CHAP. CIX. Of the Trade in general of Asia, as it is found at this day.
* 1.1TO conclude then the Trade and Traffick of Asia in general; it is comprehended within a few principal Cities thereof: as first in the Grand Seignior's Dominions in Aleppe, Smyrna, Constantinople, Alexandria, Balsara, and Baruti, and Damasco: in Persia, Domi∣nions, in Scirus, Ormus, Casbin, Gilan, and Hispahan: and in India and these Coasts, at Goa, Malacca, Siam, Pegu, Cochin, Calicut, Mesulapatan, and the Islands of Java, Japan, Summatra, Molucco's: in Tartaria, in Astraca, Capha, Sarmacand, and Cambalu, &c. The Turkish Nation affords not many Merchants of note; yet some are found that from Constan∣tinople do drive a Trade by Sea to Venice, Cairo, Trapesond, Capoa, and some few other places: and some again that with Caravans by Land drive a Trade from Aleppo, Damasco, and Aegypt to the Red-Sea, and to Mecha; but these I may more properly account Arabians than natural Turks, who in general have been esteemed in times past, and yet are more industrious and better vers'd in manual Arts, than in the mystery of Merchandizing: but now they have all well near lost that attribute, and wholly addict themselves by reason of their Grand Seignior's tyran∣ny, to no further Trade than what necessity doth for the most part compel them, therefore not much worth here further consideration.
But those several Nations inhabiting the large Coast of India, Persia, and these abovemen∣tioned Islands, are found to be more addicted thereto and of greater eminency, and are found by their Traffick and Commerce to have raised to themselves Estates in these Countries equal to many of our European Dukes and greatest Earls, whereof the Gusurats and Canarins, the frugal and proper Inhabitants of India, are accounted the chiefest and principal, occasioned partly by their excellent subtilty in accounts and numbring, and partly by the late Naviga∣tions and Commerce of the Europeans, Arabians, and other remoter Nations amongst them, who bring them (for the most part) no other Commodity but Plate and Silver in Rials of ½, which they there exchange for the rich Commodities of India, as their Cloves, Maces, N•…•…∣megs, Pepper, Diamonds, Emeralds, Rubies, Pearls, and such other the precious Wares of these Countries.
The Persian Nation challenge also a large share in this Trade of Asia, occasioned by their excellent and industrious Fabricks, and their natural plenty of raw Silks, which from them is abundantly transported and spread over all the world, and their sumptuous adorning and cu∣riosity of living, drawing to them by exchange the Riches and Commodities of India and China, and other places.
The Arabians (as possessing a great part of Asia) may not here be omitted, amongst which are found many eminent Merchants, not only trading by Camels with Caravans from Turkie into Aegypt, and other places, and into the Red-Sea, but also from Aleppo to Babylon, Balsara, and so to the Persian Gulph; and also by Sea, not only on the Coast of Si••∣dy, India, Chormandel, Siam, Pegu, and the Islands aforesaid, where many Mahometan Princes are found to bear rule; but also at Suachem, Melinda, Brava, and Quiloa, and many other parts and Ports of Africa.
Neither amongst all these above-mentioned Nations, which are found in the general to afford Merchants of Eminency and Note, and to have a Country for particular residence to themselves, and where their Princes do bear Sovereignty, are the Nation of the Jews to be omitted or forgotten, who (though by the Curse of the Almighty) are scattered and dispersed as it were over the face of the whole Earth, and are permitted (with some limita∣tions and restrictions) their abode in several Countries, paying for their liberty and freedom of residence and Commerce, both great and large annual Contributions in sundry places; yet by their ingeniousness in Trade, and their expertness in Arts, and their subtilty in the va∣luation of Princes Coins, and their Skill in Accounts, they are found in all these afore-named