still shews the ruins of a strong and stately Castle built upon a hill Stony-Stratford was a Station of the Romans and by them call'd Lactorodum Here the said King Edward the Elder gave a stop to the violent incursions of the Danes upon those parts and this is one of those places where the first of that name since the Conquest rais'd a stately monumental Cross in memory of Queen Eleanor At Chilton in this Shire was born that learned Writer in the Law Sir George Crook Amersham so call'd qu. Agmondsham is not only eminent by the name of the great Agmond from whom it takes denomination but by the birth of several learned Writers especially John sirnamed from the place of his Nativity Amersham and John Gregory of the present Age whose posthume works are worthily reckon'd among the principal of English Writings At Windover was born Roger thence sirnamed de Windover Historian to King Henry the third At Houton Roger Goad a man of good repute for learning In Barkshire are several places of note Reading boasts the Interment of King Henry the first in a Collegiate Church of an Abby founded by himself together with his Queen and his Daughter Maud the Empress He also built here a strong Castle which was rased to the ground by King Henry the second But this Town is yet more remark'd by the birth of William Laud who of a poor Clothiers Son of Reading was advanc'd to the highest Ecclesiastical Office and Dignity of the Nation viz. the Archiepiscopal See of Canterbury nor is it to be forgotten how manfully this Town was held out in the time of the late Civil War by Sir Jacob Aston against the whole power of the Earl of Essex General of the Parliaments forces for a whole twelve month's time but at length it was taken by the said Earl And from this place in the Reign of King Henry the second a learned Writer viz. Hugh of Reading took both Birth and Sirname At Inglefield the Danes received a great defeat from King Ethelwolf Wallingford the Gallena of Ptolomy was an ancient Station of the Romans and the chief City of the Atrebates From this place Richard of Wallingford took his birth and consequently his Sirname Abington besides that it was a place of much action in the time of the Civil Wars in his late Majesties Reign gave birth to Sir John Mason Privy Counsellor to King Henry the eighth King Edward the sixth Q. Mary and Qu. Elizabeth as also to Sir John Smith Latin Secretary and Master of Requests to King James Windsor is renowned as having been built by King Edward the third and as the place where was first instituted that most illustrous Order of the Knights of the Garter by that most victorious Prince and of which the greatest Kings and Princes of Europe have been fellows from the first Institution to this day and likewise for the Interment of King Henry the sixth King Edward the fourth King Henry the eighth and King Charles the first whose Body hath been since remov'd to Westminster and interr'd in King Henry the seventh's Chappel Moreover this place gave birth to a person of great fame for his learned Writings viz. Roger hence sirnamed of Windsor Eaton nearly adjoyning and almost contiguous to Windsor is a place besides the fame of being built by King Henry the sixth trebly renown'd for learning first as a Nursery for the bringing up of Youth being one of the chiefest Free-schools in England secondly as a place of maintenance and encouragement for the studious and well advanc'd in learning thirdly as the Birth-place of several learned men particularly Samuel Collins William Oughtred the great Mathematician and Matthew Stokes At Ratcot Bridge Robert Vere Duke of Ireland was put to flight by the Duke of Glocester the Earls of Arundel Warwick and Derby with the slaughter of Sir Thomas Molineux Constable of Chester This Radcot is by some reckon'd in Oxfordshire Sunning is sufficiently signal in history as having bin an Episcopal See for the residence of eight Bishops which See was translated to Shirbourn and afterwards to Salisbury where it still remains Wantage is enobled by the Birth of that great mirrour of a Prince for Virtue Learning and Valour King Alfred sirnamed the Scourge of the Danes Waltham in the East of this County was an ancient Station of the Romans so likewise Sinodum in the North. Newbury a Town of sufficient note in this Shire is yet more noted by the birth of Thomas Hide a learned Writer and also by two great Fights fought in the time of the late Civil Wars between the Forces of his late Majesty and the Parliament Army under the Earl of Essex Spene and Pesemere two places of no other note than by the birth of two eminent Writers the first of William Twisse the other of William Lyford In Hantshire Winchester the ancient Venta Belgarum of the Romans is said to have been built by that famous Rudhudibras great in the Catalogue of the old British Kings It was the Seat Royal of the West Saxons and chief Epicopal See and still remains the Episcopal See of a great part of that which was the West Saxon Kingdom It was honour'd with the Coronations of King Egbert and King Alfred and the Birth of King Henry the third Here in the Cathedral built by King Kenwolf King of the West Saxons were interred King Egbert King Ethelwolf King Alfred with his Queen Elswith the first Edmund King Edred and King Edwy Queen Emma and her Husband the Danish King Canutus as also his Son Hardy-Canutus and after the Conquest King William Rufus and his Brother Richard Here King Athelstan kept his Mint At St. Peters in the Suburbs of this City was born John Russel created Bishop of Lincoln by King Edward the fourth and Lord Chancellour of England by King Richard the third This City also brought forth two persons of illustious memory for learning viz. Lampridius sirnamed of Winchester a Benedictine Monk who flourisht An. 980. and Wolstan of Winchester a Benedictine likewise accounted in those times an eminent Poet who flourisht An. 1000. Southampton built out of the ruines of the ancient Clausentium and after many devastations reedified in King Richard the second 's time is a most pleasant and well fortified Town with a goodly Castle proudly advanced on a Hill In a Maison dieu or Hospital here lies interr'd the body of Richard Earl of Cambridge who was executed for Treason in the Reign of King Henry the fifth In the Parish of St. Michael in Southampton was born Arthur Lake Bishop of Bath and Wells who died An. 1602. as also Sir Thomas Lake Secretary of State to King James At Basingstoke John sirnamed of Basingstoke the first English Author of a Greek Grammar who died An. 1252. William Paulett Baron of Basing and Marquess of Winchester 〈…〉 to King Henry the seventh and Lord Treasurer to King Henry the eighth Edward the sixth Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth
3 chief Scales of Europe CHAP. LXI A View of Lisbon the Metropolis of Portugal of the Trade Growth Weights Measues Coyns and Customs thereof LIsbon is the Metropolis of the Kingdom of Portugal commodiously Seated upon the Banks of the River Tagus the City and Suburbs being 10 Miles in compass and not imagined to contain less then 38000. Families Beautifyed with 67 Towers placed upon the Walls and 22 Gates all the Houses being Built Magnificent and indeed the People given to great Industry but especially to Navigation as appears by the many Discoveries they have made they being the first that Discovered the Eastern Tract even to the Indias and there by Trade and force got Footing and shewed the way to England and Holland who have now brought it to perfection even to the great Inriching either Nation and of all the Commodities brought from India and other parts of the World by the Portugals this City is the Scale for hither come yearly the Spices of Arabia the Silks of Persia the rich Commodities of China and the Gold Silver precious Stones and Spices of India and especially Pearls the Fishery thereof remaining for the most part in the right of the King of Portugal which being brought to Lisbon and afterwards dispersed throughout Europe To this City Flows the Trade of the whole Kingdom and also that of Spain from which Kingdom it is now separated as formerly The Weights of this City and consequently of the whole Kingdom are Principally the small and the great Cantars the Latter of which is divided into 4 Roves and each Rove contains 32 Reals which is 128 pounds at 14 Ounces per pound and of Florence Weight is computed 149 pound their small Quintar for Pepper and Ginger is between 110 and 112 pound English the Rove or Quartern being 27 ½ and sometimes 27 ◠4 pound but the great Quintal is 15 or 16 per cent more than our 112 pound The Quintar commonly called the King 's Quintar used in his Contractation House for weighing the Spices and Drugs of India is 114 pound English and the great Cantar of Lisbon is mostly computed 130 pound English c. The Measures of length used in this City are the Coueda which is the third part of an English Yard and the Ware which wants but a Nale of an English Ell by the former they Measure Woollen Cloaths c. and by the latter Linnen c. The Concave Measures of Lisbon is the Alquire 3 of which are found to make an English Bushel and 5 a Spanish Hannep They have an other Measure by which they meet their Salt called Muy which is 60 Alquires and 2 Muys and 15 Alquires are a Tunn Bristol Water Measure The Custom inward is 23 per cent that is to the Dechima 10 to the Sisa 10 and to the Consolado 3 and outward Merchants pay only 3. The Coyns are the Croisado of Gold computed to be worth 400 Reas. The Ducat of Portugal which is ten Reals and accounted 5 Shillings Sterling or the Croisado The Ryal which is 40 Reas and accounted 6 pence Sterling The Golden Mirle which is worth 1000. Reas and accounted 2 5 2 Ducats the Ducat is 2 ½ Ryals or 15 pence Sterling The Vintin which is 20 Reas or 3 pence Sterling the single Ryal of Spain which is 2 Vintines there are likewise the Coyns of Spain passable in this City but seeing they are not the proper Coyns of Portugal I shall pass them over as having already mentioned them in the Description of the Trade of that Kingdom And now leaving Portugal I shall pass into the Kingdom of France and in viewing the Trade of some Cities thereof give a Summary account of the whole Kingdoms Commerce both Inland and by Navigation CHAP. LXII A View of France the Provinces Trade Customs Weights Measures and Currant Coyns reduced into the view of the Principal Trading Cities of that Kingdom FRance is a large and Fertile part of Europe bounded on the North with the Brittish Ocean on the West with the Aquitanian Sea on the South with the Mediterranian and on the East with the Pirenaean Hills and River Rhine and is divided into several Provinces the Trade of which I shall instance in these following Cities viz. Burdeaux Rouen Paris Lyons and Marselia of these in order Burdeaux is Situate on the Banks of Geronde being the Principal City of the Province of Aquitain and is placed in a very Fruitful Soil especially for Wines The Principal Vineyards of France being accounted in its Neighbourhood of the Grapes therein growing are made Whitewines and Claret in abundance and of late all Palled Wines and such as otherwise are foul not Merchantable they Lmibeck off into Brandies which for the most part is vended in England and Holland They have likewise several Vineyards yielding Grapes that make Sweet-Wines commonly called high Country Wines the which lest it should hinder the Sail of the other they prohibit to be sold in their City till Christmass day when the high Country Merchants bring it in and sell it to Strangers there resident and such is the Custom of the place that that Vessel or Lighter that first sets her Head on Shoar is accounted free from Impost or Custom yet must in lieu thereof for that day give Wine on Free-cost to such as come on Board to Drink it To this City it is that our English Merchants Trade and from whence they yearly bring 20000 Tuns of Whitewine Claret Sweet and Brandy Wines in times when no prohibition is layed this City formerly for many Years having been English there are found great quantities of Prunes of the Neighbouring growth and some other Commodities tho these are the chief and to this place monies are remitted for which mostly the Inhabitants Trade not as in other places ef Traffick freely bartering Goods for Goods Their Accounts are kept for the most part in Livers Sold's and Denies as indeed throughout the Kingdom Their Weight is the pound 100 of which are reckoned a Quintar or 110 English 90 ¾ pound being 100 pound English Their Measure of length is an Auln accounted 42 English Inches their Wines are computed by Hogs-Heads and Tearces viz. Claret and White-wines and their Brandy by Punchings of no certain Gauge CHAP. LXIII A View of Rouen and the Trade thereof ROuen is the Principal City of Normandy being the Parliamentary Seat of that Province and is Seated on the Banks of the River Sein all its Territories being Fertile and it abounding with rich Merchandise as well of other Nations as the Growth of the Kingdom of France and is visited by most of the Merchants of all the Northern Kingdoms Trading in the Growth of France the place affording of natural Growth and Native Manufactury fine and coarse Linnens Buckrams Paper Cards Wine Stuffs Combs c. for which the Inhabitants or such French Merchants as send their Commodities thither to be vended receive of the English Kersies of Devonshire and
