knowne to us either to have any such condition or being the Merchants of England And to speak truth of London maintaining now at their charge an Agent in Moscovia an Ambassadour and three Consuls in Turky and certaine Presidents and Agents also in India Persia and many other places thereof which by computation cannot cost them lesse then one hundred thousand pounds yearely which though it may be alledged is for their own profit the benefit of their traffike into these parts yet for as much as that it is not chargeable to their Soveraigne nor prejudiciall but profitable to his Kingdomes it must be granted that the same brings honour to his name and a great benefit both to him and his subjects and it is more then can be paralleld in all other Christian or heathen Countries now in the world The Danes and Swedish nations are potent and the French are yet more powerfull in Europe yet if you travell into India Persia and many of those Easterne Kingdomes of the world they know of no such people Kings or Countries but hold all Europe to be inhabited by the Portugals English and Dutch nay the French are hardly knowne in Moscovia and Russia save by name but not by their worth or actions and the Emperour of Germany the greatest of our Christian Princes for all his eminence and power in Christendome is not in India knowne no nor yet in Persia save for some leagues which the Sophy would sometimes have contracted with him to the prejudice of Turky and the Ottoman Empire So that by what hath beene said the Commerce of Merchants though many times it be accompanied with losse and prejudice to themselves and estates and that they are enforced to expose their fortunes to the mercy of mercilesse stormes and tempests be subject to the Lawes of Heathenish Princes and groan under the heavy customes of many Soveraignes and Infidels yet is it still attended upon with a great deale of honour to their owne Prince and reputation to his subjects Therefore I will conclude here this point that a well ordered traffike managed by skilfull Merchants hath beene and ever will be honourable to that Kingdome and Soveraigne where the same is duely practised and carefully protected and preserved The second point is in regard of Riches and the benefit that traffike bringeth with it where the same is preserved with fitting priviledges and practised with regular order and method and this Riches extendeth it selfe two wayes In the first place to the Soveraigne his Nobles and Gentry in the particular of their owne estates and Interests Secondly to his subjects the inhabitants in generall As to the Sea-men Husbandmen Artificers Labourers and others First for the Prince or Soveraigne it particularly inricheth him by his customes and imposts imposed inwards and outwards upon all commodities and wares either imported or exported in or out of his Kingdomes and Dominions by the Merchant and also by venting and dispersing of such wares and merchandises as hee appropriateth to himselfe either by purchase prerogative or by right of his Crowne as we find it to doe by the Gabell of Bay-salt to the King of France by the property of silke to the King of Persia by the Mines of Copper to the grand Signior and by the preemtion of Tyn to His Majestie of England and next it proveth beneficiall to the Nobility and Gentry by the improvement of their lands by the sale and working of their clothes by the use of their Timber by the vent of their Cattle Graine and other provisions and in many regards which experience daily maketh evident both in this and all other Kingdoms where the same is practised Secondly it inricheth the inhabitants of a countrey in the generall by setting Arts-men on worke by imploying the poore by furthering and incouraging of all professions whatsoever for every Arts-man Worke-man and Artificer is conducible one way or other to traffike and every hand is set on worke where a wel governed Commerce is observed to be driven and exercised by judicious and skilfull Merchants and to the whole countrey in generall it is found beneficiall by venting the native commodities of that land as experience tels us in Persia by the vent of their raw silkes in France by the vent of their Wines Oyles Lynens Graine c. in Zante by the vent of their Corrence in Spaine by the vent of their Wines Fruits Sugars c. and in England by the vent of their Tinne Cloath Lead c. as the like may be said of many other countries Thirdly and lastly it produceth strength and safety to the Kingdom and people where the same is duly and orderly practised Now this strength and safety may be considered two wayes either defensive or offensive if my former assertions be granted That a well ordered trade doth enrich a Prince his nobles gentiles and Subjects as of necessity it must it will be easie for mee to make good this point also for that which produceth Riches doth consequently also beget strength and safety so farre forth as treasure is accounted the principal nerve and sinnew of war either offensive or defensive but to come to some particulars It furnisheth the Prince and his subjects having maritime ports with plenty of shipping and store of Mariners to manage and sayle the same in all occasions of the state and countrey by sea and it furnisheth the same with all fitting Ammunition of and for warre as Powder Armes and other the like necessaries and by land it maketh the countrey a Magazine not only for warlike provisions brought in for the use of the Prince and the Kingdom it selfe but also for all other neighbouring countries that stand in need thereof I may here fitly bring in Holland to make good this point to all the world who though exercised in continuall warfare and daily pressed and sometimes oppressed by a potent Enemy yet their industrious traffike into Forrain parts is handled and practised with so much benefit countenanced from the State and good Iudgement that the same doth not onely supply their owne occasions with what warlike provisions they want but withall have thereof in such abundance that from their owne states they furnish freely all other neighbouring countries whatsoever therewith for the Arts-men that are by them employed daily in building of ships casting of Artillery making of Muskets shot powder swords pikes corslets cordage Canvas and the like Habiliments of warre doe not only supply their owne turnes and necessities and that both cheape and plentifull but herein proceed so farre contrary to the politike Rules of many countries that they sell and vent their over-plus yea even to the Spaniards their very enemies conceiving it no ill trick of thrift nor yet small point of State-stratagem to draw thus the monies and wealth of their greatest adversaries to be a reward to their owne labour and industry and so sell as
or not to receive them and banish the Commerce thereof The third consideration is grounded upon the facility and ease of this Commerce in generall collected by practise of forraine nations and accompanied with the meanes of the augmentation tâ—ereof The fourth and last consideration is grounded upon the commodity and benefit of this Traffike in generall to a Kingdome or estate where the same is orderly and regularly practised and that by skilfull and discreet Merchants bred up thereunto First then it is diversly observed and that in sundry Countries what the commodities and wares in themselves are which a well ordered Traffike ought to export and carry into forraine Countries and nations with whom they have Commerce Where in most countries it is generally observable that those wares are only to be carried out by way of merchandize whereof the place it selfe hath aboundance and plenty of which after that the place or Country is sufficiently furnished the exportation thereof may be admitted and allowed as contrarywisâ— those commodities which the place may want or stand in need of are in no sort admitted to be exported nor in lâ—ke manner those whereof forraine parts may use to the hurt and prejuduce of the place it selfe where we abide and remaine as Armes Horses provisions ammunition or things designed to Sea or war or the like And amongst the rest in many countrys it is noted