THE TREASURE OF traffic OR A DISCOURSE OF foreign TRADE. Wherein is showed the benefit and commodity arising to a commonwealth or kingdom, by the skilful Merchant, and by a well ordered Commerce and regular traffic.  
Dedicated to the High Court of parliament now assembled.  
BY jews ROBERTS, Merchant, and captain of the City of LONDON.  
LONDON, Printed by E. P. for Nicholas Bourne, and are to be sold at his Shop at the South Entrance of the royal Exchange. 1641.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORDS and COMMONS IN THE High Court of parliament now assembled.  
PArdon me Right Honourable, if amongst your other more serious present affairs, I presume to dedicate to your acceptance and perusal this short discourse of foreign traffic: It hath ever been accounted a branch of England's royal Stem, and a commodity, that for many years, hath brought a wonderful Revenue to England's Diadem; It now presseth to your presence as an aggrieved weight, laden with many setters, imposed thereon by the covetousness of some, and by the Envyers of our prosperous traffic, yet seeing that like religious Pilots you guide the helm of our kingdom with your hand, whilst your eyes are fixed on heaven, taking from thence the conduct of your earthly directions, it hopes by that your good and gracious aspect to be now freed from them all, and flourish again in its fi●st lustre. It is now about forty years since it began to be engrafted in our English climate, and ever since found our soil proper for i●s further growth, but if it find not your honour's favourable protection and future cherishing, a few years more may see it withr●d and reduced to its first nothing, I dare not undertake in this discourse to demonstrate the burdens that cloggeth it in this kingdom, the several Societies of incorporated Merchants of the city of London being called before you, will best particularize the same, only I have laboured to show, what may best gain it in those parts of this kingdom where it is wanting, and augment that portion thereof in those places where it is settled already. Let not then, Right honourable, so excellent a gem, and so hitherto profitable and eminent a revenue, for want of a little of your help, die in your days, nor yet perish in our age, but release it from those subtle Gives, that cunningly have been intruded upon its liberties, and goes about to kill the root thereof, decking it once again as primarily, with some of those lasting & beautiful immunities that can and may make it live longer, and spread itself much fairer, that the times to come may deservedly attribute to your names and memory that splendour & glory it shall obtain by your benignity, so shall the King, our gracious Soveraig●e, have just cause to commend your care for your preserving to himself and kingdom, this so noble a Royalty, your Honours be justly applauded for employing your industrious hands and heads in pruning, and lopping the disordered branches of so excellent a graft, and the Merchants of this kingdom that have hitherto sown in Expectation, live in hope to reap a fruitful crop of their foreign adventures, and heartily pray for the good success of all your other weighty affairs, and amongst the rest, so shall ever ascend the devout Orisons of  
Your Humble Servant L. R. Merchant of London.   

To The READER.  
COurteous Readers, It is needless for me here to tell you, how good a common wealth's man a Regular merchant is, nor yet trouble you in relating the several benefits accr●●ing to a kingdom, by his adventurous pains and industry, this short discourse, though unpolished, if well considered, will I hope sufficiently speak the one, and questionless make good the other. My well-wishes to our Countries present Commerce, and the enlargement thereof, the great need in the encouragement to the one, and the insensible ruin and decay of the latter, was herein, and still is my greatest hope and object: I have lately discerned that our industrious Neighbours were ready at a dear rate to purchase that treasure by traffic, which we ourselves, by means of the enuiers' of our country's foreign Trade, were ready to yield them gratis, and as it were unsought, and for nothing; yet if it may be rightly said, as undoubtedly it may be accounted, that England's trade, is England's treasure, why should our gracious King and his people lose that so excellent a profit in a moment, which cost his Merchants so many years to compass, and so many hazards and charges to obtain and settle, a few privileges, and a little protect on, a fair aspect, and a gentle encouragement, from both these honourable assemblies, will quickly settle this kingdom's traffic, and not only preserve it in its present splendour, but also easily augment and enlarge it, w●i●h will add a wonderful honour to our sovereign's Name, throughout the World, and an eminent commodity and profit to the subjects of all his Dominions, which every true subject I think doth earnestly wish for, and every honest Merchant doth truly pray for, as doth unfeignedly,  
jews Roberts, Merchant, and captain of the City of LONDON.   

THE TREASURE OF traffic.  
THat we are not borne for ourselves, is a saying no less ancient, then true: the heathens as well as the Christians have held it a rule worthy to be practised, 
No Man is born for himself, but for his country.  and every good man, of what quality and profession soever, that will give evidence to the world of his fair intentions, for the benefit, either of the public or private, are daily seen to follow and observe it.  
The religious Divine, that with much labour and long study, having learned himself the ways of godliness, is daily noted to take care and pains, to instruct others therein: the valiant sould●er that wears his sword to d●fend himself, yet is ever ready to draw the same in defence of his country; the skilful Lawyer, that hath learned by the laws to make good his own interest and right, is ever also ready to right the title of others▪ and the judicious Merchant, whose labour is to profit himself, yet in all his actio●●, doth there with benefit his King, country, and fellow Subjects.  
Politicians that have written of State Government, 
● Three ways whereby a kingdom is enriched.  have observed three principal means, whereby a kingdom may be enriched, the first whereof is by arms and conquest, but this way must be confessed to be, both chargeable, bloody, & hazardable. The second is, by planting of colonies, building of well situated towns, and the like, and this is also accounted uncertain, chargeable and tedious. But the third and last is by traffic, and foreign trade, which is held the most certain, easiest, and soonest way; money and time must be consumed to effect the two former; but immunities, privileges, and liberties to the Merchant, will not only assure, but perfect the latter.  
In the management of these, 
The artsman is still the b●st couns●llor in his ow● prof●ssi●n.  there is required an orderly proceeding, and Salomon's counsel is the safest, that his advice is still to be taken, who is best versed in the way that is prescribed; when our salvation is doubted, we apply ourselves to the learne● Divine; when our country is invaded, the soldier is the best director: when laws are to be instituted, the lawyer proves the best counsellor: so when a country is properly seated for traffik, and the sovereign willing, by foreign Commerce to enrich his kingdom, the merchant's advice is questionless best able to propagate the same.  
To enrich a kingdom is a work of great excellency, 
parent's labour to enrich their posterity  and fittest the study of the sovereign, and where many things may concur to eff●ct it, that only is to be chosen▪ which is most facile, and least troublesome. Many men plant trees, though they are sure never to see the fruit thereof, & thus the child oft-times enjoys his predecessors labours. King Henry the eight did enjoy the benefit of Henry the seventh, and other his Fathers and Predecessors prohibition of the exportation of our English wool, and the settling of clothing here, and the drawing of Flemings hither, to make our manufacturies in England, and this turned him and his kingdom to more profit than the suppression of so many religious houses, and the annexion of so many old rents to his Crown. Edward the sixth, 
Edward the sixth, his Staple of Trade.  though in his infancy, yet saw how those haunse-townes flourished, where his English Staples were settled, and had he gone forward with his design, of set●ling the same in England, in apt and sit towns, for traffic, as he once intended, doubtless it had been the most politic and surest way to enrich his country, as ever had been put in practice since the conquest, and his successors should have seen the fruits thereof, in the opulency of their Towns, the riches of their country, and abundance of shipping, as now Holand doth witness unto us.  
The consideration of this, 
The scope of this discourse for the benefit of England, and their traffic.  and my wel-wishes to the enlarging and benefitting of my country by traffic, and for the advancement of the Merchants thereof, hath drawn me in this short Treatise to set down in a brief manner, the commodities, that do arise to a commonwealth, by skilful Merchants and by a well ordered and regular trade, and Commerce, therewithal showing, how this Commerce may be facilitated, and how disturbed, how advanced, and how ruined, and how by the good government thereof, it may prove both profitable and honourable to a country, and how by the ill management and irregular courses thereof, it may be both prejudicial and dishonourable.  
Statists have noted, 
No one way more conducible to enrich a country, than is foreign traffic.  that the Arts and Sciences are very many, that are commodious and beneficial to a commonwealth, and which consequently beget abundance, wealth, and plenty, not only to the Prince in his own particular, but also to his people and country in the general, but yet amongst all others they confess none is more conducible thereto, than traffic and commerce especially when the same is gov●rned and managed, both by well ordered ru●es, and by regulate and skilful Merchants; and to the end, that the youth of this kingdom, may be encouraged to undertake this profession▪ the painful Merchant cherished in the prosecution thereof, and the Prince induced to give them imunities and protection: the particular commodities and benefits, and commodities that arise by traffic, shall be here demonstrated, and if by my discourse the same shall be sound really such, as by me and others it is conceiv●d and here alleged; the same may in the future be the more furthered and protected, and being found otherwise, it may as in reason it ought, be both discountenanced and suppressed.  
Now the abundance, 
The riches consist in 3 thing●.  plenty, and riches of an estate or nation, may be said, principally to consist in three things.  

1. In natural commodities or wares.  
2. In art●ficial commodities or wares.  
3. In the profitable use and distribution, of both by Commerce and traffic.   
Under the title of natural commodities, 
natural commodities or war●s, What.  may be comprehended, such wares as are used in way of merchandizing▪ & are such as either the earth doth naturally & originally afford, or such as by the labour of the land is brought forth, and these I account the natural riches, that bring plenty to a kingdom or Country.  
Now the earth in itself may be said, 
N●turall commodi●ie● o● 2, sorts.  to produce two several sorts of natural commodities, thence drawn from the very entrails thereof, such as is gold silver, copper, lead, and the like. The second are wares growing on the face thereof, such as are fruits, trees, grain, &c. and both these I term natural commodities, as produced either by the benefit of the Climate, soil, or temperature of the earth, where the same are taken up, planted or found growing, and do become thus to enrich a country, as a man would say, of themselves; but yet by the means of Commerce and traffic, 
How they inri●h a Countr●y.  contributing thus naturally to the benefit and use of the inhabitant, and to the furtherance of universal commerce; those things whose plenty (otherwise without traffic, and transport to other countries, where such is wanting) would prove altogether fruitless, unnecessary, and peradventure prejudicial unto the owners and possessors, and this hath been manifested in some parts of those rich kingdoms of India, some years past, by their great quantity of spices, drugs, and lemmes, which, not by the Commodity of traffic, carried thence away, exported and vented into other parts, and to remoter Countries: 
natural Commodities are p●ejudiciall to a country, without the help● of Traffik●.  these excellencies which nature herein afforded them, would be prejudicial to them, and their ground over-laid with sundry (though otherwise) excellent trees, and exquisite Minerals, whose fruit or worth would thus not be requested nor sought after, neither by their neighbours, nor yet by foreign Nations, where the same are wanting, and which would consequently no way benefit a country, nor yet by Commerce and commutation, supply them with those things in lieu thereof, that they in their necessities stand more in need of.  
Again, 
The benefits of the Earth neglected by▪ wh●m, and how.  the earth, though notwithstanding it yieldeth thus naturally the richest and most precious commodities of all others, and is properly the fountain and mother of all the riches and abundance of the world, partly as is said before, bred within its bowels, and partly nourished upon the surface thereof, yet is it observable, and found true by daily experience in many countries, that the true search and inquisition thereof, in these our days, is by many too much neglected and omitted, which indeed proceedeth from a liberty that every man hath to do, with that his own part thereof, which he possesseth what he pleaseth, proposing commonly to himself, a care to find out that which will be most profitable to him for the present time, and because the rich and great of this world, and those that possess the greatest part thereof, are seldom or never seen to reside upon their whole estate, nor yet found to husband their own good, farther in this point (either by their servants or themselves) then by a present benefit and quickest profit, their farmers and tenants are oftenest observed to occupy the same; who like gleaners, suck and draw thence the present profit and daily benefit thereof, 
The Farmers eat the marrow of the earth, to the prejudice of the owners.  eating up the heart, and marrow of the same, with greedy art, and continual labour, not minding, or indeed not regarding the future interest and good of the possessor: & on the other side, where we find the owners themselves to reside upon their own, yet 'tis observable, that some of them through Ignorance, some by negligence, and too too many by bad husbandry, content themselves with the yearly rents thereof, or at most with the Revenues, that their predecessors drew therefrom before them; as being loath to take the pains, either by industry, improvement or care, to increase those their demesnes and estates, either by planting, cleansing, or manuring a waste or barren piece of ground, or by draining a marshy bog, or the like, and thus to enrich themselves by a fair advancement of their own: which in some foreign countries, hath of late days taken such effect, partly by good orders, but especially by example, that Princes themselves, and States have thought it a work worthy their own pains, 
Sundry Princes have stu●ied the a●vanc●ment of their estates.  and study, as the late labours of the State of Venice in Polisona de Rovigio, of the Duke of Toscany, about Leghorne: Pisa and Creso, of the Duke of Ferrara in the Valley of Comachio, of the States of Holand, in sundry and diverse parts of the Low-countries countries do manifestly witness, which hath wrought such good effect, that they have thereby much benefitted themselves and subjects, and by this means, have quickened the diligence of the industrious, and punished the negligence of the slothful, 
No commodity can enrich a country, without the help of traffic.  yet notwithstanding all the laborious hand, and pains of man, to plant, sow, or bring things growing in, or upon the earth, to their perfection; the excellent temperature of soil or Climate, to bring forth either gems, Spice, drugs, or grains, naturally produced from it, and whatsoever else the bounty and goodness of the Earth can naturally, or by labour yield or afford to mankind; yet it must be here concluded, that all this would, neither in itself, enrich the inhabitants, nor yet bring abundance to a kingdom or estate without the benefit of Commerce, and traffic, which distributeth the same into foreign parts, and by commutation with foreign Nations, convert this natural b●nefit of the Country, to the common benefit and plenty of those that are found to possess, inhabit, and abide thereupon.  
The second thing which I observed, 
The artificial wares and commodit●es of a country, what.  that did enrich a kingdom, is by artificial commodities and wares, and these by a general title, I may call the manufactories of all commodities.  
In which two principal things are considerable, 
2 Considerable points therein.  conducing to universal traffic, 
1 The number of workmen.  and to the benefit of a kingdom.  
First the number of the workmen, 
2 Their abilities.  or Arts-masters, and this in the first place affords the abundance of the things wrought: and secondly their sufficiency, ability, and skilfulness, and this is it that gives the true credit to the fabrik●s and work it ●elfe, and to the merchandizes so wrought and perfected.  
Now the over great ●umber of workmen in all manufactories, 
Many unskilful Arts-men, is hurtful to traffic.  would of itself be not only improfitable to commerce, but also hurtful, if they were not also as good, skilful, and as cunning in their Art and mystery, therefore to the end, not only to make them such, but als● to keep them so, and multiply them. We ●ee in many Countries, many societies and public houses, erected for all sorts of manufactors, wherein some the poor and needy are instructed, the skilful and good are cherished, encouraged, and rewarded, and in other the lazy and sluggish punished and employed.  

