CHAP. VI. The manner of raysing the valuation of Money in Merchandising Exchange.

FOrasmuch as the iust and lawfull valuation of Money can∣not maintaine this subtill Merchandising Exchange, euerie peece of Gold, and great peece of Siluer, set forth & cur∣rant in any Common-wealth, is alwaies of more valuation af∣ter that it is currant Money in this foresaide Exchange, by two pence, foure pence, or sixe pence in a peece, more or lesse, ac∣cording to the quantity and substance it is of, then it is by the Princes, and publick authority of the Countrey where it was first coyned.

Which pollicie in raysing of Money, is cheefely practised of the Bankers of Antwerpe, to allure Merchants of all other parts to bring thither ready Money, and therefore make they the coynes of all other Countries, more woorth with them, then in any other Country els, although they be not so allowed and excepted by the authoritie of theyr Countrey. Yet being thus valued by them, they be made the common currant Mo∣ney to buy and sell all manner of wares & Merchandizes there trafficked, and the way to passe and practise theyr Exchange with.

And because they will not haue the Princes Lawful Money to be the meane to buy & sell all things with, they compound in all their Contracts, Bargaines and Exchanges, to haue the payments made in this theyr Inuented Money, which they call, Currant Money in Merchandize: And furthermore, by this licentious libertie that they vsurpe in prising, and valewing all Princes Money, they make many sorts of Money currant a∣mongst them, which common Authority doth not permit nor allow to be payable nor currant in the Countrey. Whereby they haue greatly increased and aduanced the trade and con∣course of Merchants in those parts and Countryes: notwith∣standing, Page  9therewithall hath proceeded the greatest occasion, of the excessiue prices which raigneth vpō wares, Merchandizes, and commodities, in all Countryes at this day.