that the exportation of gold and silver is also forbidden and prohibited though in many places ill observed and in some Countries againe the same is allowed and tollerated so that the differing lawes of sundry Princes in divers Kingdomes upon the exportation of gold and silver as in some prohibited and in some allowed and admitted will in this place be worth our observation and the rather that the reasons given thereupon may be examined the benefit or prejudice arising thereby observed where the same is either granted or denyed First it must be considered and granted that silver and gold is not growing in every Region and therefore as thâ—ngs in themselves scarce and by all Princes sought after may be accounted a forrain commodity and the rather for that the same carrieth with it the preheminence and predominancy over all other commodities whatsoever the worldly rich doe possesse and therefore by reason of the excellency power vertue generall use and need of it when once it entereth into some Countries and Kingdomes the Princes thereof forbid the exportation and carrying out of the same upon sharpe penalties and severe punishments for feare of the want and scarcity which may arise and come thereby yet it must likewise bee considered as a thing granted and found true by experience that in some countries and free Townes where the exportation thereof is freely allowed and admitted and the carrying out openly permitted by authority no such want or scarcity is discerned but contrariwise all abundance and plenty thereof is noted so that this being granted the exportation thereof may bee allowed without prejudice to the state or Kingdome where we abide now forasmuch as that this point will hardly find admittance in the opinion of many of our Sage Politicians I wil a little enlarge my selfe thereupon endeavouring by foraign example to make good this my assertion There is two differing countries the one a great Kingdome where gold and Silver in the greatest plenty groweth and the prohibition of exportation therof strictly observed most looked into and the other a petty Dukedome whose Prince is not owner of neither silver or gold Mines at all yet publikely and by authority admitteth an exportation of this commodity shall serve here for demonstration and Example of this point being possessor of al the rich mines of silver gold in the West-Indies found in themselves of farre greater value then all the other mines yet discovered throughout the world hath through all his Dominions strictly prohibited by sharpe lawes the exportation of his monyes out of any his Countries and hath by sundry subtile decrees and politicall ordinances endeavoured to debarre all other both neighbouring and remote Kingdomes and People else of partaking of his Spanish Reals yet for all this it is observed that the necessities of his great and ambitious undertakings and the urgency of the Commerce of that his barren and poore Countrey The King of Spaine then enforceth a passage and current dispersing will he nill he thereof into all Countryes over the face of the earth so that in the height of all his store and plenty and when hee was involved in the greatnesse of his greatest aboundance his Country and Kingdoms were yet notwithstanding and still are noted to be both scant dry and needy of both silver and gold and the common Commerce and Traffike of his most eminent and richest citties to bee wholly performed by the use of blacke and of Copper monies to the great disorder and confusion of his trade and the generall ruine and undoing of his Merchants and people and though by this meanes Turkey with whom hee is and ever hath bin in greatest enmity should consequently be more bare of his coynes yet wee finde that have either lived or doe Traffike thither that almost throughout all the Grand Seigniors Dominions which are both ample large and spacious there is no silver coyne of note currant but the Spanish Riols and the same not carried thither by the hand of war or the necessity of his designes in those parts but by the hand of Commerce and concurrence of Traffike which fils all those Countries and that in great abundance therewith Now the Duke of Florence which is onely the Lord of a pettie but pretty Seigniory barren in its selfe of mines both of Silver and Gold maketh contrariwise no open restriction nor publike prohibition of exporting of either gold or silver and whereas in Leghorn his only noted maritine towne of trade a million of Ducats are freely and yeerly openly laden and shipped away yet the Countrey wants it not nor is found any way to be scant thereof nor is it seene seldome to arise or fall in price or value nor yet is there noted any brasse or copper moneyes in use amongst his Merchants in Traffique Cómerce so that by this experienced demonstration Spain that should have most is the most barren for al their prohibitions Toscany that shold have least affords the most plenty by reason of its liberty of exportation and freedome in the Commerce therof But it may be here alledged that the naturall infertility of Spaine and the naturall plenty of Tuscanie may partly occasion or else inforce the same to which I answer and grant this may have some concurrence but no necessity For when as Spaine in its lowest ebbe became fortunately owner of the rich West-India that Prince then by this meanes had silver but yet he wanted the other materials of Commerce
woâ—k are to be received Yet with certaine Limitations â— considerations is to facilitate c ease Traffickâ— The practises of sundry Princes to augment Trade 1 To further the commodious cariadge of goods c. 2 No tolle upon Rivers bridges c. 3 To free the Seas from Pyrats 4 To maintaine Boyes Lights and Castles c. 5 To keep the wayes from theeves c. 6 To maintaine the Posts c. 7 To put downâ— Monopolies c. 8 To invite industrious strangers by priviledges 9 To dischaâ—ge all great customes 10 To establish Sea Lawes for Merchants navigator 11 To erect aâ— Court of Merchaâ—ts 12 The Coins current to be constant and good c. 13 To give honour to merchants and why Merchandizing is the most profitable iâ— an estate Why such should be honoured The benefit of the Trade of Nobles and rich in a kingdome 14 To erect an assurance office 15. To erect some Companies 16. To lend money to the Merchant out of the common Treasury 17. By transportation of Bils 18. Example of the Princâ— a maine Furtherer of Trade Cassiod 11.3 19 By erecting a staple of â—rade A staple of trade what The benefit of a staple by the experience of other Countriâ—s No timber in Holland and yet they have the staple thereof No corne there and yet they have the staple thereof No fish there yet the staple therof is in Holland No Vineyards nor salt in Holland yet they have the staple thereof No Wools there and yet they have the staple of manufactories Light customes increase trade and heavy ruine it Example thereof between England and Holland In a ship of 300. tuns come from Burdeux Paying in England 1260. and in Holland 60. 1. In 200. â—uns of Tobacco These small customes wil increase the totall custome of a Kingdome Benefits arising to England by a staple of trade By inlargement of traffike â— By importation and exportation of Bullion 3. By undervaluing of native wares 4. By new Plantations 5. By rising and falling of custâ—mes 6 By imployment of workemen in the Manufactories 7. By furniâ—hing deâ—ayed tâ—wns 8. By providing of cornâ— in dearth 9. By setling of a staple of trade 10. By weakning the enemies by trade 11. By treatises of peace in trade 12. By forain intelligence 13. By suppressing of trades depending upon exportation of coyne 14. By cherishing some trades that subsist by coyn 15. By acts prejudiciall to trade 16. By remedying the foraine disorders in trade 17. By carrying out or in of commodities hurtfull or beneficial to a kingdome 18. By importation of materials for Manufactories 19. Foraine decrees that prejudice navigation and shipping The endeavours of sundry Princes to gaine traffike The practise of the Duke of Florence to get the trade of Leghorne Of the Hollanders to support their trade Of the Venetians Of the East Kings of Portugall Of Hen. the 7. of England Anno 1515. Of Edward the 6. Of Queene Elizabetâ— Customes increased in 50. yeares in England from 14 to 500. thousand pounds a yeare Princes that have gained traffike must be carefull to preserve it Townes that have lost their traffike by want of care and good order Antwerpe Lyons Marsilia English East-India trade Turke and Moscovia Company in England The reasons that doe move Princes to covet trade in their Kingdomes 1 Honourable 2 Rich. 3 Strong Ttraffike is honourable to the people and country Experienced in the English And in the Portugall and Hollander The commerce and not the conquests of the English have made them famous in India League contracted by the English Merchants with foraine Princes At their own charge 100000. l. yearely The Danes Sweeds and Germans not knowne in India c. 2. Traffike is excellent in point of Riches twâ— wayes 1 To the King and his Nobles 2 To his people How it inricheth the King How the Nobility How the countrey 3. Traffike produceth strength two wayes That which begets wealth also doth beget strength How traffike doth beget strength An excellent ploâ— of the Hollanders to inrâ—ch themselves
