all vendible Assize vix a Hogshead to contain sixty three Gallons a Tearce eighty four a Pipe one hundred twenty six a Tun two hundred fifty two Gallons as likewise all Casks made for packing up Fish as a Salmon Butt to contain eighty four Gallons the Barrel twenty four a Herring Barrel thirty two an Eele Barrel forty two a Sope Barrel thirty two Gallons the lesser Casks to be divided accordingly The other Weight viz. Averdupois wherewith is Weighed Butter Cheese Flesh Wax all manner of Grocery and indeed most Commodities vended in England it consists
3 chief Scales of Europe CHAP. LXI A View of Lisbon the Metropolis of Portugal of the Trade Growth Weights Measues Coyns and Customs thereof LIsbon is the Metropolis of the Kingdom of Portugal commodiously Seated upon the Banks of the River Tagus the City and Suburbs being 10 Miles in compass and not imagined to contain less then 38000. Families Beautifyed with 67 Towers placed upon the Walls and 22 Gates all the Houses being Built Magnificent and indeed the People given to great Industry but especially to Navigation as appears by the many Discoveries they have made they being the first that Discovered the Eastern Tract even to the Indias and there by Trade and force got Footing and shewed the way to England and Holland who have now brought it to perfection even to the great Inriching either Nation and of all the Commodities brought from India and other parts of the World by the Portugals this City is the Scale for hither come yearly the Spices of Arabia the Silks of Persia the rich Commodities of China and the Gold Silver precious Stones and Spices of India and especially Pearls the Fishery thereof remaining for the most part in the right of the King of Portugal which being brought to Lisbon and afterwards dispersed throughout Europe To this City Flows the Trade of the whole Kingdom and also that of Spain from which Kingdom it is now separated as formerly The Weights of this City and consequently of the whole Kingdom are Principally the small and the great Cantars the Latter of which is divided into 4 Roves and each Rove contains 32 Reals which is 128 pounds at 14 Ounces per pound and of Florence Weight is computed 149 pound their small Quintar for Pepper and Ginger is between 110 and 112 pound English the Rove or Quartern being 27 ½ and sometimes 27 ◠4 pound but the great Quintal is 15 or 16 per cent more than our 112 pound The Quintar commonly called the King 's Quintar used in his Contractation House for weighing the Spices and Drugs of India is 114 pound English and the great Cantar of Lisbon is mostly computed 130 pound English c. The Measures of length used in this City are the Coueda which is the third part of an English Yard and the Ware which wants but a Nale of an English Ell by the former they Measure Woollen Cloaths c. and by the latter Linnen c. The Concave Measures of Lisbon is the Alquire 3 of which are found to make an English Bushel and 5 a Spanish Hannep They have an other Measure by which they meet their Salt called Muy which is 60 Alquires and 2 Muys and 15 Alquires are a Tunn Bristol Water Measure The Custom inward is 23 per cent that is to the Dechima 10 to the Sisa 10 and to the Consolado 3 and outward Merchants pay only 3. The Coyns are the Croisado of Gold computed to be worth 400 Reas. The Ducat of Portugal which is ten Reals and accounted 5 Shillings Sterling or the Croisado The Ryal which is 40 Reas and accounted 6 pence Sterling The Golden Mirle which is worth 1000. Reas and accounted 2 5 2 Ducats the Ducat is 2 ½ Ryals or 15 pence Sterling The Vintin which is 20 Reas or 3 pence Sterling the single Ryal of Spain which is 2 Vintines there are likewise the Coyns of Spain passable in this City but seeing they are not the proper Coyns of Portugal I shall pass them over as having already mentioned them in the Description of the Trade of that Kingdom And now leaving Portugal I shall pass into the Kingdom of France and in viewing the Trade of some Cities thereof give a Summary account of the whole Kingdoms Commerce both Inland and by Navigation CHAP. LXII A View of France the Provinces Trade Customs Weights Measures and Currant Coyns reduced into the view of the Principal Trading Cities of that Kingdom FRance is a large and Fertile part of Europe bounded on the North with the Brittish Ocean on the West with the Aquitanian Sea on the South with the Mediterranian and on the East with the Pirenaean Hills and River Rhine and is divided into several Provinces the