Dun Fox-Skins with many others of the like nature which are sold by the Timber Weight or Tale being highly valued of late by the Natives who perceiving the desire Merchants have for them learn thereby to set prices on them accordingly The Merchants Accounts are kept here Divers ways as those of England in Rubles and Pence called by the Natives Muskofkins 200 of which make a Ruble which is rated at 2 Rix Dollars the Dutch by Rubles Grevens and Muscofkins 20 pence being accounted to the Greven and 10 Grevens to the Ruble which is only an Imaginary Coyn. The currant money is the Capeck worth a Stiver Flemish and something more in value then an English penny 10 of which make a Greven whiâ—h is worth 12 pence Sterling and the Ruble 10 Shillings Sterling 3 Capecks is called an Altine by which name all receipts of Bargain and contracts are made 33 Altines and one Capeck making the Ruble At Archangel there is exchange practised and the price of monies Russ as the Plenty or Scarcity will allow for sometimes the Rubles in exchange pass for 11 Shillings 6 pence Sterling the Receipts being in August to return in London about the latter end of December The Weight most in use is the Pood by which all fine Goods are weighed as Silk Beavor Wool and the like but for Gross Goods they have a Weight called a Berzovet accounted 10 Poods or the Russ Ship-pound computed to be 360 pound Averdupois so that all Goods bought by this Weight are accounted to be 10 per cent profit so that many have reckoned the Goods so bought to pay the Fraight with over Weight and all Goods bought by the Pood are reckoned 10 per cent less The Measure of Length is called the Archin and is accounted 28 English Inches so that the 100 Archings are supposed to produce Incirca 78 Yards of London Measure Oyl they sell by the Barrel each Barrel being accounted ½ a Hogshead and Tar by the Hogs-head as for Concave Measures I observe they are but rarely in use by way of Trade by Reason of the small quantities of Commodities the Empire affords that are proper to be Measured thereby Therefore I shall put a conclusion to the Trade of Moscovy and proceed to a View of Poland CHAP. LXXXIX A View of the Kingdom of Poland together with the Trade Weights Measures and currant Coyns thereof POland is bounded on the East with Boristhenes on the West with Vistula on the North with the Baltick Ocean and Sinus Trinicus and on the South with Hungary and is divided into 10 Provinces viz. Luconia Lituania Volinia Samogita Podolia Russia Nigra Prussia Podtasia Masovia and Poland these Provinces are Branched with several Navigable Rivers Vistula Reuben Bog Mimel and others and has for its Metropolis Cracovia Into which I shall reduce the Trade of this Kingdom Cracovia is the Metropolis of Poland Situate on the Banks of the River Vistula which is Navigable for near 400 Miles being as it were incompassed with distant Mountains and fortifyed with strong Walls and fair Buildings being the Seat of the Kings of Poland and is found to produce the Commodities of the whole Kingdom as Tar Rosin Pitch Hemp Wax Honey Barly Oats Amber Tallow and Hides which Commodities are sent up the River and distributed to such Merchants as come to Trade for the Growth of the Kingdom There are likewise found Furs of divers sorts some Minerals and the like for which the Inhabitants receive the Commodities of divers Nations which are brought both by Land and Sea The Coyns of this City and consequently of the Kingdom are the Ducat of Gold called the Polander which is accounted 70 Polish Gross The Silver Guilden which is worth 30 Polish Groshe or 2 Shillings Sterling a Dollar in Specie is worth 4 Polish Groshes but in all contracts of buying and selling the Doller is accounted 36 Groshe a Crietszar is worth 3 Pot-chanels 18 Deniers make one Groshe a Groshe of Poland or Bohemia is worth 7 Whites 16 Whites make one Ort 4 0rts make a Dollar and a Dollar is accounted 4 Shillings 4 pence The Weight is the pound 136 of which is accounted the Quintar which is found in London to render 114 pound and the 100 of London yieldeth 120 of Cracovia but the common pound is reduced to a Stone of 40 pound 10 of the said Stones being accounted the Skip-pound The Measure of Length is the Ell 20 of which are 10 English Ells but their Linnen they sell by the Shock the Shock being 57 ½ English Ells. And to this City it will not be amiss to add Elbin once a Scale of Merchandise where the English Merchants had a Factory being here known by the Name of the Merchants of Elbin but since this City has fallen into the Hands of the King of Poland it has lost the great Trade it had upon the Abridgement of the Liberties and Priviledges it enjoyed during its being in the possession of the Teutonick Knights so that now it only is famous for what it has been and not for what it at present remains the Trade being dispersed into several Eastland Cities or Hans Towns but from Danzick especially are brought Soap-Ashes The Weights are the Pound and Stone 40 pound making the Stone and 40 of those Stones make the Ship-pound which is 400 pound and 100 pound of London is found to make 120 of Elbin Their Last of Wheat is reckoned to weigh 5200 pound Their Measure of Length is the Ell 163 of which make 100 London Yards In this Tract is found Coninsberg Rhiga Stetin Stralesond and Revel from the former of which the Amber is brought as for the rest they little differ in Commodities and manner of Trade from Cracovia Wherefore for Brevities sake I shall pass them over and take a View of Hungary and the Trade thereof c. CHAP. XC A View of Hungary and the adjacent Provinces and of their Trade Weights Measures Coyns and Commodities of the Growth and Manufacture THe Kingdom of Hungary is bounded on the East with Transilvania and Valachia on the West with Austria on the South with Sclavonia and on the North with Poland and is of it self exceeding Fertile abounding in Cattle beyond credit but by Reason of the continual Wars with the Turks it standing as the Bulwark of Christendom no great matter of Trade relating to Merchandise is found there the little that it consists in is Hides Tallow Wax Honey Copper Tinn Corn Wool Fruits Fish Skins and some Silver Mines which since the civil Disenssions caused by the continual Bandying of the two parties under pretence of Religion and the incouragement of those intestines Broyls by the Grand-Signeour have been thrown in many of them and thereby render useless Buda and many of the Principal Cities being now in the Hands of the Turks and is so Seated upon the River Danube that it hinders the free Commerce by Boats and great Vessels that was formerly
and Wat Tiler in East-Smithfield where in an overture of treaty Wat Tiler behaving himself with extraordinary insolence was in presence of the King stabb'd by Sir William Wallworth Lord Mayor of London with a Dagger in memory whereof the City of London hath to this day a Dagger for its Coat of Arms. This City hath had the honour to entertain several great Kings Princes and Nobles but the grandest transaction that London can boast of was that most stately Cavalcade which his present Majesty made through it the 29th of May An. 1660. when he returned from a long Exile to the Government of these Kingdoms But the year 1666. was fatal to it by reason of that most dreadful fire that consum'd all before it from Grace-Church Street to the Inner Temple destroying to the number as is generally computed of 13000 dwelling-houses and this preceded but the year before by the fiercest Pestilence that ever raged within the cognisance of the Weekly Bills In this City King Stephen kept his Court at Crosby-house in Bishopsgate-street King Edward the third in Cornhil where now the Pope-head Tavern stands King Henry the eighth at Black-friers and sometimes at Bridewell once a Regal Palace where also the Emperour Charles the fifth was lodg'd when he came over into England The Palace of St. James's which is in the Pomaeria of London and which was first built for a Spittle for Maiden Lepers hath been the Birth-place of his present Majesty K. Charles the 2d his Highness James Duke of York Henry late Duke of Glocester the Lady Elizabeth the Lady Mary late Princess of Orange and all the Children of his present Highness by his late Dutchess Edgar Duke of Kendal James Duke of Cambridg deceast the Lady Henrietta and the Lady Lady Katherine deceast Mary now Princess of Orange the Lady Anne yet unmarried as also of two Daughters both soon hasten'd to a better World by his present Dutchess Other persons of eminent note and immortal memory were born at London viz. Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury in the Reign of K. Henry the 2d by four of whese Courtiers he was murther'd in Canterbury Church Anno 1170. after a long contest with the King Sir Jeoffry Chaucer the most famous of ancient English Poets who flourisht in the Reigns of K. Henry the 4th Henry the 5th and part of K. Henry the 6th Edmund Spencer styl'd also the Prince of English Poets who flourisht in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth John Leland Sir Thomas More Bishop Andrews The Tower of London is very eminent for the Confinement Murther and Execution of Illustrious persons to mention all especially those who have been meerly Prisoners would be almost endless but the most memorable Imprisonment was that of two Kings at one time in the Reign of King Edward the third viz. of David King of Scots and of John King of France the first a Prisoner 11 years the other four Here the unfortunate King Henry the sixth after Edward the fourth had got the Crown from him by Conquest was basely murther'd by King Edward's Brother Richard Duke of Glocester afterward King of England Here George Duke of Clarence another Brother was by the practice of the said Duke of Glocester drown'd in a Butt of Malmsey but the most fatal Tragedy of all was the murther of King Edward the fourth's two Sons poor harmless children viz. Edward commonly entitled King Edward the fifth and his Brother Richard Duke of York and all by the order and contrivement of their Dear Uncle of Glocester who as most great persons have their peculiar Sports and Recreations was principally taken with that of killing men especially those of nearest kin for such he chiefly markt out for death out of meer kindness to himself that he might the sooner obtain the possession of that Crown he had long since aspir'd to and indeed he got it sooner and kept it longer so easie it is for one witty man to delude a Multitude than a curious descanter upon the worlds affairs would have allow'd a person so getting it however what he got by the death of others he lost by his own only more handsomely not by treachery but fairly in the field In Christ-church in London three great Queens had their Sepulture viz. Margaret the Daughter of King Philip of France sirnamed the Hardy and second Wife of King Edward the second of England Isabel the Daughter of the French King Philip the Fair and Wife to King Edward the second of England Joan the Daughter of the said Edward and Isabel and married to David King of Scots Westminster hath been the most constant residence of the Kings of England since the Conquest till Whitehall was built by Cardinal Wolsey It will be needless to mention all the Kings that have been crown'd and buried here in regard since the Conquest there are not very many who have not been buried and fewer that have not been crown'd in Westminster Abby At Isleworth now Thistleworth a Village pleasantly situate upon the River Thames Richard King of the Romans and Earl of Cornwall had a stately Palace which was burnt to the ground in a tumultuous sally that was made upon it by certain Malecontents of the London Mobile In Surry are places of as eminent note as in most Counties of England In the first place Lambeth is chiefly renowned for being the principal Palace and most usual residence of the Archbishops of Canterbury from the time of Archbishop Baldwin who first founded it and made it his Seat in the year 596 and from whom it hath continued so to this day the most reverend and learned Prelate Dr. Sancroft late Dean of Pauls being worthily advanc'd to this high Dignity and having here his present residence Here Canutus sirnamed the Hardy the third and last of our short-liv'd Dynasty of Danish Kings ended his days of a surfeit as most Writers affirm by eating and drinking over freely at a Wedding Feast Croydon is another Seat belonging to the Archbishops of Canterbury and where the Reverend Dr. Gilbert Sheldon late Archbishop lies buried having a most statety Monument newly elected to his memory the Artful Contrivance and skilful Workmanship of Mr Jasper Latham the present City Mason At Ockly in this County Ethelwolph Son of Egbert won a great Battel over the Danes Oatlands is not more famous for being a Royal Palace than for the Neighbourhood of Coweystakes where Julius Caesar pass'd the Thames into the Borders of Cassibesaunus Putney is chiefly considerable in story as being the Birth-place of one of the most advanced Statesmen and Favourites for he was but the Son of a Black-smith that our Nation hath produced viz. Thomas Cromwell chief Minister of State for the time to King Henry the eighth and by him created Earl of Essex who nevertheless had the ill fate falling under his Princes displeasure to be beheaded on Tower-Hill Wimbleton where the Earl of Bristol hath a pleasant seat still retains the memory of a
Collonel Massy against his late Majesty King Charles the First and the great Battle here fought for the raising of the Siege It was won from the Britains by Cheulin King of the West-Saxons An. 570. Here a Monastery of Nuns was founded by Osric King of Northumberland of which three Queens of the Mercians were successively Prioresses viz. Kineburg Eadburg and Eve Here was born Robert called the Monk of Glocester who flourish'd under Henry the second and also Osbernus sirnam'd Claudianus a Benedictine Monk Alny Isle a place near Glocester where after several bloody Battles between King Edmund Ironside and Canutus the Dane the matter was at last decided between them by single combat and a division of the Kingdom made Cirencester or Circester a place of memorable note as won from the Britains by Cheulin the West-Saxon this City is doubtless Ptolomies Corinium Antonines Durocornovium Giraldus his Vrbs Passerum which last denomination it takes from a tradition of one Gurmund an African Tyrant who set it on fire by tying to the tails of Sparrows certain combustible matter which he put fire to It was won from the Britains by Cheulen King of the West-Saxons next possess 't by the Mercians lastly by the Danes under Gurmund An. 879. But that which is to be said greatest of this for it's antiquity and remark is that that it was anciently one of the principal residencies of the Romans by whom it had been rais'd to a high pitch of magnificence and grandure At Cicester was born Thomas Ruthal Bishop of Durham At Duresby Edw. Fox Bishop of Hereford At Cam near Duresby Edward Trotman Judge of the Common Law who was buried in the Temple Church May the 29th An. 1643. At Todington Richard Son to Sir William Tracy who flourish'd under King Henry the second This Richard wrote a Book entitled Preparatio ad Crucem of much esteem in those times At Yate Thomas Neal Chanter to Bishop Bonner he was eminent for Learning and flourish'd An. 1576. At Westbury John Carpenter Bishop of Worcester At Sudely Castle Ralph Lord Sudely Lord Treasurer and Knight of the Garter under Henry the sixth Other Noted men of this Shire were Tideman de Winchcomb the Kings Physitian Abbot of Benle Bishop first of Landaff afterwards of Worcester John Chedworth Bishop of Lincoln Anthony Fitz-Herbert Judge of the Common Pleas. Thomas de la More Knighted by King Edward the first he wrote the Character of King Edward the second a Manuscript now in Oxford Library Sir Thomas Overbury Son to Sir Nicholas William Winter Vice-Admiral of England under Queen Elizabeth John Sprint John Workman and Richard Capel Tewksbury-field gave a very fatal blow to the House of Lancaster An. 1471. in which Prince Edward was slain and Queen Margaret taken Prisoner together with the Duke of Somerset the Earl of Devonshire and others who were beheaded Here was born the famous Alan of Tewksbury who flourish'd under King John Hales a once flourishing Abby but chiefly to be remembred for the birth of Alexander de Hales sirnamed Dr. Irrefregabilis who died An. 1245. In Worcestershire Worcester the chief City is questionless the ancient Branconium of Antoninus and Ptolomie though since call'd by the Latins Vigornea and by the Britains Caer Wrangon some think it to have been built by the Romans for a bound to the Britains The Cathedral of St Mary in Worcester besides the fame of its State and Beauty is the Repository of the Bodies of King John