and marrow of the same with greedy art and continuall labour not minding or indeed not regarding the future interest and good of the possessor on the other side where we find the owners themselves to reside upon their owne yet t is observable that some of them through Ignorance some by negligence and too too many by bad husbandry content themselves with the yearely rents thereof or at most with the Revenues that their predecessors drew therefrom before them as being loath to take the paines either by industry improvement or care to increase those their demesnes and estates either by planting cleansing or manuring a waste or barren piece of ground or by drayning a marshy bogge or the like and thus to inrich themselves by a faire advancement of their own which in some forraine Countryes hath of late dayes taken such effect partly by good orders but especially by example that Princes themselves and States have thought it a worke worthy their owne paines and study as the late labours of the State of Venice in Polisona de Rovigio of the Duke of Toscany about Leghorne Pisa and Creso of the Duke of Ferrara in the Valley of Comachio of the States of Holand in sundry and diverse parts of the Low-Countryes Countryes doe manifestly witnesse which hath wrought such good effect that they have thereby much benefitted themselves and subjects and by this meanes have quickned the diligence of the industrious and punished the negligence of the sloathfull yet notwithstanding all the laborious hand and paines of man to plant sowe or bring things growing in or upon the earth to their perfection the excellent temperature of Soile or Climate to bring forth either Jemmes Spice drugs or grains naturally produced from it and whatsoever else the bounty and goodnesse of the Earth can naturally or by labour yeeld or affoord to mankind yet it must be here concluded that all this would neither in it selfe inrich the inhabitants nor yet bring abundance to a Kingdome or estate without the benefit of Commerce and Traffique which distributeth the same into foraine parts and by commutation with forraign Nations convert this naturall bâ—nefit of the Country to the common benefit and plenty of those that are found to possesse inhabite and abide thereupon The second thing which I observed that did inrich a Kingdome is by artificiall commodities and wares and these by a generall title I may call the manufactories of all commodities In which two principal things are considerable conducing to universall Traffike and to the benefit of a Kingdome First the number of the work-men or Arts-masters and this in the first place affords the aboundance of the things wrought and secondly their sufficiency ability and skilfullnesse and this is it that gives the true credit to the fabrikâ—s and worke it â—elfe and to the merchandizes so wrought and perfected Now the over great â—umber of workmen in all manufactories would of it selfe be not onely improfitable to commerce but also hurtfull if they were not also as good skilfull and as cunning in their Art and mysterie therefore to the end not onely to make them such but alsâ— to keepe them so and multiply them Wee â—ee in many Countries many societies and publike houses erected for all sorts of mâ—nufactors wherein some the poore and needy are instructed the skilfull and good are cherished incouraged and rewarded and in other the lasie and sluggish punished and imployed The Germans in this point I thinke excell all other nations who willingly admiâ— of all skilfull Arts-men into their societies and corporations though otherwise strangers unto them and of what nation and mystery so ever incouraging them by large allowances and salarâ—es to practise with them and teach and instruct theâ—r fellow Townsmen And if otherwise ignorant yet are they then admitted to learne and practise what they see by which coursâ— it is oâ—served that some of their Citâ—es and especially their haunse Townes flourish in all wealth and are abounding in all riches though otherwise peradventuâ—e deprived of all naturall commoditiâ—s and furtheraâ—ces of trade whatsoever and to this end was first granted and erected the Companies Brother-hoods Halls and societies of these mysteries in the City of London many of which were at first founded with large immunities and great priviledges to be incouragements to the said manufactories and to set the poore of those societies a worke and the better to cherish these mysteries and Arts Many of our Princes have caused their names to be registred in their socâ—eties and Corporations for honour and inâ—ouragement to their Halls and Brother-hoods and yet when all this is done it must bâ— granted that neither the multitude of good able and skilfull worke-men nor yet the great quantity of reall and substantiall manufactories made and abounding in a Kingdome can of it selfe either fully and throughly inrich or bring plenty to a place without the helpe of Commerce which is the arme and hand that must distribuâ—e and send abroad both that store quantity of artificiall commodities so wrought and must export and vent it into forraine parts as being otherwise a superfluity and overplus and more indeed then the Country it selfe standeth in need of and in lieu thereof importeth and bringeth in by commutation and exchange those things and such as the place it selfe standeth in want of and is thereby seene to be onely and properly inriched for the worke-men by this meanes become to be incouraged and the manufactories to be preserved in their reall and substantiall goodnesse worth and value to the honour of the Kingdome benefit of the inhabitants to the furtherance inlargement of the generall Commerce and Traffik thereof These two points thus considered and granted and that neither the naturall commodities of a Countrey be they ner'e so rich or precious nor yet the arâ—ificiall commodities of a Kingdome be they never so many or excellent can of themselves without the assistance of Traffike benefit a common-weale or bring plenty or aboundance thereto and consequently inrich the same Come we in the next place to the third point which is this trade it selfe which of it selfe and by it selfe can supply all defects either of naturall or artificiall commodities and that without the assistance and helpe of either can yet produce both and is alone effectuall to accomplish and perfect the same though in a barren place affording nether in the prosecution preservation and augmentation thereof foure generall considerations are in the next place to be noted and observed The first consideration is grounded upon those wares and commodities that a well ordered Traffike is to export or not to export to the stranger or forraine Country and people The second consideration is grounded upon these wares and commodities which this trade must receive from strangers or forrain Countries and their Entrie or import into a Kingdome or estate
