of sixteen Ounces to the pound and is called Garbel by Reason a Draught or Wast is allowed to every weighing Seven pound of this Weight is accounted to weigh a Gallon of Wheat and so Multiplyed to fifty six pound the Bushel seven pound Averdupois is one hundred and two Ounces of Troy from whence it is accounted that a Bushel of Wheat must weigh one hundred and twelve pound and a quarter four hundred forty eight pounds Averdupois and so consequently fourteen pound Averdupois is sixteen pound eleven Ounces Troy and as one penny Sterling is the twentieth part of an Ounce Troy so seven pound twelve Shillings Sterling is eighty four Ounces a half and two penny Weight of Troy and six pound eight Shillings Sterling is eighty two pound ¾ Ounce and one penny Weight and from these two are the Weights of Houshold Wheaten and White Bread Calculated The Weigh of Cheese is by Averdupois and runs thus The Weigh of Cheese one hundred and twelve pound Averdupois and the two hundred containing two hundred twenty four pounds consists of thirty four Cloves every Clove being seven pound The Weigh of Suffolk Cheese is two hundred fifty six and the Weigh of Essex Cheese three hundred thirty six pound Averdupois A Sack of Wool was accounted three hundred fifty four pound Averdupois two Weighs of Wool make a Sack and two Sacks a Last The last of Herrings is ten thousand every one thousand to contain ten hundred and every hundred sixscore that is before they are Barrell'd Lead is sold by the Fodder containing nineteen hundred and ½ at one hundred and twelve per cent Averdupois This Weight likewise of sixteen Ounces to the pound is made three several Quintars for Weighing several sorts of Merchandise the first is of fivescore pound just to the hundred and called one hundred Sutle whereby fine Commodities as Spices Drugs and the like are sold which are accounted by the pound and to which over and above is allowed by the Seller four pound upon one hundred and four pound taken from the overplus derived from the Weights of Antwerp for Spices and called by the name of Tret The second of the Quintars is one hundred and twelve viz fivescore and twelve to the hundred by which all Gross Commodities are weighed The third is sixscore to the hundred by which Tinn is weighed to his Majesties Farmers and some other few Commodities and is called by the name of the Stannery hundred From this Averdupois Weight by division the Weight called the Stone which is twofold the long and the short the long is accounted four pounds Averdupois and the short eight but in this there is no certainty for it differs according to the Customs of Counties and Markets There is an other thing in use called a Tod some places seven pound others eight and some again ten being altogether variable They have likewise a Clove of twenty pound twenty eight pound thirty two pound and the like There are likewise in most Markets for weighing of Flesh Stillyards used but without the Approbation of the Buyers they being unintelligible to many and oftentimes false first invented for the Weighing Hay and Straw for which uses indeed they are only proper Averdupois consists of sixteen Ounces every Ounce consisting of eight Drams and every Dram of sixty Grains so that by it the Raw-Silk of Persia and Turky are sold but then twenty four Ounces are allowed to the pound or a pound and an half c. Thus having distinguished these Weights which are of such use in this Nation it is not amiss that I shew you what accord the one hundred and twelve pound Suttle has with other Nations and Places of Traffick as for the Equality of Weight tho they differ in number In Europe it agrees with the Weights of Mersella the Venetia Sotile the Venetia Gross Sicilia Lisbon Florence Anvers Lions Sevil Dantzick Bruges In Africa and Asia with the Weights of Aleppo Aleppo Tripoly Syria Tripoly Barbaria Alexandrio-Zera Alexandria Forfar Forfar Scio Constantinople Rhodes Acria Babylon Balsola and Ormus And thus you see Reader the Industry and Improvement of the English Nation which now I must leave and take a View of Scotland CHAP. VIII A view of Scotland and the Trade thereof in General together with the Coyns Customs and Increase of that Ancient Kingdom SCotland by Reason of it's continuing a distinct Kingdom for so many hundred Years even till the happy Union by King James and indeed does yet in most things unless the Prerogative Royal is thought worthy to be Treated of seperately tho indeed the North part of Brittain and only seperated from England by the Rivers Tweed Salway and the Cheviot-Hills It 's chief City is Edenburg which contains the Kings Pallace the Courts of Justice consists of one great Street of a Mile in Length into which all the Petty Streets and Lanes open The next chief Cities and Towns are Glasgow the See of an Arch-Bishop and an University St. Andrews Sterling Perth Aberdeen Dondes St. John's Town c. The currant Money consists of Gold and Silver and are as followeth Pieces of twenty two Shillings Sterling Pieces of eleven Shillings Sterling Pieces of five Shilings six pence Sterling Pieces of two Shillings nine pence Sterling Pieces of four Shillings four pence â…œ Sterling Pieces of one Shilling one half penny Sterling Pieces of nine Shillings six pence being â…” of the thirteen pence half penny One Mark Pieces of four pence half penny Sterling But note that thirteen pence half penny Sterling is accounted a Scotch Mark or thirteen Shillings four pence Scotch six-pence three-farthings a Scotch Noble accounted six Shillings and eight pence twenty pence Sterling is accounted a Mark and a half Scotch or one pound Scotch of twenty Shillings Sterling is eighteen Scotch Marks so that Strangers unacquainted with their Money hearing them discourse about it think them far Richer then they are They have other Pieces of Copper Money of small Value as Babaes Bodles hard Heads and the like but indeed they have Principally the money of England which is currant in that Kingdom and of late have abounded in Silver The chief Commodities of the Country are Cloath Freezes Fish Hides Salt Lead Ore Tallow Grain of all sorts Feathers Iron Allum Seacoal commonly called Scotch-Coal and are divided into two parts viz. The Highland and Lowland which are divided into Sherifdoms and Fifes They have an Exchange in imitation of â—urs at London but especially used for the Exchange of monies with England The keeping of their accounts divers ways some keep them according to the Method of England others according to the Ancient use and Custom of their own Nation which is in Marks valuable as aforesaid Their Weight for weighing Merchandise is but one and with that they buy and sell throughout the Kingdom it contains sixteen Ounces to the pound and one hundred of those pounds make their Quintal which in England is one
consists only in terrible Rains begins about the last of April and continues till September The Commodities of the growth of this Island consist only in Palm-Trees and Cocus but hither are brought Silk Spices Jewels and all the Manufactures of India Arabia Persia Armenia c. The Weights used here are the Quintal and Rove the proper Weights of Portugal and are used in weighing most European Commodities They have likewise a Maund of 12 pound Averdupois another Weight they have proper to the Weighing of Pepper which is here found in abundance and nearly corresponds with our neat hundred Their Measure for Grain and the like is the Medida of which 24 make a Maund and 20 Maunds are 14 Bushels English Their Measure of Length is consistent with those of Lisbon to which I refer the Reader As for their Coyns they are two sorts good and bad so that when Merchants Trade they as well include in their Bargain what Coyn they shall receive or pay as what Goods they buy or sell The common Money is the Pardus Xeraphin worth 300 Res of Portugal or 3 Testons which are valued at 4 Shillings 6 pence Sterling one Pardus is worth 4 good Tangas and one good Tangas is worth 4 good Ventins or 5 Badoves a Ventine good is worth 18 bad Basarucos or 15 good ones 3 Basarucos good are 2 Res of Portugal There are currant likewise the Persina Larins of Silver worth 110 Basarucos also the Pagode of Gold worth 10 Tangas and is accounted 8 Shillings Sterling the Venetiander of Gold worth two Pardus Sheraphin the St. Thomas of Gold worth 8 Tangas the Royal of 8 ◠called Pardus d' Reales worth 440 Res of Portugal as for the Larins of Persia they continue not at any setled price but rise fall as the trade increases or decreases All the money received in way of Trade passes through the Hands of the Sheraffs a kind of Officers who for a small consideration for telling each Summ are bound to make it good either in Tale or goodness c. Having thus far proceeded I shall now give the Reader a Relation of the Pearl-Fishery a View of which may be both pleasant and profitable to the Reader as thus When the time of this Fishery draweth near which is about the middle of March the Boats go out and let down their Divers to find where the Beds of Oysters lye by Reason they continue not always in one place which being found the Gallies Armed that are appointed to defend the Fisher-men from Rovers Anchor or Cruse at a distance from the Shoar and then the Fisher-men set up a kind of a Wooden Village to contain their necessaries and to Lodg in till the time of Fishing be over and then put out their Boats or Barks in each of which is 10 men at least who mooring by their Anchors fasten a great Stone or Iron Weight to the end of a Rope and then one of them Stripping has his Ears and Nose stopped with Wool dipped in Oyl and sometimes a Sponge dipped in Oyl in his mouth and a Basket fast'ned to his left Arm or about his Neck he gets astride upon the Stone or Weight and with it Sinks to the Bottom his Companions holding one end of the Rope by which when he has filled his Basket they draw him up he giving them notice when to do so by pulling the Rope and when he is come up another is ready to go down and so take it by turns till their Bark is full of Fish which then they carry to Shoar and lay on heaps every Boats heap by it self and so continue diving for the most part in 14 or 15 Fathom Water till the middle of April or sometimes till the latter end by which time those they first took are opened by the heat of the Sun which drys away the moisture and then each Boats Crue and such others as they have to help them fall to searching for the Pearls but find them not in every Shell nor at all times of the same perfection when the Pearls are gathered there are certain Persons that View and sort them dividing them into 4 distinctions and accordingly set Prices on them as they are in Largeness Beauty and Goodness which they discern by a small instrument full of holes The divisions of Pearls are these The first second third and fourth sort viz. the round Pearl which they call the Aja or Vnja of Portugal the wrinkled Pearl called the Aja of Bengala the third sort called the Aja of Canora and the 4 or worst sort are called Aja Cambaia and when they are thus divided great is the striving amongst the Merchants who shall make the best purchase for note that none are allowed to Fish for them but such as will pay tribute and acknowledgment for so doing and indeed few there are that are expert therein And thus much for the Pearl Fishing As for the manner of their Sail and the Prices they are sold for in India I shall speak hereafter As for the Coast of Malabar it abounds with Pepper which is bought up by the Portugals six months before it's Ripe and when it comes to perfection stored up till the Arrival of their Ships and to this Coast are accounted these places viz. Romes Onor Barsellor Mongalor Cananor Calicut Granganor Cochin Coulon and Cape de Comery CHAP. XLIV A View of Musulipatan the Trade Commodities Weights Customs and Coyns thereof MVsulipatan is the chief Town upon the Coast of Chormandel where the English have setled a Factory as likewise at the Towns of Petipoly and Armagon in the same Tract all depending upon the former the Port and Situation being Commodious both for the Reception of Shipping and Temperate for English Bodies being Eastward the Natives are very Industrious in Manufacture and the Soil yields plenty in abundance and abounds with most Commodities of India from this Coast there is found driven a great Trade into Bengala Pegu Siam and Malacca In this place it is that the fine Cottons of divers colour sare wrought and dispersed not only all over India but throughout the World The Weight used on this Coast is the Candile which in the Weight of Gross Goods is found to be 20 Maunds each Maund being Accounted 26 pound 14 ½ Ounces English As for Measures I find not any they usually weighing both dry and Liquid Commodities the Customs were once 12 per cent but now reduced to 4. The currant Coyns along this Coast is the Pagode of Gold the Mahomudy and Fanan of Silver the Pagode being valued at 15 Fanans or 8 Shillings English a Fanan is 9 Cashees which are accounted 6 pence ¾ Sterling they have likewise Ryals of Spain and other Coyns the Mamody is as is before recited 12 pence English CHAP. XLV A View of Satagan the Metropolis of Bengala the Trade of that Coast and the River Ganges and the Commodities Weights Customs c. THis Coast beginneth where the before-mentioned
