Selected quad for the lemma: land_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
land_n	league_n	lie_v	north_n	7,122	5	9.6561	5	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A57390	The merchants map of commerce wherein the universal manner and matter relating to trade and merchandize are fully treated of, the standard and current coins of most princes and republicks observ'd, the real and imaginary coins of accounts and exchanges express'd, the natural products and artificial commodities and manufactures for transportation declar'd, the weights and measures of all eminent cities and towns of traffick in the universe, collected one into another, and all reduc'd to the meridian of commerce practis'd in the famous city of London / by Lewis Roberts, merchant.	Roberts, Lewes, 1596-1640.; Mun, Thomas, 1571-1641. England's benefit and advantage by foreign-trade.; Marius, John. Advice concerning bills of exchange.	1700 (1700)	Wing R1601_PARTIAL; Wing M608_PARTIAL; ESTC R1436	687,097	516

note that beautifie the same it was vanquished by Fernando Cortes in Anno 1521. with an Army of 100000 Americans only 900 Spaniards 80 Horse 17 pieces of small Ordnance in 13 Brigantins and 6000 Wherries most of the Americans were of Ilascalan who were ever adversaries to the Mexicans for which cause that City doth enjoy many immunities to this day and to conclude according to the opinion of an English Traveller whose relation I herein follow Four things are here remarkable for beauty their App●rel their Women their Horses and their Sticats And thus much shall serve of Mexico Quivira 2. The second Province is Quivira seated on the most Western parts of America in which are two Provinces Cibola taking its name from the chief City subdued by Francisco Vasques in Anno 1540. and Nova Albion discovered by that famous Sea-man Sir Francis Drake An. 1585. and by him so called the chief Commodities and Riches of this Countrey are Kine some men being owners of forty thousand and these serve to the Inhabitants here as we say of our Ale to Drunkards in England meat drink and cloth and more too for first the Hides yield them houses or to say more properly the covering of them their Bones Bodkins their Hair Thred their Sinews Ropes their Horns Maws and Bladders Vessels their Dung Fire their Calf-skins Budgets to draw and keep water their blood for drink and lastly their flesh for meat c. Nicaragua 3. The third is Nicaragua being South-East from Mexico with which it agreeth in nature both of Soil and Inhabitants and accounted for its pleasantness Mahomet's Paradise An Admirable Tree having Trees in great abundance of that strange nature that a branch touched by the hand of any man withereth presently Nova Grenada The chief City is Nova Grenada and Lea a Bishop's See The Commodities thereof are Honey Wax Cotton and Balsam in great abundance it is extream hot and therefore not to be travell'd by day but by night their Winter beginneth in May and from thence raineth for six months the other six very fair and dry and the day and night being here of equal length Jucatan 4. The fourth is Jucatan and was discovered in Anno 1517. which in the language of the place signifieth What say you which was the answer the Inhabitants gave the Spaniards that first demanded of them the name of their Countrey and since by this means retains that name by the Spaniards Campechio The chiefest City is Campechio whence comes that wood so well known in Europe also here is the Island called by the Spaniard Santo Crux wherein is a City of that name well fortified by them Florida 5. The fifth is Florida discovered by the English under the conduct of Sebastian Cabot An. 1467. then possessed by the Spaniards in Anno 1527. and called Florida afterward the French got footing here in Anno 1562 but the Spaniards unwilling the French should be eye witnesses of their rich booty waged war with them so long that there was not a man left on either side to maintain the quarrel and then was Florida again in 1567 abandoned The Spaniards now hold there three strong Forts St. James St. Philip and St. Augustin which last was taken and burnt by Sir Francis Drake 1586. which since is repaired and that is all the Spaniards hold here at this day desiring as it seems neither to plant further himself nor suffer others to do it Virginia 6. The sixth is Virginia which was discovered by Sir Walter Raleigh Anno 1584 and in honour of our Queen called Virginia It lies in the height of 35 degrees Northerly Latitude extending to 38 degrees or thereabouts being seated and planted from 37 to 38 by the English under the Supream Authority of the King of England having the great Bay of Roanoke and Cape Florida to the Southward and Maryland to the Northward the main entrance into Virginia out of the Sea is about 10 leagues broad between two Points of low-Low-land that on the South being called Cape Henry that on the North Cape Charles by which they pass into a great River or Bay called the Bay of Chesapiake which runs away Northerly about 100 leagues into which River or Bay of Chesapiake many other great Rivers empty themselves all running up West and North-West into the Countrey 100 120 and some 140 or 150 miles being 3 4 5 and some of them 6 or 8 miles broad all which with some other smaller Rivers which fall into them are Navigable for Shipping having 4 5 6 7 8 fathoms and in the shallowest parts not less than three fathoms depth of water Ships that come out of the Sea are harboured so soon as they are within the aforesaid Capes and may ride safely in any of those Rivers where they please within a mile half a mile and in some places within a quarter of a mile of the shore which also they do Anchoring sometimes at one place sometimes at another for the delivering out and taking in of their Goods in the several Plantations and the several Rivers as stands best with their conveniency after they have given the Governour an account of their arrival and from whence they come The first River after they are