Purchas his pilgrimes. part 1 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

The fourth Obiection. It is generally obserued, that his Maiesties Mint hath had but little imployment euer since the East India Trade began; wherefore it is manifest, that the onely remedy for this, and so many euils besides, is to put downe this Trade: For what other remedie can there be for the good of the Common-wealth?

The Answere.

[ 10]

THis fourth obiection may be deuided into three parts: First, An euill declared: Secondly, A re∣medie propounded:* 1.1 Thirdly, And counsell demanded.

And first concerning the Euill or want of Siluer, I thinke it hath been, and is a generall disease of all Nations, and so will continue vntill the end of the world; for poore and rich complaine, they neuer haue enough: but it seemeth the maladie is growne mortall here with vs, and therefore it cries out for remedy. Well, I hope it is but imagination maketh vs sicke, when all our parts be sound and strong: For who know∣eth not the inestimable treasure of this Kingdome, in Plate possessed by the people thereof almost of all de∣grees; in such measure, as neuer hath been seene in former ages? And for his Maiesties Mint, it is well knowne, that there hath been coyned in fiue yeares together since the East India Company began, six thou∣sand [ 20] two hundred fourteene pound waight of Gold, and three hundred eleuen thousand three hundred fourescore and foure pound weight of sterling Money; all which Gold and Siluer doe amount vnto the summe of twelue hundred thirteene thousand eight hundred fiftie pounds of sterling Money: How then doth this Trade turne the currant and imployment of the Mint?

But vpon the sight of this truth, perhaps it will be said, That we must resort vnto the present times (the Mint being idle now.) To which I answere, That likewise the Mint had little or no imployment for coy∣nage of Siluer in former times, when the said Company did not export aboue fifteene or twentie thousand pounds sterling at the most per annum; no, nor yet in the yeares 1608, and 1612; when in the former they shipped out but sixe thousand pound, and in the latter but one thousand two hundred and fifty pounds sterling. So that both wayes we see, that the Mint hath had very great imployment fiue yeares together, [ 30] sithence the East India Trade began; and also it hath been without imployment diuers yeares, when the East India Company haue sent away but verie small summes of money; wherefore of necessitie there must bee some other causes and meanes whereby our Siluer is not exported onely, but also it is not imported into the Realme as in former times. For wee haue not had the meanes by our owne plenty, nor by the scarsitie of our Neighbours (for the space of the last foureteene yeares together) to send out hundreds of Ships laden with Corne, as in times past, which was returned home in Siluer; but rather of late yeares (as is much to be feared) a great quantitie of our money hath been carried out of the Kingdome for that Corne, which hath been brought vs from the East Countries, and other places, to sup∣ply our wants. Thus times doth change, and our fortunes change with them: neither list I to make this matter plainer, by setting downe those meanes, which heretofore brought vs store of money, euen out of [ 40] France, and other places, which now are ceased. But without any further medling in the Mint, I will come to the remedie which some propound, by putting downe the East India Company.

But here our comfort is, that the Obiectors are not our Iudges, whose wisdome and integritie labouring for the honour of his Maiestie, and the good of his Kingdome, will soone perceiue the mischiefes of this sup∣p••sed remedie. And that the pretended euill which many with malice chase, is that great good, which other Nations seeke by policie and strength to keepe, and likewise to obtaine; in which pro∣ceedings, it concerneth vs especially to obserue the diligences and practises of the Dutch, who with more gladnesse would vndertake the whole Trade to the East Indies, then with any reason wee can abandon that part thereof, which we now enioy; neither can our restraint from the Indies keepe our Siluer from thence, as long as the Dutch goe thither: for we know, that deuices want not to furnish such designes; and [ 50] when their Ships returne from India, shall not our Siluer out againe to helpe to pay a double price, or what they please, for all those wares which we shall want for our necessities?

