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.

* 1.1MExicana containeth the Northern Tract of America, and comprehendeth these distinct Provinces.

• 1 Mexico.
• 2 Quivira.
• 3 Nicaragua
• 4 Jucutan
• 5 Florida
• 6 Virginia, and New-England.
• 7 Nurembega.
• 8 Nova Francia.
• 9 Corterialis.
• 10 Estotilandia.

* 1.2Mexico giveth name to half America, now known by the name of Nova Hispania, whence the Kings of Spain style themselves Hispaniarum Reges; it was very populous before the arrival of the Spaniards, who in 17 years slew six millions of the Inhabitants, rosting some, cutting off the Members, and putting out the eyes of others, and casting them living to be devoured of wild Beasts; to which place now is found no Trade nor Commerce by any Na∣tion, save only to the Subjects of this King, and to such only as are known for natural-born Spaniards, though at first the same was granted by Isabella to the natives of Castile only, and Andalusia; but now indifferently to all.

* 1.3The Commodities that this Countrey is found to afford for Merchandize, are principally Gold and Silver Mines, Sugar, Tobacco, Ginger, Tallow, Hides, and some Spices, not known to our Ancestors till the discovery thereof; * 1.4and amongst others not to be forgotten, that admirable Tree called Metle, which by them is planted and dressed as we do our Vines, having 40 kinds of leaves serving to several uses, for when they are tender they make of them Conserves, Pa∣per, Flax, Mantles, Mats, Shooes, Girdles, and Cordage: on these leaves grow certain hard prickles, so strong and sharp, that they use them instead of Saws: from the root of this Tree cometh a juyce, like unto Syrup, which being sod, becometh Honey; if purified, becometh Sugar; or otherwise thereof is made both Wine and Vinegar: the rind rosted healeth hurts and sores, and from the top-boughs issueth a Gum, which is an excellent Antidote against Poyson.

This Countrey is divided into four divisions: * 1.5The first is Nova Galicia, the chief Town thereof is called Saint Michael, a Colony of the Spaniards. * 1.6The second is Mechuacan, one of the best Countreys of New-Spain, abounding in Mulberry-Trees, Silk, Honey, Wax, and store of Fish of all kinds; the principal Town is Sinsonso, and the chief Havens are at Saint Anthonies, and at Saint James or as the Spaniards call it, Saint Jago. * 1.7The third Province is Gustacan, the chief City is Ilascalan, yielding for beauty and state precedency to Mexico, and none other in all these parts, the principal part is Villarico, a wealthy Town, as the place through which all the Traffique of old and new Spain doth pass. * 1.8The fourth is Mexico, wherein that famous City of Mexico is seated, now the Seat of the Spanish Vice-Roy and Archbishop of New-Spain; this City is said to be situated in a Lake upon certain Islands; as Venice doth, every where interlaced with the pleasant currents of fresh and Sea-waters, and carrieth a face of more civil Government than any other in America, though nothing, if compared with any in Europe: the Lake is said to be 50 miles in compass; on whose banks are found many pleasant Towns and Houses: also it is said that fifty thousand Wherries are seen here continually plying, and afford such quantity of Fish, that the same is worth 20000 Crowns yearly. The City of Mexico it self is six miles in compass, containing 6000 houses of Spaniards, and 6000 of Indians: it hath also a Printing-house, a Mint, and an University, and some Churches of note that beautifie the same: it was vanquished by Fernando Cortes, in Anno 1521. with an Army of 100000 Americans, only 900 Spaniards, 80 Horse, 17 pieces of small Ordnance; in 13 Brigantins and 6000 Wherries, most of the Americans were of Ilasca∣lan, who were ever adversaries to the Mexicans; for which cause that City doth enjoy many immunities to this day; and to conclude, according to the opinion of an English Traveller, whose relation I herein follow; Four things are here remarkable for beauty, their Ap∣p••rel, their Women, their Horses, and their Sticats: And thus much shall serve of Mexico.

* 1.9The second Province is Quivira, seated on the most Western parts of America, in which are two Provinces, Cibola taking its name from the chief City subdued by Francisco Vasques, in Anno 1540. and Nova Albion discovered by that famous Sea-man Sir Francis Drake, An. 1585. and by him so called: the chief Commodities and Riches of this Countrey are Kine, some men being owners of forty thousand, and these serve to the Inhabitants here, as we say of our Ale

to Drunkards in England, meat, drink, and cloth, and more too; for first the Hides yield them houses, or to say more properly, the covering of them, their Bones, Bodkins, their Hair, Thred, their Sinews, Ropes, their Horns, Maws, and Bladders, Vessels, their Dung, Fire, their Calf∣skins, Budgets, to draw and keep water, their blood for drink; and lastly, their flesh for meat, &c.

