for all other Commodities I will begin with the Sear which varies here in several parts of this Country A Sear of Surrat is 18 Pices weight of Copper money which is 13â…“ ounces Averdupois A Sear of Agra called the Sear Acoberg is 30 Pices which is 22 ounces Averdupois A Sear of Agra called the Sear Janquery is 36 Pices being the common Sear of all India and double the Surrat Sear which is 26â…” ounces A Sear of Puttana and Ganges is 37 Pices and those that have made a strict calculation have found that 22 common Pices makes 16 ounces Averdupois They have also in use in these Countreys two Maunds A Maund small of Surrat is 40 Sears of Surrat and the said Maund is 33 l. Averdupois But they have for some Commodities another Maund in Surrat about 27 l. Averdupois A Candil of Surrat Cambaia c is 20 of the said Maunds Sears 40 makes a small Maund of 33 l. English Sears 40 great make a great Maund of 54 3 â— l. English and some have observed it to be 55 l. English and this is the Maund of Agra Amadever In Amadever this difference is found in the said weight A Maund is 40 Sear which is 18 Pices and 33 l. English And the 100 Maunds of Amadever is 63 Maunds of Agra For Gold Silver Musk Civet Bezoar-stone they have another weight which they call the Toll being 12 Masses and is 7 d. 16 grain Troy weight in England as hath been observed both by the English and Portugal Merchants It is not to be questioned but that this so large tract of Country must admit of more diversity of Weights which I am inforced to pass over in silence by reason of my ignorance and refer what is here omitted to the better experienced Measures in Cambaia Surrat Agra and Mogul's Country There is used in these parts two common measures and both called a Covato a short and long Covado The short Covado of Surrat Cambaia c. used in the sales of many Commodities as Linnen and Silk is 27 inches English The long Covado of Surrat used for woollen cloth is 35 inches But in Agra Labore Dilly Brampore c. the ordinary and common Covado is found to hold 32 inches and called in some places of this Country Elahy At Puttana they have a Covado of 38 inches and by the observation of some it hath been found that 1 â— 3 Covado of Puttana is 5 Covado's of Agra which makes four Yards English And note That in all the Moguls Country they use no concave measures for any grain or liquid commodities but sell the same by weight in the same nature as they do all ponderous and massie commodities They measure their ground and days journeys by a measure which they call a Corso which is one thousand five hundred Geometrical paces and is accounted in common estimation of our late Travellers a mile and a half English Lahore In this tract and belonging to this Prince are many famous Towns of Trade the chiefest is Lahore famous for the Indico there growing and prepared and for that admirable High way to Agra of twenty days journey beset on each side with Mulberry-trees and whence there departeth yearly above twelve thousand Camels laden with Spices to Hispahan which are brought hither from India Amadabar The next principal town is Amadabar famous in these parts for the great trade and excellent situation thereof as being the most eminent City of the Gusurates Tutta Neither is Tutta here to be forgotten though an Island Town yet seated on the famous River of Indus and having dependency and belonging thereunto Lowribander and that excellent Port of Lowribander three days journey distant from it on the shore commonly intituled the Coast of Sindie wherein it hath been observed by our European Navigators that Ships may safely ride without receiving harm by the Worms which do much hurt in SURAT and all alongst the coast of India CHAP. XCI Of GOA and the Trade thereof Goa and the trade thereof GOA is the Metropolis of India I mean of those that are under the command of the Portugal or Spaniard where the Viceroy Archbishop and the King his Consul and Chancery do reside here is also the Staple of all India Commodities whereto Merchants of Arabia Armenia Persia Cambaia Bengala Pegu Siam Malacca Java Molucco China and of sundâ—y other Countreys do resort It is seated in an Island of three miles circuit but is but little distant from the firm Land the Port is capacious of good Ships but if they exceed 200 Tuns they unlade short of the Town a place called Bardes well built with fair houses both publick and private after the Portugal manner and hath in it many Cloisters Churches and Priories but is not fortified with any walls but the contrived and continued buildings of the houses serves both for the defence and inclosure in the heart of the City is a Street called the Leilon where a daily assembly is made from 7 to 9 in the morning not only of Merchants from all parts but also of Gentry and during the said hours the said Street is replenished with all Commodities and Merchandize from all the afore-named Kingdoms set forth in manner of our Fairs in England which daily is thus practised and wherein the rich Commodities of those Countrys are vended and put to sale besides which there are particular Streets where the native Indians do dwell together being found to be here great Merchants and for the most part inhabit near together especially such as are found to be of one and the same Art and Profession being bound by the strict Laws of this Country every man to marry within his own and the same Trade and to bring up likewise their children in their own and the same Profession which law being strictly observed giveth great perfection to all Arts here practised Their Winter begins here the last of April continuing till September and is called Winter not for the cold but for the continual rains that are found all this time the rest of the time is accounted Summer which is without rain and the pleasantest of all other seasons upon this Coast Commodities of Goa The Commodities natural of this place are not observableâ— the Island small and the firm Land plentiful in Palm trees Cocus and the like the City is the common Staple for all India Commodities brought hither by others and here bartered and exchanged for other but of it self not affording any of note or consequence Coins current in Goa They have here two sorts of Moneys a good and a bad and therefore in all contracts they are as well to bargain for the money that is to be received as for the commodity that is to be sold but because this place is neighboured with sundry great Nations that traffick hither it will be fit I should inlarge my self a little further on this subject The
note that beautifie the same it was vanquished by Fernando Cortes in Anno 1521. with an Army of 100000 Americans only 900 Spaniards 80 Horse 17 pieces of small Ordnance in 13 Brigantins and 6000 Wherries most of the Americans were of Ilascalan who were ever adversaries to the Mexicans for which cause that City doth enjoy many immunities to this day and to conclude according to the opinion of an English Traveller whose relation I herein follow Four things are here remarkable for beauty their Appâ—rel their Women their Horses and their Sticats And thus much shall serve of Mexico Quivira 2. The second Province is Quivira seated on the most Western parts of America in which are two Provinces Cibola taking its name from the chief City subdued by Francisco Vasques in Anno 1540. and Nova Albion discovered by that famous Sea-man Sir Francis Drake An. 1585. and by him so called the chief Commodities and Riches of this Countrey are Kine some men being owners of forty thousand and these serve to the Inhabitants here as we say of our Ale to Drunkards in England meat drink and cloth and more too for first the Hides yield them houses or to say more properly the covering of them their Bones Bodkins their Hair Thred their Sinews Ropes their Horns Maws and Bladders Vessels their Dung Fire their Calf-skins Budgets to draw and keep water their blood for drink and lastly their flesh for meat c. Nicaragua 3. The third is Nicaragua being South-East from Mexico with which it agreeth in nature both of Soil and Inhabitants and accounted for its pleasantness Mahomet's Paradise An Admirable Tree having Trees in great abundance of that strange nature that a branch touched by the hand of any man withereth presently Nova Grenada The chief City is Nova Grenada and Lea a Bishop's See The Commodities thereof are Honey Wax Cotton and Balsam in great abundance it is extream hot and therefore not to be travell'd by day but by night their Winter beginneth in May and from thence raineth for six months the other six very fair and dry and the day and night being here of equal length Jucatan 4. The fourth is Jucatan and was discovered in Anno 1517. which in the language of the place signifieth What say you which was the answer the Inhabitants gave the Spaniards that first demanded of them the name of their Countrey and since by this means retains that name by the Spaniards Campechio The chiefest City is Campechio whence comes that wood so well known in Europe also here is the Island called by the Spaniard Santo Crux wherein is a City of that name well fortified by them Florida 5. The fifth is Florida discovered by the English under the conduct of Sebastian Cabot An. 1467. then possessed by the Spaniards in Anno 1527. and called Florida afterward the French got footing here in Anno 1562 but the Spaniards unwilling the French should be eye witnesses of their rich booty waged war with them so long that there was not a man left on either side to maintain the quarrel and then was Florida again in 1567 abandoned The Spaniards now hold there three strong Forts St. James St. Philip and St. Augustin which last was taken and burnt by Sir Francis Drake 1586. which since is repaired and that is all the Spaniards hold here at this day desiring as it seems neither to plant further himself nor suffer others to do it Virginia 6. The sixth is Virginia which was discovered by Sir Walter Raleigh Anno 1584 and in honour of our Queen called Virginia It lies in the height of 35 degrees Northerly Latitude extending to 38 degrees or thereabouts being seated and planted from 37 to 38 by the English under the Supream Authority of the King of England having the great Bay of Roanoke and Cape Florida to the Southward and Maryland to the Northward the main entrance into Virginia out of the Sea is about 10 leagues broad between two Points of Low-land that on the South being called Cape Henry that on the North Cape Charles by which they pass into a great River or Bay called the Bay of Chesapiake which runs away Northerly about 100 leagues into which River or Bay of Chesapiake many other great Rivers empty themselves all running up West and North-West into the Countrey 100 120 and some 140 or 150 miles being 3 4 5 and some of them 6 or 8 miles broad all which with some other smaller Rivers which fall into them are Navigable for Shipping having 4 5 6 7 8 fathoms and in the shallowest parts not less than three fathoms depth of water Ships that come out of the Sea are harboured so soon as they are within the aforesaid Capes and may ride safely in any of those Rivers where they please within a mile half a mile and in some places within a quarter of a mile of the shore which also they do Anchoring sometimes at one place sometimes at another for the delivering out and taking in of their Goods in the several Plantations and the several Rivers as stands best with their conveniency after they have given the Governour an account of their arrival and from whence they come The first River after they are within the Capes in the Bay of Chesapiake is called James River the next Pamunkee or York River then Payancatank Rapahanock Wicocomoce and some others upon the Western shore of that Bay and some on the Eastern shore thereof Most of which Rivers received their names from the Indians who were the only Inhabitants and Possessors of that great Countrey before the English came there and who still some of them live round about our people and in some places near unto them within three or four miles of some of our Plantations but are nothing so numerous as at the first being very much lessened and destroyed by the quarrels and Wars among themselves and with the English especially in and shortly after the years 1621. and 1644 at which times they treacherously fell upon our people and massacred about four or five hundred persons each time in one hours space The chief Port is James City a Town lying about 40 miles up in James River which is commonly the place of the Governours Residence and where the principal matters relating to Government and the Administration of Justice for the whole Countrey are transacted by the Governour and his Council four times a year called quarter Courts and once a year by the General Assembly who likewise meet there being such Burgesses as are elected in the several Counties by the people and sent thither to sit and act in the nature of our Parliaments here in London Matters of lesser consequence are heard and determined in the several Counties by Commissioners authorized for that purpose called the County Courts who sit every month or every two months In which Courts and all others their trials and proceedings are in all respects conformable as
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
is here used by Dyers called Brazile doth come the Trees whereof are found of that bigness that whole Families live in an arm of one of them every Tree being as populous as many of our Country-Villages which is the reason that few Cities are found in this Countrey yet along the Sea coast some Cities are of late built by the Spaniards and by them fortified where the Dutch have lately got some footing and taken Todos los Santos and thence marched to Fernand-Buck whence that Wood comes so well known to Dyers by that name where report saith they are now settled and daily get ground in that Continent Chilo the 5th Province The fifth is Chilo taking its name as some would have it from the exceeding cold there found so that the Rivers are here observed to run in the day but by night to stand still or at leastwise to move very slowly this Country boasteth of 5 or 6 Towns inhabited by Spaniards the Town called the Imperial being a Colony of the Spaniards is found to be the principal This Country bordereth upon the Straights of Magellan through which Sir Francis Drake passed in his Worlds Incompassment many of the Ports and Bays herein owing him that honour due to this Adventure for the Names they now are known by which Voyage finished by him in 2 years and half as the Relation of Diego Nunio his Pilot testifieth made profit to himself and Merchants of London his Partners and fellow Adventurers according to an account made up at his return all Charges paid and discharged which I have seen subscribed under his own hand 47 l. for one pound so that he who adventur'd with him in this Voyage 100 l. had 4700 l for the same by which may be gathered the benefit that redounded thereby though accompanied with many rubs delays and dangers Having thus run over the main Continent of this World's Division let us see what Islands of note belong thereunto Isles of Solomon First in the South Seas are found the Islands of Solomon 18 in number and imagined by the Discoverer in An. 1567. to be the Land of Ophir to which Solomon sent for his Gold but in this he was deceived the next are the Islands of Thieves of no account therefore I pass over them and in the next place peruse the Islands in the Virginian Ocean Margarita the first worthy of mention is Margarita deficient both in Corn Grass Trees and Water yet the abundance of precious Stones here found makes some amends for these defects from whence the name of Margarita is imposed on it Trinidado The next is Trinidado discovered by Columbus in An. 1497. being famoused for the best Tobacco which by some Nations carrieth the name of this Island Bacaloes The next are the Isles of Bacaloes lying against the influx of Caneda and owe the first discovery to Sebastian Cabot 1447. by some termed Terra Nova well known for the great quantity of Fish taken on this Coast as I have noted in the passage of that part of America Beriquen The next is the Island of Beriquen the North part affording plenty of Gold and the South part of Vital Provisions the Cities here are St. John's built and inhabited by the Spaniards 1527. and Porto Rico ruin'd by Henry Earl of Cumberland 1597. and whose Walls were then first mounted by my deceased Uncle Captain Tho. Roberts to whose worth and valour I owe here this remembrance Jamaica The next is Jamaica once very populous insomuch that the Spaniards here slew 60000 living Souls and the women beholding their cruelty did kill their Children before they had given them life that the issues of their bodies might not serve so cruel a Nation The Towns of note are Crestana and Sevil acknowledging Columbus for its first discoverer Cuba The next is Cuba made known by Columbus his second Navigation it aboundeth with Ginger Cassia Mastick Aloes Cinnamon Sugar the Earth producing Brass of excellent perfection but the Gold somewhat drossie here is the famous Road Havana a staple of Indian and Spanish Merchandize and where the King of Spain's Navy rideth till the time of the year and the convenience of the wind join together to wast them homeward Luca. The next is the Lucay Islands 400 in number who glory in the matchless beauty of their Women and mourn for the loss of a million of the Inhabitants murdered by the blood thirsty Spaniards at their first discovery thereof Hispaniola Hispaniola is the next now lamenting the loss of three millions of her Inhabitants butchered by her new Spanish Masters enjoying a temperate Air a fertile Soil rich Mines Amber and Sugars it excelleth all other the Islands of the Seas especially in three Prerogatives First in the fineness of the Gold which is here digged more pure and unmixed Secondly in the increase of the Sugar-Cane which here is found oftentimes in one Cane to fill up twenty and sometimes thirty measures of Liquor Thirdly in the goodness of the Soil for Tillage the Corn here yielding an hundred-fold and in sixteen days Herbs and Roots are found to ripen and to be fit for meat This fertility is ascribed to four Rivers running East West North and South and all four springing from one Mountain standing in the very Center of this Islands the Chief Town here is St. Dominico ransackt by Sir Francis Drake 1585. Barbados Barmudos Besides which Islands inhabited by the Spaniards there are belonging to this division of the World some that are inhabited by the English as the Barbados Barmudos and others in which certain Colonies of English have planted themselves which is found agreeable with the English Constitution and being well fortified and peopled may in time prove main instruments of sharing with the Spaniards in his American Dominions And thus briefly stands the present state of this new-found Climate least acquainted to our Nation and only subject to the will and power of the Spanish Sceptar who challengeth the Sovereignty and Rule of this vast Country the Trade whereof is only permitted to his Subjects and debarred from all others save what is obtained by force or strength and purchased by Colonies planted where the Spaniard is neitheir known nor seated Barbados The Island of Barbados containeth in length about 28 miles English and 14 in breadth the which being measured is found 126000 Acres lying South-East and North-West and is naturally fortified with Rocks and Sholes on the North and East-side where no Ships may anchor nor come in only in two or three places small Boats may go out and in to fish or the like But for the South-East and Westerly part of it it is all along a Road where Ships may Anchor and Ride but more especially and with greater safety in four chief places or Bays thereof The principal Road or Bay is called Carlile Bay and lies near South-West of the Island near the middle of it and is
to Damasco Baruti and Aleppo from which last place the Venetians again transported these Commodities to Venice making that City thereby the common Emporium of Christendom and lastly in Anno 1300 the Soltans of Aegypt restored the passage by the Red-Sea and the Venetians resetled their Factors in Alexandria which continued for two hundred years until the Portugals Spaniards English and lastly the Dutch found a new way by the back-side of Africa to convey the same to their own homes whereby the great Trade which the Aegyptians and principally the Venetians had to themselves for many years came thus to nothing and the Traffick of Alexandria and Red-Sea thereby is now decayed and become altogether unfrequented as at this day we find it subsisting only by the native Commodities thereof in which nature it is fittest I should now survey the same CHAP. XXX Of ALEXANDRIA and the Trade thereof Alexandria and the Trade thereof ALEXANDRIA is said to be built by Alexander the Great and was called by the Turks the Lords thereof Scanderia and which in the Nicene Council was ordained to be one of the four Patriarchal Cities it is yet the fairest and best Maritime Port of this whole Countrey and hath yet some reliques of that Trade it earst enjoyed as I have noted before and because it is the principal of this Region for Merchandizing I hold it proper to comprehend under this Chapter the greater part of the Trade universally of Aegypt and the neighbouring Cities Commodities of Aegypt The Commodities of Aegypt besides what comes hither out of Arabia Persia and India is Rice Corn Flax Hemp Honey Wax Balsom Dates some Drugs and some few Spices and in especial it yieldeth abundance of Palm-Trees The excellency of the Palm-tree which are of very strange properties for they are found to grow in couples male and female both thrust forth cods full of seed but the female is only fruitful and that not except growing by the male and having his seed mixed with hers the pith of these Trees are excellent meat of the branches they make necessary uses in their houses of the leaves baskets mats and fans of the outward husk of the cod cordage of the inward brushes the fruit is like a Fig serving the Inhabitants sometimes dried in the Sun as bread and green as meat and finally it is said to yield whatsoever is necessary to the life of Man Wrights of Alexandria The Weights in use in Cairo Alexandria and generally throughout all Aegypt for Trade are found to be of four sorts the first is the weight called the quintar of Zera the second the quintar Forfor the third the quintar Zaidin and the fourth the quintar Mina which because of their former great Trade with Venice I will first compare with the weights of that City and then apply the same to the weight of our own Countrey 1 Zera One quintar of Zera hath been found to make of Venetia gross 200 l. and suttle 312 l. and in London 212 l. Averdupois 2 Forfori One quintar of Forfori hath been observed to make in Venice 140 l. suttle and gross 87 l. and in London 93 l. Averdopois 3 Zaidin One quintar Zaidin hath made by observation in Venetia 127 l. gross and 200 l. suttle and in London 134 l. Averdupois 4 Mina One quintar Mina proper only to Alexandria hath made in Venetia 250 l. suttle 155 l. gross and in London 167 l. Averdupois Whereas note that the first three quintars are accounted by Rotolos but the Quintar of Mina contains in Alexandria 20 ounces to the Mina and in Cairo 16 ounces to the Mina And also observe that Amber Musk and some other fine Commodities are sold by a Metalico or Dram and also by the Peso whereof 1½ is a Metalico 50 Metalicoes is here a Mark in Gold or Silver weight and 42 Metalicoes our English Mark weight of 8 ounces Troy Again note that One Rotolo Zerai makes Venetia suttle 3 l. 1½ ounce One Rotolo Forfori makes Venetia 1 l. 5 ounces One Rotolo Zaidin makes Venetia suttle 2 l gross 1 l. 3 ◠4 ounce One Mina makes in Venetia suttle 2 ◠4 l. and gross 1⅔ l. Now let us observe how these weights are found to accord one with another and so with Venetia One quintar Zerai which is the general quintar of Aegypt makes 2 quintars and 16 Rotolos of Forfori in Alexandria Again one quintar Zerai makes one quintar and 56 Rotolos of Zaidin and maketh 120 Minas of Alexandria One Rotolo Zera makes 2 Rotolo 1 ounce and 4◠5◠Forfori Again one Rotolo Zeri makes one Rot. 6 9 25 ounces of Zaidin One quintar Forfori makes 46 Rot. 3½ ounces Zerai And one quintar Forfori makes 20 Rot. 11 23 27 ounces Zaidin One quintar Forfori makes 55½ Minas And one Rotolo Forfori makes 111 ounces Zerai and 6½ ounces Zaidin One quintar Zaidin makes 64 Rot. 2 ounces of Zerai One quintar Zaidin makes one quintar 28 Rot. 5½ ounces Forfori One quintar Zaidin makes 76 Minas 11 ounces One Rotolo Zaidin makes 7 7 10 ounces Zera And again one Rot. Zaidin makes one Rot. 4 ⅗ ounces Forfori And one Rotolo Zaidin makes one and 3 quarters ounces Minas One quintar Minas makes one quintar 2 Rotolos Forfori And one quintar Minas makes one quintar 30 Rotolos Zaidin And one Mina makes ten ounces Zera And again one Mina makes one Rot. 9 ¼ ounces Forfori And lastly one Mina makes one Rot. three ounces Zaidin The variety of these weights will excuse this tedious repetition which I was enforced to perform for the better understanding of the same and for the shortening of my present survey of the Trade of Aegypt Weights of Aegypt and sundry Cities in Barbary to the 100 l. Averdupois I will here reduce not only the weights above-named but also the weights of some of the principal Cities of Traffick upon this Coast to the 100 l. suttle Averdupois of London which hath been observed to make by Zera quintar 48 Rot. In Cairo and all Aegypt Forfoai quintar 108 Zaidin quintar 75 Minas quintar 54 Tripoli suria 25 ½ Rot. whereof 100 makes a quintar Achria 17 Rot. the 100 makes a quintar Tamperan Aleppo common 21 ¾ Rot. the 100 whereof is a quintar Tripoli Barbary 62 Rot. the 100 whereof is a quintar Oran common with 91 Rot. the quintar is 5 Roves of 20 Rot. Oran for Spices 133 Rot. the quintar is 4. Roves Oran for Corn 48 Rot. each quintar 6 Rotolos Oran for Cotton 59 Rot. each quintar 15 Rot. Una in Barbary 63 Rot. for Cotton Woolls Una 72 Rot. for Spices Una 90 Rot. for Corn. Fras 153 Rot. the quintar is 100 ℞ Baruti 20¾ Rot. the quintar is 100 Rot. Argier   Thunes   Cathaia 84 Rot. the quintar is 100 Rot. Cyprus 19½ Rot. Famagosto 4 per cent more Suus in Barbary 90 Rot. 100 Rot. to a quintar When I
the observation of some English they find only 2 Picoes one for Cloth and the other for Grograms and do agree with those of Constantinople Customs of Bursia There is no Custom due upon Goods in Bursia it being accounted an Inland Town but if sent thence to Smyrna or to Constantinople and exported out of the Grand Signior's Dominions it is liable to a Custom according to the Capitulations or Privilege granted to that Nation that transporteth the same but if those Commodities bought in Bursia being carried to Smyrna or Constantinople and there sold it payeth no Customs but a small Duty for Registring and quitting at the Custom-houses of both the said places as hath been practised by divers Merchants In this Town of late years some English have resided and do find a fair and friendly quarter with the Inhabitants but they are accounted as Subfactors to those resident in Constantinople and Smyrna therefore I shall not need to say further of this place CHAP. XLIX Of Pontus and the Cities thereof Pontus ON the North-side of Bithinia is Pontus wherein is found the Ruines of Tomos to which Ovid was banished and Pithius where Chrysostom lived in exile here also ruled Mithridates who for 40 years withstood the Romans not more excellent in War than Learning and Memory who spake 22 Languages and invented that Counterpoison for him named Mithridate and who at last by the Rebellion of his Son and the Valour of L. Sylla Pompey's Pillar Lucullus and Pompey was vanquished the last of which erected a Pillar upon a small Island at the entrance of the Black or Euxine Sea which at this day is known by his name and shewed by the Inhabitants to Strangers as a Trophy of his Victories in these Parts CHAP. L. Of Paphlagonia and Galatia and the Cities thereof Paphlagonia and Galatia IN Paphlagonia I find not any City notable for Trade or other thing note-worthy and as for Galatia it is observed that to the People of this Province did St. Paul dedicate one of his Epistles Angora and here is also seated the City of Ancira now commonly Angora famous for the infinite store of Grograms Mohairs and Chamlets that are made here and sabricated and from hence transported to Constantinople being 16 days Journey distant and to Aleppo having a like remoteness and from thence again Exported into all the Countries of Europe In this place the Venetians have a Factory to provide them the said Commodities and the English in imitation thereof about 1624. did first send thither two Factors from Constantinople to furnish themselves with these Commodities at the first hand Grograms Trade but some of the Yarn called hence Grogram Yarn and not Camels Hair some vainly conceive being lately brought into England ingenious Workmen were here found that invented therewith Tames and many other Stuffs to the great decay and prejudice of the Grogram Trade of this Country and of such as lived thereupon in Angora whereupon the Inhabitants in Anno 1630. petitioned the Duana of Constantinople that this Yarn might not be Exported out of the Kingdom until it were put into work and made into Stuffs which was granted them but the Farmers of the Grand Signior's Customs at Constantinople conniving thereat and suffering the same to be Exported paying double Custom which is 6 per Cent. and so it continued till 1634. at what time a second stricter Prohibition with Consiscation was proclaimed and nearly look'd into so that what quantity is now found to come thence is by indirect means and not otherwise if possible thereby again to give life to the Grogram Trade and the makers thereof in these parts There was of late years an offer made by the Venetian Ambassadors resident at Constantinople to Export 500 of the Goats that bear this Wooll to Venetia thereby in time to bring this Commodity in request in their Signiory but the Turks perceiving their drift denied the same lest his Subjects and Country might futurely be deprived of the benefit of so excellent a Commodity had our Ancestors foreseen the like discommodity that would have ensued by the Exportation of English Sheep into Spain it may be conceived it would never have been in those days permitted Weights and Measures of Angora The Weights and Measures of this place are the same as are found in Constantinople the Gregram Pico having from this Town its original and is the proper Pico of this Country and City whereby all Grograms Mohairs and Chamblets are measured and sold throughout all Turkey and is in Grograms found in England to answer proportionally as 24 Pico being a piece of ordinary Grograms to make 16 Yards London for their Moneys and Accounts they are found to be the same as in Constantinople vide there CHAP. LI. Of Cappadocia and the Cities thereof Cappadocia ON the East-side of Galatia is Cappadocia the chief City is Erzyrum situate on the Confines of Armenia being held the rendezvous for the Turkish Militia in their expeditions to Persia and the place where when the War is ended they are dismissed here is the entrance into the Dominions of the Grand Signior and though Wars happen between the Turks and the Persians yet these barbarous Nations are so careful of Merchants and the preservation of Commerce that the Merchants of both Countries though otherwise the Provinces be at variance may here enter and transport their Merchandize into one anothers Country paying a small Custom as acknowledgment to the Prince carrying a Tescary or Certificate thereof with them to such other places whither they go which in it self protects their Goods and Persons from danger or Confiscation or other duties so that it is an ordinary thing 〈◊〉 see Persia Merchants with great Estates in Aloppo and Constantinople in the hottest of the Wars between their two Sovereigns to the shame and contrary to the custom of many Christian Princes who first prey upon the Merchants that inhabit their Countries making a War upon their Estates and Persons before they meddle with or haply hardly publish their intentions to their Sovereigns the ancient Tibarenean Custom being now out of use in Christendom who are said never to wage War against any Enemy but they faithfully certified them beforehand both of the time and place of their intent and Fight and as it may be conjectured gave first a fair dismission to the Subjects of their Enemies and consequently to their Merchants Amasia Trabesond Here is also Amasia where the Grand Signior's eldest Son is seen to abide after his Circumcision till the time of his Father's Death and the beginning of his Reign And Trabesond formerly an Imperial Seat now a small City seated upon the Euxine or Black Sea having a reasonable good Harbour and where the Grand Signior maintaineth certain Gallies to scour these Coasts Here is found a great Trade in Summer for Fish which to me did much resemble the English Herring which they take upon this