who buy the Yarne of the Irish in great quantity and weaving it returne the same againe in Liâ—nen into Ireland to sell neither doth the industry râ—st here for they buy Cotten wooll in London that comes first from Cyprus and Smyrna and at home worke the same and perfit it into Fustians Vermilions Dymiâ—ies and other such Stuffes and then returne it to London where the same is vented and sold and not seldome sent into forrain parts who have meanes at far easier termes to provide themselves of the said first materials Now though it may be wished that all other parts of our Country could be so industrious as thus to procure materials of Fabrikes for the inriching of themselves and inlarging of this Kingdomes Traffike yet we find it in some places an impossible thing to be performed for where the Traffike or exportation of a native commodity is of greater consequence to the Country and over-valueth the commodity imported it is safer then and better to preserve the native and to neglect the forraine then by too much preservation of the forraine to neglect and ruine the native Besides the native commodity may be rich and in its selfe a necessary commodity but the forraine a meaner and tending peradventure more to excesse and superfluity then to need and necessity as the great quantity of native clothes that are yearely shipped into Turky by the levant or Turky Company having their full worke man-shâ—p and perfection in England brings in returne thereof great quantity of Cotten and Cotten-yarne Grograme-yarne and raw silke into England which shewes the benefit accrewing to this Kingdome by that Company for here the said cloth is first shipped out and exported in its full perfection dyed and drest and thereby the prime native commoditâ—e of this Kingdome is increased improved and vented and the Cotten-yarne and raw silke that is yearely imported and brought in is more as experience tells us then this Kingdome can spend vent or any way utter either raw in the same nature as it is brought in or wrought in this Kingdome into manufactories here the first as the most usefull native and excellent is to be first preferred and cared for and the other yet so much cherished that it may as much as possible it can be wrought here and perfited into Stuffes partly to give a consumption to the materiall it selfe partly to set the poore Artist here on worke but principally to further the generall Commerce of this Kinâ—dome and Country and to helpe a valueable returne for the English cloth exported some States have seriously entred into consideration of this point and have indevoured with all possiblecare the furtherance thereof wher it was defective as King Iames of famous Memorie inordered as I have been informed that the white cloth shipped hence to the Netherlands by a Nonobstante should have every tenth cloth thereof died and dressed here thus indeavoring by a wholesome order to bring the whole shipping quantity in use amongst them that by this meanes in time to come all the said shipping might be drawne to be dyed and dressed in our own Country and not be shipped white as was then in use and is still to the great prejudice of that clothing but had his Majesty then been pleased to grant the lader thereof some extraordinary priviledge or to be free from custome for any such cloth so shipped in its full perfection it would doubtlesse before this time have wrought better effects in this point then hitherto we see the former order hath brought to passe Some again to further the same have eased the native manufactories of their Countries of all customes imposts and such like duties in the vent or exportation thereby incouraging their Subjects to make them and their Merchants to sâ—nd them abroad and transport them and some have againe charged the forraine Manufactories which tended not immediately to need or use with heavie taxâ—s thereby deterring the importation and cherishing the native worke man to make the same and to indeavour the obtainment of perfection therein at home Some have also eased all raw materials that have beene imported being commodâ—ties tending to set the poore subjects on work as is Cotten Hempe Yarne Flaxe Woolls raw silke and the like and all these practised in some places have met with a happy successe which hath both inrichâ—d the Subject set the poore native Artists on worke and proved the maine furtherer of the Commerce of that Kingdome where the same hath been daily and industriously put in use and practised The first point grounded upon the considerable benefit of a well ordered Traffike being thus handled and having concluded what wares and commodities may be exported and what may not out of an estate or Kingdome what hath bin practised by forraine nations with good successe I come now to the second consideration before mentioned declaring what wares and commodities must be received and what must not be receaved into an estate by the limitation of a well ordered trade and Commerce Some observing States-men have noted that a Prince should stop the entry and importation by Commerce unto all commodities that tends to riot or excesse as the principall meanes that impoverisheth a Kingdome though many times it inrich the trader and Merchant amongst which precious Stones rich Iems exquisite perfumes costly unnecessary Spices and rich Stuffes which serve more for pompe and show than for need and use are principally noted But how difficult in an age or Kingdome of peace and plenty this may bee effected I leave to the said statesmen to determine yet presuppose that these commodities such as they are be admitted their importation the Prince and soveraigne may notwithstanding bee in his owne particular a gainer though the subject or Countrey therein prove loosers for if the use or rather abuse of these commodities in a Kingdome be so inveterate as that the same cannot be hindred by a moderate prohibition yet they may be charged with such great customes and Imposts as the merchant or importer may have no great desire to bring them in any quantity fearing he shall not obtain the price they cost him and the subject will likewise have no earnest desire to buy them in regard of the dearenesse thereof and though that sometimes this consideration will not nor doth not restraine the rich and wealthy of a Kingdome from procuring and purchasing such merchandises yet the soveraignes treasure will by this meanes be augmented and by this way it may â—upply in place of punâ—shment for the riot and excesse in private personâ— and on the other side the Subjâ—ct desisting from the excesse though the Soveraigne gaine not tâ—ereby yet that Common-wealth will be both improved and benefitted by this chiefe and good husbandry Now for such other commodities as may be receavâ—d and imported those are most welcome which are noted to be the most needâ—ull â—hat the Country
or importuning their Soveraigne by disorderly demands and gifts they should by all likelihoods benefit themselves more in one yeare by a well govern'd traffick at sea then peradventure at Court by ten years waiting and solicitations Finally to conclude this point Experience hath taught and teacheth us daily where those of great purses and good judgements have exercised trafficke and where such have beene backed and encouraged by a gracious and furthering Soveraigne and by a Prince that loveth Navigation and favoureth Traffick it hath mightily enriched both themselves and the Princes and Estates under which they have liv'd as by the late Examples of the Portugal Hollander Spaniard and Venetian is made knowne and manifested unto all the world Next to erect and settle an office of assurance with fit and skilfull Iudges which should determine and give speedy Execution in their Decrees and Acts betweene Adventurers to avoide demurs delayes and hindrances that happen by tedious suites in adventures at sea amongst Merchants Fifteenth the only meanes conceived to settle the Commerce and Traffick of a Nation into forraine Countries by sea in the which the best purses will not bee drawne to hazard themselves in the Enterprise is to compell the Merchants which trade at sea to one and the selfe same certaine place and countrey to joyn one with another in a corporation and Company and not to make their Traffick