The excellent industry of the Germans, to set men ●n work.  The Germans in this point, I think excel all other nations, who willingly admi● of all skilful Arts-men, into their societies and corporations, though otherwise strangers unto them, and of what nation and mystery so ever, encouraging them by large allowances and salar●es, to practise with them, and teach and instruct the●r fellow Townsmen. And if otherwise ignorant, yet are they then admitted to learn and practise what they see, by which cours● it is o●served, that some of their Cit●es and especially their haunse. 
The fruits thereof.  towns, flourish in all wealth, and are abounding in all riches, though otherwise peradventu●e, deprived of all natural commoditi●s, and furthera●ces of trade whatsoever. and to this end, was first granted and erected, 
The original of the Halls in London.  the Companies, brotherhoods, Halls, and societies of these mysteries, in the City of London, many of which were at first founded with large immunities, and great privileges, to be encouragements to the said manufactories, and to set the poor of those societies a work, and the better to cherish these mysteries and Arts, 
Many ●rinces have been fre● of Halls in London.  Many of our Princes have caused their names to be registered, in their soc●eties and Corporations, for honour and in●ouragement to their Halls and brotherhoods: and yet when all this is done, it must b● granted, that neither the multitude of good able and skilful workmen, 
artificial commoditi●s enrich not a kingdom, without the help of traffic.  nor yet the great quantity of real and substantial manufactories, made and abounding in a kingdom, can of itself either fully and throughly enrich or bring plenty to a place, without the help of Commerce, which is the arm and hand that must distribu●e, and send abroad both that store & quantity of artificial commodities so wrought, and must export, and vent it into foreign parts, as being otherwise a superfluity and overplus, and more indeed than the Country itself standeth in need of; and in lieu thereof, importeth and bringeth in by commutation and exchange, those things, and such as the place itself standeth in want of, and is thereby seen to be only and properly enriched, for the workmen by this means become to be encouraged, and the manufactories to be preserved, in their real and substantial goodness, worth, and value, to the honour of the kingdom, benefit of the inhabitants, & to the furtherance & enlargement of the general Commerce and Traffik thereof.  

traffic is only able to enrich a Country, which of itself is barren.  These two points thus considered and granted, and that neither the natural commodities of a country, be they ne'er so rich or precious, nor yet the ar●ificiall commodities of a kingdom, be they never so many or excellent, can of themselves, without the assistance of traffic, benefit a commonweal, or bring plenty or abundance thereto; and consequently enrich the same. Come we in the next place to the third point, which is this trade itself, which of itself and by itself, can supply all defects either of natural or artificial commodities, and that without the assistance and help of either, can yet produce both, and is alone effectual to accomplish and perfect the same, though in a barren place, 
four considerations in the prosecution, preservation, and augmentation of trade.  affording nether in the prosecution, preservation, and augmentation thereof; four general considerations, are in the next place to be noted and observed.  
The first consideration is grounded upon those wares and commodities, 
1 What wares to export, and what not.  that a well ordered traffic is to export or not to export to the stranger, or foreign Country and people.  
The second consideration is grounded upon these wares and commodities, 
2 What to receive, and what not.  which this trade must receive from strangers or foreign Countries, and their entry or import into a kingdom or estate, or not to receive them, and banish the Commerce thereof.  

3 What may facilitate, and ease this trade.  The third consideration, is grounded upon the facility and ease of this Commerce in general, collected by practice of foreign nations, and accompanied with the means of the augmentation t●ereof.  

4 What commodity and benefit, this trade produceth to a kingdom.  The fourth and last consideration, is grounded upon the commodity and benefit of this traffic in general to a kingdom or estate, where the same is orderly and regularly practised, and that by skilful and discreet Merchants, bred up thereunto.  

Fi●st what wares are to be exported, & what not.  First than it is diversely observed, and that in sundry Countries, what the commodities and wares in themselves are which a well ordered traffic ought to export and carry, into foreign Countries and nations with whom they have Commerce.  
Where in most countries it is generally observable, 
1 Those whereof a place hath abundance, and how far.  that those wares are only to be carried out, by way of merchandise, whereof the place itself hath abundance and plenty, of which after that the place or Country is sufficiently furnished, the exportation thereof may be admitted and allowed, as contrarywis● those commodities which the place may want, 
Those which a place may stand in need ●f, are not exportable.  or stand in need of, are in no sort admitted, to be exported, nor in l●ke manner those, whereof foreign parts may use to the hurt and prejuduce of the place itself, 
Nor those that may be used to the hurt of the place.  where we abide and remain, as arms, Horses, provisions, ammunition or things designed to Sea, or war, or the like. And amongst the rest in many countries, it is noted that the exportation of gold and silver, 
Nor gold, and silv oer.  is also forbidden and prohibited, though in many places ill observed, and in some Countries again, the same is allowed and tolerated, so that the differing laws of sundry Princes, in divers kingdoms upon the exportation of gold and silver, 
Gold and silver, by some exportable, and by some not.  as in some prohibited, and in some allowed and admitted, will in this place be worth our observation, and the rather, that the reasons given thereupon, may be examined, & the benefit or prejudice arising thereby observed, where the same is either granted or denied.  

The reason why some Princes forbid the exportation thereof.  First it must be considered and granted, that silver and gold is not growing in every Region, and therefore as th●ngs in themselves scarce, and by all Princes sought after, may be accounted a foreign commodity, and the rather, for that the same carrieth with it, the pre-eminence, and predominancy over all other commodities, whatsoever the worldly rich do possess, and therefore by reason of the excellency, power, virtue, general use, and need of it, when once it entereth into some Countries and kingdoms; the Princes thereof forbid the exportation and carrying out of the same, upon sharp penalties and severe punishments for fear of the want and scarcity which may arise, and come thereby, 
The same found of no effect, where the contrary is allowed.  yet it must likewise be considered, as a thing granted and found true by experience, that in some countries and free towns, where the exportation thereof is freely allowed and admitted, and the carrying out openly permitted by authority; no such want or scarcity is discerned; but contrariwise, all abundance and plenty thereof is noted, so that this being granted, the exportation thereof may be allowed without prejudice to the state or kingdom where we abide: now forasmuch as that this point will hardly find admittance in the opinion of many of our Sage Politicians, I will a little enlarge myself thereupon, endeavouring by foreign example to make good this my assertion.  
There is two differing countries, 
An example of both for proof.  the one a great kingdom, where gold and Silver in the greatest plenty groweth, and the prohibition of exportation thereof, strictly observed & most looked into, and the other a petty dukedom, whose Prince is not owner, of neither silver, or gold Mines at all, yet publicly, and by authority admitteth an exportation of this commodity, shall serve here for demonstration and Example of this point.  

The King of Spain, richest in Mines, forbiddeth exportation of gold and silver,  being possessor of all the rich mines of silver & gold, in the West-Indies, found in themselves of far greater value, than all the other mines yet discovered throughout the world, hath through all his Dominions, strictly prohibited by sharp laws, the exportation of his moneys, out of any his Countries, and hath by sundry subtle decrees, and political ordinances, endeavoured to debar all other, both neighbouring, and remote kingdoms, and People else of partaking of his Spanish Reals, yet for all this it is observed, that the necessities of his great and ambitious undertakings, and the urgency of the Commerce of that his barren and poor country, 
Yet finds small ben●fi● by these restrictions.  The King of Spain then, enforceth a passage and current dispersing, will he, nill he, thereof into all countries over the face of the earth, so that in the height of all his store and plenty, and when he was involved in the greatness of his greatest abundance, his Country and Kingdoms, were yet notwithstanding, and still are, noted to be both scant, dry, and needy, of both silver and gold, and the common Commerce and traffic of his most eminent and richest cities, to be wholly performed by the use of black, 
And his countries are traded most, with black-monies.  and of Copper moneys, to the great disorder and confusion of his trade, and the general ruin and undoing of his Merchants and people, and though by this means, 
Turkey with whom Spain is ever in war, yet hath abundance of Spanish Ria●ls.  Turkey, with whom he is, and ever hath been, in greatest enmity, should consequently be more bare of his coins, yet we find, that have either lived, or do traffic thither, that almost throughout all the Grand Signors Dominions, which are both ample, large, and spacious; there is no silver coin of note currant, but the Spanish Riols, and the same not carried thither by the hand of war, or the necessity of his designs in those parts, but by the hand of Commerce, and concurrence of traffic, which fills all those Countries, and that in great abundance therewith.  

The Duke of Florence hath no mines admits exportation, yet hath abundance of Rials.  Now the Duke of Florence, which is only the Lord of a petty, but pretty signiory, barren in its self of mines, both of Silver and Gold, maketh contrariwise no open restriction, nor public prohibition of exporting, of either gold or silver; and whereas in Leghorn, his only noted maritine town of trade, a million of Ducats are freely and yearly openly laden, and shipped away, yet the country wants it not, nor is found any way to be scant thereof, nor is it seen, seldom to arise, or fall in price or value; nor yet is there noted any brass or copper moneys in use amongst his Merchants in traffic & Cómerce, so that by this experienced demonstration, Spain that should have most, 
Note.  is the most barren, for all their prohibitions, & Toscany, that should have least, affords the most plenty, by reason of its liberty of exportation and freedom in the Commerce thereof. But it may be here alleged, that the natural infertility of Spain, and the natural plenty of Tuscanie, may partly occasion, or else enforce the same; to which I answer and grant, this may have some concurrence, but no necessity: 
Spain in its lowest ebb, came to be the owner of the West-India.  For when as Spain in its lowest ebb became fortunately owner of the rich West-India, that Prince then by this means had silver, but yet he wanted the other materials of Commerce, for the performance of that country's traffic, which other places could best afford him, and which his moneys might best, and did then procure him; and when the Portugal, by his happy discovery, had the East-India trade alone, yet he wanted Rials to purchase the commodities of East-India, which Spain was then best able to afford him, but both these kingdoms joined now in one, and bowing to one and the same sceptre, it is observable that the West-india affords, 
West-India affords the moneys to drive the EastIndia●rade, & the East-India affords the spice, & that drives the West-India trade.  now the moneys to drive the East-India trade withal, and the East-India affords the rich spices, and drugs which must procure the sundry needful diversity of European commodities, to drive the West-india traffic withal; so that a man would imagine Spain as it now stands, should not at this day want any manner of thing to make it abound, either in moneys, or in wares and commodi●ies, and yet we find it to be both bare and poor in their Commerce; and notwithstanding, the so strict prohibition of the exportation of their silver and gold, and the author●zing of so much Copper-monies current amongst them, yet sti●l his kingdoms to remain in great need and want thereof.  