divided into 150 Carots and from thence into 480 Grains each Ounce of Silver fine being according accounted worth 5 Shillings 2 pence of our money and so more or less according to the addition or diminution of allay The pound Troy of fine Gold is Accounted worth 36 pound the Ounce 3 pound or if very fine something more or again less as the Allay is as thus The Ounce of fine Gold is valued at 3 pound 33 Kes fine at 2 pound 17 Shillings 6 pence 22 Kes fine at 2 pound 15 Shillings 21 Kes 2 pound 12 Shillings 6 pence the Ounce of 20 Kes fine is worth but 2 pound 10 Shillings and so losing value 2 Shillings 6 pence per Ounce as it wants a Carot in fineness in 24 or the Troy pound Now to know the goodness or fineness of Gold and Silver upon the Touch-Stone by way of Essay is to procure Needles of Gold and Silver and Copper Allay sutable to any sort of Gold and Silver in Allay and to be of 4 sorts viz. the first of fine Gold and Silver the second of Gold and Copper the third of Gold Silver and Copper and the fourth of Silver and Copper only the first for the tryal of Gold and the latter for Silver and of these Mixtures make 24 Needles differing in fineness from each as thus The first must be all fine Gold without any Allay viz. 24 Carots the second 23 Carots of fine Gold and one of Silver the third 22 Carots of Gold and 2 of Silver and so one Carot worse till there remains but one Carot of fine Gold in Mixture with 23 Carots of Silver And by this Rule the Gold and Copper and Silver and Copper must be Allayed and each Needle marked of what fineness it is And by this means you may know the fineness of any Ingot or Piece of Gold or Silver as thus touch the said Ingot or Piece of Gold or Silver upon your Touch-Stone and by it the Needle you think is nearest it in fineness and if that suit not with it try another till it suits with it which when wet will appear and so by the mark of your Needle you may be assured of the fineness of the Silver or Gold so touched which is a better easier safer and surer way then to try it by Fire And thus much for Gold and Silver as to their Tryal of fineness CHAP. LV. A Treatise of Precious-Stones how to know them and their true value viz. Diamonds Rubies Saphyrs c. as also the goodness and worth of Pearles in General THe Weight usual in India for Diamonds and Precious Stones were brought thither by the Portugals called the Mangear or Fanan which differs not much from the Carot whereof 150 Carots make an Ounce Troy and is divided into 64.33.16.8.4.2.1 ½ ¼ ⅛ 1 16 Parts The Mangelue or Mangear is near or altogether 5 Grains Weight or 2 Tars ⅔ Accounted the ⅔ of 1 Carot so that 4 Grains and 4 Tars weigh a Fanan the Fanan being somewhat above 2 of our Carots for 11 ¼ Fanans are 1 Mittigal and 6 Mittiglas and ½ make the Ounce Troy this Fanan in many parts of India goes currant for a Coyn being Equally valued with a Spanish Ryal and thus having laid down the proportion of the Weights I shall first begin with the Dimonds the chief of Precious Stones then to know a good and true Diamond take this rule A good and right Diamond is fast and no ways porous so that it will resist the Fire and after several hours continuance therein come out bright as at first and in choice of such a one it must be neither Brown Yellowish Blewish nor a Dullish-Black but of a good Water-Christaline not wanting any corner when Polished on a Mill nor be too thick nor too thinn but so as it may be set firm and to good advantage in a Ring or Collet without being upholden by Velvet and such a Diamond weighing 1 Carot is worth 35 pounds Sterling or upwards Note when you have found out the true value of a perfect Diamond or Diamonds this Rule is to be observed Suppose a Diamond weighing a Carot Weight be worth 40 Ducats more or less then the 4th part being ten Ducats is the price of a Diamond weighing half a Carot so the Diamond weighing a Carot is worth but the 4th part of the value of one weighing 2 Carots viz. 40 Ducats and that weighing 2 Carots worth 160 Ducats and so if there be over Weight by Grains you must divide all into Grains and then a Diamond weighing 3 Grains is worth but the 4th part of that weighing 6. And this is a General Rule not only for Diamonds but all manner of precious Stones according to Equality in goodness as for Example a thick Table Diamond of the goodness aforesaid weighing 1 Grain is worth 1 pound 17 Shillings 6 pence weighing 2 Grains is worth 7 pound 10 Shillings weighing 3 Grains is worth 16 pound 17 Shillings 6 pence weighing 1 Carot is worth 30 pound and so proportionably to 8 Carots yet there are some Diamonds imperfect and not of any Extraordinary value which are called Brut Diamonds Naifs Rocks and flat-Stones which are bought and sold at uncertain rates The Ruby is found in Zeilam in India and called commonly the Carbuncle tryed in the Fire to know its perfection the which if it abide and come out Burning like a Cole and of a high Colour it is Accounted perfect a Stone of which perfection weighing but one Carot or ½ a Fanan is valued at 30 Fanans in Callicut and increase in value as the Dimonds according to their Weight there is another sort only called a Ruby found in a River in the Kingdom of Pegu but it will not indure the Fire but looseth it's Colour when put to the Tryal there are likewise several sorts of Rubies as the Carbuncle Ballas Spinal Garnat and Rubas but this Ruby of Pegu is accounted the next in value to the Carbuncle and a Ruby square table-wise perfect and of high Colour of 16.18.20 or 24. Carots in Colour weighing a Fanan is worth sometimes in the India's 100. Ducats and in England weighing 11 ½ Carots and of 20 Carots in Colour perfect and without Blemish is worth 350 pound Sterling or rather more Saphyrs are found in Zeilam Calucut Basinger Canoner and Pegu and those are accounted best that are of a pure Azure or Sky-Colour and in that hardness excelleth all other Stones the Diamond excepted and according to their Colour are held in Estimation as for example Saphyr weighing one Carot is worth 2 Fanans one weighing 2 Carots is worth 5 Fanans one weighing 3 worth 10 Fanans and one weighing 4 Carots worth 15 Fanans and so Proportionably each Fanan being Accounted 2 Carots after this manner Turquoise Topaze Berrils Crysolites Jacynths Amathists and other precious Stones are known and valued every one according to their goodness and Weight as for Pearls how they are taken I have
in these parts but especially at Almeria great store of Raw Silks are gathered it being the primest of all other and is Accounted worth by the pound Morisco 18 Shillings Florence or 1020 Maruedies which amount to 30 Ryals And thus much for Sevil and the Trade thereof CHAP. LVIII A View of Malaga the Trade Customs Weights Measures and Coyns thereof MAlaga is Situate in the Province of Granado on the Shoar of the Mediterranean Sea being Accommodated with a commodious Haven for the reception of Shipping being very Fruitful in every part of it's Territories abounding in Wine and Raisins known by it's Name as likewise many delicate Fruits Corn Cattle and what else can make a Country desirable they have likewise store of Sugar Almonds Oyls c. for which they pay Customs outward tho they be Commodities of the natural Growth viz. 7 per cent Cochineel and such like Commodities pay outward 10 per cent and all other Commodities of the Growth but 5 per cent and those that are carryed from Port to Port 2 pound per cent The Weights of Malaga is the 100. divided into 4 Roves of 25 pound each and to every pound 16 Ounces and the 100 pound of Malaga called commonly the Kintar of Malaga is found to make 112 pound 5 Ounces English tho sometimes less according to the nature of the Commodity Their Concave Measures are the Rove and Somer the first making 8 of the last so that 25 Roves go to a Pipe which contains 100 English Gallons by these only Wine and Oyl are Measured as for Grain it is Measured by the Hanock which is divided into 12 Almodos and is 12 Gallons English weighing upon the Strike 129 pound The Measure of length is the Vare of 27 â…ž Inches The Coyns currant are Ryals to one of which is computed 34 Marnedies or 6 pence Sterling and Pistolets of Gold each being worth 23 ½ Ryals that is the single Pistolet the double Pistolet which are here likewise in use being worth 27 Ryals CHAP. LIX A View of Alicant and of the Trade Measures Weights Coyns c. ALicant is Situate on the Banks of the Mediterranian in the Province of Murtia and is by Reason of it's commodious Haven of late become a great Scale of Trade in those parts affording delicate Wines and other Commodities in much request being of late the Scale to the City Valentia and affords of its Native growth Liquorish Rasins Wines Soda-Barrilla Sugar Drugs Bass-Mats Ropes Sope Anniseed and many other Merchantable Commodities which are Traded for by our English Merchants and bought partly for money and partly for Commodities of the growth of our Nation And at Alicant the Merchants keep their Accounts in Livers Solds and Deniers 12 Deniers making a Sold and 20 Solds a Liver which is Accounted worth 5 Shillings Sterling the Sold being Accounted 3 Pence and the Denier a Farthing The Weights in use are the Cargo and Rove 10 of the latter making the former and of these Roves there are two sorts one computed 18 Ounces and the other 12 to each pound and by that means tho one be reckoned 36 pound and the other but 24 yet in Weight they are equal as to the number of Ounces and by these are sold Pepper Rice Almonds Cloves Cinnamond and the like by the Cargo is weighed all Gross Commodities it containing 280 pound English There is sometimes used a Quintal of 96 pound Averdupois and by it Drugs are weighed The Measure of Length is the Vare which wants a â…™ part of the English Yard The Liquid Measure for Wine is the Cantar which is about 3 Gallons English and the dry Measure for Corn is called the Chaffise and is near 3 Bushel English The Customs for the most part are rated at 11 Deniers per centum Livers and is payable at 8 Deniers to the Duana and 3 Deniers to the Sisa payed as well by the Buyer as Seller as often as Goods are bought sold or bartered for so that the Buyer and Seller pay between them 9 per cent And thus leaving Alicant I return to take a View of Madrid Accounted the Principal City of Spain CHAP. LX. A View of Madrid of the Trade Coyns Weights and Measures thereof MAdrid is Situate in the Provinces of Castill and of late become famous for being the place where for the most part the Spanish Court resides and in it the Monies that are dispersed over Spain have their Original This