and Prince Arthur Eldest Son to King Henry the seventh But that which gives greatest renown to this City is the memory of the happy preservation of his present Majesty from being taken at the fatal Battle of Worcester where the great Gallantry and Valour of His Majesty and his Party was utterly overpowr'd by the treble forces of the Usurpers At Eversham An. 1265. King Henry the third gain'd a most triumphant Victory over his Barons with the slaughter of Simon Montford and seventeen Lords and the taking of Humphry Bohun Prisoner In Herefordshire the City of Hereford besides that it is the Principal City an Episcopal See and noted for its Cathedral is also memorable for the birth of Adam de Orleton Bishop of Hereford Roger of Hereford a Writer of Astronomy who flourish'd under Henry the second An. 1170. John Davies of good repute for Poetry And also Charles Smith Bishop of Glocester in the reign of King James Bradwardin Castle gave both birth and sirname to that Thomas de Bradwardin Arch-Bishop of Canterbury who for his deep knowledge in Theologie and skilful management of Disputations is stiled the profound Doctor At Ashperton was born John Grandison Bishop of Exeter Other memorable persons of this Shire were Robert Devereux Earl of Essex great in deeds of Arms and a person of great power and favour with his Prince yet brought to an untimely end Richard Hackluit whose Book of Voyages is of good repute among the studious in Geography and History William Lemster a Franciscan and learned Doctor John Guillam the noted Herald whose Systeme of Heraldry is accounted the best that hath been written of this Subject In Shropshire besides Shrewsbury the County Town a noted Mart for Cloth and Frizes brought hither from Wales and sent to London and other parts of England there are very remarkable ruins of some ancient places which were certainly Towns or Cities of great spendour or resort as Wrocckester Vriconium the ancient Vsoconia of which Okenyate is a small remainder Oswaldstree retains its name from Oswald the 11th King of Northumberland who was here slain in battel by Penda King of the Mercians In Staffordshire the County Town Stafford anciently Bitheny from Bertelin a holy man is said to have been built by King Edward the Elder and was made a Corporation by King John Tamworth was doubtless anciently a place of more spendour and amplitude than at present for here the Mercian Kings for a long time kept their Court. Litchfield though not the County Town is yet the most eminent place of the County as being a City and Episcopal See joyntly with Coventry the chief Church and now Cathedral was built by the Northumbrian King Oswin upon the Conquest he gain'd over the Pagan Mercians and here Wulferre and Celred were interr'd it was for some time an Arch-bishoprick by the means of King Offa at the request of Bishop Eadulph At Bloreheath in this County a cruel battel was fought between the two Houses of York and Lancaster in which there fell on the Duke of York's side Sir Hugh Venables Sir William Trowthec Sir Richard Mollineux and Sir J. Egerton c. with 2400 and the two Sons taken prisoners of the Earl of Salisbury General of the Yorkists In Darbyshire besides Derby the County town there are memorable Ripton Ripandunum where was interr'd Ethelbald the 9th King of the Mercians who was slain at Egiswald by his Subjects and whence Burthred the last King was expell'd by the Danes with
their Legions who took with them the Flower of the Brittish-Youth and left her open to the Picts and wild-Irish who spoiled and wasted all her pleasant Places with Fire and Sword and after them the Saxons who were called in to expell them far worse so that of a Flourishing Island it became for many Years a place of Ruin and desolation all her Nobility Slain and the residue of her Natives forced to betake themselves to the Fastnesses of Mountains so that Strangers having grasped the Scepter which then Multiplyed into seven from thence called the Heptarchy of the Saxons Trade again ceased all the Ships either Sunk or Burnt in the Ports but no sooner was the Bloody Tempest over but the wounded Island again began to lift up her Head Forraign Nations again came in with the growths of their distant Soil and so she again became a Store-House of Wealth but especially when the sole Monarchy was reduced under Egbert the nineteenth King of the West-Saxons under whom things Flourished in a peaceful manner But soon after as if Fate had envied her happyness the Danes no less Bloody then the Saxons had been made an Invasion tempted by the glittering Wealth of this fair Isle and never left off till they had grasped the Scepter and reduced it to the obedience of Canute under whom again she Flourished more then ever and so continued to do Trade increasing and Arts duly improved till the Conquest by the Norman-Duke who for a while put a stop to her aspiring yet soon after gave incouragements to Industry by Grants Charters and large immunities and from him through the Reigns of several Peaceful Kings the current of her Prosperity continued Maritim affairs being prosecuted with such Success that our Sailers began to Plough till then unknown Seas and so Succesfully that they brought home great store of Riches opening a way to those that succeeded to bring to perfection what at this day renders us happy in all temporal Blessings Having thus far proceeded in general to shew what Brittain has been in her infancy I shall now proceed to give the Reader an account of such matters as have more immediately conduced to the prosperous and Flourishing Estate wherein she has for many Years past remained and does at present remain which chiefly next Heaven we must attribute to her store of Shipping and Expertness in Navigation so long incouraged by her indulgent Kings who in Peace and War have maintained the Soveraignty of the Seas with Navies almost incredible so that no Neighbour-Nation durst disturb our Traffick Not to insist upon King Arthure who found out the Russian Tracts and passed on conquering almost to the utmost Orient attended by a Squadron of three hundred Ships nor Edgard his Successor who Ploughed the Bosom of the deep with four hundred Sail asserting his Soveraignty on the Main to the admiration of the Neighbour-Nations Nor was Canute the Puissant Danish King then Reigning in Brittain less formidable on his watery Empire being proud to have annexed to his Style Lord of the Ocean Nor Edward the Confessor less Potent in Naval forces as appears by the many Ships of War he set forth to give Battle to his Brother in Law Godwin Earl of Kent who kept the Seas with a great number of Ships that spoiled and wasted the Coasts of Brittain as appears in the Reign of that King tho indeed Heaven at that time prevented the Shedding of English-Blood by sending just as they were about to ingage a thick Fogg to cover the Face of the Deep so that none could see a Ships length By this means Seamen were brought up and fitted for Navigation in such sort that in the Nonage of the Norman-Conquest as is before said Traffick abroad began to Flourish nor was Manufacture that Sinew of a Nation less regarded People being incouraged thereto not only by the Princes themselves with large Indulgencies but by such Wealthy Peers and others as more sought the good of the Publick-Weal than their own Private interest which ever redounds in the end to their profit For tho the Poor be never so industrious yet wanting what to Trade with their Industry will faint but if they have imployment to improve themselves Lands and all things else will be improved and advanced to a higher Estimate and the growth of England be made of value equal if not exceeding any European Commodity whatsoever So that this spot of an Island may nay is rightly termed the Store-House of the World who can subsist of her self but without whose Commodities few Nations can maintain their Grandure But to the purpose The Kings after the Conquest intending to make this their constant Seat and making little esteem of their Ancient Inheritance the Dutchy of Normandy did not let to increase the Grandure of this Kingdom by granting large Priviledges and immunities to those that were Industrious but especially to the City of London the chief residence of Royalty named by many Kings their Royal Chamber Nor was any thing thought too dear that might conduce to her Felicity as appears by the Charter granted by King William the first commonly called the Conqueror which was in these words William King greeteth William Bishop and Godfry Porters and all the Burgesses within London French and English and I grant you that I will that you maintain and injoy all your Laws that you did in the days of King Edward meaning the Confessor 's and I will that each Child be his Fathers Heir and further I will that no man wrong you and so God keep you This free concession gave scope to Trade being much augmented by succeeding Kings so that Tradsemen growing numerous they so prevailed upon the Benign Bounty of the Reigning Princes that they after long Fraternities obtained at several times to be incorporate in distinct Bodies or Companies to Implead or be Impleaded as one man The account of which as it happened in divers Kings Reigns shall in the following Chapters be set down beginning at the first of the twelve and so to proceed in order CHAP. II. The Original of the Companies of the City of London viz. the Principal twelve of the time of their being incorporated and by what Kings and Queens As likewise the names of all the other Companies as at this day they stand confirmed 1. THe Mercers tho then Trading for the most part in Stuffs of the Native growth were inabled to be a Company and Permitted to Purchase twenty pounds per Annum Lands in the seventeenth Year of King Richard the second 's Reign Anno Domini 1393. 2. The Grocers tho at that time not brought to half the Perfection that now it is called Pepperers before were Incorporated by the name aforesaid in the twentieth Year of King Edward the third Anno Dom. 1345. 3. The Drapers for the most part Woollen were Incorporated in the seventeenth of King Henry the sixth Anno 1430. having been a Fraternity from the time that King Edward the
third so earnestly promoted the Woollen Manufacture by admitting the Flemins and other Nations the free use of Manual Operation within his Dominions That so his Subjects might learn the Craft and not be beholden to other Nations to work the growth of our own Country and pay them extraordinary Rates by the advance of Exportation and Importation for what might be otherwise ordered to the Advantage and Glory of our own Nation by setting many thousands of Poor people on work otherwise incapable of getting whereby to subsist 4. The Fishmongers a Vocation no less advantagious to this Kingdom by their incouragement of the Fishing-Trade of which hereafter I shall speak were in former times two Companies viz. Stock-Fishmongers and Salt-Fishmongers but in the beginning of the Reign of Henry the Eight Anno 1509. did bear their Arms as at present they do and in the twenty eight Year of the King Anno 1536 were United and incorporated in one Body without distinction 5. The Goldsmiths an Ancient Craft so I may rightly term it for formerly those that sold worked likewise their own Plate were Incorporated and confirmed in the sixteenth Year of King Richard the Second's Reign 6. The Skinners had the Favour to be incorporated in the first Year of the Reign of King Edward the third Anno 1327. and were made a Brotherhood in the eighteenth of King Richard the Second's Reign 7. The Merchant-Taylors had their first pattent of Arms granted by Sr. Thomas Holne Clarencieux King at Arms being then called Taylors and Linnen Armourers viz. in the twenty first of King Edward the fourth Anno 1480. and since Incorporated by Henry the Seventh by the name of Merchant Taylors viz. in the seventeenth of his Reign Anno 1501. 8. The Haberdashers or Hurrers formerly so called were Incorporated a Brotherhood of St. Catharine in the twenty sixth of Henry the sixth Anno 1447. and by the name of Merchants Haberdashers confirmed in the seventeenth Year of Henry the seventh 9. The Salters had their Arms and as many suppose were confirmed in the twentieth Year of Henry the Eighth 1530. being a Company of good Esteem The Iron-Mongers had the Favour to be Incorporated in the third Year of King Edward the fourth Anno 1462. at which time they were greatly increased and the Mines of our Nation much improved 11. The Vintners formerly called Wine-Tunners were Incorporated in the Reign of King Edward the third after he had Conquered all Normandy and by that means ingrossed most of the French Vintage But were not confirmed till the fifteenth of Henry the sixth 12. The Cloath-Workers had their Arms granted by Thomas Benolt Clarenceux in the twenty second Year of Henry the Eighth but the time of their Incorporation uncertain And thus in brief have I declared the Original of the twelve Principal Companies upon whom the greatest Stress of Trade depends and by whose prudent Management and Industry Brittain Flourishes and at this day lifts up her Head above her Neighbour Nations Those that remain are these whose names I shall only recite because they tend not much to our purpose the Dyers Brewers Leathersellers Pewterers Barbers Chyrugeons Armourers White-Bakers Wax-Chandlers Tallow-Chandlers Cutlers Girdlers Butchers Sadlers Carpenters Cordwainers Painters Curriers Masons Plumbers Inholders Founders Embroiderers Poulterers Cooks Coopers Bricklayers and Tylers Bowyers Fletchers Blacksmiths Joyners Plaisterers Weavers Fruterers Scriveners Botlemakers and Horners Stationers Marblers Wool-packers Farriers Paviers Lorimors or Lorinors Brown-Bakers Wood-mongers Vpholsterers Turners Glaziors Clarks Watermen Apothecaries and Silk-Throwsters All of these are Fraternities and most of them Incorporated and have Charters of Priviledge and large Immunities tho in the days of our Forefathers many of them were not known not having brought their several Trades and Crafts to perfection for many of which they were obliged to be beholden to Strangers but the Natives of this Kingdom being naturally Ripe-wited and of a toward Genius soon became Arts-Masters and out-did their Teachers so that at this day no Nation under Heaven can exceed them if the Materials be alike in all respects But having given the Reader an account of the Respective Companies whose industry at home improve to a Miracle what is brought to them from distant Lands I shall proceed to give a Relation of the Respective Merchants whose Traffick by Sea Inriches the Land whilest the Land finds them with wherewithal to drive on their Commerce with all Nations from whence any Valuable Merchandise is brought But before I Lanch altogether into the Ocean I think it would be necessary to relate the Incorporation of the Merchant of the Staple who once were the chiefest boast and most profitable to this Nation Nor indeed less profitable to others as France Flanders Holland Saxony and many other Countries the chief Mart being Established at Calis a little before taken from the French by King Edward the third the profit of our English Wool then chiefly obliging the Flemings to side with us against their Potent Neighbour The Merchants of the Staple having been a long while a Fraternity were Incorporated by the aforesaid King Edward the third and by him indowed with many large Priviledges tho at this day the Woollen Manufacture being greatly increased every one buyes his Commodity where he can find it best Cheap so that there remaining no fixed Staple these Merchants are not now of such Repute as formerly CHAP. III. Of the several English Merchants Trading into most parts of the time of their Incorporating and Improvment of Navigation THe English Merchants Trading by Navigation who by visiting remote Countries and Trafficking with the Inhabitants bring in the store of the whole World are chiefly these and their Incorporations mostly as followeth 1. The Merchants Adventurers were Incorporated by King Edward the fourth from which time they Traded with good Success until the Reign of Queen Elizabeth who for a further incouragement to their Industry not only confirmed them but inlarged their Priviledges 2. The Merchants of Russia or Muscovia who having improved their Trade and Commerce in that Remote Kingdom to the Inriching their Native Land were Incorporated by King Edward the sixth greatly incouraged by Queen Mary and had their confirmation with an Augmentation of their Priviledges from the ever favourer of Navigation the Bounteous Queen Elizabeth 3. The Merchants of Elbing were Incorporated by Queen Elizabeth and by her greatly incouraged she like a prudent Queen and Patroness of her Country well knowing that by Traffick not only her Revenues would be improved but likewise her People be Inriched and she rendered formidable to her aspiring Neighbours tho since upon some distast they have left Trading in that place and Trade at Hambourg and other free Cities and Ports 4. The Turky-Merchants or Merchants of the Levant were likewise Incorporated by the same Queen and were confirmed with a large addition to their Priviledges by King James 5. The Merchants of Spain or more properly Spanish Merchants or such of our Nation as