by themselves asunder or apart for although that adventuring apart the Gaine would probably be the greater to the Adventurers when the enterprise succeeds happily yet it is to be considered that the losse which may happen would wholly ruine him that attempts the danger alone and if in making a joynt Company or Society the Gaine should turne to be the lesse yâ—t it is ever more assured and the disorders by Traffike by a good government is still removed and the losse being borne by many it is consequently the lesse to every one that is interessed therein and thus dividing the â—rade of the whole according to either the places or coasts where the same is made forbidding them to attempt one upon anothers priviledges and prohibiting all other private Subjects of what quality soever which shal not be Members or free Brothers of those Societies to negotiate into those parts upon great penalties and appointing certaine Governours or others the greatest adventurers to order and regulate the said Traffike and Companies which Rules have found such good successe both in Holland England and else-where that it hath beene one of the maine causes that hath brought the traffike of London and of Amsterdam to that present height and greatnesse as it is now observed to be Next for the furtherance of the Traffike of some Kingdomes it hath beene observed that great summes of monies have beene lent gratis or upon easie rates and security to skilfull Merchants out of the soveraigne or common Treasurie which hath also found such good successe as that the customes of that Prince have beene thereby much increased the kingdome enriched the poore set on worke and the native Commodities thereof vented to all parts of the world thereby In the next place it hath beene noted mainely to further the traffike of a Kingdome the transportation of bils of debt from one man to another in liew of monies as is used in some Countries for thereby many Law suits are avoyded amongst Dealers errors in Merchants accounts cleared the Princes customes increased the great stock of the Kingdome which continually lyeth in all Negotiators hands in dead Bills and Bonds employed Traffike it selfe quickned and such a benefit enjoyed thereby to the Common-wealth as cannot be expressed In the next place it hath beene observed in some places where the poore for want of abilities cannot trade and where the great or rich have not will or dare not adventure their Estates in forraine Traffike that the examples onely of the Prince hath throughly effected it and proved a maiâ—e Furtherer of the generall Commerce and Traffike of his Countrey which doth not only hold in this matter of Trade but in all other state matters whatsoever for then it will be impossible for the rich Subjects to forbeare when they see their Soveraigne bend his mind and addict himselfe therunto For the wise have observed that Princes cannot frame an Age unlike unto themselves and that it is easier as one said for Nature to erre then that a Prince should form a Common-wealth unlike himselfe Iust if they be wicked regular if they be dissolute chaste if they be immodest and religious if they bee impious Neither is it thus in these our dayes History it selfe warrants the point and makes it good in all former ages For under Romulus it was found that Rome was warlike but under their Soverain Numa they were religious under the Fabritii they were continent under the Catoes Regular under the Graccbi seditious under the Lucalli and Antonines intemperate and dissolute under Constantine the Great the Empire is Christian but under Iulian idolatrous Therefore for conclusion if the Prince love the sea his Subjects will be all Sea-men and if he be a Lover of trade and traffike the rich and powerfull of his Kingdomes will be all Merchants In the next place it hath beene noted as an effectuall meane whereby traffike may be obtained and setled where none is is by erecting a staple of trade and to indow the same with freedome of traffike which briefly may be termed to containe some of these before recited particulars especially those of great priviledges and small customes for this will gaine Trade where none is and being gotten mightily increase the same when this shall fall out to bee in a Countrey where God and Industry hath blessed the Land and people with wares that are either rich or usefull it will soone beget maintaine and in large the Trade of the place so made a staple as above is said Now for as much as this staple is in many countries a thing unknown and that many men are ignorant of the benefit that the same may produce I will a little inlarge my selfe thereupon and in few words shew how it may turne a Kingdome to profit and by perusing the commodity it affordeth to other nations conceive it may yeeld the like to that Prince that coveâ—eth the same or putteth this rule in practice A staple of Trade is a place then where large immunities and priviledges are granted to all Merchants of what nation soever sometimes extending to native commodities onely and sometimes to forraine and sometimes to both with free liberty to â—xport and import all manner of wares custome free when whither and by whom they please paying a small acknowledgement onely in liew of the said cuâ—tome to the Prince and wheresoever the same hath thus been seene to be settled in a Kinâ—dome it hath beene noted much to encourage the inhabitants thereof and force them in a short time to
become either great Merchants or industrious Furtherers thereof for the same would yeeld them occasion to be sharers in the traffike of other Countries whereof before they neither had any profit nor yet the Prince any customes thereby the benefit of this staple of Trade may be the better discerned by looking upon the practise of those Countries where the same is put in use and especially by our Neighbours the Netherlanders where the same is practised with wonderfull industry paines care and conducible profit instanced by these examples First it is well knowne to us and all the world that they have there no timber nor yet Forests of any sort of their own growth yet the freedome of Trade begets them such fit materials that the same builds them yearly above a thousand sayle of ships partly serving to their owne use but principally to sell to others and that the huge pales of wainscot Claboard and Deale are in their staple Cities Next they are found to have no corn growing almost in all their countries for it is the East Countrey that affords the same in abundance yet wee know that the greatest Store-houses and staple Granaries of grainâ— is by the freedome of their trade in the low Countries for Amsterdam if report may gaine credit is continually stored with 8. in 100000. quarters besides what is by trade daily sold away and vented The maine shooles and massy bulke of Herrings from whence their industry and traffike raiseth to them so many millions yearely proceeds meerly out of our English seas but yet the great Fishery to the shame and wonderfull dishonour of England is in the Low countries wherewith not onely their owne occasions at home are plentifully supplyed but all Christendome besides abundantly stored it being computed that they send forth yearely into other Countries above one hundred thousand last which wee may account to bee two hundred thousand tuns The large and mighty vast Vineyards and great quantity and stoâ—e of salt is noted to be in France and Spaine yet the great Vintages as I may say and staples both of Salt and Wine is found in the Netherlands whereby they imploy yearely above a thousand sayle of their shipping The Wooll Cloath Lead and Tinne and divers staple English commodities are properly and naturally of Englands production but yet to the dishonour and prejudice of England the great Manufactories of Dying Dressing c. of them are seene in the Low-countries whereby they not onely imploy their poore by labour but their Mariners by shipping and often times under-sell the English both in their owne countries and abroad with these and other our owne commodities Many others in this kind may be produced for it is to be noted that wheresoever such a staple of trade is