Trade of which I shall instance in these following Cities viz. Burdeaux Rouen Paris Lyons and Marselia of these in order Burdeaux is Situate on the Banks of Geronde being the Principal City of the Province of Aquitain and is placed in a very Fruitful Soil especially for Wines The Principal Vineyards of France being accounted in its Neighbourhood of the Grapes therein growing are made Whitewines and Claret in abundance and of late all Palled Wines and such as otherwise are foul not Merchantable they Lmibeck off into Brandies which for the most part is vended in England and Holland They have likewise several Vineyards yielding Grapes that make Sweet-Wines commonly called high Country Wines the which lest it should hinder the Sail of the other they prohibit to be sold in their City till Christmass day when the high Country Merchants bring it in and sell it to Strangers there resident and such is the Custom of the place that that Vessel or Lighter that first sets her Head on Shoar is accounted free from Impost or Custom yet must in lieu thereof for that day give Wine on Free-cost to such as come on Board to Drink it To this City it is that our English Merchants Trade and from whence they yearly bring 20000 Tuns of Whitewine Claret Sweet and Brandy Wines in times when no prohibition is layed this City formerly for many Years having been English there are found great quantities of Prunes of the Neighbouring growth and some other Commodities tho these are the chief and to this place monies are remitted for which mostly the Inhabitants Trade not as in other places ef Traffick freely bartering Goods for Goods Their Accounts are kept for the most part in Livers Sold's and Denies as indeed throughout the Kingdom Their Weight is the pound 100 of which are reckoned a Quintar or 110 English 90 ¾ pound being 100 pound English Their Measure of length is an Auln accounted 42 English Inches their Wines are computed by Hogs-Heads and Tearces viz. Claret and White-wines and their Brandy by Punchings of no certain Gauge CHAP. LXIII A View of Rouen and the Trade thereof ROuen is the Principal City of Normandy being the Parliamentary Seat of that Province and is Seated on the Banks of the River Sein all its Territories being Fertile and it abounding with rich Merchandise as well of other Nations as the Growth of the Kingdom of France and is visited by most of the Merchants of all the Northern Kingdoms Trading in the Growth of France the place affording of natural Growth and Native Manufactury fine and coarse Linnens Buckrams Paper Cards Wine Stuffs Combs c. for which the Inhabitants or such French Merchants as send their Commodities thither to be vended receive of the English Kersies of Devonshire and
Yorkshire Bays of Coxal Cottons of Wales Pepper Gauls Yarn Tinn Lead Fish c. but of late they have got a Custom to Trade for Sterling many Commodities being allowed at no other Exchange Their Accounts are kept in Solds Livers and Deniers As for Weights here is principally found the Kings Beam called the Viconte which exceeds our long hundred viz. 112 pound 14 per cent so that it makes English 126 pound tho sometimes less Their Measure of length is the Auln accounted 46 Inches or somewhat more by which they Measure Woollen and Linnen Cloath and in this Measure they allow 24 for 20 called the Merchants Auln this City affords great store of Canvas for the Sails of Ships and such like uses which is likewise Measured by the Auln and has allowance as aforesaid tho not unless great quantities are bought In this City 3 Fairs are yearly held at 2 whereof Liberty for 15 days is granted to buy and Transport all Commodities of the growth Custom-free provided the Commodities be laden and fallen down the River to a Place limited within 15 days after or else to pay Custom as at other times the first of which begins the 3d. day of February and ends the 18th the second begins on Whit-Monday and lasteth 15 days the third begins on the 23 day of October and continues 8 days only and is not Custom-free as the former As for the Concave Measures they are few and such as are common throughout France and of which I shall hereafter speak Therefore in this Chapter I willingly Omit them CHAP. LXIV A View of Paris the Metropolis of France and of the Trade Weights Measures Coyns Customs exchanges and Commodities there Vended PAris is the Principal city of France and is accounted 10 Miles in Circumference being Situate on either side the River Sein that River Gliding smoothly through