Tuscany's fertility, is attributed more to the trade, then to the Country.  And as for the fertility and plenty of Tuscany, though it must needs be in some sort granted, yet its rich●s and abundance is to be attributed, rather to the trade of the place & to the excellent government of the Country, in matters of Commerce, then to the natural climate thereof, or industry of the inhabitants, 
Oservable in 3 rules of traffic.  for it is noted, that three well advised rules in traffic, hath brought it to this height that now it is.  
The first is the allowance of free and public exportation of moneys.  
The second is the easy duties and customs, paid upon all merchandise to the Prince.  
And the third is the goodness, and real value of the coin current throughout the dukedom: but this is from my purpose.  
This one example than I hope will suffice, to make good the point beforegoing, (whereto many others might be alleged) to prove that this toleration of exportation of moneys, makes not in itself the scarcity of silver and gold, nether yet the prohibition thereof makes the abundance, but I will proceed no further in this point, 
merchant's must submit themselves to the laws of Princes, where they traffic.  save by way of caution, advise all Merchants to submit themselves, to the laws and ordinances of Princes, and conform themselves to the customs of the kingdoms and places to which they traffic; which almost varies in every Country, one commodity being in one kingdom prohibited, which in another is permitted and allowed; as we find, that Lead, a native commodity of this Land, 
Some wares transportable in some Countries, and prohibited in others.  is lawfully exportable in England, but is accounted a Contrabanda, and prohibited exportation in Spain, and in many other Countries, when once it is imported: and we find that wools are prohibited also in England, yet allowed in Spain, Iron again allowed in Spain, but prohibited in France, and sail-cloth, Canvas, and the l●ke, allowed in France, yet prohibited in Spain; so is gold and silver, as aforesaid is mentioned, forbidden in England, Spain, and France, yet allowed in Marsellia, Leghorne, Barbary, Turkey, and in many other places.  

Reasons for the prohibition of commodities, unpos●ble to be kep●.  Divers reasons are given by statesmen, for the prohibition of some peculiar commodities, as I said before, but indeed many of them are impossible to be observed in the execution; for that Country that will maintain a free Commerce with his neighbour, makes in one country, one Commodity lawful, which in an other is not lawful, unless all commerce might be made by a kind of Exchange, and bartering of Commodities against commodities, and that also practised in regard of the merchandise or wares, which are not very necessary, and not in regard of those that are for the place of our abode, and whereof we cannot pass without; and in this case Merchants are forced to have recourse to otheir foreign parts, and then must take a law from them, in either giving them other merchandises, which may be as necessary for them, as theirs are for us, or in paying or contenting them with ready moneys for the same, however it happen, 
A general rule observed in prohibited Commodities.  this is found the general, Rule in this point, that a kingdom and State doth commonly admit of the exportation & carrying out of those commodities, and wares, which are native and growing in their Dominions, or of that whereof they have store and plenty, not regarding the laws of other Countries, but yet some prohibitions in these very places, are made of exporting of some commodities of war-fare, as is seen of Iron Ordnance in England, and the like, for the possessing thereof by our neighbours, might at one time or other, annoy and prejudice ourselves, or the place and country of our abode: within the compass of this consideration is also comprehended those artificial commodities, 
artificial wares which are not exportable, and how far.  and wares, which are not to be carried out and exported, and such are they as have not received their entire perfection at home, as is ordained by wools, in England, which is not allowable, till wrought into cloth, and yet not in cloth neither, till the same hath received all necessary and fit perfection, by dressing, dying, and the like, for thus the means of workmanship is taken away from the Artist, and workman, which in some certain works, and fabrics, exceeds the price of the substance, and matter itself, and thereby their livelihoods deprived them, and a powerful furtherance and help of Commerce is by this occasion cut off, and hindered.  
This point is by some Princes so narrowly watched, 
The care of some Princes to set their people on work.  and so vigilantly looked into, that they are not satisfied with those materials, that grow amongst themselves, and in their own countries, but they covet by all industry to draw others from their neighbours, or foreign nations, to employ their subjects, and to put their people on work, by this means, much enriching themselves, and honouring their country; and adding a great help to the public Traffik thereof; selling and venting them thus once wrought, even to those Nations, who many times have first sold and furnished them with the very first materials of the said Manufactories.  
Examples of this practice we find many, and that in sundry Countries and places, 
Examples of the Florentines●are, in this point.  as the Florentine, who of all others exceeds in silk fabrics, yet at first provide● much of his raw silk, in Valentia, in Spain, in Naples, and other the neighbouring Countries, and having wrought and perfited the same in Toscany, returns it to the proud and lazy Spaniard, and to other places in Damasces, satins, taffetas, and the like; so bringing it back wrought, to the self same place whence it first came out raw, to be sold and vented.  

And of the Dutch, before their last wars with Spain.  The Dutch likewise, buys his wools in Spain, carries it home to his own house, there spins it, weaves it, and works it to perfection, than brings it back into Spain, in Sarges, says, and such like stuffs: and so there again sells the same to good profit, and vents it.  

And of Manchester.  The town of Manchester in Lancashire, must be also herein remembered, and wo●thily, and for their industry commended, who buy the yarn of the Irish, in great quantity, and weaving it return the same again in Li●nen, into Ireland to sell; neither doth the industry r●st here, for they buy Cotten wool, in London, that comes first from Cyprus, and Smyrna, and at home work the same, and perfect it into Fustians, Vermilions, Dymi●ies, and other such stuffs; and than return it to London, where the same is vented and sold, and not seldom sent into foreign parts, who have means at far easier terms, to provide themselves of the said first materials  
Now though it may be wished, 
How far this is to be che●ished.  that all other parts of our Country, could be so industrious; as thus to procure materials of fabrics, for the enriching of themselves, and enlarging of this kingdom's traffic, yet we find it in some places, an impossible thing to be performed; for where the traffic or exportation of a native commodity, is of greater consequence to the Country, and over-valueth the commodity imported, it is safer then, and better to preserve the native, and to neglect the foreign, then by too much preservation of the foreign, to neglect and ruin the native.  
Besides, the native commodity may be rich, and in its self, a necessary commodity, but the foreign a meaner, and tending peradventure more to excess, and superfluity, then to need and necessity, as the great quantity of native clothes, that are yearly shipped into Turkey, by the levant or Turkey Company, having their full work man-sh●p, and perfection in England, brings in return thereof, great quantity of Cotten, and cotton-yarn, grogram-yarn, and raw silk into England, (which shows the benefit accrueing to this kingdom by that Company) for here the said cloth is first shipped out, 
Staple an● native commodities of a kingdom, are in the first pla●e to be cared for.  and exported in its full perfection, died and dressed; and thereby the prime native commodit●e of this kingdom, is increased, improved, and vented, and the cotton-yarn and raw silk, that is yearly imported and brought in, is more (as experience tells us) than this kingdom can spend, vent, or any way utter, either raw, in the same nature as it is brought in, or wrought in this kingdom into manufactories: here the first as the most useful, native, and excellent, is to be first preferred and cared for, and the other yet so much cherished, that it may as much as possible it can, 
And the for●aine ●hat sets the Subject on wo●ke, in the next to be cherish●d.  be wrought here, and perfited into stuffs, partly to give a consumption to the material itself, partly to set the poor Artist here on work, but principally to further the general Commerce of this Kin●dome and Country, and to help a valueable return, for the English cloth exported▪ some States have seriously entered into consideration of this point, and have endeavoured with all possiblecare, the furtherance thereof, where it was defective, as King James of famous memory, 
King Iam●s, his provident● are in this point.  inordered as I have been informed, that the white cloth shipped hence to the Netherlands, by a Nonobstante should have every tenth cloth thereof, died and dressed here, thus endeavouring by a wholesome order, to bring the whole shipping quantity, in use amongst them, that by this means, in time to come, all the said shipping might be drawn, to be died and dressed in our own Country▪ and not be shipped white, as was then in use, and is still, to the great prejudice of that clothing; but had his Majesty then been pleased, to grant the lader thereof, some extraordinary privilege, or to be free from custom, for any such cloth so shipped, in its full perfection, it would doubtless before this time, have wrought better effects in this point, than hitherto we see the former order hath brought to pass.  

The endeavours of some other Princes in this point.  Some again to further the same, have eased the native manufactories of their Countries, of all customs, imposts, and such like duties in the vent or exportation, thereby encouraging their Subjects, to make them, and their Merchants, to s●nd them abroad, and transport them, and some have again, charged the foreign Manufactories, which tended not immediately to need or use, with heavy tax●s, thereby deterring the importation, and cherishing the native work man to make the same, and to endeavour the obtainment of perfection therein at home.  
Some have also eased all raw materials, that have been imported, being commod●ties, tending to set the poor subjects on work, as is Cotten, hemp, yarn, flax, wools, raw silk, and the like; and all these practised in some places, have met with a happy success, which hath both inrich●d the Subject, set the poor native Artists on work, and proved the main furtherer of the Commerce of that kingdom, where the same hath been daily, and industriously put in use and practised.  

Second consideration what commodities are to be ●eceaved, and wha● not.  The first point grounded upon the considerable benefit of a well ordered traffic, being thus handled, and having concluded what wares and commodities may be exported, and what may not, out of an estate or kingdom, & what hath been practised by foreign nations with good success; I come now to the second consideration before mentioned, declaring what wares and commodities must be received, and what must not be received into an estate, by the limitation of a well ordered trade and Commerce.  

All commodities tending to riot, are to be p●ohibited importations▪  Some observing statesmen, have noted that a Prince should stop the entry, and importation by Commerce, unto all commodities, that tends to riot or excess, as the principal means that impoverisheth a kingdom, though many times it enrich the trader, and Merchant, amongst which precious Stones, rich gems, exquisite perfumes, costly unnecessary Spices, and rich stuffs, which serve more for pomp and show, than for need and use, are principally noted. But how difficult in an age or kingdom of peace and plenty, 
With their difficulties.  this may be effected, I leave to the said statesmen to determine, yet presuppose that these commodities, such as they are, be admitted their importation, the Prince and sovereign may notwithstanding be in his own particular a gainer, though the subject or country therein prove losers, for if the use, or rather abuse of these commodities in a kingdom, be so inveterate, as that the same cannot be hindered, by a moderate prohibition, yet they may be charged with such great customs and Imposts, as the merchant or importer may have no great desire to bring them in any quantity, fearing he shall not obtain the price they cost him; and the subject will likewise have no earnest desire to buy them, in regard of the dearness thereof, and though that sometimes this consideration will not, nor doth not restrain the rich and wealthy of a kingdom, from procuring and purchasing such merchandises, yet the sovereigns treasure, will by this means be augmented, and by this way it may ●upply in place of pun●shment, for the riot and excess in private person●, and on the other side, the Subj●ct desisting from the excess, though the sovereign gain not t●ereby, yet that commonwealth will be both improved and benefitted, by this chief and good husbandry.  

needful wares ever to be received.  Now for such other commodities as may be receav●d and imported, those are most welcome, which are noted to be the most need●ull, & ●hat the Country and inhabitants thereof wants, and such as tend to need or use▪ are still the most desired, grain, Bu●t●r, Ch●ese, and all provisions for food, should everywhere be freely received, and that without d●ties or customs thereupon, as in Leghorne, in tuscany, in Spain, and in many other places: The Merchants and bringers in of such, have ever a reward allowed them, to encourage them to a readiness at all times, to bring in the same again, at another time and season.  
Also all ammunition for the defence of our Country, 
needful for wars.  and for the offence of of our enemies, as Horses, arms, Powder, Cannons, Muskets, Bullets, Match, and all provision for shipping, as Planks, Timber, Masts, Pitch, Cordage, Iron, sail-cloth and the like, are ever to be received.  
Thirdly all such commodities, 
And wares that set the Subject a wo●k, are to be received.  as may set the poor or richer sort on work, by making of sundry sorts of fabrics, either of Linen, and Woolen, silk or the like, as are Cotten wool, and yarn, of which is made Vermillions, Fustians, Demities, & such others, also fleece-wool, of which is made woollen-cloth, says, Sarges, Perpetuanas, bays, and sundry other sorts, comprehended under the name of new Drapery with us, also Grogrameyar●●e of which is made, James, Grograms, Durettes, silke-mohers, and many others late new invented stuffs, flax, hemp, and the yarn thereof, of which is made all sort of Linens, fine and course, all Ropes, Tackles, Cables, and such like used in shipping, all raw-silk, and thrown, whereof is made all manner of SilkeLaces, satins, Plushes, taffetas, Cally-mancos, and many others, all silver and gold in thread, and Bullion whereof, is made silver and gold Lace, Cloth of gold and silver, and many others, which may set on work, not only the poor industrious working Subjects, employ the moneys, and estates of the rich, but also much further Navigation and Commerce, and generally enrich the Prince and kingdom, by the second traffic of these Manufactories.  