City abounds with all manner of Commodities that either Spain India Barbary Arabia Persia Egypt or other Countries affoard as Spices Gold Silks Drugs Stuffs Jewels Drugs and the like The Native Commodities of this Province are Honey Allum Wine Oyl Fruits Salt c. The Measures and Weights are those common throughout Spain but by Reason all the Coyns of the Kingdom Center here I think it not amiss to set down their Names and true values 1. The Ducat of Castil is worth 375 Maruedies 2. The Castiliano 485 Maruedies 3. The Florin of Castile is worth 265 Maruedies or near 4 Shillings Sterling 4. The Ducat Count or Quento of Maruedies is a Million 5. The Count or Quento of Maruedies is Ducats 2666 2 3â— and at Dobra is accounted worth 2739 â—â— 73 Dobras the which according to computation amounts to 733 pound 6 Shillings 8 pence Sterling 6. The Ryal Single of Castile is worth 34 Maruedies or 6 pence Sterling 7. The Quento of Mar is worth 3258 Ryals and 3 Maruedies 8. The Crown of Castile is worth 323 Maruedies 9. The Ducat of Spain is 5 Shillings 6 pence of our money the Ryal is 6 pence and the Maruedie about the bigness of one of our Farthings In this City when they give money upon Exchange they commonly agree to be repayed in Ducats of Gold or to the same value in Gold or Silver for the most part by Weight to prevent the taking base money with which Spain abounds so that should they not take this course they would often lose 4 or 5 per cent In this Province are yearly 4 Fairs or great Marts viz. at Medina Del Campo which lasts 50 days at Medina de Riosecco which lasts 30 days at Medina del Campo again which lasts 50 days and lastly at Villa Lyon which lasts 20 days These Fairs viz. the 3 first are Fairs of Exchange And when they make payments they make them in Banco not saying forth and they are to remit in Ducats de Oro in Oro Largo and forth of Banco and when they agree forth of Banco and for ready money there is got 1 per cent and when they agree for Ducats of Gold or the worth of them it is understood that the worth if the payment be not payed in Ducats is to be payed in Maruedies at 375 to the Ducat And thus much for Spain and the Trade thereof And now I shall take a View of the Trade of the Kingdom of Portugal in her chief City viz. Lisbon one of the
and so the return may be proportionable but if Bills are drawn to pay a Merchant residing in any place where the Coyn is currant and he disposes of it for Commodities of the Growth or Manufacture of the Country then it matters not how the Coyn has been inhaunced above its true value by Reason it is currant tho perhaps should the Coyn be carryed into an other Kingdom it might redound to the loss of the receiver a third part and this equallizing Coyns of divers Nations by Ballance I called a Par by which all Coyns of Silver or Gold especially are reduced to an equal value as for example Placentia exchanges with London one Crown of currant money there for 1 Shilling 6 pence ½ ob Sterling Lyons the Crown currant for 2 Shillings 8 pence Sterling Rome exchanges her Ducat 87 ½ pence Sterling Genoa her Crown of Gold at 83 pence Sterling Millain her Crown of Gold 84 pence ½ ob Sterling Venice her Ducat at 60 pence Sterling Florence her Crown at 80 pence Luca her Ducat at 67 pence Sterling Naples her Ducat at 66 ½ pence Sterling Lechy her Ducat at 6 pence Sterling Bary her Ducat at 62 pence Sterling Palermo her Ducat at 78 pence Sterling Messina her Ducat at 72 pence Sterling Valentia her Ducat at 72 ½ pence Sterling Saragosa her Ducat at 73 pence Sterling Barsalonia her Ducat at 72 pence Sterling Sevil her Ducat at 72 pence Sterling Lisbon her Ducat at 69 pence Sterling Bolonia her Ducat at 67 pence Sterling Bergamo her Ducaton at 67 pence Sterling Frankfort Noremburg Augusta and Viena in all which Cities one and the same Coyn is currant Exchange their Florin at 50 pence Sterling all these Cities and Towns London exchanges within broken numbers that is by pence at the rates aforesaid and so Multiplies into greater Summs as occasion requires but with Antwerp and Collen Amsterdam c in whole number as one pound Sterling for 34 ½ Flemish Shillings and proportionable for greater Summs Again in London and throughout all England Exchangers and Merchants keep their Accounts in Pounds Shillings Pence and cast them up as is done in other places by Solds Livers and Denire viz. 12 pence to the Shilling and 20 Shillings to the pound and are found to exchange with Transmarine Cities thus viz. to allow 64 pence Sterling for the Crown of Placentia 64 pence Sterling for the Crown of Lyons 66 pence Sterling for the Ducat of Rome 65 pence for the Crown of Gold of Genoa 64 2 4 pence for the Crown of Gold of Millain 50 pence for the Ducat in Banco of Venice 61 pence for the Crown of Florence 53 ½ pence for the Ducaton of Luca 50 pence for the Ducat of Naples 50 ½ pence for the Ducat of Lechy 51 pence for the Ducat of Bary 57 ½ for the Ducat of Palermo 56 ½ for which Ducat of Messina one pound Sterling for 34 ½ Shillings Flemish with Antwerp and Collon 57 ½ pence for the Ducat of Valentia 59 pence for the Ducat of Saragosa 64 pence for the Ducat of Barselona 59 ½ pence for the Florin of Frankford 52 pence for the Ducaton of Bergamo 53 â…“ for the Ducaton of Bolonia 53 ½ pence and for the Ducat of Lisbon 53 ½ And thus the currant Exchange is setled and continues unless in times of War when Princes to Inrich their Coffers make an Inhaunsment upon the currant Coyns in their respective Dominions and at other times when the Banker or Exchanger takes the advantage of the Parties necessity upon whose Accounts the exchange is to be made The Terms of paying Bills of exchange in London with other Cities are commonly these To Venice at 3 Months after date and so upon return to Antwerp at one Month after date and so back to Genoa at 3 Months and so back to Lyons for the Fair and so from Fair to Fair as the Custom of that City is to Pisa at 3 Months after date and so back to Placentia from Fair to Fair according to the Custom of the place to Florence at 3 Months after date so upon return to Rouen and Paris at one Month after date and so back and these Bills are currant money insomuch that many Millions are pay'd by Bills without telling any money Merchants passing the Bills to one another by assignment as currant Coyns of which Bills their Presentations Intimations Acceptations Protests and Returns I shall in the following Chapter expose to the View of the Reader CHAP. XCVIII A Discourse of the Forms of Bills of Exchange how they ought to be drawn presented payed or protested in default with a caution against delays and the danger thereof according to the Law and Custom of Merchants A Bill of Exchange in it self is held so excellent a speciallity and carries with it not only as it were a commanding Power to pay but is for the most part observed and satisfyed with all due regard tho drawn by a Servant upon his Master such a high esteem being ever had for the quality thereof that nothing in the way of Trade can be more for upon it depends the reputation of the Drawer Accepter So that those who fail in the payment of accepted Bills wound their credit by suffering Protest to be made which soon gets Wind and spreads wide upon the Exchange and not only so but obliges the Acceptor to pay the charâ—â—â— of the Protestant return and calâ—s into question the credit of the drawer Of bills of exchange there are two sorts as 〈◊〉 and Inland viz. the former drawn upon â— Merchant Banker c. Living beyond the Seas the second upon a Merchant Banker or other Person living in the same Country tho distant from the place where the Bill is drawn as to make a Bill payable at London for money taken up at Bristol each having equal force ought to have due observance alike As to an Exchange four three or two Persons may make it thus 2 at the place where the money is taken up and 2 at the place were it is payable first the deliverer secondly the taket thirdly the Person that is to take the money and fourthly the party upon whom the Bill is drawn 3 Persons thus first the taker secondly the deliverer and thirdly the Person on whom the Bill is drawn 2 Persons first the Drawer and secondly the Party on whom it is drawn the former making his Bill payable to himself or order which may of Exchange is very advantageous as well to Merchants as other Traders There is another sort of Exchange called a dry exchange which is practised thus if a Person have occasion for 100 pound he goes to a Banker who takes a Bill of Exchange of him to be payed at Lyons or Paris at double or treble Usance tho the Drawer has no Correspondence in either of the Cities then the Bill growing due the Banker receives a Protest for non-payment upon which the Drawer in London must pay the
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
of the latter there is found such abundance that the chief Soveraign has 2 Millions of Ducats yearly accruing by that Commodity and in Fiando one of the Islands appertaining to Japan the English have setled a Factory The Weights in use are the Pecul and Cattee the Pecul consisting of 100. Cattees each Cattee being 21 Ounces which renders the Pecul in Cira 131 pound English the Measures of length are the Inchin or Tattamy which is 2 ⅛ English Yards their concave Measures are the Cocas which is a Pint English Winchester Measure 3 of which is a Gant 100. Gants are an Ickgoga 100. Icklogags are one Ickmagog and 1000. Ickmagogs are one Mangoga Their Coyns are the Tale Mass and Condery The Tale is 5 Shillings Sterling the Mass which contains 10 Conderies is 6 pence Sterling they have 2 Barrs of Gold currant likewise amongst them which are called Ichebo and Coban the former of which is Accounted worth 30 Shillings Sterling and the latter 34 Shillings 6 pence Sterling Zelan is a fair Island in the Gulph of Bengala and is so Fruitful that the Trees have continual Blosoms green and ripe Fruit on them and is a Portugueze Factory tho under the obedience of the great Mogul and in it are found Nutmegs Clove and Pepper Trees good store and likewise Cinnamon the primest sort growing in Groves it also yieldeth many precious Stones as Rubies Topaz Garnati Spinals and on the Coast store of Pearls are gotten by Fishing There are likewise found some Mines of Gold and Silver Iron Brimstone and Flax growing and in the Woods is a Beast found whose Bones are much of the nature of Ivory Their Weights Measures and Coyns are either those of Portugal or India the Natives being a People of great Subtlety and in Body the most Active in Asia CHAP. L A View of the Isles of Molucco's also the Trade Weights Measures and currant Coyns there in use and of the other adjacent Islands THese Islands commonly called the Islands of Moluccos's are 5 in number viz. Molucco the chief Tarnate Tider Gelolo and Macian There are likewise not far distant Benda and 70 other Islands all of which yield Spices as Nutmegs Cloves Mace and some Cinnamon all growing in them there is also in this Gulph or Sea Amboina where the Barbarous Dutch committed Inhumane Cruelties on the English Factors c. and afterwards contrary to their contracted agreement cut down and killed all the Clove Trees in the Island of Polerone purchased of them by the English The common Coyn in Moluccoes Amboina and Benda is the Spanish Rotolo ½ what otherwise they Barter for is in Commodities Their Weights are the Babar and Catte the Amboinian Babar being 200. Cattes or English 625 pound and is Accounted the great Babar and in some Islands they have a Babar 10 times as much as the Amboinian Babar A Cattee is near 6 pound English and 10 Cattes of Mace are Accounted a small Babar and valued at 10 Ryals of 8 yet the small Babar of Nutmegs is 100. Cattes and valued as the Mace The Measures of Length are the Cubit and Fathom and Concave Measures for Grain and Pepper the Canton which is near 3 Quarts English and the Quoian which is 800. Cantons The chief Trade of these Islands being