A clear and Evident WAY For enriching the Nations OF ENGLAND AND IRELAND, And for setting very great Numbers of poor on Work.  2 Chron. 9 27. And the King made silver in Jerusalem as stones, and Cedar-trees made be as the Sycamore-trees, that are in the low plains in abundance. 
LONDON, Printed by T. M. & A. C. and are sold by John Saywell at the greyhound in Little-Britain. 1650.   

To the People of England & Ireland; Whether Nobles, Gentry, or Commons.  
Right Honourable, &c.  
FOR these thirty years past, it hath been observed, That those in public Place or Trust have plotted and contrived little, but how to enrich themselves; Whether you look upon Protestant, or Puritan: Most, if not all of both, laying about them like mad, until they could say with Dives; soul, thou hast enough laid up for many years; eat, drink, and take thy rest!  
In all which time, and with the generality of such persons, the public good hath been no further cared for, than the Egyptians did; That they have their Tale of Brick or Taxes: Being not ignorant, that the hard labour in Brick-making, with the want of Straw, had made the Israelites cry, and not without fear that that cry was come up to Heaven.  
Lest that after a getting over the Red-Sea, with the destruction of very many of these taskmasters, these Two Nations should make Indentures in the wilderness for forty years, before they get to Canaan, and only Caleb and Joshua get thither: Knowing that miracles are ceased, this Essay is published for Advance of Trade; having ready another of excellent use for enriching by Land, as this by Sea; which, if this have encouragement, shall follow: Thereby to help You all either a nearer way to the Land of Promise, so much prayed for, and so dear bought; Or to enable You to bear the difficulties and miseries You are like to suffer in the journey. You shall do well to fall close to the business, and set on work what is here laid down: You have old Laws enough to bear you out; and certainly none will hinder your gathering Straw, who will exact and need your Tale of Bricks, if they put you not upon bringing in more: And for your encouragement, Whosoever shall agree in the City of London, or any other part of this Nation, or that of Ireland, to set the business on foot; A way shall clearly be laid down for the Income of Ten per Cent. possibly Twenty, Thirty, or more, which will balance the experience, and so underselling of others; and no more hazard of Principal or Profit, than is in putting money to Use upon good Security. This Edge (it's confessed) must have an Additional Law. By this, you will do that really in way of help to the Poor, that hundreds of thousands loins will bless you, All will be bettered, and you had in everlasting honour. Which is all eyed by him, who desires no longer to breathe, than he shall be ready to show himself  
Your, or the Nation's Humble Servant, I. D.   

SOme years past was presented to his late Majesty a Model of extraordinary importance, honour and profit: which being laid aside (as was conceived) the ensuing was tendered, consisting of several Propositions; gathered from the fruition of those wonderful blessings England's Seas and Land were furnished with; not only to enrich and fill Coffers, but increase such might and strength, as would, being put in execution, make in short time this Nation of so great power, that all the Princes-Neighbours shall be glad of its friendship, and fearful to offend it. Peruse this Advertisement with care and judgement, and you will discern as much.  
By way of introduction consider, 1. The true ground, course and form by which other Countries make themselves powerful & rich in all kinds of all Merchandizing, Manufacture, & fullness of Trade, and yet have no Commodities in their own Country growing to do it withal.  
2. That this Nation itself may improve its native commodities, with other traffic, as well and better, yea to millions of pounds more yearly than now they are; and bring not only to England's Representatives coffers within the space of two or three years millions of pounds, increase the Revenues many thousands yearly, please, and greatly profit the people; But also set at work all sorts of people in the Realm, as other Nations do, who raise their greatness by the abundance of this Nations Commodities, whilst we are parlying and disputing whether it be good for us or not.  