Thus should the Dutch increase their honour, wealth and strength, whilest we abate, grow poore and weake at Sea for want of Trade: And call you this a Remedie? no, rather tearme it Ruine, Destructi∣on, or what you list. And so I come vnto the conclusion or last part.

And here I must confesse my self aground, for this matter is much too high for my handling besides, my excuse is faire, hauing alreadie done my taske to cleare the East India Trade from imputation; the which for want of learning, although I haue performed, without varietie of words or eloquence: yet it is done with all integritie of truth, in euery particular, as I shall be ready to make proofe vpon all occasions, which may be offered. And yet before I make an end, although I cannot satisfie euery mans desire, in such mea∣sure [ 60] as is necessarie: yet I thinke it not amisse to performe the same so farre, as I am able by common practice, and my obseruations in the Trade of Merchandize, which is my profession.

And first therefore, all men doe know, that the riches or sufficiencie of euery Kingdome, State, or Com∣mon-wealth, consisteth in the possession of those things, which are needfull for a ciuill life. This sufficiency

is of two sorts; the one is naturall, and proceedeth of the Territorie it selfe; the other is artificiall, and de∣pendeth on the industrie of the Inhabitants.* 1.2

The Realme of England (praised be God) is happily possessed of them both: as first, hauing great plentie of naturall riches, both in the Sea for Fish, and on the Land for Wooll, Cattell, Corne, Lead, Tinne, Iron, and many other things for Food; Rayment, a••d Munition; insomuch that vpon strict termes of need, this Land may liue without the helpe of any other Nation. But to liue well, to flourish, and grow rich, we must find meanes by Trade to vent our superfluities; therewith to furnish and adorne vs with the treasure and those necessarie Wares which forraine Nations doe affoord:* 1.3 and here Industrie must begin to play his part, not onely to increase and guide the Trades abroad, but also to maintaine and [ 10] multiplie the Arts at home: for when either of these faile, or are not effected with such skill as their mysterie shall require, then doth the Common-wealth abate and grow poore: neither is it easily per∣ceiued at first, vntill some euill accidents doe stirre vp our diligence to search out the true causes; that so they being remooued, the effects may cease. And this is the subiect of our Discourse which wee now pursue.

That which I haue hitherto deliuered hath beene altogether negatiue, still defending and prouing by arguments, that the East India Trade hath not hurt this Common-wealth: And now changing my stile, I must affirme as fast the true causes of those euils which we seeke to chase away.

These causes then (as I conceiue) are principally foure. The first, is the breach of Entercourse by for∣raine Nations. The second, is the abuse of the exchanges betwixt vs and other Countries. The third, is [ 20] neglect of dutie in some Subiects. The fourth, is our damage in commerce with Strangers. Now con∣cerning all these, I might make a very large discourse; but my purpose is onely to explane the meaning of euery point in order, as briefly as I can.

And first for the breach of Entercourse; by this I vnderstand those Nations,* 1.4 who haue either de∣based their Standard, or else ouer valued the price of their Coynes from that equiualence which former∣ly they had with the Standard and Moneys of this Realme: and also doe tolerate, not onely their owne Moneys, but also the Coyne of other Countries (and especially of this Kingdome) to bee current with them at higher rates, then the prices of the exchange; by which courses (being directly against the En∣tercourse) there is a greater cause giuen of exportation of the Moneys of this Realme, then otherwise there would be. For although this is done with great danger to the Exporters of the same, (it being an [ 30] act against the Law of the Land) yet notwithstanding couetousnesse being euer conuersant in wicked acti∣ons, thinketh nothing vnlawfull which promiseth a certaine gaine; and how to remedie this euill practice I find it not easie. For the debasing of the Coyne, or raysing the price thereof in this Realme, would much impouerish the estates of particular men, and yet in the conclusion, would proue a businesse without end: for who doth not conceiue that which would follow beyond the Seas vpon any such alteration heere with vs? so that still the euill will remaine, vntill we find some other remedie.

