The merchants map of commerce wherein the universal manner and matter relating to trade and merchandize are fully treated of, the standard and current coins of most princes and republicks observ'd, the real and imaginary coins of accounts and exchanges express'd, the natural products and artificial commodities and manufactures for transportation declar'd, the weights and measures of all eminent cities and towns of traffick in the universe, collected one into another, and all reduc'd to the meridian of commerce practis'd in the famous city of London / by Lewis Roberts, merchant.

CHAP. III. The particular Ways and Means to increase the Exportation of our Commodities, and to decrease our Consumption of Forein Wares. (Book 3)

THE Revenue or Stock of a King∣dom, by which it is provided of Fo∣rein Wares is either Natural or Artificial. The Natural Wealth is so much only as can be spared from our own Use and Necessities, to be exported unto Strangers. The Arti∣ficial consists in our Manufactures and in∣dustrious Trading with Forein Commodities, concerning which I will set down such Par∣ticulars as may serve for the Cause we have in hand.

First, Although this Realm be already exceeding Rich by Nature, yet might it be much increased by laying the waste Grounds (which are infinite,) into such Employments as should no way hinder the present Revenues of other manured Lands, but hereby to supply our selves, and prevent the Importa∣tions of Hemp, Flax, Cordage, Tobacco, and divers other things which now we fetch from Strangers to our great Impo∣verishing.

2. We may likewise diminish our Impor∣tations, if we would soberly refrain from excessive Consumption of Forein Wares in our Diet and Rayment, with such often change of Fashions as is used, so much the more to increase the Waste and Charge; which Vices at this present are more Noto∣tious amongst us than in former Ages. Yet might they easily be amended by enforcing the Observation of such good Laws, as are strictly practised in other Countries, against the said Excesses; where likewise, by commanding their own Manufactures to be used, they prevent the coming in of others, without Prohibition, or Offence to Strangers in their mutual Commerce.

3. In our Exportations we must not only regard our own Superfluities, but also con∣sider our Neighbours Necessities, that so, upon the VVares which they cannot want, nor yet be furnished therewith elsewhere, we may (besides the vent of Materials,) gain so much of the Manufacture as we can, and also endeavour to sell them dear, so far forth as the high Price cause not a less vent in the Quantity. But the Superfluity of our Commodities which Strangers use, and may also have the same from other Na∣tions, or may abate their vent by the use of some such like VVares from other Places, and with little Inconvenience; we must in this case strive to sell as cheap as possible we can, rather than to lose the Utterance of such VVares. For we have found of late Years, by good Experience, that being able to sell our Cloth cheap in Turky, we have greatly increased the vent thereof, and the Venetians have lost as much in the Utterance of theirs in those Countries because it is dearer. And on the other side, a sew Years past, when, by the excessive Prices of VVools, our Cloth was exceeding dear, we lost at least half our Clothing for Forein Parts, which since is no otherwise (well near) reco∣vered again than by the great fall of Price for VVeols and Cloth. * 1.1VVe find that Twen∣ty five in the Hundred less in the Price of these and some other VVares, to the loss of private Mens Revenues, may raise above Fifty upon the Hundred in the Quantity vent∣ed to the Benefit of the Publick. For when Cloth is dear, other Nations do presently

practice Clothing, and we know they want neither Art nor Materials to this Perform∣ance. But when by Cheapness we drive them from this Employment, and so in time ob∣tain our dear Price again, then do they also use their former Remedy. So that by these Alterations we learn, that is in vain to ex∣pect a greater Revenue of our Wares than their Condition will afford, but rather it con∣cerns us to apply our endeavours to the Times, with Care and Diligence to help our selves the best we may, by making our Cloth and other Manufactures without Deceit, which will increase their Estimation and Use.

4. The Value of our Exportations like∣wise may be much advanced when we per∣form it our selves in our own Ships, for then we get not only the Price of our Wares as they are worth here, but also the Merchant's Gains, the Charges of Insurance, and Freight to carry them beyond the Seas. As for Example, If the Italian Merchants should come hither in their own Shipping to fetch our Corn, our Red-Herrings, or the like, in this Case the Kingdom should have ordi∣narily but 25 s. for a Quarter of Wheat, and 20 s. for a Barrel of Red Herrings, whereas if we carry these Wares our selves into Italy upon the said Rates, it is likely that we shall obtain Fifty shillings for the First, and Forty shillings for the Last, which is a great Difference in the Utterance or Vent of the Kingdom's stock. And although it is true, that the Commerce ought to be free to Strangers to bring in and carry out at their pleasure; yet nevertheless in many Places, the Exportation of Victuals and Munition are either prohibited, or at least limited to be done only by the People and Shipping of those Places where they abound.