For other Nations▪  
THose who have traveled the United Provinces, have observed those Countries grow potent, and abound in all things to serve themselves & other Nations, where little groweth: raising their estate to such an admirable height, as they are at this day even a wonder to the world▪ Which well weighed, will appear to come from these Seas, and this Land; out of which they drain and still covet to exhaust our wealth and coin, and with our own Commodities weaken us, and finally beat us quite out of Trading in other Countries. Which experience tells, they more fully obtain, by their convenient privileges and settled Constitutions, than England with all the laws and super abundance of homebred Commodities which God hath vouchsafed these Seas & this Land. By these privileges they draw multitudes of Merchants to trade with them, and many other Nations to inhabit amongst them, which makes them populous: They make storehouses of all foreign Commodities▪ wherewith upon every occasion of scarcity and dearth, they are able to furnish foreign Countries with plenty of those Commodities, which before in time of plenty they engrossed, and brought home from the same places: which doth greatly a●g●●●n● Power and Treasure to their State, besides the common good in setting their people and poor on work.  
To these privileges▪ they add smallness of custom and liberty of Trade, which makes them flourish; and their Countries plentiful of all kind of coin and Commodities, and their Merchants so rich, that when a loss cometh they scarce feel it.  
They have also at present many advantages of us: One is by their fashioned ships, called ●●●vers, Hoyb●rks, hoys, and others, that are made to hold 〈◊〉 bulk of Merchandise, and to sail with a few men for profit▪ For example: Though an English-ship of 200 Tuns, and a Holland-ship o● any other of the Petty-States of the same burden, be at Da●●k o● any other place beyond the Seas, or in England; they do serve the Merchant better cheap by 40l. in the 100 in his freight, than we can, by reason he hath but nine or ten Mariners, and we near thirty. Thus he saveth twenty men's meat and wages in a Voyage, and so in all other their ships accordingly to their burden; by which means they are freighted wheresoever they come to great profit, whilst our ships ●e still and decay, or go to Newcastle for Coals.  
Add to this their smallness of custom inwards and outwards, whereof we have daily experience: For if 2 English ships, or 2 of any other Nation be at Bordeaux, both laden with Wines of 300 Tuns apiece, the one bound for Holland or any other Petty-State, the other for England; the Merchant shall pay about 500l. Custom here, and other duties, when the other in Holland or any other Petty-States shall be cleared for less than 50l. and so in all other Wares and merchandises accordingly, which draweth all Nations to traffic with them. And although it seems but small Duties which they receive; yet the multitudes of all kind of Commodities and coin is so great that is brought in by themselves & others, and carried out by themselves and others, that they receive more customs and Duties to the State (by the greatness of their commerce) in one year, than England doth in two; for the hundreth part of Commodities are not spent in Holland, but ven●●d into other Countries; which maketh all the Country, Merchants, to buy and sell, and increase ships and mariners to transport them.  
Notwithstanding their Excises brings them great Re●en●es; yet whosoever will adventure to Bordeaux but for six Tuns of Wines, shall be free of Excise in his own house all the year long. And this is done (of purpose) to animate and increase Merchants in their Country.  
And if it happen that a Trade be stopped by any foreign Nation (which they heretofore usually had) or hear of any good Trading (which they never had) they will hinder others, and seek either by favour, money, or force, to open the gap of traffic for advancement of themselves, and employment of their people.  
And when there is a new Trade or Course erected, they give free Customs inwards and outwards, for the better maintenance of Navigation, and encouragement of the people to that business.  
A little to enlarge upon the following particulars, to prove that thus they and others glean the wealth and strength from us to themselves, and become the Traders of the world.  