within the Capes in the Bay of Chesapiake is called James River the next Pamunkee or York River then Payancatank Rapahanock Wicocomoce and some others upon the Western shore of that Bay and some on the Eastern shore thereof Most of which Rivers received their names from the Indians who were the only Inhabitants and Possessors of that great Countrey before the English came there and who still some of them live round about our people and in some places near unto them within three or four miles of some of our Plantations but are nothing so numerous as at the first being very much lessened and destroyed by the quarrels and Wars among themselves and with the English especially in and shortly after the years 1621. and 1644 at which times they treacherously fell upon our people and massacred about four or five hundred persons each time in one hours space The chief Port is James City a Town lying about 40 miles up in James River which is commonly the place of the Governours Residence and where the principal matters relating to Government and the Administration of Justice for the whole Countrey are transacted by the Governour and his Council four times a year called quarter Courts and once a year by the General Assembly who likewise meet there being such Burgesses as are elected in the several Counties by the people and sent thither to sit and act in the nature of our Parliaments here in London Matters of lesser consequence are heard and determined in the several Counties by Commissioners authorized for that purpose called the County Courts who sit every month or every two months In which Courts and all others their trials and proceedings are in all respects conformable as

likewise of those former Provinces named 6. Bengala 7. Aristan The sixth and seventh is Bengala and Aristan where is found the Cities of Cattigan and Satigan and principally for Trade that of Bengala on the Banks of a Gulph known by that name and Orissa inhabited by Christians of St. Thomas so called because he converted them 8. Canora The eighth is Canora under the command of the Mogul the most Famous Cities are Ultabat Lispor Melinda c. 9. Dellia The ninth is Dellia the chief City being Dellie the sometimes residence of the great Mogul the other famous Cities are Tremel Fatabar and Chesmer famous for the study here of Magick all these mighty Provinces have been conquered by the Great Mogul's Forces within these 90 years to the astonishment of all India India extra Gangem India extra Gangem contains 12 potent Kingdoms and all under the command of the potent Kings of Barma which cursorily I will also run over 1. Macin The first is Macin Lignum vitae famous for that Sweet-wood which this Country doth produce called Aloes or Lignum vitoe valued at its weight in pure Silver serviceable only here for the pompous Funerals of great Princes the chief City is the said Macin 2. Aracan The second is Aracan Ava wherein is the City of Ava which through the World is so famous for the abundance of Gems 3. Cambaia The third is Cambaia famous for this City of Cambaia a place of great Traffick which affords plenty of Gold Silver Aloes and many other Commodities of great worth 4. Couchin-China The fourth is Couchin China aboundeth with the like Commodities brought to Couchin-China the chief City of this Kingdom and much frequented by Merchants of all Countreys for Porcelane and China-dishes here made and much in esteem and use in these Countries 5. Barma The fifth is Barma made famous only within 60 years for the Princes hereof have vanquished all the former Kingdoms and made them Tributaries to this Kingdom and this Scepter 6. Siam The sixth is Siam once the Lady of all India now subject to Barma the principal Cities are Mollacia in compass 20 Miles a Town of great resort for Merchants for the Traffick of Spices and now in subjection to the Portugals The next is Siam situate on the River Mean which every year overfloweth the Country for 120 miles and lastly Odin on the River Cuipomo on which 200000 Boats are found daily to be set on work and contains 400000 Families and is now known the residence of that Famous and Fortunate King of Barma before-mentioned 7. Pegu. The seventh is Pegu which gives name to a principal City having a rich soil and harborous Sea-shore the principal known Haven is Martaban and here is also Lasmin a City of great Commerce This Country hath suffered much by Sword Pestilence and Famine within these late years and is now as the rest a Province of this aforesaid powerful King of Barma Now having thus surveyed India in the general and in gross as it is divided into Kingdoms and Provinces it will be requisite it should next be surveyed in the particular so far as it may concern our present purpose which is the Commerce and Trade thereof so far forth as it is at this day known to our Nation wherein I could wish my Experience better to shew the particulars thereof in consideration of the large extent of ground that is comprised under this name of India stretching it self from Taurus to the Ocean one way and from China to Persia which is near 4000 miles another way at which place it will be fittest for me to begin my Trade and see what may be observed therein Yet before I enter into this discovery and give a particular relation of such materials wherewith Trade is in it self practised through this large tract of Lands Islands and Seas and before I shew the matter wherewith this Trade is in all this Country driven it will not be improper I should also see who they principally are that manage this Trade and to whom this great Traffick appertaineth either as they are Natives and here born or as they are Strangers and here are induced to reside attracted thereto by the sole motive of the great Commerce and rich Commodities found either naturally here growing or artificially here made and produced Commodities of India in general This Country then as I said before aboundeth in the general with all manner of Minerals Copper and Lead excepted with all sorts of