LIBERTAS, OR RELIEF TO THE ENGLISH CAPTIVES IN ALGIERS.  
Briefly discoursing how such as are in slavery may be soon set at Liberty, others preserved therein, and the Great Turk reduced to renew and keep the Peace inviolate, to a greater enlargement of Trade and Privileges than ever the English Nation hitherto enjoyed in Turkey.  
Presented to the serious Consideration of the Honourable Court of Parliament.  
BY HENRY ROBINSON, Gent.  
LONDON, Printed by Rich. Cotes for John Sweeting, and are to be sold at his shop, at the sign of the Angel, in Popes-head Alley. 1642.   

RELIEF FOR THE ENGLISH CAPTIVES IN ALGIERS.  
SUndry propositions have been made for redemption of our Captives in Algiers; Some take it to be a work of Charity to Ransom them, and questionless it were so, but that their ransoms will so much more encourage and enable those Pirates to take them slaves again, and twice as many more; Others conceive a Fleet of twenty Ships at Sea for about five years together, would be their utter ruin, by making prize of them if they stirred out, or rot and perish if they keep at home: but how doubtful the success hereof may be, will appear by sundry reasons.  
First, because our Fleet cannot always so ride before Algiers, but their ships (observing all advantages) will pass both out and in, though with some hazard.  
Secondly, being once but out of reach, they do not only outsail us, but at Sea, worse than in a wood, are hardly to be met withal.  
Thirdly, it would be a long and chargeable piece of work, for what if we should take five or ten of them in a year? the rest would likely take some of ours in lieu thereof; and being above a hundred sail at present, to take but ten a year, and more we are not likely, would prove a ten year's task and charge unto us.  
Fourthly, the leave we have of the Grand Signior, is only to take Pirates of Algiers, but how shall we distinguish the Pirates from others of Algiers? For scarce ever a ship of them, but is both Merchant, and a Pirate, many times in the selfsame voyage: I verily believe not one of them but desires to be so, and wants only opportunity: Now since every ship seeks for conveniency to play the Pirate, and yet unless taken in the fact, may still pretend to be a Merchantman, what good can our Fleet effect in so mild a way? To hinder them from coming out of Port, you may not, as contrary to our Articles of Peace with them, since they will all, though never so many, pretend a Merchant's voyage, without giving you leave to search their Cockets, meet with them where or when you can at Sea, they are still Marchant-men, unless they have taken a prize, and then too, for how can we hinder them in a Merchant's voyage, to take their enemies, whether Italians, French, Spaniards, Dutch, or any Nation else, but English? So that the case stands thus; keep as many Fleets as you will abroad, you may not keep the Pirates from coming out of Port: meet with them as often as you can at Sea, unless you light upon those very ships, which have first preyed upon the English, three fourthes whereof will likely scape you, our labour is all in vain; Nor can much be replied to this Objection, for though the Grand Signior give us leave to take the Algiers Pirates, it is not because he means really we shall take them, that may so much stead him in all attempts, as hereafter appears more plainly, but because he thinks we cannot; and if we could, and did, what ere our Capitulations be, his exposition will be such as shall make us pay dear for taking them: So that whilst we have estate in Turkey, every Pirate taken, will be a Merchantman, the taking whereof, much more a number of them, would doubtless prove a breach of Peace, especially being his own Interpreter, as is well known to the Merchant's cost, upon all occasions, and Ambassador, Nation, and whole effects, endangered no less than if we had sacked Constantinople itself.  
Fifthly, grant we might and could ruin at last this nest of Robbers, which in likelihood, by reason of their Situation, we cannot be able for one or two year's space, to damnify so much, as we might the Imperial seat itself, and whole Territories besides on the Mediterranean Coast; Yet if after many years charge and trouble it were effected, the rooting out this one Nation might chance bring in Dominion of several others into those parts, and prove more pestiferous to us in matter of our commerce for the future: So that unless the Grand Signior will give us leave to assault them all, Men of War and Merchants, both by Sea and Land, as they do us at pleasure, whereby to force them to a friendship, it may prove necessary for us to make open war against him, and how by this course it may not only be effected, but that this course is the most probable (submitting myself notwithstanding, to better judgements) likeliest to be more beneficial in the end, and of less charge and detriment in the achieving, may happily thus be made appear.  