of late Ingrossed by the Dutch who have of late been found Superiour to the Portugals who first Discovered them and held for many years the Principal Commerce with the Indians CHAP. LI. A View of the Java's and the Trade of that Tract of the Weights Measures Native Commodities Coyns c. THe Java's are two Islands viz. the great and the less the greater being in circuit 3000. Miles and the lesser 2000 and by Reason of their nearness to the Equinoctial are exceeding Fruitful and have for their chief Cities Paluban Pegar Agaim Balambua Basnia Samara Limbrie and others but the chief Scales of Trade are at Sunda Calapa Bantum Jacatra now Battavia and Japarra in the last 3 of which the English have Factories The Commodities with which these Islands abound are Cloves Nutmegs Mace Pepper Indian Nuts Rice Cattle c. the Pepper is Accounted the best in India and grows in such abundance that yearly the English buy up great store the Islands not being judged to produce less then 10 or 12000. Quintals each Season there is found likewise Camphora Frankincense Benjamin and precious Stones amongst which some Diamonds of great value for which Commodities the Natives receive Callicoes of divers Colours Cotton Cloath Silks Stuffs Glasses Knives and the like in Sunda the principal Mart of Java major their Principal money is small Copper pieces hung upon Strings called Caix's and are told out by the 100 or 1000 200 being Accounted a Satta 5 Sattas being a Crusado of Portugal or in English money valued at about 6 Shillings But the European Merchants keep their Accounts for the most part in Ryals of 8 ◠Spanish and pence 60 pence going to the Rotolo 9 ◠The Weights of Bantam Jucatra Japparra and at Sunda are the Pecul Cattee and Babar the Cattee contains 20 Ounces and 100. Cattees are a Pecul or 125 pound English a Babar is 330. Cattees of 20. Ounces and supposed to make good Weight 412 pound Averdupois Their Concave Measure is the Timbam chiefly in use for Rice and Pepper and is Accounted 10. Sackfuls or to contain 5 Peculs in Weight so that each Sack is reckoned at 62 ½ pound Averdupois 2 Sacks making a Pecul As for Measures of length they are rarely used here and those that are are consistent with those of England Portugal and Holland CHAP. LII A View of the Trade of Summatra and other Islands lying in the Indian Seas THis Island was formerly called Traprobana and then Esteemed to be the largest in the World being in length 700. Miles and in breadth 200. Miles and is divided by the Equator one half lying beyond and the other on this side the Equinoctial which renders it exceeding Fertile and Healthful so that there are found many Rich Commodities of the Native production as Pepper Ginger Aloes Raw Silk Cassia Gold Silver Brass and Drugs of Divers sorts there is likewise found a Brimstone mount that continually Burns as likewise 2 Fountains yielding the one Balsamum and the other Oyl yet not any considerable store The chief Cities of this Island are Daren Pacen and Andryede the whole being divided under many Kings and the chief Ports are Achin Ticko Jambe and Priuran in most of which the English have Factories This Island standing not above 20 Miles from Malucca a great part of the Native Commodities are carryed thither that Island being in the possession of the Portuguize tho of late much infested by the Dutch who have got Footing and Built some Fortresses on the Sea Coast In this Island of Summatra upon its first Discovery the Islanders had a Barbarous Custom to eat man's Flesh and hoard up their Sculls which they passed from one to
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
was needful in answer unto yours of the 4th of the same Month this serves chiefly to desire you to furnish and pay unto Mr. W. B. English Gentleman to the value of 3000 Crowns at one or more times according as he shall have occasion or desire the same of you taking his Receipt or Bills of Exchange for the monies which you shall so furnish him with and put it to my Account and this my Letter of Credit shall be your sufficient Warrant for so doing Vale. To Mr. Charles G. Merchant at Lyons yours Timothy L. And thus I shall conclude my discourse of Exchanges only by the way note there is in use the old Style and new Style the former being only practised or held in England and other his Majesties of Great Brittains Dominions in Hamburg Strasbourg and some other parts of Germany and the latter in all other parts of Christendom CHAP. CXII A Survey of the Customs commonly called Tonnage upon Wines of the Growth of France Germany Spain Portugal c. also upon Beer Perry Cider Vinegar Rape c. together with the nature of such Customs or Tonnage declaring where they are due and where not THe Wisdom of the Nation assembled in Parliament Anno 1660 having taken into their consideration the condition of Merchants Trading into Forrain parts that they were frequently Robbed and spoiled by Pirates and Picaroons and Ships of War of divers Nations under pretence of Letters of Reprizal They the better to prevent such outrages thought it convenient to Grant his Majesty a Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage payable upon all Merchandise imported or exported unless Herrings and some other Fish therein excepted The better to inable his Majesty to maintain at Sea several Ships of War for the securing and convoying Merchants Ships to and from the divers Ports and Places whither they are bound or have any Commerce and to over-awe and keep under such Pirates and others as would otherwise grow numerous and obstruct all Naval Commerce the Principal Commodities paying Tonnage and Poundage commonly called Customs I shall here recite and for the rest refer the Reader to the Book of Rates rated by the advice and approbation of most of the eminent Merchants of England and since published and confirmed by Parliament As for Tonnage every Tun of Wine of the Growth of the French King or Crowâ— of France that shall come into the Port of London or the Members thereof by way of Merchandise being the proper Goods of a natural Born Subject pays eight pounds 10 Shillings the Tun or being the proper Goods of an Alien or Stranger it pays 10 pound and so lesser or greater quantities proportionably but into any other Port of England the Native pays 20 Shillings less and the Stranger the like per Tun. Muscadels Malmasies Cutes Tents Alicans Bastards Sacks Canaries Mallagoes Maderoes and other Wines of the Growth of Levant Spain or Portugal or any of the Islands or Dominions belonging to them or any of them which shall be brought into the Port of London as Merchandise c. by a Native shall pay the Summ of 7 pound 10 Shillings the Tun a Stranger nine pound and into any other of his Majesties Ports 20 Shillings less the Pipe or Butt by either Native or Alien for Rhenish Wine of the Growth of Germany also note that always the Stranger pays 30 Shillings in the Tun more then the Native is to pay the Ancient duty of Butlerage which is 2 Shillings in the Tun and in these Duties or Customs is included the Duty formerly of 20 Shillings per Tun upon all Wines of the Growth of the Levant by Strangers known by the name of Southampton Duties for which sort of Wines the Stranger is to pay to the use of the Town of Southampton 10 Shillings for every Butt or Pipe as for prize Wines they pay no Customs Note that if any Wines be imported and within a twelve month exported they are not lyable to pay the Additional Duty or if it be pay'd it is to be returned viz. 4 pound every Tun of French Wine and every Tun of Wine of the Growth of Germany or Madera 3 pound brought into the Port of London as in Statute 12 of Car. 2 it more at large appears And all such Wines as are Landed at any of the out-Ports and afterwards brought into the Port of London by a certificate shall pay so much more Custom as was pay'd short of the Duty in the Port of London For every Tun of Beer to be exported in Ships English built must be pay'd 2 Shillings and for every Tun exported in any other Ship 6 Shillings If at any time there shall chance Goods to be exported or imported not mentioned in the Book of Rates agreed on by the commons Intitled the rates of Merchandise and that by such omission there is no set value on them then it shall be Lawful for the Customer in being to levy twelve pence in the pound upon such Goods according to the true value which value is to be given by the Merchant or owner upon Oath before the Customer Collector Comptroller Surveyer or any two of them If Vineger Perry Rape Cider or Cider-Eager be imported by a Native from Forrain Parts he pays 6 pound 10 Shillings the Tun but by an Alien only 6 pound but if they shall again export any such Liquids then 3 pound 10 Shillings the Tun shall be repayed to the Native and 4 pound 15 Shillings to the Alien There is likewise imposed on Wines Vineager Cider and Beer 10 Shillings per Tun and on Brandy and Strong-Water 20 Shillings per Tun. For Coynage-Duty and the money that arises by this Duty is to be payed at the Custom-House to the Collectors and other Officers to be by them kept apart from other monies and payed quarterly into the Exchequer without Salary or Fee and if neglect be made in the payment of this Duty the Goods are Forfeitable but note if that within a twelve-month they are Transported then the money so pay'd is to be returned according to Statute the 18 of Car. 2. There is likewise an Excise or Impost upon Forrain Liquors imported viz. upon Beer or Ale six Shillings the Barrel Cyder or Perry the Tun 10 Shillings Brandy or Strong-Waters perfectly made 8 pence the Gallon and by the 15 of Car. 2 if any of these Goods be Landed before these Duties are payed Warrant Signed and in the absence of the Officer they are forfeitable And thus much for Tonnage the next thing then that I come to Treat of is Poundage CHAP. CXIII A Survey of the Custom commonly called Poundage according to the Book of Rates and such other Customs and Priviledges as are for the profit of the Merchant POundage is a Custom Established by Act of Parliament made in the 12 of his now Majesty whereby the Book of Rate called the Rates of Merchandise is approved and confirmed that is a Subsidy granted to his Majesty of
