The merchants mappe of commerce wherein, the universall manner and matter of trade, is compendiously handled. The standerd and currant coines of sundry princes, observed. The reall and imaginary coines of accompts and exchanges, expressed. The naturall and artificiall commodities of all countries for transportation declared. The weights and measures of all eminent cities and tovvnes of traffique, collected and reduced one into another; and all to the meridian of commerce practised in the famous citie of London. By Lewes Roberts, merchant. Necessary for all such as shall be imployed in the publique affaires of princes in forreigne parts; for all gentlemen and others that travell abroad for delight or pleasure, and for all merchants or their factors that exercise the art of merchandizing in any part of the habitable world.

CHAP. CIX.

Of the Trade in generall of ASIA, as it is found at this day.

TO conclude then the Trade and Traffique of ASIA * 1.1 in generall; it is comprehended within a few prin∣cipall Cities thereof: as first, in the Grand Signiors Dominions in Aleppo, Smyrna, Constantinople, Alex∣andria, Balsara, and Baruti, and Damasco: in Persia Dominions, in Sciras, Ormus, Casbin, Gilan, and Hispahan: and in India and these Coasts, at Goa, Mallacca, Siam, Pegu, Cochin, Calicut, Mesulapatan, and the Ilands of Iava, Iapan, Sumatra, Mo∣luccos: in Tartaria, in Astracan, Capha, Sarmacand, and Cam∣balu, &c. The Turkish Nation affoords not many Merchants of note; yet some are found that from Constantinople doe drive a Trade by Sea to Venice, Cairo, Trapesond, Capha, and some few o∣ther places; and some againe that with Caravans by land drive a Trade from Aleppo, Damasco, and Aegypt, to the Red Sea, and to Mecha; but these I may more properly account Arabians then naturall Turkes, who in generall have beene esteemed in times past, and yet are more industrious and better vers'd in all manu∣all Arts, then in the mystery of Merchandizing; but now they have well neere lost that attribute, and wholly addict themselves by reason of their grand Signiors tyranny, to no further trade then what necessitie doth for the most part compell them, therefore not much worth here further consideration.

But those severall Nations inhabiting the large Coast of India, Persia, and these abovementioned Ilands, are found to bee more addicted thereto and of greater eminencie, and are found by their traffique and commerce to have raised to themselves Estates in these Countries equall to many of our European Dukes & greatest Earls,

wherof the Gusurets and Canarins, the frugall and proper inhabi∣tants of India, are accounted the chiefest & principall, occasioned partly by their excellent subtilty in accounts and numbring, and partly by the late navigations and commerce of the Europeans, Ara∣bians, and other remoter Nations amongst them, who bring them (for the most part) no other commoditie but plate and silver in Rials of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which they there exchange for the rich commodities of India, as their Cloves, Maces, Nutmegs, Pepper, Diamonds, Emeralds, Rubies, Pearles, and such other, the precious Wares of these Countries.

The Persian Nation challenge also a large share in this Trade of ASIA, occasioned by their excellent and industrious fabriques, and their naturall plentie of raw silkes, which from them is aboun∣dantly transported and spread over all the World, and their sumptuous adorning and curiositie of living, drawing to them by exchange, the riches and commodities of India and China and other places.

The Arabians, (as possessing a great part of ASIA) may not heere bee omitted, amongst which are found many emi∣nent Merchants, not onely trading by Camels with Caravans from Turkey into Aegypt and other places, and into the Red Sea, but also from Aleppo to Babylon, Balsara, and so to the Persian gulph; and also by Sea, not onely on the Coast of Sindy, India, Cormandell, Siam, Pegu, and the Ilands aforesaid, where ma∣ny Mahumetane Princes are found to beare rule; but also at Suachem, Melinda, Brava, and Quiloa, and many other parts and Ports of Africa

Neither amongst all these above-mentioned Nations, which are found in the generall to afford Merchants of eminencie and note, and to have a Countrey for a particular residence to them∣selves, and where their Princes doe beare Soveraignty, are the Nation of the Iewes to bee omitted or forgotten, who (though by the curse of the Almightie) are scattered and dispersed as it were over the face of the whole earth, and are permitted (with some limitations and restrictions) their abode in seve∣rall Countries, paying for their libertie, and freedome of resi∣dence and commerce, both great and large annuall contributi∣ons in sundry places; yet by their ingeniousnes in Trade, and their expertnes in Arts, and their subtilty in the valuation of Princes coines, and their skill in Accompts, they are found in all these afore-named Countries to bee both eminent and rich Mer∣chants, trading as well by Land as by Sea through all these afore-named Countries, and by their craft and Art, raising to themselves eminence and great Estates thereby.

I should heere give a share of this ASIAN Trade to the Chinois, Tartarians, and other great Nations: but my ignorance herein doth silence me.

Therefore it shall content mee to have surveyed it in the ge∣nerall, and to have left behind mee what observations I have beene able to collect of the Traffique, and Traders of those vast and large Territories and Countries, knowing that their strange Customes, and the manner of their Lawes and Go∣vernment debarres all easie accesse into their Dominions, and what others must not dare to see, I must not dare to offer to recount.

To conclude then, having thus run over and surveyed the generall Commerce and Traffique of ASIA, I will now turne my selfe towards EVROPE, the last division of the World, and of this Worke, and as the best knowne to us, and the best reputed of Us.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Of the Trade in generall of ASIA.