Cattel Horses excepted with all manner of Spices with many sorts of Drugs Cotton Cloth precious Stones c. to which may be added the want of Wine and Wheat that here they have that so this Country may be beholding in some sort to others as others are for her commodities to this These being then the prime Commodities wherewith Trade is here maintained I will note the Traders and native Merchants that are here resident which properly I may account to be of five several sorts all acknowledging several Rites Religions and Customs and therefore partake of so many several forms and manners in the managing of their Affairs of Merchandizing The Merchants in general trading in India The Gentile Merchants are the first and are found of great Eminency in some parts of this Tract The native Christians converted by the discipline of St. Thomas are the second who in many places are found to manage a great and ample Trade through this Country the third are the Mahometans Persians and Tartarians especially since the great Victories of the Mogul found here also of great quality and estate The fourth are the Jews who live straglingly dispersed over and through all parts of this Country and in every Prince's Dominions exercise the same The fifth are Moors and Arabians who some 200 years past seized on some Haven-Towns here along this Coast driving the Natives into the Inland parts and at this day are seen to be very great Merchants The sixth are the Portugals who possessing some few Sea-Towns commodious for Traffick brag of the conquest of the whole Country which they are in no more possibility entirely to conquer and possess than the French were to subdue Spain when they were possessed of the Fort of Perpignan or the English to be Masters of France when they were only Sovereigns of Callis And now to the Cities of this Tract where at this day is found a Trade to be practised and first of Diu. CHAP. LXXXIX Of DIU and the Trade thereof Diu and the Trade there of THE Town and Island of Diu lieth about 20 Leagues from the Famous River Indus and not far distant from the firm Land It is now subject to the Portugals who have conquered both the Island and Town from the King of Cambaia and so fortified it as it is conceived to be now invincible This Town hath a very good and great Haven and

it being affirmed without contradiction that by means thereof Philip the Second during his reign did spend more than all his Predecessors being in number sixty-two that have reigned before him in this Kingdom before they shook off the Roman yoke for he alone spent more than an hundred millions that came out of this India This Country also giveth employment to many Ships of great burthen to carry their Sugars Ginger Cottons Fernandbuck and such other Commodities that are here found daily to increase by the industry of the Spaniards which by good Government may come in time to a great heighth and had not the Sword of these Blood-suckers ended so many millions of Lives in so short a time Trade might have seen a greater harvest and a more profitable crop by their industry and labour It will not be further useful for me to insist upon other particulars of Traffick in this Continent in matter of Coins of Weights and Measures for in all these they follow the Rules observed in Sevil where the Rendezvous of those Ships are made that go and come into these parts and so leaving this new discovered Division of the World I will cross the Main Ocean and with a somewhat better Survey I will observe the needful Occurrents of Trade in AFRICA my Second Part of this Model and of the World OF AFRICA AND THE Provinces and Cities of Trade THEREOF CHAP. XIV Africa and the Provinces thereof AFRICA I make to be my second Division of the World which is found to be a Peninsula almost incompassed round having the Red Sea on the East the Atlantique Ocean on the West the Southern Ocean on the South and the Mediterranean on the North and where the Sea is defective to make it a compleat Island there is a little Isthmus of 20 leagues that tieth it to Asia which sundry Princes in former ages intended to trench through to have the benefit of both those Seas united but have desisted as finding the Sea in the Red Sea Gulph to be higher than the Land of Aegypt by nature all flat level and plain and so might thereby overflow and drown all Aegypt Divided into eight parts Africa is at this day usually divided into eight parts which are 1. Barbary 2. Numidia 3. Lybia 4. Negrita 5. Aethiopia Interior 6. Aethiopia Exterior 7. Aegypt and 8. The Islands thereof Barbary 1. And first Barbary is now divided into four Kingdoms which are first Tunis second Argier third Fesse and fourth Morocco the Commodities these Countries send abroad I shall speak of when I come to these particular places CHAP. XV. Of TUNIS and the Trade thereof Description of Tunis THE Kingdom of Tunis contains sundry Cities of Trade viz. Bona Biserta Tripolis Africa and which is the principal the City of Tunis it self Which is situate near unto a Lake some seven miles in length and not much less in breadth extending almost to the Castles of Goletta whereby this Port commonly called the Port of Goletta is strongly guarded being about eight miles distant from this City Near unto which was seated that famous City of Carthage who contended with Rome for the Mastery of the World and challenged the priority in Africa as Queen and Supreme Lady thereof not only seen in here Ruines and known by her vast extent And from whose ashes sprung up Tunis which is almost 4 English miles in circuit within the Walls and with the Suburbs will make in compass about 7 miles The Streets being generally very narrow it is exceeding populous as appear'd by that terrible devastation in the year 1643 and part of 44 wherein there died of the Plague in the space of about 15 months if Vox Populi may be credited no less than one hundred thousand persons And yet so great a multitude in a year or two after were scarcely missed The natives are for the greater part