1. Merchant-Staplers make all things in abundance, by reason of their Storehouses continually replenished with all kind of Commodities.  
2. The liberty of free-traffic for Strangers to buy and sell in Countries and States, (as if they were freeborn.)  
3. The small Dutles levied upon Merchants.  
4. The fashioned Ships, continually freighted before ours, by reason of their few mariners and great bulk, serving the Merchant cheap.  
5. The forwardness to further all manner of Trading.  
6. The wonderful employment of Busses for fishing, and the great returns made.  
7 The giving free-custom inwards and outwards for any new-erected Trade: by means whereof they have already gotten almost the sole ●●●de into their hands. And this is not in the Netherlands only, but   
All Nations may buy and sell freely in France, and there is free-custom outwards twice or thrice in a year; at which times our Merchants themselves do make their great sales of English commodities, and do buy and lade their great bulk of French commodities to serve for the whole year. In Rochel and in Britain; free custom all the year long (except some small Toll) which maketh great traffic, and maketh them flourish.  
In Denmark, to encourage and enrich their Merchants, and to increase Ships and Mariners, free custom all the year long for their own merchants, (except one month between Bartholomew-tide and Michaelmas.  
The Hance-Towns have likewise advantage of us, and in most things imitate the Hollanders, which maketh them exceeding rich and plentiful of all kinds of Commodities and Coin, and so strong in ships and mariners, that some of their Towns have near 1000 sail of ships.  
The merchandises of France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Turkey, East, and West Indies are transported most by the Hollanders and other Petty-States into the East and North-east Kingdoms of Pomerland, Spruceland, Poland, Denmark, Swe●hen, Leifland, and Germany; and the merchandise brought from the last mentioned Kingdoms (being wonderfully many) are likewise by the Hollanders and other Petty-States transported into the Southern and Western Dominions; and yet the s●ituation of England lieth far better for a store-house to serve the Southern, East, and North-east Regions than they, and hath far better means to do it, if we will bend our course for it.  
No so●●er a Dearth of ●●●●, Wine, or Corn here, or other merchandise, but forth with the Embdeners, Hamburgers and Hollanders, out of their Storehouses lade 50. 100 or more ships, dispersing themselves round about this Kingdom, and carry away great store of coin and wealth for little Commodities, in those times of Dearth: by which means they suck our Commonwealth of their Riches, cut down our Merchants, and decay our Navigation, not with their Natural commodities which groweth in their own Country, but the Merchandises of other Countries and Kingdoms. Therefore it is far more easy for us to serve ourselves, hold up our Merchants, increase our Ships and Mariners, strengthen the kingdom, and not only keep our money in our own Realm, (which other Nations still rob us of) but bring in their who carry ours away, and make the Bank of Coin and Storehouse to serve other Nations as well and far better cheap than they in England.  
Amsterdam is never without 700000. Quarters of Corn, besides the plenty they daily vent, and none of this groweth in their own Country. A dearth in England, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, or other places, is truly observed to enrich Holland seven years after, and likewise the Petty-States.  
For example: The Dearth, Novemb. 1614 the Hamburgers, Embdeners, and Hollanders, out of their Storehouses furnished this Kingdom, and from Southampton, Exeter, and Bristol, only in a year and a half, carried away near Two hundred thousand pounds: which being true, Then what great quantity of coin was transported from all Ports of this Nation? it cannot be esteemed so little as two Millions: to the great decay of this Realm, impovererishing the People, discredit to the Company of Merchants, and dishonour to the Land, that any Nation that have not Corn in their own Country growing, should serve this famous Kingdom which God hath so enabled within itself. And if so much in 1614 five times as much between 1648. and 1649.  
These have a continual Trade into this kingdom with 5 or 600 ships yearly, with merchandises of other Countries and Kingdoms, and store them up, until the prices rise to their minds: And we trade not with 50 ships into their Country in a year; their number are about this Realm every Easterly wind for the most part, to lade Coals and other merchandise. Again.  
Unless there be a Scarcity, Dearth, or High-prices, Merchants do forbear that place, where great Impositions are laid upon the merchandise; And those places slenderly shipped, all served, and at dear rates, and oftentimes in scarcity, and want of employment for the people. And those Petty-States finding truly by experience, that small Duties imposed upon merchandise draweth all traffiique unto them; and free liberty for Strangers to buy and sell, doth make continual Marts: therefore whatever Excises or Impositions are laid upon the common people; yet they still ease, uphold, and maintain the Merchants by all possible means, of purpose to draw the wealth and strength of Christendom to themselves: whereby it appeareth, though the Duties be but small, yet the customs for going out, and coming in, doth so abound, that they increase their Revenues greatly, and make great profit by sea and land, in serving themselves and other Nations: likewise the great Concourse which comes by the same means, enableth the Common-people to bear their burden laid upon them; and yet they grow rich, together with the great commerce and Trade occasioned by their convenient privileges and commodious Constitutions.  
There was an intercourse of traffic in G●●●a, and in that City was the flower of commerce, as appeareth by their ancient Records and sumptuous Buildings; all Nations traded with merchandises to them, and there was the Storehouse of all Italy and other places: But after they had set a great custom of XVI. per Cent. all Nations left trading with them, which made them give themselves wholly ●o Usury; and at this day we have not; ships go thither in a year. On the contrary, the Duke of Florence builded Ligo●●, and set small customs upon merchandise, gave them great and pleasing privileges; which hath made that a rich and strong City, with a flourishing State and Trade.  
Concerning the particular of Fishing, and the greatest in the w●●ld, which is upon the Coast of England, Scotland, and Ireland, the Fishermen living (to our shame) in the Low-Countries and other Petty-States, wherewith they serve themselves and all Christendom.  
In four Towns in the east-kingdoms within the Sound, viz. Quinsborough, Elbing, Statten, and Da●zick, there is carried and 〈◊〉 in a year between 30 & 40000 Lasts of Herrings, sold at 15 or 16 pounds the Last, which is 170000 pounds; in such request are our herrings there, that they are oftentimes sold for 20, 24, 30, and 36 pounds the Last. England sends not one Barrel into all those Countries.  
The Hollanders send into Russia near 1500 Lasts sold at or about 30● the ●●r●el, which amounteth to 27000 pounds. England, about 20 or 30 Lasts.  
To Sto●d, Hamburgh, Breame, and Embden, up the river of Elve, Weazer, and Embes, is carried and vented of Fish and Herrings about 6000 Lasts, sold at about 15 or 16 pounds the Last, which comes to 100000 pounds yearly. England, none.  
Cleveland, Gulickland, and so up the Rhine to Collen, Frankford on the Main, and so over all Germany, is carried and vented of Fish and Herrings 20000 Lasts, sold at 20ls. the Last, which is 440000l. and we none.  
Up the River of Maze, liege, Mastricht, Vendlow, Zu●phen, Deventer, Campen, swelled, and all over Lukeland, is carried and vented of Herrings 7000 Lasts sold at 20ls. the Last, which is 140000. and we none.  
To Gelderland, Artois, Henalt, Brabant, Flanders, up the River of Antwerp, all over the archduke's country, is carried and vented between 8 or 9000 Lasts of of Herrings sold at 18l. the Last, which is 170000l. and we none.  
The Hollanders & others carried of all sorts of Herrings to Roan only in one year, besides all other Ports of France, 5000 Lasts of Herrings, sold at 20ls. the Last, which is 100000l. and we not 100 ●ast thither. They are sold oftentimes there for 20, 24, and 30l. the Last.  