* 1.10The third is Nicaragua, being South-East from Mexico, with which it agreeth in nature both of Soil and Inhabitants, and accounted for its pleasantness, Mahomet's Paradise, * 1.11having Trees in great abundance, of that strange nature, that a branch touched by the hand of any man, withereth presently. * 1.12The chief City is Nova Grenada, and Lea a Bishop's See. The Commodities thereof are, Honey, Wax, Cotton, and Balsam in great abundance; it is extream hot, and therefore not to be travell'd by day, but by night: their Winter beginneth in May, and from thence raineth for six months; the other six very fair and dry; and the day and night being here of equal length.

* 1.13The fourth is Jucatan, and was discovered in Anno 1517. which in the language of the place, signifieth What say you? which was the answer the Inhabitants gave the Spaniards that first demanded of them the name of their Countrey; and since by this means retains that name by the Spaniards. * 1.14The chiefest City is Campechio, whence comes that wood so well known in Europe; also here is the Island called by the Spaniard, Santo Crux, wherein is a City of that name well fortified by them.

* 1.15The fifth is Florida, discovered by the English, under the conduct of Sebastian Cabot, An. 1467. then possessed by the Spaniards in Anno 1527. and called Florida; afterward the French got footing here in Anno 1562; but the Spaniards unwilling the French should be eye wit∣nesses of their rich booty, waged war with them so long, that there was not a man left on either side to maintain the quarrel; and then was Florida again in 1567 abandoned: The Spaniards now hold there three strong Forts, St. James, St. Philip, and St. Augustin; which last was taken and burnt by Sir Francis Drake, 1586. which since is repaired, and that is all the Spaniards hold here at this day; desiring (as it seems) neither to plant further himself, nor suffer others to do it.

* 1.16The sixth is Virginia, which was discovered by Sir Walter Raleigh, Anno 1584, and in ho∣nour of our Queen called Virginia. It lies in the height of 35 degrees Northerly Latitude, extending to 38 degrees or thereabouts, being seated and planted from 37 to 38 by the English under the Supream Authority of the King of England, (having the great Bay of Roanoke, and Cape Florida to the Southward, and Maryland to the Northward) the main entrance into Virginia out of the Sea is about 10 leagues broad, between two Points of Low-land, that on the South being called Cape Henry, that on the North Cape Charles, by which they pass into a great River or Bay called the Bay of Chesapiake, which runs away Northerly about 100 leagues, into which River or Bay of Chesapiake many other great Rivers empty themselves, all running up West and North-West into the Countrey 100, 120, and some 140 or 150 miles, being 3, 4, 5, and some of them 6 or 8 miles broad, all which (with some other smaller Rivers which fall into them) are Navigable for Shipping, having 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 fathoms, and in the shallowest parts not less than three fathoms depth of water: Ships that come out of the Sea are harboured so soon as they are within the aforesaid Capes, and may ride safely in any of those Rivers where they please, within a mile, half a mile, and in some places within a quar∣ter of a mile of the shore, which also they do, Anchoring sometimes at one place, sometimes at another, for the delivering out and taking in of their Goods, in the several Plantations and the several Rivers, as stands best with their conveniency, after they have given the Governour an account of their arrival, and from whence they come.

The first River, after they are within the Capes in the Bay of Chesapiake, is called James Ri∣ver, the next Pamunkee or York River, then Payancatank, Rapahanock, Wicocomoce, and some others upon the Western shore of that Bay, and some on the Eastern shore thereof: Most of which Rivers received their names from the Indians, who were the only Inhabitants and Pos∣sessors of that great Countrey, before the English came there, and who still some of them live round about our people, and in some places near unto them, within three or four miles of some of our Plantations; but are nothing so numerous as at the first, being very much lessened and destroyed by the quarrels and Wars among themselves and with the English; especially in and shortly after the years 1621. and 1644, at which times they treacherously fell upon our people, and massacred about four or five hundred persons each time in one hours space.

The chief Port is James City, a Town lying about 40 miles up in James River, which is commonly the place of the Governours Residence, and where the principal matters relating to Government, and the Administration of Justice for the whole Countrey are transacted, by the Governour and his Council, four times a year, called quarter Courts; and once a year by the General Assembly, who likewise meet there, being such Burgesses as are elected in the several Counties by the people, and sent thither to sit and act in the nature of our Parliaments here in

London. Matters of lesser consequence are heard and determined in the several Counties by Commissioners authorized for that purpose, called the County Courts, who sit every month, or every two months; In which Courts and all others, their trials and proceedings are in all respects conformable, as near as may be, according to the Laws and practice of England.

The climate, weather and soil, are much what like ours in England; only the Summer about a month longer; something hotter, and much more of Thunder and Lightning; the days about an hour and half shorter in Summer, and so much longer in Winter.

The Land fertile, plain, and so free from Rocks, Stones and Gravel, that their Horses are never shod. English fruits prosper so well, that they have already attained to make store of Cider and Perry. The Countrey in all parts woody; the Trees generally tall, and many of them very big, most of them Oaks of several sorts, and black and white Walnuts; the rest Poplar, Ash, Pine, Cedar, Logwood, Gum, Chesnut, Saxafras, Mulberry, Chinkapins, Persimons, besides Shoomack, Small-nuts, store of wild Grape-Vine, and other small shrubby trees and bushes.

