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. CCXXI.

Of the trade in generall of Moscovia.

THE excellent commoditie of the great Rivers * 1.1 that in all places of this large Empire are found to water and enrich this Countrey, should much in∣cite this nation to the trade of Merchandise; but it is often found, that where nature is most liberall in her furtherances, the inhabitants prove most backward in their endevours; the naturall coldnesse of the clymate

inclosing the people into their warme stoves, and the neighbour∣hood of the Tartars (who in some respects resembling dogges, nei∣ther suffering the Moscovians to traffique, nor yet traffique them∣selves) by their continuall harrying of the countrey, and the of∣ten incursions and warres of the Swedens, may in some sort serve them for a reasonable excuse; yet it is found that these warres prove main helps somtimes to their traffick, especially in Furres, for their bodies thereby inured to cold and hardnesse, make the pastime of hunting a profitable exercise in the worst season of the yeare, the rest of their Merchandise come to them very neere in the same kinde: for it wholly dependeth upon Manufactories and labour for their cordage, linnens and yarne they have from the earth, as their hides, tallow, and wax upon the same: their Caviare and Traine oyle, and some other such by Fishing, so that it may be supposed they are more addicted to husbandry and fishing, than to merchandising. The English about the yeare of 1575 first discovered the trade, and found here good entertainment, and great priviledges from the then raigning Prince, and the first discoverers were in London in∣corporated into a Societie of Merchants by the name of the Moscovia Companie, by grant of Queene Elizabeth; which companie hath since been subject to some alterations and contingencies in their trade, by reason of certaine crosse accidents happening therein; but be∣ing in England ordered by the advice of a Governour, Deputie; and certaine selected Committies, and in Moscovia by an Agent, who regu∣late * 1.2 the same, by whose wisedome they have of late so prudently setled their trade in general, and reformed their passed errours, that it is now seene to flourish, and in likelihood to increase daily to the particular benefite of that company, and the good both of this and that Kingdome in generall.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Of the trade in generall of Moscovia.
• * 1.2

  Mr. Henry Ga∣raway Alder∣man being at present Go∣vernour.