Moors and Andaluzes which are of the Race of those Moors which by thousands were banished from Spain who profess the Mahometan Religion Government The great Turk is acknowledged for their Protector who every three years and sometimes oftner do send hither a Bashaw who representing his person is as it were a Vice-Roy sent by him to recover in his Tribute from the Moors of this Countrey and to pay off his Janizaries which are about 400 in number And these keep in subjection the whole City and some adjacent Towns the Government chiefly appertaining to the Dey or Captain General for so the word doth import who is chosen by the Turks There is also a Duan or Council of State who consult about the affairs of the whole Kingdom yet have not absolute power to determine of any thing without the consent and approbation of the Dey who rules them as he pleases Buildings Their Houses being built of Stone are for the most part made after a square form and flat at the top there being a Court-Yard in the midst for the conveying of light into the adjacent rooms Some few of their Houses are magnificent and their Churches generally th● small are superficially beautiful which are held to be so sacred that none that are not Musselman that is true Believers according to the Mahometan account are permitted to set foot therein if they do there is no remedy but they must either turn from or burn for their Religion This Kingdom is much bettered and inriched by the labour of the Andaluzes who have here built many Cities and Temples according to their superstitious use planted Vines Oranges Limons Figs Dates Almonds and Olives and thereby have much peopled and prosited the whole Countrey Port. The Port is found to be very safe and secure excepting only when a wind blows hard which makes a great Sea and withal so large that many hundred Sail may ride at Anchor the ground likewise being very good Coins The Coins passable here are of three kinds of metal viz. Gold Silver and Copper Those of Gold are usually but of three sorts namely the Sultany which commonly passeth at 90 Aspers 52 whereof go to a Spanish Dollar or Ryal of 〈◊〉 the Venice Chickeen at 2 Ryals of 〈◊〉 of Spain and the Spanish Pistolet at 3¼ Ryals of 〈◊〉 But these Gold Coins do vary much in their value according to mens necessities and the plenty and scarcity thereof Sultanies have passed sometimes at 100 Aspers apiece for a long while together Likewise the Spanish Pistolet hath been at 3½ and the Venice Chickeen at 2¼ Ryals of 8 ● The reason why these do often rise so high is principally the Mahometans going to Mecha to visit the Sepulchre of their false Prophet who for their light carriage are very inquisitive after Gold But they chiefly desire Sultanies which in divers places go current for 2 Ryals of 〈◊〉 a piece Sometimes also they enquire after Spanish Pistolets but seldom or never after Venice Chickeens for they are not passable in those parts Yet this last

of the yearly progress of the Inhabitants from place to place in Families and Tribes the Countrey abounding in Dates the food here of Man and Beast Lybia Lybia hath on the East Nilus on the West the Atlantique Ocean on the North Numidia and on the South the Land of Negroes the Countrey altogether sandy barren and a Desert the Inhabitants altogether Heathenish and therefore not worthy the conversation of a civil Merchant or the residence of any Commerce CHAP. XXV Of NEGRITA or the Land of Negroes and the Trade thereof Negrita and the Trade thereof THis Land of Blackmoors hath on the East Aethiopia Superior on the West the Atlantique Ocean on the North Lybia on the South Manicongo in this tract of ground is accounted twenty five Kingdoms or Provinces through which runneth the famous River of Niger or Sanega in whose over-flowing consisteth the welfare of the Inhabitants even as in Aegypt it doth by the Inundation of Nilus for this as that increaseth for forty days and decreaseth for forty days more during which time the Inhabitants fail over the whole Land in Boats and Barges Tombutu This whole Tract principally now acknowledgeth three Sovereigns which is the Kingdom of Tombutu the Kingdom of Borneo and the Kingdom of Goaga each Kingdom giving name to a City the principal residence of the Kings The City of Tombutu lieth beyond the River of Sanega or Niger wherein is found a Trade driven by many French Dutch and English Merchants the manner thereof and the matter wherewith I shall hereafter as well as I can particularize Goago Four hundred miles from Tombutu is the City of Goaga wherein are found eminent Merchants and precious and sumptuous Merchandize of all sorts Borneo Borneo is the third the Inhabitants whereof are better versed in breeding of Cattle than in the Art of Commerce and better read in Mars than Mercury Commodities thereof The Commodities of these Countreys are Corn Sugars Cattel Horses Rice Fruits Gold in Sand which they term Siga and we Tibur and also in Ingots without Sovereign stamp or character and is distinguished by its fineness and goodness which the Inhabitants by way of Exchange do Barter with their Neighbours and other forein Nations against Cloaths Linnens Callico's Basons of Copper Iron-work Sword-blades Hand-Guns Glasses Beads and such like and principally against Salt which of all other Commodities this Countrey is most defective in and in some places affords not and therefore pays for it at an excessive dear price to Strangers The Trade of Guiney and Benin and the Golden Coast The Trade of all this Tract such as it is now in these days known to our Nation is comprised alongst the Sea-Coast which the Portugals by reason of their former Plantation here and rich Commerce have entitled the Golden Coast and we in common appellation term the Trade of the Coast of Genin and Benin two of the principal Provinces Maritime that are found included within the Circuits of these three before-mentioned Kingdoms which Trade that it may be a little better understood I shall more particularly survey according to some