Yet with certain Limitations.  Yet many of these commodities and wares, are to be received with some certain restrictions, and lamentations, according to the judgement and discretion of the sovereign; For if by encouragements or Immunities, the Merchant brings in the first material' as I may say, cotton-wool, the yarn thereof may then be prohibited, for thereby part of the poor man's labour is taken away, and so in Hemp, and flax, and the like, if it be imported in good abundance, the yarn thereof may be prohibited, for the cause before mentioned, and so may also such petty manufactories be denied entrance, as playing Cards, gold and silver thread, and the like, whilst we have the principal materials, whereof the same is or may be composed, & perfitted at home. And thus much shall serve to have said, concerning what wares may be received, and what may not be received into a kingdom, by the rules of a well ordered traffic, the facilitating and acquisition of this traffic, 
● considerations is to facilitate, etc ease Traffick●.  in a country or place, comes in the next consideration to be handled.  
The politic estate of Venetia, 
The practices of sundry Princes, to augment Trade.  the judicious Duke of Tuscany, the cunning Hollanders, the industrious hauns towns, and others, that much endeavour and study this point, have noted, and found out many particular points, which they have put in practice, as the most effectual, operative, and efficient, conducing to the facilitating, ease and augmentation of traffic in general, which gather●d out of their practices, we may put in use, and apply to our sel●es, for the increase of a Countries foreign Traff●ke, which principally are these.  

1 To further the commodious carriage of goods &c.  First to further by all means, the commodious carriage of goods and merchandise both by Land and by water, either by Boats, Cartage, Horses, or other such conveyances, wherein is considerable as a thing necessary, that the Rivers be navigable or made so if possible, by labour, Art and industry, then to remove all hindering Mills, Bridges, fishing wears, banks, shoals, and such like impediments that may any way let or hinder the same.  
Secondly, 
2 No tolle upon Rivers, bridges &c.  that no Lord, or adjoining commanding borderer, impose either custom, tolle, tax, or duties upon the commodities, and wares so carried in boats, Lighters or Barges, passing or repassing thereupon, or heavy acknowledgements, passing over Bridges, Caus●yes, or the like, that may disturb the public traffic, or be a charge to the general Commerce of a Country.  
Thirdly, 
3 To free the Seas from pirates.  to keep the Seas, and streams, free and safe from all pirates, thieves, and robbers, as the principal disturbers of the universal traffic, of kingdoms and nations, and the greatest overthrowers of the navigation, and Commerce of Cities and Countries.  

4 To maintain boys, Lights, and Castles, &c.  Fourthly, to safeguard the Ports, Harbours, Roads, and Sea-Creekes, from them, to maintain where is necessary, fortified places, to defend the pursued, and to offend the pursuer, to maintain and conserve the keys, peers, moulds, and other places of moredge, fastenings, anchoredge, and the like, and to set up and maintain, Beacons, Watch-Townes, Lights by night, Sea-marks, and boys, for the safeguard of Mariners sailing either by night or day.  

5 To keep the ways from thieves, &c.  Fiftly, to keep the Land ways and passages, free and safe also from thieves and Robbers, to mend Causeys, highways and decayed Bridges, to build alberges, inns, lodgings and places of safety where none is, in fit and commodious places, for the reposing and rest of men and beasts of carriage, where all accommodation, both for men and horses travelling, may be had at easy and reasonable rates and prizes, and where all needful things may be obtained, for the tr●vailer which he may ordinarily stand in need of.  
Sixtly, 
6 To maintain the Posts, &c.  to maintain posts, and post-horses, by Land, and post barks by Sea, also all Letter-carriers, and such like foot-posts, with privileges, and fit stipends, for their pains and care therein.  
Seventhly, 
7 To put down● Monopolies, &c.  not to suffer any Monopolies, patents, and grants to private men, which may hinder the liberty, and freedom of traffic, and if such be discouvered, and found out, to punish the same rigorously and severely.  
Eightly, 
8 To invite industrious strangers by privileges▪  to invite by privileges, the industrious strangers, and Merchants, to bring and import unto us, the wares a●d commodities, which we cannot want, and those whero● the Country itself stands in need of, and ●hat which may either advantage the public, or the defence of the country itself.  

9 To discha●ge all great customs.  Ninthly, to discharge all great custom, heavy imposts, and duties upon all goods and merchandise, or at least wise upon the Subjects goods, and upon all needful and useful commodities, or if the same stand not with the commodity of the Prince, yet at least wise; so much of these customs &c. As the necessity of the state will bear, and trade may well permit, without overthrowing of the general traffic, and Commerce of the Country, and the dependences thereupon.  

10 To establish Sea laws, for Merchants & navigator.  Tenthly, to establish such laws, and ordina●ces for Merchants, and merchandizing affairs, and Sea causes, as that there be not only faith and assurance, preserved amongst all negociators, Sea-faring-men, and merchants whatsoever, but also amongst all manner of buyers, and sellers, and that there be likewise severe punishments decreed for fraudulent & public deceivers, bankrupts, and robbers of the common traffic, of a nation or Country.  
Eleventhly, 
11 To erect a● Court of Mercha●ts.  that in case of differences, debates, controversies, and the like accidents, happening in traffic amongst Merchants, there may be a summary, and speedy Justice executed, either by a quickened law, or a Court of Merchants, as it is observed and practised in many Countries, especially in that which concerns strangers, who oftentimes are noted to forbear their traffic into a place, no less, in regard of the charge and tediousness of suits, than for the treachery and falsehoods of the inhabitants of the country.  
Twelfthly, 
12 The Coins current to be constant and good &c.  and forasmuch as a permutation of Commodities cannot be well made, without a certain price set down upon all merchandises, and that they cannot negotiate with all sorts of people, simply by Exchange, but that it is necessary to make use of the moneys and coins of Princes, in their several distinct Countries, the value, price, and estimation thereof, must be therefor● certain, constant and firm, otherwise it would bring a confusion to the general Commerce of a kingdom, and every commodity must then be governed in esteem and value, according as the money shall be current in price.  
Neither is this only sufficient, but the real goodness, and true value of these coins must be easy, to be judged, and known, not only by the weight thereof; but also by the eye, and sound of the same, if it be possible, the which may be the easier done, if there be no metals used in coin current, but only silver and gold, which is sufficient in themselves, to expr●sse all sums, and quantity, ●ow little and small soever, and if every piece both of silver and gold, be coined by a certain weight, thickness, and greatness, and in form of certain med●lles, as the GRECIANS, LATINS, Hebrews, PERSIANS, and EGYPTIANS, in old time did use, it would prove a difficult thing for a man to be deceived therewith, and it would be facile for all strangers, and Merchants, to be soon experienced, and acquainted with them  
Thirteenth, 
13 To give honour to merchants, and why?  whereas some ignorant estates and foreign nations, do contemn M●rchants, and merchandizing, and such as exercise traffic, holding and undervaluing, the Art of merchandizing in its self, as base and sordid, which too often is found in many places quickly to decay the public commerce of some kingdoms, for thereb● it cometh to pass that they which have gotten a little wealth, retire themselves speedily to embrace some other vocation, to the which the common people carry more respect and honour, then to this.  
It being a thing, which in all civil and well governed kingdoms, ought carefully to be avoided, and removed, for the good and furtherance of the traffic thereof; now indeed it must be granted, that there be certain trades, which should be left to the poor and common people, to enrich thems●lves by; but there are others, more noble, which they only can best execute, that are conversant in foreign Countries, which is that of Merchandizing in remote parts, by the benefit and commodity of the Sea, 
Merchandizing is the most profitable i● an estate.  and that by persons qualified and versed in foreign regions, which in itself is the most knowing, profitable, beneficial, and excellent in an estate, as shall be showed in this following Treatise, and to these more honour and respect should be attributed, than is now done, both in France, and in some other Countries, for if in all estates, the wise, jud●cious, and prudent counsellors of a Pr●nce, have thought it fitting, and requisite to invite the Subjects by honour, to the most dangerous and hazardable attempts and actions, which may be profitable and conduce to the benefit and profit of the public; these two of Navigation by traffic, and of Commerce by navigation, being of that concurrent quality, and united disposition, they should propound and attribute more honour to those that shall deal therein, and exercise the same, than now it is noted they do. And if true nobility should have taken its foundation, 
Why such should be honoured.  (as the Iud●cious and Learned have observed heretofore) from the courage of men, and from their Valour, there is no vocation, wherein there is so many useful and principal parts of a man required, as in these two, for they are not only to adventure and hazard their own persons, but also their estates, goods, and what ever they have, amongst men of all nations, and customs, laws, and Religions, wheresoever they are inhabited.  
And that not only in common casualties, mishaps, and dangers, but somesomes to wrestle and stand even against the four Elements, combined together, to threaten their ruin, and destruction, which is the strongest and most remarkable evidence and proof, that possibly can be alleged or spoken, of the constant and firm resolution of a man.  
This sole point and consideration, hath been the occasion, that some States have been of opinion, and thought that this door should be opened, to the adventuring Merchant to attain unto Nobility, so as the Father and the son, have continued successfully for some ages therein; and which is seen in ●ome sort to be practised in some places at this day, and if those noblemen, (the upholders of a Land or kingdom) who are commonly the riche●t and greatest in an estate, should practise and addict themselves to this Commerce, and sea-traffic (as some began to do in Queen Elizabeth's days) being a thing not prejudicial, nor hurtful to their honour, or to their noble condition, doubtless it is, a●d would be more honourable unto them, then to be Vsuerers, and Bankers, as is observed in Italy, and many other Countries as they are, or to impoverish themselves, in doing of nothing, or nought worthy of note, but neglect their own occasions, in spending, lavishing, and wasting, when peradventure they never gather any thing to what they have, or what was formerly was left unto them, by their ancestors. Hence would grow many advantages, 
The benefit of the Trade of Nobles and rich in a kingdom.  both to the public and private, for that they that thus deal in traffic, having thus means, courage, and sufficiency, for this Conduct and Enterprise, the same would be far greater, and more eminent in itself, than now it is, setting thus more ships to sea, and by being consequently better armed, and better furnished; and whereof the state in time of need, might make good use of, for its safety and defence; and withal it would carry the reputation of that Nation, far further into remote Regions; the which they cannot do, who being poor, and having lit●le or no stock, but of one ages gathering, or peradventure taken up at Interest, and borrowed from others, wanting both power, means, and courage, either to hazard themselves in great, and eminent Enterprises, or to wade through the same, being once entered thereinto.  
And for other particular Interest, this Commerce being wisely managed, and discreetly handled, what hazard soever they should run, there is more to be gotten thereby, then to be lost: And if Gentlemen in general would thus apply themselves to traffic, as some within these late years have been observed to do, and that without wasting of their estates by vast expenses, or importuning their sovereign by disorderly demands and gifts, they should by all likelihoods benefit themselves more in one year, by a well governed traffic at sea, than peradventure at Court by ten years waiting and solicitations.  
Finally, to conclude this point, Experience hath taught, and teacheth us daily, where those of great purses, and good judgements have exercised traffic, and where such have been backed and encouraged by a gracious, and furthering sovereign, and by a Prince that loveth Navigation, and favoureth traffic; it hath mightily enriched both themselves, and the Princes and Estates, under which they have lived; as by the late Examples of the Portugal, Hollander, Spaniard, and Venetian is made known, and manifested unto all the world.  
Next to erect and settle an office of assurance, 
14: To erect an assurance office.  with fit and skilful judges, which should determine, and give speedy Execution in their Decrees and Acts, between Adventurers, to avoid demurs, delays, and hindrances, that happen by tedious suits in adventures at sea amongst Merchants.  
Fifteenth, 
15. To erect some Companies.  the only means conceived to settle the Commerce and traffic of a Nation into foreign Countries by sea, in the which the best purses will not be drawn to hazard themselves in the Enterprise, is to compel the Merchants which trade at sea, to one and the self same certain place and country, to join one with another in a corporation, and Company, and not to make their traffic by themselves asunder, or apart; for although that adventuring apart, the gain would probably be the greater to the Adventurers, when the enterprise succeeds happily; yet it is to be considered, that the loss which may happen, would wholly ruin him that attempts the danger alone; and if in making a joint Company, or Society, the gain should turn to be the less; y●t it is ever more assured, and the disorders by traffic by a good government is still removed; and the loss being borne by many, it is consequently the less to every one that is interessed therein; and thus dividing the ●rade of the whole, according to either the places, or coasts where the same is made, forbidding them to attempt one upon another's privileges; and prohibiting all other private Subjects (of what quality soever) which shall not be Members or free Brothers of those Societies, to negotiate into those parts upon great penalties, and appointing certain governors, or others the greatest adventurers, to order and regulate the said traffic and Companies; which Rules have found such good success, both in Holland, England, and elsewhere, that it hath been one of the main causes, that hath brought the traffic of London, and of Amsterdam, to that present height and greatness, as it is now observed to be. 
16. To lend money to the Merchant out of the common Treasury.   
Next for the furtherance of the traffic of some kingdoms, it hath been observed, that great sums of moneys have been lent gratis, or upon easy rates and security, to skilful Merchants, out of the sovereign, or common treasury, which hath also found such good success, as that the customs of that Prince have been thereby much increased, the kingdom enriched, the poor set on work, and the native Commodities thereof, vented to all parts of the world thereby. 
17. By transportation of bills.   
In the next place, it hath been noted mainly to further the traffic of a kingdom, the transportation of bills of debt, from one man to another, in lieu of moneys, as is used in some Countries; for thereby many Law suits are avoided amongst Dealers, errors in Merchants accounts cleared, the Prince's customs increased, the great stock of the kingdom, which continually lieth in all Negotiators hands in dead Bills and Bonds, employed, traffic itself quickened, and such a benefit enjoyed thereby to the commonwealth, as cannot be expressed.  
In the next place it hath been observed in some places, 
18. Example of the Princ●, a main Furtherer of Trade.  where the poor for want of abilities cannot trade, and where the great or rich have not will, or dare not adventure their Estates in foreign traffic, that the examples only of the Prince hath throughly effected it, and proved a mai●e Furtherer of the general Commerce and traffic of his country; which doth not only hold in this matter of Trade, but in all other state matters whatsoever; for than it will be impossible for the rich Subjects to forbear; when they see their sovereign bend his mind, and addict himself thereunto. For the wise have observed, that Princes cannot frame an Age unlike unto themselves; 
Cassiod. 11.3.  and that it is easier (as one said) for Nature to err, then that a Prince should form a commonwealth unlike himself: just if they be wicked, regular if they be dissolute, chaste if they be immodest, and religious if they be impious.  
Neither is it thus in these our days; History itself warrants the point, and makes it good in all former ages. For, under Romulus it was found that Rome was warlike; but under their sovereign Numa they were religious, under the Fabritii they were continent, under the Cato's Regular, under the Graccbi seditious, under the Lucalli and Antonines, intemperate and dissolute; under Constantine the Great the Empire is Christian, but under Julian idolatrous: Therefore, for conclusion, if the Prince love the sea, his Subjects will be all seamen; and if he be a Lover of trade and traffic, the rich and powerful of his kingdoms, will be all Merchants.  
In the next place, it hath been noted as an effectual mean, 
19 By erecting a staple of ●rade.  whereby traffic may be obtained and settled where none is, is by erecting a staple of trade, and to endow the same with freedom of traffic, which briefly may be termed to contain some of these before recited particulars, especially those of great privileges, and small customs; for this will gain Trade where none is, and being gotten mightily increase the same, when this shall fall out to be in a country, where God and Industry hath blessed the Land and people with wares, that are either rich or useful, it will soon beget, maintain, and in large the Trade of the place, so made a staple, as above is said.  
Now for as much as this staple is in many countries a thing unknown, and that many men are ignorant of the benefit that the same may produce, I will a little enlarge myself thereupon, and in few words show how it may turn a kingdom to profit, and by perusing the commodity it affordeth to other nations, conceive it may yield the like to that Prince that cove●eth the same, or putteth this rule in practice: 
A staple of trade what.  A staple of Trade is a place then, where large immunities and privileges are granted to all Merchants of what nation soever; sometimes extending to native commodities only, and sometimes to foreign, and sometimes to both, with free liberty, to ●xport and import all manner of wares custom free, when, whither, and by whom they please, paying a small acknowledgement only in lieu of the said cu●tome to the Prince, and wheresoever the same hath thus been seen to be settled in a Kin●dome, it hath been noted much to encourage the inhabitants thereof, and force them in a short time to become either great Merchants, or industrious Furtherers thereof; for the same would yield them occasion to be sharers in the traffic of other Countries, whereof before they neither had any profit, nor yet the Prince any customs thereby: the benefit of this staple of Trade may be the better discerned by looking upon the practice of those Countries, 
The benefit of a staple by the experience of other Countri●s.  where the same is put in use, and especially by our Neighbours the Netherlanders, where the same is practised with wonderful industry, pains, care, and conducible profit, instanced by these examples.  