The most considerable benefit redounding to this Kingdom by the Turkey Trade, is the annual exportation of above twenty thousand Broad cloth, died and dressed in their full manufacture for these latter years, what we bring home in return thereof, is not so material, as Silk, Cotton wool, Cotton yarn, Galls, Grograines, Grograine yarn, etc. all or most whereof we can have else where, or be without in case of necessity, and for the most part, to further these returns, about fifty thousand pounds per annum, used to be sent from Legorne unto Aleppo, in Spanish Reals of eight, which otherwise might perhaps have been brought for England in specie, and at worst by exchange, or in some commodities or other; and it is worth notice, that though the Turkey company have of late thus exported above twenty thousand coloured clothes per annum, yet it is certain, they cannot, as the case stands, continue the trade to profit for above half that quantity in the future, unless the Venetian, and French Cloth be yet farther beaten out, which (by the way) may very likely take effect, if abstaining from sending false-made cloth, the Customs and charges were taken off here in England, and we thereby enabled to under-sell them.  
This I conceive, is the true state of the Turkey trade; together with the utmost benefit, (except the venting of a little Tin) to be put into the balance against the inconveniencies we suffer for this Trade's sake, to the dishonour of God, and the King, and prejudice of the Common weal, which is by suffering some four or five thousand of his Majesty's loving Subjects to remain in chains, and leaving the rest liable to be carried away Captives at these Pirates pleasure, hazarding the loss of their very Souls as well as bodies; wherewith, questionless, God is much offended, and will one day take account thereof, and the King's Majesty no little dishonoured by keeping Peace with Infidels, upon such dis-advantages, and suffering his Subjects, not only to give Merchandise for Merchandise, and money to boot, to our Country's common prejudice, but when we shall have carried them our Commodities, and moneys to their own houses, (a great conveniency to those effeminate lazy people) and laden with their Country Commodities for our returns, to suffer both us, our Ships, and returns, as soon as we are out of Port, to be taken Captive by Subjects of the same Prince; which, it is true, he therefore calls Pirates, but only the better to delude Christians, for he can command them if he please, and if he could not, might at least give us leave to right ourselves; the latter is unquestionable, and the other is proved since nothing appears, but that he may as well hereafter, in that he did command them heretofore, and they in obedience kept the Peace some years together, and pretend even to this day, not to continue it, because we broke it first; which perhaps may in part be true, but was in way of Piracy, not countenanced by our State, and in such cases Justice, and equity require only that restitution be made, which we may proffer now on our part, and demand the like from them, that cannot be declined, if they mean really: and this will yet appear more plainly, even on the Grand Signors part too, in that he, or his Ministers by him, every three years substituted, have the Hull or tenths of every Ship or English prize is taken; And how prejudicial it is to this Commonwealth, to lose so many Ships, the strength and safety of the Kingdom, so much money and Merchandise, the wealth and riches of the Kingdom, and so many men all Mariners, able to win and keep a Kingdom, were it but lawful for them, needs no Rhetoric to express.  
And since we speak of the Turkey trade, so famous not only over England, but all parts of the known world besides, insomuch that the worthy Society hath rather reaped envy thereby than otherwise, being accused as Monopolising so rich and large a jurisdiction, it many not be amiss to rectify many men's understandings, how they for the most part have shown themselves truer Commonwealths-men than Brethren of their own Society, or respectors of private profit.  
Concerning Companies, and Corporations of Merchants, Trading for one place or Country, and the necessity thereof in general, I have already been forward in publishing my opinion, which for most part may be applied to this in particular; but whereas it may well be expected that a Trade would not be long continued without both gain unto the Merchants, and honour to the Kingdom, I verily believe, it may easily be made appear, that this great Trade which sets so many Manufactors a-work, maintains so many Mariners and Warlike Ships, if a medium of the whole stock employed therein for these ten years past be calculated, it will not prove to have produced five pound per centum profit unto the Interessed, who yet never lost ship, either going or coming, through God's particular Patronage and Providence; But for the dishonour our King and Country suffers, throughout those Territories of the Grand Signior, where we Traffic, nay, at the Imperial Seat itself, is both infamous and intolerable, as the violating our Capitulations and Articles of Peace and Commerce with them, infinite injustices done us, importing ten or twenty thousand pounds sterling at a time, vilifying and injuring our Nation, disrespecting the Person of our Ambassador, who representing Sovereignty, by Law of Nations is held as Sacred, and in fine, so scandalously entreating us, as more honourable it is for us to have it lie concealed than published.  