erected kept and maintained there all foraine and native commodities doe abound for the supply of any other countrey that may or doth want the same and where the customes upon Merchants goods is small it easily draweth all nations to trade with them and contrariwise where great impositions are laid upon Merchants goods the traffike of the place will be seen soone to decay to the prejudice of â—hat place and kingdom The difference thereof is made evident in any two townes of severall Princes Dominions in the one where customes are easie and there Merchants doe flock together from all parts of the world and abundance of foraine commodities are from all countries imported thither that benefit the Merchant the people and the Prince and in the other where the customes are heavie and burthensome to a Merchant and heavie upon his wares and there none comes nor brings any commodities but what hee knowes is liable and must pay this custome to his and the countries great prejudice which by an example or two I shall here manifest Two ships laden at Burdeux of equall burthen viz. of three hundred tuns the one goeth for England and the other for Holland she that commeth into England payeth for custome Prisedge Butleredge and other charges thereon by booke of rates one thousand two hundred pounds and upwards before she bee discharged and the other going for Holland is discharged there for threescore pound sterlin or there abouts so that after they have there unladen their said ship and custome being paid and the wines sold the buyer can transport them againe into some other countrey and if hee should in the second place but gaine this custome that was paid in England yea or halfe so much hee would thinke to have gained very well thereby but it is not possible for any English man to pay this great custome in England and to transport them againe into another Kingdome but he must be a great loser by them for the Hollander can still under-sell him and yet be a gainer thereby The like may bee alledged of two ships of two hundred tuns a peece comming alike laden with 200. tuns of Tobacco from Barmuda Saint Christopher or any other English Plantation now this 200. tuns paying custome c. in England vvill amount unto 10000. pounds whereas in Holland the said 200. tuns will bee cleared for 120. pounds Now though the said 200. tuns of Tobacco should be here againe shipped out within the yeare and the impost repaid him yet the Merchant loseth infinitly by bringing it into the kingdome which he would account for wonderfull gaine might hee enjoy the same upon all the whole parcell towards all his adventure interest and charges But some Princes may imagine that this will too much diminish their customes and draw their Revenewes to a low estate but I rather hold the same will bee a meanes to increase the same for though a Prince should for the ease of his people and the augmentation of the trade of his Countrey take but a small custome upon all forraine goods imported and thus exported with the reservations mentioned in the second consideration of trade yet he may have a moderate custome to be paid him upon all goods vented within the Kingdome as is now used in England and the multiplicity of trade which will be procured by this staple and small custome whereof there is not otherwise accruing to the Prince any profit at all wilâ— much increase the same in the totall Presuppose that this staple of traffike furthered with such immunities and smalness of customes were in some one two or three convenient Towns settled here in England let us consider the good in generall that by the former assertion it would produce to us First the Merchants would be enabled to export the commodities of France Spaine Italy Turky and Barbary and of the East and West India into the Kingdomes of Germany Poland Denmarke Swethland Pomerland Sprucia and Lifeland and the merchandise of those other countâ—ies which are both many and usefull will againe be transported from the said staple to those Southerne and Westerne Countries and hereby
the Merchants would mightily flourish by this inlargement of trade Secondly diverse sea-Townes where this staple should be kept would be very much enriched Thirdly the Mariners and shipping of this Kingdome would hereby come to be very much enlarged and imployed Fourthly many poore people and other handy crafts men and labourers would be hereby set on worke and imployed Fifthly the honour and reputation of this Kingdome will be much advanced in other countries and much Bullion would thereby come to be imported Sixthly it will keepe all sorts of graine at a reasonable price both for the buyer and seller and the countrey should alwayes bee well provided with corne if dearth should happen and thereby also retaine our coine which upon such an occasion is usually exported Lastly the customes of England would bee much increased by intercourse of trade both by Importation and Exportation of all sorts of foraine commodities whereof we have no use our selves and whereof His Majesty hath at present no custome at all because there is no such course of trade in use Having thus shewed how this staple of trade is to be setled and what benefit it brings with it to that countrey where the same is erected and may bring to us were the same here setled and because in all Kingdomes it is a worke of time and much difficulty and that our ordinary States-men doe neither seriously consider nor truly weigh the reall benefits that arise to a Kingdome and people by the hand of traffike I will here in the last place for conclusion of this consideration shew that a maine Furtherer of a countries traffiâ—e and the only way for the preservation therof being once acquired is to settle by authority of the Soveraign a selected number of able and discreet Merchants with power and sufficient priviledge to examine the disorders of traffike and irregular Traders and to reduce the same to such orders and constitutions as may stand with the benefit and good of the Soveraigne his countrey and subjects and these Merchants to be either sworne and admitted into the Princes counsell or have a superintendency over the generall Commerce of the kingdom by themselves entituled as State-merchants or Merchant States-men the benefit of whose endeavour skill judgement and discretion thus authorised I shall by these few rules offer to the consideration of the Iudicious It is by all Statesmen accounted a truth undeniable that the wealth and welfare of all countries where the subject exerciseth traffike with forraine nations is mainely fâ—rthâ—red and much advanced by the regular orders and merchantlike rules thereof and more especially in that of Englands by nature commodiously seated to that end and of purpose the procurement of which wealth and welfare by the inlargement of Commerce and the well ordering and regulating thereof cannot be so fully effected nor the hindrances fore-seene nor the prejudices so soone avoided by a meere States-man as the same can be by a discreet Merchant qualified with power from the Prince to that purpose Secondly the importation of Bullion to the Princes Mint or exportation of his coyne out of his countrey cannot be so well fore-seene and prevented as by the Merchant who by the course of traffike knowes the impediments of the one and the preventions of the other Thirdly the under-valuing of the home-bred and native commodities of a Kingdome and the over-valuing in that Kingdome of forraine commodities with the discommodity of both to the common wealth nor the causes thereof cannot be so well knowne to a States-man nor by him be prevented as the same can to a Merchant qualified with power thereunto Fourthly the inlargement of trade by any new Inventions Plantations or Discoveries of new traffikes cannot be by any so well furthered as by a qualified Merchant who best knowes by reason of his trade what priviledges are fit to be granted what customes invvards and outwards to be imposed and for the incouragement of the Merchants and Vndertakers in these said courses Fifthly it is granted that the greatnesse of customes and other duties upon Merchants goods in all places diminisheth the