is an Inch allowance to every Yard and by these they Measure Silks Woollen Cloath and Stuffs The dry Measure is a Tarry which being well heaped makes 5 Gallons English and by this they Measure Salt Corn and other Commodities They make their Accounts in Doubles Aspers Osians and Sultanies Their Customs are 10 per cent and so in all other cases as at Tunis when any Ship enters and cast Anchors her Sails or Rudder is demanded to prevent the passing off without paying such Customs and then not to Sail without leave from the Duan which is the Bashaw and his Assembly who Regulate all affairs which were usually these To the Kiffa 28 Doubles to his Chiouse 4 Doubles to his Almia 8 Doubles to the Bashaw Sorman 2 Doubles to the Draggerman 8 Doubles to the Sackagy 8 Doubles and for the Consuls Duty 24 Doubles The Piratical Trade is thus 2 or more set out a Vessel of Prizage or Free booty to Prey upon Merchants Ships the which when they have taken and brought into the Port the Owners divide the Spoil by Lot making the Partitions or Dividends as even as possible as for the Captives they do the like and if there happen to be an odd man they either cast Lots for him or sell him in the Market and divide the Money the manner of selling of them is to carry them into the Market and place them in Stalls like Beasts where the buyer Views and handles them but especially their Hands by which he is satisfyed whether they have been Inured to Labour or not as likewise in their Mouths to see if they have good Teeth to bite Biskets as hard as deal Boards and according to their Youth Healthy Complexion and Ability of Body they go off to the Buyer he being ever after acknowledged for their Patron And thus much for this Piratical Government too well known to Merchants and Saylors who Trade in the Mediterranean CHAP. XX. A view of the Kingdom of Fess and of the Trade Customs Weights Measures and currant Coyns thereof THis Kingdom takes it's name from the Metropolitan City viz. the City Fess being the Goodliest City in Barbary adorned with 700. Moschs or Temples of which 50 are Beautifyed with Pillars Jasper and Alabaster the chief of which called Carucen and Seated in the Heart of the City contains a Mile in compass consisting of 190 Arches and is born up by 2500 Marble Pillars hung all about with Silver Lamps and hath 31 Gates and all things else porportionable and the City computed to contain 8600 Families The Commodities in General are Dates Almonds Figs Rasins Hony Olives Wax Gold Hides Furs and a sort of Cordivant Skins Cotton and Wool very fine which is dispersed into Spain Italy France and England and of late the Inhabitants have found out the Art of making Cloath The Principal Money of this Kingdom is the Xerif or Gold Ducate and accounted worth 10 Shillings Sterling and is divided into 8 equal parts The Weights are two one used for weighing Gross Commodities called the Rotolos 64 of which are computed to Ballance our 100 Averdupois and 100 Rottolos go to the Cantar The other is the Mittigal used in weighing Gold Pearl Silver Musk and the like and agrees with those of Tunis and Argier The long Measure is the Cavado of which 12 are Accounted to a Cane and 181 or 182 Cavados to make 100 Yards English The Customs are 10 per cent to all Strangers but to the Natives 2 per cent and for what soever they hand they must pay whether sold or not which makes Merchants sell their Wares on Shipboard for the most part where Customs are Payed only for what is sold And thus much for Fess and the Trade thereof CHAP. XXI A view of the Kingdom of Morocco the Trade Currant Coyns Weights Measures and Customs thereof THis Kingdom as the former takes it's Name from the chief City and Center of it's Trade and is very Beautiful tho Inferious to Fess in it is found a Burse and Exchange formerly much frequented by Merchants but now for the most part taken up by Artizans The Commodities vended there are the same with those of Fess except Sugar in which it more abounds The Coyns are the Xerif and Ducate of Gold valued as those of Fess The Weights are 2 several Quintals the one agreeing with the Canter of Fese and the other with the Quintal of Sevil and indeed in all things according with Fess as being now reduced under one Government Their Religion if so it may be Termed is Mahumetisme and of late they have not any considerable Trade with the English Merchants tho 't is not doubted but the effects of the League between his Majesty of great Britain and that Emperour may be a means to revive it as likewise to inrich our Garrison of Tangier by rendering it a Publick Mart it being the Key of Barbary CHAP. XXII A view of Numidia and Lybia and their Provinces with the Trade Currant Coyns Manners and Customs NVmidia is bounded on the West with the Atlantick Ocean on the East with Egypt on the North with the Mountain Atlas and on the South with Lybia The Country on the North part abounds with plenty but the South by Reason of the Excessive heat is most desert the Inhabitants build but few Houses but in great Companies pass from one place to another living sometimes in Woods sometimes in Caves according as Heat and Cold affects them The chief Trade is among themselves for Dates Hides Furs and Fruits of all sorts Cattle they have but have not the Art of improving them their Coyns are few but those they have are of Brass and Silver their Weights and Measures for the most part Equallizing those of Fess and Morocco tho they are little in use few Merchants Trading with them Lybia is bounded on the East with Nilus on the West with the Atlantick Ocean on the South with Negrita and on the North with Numidia and is Barren for the most part by Reason the heat is Excessive their Trade Coyn Weights and Measures are not worth mentioning by Reason their Commerce is little no Merchants caring to deal with the Natives they being in a manner Savages CHAP. IX A View of Negrita or the Land of Negroes with the Trade Currant Coyn Weights Measures and Customs THis Province is Inhabited with Negroes or Blackamoors Bounded on the West with the Atlantick Ocean on the East with Ethiopia Superior on the South with Manicongo and on the North with Lybia containing a large Tract of Land and is fertilized by the overflowing of the River Niger or Sanaga and is under the Regency of 3 Kings who have of late made 3 Kingdoms of 5 as Tombutue Berneo and Gouga Each having many famous Havens Commodious for Shipping The City Tombutue from whence that Kingdom has it's Name is Situate beyond the River Niger and is Traded to by the English French and Dutch and within four Miles of it is
the City Gouga which is likewise a place of great Trade but as for Berneo the Inhabitants thereof are for the most part Breeders of Cattle and Hunters of Wild-Beasts The Commodities of these Countries are Corn Sugar Cattle Rice Fruits Gold Sands and Ingots which they expose to Sail for Cloath Callicoes Copper Basons Iron-work Guns Shot Glass Beads and the like but Principally Salt of which Commodity that Country is deficient but the chief Maritim parts are Guinny and Benin first discovered by the Portugals and for the abundance of Gold the Country affoards called the Golden Coast the Rumour of which spreading wide in Europe the English soon found it out and after them the Dutch and now the French have some Trade there The manner of Trading thus The Ships coming into the Road cast Anchor and the Merchants or Factors going on Shoar declare what Wares they have on Board to the Persons called Tolkens or Brokers which live in little Huts along the Coast and when the Moors come down with their Gold they are informed by them that such and such Commodities are to be had upon which taking Boat together they come on Board and laying by such things as they like propose what Gold they will give for them which if accepted the Bargain is made and they return with their Goods on Shoar The Customs are various Particular Officers being set in every Port to take an Account of what is bought and sold and every one that comes to buy tho he buy nothing must pay a small Stipend for his Person upon his returning from on Shipboard and to prevent defraud there is still a Son Brother or Kinsman of the Kings to whom the Port belongeth to see the Toll be duly taken and he that buyes Commodities under the value of 2 Ounces of Gold makes his price for Customs as he can but he that buy 's above which they call a Benda pays to the Value of an Angel in Gold for every Benda As for Coyns they have none the Trade among themselves being for Gold-Sands or Ingot by Weight the fineness of which they try with Artificial Needles in number 24 in some Places they melt their Gold and draw it into Wire and so cut into small pieces the better to divide it as occasion requires and in other places they have pieces of Iron which goes Currant instead of Mony Their Weights consist of Copper the greatest of which is a Benda containing 2 Ounces Troy a Benda offa or half a Benda The Asseva which is two Pesoes and a half the Egebba or 2 Pesos which is half an Ounce and so lesser tell they come to Drams and Scruples of Troy Weight but their pound is found the ¾ part of an Ounce heavier than ours Their Measures for Cloath is a Jactam accounted 12 Foot English which they divide into two parts as for their Woollen Cloath they cut it into long Slips and make Girdles of it Formerly the Trade in those parts was very advantagious but of late one Nations striving to outvye each other have given them an insight into the true value of Gold and of such Commodities as they receive for it The Sugar Trade which is considerable is ingrossed by the Portugals at a certain Annual rate and no other Nation suffered to deal therein the Sugar made there being Transported to Lisbon is from thence dispercsd throughout Europe And thus much for Negrita and the Guinny Trade CHAP. XXIV A View of Aethiopia Superior and Inferior But of the last especially and of the Trade thereof c. THe Superior Ethiopia otherwise called Abasine is a Plentiful Country Governed by Prester John and the Inhabitants for the most part Christians it abounds in Cattle Fruits and Minnerals but being an Inland Province yields little Trade to Merchants The Inferior Ethiopia is bounded on the West with the Ethiopian Ocean on the East with the Red-Sea and contains Provinces or divisions Ajan Zanbiar Monomotapa Caffaria and Monicongo Ajan is chiefly Traded to by the Portugals and yields store of Cattle Wax Hony Corn Gold Ivory c. Zanibra contains 15 Towns from which 15 Petty Kingdoms take their Names and was first discovered by the Portugals abounding in Ivory and Gold the chief Town being Mosambique where they have a Castle and ingross the Trade for the most part Monomotapa is almost invironed round with Water And is stored with Gold Mines and Elephants of which 5 or 6000 are yearly killed for their Teeth Manicongo was discovered by the Portugals Anno 1486. And for a long time yielded them 30000 Slaves yearly which they carryed to Brasile to dig in their Silver Mines The Principal Port and Center of all their Trade being at Mosambique I shall not instance the Trade thereof because that in View of that all the Trade of the Provinces is Comprehended CHAP. XXV A View of Mosambique and of the Trade thereof MOsambique is for the most part inhabited by Portugals and has in it a strong Castle wherein lives the Portugal Captain who has a grant of free Trade for himself either in the Country or in the Indies which is not above 16 days Sail from thence but when there they must stay near 5 Months ' er they can return or lose their Season by Reason of the Mouson as they call it or Trading-Wind Blows all one way for so long As for his Place it is very advantagious yet of but 3 Years Continuance at the Expiration of which he is obliged to go into India and serve under the Vice-Roy The Commodities are chiefly Ingot and dust Gold or Sand Gold which is found in abundance there being severâ—â— Rich Mines adjacent as well in the Islands as on the Continent where the King of Portugal keeps Factors to manage the trade who barters and sends Merchandise from one place to another and so increase in the growth of each Province nor is it less commodious for the reception of the Portugal Fleet either in their way to or from the Indies There is found likewise Elephants Teeth Ebony Ambergrease c. and from thence they carry Slaves to India Their Coyns of which there are but few are the same with those of Portugal as also are their Weights and Measures a description of which I shall give when I come to take a View of the Trade of the Kingdom of Portugal CHAP. XXVI A View of Aegypt and the Provinces thereof as also of the Trade Commodities Coyns Weights Measures and Customs ON the East Egypt is bounded by the Red Sea on the South with Aasia on the West with Cyrene and on the North with the Mediterranean Sea and Watered with the Fruitful River Nilus which dividing it self into 7 Channels and about the middle of June Annually overfloweth it's Banks and continues so to do for 4 days laying all under Water by Reason of which the Towns are seated upon Hills and during the Inundation their Commerce is by Skiffs and Boats This River is in