No timber in Holland, and yet they have the staple thereof.  First it is well known to us, and all the world, that they have there no timber, nor yet Forests of any sort, of their own growth, yet the freedom of Trade begets them such fit materials, that the same builds them yearly above a thousand sail of ships, partly serving to their own use, but principally to sell to others; and that the huge pales of wainscot, Claboard and Deale are in their staple Cities.  

No corn there, and yet they have the staple thereof.  Next, they are found to have no corn growing almost in all their countries; for it is the East country that affords the same in abundance; yet we know that the greatest storehouses, and staple Granaries of grain●, is by the freedom of their trade in the low Countries; for Amsterdam (if report may gain credit) is continually stored with 8. in 100000. quarters, besides what is by trade daily sold away and vented.  
The main schol=ols, 
No fish there, yet the staple thereof is in Holland.  and massy bulk of Herrings, from whence their industry and traffic raiseth to them so many millions yearly, proceeds merely out of our English seas; but yet the great Fishery (to the shame and wonderful dishonour of England) is in the Low countries; wherewith not only their own occasions at home are plentifully supplied, but all Christendom besides, abundantly stored, it being computed, that they send forth yearly into other Countries, above one hundred thousand last, which we may account to be two hundred thousand tuns.  
The large and mighty vast Vineyards, 
No Vineyards nor salt in Holland, yet they have the staple thereof.  and great quantity and sto●e of salt, is noted to be in France and Spain, yet the great Vintages, as I may say, and staples both of Salt and Wine, is found in the Netherlands, whereby they employ yearly above a thousand sail of their shipping.  

No Wools there, and yet they have the staple of manufactories  The wool, cloth, Lead and tin, and divers staple English commodities, are properly and naturally of England's production, but yet, to the dishonour and prejudice of England, the great Manufactories of Dying, Dressing, &c. of them are seen in the Low-countries, whereby they not only employ their poor by labour, but their Mariners by shipping, and often times undersell the English, both in their own countries, and abroad, with these and other our own commodities.  

Light customs increase trade, and heavy ruin it.  Many others in this kind may be produced; for it is to be noted, that wheresoever such a staple of trade is erected, kept and maintained, there all foreign and native commodities do abound, for the supply of any other country, that may or doth want the same; and where the customs upon merchant's goods is small, it easily draweth all nations to trade with them; and contrariwise where great impositions are laid upon merchant's goods, the traffic of the place, will be seen soon to decay, to the prejudice of ●hat place and kingdom.  
The difference thereof is made evident in any two towns of several Prince's Dominions: 
Example thereof between England, and Holland.  in the one, where customs are easy, and there Merchants do flock together from all parts of the world, and abundance of foreign commodities are from all countries imported thither, that benefit the Merchant, the people, and the Prince; and in the other, where the customs are heavy and burdensome to a Merchant, and heavy upon his wares, and there none comes, nor brings any commodities, but what he knows is liable, and must pay this custom to his and the countries great prejudice; which by an example or two I shall here manifest.  
Two ships laden at Bordeaux, 
In a ship of 300. tuns come from Bordeaux.  of equal burden, viz. of three hundred tuns, the one goeth for England, and the other for Holland; 
Paying in England 1260. and in Holland 60. 1.  she that cometh into England▪ payeth for custom, Prisedge, Butleredge, and other charges thereon by book of rates, one thousand two hundred pounds and upwards, before she be discharged, and the other going for Holland is discharged there for threescore pound sterling, or there abouts; so that after they have there unladen their said ship, and custom being paid, and the wines sold, the buyer can transport them again into some other country; and, if he should in the second place but gain this custom that was paid in England, yea or half so much, he would think to have gained very well thereby: but it is not possible for any English man to pay this great custom in England, and to transport them again into another kingdom, but he must be a great loser by them; for the Hollander can still undersell him, and yet be a gainer thereby.  

In 200. ●uns of Tobacco.  The like may be alleged of two ships, of two hundred tuns a piece, coming alike laden, with 200. tuns of Tobacco from Barmuda, Saint Christopher, or any other English Plantation: now, this 200. tuns paying custom, &c. in England, will amount unto 10000 pounds, whereas in Holland the said 200. tuns will be cleared for 120. pounds. Now though the said 200. tuns of Tobacco should be here again shipped out within the year, and the impost repaid him, yet the Merchant loseth infinitely by bringing it into the kingdom, which he would account for wonderful gain, might he enjoy the same upon all the whole parcel towards all his adventure, interest and charges.  
But some Princes may imagine that this will too much diminish their customs, 
These small customs, will increase the total custom of a kingdom.  and draw their revenues to a low estate: but I rather hold the same will be a means to increase the same; for though a Prince should for the ease of his people, and the augmentation of the trade of his country, take but a small custom upon all foreign goods imported, and thus exported with the reservations mentioned in the second consideration of trade▪ yet he may have a moderate custom to be paid him, upon all goods vented within the kingdom, as is now used in England; and the multiplicity of trade, which will be procured by this staple, and small custom, whereof there is not otherwise accrueing to the Prince any profit at all, wil● much increase the same in the total. Presuppose that this staple of traffic, furthered with such immunities and smallness of customs, were in some one, two, or three convenient Towns settled here in England, let us consider the good in general, that by the former assertion it would produce to us.  
First the Merchants would be enabled to export the commodities of France, 
Benefits arising to England by a staple of trade.  Spain, Italy, Turkey, and Barbary, and of the East and West India, into the kingdoms of Germany, Poland, Denmark, Swethland, Pomerland, Sprucia, and Lifeland, and the merchandise of those other count●ies, which are both many and useful, will again be transported from the said staple, to those Southern and Western Countries, and hereby the Merchants would mightily flourish by this enlargement of trade.  
Secondly, diverse sea-towns, where this staple should be kept would be very much enriched.  
Thirdly, the Mariners and shipping of this kingdom, would hereby come to be very much enlarged and employed.  
Fourthly, many poor people, and other handy craft's men and labourers, would be hereby set on work, and employed.  
Fifthly, the honour and reputation of this kingdom will be much advanced in other countries, and much Bullion would thereby come to be imported.  
Sixthly, it will keep all sorts of grain at a reasonable price, both for the buyer and seller, and the country should always be well provided with corn, if dearth should happen, and thereby also retain our coin, which upon such an occasion is usually exported.  
Lastly, the customs of England would be much increased by intercourse of trade, both by Importation and Exportation of all sorts of foreign commodities, whereof we have no use ourselves, and whereof His Majesty hath at present no custom at all, because there is no such course of trade in use.  
Having thus showed how this staple of trade is to be settled, and what benefit it brings with it to that country where the same is erected, and may bring to us were the same here settled; and because in all kingdoms it is a work of time and much difficulty, and that our ordinary statesmen do neither seriously consider, nor truly weigh the real benefits that arise to a kingdom and people by the hand of traffic; I will here in the last place, for conclusion of this consideration, show that a main Furtherer of a country's traffi●e, and the only way for the preservation thereof, being once acquired, is to settle by authority of the sovereign a selected number of able and discreet Merchants, with power and sufficient privilege, to examine the disorders of traffic, and irregular Traders, and to reduce the same to such orders, and constitutions as may stand with the benefit and good of the sovereign, his country and subjects; and these Merchants to be either sworn and admitted into the Prince's counsel, or have a superintendency over the general Commerce of the kingdom, by themselves entitled as State-merchants, or Merchant statesmen; the benefit of whose endeavour, skill, judgement, and discretion thus authorised, I shall by these few rules offer to the consideration of the judicious.  
It is by all Statesmen accounted a truth undeniable, 
By enlargement of traffic.  that the wealth and welfare of all countries (where the subject exerciseth traffic with foreign nations) is mainly f●rth●red, and much advanced by the regular orders, and merchant-like rules thereof, and more especially in that of England's, by nature commodiously seated to that end, and of purpose; the procurement of which wealth and welfare by the enlargement of Commerce, and the well ordering and regulating thereof, cannot be so fully effected, nor the hindrances foreseen, nor the prejudices so soon avoided by a mere statesman, as the same can be by a discreet Merchant, qualified with power from the Prince to that purpose.  