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
therein is found a great concourse of Merchants of all Nations as Turks Persians Arabians Armenians and others of sundry Countreys and because of the continual Traffick thereof it is accounted the best and most profitable Revenue the King of Spain hath in all India for that the Banians Gusurates Rumo's and Persians which Traffick in Cambaia and from thence to the Red-Sea and Mecca do both discharge their Wares and take in their Lading here at Diu by reason of the commodious situation thereof as lying at the entrance of Cambaia and from Diu it is shipt and sent to Cambaia and so brought back again to Diu. Commodities of Diu and that Coast The Commodities of this place and this Coast are first fine Cotton-Linnen of sundry sorts which they call Jorims Sluyers and Lamparads and which we call by the general name of Callicoes also Cocos Oyl India Nuts Butter Pitch Tar Sugar candied Iron good store and most excellent and fair Leather which is artificially wrought with Silks of all colours both flowers and personages and which is in India much esteemed to lay upon Beds and Tables instead of Carpets and Coverlets they make also here all sorts of curious Dseks Cupboards Chests Boxes Standishes and a thousand such like devices in Wood guilded with variety of colours wrought with Imagery and Mother of Pearl which are carried hence throughout all India but especially to Goa and Cochin against the time that the Portugal Ships come thither to take in their Lading to go homeward Other observations of the further Trade of this place I refer to Goa the Metropolis of India in possession of the Portugals to which all the other Forts possessed by the Portugals in some sort have a reference in the matter and manner of their Trade CHAP. XC Of Cambaia and the Trade thereof Of Cambaia and the Trade thereof CAmbaia the principal City of the Kingdom so called is a fair and large City and contained some years past 800000 persons it is seated on the inclosure of the Famous River Indus and there the River inlargeth it self to a great breadth till it come to the Isles of Vacas having the Island of Diu on the one side and the Cities of Deman and Surrat on the other it is absolutely the greatest City of Trade in these parts and therein is a Factory seated for the Traffick in these Countreys of the English and Dutch East-India Companies Here is also found a great concurrency of Merchants as well of Christians as of Persians Arabians and Armenians but the Natives which are called the Gusurates and Banians are esteemed the greatest and most politick Merchants of all India and held in subtlety equal with any Nation under the Sun Commodities of Cambaia The Commodities for Traffick that this Country either naturally affordeth or is artificially here fabricated is Corn Rice and such Grain Butter and Oyl wherewith for their abundance they furnish all the Countreys round about them also great quantity of Cotton Linnens are here made which we term Callicoes of all sorts called by them Canequins Boffetta's Jarins Cantares and others of sundry kinds of making from the very coarsest wherewith they make their Sails for Shipping to the finest which are by us known by the name of Callico Lawns Also here are made sundry fine Carpets called Alcatiffes and Banquies also many sorts of Coverlets called Codorins also many Manufactures of Wood carved and imbellisht some with Mother of Pearl and some with Silver and such like also here are found sundry sorts of precious stones as Spinals Rubies Granads Jacinths Amethysts Chrysolites Amber Agats Jaspes also sundry Drugs as Opium Camphora Bangue and Sandal-wood Sugars and lastly and principally Anil or Indico is here growing prepared and made ready and from hence carried throughout the whole World the principal places in this Country affording the same is Bianny Fetterbarre Sherkis Lahore and other places thereabouts Surrat and Baroche and the Trade thereof To this place I should add the famous Port of Surrat and Baroche being as is Cambaia under the subjection of the Great Mogul and seated in this Tract which because in matters of Traffick I do not find to vary from the former I willingly omit and therefore comprehend them under this Chapter and Title proceeding to the current Coins Weights and Measures found in use and practised in these Cities as in subjection to one and the same Prince who is Sovereignt hereof Coins of Cambaia and Mogul's Country The ancient current and general Coin of this Countrey is the Mahmudy stamped by that Famous King Mahmood in the first conquest of these Countreys which was accounted for Res of Portugal and by the English there resident estimated 12 d. sterling But the Grand Mogul being the last Conquerour prohibited the said coins of Mahmudis and therefore at this day they are found very scarce yet most frequent in Gusurat The most current Coin now throughout his Territories being the Ruppie of which there are divers sorts which are The Casanna Ruppia which is the common Ruppia worth in India ¼ Mahomudy and estimated incirca 2 s. 3 d. sterling The Jacquiree Ruppie 5 of which makes 6 Casanna Ruppies The Soway Ruppie 4 whereof makes 5 Casanna Ruppies The Hondee Ruppie of equal value with the Casanna Ruppie abovesaid Accounts kept in Surrat and Cambaia and in these last do the Merchants of Gusurat keep their accounts Besides which they have for smaller Coins current these The Pice accounting 24 to the Mamody which is 10 d. sterling The Shahee accounted to the 16 Picos or 10 Cosbegs And some there are that keep their accounts in Mahomodis accounting 2½ Mahomody to be one Hondee or Casanna Ruppie being thus estimated for 2 s. 6 d. sterling as 2 Ruppies are accounted for 1 ℞ ◠Spanish though indeed not found always of that value for the Ruppie is here observed with the right of a Prince's coin and the ℞ ◠for a merchandize or commodity rising and falling the said Ruppia in Agra is found to pass for 84 Pices but this is thus most current in Amadever Lahoro and other the places where the Christians of Europe and others do provide and buy their Indico c. and there two of the said Ruppia's make in ordinary payment for Merchandize 1 ℞ ◠Spanish Weights in Cambaia Surrat Agra and the Mogul's Dominions There is generally found throughout the Dominions of the Great Mogul two several weights the one proper to Silk and the other for all Merchandize besides and both of these have their foundation upon a weight of Copper called as the Coin aforesaid the Pice A Pice in Silk is accounted 5½ Mitigals A Mitigal is about 13 d. 10 Troy A Pice of Silk is also accounted for 2 Tolls 1 Toll is 12 Masses A Sear of which there is a small and great the small Sear is ordinarily used in Silk and accounted 30 Tolls Now for the common weight
indeed the worst sort they call Aia of Cambaia and thus the price being by the men set thereon according to their sorts goodness and greatness there are Merchants of every Countrey which are ready with their Moneys in their hands to buy them so that in few days all the said parcels are bought up according to the said prices set upon them altering according to the carract beauty and shape thereof And this is the manner of the fishing and dispersing of the Pearls throughout India and thence through the World so far forth as I thought good to insert the same in this place CHAP. XCII Of the Trade in general practised alongst the Coast of India The general Trade of the Coast of India THE Coast of India known in these Regions is only so accounted from the Islands called las Vachas or from the Town of Daman to the Cape of Comarin not above 200 miles in length wherein besides the Metropolis Goa are found sundry others in subjection to the Crown of Portugal as first Daman to the North of Goa then Basain then Chaul Dabul and then Goa and to the South-ward which some call the Coast of Malabar they hold Romes Onor Barselor Mangalor Cananor Calicut Craganor Cochin Coulon and Cape de Comeri which is accounted the last end of the Coast of Malabar and India For the better understanding the Trade of these Sea ports it will be needful I should somewhat more particularly survey the same Daman Basasen Chaul First then It is to be understood that the Northern part of this Coast is held the wholesome and purest Air for habitation the principal places being Daman Basasen and Chaul which are found in themselves to have good Havens whereto great Traffick is maintained throughout India the Countrey hereabouts abounding in Rice Pease and other grains Butter and Oyl of Nuts also Cotton Cloth great quantity especially Baroches taking the name from a City of this Coast and in Chaul is found very great concourse of Merchants and Traffick to Ormus Cambaia Sinde Masquate Bengala having therein many rich Merchants and Ships of great burthen and here is also made divers kinds of Silk Stuffs as Grograms Sattim Taffata's and such like in such abundance that India and all other places bordering are served therewith and beholding thereto which brings a great Trade to the said City of Chaul for they bring in the raw Silk of China and being here spun woven and wrought carry it out again and distribute it throughout India and the neighbouring Countries here also they make fair and excellent wrought Bedsteds Boxes Desks Stools and other wooden Arts which bring them great profit and make this place famous throughout these parts Coast of Malabar and the Trade thereof As for the Coast of Malabar Onor is of good esteem where there is a great quantity of Pepper yearly laden by the Portugal's Factors accounted the best and fullest Berry in all India the Countrey hereabouts belonging to a Queen rich in Pepper who selleth the said Commodity only to the Portugals but receiveth her money six months beforehand and at the season delivereth the said contracted Pepper which by the Portugals is housed in their Fort which by her leave they have here built till their shipping come to fetch it away which is commonly but once a year Cananor Cananor is held the best Fort they have upon all this Coast and doth abound with Rice and Pepper and near the Fort is a fair Town which is plentifully stored with all the Commodities of this Coast and Shore especially abounding in all manner of Victuals and provision and Masts for Ships of all sizes and sorts Calicut Calicut was once the most famous Town of Trade of all this shore and gave name not only to the sorts of Pepper that here grow but also to that sort or Cotton Cloth that was first hence transported for Europe but the Emperour the then Sovereign Cochin being Enemy to the King of Cochin with whom the Portugals at their first arrival here sided and prospered by that means overthrew the great Traffick of Calicut and advanced the Traffick of Cochin whose Sovereign by means of the Trade is now become a mighty and rich Prince in this Countrey the City of Cochin it self thereby so inlarged inriched and so well inhabited by Portugals who are in part the new Masters by native Malabars and other Nations and seated upon a pleasant River and enjoying the commodity of a good Channel and Haven that it is accounted in these parts for Trade and concourse of Merchants the only second to Goa here is laden yearly great quantity of Pepper and a course sort of Cinnamon vulgarly called de Matte nothing comparable to Cinnamon of Zelan accounted the best and hither come all the Portugal Ships to lade homewards after that they have unladen their European Commodities in Goa which adds much to the Trade of this City Two Commodities hither imported do much inrich this place 1. The great store of Silk that cometh hither raw from China to be wrought and next the great store of Sugar that cometh from Bengala to be spent for which the married Citizens are found to pay no custom to the King of Cochin though for all others they pay 4 per cent but the stranger and unmarried pay at Cochin nothing to the King but to the Portugal 8 per cent The manner of the farming the Pepper in India by the Portugals And because this great Traffick for Pepper is only peculiar to some private Merchants or Farmers authorised by the Kings of Spain it will not be unproper I should here relate the manner thereof It is to be understood then that the Kings of Portugal the first European Traders into these parts in all their Navigations and Discoveries ever added the benefit of Commerce towards the supportation of the expences of their Conquests and having here built for conveniency of Trade and protection of their Merchants and Subjects many Fortresses and Castles they ever so settled them that the commodiousness of the Haven Port or Harbour joyned to the native Commodities of the place might add means and fair inducements to make by Traffick their conquests profitable This Coast then being found to abound with Pepper a principal Commodity then requested in Europe designed it to be converted to his peculiar profit by all the provident ways of a circumspect Merchant Chi crâ—po abrazia poca stringe but Princes that will imbrace all sometimes grasp but a little for the same could not be so profitably contrived considering the distance of way length of time and trust to be committed to Factors Captains of Forts and others but he found himself to come far short of his expectation in this point whereupon he was advised to let out the same to Farm and contracted it at certain conditions to certain great and eminent Merchants who should stand in his place strongly and
amply priviledged and should enjoy a part of the gains for themselves and yet bring the greatest crop of their labours into his coffers hereupon it was first let out for five years the Farmers and Contracters binding themselves to send such a stock to India in ready money as would extend for 30 thousand Quintals of Pepper yearly conceived to be in those days as much as all Europe could annually vend in that Commodity but then the King was bound to send his Ships to India to lade the same in number five Ships of sufficient burthen yearly the Farmers bearing the adventure both of their moneys outward and of the said Pepper homeward lading it in India into the said Ships at their own costs and charges all which brought into Portugal they were to deliver to the King at the price of 12 Ducats per Quintal and what was either cast away lost or taken was to be born by the Farmers the King paying for no more than what was thus fairly laid on land into his store-house at Lisbon neither yet paid he ready money for the same but paid them with their own money when the Pepper was sold so that the King without disbursement or hazard had and hath a certain great gain without the loss of a penny in consideration whereof the Farmers have many great and strong Immunities and Priviledges as first that no man upon pain of death of what estate or condition soever he be may any ways deal or Trade in Pepper but themselves which is still strictly observed Secondly that they may not upon any occasion or necessity whatsoever diminish or lessen the said ordinary stock of money nor the King his said stint of shipping neither hinder not lett them in any sort concerning the lading thereof which is also strictly looked into for though the Pepper were for the King 's own Person or proper account yet must the Farmer 's Pepper be first laden Thirdly that the Viceroy and all other the Officers and Captains in India shall give them all assistance help and favour with safe keeping guarding and watching the same with all other needful offices as shall be by them required for the safety and benefit of the said Pepper The Ships of Pepper depart from Cochin about the months of December and January Fourthly that for the lading and providing thereof the said Farmers may send their Factors into India with their servants and assistants of what Nation soever they be English French and Spaniards only excepted and that unto every place to see the same laden and dispatched away and in later times it is observed that they have also farmed of the King the Ships and their fraightment with large conditions to build them and make the provision of all necessaries for them and all at their own adventures and if the Ship come safe home they give the King in lieu of licence a certain sum of money for every Ship and annually do furnish these five Ships at their own charges but for such Souldiers as are appointed to go in them they are bound to fail for the King and at his charge and have but only their meat and drink at the Farmers charges the Officers and Sailers being placed therein by the King's Admirality which the Farmers may not once deny or refuse so that the King adventureth nothing neither in Pepper nor in Ships but only if the Ships be cast away he loseth the Money that he should have and otherwise gain by the Farm of every Ship if it had returned safe and the profit of the Pepper that should have been delivered him at a certain price which is the cause now that the King doth not send out his Fleets to meet and wast them from the Flemish Islands as for long time he was accustomed to do and the King is found so nearly to look to this Farm that he will not abate the Farmers a penny how great soever their losses happen otherwise to be And thus much shall serve for Goa and the Trade of Portugal in India now in the next place I will come to the Coast of Chormandel CHAP. XCIII Of Musulipatan and the Trade thereof with the Coast of Chormandel Musulipatan and the Trade of the Coast Chormandel THE Coast of Chormandel beginnneth from the Cape Negapatan to the Town of Musulipatan between which said places is found a place called St. Thomas where the Apostle Thomas is said to have preached salvation to these Nations and whose Tomb is had still in great reverence to this day among the Native Christians of this Countrey besides which is found the Towns of Petipoli and Armagon where the English of late have setled Factories that have dependency on the Factory of Musulipatan under which therefore I will include the Trade of this Coast Musulipatan by reason of the commodious situation is the most eminent place of Trade of this Coast where the English have to that purpose planted a Factory both for providing and lading hence the Commodities of this Countrey this place is seated on the same Coast or rather Istmus as Goa is with the Cities before-mentioned which are seated to the Eastward as the Coast of Malabar is to the Westward the pleasantness of the adjoyning River running down from Bisnagar the Metropolis of this Countrey and the goodness of the Haven with the wholesomness of the Soil and the temperancy of the Air adds much to the excellency of it in matter of Trade and concurrency of Merchants to which if we add the industry of the Inhabitants and the fruitfulness of the Countrey bearing many Commodities naturally it is not to be reckoned as the least or the worst part of Trading in India Commodities of the Coast of Chormandel From this place and Coast then is found a great Trade to be driven into Bengala Pegu Siam Malacca and to India and the principal Commodities that this City is noted to be famous for are those excellent fine Cotton Linnens made here in in great abundance and of all colours and interwoven with divers sorts of Loom-works and Flowers very fine and cunningly wrought and therefore much worn in India and better esteemed there than Silk as indeed being both found finer and richer and used by the greatest women in those parts for their clothing wherein is found interlaced oftentimes threds of Silver and Gold and divers others rare fabricks of Cotton c. Coins current in Musilapatan and Coast of Chormandel The current usual Coins in Musulipatan Armagon Petiboli St. Thomas and all alongst the Coast is the Pagode of Gold and the Mahomody and Fanan of Silver and are thus valued A Pagode is worth 15 Fanans or in English 8 s. sterling A Fanan is 9 Cashees or as some call them Cupans about 6¾ d. sterling A Mamody is 32 Pices or as in some places they are called Docres A Rial of ◠Spanish is here 5 Mamodies or 9 Fanans or 5 s. And 10 Rials ◠is
of some of the late Kings of England to their own Subjects for their incouragement in Trade and their general inclinations thereto so they in themselves have been chiefly wanting to themselves and have suffered a loss to fall insensibly upon them that hath been the greatest Ruin of their Traffick comprised within Mystery the of these their new Imposts and the decay of the Shipping and Navigators which that Prince must ever carefully avoid that would have his Country and Subjects thrive thereby and having now lost all their Trade to all other places the Dominions of the Great Turk only excepted their Ships and Gallies are decayed and their Mariners fled from them some sparks are seen yet to remain but the great Fire of their mighty Traffick being extinguished it will not be needful for me to rake the Ashes and observe further that little Coal that is yet resting unconsumed amongst them CHAP. CLIX. Of Florence and the Cities of that Kingdom Florence and the Provinces thereof THE Dukedom of Florence containeth the greater part of Tuscany and now may be said to be comprehended under the Signiory of the Great Duke with the Republick of Pisa and Siena the principal marine Port whereof is Leghorn which may be accounted the best and one of the greatest Towns of Trade in all the Mediterranean Seas not only thus continued and preserved by the Industry of the Inhabitants alone but of other Nations which by reason of the great Immunities and Privileges of this place and the freedom given to Strangers and Merchants and principally because all sorts of Merchandize may be here landed free of all Customs Duties and Imposts this Scale is grown to that height that it is famous throughout all the Mediterranean and Ocean Seas In this Republick I find only four Cities of Consequence that challenge in matter of Commerce my Observation which is Florence it self the principal City of this Dukedom next Siena then Pisa and lastly the above mentioned Town of Leghorn Commodities of Tuscany These Countries afford for Merchandize some Marble Rice Wines Oils quantity of Silks both raw and wrought in Stuffs famous for their Fabricks throughout Europe as Satins Taffaties Velvets Grograms Plushes and the like called commonly of Florence From England is here vended Pepper Cloves Maces Indico Callicoes as being East-India Commodities and Lead Tin Clothâ— Bays Serges Perpetuanos as Native and the English also bring hither Herrings white and red pickled Salmon Newland Fish Pilchards Calves-Skins and many other Commodities The Duke of Florence a great Merchant The Duke of Florence hath ever been found to be a great lover of Merchants and Merchandizing and is conceived to be at this day the greatest Merchant in Europe forgetting not that his Ancestors did raise themselves by Traffick to the greatness and height he now doth hold and to this end is found in Leghorn a Stock properly running in Trade for his Account which is imployed in Traffick as occasion of Profit upon Merchandize doth present it self The Estate of the Great Duke of Tuscany and the Trade thereof Cosmi the Second was the first Duke of Florence that had the Title of Great Duke of Tuscaâ—y conferred upon him being crowned in the Court of Rome with that Title given to him and his Heirs for ever by Pope Pius the Fifth in the year 1570. Since which the Great Dukes Successors have desired of succeeding Popes the Title of King but it hath been always obstructed by the Kings of Spain who would indure no King in Italy but himself and refused by the Pope as too Lordly a Title This Duke and his Predecessors have ever been found to be great Lovers of Merchants and Merchandizing knowing that his Predecessors raised themselves by Traffick to the greatness he now doth hold His Territories are separated on the East from the Lands of the Church by the River Pisco on the West from the Commonwealth of Genoa by the River Macra on the North from Romandiola and Marca Anconitano by the Appenine Hills are bounded on the South by the Tyrrhenian Sea being about 260 Miles in length and in some places as much in breadth The Country between Florence and Leghorn being about fifty Miles is full of spacious Fields and fruitful Valleys here and there a pleasant Mountain equalizing them for fertility abundantly furnished with all sorts of delicious Wines and beautified with many delicate Cities and Towns and in a word plentifully stored with all the Benedictions of Nature The Inhabitants profess the Reman Catholick Religion and are governed by the Civil Law The Great Dukeâ— Dominions may be fitly divided into four Parts viz. The Cities and Territories first of Florence 2. Pisa 3. Siena 4. and lastly the Islands situated in the Tyrrhenian Sea The Estate of Florence taketh up the North Part of the Great Duke's Dominions being bounded on the South by the Territories of Pisa and Siena and on the North with the Appenine Hills so called from Florence the principal City for Beauty and Trade within this Territory Nicholas Machiavel that unhappy Man was once Secretary to the Duke of Florence who but for publishing that which was frequently practised by Princes hath intailed an edium upon his Name for ought any knows to all Posterity But to our Business next to be handled which is the Description and Trade of Florence CHAP. CLX Of Florence and the Trade thereof Florence and the Trade thereof THE City of Florence is seated near the confluence of the two Rivers Arne and Chian and is a very fair City and abounding with publick and private Buildings of great Beauty and therefore by some supposed to be called Florentia à situ Florenti it is in compass six Miles and is the Residence of the Duke who here hath a sumptuous Palace the greatest part of the Trade thereof doth consist in Fabricks of Silks that here are made and are hence properly call'd and in the Exchanges here are used and practised by Bankers for all Parts of Europe the Inhabitants having lost the honour of Merchandizing which anciently they had when eminent Factors from hence were sent into Flanders and England and to other Countries to reside who managed a very great Trade now totally decayed What I have found from others or observed my self 1619. when I was here I shall set down for the present occurrences of the place Accounts in Florence The Merchants do here keep their Accounts in Livres Sold and Deniers 12 Deniers making a Sol and 20 Sol a Livre and others again in Crowns Sol and Deniers of Gold of Livres 7½ per Crown accounting 12 Deniers to a Sol and 20 Sol to a Crown but all their Commodities are sold by Lavres Sold and Deniers of their Moneys and to reduce Livres into Crowns multiplied by 2 and divided by 15 because 15 half Livres make a Crown and to reduce the said Livres into Ducats 1 7 is to be taken Coins current in
These are only worth the mentioning as to our business of Trade CHAP. CXLIV Of the Dukedom of Millan Dukedom of Millan THE Dukedom of Millan being under the command of the Spaniard is rich in Natures gifts as esteemed the Garden of Italy affording plenty of Corn Rice Wines Oils Silks Raw and Wrought and sundry other Commodities it hath therein also many fair Cities the principal whereof are First Millan the principal of the whole Dutchy Secondly Pavia Thirdly Alexandria de la Pallia Fourthly Cremona And fifthly Como of as many of which as is needful I shall touch the particulars CHAP. CXLV Of Millan and the Trade thereof Millan and the Trade thereof MIllan is a fair City and the greatest of Lombardy the Castle whereof is accounted impregnable it is very populous and contains seven Miles in Circuit it is furnished in matter of Trade with many great Merchants or rather as I may more properly call them Shop-keepers abounding in many rich Manufactures of Silks and Iron for Sword-blades for Cannons Muskets and Pistols c. as Silk-Stockings Chamlet Fustians Gold-Thread and sundry other Commodities here dispersed into Savoy France and other adjoyning Countries Accompts in Millan Their Accompts are kept in Millan by Pounds Shillings and Pence Or as they call them Livres Sol and Deniers 12 Deniers make a Sol and 20 Sols a Livre which Livre may be sterl 12 pence as I shall shew in the Tract of Exchanges in 280 and 410 Chapters Coins in Millan The Coins Current in Millan are these A Ducate of Gold of Millan is incirca 100 Sol of that Money A Crown of Gold of the Sun is worth about 96 or 98 Sol. A Crown of Gold Italian is 5 Livres and 6 Sol Imperial A Ducate of Gold of Livres 5 and 18 Sol is Livres 6 Imperial A Ducace Imperial is esteemed 4 Livres A Ducate of Millan or Imperial of Livres 4 per Duc. and so they count it in Exchange the which they pay in Crowns of Italy at 101 Sol per Duc. Note that the Crown in Millan runs in Merchandise for Sol 110 and the Ducate for the same Note also that the Imperial Coins are the current of this Country but French Italian and Spanish pass here also in Merchandise as being placed between the two former and subject to the last Weights in Millan The Weight of Millan is the Pound and the 100 l. which is the Quintal which 100 l. is In Venetia sotile 108 l. Venetia gross 66  Florentia 97  Genoua 106  Lions 69  London 70  Measures of Millan In Millan they have two Braces the Cloth and the Silk upon the 100 Braces Silk hath been made these Observations and to have made In London 43 Ells. Antwerp 72  Frankfort 90  Dantzick 60  Vienna 63  Lions 44 Aulns Paris 41  Genoua 207 Palm Rouen 37 Auln Lisbon 43 Var. Sevil 58  Madera 44  Venetia 78 Brac. Lucques 86  Florence 88  Exchanges of Millan Which I refer to the experience of him that shall have occasion to make trial herein farther and so I will proceed to Cremona as for the Exchanges here practised I refer you to the general Chapter thereof in the end of this Tract viz. 280 and 410 Chapters CHAP. CLXVI Of Cremona and the Trade thereof Cremona and the Trade thereof CRemona is the second City of Trade in this Dutchy which endeavoureth by the Industry of the Inhabitants to imitate and second Millan in her Manufactures of Silk Gold-Thread c. Weights Their common Weight is the Pound and the 100 l. which hath by tryal been found to make in Venctia Sotile 104 l. and by the Gross of Venetia 65 in 66 l. in Florence 86 l. Measures Their Measure is the Brace agreeing the same as that of Florence Oil is sold by the Carigas 18 thereof is 1000 l. Venetia in Oil Carrigas 15 are accounted for a 1000 l. of Cheese in Venetia Carigas 11 are accounted of Honey 8¼ Staios of Venetia CHAP. CLXVII Of Como and the Trade thereof Como and the Trade thereof COmo is made more famous by the Lake whereon it is seated being 50 Miles about than by the Trade thereof though it may well be imagined the same doth add a good furtherance thereto by the benefit and commodity thereof and by Transporting Wares to Neighbouring places seated thereabout Weights The Weight thereof is the Pound and 100 l. which hath been observed to produce in Venice Suttle 108 and Gross 67 l. which in London is 72 l. Averdupois or thereabout Measures Their Measure is a Brace accounted to be Corn is sold by the Mosa which are here 14 Pesos and every Peso is 10 l. at â—0 oun per l. which in Venetia is 378 l. Suttle which is 305 l. Gross so that the said 14 Pesos is in Venetia 1â…› Staios And thus have I done with the Dutchy of Millan and proceed to Mantua and the Dukedom CHAP. CLXVIII Of Mantua and the Trade thereof Mantua and the Trade thereof MAntua hath some other Cities of quality subject thereto but being debarred from the Sea and environed with potent Neighbours that hinder the Commerce thereof I will therefore reduce what I have collected more-worthy to the City of Mantua it self which is a very fair and strong Town environed on three parts with a Lake of good breadth and with a strong Wall on the rest through this Lake runneth a River that leadeth into the Po which is a famous stream in these parts and much enricheth this Country and furthers the Trade of this Dutchy Commodities of Mantua The chief Commodities of this Dukedom are certain Fabricks of Silks such as are Taffetaes Sattins Camlets watered and the like Accompts in Mantua Their Accompts are kept in Livres Sols and Deniers 12 Deniers make a Sol and 20 Sols a Livre 5 of which Livres make a Ducate of Gold large 9. 12 Sol making a Ducatoon of Mantua or 115 Sols of Millan which is accounted Sterl Weights in Mantua They weigh in Mantua by a Peso and by the 1000 l. 25 l. being the Peso and 100 l. the Quintal which hath made in Venice Suttle 108 l. and Venice Gross 66â…” l. in Florence 98 l. and in London by Observation of some 71 l. Averdupois Measures in Mantua Their Measure of length is the Brace which doth agree with the Cloth brace of Venice within a small matter Corn is sold by the Staio 100 whereof are in Venetia 40 Staios and 1 Staios weighs about 80 l. of Mantua weight Aste a Fair. In this Dukedom is also Aste where is yearly kept a great and notable Fair for many sorts of Merchandise where many Immunities are granted to Merchants during the time that the said Fair doth continue and is held in the beginning of September and thus much I have observed of this Dutchy