Observations made by some hands thereon The Portugals the first Traders into Guiney and Benin In the beginning and discovery of this maritime Coast for thereto I intend to apply the Trade of this Country the Portugals were the first that ranged this Shore and had some small knowledge of their Commodities and of the manner of trading with them who partly by fair means and partly by Constraint got footing in this Sea-coast building Forts in some and placing Garrisons and Factories in others which then was found so Golden and beneficial to that Country that it is conceived this only thing as what will not Gold attract drew them to search further the Maritime Coast of this Tract all along to Cape bona Esperansa and so consequently thereby unto the East-Indies fair quarter and courteous usage being then perceived in these Forts and Towns thus subjected to the Portugals drew the Inhabitants and Countrey-men to a fair and ordinary commutation and exchanging of Commodities with them which according to the custom of that Kingdom was maintained by Factors appointed for the King 's particular account in every Port and Town as if he intended to make the profits of Merchandizing to defray the charges of his Conquest and Garrisons furnishing them with Salt Iron Tin Copper Basons Knives Cloth Linnen and other European Commodities receiving in exchange partly the Commodities proper for their nourishment such as was Cattle Corn Rice and the like and principally Commodities beneficial as Gold it self in great abundance both in Sand and Ingots melted which gave a quickning and life to the further discoveries of those Countreys and continuance of the Trade which is found there maintained to this day though in a far lesser manner Who shewed the way to English and others The English and other Nations afterwards desirous to share in this rich Trade failed within a short time likewise hither and because they had not such Places and Forts for their Ware houses and the Protection of their Persons and Goods therefore would not or else might not with safety land their Commodities without danger of the falshood of the Portugals or treachery of the Inhabitants therefore at first failing hither were compelled to Anchor alongst the Coast nearest to the best Towns and of greatest concourse and signifie to the Inhabitants the Commodities they had brought to utter drew at length by their fair demeanour and courteous usage the Moors to come aboard their Ships and bring their Gold with them the manner of which Trade as being different from any other Country I shall briefly set down The manner of the usual Trade of Guiney and Benin In the morning betimes having for the most part then the Wind off the shore and calm weather the Moors came aboard in their Canoes and Scuts to traffique some for themselves and some which they call Tolkens or Factors for others who carry at their Girdles a Purse wherein small Clouts or Papers containing sometimes 10 several mens Gold are wrapped and laid up which though it should be of one and the same weight and goodness they notwithstanding readily distinguish and having made their Barters for Cloath Linnens or the like at noon return with the Sea-turn or as they call it the Brise again to the shore and besides their Bargains covenanted these Factors have some small thing for themselves as the reward of their pains by way of Brokage or Factorage which they called by the name of Dachio The undermining tricks of Guiney and Benin But in process of time the Netherlanders frequenting this Coast and well acquainted with the manner of this English Traffick and coming into the same parts where the English traded and were known were the first that spoiled this Golden Trade partly by their sinister dealing and partly by their undermining and

some parts of Aethiopia their Money is Pepper in Tombutu and about the River Niger their Money is Cockles or Shell-fish in Azanah their Money is Porcellette in Bengala Porcelete and Metal together as in China they use Porcelette for Money and in some other places of India Paper stamped with the King's Seal passeth for current Mony and in some places the Barks of certain Trees called Gelsamora and in Congo and many places of these Countreys Lumach and in Angela Beads of Glass and such like in many other places Measures of Guiney and Benin Their Measure for length in Cloth or other Commodities is a Jactam which is accounted with us 12 foot or two fathom which they cut the one from the other and in that sort sell their Linnen the one to the other and those two fathom by trial of the Dutch make a stork and three quarters but in Woollen they never measure above peices of one handful broad which they so cut off and use for Girdles which they wear about their middles and sell it among themselves in this manner in these pieces abovesaid and use no other kind of measure which they call a Paw which is ¾ 1 d. English The manner of accounting The Inhabitants of this Coast at the first trading here of the Portugals were very rude and ignorant and were easily beguiled in all the Commodities which they sold them and not only took in good part the badness of the Ware they received but were also deceived in their measure the Portugals by this means putting off their rotten Linnens rusty Knives broken and patched Basons pieced Kettles and such like and these at what measure value weight and quantity they pleased for their Gold but the times are now altered and they by their usual sufferings in this kind by the Portugals made the more wary provident and circumspect in their Traffick with the English French and Dutch so that in those Commodities which they buy or barter either for their own use or for Merchandize they are found to have as good judgment in them as the Sellers themselves Their ignorance in Trade may be judged by their ignorance in Accompting and Reckoning for when they have past the number of Ten they rehearse so many words one after another for one number that they are so puzzled and cumbred