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. XCV. Of Pegu, and the Coast thereof with the Trade.

* 1.1IN order having passed the Coast and Gulph of Bengala, the next in this Tract is the Sea-Coast of Aracan, Pegu, and Sian, stretching it self to the Island and Fort of Malacca, of which according to the Observations in Trade, as I have collected, I will in brief touch.

* 1.2The first on this Coast and Shore is Aracan, situated upon the River of Cosmin, which passeth through some part of Bengala, and entreth into that Gulph at this City, by which commodious situation it is found plentifully stored as well with the Commodities of that Countrey, as the natural Commodities of the place it self.

* 1.3The next is Macoa, seated upon one of the mouths of that great and famous River Martaban, which by ten mouths issuing into the Sea, gives a great supply to this Coun∣trey of all the Commodities that are found in India, from whence this mighty River hath its source.

* 1.4The third is Pegu it self, giving name to the whole Coast seated in like manner upon one of the said mouths, which as being the principal Seat of the Princes of this Countrey, I will a little more particularly survey.

* 1.5The marvellous great Tides, and violent current of this great River is not here to be omit∣ted as appertaining to Trade; for it is found to be in it self so swift, that neither Wind nor Oar can make head or way against it; and because it is found to keep a constant course of ebbing and flowing, therefore in their sailing they still observe the Tides thereof, and when those Tides are at highest, there are certain stations on the banks whereto their Boats, Galliots, and Barges are fastned, until the Tide do again serve their turn to proceed on their Voyage: this one thing more I find wonderful here, that these Tides come not in by a constant continued pace or measure, but come rushing in at the first with a great violence, with a hideous noise and roaring, such as in some lesser sort is seen in the River of Rouen, and in our River of Se∣vern, in England.

As for the City of Pegu it self it is divided into two parts, in the one the King and his No∣bility resideth, lately built and richly beautified, and therefore called the New Town; the other part inhabited only by Merchants, Artificers, Sea-men, and such like, and called the old Town; every House in the old Town where Merchants do reside, hath a place built strongly of Brick, which as a Ware-house serveth his occasion, called by them Godon, especi∣ally to prevent firing, which this Town is much subject to by reason of the combustible matter it is made of; the New Town is walled about, and is a perfect square, having twenty Gates, five in each angle, ditched about and watered, wherein many Crocodiles are kept for watch of the place by night; the Walls are beautified with many Turrets for Sentinels, guilded with Gold; the Streets are very fair, straight as a line, and so broad as fifteen Horsemen may ride abrest on both sides; at each man's door are set Palm-trees, which growing makes a fair shew, and thereby all Passengers may walk daily in the shadow from one Street to another, to pre∣vent the extraordinary heat of the place and Climate: The greatest Trade that is found at this day exercised in Pegu, is from the Coast of Cormandel with Pintado's, Cotton, Cloth, and other Bombasins much in request here; but it is to be noted, that these Ships must depart that Coast by the sixth of September, and take the Monsione wind, otherwise they lose their Voyage for that year: From Bengala also cometh hither sundry Ships with Cotton Cloth and other such wearing Commodities, which taking also the season of the wind arriveth here when the Cor∣mondel Ships are ready to depart. The principal Harbour or Port where these Ships do ride is called Cosmin, and the place where the greatest Ships do Anchor to lade and unlade their Goods. From Mecca come also sundry Ships laden with Woollen Cloth, Damasks, Velvets, and Chickens. From Malacca come many small Vessels laden with Pepper, Sanders, Porce∣lan of China, Camphora, and other Commodities. From Summatra come also sundry Ships

with Pepper and other Wares; all which Goods are very strictly looked into for payment of the King's Customs at landing, which is here paid in kind, and amounteth unto twelve per cent. and the King doth hold it for a great affront to be wronged of a penny of it: Rubies, Saphirs and Spinals paying here no Custom in or out, as being the proper Commodities of this Countrey.

For the effecting of the Trade and Commerce of this place, there is ordained eight Brokers o•• Tareghes by the King's Authority, who are bound to sell and vend all the Goods and Merchan∣dize coming to Pegu, for all mens account of what Nation soever they be, having two per cent. for their Brokerage, and are liable to make good the debts they make, which no Merchant there resident can avoid; for they will have the said two per cent. by the King's Authority granted them, whether their help be taken or not.