Between Christmas and Lent, the Duties for Fish and Herrings came to 15000 Crowns at Roan, that year the late Queen dec●ased, (Sir Tho. Parry was Agent there then, and St. Savours his man knoweth it to be true, who handled the business for pulling down the Impositions.) Then what great sums of money came to all the Port-towns to enrich the French Kings coffers, and to all the Kings and States throughout Christendom to enrich their coffers? besides the great quantity vented to the Straits, and the multitude spent in the Low-Countries, where there is likewise sold many 100000l. worth yearly. If this stream were turned to the good of this N●tion, to whose seacoasts only God hath sent and given these great blessings and multitude of riches for us to take▪ how happy were it! The hurt, on the contrary, that any Nation should carry out of this realm yearly such great masses of money, for Fish they take on our Seas, many of which sold again by them to us; must needs be great, and as great dishonour to this Nation.  
From any Port Town of any kingdom in Christendom, the B●idge-master or the Wharf-master, fo● 20s. a year, will deliver a ●●e Note of the Number of Lasts of Herrings brought to their wharves, and their Prices commonly sold at. The number brought To Danzig, Collen; Rotterdam, and Enchusen, it will cost 3, 4, or 5l. for a true Note.  
The abundance of corn groweth in the East Kingdoms: but the great storehouses for Grain, to serve Christendom, and the Heathen Countries (in the time of Dearth) is in the Low-Countries, wherewith upon every occasion of scarcity and dearth, they every themselves seven years after, and employ their people, and get great freight for their Ships in other Countries; and we not one in that course.  
The mighty Vineyards, and store of Salt, is in France and Spain: But the great Vintage, and Staple of Salt, is in th●Low-Countries; and they send near 1000 Sail of ships with Salt and Wine only into the east-kingdoms yearly, besides many other places; and we not one in that course.  
The exceeding Groves of Wood are in the east-kingdoms: But the huge Piles of Wainscot, Clapboards, Fir-deale, Masts, and Timber, is in the Low-Countries, where none groweth; wherewith they serve themselves and other parts, and this kingdom with those Commodities. They have 5 or 600 great long Ships continually using that Trade; and we not one in that course.  
The wool, Cloth, Lead, and Tyn, with divers Commodities are in England: But by means of our wool and Cloth going out rough, undressed, and undyed, there is an exceeding manufactury in the Low-Countries, wherewith they serve themselves and other Nations; which advanceth greatly the employment of their people at home, and traffic abroad, and putteth down ours in foreign parts where our merchant's trade unto, with our own Commodities: we dressing and dying it basely; they to that perfection, that they will not fail colour, or be threadbare in seven years wearing.  
We send into the East-Kingdoms yearly but 100 ships; and our Trade chiefly dependeth upon three Towns, Elbing, Kingsborough, and Dantzick, for making our Sales, and buying their Commodities sent into this Realm at dear rates, which this kingdom beareth the burden of.  
The Low-Countries send into the East-Kingdoms yearly about 3000 ships, trading into every City and Port-Town, taking the advantage and vending their Commodities to exceeding profit, buying and lading their ships with plenty of those Commodities which they have from every of those Towns 20ls. per cent. better cheap than we, by reason of the difference of their coin; and their Fish yieldeth ready money: which greatly advanceth their traffique● and decayeth ours.  
They send into France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy, from the East-Kingdoms, (that passeth through the Sound, and through our Narrow-seas) yearly of the East-country Commodities about 2000 ships, and we none in that course.  
They trade into all Cities and Port-Towns in France; We chiefly to five or six.  
They traffic into every City and Port-Town round about this Land, with 5 or 600 ships yearly; And we chiefly but to three Towns in their Country, and but with 40 ships.  
Notwithstanding the Low-Countries have as many Ships and Vessels as all the kingdoms of Christendom have, (let England be one) and build every year near 1000 ships, and not a Timber-tree growing in their own country; also all their homebred commodities that grow in their land in a year, less than 100 good ships are able to carry away at one time: Yet they handle the matter so (for setting them all on work) that their traffic with the Hance-Towns exceedeth in shipping all Christendom.  
We have all things of our own in superabundance to increase traffic, and Timber to build ships, and Commodities of our own to load about 1000 Ships and Vessels at one time, (besides the great Fishing) and as fast as they have made their Voyages might lade, and so year after year▪ all the year long to continue: yet our ships and mariners decline▪ and traffic and Merchants daily decay.  
The main bulk and mass of Herrings, from whence they raise so many Millions yearly, that enricheth other Kingdoms, Kings and States coffers, and likewise their own people, proc●edeth from our Sea and Land; and the Return of the Commodities and Coin they bring home in exchange of Fish and other Commodities, are so huge, as would declare a large Discourse apart: All the amends they make us, is, They beat us out of Trade in all parts with our own Commodities.  
For instance: We had a great Trade in Russia 70 years' ● and about 14 years past, we sent store of goodly ships to trade in those parts, and three years past we set out but four, and this last year two or th●ee. But to the contrary; the Hollanders about 20 years since traded thither with two ships only, yet now they are increased to about thirty or forty, and one of their ships is as great as two of ours; and the same time (in their troubles there) that we decreased, they increased; and the chiefest Commodities they carry thither with them is English Cloth, Herrings taken on our Coast, English Lead and Pewter made of our Tin, besides other Commodities: All which we may do better than they. And although it be a cheap Country, and the Trade very gainful, yet we have almost brought it to nought by disorderly Trading, Joint-stock, and the merchant's bandying themselves one against another.  
We used to have 8 or 9 great ships to go continually a fishing to Wardhouse, and this year but one; and so pro rato they outgo us in all kind of Fishing and Merchandising in all Countries, by reason they spare no cost, nor deny no privileges that may encourage Advancement of Trade and manufactury.  
IF it stand with the good liking of the STATES to take notice of these things conceived to be fit for their consideration, which is tendered unto them out of unfeigned zeal to the Advancement of the general good of all Subjects; it being apparent that no three Kingdoms in Christendom can compare with this for support of traffic, and continual employment of the people within themselves, having so many great means both by sea and land to enrich, multiply the Navy, enlarge traffic, make the Nation powerful, and People rich, who through idleness are poor, wanting employment; many Land and Coast-Towns much ruinated; need of coin; Shipping, traffic, and Mariners decayed; whilst Neighbour-Princes (without these means) abound in wealth, enlarge their Towns, increase their shipping, traffic, and Mariners, and find out such employment for their people, that are all Advantages to their Commonwealth; only by ordaining commodious Constitutions in Merchandizing, and fullness of Trade to all their people in manufactury.  
God hath blessed this Nation with incomparable benefits: As, with Copper, Lead, Iron, tin, Allome, Copperas, Saffron, Fells, and divers other native commodities, to the number of an hundred, and other Manufacturies vendible to the number of a thousand, (as shall appear) besides corn, whereof great quantity of beer is made, and most transported by strangers; as also wool, whereof much is shipped forth unwrought into Cloth or Stuffs, and Cloth transported undyed, which doth employ and maintain near 50000 people in foreign parts, our own people wanting that employment in England, many of them being enforced to live in great want, and seek it beyond the seas.  
Coals, which doth employ near 600 strangers ships yearly to transport them out of this Kingdom, whilst we do not employ twenty ships in that course.  
Iron-Ordinance, which is a Jewel of great value far more than it is accounted, by reason that no other Country could ever attain unto it, although they have assayed it with great charge.  
Timber for building of ships, and Commodities plenty to lade them, which Commodities other Nations want; yet we decline in shipping, traffic, and mariners.   