5. The Frugal expending likewise of our own Natural Wealth, might advance much yearly to be exported unto Strangers; and if in our Rayment we will be prodigal, yet let this be done with our own Materials and Manufactures, as Cloth, Lace, Embro∣deries, Cut-works and the like; where the Excess of the Rich may be the Employment of the Poor, whose Labours, notwithstand∣ing of this kind, would be more profitable for the Commonwealth, if they were done to the use of Strangers.

6. The Fishing in His Majesty's Seas of England, Scotland, and Ireland, is our Na∣tural Wealth, and would cost nothing but Labour, which the Dutch bestow willingly, and thereby draw yearly a very great Profit to themselves, by serving many places of Christendom with our Fish, for which they return and supply their Wants both of Forein VVares and Mony, besides the multitude of Mariners and Shipping, which hereby are maintain'd, whereof a long Discourse might be made, to shew the particular Ma∣nage of this Important Business. Our Fish∣ing Plantation likewise in New-England, Virginia, Greenland, the Summer Islands, and the Newfoundland, are of the like Nature, affording much VVealth and Employments to maintain a great number of Poor, and to increase our decaying Trade.

* 1.27. A Staple or Magazine for Forein Corn, Indico, Spices, Raw-silks, Cotton, VVool, or any other Commodity whatsoever, to be Imported, will increase Shipping, Trade, Treasure, and the Kings Customs, by Ex∣porting them again where need shall require; which course of Trading, hath been the chief Means to raise Venice, Genoa, the Low-Countries, with some others, and for such a purpose England stands most commodi∣ously, wanting nothing to this Perform∣ance, but our own Diligence, and En∣deavour.

8. Also we ought to esteem and cherish those Trades which we have in remote or fax Countries; for besides the Increase of Shipping and Mariners thereby, the VVares also sent thither and receiv'd from thence are far more profitable unto the Kingdom, than by our Trades near at hand: As for Example, suppose Pepper to be worth here two shillings the Pound constantly, if then it be brought from the Dutch at Amsterdam, the Merchant may give there twenty pence the Pound, and gain well by the Bargain; * 1.3but if he fetch this Pepper from the East-Indies, he must not give above three pence the Pound at the most, which is a mighty Advantage, not only in that Part which serveth for our own use, but also for that great Quantity which (from heence) we transport yearly unto divers others Nations to be sold at a higher Price; whereby it is plain, that we make a far greater Stock by Gain upon these Indian Commodities, than those Nations do where they Grow, and to whom they properly appertain, being the Natural VVealth of their Countries. But for the better understanding of this Particu∣lar, we must ever distinguish between the Gain of the Kingdom, and the Profit of the Merchant; for although the Kingdom pay∣eth no more for this Pepper than is before supposed, nor for any other Commodity bought in Forein Parts more than the Stran∣ger receiveth from us for the same; yet the Merchant payeth not only that Price, but also the Freight, Ensurance, Customs, and other charges which are exceeding great in these long Voyages; but yet all these in the Kingdoms account are but commutati∣ons among our selves, and no Privation of the Kingdom's Stock, which being duly considered, together with the Support also

of our other Trades in our best Shipping to Italy, France, Turky, the East-Countries and other places, by Transporting and Vent∣ing the Wares which we bring yearly from the East Indies; It may well stir up our ut∣most Endeavours to maintain and enlarge this Great and Noble Business, so much importing the Publick Wealth, Strength and Happiness. Neither is there less Ho∣nour and Judgment by growing Rich (in this manner) upon the Stock of other Na∣tions, than by an industrious Increase of our own Means; especially when this Latter is advanced by the Benefit of the Formers as we have found in the East-Indies by sale of much of our Tin, Cloth, Lead and other Commodities, the Vent whereof doth daily increase in those Countries which formerly had no use of our Wares.