therewith that they cannot tell how to get out and so sit buzzing so long till at last they have lost their Tale and forgot their number and so are forced to begin to tell again but since they began to trade with the English and were to reckon above the number of Ten for they use no more amongst them they reckon on till they come to Ten and then take one of their fingers into their hands and then tell to Ten again and then take another finger into their hand and so proceed till they have both their hands full which in all maketh one hundred then they mark that up and then begin to tell as at the first and use the same order as before To conclude this Traffick and to leave this Coast I hear not in these days that the English frequenting that Coast or that the French or Dutch make any great benefit thereby for the present subtilty of the Inhabitants perceiving how their Gold is sought eagerly after by them and all Nations can now adays set such a rate thereon by this their manner of Exchange and Barter and that by being so often beguiled by others they are now grown more wary and circumspect in their Bargaining and are as ready to beguile the Beguilers as to be beguiled themselves for they look now narrowly both to their Measure and the goodness of their Commodity and though at the first they knew no distinction of Christians but took the Portugals and all white men to be of one Nation yet since they know each Nation and are acquainted with their particular manners and manner of dealing having ever hitherto from the beginning found the fai●est and squarest Trade with the English therefore when they come they are the best welcome to them and speed best of any other Nations whatsoever with them Sugar Trade I willingly omit here to speak of the Sugar Trade and of the plenty of Sugar Canes growing upon this Coast the King of Bortugal here in certain places farming the fole Trade thereof to certain his own Subjects with a strict proviso that the same be sold to none other but to his own Subjects and that Provision to be sent only for Lisbon to gain a great Custom thereby imposed thereon therefore the Portugal being here the only buyer and ingrosser the Inhabitants must and are inforced to fell only to them and at what reasonable rate they best can agree upon and this restraint of this Commodity hath drawn the Dutch to build and fortifie in some places upon this Coast as now of late they have done at Mina opposite to the Spaniard where they are at continual variance the River only parting them CHAP. XXVI Aethiopia Superiour and Inferiour and the Provinces thereof Aethiopia superiour AEThiopia the Superiour is known to us by the name of Abasine and comprehendeth many large Provinces and Kingdoms and contains the Springs of three famous Rivers Abas T●…iasis and Nilus arising out of the Lake Zembre being for the most part Christians and commanded by that so much renowned Emperour Prester John Commodities of Aethiopia superiour affording for Commodities to the neighbour Regions Rice Barley Pease Sugars Minerals of all sorts Goats Sheep and Oxen but because these Towns of these Provinces are for the most part in Land they afford no great matter of Trade and as little known to our Nation I willingly omit them CHAP. XXVII Of Aethiopia Inferiour and the Provinces thereof Aethiopia inferiour AEThiopia Inferiour hath the Red-Sea on the East the Aethiopian Ocean on the West the Land of Negro's on the North and the Southern Ocean on the South commonly di●ided into these parts Aian Zanbar Monomotapa Caffaria Monicongo Aian In Aian are upon the Sea-coasts these three Cities much frequented by Merchants Arar Zeila Barbera the second of which was sacked by the Portugals in Anno 1516. Commodities of Aian and is found to abound with Flesh Honey Wax Corn Gold Ivory and Cattel especially Sheep in plenty Zanibar Zanibar contains 15 Towns that give names to 15 several Kingdoms Quiloa the chief for Trade is Quiloa where the Portugals have Forts built and fortified Anno 1509. Mosambique Mosambique also fortified by them Soffola Soffola which for the abundance of Ivory and Gold is conceived to be the Land of Ophir to which Solomon sent by his three years Voyage Monomotapa Monomotapa contains also sundry Provinces invironed almost round with waters and abounding with Mines of Gold accounted to contain above 2000 Manica Boro Quitiana the principal being three Monica Brro and Quitiana

special Factor resident in Mosambique trading for his account keeping correspondence with other his Factors and sending Merchandize from one place to another for by this means the Kings of Portugal the first Navigators into these parts so far honoured Merchandizing that they held it no disparagement to raise thus some estate the better to perform and accomplish these long and chargeable Navigations and hence it grew that they bringing these Indian Commodities into Europe for their own account did by Commissioners contract with private Merchants for the same in Lisbon and other places Regal Contracts which hence from this Authority were termed Regal Contracts The other Commodities of this Countrey besides Gold in Sand and Ingots are Ambergreese Ebony-wood Ivory Elephants-teeth and many slaves both men and women which hence are carried principally to India as being reputed the strongest Moors in all the East Countreys and are put throughout India to the hardest labour and loathsomest drudgery Coins Measures and Weights in Mosambique and the Coast In order here according to my intended method for the Explanation of the Trade of this place and Countrey I should lay down the Coins current here and their valuation their Measures of length and their Weights used in Merchandizing but because that by the Collection I have made and the Observation that I have noted the Portugals at their first Conquest here brought with them their own Species and Coins as also their own Weights and Measures as a testimony of their Regality and Sovereignty and that the particulars thereof shall