Length 3000 Miles and when it over-flows not it portenteth some fatal disaster to the King or Kingdom and by this means the Land is Fertilized for as for Rain there is none The chief Places of Traffick are Alexandria a famous Sea-Port founded by Alexander the great and Cairo commonly called Grand Cairo and in these Center the Trade of the whole Country Therefore omitting Places of lesser note I shall only take a View of these two Cities and their Commerce with such as Trade in those parts and first of Alexandria Alexandria first founded by Alexander the Great in Expedition to Conquer the World is the chief Maritim City of Egypt and from all parts of the Kingdom are thither brought Flax Hemp Hony Wax Rice Balsoms Dates Drugs and Spices and the Country in general produceth abundance of Palm Trees besides hither are brought the Plenty of Arabia India and Persia as Spices Drugs Silks c. so that the Custom-House is accountable yearly for great Summs of Gold The nature of the Palm Trees that grow in that Country is this they always grow in Cupples twisted or twined viz. Male and Female the Female Palm only bears Fruit and that not without the Male for if the Male Palm be cut away the Female will not bear the Fruit is Cods with Seed and pleasant Juice the Pith of these Trees is excellent in tast and very nourishing of the Leaves they make Fans Mats and Baskets of the outward Husks of the Cod Cordage and of the inward Brushes the Fruit they bear is like a Fig which serves the Inhabitants for Meat green and dryed for Bread The Weights used here are four sorts first the Quintar of Zera second the Quintar of Forfor third the Quintar of Zaidin the fourth the Quintar of Mina the first is found to be English 112 pounds the second 93 pounds English the third 134 pounds English the fourth the 167 pounds English Averdupois Weight The Measures are two-fold viz. the Pico Barbaresco which is used for the Measuring of Cloath both Linnen and Woollen and is in Length 25 â…ž English Inches and the Pico Turchesco with which is Measured Silks fine Stuffs Cloath of Gold c. and is found to be 22 ¼ English Inches as for wet and dry Measures they are of little use the Customs being to sell by Weight for the most part CHAP. XXVII A View of Cairo and the Trade Weights Measures and Customs thereof CAiro is a famous City Situate in the vast Plain beneath the Mountains of Mucatun and not above 2 Miles from the Bank of Nilus adorned with many stately Buildings as Pallaces Colledges Temples and the like and has in it a large Burse or Exchange of 3 Story high the first of which consists of Ware-Houses for Gross Goods in the second is laid up Musk Amber Silks Spices and the like and in the third the Merchants who have Ware-Houses there lodg with their Retinues which Merchants are of 6 sorts first the Native Egyptians secondly the Arabians or Moors thirdly the Merchants of Europe Christians fourthly the Turks fifthly the Jews and sixthly the Christians of Affrica as Greeks Armenians c. The Lord of this City and Country is the grand Signeour who governs by his Bashaw or Vice-King The Commodities Traded for by the Europian Merchants are Flax Rice Balsoms Puls Fruits Cottons Sugars Hemp and the like which according to the overflowing of Nilus the Soil yields in plenty or Scarcity so that when they have a plentiful Year they make a Feast to Nilus or the River God as they Term him and exceedingly Rejoyce thereto The yearly Revenue of this Kingdom accrueing by Customs and other ways amount to 3 Millions of Sheraffes each valued at 8 Shillings Sterling one Million of which is sent to the grand Signeur one for maintaining the forces of the Kingdom and the other to enable the Bashaw to keep his Court. The Customs are either payed in Species or compounded for at 10 per cent only Money entred pays but one and a half per cent but outward all Commodities pay 11 per cent which is accounted the Soldan's Custom The Customs of Alexandria are farmed by the Jews at 20000 Medins per diem which according to computation amounts to 55000 pounds per Annum Sterling Their Weights and Measures are the same with those of Alexandria The Currant Coyns in Egypt are Spanish Royals of 8 which they call Piastre and Dollers the Meden the Asper the Soltana Xeriffe and Cheqeen the value of each as before recited Their Accounts are variously kept some in one sort of Coyn and some in another The chief Trade driven here by the European Christians is by the French and Venetians the English having of late declined it as having the growth of the Country or the same Commodities at cheaper Rates in India and Aleppo And thus much for the Continent of Egypt CHAP. XXVIII A View of the Isles of the Sea appertaining to Africa with their Commodities Trade Weight Measures c. THe Isles are these viz. Madagascar Zocotara St. Thomas the Canary Islands the Islands of Assores or Tarceras The first abounds in Ginger Cloves and Silver Mines and was discovered by the Portugals Anno 1506. The money in use amongst the Natives are Glass Beads of Cambaia which passes currant amongst them their Weights and Measures are few and those uncertain The second lyeth in the Mouth of the Red Sea 10 Degrees Northward from the Equator and yieldeth Cattle and Corn but the chief thing Traded for is Aloes which are sold by the Quintar which Averdupois English is 93 pound The third lies under the Equinoctial in which is a Colony of Portugals the chief Commodity it yieldeth is Sugar of which so much is made as ladeth yearly 50 Vessels of good Burthen their Weights and Measures being the same with those used at Lisbone as indeed wherever the Portugals Plant themselves they impose their own Weights and Measures on the Inhabitants Fourthly the Canary Islands which are 7 in number under the Protection of the King of Spain are very Fruitful abounding in Sugar-Canes and those Birds we call Caâ—â—ry Birds and in Canary Wine which takes it's name from the Islands of which 4 or 500 Tuns are yearly exported and dispersed over Europe There is likewise Wood of Excellent use for Dyers Hither the English trade and for the growth of the Island Exchange Says Serge Bays Linnen c. Their Weights Measures and Coyns are the same with those of Sevil of which in order I shall speak Fifthly the Islands of Assores or Tarceras directly under the Meridian were first discovered by the Flemings and abound in Cattle Corn Wood and the like but are of little use some for Harbouring and re-victualling of Ships in their Voyage to the East-Indies as are many other small Islands lying in that vast Ocean And thus much shall suffice for Africa and the Trade thereof CHAP. XXIX A View of Asia and of the Trade
in abundance as likewise some Diamonds of great value also Nutmegs Mace and other Spices The Coyns currant in this Tract are the Tail valued at 4 Ticals or 18 Shillings Sterling a Tical is Accounted 4 Mals or 4 Shillings 6 pence Sterling c. Malacca is Situate between Siam and Pegu and is Subject to the Portugals as Conquered by them Anno 1511. and has it's Walls saluted by the River Gasa 10 Miles broad and abounds with the Commodities of China Mulâ—oco's Java Sumatra Banda Siam Pegu Bengala and the Coasts of Chormandel brought thither by Ships that carry back the Commodities of the growth of this Tract as likewise Ships from Lisbone come yearly hither and lade rich Merchandise Here it is observed that the Trade-Winds continue West and North-West from the end of August to the end of October and in November the Northen and North-Eastterly Winds begin to blow which continue so to do till the beginning of April and from May to the beginning of August the South and South-West Wines Blow The Weights on this Coast are the Cattee Babar and the Pecul but in Malacca only the former which is divided into 2 parts viz. the great and the small making the first 200. Cattees reckoning each Cattee at 21 pound Averdupois and the last 100. Cattees which make 295 pound English The Pecul is 100. Cattees of China and is accounted 132 pound English The Cattee as aforesaid used in this Tract is Accounted 21 pound Averdupois but sometimes varies By the great Babar they commonly weigh Cloves Nutmegs Pepper Saunders Indico Allum Sanguis-Draconis Palo-Dangula and Comphora and by the lesser Quick-Silver Copper Vermillion Ivory Silk Musk Amber Lignum Aloes Tinn Lead Verdet and Benjamin As for Measures they are rarely used and indeed so uncertain that I shall pass them over The Coyns are those for the most part common in India as Mahomoodies Portugal-Rees c. CHAP. XLVIII A View of the Kingdom of China the Trade and Commodities thereof CHina is a large Kingdom bounded on the West with India on the North with the Wall of China extending in Length 1000. Miles to keep out the Tartars on the South with the Ocean and on the East with Mare del Zur and is a very Fertile Country Temperate and Healthful which renders it Populous it has great Commerce within it self by the advantage of the many Navigable Rivers tho their Goods are carryed for the most part in Boats made of Cane The Commodities it yieldeth are Wool Rice Barly Oyl Wine Flax Cottons and Raw Silk which they work into many curious Textures here are wrought likewise many rare Stuffs are found all sorts of Mettals to be brought from Japan as Gold Silver Copper c. Fruits Wax Sugar Honey Ruhbarb China-Roots Purslaine-Dishes commonly called China-Dishes Champhir Ginger Musk Civit Amber and all manner of Spices and Salt which last is said in one City only viz. Cantor to yield Custom to the Prince yearly 180000. Ducats This Kingdom is divided into 15 Provinces each Province containing 2 Kingdoms in all which as Writers affirm are contained 1597 Cities and great Walled Towns 1154. Castles and 4200. Burroughs without Walls Garrisoned with Souldiers besides Villages Innumerable The chief City being Quinsay-Pequin walled about 100. Miles and has in the midst of it a Lake of 30. Miles compass in which are 2 Islands and in them Pallaces and other fair Buildings for the King and his Nobles the said King Stiling himself the Child of the Sun And upon the Rivers which Issue from this Lake are found 12000. Bridges it being reckoned that the King can make 10000. Sail of Ships and Barks of his own which he keeps on the Rivers to Transport his Armies in time of War the Natives for the most part Trade up and down the Rivers and are so cautious that they will not suffer any Stranger to inspect their Affairs so that their Weights Measures and manner of Traffick are not effectually known tho the Portugals Dutch and Neighbouring Islanders have of late obtained the favour of some small Commerce at Canton Meccan and Nanquin but upon such strict conditions that in some places it is Death for them to abide a Night either in the Town or Suburbs but must at aset Hour retire to their Ships and the better to discover it they have Notaries to take the Names of all that enter the Gates in the Morning the which if the Persons owning them do not come to see them Blotted out at the time prefixed and afterwards be found tho not in the City it is present Death except the Factor for the Portugals who is permitted to live in the Suburbs And to Maccan the Portuguese have a Ship of 1500. Tuns that comes yearly from the Indies bringing Oyl Drinking-Glasses Looking-Glasses and Velvet for which they receive of the Chinois the growth and Manufacture of their Country The Weights Measures and Coyns that are used in the Places where Trade is permitted are known to be these The Weights for fine Goods are the Valls and Tay 99 Valls making a Tay of Maccan and a Tay or Tayle is 1 Ounce and 11 16 Averdupois Their Weights for Gold Silver Musk Amber-Greece c. are the Tays or Tayels by some called Tans Mass Condreens Cash Avons which are usually marked with Ciphers for distinction sake 10. Avos is one Cash 10. Cash one Condreen 10. Condreens to one Mass 10. Mass to one Tay and 16. Tays or Tayles to on Cattee the Tay being as aforesaid All Gross Goods are weighed by Cattees Peculs and Rotolos 10. Cattees making 1. Pecul 1. Pecul 128 Rotolos of Portugal which Pecul is Accounted 131 pound ¼ Averdupois tho here as in other Places the Weights vary The Coyns currant for the most part are Spanish Rotolos of â— â— which they cut into several parts and so pass them away by Estimate The Measures in use are the Covid of Maccan used by the Portugals in the Measure of Stuffs and Silks and is Accounted 3. Quarters of a Yard and 2 1 â— Inches and a Covid used by the Chinois called the Covid of Chinchoses which consists of 12 Inches also an other Covid they have of 14 6 5 Inches And thus much for China and the Trade thereof CHAP. XLIX A View of the Islands found in the Asian Seas and of their Trade and growth THe Asian Islands of note are Japan Zeilan Moluccos Java's Summatra Borneo Celebs and Cyprus all abounding in rich Commodities Of the Trade of which in brief Japan is Situate a small distance from the main Land of China and is in length 600. miles but not above 90. over in the broadest yet obeys many Soveraigns every King or Lord having Power and Authority over the lives and Estates of his Subjects the chief Towns on this Island are Osacaia Bunguin and Meaco being Havens or Ports for the reception of such Vessels as come to Trade thither The chief Commodities consisting in Silver and Rice
