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. CXXIV.

Of Burdeux, and the Trade thereof.

BURDEUX is seated upon the bankes of the River * 1.1 Geronde before mentioned, plentifully abounding in those Wines which being White and Claret are knowne by the names of this citie, here is al•…•…o neere this city the little village of le Greve, which gives name to those Grave•…•… wines, which we esteem so excellent, and between this towne and Tholousa lies those rich grounds which yeelds those sweet Wines by us knowne by the name of High Country, which the inhabitants of Burdeux knowing their worth, would hinder the sale and exporta∣tion of theirs of that growth, do therfore prohibite the same to be landed, or sould in their Towne •…•…ill Chri•…•… day in the morning, and •…•…hen these High Country Merchants are more busie in landing their Wines, than they are in attending their Masse; that Gabor or lighter being ever accounted free of taxe and Custome that first set∣teth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 head ag•…•…ound, when their Masse bell ringeth, and then it is lawfull for any man for that day to come aboard her and be drunke grasis.

Here our English have had many priviledges and beene esteemed as fellow Citizens before all other Strangers, but our last Warres to the •…•…sle of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath made them heere inferiour to all others, and now pay double their former Customes▪ upon Wines, which in cour∣tesie to the Dutch is abated them and laid on the English shoulders, which may be remedied if his Majesty please; it is otherwise then for Prunes and Wines a Towne of no great Trade, for little traffique is heere else driven, Monies onely are hither remitted to provide the same, but no commodities else vendible of import. In Anno 1611. I here learned the French Tongue after I had beene for a while in

Rotchell, so will note in briefe, what I observed thereupon in those my younger dayes.

The Monies currant and Accounts kept are in Livers, Sold, Denlers, as throughout all the Dominions of the French King. * 1.2

Their Weights and Measures are as followeth.

The Weight of Burdeaux is the Pound, 100 whereof is the Quin∣tar, * 1.3 which hath beene found to he 110. li. English and the 100. l. in London is 90¼ lib. here.

Their common Measure is an Alne which is about English.

From Burdeaux I will passe by Blaie, where I will onely note a * 1.4 subjection of our English shippes, which heere at their going up to * 1.5 Burdeaux, unlade all their Artillery and Armes, which by many treaties beweene the Kings of England and France hath beene cove∣nanted to bee disused, yet the insolency of the Captaine of Blaie, scorning the commandements of his Soveraigne and his treaties, holds still the same in use to the great prejudice of our Merchants trading to Burdeaux. And now to Rotchell, the place of my first e∣ducation beyond seas.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Burdeaux and the trade thereof.
• * 1.2

  Monies and account.
• * 1.3

  Weights of Burdeaux.
• * 1.4

  Measure of Burdeaux.
• * 1.5

  English subje∣ction at Blaie upon the river Geron.