be more at large shewed in its due place when I come to handle the Trade of Lisbon from whence the same had its original I shall to avoid needless repetition desire the Reader to be reserred thereunto and so leaving this large Coast with this slender Survey I shall proceed to what doth rest behind of Africa which is better known unto us and wherewith our Nation is more familiarly acquainted CHAP. XXIX Of AEGYPT and the Provinces thereof Aegypt and the Trade thereof AEGYPT on the East is bounded with the Red-Sea on the West with Cyrene on the North with the Mediterranean Sea and on the South with Habasia Nilus This Countrey is watered by the fruitful River Nilus which for the more benefit of the spreading Plains divides it self into seven Channels and begins about the fifteenth of June to rise and swell above his banks and for forty days doth so continue and within forty days again collecteth it self into its own limits all the Towns here are seated on the tops of Hills which during this flood appear to strangers like Islands Intercourse and Commerce being all this time preserved by Boats Skiffs and Lighters instead of Camels and Horses this River is in length 3000 miles and when it is found not to swell it portendeth some fatal accident either to Countrey or Srvereign Alexandria In this Countrey are found these famous Towns for Traffick Alexandria built by Alexander the Great the most eminent Sea Port of all Aegypt and whither before the discovery of the Indies was the Scale of those Commodities which since we find to come thence and then most frequented by the Venetians who had almost the sole Trade of the Commodities of India and Aegypt in their own hands and from them dispersed and transported through Europe and who to this day yet keep a Consul there for the Protection of their Merchants Damiata The next is Damiata seated at the entrance of one of the Channels of Nilus the Command whereof cost much blood in the days of those Wars in the holy-Holy-Land by the Western Christians Suesa The next is Sues a Haven of consequence standing at the North end of the Red-Sea wherein the Great Turk keeps a Station for his Gallies commonly built in Cairo and afterward carried thither by Camels to command his Dominions in those parts Rossetta The next is Rosseta seated on the principal Channel of Nilus and in a triangle from the two above-named Cities of Alexandria and Cairo serving for a Scale for both Cairo The last and most principal is Cairo the chief of this Countrey containing 18000. Streets and each Street being every night locked up and barred which makes the City impregnable of which more hereafter The Trade of Aegypt in times past setled in Alexandria I find some Authors to have left for a remembrance behind them a touch of the Trade of this Countrey in times past practised by the commodiousness of the Red-Seas which entreth into the heart of this Countrey and because that Galuano relateth the beginning continuance and period of this Trade I will briefly follow his words P●ol Philadelphus then 277 years before the Incarnation was the first that gave beginning and set afoot this Navigation bringing the Spices Drugs and Commodities of Arabia and India through the Red-Sea into Aegypt to the Port of Alexandria where the Venetians as then the only famous Merchants of Christendom brought up the same and were the first that this way dispersed it through Europe Africa and Asia Casir in the Red-Sea Casir being then the principal Haven Town in the Red-Sea whence their Voyage to India was set forth and begun and where the same afterward was ended Coptus and from thence by Land these Commodities were conveyed to Coptus a Town now altogether inhabited by Jacobite Christians and so thence down the River Nile to Alexandria in the Mediterranean Sea by which Traffick this City became so rich and eminent that the Custom-house there yielded to Ptol. Aalates 7½ millions of Gold and afterward when the Romans came to be Lords of Aegypt they found it to yield them fifteen millions These last augmented this Trade and sent into India every year by the testimony of Pliny an hundred and twenty Sail of Ships whose Lading was outward bound worth 120000 Crowns and it produced in profit at the return homeward for every Crown a hundred But when the Vandals Lombards Goths and Moors had rent asunder the Roman Empire all Commerce in these parts between these Nations began to cease but when the inconvenience and discommodity thereof was sensibly discerned and perceived it was begun again and set afoot anew by other Princes that coveted this rich Trade And removed to Caffa in the Euxine Sea conveying the Indian Commodities afterward with great difficulty partly by Land and partly by Water to Capha in the Black-Sea as then belonging to the Genoese but this by reason of the long way and dangerous passage being found too tedious and prejudicial Then to Trabesond Sarmachand c. Trade which is ever found to have a secret Genius and hidden course of it self was removed for these and other causes to Trabesond which was then conceived the fittest Mart-Town then Sarmachand in Zagethai had it where the Indian Persian and Turkish Merchants met to barter their Commodities the Turks thence conveying the same