cent and by the Weight thereof all Customs are Proportioned This large Town Beam for Gross Goods is accounted likewise 100 pound of 16 Ounces to the pound the third Weight is known by the name of the pound of Mark and is only used in weighing of Silks containing 100 pound of 15 Ounces being the least of the three The Measure of Lyons is the Auln which is 46 English Inches 7 of them being found to make 9 English Yards and 100 pound of London Suttle is found to make in Lyons 96 2 2 pound Silk Weight and one Liver or pound Sterling of London is 10 Livers Turnois And thus much shall Suffice for Lyons and the Trade thereof CHAP. LXVI A View of Marselia the Trade Weights Measures Coyns and Customs thereof MArselia is a fair Port and the principal Place of Trade in Provence whither resort many Merchants and from which Port the Ships Sail that maintain the Trade with Turky Barbary Spain Italy Flanders and England tho indeed not much the French Nation not affecting Navigation but rather choose to improve the growth of their own Country for which they have brought home to 'em the Commodities and growth of all Nations The Exchange that is wanting here is supplyed by the currant and intercourse of Lyons it being Governed thereby in matters of Trade And hither the English bring Bays Cloath Lead Tinn Herrings Pilchards Newland-Fish Affrican Hides Wax Calves-Skins Salmond c. and in Exchange receive Oyls Wines Verdigreese Paper Linnen and other Manufactures at this Port they have free Licence to Transport Spanish Ryals of 8 8 which are found in abundance and by that means preserve their Trade with Turky and other Places of Traffick in the Mediterranean from whence they bring Silks and some spices but of late have not been so venturous as formerly for fear of the Pirates by whom they have sustained within a few Years dammages to the value of 3 Millions of Crowns which has much impaired their Traffick in those parts The Accounts here are kept in Deniers Solds and Livers and in Ryals of 8 which sometimes are Inhaunced to a ¼ part more then their true value The Weight is Originally the pound of 16 Ounces 100 of which make the Quintal and 3 Quintals the Cargo the Quintal is found to make English 88 ½ The Measure of Length is the Cane which they divide into 8 Palms which are found to be 2 ⅛ English Yards The concave Measure is the Mine of which the Sack of Leghorne makes 1 ◠3. The Customs outwards are 1 ¼ per cent and inwards 3 ¼ per cent this is meant of Commodities of the growth of the Country but if Pepper Ginger Indico and such like Commodities be imported they pay the Kings Customs which are 15 per cent And thus I shall conclude the Trade of France and proceed to take a View of Italy and the Trade thereof CHAP. LXVII A View of Italy and the Trading Cities thereof together with their Manner of Traffick Weights Measures Coyns c. ITaly is bounded with the Alps the Ionian Tyrrhenean and Adriatick Seas and is exceeding Fertile lying in a Temperate Clime and is divided into 10 Provinces viz. the Kingdom of Naples the Dukedom of Florence the Dukedom of Millain the Dukedom of Mantua the Common-Wealth of Venice the Dukedom of Vrbin the Principality of Parma the estate of Genoa the estate of Luca and the Papacy Of the chief City or Town of Trade of each in order CHAP. LXVIII A View of the City Naples and the Trade thereof together with the Weights Measures Coyns Customs c. IN Describing the Trade of this City from whence the Kingdom takes its Name I shall lay down what is found of value or Merchantable throughout the Province The City of Naples is a fair City and accounted 7 Miles in compass formerly called Parthenope and is now Governed by a Vice-Roy to the Behoof of the King of Spain and yieldeth divers Mettals brought from adjacent Mines likewise Saffron Raw and wrought Silk Oyls Anniseed Brimstone Argals Corn Cattle in abundance and other things of value for which they receive out of England Bays Says Serges Cloath Lead Tinn Herrings Pilchards and Newland-Fish There is found likewise the growth of Spain Portugal and many East-Indian Commodities and it was formerly a City of great Traffick The Country generally abounds in Mulberry-Trees and other pleasant Fruit-Trees The Weights of this City and consequently of the whole Kingdom are the Rotolo and Cantar 100 of the former making the latter which is accounted 196 pound English Averdupois Weight as likewise in Goeta they have a Cantar by which all Gross Commodities are weighed which is reckoned 254 pound of Leghorn The Measure of Length is the Cane divided into 8 Palms nine of which Palms make the Auln of Lyons and the Cane is 18 ½ English inches The Concave Measures of Naples are the Salmo and Staio by which they Measure Oyl Wine Corn c. The Customs are for some Commodities 2 ½ for other 4 ½ per cent more or less as the Vice-Roy gives order to these that are appointed to receive them the King of Spain receiving yearly for Customs upon the Oyls of Gallipoly adjacent to this Kingdom one hundred thousand Ducats CHAP. LXIX A View of the City of Florence the Trade thereof Comprehending the whole Trade of the Florentine Dominion THe City of Florence gives name to the Provence or Dukedom of Florence and is a very fair City Seated near the Rivers Arne and Chian Beautifyed it is with many stately Edifices and much addicted to Merchandizing the Duke being accounted the richest and chiefest Merchant in Italy and is now more commonly known by the Title of great Duke of Tuscany The Commodities are very rich the famous Port of Leghorn being Governed in Trade by this City and Pisa For hence for the most part come the Merchandise that are there found as Marble Rice Wines Oyls Silks Raw and wrought Sattins Taffatas Velvets Grograms Plushes Stuffs of curious Texture for which they receive of our Merchants Pepper Mace Cloves Indicoes Callico Lead Tinn Cloath Bays Says Serges Perpetuanos c the Inhabitants for the most part being very rich by Reason of the great Banks maintained in this City where is practised exchange from all parts Their accounts are kept in Livers Solds Deniers 12 Deniers making a Sold and 20 Solds accounted a Liver and some in Crowns 7 ½ Livers making a Crown they have currant in Trade the Florence Ducat worth 7 Livers each Liver accounted 9 pence Sterling The Weight is the Quintal or 100 pound of 12 Ounces the pound and is found to make 98 pound English The Measure of Length is the Brace 100 of which has been known to make 49 Ells English and the Cane which is 4 Braces but all wrought Silks are here sold by the pound Wine is sold by the Cogno which is 10 Barrels 40 Metadels 20 Flasks and each
weighed as Nutmegs Cloves Cinnamond Drugs of all sorts Indicoes and rich Dies The Measure of length is the Ell which is about 38 English Inches as for Concave Measures they use but few and those the same with other Cities of the Empire of which anon I shall have occasion to speak The currant Coyn is the Bobemico Gross or Blaphace which is 3 Crutfers one Crutfer being 2 pence one penny 2 Hellers and one Heller 2 Orchines And in these Coyns all the Accounts are kept CHAP. LXXXII A View of Vienna and of the Trade Weights Measures Coyns c. VIenna is one of the fairest and strongest Cities of the Empire and for the most part the Imperial Seat having on the North of it the River Danow which dividing into 3 Streams causes as it were an Island ere it again unites and over the Streams are 3 Stone Bridges of 15 29 and 57 Arches all the Streets are adorned with stately Buildings and in the City many Merchants reside who have their Factories in Venice Florence Genoa c. and by that means it abounds in rich Commodities of all Nations especially Sattins Damasks Taffatas Velvets Cloath of Gold and Silver Drugs Spices Wool Lead Iron Copper Flax Wine Oyl Wax Tallow Furs and the like which is dispersed into the Neighbourhood to supply the Towns and Cities of less note The Weight is the pound which in the Sale of some Commodities is divided into 32 Coets and in others into 128 Quints and by some again into 512 Fennings of this pound 100 makes the Quintar which in London is found to make between 122 and 123 pound The Measures of length are 2 one for Linnen and the other for Woollen the 100 Yards of London are found to make 103 Ells of Vienna Linnen Measure and of the Woollen Measure 113 Ells. The Coyns currant are the Rhenis Guilder worth 28 ½ Silver Missens Gross or 36 ½ Lubeck Shillings 7 ½ of which make one of our Shillings the Imperial-Doller which is worth 33 Lubeck Shillings the common Guilden worth 28 Lubeck Shillings and the French Crown worth 44 Lubeck Shillings c. By Reason of the Emperors residing here there is a great Exchange which is by Rix Dollars of 8 Shillings Flemish and by Ducats of Gold of 12 Shillings Flemish CHAP. LXXXIII A View of Hamburg of the Trade Weights Measures Coyns and Commodities thereof HAmburg is an Imperial City Seated on a large Plain and has on the South side the River Elve being Accommodated with a fair Haven cross which is cast a Chain to hinder Ships from entering without Licence and on the North-East side some distance from the Walls of the City runs the River Alster and is adorned with many fair Buildings fortifyed with strong Walls Ditches and Bulwarks The Trade at present is very considerable by Reason of the residence of our Merchants there and the Factories held in other parts it being the Key as it were of that part of Germany whither the Inland Towns bring their Commodities to vend as Quick-Silver Stuffs Silks Cloath Wine Wax Cordage Corn and the like most Italian Commodities are found here and great quantities of the Growth of Spain and here the English vend Cloath Iron Tinn Lead Drugs Spices and the like receiving for them the Growth and Manufactures of the Empire The Weight is the pound 120 of which are accounted the Quintar which is divided into 3 parts or denominations viz. the 12 Stone of 10 pound to the Stone 300 pound are accounted the Skip pound which is the second that which is call'd the third is 20 Lispound of 15 pound to the 300 which may be said to be one Quintar of 120 pound and another of 300 pound The Measure of length is the Ell by which all Woollen Linnen and Silks are Measured 100 of which are accounted t◠make in London 48 Ells for Linnen and th◠100 Yards of London to be 162 or 163 of Hamburg Yards The Concave Measure is the Scheple 90 of which make the Last of Corn in this place tho 83 are found to do the same at Amsterdam or to produce 10 Quarters of London Measure The Merchants exchange for London by the pound Sterling and from all other places upon Rix Dollers of 50 Shillings Lapisto or 54 Stivers A Doller is here noted to be worth 3 white pence each white Penny to be 18 Shillings each Shilling 12 pence and each penny two Hellers And thus much for Hamburg and of the Empire CHAP. LXXXIV A View of Denmark and of its Trade together with the Commodities Weights Measures and Coyns thereof DEnmark is bounded on the East with the Baltick Ocean on the West with the German Ocean on the North with Sweeden and on the South with the Germain Empire and contains Cimbrick Chersonese the Islands of the Baltick and part of Scandia which are divided into several Provinces the which for Brevities sake I shall pass over and reduce their Trade into the 2 Principal Cities And of the Islands I shall treat in their order And first of Copenhagen and the Trade thereof Copenhagen is the Metropolis of Denmark and the Seat of the Danish Kings for the most part being Commodiously Seated on the Sea-shore and provided of a safe and goodly Haven for the reception of Shipping being strongly Fortifyed and Beautifyed with a Castle and other stately Edifices which are for the more part possessed by Merchants that Trade there for the Growth and Manufacture of the Kingdom which chiefly consists in Hides Tallow Fish Bucks-Skins Armour of all sorts Furniture for Shipping Corn Cattle and the like for which they receive Drugs Spices Tinn Lead Gold Silver Silks Woollen and Linnen Cloaths c. The currant Coyn is the Dollar and Shilling one Danish Shilling making one Lubeck Shilling and 66 Danish Shillings accounted to the Dollar which is 5 Shillings Sterling The Accounts in this City are kept by Merchants in Marks of 16 Shillings Danish The Exchanges are practised by Rix Dollars to the value as aforesaid The Weights and Measures of this Kingdom I shall Summ up in the next Chapter by Reason the difference of Weights and Measures in this City and the rest little or nothing vary CHAP. LXXXV A View of Elsinore and the Trade thereof ELsinore is Situate upon the Straight leading to the Sound and greatly frequented by Seamen by Reason of the Extraordinary passage through the Straight for which every Vessel pays to the King of Denmark a considerable Summ for permission no Ships being otherwise capable to pass by Reason of the Castles that Guard that pass on either side viz. Coronsburg and Elsburg the latter being in the Kingdom of Norway on the East side of the Sealand near to Elsinore the King has a Pallace for his Summer Recreation which has a Prospect over the Sea and 't is reported that this Tole or Duty arising upon the passing and repassing over Ships into the Sound and Baltick amounts to more then all
the Crown Revenues besides The Commodities vended here are for the most part Fish Cattle Corn Oyl Beer Cordage Masts Sails and the like for fitting out and revictualling Ships for which they receive the Growth of England Holland Germany and France the Monies currant here are the same with those of Copenhagen The Weights are as in Copenhagen and in most parts of the Kingdom the great and shall 100 the former being accounted 120 pound to the 100 and the latter 112 pound being accounted 12 Stone of 10 pound to the Stone they have likewise a Skip-pound of 32 Stone of 10 pound the Stone or 20 Lispound of 16 Mark pound is a Skip-pound and 20 times pounds 16 are 320 pound The Measures of the Kingdom in General are for Length are the Ells for Woollen Linnen and Silks 160 of which are accounted to make the 100 Ells English As for Concave Measures they are little in use unless for Corn. The Trade of this Kingdom by Navigation is but small they seldom Sailing out of their own Seas or at most no further then the German British and Mediterranean Seas or Oceans Therefore I shall desist from any further Survey thereof and pass over the Staight to take a View of the Kingdom of Norway now Subject to the Danish Scepter CHAP. LXXXVI A View of the Kingdom of Norway and the Trade thereof NOrway is bounded on the West and South with the Ocean and on the East and North with Lappia and the Dofrine Mountains and abounds in Firr-Trees which are brought into England in abundance and serve for Masts Boards and Building Houses the other Commodities are Stock-Fish Furs Train Oyl Cordage some Rossen and Sail-Cloaths The Towns by Reason of the coldness of the Clime and Dampness caused by the Sea are but few the chief being Nidrosia and Bergen once a famous Mart but now reduced to nothing in respect of Trade the Trade that it had having passed through several Cities is at last setled in Amsterdam and what Trade does remain is from the Ships that pass this way to Moscovia The Weight most in use is the pound 100 of which renders 92 London Averdupois Weight tho of late they have got a Custom to Weigh in a String which is very uncertain rendering sometimes more sometimes less Their Measure of Length and Concave Measures the latter of which is for the most part used in Measuring of Salt are agreeable to our Yard and Bushel The Commodities vended here are Bays Says Linnen Wine Spices Sugars Gunpowder Lead Tinn Iron and such like And thus much may suffice for Norway leaving which I shall proceed in this Northern Tract and take a View of Sweedland the Trade of which I shall reduce into the Principal City of that Kingdom viz Stockholm CHAP. LXXXVII A View of Sweedland of its Provinces and Trade reduced into the Trade of the City of Stockholm SWeedland has on the East Muscovia on the West the Dofrine Hills on the North the Frozen Ocean and on the South the Baltick and contains 5 Provinces viz. Gothland Sweeden Lappia Bodia and Finland in the former of which is found Stockholm the Metropolis of the Kingdom and Seated in a Watery Marsh in the nature of Venice and is much frequented with Merchants being for the most part the Regal Seat so that to it Flow all the Commodities of the Kingdom which are chiefly Buck-Skins Goats-Skins Ox Hides Barly Tallow Malt Tar Pitch Rosin Furs Lead Copper Silver Iron Wax Honey and the like and for its advantageous Situation it is much Traded to having a Channel capable of receiving Ships of any Burthen and so well guarded with Castles of Extraordinary Strength that no