it thereby rendering it more Commodious for Traffick tho through the Sloath of the Inhabitants it is not improved to the advantage it might be yet here are found Commodities of the growth of the whole Kingdom as likewise of most Nations tho in no abundance The Commodities exported hence are Linnens Paper Cards Combs Stuffs Thread Plushes c. for which they receive English Cloath Stockings Lead Tinn Bays old Shooes Silks of Italy and some Indian Commodities The Inhabitants are for the most part Gentry and therefore not addicted to Manufacture The Weights of Paris are the Quintal which is accounted 100 pound Gross but found to make 100 pound of London Suttle 2 per cent more or less and is of Lyons Weight of 16 Ounces 116 pound and Venetian Sottle 144 pound 100 Sottle in Venice making Sottle of Paris Weight but 62 ◠2 pound of 15 Ounces to the pound the Cargo or great Quintal of Paris is 300 pound of Troy Weight yet makes in Florence 487 pound The Concave Measures for Wine is the Cistern which contains 8 Pints or a French Gallon 96 of which are accounted a Tun. The Measures of length are two one for Linnen and the other for Silks and are much about the length of the vantaged and unvantaged Aulns but seldom used in Gross by Reason in this City Silks Stuffs c. are sold by Weight which to the buyer is advantageous by Reason he cannot be imposed on with slight Silks and Stuffs but that what it wants in goodness will be made out in Measure This City is the chief Standard of Coyn for the whole Kingdom therefore in this I shall give a particular account of most French Coyns currant first the Denire 2 of which make a Double and twelve a Sold and 20 Solds a Liver by some called a Frank and in these three viz. Solds Deniers and Livers the accounts of that Kingdom are for the most part kept There are Peices of 8 Solds each Piece being the 1 ◠part of a Silver French Crown 64 Sold's being accounted a French Crown and 4 Sold's which is of 3 Livors Turnois Pieces of 21 Solds 4 Deniers being the 1 8 part of the said Crown commonly called Testons and the ½ and ¼ thereof and as the Quarter Crowns were at first raised from 15 Solds to 16 and thereby the 60 Solds to 64 so in the like proportion were the Testons raised the Golden Coyns are the Crown of 3 Livers or 60 Solds the Crown of the Sun being 3 Livers 16 Sold or 76 Solds and the Pistol each Liver being accounted 12 pence Sterling there are likewise Crowns of 6 Shillings Sterling but these monies as indeed most Forrain Coyns do rise and fall according to the Plenty and Scarcity of Silver and Gold or more properly at the pleasure of the Prince whose proper Coyns they are As for the Exchanges I shall refer them till I come to Treat in General of the nature of Exchanges CHAP. LXV A View of Lyons and the Trade thereof c. LYons was once the famousest Mart of France and a great Scale of Trade but by Reason of its Incommodious Situation in wanting a Port or Navigable River for great Ships it has given place to the Haven Towns yet continues some Trade especially Inland being Seated on a Fruitful Soil Fertilized by the Branches of the Rivers Rhoan and Soame the chief Manufactory of Silks in the Kingdom of France being setled in it which when wrought is sent through Europe the Inhabitants having Commerce with Marselia the chief Port for the residence of Shipping Here Exchanges are practised the Bankers or Merchants of Venetia Florence and Naples having Factors resident in Lyons for that purpose and hither it is that the English Merchants bring Lead Tinn Bays Cony-Skins c. to Exchange for the growth of the Province the Accounts are kept as in other parts of the Kingdom The Coyns currant being the same with those of Paris The Fairs are 4 in which all payments either by Exchange or Merchandise are made and all payments run from 3 Months to 3 Months if agreed to in a Publick place or Burse appointed for that purpose the first of these Fairs begins immediately after the Octaves of Easter the second the first Monday after the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin the third the day after All Souls the fourth the day after Epiphany each continuing 15 days all Exchange business is done and all Bills of Exchange are made and dated in one day and within 2 days following they settle the rate of Exchange and by these Fairs they limit their payments and the time allowed in their Bills from hence to Venice Florence and Rome is commonly 30 days to Naples and Valentia 25 days and so consequently according to the distance of the place it is payable at tho agreement be made for longer time it is often granted The Weights most in use is the Kings Beam of the Custom-House and the 2 Town Beams the King's Beam is found to be 100 pound the Quintal and is greater then the largest of the Town Beams by 8 per