some Spices Casbin is now accounted the chief City of Persia and lately the residency of the Sophies and is adorned with many stately Edifices but chiefly Beautifyed with the Bussars or Exchanges which are many and stored with Rich Commodities as Jewels Drugs Spices Silks either in Damasks Velvets or Raw where likewise the Merchants of several Nations Trading thither meet in the same manner as at London Their Weights Measures and Coyns agree with those of Hisphan of which in order I shall Treat and therefore refer the Reader to View them there Balsara is Seated on the Persian Gulph upon the mouth of Euphrates and contains the Commodities of Arabia Turky India and Persia by Reason of it's commodious Situation and is in Subjection to the Grand Signeour as reduced to his Obedience by force of Armes Anno 1550. And pays Customs to his Intendant or Vizar Bashaw 5 per cent upon Cloaths Silks and the like but to every 100 a Tare or allowance of 3 pound is Customary and their Weights is generally the Wesun accounted 16 of them to the Cantar of Aleppo Casan is frequented by the Merchants of India and the Commodities for the most part consist of the Manufacture of the Citizens as Shashes Turbants Girdles Velvets Sattins Dammask Ormustus Carpets c. and thither are brought Diamonds Pearles Rubies Turquoisies Spices c. and a Law there is that all Persons above the Age of 6 Years shall give up their Names to the Magistrate and with a Satisfactory account by what means he or she get their Livings and if they be found in a false Tale they are either Battooned or put to some Publick slavery for a time Caramania is a Fertile Province as to necessary Provisions and other ways only worthy of note for the Cloath of Gold made there as for Gedrosia Drangiana Arica Arachosia Parapomisis Saccha and Hircania they are of little note as to Trade and therefore I shall pass them over Ormus the last Province of Persia is exceedingly in request abounding in Commodities of Value and is divided by an Arm of the Sea of 12 Miles over from the Continent and is much frequented by Merchants Trading in those parts The Commodities are chiefly Carpets Tapestry Shashes Grograms Mohairs Turky Camlets Arabian Drugs Indian Gems and Spices it being the Principal Mart or Magazine of all the Eastern Commodities for in April and September the Carravans come thither strongly Guarded from Aleppo Syria and other Countries taking Ship at Balsara and bring all manner of Rich Commodities that are to be found in the Traffick of the Mediterranean The most advantagious Sea-ports in those parts are Jasques and Gombroue where the English Ships Trade for this Kingdom as likewise the Camels and Drommidaries of the Indian and other Merchants that Travel by Land Their Weight is the Dram 96 of which make a pound Averdupois Their Measures are the Coveda short and long the former is accounted 27 and the latter 37 Inches and are used in measuring the proper Manufacture of Persia The Monies currant are the Bessee of Copper which is 4 Cosbags the Shahee of Silver which is 2 ½ Bessees 29 Cosbegs or 4 pence Sterling the Abashee of Silver which is 2 Mamothis 40 Cosbegs or 16 pence Sterling the Mamothis which is 2 Shahees 29 Cosbegs or 8 pence Sterling The Asar of Gold which is 20 Shahees or 6 Shillings 6 pence Sterling The Toman of Gold which is 10 Asars or 3 pound 6 Shillings 8 pence Sterling as also the Larrees which are reckoned at 10 pence Sterling CHAP. XXXIX A View of Hispahan and of the Trade thereof HIspahan formerly called Hecatompolis from it 's 100 Gates is one of the Principal Cities of the Persian Dominions Beautifyed with Red Marble-Walls of prodigious height stately Buildings as Palaces Seraglio's and the like adorned with Ivory Ebony Alabaster and Carpets of Silk and Gold The Inhabitants do all their business on Horseback unless such as are Slaves and the City abounds in the stores of India Arabia Turky Russia and China which for the most part are brought thither upon Dromidaries and again disposed of to such Merchants as Trade thither The price of Carriage is thus 100 Maunds of Wares from Sciras to Hispahan cost 70 Sehids and from Hispahan to Casan 60 Sehids from Hispahan to Ormus by Sciras 120 Sehids and lastly from Hispahan to Tauris 40 Sehids The Weights are the Dram the Mittigal and the Maund or Maundshaw 100 of the first make 66 â…” of the Second and of the second 1200 maketh the third the Measures are the Cavedo long and short and are as in the foregoing Chapter as also the Coyns currant here agree with those of Ormus Silks are found here in abundance both wrought and Raw. And thus much for Persia and the Trade thereof CHAP. XL. A View of Tartaria of the Trade Weights Measures Currant Coyns and Customs thereof TArtary the next division of Asia is bounded on the West with Muscovia on the South with the Caspian Sea and Hill Taurus on the East with the main Ocean and on the North with the Frozen Sea and is divided into 5 Kingdoms or Provinces under the Subjection of the great Cham viz. Precopensis Asiatica Antiqua Zagathai and Cathaia but for as much as the last Province is only abounding in known Trade and yields the Commodities of all the rest I shall only insist upon it and in the Description of the Trade of Cambalu lay down what ever is to be found in that vast Country Cambalu is the Metropolitan of Cathai through which Runs the River Poâ—â—sanga and is in circuit accounted 28 Miles adorned with stately Pallaces and other Edifices being the Seat of the great Cham who maintains 5000 Astrologers or Wizards and 12 or 14000 Horse for his ordinary Guard The Merchants that Trade thither have their Caves or Store-Houses in the Suburbs which are in great number The Commodities of the Country are Rice Grain Ruhbarb Coral Silk Wool Hemp and the like they have likewise Silver Mines and some yielding Gold Ore yet their Coyn for the most part is made of the inmost Bark of a Mulbery Tree cut round stamped with the Princes Seal and upon pain of Death none dare Coyn any other or refuse to take it tho in some places they have pieces of Coral twigs of Gold and Salt Loaves which go at certain rates in Exchange but the money is as aforesaid and those Merchants are obliged to take it for their Richest Commodities and put it away again for such as the Country affords they have Spices Gems and Drugs but not of natural growth but are beholden to the Arabians and Indians for them their Country by Reason of the long continuing cold not being capable of producing them Their Weights are those used generally throughout the Provinces viz. the gross Cantar and the small Cantar the former of which is only used in weighing Gross Goods and is accounted 268 pound English the small
Barrel to weigh 120 pound Oyl is sold by the Orcio which is a Barrel and accounted 85 pound Weight Grain is sold by the Moggio which is 24 Staios each Staio accounted 5 pound Salt is sold by a Staio of 72 pound And thus much shall Suffice for Florence CHAP. LXX A View of Millain of the Trade Weights Measures Coyns Customs and Commodities thereof THe City of Millan being the Center of the whole Dukedom in all respects I shall only insist upon it Then this City is the fairest of Lomberdy being seven Miles in compass and Furnished with all Commodities of the growth of the Dukedom nay of all Italy being now in Subjection to the Spanish King the chief Commodities are Oyl Wine Rice Corn Raw Silk which is wrought by the Inhabitants into curious Fabricks Chambets Fustians Gold Thread and Iron which are dispersed over all Italy Savoy France Flanders Holland England c. Their Accounts are kept in Deniers Solds and Livers which are in effect Pence Shillings Pounds c. and their other currant Coyns are the Ducat of Gold which is worth about 100 Solds of that money the Crown of Gold of the Sun which is worth 97 Solds The Italian Gold Crown which is worth 5 Livers The Ducat of Gold of 5 Livers and 18 Solds is worth 6 Livers Imperial the Ducat Imperial is esteemed worth 4 Livers The Ducat of Millain or Imperial of 4 Livers is accounted in exchange 101 Solds the Ducat and sometimes in Merchandise 110 and in way of Trade the Coyns of Spain and France are here Currant The Weight used here is the pound 100 of which make a Quintal which is accounted 70 pound English The Measures of Length are the Braces one for Cloath and the other for Silk the 100 Braces of the last containing 43 Ells of London The Customs for the most part the same with the other Cities of Italy CHAP. LXXI A View of the Dukedoms of Mantua and Urbin and of their Trade Weights Measures c. OF the Dukedom of Mantua the City of that Name is the chief and is a fair and strong Place on 3 sides invironed with a wide Lake through which runneth a Stream or River into the famous River Poe and is surrounded with pleasant Pastures and Fruitful Gardens Orchards and Vineyards but the Trade as to Merchandise is inconsiderable for want of a Harbour or Haven for the reception of Shipping only here are found several Fabricks of Silk as Taffatas Sattins c. also Watered Chamblets the Accounts are kept as in Millain and their money much the same unless the Ducatoon which is 115 Solds of Millain The Weights of Mantua are the Peso which is 25 pound and the Quintal which is 100 pound making English 71 pound Averdupois The City of Vrbin from which the Dukedom takes its Name is Seated under the Appennine Hills and has 2 famous Sea-Ports viz. Pisauro and Fano where formerly our Merchants held considerable Commerce but of late it is decayed yet some Trade is still held there especially by such as go Trading Voyages who there find the growth of most Parts of Italy for which they exchange Cloath Tinn Spices and some Drugs Their Accounts are kept in Deniers Solds and Livers and the rest of the Coyns those for the most part currant throughout Italy The Weights are the pound and the Quintal 100 of the former making the latter and is found to be 77 pound of London Averdupois The Measures of length are the Braces one for Cloath and the other for Silk 94 of the former making 100 of Venice but the Venice Brace for Silk renders the Vrbin Brace for Silk 102 or 103 c. CHAP. LXXII A View of the Common-Wealth of Venice and of the Trade Weights Measures Customs Coyns c. THe City of Venice gives Name to the Territories and has been and yet is famous for Trade by Navigation being so Commodiously Seated for the reception of Shipping that nothing can be more as thus it is Seated at the bottom of the Adriatick Sea or Venetian Gulph upon 72 Islands 5 Miles distant from the main Land and is defended against the rage of the Sea by a Bank of 20 Leagues through which are cut several passages for Boats but no Ships are capable of passing but at Malamecco the mouth of which is guarded with strong Castles and at the Castles of Lio the Sea runs through most of the Streets so that the commerce is held by Boats and Bridges 12000 of the first and 4000 of the last and as for the Inhabitants they are naturally addicted to Merchandise and once made their City the Store-House of the Commodities of India Persia Arabia Egypt and Greece being both Politick and Powerful at Sea so that for those Commodities most European Merchants Traded thither as the Principal Mart of the World but of late the English Dutch and Portugals have found the way to purchase them at the first hand and by that means much impaired the Traffick of that Common-Wealth yet still they have Factories at Aleppo Constantinople and Alexandria and Trade in Silk Spices Drugs c. but the chief Commodities found here are Cloaths of Gold and Silver Wine Oyl Woollen Cloath Paper Anniseeds Agal Looking-Glasses Drinking-Glasses and Quick-Silver for which the English Merchants Trading thither exchange Bays Furs Perpetuanos Lead Tinn Cloves Nutmegs Pepper Ginger Serges Says Woollen Cloath Herring Pilchards Salmond and Newland Fish Indico c. and serves for a Mart to Austria and upper Germany The Weights of Venetia are 4 the first and greatest is called the pound Gross and 100 pound with which they weigh Wool Brass Iron Copper Flesh Fish and other Gross Commodities The second is the Golden Weight in use for weighing Gold Silver Precious Stones and Pearls only and is called the Mark consisting of 8 Ounces and each Ounce of 144 Cariots the third is applyed to the Weight only of Gold and Silver Thread the fourth is the pound Suttle with which are weighed Silks Drugs Spices Cottons Cotton-Yarn viz. by the 100 Weight composed of the Suttle pound 100 pound Gross being of this Suttle pound 158 pound and so on Proportionablely but in Gold and Silver Thread 100 pound Gross is Suttle but 116 pound 8 Ounces the Mark of Gold 8 Ounces and from these our English Traders have derived their Weight commonly called Venice Weight 100 pounds of Venice Suttle make of London Weight 64 pound and Gross 106 pound The Liquid Measures for Wine are the Amphora the Bigonsa the Quart the Sachio and Lyre viz. the Bigonsa 4 of them make the Amphora and each Bigonsa is 4 Quarts and 1 Quart is 4 Sachi each Sachi being 4 Lyras and each Lyra a pound Weight tho in Gross the lesser Measures hold not out as for Oyl it is sold both by Weight and Measure the Weight is called the Staliero and the Measure the Miaro and is 40 Mire which is Gross Weight 120 pound one Mire by