Ship can pass in nor out without lieve first obtained the Buildings are pleasant to behold for their Antiquity and fine Devices a place being purposely erected in the Principal Street for the conveniency of Merchants and the laying up such Commodities as they either have to vend or have purchased so that in this City are found the Growths and Manufactures of almost all Nations The currant Coyn of this Kingdom is the Dollar which is divided into 8 Marks and each Mark into 2 Clippings each Clipping being accounted 9 ½ Stivers Flemish and in exchange the Dollar is only used The Weight is the pound 116 of which is found to make the 100 pound of London they have likewise 2 Skip-pounds the one the proper Skip-pound of Stockholm which is 320 pound of the before mentioned pound the other is 340 pound and proper to Dantzick Of which in order I shall come to Treat The Measure of Length is the Ell 166 of which are 100 Yards of London Measure sometimes more sometimes less for this is the Rule they take a Piece of Rope and Measure it by the bigness of a mans Head which they call their Ell so that according to the largeness or smallness of the Head by which they take their Measure the Measure is found to consist Their Concave Measures are of little use unless for Corn and Mault and those are Measured by a Loop 23 of which make a Last in Amsterdam and in London 10 Quarters And thus much shall Suffice for Sweeden and the Trade thereof CHAP. LXXXVIII A View of Moscovia and the Trade thereof reduced into the Trade of Mosco the Principal City of that large Dominion MOscovia is bounded on the West with Lituania and Livonia on the East with Tartary on the North with the Frozen Ocean and on the South with the Caspian Sea the Ottoman Empire and Palus Maeotis and is Branched with many large and Navigable Rivers as Tanais Duino Boristhenes Onega and Volga and is divided into 9 Provinces as Novogradia Valadomira Plescovia Rhesen Servia Parmia Candoria Petrosa and Moscovia from whence all the Country takes its Name These Provinces abound in Corn Cattle Furs Hides Flax Hemp Whales Grease Canvas Ropes Cavier Tallow Honey Wax Venison Flax Hemp and Fish The Trade being begun by the English about the Year 1575 in general tho before some Vessels of Private Merchants had Traded thither and found out the Commodities since so much sought after and upon the increase of Trade in these parts a Society of Merchants in London are incorporated by the Name of Muscovia Merchants having setled a Factory at Archangel Mosco the Metropolis of Moscovia is Seated on the River Mosca which falls in to Tanais this City is reckoned 6 Miles in compass and is for the most part the imperial Seat being much Beautifyed since it was Burnt by the Tartars upon their invading the Moscovite Empire and here the English Merchants find kind entertainment unless in Troublesome times as of late it happened upon the murther of the Czar in which general Calamity many suffered in their Goods but now things are again reduced to a quiet and setled condition so that Trade again begins to Florish the Country affording great store of Furs as Beaver Otter Sables White Black Red and
any Goods be secretly brought into the Ship contrary to the knowledg of the Master and Purser be ejected no contribution shall be made And by the Law Marine the Master may refuse in case of ejection to deliver the remainder of the Goods before the Contribution is setled or if in a storm part of the Goods are dammaged without any neglect of the Master or Sailers such Goods for so much as they are dammaged ought to come into the contribution If two Ships meet and strike each other and if it can be proved that either of them did it willfully or by carelesness then that Ship shall satisfy the damage received by the other but if either Ships crew Swear their innocency then the dammage is to be Levyed proportionable between them if any Ejection of Goods happen by the indiscretion of the stowers in lading the Ship above the Birth mark or the like then the Master or Owners ought to make satisfaction If when a Vessel is entering a Port or otherwise part of the Goods be put into a Lighter or Ship-Boat and the Boat be cast away there Contribution must be made but if the Ship be cast away and the Lighter or Boat saved then no Contribution for note where the Ship at any time Perishes tho a great part of the Goods be saved yet they allow no Contribution If a Ship be taken by Pirates or Enemies and the Master contracts with them for the dismission of the Ship at such a Summ of money and till the same be pay'd yields himself Prisoner in that case Contribution must be levyed upon the Ship and lading for the Ransom of the said Master and so where a Pirate by consent takes part of the Goods to spare the rest Contribution must be made but if he takes them by force or at his own pleasure then no contribution is to be made unless the Merchants yield so to do after the Ship is Robbed but if taken by an Enemy Letter of Marque or Reprisal the contrary If Jewels be on Board in a Box and not discovered and they be cast overboard Contribution shall be for no more then they appeared viz. a Parcel If any thing in a storm be cast into the Sea and afterward recovered then Contribution shall be made for no more then the damage sustained The Master and Purser in case of a storm shall contribute towards Goods Ejected for the preservation of the Ship and Passenger for such Wares as they have and if they have no Wares then for their Cloaths Rings c. according to estimation Contribution is to be pay'd for a Pilots Fee for bringing a Ship safe into any Harbour where she is not bound If the Master of a Ship after he has received his Complements takes in Goods contrary to the knowledge of the Merchant and part of the Merchants Goods in case of a storm are thrown overboard then the Master is lyable to make Satisfaction If Contribution be setled and the Merchant will not consent to pay it the Master may refuse delivering the Goods and if an Action be brought he may Barr the Plaintif by pleading the special matter yet in a storm there are some Ladings which ought not to be ejected As Pieces of Ordnance Ammunition or Provisions for the relief of a City Besieged or in danger so to be for there the Law implyes that the Subject ought to prefer the good of his Prince before his own life CHAP. CXXI A View of the Port of London and of the Customs Priviledges Exemptions and Revenues of that great City according to the Charters Grants c. of several Kings of England SEeing the Port of London is the Principal Port of this Kingdom it will not be amiss to set down the Priviledges and Customs thereof and what Revenues by way of Exportation and Importation accrues to the Honourable City in order to support its Grandure First then the Port of London as by Exchequer setled and declared extends from the Promontory or Point called the North Foreland in the Isle of Thannet Thence Northward to the Nase Point beyond the Sunfleet upon the Coast of Essex and so continues Westward up the River of Thames and the several Channels Streams and Rivers falling into it to London-Bridge The usual known Rights Liberties and Priviledges to the Ports of Sandwich and Ipswich and their Members excepted and in regard that Ships did formerly come up to the Port of London and unlade in several obsure Creeks at Staires to defraud his Majesty of his Customs it was therefore ordained that a Commission should be forthwith Issued out of the Exchequer to affix and nominate all such Wharfes Keys and other places as his Majesty by virtue of such Commission should appoint in pursuance of which his Majesty has been pleased to Nominate and Constitute as Lawful Keys Wharfs c. these following for the Landing of Goods Merchandise c. viz. Brewers-Key Chestors-Key Wool-Dock Porters-Key Bear-Key Wiggons-Key Youngs-Key Ralphs-Key Smarts-Key Lyons-Key Buttolf-Wharf Hammons-Key Cocks-Key Fresh-Wharf Billingings-Gate and the Bridge-House The former of the two latter being appointed a common open place for the Landing or bringing in of Fish Salt Victuals or Fuel of all sorts Fruit of all sorts Grocery excepted all Native Materials for Building and for exporting the like but no other Merchandise and the latter viz. the Bridge-House is appointed for the Landing of Corn for the City store tho under pretence of the same several Persons at this Day Landed their proper Corn moreover there are these Keys viz. the Custom-House Key some Stairs on the West side whereof are declared not to be places for Lading or Shipping of Goods Sabs-Dock has a pair of Stares not held Lawful for the Landing or lading of Merchandise The like has Dice-Key Summers-Key and Gaunts-Key tho otherwise allowable Therefore it is to be supposed those Stairs that are accepted against were built for Conveniency since the declaring them free places of lading and Landing Merchandise These Keys Wharfs and Docks yearly produce a great Income to the City of London by Scavage Portage Packing and Water-Bailage As first Scavage being an Ancient Toll or Custom taken by the Majors Sherifs c. for Wares shewed or offered to Sail within their Precincts consists of two parts viz. that which is payable by the Denizen that which is payable by the Alien or Stranger and that all Persons Subject to such Duties may not be imposed on by such as take them there are Tables mentioning each particular set up and approved of by the Lord Chancellor Treasurer President Steward and two Justices of the Common-Pleas and by them Subscribed or some four of them at least and are to be levyed on Goods inwards and outwards As all Goods mentioned in the Table of Scavage and not included in the Table of Rates shall pay after the rate of one penny in the pound according as they are expressed or valued in his Majesties Book of rates and
from Forraign parts where the State of Husbandry was not changed And thus I have done with the first Principal Conclusion That a small Territory and even a few people may by Situation Trade and Policy be made Equivalent to a far greater and that conveniences for Shipping and Water-Carriage do most Eminently and Fundamentally conduce thereunto CHAP. II. That some kind of Taxes and Publick Levies may rather increase then diminish the Wealth of the Kingdom IF the money or other Effects levied from the people by way of Tax were destroyed and annihilated then it is clear that such levies would diminish the Common-Wealth or if the same were exported out of the Kingdom without any return at all then the case would be also the same but if what is levied as aforesaid be only Transferred from one Hand to another then we are only to consider whether the said money or Commodities are taken from an improving Hand and given to an ill Husband or vice versa as for Example suppose money by way of Tax be taken from one who spendeth in Superfluous Eating and Drinking and delivered to another who imploys the same in improving of Lands in Fishing in working of Mines and Manufacture c. it is manifest that such Tax is an advantage to the State whereof the said different Persons are members nay if money be taken from him who spendeth the same as aforesaid upon Eating and Drinking or any other Perishing Commodities and Transferred to one who bestowed it on Cloaths I say that even in this case the Common-Wealth has some little advantage because Cloaths do not perish altogether so soon as Drinks but if spent in Furniture of Houses the advantage is yet little more if in Building of Houses yet more if in improving of Lands working of Mines and Fishing yet more but most of all in bringing Gold and Silver into the Country because those things are not only perishable but are esteemable for Wealth at all times and every where whereas other Commodities which are Perishable or whose value depends upon the Fashion or which are Contingently scarce and plentiful are Wealth pro hic nunc as has been elsewhere said in the next Place if the People of any Country who have not already a full imployment should be injoyned or Taxed to work upon such Commodities as are imported from abroad I say such a Tax does also improve the Common-Wealth moreover if Persons who live by Begging Cheating Stealing Gaming Borrowing without intention of Restoring who by these ways do get from the Credulous and careless more then is Sufficient for the Subsistance of such Persons I say that tho the State should have no present imployment for such Persons and consequently should be forced to clear the whole charge of their lively-hood yet it were more for the Publick Profit to give all such Persons a regular and Competent allowance by a Publick Tax then to suffer them to spend extravagantly at the only charge of careless and credulous and good natured People and to expose the Common-Wealth to the loss of so many other men whose lives are taken away for the crimes which ill Discipline does occasion on the contrary if the Stocks of Laborious and ingenious men who are not only Beautifying the Country where they live by Elegant Diet Apparel Furniture Housing Pleasant Gardens and Orchards and Publick Edifices c. but also are increasing the Gold and Silver and Jewels thereof by Trade and Armes I say if the Stock of these men should be Diminished by a Tax and Transferred to such as do nothing at all but to Eat Drink Sing Play Dance nay to such as Study the Metaphysicks or other needless Speculations or else imploy themselves in any other way which produceth no material thing or things of real use and value in the common Wealth in this case the Wealth of the Publick will be diminished otherwise then as such exercises are Recreations and Refreshments of the minds and which being moderately used do qualify and dispose men to what in it self is more considerable Wherefore upon the whole matter to know whether a Tax will do good or harm the State of the People and of their Imployments must be well known that is to say what part of the People are unfit for Labour by their impotency and infancy and also what part are exempt from the same by reason of their Wealths Function or Dignities by reason of their charge and imployments otherwise Governing Directing and Preferring those who are appointed to Labour and Arts. In the next place Computations must be made what part of those who are fit for Labour and Arts as aforesaid are able to perform the Work of the Nation in it's present State and Measure 3. It is to be considered whether the remainder can make all or any part of these Commodities which are imported from abroad which of them and how much in particular the remainder of such Sort of People if any be may safely and without possible prejudice to the Common-Wealth be imployed in Arts and Exercises of Pleasure and Ornament the greatest whereof is the improvement of Natural Knowledge Having in general illustrated this Point which I think needs no other Proof but illustration I come next to intimate that no part of Europe has paid so much by way of Tax as Holland and Zealand for these last Forty years and yet no Country has in the same time increased comparably to them and it is manifest they have followed the general rates above-mentioned for they Tax Meats and Drinks most heavily of all to restrain the excessive expence of those things which twenty four hours do's as to the use of man wholly annihilate and they are more Favourable to Commodities to the greater duration nor do they tax according to what men gain but in extraordinary cases but alwaies according to what men spend and most of all to what they spend needlesly and without Prospect of return upon which Grounds their Customs upon Goods imported and exported are generally low as if they intended by them only to keep an Account of what Forreign Trade and to retaliate upon their Neighbours States the prejudices done them by their Prohibition and Imposition It is farther to be observed that since thâ— year 1636 the Taxes and Publick Levies made in England Scotland and Ireland have been Prodigiously greater then at any time heretofore and yet the said Kingdoms have increased in their Wealth and Strength for these last Forty years as shall hereafter be shewn it is said that the French King doth at present levy the Fifth part of his peoples Wealth and yet great Obstructions is made of the present Riches and Strength of that Kingdom altho great care must be had in distinguishing between the Wealth of the people and that of an absolute Monarch who taketh from the people where when and in what Proportion he pleaseth the Subjects of two Monarchs may be equally Rich and yet one