Thus than I hope it will be granted, our Trade with Turkey, upon these terms, will not countervail the disadvantages, and how it may be remedied follows now.  
I think it will be confessed by most experienced men in Marshal and Maritine affairs, who are likewise well informed of ours, and the Grand Signors strength at Sea, that we are able to send a Fleet into those parts, (and yet not be disarmed at home) which by God's assistance all the force of Turkey neither will or can encounter and it will seem so much more probable by relation of a fight made in the Archi-Pelago, anno 1633. between the Hector, and William, and Ralph, two English Merchants ships, and at least fifty Turkish galleys, the two ships it is true were sunk at last, and most of the men slain, but first the ships were becalmed, and could not stir, and yet killed above a thousand men upon the galleys, and so ruin'd the whole Fleet, as made it altogether unserviceable: For the Algiers Pirates, and those of Tunnis, both men of war, sundry Merchants single ships have happened in midst of Fleets, and Squadrons, and to my knowledge, by relation of those very Mariners of best repute, about the same year 1633. the ships Rainbow and Samuel, each of them single in a Merchant's voyage, light unawares in midst of seventeen Turkish men of war, which had not the resolution to assault them; yet do I know the time, when two or three, nay one Turks ship, hath taken an English of better strength, and surely may do it oftener, if God do but permit, and we forbear to renew again the credit, which a long time we enjoyed by force, and virtue of ancient acts and erterprises of puissance and valour: yet why they should thus single assault one of our ships, and at other times let a single ship pass by ten or twenty of theirs, without the least offence, this may serve for another reason, in that they direct their fights and whole voyages by a kind of sorcery, in putting two arrows together, whereby are meant the Christians and the Turks, at certain times and places, which of themselves, fight and vanquish one another; and so give omen to the Turks, for their future government and good, or bad success accordingly.  
But for this enterprise against the Turks, I conceive forty ships will do the feat, and that perhaps within a year or two, and happily, not only get restitution of our present Captives, but compel the Grand Signior himself to make a Peace with us upon better terms than ever: These forty sale of ships may Ride at the Castle of Constantinople, all winds and weathers, interdicting all Commerce betwixt that City, and all the Turks dominions in the white Sea, which Coasting is above a thousand mile's voyage Eastward, and near a thousand Westward, and out of this Sea comes a great proportion of that City's provision, as Corn, Rice, and all manner of Pulse, Raisins, Lemmons, Pepper, Cinnamon, Sugar, and all other Spices, Woollen cloth, Cough, Flax, Turbans, Indigo, with all manner of Drugs, and other India Commodities: Now although perhaps we are not so fully informed as we might be, how considerable these provisions are to the relief of Constantinople, yet surely by the experience we have of other parts in Europe, better known unto us, it will sound consonant unto reason, that a City, so seated, and so populous as that, cannot subsist, if the intercourse of the white Sea, from whence it may with most convenience be furnished, should be suspended: yet I will seek to prove it by another, or rather the same argument, though differently framed, which will come as home, and perhaps be sooner granted, and that is this: All people, especially multitudes, provide themselves of necessaries from such parts as are nearest, and can furnish them with the best, best cheap; now that the white Sea is able to minister to Constantinople a large quantity upon these terms, by reason of its own fruitfulness, and that City's situation, will not be much controverted, or easily be made appear to reason, so that since the Inhabitants of the white Sea coast, both have and do still blow and plant for maintenance of that City, although it were possible, and that there were ground enough upon the black Sea Coast, to yield sufficient provisions for Constantinople, and people enough to manure that ground, both which are most improbable, (for in such case that ground must have before lain waste, and those people had no employment) yet this cannot be brought to pass, nor settled in a year or two: so that though the cutting off the white Sea, do not quite starve Constantinople, yet doubtless, it will bring them to a great strait, and in a short time raise the price of all provisions and Merchandise, which used to come from thence, so much as will easily cause a tumultuous and rude multitude to rebel, and render themselves liable to become a booty, or else importune the Grand Signior to a Peace with us, especially when they understand, and see we desire nothing but justice for the injuries we received, and will then be as willing to entertain any honourable composition, and terms of friendship as they themselves can wish.  