of Zant Zeffalonia and Ithaca together with their Trade Commodities Weights Measures Coyns c. THe Commodities that these Islands principally afford are Honey Wax Oyl Wine Currans being Subject to the Signeory of Venice and hither it is that the English Trade for Currans now being of great use and from whence they yearly bring 3000 Tuns or upward which at first they bought for small matters but the Venetians seeing that Fruit so much coveted began to inquire into the use they were put to the which when they found and thereupon imagined the English could not Subsist without them the better to recover the lost Trade of Venice that State imposed a Tax of 5 Ducats upon every 1000 Weight which is since Augmented notwithstanding the Custom payed in England with this Proviso that the Currans be laden in a Vessel that comes purposely to lade that Commodity but if She Landeth her outward Fraight in Venice or ⅔ part thereof and then goeth to Lade at any of these Islands the Customs then are moderated For the Growth of these Islands the English Merchants Exchange Cloath Perpetuano's Serges Lead Tinn Herrings Newland-Fish and Pilchards tho the greatest Trade is for Spanish Ryals all the other money currant amongst the Islanders being the same with that of Venice The Natives keeping their Accounts as in Venice tho Merchants Strangers often keep theirs in Dollars which are those Ryals of 8 8 and Gassets 80 to the Dollar The Weight is the pound of 12 Ounces 100 of which pounds make the Quintar and agrees with Venice thus the 100 pound Suttle of Venice make but 63 ½ pound of these Islands and the Gross hundred of Venice renders but the common 100 pound Currans are bought by the 1000 which 1000 Weight is reckoned to make 1070 pound English tho of late by the carelesness of the Factors or defraud of the Islanders it is found much less The Measures of Length are the two Braces the long and the short the long is for Woollen and Linnen Cloath and the short for Silks the former being found 27 English Inches and the latter to be 6 in 7 per cent lesser Oyl is sold by a Measure called the Liver and is computed to weigh 13 pound English 10 of which make a Candia Barrel Wine is sold by the Jar 3 ½ of which make the Candia Barrel Corn they sell by the Bechelo 3 of which are accounted the Starro and should weigh 44 pound c. The Customs raised upon the Commodities of these Islands yearly are between 40 and 50000 Chequins of Gold which are the Income of the Signory of Venice The Islands found in the Adriatick Sea are Absertides Cherso Vegea Grissa Leliva Cursola Brassia Lissia and Zara which yield Wine Corn Oyl Cattle and the like but enjoy at this Day little or no Trade except Zara the chief of them And therefore I shall pass them over and enter the Mediterranean to take a View of the Islands Seated therein CHAP. XCV Of the Islands in the Mediterranian Sea and the Trade of the Principal of them IN the Mediterranian Sea are found these Islands viz. Sicilia Malta Corsica Sardinia Majorica and Minorica of the chief of which in order Sicilia is the chief of these Islands computed 700 Miles in circuit Fertilized with many Navigable Rivers and adorned with many fair Cities and is divided in 3 Provinces as Vallis-de-Nota Masara and Mona In this Island is found the Flaming Mount Aetna and Mount Hiblia in which is found great store of Honey but for Brevities sake I shall reduce the Trade of this Island into that of Messina the chief Port thereof which stands opposite to Regio in Calabria the Island being divided from Italy by a narrow Frith or Channel commonly called the Fare of Messina and formerly accounted dangerous for Sailors by Reason of a Rock on the one side and a Sand on the other known by the names of Scylla and Charibdis This City for some Years past has been Garisoned by the French which put a stop to Inland Commerce by Reason that the other Cities were in possession of the Spaniard but since their abandoning it the Trade is again returned many Merchants of note residing there and by Reason of its Commodiousness for the reception of Shipping it has acquired a great Trade so that hither are brought the Commodities of the whole Island as Wines Oyls Wax Honey Saffron Sugars Corral Agates Pumice Corn Cattle Hides Skins Cavear Tuny Fish and the like so that altho Palermo is the chief City and residence of the Spanish Vice-Roy yet this is the chief Scale of Trade The Merchants keep their Accounts in Ounces Tarries and Grains one Ounce making 30 Tarries and 1 Tarry 20 Grains and by the same they account their money viz. one Ounce or 30 Tarries is 5 Florins or Carlins 12 Carlins making the Florin one Tarry is accounted 12 Solds 6 Deniers or one Carline the Carline being 10 Grains or 12 Livers one Grain is 6 Picholis and is 7 ½ Dew money of Siciliano one Pancto is 8 Picholis and the Ducat of Gold is worth 13 Tarries and this money is currant throughout the Island The Weights of Messina are two viz. the Gross Cantar by which they weigh all manner of Gross Commodities the small or Suttle Cantar 10 pound less then the former and is 100 Rotolo's of 30 Ounces or 2 ½ pound Siciliano pounds the former having been found to make 196 in 198 pound English 20 Peso's being accounted the Suttle Cantar and 22 the Gross Cantar The Measure of Length is the Cane divided into 8 Palms or 81 ½ Inches London Measure The Concave Measures are the Salmo and Tomelo 16 of the latter making the former which is accounted 11 ¼ Staio's of Florence Oyl is sold by the Cantar which is 2 ¾ Barrels Florence and hath been found to render in Weight 180 pound English The Custom of this place and of the Island in general is for the most part 9 and 10 per cent upon all Sollid goods but Fish and other Edible Commodities pay 12 per cent and all Commodities of Weight imported whether they are sold or not sold pay 3 per cent at Messina and removing from Ship to Ship pays 3 per cent and sometimes 3 ¼ all Merchandise conveyed out of the Island at the Port of Messina pay 6 ⅓ per cent unless when the fair is and then according to a Custom granted some Commodities pay less then other some as for instance Silk pays but 3 per cent The Islands of Malta Corsica and Sardinia afford store of Oranges Limons Citrons Honey Wax Oyls Figs Rasins Wines Honey Allum Box-Wood Iron Hides Cheese Cattle and the like but are not much Traded too And therefore I shall forbear to describe them further Majorica and Minorica the former 300 Miles in circuit and the latter 250 are Seated in the Mediterranean 9 Miles distant from each other and abound in Corn Oyl Wine Fruits Drugs
money with costs which is a Trick to evade the Statute against Extortion There is likewise a feigned Exchange which is thus the Banker agrees to lend me money upon Bill of exchange payable at Amsterdam yet between our selves it is payable here which if I pay at the time appointed I receive my discharge according to agreement but if I make default then the Banker Writes to his Friend at Amsterdam who sends him a Bill of Exchange for the like Summ owing him here so that I who borrowed the money am obliged to pay the cost of the exchanges and other charges Another Exchange there is called the petty Exchanges as thus to exchange 20 Shilling in Silver for 21 Shillings in Brass or Copper which is the most inconsiderable And thus much for the several sorts of Exchangs CHAP. XCIX Of the Pair in Exchange and the Forms of English Dutch and French Bills of Exchange THe Pair is nothing more then an Equalizing or reducing Coyns of several Kingdoms to an equal value let there be never so much difference in the Pieces c. By which means a Bill may be drawn to pay a just Summ in any place where Exchange is made either by Tale or Weight as from Middleburrough Lisle Rotterdam and Amsterdam For our pound Sterling is returned or exchanged 33 ½ Shillings Flemish which make 10 Guilders at 2 Shillings Sterling each Guilder or 10 Livers Turnois and so in other Countries our Pence according to reckoning and Equality are exchanged The Form of an English Inland Bill Laus Deo in London this 20 of March 1682 For 200 pound Sterling At six Days sight pay this my first Bill of Exchange to Mr. William D. or assigns Two hundred pounds Sterling for the value here Received of Mr. Richard W. Make good payment and put it to Account as by advice To Mr. George L. Merchant d. d. Pma. in Bristol Your loving Friend Samuel G. And so the second and third Bill the first not pay'd and if he that doth under-Write the Bill doth make himself Debtor then he under-Writes And put it to my Account but if he ought to pay it then he Writeth And put it to your Account and sometimes they Write And put it to the Account of such a one meaning him The Form of an Outlandish Bill in English thus Laus Deo in London This 20 of December 1682. For 200 pound at 36 Shillings 8 pence Flemish per pound At Usance pay this my first Bill of Exchange to Mr. Peter Vandrome M. or order 200 pound Sterling at 36 Shillings 8 pence Flemish per pound Sterling for the value here received of Mr. James G. Make good payment and put it to Account as per advice To Mr. Richard L. Merchant d. d. Pma. in Rotterdam Your loving Friend Charles B. And so the second and third at double or treble Usance if the first be not pay'd or if it be so be it that the party to whom it is directed owe the Drawer so much money as is required The Form of a French Bill from Paris A paris Juillet 1682 pour 350 🜄 a 52 pence Sterling p. 🜄 A Double Vsance payez per Caste per Miere de Change a Mons'r Autwaine D Ou a son order trees Centz Escus a Cinquante deux deniers Sterlins pour Escu Valleur recu de Monsieur Francivis G. Passez compt Suivant l' advys de Mounsieur Monsieur Paul B. Merchant 〈◊〉 Londres Vre tres humble Serviteur Frances R. And so the second or third as aforesaid The Form of a Dutch Bill is thus Rotterdam adi 28 November 1682. Voor 200 pound Sterling Op uso betaelt desen myne Ersten Wisselbrief Aen Sr. Jan E. Ost order Hondret pouden Sterliuex Valuta Van Sr. Robert L. Stelt op myn reckoning al 's per advys Ersamen Sr. William G. Coopman tot Pma. London Martin R. If any Bill be negotiated by Exchange or the money taken in and so to be Assigned over to another Man the Assignment must be Written on the back side of the Bill thus Pay the Contents on the other side hereof to Mr. James K. or Assigns for the value received of Mr. William G. London 6 November 1682. Arthur N. and if James K. do likewise Assign the same Bill for his account then it requires to be Written only thus Pay the contents hereof to Mr. Thomas L. And so in effect upon all Bills CHAP. XCX. Several useful observations to be carefully noted in the Management of Bills of Exchange OBserve to note in your Book the Name of the place of aboad of the Person who presents the Bill keep Coppies of the Bills sent to get accepted make the direction of Bills on the inside and all for the Reasons following First by knowing the place of Aboad of him that presented the first Bill he may be the better excused if he except against the second Bill from the same Hand before the first be satisfyed Secondly by taking Copies of Bills sent to get acceptance you may know how Exchanges go in all places and at the same time to know without any great trouble on whom you are to call for your money and what Day Thirdly to make the direction of Bills on the inside will give larger Scope to Write this Assignment on the back side 4ly Every Person who receives a Bill to get it accepted whether for himself or another must tho some hold the contrary present the said Bill in due time that the Person who is to accept it may order his affairs accordingly and not be surprized with the presentation of a Bill just when it becomes due 5ly If a Bill be protested after acceptance it does not clear the party who was faulty in non-payment but renders him lyable to pay the charges and exposes him to an Action at Law to which before he was not lyable nor is the Drawer cleared but obliged to see the Bill satisfyed 6ly Times of payment are according to the distance or Custom of the places where the Bills are drawn were payable as has before been briefly touched as from London to Antwerp Midelborrough Rotterdam Lysle Rouen and Paris at a Months Usance 7ly It is dangerous to draw a Bill payable to the bearer by Reason if a Bill should happen to be lost any Person might bring it for acceptance or payment therefore the safest way is to make it payable to a particular man or his order for otherwise if it should be payed to the wrong party and the Bill received he on whom it is drawn is not lyable to pay it again unless a Fraud be proved 81y A Bill of Exchange is held so Authentick that it requires no witness nor is it requisite that any Person unless the Person that receives it be present at the Writing thereof or that any one be present when the party who accepts it under-writes his name for if any Person either Drawer or Subscriber should deny his Hand it may be easiely