Barrel to weigh 120 pound Oyl is sold by the Orcio which is a Barrel and accounted 85 pound Weight Grain is sold by the Moggio which is 24 Staios each Staio accounted 5 pound Salt is sold by a Staio of 72 pound And thus much shall Suffice for Florence CHAP. LXX A View of Millain of the Trade Weights Measures Coyns Customs and Commodities thereof THe City of Millan being the Center of the whole Dukedom in all respects I shall only insist upon it Then this City is the fairest of Lomberdy being seven Miles in compass and Furnished with all Commodities of the growth of the Dukedom nay of all Italy being now in Subjection to the Spanish King the chief Commodities are Oyl Wine Rice Corn Raw Silk which is wrought by the Inhabitants into curious Fabricks Chambets Fustians Gold Thread and Iron which are dispersed over all Italy Savoy France Flanders Holland England c. Their Accounts are kept in Deniers Solds and Livers which are in effect Pence Shillings Pounds c. and their other currant Coyns are the Ducat of Gold which is worth about 100 Solds of that money the Crown of Gold of the Sun which is worth 97 Solds The Italian Gold Crown which is worth 5 Livers The Ducat of Gold of 5 Livers and 18 Solds is worth 6 Livers Imperial the Ducat Imperial is esteemed worth 4 Livers The Ducat of Millain or Imperial of 4 Livers is accounted in exchange 101 Solds the Ducat and sometimes in Merchandise 110 and in way of Trade the Coyns of Spain and France are here Currant The Weight used here is the pound 100 of which make a Quintal which is accounted 70 pound English The Measures of Length are the Braces one for Cloath and the other for Silk the 100 Braces of the last containing 43 Ells of London The Customs for the most part the same with the other Cities of Italy CHAP. LXXI A View of the Dukedoms of Mantua and Urbin and of their Trade Weights Measures c. OF the Dukedom of Mantua the City of that Name is the chief and is a fair and strong Place on 3 sides invironed with a wide Lake through which runneth a Stream or River into the famous River Poe and is surrounded with pleasant Pastures and Fruitful Gardens Orchards and Vineyards but the Trade as to Merchandise is inconsiderable for want of a Harbour or Haven for the reception of Shipping only here are found several Fabricks of Silk as Taffatas Sattins c. also Watered Chamblets the Accounts are kept as in Millain and their money much the same unless the Ducatoon which is 115 Solds of Millain The Weights of Mantua are the Peso which is 25 pound and the Quintal which is 100 pound making English 71 pound Averdupois The City of Vrbin from which the Dukedom takes its Name is Seated under the Appennine Hills and has 2 famous Sea-Ports viz. Pisauro and Fano where formerly our Merchants held considerable Commerce but of late it is decayed yet some Trade is still held there especially by such as go Trading Voyages who there find the growth of most Parts of Italy for which they exchange Cloath Tinn Spices and some Drugs Their Accounts are kept in Deniers Solds and Livers and the rest of the Coyns those for the most part currant throughout Italy The Weights are the pound and the Quintal 100 of the former making the latter and is found to be 77 pound of London Averdupois The Measures of length are the Braces one for Cloath and the other for Silk 94 of the former making 100 of Venice but the Venice Brace for Silk renders the Vrbin Brace for Silk 102 or 103 c. CHAP. LXXII A View of the Common-Wealth of Venice and of the Trade Weights Measures Customs Coyns c. THe City of Venice gives Name to the Territories and has been and yet is famous for Trade by Navigation being so Commodiously Seated for the reception of Shipping that nothing can be more as thus it is Seated at the bottom of the Adriatick Sea or Venetian Gulph upon 72 Islands 5 Miles distant from the main Land and is defended against the rage of the Sea by a Bank of 20 Leagues through which are cut several passages for Boats but no Ships are capable of passing but at Malamecco the mouth of which is guarded with strong Castles and at the Castles of Lio the Sea runs through most of the Streets so that the commerce is held by Boats and Bridges 12000 of the first and 4000 of