trade of a Kingdome and the smalnesse of the same inlargeth the trade thereof now a meere States-man conceives not what commodities are fittest to be eased and vvhich are to be raised for the common good and profit of the trade of that Countrey Sixthly the generall imployment of all the poore of a kingdom in the workmanship of native and home-bred commodities and foraine materials imported now too little regarded by many States-men in many Kingdomes may with more ease and speed be put in Execution by a States-merchant then by a meere States-man as is seene in the dying and dressing of clothes in England and in the prosecution of the Fishing-trade lately here set on foot by the care and industry of divers noble personages and lost for want of experienced men in that profession to manage the same Seventhly as a matter worthy of a Princes consideration the furnishing of decayed haven Townes with inhabitants Mariners and shipping in a kingdome and the needfull helps and furtherances thereto with a profitable trade to maintaine both to their and the Prince and countries good is better performed by a Merchant then by a meere Statesman Eighthly the continuall furniâ—hing of a Kingdome with corne at cheape rates yea even in times of Dearth the want whereof some yeares past the last great Dearth inriched Holland for seven yeares following and impoverished England full as long by their exportation of two millions of pounds as is conceived that year out of all ports of this Kingdome in gold wherein a meer States-man knows not the way neither how to provide for the one nor yet how to prevent the other which notwithstanding a Merchant can with â—ase and better husbanddry accomplish and performe Ninthly the setling of a staple or freedome of trade in a kingdome in commodious and fit places with fit and advantageable priviledges and how the same is to be governed and directed and wherein to be restrained and limited is onely within the knowledge of a Merchant and fittest for his direction which a meere States-man doth not so well understand nor can judge of Tenthly Salomon saith that wisdome is better then the weapons of warre therefore a Merchant can in times of warres with foraine Princes better direct how to weaken his enemies in course of their traffike and preiudice them in the point of their profit and crosse their designed intentions for provision of warfare more then the best States-man can doe by open hostility Tenthly In concluding of a peace or in the making of leagues and amity with foraine Princes the Merchant can advise of the fitting conditions to bee insisted upon and obtained in the point of traffike for the advancement of his King and Countrey which a Statesman doth not so much regard nay many times not yet understand Twelfth
and his Crownes that the customes were in her time some yeares before her death farmed but at fourteene thousand pounds which Smith commonly called Customer Smith in one yeare petitioned for reliefe as having beene a loser thereby and now in lesse then fifty yeres is come to five hundred thousand pounds yearely if report gaine credit to the Kings purse and how much more the Farmers have made thereof His Majesties custome bookes can best manifest If then Princes of all ages and the wisest of all Princes have made it part of their study and have in many occurrences prejudiced themselves and their estates to win this so excellent a benefit how carefull need all Princes to be when the same is brought to perfection to preserve and cherish it and not to suffer the liberties of their Merchants to be incroached upon the freedome of their traffike to be fettered by heavy imposts customes and Innovations which are like Cankers that doe insensibly eate out and ruine a trade before the Prince or the wisest of his Counsellors can see how to prevent or remedy it The want of this care and provident foresight hath lost many kings the traffike of their Kingdomes which were the best Iewels of their Crownes and the richest flower in their Diadems The want of good orders in the government of the trade of Antwerpe and the imposing of heavy customes upon the Merchants there trading hath within this fifty yeares brought that Towne to the lownesse wherein now wee see it Lions in France hath suffered wonderfully by the same inconveniences and Marsilia within the dayes of my knowledge had a wonderfull great traffike for many places of Turky Barbary Spaine and other kingdomes and was then able to shew many ships imployed in merchandise carrying thirty and forty peeces of Ordnance and now which is not above 24. in 25. yeares past the best of their vessels have not above ten peeces and of those but very few neither Here I could also particularize the fetters Incroachments and Intrusions that have within these late yeares beene laid upon the East-India traders of England and their liberties and what they have suffered both abroad and at home by the ill wishers of their prosperity but what will it availe them or benefit our countrey to travell into the disturbations crosses and afflictions which they have to their prejudice felt and to their losse suffered It sufficeth me here to say that the want of due and timely protection and incouragement from the Estate hath reduced them to that bad point and low passe wherein we now observe them to bee and that for the future erecting of such a brave society a great deale of time and mony must be expended and many larger immunities then formerly must be granted ere the same can be reduced to that pristine flourishing estate we lately have beheld it to be in I could also here by way of addition say somewhat of those disturbances that the Turky Moscovia and other Companies of London have groaned under but I trust the goodnesse of our Soveraigne and the wisdome of his Counsellors will rectifie the same or remunerate them by fitting encouragements some other wayes lest thereby the same be reduced to the present condition of the East-India Company to His Majesties great losse and dishonour and to the wonderfull prejudice of his people and kingdomes Now having thus handled the 3. first considerations of trade observed that neither naturall nor artificiall commodities of a kingdom can inrich a countrey without the helpe and hand of traffike and then shewed what commodities by a well ordered traffike a Kingdome must suffer entrance and what prohibit and what againe to send out and also what to forbid and withall shewed the particular meanes and wayes that Princes are observed to use to gaine settle preserve and augment the same with the laborious and studious courses that have beene taken by sundry late Princes to obtaine and purchase this so beneficiall a commodity I come now to the last point and consideration before mentioned wherein the rest is for the most part comprehended being the reasons and causes that move all estates Kings and Empires to covet the same which I may say doth extend it selfe into foure heads and principall parts The first is that traffike with foraine nations is notable in respect of the honour and reputation thereof Secondly excellent in point of riches both to the King his Countrey and Subjects Thirdly eminent in regard of strength offensive and defensive that it brings with it to the Countrey and Princes where it is orderly managed and regularly practised by skilfull Merchants First then a well governed traffike practised in a Kingdome by judicious and expert Merchants to foraine and remote countries will easily bee granted and confessed to bee both honourable and of singular reputation both to the Soveraigne in his particular and to the nation in generall I need not seeke farre for examples nor search much for arguments to make this good and manifest but only looke upon this our kingdome wherein wee live How had ever the name of the English beene knowne in India Persia Moscovia or in Turky and in many places else-where had not the traffike of our Nation discovered and spread abroad the fame of their Soveraigne Potency and the renowne of that peoples valour and worth Many parts of the world had peradventure even to this day lived in ignorance thereof and never dreamt of the