These inconveniences happen by three causes especially.  

1. The unprofitable Course of Merchandizing.  
2. Want of the true Course of full manufactury of our homebred Commodities.  
3. Undervaluing our coins contrary to the Rules of other Nations.   
For instance: The Merchant-Adventurers by over-trading upon Credit, or with money taken up upon Exchange, whereby they lose usually 10. or 12. and sometimes 15. or 16. per cent. are enforced to make sale of their Clothes at under-rates, to keep their credit; whereby Cloth (being the Jewel of the Land) is undervalued, and the Merchant in short time eaten out.  
The Merchants of Ipswitch, whose Trade for Elbing is chiefly for fine Clothes, and some few sorting Clothes, (all died and dressed within this Land) do for the most part buy their fine Clothes upon Time, and by reason they go so much upon Credit, they are enforced (not being able to stand upon their Markets) to sell, giving 15 or 18 months' day of payment for their Clothes; and having sold them, they then presently sell their Bills (so taken for Cloth) allowing after the rate of 14 or 15▪ and sometimes 20 per cent. which money they employ forthwith in Wares at excessive prices, and lose as much more that way, by that time their Wares be sold at home. Thus by overrunning themselves upon Credit, they disable themselves and others, inhancing the price of foreign Commodities, and pulling down the Rates of their own.  
The West-Country Merchants that trade with Clothes into France or Spain, do usually employ their Servants, Young▪ men of small experience, (and doth not London so likewise?) who by cunning combining of the French and Spanish Merchants are so entrapped, that when all customs and Charges be accounted, their Masters shall hardly receive their principal-money. As for Returns out of France, their silver and gold is so high-rated, that our Merchants cannot bring it home, but to great loss. Therefore the French Merchants set higher Rates of their Commodities, which we must either buy dear, or let our money lie dead there a long time, until we may conveniently employ the same.  
The Northern Merchants of York, Hull, and Newcastle, trade only in White-Kersies and Coloured-Dozens; and every Merchant (be his Adventure never so small) doth for the most part send over an unexperienced Youth, unfit for Mechandising; which bringeth to the Stranger great advantage, but to his Master and commonweal great hindrance. For they, before their goods be landed, go to the Stranger, and buy such quantities of Iron, Flax, Corn, and other Commodities as they are bound to lade their ships withal, which ships they engage themselves to relade within three weeks or a month, and do give the price the Merchant-stranger asketh, because he giveth them Credit, and lets them ship away their Iron, Flax, and other Commodities, before they have sold their kerseys and other Clothes; by which means extraordinary dear Commodities are returned into the Realm, and the Servant also enforced to sell his Clothes underfoot, and oftentimes to loss, to keep his Credit, and to make payment for the goods before shipped home, having some 20 days or a month's respite to sell the Clothes and to give the Merchant satisfaction for his Iron, Flax, and other Wares; by which extremities our homebred Commodities are abased.   