All sorts of English Cattel prove well, and they are well stockt and stored with Horses, Neat, Cattel of all sorts, Sheep, Hogs, Poultry, Turkies, Geese and Ducks, besides that which the Countrey naturally produces of wild Beasts in the Woods, viz Deer, Turkies, Roa∣coons, Possums, Hares, Squirrels, wild Cats, Foxes, Bears, Wolves, some few Lions, and in some part of the Countrey Elks: And in the Rivers (where the tide swells not above three or four foot, unless forced by an Easterly storm concurring with the Spring-tide) there is in all places some; but in many places great plenty of Oysters, Crabs, Sturgeon, and several sorts of Fish

There is little or no Money used among them, but what they have is the same with ours here, and passes at the same value; their general way of dealing being to barter or exchange one Commodity for another, both among themselves, and with the Merchants who bring or send in Goods from hence, or from any other place: excepting in Trade with the Natives or Indians, there is Roanoke and Wampampeak, which is a shell cut like Beads put upon strings, and passes among them for their Money at a certain rate by the arms length.

The Weights and Measures of all sorts are in all respects the same for all sorts of Goods with ours in London, excepting the Indian Corn or Maiz, which is commonly bought and sold by the Barrel, the Barrel being five Bushels Winchester measure. But the Indians among themselves and to us, do buy and sell their Corn, Pease and Beans, by a Basket, of the big∣ness of half a Bushel, or thereabouts.

The principal Commodities produced there, are Tobacco, Hides, Beaver, Otter, Musk-Rat, Bear, and Deer-skins, Saxafras, Black-Walnut-tree-plank, with which Goods there are about 40 Sail of Ships laden from thence yearly, most of them Ships of 300, and some of 400 Tun burthen, therehath been sometimes Wheat, Flax and Silk sent from thence; but hi∣therto not much of those Commodities, there being as yet but few people, and they not so well fitted for, nor so well vers'd in the ordering of them, especially Flax and Silk; which prosper so well in those parts, that in a few years, we may in all likelihood expect considera∣ble quantities of those Goods from thence.

There's nothing of any Custom, or other Imposition, upon any thing Imported there, or Exported from thence; their Trade being chiefly with London and Bristol: Enough, if not a great deal too much, being laid upon the Goods here, viz. 2. d. for every pound of To∣bacco Custom and Excise; 12 d. for every skin of Beaver, and 5 per cent. for whatsoever is carried over thither.

The Inhabitants and Planters there, have large proportions of Land due to them, upon the Adventure of their Persons, or Servants; that is to say, fifty Acres for every person trans∣ported, which is made choice of, and taken up by them, or their Assigns, in any place which they shall chuse, not already possest, or taken up by another before; paying a quit-rent of 12 d. for every 50 Acres yearly, in Tobacco, Corn, or other Commodities, at the price cur∣rent; upon which they live, and plant what they please, without any prohibition or restraint; there being no other Order, Government, or Regulation in matter of Trade, but what every man hath in his own breast.

Linnen and Woollen Cloth of all sorts, Nails, Iron tools, Sope, Starch, Powder, Shot, Guns, Wine, Strong-waters, Sugar, Fruit, Spice; and generally all necessaries for Houshold∣stuff and Clothing, are vended and brought in by the Ships of our Nation, in such propor∣tion or quantity as is necessary for 16 or 18000 people, there being about that number of the English Planters, and some Negroes and others which are their Servants. No Prohibition of any Commodity to Virginia, but only Sheep, which by a politick Law of our nation may not to be carried out of England; yet neverless they are brought in now and then a few in a ship; and the severe penalty of that Act evaded, upon pretence of fresh Provision for themselves at Sea.

The Dutch have had a great Trade in Virginia formerly, to the great advantage and sur∣port of that Plantation: But by an Act of the late Long Parliament, and the last Articles of Peace, that Nation is prohibited: so that now the Trade is not free to any but those of our own Nation, excepting what Trade they have with the Natives or Indians-for Beaver-skins, four or 5000 yearly, also Otter, Deer, Bear, and some other skins of Foxes, Musk-Rats, &c. to the value of four thousand pounds Sterling, per annum, or thereabouts; all which are got∣ten by way of truck or barter, for a course sort of Woollen Cloth, known by the name of Duffel, used by them to make Mantles for their Clothing; as also Knives, Scissers, Beads, Hoes and Axes.

Rich. Bennet.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mexicana and the Pro∣vinces there∣of.
• * 1.2

  Mexico.
• * 1.3

  Commodi∣ties of Mexi∣co.
• * 1.4

  Metle an admirable Tree.
• * 1.5

  St. Michael.
• * 1.6

  Sinsonso.
• * 1.7

  Ilascalan.
• * 1.8

  City of Mexico.
• * 1.9

  Quivira 2.
• * 1.10

  Nicaragua 3.
• * 1.11

  An Admi∣rable Tree.
• * 1.12

  Nova Grena∣da.
• * 1.13

  Jucatan 4.
• * 1.14

  Campechio.
• * 1.15

  Florida 5.
• * 1.16

  Virginia 6.