competent amends and their Merchandize being altogether gross cannot give them therefore the attribute of Eminent Merchants CHAP. CCXXXIV Of Hungary and the principal Cities thereof Hungary and the Cities thereof HUngary is bounded on the East with Transilvania and Valachia on the West with Austria on the North with Poland on the South with Sclavonia c. This Kingdom now stands divided between the Grand Seignior and the Hungarians Buda the Great Turk enjoys Buda seated on Danubius once the Metropolis of this Kingdom and Court of the Kings also Guilia Pest Alba Regalis called by them Wesenberg next quinque Ecclesiae Rab and others of lesser note In the Hungarians possessions are these principal Cities Presberg Presberg the present Metropolis of this Country 2. Strigonium 3. Agraria 4. Comara in an Island of that name 5. Tertax 6. Cimista 7. Segith before which Solyman the Great Turk ended his days and some others of lesser consequence Commodities of Hungary This Country doth much abound in Cattel sufficient to feed all Germany the Store is so great that they yearly sell to their Neighbours 80 or 100 Thousand Oxen they have also some Copper and Tin some quantity of Corn Honey Wax and such like Commodities and from hence to Constantinople I have seen Hides Butter and Cheese that in great abundance have come out of these parts through the Black-Sea Further matter of Trade hath not remarkably faln into my hands therefore for the current Coins of this Country with their Weights and Measures in use I must refer to the better experienced and hence travel to Dacia and the rest of those Provinces comprehended within that circuit CHAP. CCXXXV Of Dacia and the Provinces and Cities thereof Dacia and the Cities thereof DAcia is bounded on the East with the Euxine on the West with Hungary on the North with the Carpathian Mountains on the South with Hemus dividing it from Greece The Rivers that inrich this Country are Danubius 2 Alata 3. Salvata 4. Cockle 5. Morâ—… and some others Commodities of Dacia The Commodities that this Country affordeth for Merchandize is Butter Cheese Honey Wax Hides Oxen Tallow and Warlike Horses of great worth The Provinces are these and are all under the command of the Grand Seignior Transilvania 1. Transilvania the chief Towns thereof are 1 Wisenberg 2. Clasenberg 3. Bristitia 4. Fogarâ—… and others and now in possession of Bethlem Gabar the Vaivode thereof Moldavia 2. Moldavia is the next the chief Cities are Saccania the second is Falsing 3. Kilim 4. Chermon c. under a Vavoide who is Tributary to the Great Turk Valachia 3. Valachia is the third Province the principal Towns whereof are 1. Salnium 2. Pracklabs 3. Tergovista the Vavoides Seat who is Tributary to the Turk This Country abounds in Mines of Gold Silver Salt-pits Wines Cattle and Brimstone and esteemed the richest of these Provinces Servia 4. Servia is the fourth and hath these Cities 1. Stoneburg the Seat of the Despot Tributary to the Turk 2. Samandria 3. Belgrade a famous Town which cost the Great Turk much Blood and Money the getting and was accounted before the Bulwark of Christendom on this side Rasia 5. Rasia is the fifth the chief City is Bodin a famous Mart. Bulgaria Bulgaria is the next wherein is found Sophia the Seat of the Beglerbeg of Greece who hath under him 21 Sansacks Next is Nicopolis and some others of lesser note Bosna Bosna is the last Province wherein is Casachium and Jasiga the residence of their former Despots All which afford not further matter of Trade for where the Great Turk once commandeth Traffick is accounted very rare and is seldom found of import and being ignorant in that little there is I am constrained to omit it CHAP. CCXXXVI Of Sclavonia and the Provinces and Cities thereof Sclavionia SClavonia hath on the East the River of Drinus and a line drawn from thence to the Sea on the VVest part of Italy on the North Hungary and on the South the Adriatick Sea Commodities The Commodities that this Country doth afford for Merchandize are Horses for Service Cattel Oxon Hides Tallow Butter and Cheese and hath some Mines of Silver and Gold now in the Great Turk's possession The Provinces and Cities of note in Sclavonia are these Illyria Illyria now by the Turks called Windismark hath in it Zatha seated upon Danâ—… 2 Zackaoes 3. Windisgreets and others Dalmatia Dalmatia is the second Province the chief City is Ragusa situated on the Adriatick Sea formerly a Town of great Traffick and Riches and now tributary to the Turk next is Sciâ—… 3. Zara both seated on the Sea-shore and subject to the Venetians 4. Spalatta a Sea-Town from whence to Venice that State keepeth many Gallies for transportation of Merchant Goods and by reason of an unreasonable Fraight by them taken they stand to the hazard and adventures thereof which they did to their Cost in Anno 1619. my self being in Nayle when as the Duke d' Ossuna then Vice-King took two of these their Galley grosses laden with a rich Booty as was reported to the import of 300000 Crowns which the State of Venice were enforced to make good principally to Merchants Turks of Constantinople to whom the greatest part thereof did at that time appertain and who are found at this day to be the greatest Traders this way The next Town is Scodra famous for the Resistance it made against the Turks and last Lissa famous here for the Sepulchre of Scanderbeg whose Bones were digged up and worn by the Turks at the taking of this City as conceiving them to be of excellent Vertue to make them partake of his good Fortunes This Province being now divided between the Venetians and the Turk Croatia Croatia is the next the chief Towns are Cardisca seated on the River Savus 2. Brumon 3. Nivograde 4. Sisgith and lastly Petrovia this Country is now subject in part to the Venetians and in part to the Austrians of the Trade of the most principal of this in brief and first of Ragusa and Spallatta CHAP. CCXXXVII Of Rhagusa and Spallatta and the Trade thereof THE Trade of Sclavonia is at this day but of small Account and little to our Mation the two Cities of Spalatta and Rhagusa seated therein merit the principal consideration Rhagusa and the Trade thereof Rhagusa then formerly called Epidaurus being situated on the Adriatick Sea a Common-wealth of great Traffick and Riches was in times past of far greater Fame and Name both in Trade and Navigation than now it is for from hence was the Original of those great Ships here built and in old times famous as then vulgarly called Argoses properly * Rhaguses Rhaguses the last which they were noted to have they lent Philip the Second King of Spain in 1588 to invade England and hath her burial in our British Seas and may
here properly in the general said to be of two distinct kinds the one as appertaining to the State and Prince and belonging to the Profit and Loss of the Kingdom and the other to the Merchant or Exchanger and appertaining to the Profit and Loss of his private Estate and Interest The first I hold proper and fit the knowledge of Counsellors and Statesmen and the other is proper and fit the knowledge of the Trading-Merchant the finding out of both which Pars in Exchanges is thus 1. Princes Par. The first Par in Exchanges which I term here the Prince's Par or the Sovereign's Value for Value is grounded upon the weight fineness and valuation of the Moneys of each several Kingdom City or Place the several Standards thereof so equally proportioned so truly and justly by the Art of the Mint rectified that each Prince his Coin in Exchanges may have its due allowance according to the goodness and fineness coarsness and badness thereof and therefore herein to make and to settle this above-named Par exactly betwixt one Kingdom and another we are to examine and compare not only the weight and fineness of our own Coins as they are in themselves but also the weight and fineness of those of other Princes and Countries with the real proportion that happeneth therein not only between our own Gold and Silver but also between the Gold and Silver of other Countries This examination comparison and proportion duly rightly and really examined compared and proportioned and no difference inequality or disproportion found or admitted therein then may our Exchanges run at one and the same Price and Rate both for Gold and Silver taking the denomination according to the valuation of the Money of each Country and Kingdom hereby finding how much fine Silver or Gold our own Pound sterling containeth and what quantity of other Moneys either of France Italy Germany Netherlands Eastland c. this Kingdom is to have in Exchange to countervail the same in the weight and fineness answerable to our own be it by the Pound Dollar Ducat Crown or any other real or imaginary Coin giving always a Value for Value and receiving the like which by reason of the great Consequence depending thereon I here call the Prince his Par in the Exchanges of his Moneys by Bills of Exchange with other Countries and Kingdoms 2. Merchants Par. The second Par I call the Merchants or Exchangers Par in Bills of Exchange and is grounded partly upon the Sovereign or Prince's Par above-mentioned but principally upon the current value of the said Coins the plenty and scarcity thereof the rising and falling inhansement and debasement of the same and therefore such Merchants as are Exchangers do endeavour by certain Rules of Exchanges to equalize the valuation of the Moneys of one Prince or Country with another And therefore every Man that delivereth his Money in one Country or Place to have it in another is and ought to be ever curious to understand either the Loss or Gain that cometh thereof which is only and properly distinguished by the knowledge and finding out this Par afore-mentioned For finding out of which it is requisite for him that remitteth to know either by his own Advice Judgment or otherwise how much the Crown Dollar Ducat or Pound whence he remitteth is worth in the place whither he would make his remittance unto As for Example having Money in Lions in France which I would remit for Antwerp I ought to know how much the Crown of France is really worth in Antwerp as presuppose that the Crown of France of 67 Sols or 3 l. 7 Sols Turnâ—… is worth by Exchange according to the course thereof 100 Grosses there I would then know what a real Crown of 60 Sols or 3 l. Turnois the Crown wherein Exchanges are made is worth multiplying and dividing as the Rule requireth it it will appear to be Sols 89 â—… 67 Gross which is indeed the true value of the Crown if then the Bill of Exchange be made for less than 89 â—… 67 Gross per Crown of 3 l. Turnois there is a loss thereby and if for more there is a Gain thereby so that it is hereby evident that 89 â—7 67 Gross is the Par in Exchanges between these two Countries in the Crown of France and in the Gross of Antwerp the which Rule may serve as an Example in Remittances for all other places for it is not otherwise to be imagined that any positive Rule can be set down herein considering the diversity of species which as I said before daily riseth and falleth and the Price of the Exchanges which every day according to presenting occasions likewise altereth found to be sometimes at one Rate and sometimes at another And this Par is the matter whereupon all Merchants Exchanges for Profit and Loss is grounded and is the Par or Value for Value which in this following Tract I principally and fundamentally aim at Now the last thing considerable in this place and now to be observed is the method form and manner how the Accounts of these divers Exchanges from one Country to another is between one Merchant and another cast up and calculated which indeed principally is the work of the Pen and Hand of the Aâ—ithmetician which as a necessary adjunct and needful furtherance to the mystery of Exchanging I have hereto inserted and have herein pitched upon the principal places here mentioned willingly omitted the least and rest of them having fitted to such as I have conceived the most worthy apt Questions and their Solutions from one Town or City to another with the denomination of their several Accounts and Species the manner of the brief calculations thereof and the short proof of each prescribed Rule and Position adding for conclusion to each general City of Exchanges some Examples of Orders and Commissions given and received in Draughts and Remittances made according to the common Custom and use of the place omitting some other principal Points wherein I might have enlarged both this Matter and Subject that the ingedious Head and Hand of the Learner may have room and scope to work upon according either to his Desire Capacity or Inclination CHAP CCCIII. Of Examples upon the Exchanges practised at Lions and how the the same are calculated Examples upon Exchanges in Lions I Have formerly noted that the payments of Bills of Exchanges at Lions is only in use four times a year which are first 1. The payment of Roys beginneth the 6th of March after their Stile and continueth the rest of that Month. 2. The payments of Pasques or Easter the 6th of June 4. The payments of August the 6th of September 4. The payments of All-Saints the 6th of December The Custom of acceptation of Bills of Exchange in Lions The Acceptance of all Bills of Exchange here is always made the first day of the Month of each payment which Acceptances hold in themselves both a promise and
Commodities for the ingenious Merchant found it still defective and therefore to have it yet more perfect invented the Art of Concave Measures that should serve as well for dry as for liquid Commodities as it is seen practised at this day for Grain Rice and such like commodities and for Oyls Wines Waters Liquors and such like commodities setting by this way by Art and Invention in most of these commodities a concordance of Measure with Weight as in other commodities was set a Concordance of Weight with Measure but for as much as this knowledge in the general is of it self too capacious and large to be particularly handled as the subject requireth I have been therefore constrained to confine my self to Measures of length only as being the most necessary part of this MAP of COMMERCE yet so as I have not omitted the rest where they have fallen within the compass of my observation and if I have therein been found defective the vastness of the Subject may plead my excuse All Measures to the Merchants must be as one Measure He then that intendeth by way of Traffick to make use of this Tract must as well be skill'd in Measures as I have observed as he ought to be in Weights for he must not only readily know his own Measure as it stands and is found to be in it self in use but also the Measure of that place whereto he bendeth his Trade and Negotiation allowing or deducting by Addition or Substraction where the overplus or want doth challenge a part to make a due proportion of both and be so well versed therein as that all Measures may be to him as one Measure by a true calculation of the length or the shortness thereof All Cities of Trade have sworn and publick Measurers Again It is found by the observation of the Merchants that in all Countries and well-governed Cities there is for the reiglement of things measurable instituted a publick Measurer Authorized by the Sovereign Magistrate who is sworn to decide all Controversies that happen in and about the Art of measuring to whose honesty and faith is intrusted this publick measure and to which all Merchants and Traders may in time of need and difference repair and have recourse unto and by which in many places it is seen that Princes do receive their duty of Customs upon Commodities measurable and by this common known and received publick measure I have made my Observation in all places and as near as I could not only rectified the same in the Agreement thereof with other neighbouring Places and Countreys but also with our own use in England and therefore to conclude this Point I have here inserted the Form of an Instrument easie to be made and purposely invented to accord the Measures of any two known Places or Countreys whether they be Ells Vares Yards Canes or any other Measure whatsoever An Instrument to find out the agreement of Measures in any two Cities First then Learn the order and custom of Measuring of all those sorts of Commodities in both Places which you would inquire after then prepare a smooth streight Board Plate or such like and draw upon the same a straight line of the length of the Measure in one of the Places with his allowance of Measuring either an Inch or Shaftnet or such like which for Example I will demonstrate in this Figure AB First then Divide the line AB into four equal parts which is CDE and divide the quarter of AC into 250 equal parts and number them from 10 to 10 upwards making the Print C the 750 part for the number of parts contained in the other three empty quarters Then mark upon the line AB the length of the Measure of the other Place with his allowance which is for Example from B to F being just in the 900 parts therefore 900 of those Measures in the first Place make just 1000 of those Measures in the other Place but if the Measure of the other Place be longer than the Measure of the first place as for Example If it were from B to G then take the distance of AG with a Compass and set one foot in C and extend the other towards A which for Example doth come to rest in F being 150 parts from C therefore then 1150 Measures of the one place makes just 1000 of the other by which you may calculate to a lesser proportion and this is as much as I conceive needful to insert concerning the knowledg of Measures in general and proceed to the next which is the knowledg in general of Commodities used by the way of Merchandizing CHAP. IX Of Commodities in general used by the way of Merchandize and of the knowledg thereof Commodities in general used in Merchandizing and the knowledg thereof HAving spoken of Cities of Trade in general as they are distinguished in these days and of the Customs more or less that are imposed by Princes in all Cities where Trade is practis'd upon all Commodities used as Merchandize by such as negotiate and use Traffick and of the Moneys and current Coins whereby this Trade is driven with the Weights and Measures whereby the same is distinguished and regulated the next thing to be handled in order is the Commodities and Wares themselves wherewith this Commerce is maintained and practised in every City and Countrey comprised in this MAP which is the proper thing upon which the said Duties are paid and for which the said Moneys are seen to be given in Exchange by the way of buying and selling All Commodities are either natural or artificial All Commodities then that are used as Merchandizes by Traders and Merchants may properly be distinguished into two kinds and are either Natural or Artificial Commodities Natural commodities Natural Commodities I call such as the Earth or Creatures either with or without the labour and Industry of man doth doth naturally produce of themselves of which kinds are Wines Oyls Cottons Wools Fruit Grain raw Silk Spices Drugs Gems Gold Silver and the like Artificial commodities Artificial Commodities I call such as are either wrought or perfected by Art or Mystery of which kind are all Fabricks of either Woollen Linnen Silk and also the Commodities of all Manual Crafts this day seen practised through the World in sundry Countreys within the compass of which two sorts may all Wares and all things used as Commodities be comprised Again both the Natural and Artificial Commodities may be distinguished into two other sorts and kinds which are either such as are staple and lasting Commodities or impairing and decaying Commodities Staple commodities The staple and lasting Commodities I call such as indure at all times and continue for ever in their true estate and first condition of goodness never decaying nor never losing their vertue and quality and of this kind are Gems Gold Silve Copper Brass Lead Iron Steel and the like Decaying commodities The impairing and
of species wherein Merchants are observed to keep their Accompts in all the said places with the weights and measures there extant and in use and lastly the manner how the Par and Prices of all Exchanges in the said places are settled ordered continued and maintained I will now proceed to the particulars thereof making my entrance into AMERICA as furthest from us and as least known to us and first survey the Trade thereof according to my proposed Method in this universal MAP of COMMERCE And from thence coasting through Africa Asia and Europe conclude my Pilgrimage and finish my MAP in the desired Port of the City of London OF AMERICA AND THE PROVINCES THEREOF CHAP. XI America and the Provinces thereof THIS Body then contained in this Universal Map or as now I may term it this World is by Geographers divided as I said before into four parts Europe Africa Asia and America which last was altogether unknown to the Ancients and being of a large extent the Modern have divided it some into two some into three parts Mexicana Peruana Magellicana and each of these parts are found to contain several Provinces and Kingdoms which I will only superficially look over thereby the better to come to the Towns of Traffique situated in those Provinces and Kingdoms which my method and present intentions will enforce me the longer to insist upon and because this last mentioned part America as last discovered is least known unto us and the least frequented by our Nation I think it not improper there to begin to delineate my MAP of COMMERCE borrowing herein the liberty of those Navigators that publish their Cards leaving imperfect to the view of all men those Places Lands and Harbours which have not been fully discovered and found out and thence sailing homewards by Africa and Asia into Europe gathering in each Countrey as I pass more variety of colours to adorn and beautisie this Treatise and so at last to close my whole Labours and finish my MAP within the circumserence of London as better known unto us and as being better versed in their several manners of Negotiation This new World then called by us America and now a-days passing by the name of the West-Indies being West in respect of its Situation and India in respect of its wealth was at first discovered by Christopher Columbus a Genoese at the charges of Ferdinando and Isabella King and Queen of Castilia after 63 days sail from Sevil. Then secondly by Americus Vesputius a Florentine at the charges of Emmanuel King of Portugal And thirdly by John Cabot a Venetian at the charges of Henry the seventh King of England the first and last had their Adventures of discovering some Islands only in this part and Americus of the Main Continent and thereby gained the honour of giving name to that vast circuit of Earth which since by sundry others have been more exactly discovered as by our Countrey-men Drake Candish Frobisher Davies Willouby Burrows and others as desiring to share with the first discoverers in the riches and wealth which thence spread it self over all the other parts of the World This America then or more properly in honour of the first discoverer Columba bounded as I mentioned before is found by the Spaniard who challengeth all this large Territory for their own by Conquest to be divided into two parts Mexicana and Peruana of which briefly CHAP. XII Of MEXICANA and the Provinces thereof Mexicana and the Provinces thereof MExicana containeth the Northern Tract of America and comprehendeth these distinct Provinces 1 Mexico 2 Quivira 3 Nicaragua 4 Jucutan 5 Florida 6 Virginia and New-England 7 Nurembega 8 Nova Francia 9 Corterialis 10 Estotilandia Mexico Mexico giveth name to half America now known by the name of Nova Hispania whence the Kings of Spain style themselves Hispaniarum Reges it was very populous before the arrival of the Spaniards who in 17 years slew six millions of the Inhabitants rosting some cutting off the Members and putting out the eyes of others and casting them living to be devoured of wild Beasts to which place now is found no Trade nor Commerce by any Nation save only to the Subjects of this King and to such only as are known for natural-born Spaniards though at first the same was granted by Isabella to the natives of Castile only and Andalusia but now indifferently to all Commodities of Mexico The Commodities that this Countrey is found to afford for Merchandize are principally Gold and Silver Mines Sugar Tobacco Ginger Tallow Hides and some Spices not known to our Ancestors till the discovery thereof Metle an admirable Tree and amongst others not to be forgotten that admirable Tree called Metle which by them is planted and dressed as we do our Vines having 40 kinds of leaves serving to several uses for when they are tender they make of them Conserves Paper Flax Mantles Mats Shooes Girdles and Cordage on these leaves grow certain hard prickles so strong and sharp that they use them instead of Saws from the root of this Tree cometh a juyce like unto Syrup which being sod becometh Honey if purified becometh Sugar or otherwise thereof is made both Wine and Vinegar the rind rosted healeth hurts and sores and from the top-boughs issueth a Gum which is an excellent Antidote against Poyson This Countrey is divided into four divisions St. Michael The first is Nova Galicia the chief Town thereof is called Saint Michael a Colony of the Spaniards Sinsonso The second is Mechuacan one of the best Countreys of New-Spain abounding in Mulberry-Trees Silk Honey Wax and store of Fish of all kinds the principal Town is Sinsonso and the chief Havens are at Saint Anthonies and at Saint James or as the Spaniards call it Saint Jago Ilascalan The third Province is Gustacan the chief City is Ilascalan yielding for beauty and state precedency to Mexico and none other in all these parts the principal part is Villarico a wealthy Town as the place through which all the Traffique of old and new Spain doth pass City of Mexico The fourth is Mexico wherein that famous City of Mexico is seated now the Seat of the Spanish Vice-Roy and Archbishop of New-Spain this City is said to be situated in a Lake upon certain Islands as Venice doth every where interlaced with the pleasant currents of fresh and Sea-waters and carrieth a face of more civil Government than any other in America though nothing if compared with any in Europe the Lake is said to be 50 miles in compass on whose banks are found many pleasant Towns and Houses also it is said that fifty thousand Wherries are seen here continually plying and afford such quantity of Fish that the same is worth 20000 Crowns yearly The City of Mexico it self is six miles in compass containing 6000 houses of Spaniards and 6000 of Indians it hath also a Printing-house a Mint and an University and some Churches of