Touching manufactury.  
THere hath been about 80000 undressed and undyed clothes yearly transported. Which in 55 years, is near 20 Millions that would have been gained by the labour of poor workmen in that time, with the merchant's gains for bringing in dying stuffs and return of clothes dressed and died▪ with other benefits to the Realm; besides exceeding in larging of traffic, and increase of Ships and Mariners.  
There would have been gained in that time about three Millions by increase of custom upon Commodities returned for Clothes dressed and died, and for dying stuffs, which would have more plentifully been brought in and used for the same.  
There hath been also transported in that time yearly by Bayze, five Northern and Devonshire kerseys white, about▪ 50000 Clothes, accounting three kerseys to a Cloth, whereby hath been lost about five Millions by these sort of Clothes in that time, which would have come to poor workmen for their labour, with the custom of dying stuffs, and the people's profit for bringing them in, with returns of other Commodities.  
Bayze are transported white unto Amsterdam, and being there dressed and died are shipped into Spain, Portugal, and other kingdoms, where they are sold in the name of Flemish Bayze, setting their own town-seal upon them: so that we lose the very name of our homebred Commodities, and other Countries get the reputation and profit thereof. Lamentable it is, that this Land should be deprived of so many aforementioned Millions, and that our Native Commodities of Cloth (ordained of God for the natural subjects, being so royal and rich in itself) should be driven to so small advantage of reputation and profit to the people, and so much improved and intercepted by strangers, considering that God hath enabled & given this Nation more conveniency to advance dressing, dying, and transporting of all clothes.  
All the Companies of the Land transport clothes dressed and died to the good of the kingdom (except the Merchant-Adventurers) whereby, the Easterland and Turkey merchants with other Companies do increase customs by bringing in and spending Dyeingstuffs, and setting people on work by dressing and dying afore they transport them; and they might increase far more custom to, and make much more profit to themselves and this Realm, and set many thousands of poor people more on work (for dressing and dying) and likewise employ more ships and Mariners for bringing in dying stuffs, were it not for the Merchant-Adventurers who transport their clothes white, rough, undressed, and undyed into the Low-Countries, where they sell them to the strangers, who afterwards dress, die, and stretch them to such unreasonable lengths (contrary to our Law) that they prevent and forestall our Markets, and cross the just prohibition of our State and Realm by their Agents and Factors lying in divers places with our own clothes: to the great decay of this Nation in general, and discredit of our clothes in particular.  
If the account were truly known, it would be found that they make not clear profit (only by Cloth undyed) 60000 l. a year. But it is most apparent in customs, the Merchants in their sales, and prizes; Subjects, in their labours for lack of not dressing; ships and Mariners in not bringing in of Dying stuffs, and spending of Allome, is hindered yearly a million of pounds. So that trade is driven to the great hindrance of the people, by putting native Commodities to pass rough, undressed and undyed by the Merchant-Adventurers.   