9. It would be very beneficial to Export Mony as well as Wares, being done in Trade only, it would increase our Treasure; but of this I write more largely in the next Chap∣ter to prove it plainly.

10. It were Policy and Profit for the State to suffer Manufactures made of Forein Materials to be exported Custom-free, as Velvets, and all other wrought Silks, Fusti∣ans, Thrown Silks, and the like, it would employ very many poor People, and much increase the Value of our Stock yearly issued into other Countries, and it would (for this Purpose) cause the more Forein Materials to be brought in, to the Emprovement of His Majesties Customs. I will here remem∣ber a notable Increase in our Manufacture of Winding and Twisting only of Forein raw Silk, which within 35 years to my knowledg, did not employ more than 300 People in the City and Suburbs of London, where at this present time it doth set on work above fourteen thousand Souls, as upon diligent Enquiry hath been credibly reported unto His Majesties Commissioners for Trade. And it is certain, that if the said Forein Commodities might be Exported from hence free of Custom, this Manufacture would yet increase very much, and decrease as fast in Italy and in the Netherlands. But if any Man alledge the Dutch Proverb, Live and let others live; I answer, that the Dutch∣men, notwithstanding their own Proverb, do not only in these Kingdoms, encroach upon our Livings; but also in other Forein Parts of our Trade, (where they have power) they do hinder and destroy us in our lawful course of Living, hereby taking the Bread out of our Mouth, which we shall never prevent by plucking the Pot from their Nose, as of late. Years too many of us do practise, to the great Dishonour of this Famous Nation: We ought rather to imitate former times in taking sober and worthy Courses, more pleasing to God, and suitable to our ancient Reputation.

11. It is needful also not to charge the Native Commodities with too great Customs, lest by endearing them to the Strangers use, it hinder their Vent. And especially, Forein Wares brought in to be Transported again, should be savoured; for otherwise, that manner of Trading (so much importing the Good of the Commonwealth) cannot Prosper nor Subsist. But the Consumption of such Forein Wares in the Realm may be the more Charged, which will turn to the Profit of the Kingdom in the Ballance of Trade, and thereby also enable the King to lay up the more Treasure out of his yearly Incoms; as of this Particular I intend to write more fully in its proper Place, where I shall shew how much Mony a Prince may conveniently lay up without the hurt of his Subjects.

12. Lastly, In all things we must endea∣vour to make the most we can of our own, whether it be Natural or Artificial; and forasmuch as the People which live by the Arts are far more in number than they who are Masters of the Fruits, we ought the more carefully to maintain those Endeavours of the Multitude, in whom doth consist the greatest Strength and Riches both of King and Kingdom: For where the People are many, and the Arts good, there the Traffick must be greater, and the Country rich. The Italians employ a greates Number of People, and get more Mony by their Industry and Manufactures of the raw Silks of the King∣dom of Cilicia, than the King of Spain and his Subjects have, by the Revenue of this rich Commodity. But what need we fetch the Example so far, when we know that our own Natural Wares do not yeild us so much profit as our industry? for Iron-Oar in the Mines is of no great worth, when it is compared with the Employment and Ad∣vantage it yields, being Digged, Tried, Transported, Bought, Sold, Cast into Ord∣nance, Muskets, and many other Instruments of War, for Offence and Defence; wrought into Anchors, Bolts, Spikes, Nails, and the like, for the use of Ships, Houses, Carts, Coaches, Ploughs, and other Instruments for Tillage. Compare our Fleece-wools with our Cloth, which requires Shearing, Washing, Carding, Spinning, Weaving, Fulling, Dying, Dressing, and other Trim∣ings; and we shall find these Arts more pro∣fitable than the Natural Wealth, whereof I might instance other Examples; but I will not be more tedious, for if I would amplifie upon this and the other Particulars before-written, I might find matter sufficient to make a large Volume, but my desire in all is only to prove what I propound with Brevity and Plainness.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The State in some Occasions may gain most, when pri∣vate Men by their Reventles get least.
• * 1.2

  How some States have been made Rich
• * 1.3

  The Traf∣fick to the East-Indi∣es is our most pre∣fitable Trade in its propor∣tion both for King and King∣dom. We get more by the Indi∣an Wares than the Indians them∣selves. A Distin∣ction be∣tween the Kingdoms Gain and the Mer∣chant's Profit.