Now though this should not fully take effect, I believe it will quickly be acknowledged by men of reason, that to hinder the intercourse and commerce of so many Kingdoms by Sea, for some thousand mile's circuit, cannot be so inconsiderable a thing as not to make them weary of it in a short time, and that except the Castles of Costantinople, there is scarce any Town or Fort upon the Turkish Coast, which this Fleet, with God's assistance, were not able to batter down to ground, and sack at pleasure; where, if they found no other riches, may lad themselves with slaves, and sell for ready money in Italy and Spain. The Town of Algiers itself is very strong, yet with assistance of those Moors, which are always at greatest enmity with them, is not thought able long to withstand a parcel of this force, especially when they shall consider the hazard in contracting with us, when making and keeping Peace, they may pray upon all the world besides: And even at selfsame time, when once it shall appear, as in likeli-hood it will, that fewer ships can do the service at Constantinople, the rest may for Algiers, and rove amongst the Islands, and Turkish shore, where they cannot want bread and meat to furnish the whole Fleet, and slaves to make money of, defraying their other charges.  
And whereas it will be objected, how both the French and Venetians will be glad to see, and continue us in this variance with the Grand Signior, endeavouring to keep us from ever being reconciled again for advantagement of their own Trade, although I conceive as afore, that we had better never have Peace with him upon such disadvantage and dishonour, yet I hope it may appear by other arguments, how it is very probable the Turkey Trade will not be lost for ever by these proceed. For first, Marseils is worn out of shipping, and almost all that little trade they drove of late, hath been in English Vessels. The use of the Venetian cloth is likewise much decreased, but we must prevail with them to forbear the Trade so long as this enterprise is a foot, which they may well condescend unto, in recompense of the benefit they receive by our alliance, since of themselves they cannot put ten ships to Sea, and most of the Wools wherewith they make their Cloth is brought to them from Spain in English Bottoms: Besides the trade and friendship of Venice, unless they be also as desirous to continue it, doth less import us, than that of any other Christian state of note; for most evident it is, we are not only not beholding to them for any trade, but that little we have by importation of their Currants, may chance be found damageable to this Kingdom, in that the quantity we bring from thence, costs yearly seventy thousand pounds sterling, paid all in ready money, which for this cause we send from Legorne thither, and otherwise perhaps might bring in specie into England.  
And in case the Turk should never be reconciled to us again, which his own interest in commerce, need of our cloth, and damages we can do him, will likely urge to, the State of Venice will questionless be willing to grant us a Staple in their Gulf, from whence our cloth might be transported, as in former times it was, to greater profit, by Turks, Jews, and Italians, to all parts of Turkey: The like may most commodiously be done from Legorne, which out of some experience had in those parts, I know is practised at present, and make no scruple, but may be perfected hereafter in such ample manner, as we shall stand in need of.  
But since this enterprise will not only be a matter of great expense, but that by the Law of Nations, a War should not be made without preceding intimation, it may be requisite that the Captives be first demanded by an extraordinary Ambassador, or some Gentleman, sent express to the Grand Signior; which one way or other will be a notable advantage to us, for if it take effect, it will prevent the charge and trouble of so great an expedition; if not, the Merchants in the mean time, may in a fair way withdraw their estates, which at present are above 300. thousand pounds, and the Ambassador with the whole Nation retire themselves for England: in both which perhaps we may come short, not only if we go on over-hastily, but also if we should omit requiring restitution first in a fair way, for they questionless will have notice, and even upon suspicion seek to keep beforehand by intercepting our Ambassador, Nation, and whole Estates; Which considerations how ever weak, I am bold humbly to present to their deep wisdoms that can best refine them.  
FINIS.