of some of the late Kings of England to their own Subjects for their incouragement in Trade and their general inclinations thereto so they in themselves have been chiefly wanting to themselves and have suffered a loss to fall insensibly upon them that hath been the greatest Ruin of their Traffick comprised within Mystery the of these their new Imposts and the decay of the Shipping and Navigators which that Prince must ever carefully avoid that would have his Country and Subjects thrive thereby and having now lost all their Trade to all other places the Dominions of the Great Turk only excepted their Ships and Gallies are decayed and their Mariners fled from them some sparks are seen yet to remain but the great Fire of their mighty Traffick being extinguished it will not be needful for me to rake the Ashes and observe further that little Coal that is yet resting unconsumed amongst them CHAP. CLIX. Of Florence and the Cities of that Kingdom Florence and the Provinces thereof THE Dukedom of Florence containeth the greater part of Tuscany and now may be said to be comprehended under the Signiory of the Great Duke with the Republick of Pisa and Siena the principal marine Port whereof is Leghorn which may be accounted the best and one of the greatest Towns of Trade in all the Mediterranean Seas not only thus continued and preserved by the Industry of the Inhabitants alone but of other Nations which by reason of the great Immunities and Privileges of this place and the freedom given to Strangers and Merchants and principally because all sorts of Merchandize may be here landed free of all Customs Duties and Imposts this Scale is grown to that height that it is famous throughout all the Mediterranean and Ocean Seas In this Republick I find only four Cities of Consequence that challenge in matter of Commerce my Observation which is Florence it self the principal City of this Dukedom next Siena then Pisa and lastly the above mentioned Town of Leghorn Commodities of Tuscany These Countries afford for Merchandize some Marble Rice Wines Oils quantity of Silks both raw and wrought in Stuffs famous for their Fabricks throughout Europe as Satins Taffaties Velvets Grograms Plushes and the like called commonly of Florence From England is here vended Pepper Cloves Maces Indico Callicoes as being East-India Commodities and Lead Tin Cloth● Bays Serges Perpetuanos as Native and the English also bring hither Herrings white and red pickled Salmon Newland Fish Pilchards Calves-Skins and many other Commodities The Duke of Florence a great Merchant The Duke of Florence hath ever been found to be a great lover of Merchants and Merchandizing and is conceived to be at this day the greatest Merchant in Europe forgetting not that his Ancestors did raise themselves by Traffick to the greatness and height he now doth hold and to this end is found in Leghorn a Stock properly running in Trade for his Account which is imployed in Traffick as occasion of Profit upon Merchandize doth present it self The Estate of the Great Duke of Tuscany and the Trade thereof Cosmi the Second was the first Duke of Florence that had the Title of Great Duke of Tusca●y conferred upon him being crowned in the Court of Rome with that Title given to him and his Heirs for ever by Pope Pius the Fifth in the year 1570. Since which the Great Dukes Successors have desired of succeeding Popes the Title of King but it hath been always obstructed by the Kings of Spain who would indure no King in Italy but himself and refused by the Pope as too Lordly a Title This Duke and his Predecessors have ever been found to be great Lovers of Merchants and Merchandizing knowing that his Predecessors raised themselves by Traffick to the greatness he now doth hold His Territories are separated on the East from the Lands of the Church by the River Pisco on the West from the Commonwealth of Genoa by the River Macra on the North from Romandiola and Marca Anconitano by the Appenine Hills are bounded on the South by the Tyrrhenian Sea being about 260 Miles in length and in some places as much in breadth The Country between Florence and Leghorn being about fifty Miles is full of spacious Fields and fruitful Valleys here and there a pleasant Mountain equalizing them for fertility abundantly furnished with all sorts of delicious Wines and beautified with many delicate Cities and Towns and in a word plentifully stored with all the Benedictions of Nature The Inhabitants profess the Reman Catholick Religion and are governed by the Civil Law The Great Duke● Dominions may be fitly divided into four Parts viz. The Cities and Territories first of Florence 2. Pisa 3. Siena 4. and lastly the Islands situated in the Tyrrhenian Sea The Estate of Florence taketh up the North Part of the Great Duke's Dominions being bounded on the South by the Territories of Pisa and Siena and on the North with the Appenine Hills so called from Florence the principal City for Beauty and Trade within this Territory Nicholas Machiavel that unhappy Man was once Secretary to the Duke of Florence who but for publishing that which was frequently practised by Princes hath intailed an edium upon his Name for ought any knows to all Posterity But to our Business next to be handled which is the Description and Trade of Florence CHAP. CLX Of Florence and the Trade thereof Florence and the Trade thereof THE City of Florence is seated near the confluence of the two Rivers Arne and Chian and is a very fair City and abounding with publick and private Buildings of great Beauty and therefore by some supposed to be called Florentia à situ Florenti it is in compass six Miles and is the Residence of the Duke who here hath a sumptuous Palace the greatest part of the Trade thereof doth consist in Fabricks of Silks that here are made and are hence properly call'd and in the Exchanges here are used and practised by Bankers for all Parts of Europe the Inhabitants having lost the honour of Merchandizing which anciently they had when eminent Factors from hence were sent into Flanders and England and to other Countries to reside who managed a very great Trade now totally decayed What I have found from others or observed my self 1619. when I was here I shall set down for the present occurrences of the place Accounts in Florence The Merchants do here keep their Accounts in Livres Sold and Deniers 12 Deniers making a Sol and 20 Sol a Livre and others again in Crowns Sol and Deniers of Gold of Livres 7½ per Crown accounting 12 Deniers to a Sol and 20 Sol to a Crown but all their Commodities are sold by Lavres Sold and Deniers of their Moneys and to reduce Livres into Crowns multiplied by 2 and divided by 15 because 15 half Livres make a Crown and to reduce the said Livres into Ducats 1 7 is to be taken Coins current in