English so that their 84 l makes 100 l. Sutle and 94 l. or Rotolos is 112 l. English according to the custom of Valentia in Spain from whence it is conceived they have drawn this original of Weights they are observed to have two several Weights the proportion being 10 l. of the small making 6 l. of the gross But here sundry Commodities are found to be weighed by sundry Cantars as Iron Lead Yarn and all Woolls are weighed by a Cantar of 150 Rotolos of the Rotolos above specified Raisins Figs Butter Honey Dates Oyl Soap by the Cantar of 166 Rotolos abovesaid Almonds Cheese Cottons by the Cantar of 110 Rotolos Brass Copper Wax and all Drugs by the Cantar of 100 Rotolos And Flax is weighed by the Cantar to contain 200 Rotolos Gold Silver Pearls and Gems are weighed by the mitigal which is worth there 9 doubler and is 72 gr English and the soltany chequeen or hungar weighs 52 gr English being accounted equal to Angel Gold and worth in England circa 3 l. 11 s. per ounce Troy Weight or thereabouts Measures of length They use in Argier two picos or measures the Turkish and Morisco the Morisco pics being the measure of the Countrey and is ¾ of the Turkish by which is sold all Linnen only The Turkish pico is divided into 16 parts and every ⅜ part is called a Robo and is 〈◊〉 part of an English-yard which with the allowance of an inch according to our custom in England hath been found to make 1½ picos turkisco and by which all Silk Stuffs and Woollens are sold in this place Dry Measures Their dry measure is called a Tarrie which heaped up as they use it is 5 gallons English and so hath it been found to produce in Corn Salt and some such Commodities Accounts in Argier They keep their accompt in doubles and ossians and some in soltanies and aspers the coins of Barbary 4 doubles making an ossian and 50 aspers making a double Customs of Argier Their Customs are here 10 per cent as in Tunis and paid upon the Commodity according to the value sold and permission given to land and if not sold to be shipt again free of all duties as I said before in the Kingdom of Tunis Clearing of a Ship in Argier And it is to be noted a Ship entring here and Anchoring must either land her Sails or her Rudder for prevention of running away without licence which must be obtained in Duano which is the common assembly of the Bashaw who is Commander for the Grand Seignior and of the principal Moors of the Kingdom and City and then paying these duties with licence she is dismissed viz. to the Kaiffa 28 doubles to the Almaine 31 doubles to the Captain Anchorage 15 doubles to the Bashaw 8 doubles to his Chiouse 4 doubles to his Almin 8 doubles to his Chouse 4 doubles to the Bashaw Sorman 2 doubles to the Druggerman 8 doubles to the Sackagie 8 doubles to the Consuls duty 42 doubles which in all make 162 doubles And so much shall serve for Argier now I sail along the Coast and observe some Maritime Towns of note there seated CHAP. XVII Of ORAN and the Trade thereof Oran and the Trade thereof ORAN is seated upon this Shore also and of late in possession of the Spaniards whose immunities to such as come hither to reside have made the place noted for some Traffick especially for the Commodities of this Countrey which hence are transported into Spain and Portugal such as are Horses Wax and some years Corn in a great measure as I have noted before Coins of Oran The Coins current of Barbary and which pass currently here are those indifferently named before and the Coins of the opposite shores of Spain The Weights in use in Oran It is found they have here four several weights First A quintar of 5 roves of 20 l. to a rove which is 100 l. or rotolos Secondly A quintar of Spices of 4 roves of 25 l. per rove which is 100 rotolos Thirdly A quintar for Corn every quintar being only 6 rotolos And lastly A quintar for Cotton-wool every quintar being 15 rotolos the 100 l. of London makes in the first 90 rotolos in the second 133 rotolos in the third for Corn 48 rotolos and in the last 58⅜ rotolos Measures of Oran The Measures of ORAN are found to be principally two the one being the pico Morisco the proper measure of the Countrey agreeing with the measure of Argier before mentioned and the other the Vare of Spain here used in Cloth Silk and such like by the Spaniards CHAP. XVIII Of UNA and the Trade thereof Una and the Trade thereof UNA is also seated upon this Coast and dependeth for the most part in matter of Trade upon the inland Inhabitants affording for Transportation the common Commodities of Barbary and by reason of the situation little known to our Nation therefore I shall the more briefly pass over the same Coins of Una The Coins before mentioned are here current only with little alteration as also the same is found to be in Bona anciently Hippona the seat of St. Augustine that learned Father in Cola Tabaracha Bugia Constantine and other Towns of Trade upon this Coast therefore I will omit the repetition thereof having all a reference in Trade one to the other Weights of Una But in weights they much differ for here is found in use three several Quintals composed of one l. or Rotolo one for Cotton-wool another for Spices and the third for Corn thus agreeing with London The 100 l. of London makes 63 Rotolos for weight of Wool The 100 l. of London makes 72 Rotolos for weight of Spices The 100 l. of London makes 91 Rotolos in the weight of Corn. All which is to be observed by him that trades into this Port in the sale of these and the like Commodities Measures of Una The measure of length is here the pico Morisco which generally is used in all Commodities and contains 26 inches English circa CHAP. XIX The Trade in general of ARGIER and TUNIS The general Trade of Argier and Tunis THough these two Kingdoms of TUNIS and ARGIER do afford many fair Towns according to the manner of this Countrey yet it is not found that the same doth produce many Merchants of quality or of great consideration This tract of Land is found at present to belong to three several Inhabitants the Moors as Proprietors enjoy the principal part and these are found within themselves to acknowledge several Sovereigns which not seldom are at variance sometimes amongst themselves sometimes with their neighbours and because of the liberty given here for entertainment and protection to all Nations not only these Towns do harbour Levents which we call Pirates and they call natural Turks but also Christians of all Countreys which hence with robberies infest these adjoyning
the fifth Arguer the sixth is Alcaser near to which the three Kings Sebastian of Portugal Mahomet of Fesse and Abdelmelech of Morocco competitors for this Kingdom were slain in one day together with many others of eminent quality and Stuckley that famous infamous English Rebel in An. 1578. and seventh FESSE the Metropolis which for its greatness merits a more serious consideration CHAP. XXI Of the City FESSE and the Trade thereof City of Fesse and the Trade thereof THis City bears the name of Fesse from the abundance of Gold as Writers record that was found in digging the Foundation thereof it is beautified with many goodly Buildings both publick and private it is divided by the River Sabu into three parts containing in all 82000 Housholds having 700 Moschs or Temples 50 of them being adorned with Pillars of Alabaster and Jasper and one seated in the heart of the City called Carucen is the most sumptuous containing a mile in compass in breadth cantaining 17 Arches in length 120 and born up by two thousand five hundred white Marble Pillars under the chiefest Arch where the Tribunal is kept hangeth a most huge Lamp of Silver incompassed with 110 lesser under every the other Arches hang also very great Lamps in each of which burn 150 Lights it hath 31 Gates great and high the Roof is 150 yards long and 80 yards broad and round about are divers Porches containing 40 yards in length and 30 in breadth under which are the publick Store-houses of the Town about the Walls are Pulpits of divers sorts wherein the Masters of their Law read to the people such things as they imagine appertain to their salvation the Revenues thereof in Anno 1526 was 200 Ducates a day of old rent accounted 100 l. sterling until the late Civil Wars it was a City of great Traffick and many Merchants of divers Nations resorted hither and were allowed a publick Meeting-place for their Commerce and lodging for their residence being in form of a Court or Exchange inclosed with a strong Wall with 12 Gates and limited with 15 Streets for several Nations to meet for their business and for the laying up of their Commodities and every night for security of their Goods and Persons the same was kept guarded at the Cities charge resembling the Besistens or Canes now in use in Turkey and other Southern Countreys There is here also divers Colleges where the Sciences are taught amongst which Madorac is the chief and accounted for one of the excellentest Pieces for Workmanship in all Barbary It hath three Cloysters of admirable beauty supported with eight squares Pillars of divers colours the Roof curiously carved and the Arches of Mosaique of Gold and Azure the Gates are of Brass fair wrought and the Doors of the private Chambers of in-laid work It is recorded that this Colledge did cost the Founder King Abuchenen 480 thousand Sultanies in Gold which is in English Money 192 thousand pound which would hardly in these days were it now to be built perform the twentieth part thereof and this was not above 150 years past and about that time Henry the Seventh King of England did build that sumptuous Chappel in Westminster which as I have been informed did in those days coâ— 7448 l. and let it be judged by Artists how much more would build the fellow of it in these our days They have also here for the commodity and pleasure of the Citizens 600 Conduits from whence almost every house is served with water besides what goeth to their religious uses at the entries of their Temples and Moschs but I have staid too long in surveying this City I will now see what Commodities and Merchandize this Kingdom affords Commodities in the Kingdom of Fesse The Commodities found in general as well in the Kingdom of Fesse as of Morocco and found transportable for Merchandize is Fruits of all kinds such as is principally of Dates Almonds Figs Raisins Olives also Honey Wax Gold and sundry sorts of Hides and Skins especially that excellent sort of Cordovant from this Kingdom of Morocco called Maroquins famoused throughout Spain France and Italy also Corn Horses Wools whereof the Inhabitants are observed of late days to make some Cloath here is found also for Merchandize fabricated here some sorts of Stuffs of Silks as Sattins Taffataes and some sorts of Linnen much in use in this Countrey made partly of Cotton and partly of Flax and divers other Commodities Moneys of Fesse and Morocco The Moneys of this Kingdom and generally of all the Kingdoms of Morocco is the Xeriff or Ducate in Gold deriving the name thereof from the Xeriffs who within these few years made conquest of these Kingdoms under Pretext and colour of the Sanctity of their Religion and is accounted to be about ten shillings sterling Money divided into 8 parts and esteemed â…› each part which may be compared to be about 14 d. in 15 d. sterling Accounts in Fesse and Morocco They keep their Accounts in these places by Ducates or old Xeriffs now almost out of use divided into 8 parts accounted in common value but 12 d. every â…› though worth more as above is declared Weights in Fesse Their Weight here is two one used in all ordinary Commodities which is the Rorolo containing ounces or drams it having been found by observation that the 100 l. Averdupois London hath made here 64 Rotolos and 100 Rotolos is here a Cantar The second Weight is here the Mitigal used in the weighing of Silver Gold Pearl Musk and the like agreeing with the Mitigal used in Argier and Tunis spoken of before Measures in Fesse The common Measure for length is here the Covado 12 whereof is accounted to a Cane and it hath been observed by Barbary Merchants hither trading that the 100 Yards of London make here about 181 or 182 Covadoes Customs of Fesse and Morocco The Customs of Fesse and Morocco are paid at the entrance thereinto as is likewise due at the entrance of any other the Cities of this Kingdom and is by the Subjects Natives upon all Commodities paid two in the hundred and by all Strangers ten in the hundred collected for what is sold or landed without leave for Exportation again if once landed which causeth divers of our Merchants bound for those parts to make their Ships their Shops and consequently land so much of their Commodities as they imagine their Market will vend and no more But because the Kingdom of Morocco obeyeth the same Rules in matters of Trade I will speak a word of that place likewise and then survey the Trade of them both together as they are known now to us to be as it were but one though indeed different Kingdoms CHAP. XXII Of the Kingdom of MOROCCO and the Provinces thereof Morocco and the Provinces thereof THE Kingdom of Morocco once of great splendor is now divided into six Provinces the first Tangovista having a Town also of that
some parts of Aethiopia their Money is Pepper in Tombutu and about the River Niger their Money is Cockles or Shell-fish in Azanah their Money is Porcellette in Bengala Porcelete and Metal together as in China they use Porcelette for Money and in some other places of India Paper stamped with the King's Seal passeth for current Mony and in some places the Barks of certain Trees called Gelsamora and in Congo and many places of these Countreys Lumach and in Angela Beads of Glass and such like in many other places Measures of Guiney and Benin Their Measure for length in Cloth or other Commodities is a Jactam which is accounted with us 12 foot or two fathom which they cut the one from the other and in that sort sell their Linnen the one to the other and those two fathom by trial of the Dutch make a stork and three quarters but in Woollen they never measure above peices of one handful broad which they so cut off and use for Girdles which they wear about their middles and sell it among themselves in this manner in these pieces abovesaid and use no other kind of measure which they call a Paw which is ¾ 1 d. English The manner of accounting The Inhabitants of this Coast at the first trading here of the Portugals were very rude and ignorant and were easily beguiled in all the Commodities which they sold them and not only took in good part the badness of the Ware they received but were also deceived in their measure the Portugals by this means putting off their rotten Linnens rusty Knives broken and patched Basons pieced Kettles and such like and these at what measure value weight and quantity they pleased for their Gold but the times are now altered and they by their usual sufferings in this kind by the Portugals made the more wary provident and circumspect in their Traffick with the English French and Dutch so that in those Commodities which they buy or barter either for their own use or for Merchandize they are found to have as good judgment in them as the Sellers themselves Their ignorance in Trade may be judged by their ignorance in Accompting and Reckoning for when they have past the number of Ten they rehearse so many words one after another for one number that they are so puzzled and cumbred therewith that they cannot tell how to get out and so sit buzzing so long till at last they have lost their Tale and forgot their number and so are forced to begin to tell again but since they began to trade with the English and were to reckon above the number of Ten for they use no more amongst them they reckon on till they come to Ten and then take one of their fingers into their hands and then tell to Ten again and then take another finger into their hand and so proceed till they have both their hands full which in all maketh one hundred then they mark that up and then begin to tell as at the first and use the same order as before To conclude this Traffick and to leave this Coast I hear not in these days that the English frequenting that Coast or that the French or Dutch make any great benefit thereby for the present subtilty of the Inhabitants perceiving how their Gold is sought eagerly after by them and all Nations can now adays set such a rate thereon by this their manner of Exchange and Barter and that by being so often beguiled by others they are now grown more wary and circumspect in their Bargaining and are as ready to beguile the Beguilers as to be beguiled themselves for they look now narrowly both to their Measure and the goodness of their Commodity and though at the first they knew no distinction of Christians but took the Portugals and all white men to be of one Nation yet since they know each Nation and are acquainted with their particular manners and manner of dealing having ever hitherto from the beginning found the faiâ—est and squarest Trade with the English therefore when they come they are the best welcome to them and speed best of any other Nations whatsoever with them Sugar Trade I willingly omit here to speak of the Sugar Trade and of the plenty of Sugar Canes growing upon this Coast the King of Bortugal here in certain places farming the fole Trade thereof to certain his own Subjects with a strict proviso that the same be sold to none other but to his own Subjects and that Provision to be sent only for Lisbon to gain a great Custom thereby imposed thereon therefore the Portugal being here the only buyer and ingrosser the Inhabitants must and are inforced to fell only to them and at what reasonable rate they best can agree upon and this restraint of this Commodity hath drawn the Dutch to build and fortifie in some places upon this Coast as now of late they have done at Mina opposite to the Spaniard where they are at continual variance the River only parting them CHAP. XXVI Aethiopia Superiour and Inferiour and the Provinces thereof Aethiopia superiour AEThiopia the Superiour is known to us by the name of Abasine and comprehendeth many large Provinces and Kingdoms and contains the Springs of three famous Rivers Abas Tâ—…iasis and Nilus arising out of the Lake Zembre being for the most part Christians and commanded by that so much renowned Emperour Prester John Commodities of Aethiopia superiour affording for Commodities to the neighbour Regions Rice Barley Pease Sugars Minerals of all sorts Goats Sheep and Oxen but because these Towns of these Provinces are for the most part in Land they afford no great matter of Trade and as little known to our Nation I willingly omit them CHAP. XXVII Of Aethiopia Inferiour and the Provinces thereof Aethiopia inferiour AEThiopia Inferiour hath the Red-Sea on the East the Aethiopian Ocean on the West the Land of Negro's on the North and the Southern Ocean on the South commonly diâ—ided into these parts Aian Zanbar Monomotapa Caffaria Monicongo Aian In Aian are upon the Sea-coasts these three Cities much frequented by Merchants Arar Zeila Barbera the second of which was sacked by the Portugals in Anno 1516. Commodities of Aian and is found to abound with Flesh Honey Wax Corn Gold Ivory and Cattel especially Sheep in plenty Zanibar Zanibar contains 15 Towns that give names to 15 several Kingdoms Quiloa the chief for Trade is Quiloa where the Portugals have Forts built and fortified Anno 1509. Mosambique Mosambique also fortified by them Soffola Soffola which for the abundance of Ivory and Gold is conceived to be the Land of Ophir to which Solomon sent by his three years Voyage Monomotapa Monomotapa contains also sundry Provinces invironed almost round with waters and abounding with Mines of Gold accounted to contain above 2000 Manica Boro Quitiana the principal being three Monica Brro and Quitiana
Elephants Teeth which yields not any Commodity else save Elephants Teeth to procure which it is supposed 5000 are yearly slain in these Kingdoms Caffaria Capharia hath nothing famous in it Cape Bona Spei save that famous and noted head-land Cape bona speranza discovered by the Portugals in Anno 1497. Manicongo Manicongo was discovered by the Portugals 1486 and by them then converted to the Popish Religion which the Inhabitants soon forsook as peradventure seeing that that Religion was made the Cloak of their Conquest yielding yearly 30000 Slaves in sale to the Portugals which they carry to Brasile to work in their Silver Mines the Trade of the principal of these it is fit I should in this place more particularly handle CHAP. XXVIII Of Mosambique and the Trade thereof Mosambique and the Trade thereof THe Sea-coast affording the prime places of Traffick known to our Countreymen in this large Tract of Land before-mentioned and especially from Cape-bona-esperanze to the entrance of the Red-Sea which now cometh to be handled it will not be fitting I should wholly omit the Trade thereof before I have better surveyed the same together with those Towns of Traffick as are found to be there most eminent and therewith relate the manner how and the matter whereof this Trade is here maintained and preserved I will then include the Trade of this whole Coast under the Title of Mosambique as being the principal Town of Negotiation found alongst this shore having Soffola on the one side thereof and Quiloa on the other side all which being fortisied by the Portugals the first Christian Discoverers thereof give yet that liberty and freedom to the Country Inhabitants and others to exercise the same that would and considering their manner of Traffick it is seen plentifully stored both with the native Commodities of the Coast it self and of the In-land Countries there are here found the Towns of Cuama Sena Macava Brava Melinda and others along this shore seated some on the Coast of Abex and some on the Coast of Melinda but Quiloa for the commodiousness of the River and the passage into the Main Continent having but a short cut into the Lake of Zaflan in which there ariseth a great River that runneth into Nilus and so to Cairo and therefore the same is accounted the principal City for eminency and concourse of people though for Traffique this and the rest give place if the Spanish Relations be true to Mosambique wherein is found the first Fortress that was built by the Portugals on this Coast and Seas Mosambique then is not only the name of an Island but also of a Kingdom seated between Monomotapa and Quiloa the Island is sound to have a pretty Town seated upon it and together with the Islands of Saint George and Saint Jacob makes a large fair and secure Haven for Ships of the greatest burthen fit to receive and harbour all Vessels that come and go both to and from India to Christendom and although this Island nor Kingdom are not very great yet they are very rich and most abounding of all the Countreys of this Coast of Mosambique the Island whereon the Town is situated is inhabited now by two manner of People Christians and Mahometans the Christians account themselves Portugals or of the Portugal Race who are the keepers of a strong Castle seated therein from whence also all other their Castles and Forts seated in this Tract are supplied with their necessaries Soffola especially Soffola where the richest Mine of Gold of all this Coast lieth and there the Portugal Ships do use to harbour in Winter-time when they are not able to sail either backward or forward otherwise to accomplish their desired Voyage and there likewise the Indian Ships are accustomed to take in Victuals and fresh Water and by the only discovery of this place the Portugals first found out the way to India for here they met with Pilots that were able to instruct them in the manner of the Navigation of these Seas and were expert in the Maritime Coasts thereof they have no sweet Water in the Town nor in the Castle though it be imagined to be the strongest in India but have many Cisterns round about it wherein a years Provision of Water is ever found which they fetch from the Continent from a place called Cabasar The Captain of Mosambique the greatest Merchant The Captain of this Castle is still sound to be the greatest merchant here for he keeps a Factor in Soffola and another in Quilola and yearly sendeth Barks for Trade alongst the Coast who commonly for some good service performed hath this place and Command assign'd him for three years which is conceived to be worth 400 thousand Ducates and afterwards he is to go into India and upon his own charge to serve there at the Command of the Viceroy for the King of Portugal other three years and then may depart for Spain if he please besides whom none may hence trade for India but the Inhabitants Portugals and who are also enjoined to be married men for such as are unmarried may not stay here by special priviledg from the King granted to those that inhabit here to the end that the Island should be peopled and thereby kept safeguarded and maintained and for this immunity they are only bound in time of need to defend the Castle and are accounted as the Garrison thereof though it is found that the Governour and his family only lieth therein and the Townsmen by turns having the warding and watching thereof committed to their charge and trust Navigation of India Their Navigation is hence into India but once a year which is in the month of April and continueth till the midst of September because that throughout the whole Countrey of India they must sail with Monsons which are certain current constant winds which have a setled course of blowing throughout the year whereby they make their account to go and come from the one place to the other and in thirty days they may sail from Mosambique to India and they are then forced to stay in India till the month of August when as then the wind or Monson cometh again to serve them for Mosambique and this Coast in every which year the Captain abovesaid hath ever a Ship for his own account going and coming into India Commodities of the Coast of Mosambique As for the Commodities which this Countrey and Coast are found principally to afford to the Merchant for Transportation it is chiefly Gold for near Soffalla is a very rich Mine and within the Land the samous Mine of Angela the richest in the World is said to be seated beside the rich Mines of Monomotapa where in a River running thereby is found Sand of Gold in great plenty which is accounted the finest and best and called by the Portugals Bolongorn Oroâ—mpo The Kings of Portugal great Merchants The King of Portugal having ever a
them and afterward shew in brief how they are found to accord with other principal places of Traffick not here above-mentioned The agreement of the Cantar Forfori with other Countries The Cantar Forfori is the weight wherewith in Aegypt Merchants do buy and sell Pepper Ginger and Green Ginger Lache red and white Sandal Incense Myrrhe Zedoaria Gum Arabick Semensine Assa faetida Mirabolans Indico Sugars of all sorts Sal Armoniack Elephants Teeth and the like agreeing thus with other Countreys of Trade Cantar Forfori that is 100 Rotolos is in Rhodes 17½ Rotolos  Cyprus 18⅔ Rotolos  Petras 108 l.  Salonica 109 l.  Zara 116 l.  Fiume 140 l.  Ancona 120 l.  Riconati 223 l.  Pesaro 124 l.  Arminio 116 l.  Lansano 123 l.  Apulia 132 l.  Acquila 124 l.  The Cantar Forfori of Aegypt is in Sicilia 134 l. which are 54 Rotolos Calabria 131 l. which are 47 Rot. Naples 121 l. which are 47½ Rot. Rome 117½ l.  Florence 112½ l. now all one Pisa 124 l. Genoa sotile 133 l.  Lucca 123 l.  Bolonia 116½ l.  Millan 129 l.  Cremona 132 l.  Piedmont 129 l.  Geneva 88 l.  Lions 98 l.  Avignon 102 l.  Barcelona 98 l.  Majorca 100 l.  Marselia 105 l.  Valencia 120 l.  Sevil 90 l.  Lisbon 79⅓ l.  Bona and Bugia 83⅓ Rot.  London 81 l.  Bruges 92 l.  The agreement of the Cantar Meno with other Countries The weight called Meno is accounted by Hundred and not by the Cantar which is also peculiar to some Commodities only and thereby is weighed Cloves Maces and Fust of Clove◠Nutmegs Cinnamon Cubebs Long Pepper Aloes Epatica Boras in past and in gain Cardamon Spikenard Costus sweet and bitter Sarcacole Armoniac Opponax Storax Calamint Turbit Spodium Ermodatili Mumia Benjoin Laccia Euphorbio Lignum Aloes Rhubarb Manna and other such like are sold by this weight the hundred whereof make of the Cantar Forfori 180 Rotolos and makes in The 100 Rot. Meno doth make in Venetia soteli 250 l. Petrasse 184 l. Corfu 187 l. Rome 211 l. Ricanti 220 l. Lanfano 215 l. Acquila 223 l. Fermo 223 l. Rhagusa 208 l. Piedmont 229 l. Savoy 157 l. Avignon 181 l. Marselia 187 l. Majorca 179 ℞ Granado 148 l. Sevil 158 l. Lisbon 142 l. Tunis 148 l. Salerno 135 l. Ancona 215 l. Pesari 220 l. Bolonia 208 l. Florence 219 l. Milan 229 l. Cremona 232 l. Genoa 238 l. Verona 225 l. Geneva 157 l. Lions 175 l. Paris 169 l. Barcelona 178 l. Valencia 208 l. Cades 164 l. Tripol Barb. 148 l. London 166½ l. In Flanders 173 l. The agreement of Cantar Zero with other Countreys The next is the Cantar Zero by which is sold Cassia and not any other Spice also Tin Lead Brass and some other Commodities the which is found to make in The Cantar Zero doth make in Venetia gr 200 l. Venetia soteli 316 l. Salonica 177 Rot. Petrasse 140 l. Fiume 312 l. Pulia 108 l. Lansano 268 l. Ricante 275 l. Pesaro 275 l. Barcelona 219 l. Majorca 223 ℞ Valencia 227 l. Sevil 198 l. Lisbon 250 l. Tunis 186 ℞ Rome 266 l. Ancona 268 l. Florence 273 l. Genoa 297 l. Lucca 276 l. Millan 287 l. Sicilia 120 l. Piedmont 287 l. Marselia 231 l. Cades 200 l. London 223 l. Flanders 215 l. Tripol Barb. 116 ℞ Granado 178 ℞ And this is as much as I have collected concerning the several Weights of Aegypt used constantly in Cairo Alexandria Damietta and other principal places of that Countrey which by reason of the diversity as being fourfold have proved the more tedious and intricate wherein if Error be found by the trial of him that shall have cause to make an Experiment I shall I hope find the more favorable construction of this my pains taken wishing that I could have thus enlarged my self in the Measures of these Countries and the agreement thereof with the other places before-named wherein being defective I must crave to refer the Reader to him that is herein better acquainted and therefore next to the Coins current Coins current in Aegypt The Coins current of this Country are in Traffick of Merchandize partly foreign and partly domestick the foreign is the Spanish Ryal of Eight which they call here the Piastre and Dollar and worth in common 80 and sometimes 90 Aspers which is the domestick Coin of this Countrey and the Maidin which is the common Silver Coin of all the Grand Signiors Dominions Three A or Aspers make a Maidin and 30 Maidins make a Dollar the Gold Coin here is the Soltane Xeriffe and Chequeen all of one value little differing accounted 8 shillings Sterling but rising and falling in Aspers according to the plenty of Gold The Accompts kept in Aegypt Their Accompts are here diversly kept the Inhabitants for the most part accounting by Aspers 80 Aspers to a Dollar and some by Ducates of Pargo accounting that three Ducates of Venice make one Ducate of Pargo besides which there is also in use an Italian Ducate 10 per cent less The Cusloms of Alexandria Damietta and Aegypt The Customs of Alexandria Damietta and Rosetta is 10 per cent as I noted before upon all Commodities inward and outward and paid in kind or Species but upon Moneys brought in it is only ½ per cent and very strictly lookt into and exacted but the Bashaw governing here for the Grand Seignor being ever a principal man and far remote from the Imperial Port of Constantinople lays in many Towns of this Kingdom what custom he pleases and though it be held now to be but 10 per cent which is the old and ancient Custom of Aegypt yet the Merchant that tradeth here shall find ere his Goods be sold and the Moneys in his Purse accounting the Consoledge and other Duties to be adove 22 or 23 per cent the place being much subject to Anuenus and Mangaries and the Custom-house being farmed to Jews add thereto the greatest deceit they can possible to raise the daily Customs of the place Alexandria it self paying in this manner 20 thousand Medins a day by Farm 54750 l. which at the rate of 30 Medins to a Ryal of ◠◠Spanish and the Ryal of ◠◠accounted at 5 shillings Sterling amounteth to 54750 l. per annum I should in the next place Survey the general Trade of Aegypt as it is observed and found to be at this day but by reason I have in many places of the before-mentioned Chapters particularly handled the principal parts thereof and noted the most eminent Nations that at this present do hither Traffick I shall the more willingly pass over the same in silence and only now observe that besides the French and Venetians not any other European Christians are found here to traffick and the English have given over all Trade
