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. XII. Of MEXICANA, and the Provinces thereof.

* 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.

* 1.17The Seed of Tobacco is much esser than Mustard-seed; it is sowed in January or Fe∣bruary, in beds of rich and well-manured ground, where it springs up to Plants, commonly as thick as they can stand one by the other: the Plants being come to strength, and about the big∣ness of a Rose, which is usually in May, they are transplanted into the midst of little. Hills, made in Fields for that purpose, about three foot asunder one from the other; so that there may be 4 or 5000 Hills in an Acre of ground. Sometimes if the Plants be weak, they set 2 or. 3 in one Hills to make sure of one; but when once come to strength, they never suffer above one to grow in one Hill; if they should, they would but spoil one another. These Plants grow up into stalks, much like Coleworts, bearing leaves one above another about half a yard long, very thick and sappy, in shape much like Dock-leaves; they seldom let the stalk grow above two foot high, (except such as are preserved for Seed) the tops then being cut off, that the leaves thereon may be the better nourished. The ground if well husbanded, is cleansed from weeds with Hoes, and the Earth kept about the Plants. It is ripe in August, then they cut up the Plants whilst the leaves grow on them, and hang them up in houses to dry from the heat of the Sun, which would else scorch it to powder; and in a months time, or longer, the leaves are stript from the stalk, which is done commonly in moist weather; and then sit to be pack'd in Cask, or made up into Rolls. Those stalks which are let grow for Seed, the tops are not taken off, but let run to their full length, which is four or five foot, and is ripe also in August: The stalk of Tobacco is about the bigness of a child's arm; and in an Acre of ground may grow fifteen hundred weight of good Tobacco.

* 1.18The chief Town of New-England for Trade, and every other respect, is Boston of late very much enlarged; it hath two Meeting-houses, about a thousand Families; the building for the generality with Timber, a few with Brick; but most Brick Chimneys: a State-house newly erected in the middle of the great Street, Charlestown is not much increas'd in build∣ings, and hath but a small Trade; Salem much increas'd in buildings and Trade, by reason of the Fish there, and at Marblehead, the next Neighbours: Pescataqua River affords Timber, Pipestaves, Boards, Masts, as also Fish from Isle-shoals, thrive much, and begin to draw a Trade. These are all the most remarkable places, or Sea-Ports for Traffick at present: Plimouth Jurisdi∣ction, Connectacute Jurisdiction, and all the Towns upon that River, as also New-haven Jurisdi∣ction, and Towns there, afford little else but Provisions, with which they supply this Town of Boston, and the Dutch at Manatos: as indeed all other Island Plantations and Islands do, as Martins Vineyard, Road Island, Long Island, Shelter Island, &c. and so all other Parts and Islands to the Eastward, which are but so many scattered petty places, where people raise only Provisions; of which all that possibly they can spare, is brought by Trading Boats to Beston, which is the Center.

The Governour, as also all other Magistrates, and subordinate Officers, are all chosen by the major part of the Free-men annually: but none is made free till first he is a member of some Congregational Church here: for their Religion is Protestantism, indifferent between Indepen∣dent and Presbyterian: here is no Toleration for Anabaptists, Papists, nor Quakers; nor any such Sectaries that are apt to sow Sedition, or disturb the Peace. But such as will sit down and attend the ways of God, though they join not with them, may be quiet. But no Children are permitted Baptism, except either the Father, or Mother, or both, be a member of some Congregation: But now of late, if the Grandfather, &c. do present the Child, he be∣ing a member, though the Father and Mother be none, it is accepted.

The chief places for to Ride, Load, and Unload, are Boston, Charlestown, Salem, Pescataqua, where any Ship of any Burthen may come.

Here is a Mint set up a few years since, and coins only Silver, 12 d. 6 d. 3 d. which was occasioned by some, who brought many base new Peru pieces of Eight; which being disco∣vered, an Act was made against them that they should not go for current payment: So the people into whose hands they were scattered, were hereby necessitated to have them resined, and so coined, which was according to the Standard; and though there was much loss, yet something was saved. Mexico and Sevil Rials of Eight pass for five shillings per piece, and

so the smaller proportionally; in Coinage they will yield 5 s. 3 d. if good, all charge deducted. Now to carry out above five pounds at a time for necessary expences; here is no rising nor falling of Money: If Bullion were brought in and coined, it would turn to account, and pur∣chase the Goods of the Countrey, sooner than Goods, and cheaper.

Accounts are kept by Merchants; such as can do it according to the Italian manner, and express their Moneys by pounds, shillings, pence.