Monarch may be double as Rich as the other viz. If one take the Tenth part of the Peoples Substance to his own dispose and the other Twentyeth nay the Monarch of a poor people may appear more splendid and glorious then that of a Richer which perhaps may be somewhat the case of France as hereafter shall be examined As an Instance and Application of what has been said I conceive that in Ireland wherein is above one hundred thousand people near three hundred thousand Smoaks or Hearths it were more tolerable for the people and more profitable for the King that each head paid two Shillngs-worth of Flax then that each Smoke should pay two Shillings in Silver and yet for these following Reasons 1. Ireland being under-Peopled and Cattle and Land very cheap store of Fish and Fowl the Ground yielding every where excellent Roots and particularly that bread like Root-Potatoes and withal they being able to perform their Husbandry with such Harness and Tackling as each man can make living in such Houses as almost every man can Build and every Houswife being a Spinner and Dyer of Wool and Yarn they can live and Subject after their present Fashions without the use of Gold and Silver money and can supply themselves with necessaries above named without Labouring two Hours per diem Now it has been found by reason of insolvencies arising rather from the uselesness then want of Money amongst these poor People that from 300000 Hearths which should have yielded 30 thousand pounds not much above 15000 thousand pounds of money could be levied whereas it is easily imagined that 4 or 5 People dwelling in that Cottage which has but one Smoke could easily have Planted a ground-Plat of 40 Foot Square with Flax or the 50th part of an Acre for so much ground will bear eighth or Ten Shillings-worth of that Commodity and the rent of so much ground in few places amounts to a Penny nor is there any skill requisite to this Practice wherewith the Country is not already Familiar Now as for a Merchant for the said Flax there is imported into Holland it self over and above what the Country produces as much Flax as is there sold for between eighth Score and 200000 pound And into England and Ireland is imported as much Linnen Cloth made of Flax and there Spent as is worth above half a Million of money as hereafter shall be shewn Wherefore having shewn that Silver money is useless to the poor People of Ireland that half the Hearth-money could scarce be raised by Reason thereof that the People are ⅕ part imployed that the People and Land of Ireland are competently qualifyed for Flax that one Penny-worth of Land will produce Ten Shillings-worth of the same and that there is Market enow and enow for above 100000 pounds-worth I conceive my Proposition sufficiently proved at least to set forward and promote a practice especially since if all the Flax so produced should yield nothing yet there is nothing lost the same time having been worse spent before upon the same Ground the like Tax of two Shillings per head may be raised with the like advantage from the People of England which would amount to Six hundred thousand pounds per Annum to be paid in Flax manufactured into all sorts of Linens Threds Tapes and Laces which we now receive from France Flanders Holland and Germany the value whereof does far exceed the sum last mentioned as has appeared by the examination of Particulars It is observed by Clothiers and others who imploy great numbers of poor people that when Corn is extreamly plentiful the Labour of the Poor is Proportionably dear and Scarce to be had at all So licentious are they who Labour only to Eat or rather to Drink wherefore when so many Acres of Corn as do usually produce sufficient store for the Nation shall produce perhaps double to what is exported or necessary it seems not unreasonable that this common Blessing of God should be imployed to the common good of the People represented by their Sovereign much less that the same should be abused by the vile and brutish part of Mankind to the prejudice of the Common-Wealth and consequently that such Surplusage of Corn should be sent to Publick Store-Houses from thence to be disposed of to the best advantage of the Publick Now if the Corn spent in England at five Shilings per Bushel Wheat and two Shillings six Pence Barley be worth 10,000,000 It follows that in Years in great Plenty when the said Grains are ⅓ part cheaper that a vast advantage might accrue to the Common-Wealth which now is spent in once feeding the People in quantity or quality and so in disposing them to their usual Labour The like may be said of Sugar Tobacco and Pepper which Customs has now made necessary to all sorts of People and with overplanting them has made unreasonably cheap I say it is not absurd that the Publick should be advantaged by this Extraordinary Plenty That an Excise should be laid upon Corn also is not unreasonable not only for this but for other Reasons The way of the present Militia or train-Bands in a Gentle Tax upon the Country because it is only a few Days Labour in the Year of a few in respect of the whole using their own Goods that is their own Armes Now if there be 300,0000 of Males in England there be above 200,000 of them who are between the Age of sixteen and thirty unmarryed Persons and who live by their Labour and Service for of so many the present Militia consists and if 150,000 of these were Armed and trained as Foot and 50000 as Horse the said Force at Land together with 30,000 men at Sea would by Gods ordinary Blessing defend the Nation being an Island against any force in view but the charge of Arming disciplining and rendevouzing all their men twice or thrice a Year would be a very Gentle Tax levied by the People themselves and paid to themselves Moreover if out of the said number ⅓ part were selected of such as are more then ordinary fit for War and exercised and rendevouzed fourteen or fifteen times per Annum the charge thereof being but a fortnights pay in the Year would be also a very Gentle Tax Lastly if out of this last mentioned number ¼ again should be selected making 16,000 Foot and 6000 Horse to be Exercised and rendevouzed forty Days in the Year I say that the charge of all these three Militia's allowing the latter six Weaks pay per Annum would not cost per Annum above 120,000 pounds which I take to be so easie a burthen for so great a Benefit Forasmuch as the present Navy of England requires 36,000 men to man it and for that the English Trade of Shipping requires about 48,000 men to manage it it follows that there ought to be about 48,000 competently qualifyed for these Services for want whereof we see it is a long while before a
sixteen and that of each men can earn double to each of the Children it is plain that if the men and Children every where did do as they do in Norwich they might earn twenty five thousand pound per Annum more then they spend which estimate grounded upon matter of Fact and Experience agrees with the former Altho as has been proved the people of England do thrive and that 't is possible they might Superlucrate twenty five thousand pound per Annum yet 't is manifest they do not nor twenty three which is less by two thousand herein meant for if they did Superlucrate twenty five thousand then in about five or six Years time the whole Stock and Personal Estate of the Nation would be double which I wish were true but find no manner of Reason to believe wherefore if they can Superlucrate twenty five but not actually Superlucrate twenty three nor twenty nor ten nor perhaps five I have then proved what was propounded viz. that there are spare hands among the Kings Subjects to earn two Millions more then they now do But to speak a little more particularly concerning this matter it is to be noted that since the fire of London there was earned in four Years by Tradesmen relating to building only the Summ of four Millions or one Million per Annum without lessening any other sort of Work Labour or Manufacture which was usually done in other four Years before the said occasion but if the Tradesmen relating to Building only and such of them as wrought in and about London could do one Million-worth of Work extraordinary I think that from thence and from what has been said before that all the rest of the spare Hands might very well double the same which is as much as was propounded Now if there were spare Hands to Superlucrate Millions of Millions they signifie nothing unless there were Imployment for them may as well follow their Pleasures and Speculation as Labour to no purpose therefore the more material point is to prove that there is two Millionsw-orth of Work to be done which at the present the Kings Subjects do neglect For the proof of this there needs little more to be done than to compute how much money is paid by the King of Englands Subjects to Forreingers for freight of Shipping 2. The Hollanders gain by their Fishing-Trade Practised upon our Seas 3. What the value of all the commodities imported into and sent into England which might by diligence be produed and Manufactured here to make short of this matter upon perusal of the most authentick accompts relating to these several particulars I affirm that the same amounteth to above five Millions whereof I propounded but two Millions For a further proof whereof Mr. Samuel Fortry in his ingenious discourse of Trade exhibited the particulars wherein it appears that the Goods imported out of France only amount yearly to 2600,000 pounds and I affirm that the Wines Paper Cork Rosin and Capers and a few other Commodities which England can't produce do not amount to one fifth part of the said Summ from whence it follows that if Mr. Fortry has not erred the two Millions here mentioned may arise from France alone and consequently five or six Millions from all the three Heads last above specifyed CHAP. IX That there is money sufficient to drive the Trade of the Nation SInce his Majesties happy Restauration it was thought fit to call iâ— and now Coyn the money which was made it the times of Usurpation Now it was observed by the general consent of Casheers that the said money being by frequent revolutions well mixed with the Gold was about a seventh part thereof and that the said money being called in was about 800,000 pound and consequently the whole 5600,000 pound or five Millions and a half whereby 't is probable that some allowance being given for hoarded money the whole Cash of England was then about six Millions which I conceive is sufficient to drive the Trade of England not but that the rest of his Majesties Dominions have the like means to do the same respective fully If there be six Millions of Souls in England and that each spendeth seven pound per Annum then the whole expence is forty two Millions or about 800,000 pounds per Week and consequently if every man did pay his expence Weekly and that the money could circulate within the compass of a Week then less then one Million could answer the ends proposed But forasmuch as the Rents of the Lands in England which are paid half yearly are eight Millions per Annum there must be four Millions to pay them and forasmuch as the Rent of Housing of England paid quarterly are worth about four Millions per Annum there needs but one Million to pay the said Rent wherefore six Millions being enough to make good the three sorts of Circulation above mentioned I conceive what was