into this Countrey by reason they are furnished with all the Commodities that this place did formerly yield at the first hand from India and what else they want being Commodities either of Arabia or Aegypt they furnish themselves from Aleppo where many English are resident But here are found Consuls for both the Venetion and French Nations which continue still some Trade hither as indeed more proper for them wanting the Trade of India which the English enjoy of which I have made mention before and therefore leaving Aegypt and with it the firm land I shall take leave now to view the Islands that belong to Africa by modern Cosmographers CHAP. XXXV Of the Island of Madagascar Madagascar I Find belonging to Africa many Islands which are found to afford many notable Commodities for Merchandize which for brevities sake I will only touch that the Factor may know whence those Commodities do come which are found amongst us Madagascar Otherwise S. Lawrence otherwise called the Island St. Lawrence giving name to a Town the principal of that Island was discovered by the Portugals Anno 1506 The Inhabitants willingly permit no man to land upon their Countrey for traffick sake it yieldeth Cloves Ginger and some Silver to the Inhabitants own use but not for Exportation and their Moneys in use are the Gloss-Beads of Cambaia which in Merchandize and Barter currently pass amongst them CHAP. XXXVI Of the Island of Zocotara Zocotara THE Island of Zocotara lieth in the mouth of the Red-Sea 10 degrees North from the Equator wherein the Portugals have fortified two Towns for Traffick it is replenished with Drugs for Physick and especially with that so excellent and well known in Christendom by the name of Aloes Zocatrina which is sold there by a Quintal which by observation makes in England 93 l. CHAP. XXXVII Of the Island of Saint Thomas St. Thomas SAint Thomas Island lieth just under the Equinoctial Line the prime City is Povoasan Inhabited principally by Portugals and Negro's abounding only in Sugar which here groweth in Canes and are made so that yearly 50 great Ships are here laden with that Commodity for Spain and Portugal whereto I am not able to add any other material point of Trade because of my ignorance therein CHAP. XXXVIII Of the Islands of the Canaries and the Trade thereof Canaries THese Islands are seven in number and under the command of the Spaniard formerly called The Fortunate Islands They abound in Sugars whereof great quantity of Marmalade and other Conserves are made in Birds which hereof take their names excellent in Singing in Wines which hence are known by these Islands names excellent in taste and in Woad found excellent for dying The Trade thereof To these Islands is now found and practised some small Trade by the English to which place they import some Seys Serges Bays Linnens and such like and export thence Woad and Sugars and Wines of the growth of these Islands which last is vended thence into England and Holland above two thousand Tuns yearly to the great inriching of the Inhabitants Weights Measures c. concur with Sevil. Their Weights Measures and Coins are altogether concurrent with the Weights Measures and Coins current in Sevil to which place it was annexed by the Spaniards the first discoverers therefore I shall not need to say ought here further thereof CHAP. XXXIX Of the Assores commonly Tercera Islands Island Aâ—… called Tercera THE Tercera Islands were first discovered by the Flemmings and a while bare their names upon which is placed the Meridian Line dividing the East from the West part of the World it only aboundeth in Oad or Woad used by Dyers and is now in the hands of the Spaniards and in special use to them in their Voyage to the East or West-Indies and affording them for refreshment good Water and store of Goats flesh Other matter of Trade it affordeth not therefore this shall serve to have said of the Islands willingly omitting the Hesperides the Gorgades the Princes Islands and others of lesser moment and proceed in my MAP to view the Trade of ASIA somewhat better known to us than AFRICA OF ASIA AND THE Provinces and Cities of Trade THEREOF CHAP. XL. Of ASIA and the Provinces thereof Asia ASIA the Third Division of the World is separated from EUROPE by the Egean Propontis and Euxine Sea by Paulus Maeotis Tanais Duina and from AFRICA by the Red Sea and the Aegyptian Isthmus as I remembred in the beginning of this Work Five notable things in Asia Five notable things have made this Country famous and have given it the Garland of Supremacy over all the other parts of the World First the Creation of Mankind Secondly the Birth of our Saviour his Miracles wrought and place of his sufferance Thirdly the Actions memorized by the holy Pen-men of the Old and New Testament Fourthly the famous Monarchies of the Babylonians Assyrians Persians and Medes And Fifthly being the common Mother of us all from whence innumerable troops of men issued to people the other parts of the uninhabited World of which see other Authors further at large The Principal Regions of ASIA are 1. Anatolia 2. Syria 3. Palestina 4. Armenia 5. Arabia 6. Media 7. Assyria 8. Mesopotamia 9. Chaldea 10. Persia 11. Parthia 12. Tartaria 13. China 14. India 15. The Islands thereof And of these in brief according to my first intention CHAP. XLI Of Anatolia or Natolia in general Anatolia ANatolia is limited on the East with the River Euphrates on the West with Thracius Bosphorus Propontis Hellespont and the Egean on the North with Pontus Euxinus on the South with the Rhodian and Lycian Seas In this Country was anciently accounted 4000 Cities and Towns those seven famous amongst the rest to whom St. John dedicated his Revelation but now the ruines of them are hardly to be seen and the Provinces that are found in this Region are these First Cilicia Secondly Pamphilia Thirdly Lycia Fourthly Caria Fifthly Ionia Sixthly Lydia Seventhly Molis Eighthly Phrygia minor Ninthly Phrygid major Tenthly Bithynia Eleventhly Pontus Twelfthly Paphlagonia Thirteenthly Galatia Fourteenthly Cappadocia Fifteenthly Lycaonia Sixteenthly Pisidia and Armenia major Of these in order CHAP. XLII Of Cilicia and the Cities thereof Cilicia and the Cities thereof CIlicia is not found at this day to have any Town of note or consequence in it save Alexandria built by Alexander the Greaâ— Scanderone or Alexandretta and to distinguish it from Alexandria in Aegypt is named Alexandretta now known to 〈◊〉 by the name of Scanderone a famous Haven Town serving for the scale to Aleppo for all such shipping as come thither either out of the Ocean or Mediterranean and where the English French and Venetians have their Vice-Consuls to protect their Merchants Goods and Ships and where all Merchandize are either landed or laden that go to or from Aleppo of which it will be more
Coast in good quantity and is by the Inhabitants who are for the most part Armenians pickled and salted and so preserved and sent into Cassa Constantinople and other parts Mineral Salt Their manner of salting and the matter wherewith is likewise as strange for the Country affording not our common known Bay Salt there is a Mountain within some leagues of this City out of which with ease they dig a Stone to the eye appearing black and no way transparent but beaten in Marble Mortars with them in use it becometh very white and is found to preserve all Meats as well as Salt de Bay and for Merchandize is carried thence to Constantinople and other Countries and sold in the Stone unbeaten by the Rotolo Oache or Quintar In this Country did inhabit the Amazonian Viragoes Penthesilia one of their Queens came with Troops to assist the Trojans and long after Thalestris another of the Queens came to Hircania to be Alexander's Bed-fellow having now no memory extant of this Feminine Government CHAP. LII Of Liconia Pisidia and Armenia minor Liconia Pisidia Armenia IN Liconia is found the City of Iconium the Regal Seat of the Aladine Sultans the ruine of Lystra where Timothy was born and Paul and Barnabas healing a Cripple were adored for Mercury and Jupiter In Pisidia was the famous Battel fought between Cyrus and Artaxerxes where Cyrus lost his life and the victory and out of which Xenophon made that notable retreat with his Grecians in despite of 20000 which followed him at the heels Ararat Commodities of Anatolia In Armenia minor is seated the Mountain Ararat on whose top the Ark is said to rest after the Deluge And thus much shall serve to have said of Natolia which in general for Merchandize doth yield these Commodities Galls Carpets Oyls Wines Cottons Woolls and Cotton Yarn Grograms Grogram Yarn Sheeps Wool Hides raw and salted and dry Cordovants Aniseeds Goats Wooll Soap Silk Cummin-seed Muscadines Cute Raisins c. And thus much in general of Natolia which ere I leave a word of Trabesond CHAP. LIII Of Trabesond and the Trade thereof Trabesond TRabesond formerly the Seat of an Empire now a Province of the Grand Seignior is inhabited by Jews and Greeks but principally by Armenians the Coins are those common with all Turkey Weights in Trabesond There is found in Trabesond in use two weights one for Spices Drugs and fine Commodities which is the same with the weight of Genoa which they here brought into use in their great Trade into this City from Gallata Caffa and other places subject in those days to their Government the other for gross Commodities is the Rotolo 100 whereof is the Cantar agreeing with that common Rotolo of Constantinople vide there more Measures of Trabesond Their common measure is a Pico agreeing near with Constantinople making about 26½ Inche◠English CHAP. LIV. Of Syria in general and the parts thereof Syria SYria hath on the East Euphrates on the West the Mediterranean Sea on the South Palestine on the North Cilicia watered with Euphrates which anciently passed through the Garden of Eden Euphrates and having its source in the Mountains of Armenia running at this day by Babylon or Bagdet disgorgeth it self into the Persian Sea and Orontis which arising on Mount Libanus saluteth the walls of Silutia and disembogueth in the Mediterranean and is divided into three Provinces viz. Phoenicia Coelosyria and Syrophoenicia of which in order CHAP. LV. Of Phoenicia and the Cities thereof Phoenicia and the Cities thereof IN Phoenicia is seated the City of Ptolemais or Acris or Acon famous for so many Christian Armies that have in times past besieged it and which likewise added same to our Kings Richard Coeur de Lion and Edward the first in which place the Venetians and French have some Trade for Wax Hides Corn Silk and therefore following the Observations made by them in matters of weights and measures I find the same to be thus accorded CHAP. LVI Of Acria commonly S. John de Acria and the Trade thereof Acria and the trade thereof ACria being seated in the bottom of the Mediterranean and now strugling with its own ruines hath yet by reason of its small but commodious Harbour some Trade maintained by the French but principally by Venetians who in small Vessels coast these parts and pick up some of the Astan Commodities out of these Villages and Towns bordering upon the Sea-coasts as both in this place Tripoly Sidon c. the agreements of their weights and measures observed by Venetians I will insert Weights of Acria The Cantar of Acria commonly called by them the Cantar Tambaran makes sotile in Venice 900 l. which produceth in England 603 l. Measures of Acria Rotolo 1 makes sotile pounds in Venetia 9 l. Braces 100 of Cloth of Gold and Silk is in Acria 108 pic Braces 100 of Cloth Woollen of Venetia is in Acria 115 Picos Coins Their Coins are generally the same with all the Dominions of the Grand Signior which I shall declare coming to treat of Constantinople the Metropolis of that Empire and of Aleppo the principal City of Trade in this Country therefore shall not need here to insist further thereupon CHAP. LVII Of Sidon and the Trade thereof Sidon SIDON is now limited within a narrower compass than its antient bounds commanded by the Emir or Prince of the Drusians the off-spring of Christians but now hardly professing any Religion at all it is seated upon the same shore as Acria and where the French and Venetians maintain Consuls and is better known to us than Acria and where by their means al Western Christians find a reasonable favourable protection in their Trade Commodities of Sidon The Country doth principally abound in Corn which some years is hence distributed and dispersed to Marselia Ligorn and other parts of Christendom with Galls Wooll Wax c. Coins common in Sidon Their Coins are principally Rials of 8 ◠Spanish and Chickquins in Gold the Rial accounted for 72 Aspers and the Chickquin 108 Aspers but the valuation alters according to the occasions of the state and course of traffick therefore no great confidence can be given thereunto Weights of Sidon Their weights is the Dram and Rotolo current in these parts of Asia 650 drams making the Rotol 4 l. 5½ ounces English Rotolos 100 is their Cantar qu. 433⅓ l. English Rotolo 1 is accounted to make there also 12 ounces Rotolos 110 makes Rotolos 100 common in Aleppo Rotolos 115 makes Rotolos 100 common in Cyprus Measures of Sidon Their measures are these In this Tract lies the place where Tyre was seated now devoured by the incroaching Sea of whose antient Traffick see the 66 Chapter and also Sarepta where Elias who had formerly lived in Mount Carmel nigh adjoyning was sustained in a Famine by a Widow whose Son he raised from death other matters of consequence
Cardamum 5 per cent 105  Turbit 5 per cent 105  Silk 10 per cent 110  Ambergreece 10 per cent 110  And many others which the Merchants must learn All these Commodities are found to have these certain Tares besides the Bags Canisters Boxes Churls and the like by the Custom and practice of the place and forasmuch as this City is an Inland Town wherein a Bashaw is found to command for the Grand Seignior there is here a Custom imposed upon all Goods entring and issuing to Foreiners and Merchant Strangers 3 1 â— per cent which is paid in Money and not in the same Species according to the Customs of Alexandria before specified Agreement of the weight of Damasco with other places of Trade And to conclude the Trade of this place I will insert an old observation fallen into my hands made upon the weights here and the agreement thereof with other Countreys the certainty whereof I will refer to trial The Cantar of Damasco making as I said before 100 Rotolos makes in The Cantar of Damasco by observation hath made in Alexandria 428 Rot. forfori Constantinople 341 Rot. Venice sotile 600 l. Ditto gross 380 l. Ancona 517 l. Florenca 525 l. Rhagusa 500 l. Naples 566 l. Sicilia 576 l. Idem 203 â…” Rot. Millan 552 l. Genoa 570 l. Valentia 400 l. The agreement of the Rotolo of Damasco with some other places The Rot. Damasco is in Valentia 4 l. 11 ½ ounces and1 l. Val. is 120 drams Genoa 5 l. 8½ ounces 1 l. Genoa is 105 drams here Millan 5 l. 6½ ounces 1 l. Millan is 208 drams Sicilia 5 l. 9 ounces  Naples 5 l. 6â…” ounces and 1 l. Naples Rhagusa 5 l. and 1 l. Rhagusa Florence 5 l. 3 ounces and 1 l. Florenco is 112 dr The truth of these Observations I must leave to the tryal of the more expert and give you a touch of what I have gathered in the matter of agreement of measures of length The agreement of the Pico of Damasco with some other places 100 Braces of Cloth in Florence have made in Damasco 99 Picos 100 Picos of Damasco have made in Naples 28½ Canes 100 Picos of Damasco have made in Sicilia 28¾ Canes 100 Picos of Damasco have made in Millan 87 Braces 100 Canes of Silk in Genoa have made in Damasco 37½ Picos 100 Picos of Damasco have made in Venice of Cloth 87 Braces 100 Braces of Venice Silk have made in Damasco 106½ Picos And forasmuch as the English French and Dutch are not found at present to have any Trade hither and that the Venetians are the only Western Christian Merchants that here reside and have here a Consul for the protection of them and their Trade and Goods it will fit me best to borrow some of their Observations and observe the Trade they now drive to this City The Trade of the Venetians to Damasco The Commodities which the Venetians then carry hither for Merchandize are wollen Cloths Honey Almonds Tin Quick-silver Lead Latten Wire Iron Wire Latten Plates Brimstone Allons Mastich Coral Saffron Flemish Beads and Bracelets Chrystal Looking-Glasses Linnen of divers sorts coarse Canvas some few Furs Sugars of Cyprus writing Paper Velvets Tâ—ffata's Damasks and Sattins some Noremberg Wares Coral Beads and many such European Commodities The Commodities that they find here to make returns of are these Raw Silk of this Countreys growth and of Persia Ardasse and Lege Belledine Trippoli Bodovin Baias and others also some Spices and some Drugs as Ginger Cloves Maces Sandal Incense Myrrhe Nurmegs Indico Gallingal Long Pepper Mirabolans Armoniac Aloes Epatica Cardamon Turbit Sanguis Draconis Sugar Candied Wormseed Zedoaria Spikenard Cinnamon Tutia Cottons and some Cotton Yarn Benjamin Assa foetida Manna Camphire Cassia and the like of which some are found to be sold by the Cantar of Damasco and some by the Rotolo also observe That Musk Ambergreece and Pearl is sold by the Metalico which is 1½ dram and Sivet is sold by a weight called Ongia being 10 drams which makes 6 2 â— Metalicos which makes sotile in Venice 1 ounce 1 sacc and 5 Carots The Rotolo is accounted here 600 drams but Lege and Ardasse is here sold by a Rotolo of 680 drams which is 7 l. sotile Venice but Damasco Silk and all Silk of the growth of the Country is sold by the Rotolo of the place of 600 drams These notes the Venetians have made upon their weights and measures 1 Cantar Damasco is sotile Venice 600 l. and gross 380 l. 1 Rot. Damasco is sotile 6 l. and gross 3 l. 9½ ounces 100 Drams Damasco is 66½ Mitigal sotile Venice 1 l. and of the silver weight in Venice 10 ounces ¼ and 5 Carots 100 Drams makes silver weight in Venice 12 Marc. 6 ounces and ½ 100 Mitigal Damasco is in Venice 15 ¼ ounces and 5 Carats 100 Carats Damasco is silver weight in Venice 91 Carats 1½ dram Damascin is 24 Carats Damascin the which 24 Carats is one Mitiga Damascino Again è contra The 1000 l. gross in Venice makes in Damasco 293â…“ Rotolos The 1000 l. sotile in Venice is in Damasco 166â…” Rotolos So that the 100 l. gross is 26â…“ Rotol Damascine and the 100 l. sotile is 16â…” Rotol Damascine Measures of Damasco As for the Measure of Damasco there is but one here in use and is common to all Commodities both Linnen Silk and Woollen which is the Pico which by the calculation of the Venetians I find thus 100 Pico in Damasco is in Venice Cloth measure Braces 87 thereby estimating the said Pico to be almost â…ž of Brace Venetian 100 Braces of Cloth in Venice makes in Damasco 111 in 112 Pico 100 Braces of Silk in Venice makes in Damasco 106 in 107 Pico and how they agree with the measures of England and other places I have shewed before therefore leaving Damasco Trade to the judgment of better experienced and finding the Caravan of Aleppo ready to depart I am called thither where by the way observing some reliques not here worth mentioning and where arriving you shall find in the next leaf what I have there observed in the matter and manner of the Trade thereof CHAP. LXVII Of Aleppo and the Trade thereof Aleppo and the trade thereof ALeppo called in the 2 Sam. 8 3. Aram sobab is now the most Famous City in all the Grand Seignior's Dominions for the wonderful confluence of Merchants of all Nations and Countreys that come hither to traffick It is pleasantly seated upon a Plain in the midst whereof doth rise a small Hill whereupon is built a strong Castle that commands the whole City It hath in it many Canes for Lodgings and Ware-houses for Merchants which resembling small Forts being shut with Iron Gates defend the Merchants and their Goods from all wrong or theft their Streets are shut with Doors every night at each end in the manner of Cairo
Signior and acknowledges his Coins for current in this place in matter of Trade which is the Asper common with all Turky Whereof 60 is here accounted for a Rial of 8 â— Spanish An hundred is accounted for a Soltany Chequin or Xeriff The common Gold here current 8 sh Sterling Weights in Mocha Their weights here used partake also somewhat of the common weight in appellation 〈◊〉 throughout all Turkey which is the dram 10 whereof are accounted here an ounce 14 Ounces is a Rotolo 24 Rotol is a Fracello which is 25 l. 12 ounces English 15 Fracellos makes a Cantar or as they term it 1 Babar making English incirca 386 l. Measures in Mocha The Measure here is the Pico accounted incirca 26½ inches English other notes have fallen into my hand of this place therefore hence I will bend my course to Aden CHAP. LXX Of Aden and the Trade thereof Aden and the Trade thereof ADen is the strongest and fairest Town of Arabia Foelix situated in a Valley and iâ—ompassed most part with Hills of Marble upon which it is conceived it never rainen it lieth on the North side of the entrance of the Read-Sea reaching 60 miles further inward than the opposite Cape Gardefuâ— it is fortified with five strong Castles kept by Garrisons and within late years surprized by the Bashaw of Aegypt for the Grand Signior in whose obeâ—ence it now quietly remaineth by the death and slaughter of the natural Sovereign thereâ—… It is now by the industry of man from a firm Land become an Island and yet commande by a strong Castle the residence of the Governour seated on an adjoyning hill It is accounted to have 6000 houses in it inhabited by sundry Nations or more pâ—perly a miscellany of Indians Persians Aethiopians Arabians and Turks which here do reâ—de for the benefiâ— of that great Trade and Commerce that is exercised in this City The Portugâ—lt had once got the possession thereof and were Masters of it for some few years but finding the charge of the Garrison to exceed the benefit afforded by the Trade and neighbouring câ—…fines they willingly surrendred the place to a Moor who paying them for some years certaâ— Tribute they seated as a Sovereign to command the same who ruled here till the Turks câ—me to be Masters thereof This City is now the principal Magazine for the Commodities of Persia India and Arâ—bia and affording naturally great store of Drugs as Myrrh Balsam Manna and many sorts of Spices The heat of this place is so excessive in the day time that all the bâ—rgains and contracts made here among Merchants are done by night as the coolest season to effect the same Now for the Coins here current the Weights and Measures here in use and other needful further Observations of the Trade of this place I am inforced to be silent in and refer the same to the more experienced to be hereafter added as occasion shall serve here unto CHAP LXXI Of Assyria Mesopotamia and Chaldea and the Cities thereof Assyria Mesopotamia and Chaldea A Ssyria hath on the East Media on the West Mesopotamia on the North Armenia minor on the fouth a part of Persia in which I find no City at present of any note here is seen to this day the ruins of that Ninivâ—h whose walls were of three days journey in compass about one hundred foot high and thirty foot broad and beautified with 1500 Towers of 200 foot-high through which ran that famous River of Euphrates and to which place was Jonas sent to preach here being 120000 persons sound so ignorant in the things of God that they are said in Scripture not to know the right hand from the left Mesopotamia In Mesopotamia is seated Caramit a famous Town and Bashaw-like of the Grand Signior whose Commerce is unknown unto us by reason of its situation in Genesis 12. it is called Padan Haran and is the place where Abraham dwelt after he had lest Ur and in this Countrey was Abraham born and to which place he sent his Servant to choose a Wife for his Son Isaac Paradise and here in some Authors opinion which in this description I followed did Paradise stand Chaldea In Chaldea we find many Cities to have been of old and amongst others Babel famous for the confusion of Languages that here happened in building that stupendious Edifice which was raised 5164 paces high and which had its basis and circumference equal to that height Babylon now Badgate it is now much lessened of its ancient greatness and from Babel it became first Babylon and now Badgate a Bashaw-like of the Grand Signior through which runs the River Euphrates which is in part the cause of her present traffick which daily is found to be maintained by the help of Aleppo where is kept by the intercourse of Merchants and the Commodity of Caravans and intelligence of Pigeons carrying Letters a neighbour-like Commerce Badgate oftentimes vending into the Land what Aleppo do receive by Seas CHAP LXXII Of Babylon now Badgate and the Trade thereof Babylon and the Trade thereof BAbylon now Badgate was at first founded by Nimrod but never finished till that warlike Semiramis took it in hand whose Walls were 60 miles in circuit 200 foot high and 75 broad seated upon the River Euphrates in those days a fair and beautiful City now having almost lost all that splendor and glory it then justly boasted of many famous accidents have here happened here died Alexander the Great after which his body lay eight days ere his ambitious Captains could have leisure to give it a fitting burial here it is also said that when this place was taken by Zopyrus the Macedonian with his Grecians it was full three days ere one part thereof took notice of the conquest since which it hath been subject to several Sovereigns and it is at this day a Town of very great Traffick between which and Aleppo are many Caravans found to travel with many thousand Camels laden with sundry Commodities the rich Commodities of India brought from Ormus by Sea to Balsara seated as the Maritime Port of the City in the Persian Gulf and so up the River Euphrates hither and hence to Aleppo Damasco and other Countreys which again returns them in exchange the Commodities of Turkey Aegypt and Europe Pigeons Letter or news Carriers In this Countrey and generally through many parts of Turkey they have a custom to give advice of their affairs by Pigeons who serve Merchants here for Posts and hereby the English are found in Aleppo to have advice from Alexandretta which is accounted 100 miles in 24 hours and hereby the Caravans here travelling give from time to time advice of their journeys and success which is done in this manner when the Hen Dove sitteth and hath young they take the Cock Pigeon and put him into a Cage whom when he is by the Garavan carried a days journey off they
here current for 6 and sometimes for 6½ Pagods And 10 R. â— are called in these parts a Sear incirca 50 s. sterling Armagon But in Armagon it is observed they have this difference Rials of â— 11 are accounted for 8 Pagods One Pagode is accounted worth 20 Fanans And 5 Pagodes here are accounted but 4 in Musulipatan The Pagode by this account may be said to be in value about 8 d. sterling equivalent with the Chequin of Venice or the Xeriff of Egypt or Sultany of Turkey and the Mamody accounted for 12 d. sterling and the Fanans about 6 d. ¾ or 7 d. per piece Weights current in Musulapatan and Coast of Chormandel Their common Weight used along this Coast is the Candil which in gross Goods is most accounted for 20 Maunds A Maund is 40 Sear or 22½ Masies or 26 l. 14½ ounces English A Sear is 17 Kashee which thus answers with England The Sear is two-fold the small Sear is of 16 Mass and found to be about 10 l. English or as some observe it 10â…› l. and the great Sear is accounted as above And the Candil of 20 Maunds of 26 l. 14½ ounce Averdupois brings it to be English pound Sotile 538 l. incirca But this finds some disagreement with the weight of Petiboli for their Candil is 20 Maunds found to be but 26 l. English in all 520 l. A Maund is here counted for 5 Visko 5 l. 3 ounces English One Visco or as the Portugals call it Fisco is accounted 8 Sears which is found to be 10 ounces ¼ Averdupois incirca Further Observations I find not of the Trade of Mesulapatan saving that the Governour of this City having setled a Trade with the English and that they should pay for Custom 4 per cent he afterwards raised the same to be 12 per cent till Anno 1614. one Floris and other English surprized the chief Customer being the Governour 's Son and brought him aboard their Ship then in Port who thereupon came to a new composition restored the over-plus taken and setled it for the future at the first agreed rate of 4 per cent as now it standeth CHAP. XCIV Of Satagan the Metropolis of Bengala and the Trade of that Coast and the River Ganges Satagan and the Trade of the Coast of Bengala AT the ending of the Coast of Coromandel beginneth this Coast of Bengala through the middle whereof the famous River Ganges runs making a large Bay or Gulph which carrieth the name of the Gulph of Bengala This Countrey is under the Command of the Greâ—… Mogul whose Coins are here current the holy and reverent opinion that the Gentiles through all India have of this River and the concourse of Pilgrims thereto for devotion sake adds much to the Traffick of Satagan the chief City of this Countrey which is pleasantly seated on another fair and large River whose imbosure is not far distant from the imbosure of Ganges and upon which Boats sail by the violence of the current a hundred miles in fifteen hours without the help of Sails or Oars and when the Tyde turneth it is found to be so violent that the Sallers are forced to make fast their Boats to certain Trees fixed on the shore side for they are not able to make way against the stream and current thereof At the entrance of this River is a place called Butter which the Inhabitants of the Countrey and Mechants there do yearly build in form of a Village of straw branches of trees reeds and the like and is of great largeness to which they bring all manner of Merchandize to meet the Ships which at certain set times with the Moonsoons come hither for Trade who are not able to go higher for want of water and when the Ships are gone with the change of the Moonsoon and that years Trading past they then burn their said Town and Houses and carry up their Goods and Merchandize to the City of Satagan whither also all small Barks and Boats do go to lade and unlade Commodities of the Coast of Bengala It is observable that thirty or forty sail of great Ships of sundry Countreys and Nations do here yearly at this time find lading the principal Commodities of this place and the Coast being Rice here growing in great abundance Cloth of Cotton of infinite sorts made here in great quantity Lacca good store great plenty of Sugars Myrabolans both dried and preserved Long Pepper Oyl of Zerseline and many other Commodities the City in it self is a fair City and abounding with rich Merchants that trade to Pegu Musulipatan Summatra and sometimes to Cambaia and the Red Sea their time of Traffick by reason of the heat is for the most part by night and when they have once burned their Town of Butter as hath been noted they then hire Galliots and Boats and therewith transport their Commodities up the River from one Town to another situated upon the same where every day is found in one or other a publick Fair and Market so that their whole life is still in motion and agitation providing in one place and putting off in another here buying and there selling Weights and Measures of the Coast of Bengala The Portugals are found to have some Trade hither but those that reside here are not subject to much government but make their will their law only two Forts they hold upon this Coast the one they call Porto Grande the other Porto Piquenom whereto there is driven an orderly Trade and thereby that Nation is kept within some order and discipline As for the Coins current here the Weights and Measures here in use I must omit them by reason of my ignorance therein and therefore shall refer them to the better skilled Custom in India for Debtors Before I leave this Coast I must not forget a strange Custom not only here much used but also alongst the Coast of Malabar and in many other parts of India which is thus If a Debtor break the day of payment with his Creditor and oftentimes disappoint him then he goeth to the principal of the Bramenes and receiveth of him a Rod with which he approacheth to the Debtor and making a circle about him chargeth him in the name of the King and the said Branâ—en not to depart till he hath satisfied the Debt which if he do not he must then starve in the place for if he depart the King will cause him to be executed and this is in use in many great parts of India but especially where the Bramans are reverenced it is daily seen practised amongst Marchants the Natives of these places CHAP. XCV Of Pegu and the Coast thereof with the Trade Pegu and the Trade of the Coast thereof IN order having passed the Coast and Gulph of Bengala the next in this Tract is the Sea-Coast of Aracan Pegu and Sian stretching it self to the Island and Fort of Malacca of which according to the