inhabitants of so small an Iland had not the traffike of the Merchants by Navigation made it famous over all those remote Regions Nay the Portugals and Hollanders an obscure people in comparison of the English and enjoying but a handfull of those subjects that are comprehended under the Scepter of great Britaine have by this onely meanes given witnesse and good testimony to many powerfull remote nations of their countries worth and honour What brought the Portugall nation to be famoused in Affrica and Asia or the Spanish name to bee notable in America but her traffike and Commerce It is not our conquests but our Commerce it is not our swords but our sayls that first spred the English name in Barbary and thence came into Turky Armenia Moscovia Arabia Persia India China and indeed over and about the world it is the traffike of their Merchants and the boundlesse desires of that nation to eternize the English honour and name that hath enduced them to saile and seek into all the corners of the earth What part is there unsearched what place undiscovered or what place lyes unattempted by their endeavours and couragious undertakings most of which hath beene accompanied with such fortunate successe that they have contracted Leagues and Amity with the Mogull Persian Turke Moscovite and other mighty foraine Princes in their Soveraignes name and to his honour which even in our Fathers dayes was not
it may be said for monies to their foes the very sword which peradventure may aftewards be imployed in the cutting of their owne throats but being instruments considerable and which must necessarily be had in warre and which will be by their enemies had else-where for monies if not of them they chuse rather thus to sell them and so by permitting an unusuall policy of state endeavour for their monies to give them with their owne consents and that voluntarily and of their owne accord what they cannot with their best of policie otherwise prevent and what their enemies will bee furnished withall in despight of their utmost endeavours else-where I need not insist further upon this point having declared the honour benefit and strength both offensive and defensive which doth arise to a Common-wealth or Countrey by a well ordered traffike managed by Regular and Iudicious Merchants I could here adde to what I have said before in the behalfe of the Merchant and shew that as hee can in many things advance his countrey before a meere States-man so also declare the Nobility of his art and the excellency of his profession no one vocation in the world requiring a more generall knowledge and inspection into all other professions then this doth and withall make it appeare that hee is the best of Common-wealths men both towards his Prince and fellow-subjects and that for the most part all other professions live and have their subsistence from others hee onely giving by traffike a lively-hood to others and no way dependent but upon himselfe and his owne labour and endeavours as it will easily appeare to any judicious man that shall examine his profession and compare the same with others But I will conclude this discourse and take it by what hath beene said for granted as for a truth undeniable That the excellency of a well ordered traffike is such and so singular and the effects thereof so notably beneficiall to a kingdome and in its selfe so admirable and the discreet and skilfull Merchants endeavours so laudable and his art so eminently honorable that it requireth and duly challengeth A Royall Protection and Reall Encouragement from all Kings and Princes a faire respect from all Nobles a love from all persons and well wishes from all those their Countrey-men that tender the Profit Advancement and Honour both of the King and Countrey c. A TABLE of all the principall Points handled in the afore-going Discourse of Foraine TRAFFIKE A THE Arts-man is ever the best Counsellor in his owne profession fol. 3. The artificiall commodities of a countrey what fol. 13 Artificiall Commodities enrich not a Countrey without the helpe of Traffike fol. 15 Artificiall Words which are not exportable and how farre fol. 30 All Commodities tending to ryot are to be prohibited importation fol. 38 B The benefits of the earth neglected by whom and how fol. 9 The benefit of the trade of Nobles in a Kingdome h 49. The benefit of a staple by experience of other countries fol. 58 Benefits arising to a Kingdome by a staple fol. 64 C The care of some Princes to set their poore on worke fol. 31 Commodities needfull for warre are ever to be received as also those that set the subject a worke f. 41 Certaine limitations upon commodities importable fol. 42 The commodious carriage of goods by land and water to be furthered fol. 44 The Coines current of a Countrey to bee constant fol. 49 No Corne in Holland yet they have the staple thereof fol. 58 Small Customes increase the totall Customes of a kingdome fol. 61 Customes increased in England in fifty yeares fol. 86 The Commerce and not the Conquest of the English have made them famous in India fol. 92 D Duke of Florence hath no Mines admits exportation of Gold and Silver yet hath abundance of Ryals fol. 24 The Dutch care to set the people on worke before their last wars with Spaine fol. 32 Difficulty in pâ—ohibiting ryotous commodities fol. 39 To discharge all great customes 48 Discreet Merchants authorised by a Prince how farre beneficiall to a Kingdome exemplified by 19 severall propositions fol. 65 The Danes Sweeds and Germans not knowne in India â— fol. 94 E Edward the first his staple of trade fol. 4 The excellent industry of the Germans in setting men on worke in their Cities fol. 14 The East-India affords the spice that drives the West-India trade fol. 26 Examples of the Florentines care to set their people on worke fol 32. To establish Sea-lawes for Merchants fol. 48 To elect a Court of Marchants fol. 49 To erect an assurance office h 51 To erect societies h 51 Example of the Prince a maine furtherer of traffike h 54 To erect a staple of trade h 56 Example of Custome betweene England and Holland fol. 61 The endeavours of sundry Princes to gaine traffike fol. 76 The East-India trade of England 88 An excellent plot of the Hollanders to enrich themselves 99 F The Farmers eate out the benefit of the earth to the prejudice of the owners fol. 10 The fruits of the Germans industry in imployment of men foure considerations in the prosecution preservation and augmentation of trade fol. 17 Foraine commodities that set the subject on worke to be cherished fol. 35 No fish in Holland yet they have the staple thereof fol. 59 G Gold and Silver in some places exportable and in some not fol. 19 A general rule observed in prohibited commod f. 29 H How farre the Princes care to set his people a worke is to be cherished fol. 33 Honour to be given to Merchants and why fol. 51 How traffike inricheth a King fol. 96 How trade inricheth a Nobility and how the countrey fol. 97 I The endeavours of some Princes in setting their people on worke to invite industrious strangers by priviledges fol. 49 K King Iames his provident care in setting his subjects a worke fol. 35 To keepe High-wayes from theeves fol. 46 L To lend money to Merchants out of the common Treasury h 53 Light Customes increase trade and heavy ruines it 60 Sundry leagues contracted by the English Merchants at their owne charge fol. 93 M Many unskilful Arts-men are hurtfull to traffike f. 13 Many Princes have beene free of Hals of London 15 Merchants must submit themselves to the lawes of Princes where they traffike fol. 27 Manchester commended fol. 32 To maintaine Beacons Boyes and Castles fol. 46 To maintaine Posts fol. 47 To put downe Monopolies fol. 47 Merchandising is most profitable to an Estate fol. 53 N No man borne for himselfe but for his countrey fol. 1 No one way more conducible to enrich a countrey then is foraine trade fol. 5 Naturall commodities what fol. 7 Ditto of two sorts fol. 7 How they enrich a Countrey fol. 8 Naturall commodities hurtfull to a Countrey without the helpe of traffike fol. 8 No commodities can inrich a countrey without the helpe of trade fol. 12 No toll to be paid upon Rivers fol. 45 O