The present state of England. Part III. and Part IV. containing I. an account of the riches, strength, magnificence, natural production, manufactures of this island, with an exact catalogue of the nobility, and their seats, &c., II. the trade and commerce within it self, and with all countries traded to by the English, as at this day established, and all other matters relating to inland and marine affairs : supplying what is omitted in the two former parts ...

CHAP. XIV. A View of New-England, and the Trade thereof.

NEw-England has for it's chief Town or City Boston, where all their Trade Centres, especially that which accrues by Navigation; a place which contains about 1500 houses Built of Brick and Timber; in it is a State House, and Congregational Meet∣ing-Houses; the Inhabitants for the most part being Presbyterians, and Independants; and are supplyed with great Quantities of Fish from Marblehead, and other places. As for Fowl, they Trade with the Indians, as likewise for Muscat, Beaver, Otter, &c. for which they deliver them Strong-Waters, Shagged-Cloath, Beads, Looking-Glasses, and the like; and thither likewise are brought Provisions from St. Martins, Long Island, Road Island, Shelter Island; and other places, they all being little spots, standing in the Sea, and have their Trade chiefly consisting in Provision. The chief Roads for the safe Riding of Shipping are

Boston, Charlestown, Salem, and Pascata∣qua.

A Mint they have, in which they Coyn English money, as 12 pence, 6 pence, 3 pence, and smaller piece, both Silver and Tinn. The Reason of setting it up, was upon the spreading of many adultera∣ted Pieces of Eight amongst them, brought from Peru; but notwithstanding the Eng∣lish Coyn, Mexico, and Sevil Royals, go currant at a Crown apiece.

Their Accounts are kept after the Itali∣an Fashion, by such as understand the way, and those that do not keep them as in old England.

Their Weights are Averdupois, and Troy; the former consisting of 16 Ounces the pound, and the latter of twelve; their hundred Averdupois is 112 pounds, and by that they weigh all their gross Com∣modities, using Troy only for Silk, Gold, and Silver. Their Measures are likewise consistent with ours.

Their chief Merchandise consists in Hogs, Oxen, Fish, Flower, Pease, Kell, or Rice, Biskets, Beaver, Muskat Skins, Otter, Pipe-Staves, Masts, and the like; and some Tobacco, for which they receive in exchange English Linnen, and Woollen-Cloath, Iron-Tools, Stockins, Shoes, Thred,

Buttons, Ribons, Lead, Puter, Tinn, small Ordnance, Gunpowder, Shot, Strong Wa∣ters, Wines, Oyls, Fruit, Salt, and the like; not taking any Customs for ought imported, except Wines, and Strong Wa∣ters, and for that not above 30 or 40 Shil∣lings per Tun; Consolage they take none, their Factorage is from 5 to 10 per cent. for Sails and returns only, and that not fixed, but as the Trader, and the Factor can agree. Sugars they have likewise, which they sell in Casks, and have not many Ships belonging to the Plantation.

Their chief Fishing consists in dry Cod, and poor Jack, which every Spring and Fall, they take by Hooks, and sell by the Quintal, or hundred Weight, each for 28. or 30 Royals, sometimes more, tho some∣times they Barrel them up; their Fraight per Tun from thence to London, is 3 pound, 3 pound 10 Shillings, and sometimes 4 pound. They have likewise an Office of Assurance, now much in request, both by the Inhabitants, and such as Trade thither. And thus much for New-England.