Goa is 1 Pecul and 132 l. â…˜ English nearest So that the difference as already said which ariseth in the Pecul from 130 l. 15 32 parts of a pound to 132â…˜ and 133 l. English is by weighing by the Ballance or Stilyard the Stilyard or Dotchen making more the Ballance less The Covid or Maccao is rather a very small matter more than less than 3 quarters of our Yard and 2½ Inches or more rather 29 Inches â… of an Inch nearest which Covid is used by the Portuguez The Chinese have another Covid or Measure consisting of between 14 11 12 of an Inch and 14 6 7 of an Inch which is divided into 10 parts and each of those are subdivided into 10 other parts The Covid or Measure of the Chinchoses a Province of China bordering upon the Province of Canton and Eastward of Maccao is but just 12 Inches of our measure and is the â…˜ parts of Chinese Covid or Measure nearest As for Coins there is none in the Southern parts but if you buy any thing after you have agreed for it you cut off of the Rial of Eight so many Mass Condreens c. as you agree for and so weigh it by the Dotchen which every one carries about him Having thus done with the main Continent of Asia and cursorily surveyed the particular Trade of some of the most eminent Cities of the Kingdoms therein contained being constrained by reason of the remoteness of these places and want of better information to let the same pass not so perfect as otherwise I could wish for and desire I shall willingly in what is here by me omitted crave the advices of the better experienced and that they would add by their knowledg and trial what is either here defective or altogether left out and thus leaving the Continent according to my method I will in brief run through some of those Islands which merit observation and survey the Trade thereof as amply as my Adviso's will give me leave CHAP. C. Of the Islands of Asia and the Trade thereof Islands of Asia and the Trade thereof THE Islands of Asia are either in the Oriental Seas as Japan Zeilan Moluccoes Javas Summatra Barneo the Philippines and others or in the Mediterranean Sea as Rhodes Cyprus c. of the Trade whereof a word before I conclude this Commerce of Asia CHAP. CI. Of the Island of Japan and the Trade thereof Island of Japan and the Trade thereof JApan is situated over against Canton in China having in length 600 miles but narrow in breadth in some places 90 and in some but 30 miles it obeys 66 several Sovereigns the King of Tense holding the principal authority commanding 50 of the 66 above mentioned Kingdoms every King Lord and Master having full power and authority over the goods and lives of the subjects servants and children subject unto him It was discovered by the Portugal Anno 1542. and since is much frequented by Jesuits who in great numbers have settled themselves here and are found to exercise Trade and Commerce as cunningly and subtilly as any Jew elsewhere in the world Their chief Towns are Osacaia Bunguin Meaco and are the principal Ports frequented by Merchants Strangers the Commodities of this place and Islands is Silver in some good measure digged up here and carried hence by Merchants to China to exchange for Silks and principally Rice which is found here growing in such abundance that the King or Emperour draweth Two millions of Ducates yearly out of that which is gathered from his own Possessions which he hath received at his own Demesne Firando and at Firando one of the Islands of Japan the English have setled a Factory for Trade in 1613. by Captain Sari's labour and industry The civil Wars that continually vex these Islands hinder an exact survey of the materials whereby their Trade is driven yet so far as I have collected I will here insert Coins current in Japan Their Moneys current for the most part through these Islands are thus termed and with some small difference have this value Their Silver Coins current is a Tail a Mass and a Condery A Tail is a â„ž of 8 â— or 5 s. sterling or â…› Tail of Siam and this Tail is 10 Mass or 100 Conderies A Mass is 10 Conderies or 6 d. sterling And in some places the â„ž â— â— passeth for 74 Condories only and no more Their Gold is coined into two small Barrs of two several sorts the one is called an Iehebo worth about 15 in 16 Mass of Silver the other is called a Coban worth from 60 to 68 Mass which may be valued from 30 s. to 34 s. sterling The Wars that continually vex this Country is the cause of this unconstant rate and price thereof Weights in Japan The Weights in use in Japan is the Pecul and the Cattee A Pecul is 10 Cattees A Cattee is accounted by some 21 ounces and by some 20¾ ounces Averdupois so that a Pecul is about 130 or 131 l. English Measure of length in Japan Their Measure of length is an Incken or Tattamy which is 2½ yards English 25 yards being 12 Tattamies Measure of Rice and Grain in Japan Their measure for Rice is thus accounted A Gant is 3 Cocas being as much as three English Ale-Pints An Ickgoga is 100 Ganta's One Ickmagog is 1000 Ickgoga's One Managoga is 10000 Ickmagogs CHAP. CII Of Zeilan and the Trade thereof Island Zeilan and the Trade thereof ZEilan lieth in the gulph of Bengala in length 250 and in breadth 140 miles found so fruitful that the grass groweth and the trees bear fruit all the year long without intermission it is commanded in chief by the great Mogul the principal Towns are Zeilan the Metropolis of the Island and Columbo fortified by the Portugals and as it is conceived commanding over the best harbour in India Commodities of the Island Zeilan For Commodities it hath many and almost all things that are found in India through all the several Provinces and places thereof first it hath Nutmegs Cloves and Pepper-Trees good store and the best Cinnamon in all India which is here had and found growing in whole woods and hence dispersed into all parts of the World also it affords all kinds of precious Stones except Diamonds as Saphirs Rubies Topazes Spinals Granati also a plentiful fishing for Pearl yet not accounted so good as at Bareim by Ormus it hath likewise Mines of Gold Silver and other metals also Iron Flax Brimstone Ivory bones and sundry other Commodities Adam's Hill the Zeilans Paradise Here is also a Hill of that great height that the Inhabitants hold it the highest in India and call it Adam's Hill upon which they say Paradise stood and that Adam was there created whose foot-steps if they may be believed do remain yet ingraven there in the Rock and go not out but the Inhabitanis being most active in their bodies may be
but of 600 only The Ducate of Spain hath 11 Rials of Plate and every Rial as I said before 34 Marveâ—… and every Ducate 374 Marvedies which is 5 s. 6 d. English the Rial 6 d. and the Marâ—… less than our farthing the single Pistolet of Gold 11 Rials ¾ being 400 Marvedies which is according to 6 d. a Rial 5. s. 10â…› Esterling Exchanges in Castilla In Castilia they that give money upon Exchange do agree to be paid in Ducates of Gold 〈◊〉 their worth in Gold or Silver for if they should not do so they should be paid in base 〈◊〉 ney which would prove to be more than five per cent loss The orders of the Fairs in 〈◊〉 are thus Fairs of Castilia The first is the Fair of May and is made in Medino del Campo and begins the first of 〈◊〉 and lasteth 50 days The second is the Fair of August and is made in Medina di Riosecco and begins the first 〈◊〉 August and lasteth 30 days The third is the Fair of October made in Medina del Campo and begins the first of November lasting 50 days The fourth is the Fair of Villa Lion begins the first day of Lent and lasteth twenty dayâ— but is no Fair of Exchange the time expired there may no Goods be sold nor payment made upon pain of forfeiture of the Goods and Moneys And it is to be noted that the Lâ—ters be there fifteen days before the time The payments The payments upon all the Fairs they make in Banco not saying forth and they are to recâ—…in Ducates de Oro in Oro largo and forth of Banco where they say forth of Banco and 〈◊〉 ready money there is gotten thereby one per cent and when they say Ducates of Gold or 〈◊〉 worth it is understood in Marvedies 375 for a Ducate and when they say forth of the Fair 〈◊〉 understood for ready money and this shall suffice to have said of Castilia in general and a for the custom and manner of their Exchanges here practised see the Chapter 426 of the fachange of Spain at the end of this Tract Portugal In Portugal once a Famous Kingdom and the rather for the fortunate discoveries made in the Eastern Indies by the Inhabitants there is many fair Towns of Trading but all of theâ— giving precedency to Lisbon the Metropolis of this Kingdom I shall willingly therefore 〈◊〉 the rest and inlarge my self thereupon Commodities of Portugal The general commodities this Countrey abounds is are these Honey Wine Oyl Allum Fruits Fish white Marble Salt c. and those many other Commodities that it is now in great abundance found to yield are the proper Commodities of the East-Indies such as are Pepper Cloves Sugars Nutmegs Ginger Cottons Calliâ—… the Gems of India the Spices and Drugs of Arabia and the Silks and Fabricks of Persia and China which though here to be had yet I have here omitted the mentioning as not being the native Commodities of Portugal CHAP. CXVII Of Libon and the Trade thereof Lisbon and Trade thereof LIsbon is accounted to be seven miles in compass and to contain 20000 families having 67 Towers upon the Walls and 22 Gates to the Sea-ward and 16 to the Continent it is seated upon the River Tagus accounted most famous and commodious for Traffick and Commerce from hence the Portugals set out to the East Indies and hither do return again with all those Spices Drugs and other the rich Merchandize which East-India Arabia Persia and China do afford at the entrance of the River Duero stands Porto also a Town of good Trade where the Galiies used in times past to land the Merchandise and therefore is called Porta Gallorum by which means some Authors do infer the whole Countrey took its name of Portugal But to proceed to Lisbon I will note what I have observed thereupon in matter of Traffick according to my proposed Theme Coins of Portugal The Coins in Portugal found current are these A Croisado of Gold is worth 400 Reas. A Ducate of Portugal is 10 Reals which is 400 Reas which is five shillings sterl A Rial is 40 Res or 6 d. sterling a mill Reas is 22 Rials A Testoon is 2½ Rials or 100 Res or 15 d. sterl A Vintin is 20 Res or 3 d. sterling A Mirle of Gold is 1000 Res which is 2½ Ducates A single Rial Spanish is 2 Vintins or 4 Res. Weights of Portugal Their Weights are these a small and a great the great Cantar is divided into four Roves and each Root is 32 Reals which is 128 l. at 14 ounces per l. which hath been found to make in Florence 149 l. their small Quintar for Pepper and Ginger is near 112 l. English the Rove or Quatern is 2â— l. the great Quintal holdeth 15 in 16 per cent more than the English 112 l. The King hath a Quintar for his Contractation house to sell the Spices of India by which is 150 l. of Florence and is about 114 l. English the great Cantar of Lisbon making in Florence 170â…“ or 130 l. English but all fine Goods is by custom of the place to be sold by the said Kings-Beam These Observations upon 100 l. small of Lisbon have been made in and yield The 100 l. small of Lisbon doth yield in London 113½ li. Marselia 126½ l. Venetia sotile 168½  Venetia gross 106 3 â— Â Sicilia 63¼  Florence 149¼  Antwerp 107¾  Lions 119 â— â— Â Sevil 110¾  Dantzick 130½  Genoa 162.  Aleppo 23 Rials Aleppo Silk 24 6.  Irip. Soria 27 6.  Irip. Barbaria 98 l. Baruti 22.  Alex. Zera 51 3.  Alex. Forsia 117 6.  Seio 102 10.  Constantinople 93 6.  Rhodes 20 7.  Acria 18 3.  Babilonia 15 10 Ma. Balsera 4 5½ Ma. Ormus 113.  Which for trial I refer to the experienced Measures of length in Portugal Their Measures of length dry and liquid here used are these first their Measure of Cloth is the Coveda which is near ¾ of an English Yard the Measure Linnen is the Vare and iâ— an Ell less nail of the English measure by which may be made the computation for other Countreys and by some found to be 8 per centum less Of Corn in Portugal The Measure of Corn is the Alquier three Alquiers is a bushel 1½ is 8 Gallons Winchester Measure and five Alquiers is a Hannep of Spanish Measure Of Salt in Portugal The Measure of Salt is called the Muy and 60 Alquiers makes a Muy and 2 Muyes and 15 Alquiers is a Tun of Bristol water-measure which is 10 Gallons Winchester and 40 of those Measures do make a Tun. Note that 4½ Alquiers of Lisbon make a Fanega or Hannep in Andalusia by some observations which Fanega is 2 Staios and somewhat more of Florence in such manner that a Staâ—… oâ— Florence may be accounted half a Fanega
in Mark to have in Florence 57 or 58 Crowns according to the Cambio To have in Rome 56 Ducates of Camera more or less as the Exchange went To have in Naples 72 Ducates of Carlins more or less c. To have in Palermo or Messina 25 or 26 Carlins c. To have in Spain 400 Marvedies according to the rate of Exchange To have in Anvers so many gross as the Exchange did permit Exchange now of Lions But this custom being now lost by the expulsion of the great Bankers out of this Town in the days of Lewis the Twelfth it is since reduced to Crowns of the Sun of three Livers by which imaginary for so I call it now as having none to be found of that value and rate Coin there is now made and the common and ordinary pieces thereof I will willingly here omit as having mentioned the same at the end of this Work in the Chapters 277 and 302 and other following where all the due circumstances of Exchanges and payments of moneys are observed whereto I refer the Reader Fairs of Lions It is to be noted That here is observed four Fairs in which all payments either By Exchange or for Merchandize are made which run still from three months to three months wherein for so many days rescounters of payments are made without any Money seen stirring from Man to Man which is done in a publick place or Burse appointed to this purpose as I have touched in the Chapter of transferring of Bills of Debts and Specialties in my Factors Adviso the times and terms of which Fairs are these First the Fair of Easter after the Octaves of Easter The second is the Fair of August being the first Munday after our Ladies day in August The third is the Fair of All Saints the day after All Souls The fourth is the Fair of le Roys the day after Epiphany and every Fair lasteth fifteen days that are not Holy-days all business is done in these Fairs and all Bills of Exchange are made and dated in one day and two days after they make the rate of the Exchange which Fairs are counted by their payments Terms of the Bills of Exchange in Lions The terms of their Bills of Exchange hence are these From Lions to Florence Rome and Venice about 30 days little more or less according as the Merchant maketh the agreement every Fair but all the aforesaid places for one and the same day From Lions to Naples and Valentia 5 days later than Florence From Lions to Anvers as Florence From Lions to Spain that is to Medina in Villalion the Fair of All Saints and of the apparition of Lions they exchange for the Fair of Villalion of Middle-Lent and the Fair of Easter of Lions for the Fair of May in Medina del Campo as you shall see more at large in the days of payment of Bills dated in Lions in the said place of the Exchanges of this place Weights in Lions They have in Lions three Beams one used in the Custom-house which is the King's-Beam which contains 100 l. the Quintal and is greater than the second which is the Town weight by 8 per cent by which all Goods pay Custom that are ponderous The second is the Town-weight and is 100 l. the cent the pound thereof containing sixteen ounces per l. upon which all Calculations are made The third is only the weight used for Silk and is 100 l. the cent and the Pound containing fifteen ounces per l. and called The Pound of Mark. The 100 l. of the Town-weight is it whereby the Observations have been made with other Countreys and which by trial hath been found to render thus in these places following In London 96 l. Marselia 104  Venetia sot 143  Ditto gross 89  Sicilia 53  Lisbon 83  Florence 125  Antwerp 90  Sevil 92  Dantzick 109  Malaga 28 R. Rome 122 l. Millain 131  Paris 80  Genoa 135  Almeria 120  Bruges 114  Rochel 104  Diep 94  Rouen 92  And in Asia have made these In Aleppo 19 R. Silk R. 20,9  Tripoli 22¼  Ditto Barbar 81 l. Baruti 18¼  Alex. Zera 43¾  Ditto Forfor 96  Scios 86 Lod. Constantinople 78  Rhodes 17,2 R. Acria 15½  Babylonia 13â…“  Balsara 3,9¼ M. Ormus 93¾ l. CHAP. CXXIX How foreign Measures and Weights are compared with Lions I Find a French Merchant to have made these Observations upon the Trade of Lions which I refer to trial Millain with Lions 100 l. in Millain to have made by tryal in Lions 69 l. Silk-weight the Silk-brace in Millâ—… to render in Lions â— 9 of an Auln The Cloth-brace there to render in Lions 4 7 of an Auln And 20 Sols of Millain caculated for 10 Sols Turnois Turin with Lions 100 l. in Turin to render in Lions 77 l. Silk-weight The Ras which is the Measure to be ½ of an Auln The Florin in money calculated for three Sols Turnois Genoa with Lions The 100 l. of Genoa to render in Lions 72 l. Silk-weight 9 Palms of Genoa making a Câ—… 1 Palm 1 24 of an Auln The Spanish Pistolet worth in Genoa then 11 l. 12 s. in Lions 7 l. 7 s. The Crown of Gold in Gold of Italy worth in Genoa 1 l. 5 s. Florence with Lions The 100 l. of Florence to be in Lions 76¼ Silk-weight 4 Braces being there a Cane 100 Braces being 49 Aulns Lions The Crown of Gold of Florence calculated at 3 l. Turnois Lucca with Lions 100 l. of Lucca suttle weight hath rendred in Lioas 72 3 2 l. Silk weight 100 l. of Lucca of Custom-house weight made 81 l. The Pound of which place being composed of 12 ounces And 2 Braces of the said place made in Lions 1 Auln Bolonia with Lions 100 l. of Bolonia have rendred in Lions 77 l Silk-weight The Brace of Bolonia hath rendred 8 23 of an Auln of Lions The Liver thereof 20 Sols may be esteemed at 11 s. 3 d. Turnois Naples with Lions 100 l. of Naples have made in Lions 68 l. of Silk weight 8 Palnts make a Cane and multiply the Palms by 4 to make them quarters and divide by 17 for 17 quarters is an Auln in Lions which reduced into London measure is The Ducate may be calculated for 48 s. Turnois which is 4 10 sterling Venetia with Lions The 100 l. Suttle of Venetia made in Lions 63½ l. Silk-weight 80 Braces of that place Silk make in Lions 43 Aulns The Ducate may be calculated at 50 Sol. Turnois which is 5 s. sterling Mesina with Lions The 100 l. of Mesina renders at Lions ½ l. of Silk-weight The 100 Braces of Mesina give in Lions Aulns The ounce of Mesina gives by calculation in Lions Bergamo with Lions The 100 l. of Bergamo is in Lions 68 l. Silk-weight The Brace of Bergamo is
the Netherlands and then the Trade of Flanders as at this day it is observed and found in obedience to the Archduke First then these Netherlanders or Dutchmen are of late years become notable Mariners and have undertaken and fortunately atchieved many dangerous and long Navigations every particular City having both many and great Ships belonging thereunto And in some places where Houses are dear and scarce I have seen whole Families live in Lighters and such Vessels wherein they eat drink and sleep and have their continual Habitation their Children like Water-Rats seen continually dabling in the Water of which Element for the most part their Country is subsistent They are accounted better for Northern Designs and Voyages by reason of their Country's cold situation than for Southern yet their late Trade to the East and West-Indies and their good Successes there demonstrate they can also accommodate themselves to the hotter Climates Their Trade is generally throughout the World in imitation of their Neighbours the English whose steps for many Years they have followed only in Turkey they have but small Traffick by reason their Countrey wants those Commodities that are fit and proper for that Empire such as Cloths Lead Tin the main Staple of the English Trade thither As for their Judgment in Traffick it is singular by reason their want of many Necessaries both for Back and Belly enforceth them to pry nearer into Commerce than other Nations that 〈◊〉 in a more fruitful and fertile Country and the easie Rates that Money is to be found at interest addeth some help to their Inventions They were few Years past accounted of a heavy and duller temper but the Italians who in foreseeing Wisdom and Providence would be throughout the World accounted for Promethei were by them made Epimethei as wise after the deed too late repenting For when they came first to settle their Trade in Flanders they took young Youths of that Nation to be their Cashters and to copy their Letters whereby they came to learn the Secrets of their Trade and afterwards to the Italians great Prejudice exercised it themselves and not contented therewith as it were thus depriving them of the Trade of Flanders but they follow'd them into Italy and there living as sparingly as they and dispersing themselves into sundry Provinces and principal Towns have given a great blow to their great Traffick in Italy and that which adds much to their Knowledge and Gain is that they covet still to buy all Commodities at the Well-head as Merchants say and where that Commodity hath its first original and where the same is cheapest and then transport them not so much to their own homes as elsewhere where the same is dearest and not shaming to retail any Commodity by small Parts and Parcels which both English Merchants and Italians disdain to do in any Countrey whatsoever by which means they are come now to that height that tho by nature they want all things yet by Industry and Merchandising they not only supply their own Defects but also many of their Neighbours Wants and Necessities as I could instance in sundry particulars Neither must I omit one Custom here used and not found I think elsewhere in the World that whilst the Husband sports idly at home their Women are oft-times seen to be the Merchants and in some Provinces here sail from City to City to compass their Affairs abroad as they for the most part are found to manage it at home for in their Shops they sell all and take account of all and it is no reproach to the Men to be never enquired after in these Businesses of Trade who take Moneys of their Wives for daily Expence and gladly so pass their time over in Idleness Now for as much as Bruges hath been the City where in time past this great Traffick was cohabitant it will not be amiss a little to look back upon it and those Times and see the Glory of it in its Lustre then and the Decay thereof in its Ruine now The ancient Staple of Bruges It is recorded by Jabobus Marchantius That Ludâ—vicus Crossus Anno 1323 granted a Staple to Bruges which his Son Malanus confirmed which Staple was a Privilege of staying all Forein Commodities in the place except the Seller and Bringer chose rather to return whence they caine The original of Burses of places of meeting for Merchants which in England is now termed the Exchange This City hath an eminent Market place with a publick House for the meeting of all Merchants at Noon and Evening which House was called the Burse of the Houses of the â—…tinct Family Bursa bearing three Purses for their Arms ingraven upon their Houses from whence these Meeting places to this day are called Burses in many Countries which in London we know by the name of the Royal-Exchange and of Britains Burse Fifteen Nations in the height of this Trade had each their several Houses or Colleges here namely the Merchants of England Scotland France Castilia Portugal Arragon Navar Catalonia Biscaia the Hans Towns of Germany as Lubeck Hamburg Rostock Dantzick Riga Revel and divers other Cities Then the Merchants of Venetia Florence Genoua Lucca Millan and others Now then these Nations having by this means each here a Residence supplied this City of Bruges with the particular Commodities of their Countries as first the Italians they brought Camlets Grograms Thread of Silk Silver and Gold and Cloths made thereof also Jewels Wines of Candia Allom Brimstone Oyls Spices and Drugs of all sorts which they had by their Trade of Egypt India Arabia and Grecia 2. The French brought Salt Wines White and Red Paper Linens and some Oyls The English Wool Lead Tin Beer and some Woollen Cloths for Veils for Women used in those days 4. The Scots brought Skins of Sheep and Conies and such like 5. The Spaniards and Portuguese brought Grain for Scarlet Die Gold Silver Raw Silk some Drugs and Spices 6. The Germans Danes and Pollacks brought Honey Wax Corn Saâ—…petre Wools Glass Furs Quick-silver Rhemsh Wines Timber for building and the like And 7. Flanders yielded to these Horse Cattel Butter Cheese Herrings and other Sea fish VVoolles and Linen Cloths Tapestry of great Beauty and Variety excellent Pictures and other Manufactures And by this great Concourse of Nations Flanders gave the name to all the Netherlands To increase yet this Trade Bruges Anno. 1414. got a Privilege That they who were Free of that City by Gift Buying Birth or Marriage should be free from all Confiscation of their Goods which exceedeth the Privileges of any other City in the Netherlands for those of 〈◊〉 having the like yet lose it upon any Force offer'd to the Prince This Trade thus continued till the year 1485. when it began to decay partly by the Narrowness and Unsafety of the Port of Sluce and the River leading from thence to Bruges and partly by the Fame of the large and commodious River Sceldis
great otherwise and the Weights and Measures in use are these Weights of Noremberg There is here but one Pound in use as in Spiers of which are also composed two several Quintars agreeing with it and as there I mentioned with London Measures of Noremberg Their Measure of Length is the Ell both for Linen and Woollen contrary to the Custom of most Cities of Germany the 100 Ells whereof have been found to make in London 63. Ells and the 100 Yards of London to have made here 138 Ells. Exchanges of Noremberg The Place is famous also for the great Exchanges practised therein which I have at large handled in Chapter 298 with all Circumstances thereto belonging CHAP. CXCI. Of Frankfort and the Trade thereof Frankfort and the Trade thereof FRankfort is a Free City of the Empire famous for the common Assemblies here of the Electors for the choice of the Emperour and for their two annual Fairs as also for many Parliaments of the Empire held here It is seated upon the Maene which runneth through the same dividing the City into two parts which are united by a goodly Bridge It is strongly incompassed with a double Wall and is seated in a large Plain the Streets narrow and the Houses built of Timber and Clay here is in this Town Sanctuary for Bankrupts for the space of 14 days which is never without some Guests and Company from some one adjoining City or other and if in those 14 days they cannot compound or escape then by all wiles they will get out of the Privileges thereof and entring in again begin their 14 days over again and thus are found to do for six Months or a Year together There is found in their Marts or Fairs a great Trade and Concourse of Merchants but it is principally famous for Books which from all parts of Europe are brought hither printed and dispersed hence the Town consisting much upon Printing and other manual Arts. The VVeights and Measures in use are Weights of Frankfort The VVeight of this Place is the Pound of 16 ounces of which are made 3 several Hundreds or Quintals which agree with that of Heidelberg before-mentioned and as that also with London Lipsick Friburg Ulm Iffan Isuff Basle Costute and Domstetter holding also in each of the said Towns the same Concordancy therefore here needs no further Repetition Measures of Frankfort Frankfort is found to have two several Measures of Length the Woollen and Linen Ell differing about 2 per cent so that the 100 Ells for Linen here gives in London 48 Ells and the 100 Ells in Woollen gives about 49 Ells London and the 100 Yards of London renders here of Lineâ— 169 Ells and of Wollen 168¼ incirca Exchanges of Frankfort The Exchanges here practised are great which I have handled in Chapter 298. at large with all due Circumstances Helvetia The sixth Province is Helvetia wherein are contained the 13 Cantons of the warlike Switsers preserving their Liberties by their Valour notwithstanding their potent Neighbours The chief of their Cities are Zurick 2 Basil an University 3 Constance famous for the Council here held Anno 1414. 4 Berne 5 Upbaden the ordinary place for the common Assembly of the said Cantons 6 Lucern and others and of the Trade of the principal of these a word in passing CHAP. CXCII Of Zurick and the Trade thereof Zurick and the Trade thereof ZUrick is seated on the Lake Zeurisca which divideth the same into two parts which again is united by three fair Bridges the middlemost serving as a Meeting-place for Merchants which Lake runneth into the Brook Limachus which passeth to Baden and so into the Rhine carrying Boats by which Commodities are transportable the Weights and Measâ—… in use are Weights of Zurick The Moneys currant in the Swiss Cantons I shall note in the place of the Coins of the Empire the Weight then here is the Pound of 17 ounces of which is made the 100 l. and the 120 l. and it is found that the 100 l. suttle of London turns here 93¼ l. Measures of Zurick The Measure of Length is here an Ell the 100 whereof renders in London 52 Ells or there abouts CHAP. CXCIII Of Basil and the Trade thereof Basil and the Trade thereof BAsil lieth upon the River of Rhyne which divideth it into the lesser and the greater Basâ—… it was once an Imperial City but now is joined to the Cantons of Switserland It is a famous University and much frequented by Students the Benefit of the Rhyne running hence through Germany communicates the Commodities of this City to all others seated thereupon Weights of Basil Basil is found in Weights to have but one Pound equal with Frankfort and Heidelburg of which is composed three several Quintars one of 100 l. another of 120 l. and the third of 132 l. and agrees with London as you shall find in Heidelburg and Frankfort aforementioned Measures of Basil The Measure of Length of Basil is the Ell for Linen and Woollen the 100 Ells whereof render in London 48 Ells and the 100 Yards of London hath been observed to give here 167¼ Ells. Valesia The seventh Province is Valesia seated wholly amongst the Alps. Sittin is the only walled Town of this Province Boetia Boetia is the eighth in which is Chur the Metropolis of the Grisons and here is the Valtoliâ—… taken by the Spaniards 1622. Suevia Suevia is the ninth wherein are found the Cities of Ulm 2 Ausbourg 3 Norlinghen 4 Ravensperg and others of some of which as most notable a word CHAP. CXCIV Of Ausburg and the Trade thereof Ausburg and the Trade thereof AUsburg is a Free City of the Empire governed by a Senate of Citizens it is seated upon the Northern Mouth of the Alps in a fruitful Plain of Corn and Pastures it is strong and well fortified and beautified with many Houses of Free-stone of six or seven stories high In this City lived those famous Merchants of the Family of the Fuggers who have built here many publick Buildings and many private which at a reasonable rate are let to the poorer Inhabitants Here is also a magnificent Building for the meeting of Merchants in manner of our Royal Exchange called commonly the Berl There are two small Rivers which run through the Suburbs and are commodious for Transportation of Corn and VVines which this Countrey of Schwaben or Suevia yieldeth in great Quantity This City is also Famous for the Confession here made of their Faith by the Protestant Princes and delivered the Emperour Anno Weights of Ausburg The VVeight of Ausburg is the Pound of 16 ounces the 100 l. being the Quintar makes in London 109 l. and this agrees with Munchen VVesel Norlinghen and some other places of Germany Measures of Ausburg The Measure of Length is here the Ell found twofold the one for VVoollen the other for Linen and