the last and as for the Inhabitants they are naturally addicted to Merchandise and once made their City the Store-House of the Commodities of India Persia Arabia Egypt and Greece being both Politick and Powerful at Sea so that for those Commodities most European Merchants Traded thither as the Principal Mart of the World but of late the English Dutch and Portugals have found the way to purchase them at the first hand and by that means much impaired the Traffick of that Common-Wealth yet still they have Factories at Aleppo Constantinople and Alexandria and Trade in Silk Spices Drugs c. but the chief Commodities found here are Cloaths of Gold and Silver Wine Oyl Woollen Cloath Paper Anniseeds Agal Looking-Glasses Drinking-Glasses and Quick-Silver for which the English Merchants Trading thither exchange Bays Furs Perpetuanos Lead Tinn Cloves Nutmegs Pepper Ginger Serges Says Woollen Cloath Herring Pilchards Salmond and Newland Fish Indico c. and serves for a Mart to Austria and upper Germany The Weights of Venetia are 4 the first and greatest is called the pound Gross and 100 pound with which they weigh Wool Brass Iron Copper Flesh Fish and other Gross Commodities The second is the Golden Weight in use for weighing Gold Silver Precious Stones and Pearls only and is called the Mark consisting of 8 Ounces and each Ounce of 144 Cariots the third is applyed to the Weight only of Gold and Silver Thread the fourth is the pound Suttle with which are weighed Silks Drugs Spices Cottons Cotton-Yarn viz. by the 100 Weight composed of the Suttle pound 100 pound Gross being of this Suttle pound 158 pound and so on Proportionablely but in Gold and Silver Thread 100 pound Gross is Suttle but 116 pound 8 Ounces the Mark of Gold 8 Ounces and from these our English Traders have derived their Weight commonly called Venice Weight 100 pounds of Venice Suttle make of London Weight 64 pound and Gross 106 pound The Liquid Measures for Wine are the Amphora the Bigonsa the Quart the Sachio and Lyre viz. the Bigonsa 4 of them make the Amphora and each Bigonsa is 4 Quarts and 1 Quart is 4 Sachi each Sachi being 4 Lyras and each Lyra a pound Weight tho in Gross the lesser Measures hold not out as for Oyl it is sold both by Weight and Measure the Weight is called the Staliero and the Measure the Miaro and is 40 Mire which is Gross Weight 120 pound one Mire by
Dun Fox-Skins with many others of the like nature which are sold by the Timber Weight or Tale being highly valued of late by the Natives who perceiving the desire Merchants have for them learn thereby to set prices on them accordingly The Merchants Accounts are kept here Divers ways as those of England in Rubles and Pence called by the Natives Muskofkins 200 of which make a Ruble which is rated at 2 Rix Dollars the Dutch by Rubles Grevens and Muscofkins 20 pence being accounted to the Greven and 10 Grevens to the Ruble which is only an Imaginary Coyn. The currant money is the Capeck worth a Stiver Flemish and something more in value then an English penny 10 of which make a Greven whiâ—h is worth 12 pence Sterling and the Ruble 10 Shillings Sterling 3 Capecks is called an Altine by which name all receipts of Bargain and contracts are made 33 Altines and one Capeck making the Ruble At Archangel there is exchange practised and the price of monies Russ as the Plenty or Scarcity will allow for sometimes the Rubles in exchange pass for 11 Shillings 6 pence Sterling the Receipts being in August to return in London about the latter end of December The Weight most in use is the Pood by which all fine Goods are weighed as Silk Beavor Wool and the like but for Gross Goods they have a Weight called a Berzovet accounted 10 Poods or the Russ Ship-pound computed to be 360 pound Averdupois so that all Goods bought by this Weight are accounted to be 10 per cent profit so that many have reckoned the Goods so bought to pay the Fraight with over Weight and all Goods bought by the Pood are reckoned 10 per cent less The Measure of Length is called the Archin and is accounted 28 English Inches so that the 100 Archings are supposed to produce Incirca 78 Yards of London Measure Oyl they sell by the Barrel each Barrel being accounted ½ a Hogshead and Tar by the Hogs-head as for Concave Measures I observe they are but rarely in use by way of Trade by Reason of the small quantities of Commodities the Empire affords that are proper to be Measured thereby Therefore I shall put a conclusion to the Trade of Moscovy and proceed to a View