Interest is set by Law, not to exceeed Eight per cent. per ann.

Our Weight is according to the English 112 to the Hundred Averdupois, sixteen ounces to the pound; Silk, Silver, Troy weight.

The dry measure for Corn, Salt, &c. is by the Winchester Bushel strik'd; Coals, Apples, Onions, &c. heapt: A Boad and Shoes all one measure: Wine, Oyl, and all liquid measure by the Gallon: The long measure is Ell of 45 Inches, and Yard of 36 Inches, as in England.

They are not yet come so high as to transport Manufactures of their own, for they cannot supply themselves. The Commodities Exported, are Fish, Beef, Pork, Bisket, Flour, some Corn sometimes, Beaver, Musk-skins, Otter-skins, Pipestaves, Boards, Masts.

All sorts of Forein Commodities will vend here, if such as the Countrey affords will pur∣chase them with the Commodities above exprest, and they are still cloathed with English Dra∣pery: for the colours, the newest are now best in request: for the quantity, all sorts of course and fine Linnen and Woollen, Shoes, Stockings, Thread, Buttons, and Pedlery Ware; Silks, Ribonds, Lace, Pewter, Lead, Shot, Powder, small Artillery; Mault, Wines, Strong-waters, Oyls, Fruits, Salt, &c. for take notice, we as other Plantations, want almost every thing, but the particulars above express'd: I think scarce a hundred thousand pound do suffice per annum the English in these parts.

Here is as yet no Society begun to encourage Trade; and the Encouragement to Manusa∣cture will be of necessity as people grow numerous. Monopoly here is none, only the Trade with the Indians for Poultry is committed to a few: Nothing prohibited but Provisions, which is forfeited if it be landed without License.

For Custom, &c. here is none upon any Commodity, from any parts brought in by In∣habitant or Stranger, either for Importation or Exportation of ought: only upon Wines and Strong-waters, which pay Importation, Canary, Malago, and Sherry ten shillings per Butt: Madera, Lisbon, and Greek six shillings eight pence per Pipe, Fial five shillings per Pipe, all Strong-Waters forty shillings per Tun, to make Entry of them before Landing, or else for∣feited.

Consolage none; Factorage from five to ten per cent. for sales and returns. No Rate set, but as the Principal and Factor agree; other charges are Boat-hire, Wharsage, Porterage and Ware-house room.

For Tret, allowance or overplus, &c. is none allowed here yet; only Custom hath crept upon us in the sale of Sugar to allow for Tare of the Cask, as it is in London.

The most of our Negotiation (for want of Money) is in a way of bartering, and do agree in what Commodities to pay, and at what rates and time.

Little Shipping here, but small Crost, from twenty to eighty and an hundred Tuns; and most Catches imployed to the Western Islands, Madara, Virginia, and Caribbe Islands; few or no Nation but our own frequent here.

The chief Fishing is made dry, Dry Cod, or Poor Jack, which is taken by hook and line in Shallops; the seasons the Spring and Fall; the time for lading the Spring Fish, which is the best, is in June; the Fall Fish in October, or thereabouts, a little more or less, sold by the Quin∣tal or Hundred weight price, ordinarily thirty two, thirty, and twenty eight Rials per Quintal. It is transported by Ships (that do come to buy it,) to Bilboa, when we had peace with Spain; the refuse Fish and Maycrils go to the Western and Caribbe Islands; here is a begin∣ning to make Barrel Cod and Corr-fish for France.

Fraight ordinarily, three pounds from London, back three pounds ten shillings, and some Goods four pounds per Tun, and 3 l. to 3 l. 10 s. to Barbado's and Western Islands little or no Inland carriage.

Here is no discouragement given to any Foreiner to hinder Trade, but may freely come, and behaving themselves civilly, and have as free liberty to sell and buy as any Inhabitant; the more is the pity I think.

Here is no Office of Assurance, nor scarce any that m••ke any private Contract in that re∣spect. What is that way done, is done in England by advice.

Bank here is none, neither are here men capable of it: but were here those of ability, and understood it, and resolved upon it, it would draw all the profit of those poor parts into it.

Maryland an English Colony upon the main Continent of America, beginning at the De∣gree of 38, and ending in the Degree 40 Northerly Latitude, bounded on Virginia on the

South, New-England on the North, the great Ocean on the East, and the Meridian-line of the first Fountain of the great River of Pattowmeck on the West, begun to be planted in the year 1633.

The Religion is Christian, and a Law established there for Liberty of Conscience, to all that profess to believe in Jesus Christ.