general of Germany Coins current in Germany COnsidering the privilege of coining of monies granted by the Emperors of Germany to divers Cities that are Imperial and to sundry free Princes that are comprehended within this Empire it will prove an impossible labour to my confessed ignorance in particular to set down all the coins found current therein besides which the sundry accidents of war necessities Trade or the like inforceth an uncertainty in all certain Rules and Edicts published and agreed upon for an uniform value to be conveyed in all monies stamped for current through all this Empire yet because I would not omit what I have in this point gathered I will here insert the same and leave the truth to tryal and experience And before I enter upon this particular of Coins it will not be amiss to see in what nature Accounts are kept in this country Accounts in Germany First then I find their Accounts are kept by three principal denominations partly consisting of imaginary Coins the first whereof is by Florins and Crutchers whereof sixty is accounted to a Florin the second is by florins batches and crutchers the Florin being accounted for 15 batches and the batch for 4 crutchers the third is by florins sold and deniers 12 deniers being a soldo and 20 soldoes a florin the florin may be valued at 3 shilliings 4 pence sterling or 33 shillings 4 pence tarine and the batch at 2 shillings sterling and in payments of Merchandise note that a florin is accounted for a common silver guilden of which there is no such Coin found being meerly imaginary as is the same Coin of marks of Collen and Lubeck likewise imaginary or at least not now coined nor in use Coins in Stoad Hamburg and Lubeck Now for the current Coins observe that first in Stoad Hamburg and Lubeck before named the gold Rhenish guilden was worth when these notes were taken 28â… silver misen gross or worth 36½ Lubeck shillings and the Imperial Dollar was worth 33 Lubeck shillings A common silver guilden was worth 28 Lubeck shillings A French Crown of gold was worth 44 Lubeck shillings An English Angel was worth two dollars and a quarter and 2 Lubeck shillings or to say otherwise it was worth 12 Flemish shillings and 4 Lubeck shillings Lubeck s. 7½ made an English shilling sterl Lubeck s. 6 made a Flemish shilling and likewise a shilling of Hamburg In Hamburg they coin a piece of Gold called a Portegue which is worth 4 pound and 8 shillings of Hamburg or 33 marks of Lubeck Again Coins current in Embden At Embden upon the confines of the Empire and the Low Countries a silver guilden of Emden was worth 20 stivers an Imperial dollar 45 stivers which since I understand is worth 48 stivers a dollar was worth 30 stivers a French Crown was worth 3 Flemish guild and 6 stivers and now 6 stivers as also 6 Lubeck shillings make one shilling Flemish where by the way it is to be noted that Princes and Cities do coin gold and silver guildens which are found often in their value to differ from the Imperial guildens Again Coins current in Breme Oldenburg c. At Breme Oldenburg and in those parts they have current coins called groats and small pieces stamped called copstacks and a dollar was there worth 4½ copstacks or 55 groats a French Crown was worth 6 copstacks and one copstack 10 stivers or 12 groats and this groat was worth a little more than an English penny a sesting was worth half a Lubeck shilling and they have here half sestings Coins current in Brunswick At Brunswick a dollar was 36 mariagross which are of equal weight with 24 silver misen gross also 9 mariagross make 8 Lubecks the same doller was worth 18 spitzgrossen whereof each was worth two maria groshe Coins current in Magdenburg Misen Lipsick c. At Magdenberg Lipsick Misen and in all the Electorate of Saxony and in the neighbouring Tenitories to the Confines of Bohemia a doller was worth 24 silver grossen which are the same at 18 Spitzgrossen or 36 maria grossen A Rhemish Gold Guilden was worth 27 Silver gross and the Philip Doller was of the same value A common Silver Guilden was esteemed at 21 Silver gross A French Crown at 33 Silver gross A Spanish Pistolet at 32 Silver gross A half Milres at 36 Sil. gros the Hungarian Ducate at 3 ounces A short and long Crusado at 35 Silv. gross A Rosenoble at 3½ Dollers the English Angel at 2¼ Dollers the Silver gross was worth more than 2 pence and about 2¼ pence sterling And for the small Coins a gross was worth 4 driers and 1 drier 2 dribellers and 1 dribeller was worth a pfening and half and 12 pfening made a gross and two schwerd grossen made one Schneberger Coins current through the upper parts of Germany In general through all the upper parts of Germany a Doller was esteemed at 18 batsen a silver guilden at 15 a Philip Doller at 20 a French Crown at 24½ a gold Crown of Italy at 24 a silver Italian Crown at 22½ batsen a Rhemish Gold Guilden through higher Germany was worth 27 silver misen gross a silver Guilden there as in Saxony at 21 gross the batson roay be accounted 3 pence English and 4 cretzers makes a bats 4 pfening make a cretzer and three cretzers make a zwelver and 20 zwelvers make 15 batsen which is a common silver guilden But I have noted before how subject these Coins are to be hoised in common payment which proceeds through divers and sundry occasions and this being none of the least that Merchant foreiners do carry out the Coins of the Empire more than they do the Commodities of the Empire and therefore to have good moneys are oftentimes contented to receive them at a higher rate than they commonly do otherwise pass at The Coins of Bohemia The Kingdom of Bohemia as also that of Hungary have used the Coins of the Empire in the same value as at first coined by common consent of both those Nations but it is to be understood that as well in those free Cities and by those free Princes which have the privilege of coining there is always stamped certain small brass mony that only passeth current in their Jurisdictions and no farther and those passing in the Kingdom of Bohemia are found to be these First 3 potchandles make one cretzer nine cretzers and one potchandel make four wissgross and 30 gross of Moravia or wisgross make a Doller also here Merchants reckon two hellers for a pfening and six pfenings for a gross and 60 gross for a shock and 40 gross for a mark The Coins of Switzerland In Switzerland it is found that divers of the Cantons do coyn monies which pass current among themselves the principal of which Mints are found to be in Basil Zurich and Schaphusen the common and usual whereof I will only note Their
Corn. The chief Cities herein are Candia the Metropolis Canea Rhetmio Sitta Suda a brave Harbour and Suda not to be â—gotten being the best Harbour in all these Seas and capable to receive 1000 Sail of Ships Coins current in Candia The Coins of Venice is here current with little difference and their Accounts kept as there and â—nce a year the Gally grosses from Venice come hither to furnish the Inhabitants with all those Conâ—…ities which Nature hath denied them of and which other Germany Italy France or England can afford them Weights in Candia There is here used two Weights or two Quintals as in Venice a suttle and a gross quintar which is found thus to agree with the said City of Venice 100 l. gross of Candia is 110 l. gross Venice and 118 l. English 100 l. suttle of Candia is 114 l. suttle Venice and 76 l. English 100 l. gross of Venice make here about 90 l. gross 100 l. suttle of Venice make here about 86 in 87 l. suttle Measures of Candia There is here also used two Picos a Cloth Pico and a Silk Pico 100 Braces Cloth in Venice is 〈◊〉 in Cloth 106 Picos 100 Braces Silk in Venice is here also 100 Pico Silk which by observation hath made in London inches Of Wines Maskaâ—els are here sold by a Measure called the Mestach 100 Mestach of clear Malvoise makes 24 Quarts of the Begonso Measure in Venice or 21 of the Sechio Measure which is in England Gallons Cerigo To proceed then in the Ionian Isles I find next Cerigo which is plentiful in Marble and out of the Castle of the chief Towns of this Isle was Helena the Wife of Menelaus stoln by Paris where during my abode here the Castelan did shew me and lodged me in the Chamber whence as be would have me believe she was ravished but if it were so her Lodging I 〈◊〉 confident was better than mine for a soft Board was my best Bed and God knows with what sorty Coverings and Appurtenance Strival The Strophades or Strivali are the next giving only a poor livelihood to some few Greek 〈◊〉 or Friers Cursalari And the Cursalari noted only as silent Spectators to the Battel of Lepanto fought in Anno 1571. near them Corfu Then Corfu the Key of the Venetian State being in the centre of their Dominions by Sea of which a word by the way CHAP. CCLII Of Corfu and the Trade thereof Corfu and the Trade thereof THis Island having the principal Town of that name is now reputed to be one of the Bulwarks of Christendom and the Key of the Venetian State and is a reasonable fruitful â—…d especially in Wax Honey Wine Oyl and some other Commodities Their Moneys and Accounts as in Venetia Weights in Corfu Their Weights is two as in Venice a suttle and a gross pound and Quintar which thus is found to agree together 100 l. suttle of Corfu makes suttle Venice 133 l. and 90 l. London 100 l. gross of Corfu makes gross Venice Measures in Corfu Their Measure in Corfu is a Brace which is English inches of Corn. Their Corn measure is a Moija which is 4 Delegators which is 1½ Staio of Venetia and in England is Gallons Wine Wine is sold by the Jar 4 whereof makes a Quart in Corfu which makes of the Sachio measure in Venetia 6 Sechis and Jars 2 and â— makes one Quart Venetian in Wine which is in England Gallons Salt Salt is sold by the Moyetta 1000 whereof makes in Venice 23 in 24 Moya incirca and in London Bushels Saint Mauro Then comes in view Saint Mauro where stood a Temple famous for curing unfortunate Lovers but the Medicine was by casting themselves headlong into the Sea and so I imagine they may be cured in any Country else whatsoever the chief Town is S. Mauro inhabited 〈◊〉 Jews only There resteth yet of note in these Seas Ithaca the Islands of Ithaca now called Val de Cemâ—… being 50 miles in compass Zephalonia and North-East from the Island of Zephalonia being 66 miles 〈◊〉 compass and wherein are found the Towns and Havens of Argusto Guiscardo and 〈◊〉 Zant. and on the South-East thereof is the Island of Zant or Zacynthus about 40 miles 〈◊〉 compass fortified with a strong Castle on the East-side which commands the Town 〈◊〉 Zant and the Harbour thereunto adjoyning the Trade whereof I here for brevity 〈◊〉 comprise together CHAP. CCLIII Of the Island of Zant Zeffalonia and Ithaca and the Trade thereof Zant Zeffalonia and the Trade thereof HAving before treated of these Islands and their fituation I now come to the 〈◊〉 thereof as found at the times of my being there which was in Anno 1619. and 〈◊〉 1624. with the needful Observations remarkable thereupon Commodities of these Islands The Commodities that these three Islands do yield for Merchandise are Honey Wax Oylâ—… Wines and Currans of which last here is found growing such abundance that some year the English have laden here 3000 tuns and upwards besides what the Dutch French and other Countries do export and is computed to yield to the Inhabitants 300000 〈◊〉 incirca yearly c. and to the Seigniory of Venice for Custom which is hereon very great 40000 Chequins Currants in Zant Zeffatonia and Theaca Of these Currants Zeffalonia doth yield the greatest quantity but is commonly the smallestâ— and least esteemed Zant doth next yield a lesser proportion but a better and larger sort 〈◊〉 Ithaca vulgarly Theaca doth commonly produce the best and fairest but withal the fewest 〈◊〉 quantity The Commodities that this place doth vent coming from England is little some Clâ—… Perpetuanos Serges Lead and Tin and some Fish of Newfound Land also some Herrings and Pilchards but the principal Commodity brought hither is Rials Spanish with which these Currans abovesaid are usually provided and bought and no other Commodity is so welcome amongst them Coins current in Zant c. Their Moneys current are those of the Seigniory of Venice as being under their Government and especially the Rials Spanish which is hither by the English brought in great quantity and also by all such other Nations as have occasion for this Fruit. Accounts in Zant c. Their Accounts are kept by the Islanders as in Venice but by the Merchants Strangers here resident in Dollars which are those Rials of 8 8 and Gassets 80 to a Dollar Weights of Zant c. Their Weight is the Pound of 12 Ounces and the Quintar is 100 l. and found thus to agree with Venice and other places 100 l. suttle of Venice makes here 63½ l. in these Islands 100 l. gross of Venice agrees with the common 100 l. thereof The Pound suttle in Venice makes here 7 Ounces 1 Sac. 16 per Cent. Currans are here bought by the 1000 l. which by the computation of Concordancy specified
off called Watchet of the same bigness only the Key is ruined and another Port 7 miles from the Town called Bridgwater in which Town cometh a Salt-water River in which may come in at a full Tide Vessels of 60 Tuns and the River from the main of Severn is above 10 miles by which you may judg how many Vessels may arrive to these Ports there are but few Ships belonging to these Ports their Trade is to Ireland to Wales for Coals and Bristol and sometimes to France and Spain The Ports he against the Sea that runs to Bristol called the Severn What Trade they drive is set forth in the former Articles As for Fishing there is very little not worth mentioning Wiltshire 5. Wiltshire is the 5. altogether an inland Country the chiefest Towns are Malmesbury famours for the Cloths of Wool made here Salisbury for the Bishoprick and Wilton of old the chief of this County now a little Village Hampshire 6. Hampshire is the 6. wherein are found the little fair City of Southampton Winchester the pleasant and Portsmouth the only now Garrison Town of England Barkshire 7. Berkshire is the 7. wherein are found the Towns of Newbery famous for Clothing and Windsor for the King's Castle and where the Ceremony of the Knights of the Garter is solemnized Surrey 8. Surrey is the 8. wherein are seen Oatlands and Richmond two beautiful and stately Palaces belonging to the Kings of England Sussex 9. Sussex is the 9. Chichester being the chief City and Rhy the chief Sea-Town Kent 10. Kent is the next rich in Meadows Pastures Groves Apples and Cherries wherein are found seated the Cinque-Ports Deptford the King's Yard for building of his Ships Rochester the Seat of a Bishop Eltham and Greenwich two Palaces of the Kings Dover a famous Sea-Port and one of the Keys of this Island and lastly Canterbury the prime of this County and the Seat of the Archbishop and Metropolitan of all England Gloucester 11. Gloucestershire is the 11. the principal Towns are Tewksbury famous for Cloth-making and Gloucester the chief of the County here are also found the famous Hills of Cotswold upon which great Flocks of Sheep are found to feed yielding that excellent Wool so much esteemed amongst all Nations Oxford 12. Oxfordshire is the 12. which is a fruitful County both in Corn and Pasture and wherein is found Woodstock a House of the King 's an inclosed Park with a Stone Wall imagined the the first of this Land and Oxford an University famous through the World and chief of this Island Buckingh 13. Buckinghamshire is the 13. wherein are found the good Towns of Ailsbury Stony-stratford and Buckingham the principal of the County Bedford 14. Bedfordshire is the next and shews the Town of Bedford for the first of the County Hertford 15. Hertfordshire is the 15. wherein is the stately House of Theobalds a House of the Kings St. Albans a fair Thorough-fare and Hertford the principal of the County Middlesex 16. Middlesex is the 16. wherein are found the King's Palace Hampton Court and London the prime City of this Kingdom and the Chamber of the Kings of England so famous abroad in forein Countries that it needs no Mans Commendation it is beautified with sundry Colleges for the Study of the Municipal Laws with the Churches of Westminster and London besides divers others with the Hall of Westminster where the Parliaments extraordinary and Courts of Chancery Kings-Bench and other Courts are ordinarily kept with the 2 Palaces of Whitehall and St. James with an Exchange or Burse for Merchants to meet in with a sumptuous and wonderful Bridge of Free stone besides many other excellent private and publick Edifices Essex 17. Essex is the next abounding in Pasturage Corn and Saffron and in which are found Chelmsford the chief Town Colchester Coxal and others abounding with Bays Says and other new Drapery and lastly Harwich a safe Haven for Ships Suffolk 18. Suffolk is next which affords quantity of Butter Cheese and Cloths known by the names of Suffolk-cloth wherein is found St. Edmunds bury and Ipswich which hath a commodious Haven Norfolk 19. Norfolk is the 19. a large champain Country abounding in Conies and Sheep affording the two good Haven Towns of Lin and Yarmouth and Norwich the first of the County which deserves to be numbred amongst the chiefest Cities of England A Description of the City of Norwich and the Trade thereof It is seated in the County of Norfolk and is situate upon the River Yare which runs to Yarmouth and gives name to that Town passable for small Boats only on which River are 5 Bridges the City is well walled with many Turrets and hath 12 Gates for Entrance containing 36 Parishes in the midst whereof is a very fair Market-place â—and Town-Hall for the City Courts and Elections and one other Hall wherein the Citizens keep their great Feasts This City is also beautified with a fair Cathedral and Cloister not much inferior to any in the World tho now much ruinated by these unhappy Times There is also in this City the Ruines of an old Castle 3 Palaces viz. one belonging to the Dukes of Norfolk one formerly belonging the Earls of Surrey and one other for the Bishop of Norwich Here are also 3 Hospitals one for aged Persons one for Boys and one for Girls The Government of this City is by a Mayor 2 Sheriffs 24 Aldermen and 16 Common Council-Men This City being an Inland Place about 30 miles from the Sea by Water tho not above 16 by Land hath little forein Trade save only with Holland and that not considerable or worth taking notice of the chief Trade of this City being to London and that in these two Commodities especially viz. Stuffs and Stockings the Stuffs here vended in a time of Free Trade may be estimated at 100000 l. per annum and upward which said Stuffs are under the Government of two Companies one called the Worsted Company and the other the Russel Company those Manusactures under the Government of the Worsted Company and approved by the Wardens thereof have a Seal affixed to each End thereof the one Seal having this Word Norwich on one side and certain Letters on the other which stand for such of the Wardens Names as are present at the Sealing thereof the other Seal hath on one side these Words Worsted reformed and on the other side thereof in Figures the Quantity of Yards the Piece contains and those Manufactures under the Government of the Russel Company and approved by them have but one Seal which hath on one side the Representation of a Castle and on the other side these Words Fidelitas Artes alit This Stuff Trade is chiefly managed in Partnership between the London and Norwich Merchants great Quantities whereof have in formertimes in a Free Trade with other Nations been exported beyond the Seas to several places but
make a Livre or Pound and 12 Deniers or Pence makes a Soldo or Shilling the same Rule also holds in those places whose greatest Moneys are imaginary and feigned or who keep not this orderly Succession as are the Ducats of Catalonia of Castilia of Rome and of Pertugal also those Crowns who have no proper parts also the Ducatoons in what Country soever and the Florms in Germany all these I say which ought to succeed in 20 and 12 that is in Solds and Den. or Shillings and Pence and each of the other sorts of Moneys shall be accounted according to the property of that Country and as shall be signified in the front of the following Table of that place amongst which there are some which are commonly resolved by the more principal of their own Moneys as the Exchange of Sicily with Catalonia Castilia Portugal Brabant and England and howsoever they make their Exchange either by the Sicilian Florin or by the Ducat notwithstanding the parcel is resolved in Ounces Tarins Grains and Pichols which is throughly declared in the following Tables And lastly forasmuch as the terms and days of Bills of Exchange are found in many Countries to differ in length of time and are limited of divers days and that the Rates â—…sing and falling of Exchanges have a course set by a continual meeting of Exchangers and their Opinions in equality of value I have thought good to insert the same with some other needful Circumstances of this Art of Exchanging at the end of the Tables to which I refer the Learne where also he shall find at large how most of these Exchanges are cast up and reckoned from one place to another and now I will proceed to the Tables themselves as I find them calculated by the said Geo Bapt. Zuletta and others following him CHAP. CCLXXVII Of the Exchanges of Placentia a Place of Fairs or Fiera of Exchanges in Italy The Exchanges of Placentia THis Town is considered as a Fair or Staple of Exchanges and not as a City of Trafficle and therefore there is no esteem made of the current Money of the place but only of that which is made by Exchanging which are Crowns of Mark in which Moneys Bankers and Exchangers do only treat and account in and the same is held by Crowns Sold and Deniers of Mark. And in the Custom of Exchanges here in use it giveth the entire and whole Sum to all other places being either Crowns one or Crowns one Hundred Placentia doth exchange with Lions Crowns 100 for 96¾ Crowns Rome Crowns 100 99½ Ducats Genoua Crown 1 67. 10 Sol. of Gold Millan Crown 1 134. 9 Sol. Venice Crowns 100 130 Ducats Florence Crowns 100 109½ Crowns Lucca Crowns 100 116¾ Ducatoons Naples Crown 1 134 Grains Lechi Crown 1 135½ Grains Bari Crown 1 135 Grains Palermo Crown 1 29 Carlins Mesina Crown 1 29¼ Carlins Antw. Col. Crown 1 128 Grosses London Crown 1 81½ d. sterl Valentia Crown 1 24 Sold. Saragosa Crown 1 24 Sol. 6 Den. Barcelona Crown 1 24 Sol. 4 Den. Siv al. Med. Crown 1 432 Marvedes Lisbon Crown 1 482 Rais Bollonia Crown 1 119 Ducatoons Bergamo Crown 1 118¾ Ducatoons Frankford Crown 1 103½ Quarentins In the 382. Chapter the Reader may find how these Exchanges are cast up and calculated CHAP. CCLXXVIII Of the Exchanges of Lions Paris and Rouen in France The Exchanges of Lions c. IN Lions Paris Rouen and through all France they keep their Accounts in Livres Sols Deniers and Turnois and they here do exchange in Crowns of the Sun and Deniers of the Sun this Livre is also called in some places of France a Frank and 3 Livres or Franks is accounted for the said Crown of the Sun and the Crown of Italy by a Decree and Standard of the Country passeth at 58 Sol. of the said Crown And in the Custom of Exchanging it giveth the entire and whole Sum or Number either one Crown or one hundred Crowns of the Sol. Lions doth exchange with Placentia Crowns 100 for 103½ Crowns Rome Crowns 100 99½ Ducat Genoua Crown 1 66½ Sol. of Gold Millan Crown 1 115 Sol. Venice Crowns 100 116¾ Duc. Bank Florence Crowns 100 106½ Crown Lucca Crowns 100 117½ Ducatoons Naples Crown 1 124 Grains Lechi Crown 1 122½ Grains Bari Crown 1 123 Grains Palermo Crown 1 29½ Carlins Mesina Crown 1 29½ Carlins Antw Col. Crown 1 96 Gross London Crown 1 62 Pence sterl Valentia Crown 1 23 Sol. 10 Den. Saragosa Crown 1 23 Sol. 8 Den. Barcelona Crown 1 24 Sol. Siv al. Med. Crown 1 436 Marvedes Lisbon Crown 1 485 Rais Bollonia Crowns 100 119½ Ducatoons Bergamo Crowns 100 119â…• Ducatoons Franckford Crown 1 104 Quarentins Vide Chap. 302. and so following of the Calculation of the Exchanges of this place CHAP. CCLXXIX Of the Exchanges of Rome in Italy The Exchanges of Rome IN Rome the Bankers and Exchangers keep their Accounts in Crowns Julios Bacochs and Quatrins and they Exchange in Ducats Sols and Deniers of Camera The Crown of the abovesard Money is worth 10 Julios or 100 Bacochs or else 400 Quatrins the Julio is 10 Bacochs or else 40 Quatrins and the Bacoch is 4 Quatrins The Ducat of Camera according to the old Value is worth 2½ per Cent. more than the Crown of Gold so that 100 Ducats are 102½ Crowns In the Custom of Exchange amongst Merchants the place giveth the broken Number to all Italy excepting to the Kingdom of Naples to Sicilia Bollonia and Bergamo and to all others 〈◊〉 giveth the whole Number which is either one Ducat or by a 100 Ducats Rome doth exchange with Placentia Ducats 97¾ for 100 Crowns Lions Ducats 97½ 100 Crowns Genoa Ducats 97â…› 100 Crowns of Gold Millan Ducats 97¼ 100 Crowns of Gold Venice Ducats 85â…“ 100 Ducates Florence Ducats 91¾ 100 Crowns Lucca Ducats 84 100 Ducatoons Naples Ducats 100 135 Ducats Lechi Ducats 100 134â…” Ducats Bari Ducats 100 134½ Ducats Palermo Ducat 1 14 15 Tarins Mesina Ducat 1 14 17 Tarins Antw. Col. Ducat 1 125 Grosses London Ducat 1 87½ d. sterling Valentia Ducat 1 24 2 Sol. Saragosa Ducat 1 23 Sol. 8 Deniers Barcellona Ducat 1 23 Sol. 10 Deniers Siv al. Med. Ducat 1 440 Marvedes Lisbon Ducat 1 482 Raies Bollonia Ducats 100 119 Ducatoons Bergamo Ducats 100 119½ Ducatoons Frankford Ducat 1 103 Quarentins Vide how these are calculated Chap. 326. and so following CHAP. CCLXXX Of the Exchanges of Genoua the Metropolis of Liguria The Exchanges of Genoua IN Genoua Exchangers keep their Accounts in Livres Sols and Deniers current and they exchange in Livres Sols and Deniers of Gold The Moneys current is it that is the common in use of which the Crown of Gold is worth Sol. 90. and in times past was worth less The Moneys of Gold are imaginary and valued according as the Fairs of Exchanges permit of which the Crown of Gold is always worth 68 Sol. In the Custom of
price of 90 Gross per Ducat and of the Grosses which shall come thereof you must cut off the two last sigures and there will remain Gross 121½ and so many Gross and ⅖ more per cent for provision which is payable in Venice is disbursable in Antwerp for one Crown of Mark in credit in Placentia 2 Example Again at Venice is Exchange found for Antwerp at gro 90⅓ and for London at 56 pence sterling there is hereupon Order given to Venice that at these prices they draw for Antwerp and remit to London the question is At what price will the Remittance be from Antwerp to London To do this say by the Rule of Three If 56 pence sterling give gros 90⅓ seeing that the one and the other is the value of a Ducat of Venice what will 240 pence sterling give being the price of the pound sterling of London It will be gros 387 which reducing to shillings in taking the 1 12 and it will be 32¼ shillings and so many shillings Flemish and ⅖ more per cent for the provision payable in Venice comes to be disbursed in Antwerp for one pound sterling money Credit in London 2 Example Again a Merchant of London is Creditor in Antwerp 2000 l. Flemish who inordereth that it be remitted him at Shillings 33¼ or to Placentia at 121 gro where the most profit shall be found that is to that place which shall be most beneficial or to least loss of the prices limited Now there are found Bills for London at Shillings 33½ and for Placentia at gro 121¼ I demand to which of the said places should the Remittance be made seeing that by both there is found Remittance to loss And to know where is the least say by the Rule of Three If shil 33¼ give gros 121 the price inordered what will shil 33½ give being the price found for London It will come to gros 121 9 10 so that the Remittance should be made to Placentia because that remitting to London at shil 33½ to go to the Par should be delivered for Placentia at gro 121 9 10 and there is found Bills for loss that is at 121¼ gross And thus much for the Exchanges practised in Antwerp CHAP. CCCCXLIII Of the Exchanges practisd in London and how the same are to be calculated Exchanges practised in London I Have shewed in the general Exchanges of London with how many other places this City is found to Exchange and there also set down the common current prices and rates thereof which every day is found to be so subject to alteration that no positive rule can be observed rightly to set down the same yet it is in it self so beneficial that thereby the unexperienced may know how to make his calculation thereof and that as well in his Draughts as in his Remittances Now only there resteth to conclude this Tract of Exchanges and this Map of Commerce to handle the way how the same is cast up and how by Arithmetick it is performed which I will observe here with some other principal places which may serve for a sufficient ground and instruction to those here omitted Accounts kept in London It is here to be noted for the better understanding of what ensueth That all Bankers or Exchangers do keep their Accounts in London in pounds shillings and pence commonly called sterling and cast up by 20 and by 12 for 20 Shillings make a pound and 12 pence make a shilling And morcover that London exchangeth in the Denominator of pence sterling with all other Countreys Antwerp and those Countrys neighbouring of Flanders and Holland excepted with which it exchangeth by the entire pound of 20 shillings sterling CHAP. CCCCXLIV Of the Exchanges of London with Lions Exchanges of London with Lions LOndon exchangeth with Lions and giveth posito 61 pence more or less to have in Lions a Crown of Gold of the Sun of 3 l. piece I demand then for 348 l. 15 shillings sterling how many Crowns of the Sun shall I have Credit for in Lions First reduce the said sum of pounds sterling into shillings multiplying the same by 20 and adding thereto 15 shillings and then by 12 pence adding thereto the pence if any were and then divide the same by 61 pence and the Divident will make Crowns multiplying the remainder of the Division by 20 to make them Sols and by 12 to make them Den. of Gold and then they make in all Crow 1372008 Pence of the Sun of Gold that I shall have in Credit at Lions for the said sum of 348 l. 15 sterling delivered in London Proof The proof of this rule is manifested when that Lions shall exchange the said sum of 1372⅛ Crowns for London Exchanges of London with Paris Rouen c in France And here also it is to be noted that the rule is the same when London shall exchange with either Paris or Rouen or any other City of the Kingdom of France CHAP. CCCCXLV Of the Exchanges of London with Florence Exchanges of London with Florence LOndon doth exchange with Florence and giveth posito 70 pence ster more or less to have in Florence a Crow of Gold I demand then for pounds 656 10 6 d. ster how many Crowns shall I have Credit in Florence This is to be cast up as in the precedent rule of London with Lions and it will appear That for the said 656 10 6 sterling I am to have Credit in Florence the sum of Crow 2250⅛ as per Example Proof Note That this Exchange is seldom practised from London and therefore not in use in these days but when many Florentine Merchants resided in London it was much in use yet the Rule is right and the proof thereof is evident when Florence rechangeth again for London CHAP. CCCCXLVI Of the Exchanges of London with Venice Exchanges of London with Venice LOndon is found to Exchange for great Sums with Venice and giveth posito 50 d. sterling to have in the said place one Ducat in Banco of l. 6⅕ money of Venice I demand then for 555 l. 17 6 d. sterling how many Ducats shall I have Credit for in Venice This is done as in the precedent rule reducing the pounds sterling into shillings by the multiplication of 20 and adding 17 and then multiplying that again by 12 to bring it into pence and adding thereto 6 d. and it will make Duc. 2668⅕ which should be rendred in Venice for 555 l. 17 6 d. sterling in London as per Example Proof Difference between money in Banco and current money in Venice Note that for distinction of the current money in Venice which is 21 per cent at present worse than the money payable by Exchange it is termed in Banco in which all Bills of Exchange are payable and the proof of this rule is apparent when that the said sum of 2668⅕ Ducats is rechanged for London CHAP. CCCCXLVII Of the Exchanges of