of Poland CHAP. LXXXIX A View of the Kingdom of Poland together with the Trade Weights Measures and currant Coyns thereof POland is bounded on the East with Boristhenes on the West with Vistula on the North with the Baltick Ocean and Sinus Trinicus and on the South with Hungary and is divided into 10 Provinces viz. Luconia Lituania Volinia Samogita Podolia Russia Nigra Prussia Podtasia Masovia and Poland these Provinces are Branched with several Navigable Rivers Vistula Reuben Bog Mimel and others and has for its Metropolis Cracovia Into which I shall reduce the Trade of this Kingdom Cracovia is the Metropolis of Poland Situate on the Banks of the River Vistula which is Navigable for near 400 Miles being as it were incompassed with distant Mountains and fortifyed with strong Walls and fair Buildings being the Seat of the Kings of Poland and is found to produce the Commodities of the whole Kingdom as Tar Rosin Pitch Hemp Wax Honey Barly Oats Amber Tallow and Hides which Commodities are sent up the River and distributed to such Merchants as come to Trade for the Growth of the Kingdom There are likewise found Furs of divers sorts some Minerals and the like for which the Inhabitants receive the Commodities of divers Nations which are brought both by Land and Sea The Coyns of this City and consequently of the Kingdom are the Ducat of Gold called the Polander which is accounted 70 Polish Gross The Silver Guilden which is worth 30 Polish Groshe or 2 Shillings Sterling a Dollar in Specie is worth 4 Polish Groshes but in all contracts of buying and selling the Doller is accounted 36 Groshe a Crietszar is worth 3 Pot-chanels 18 Deniers make one Groshe a Groshe of Poland or Bohemia is worth 7 Whites 16 Whites make one Ort 4 0rts make a Dollar and a Dollar is accounted 4 Shillings 4 pence The Weight is the pound 136 of which is accounted the Quintar which is found in London to render 114 pound and the 100 of London yieldeth 120 of Cracovia but the common pound is reduced to a Stone of 40 pound 10 of the said Stones being accounted the skip-Skip-pound The Measure of Length is the Ell 20 of which are 10 English Ells but their Linnen they sell by the Shock the Shock being 57 ½ English Ells. And to this City it will not be amiss to add Elbin once a Scale of Merchandise where the English Merchants had a Factory being here known by the Name of the Merchants of Elbin but since this City has fallen into the Hands of the King of Poland it has lost the great Trade it had upon the Abridgement of the Liberties and Priviledges it enjoyed during its being in the possession of the Teutonick Knights so that now it only is famous for what it has been and not for what it at present remains the Trade being dispersed into several Eastland Cities or Hans Towns but from Danzick especially are brought Soap-Ashes The Weights are the Pound and Stone 40 pound making the Stone and 40 of those Stones make the Ship-pound which is 400 pound and 100 pound of London is found to make 120 of Elbin Their Last of Wheat is reckoned to weigh 5200 pound Their Measure of Length is the Ell 163 of which make 100 London Yards In this Tract is found Coninsberg Rhiga Stetin Stralesond and Revel from the former of which the Amber is brought as for the rest they little differ in Commodities and manner of Trade from Cracovia Wherefore for Brevities sake I shall pass them over and take a View of Hungary and the Trade thereof c. CHAP. XC A View of Hungary and the adjacent Provinces and of their Trade Weights Measures Coyns and Commodities of the Growth and Manufacture THe Kingdom of Hungary is bounded on the East with Transilvania and Valachia on the West with Austria on the South with Sclavonia and on the North with Poland and is of it self exceeding Fertile abounding in Cattle beyond credit but by Reason of the continual Wars with the Turks it standing as the Bulwark of Christendom no great matter of Trade relating to Merchandise is found there the little that it consists in is Hides Tallow Wax Honey Copper Tinn Corn Wool Fruits Fish Skins and some Silver Mines which since the civil Disenssions caused by the continual Bandying of the two parties under pretence of Religion and the incouragement of those intestines Broyls by the Grand-Signeour have been thrown in many of them and thereby render useless Buda and many of the Principal Cities being now in the Hands of the Turks and is so Seated upon the River Danube that it hinders the free Commerce by Boats and great Vessels that was formerly