Touching Fishing.  
THe great sea-business of Fishing doth employ near 20000 ships and vessels, and 400000 people are employed yearly upon the Coasts of England, Scotland and Ireland, with 60 ships of war, which may prove dangerous.  
The Hollanders only have about 3000 ships to fish withal, and 50000 people are employed yearly upon the Coasts of England, Scotland and Ireland.  
These 3000 fishing-ships and Vessels of the Hollanders, doth employ near 9000 other ships and vessels, and 150000 persons more by Sea and Land, to make provision to dress and transport the fish they take, and return Commodities; whereby they are enabled, and do build yearly 1000 ships and vessels, having not one timber tree growing in their own Country, nor homebred Commodities to lade 100 ships, and yet they have 20000 ships and vessels, and all employed.  
King Henry the seventh, desirous to make his kingdom's powerful and rich by increase of ships and Mariners, and employment of his people, sent unto his Sea-coast Towns, moving them to set up the great and rich Fishing, with promise to give them needful privileges, and to furnish them with Loans of money (if need were) to encourage them; yet his people were slack. Having traced this business, and made known to this State, the merchants and others, it will do well, the able and well-affected set down under their hands for more assurance and promise, to disburse sums of money for building this great and rich large Sea-City, which will increase more strength to the Land, give more comfort and do more good to all Cities and Towns, than all the Companies of the kingdom, having fit and needful privileges for the upholding and strengthening of so weighty and behoveful a business.  
For example, twenty Busses built and put into a Sea-coast Town where there is not one ship before; there must be to carry, recarry, transport and make provision for one buss, 3 ships: likewise every ship setteth on work 30 several Trades and occupations, and 400 persons by Sea and Land, insomuch as 300 persons are not able to make one fleet of Nets in 4 months for one buss, which is no small employment.  
Thus by 20 Busses are set on work near 8000 persons by sea and land, and an increase of above 1000 mariners, and a fleet of 80 sail of ships to belong to one Town, where none were before; to take the wealth of the Sea, to enrich and strengthen the Land, only by the raising of 20 Busses.  
Then what good a thousand or two will do, I leave it to consideration.  
It is worthy to be noted how necessary Fishermen are to the commonwealth, and how needful to be advanced and cherished, viz.  

1. For taking God's blessing out of the Sea, to enrich the Realm, which otherwise we lose.  
2. For setting the people on work.  
3. For making cheapness and plenty in the Realm.  
4. For increasing of shipping to make the Land powerful.  
5. For a continual nursery for breeding and increasing of Mariners.  
6. For making employment of all sorts of people, as blind, lame, and others, by Sea and Land, for 10, or 12 years upwards.  
7. For increase of custom upon Merchandises returned from other Countries for Fish and Herrings.  
8 For increase and enabling of Merchants, which now droop and daily decay.    

Touching the coin.  
FOr the most part all Free-states (both Heathen and Christian) as Turkey, Barbary, France, Poland, and others do hold for a rule of never failing profit, to keep their coin at higher rates within their own Territories, than it is in other Kingdoms. 

The Causes.  
1. To preserve the coin.  
2. To bring unto themselves that of foreign Princes.  
3. To enforce Merchant strangers to take their Commodities at high rates, which this Nation beareth the burden of.    

For Instance.  
The King of Barbary perceiving the trade of Christian Merchants to increase in his Kingdom, and that the returns out of his Kingdom was most in gold, whereby it was much enhanced, raised his ducat (being then current for three ounces) to 4. 5. and 6. ounces; Nevertherlesse it was no more in England, being so raised, than when it went for three ounces.  
This ducat current for three ounces in Barbary, was then worth in England 7s. 6d. and no more, being raised to vi. ounces, since which, adding to it a small piece of gold, he hath raised it to 8. and lastly to 10 ounces, yet at this day it is worth but xs. and one penny, notwithstanding the raising gold in England.  
Having thus raised his Gold, he then devised to have plenty of silver brought into his Kingdom, raised the Royal of 8. being but 2 ounces currant, to 3. and 3. and ●. which caused great plenty of silver to be brought in, and to continue in his Kingdom.   

IN FRANCE.  
The English Jacobus goeth for 23s. in Merchandizing.  
The French Crown for 7s. 6d. Also silver is raised 4. Souse in the Crown.   