And for the exchanges of money vsed betwixt Nations,* 1.5 although the true vse thereof is a very laudable and necessarie practice for the accommodating of Merchants affaires, and furnishing of Tra∣uellers in their occasions, without the transporting of Coyne from one State to another, with danger and losse both to the publike and priuate wealth: yet is the abuse thereof very preiudiciall vnto this King∣dome [ 40] in particular; whilest in the interim the benefit doth arise vnto other Countries, who diligently ob∣seruing the prices whereby the moneys be exchanged, may take aduantage to carrie away the Gold and Siluer of this Realme at those times, when the rate of our sterling money (in exchange) is vnder the va∣lue of that Standard, vnto which place they are conuayed: For in respect the prices of the exchanges, doe rise or fall according to the plentie or scarsitie of money, which is to bee taken vp, or deliuered out, the exchange is hereby become rather a Trade for some great moneyed men, then a furtherance and ac∣commodation of reall Trade to Merchants, as it ought to bee in the true vse thereof. And thus many times money may be made ouer hither by strangers to a good gaine, and presently carried beyond the Seas to a second profit; and yet the mischiefe ends not here: for by this meanes the takers vp of money in for∣raine Countreys must necessarily driue a Trade to those places, from whence they draw their moneys; [ 50] and so doe fill vs vp with forraine Commodities, without the vent of our owne Wares: but for this great euill, there is an easie remedie, and so I come to handle the next cause which is neglect of dutie.

Neither is it my intent to write of duties in their seuerall kinds; but onely of that kind of dutie which is here thought to be neglected by some men in their seuerall vocations. As it might peraduenture come to passe, in those who haue the working of his Maiesties Coyne, either gold or siluer; if diligent care be not had in the size of euery seuerall piece, to answere iustly to his weight: for howsoeuer vpon triall of many pieces altogether, the weight may be sound according to the Couenants, and within the remedies ordained in the Indentures: yet notwithstanding many of those pieces may be sized too light, and others as much too heauie, which giueth the greater aduantage to some people, to carrie away that which is ouer∣weight, and so to leaue vs them which are too light, if they leaue vs any. And this mischiefe is not [ 60] single; for thereby also some Gold smiths, regarding profit more then dutie, may bee the more readily drawne to melt downe the heauie Coyne into Plate and other ornaments both of gold and siluer. But what might wee thinke of those men who are placed in authoritie and office for his Maiestie, if they should not withall dutifull care discharge their trust concerning that excellent Statute, wherein it is orde∣red,

that all the moneys receiued by strangers for their Merchandize, shall be employed vpon the Com∣modities of this Realme?* 1.6 the due performance whereof would not onely preuent the carrying away of much Gold and Siluer, but also bee a meanes of greater vent of our owne Wares: whereof I purpose to write some thing more in the next part which concerneth our commerce with strangers.

* 1.7And now I come to the last point, which I feare is not the least amongst the causes of our want of money (so farre as any such may be,) and let it not seeme strange to any man, that Trades should hurt and impouerish a Common-wealth, since it hath beene alwayes accounted an excellent meanes to helpe and enrich the same: for, as this truth cannot be denied with reason, so it is likewise most certaine, that the vnskilfull managing thereof hath euer proued a great decay vnto those Nations who haue beene en∣tangled with such errours. And are not the examples too frequent in many of our owne Merchants, [ 10] who not onely by the perils of the Seas and such like misfortunes lose their goods, but also euen through want of knowledge, wisely to direct their affaires, doe ouerthrow their whole estates? Neither may we properly call this their losse, but rather the Kingdomes losse in them. Wherefore it were to be wished, that this mysterie of Merchandize might be left onely to them who haue had an education thereunto;* 1.8 and not to be vndertaken by such, who leauing their proper vocations, doe for want of skill in this, both ouer∣throw themselues, and others who are better practised.