The Countrey is under the right Honourable Caecilius Lord Baltemore, as the absolute Lord and proprietor of it, with all the Jurisdictions anciently belonging to the Count Palatine of Durham; which Lord Baltemore holds it to him and his heirs of the Crown of England, as of the Castle of Windsor in free Soccage by the yearly rent of two Indian arrows to be delivered at the said Castle on Easter Tuesday.

The place abounds with great Navigable Rivers, as Pattowmeck, Pattuxent, Anne Arundel, (by some called Severn) Patapsco River, Bolus, Sasquehannough River, Elk River, Choptanck, Nan∣tacoke, or Bever River, Pokemoke, and divers others, in which are multitudes of convenient Ports, capable of great numbers of Ships of any burthen.

There is little Money, by reason Barter for Commodity is more profitable to the Merchant and Inhabitant. But generally all the dealing with the English one with another, is with Tobacco upon Accompt till the Crop.

They use generally the Weights and Measures of England, and without any Tret.

The Commodities of the Country for Trade to be Exported, are generally Tobacco, and Beaver, Otter, Martin, and several other Furs purchased from the Indians: but they are pro∣jucting to fall upon the making of Silk: and the Country naturally yields store of Mul∣berry-Trees to that end, and generally it hath all the Commodities that Virginia af∣fords.

There are nine or ten Ships laden there yearly with Tobacco's for Europe.

Custom there is none, nor any Tax upon Commodities paid by the Subjects of Eng∣land.

The abuses and defects are, if the Tobacco's be packed up too dry, or too wet, or not close pack'd, or that with good leaves be mixt ground-leaves or suckers. The way to discover them is, by knowledge of what is good and sound Tobacco, and good packing: a Hogs-head well packed will hold 400 weight, or thereabouts, or not less than 300.

Of Forein Commodities, the place vents whatsoever is needful for Clothing or Houshold∣stuff, Nails, and other Iron-ware for building, Wine and Hot-waters for the use of the Eng∣lish; the quantities, such as may be guessed at for the accommodation respectively of about four or five thousand Planters. And for the use of the Indians, a certain shagged course Dutch Cloth called Duffeilds, or an English Cloth called Hogbays, the colours of both which most vendible and in most esteem with the Indians, are bright red and dark blue.

Shipping pertaining to the Inhabitants there is none but small Vessels trading to and fro, to Virginia, or sometimes to New-England. There is no Prohibition of any Commodities to be Exported or Imported, and the Trade of the Plantation is free to all Subjects of England, and those only.

* 1.19There is a Dutch Plantation in the Latitude of 41 Degrees, in a River called by the English Hudson's River, by the Indians called Monahaton; and by the Dutch (who have intruded into that place, being within the New-England Patent) called New-Netherland; they have in this place divers Towns, New-Amsterdam, their chief Town Grave-Saint, Flushing, and Middleborrough; also Fort-Orania, situate 40 miles up Hudson's River.

Their Religion is like the Religion in Old-Amsterdam in Holland.

Their Government subjected to the Holland West-India Company.

They have usurped there a great Trade of Bever from the English Nation, notwithstanding the late King Charles in the year 1631. did declare to the States of Holland his discontents for such Intrusion, whereupon the States of Holland did disclaim the owning or countenan∣cing of that Plantation, imputing it to the particular Acts of some private Merchants, and so left them to their own Protection, and to be ejected at the King's Pleasure.

They have also lately thrust the English out of a Plantation in Delaware Bay, called New-Ha∣ven, where they were seated within the bounds of Maryland, about the Degree of 40 North Latitude.

The Trade there with the Indians is like that of New-Amsterdam and Fort-Orania, for Bever-skins; And in all their said Plantations they seize the English and their Goods, if they take them Trading with the Indians for Bever-skins or other Furs.

The yearly Trade that these Dutch hold with the Natives, is at the least 60000 Bever-skins, and as many more of Otter and Elk-skins; besides Bear and Dear-skins. They Barter with the Natives for these Commodities, Axes, Hoes, and a shagged course Cloth called Duffeilds; the colours of the Cloth most esteemed by the Indians are bright red and dark blue; but the chief Commodity by which the Dutch engross and draw the said Trade from the neighbour∣ing

English Plantations, is Guns, Powder, Shot, and Rapier-blades, which Instruments of War have been twice fatal to themselves by two Massacres committed by the Indians upon them, with the help of those weapons, to the destruction of half their people at each time. And hath been also dangerous to the adjoyning Plantations of Maryland, Virgania, and New-England.

There are good Navigable Ports at New-Amsterdam, and New-Haven, and no worm to eat the Ships.