● By importation and exportation. of Bullion.  Secondly, the importation of Bullion to the Prince's Mint, or exportation of his coin out of his country, cannot be so well foreseen and prevented as by the Merchant, who by the course of traffic, knows the impediments of the one, and the preventions of the other.  

3. By undervaluing of native wares.  Thirdly, the under-valuing of the homebred, and native commodities of a kingdom, and the overvaluing in that kingdom of foreign commodities, with the discommodity of both to the common wealth, nor the causes thereof, cannot be so well known to a statesman, nor by him be prevented, as the same can to a Merchant, qualified with power thereunto.  
Fourthly, 
4. By new Plantations.  the enlargement of trade by any new Inventions Plantations, or Discoveries of new traficks, cannot be by any so well furthered, as by a qualified Merchant, who best knows by reason of his trade, what privileges are fit to be granted, what customs inwards and outwards to be imposed, and for the encouragement of the Merchants, and undertakers in these said courses.  
Fifthly, 
5. By rising and falling of cust●mes.  it is granted that the greatness of customs, and other duties upon merchant's goods, in all places diminisheth the trade of a kingdom, and the smallness of the same enlargeth the trade thereof; now a mere statesman conceives not what commodities are fittest to be eased, and which are to be raised for the common good, and profit of the trade of that country.  

6 By employment of workmen in the Manufactories.  Sixthly, the general employment of all the poor of a kingdom in the workmanship of native, and homebred commodities, and foreign materials imported (now too little regarded by many statesmen in many kingdoms) may with more ease and speed be put in Execution by a States-merchant then by a mere statesman, as is seen in the dying and dressing of clothes in England, and in the prosecution of the Fishing-trade, lately here set on foot by the care and industry of divers noble personages, and lost for want of experienced men in that profession to manage the same.  

7. By furni●hing de●ayed t●wns.  Seventhly, as a matter worthy of a Prince's consideration, the furnishing of decayed haven towns, with inhabitants, Mariners, and shipping in a kingdom, and the needful helps and furtherances thereto, with a profitable trade to maintain both, to their, and the Prince and countries good, is better performed by a Merchant, then by a mere Statesman.  

8. By providing of corn● in dearth.  Eighthly, the continual furni●hing of a kingdom with corn at cheap rates, yea even in times of Dearth, the want whereof some years past the last great Dearth, enriched Holland for seven years following, and impoverished England full as long, by their exportation of two millions of pounds, as is conceived that year out of all ports of this kingdom in gold, wherein a mere statesman knows not the way, neither how to provide for the one, nor yet how to prevent the other; which notwithstanding a Merchant can with ●ase, and better husbanddry accomplish and perform.  
Ninthly, 
9 By settling of a staple of trade.  the settling of a staple, or freedom of trade in a kingdom, in commodious and fit places, with fit and advantageable privileges, and how the same is to be governed and directed, and wherein to be restrained and limited, is only within the knowledge of a Merchant, and fittest for his direction, which a mere statesman doth not so well understand, nor can judge of.  

10. By weakening the enemies by trade.  Tenthly, Solomon saith, that wisdom is better than the weapons of war, therefore a Merchant can in times of wars with foreign Princes, better direct how to weaken his enemies, in course of their traffic, and prejudice them in the point of their profit, and cross their designed intentions, for provision of warfare, more than the best statesman can do by open hostility.  

11. By treatises of peace in trade.  Tenthly, In concluding of a peace, or in the making of leagues, and amity with foreign Princes, the Merchant can advise of the fitting conditions, to be insisted upon, and obtained in the point of traffic, for the advancement of his King and country, which a Statesman doth not so much regard, nay many times not yet understand.  

12. By foreign intelligence.  Twelfth, A Merchant that hath been resident, many years in foreign parts, and sometimes hath remained all that time in one and the same country, and hath afterwards continual advice from his Factors there resident, by reason of his daily trading thither, of all the occurrences of the place, with their provisions made there for arming of h●rse, foot, or shipping, must needs consequently understand thereof, and the affairs of those parts, better than those that never were th●re, or but cursorily to see fashions, and that peradventure many years before that time.  
Thirteenth, 
13. By suppressing of trades depending upon exportation of coin.  A Merchant knows by his observations in course of trade, that there be some trades in a kingdom, which cannot subsist, nor be driven without exportation of the coin of that kingdom and place, or which cause the diversion of Bullion from the Mint of that place, which are not to be cherished, as those trades are which do neither; all which a mere statesman cannot so well comprehend, and take notice of.  
Fourteenth, 
14. By cherishing some trades that subsist by coin.  A Merchant doth know that there be some trades again, which cannot subsist without this exportation of the coin of a kingdom, and have a necessary dependence thereon, which yet notwithstanding are to be cherished, sometimes equal, sometimes above other trades, by reason that the same trade begets another advantageable trade, that doth more profit to the kingdom, than the exportation of that coin doth prejudice the same; which a statesman can neither discern, nor take notice of.  

15. By acts prejudicial to trade.  Fifteenth, A Merchant doth know what decrees and ordinances made in a kingdom, do further and enlarge the trade thereof, and which again in themselves do hurt and prejudice the same: also what decrees and ordinances are enacted in foreign states or countries, that are injurious and hurtful to the trade and country where he abides, and how to meet with, and prevent the same by counter Decrees, and Regulations; which a mere statesman doth neither know, nor can of himself prevent or have notice of.  

16. By remedying the foreign disorders in trade.  Sixteenth, A Merchant doth find by his traffic into foreign parts, what commodities, and what nations are eased by foreign Princes within their dominions, to the end that by charging of some, and easing of other some, they covet to benefit some nations more than other, and further the vent of some commodities more than others, redounding to the prejudice and ill consequence of the kingdom of his abode and residency; which the Merchant can in a short time both prevent and remedy, to the good of that kingdom where he lives; but the statesman cannot in a long time find out, nor yet being found out remedy it, till peradventure the remedy be worse than the disease.  
Seventeenth, 
17. By carrying out or in of commodities hurtful or beneficial to a kingdom.  A Merchant knoweth what commodities can be drawn out of another country, to the benefit of his own, and what commodities are carried out of his own country, to the prejudice (as Iron-Ordnance are in England,) or benefit of another, and can by regular orders in the course of traffic hinder the importation, and exportation of what is hurtful, or any way damageable to the kingdom of his abode, and further the importation and exportation of such commodities as are prejudicial to the traffic of the strange and remote country; which the statesman for want of knowledge in merchandising cannot effect or accomplish.  

18. By importation of materials for Manufactories.  Eighteenth, A Merchant can advance his country by the importation of materials for Manufactories to be wrought at home, and by this means set multitudes of poor on work, to the great benefit of the place of his abode, and can by reason of his travels into foreign parts, where he sees the natural and profitable commodities of other Nations, transport the same, and sometimes plant them in his own native soil, for his Countries good and honour; which the statesman cannot without great difficulty perform and effect.  
Lastly, 
19 Foreign decrees that prejudice navigation and shipping.  the Merchant best knows what Decrees are constituted in foreign Countries, that hinder the Navigation, and diminish the shipping of the country of his abode, and what orders and injunctions are imposed at home, that insensibly ruin and destroy the same, either by means of grants, made to private persons to the prejudice thereof; or by innovations imposed by Farmers, or other under-officers, that either destroyeth the same, or tendeth to the discouragement of seamen; which mere statesmen cannot so soon discern, nor yet in fitting times remedy.  
To conclude this point, having thus showed the courses that are used in sundry Countries, for the settling, preserving, and augmentation of Commerce in general, and withal considered how far in his own person a Merchant is able to benefit, and advance his country and place of his abode, and how a staple of trade may be erected, settled and privileged with fitting liberties, to gain an ample traffic where none is, and showed withal the commodities that arise to the country, where the same is so settled and maintained.  

The endeavours of sundry Princes to gain traffic.  I will now, for conclusion of this third consideration, run through and briefly survey the marvellous care, cost and pains, that several Princes have willingly been at and undergone, to compass the same.  
By what hath been said then in this consideration, and upon this point, it may be gathered, that the obtaining and acquisition of a traffic at the first is very difficult, being as a precious jewel which must be sought after, courted and purchased with many privileges, liberties & immunities, and sometimes with the very example of the Prince himself, because that the honour, benefit, and commodity that doth still attend it (as I shall declare in the close of this discourse) extends itself both to the sovereign, his Nobles, kingdom, and subjects in general: and to the end that it may appear, that all judicious Princes, and politic States▪ men have thus judged thereof, and found the effects of the same answerable to this my assertion; I will here briefly declare, and show the industrious pains, and painful endeavours of sundry the wisest Princes of Europe, to acquire, purchase and obtain this so excellent a jewel.  
The Dukes of Toscany, 
The practice of the Duke of Florence to get the trade of Leghorne.  being ever accounted expert Exchangers, finding that their dukedom, by reason of the want of a seaport, for the receipt of shipping, was very unfit to entertain a trade by Navigation, purchased the town and Territory of Leghorne, of the commonwealth of Genoa, at the rate (as some report) of one hundred and twenty thousand dollars (it being then a poor fisher-town, capable only to receive small barks, and that of no considerable burden) and did, for the enlarging of his traffic by sea, add a fair and pretty new built-Towne to the old, fortifying the same with walls, Ditches, Castles, a Bannia for his slaves, and a Lasseretta, or a Pest-house, to receive both the goods and persons of such as should arrive there from contagious and infected parts; then he gave a dwelling to all for seven years gratis, that would come to inhabit there, than he erected a watch-Tower with a strong mould to preserve the ships that anchor there from the violence of all weathers; he gives his Merchants many privileges, cuts a ditch for twenty miles, to convey and carry up all commodities to Pisa, and so to Florence the Metropolis of his dukedom; to conclude, by making it a free scale, and that all manner of goods, wares and moneys may be freely shipped innards, and outwards, without any charge or custom; and that when commodities do arrive, which the purses of his subjects will not, or cannot purchase, he hath himself bought up the same, and that sometimes to his loss and prejudice, he hath I say by these and other the like means within this 25. or 30. years, made this the greatest port of traffic in all the Mediterranean seas, to his own great honour, and to the exceeding profit, and commodity of himself, and all his subjects in general.  
The Hollanders, 
Of the Hollanders to support their trade.  who have need of all the politic helps that can be, to support the charges of their war against a potent enemy, who is continually ready at their doors to give them the alarm, yet so well do study this point of traffic, and make so much of Commerce in their country, where indeed they hold but a handful (as it were) of land to abide in; though, I say, they have annual Armies afoot, which doth cost them infinite, vast and great sums to maintain and nourish, and that their very bread, meat, and beer which is eaten by them, doth first pay the States an excise thereon; yet in all their extremities, dangers and debts, they have erected many staples of trade in their countries, and also raised an East-India and West-India Company of Merchants, with large privileges, which they have prosecuted with happy & good success, whereon, notwithstanding their great disbursements, they impose little or no customs at all, their interests are easy, their Companies countenanced, and protected by the Estates, and their Fleets are ready in our channel, to safeguard and defend both the Merchants, Mariners and fishermen from the depredation, and violence of either enemies or Robbers.  