But there is yet a farre greater mischiefe by our Trades beyond the Seas, when peraduenture, there might be imported yeerely a greater value in forraine Wares, then by any way or meanes wee doe export of our owne Commodities; which cannot otherwise come to passe, then with a manifest impouerishing of the Common-wealth:* 1.9 for as it is a certaine course to make vs rich, both in Stocke and Treasure, when wee shall carrie out a greater value of our owne goods then wee bring in of forraine Wares; so by conse∣quence, [ 20] a course contrarie to this, must of nec••ssitie worke a contrarie effect. Neither is this importa∣tion meant otherwise then concerning those Wares, which are consumed in this Realme: for the Com∣modities which are brought in, and after carried out vnto forraine parts againe, cannot hurt, but doe greatly helpe the Common-wealth, by encre••se of his Maiesties Customes and Trades, with other im∣ployments of the Subiects: by which particulars I might yet set forth the glorie of the East India Trade, which hath brought into this Realme in fif••eene moneths space, not onely so much Spice, as hath serued the same for the said time; but also by the superfluitie thereof, there hath beene exported into for∣raine parts for about two hundred and fifteene thousand pounds sterling. So then let all men iudge, for what a great value we may hope hereafter to export yeerely; when vnto these Spices wee may (by Gods assistance) adde the infinite worth of raw Silkes, ••ndicoes, Callicoes, and some other things: all which [ 30] are to be issued in the nature of Cloth, Lead, Tinne, or any of our owne Merchandize to the enriching of this Kingdome by encrease of the common Stocke. So then to conclude this point, wee ought not to auoid the importation of forraine Wares, but rather willingly to bridle our owne affections to the mode∣rate consuming of the same:* 1.10 for otherwise, howsoeuer the East India Trade in particular is an excel∣lent meanes greatly to encrease the Stocke of money which wee se••d thither yeerely, by returning home fiue times the value thereof in rich Commodities; all which (in short time) may be conuerted into Trea∣sure, as is plainely shewed alreadie. Yet notwithstanding, if these Indian Wares thus brought home cannot be spared, to serue for that purpose of Treasure; but must bee sent forth together with our owne natiue Commodities; and yet all litle enough, to prouide our excesse and extraordinarie consume of forraine Wares: then is it likewise as certaine, that the generall Trade of this Kingdome doth hinder [ 40] and diuert the comming in of the said Treasure, by ouer-ballancing the value of our Wares exported with the importation and immoderate consume of forraine Commodities.

Therefore, forasmuch as the number of the people in this Realme are thought to be greatly encrea∣s••d of late time (both in themselues and strangers,) whereby necessarily the Commodities of this King∣dom, and also forren Wares, are the more consumed and wasted, (a double meanes to abate the Common-wealth) it therefore concerneth vs all in generall, and euery man in his particular, to stirre vp our minds and diligence, to helpe the naturall Commodities of this Realme by industrie, and increase of Arts; seeing that the materials cannot be wanting to make such Stuffes, and other things as are daily brought vnto vs from forraine parts, to the great aduantage of Strangers, and to our no lesse damage. Neither should wee neglect the riches which our Seas affoord, whilest other Nations by their labour doe procure [ 50] themselues great Treasure from the same. And as the diligent performance of these things would plen∣tifully maintaine the Poore, and much increase the common Stocke of this Kingdome: so likewise for the better furtherance thereof, wee ought religiously to auoyd our common excesses of food and ray∣ment, which is growne to such a height in most degrees of people (aboue their abilitie) that it is now be∣yond all example of former Ages. Neither is it needfull for mee to set downe the particulars of these abuses; for they are too well knowne: and I am confident, that the wisedome of our Gouernment doth endeauour to see them as well amended, to the glorie of God, the honour of the King, and the good of the Common-wealth. Amen.