price of Victuals then it plainly follows that till then three Acres improved as it may be will serve the turn and consequently that four will Suffice abundantly I could here set down the very number of Acres that would bear Bread and Drink Corn together with Flesh Butter and Cheese sufficient to Victual nine Millions of Persons as they are Victualled in Ships and regular Families but I shall only say in general that 12,000,00 will do it with supposing that Roots Fruits Fish and Fowl and the ordinary profit of Lead Tin Iron-Mines and Woods would piece up any defect that may be found As to the second I say that the Land and Housing of Ireland and Highlands of Scotland at the present Merchant-Rates are not worth ten Millions of money nor would the actual charge of making the Transplantation amount to two Millions more so then the question will be whether the benefit expected from this Transplantation will exceed two Millions To which I say that the advantage will probably be six times the last mentioned Summ or about seventy two Millions For if the rent of England and Wales and the low Land of Scotland be above nine Millions per Annum and if this fifth part of the people be Superadded unto the present inhabitants of these Countries then the rent will amount to 10,800,000 and the number of Years purchase will rise from seventeen ½ to ⅕ more which is twenty one so that the Land which is worth but nine Millions at seventeen ½ Years purchase making an hundred fifty seven Millions and a half will then be worth 10,800,000 at one and twenty Years purchase viz. 226,800,000 that is 69,300,000 more then was before and if any Prince willing to enlarge his Territories will give three Millions for the said relinquished Land and Housing which were estimated to be worth ten Millions then the whole profit will be above 72,000,000 or six times the value as the same was above computed but if any man should object that will be dangerous unto England to be put into the Lands of any other Nations I answer in short that that Nation who ever shall purchase it being divided by means of the said purchase shall not be more able to enjoy England then now in it's united condition Now if any man shall desire a more clear explanation how and by what means the Rents of Lands shall rise by this closer cohabitation of people above described I answer that the advantage will arise in Transplanting about eighteen thousand people from the Poor and Miserable Trade of Husbandry to more Beneficial Handicraft for which the Superaddition is to be made a very little addition of Husbandry to the same Lands will produce a fifth part more Food consequently the additional Hands earning but forty Shillings per Annum more as they may very well to eight pound per Annum at some other Trade the superlucration will be above 3,600,000 pound which at twenty Years purchase is seventy two Millions Moreover as the Inhabitants of Cities and Towns spend more Commodities and make greater consumption then those who live in wild thin Peopled Countries so when England shall be thicker Peopled in manner before described the very same people shall then spend more then when they lived more sordidly inurbantly and further asunder and more out of the sight observation and Emulation of each other every man desiring to put on better Apparel when he appears in company then when he has no occasion to be seen I further add to the charge of the government Civil Military and Ecclesiastical would be more cheap safe and effectual in this condition of close habitation then otherwise as not only Reason but the example of the united Provinces do demonstrate But let this whole digression pass from a meer Dream I suppose will serve to prove that in case the King of Englands Territories should be a little less then those of the French King that forasmuch as neither of them are over Peopled that the difference is not material to the question in Hand wherefore supposing the French Kings advantages to be little or nothing in point of Territory we come next to examine and compare the number of Subjects which each of those Monarchs do govern The Book called the State of France makes the Kingdom consist of twenty seven Parishes and another Book written by a Substantial Author who profoundly enquires into the State of the Church and Church-men of France sets down as an extraordinary case that a Parish in France should have six hundred Souls where I suppose the said Author who has so well examined the matter is not of opinion that every Parish one with another has above five hundred by which reckoning the whole people of France are about thirteen Millions 500,000 Now the people of England Scotland and Ireland with the Islands adjoyning by computation from the number of Parishes which commonly have more people in Protestant Churches then in Popish Countries as also from the Hearth-money Post-money and Excise do amount to above nine Millions there are in new England about fifty thousand men mustered in Arms about eighty thousand able to bear Arms and consequently about five hundred thousand in all but this last I leave to every man's conjecture and I see no Reason why in all the rest of the Plantations there should not be five hundred thousand more and consequently I suppose the King of England hath above ten Millions of Subjests ubivis terrarum orbis Altho it be very material to know the number of Subjects belonging to each Prince yet when the question is concerning their Wealth and Strength it is also material to examine how many of 'em do get more then they spend and how many less in order whereunto it is to be considered that in the King of Englands dominions there are twenty thousand Church-men but in France as the aforementioned Author of theirs does aver who sets down the particular number of each Religious order there are about 270000. viz. 250000. more then we think are necessary that is to say two hundred and fifty thousand with-drawn out of the World now the said number of adult and able-Bodyed Persons are equivalent to about double the same number of the Promiscuous Mass of Mankind and the same Author affirms that the said Religious Persons do spend one with another above eighteen pence per diem which is Triple to what a Labouring man requires Wherefore the said two hundred fifty thousand Church-men living as they do make the French King 13,500 thousand to be really no better then twelve Millions or thereabouts In the next place it is to be considered that the inhabitants of the inner parts of France remote from the Sea can't be probably Superlucrators Now if there be two Millions in the King of England's Dominions more then in the French Kings who earn more then they spend or if ten men in England earn more then twelve in France then the
eight hundred thousand pound The value of Coals Salt Linnen Yarn Herrings Pilchers Salmon brought out of Scotland and Ireland five hundred thousand pound The value of Salt-Peter Pepper Callicots Diamonds Drugs and Silks brought out of the East-Indies above what was spent in England eight hundred thousand pound The value of Slaves brought out of Africa to serve in the American Plantation twenty thousand which with the freight of the English Shipping Trading into forreign parts being above fifteen hundred thousand makes in all Ten Millions and a hundred and eighty thousand Which computation is sufficiently justified by the Customs of three Kingdoms whose intrinsick value are thought to be near about one Million per Annum viz. Six hundred thousand Payable to the King one hundred thousand for the charge of collecting c. two hundred thousand Smackled by the Merchants and one hundred thousand gained by the Farmers according to the common opinion and men saying and this agrees also with that proportion or part of the Trade of the whole World which I have estimated the Subjects of the King of England to be possessed of viz. for about Ten of forty five Millions but the value of the French commodities brought into England notwithstanding Mr. Fortree's estimates are not above twelve hundred thousand per Annum and the value of all the export into all the World besides not above three or four times as much which computation also agrees well enough with the accompt we have of the Customs of France so as France not exporting above half the value of what England does and for the commodities of France except Wines Brandy Paper and the first Patterns and Fashions for Cloths and furniture of which France is the mint are imitable by the English and having withal more people then England it follows that the people of England c. have Head for Head near thrice as much forreign Trade as the people of France and above two parts of nine of the Trade of the whole commercial World and 2 7 of all the Shipping notwithstanding all which is not to be denied that the King and some great men of France appear more Rich and splendid then those or the like quality in England all which arises rather from the nature of their Government then from the intrinsick and natural cause of Wealth and Power CHAP. V. That the Impediments of England's Greatness are contingent and removable THe first impediment of Englands Greatness is the Territories thereunto belonging are too far asunder and divided by the Sea into so many several Islands and Countries and I may say into so many Kingdoms and different Governments viz. There be three distinct Legislative Powers in England Scotland and Ireland the which of instead of uniting together do often cross one and others Interest putting Bars and Impediments upon one and others Trades not only as they were forraigners to each other but sometimes as Enemies The Islands of Jersey and Guernsey and the Isle of Man are under jurisdictions different from those either of England Scotland and Ireland The Government of New-England both civil and Ecclesiastical do so differ from that of his Majesties other Dominions that it is hard to say what may be the Consequence of it And the Government of the other Plantations do also differ very much from any of the West altho there be naturally substantial Reasons for the Situation Trade and Condition of the People why there should be such differences from all which it comes to pass the small divided remote Governments being seldom able to defend themselves the Burthen of the Protecting them all must lye upon the chiefest Kingdom of England and all the small Kingdoms and Dominions instead of being additions are really diminutions The Wealth of a King is three-Fold one is the Wealth of Subjects the second is the quota parts of his Subjects Wealth given him for the Publick Defence Honour and Ornaments of the people and to manage such undertakings for the common good as no one or a few private men are sufficient for The third sort are the quota of the last mentioned quota parts which the King may dispose of as his own Personal inclination and discretion shall direct now it is most manifest that the aforementioned distance and differences of Kingdoms and jurisdictions are great impediments to all the said several sorts of Wealth as may be seen in the following particulars 1. In case of War with forraign Nations England commonly beareth the whole Burthen and charge whereby many in England are utterly undone 2. England sometimes prohibiting the Commodities of Ireland and Scotland as of late it did the Cattle Flesh and Fish of Ireland did not only make Food and consequently Labour dearer in England but also has forced the People of Ireland to fetch these commodities from France Holland and other places which before was sold them from England to the great Prejudice of both Nations 3. It occasions an unnecessary trouble and charge in collecting of Customs upon Commodities passing between the several Nations 4. It is a dammage to our Barbadoes and other American Trades that the Goods which might pass thence immediately to several parts of the World and be sold at moderate Rates must first come into England and there pay Duties and afterwards if at all passing to those Countries whither they might have gone immediately 5. The Islands of Jersey and Guernsey are protected at the charge of England nevertheless the Labour and Industry of that People which is very great redound most to the profit of the French 6. In New-England there are vast numbers of able Bodied English-men imployed chiefly in Husbandry and in the meanest part of it which is breeding of Cattle whereas Ireland would have contained all those Persons at the worst would have afforded them Lands in better Terms then they have them in America if not some other better Trade withal then now they can have 7. The Inhabitants of the other Plantations altho they do indeed Plant commodities which will not grow so well in England it grasping at more Land then it will suffice to produce the said exotics in a sufficient quantity to serve the whole World they do therein but distract and confound the effects of their own Indeavours 8. There is no doubt that the same people far and wide dispersed must spend more upon their Government and Protection then the same living compactly and when they have no occasion to depend upon the Wind Weather and all the Accidents of the Sea A second impediment to the greatness of England is the different understanding of several material points viz. The Kings Prerogative Priviledges of Parliament the obscure differences between Law and Equity as also between Civil and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction doubts whether the Kingdom of England has Power over the Kingdom of Ireland besides the wonderful Paradox that the English-men lawfully sent to suppress Rebells in Ireland should after having effected the same be