Of the Venetians.  I am not able to recount how, and with what care and industry the Venetians maintain their traffic, and the liberties of their subjects; in point of Commerce they ease them of customs, give large privileges to their Mariners, enjoin their ancient gentlemen, and Clarissimi to use the sea, make daily sundry advantagable decrees and orders for the suppressing of foreign traffic, and advancing of their own, keep a selected Court of the best experienced Merchants, to superintend other Commerce, and have a stock ever in readiness by the name of Cottimo to expend both in Turkey and other places, for the defence of their Merchants and their Estates, from all wrong and injuries.  
Yet none of these comes near the care and industrious prudence, 
Of the East Kings of Portugal.  practised by John and Emanuel, Kings of Portugal, in erecting, prosecuting, and settling the trade of the East-India, with such provident decrees and immunities for the ordering of their returns, Lectures for the instruction of their Pilots, and seamen, building of Forts and Holds to make good and preserve their traffic, to their exceeding honour and profit in getting those small lands of India, but of most notable consequence, Mosambike, Ormus, Dieu, Goa and Mallacca, fit Receptacles of trade and strength, and which have to this day preserved to them the Commerce of all others, the parts of India. Isabel, that famous Queen of Castille, having by her Christian Piety spent her own estate in prosecution of the wars against the Moors of Granada, Mu●tia, &c. when yet she and her husband Ferdinando's crowns and Revenues were drawn dry, and far engaged in chasing those Barbarians out of their kingdoms, than when Henry the seventh, accounted amongst the wisest of our English Kings, had unhappily refused Columbus, the Genoes' his offer, for the discovery of the Western Continent, now termed America, than I say being laden with her greatest debts and engagements, her Coffers, empty, her Church plate spent, and all drawn to the lowest ebb by loans and interests, then did she for encouragement to all her subjects, and for to comply with the resolution of that brave Italian, pawn her own wearing jewels, to set him out in three Carvels; where how he thrived, and how that kingdom, Prince and People have been bettered thereby eversince, the whole Christian world may witness at this day, as England hath had just cause to repent of ever after.  
But Henry the seventh having now seen his error, 
Of Hen. the 7. of England.  and apparently discerned what he had lost by his parsimony, endeavoured to make amends to his kingdom, and people, calling hither Sebastian Cabot, also a skilful Pilot, Genoes' giving him both encouragement, honours, and employment; but the issue of his endeavours did not answer that King's expectation, though after his life the same was prosecuted in King Henry the eighth's days with various success.  
And though Margaret Countess of Flanders did, in envy to him, set up Perkin Werbeque to disturb the peace of England, and that that mock Prince came at length to be a Scullion in his kitchen; yet that wise Prince found another more noble revenge to himself, and more profitable to his people, by settling here the Manufactories of Clothing, and the strict prohibition of the Exportation of English wools, which cost him 〈◊〉 two years, (as I have been informed) near one hundred thousand pounds, a mighty mass of moneys, the Prince and times considered: but England soon found the benefit thereof; 
Anno 1515.  for in Anno 1515. the English having removed their staple from Bridges to Antwerp, where the aforesaid Kings of Portugal had then settled their Contractors, for the vent of their new gained East-Indian spices, it was noted by those Registers of Commerce kept in that place, and left to posterity by Guicciardin, that hath written their Chronicle, that the English Company of Merchant-adventurers did bring thither clothing to the sum of, which was in value 9 of 15. parts of all the other commodities and wares brought thither of all other the nations whatsoever.  
What a brave design Edward the sixt his grandchild had, 
Of Edward the 6.  for the settling of sundry staples for that and other commodities in England, and how that by reason of the than poverty of his Merchants, he intended, upon security, to lend them out of his Treasury great sums for the effecting thereof; I have briefly touched before, and for conclusion of this point, look a little into Queen Elizabeth's days, 
Of Queen Elizabet●.  who though she was ever accompanied with state affairs of mighty consequence, sometimes at home, and sometimes abroad; yet was she ever so careful to set forward traffic, and encourage Navigators, that both Earls, Lords, Knights, Gentlemen, and of every degree, willingly thrust themselves in search of new traficks and adventures, and to her days are we beholding for the trades of Barbary and Italy, and other places, and for the discoveries of Turkey, Egypt, India, Russia, Muscovia, and Greenland, and the trades settled by the English therein; which hath since found such fortunate success, to the benefit of our now happy sovereign, and his crowns, that the customs were in her time, some years before her death, farmed but at fourteen thousand pounds, which Smith, commonly called Customer Smith, 
customs increased in 50. years in England, from 14 to 500 thousand pounds a year.  in one year petitioned for relief, as having been a loser thereby, and now in less than fifty years is come to five hundred thousand pounds yearly, if report gain credit to the King's purse; and how much more the Farmers have made thereof, His majesty's custom books can best manifest. 
Princes that have gained traffic must be careful to preserve it.  If then Princes of all ages, and the wisest of all Princes, have made it part of their study, and have in many occurrences prejudiced themselves, and their estates, to win this so excellent a benefit, how careful need all Princes to be when the same is brought to perfection, to preserve and cherish it, and not to suffer the liberties of their Merchants to be encroached upon, the freedom of their traffic, to be fettered by heavy imposts, customs, and Innovations, which are like Cankers that do insensibly eat out and ruin a trade before the Prince, or the wisest of his Counsellors, can see how to prevent or remedy it.  
The want of this care, 
towns that have lost their traffic by want of care and good order.  and provident foresight hath lost many kings the traffic of their kingdoms, which were the best jewels of their crowns, and the richest flower in their Diadems: The want of good orders in the government of the trade of Antwerp, 
Antwerp.  and the imposing of heavy customs upon the Merchants there trading, hath within this fifty years brought that town to the lowness wherein now we see it. 
lions.  Lions in France hath suffered wonderfully by the same inconveniences; 
Marsilia.  and Marsilia within the days of my knowledge had a wonderful great traffic for many places of Turkey, Barbary, Spain, and other kingdoms, and was then able to show many ships employed in merchandise, carrying thirty and forty pieces of Ordnance and now which is not above 24. in 25. years past, the best of their vessels have not above ten pieces, and of those but very few neither.  

English East-India trade.  Here I could also particularize, the fetters encroachments, and Intrusions that have within these late years been laid upon the East-India traders of England, and their liberties, and what they have suffered both abroad and at home, by the ill wishers of their prosperity; but what will it avail them, or benefit our country, to travel into the disturbations, crosses and afflictions, which they have, to their prejudice, felt, and to their loss suffered? It sufficeth me here to say, that the want of due and timely protection, and encouragement from the Estate, hath reduced them to that bad point, and low pass, wherein we now observe them to be; and that for the future erecting of such a brave society, a great deal of time, and money must be expended, and many larger immunities then formerly must be granted, ere the same can be reduced to that pristine flourishing estate we lately have beheld it to be in.  
I could also here, 
Turk, and Moscovia Company in England.  by way of addition, say somewhat of those disturbances, that the Turkey, Moscovia, and other Companies of London have groaned under; but I trust the goodness of our sovereign, and the wisdom of his Counsellors, will rectify the same, or remunerate them by fitting encouragements some other ways; lest thereby the same be reduced to the present condition of the East-India Company, to His majesty's great loss and dishonour, and to the wonderful prejudice of his people and kingdoms.  
Now, having thus handled the 3. first considerations of trade, & observed that neither natural nor artificial commodities of a kingdom can enrich a country without the help and hand of traffic; and then showed what commodities by a well ordered traffic, a kingdom must suffer entrance, and what prohibit, and what again to send out, and also what to forbid, and withal showed the particular means and ways that Princes are observed to use to gain, settle, preserve, and augment the same with the laborious and studious courses that have been taken by sundry late Princes to obtain and purchase this so beneficial a commodity: I come now to the last point and consideration before mentioned, wherein the rest is for the most part comprehended, 
The reasons that do move Princes to covet trade in their kingdoms.  being the reasons and causes that move all estates, Kings and Empires to covet the same, which I may say doth extend itself into four heads and principal parts.  

1 Honourable.  The first is, that traffic with foreign nations is notable in respect of the honour and reputation thereof.  

2 Rich.  Secondly, excellent in point of riches, both to the King, his country, and Subjects.  

3 Strong.  Thirdly, eminent in regard of strength offensive, and defensive, that it brings with it to the country and Princes where it is orderly managed; and regularly practised by skilful Merchants.  
First then, 
Ttraffike is honourable to the people and country.  a well governed traffic, practised in a kingdom, by judicious and expert Merchants, to foreign and remote countries will easily be granted, and confessed to be both honourable, and of singular reputation, both to the sovereign in his particular, and to the nation in general. I need not seek far for examples, nor search much for arguments to make this good and manifest, but only look upon this our kingdom wherein we live. How had ever the name of the English been known in India, 
Experienced in the English.  Persia, Moscovia, or in Turkey, and in many places elsewhere, had not the traffic of our Nation discovered and spread abroad the fame of their sovereign Potency, and the renown of that people's valour and worth? Many parts of the world had, peradventure even to this day, lived in ignorance thereof, and never dreamed of the inhabitants of so small an island, had not the traffic of the Merchants by Navigation made it famous over all those remote Regions.  

And in the Portugal and Hollander.  Nay, the Portugals, and Hollanders, an obscure people, in comparison of the English, and enjoying but a handful of those subjects, that are comprehended under the sceptre of great Britain, have by this only means given witness and good testimony, to many powerful remote nations, of their country's worth and honour.  
What brought the Portugal nation to be famoused in Africa and Asia, or the Spanish name to be notable in America, but her traffic and Commerce.  

The commerce, and not the conquests of the English have made them famous in India.  It is not our conquests, but our Commerce; it is not our swords, but our sails, that first spread the English name in Barbary, and thence came into Turkey, Armenia, Moscovia, Arabia, Persia, India, China, and indeed over and about the world; it is the traffic of their Merchants, and the boundless desires of that nation to eternize the English honour and name, that hath induced them to sail, and seek into all the corners of the earth. What part is there unsearched, what place undiscovered, or what place lies unattempted by their endeavours, and courageous undertakings? most of which hath been accompanied with such fortunate success, 
League contracted by the English Merchants with foreign Princes.  that they have contracted Leagues and Amity with the mogul, Persian, Turk, Moscovite, and other mighty foreign Princes in their sovereign's name, and to his honour; which even in our father's days was not known to us, either to have any such condition, or being the Merchants of England. And to speak truth of London, maintaining now at their charge an Agent in Moscovia, an ambassador and three Consuls in Turkey, and certain precedents and Agents also in India, Persia, and many other places thereof, which by computation cannot cost them less than one hundred thousand pounds yearly (which though it may 
At their own charge 100000. l. yearly.  be alleged is for their own profit, & the benefit of their traffic into these parts) yet for as much as that it is not chargeable to their sovereign, nor prejudicial, but profitable to his kingdoms, it must be granted that the same brings honour to his name, and a great benefit both to him and his subjects; and it is more than can be paralleled in all other Christian or heathen Countries now in the world.  

The Danes, Sweeds and Germans not known in India, &c.  The Danes and Swedish nations are potent, and the French are yet more powerful in Europe; yet if you travel into India, Persia, and many of those Eastern kingdoms of the world, they know of no such people, Kings or Countries, but hold all Europe to be inhabited by the Portugals, English and Dutch; nay the French are hardly known in Moscovia and Russia, save by name, but not by their worth or actions; and the Emperor of Germany, the greatest of our Christian Princes, for all his eminence and power in Christendom, is not in India, known, no nor yet in Persia, save for some leagues, which the Sophy would sometimes have contracted with him, to the prejudice of Turkey, and the Ottoman Empire.  
So that by what hath been said, the Commerce of Merchants, though many times it be accompanied with loss and prejudice to themselves, and estates, and that they are enforced to expose their fortunes to the mercy of merciless storms and tempests, & be subject to the laws of Heathenish Princes, and groan under the heavy customs of many sovereigns and Infidels; yet is it still attended upon with a great deal of honour to their own Prince, and reputation to his subjects: Therefore I will conclude here this point, that a well ordered traffic managed by skilful Merchants, hath been, and ever will be, honourable to that kingdom and sovereign, where the same is duly practised, and carefully protected, and preserved. 
2. Traffic is excellent in point of Riches, tw● ways.   
The second point is in regard of Riches, and the benefit that traffic bringeth with it, where the same is preserved with fitting privileges, and practised with regular order and method; and this Riches extendeth itself two ways.  

1 To the King and his Nobles.  In the first place to the sovereign, his Nobles and Gentry, in the particular of their own estates and Interests.  

2 To his people.  Secondly to his subjects, the inhabitants in general; As to the seamen, Husbandmen, Artificers, Labourers, and others.  