NORTH-HOLLAND.  
The double Jacobus goeth for 23s. sterling.  
The English Shilling is there 11 stivers, which is two shillings over in the pound.   

POLAND.  
The King of Poland raised his Hungary ducat from 56 to 77. and ½. Polish groshes; and the Rich-dollar from 36 to 47. and ½. groshes: the Rich-dollar worth in Poland 47. and ½. groshes, is by account valued at 6s. 4d. sterling, and here in England is worth but 4s. 6d. The Hungary Ducket is worth by account in Poland 10s. 4d. and in England is worth but 7s. 10d. The Jacobus of England here current for 22s. in Poland 24s. at the rate of 7s. 10d. for the Hungary Ducket.    

Now to turn the stream of Riches raised by native Commodities, into the natural Channel from whence it hath been a long time diverted; Consider these points following.  

1. Whether it be not fit, a State-Merchant be settled in these Lands; which may both dispose more profitably of the riches thereof, and encounter policies of Merchant-strangers, who now go beyond us in all kind of profitable Merchandising.  
2. Whether it be not necessary that the Commodities should receive their full manufactury in these dominions.  
3. Whether it be not necessary the great Sea business of fishing, be forthwith set forward.  
4. Whether it be not fit the Coals should yield us a better value, by permitting them to pass out of England, and that they be in English shipping only transported.  
5. Whether it be not fit, presently to raise coin to as high a rate as it is in the parts beyond the Seas.   
If these Considerations be approved, than is it necessary to put them in a right Course of execution; and (by God's help) in short time customs will be exceedingly increased, Ships and Mariners trebled, Land-waste-Towns (now run out of gates) better replenished, and People employed, to the great enriching and honour of the Nation, (with the applause) and to the comfort of all loyal Subjects.  
THis pains is the rather undergone, because the Hollanders have been heard profess, They hoped to get the whole Trade of Christendom into their hands, not only for Transportation, but also the Command of the Seas. To which end they do daily increase their traffic, augment their Shipping, multiply thei● Mariners, strength and wealth in all kinds. Whereat there is the more cause of grief, when we consider how God hath afforded more to this Nation than any three Kingdoms in Christendom, with divers varieties of homebred Commodities, which others have not, and cannot want; besides sundry other means to continue and maintain our Trade of Merchandising and Fishing above them all; whereby we might prevent the Deceivers, engross the Commodities of the Ingrossers, enrich ourselves, and increase our Navigation, Shipping▪ and Mariners: so as it would make all Nations to veil the Bonnet to England, if we would not be still wanting to ourselves in employment of our people.  
Which people being now divided into Three parts, two parts of them are mere Spenders, and Consumers of a Commonwealth. Therefore, this done, You  

1. Allure and encourage the people (for their private gains) to be all Workers, and Erectors of a Commonwealth.  
2. every and fill the Coffers of the STATE by a continual coming in; and make the people wealthy by means of their great and profitable Trading and employment.  
3. Vent our homebred Commodities to far more reputation, and much more custom, and benefit to the Merchant and the Nation.  
4. Return the Merchandises of other Countries at far cheaper rates than now they are, to the great good of the Realm in general.  
5. Make the Land powerful, by increasing and multiplying of Ships, Mariners, and People.  
6. Make the people's Taking in general much more every day then now they are, which (by God's help) will grow continually more and more by the great Concourse and commerce that will come by settled Constitutions and convenient privileges, as in other parts they do, by this their great freedom of Trade.   
If this and much more be done in other Countries (where nothing groweth) than how much might we make, where so great abundance and variety of homebred Commodities and rich Materials groweth for the people to work upon, and plentiful means to do it withal, which other Nations have not, nor cannot want, but of necessity must be furnished from hence? And now whereas our Merchandising is wild, utterly confused and out of frame, (as at large appeareth) a State-Merchant will roundly and effectually bring all the premises to pass, fill the Havens with Ships, those Ships with Mariners, the Nation full of Merchants, their Houses full of Outlandish Commodities, and the STATES Coffers full of coin, (as in other parts they do) And the people shall have just cause to hold in happy memory the Beginners of so profitable, praiseworthy, and renowned a work: This, (with other that might be added) being the true philosopher's stone, to make a rich and potent State, and a happy people, only by settling as before; whereby the people may have fullness of Trade and Manufacture, and the Government made both honourable and profitable.  
There's but one Objection against this noble and gallant Enterprise; which is,— They who shall adventure as a State-Merchant, must expect to lose for divers years, as in all new Beginnings of Trade men do. The answer is, That the Publisher of this will undertake to lay down a way how to bring in 10. 15. or 20. in the Hundred profit, from the first, as evidently as a man shall expect 8 percent. upon good Security.   
FINIS.