In like manner, there are ordained certain Brokers for the buying of all the Commodities bought in Pegu, wherein is found amongst them such candid dealing, that a stranger can hardly be wronged or abused, if he have but so much discretion to provide such Goods as may be pro∣per for the Countrey whither he sends them.

* 1.6The Commodities native of this place and Countrey are these, Gold, Silver, Rubies, Saphirs, Spinals digged at Caplan, six days journey from Av•• in this Kingdom, great store of Benjamin, Long Pepper, Lead, Lacca, Rice, Niperwine and Sugar; and many other Commodities. The manner of their bargaining, as being contrary to the custom and use in most parts of the World, is here worth observing; all their bargains by their Law must be made publickly and in open assemblies of and before all standers by, who because they should yet not know what is bidden or demanded for any Commodity, the Brok••rs either buyer or seller having seen the Commodity, and liking of it, putteth his hand under a cloth and toucheth the parties hand interessed, and by nipping, touching and pinching of certain joynts of each others hands, they know what is bidden and demanded without words speaking, which these Brokers again with the other hand covered in like manner, give notice of to the party who sets him on work, and either so orders him to proceed to bid more or less, or else to give over; and after this manner are all their C•…•…∣tracts here made, and afterwards by the said Broker registred accordingly in leaves of Trees, which with them is used as Paper with us.

* 1.7And when any strangers and forein Merchants arrive here, these Brokers are bound by their place to provide them a house, Magazine, and lodging, whilst they are here resident; and when the house is taken, the Governour of the Town sends to know how long time he in∣tends to stay with them, and withal appointeth certain Maids of the Town to go to him, that out of them he may make choice of one whilst he remains there, and then having chosen one to his mind, he contracts with her friends for her use for the said time at an easie rate, which done, he bringeth her to his house or lodging, and she serveth him willingly in all his affairs both by day and night, as both his slave and wife; but then he must take care that during that time he keepeth not company with any other woman; for so he might incur a greater danger and peril of his life by the Law of the Countrey. Now when the time of his residence is expir∣ed, he payeth the Parents of the Maid the price agreed for, and departeth quietly away, and she returneth with credit to her friends, being as well esteemed of as ever she was before; and if afterward this Maid chance to marry, though with the principallest of the Countrey, and that the aforesaid stranger should again return hither to trade, he may again demand his w••∣man, and he shall have her by the Law of the Countrey, without the resistance of her husband, or any shame unto him, and she remaineth by the stranger as long as he abideth there; and he travelling from thence, she goeth home to her husband again, which amongst them is held for a most sure and inviolable Law and Custom.

* 1.8The Coin current here and throughout all this Coast is called Gansa, which is made of Cop∣per and Lead, and is not the proper money of the King, but every man may stamp it that will, and that is able, because it hath its just value in stuff and materials; there is much counter∣feiting of this Coin, but it is soon discerned by the Brokers, Tellers of Money, who readily spy it out, and therefore not passable, nor will it be taken by any; with this money Gansa you may buy Gold, Silver, Rubies, Drugs, Spices, and all Commodities; and no other Money is current amongst them.

This Gansa goeth by a weight called a Biso, and this name of Bise, goeth for the account of the weight, and therefore a Bise of a Gansa is accounted by strangers there trading ½ ℞ 8/•• or 2s. 6 d. sterling; and albeit that Gold and Silver, as all other Commodites do rise and fall, yet this Bise never altereth in value or estimation. Every Bise maketh a hundred Gansaes of weight, and so it doth come to pass that the number of the money is Bisa.

* 1.9In this Countrey is also seated the Town of Martaven, a place of great Traffick, and the last of this Coast; the Inhabitants whereof are wonderful expert in making of hard Wa••, which hence is dispersed throughout India, and into many places of Europe; here is also made those great earthens Jars or vessels which serve them to keep Water, Oyl, or any other liquor,

and are much used in India, and aboard their Ships in stead of Cask, Barrels, and such Vessels, and throughout all these Countries are called of the name of the place Maatavanas, and in some places by the Portugals Benajos.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Pegu, and the Trade of the Coast thereof.
• * 1.2

  Aracan.
• * 1.3

  Macoa.
• * 1.4

  Pegu.
• * 1.5

  River of Martaban.
• * 1.6

  Strange manner of buying and selling in Pegu.
• * 1.7

  Maids let out to serve both by day and night service to Merchants
• * 1.8

  Coins cur∣rent in Pegu.
• * 1.9

  Martaven.