How it inricheth the King.  First for the Prince, or sovereign, it particularly inricheth him by his customs and imposts, imposed inwards, and outwards upon all commodities and wares, either imported or exported, in or out of his kingdoms and Dominions, by the Merchant, and also by venting, and dispersing of such wares, and merchandises, as he appropriateth to himself, either by purchase, prerogative, or by right of his crown; as we find it to do by the Gabell of Bay-salt, to the King of France, by the property of silk to the King of Persia, by the Mines of Copper to the grand Signior, and by the preemtion of Tyn to His majesty of England, 
How the Nobility.  and next it proveth beneficial to the Nobility and Gentry, by the improvement of their lands, by the sale and working of their clothes, by the use of their Timber, by the vent of their Cattle, grain, and other provisions, and in many regards, which experience daily maketh evident, both in this, and all other Kingdoms where the same is practised.  
Secondly, 
How the country.  it inricheth the inhabitants of a country in the general, by setting Arts-men on work, by employing the poor, by furthering and encouraging of all professions whatsoever; for every artsman, workman and Artificer, is conducible one way or other to traffic, and every hand is set on work, where a well governed Commerce is observed to be driven, and exercised by judicious and skilful Merchants, and to the whole country in general it is found beneficial by venting the native commodities of that land, as experience tells us, in Persia by the vent of their raw silks, in France by the vent of their Wines, oils, Lynens, grain, &c. in Zante by the vent of their Corrence, in Spain by the vent of their Wines, Fruits, Sugars, &c. and in England by the vent of their tin, cloth, Lead, &c. as the like may be said of many other countries.  

3. Traffic produceth strength two ways.  Thirdly and lastly, it produceth strength and safety to the Kingdom and people, where the same is duly and orderly practised.  

That which begets wealth, also doth beget strength.  Now this strength and safety may be considered two ways; either defensive or offensive: if my former assertions be granted, That a well ordered trade doth enrich a Prince, his nobles, gentiles and Subjects, as of necessity it must, it will be easy for me to make good this point also; for that which produceth Riches, doth consequently also beget strength and safety, so far forth as treasure is accounted the principal nerve and sinew of war, either offensive, or defensive; but to come to some particulars  
It furnisheth the Prince, 
How traffic doth beget strength.  and his subjects, having maritime ports, with plenty of shipping, and store of Mariners, to manage and sail the same, in all occasions of the state and country by sea▪ and it furnisheth the same with all fitting Ammunition of and for war, as Powder, arms, and other the like necessaries; and by land it maketh the country a Magazine, not only for warlike provisions, brought in for the use of the Prince, and the Kingdom itself, but also for all other neighbouring countries that stand in need thereof.  
I may here fitly bring in Holland to make good this point to all the world, 
An excellent plo● of the Hollanders to inr●ch themselves.  who, though exercised in continual warfare, and daily pressed, and sometimes oppressed by a potent Enemy; yet their industrious traffic into foreign parts, is handled and practised with so much benefit, countenanced from the State and good judgement, that the same doth not only supply their own occasions, with what warlike provisions they want, but withal have thereof in such abundance, that from their own states they furnish freely all other neighbouring countries whatsoever therewith; for the Arts-men that are by them employed daily, in building of ships, casting of Artillery, making of Muskets, shot, powder, swords, pikes, corslets, cordage, Canvas, and the like Habiliments of war, do not only supply their own turns, and necessities, and that both cheap and plentiful; but herein proceed so far, contrary to the politic Rules of many countries, that they sell, and vent their overplus; yea even to the Spaniards their very enemies conceiving it, no ill trick of thrift, nor yet small point of State-stratagem, to draw thus the moneys and wealth of their greatest adversaries to be a reward to their own labour and industry, and so sell as it may be said (for moneys to their foes) the very sword, which peradventure may aftewards be employed in the cutting of their own throats, but being instruments considerable, and which must necessarily be had in war, and which will be by their enemies had elsewhere for moneys, if not of them, they choose rather thus to sell them, and so by permitting an unusual policy of state, endeavour for their moneys to give them with their own consents, and that voluntarily, and of their own accord, what they cannot with their best of policy otherwise prevent, and what their enemies will be furnished withal, in despite of their utmost endeavours elsewhere.  
I need not insist further upon this point, having declared the honour, benefit, and strength, both offensive and defensive, which doth arise to a commonwealth or country by a well ordered traffic, managed by Regular and judicious Merchants, I could here add to what I have said before in the behalf of the Merchant, and show that as he can in many things advance his country before a mere statesman, so also declare the Nobility of his art, and the excellency of his profession, no one vocation in the world requiring a more general knowledge, and inspection into all other professions than this doth; and withal make it appear, that he is the best of commonwealth's men, both towards his Prince, and fellow-subjects; and that for the most part all other professions live, and have their subsistence from others, he only giving by traffic a livelihood to others, and no way dependent, but upon himself, and his own labour and endeavours; as it will easily appear to any judicious man that shall examine his profession, and compare the same with others.  
But I will conclude this discourse, and take it by what hath been said for granted, as for a truth undeniable, That the excellency of a well ordered traffic, is such and so singular, and the effects thereof so notably beneficial to a kingdom, and in its self so admirable, and the discreet and skilful Merchants endeavours so laudable, and his art so eminently honourable, that it requireth and duly challengeth  
A royal Protection, and real Encouragement from all Kings and Princes, a fair respect from all Nobles, a love from all persons, and well wishes from all those their countrymen, that tender the Profit, Advancement and Honour, both of the King and country, &c.   

A TABLE of all the principal Points handled in the aforegoing Discourse of foreign traffic.  

A  THE artsman is ever the best Counsellor in his own profession. 
fol. 3.  The artificial commodities of a country, what. 
fol. 13  artificial Commodities every not a country without the help of traffic. 
fol. 15  artificial Words which are not exportable, and how far. 
fol. 30  All Commodities tending to riot, are to be prohibited importation. 
fol. 38   

B  The benefits of the earth neglected by whom and how. 
fol. 9  The benefit of the trade of Nobles in a kingdom. 
h 49.  The benefit of a staple by experience of other countries. 
fol. 58  Benefits arising to a kingdom by a staple. 
fol. 64   

C  The care of some Princes to set their poor on work. 
fol. 31  Commodities needful for war, are ever to be received, as also those that set the subject a work. 
f. 41  certain limitations upon commodities importable. 
fol. 42  The commodious carriage of goods by land and water to be furthered. 
fol. 44  The coins current of a country to be constant. 
fol. 49  No corn in Holland, yet they have the staple thereof. 
fol. 58  Small customs increase the total customs of a kingdom. 
fol. 61  customs increased in England in fifty years. 
fol. 86  The Commerce, and not the Conquest of the English have made them famous in India. 
fol. 92   

D  Duke of Florence hath no Mines, admits exportation of Gold and Silver, yet hath abundance of Ryals. 
fol. 24  The Dutch care to set the people on work before their last wars with Spain. 
fol. 32  Difficulty in p●ohibiting riotous commodities. 
fol. 39  To discharge all great customs. 
48  Discreet Merchants authorised by a Prince, how far beneficial to a kingdom, exemplified by 19 several propositions. 
fol. 65  The Danes, Sweeds and Germans, not known in India. 
● fol. 94   

E  Edward the first his staple of trade. 
fol. 4  The excellent industry of the Germans in setting men on work in their Cities. 
fol. 14  The East-India affords the spice that drives the West-India trade. 
fol. 26  Examples of the Florentines care to set their people on work. 
fol 32.  To establish Sea-lawes for Merchants. 
fol. 48  To elect a Court of merchants. 
fol. 49  To erect an assurance office, 
h 51  To erect societies. 
h 51  Example of the Prince, a main furtherer of traffic. 
h 54  To erect a staple of trade. 
h 56  Example of custom between England and Holland. 
fol. 61  The endeavours of sundry Princes to gain traffic. 
fol. 76  The East-India trade of England. 
88  An excellent plot of the Hollanders to enrich themselves. 
99   

F  The Farmers eat out the benefit of the earth, to the prejudice of the owners. 
fol. 10  The fruits of the Germans industry in employment of men: four considerations in the prosecution, preservation, and augmentation of trade. 
fol. 17  foreign commodities that set the subject on work to be cherished. 
fol. 35  No fish in Holland, yet they have the staple thereof. 
fol. 59   

G  Gold and Silver in some places exportable, and in some not. 
fol. 19  A general rule observed in prohibited commod: 
f. 29   

H  How far the Princes care to set his people a work is to be cherished. 
fol. 33  Honour to be given to Merchants, and why. 
fol. 51  How traffic inricheth a King. 
fol. 96  How trade inricheth a Nobility, and how the country. 
fol. 97   

I  The endeavours of some Princes, in setting their people on work, to invite industrious strangers by privileges. 
fol. 49   

K  King James his provident care in setting his subjects a work. 
fol. 35  To keep highways from thieves. 
fol. 46   

L  To lend money to Merchants out of the common Treasury. 
h 53  Light customs increase trade, and heavy ruins it. 
60  Sundry leagues contracted by the English Merchants at their own charge. 
fol. 93   

M  Many unskilful Arts-men are hurtful to traffic 
f. 13  Many Princes have been free of halls of London. 
15  Merchants must submit themselves to the laws of Princes where they traffic. 
fol. 27  Manchester commended. 
fol. 32  To maintain Beacons, boys and Castles. 
fol. 46  To maintain Posts. 
fol. 47  To put down Monopolies. 
fol. 47  Merchandising is most profitable to an Estate. 
fol. 53   

N  No man borne for himself, but for his country. 
fol. 1  No one way more conducible to enrich a country, than is foreign trade. 
fol. 5  natural commodities what: 
fol. 7  Ditto of two sorts. 
fol. 7  How they every a country. 
fol. 8  natural commodities hurtful to a country, without the help of traffic. 
fol. 8  No commodities can enrich a country without the help of trade. 
fol. 12  No toll to be paid upon Rivers. 
fol. 45   

O  The original of our halls in London, and elsewhere. 
fol. 15   

P  Parents labour to enrich their posterity. 
fol. 3  The practice of sundry Princes to augment trade. 
f. 42  The practice of the Duke of Florence to get trade with Leghorne. 
fol. 77  The practice of the Hollanders. 
fol. 79  The practice of the Venetians. 
fol. 80  The practice of the Kings of Portugal. 
fol. 81  The practice of Isabel Queen of Castille. 
fol. 81  The practice of Henry the seventh. 
fol. 83  The practice of Edward the sixth, and Eliza: 
fol. 85  Princes that gain in traffic, must have care to preserve it. 
fol. 86   

R  The riches of a country doth consist in 3. things. 
fo. 6.  The reason why some Princes forbid exportation of gold and silver. 
fol. 20  Yet found of no effect where the contrary is allowed, 
ibid. 21  Reasons for the prohibition of commodities unpossible to be kept. 
fol. 28  Reasons moving Princes to covet trade in their kingdoms. 
fol. 90   

S  The scope of the discourse for the benefit of England, and the trade thereof. 
fol. 5  Sundry Princes have studied the advancement of their estates. 
fol. 11  Spain richest in mines, forbiddeth exportation of gold and silver, and finds no benefit by the said restrictions. 
fol. 22  Spain tradeth most with black or coppar moneys. 
f. 23  Spain in his lowest ebb came to be owner of the West-India. 
fol. 25  Some wares transportable in some countries, and prohibited in others. 
fol. 28  Staple and native commodities of a kingdom are in the first place to be cared for in point of exportation. 
f. 34  The sea is to be freed from pirates. 
f. 45  A staple of trade what. 
f. 57   

To  Three ways whereby a kingdom is enriched. 
f. 2  Two considerable points in artificial commodities. 
f. 13  traffic only able to enrich a country barren of all commodities. 
f. 16  Those commodities exportable, which a place hath in abundance, and how far. 
f. 19  Those that a place may stand in need of are not exportable. 
f. 19  Nor those that may be used to the hurt of the place of our abode. 
fol. 19  Turkey, with whom Spain is ever in war, yet hath abundance of Spanish rials. 
f. 23.  Toscanies' fertility attributed more to the trade thereof then soil. 
fol. 26  Toscany observable in 3. points of traffic. 
f. 27  To transport bills of debt. 
h 53  No timber in Holland, and yet they have the staple thereof. 
f. 58  towns that have lost their traffic for want of care, and good order. 
f. 87  Turkey and Moscovia Company in England. 
f. 89  traffic is honourable to a people and country. 
fol. 91  traffic is honourable to the English, Portugal and Hollander. 
f. 91  traffic is excellent in point of riches to a King, his Nobles, and People. 
fol. 95  traffic produceth strength to a country, and h●w. 
98   

W  What wares to export out of a country, and what not 
fol. 17  What wares to receive, and what not. 
fol. 18  What may facilitate, and ease trade, and what not. 
f. 18  What commodities and benefit trade produceth to a kingdom. 
f. 18  West-India affords th●se wares that the East-India trade is driven with. 
f. 26  No wines in Holland, yet they have the staple thereof. 
f. 59  No w●●ls in Holland, yet they have the staple thereof. 
fol. 60   
FINIS.