[ 60]

COurteous Reader, I could haue added others indeauours in this defensiue Argument for the East Indian Trade; and especially that of that learned Gentleman Sir Dud. Diggs: But because himselfe is now absent in weightier Employments, and I knew not whether he would be willing to see it mustered and marshalled in my Files, I was loth to doe it: For his ill-will I haue cause to bee vnwilling to purchase, whose good-will hath purchased mine and mee (a worthlesse Purchas) in effecting my present good, in affecting greater, that I might haue beene enabled to haue bestowed on the world my promised perfected World. Wherein not to haue succeeded, is yet (as that vast and incompetible designe of mine) to haue exceeded, as others otherwise, so herein himselfe. Besides, later occurrents haue ministred other Strings for busie [ 10] Fingers to harpe on, (though not with best Harmonie) since the edition of that Booke. I had thought also to haue added somewhat out of Master Misseldens FREE TRADE, fitting the present businesse: but seeming to haue made not an Indian Voyage, but a Plantation, in so long stay there, I will bring you homewards: and because the wonted way of returne is by en∣compassing Africa, that course also wee will here take: and to preuent Sea-sicknesse, and the lazie Scorbute, we will not onely touch on the Shoare, but aduenture into the maine Land, and follow the best Guides, both English and others, thorow the African both Desarts and Habitations: of whom Iohn Leo is the best that hath writ∣ten in that Argument, and as a Lion may conduct the most fearefull thorow the most perillous passages. For [ 20] what may not Cowards doe, hauing a Lion to their Guide and Captaine?

Notes

• * 1.1

  The first Part concerneth his Maiesties Mint.

  Twentie fiue thousand pound weight at least of Sil∣uer yearely melted downe into Plate, be∣sides old Plate new fashioned, as by credible report.

  There hath been coyned great store of Gold and Sil∣uer in his Ma∣iesties Mint, since the East India Trade began.

  There hath been little or no Siluer coy∣ned in some yeares, when the East India Company sent out very small summes of money.

  Some causes and meanes whi••h were wont to bring Siluer into the Realme are ceased at this present time. Th•• second Part conc••r∣neth the put∣ting downe of the East India Trade.

  The East India Trade is great∣ly desi••ed by other Christi∣an Nations. The Dutch might grow strong and rich by our destruc∣tion.

  The third Part concerneth the councell which the Ob∣iecters de∣mand.
• * 1.2

  The riches of a Kingdom, is of two sorts.
• * 1.3

  This Kind of industrie ma∣keth some Countries which are poor of themselues, to grow rich and strong by other Nations, who haue grea∣ter meanes, and are lesse industrious. Foure princi∣pall Causes which carry a∣way our Gold and Siluer.
• * 1.4

  The First Cause concer∣neth the Stan∣dard.

  Proceedings against enter∣course.
• * 1.5

  The Second Cause concer∣neth the ex∣changes of moneys with forrain Coun∣tries.

  The practice of those Strangers here in this Realme, who make a Trade by ex∣change of mo∣neys.

  Forrain Wares brought in with our ready moneys carri∣ed out of this Realme.

  The Third Cause concer∣neth neglect of duties. Our heauie money is con∣uayed beyond the Seas, and melted downe into Plate here in the Realme.
• * 1.6

  Anno 17. Ed∣ward. 4.
• * 1.7

  The Fourth Cause concer∣neth our com∣merce with Strangers. Vnskilfull Merchants ouerthrow our Trades.
• * 1.8

  Merchants by education are onely fit to trade in for∣raine parts.
• * 1.9

  How rich Common-wealths may become poore. Forrain Wares brought in for Trans. to can∣not hurt, but grea••ly helpe the Common-wealth.

  Hopes to in∣crease Trade by exportation of Indian Wares to for∣raine parts.
• * 1.10

  The particular Trade to the East Indies will bring great store of treasure into this Realme, if the generall Trade of this Kingdome doe not hinder and consume it. The Dutch in particular, are said to reape such infinite wealth yeerely by this fishing Trade, that without more certaine know∣ledge thereof I dare not set downe the summe it see∣me••meth so incredible. See hereof D. Dees booke: as also Cap. Smiths.