of Commodities and of weight ibid. Coins of sundry Countries used in Traffick of Merchandizing 5 Coins made of Silver and Gold ibid. A Capital crime to debase or alter any Princes Coin ibid. Cargos in weight what 6 Cain the Inventer of Weights and Measures 8 All Cities of Trade have sworn and publick measures ibid. Of Commodities used in Merchandizing and the knowledge thereof 9 All Commodities are either natural or artificial ibid. All Commodities known by the Sensce ibid. All Coins brought into one by exchanging 10 Castella aurea 13 Chilo ibid. Cuba ibid. Caffaria 27 Cape bona speransa ibid. Carro 29. and the Trade thereof 31 Casir in the red Sea 29 Captus ibid. Caffa in the Euxine Sea ibid. Cilicia and the Cities thereof 42 Colloso 46 Cappadocia and the Cities thereof 51 Celosyria and the Cities thereof 61 Colcos 67 Caldea and the Cities thereof 69 Cabin and the Trade thereof 76 Cusestam 77 Cusan and the Trade thereof 78 Caramania ibid. Carriage of Commodities by Caravans 81 Capha and the Trade thereof containing the Coins Weights Measures and Accounts thereof 85 Cathay and the Provinces 86 Cambalu and the Trade thereof 87 Cannor 88. and the Trade 92 Cambaia 88 Canora ibid. Camboia ibid. Cauchinchina ibid. Cambaia and the Trade thereof 90 Chaul and the Trade thereof 92 Cochin and the Trade thereof ibid. Calicut and the Trade thereof ibid. Coast of Cormandle and the Trade thereof 93 Custom in India for debtors 94 China and the Provinces thereof 98 Commodities of China ibid. Cloves in abundance in Molluccos 103 Celebs Island and the Trade thereof containing Coins Weights c. thereof 107 Cyprus and the Trade thereof containing Commodities Coins Weights Measures 108 Cartagena 114 Castilia and the Trade thereof containing Exchanges Coins Weights Measures 116 Catalonia 118 Callais and the Trade thereof 132 Champaign ibid. Callabria and the Trade thereof 140 Crema and the Trade thereof 157 Cremona and the Trade thereof 166 Como and the Trade thereof 167 Cambray 179 Charlemont ibid Collen and the rade thereof 185 Cleveland ibid. Coins in general of Germany 206 Coins of Stoad Hamburg and Lubeck ibid. Coins of Embden Breme Edenburg Brunswick Mainburg Lipsick Vpper Germany Bohemia Switzerland ibid. Copenhagen 210. and the Trade thereof 211 Candroa in Moscovia 219 Cracovia and the Trade thereof 223 Coninburg and the Trade thereof 226 Corn-measures of Eastland reduced to that of sundry other Countreys 231 Croatia 236 Corono and the Trade thereof 239 Catarro and the Trade thereof 240 Caranto anciently Corinth a samous Mart in Morea 245 Constantinople and the Trade thereof 247 Coos Island 249 C 〈◊〉 ia Island and the Trade thereof 251 Cerigo Island ibid. Cursolari Islands ibid. Corfu Island and the Trade thereof 235 Corsica Island 258 Callary and the Trade thereof 259 Capre Island 261 Cadis or Gades ibid. Conaught in Ireland 263 Four Circuits in Wales 268 Cornwal 269 Cambridgshire ibid. Cheshire ibid. Cumberland ibid. Canarvanshire ibid. Cardiganshire ibid. Caermarthenshire ibid. Six Circuits in England ibid. Cities of Exchanges in Europe 273 Collen Exchanges 290 The Captain of Mosambick the greatest Merchant of that Coast. 28 D. DEscription of Countries conduceth to the description of Cities 1 Division of the World into four parts ibid. Distance of places how found out ibid. Duty of building a Ship belonging to the Shipwright 2 Duty of Ships provision belonging to Owners and Out-readers ibid. Duty of sailing a Ship belonging to Navigators ibid. Duty of Imploying of Ships belonging to Merchants ibid. Denarius how called 5 The best way of Accounts is by Debtor and Creditor 7 Divers Countreys have a diversity in their measures 8 Decaying Commodities what 9 Damietta 29 Damascus and the Trade containing the Coins Weights Measures Commodities thereof c. 62 Derbent 73 Dellia 88 Dieu and the Trade thereof and of that Coast and the Commodities 89 Damain in India 92 Customs in India for Debtors 94 The Dutch Forts and Trade in Amboina Islands 103 Denia and the Trade thereof 118 Dolphine 127 Duke of Florence a great Merchant 159 Dry measures of several Cities in the Levant Seas compared 161 Dukedom of Millan 164 Dunkirk 179 Doway ibid. Delph ibid. Dort ibid. Danubius River 182 Dresden and the trade thereof 199 Denmark and the Provinces 210 Dithmar in Denmark ibid. Dantsick and the trade thereof 224 Dacia and the Cities thereof 235 Dalmatia 236 Delos or Delphos 249 Dublin the Metropolis of Ireland and the Trade thereof 264 Four Dioceses in Wales 268 Devonshire 269 Dorsetshire ibid. Darby-shire ibid. Durham ibid. Denbighshire ibid. Declaration of The Table of Exchanges 274 DoubleVsance what 299 Account of Discounts used in Lions and elsewhere 305 Days and Nights differ according to the Latitude 1 E. Aequinoctial what 1 Europe and its bounds Latitude and Longitude ibid. Eclipse of the Sun and Moon when seen ibid. Exchanging the third manner of Commutation 2 Exchanging drawn into a profitable Art and the reasons thereof ibid. Things considerable in Exchanging ibid. Esterlin moneys in England 5 Of Exchanges in general used by Merchants 10 The Excellency of a Bill of Exchange ibid. The Exchanger rectifieth the disorders of Mints and the necessity of Prices ibid. Estotiland 12 Aethiopia and the Provinces 26 Elephants Teeth 27 Aegypt and the Provinces 29 The Trade of Aegypt in times past ibid. Aegypt weights compared with others 34 Euphesus 44 Eolis the first Merchants 46 Ephrates 54 Three Excellencies in Casbin 76 Exendu and the largeness thereof 87 The English the last Traders into India 107 English Consul at Cyprus 108 Europe and the Kingdoms thereof 110 Escurial 115 English subjection at Blois upon the River of Gerond 124 English Hall in Rouen for Wool 126 East-Frisland 182 Embden and the trade thereof 183 Elsmore and the Trade thereof 212 Elbin and the Trade thereof 225 Epidaurus 245 Epirus 246 The English the greatest Traders of any Christians into Constantinople 247 Mount Aetna in Sicilia 256 Elba Island 261 Edenburgh and the Trade thereof 266 Essex 269 East-India Merchants of London their original 270 Eastland Merchants their original ibid. Of Exchanges in general with the method and manner thereof as practised in Christendom 273 Exchanging places ibid. What Exchanges are c. ibid. Declaration of the Table of Exchanges 274 Of the Exchanges of Placentia 276 The Exchanges of Lions Paris 277 The Exchanges of Rome 278 The Exchanges of Genoa 279 Exchanges of Millan 280 Exchanges of Venice 281 Exchanges of Florence 282 Exchanges of Lucca 283 Exchanges of Naples 284 Exchanges of Leccy 285 Exchanges of Barry 286 Exchanges of Palermo 287 Exchanges of Mesina 288 Exchanges of Antwerp and Collen 289 Exchanges of London 290 Exchanges of Valentia 291 Exchanges of Saragosa 292 Exchanges of Barselona 293 Exchanges of Sevil Alcala Medina del campo in Castilia 294 Exchanges of Lisbon 295 Exchanges of Bolonia 296 Exchanges of Bergamo 297 Exchanges of Frankfort Norimberg Augusta Vienna 298 How the Rates and
Parcel will amount to with the Exchange from one sort of Mony or Species to another in regard the same hath been already published by Mr. Lewis Roberts in his Map of Commerce but I have given my Advice in the Practical part of Exchanges according to the Custom of Merchants used in England And I have generally back'd my Advice with some Reasons which amongst Wise Men is esteemed more prevalent than Law it self I dare warrant the proceedings of any that shall walk after this my Advice to be good and justifiable by the Law of Merchants but I think I need not hang out a Bush if the Palat be right I know the Wine cannot be disrelished It is the Crop of four and twenty Years Experience in my Employment in the Art of a Notary Publick Reader let not one Perusal suffice thee this Labour is mine the Gain will be thine I am but the Adviser be thou Advised by J. MARIUS Exchange Excellent and Necessary EXCHANGE is by some held to be the most mysterious part of the Art of Merchandizing and Traffick being grounded upon Custom and Experience and the Necessity and Commodiousness of Exchanges is seen in that it hath found a general Allowance in all Countries time out of mind and yet is maintained with the general Consent of all for it prevents the Danger and Adventure of Carriage of Moneys from one City or Country to another And this is done only by two or three Lines written on a small piece of Paper termed A Bill of Exchange which is so noble and excellent that tho it cannot properly as I conceive be called a Specialty because it wanteth those Formalities which by the Common-Law of England are thereunto required as Seal Delivery and Witnesses yet it is equivalent thereunto if not beyond or exceeding any Specialty or Bond in its punctuality and precise Payment carrying with it a commanding Power tho directed from the Servant to the Master for if by him accepted it concerneth him every whit as much to see it be paid with Honour at the time as the Servant can desire or the Party to whom it is payable can expect in regard the Acceptor's Credit lieth at stake And if he fail of Payment at the precise day presently there will issue forth a Protest which may tell tales and soon make a Dilemma in his Commerce for he must not expect to continue his Credit long that doth not pay his accepted Bills at the time appointed and besides his own his Servant or Friend the Drawer's Credit will also be wounded besides the Charges which are incident thereunto and unavoidable Payment of Principal and Charges at the end if the Party or Parties are able for both Acceptor and Drawer are bound till Payment as shall be more particularly shew'd in this ensuing Treatise Thus much in general for I love not to spend more words than need or tell a large Story to little or no purpose Exchange what it is REal Exchange is nothing else but to give or take up Mony in one City or Town to the End to have it again or to restore the just Value thereof in Mony in another Town according to the Price which shall be agreed upon between the Taker and the Deliverer to allow or pay for the Exchange of the Mony and the Loss of Time which will be from the time that the Mony is taken up or delivered till it be restored or received again Inland and Outland Bills all alike AND by this it appeareth That a Bill of Exchange which shall be made for Monies taken up at Edenborough York Bristol Exon Plimouth Dover or any other part of England or Scotland and payable at London is in all things as effectual as any Bill of Exchange made beyond the Seas and payable here in England which we use to call an Outland Bill and the other an Inland Bill both the Inland and Outland being made for Monies taken up by Exchange and Exchange of Monies being a thing which may be done as well from one Town to another as from one Country Kingdom or Nation to another it must needs be that the Bills of Exchange which shall be made as well at one part as at another I mean Inland and Outland ought to be esteemed of equal Worth and the Custom of Merchants on both equally observed howbeit Mr. John Trenchant in his Book of Arithmetick printed at Lions Anno 1608. saith that an Exchange made in the same Realm as from Lions to Paris is not real for that the real Exchange is appointed only for Exchange between Towns in subjection to divers Lords who do not allow Monies to be transported out of their own Territories or because the Monies are not conveyed from one place to another without great Loss Four Persons to make an Exchange and how called ORdinarily there are four Persons requisite to be imployed in taking up or remitting any Parcel of Money by Exchange besides the Broker who doth procure the Parcel as namely two at the Place where the Mony is taken up and two at the Place where the Mony is payable 1. The Party who delivers the Mony by Exchange whom we use to call the Deliverer or the Giver and the French le Banquier because there are who keep a Stock of Mony only to negotiate by Exchange as our Usurers do Mony to deliver at Interest altho these Bankers will as well take up as deliver Monies by Exchange according as they see it most advantagious to them by the Rise or Fall of the Price of Monies by Exchange 2. The Taker or Party who receives or takes up Mony by Exchange and this Party we usually call the Drawer because he may be said to be the chief occasion of the Draught of those Monies from one place to another by virtue of his Bill of Exchange 3. The Party who is to pay the Mony or he upon whom the Bill is drawn or to whom the Bill of Exchange is directed And 4. The Party to whom the Mony is made payable or he to whom the Bill is sent to get accepted and to receive the Mony when due according to the Bill So that by setting down these four Parties and what use there is of them in Exchange of Monies it is apparent that there must be a Correspondency and familiar Acquaintance between the Party who delivers Monies by Exchange and he to whom the same is made payable and the Party who takes up Monies by Exchange and he on whom the Bill is drawn Three Persons to make an Exchange BUT sometimes there are but three Persons needful in the doing a parcel of Mony by Exchange as First the Taker Secondly the Deliverer and Thirdly the Party upon whom the Bill is drawn 1. The Taker he makes and subscribes a Bill of Exchange for so much Mony by him received of the Deliverer 2. The Deliverer he orders the Bill to be made payable to himself or Assigns for the value of himself And
common moneys here current is called the Pardaus Xeraphin Coined here and worth 300 Res of Portugals and is as much as three Testons which is English money about four shillings six pence sterling One Pardon is five Tanga's which is an imaginary coin and is in both sorts of the coins in use as accounting five Tanga's bad money being the same in worth as four Tanga's of good mony One Tanga's is worth four good Ventins and five bad Ventins a coin also imaginary and not real and is worth seventy five Basaruco's A Vintin is worth 15 bad Basaruco's and 18 good Basaruco's which is the lowest and smallest coin here in use Tree Basaruco's is worth two Res of Portugal money and by this account the Pardu Sheraphin is worth 375 Basaruco's and these are all the proper coins of Goa the other here current are The Persia Larins a coin of very fine silver and worth 110 Basaruco's The Pagode of gold worth about 10 Tanga's is 8 s. sterling The Venetiander of gold worth 2 Pardaus Sheraphin The St Thomas of gold worth 8 Tanga's The Rial of â— called Pardaus de Reales worth commonly 440 Res of Portugal but these and the Larins of Persia may here be accounted for Commodities rising and falling in price as the occasions of Merchants inforce them Sheraffâ—… But note that all moneys are here paid and received by the hands of Sheraffs as is the manner in Turkey and other Eastern Countreys who make good the loss and damage either in tale or goodness for a small consideration and by the Portugals termed Cernidors Weights of Goa The weights common in Goa and along the coast of India that is subject to the Crown of Spain are divers the usual known is as in Portugal the Quintal and the Rove and this is most in use for all European Commodities But they have in use another proper for Honey Sugar Butter which is called the Maund being 12 l. of the weight above-mentioned Another proper only to Pepper and other such Indian Spices they have which they call the Bahar accounted three Quintals and a half of Portugal weight which by reason of the meer concordancy that it hath with the hundred of London I shall not need to say any thing further thereof Measures of Goa The measure of length is the same as is used in Lisborn The measure of Grain Rice and such like Commodities is called a Medida being about a spâ—… high and half a finger broad 24 whereof is accounted a Maund Maunds 20 is accounted one Candil which is about 14 Bushels English and by this measure they account their Tunnage in shipping yet it is found that some sort of Rice is here sold by the Fardo being round bundles wrapt in straw and bound about with cords and these should weigh by the custom of the place 3½ Maunds There is upon this coast a great trade in use for Pearls which because it is of great moment in this and other places of India it will be fit I should shew the manner thereof The order how they fish and trade for Pearls The fishing for Pearls beginneth yearly in March and April and continueth but 50 days but yet they fish not always in one place every year but change their places by certain appointed and settled orders amongst the principal that have the over-sight thereof Now when the time of this fishing draweth near then they send very good Divers that go purposely to discover where the greatest heaps of Oysters are under water and on the shore opposite to that place there they set up and plant a Village with Houses and a Bazaro or market-place of stone and other materials which standeth as long as the fishing time lasteth and is for that time furnished with all things necessary which now and then happeneth to be near unto places inhabited and now and then afar off according to the place appointed for that years fishing The fisher-men themselves are for the most part Christians natives of that Countrey neither is any other debarred from this fishing that will paying a certain tribute or acknowledgment to the King of Spain and to the Jesuites who have sundry Churches upon that coast now during the said Fishing there are always maintained three or four Fasts or Galliots armed to defend the fishers from injuries and Rovers The order of which fishing is observed to be thus There are commonly three or four Barks and their companies that make consortship together much resembling our English Pilot-boats having eight or ten men in a boat and in the morning they go out together from the shore and anchor in 15 or 18 fathom water which is the ordinary depths of this whole coast and being thus moored to their Anchor they cast a Rope into the Sea and at the end of that rope usually make fast a great stone and then they have in readiness a Diver who hath his nose and his ears well stopped and anointed with Oyl and a basket fastned about his neck or under his left arm then he sinketh down by the said rope to the bottom of the Sea and as fast as he can be filleth the said basket and being full he then shaketh the rope and his fellows that hold the other end and are in their Bark instantly hale him up with his filled basket and in this wise they go one by one until they have laden their said boat with Oysters and in the evening returning a shore to the Village every company maketh their own heap or mount of Oysters by themselves one distant from another in such wise that there is seen a great long row of mounts or heaps of Oysters which remain untouched until such time as the fishing be ended and at the end whereof every company sitteth down about their mount or heap and fall to opening of them which they may easily do because that then they be both dry dead and brittle and if every Oyster should prove to have Pearls in them it would prove a very good purchase unto them but many are found to have no Pearls at all in them therefore when their fishing is done they then perceive whether their said fishing and gathering proveth good or bad Now there are certain men expert in the choice and distinction of Pearls which here they call Chittini which set and make the price of Pearls according to their carracts each carract being four grains and these with an instrument of Copper having holes therein of several greatness serving to distinguish the sorts to which also they consider their beauty and goodness and then thereof make four several sorts The first sort be the round Pearls which they call Aia or Unia of Portugal because the Portugals by them The second sort which are not round are called Aia of Bengala the third sort which are not so good as the second they call Aia of Canora that is to say the Kingdom of Bisnagar The fourth and last and
in Barcelona and Velentia and they account 7 Rials Spanish and two Marvedes to make a Liver Accounts by which their Accounts are kept being in Livers Sold Deniers 12 Deniers to the Sold and 20 Sold to the Liver which Liver is 3 s. 8 d. sterling but all Commodities are here sold by the Sold 20 making a Liver which may be accounted 3 s. 8 d. sterling as aforesaid and they account 17 Doublers is a Rial Span. Weights of Majorca Their Weight is in Majorca and Minorca two the one the Rotolo which 100 Rotolos make a Cantar called the Cantar Barbaresco which is 117 l. of the other weight which they call a Cantar of Majorca or Majorina and consists of 104 l. The Cantar Barbaresco hath made in Pisa and Florence 141 l. Venetia suttle 163 l. Venetia gross 103 l. London 110 l. The Cantar Majorca which is 104 l. hath made in Valentia 116 l. 104 l. Cantar Majorca in Florence 120 l. Venetia suttle 140 l. Venetia gross 110 l. Genoa 130 l. London 117 l. Cargo Some Commodities are also sold by the Cargo of three Cantars but each Cantar contains 104 l. by which Cargo is Pepper Ginger Cinnamon Rice Spices and other things and the Cargo hath made in Venice 420 l. suttle by the Cantar Barbaresco is weighed Wooll Hides Skins Metals Lead Tin and such gross Goods and fine Goods by the other Cuintar or the Cargo aforesaid Measures in Majorca c. Their measure of length is a Cane which hath made in London 67 in 68 Inches which is 1 â— â— Yards London measure Their measure of Oyls is a quarter or quartano 12 whereof is contained in an Odor or skin of Oyl and 212 Quartans I have found herein 1617 to be a Tun of 236 Gallons and 214 a Tun of 252 Gallons or thereabouts and 41 â— 4 Quartans hath made in Venice one Miara and in Alexandria hath weighed 5 Cantars and 20 Rotolos Of Oyls and how they are laden and the account thereof made up in Majorca Oyls are commonly laden at Porcupin and were found in my time to have there these charges for Custom 8 Doublers per Liver which is 7 Rials and 2 Marved. Spanish and 17 Doublers as I said before being a Rial for part 3 Doublers per Odâ—r for measuring 3 Den. per Odâ—r for Pipes at 3 Livers the Pipe for Sea Custom at 9 Doub per Liver brokered at 1 Den. per Liver for Halledge of the Pipes at 5 s. the Pipe Stowage at 8 Den. the Pipe Barkage to Parcapin 2 Sol. 6 Den. the Pipe Provision according to the custom of the place at 3 per cent A brief of all which charges may be comprehended in this rule certainly observe That accounting 214 Quartans to a Tun and for every Soldo that a Quartan doth cost here first peny if you reckon 47 s. 6 d. sterling for every the said Soldo so much infallibly will your Tun of Oyl stand you in clear aboard of all charges And thus much out of my own trial I have thought good to insert in lading of Oyls in this place Ivisa Near unto these Islands are the Islands of Ivisa 100 miles in circuit the chief City is Ivisa the chiefest Commodity that it affordeth is Salt of the Trade of which a word CHAP. CCLXI Of Ivisa and the Trade thereof Ivisa and the Trade thereof THE Island of Ivisa the chief City whereof being Ivisa consisteth wholly in making of Salt Of Salt which is here sold by a measure called the Modino which weigheth in Summer by the weight of Valentia which is here in use is 33 Cantars and in Winter 36 Cantars gross of the said place of Valentia and corresponds with other places thus In Majorca it maketh Cantars 38. In Florence Staros 50 in 52. In Genoa Mine 9 in 9½ In Valentia Cassico 8. In Flanders 100 Lutos which is in Ivisa 13 Modini In London Bushels Their measures and weights I must refer to the better skilled Lesser Islands of the Mediterranean Seas Here is also Promentary Pantcleria and Lipara Isles with the Isles of Naples as Caprae Ischia â—…gitu Elba Gades or Cales and some others which I pass by and so sail into the Ocean and observe the Islands thereof CHAP. CCLXII Of the Ocean Islands and the Trade thereof BEing entred into these Seas Northern Islands I will begin with the most Northen Islands thereof and so drawing towards England the place of our abode and there determinate my Traffick and peregrination In the North then the report is credible that the end of Nature and of the world is wherein by late discovery are found these Islands Willoughbies first Sir Hugh Willoughbie's Island who by his death gave life and knowledge to us of this Island searching here a new way to China Cathai and Moluccos Nova Zembla then there is Nova Zembla only discovered else not famous for any thing Frisland Next Frisland subject to the King of Denmark and much frequented by Dutch English and French for fish here taken in great abundance in the Summer season only Island Then have we Island or Icieland plentiful in Ling the chief Towns are Hallen and Schasholton and subject to the King of Sweden Gronland Then Gronland seated under the Northern cold Zone where their longest Summers day is three months and a half abounding in fish of which there is a Society now incorporated in London by the name of Greenland Company the Trade whereof principally consisteth in fishing of Whales for Fins and Oyls and only lasteth the Summer Season and no longer and then they are inforced to return by reason of the extremity of the cold and Frosts Now to come out of those cold Seas to the Ocean as into more temperate Regions Orcades 32. I meet in my way with the Orcades or Isles of Orkney being 33 in number Pomonia the principal of which is Pomonia stored with Tin and Lead next Hethie then Shetland anciently imagined the last Island of the World and called Thule Hebrides 44. Then the Hebrides which are 44 the prime whereof is Ila abounding in red Dear 2. Iona famous for the Sepulchers of the Scotish Kings 3. Mula whose Inhabitants are called the Redâ—…nks the rest of as little note I omit Sorlings 145 Then the Sorlings which are 145. The Principal being Armath Agnes Samson and Silly the name given to the rest and others Here I meet also with 5 Islands which cannot be comprised within the former account Man First the Isle of Man which is ten miles in length and ten in breadth abounding in Flax Hemp Oats Barly and Wheat and some Cattel the chief Towns are Ballacuri and Russin or Castletown Anglesey Then appears the Isle of Anglesey which is accounted a Shire of Wales in length 24 in bredth 10 miles and for its abundant fertility in all things is called
by the neighbouring Shires Mam Cimbri the Mother of Wales as having of all food and other provision necessary to preserve the life of man out of which is yearly sent 3000 head of Cattel to supply the wants of other Countries adjoyning together with a good quantity of Corn Butter Cheese c. the same had in times past 300 Towns and Villages Beaumares now it hath but one of consequence remaining called Beaumares commodious for Trade as commanding a fair safe and capacious Haven and Road to which as being the place of my birth I owe this grateful remembrance Jarsey Jarsey is the next in compass 20 miles the chief Towns are St. Hillary and S. Mollo abounding in sheep c. Garnsey Then Garnsey 20 miles distant from Jarsey rich in good Harbours the chief Town is St. Peters Wight The last is the Isle of Wight being 20 miles long and 12 broad the principal Towns being Yarmouth Newport and Bradring it is well fortified and strengthned against all foreign attempts whatsoever There be also some other petty Islands round about this Shore but I will pass them to come to those of greater note and consequence which are Ireland and Great Britain the last Isle and place both of this my Travel and Traffick CHAP. CCLXIII Of Ireland and the Provinces thereof Ireland and the Provinces thereof IReland standeth West of Britain containing in length 400 miles and in breadth 200 miles enjoying this prerogative by nature That no venomous Serpent will either live here if brought from other Regions nor yet doth naturally breed here It is divided into 5 Provinces which according to my former method I will in order touch and see what Towns of Note they contain Munster 1. Munster is the first wherin is found the Cities of Limrick seated on the banks of Shanâ—… 2 Cork 3. Kingsale and 4. Waterford the first ground that ever I trod on out of my native soyl being about 13 or 14 years old and then began to be employed by my Parents in trade of Merchandising Connaught 2. Connaught is the second Province the chief Cities are Dunratty and Galloway the third City in Ireland both for fairness largeness and for pleasant dwellings and situation Vlster 3. Ulster is the third Province the chief Towns are Dundale 2. Dungannon 3. Armagh an Archbishoprick 4. Dongal and 5. London-Derry lately built and peopled by the City and Citizens of London Meth 4. Meth is the fourth the chief Towns are Kelly 2. Thim and lastly Tredagh a fine Town where also I resided in these my younger years of Travel and first employment in Traffick Lempster 5. Lempster is the last Province wherein is found the Cities of Mareaburg Philips-Town Kildare and Dublin of the Trade whereof a word CHAP. CCLXIV Of Dublin and the Trade thereof Of Dublin and the Trade thereof DUblin is seated on the Liffe being the Metropolis of Ireland and the residence of the Lord Deputy for the King of England who is Sovereign here it being also an Archbishoprick and an University Commodities of Ireland The Commodities the Country doth afford for Merchandise are these first the Country abounds in Cattle each affords Tallow and Hides in great abundance which is hence exported to Spain France and Italy also Salmon is here caught good store in July August and September which is salted and exported and in Summer the quantity is so great in some parts of this Island that the Servants do covenant with their Masters they must not feed thereon but certain days in the week Herrings are here also caught and accounted the best as also Pilchards in August September and October and thence vented to Spain France and into the Streights of Gibraltar here is also some Butter Cheese Pipe-staves Calves-skins and other Commodities of late days prohibited to be exported by the Laws of the Kingdom Coins of Ireland The Coins of this Kingdom in the standard carrieth a concurrence with those of England which also here are current for the value as being subject to one and the same Scepter yet in distinction of the true and real worth are found thus entitled The pound of Ireland consisteth of 20 shillings Irish yet in sterling is accounted but 15 shillings The shillings by this account is but 9 d. sterling and the 6 d. Irish is 4½ d. sterling Exchanges of Ireland Here is also an Exchange found and practised but not for any foreign part saving England and principally London and Bristol commonly running at 8 d. upon the pound and when most at 12 d. per l. which is 5 per cent Weights and Measures as in England Dublin and in general all Ireland hath the Measures and Weights of England in use in their Traffick and agreeing therewith in all particulars I need not insist further therein Now a word of the Trade in general of Ireland as it is found observable in these days Of the Trade in general of Ireland The daily conversation of the English Nation and the late impartial and found administration of justice in this Country hath redeemed this Island from the jaws of Barbarism wherein it was ready to fall and suffer a ruin and since by little and little peace being firmly established hath brought the Inhabitants to a desire of inriching themselves and this desire hath so well been seconded by their industry that I may say it hath brought store and plenty into their dwellings which hath hitherto met with so good a success that whereas few years past this Country was with all necessaries supplied out of Englands and Scotlands abundance it now returneth that courtesie and contributeth some years not only to the wants of both but to the wants of Spain France and some other adjoyning Countries for now it is found that the Earth and Seas add to the Inhabitants labour and pains as first the Seas and Rivers in their season afford them great plenty of Cod-fish Hake fish Pitchards Herrings and these of both the largest best and in abundance which they take kill and salt and so disperse as a Merchandise into France Spain England Scotland and other Countries Then the Earth yeilds them a good breed of Cattel especially Sheep and Oxen in such store that they have thereof in great abundance as also of Hides Woolls Tallow Butter Cheese and Beef and the Wool they by Manufactures convert into Cloth Mantles Ruggs Frises and Yarn whereof it is reported that there cometh yearly to the Town of Manchester in Lancashire to be there woven into Stuffs at least two hundred thousand weight fine and coarse besides which the bowels of the Earth yeild them Lead Iron and Tin and by their own industry they have many other Manufactures as also Pipe-staves Wax Honey Furs Hemp Linen Cloth Salt and some others all this considered what should want here to make them eminent Merchants but shipping and skill in the Art of Navigation and