Though they permit none of the English Nation to Trade with the Indians, yet they permit them to Trade with themselves, exacting a great Custom at pleasure for all Goods Imported and Exported, as a Recognition enforced from all Merchants to their West-India Company, and is never less than 15 in the Hundred.

The most vendible Commodities to be brought them, are Guns, Powder and Shot, the abovementioned shagged Cloth called Duffeilds, and Brandy-wine, Linnen Cloth, Shoes, Stockings, and other necessaries for Clothing.

Their policy is to prohibit the Importation of Guns, Powder and Shot, so that all Foreiners are to beware how they come there with that Commodity; for the Stranger shall be sure to have it seized, without some close contrivance in the landing of it; but once landed, and on the shore, they are sold there in their common Shops.

There are in New-Amsterdam 1000 people, and amongst all their other Towns about 1000 more, men, women and children, by which it may be estimated what quantity of Clo∣thing may be vended there

* 1.20The seventh is Terra Corterialis; on the South whereof runs that famous River of Caneda, rising out of the Hill Hombuedo, running nine hundred miles, and found navigable for eight hundred thereof; this Countrey was discovered by Gaspar Corterialis a Portugal, in Anno 1500. and affords only some rich Skins and Furrs for Commodities and Merchandize. The chief Town thereof is Brest, Cabomarso, and others of little note.

* 1.21The eighth is Nurembega, and the chief Town carrieth that name, in possession of the French; other things remarkable I find not observable therein.

* 1.22The ninth is Nova Francia, discovered by Jaques Cartier, a French-man, in Anno 1534. inhabited, besides the Natives, with some few French-men. The chief Towns are Canada, and next Sanguinai, seated both upon two Rivers so called, affording only some Skins and Furrs, especially Bevers, which thence by the French are transported into Europe.

* 1.23The last and tenth is Estotiland, called by us New-found land; by the English discovered in Anno 1527. who imposed the names upon the Capes and Rivers which now they hold, where some have gone to plant, but the cold hath been found to be too extream for the English constitution; * 1.24but in the Summer season the Seas here are found to abound with Fish in such abundance, that a man may take in an hour's space a hundred great Fishes, which being opened, salted and dryed upon the Rocks and Braches are hence transported to all parts of Eu∣rope; and known in England by the name of New-land-fish; in French by the name of Mor∣leux; in Italy, Bacalio; and in Spain, Abadeses: five hundred Sail great and small do from England yearly sail to this Coast, and to a place called the Bank, a sand of 15 in 20 fathom deep, thirty leagues off of this Coast; and these depart from our Coast about the end of February, and arriving there about the middle of April, unrigge their Ships, set up Booths and Cabanets on the shore in divers Creeks and Harbours, and there with fishing Provisions and Salt, begin their fishing in Shallops and Boats, continue it till September, and at this time do not only catch as many Fish as will lade their Ships, but also as many as will lade Vessels of great burthens, that in the Summer come hither from England and other parts, to buy up the same, and purposely to transport it for Spain, Italy, and other Countreys: and this fishing ended and the cold beginning, they leave their Stations and Booths, and repairing aboard their Ships, lade their Fish and rigging their Vessels, return to their native homes, where these Fishermen winter, and then become Husbandmen; so that their lives may be compared to the Otter, which is spent half on Land and half in Sea,

This Fishing is found to be wonderful beneficial to our Western parts of England, whose Inhabitants considing upon the constancy of the yearly fishing upon this Coast, it is usual with them to sell the said Fish either by tale or the hundred weight in England by Contract, before they either depart their homes, or before the said Fish be caught, at profitable rates; and when their Summer is once spent, and that the cold once approacheth, and that the Fish begin to leave the Coast, they return contented to their Families; where of∣tentimes in Winter they merrily spend, what thus in Summer they have painfully fished for.

Other notes of Trading, worthy observation, at my there-being, in my younger days, I observed not. The Weights and Coins of England passing there current among the English, and the price of Fish once generally cut at their fishing Stales, doth afterward in lieu of Coin,

by way of Commutation, all that year pass current for all needful Commodities, and is esteem∣ed as a valuable consideration amongst them from one man to another: And thus much for the Provinces and Cities of Mexicana.

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.
• * 1.17

  The manner of Planting Tobacco in Virginia.
• * 1.18

  New-Eng∣land.
• * 1.19

  New-Nether∣land.
• * 1.20

  Corterialis 7.
• * 1.21

  Nurembega 8.
• * 1.22

  Nova Fran∣cia 9.
• * 1.23

  Estotiland 10.
• * 1.24

  Fishing in the New∣foundland.