proposed is proved at least till something better be held forth to the contrary CHAP. X. That the King of England's Subjects have Stock competent and convenient to drive the Trade of the whole commercial World NOw for the further Incouragement of Trade as we have shewn that there is Money enough in England to manage the affairs thereof so we shall now offer to consideration whether there be not competent and convenient Stock to drive the Trade of the whole commercial World To which purpose it is to be remembred that all the Commodities yearly exported out of every part of the last mentioned World may be bought for forty five Millions and that the Shipping imployed in the same World are not worth above fifteen Millions and consequently that sixty Millions at most will drive the whole Trade abovementioned without any trust at all but forasmuch as the Grovers of Commodities do commonly trust them to such Merchants or Factors as are worth but such a part of the full value of their Commodities as may possibly be lost upon the sail of them which is rather to be expected it follows then less then a Stock of sixty Millions nay then half of the said Summ is sufficient to drive the Trade above mentioned it being well known that any Tradesemen of good Reputation worth five hundred pound will be trusted with above one thousand pounds-worth of Commodities where less then thirty Millions will suffice for the said purpose of which Summ the Coyn Shipping and Stock already in Trade do at least make one half And it has been shewn how by the Policy of a Bank any Summ of money may be made equivalent in Trade unto near the double of the same By all which it seems that even at present much is not wanting to perform what is propounded but suppose twenty thousand or more were wanting it is not improbable that since the generality of Gentlemen and some Noble-men do put their Younger Sons to Merchandise that they will see it reasonable as they increase in the number of Merchants
so to increase the Magnitude of Trade and consequently to increase Stock which may effectually be done by in-banking twenty Mil. worth of Land not being above a sixth or seventh part of the whole Territories of England that is to say by making a Bond of such value to the security for all Commodities bought and sold upon the account of that Universal Trade above mentioned And thus it having appeared that England having in it as much Land like Holland and Zealand as the said two Provinces do themselves contain with abundance of other Land not inconvenient for Trade and that there are spare Hands enough to earn many Millions of money more then they now do and that there are also Imployments to earn several Millions even from the Consumption of England it self it follows from thence and what has been said in the last Paragraph about inlarging of the Stock both of Monies and Lands that it is not impossible may â—very visible matter for the keeping of Englands Subjects to gain the Universal Trade of the whole Commercial World Nor is it unseasonable to imitate this matter forasmuch as the younger Brothers of good Families of England can't otherwise be provided for so as to live according to their Birth and Breeding for if the Lands of England are worth eight Millions per Annum then there be at a Medium about ten Millions Families of about eight hundred pounds per Annum in each of which one with another we may suppose there is a younger Brother who in less then two or three hundred pounds per Annum will not maintain suitable to his Relations Now I say that if neither the Offices at Court nor Commands in our ordinary Army and Navy nor Church-preferments nor the usual gain by the profession of Law and Physick nor the imployments under Noble-men and Prelates will all of them put together furnish Livelyhood of above three hundred pounds per Annum to three thousand of the said one thousand younger Brothers wherefore it remains that Trade alone must supply the rest but if the said seven thousand Gentlemen be applyed to Trade without increasing of Trade or if the hopes to increase Trade without increasing of Stock which for ought appears is only to be done by in-Banking a due proportion of Lands and Money we must necessarily be disappointed where note that selling of Lands to Forraigners for Gold and Silver would inlarge the Stock of the Kingdom Whereas doing the same between one and other does effect nothing for he that turns all his Land into Money disposes himself for Trade and he that parts with his money for Land does the contrary but to sell Land to Forreigners increaseth both money and people and consequently Trade wherefore it is to be thought that when the Laws denying Strangers to purchase and not permiting them to Trade without paying Extraordinary Duties were made that then the Publick State of things and Interest of the Nation were far different from what they now are Having handled these ten Principal Conclusions I might go on with others ad infinitum but what has been said already I look upon as sufficient to shew what I mean by Political Arithmetick and to evince the uses of knowledge of the true State of the Peoples Lands Stock Trade c. Secondly that the Kings Subjects are not in so bad a Condition as discontented men would make them Thirdly to Demonstrate the greatest effects of Unity Industry and Obedience in order to the common Safety and each mans particular Happiness other then which I have now FINIS
the other as currant Coyn he being counted the best man that had most Sculls by him but of late they have in imitation of the Europeans Coyned money both Gold and Silver as the Mass worth about 12 pence Sterling the Tale which is 16 Masses and the Cattee which is 8 Tales or sometimes 7 ½ Tales is Accounted a Cattee and these Coyns are currant throughout the King of Achin's Dominions who is the most Potent Prince in the Island Tho at Jambe Ticko and Priaman the European Coyns are most in use and the Accounts are for the most part kept in Spanish â„ž 8 8 and for their better Conveniency they divide them into 60 Deniers or pence The Weight used in this Island is the Babar tho it varies according to the Custom of the place where it is used but in the English Factories the Babar is found to consist of 200. Cattees each Cattee containing 29 Ounces Averdupois by multiplying which the Babar must contain 360 pound English Sotile Weight The Isle of Borneo stands in this Tract and is crossed by the Equator being near 2200 Miles in circuit and is Fruitful even to a wonder abounding with Spices and other Rich Commodities as Nutmegs Mace Cloves Agrick Sweet-Woods Camphora Diamonds Gold and the Bezoar-Stone as likewise Cattle and Fruits of strange tasts and shapes in abundance and has for it's Metropolis the City Borneo Seated in a Marsh after the nature of Venice from which the Island takes its Name The Isle of Celebs is likewise a fair and Fertile Island lying in the same Tract and divided by the Equator as the 2 former and abounds with the like Rich Commodities and has for its chief Ports Durati Mamaio Tubon Maccasar c. and is divided under many Princes or Petty Kings and is a Factory of the English The Weights used in most Ports are the Ganton Zicoyan and Mass The former being used both for a Weight and a Measure and is in Weight counted 5 pound Averdupois and in Measure 2 Gallons English the Mass Weight is 4 Gantons or 200 pound English a Zicoyan is 20 Masses or 400 pound English and in Measure proportioned by the Ganton The currant Coyns are the Mass Cupan and Tail the Mass is 4 Cupans or 4 Shillings 10 pence Sterling or thereabouts a Tail is 16 Masses and Accounted worth 15 Ryals of eight and is valued at 3 pound 14 Shillings 8 pence or 3 pound 15 Shillings Sterling c. And now I might proceed to describe the other Islands in the Indian Ocean but they being so many that it would be too tedious as likewise to little purpose by Reason they yield nothing but what has been already lay'd down many of them uninhabited and but few of them containing any European Factories or Traded to therefore I shall pass them over they being Accounted besides what I have named no less then 126000. whose small spots bespangle or rather stud the vast Ocean This East Country Trade is now carryed on by the English Dutch and Portugueze to the Inriching of each Nation and of late mightily improved and would be raised to a greater advantage did not one Nation strive to outvie the other by giving the Natives their own Prizes for Commodities of the growth of those Countries and by that means make them sensible of their value of which if they had been at first kept in Ignorance the Europeans might have made their one Markets in each Port where their Factories are setled and for little or nothing brought the Wealth of India into London Amsterdam and Lisbon but passing this Emulation over that cannot be now redressed I shall describe the pleasant Isle of Cyprus so famed for it's stores and Commodious Situation and then leave rich Asia and return to take a view of Europe No less abounding with all things necessary for the pleasure and profit of men CHAP. LIII A View of the Isle of Cyprus the Trade Growth Weights Measures and Currant Coyns thereof CYprus so Famous in History feigned by Poets of old to be the residence of the Goddess Venus is Situate in the Syrian Sea and is a Part of Asia being in length 200 Miles and in breadth 65 abounding in plenty of Cattle Corn Oyl Wine Sugar Cottons Honey Wool Turpentine Allum Verdigrease Grograms Salt and abundance of other Commodities but especially in Cyprus Wood and has for it's chief Cities Paphos Famogusta Nicotia Lescara Salines c. in which the English have a Factory for the Cotton Trade the English Consul Resident in Aleppo being imputed Consul of Syria and Cyprus and hath under him a Vice-Consul that manages the Trade of this Island for the English who bring hither in exchange the Growth of our Country and such other Commodities as are Vendible and most coveted by the Natives Hither it is the Levant Merchants Trade for most part of their precious Commodities As for the Coyns in use they are those of the Grand-Signior and in the same their Accounts are kept for a View of which I shall refer the Reader to the Description of the Trade of Constantinople The Weight most in use is the Dram of which 750 make a Rotolo 100 of which make a Cantar greater by 4 in the 100 then the Cantar of Aleppo and at Famogusta there is a Cantar in use that is greater then the common Cantar of Cyprus by 4 in the 100 and consequently larger then that of Aleppo 8 per cent tho sometimes the Weights vary yet not much The Measures of length are two sorts viz. the Pico and Brace the former is Accounted 26 ½ Inches and by this they Measure Woolen Cloath Silk and the like the Brace for Linnen Cloath is 1 â—6 longer then the Pico Their Concave Measure for Wine is the Cuss 7 of which make 6 Fletchers of Venetia or a Candy Barrel so that a Cuss and half and a Zant Jarre are equal in quantity the Oyl that is found here is sold by the Rotolo each Rotolo being Accounted 1000 Drams Corn of which there is store is sold by the Moose 2 and a half of which weigh one Staio of Venetia by this Measure Salt is likewise sold They have likewise a Measure for Grain called a Cossino And thus much for Cyprus and indeed for all Asia this being the last place I intend to visit in this part of the World and from whence I intend to Sail for Europe only by the way I shall give the Reader an insight into the goodness and as near as possible the true Value of Silver Gold and precious Stones which will not be amiss seeing I so lately left the Coasts where those things which are so generally coveted are acquired CHAP. LIV. A Description of Gold and Silver their Intrinsick Value The means to find out their Fineness and Allays after the best and most exact Method THe Weight used in England for Silver and Gold is the Troy pound consisting of 12 Ounces and each Ounce again